construction engineering conference 14 september 2010 · construction engineering conference 14...

Construction Engineering Conference 14 September 2010

Construction engineering knowledge 1

Core elements of construction engineering knowledge for project

and career success

• Need, definition, three types of activities

• Knowledge elements: fundamentals, resources, operations

• Learning methods

• Conclusions, implications, continued learning

C. B. (Bob) Tatum, Professor Emeritus,

Stanford 1

constructionwork-project.blogspot.com

Market drivers for construction engineering

• Increased construction safety, quality, and sustainability, including design and the supply chain

• Increased infrastructure, engineered construction

• New materials, construction-applied resources

• Increased system complexity for criteria such as lifeIncreased system complexity for criteria such as life safety, building energy efficiency, air quality

• Integrated project delivery and work processes;IT-enhanced planning, coordination, monitoring

• Construction process modeling, starting with BIM

• Changing construction workforce, skill levels

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Definitions: Const. Engineering, CM

Construction engineering is a series of technical activities throughout the project to assist in meeting all types of project objectives. The activities include design, resource g ,supply, and integration.

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bridgepros.com

Construction management: “… a professional management practice consisting of an array of services applied to construction projects and programs … a discipline and management system…” CMAA



1. Design temporary works, work processes

• Temporary works to provide the production environment for construction

• Construction processes, means and methods, to build the work

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2. Provide resources• Technical information

• Permanent materials and equipment

• Construction-applied that do not remain www.cem.egr.unlv.edu

5www.djc.com/news/co/11155143.htmljetahu.com

3. Integrate project phases, work processes, projects

• Construction input to design; interpreting plans and specifications

structuralsystems.com.au

• Technical input to work coordination in an area

• Best practice transfer to future projects

6geotechnics.mottmac.com



Four Knowledge elements1. Technical fundamentals:

engineering, performance, applications, methods of operation

2. Materials of construction: design and construction properties; influence on field operationsinfluence on field operations

3. Construction-applied resources: availability, performance, applications, limitations

4. Field construction operations: sequences, production rates, potential problems, avoidance

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www.leedsmet.ac.uk/business/Construction.htm

1. Technical fundamentals

• Materials science and engineering

• Mechanics, forces

• Geotechnical and structural engineering

• Fluid mechanics

Machine Systems:

Powertrain

Traction/structure

Implement

Control and information

Job Factors:

Material type

Environment

Topography

Distance

Power available

Usable force

Technical determinants of earthwork production rate

• Fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer

• Electric power

• Process control and instrumentation

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Control and informationDistance

Promoting forceRetarding force

Production rate, units/time

Volume/cycle Cycles/time

TimeSpeed

Adapted from M. Vorster, VA Tech

2. Materials of construction

• Design properties: chemical, physical, performance, special restrictions

www.ettlinc.com/CMT.HTM

• Construction properties: links with operations, cost, availability, potential for substitution, toxicity

• Link with operations: major type; properties

9www.concretethinker.com/Papers.aspx?DocId=2



agra olx inwww.mochalabs.co.za/soil.htm

Design and construction properties of materials

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agra.olx.in

www.steelandsite.com www.rmpv.com/en

Material Key design properties Key construction propertiesConcrete strength in shear,

bending, compression, bearing, MoE

permeability, durability, creep

cement temperature, fineness, rate of setting and strength gain

influence of admixtures

workability for all construction operations

lateral pressure in concrete forms

shrinkage, delay of adjacent placementsReinforcing steel

strength, tensile, grades

standard sizes details

standard sizes and details

fabrication tolerances preassembly

Examples of materials properties

steel standard sizes, details

configuration, location in placement, cover, corrosion protection

fabrication tolerances, preassembly

density, congestion in placement

number and types of splices

release and delivery by placement

location tolerances, ability to cold work Structural steel

strength, tensile, compressive, shear

Dimensions, properties of structural shapes

configuration, location

standard details

fabrication tolerances, potential to automate

delivery for erection, fit with shipping envelope, erection plan

weldability; heat treatment, hardness11

3. Construction‐applied resources

• Consumable and salvageable materials

• Tools, simple or complex

in.europe-machinery.com/.../manitowoc-777.html

• Construction equipment

• Knowledge elements: how it works, performance, best applications, limitations, risk, potential for automation

