CENTER FOR CIVIL INFORMATICS (I2C) DEPT.

OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

CIV420-Construction Engineering

Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Ashraf Elazouni
E-mail: ashraf.elazouni@utoronto.ca


Course summary: The course focuses on illustrating construction engineering as a source of
creating value through managing knowledge throughout project life cycle. The first module
focuses on managing heavy construction equipment. This includes: estimating and enhancing its
productivity, assessing its costs and using simulation to optimize its management. The second
module covers the role of value engineering in enhancing project designs and achieving
customer goals. The third module covers construction project management, including resource
management, planning and scheduling linear construction project using the line of balance
scheduling technique, and finally financial management and bidding practices.

It is important to note that these topics are subjective. Consequently, many of the questions
in the assignments, quiz, and exams will be conceptual and require out-of-the-box thinking.

Course objectives
To provide student with an adequate background about construction engineering systems.
To understand current construction management tools and practice in relationship to
equipment management, operations and costing.
To investigate the role and techniques of value engineering and constructability analysis
To introduce the concept and techniques of construction planning and scheduling.

Course grading system
Final course grade will be assessed as follows:
Assignments 10%
Term Project 20%
Midterm exam 20%
Final exam: 50%

Class participation: Active participation is expected and encouraged. Students should expect to
be asked about the reading material during class. They should expect to be assigned quick group
tasks during class.
Assignments: A total of 4 assignments will be performed during tutorials. Assignments will be
handed in on Mondays. They will be due on next Monday at 12noon. Assignments late less than
24 hours will be marked out of 75%. Assignments delivered after 24 hours of the due time, will
receive a zero.NO MAKEUP.

Group Reports will be evaluated based on overall quality, accuracy of data. Input from formal
peer review will also be considered. See rubric at the Appendix

Makeup Policy: No makeup allowed for quizzes, assignments or midterm.



CENTER FOR CIVIL INFORMATICS (I2C) DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO





Text Book
It is hard to find one book that covers suitably all the material of the course. A course reader will
be available at the Engineering library.

CYCLONE Software
Students will need to install the EZStrobe software for usage in the class:
http://www.ezstrobe.com/

Additional Important Readings:
Nunnally, S. W. Construction Methods and Management, Perason Publishers.
Eastman, C., Teicholz, P., Sacks, R., and Liston, K. (2008). BIM Handbook: A Guide to
Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and
Contractors, John Wiley Publishers
Hendrickson, C. (2004). Project Management for Construction
o Available for free at http://www.ce.cmu.edu/pmbook/
Kelly, J. P. (1993). Value management in design and construction: the economic
management of projects, E & FN Spon.
o Available for free at UofT Library e-resources.

Optional Readings/for your professional library
Caterpillar performance handbook, Caterpillar Tractor Company [UofT call number TL233.5 .C37]
Alphonse J. DellIsola (1982). Value engineering in the construction industry. Van Nostrand
Reinhold Co. [Chapters 1 through 3]
http://www.constructionequipment.com/
Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), The Project Management
Institute Standards Committee (free @ http://www.pmi.org/publictn/pmboktoc.htm)
Alarcan, L. F. (1997). Lean construction, A.A. Balkema.
http://main.library.utoronto.ca/webcat/goto_catalogue_url.cfm?where=ckey&what=6246482
Gibson, G. E. (1999). PDRI : project definition rating index for building projects, Construction
Industry Institute [UofT call number TH438 .P37 1999]


















CENTER FOR CIVIL INFORMATICS (I2C) DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO




Class Schedule
Weak of Module Topic
Tutorial
Notes
Assign/Proj How to?
Sept. 10
Equipment
Management
Engineering
fundamentals
Video
Sept. 17
Planning
Earthwork

Sept. 24 Production rates Assign 1
Oct. 1 Production rates Assign 2 Assign 1 due
Oct. 8 Simulation
Project
released
Project
Information
session
Assign 2 due
Oct. 15 Economics
Thanksgiving

Oct. 22 Economics Midterm
Oct. 29
Value
Engineering
Value
Engineering
Assign 3

Nov. 5
Constructability
analysis
Term Project due
Nov. 12 Case Studies

Assign 3 due
Nov. 19
Financial
Management
Line of balance


Nov. 26 Cash flow Assign 4

Dec. 3 Risk Analysis

Assign 4 due
* The dates of these items are subject to change.


























CENTER FOR CIVIL INFORMATICS (I2C) DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO




Project Evaluation Rubric
Criterion 1
0-60%
2
60-75%
3
75%+
Initial Analysis
(30%)
Little or no evidence for
collection of relevant data;
incoherent assumptions;
limited assessment of project
conditions
Superficial knowledge of
relevant data/industry rates,
coherent assumptions,
adequate assessment of
project conditions
Clear understanding for
industry practices/ongoing
rates including interviews
with relevant experts, clear
and insightful analysis of
project conditions.
Development (50%) Direct use of
equations/procedures with
limited insights.
Developing and
Experimenting with options;
coherent linkage between
different aspects of the
project.
Showcasing mastery of the
theory behind the
equations/procedures,
integrated approach to
project analysis and full
consideration of linkages
between elements;
attempting/using/developing
innovative alternatives.
Final Analysis
(20%)
Limited analysis of results of
your own analysis.
Suggesting new ideas/
changes for project
design/construction,
clarifying the impacts of
your assumptions on the
results; discussing impacts
of project conditions on the
results.
In depth analysis of the
impacts of project conditions
and your own assumptions
on results. Suggesting
advanced or innovative ideas
for project
design/construction.
Listing/creating lessons
learned for your company.

Peer Evaluation Rubric (Group work)
Criterion 1 2 3 4
Effort Little or no evidence of
preparation; no effort shown
Minimal preparation;
superficial knowledge of
resources; minimal effort
Fully prepared; completed
all agreed tasks; competent,
but not extraordinary
Produced additional
resources for the group;
extraordinary effort
demonstrated
Attitude Disparaging; negative,
withdrawn or belligerent;
absent
Neutral; neither encouraging
nor discouraging;
disinterested in the
performance of others
Positive; supportive; mostly
constructive and upbeat
Exceptionally positive
and constructive;
encourages other group
members
Contribution Poor quality; little, if any,
contribution to group goals
Poor quality work;
substantive errors; much
revision and editing is
required
Good quality work; few
revisions or additions are
necessary
Outstanding contribution;
above-and-beyond; work
is excellent in form and
substance