EPC General Contractor Mode In Hydraulic Engineering

EPC is the type of project management mode under which the head contractor completes the work of project designing, equipment purchasing, project construction and project trial operation(trial running of vehicles) to realize the coordinated integration of the designing, procurement and construction procedures of the whole project, meanwhile holding full responsibility for the progress, quality, cost and security of the project. Featuring high cost, long construction period and close connectivity to civil livelihood, Hydraulic engineering has been playing an important role in the infrastructure investment and construction of our country.Based on the analysis of EPC project management theories, this thesis aims to conduct an in-depth study into the various aspects of EPC project management, including design management, procurement management and construction management, by carrying out an extensive research on the definition of EPC project management modes, the background of EPC project management development and the status quo of EPC project management study.By case-studying hydraulic engineering projects and comparing EPC project management with other management modes, this thesis aims to explore a more effective and scientific management mode through detailed analysis, which integrates all resources and procedures of the construction process into a solid whole and leads to the favorite result of short construction period, investment reduction, cost cut and high quality.By looking into the current situation of the implementation of EPC project management projects in hydraulic engineering, this thesis aims to summarize the advantage and current problems of the application of designing-oriented EPC mode in hydraulic engineering.For advantages, the application of EPC management mode firstly ensures the coordinated integration of designing, procurement and construction procedures, consequently shortening the construction period. Secondly, by clearly defining the responsibilities of the designing departments and preventing the possible adjustments of construction plan, EPC management mode cuts the construction cost under the limit of project budget and therefore improves the reward and effectiveness of the project investment. Finally, under EPC mode, professional designing departments instead of individual proprietors manage and control the process the construction. The application of technical expertise and the comprehensive implementation of good business protocols and executive regulations may ensure the high quality of the whole project. Currently, the main problem for the implementation of EPC project management comes from the lack of regulated laws and policies and related market access managing mechanism. Besides, the deep influence of traditional management modes on individual proprietors and ignorance of the advantages of the EPC mode finally lead to the unnecessary intervention of EPC's application, causing problems for the smooth implementation of EPC management mode. Finally, the head contractor may come across problems of insufficient experience in construction, weak management and coordination during construction and inadequate equipments or manpower for construction.Accordingly, this thesis aims to propose reasonable solutions to the above-mentioned problems, such as the immediate formulation and execution of related policies and regulations, the practical improvement of the advertising, training and popularization of the EPC mode and effective measures to further improve the management capability of the head contractors, etc. By devising and proposing practical advice for reference for the implementation of EPC management mode in similar project cases, this thesis finally expects to promote the application of EPC in Hydraulic engineering to a greater extend.