Construction Technology
Course Introduction and Objectives
Dr. Attaullah Shah
Qualification
PhD Civil Engineering ,M.Phil Eco ,MSc Structure Engg MBA, MA Eco, MSc Envir Design,BSc Civil Engg (Gold Medal), Post Grad Dip Comp (Gold Medal)
Professional and Field experience: 25 Years Research Publications in refereed journals and conferences: 26 Journals publications+40 Conference publications Areas of interests
Construction project Management Structural Engineering Sustainable built Environment
Course Description
The courses is aimed at emphasizing the technologies and processes involved in the heavy construction: Excavation and earth-moving techniques, Foundation systems, High performance and other special concretes, Concrete form design, concrete and steel construction, concrete and steel enclosure systems, Building frames and roofing structures. Building Codes etc.
Course outlines
Week-1
Introduction to topics, Construction Types, Construction Operations and Management Process. The role of heavy construction projects in the global socio-economic development Group activity/Assignment:
Role of Construction industry in the socio-Eco development
Course outlines
Week 2: Earth Moving and Excavation Techniques Ground Compaction and Finishing Techniques, Construction of Tunnels
Group Project-1 Each group will select the project given from the list bottom. Develop 2 page proposal for approval and Submit a comprehensive project report on the topic, followed by presentation.
Course outlines
Week 3 Foundation systems Special concretes Quiz # 1 Week 4 High Performance Concrete Design, Concrete Form Design, Robotization for Concrete Forms Assignment No.2 (Individual assignment) What are different types of foundations and how the particular type of foundation is selected?
Course outline
Week 5
- Pre-stressed/Precast Concrete Construction
Week 6
- Mid Term Test (2-hours) - Construction of Bridges
Week 9
Quiz-2 Steel Construction and Composite steel construction
Week 10 - Construction of Dames and hydraulic structures Assignment No.4: (Individual assignment) Write a comprehensive note on ten major dames of the world, their material, construction etc. Week 11 Oil Terminals Construction in the Ocean (tentative) Week 12 - Quiz #3 - Safety in Construction
Group Assignment The class will be divided into two groups of 3 students each. The group assignment will be prepared and presented by the group. The group leader will present and other group members will assist. The duration of presentation will be 15 min followed by 5 min questions and answers.
Project Instructions:
You will write a report on a chosen heavy-construction technique or technology, e.g. Construction of Cable Stayed Bridges, Bridge Construction Techniques, Cofferdams, High rise buildings, Earth Reinforcement Methods, Micro Tunneling, Pipe Jacking Conduct an in-depth study using resources available in the library and on the Internet. The report shall be submitted in the following format: Title Page Acknowledgments (if any) Table of Contents Executive Summary (total 1000 words or less) Brief introduction of the chosen topic
Main Body of the Report (10-15 pages including tables and pictures)
Introduction (1-2 pages) History (if any) Advantages and disadvantages of the technique (12 pages) Possible applications in construction (1-2 pages) Step-by-step Procedure (with pictures) Comparison of chosen technique with other available techniques (of the same nature) based on:
Performance, Time or speed of construction, Cost Site constraints such as weather, site conditions etc. Any other criteria, which you feel important Case Study: Provides details of a project where this technique has been used. You may include pictures of that project as well. Limitations of the chosen technique Contractors or Companies which are currently using this technique or providing such services (if any) Conclusions (discuss your opinions about the merits and demerits References: At least 10 for graduate students
All references must be properly cited in the report using numbers or last name of the authors with year of publication. ( [1] or (Shah, 2005) ).
Introduction
Construction Industry in 21st Century
Introduction
Construction Industry in 21st Century
European Market
Sovereign debt crises and the uncertainty in the Eurozone Only the Scandinavian counties are likely to be largely immune from the impacts Austerity measures in many Western European countries have focused on the postponement/cancellation of many planned infrastructure projects. Construction spending growth will be significantly lower in Western Europe than trend growth for the rest of the world. It is likely that it will be 2020 before the market in Western Europe returns to output levels last seen in 2007. The fastest growing countries in Western Europe in 2012-13 are expected to be Germany (+1.8%) and the U.K. 1.6%
European Market-Contd
The fastest growing countries in Eastern Europe in 2012 are expected to be Poland (+9.1%) followed by Russia (+6.5%) and Turkey (+5.5%), all with growth levels significantly above the average for the region as a whole. In Russia, construction spending on preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup are boosting already booming energy and transport infrastructure spending.
Middle East
In the Middle East, moderate construction spending growth (+4.2%) is expected in 2012 Much of the growth will be led by increases in infrastructure construction spending, in particular energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia, the largest market in the region, is also expected to lead much of the growth in the region (+5% pa), through to 2015 Followed by a return to growth in the U.A.E. (+4% pa), much of which will be led by Abu Dhabi, rather than Dubai which remains subdued and is largely expected to remain that way through the forecast period. Qatar continue to remain positive. Indeed, preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and upgrading of associated infrastructure is expected to make construction spending.
Africa
Due to recent turmoil in much of North Africa In particular, reconstruction in Libya and infrastructure upgrades in Egypt are likely to act as a stimulus for the region through to 2015. In the rest of the region there is a mixed picture emerging, with some areas of strong growth, particularly Nigeria (+8%), with continuing declines in others particularly South Africa. Infrastructure construction is forecast to be the fastest growing sector of construction output through to 2015.