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verityofcaterpillermachines.blogspot.com www.pktrucks.com

www.jenniferclarkbass.com www.lincolnelectric.com

Best use of construction‐

applied resources

Examples of resources

Most productive applications

Conditions and use for the best results

Unit and systems capacity and performance metrics

Concrete pump

medium to large placements

vertical and horizontal transport less than rated capacity

access for placing boom

reliable supply of pumpable concrete

reach, meters

weight, kg

placement rate, m3/hr

Concrete admixture

placement requiring special concrete

hot weather, cold weather, high density

required dosage

change in properties of

Knowledge about construction-applied resources

pproperties

, g yreinforcing steel

change in properties of plastic concrete

Concrete vibrator

internal consolidation of concrete placement

higher congestion of reinforcing

lower slump concrete

class, size, frequency, radius of influence

m3/hr placement rateCrawler crane

erecting structural steel

setting large components

accessible site

large structure requiring multiple crane locations

weight, ground pressure

working reach, load

hoisting rate

Welding machine

welding connections for structural steel, piping

full penetration welds

code requirements

power, voltage, amperage

deposition rate, kg/hr14

4. Field construction operations (a)

• Knowledge elements: sequences, production rates, potential problems, avoidance

• Earthwork: erosion control, clearing and grubbing, stripping www.topconeurope.comg g g, pp gtopsoil; excavating, hauling, placing; compacting, testing; finishing, checking final line, grade

• Concrete work: formwork, reinforcing steel, embedments; batching, transporting, placing, finishing, curing; special methods

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Fundamentals Materials Resources Operations concrete strength, permeability, durability

mix designs

RC design

hydrostatic load

chemical, and physical properties of cement, hydration process

aggregate, admixtures

plastic concrete properties

composite models of placement

access, laydown, construction plant

conventional, special formwork, hardware

concrete and

plan methods, production rates

fab, use formwork

detail, fab, place rebar, embeds

preassemble, splice

b t h t t

Knowledge elements for concrete work

y

structural design of formwork

pump output and head loss

properties, workability

embedded plates, anchor bolts

rebar, ASTM specs, grades

lumber, ties, other hardware

aggregate plants, trucks

pumps, booms, conveyors, vibrators

finishing equipment, tools

curing materials

safety, QC equipment

batch, transport

place, finish, cure

test, inspect, repair

special operations: precast, post tension, shotcrete, marine, RCC, architectural

special conditions: hot, massive, cold

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4. Field construction operations (b)

• Structural steel:detailing, fabricating; transporting, shaking out; raising, plumbing, connecting, testing

• Permanent equipment:review submittals, fabricate, test, transport, receive, store, install, connect, test

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www.energybooks.com/toc/toc0210.htm

4. Field construction operations (c)

• Piping and ductwork:detail, coordinate, fabricate; transport, erect, support, connect, l t tclean, test

• Electrical systems:detail, coordinate, fabricate, erect, support connect raceway; position, pull, terminate, test electrical cable

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gujranwala.olx.com

www.hulseyconcrete.com

Examples of resources, operations: CAS, MEP

19trinitysteelerection.comwww.trakengineering.com

Knowledge about field operations

• “King or queen” demands or conditions: project objective, resources, design, site, vicinity

• Critical information needs in the field

• Performance requirements for resources

• Best “flow” of the work

• Risks and contingency plans; “mothers for all”

• Potential problems and how to obviate

• Critical success factors for the crews in the field

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www.cement.orgccpumpingservices.com

