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Copyright ©2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.publishing as Pearson [imprint]

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.S. W. Nunnally

Chapter 20

IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY

AND PERFORMANCE



THE BIG PICTURE

• State of the Industry

• What Is Productivity?

• Tools for Better Management



WORK IMPROVEMENT

• What Is It?

• Time Studies

• Flow Process Charts

• Layout Diagrams

• Crew Balance Charts

• Human Factors



WORK IMPROVEMENT

FIGURE 20-1. Flow process chart.



WORK IMPROVEMENT

FIGURE 20-2. Roof truss diagram.



WORK IMPROVEMENT

FIGURE 20-3. Crew balance chart.



QUANTITATIVE MANAGEMENT METHODS

• Linear Programming—Graphical Solution

• Computer Solution




FIGURE 20-4. Graphical solution of Example 20-1.




FIGURE 20-5. Computer solution of Example 20-2.



COMPUTERS AND OTHER TOOLS

• Computers in Construction

• Advanced Techniques



COMPUTERS AND OTHER TOOLS

FIGURE 20-6. Scraper simulation program output.



ROBOTS IN CONSTRUCTION

• Recent Developments– Building Construction

• Finishing of concrete floor slabs.• Fireproofing of structural steel after erection.• Positioning steel members for steel erection.• Spray linings for silos and similar structures.• Surfacing of walls and other building components.

– Heavy Construction• Automated asphalt and concrete plants.• Automated excavators.• Automated tunnel boring machines.




FIGURE 20-7. Automatic grade control of an excavation using a laser. (Courtesy of Trimble)

FIGURE 20-8. Remote-controlled pipe manipulator. (Courtesy of the Construction Automation and Robotics Laboratory, North Carolina State University)




FIGURE 20-9. Robot for interior construction. (Courtesy of Prof. A.Warszawski)



THE FUTURE

• As has been noted throughout this book, changes in the construction industry are occurring at an ever-increasing rate. – Some recent trends in construction include

increasing international competition, rapid changes in technology, the wide availability of information via the Internet, increasing ease and speed of communication, and increasing governmental regulation of the industry, particularly in the areas of safety and environmental protection.



THE FUTURE

• Computers are playing a growing role in construction equipment design and operation. – Automation has taken over many aspects of construction

equipment control.

• When equipment control systems are integrated with wireless communication systems and GPS (Global Positioning System) systems, remote and even off-site control of construction equipment operations become highly feasible.– In addition to requiring highly trained managers and

operators, such developments will increasingly demand skilled technicians to maintain and repair the equipment involved.



THE FUTURE

• In light of these developments, tomorrow’s construction professional faces an exciting future.

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