The Americas
The construction market in the U.S.A. is expected to remain stagnant in 2012, with little or no growth forecast, much like construction spending in Western Europe Some growth is expected in Canada and Mexico, although the problems in the U.S.A. are expected to constrain growth in both markets through to 2015. In contrast, much of South America is expected to see significant growth in construction spending through 2012 In particular, the larger markets of Brazil, Argentina and Chile are forecast to see construction growth of over 5% in 2012. Indeed, Brazil and Panama are likely to have construction spending growth of over 10% pa through to 2015 In Brazil, preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics are well advanced and increases in construction spending are largely being led by infrastructures.
Australasia
Construction spending in Australia is expected to grow by close to 5% in 2012, Similarly, construction spending in New Zealand is forecast to rise as earthquake reconstruction moves forward through to 2015.
In the short term there is expected to be a degree of stagnation in global construction spending in 2012, with more sustained growth not expected until 2015 onwards Developing countries are expected to lead growth in 2012. The strongest construction spending growth will again be in China, followed by India and Indonesia
Residential construction produces buildings for human habitation, including single-family dwellings, condominiums, multifamily townhouses, flats and apartments and high-rise apartment buildings. Commercial construction includes retail and wholesale stores, markets and shops, shopping centers, office buildings, warehouses and small manufacturing facilities. Institutional construction are medical clinics and hospitals, schools and universities, recreational centers and athletic stadiums, governmental buildings and houses of worship and other religious buildings.
Engineered construction This broad category of construction, sometimes called engineering construction, is characterized by designs prepared by engineers rather than architects, the provision of facilities usually related to the public infrastructure and thus owned by public-sector entities and funded through bonds, rates or taxes and a high degree of mechanization and the use of much heavy equipment and plant in the construction process. Examples: PSDP mega projects in Pakistan Two common subcategories of engineered construction are: -Highway construction and - Heavy construction.
FIGURE 1-1. Construction of St. Louis Gateway Arch. (Copyright American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.)
FIGURE 1-2. Distribution of U.S. new construction volume. (Source: Bureau of the Census)
FIGURE 1-4. Heavy construction projectKennedy Space Center launch complex. (U.S. Air Force photograph)
Planning and design phase It is convenient to divide this phase into three stages.
Stage-I: The goal of the first stage is to define the projects objectives, consider alternative ways to attain those objectives Stage-II: Develop schematic diagrams showing the relationships among the various project components, Stage-III: Detailed design of the structural, electrical and other systems
The last step in this phase is the submittal, opening and evaluation of tenders, the selection of the successful contractor and the finalization of the construction contract.
Project operations phase Three majors areas are looked into by the contractors
Monitoring and control ( Five aspects )
Time Management Cost management Quality Management Work safety and Environmental issues
FIGURE 1-6. Owner-managed construction. [Either (a) or (b) or both may be employed.]
Many large industrial organizations, as well as a number of governmental agencies, possess their own construction forces. Although these forces are utilized primarily for repair, maintenance, and alteration work, they are often capable of undertaking new construction projects More frequently, owners utilize their construction staffs to manage their new construction.
- Construction by a general contractor operating under a prime contract is probably the most common method of having a facility constructed
Disadvantages:
-Poor quality of design -Additional fee for design revision and improvements. -Lack of flexibility in the contract
Construction Management
It refers to the act of managing the construction process The construction manager, who may be a contractor project manager, superintendent, or one of their representatives, manages the basic resources of construction. These resources include workers and subcontractors, equipment and construction plant, material, money (income, expenditure, and cash flow), and time. Poor construction management practices can lead to: Project delays that increase labor and equipment cost and the cost of borrowed funds.
High material costs caused by poor purchasing procedures, inefficient handling, and/or loss
Increased subcontractor cost and poor contractorsubcontractor relations. High insurance costs resulting from material and equipment loss or damage or a poor safety record. Low profit margin or a loss on construction volume and many more
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
The scope of construction management is broad and includes such topics as construction contracts, construction methods and materials, production and cost estimating, progress and cost control, quality control, and safety. Elements of Construction Management Quality Management
includes such activities as specification development, process control, product acceptance, laboratory and technician certification, training, and communication. Quality control (QC),which is a part of the quality management process, is primarily concerned with the process control function. Since the contractor has the greatest control over the construction processi t has been found that quality control is most effective when performed by the contractor.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Reasons for Construction Company Failure;
Dun & Bradstreet and others have investigated the reasons for the high rate of bankruptcy in the construction industry. Some of the major factors they have identified include: -lack of capital, -poor cost estimating, -inadequate cost accounting, and - lack of general management ability. All of these factors can be categorized as elements of poor management. Such studies indicate that at least 90% of all construction company failures can be attributed to inadequate management. Use of Computers: limited but new networks
Construction Trends
Some of the major trends noted in the construction industry in recent years include; Increasing international competition, Rapid changes in technology, the wide availability of in formation via the Internet, increasing speed and ease of communication, and increasing Governmental regulation of the industry, particularly in the areas of safety and environmental protection. As a result of these developments, the larger well-managed construction firms are capturing an increasing share of the total construction market. - - These trends, along with the increasing use of computers for design and management, have created a growing demand for technically competent and innovative construction managers, - - With increasing automation of construction equipment has come an increasing demand for highly skilled equipment operators and technicians
Further study
Please read the research paper: Role of Construction industry in the economic development-An empirical evidence from Pakistan
www.civil.neduet.edu.pk/ICCIDC- I/Conference%20Proceedings/.../030.pdf
Presented at ICCIDC-I in NED University Karachi. Please critically review the paper
Group Assignment
Write a detailed note on Role of Construction industry in the socio-Eco development with special reference to developing country. Read the journal and conference papers