21blog.aflcio.org www.wildeck.com

Field operations to meet all objectives



Examples of construction engineering‐intensive activities

• Excavate and support a tunnel

• Build an engineered fill

• Dewater, excavate, and support a foundation

• Precast, transport, erect a large beam

• Plan and provide resources for a deck cycle

• Erect and connect a tier of structural steel

• Fabricate and install a building enclosure

• Set, align, and connect major equipment

• Detail, coordinate, fabricate, erect, connect, and commission a service or process system

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www.peri.co.jpwww.flatironcorp.com

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www.murrayplant.co.uk

www.designboom.com

www.detroitbuildingtrades.org Construction engineering‐intensive work

Levels of construction engineering knowledge

Employer organization

Technicalfundamentals

Materials of construction

Construction Resources

Field operations

GC, selfperform; specialty contractor

• quantitative• apply to design• deep “feel” forlinks to other 3elements

• quantitative• design properties

• constructionproperties

• quantitative• performance, applications, limitations, quality, safety

• quantitative• sequences,production rates, problems

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GC, CM at risk

• apply to reviewother’s design

• qualitativesense of links

• mix of quantitative, qualitative for design review

• mix of quantitative, qualitative in plan review

• mix of quantitative,qualitative in plan review

Programor project manager, Prof. CM

• limitedqualitative applications in design and construction

• limitedqualitative applications in design

• limitedqualitative applications in plan review

• limitedqualitative applications in plan review



Learning approaches

• Lecture with examples, reading, problem sets

• Active and cooperative methods in class sessions

• Integrated, project-based, team focused, IT intensive,

• Construction engineering practicum, an experiment, with a class session and a group exercise each for earthwork, concrete work, and steel construction

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pbl.stanford.edu/Research/ResearchILE.html

Conclusions: construction engineering knowledge

• Need: new project types, operational constraints, materials, IT-enabled resources

• Career advantage: learn from CEM courses, excel early, keep learning

• Elements: two fundamental, two applied, all beneficial and highly related

• Learning methods: combine traditional, active, and integrated for all elements

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Implications and recommendations

• Young engineers: combine experience-based and fundamental learning, iteratively

• Regular and adjunct construction faculty: related fundamental and empirical topics

• Industry professionals: seminars, courses, shared information, career advising

• Construction researchers: develop model-based tools to bring jobsite to the classroom; scope and structure representation and reasoning for construction process models

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Individual benefits from construction engineering

• Background for design, estimating, and construction management courses

• Basis for success in initial jobs, jcontinued learning, development

• Increased potential for innovation

• Shared technical understanding, rapport with design, operations

• Advantages for licensure

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dcnonl.com/article/id31485

How will construction engineering help my career ?

• Technical basis for planning, modeling, and analysis of construction operations.

• Increased communication, credibility, rapport and shared motivation and understanding with other members of project teams.

• Foundation for deeper, faster self-directed learningfrom experience in design and construction.

• Increased personal productivity.

• Critical resource for analysis, innovation, and vision regarding project and, later in careers, operations and general management.

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Activities to keep learning

• Ask everyone; know can learn from all; + attitude.

• Get very good at something; add value early.

• Participate in professional or trade organizations such as technical committees of ASCE, CII, AIA, AGC, DBIA, CMAA, or others., , ,

• Learn more about engineering fundamentals and materials from different disciplines; take FE exam.

• Iterate between empirical (OJT) learning (often about resources and operations) and increased understanding of fundamentals and materials.

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www.sw-assoc.com

www.albertkahn.com

gtwiki.org

31Examples of getting very good at somethingwww.cem.egr.unlv.edu

www.anthc.org www.finning.ca

Knowledge sources for continued learning• Crafts and superintendents on the job by observing,

analyzing, asking, and applying the results

• Design engineers by reviewing codes and standards, asking about design basis, and analyzing the design criteria and process

• Owners and operators by asking about performance or program criteria for the project and tracing how they are implemented and verified

• Suppliers of key materials and equipment by asking about appropriate integration and the most favorable applications of their products 32

construction engineering conference 14 september 2010 · construction engineering conference 14...

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