Research in Progress

Benchmarking for TAC/ABET Outcome Assessment

Mousa T. Gargari, Ph.D., PE

University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio

Current TAC-ABET accreditation requires the institutions demonstrate by documentation, that the students are indeed learning. The previous accreditation methodology emphasized having in place a curriculum that would prepare the graduates with expected knowledge and skills to perform in a professional milieu. The current model has specified expected outcomes and has placed the burden of proof on the institutions to demonstrate that the required learning has indeed happened and the necessary skills have been developed when the student completes the curriculum. Having gone through the challenge of a recent assessment my colleagues and I have been struggling to find a workable strategy in order to assess the outcomes and then reflect on problems and propose actions to address the shortcomings of the learning process. This paper describes the process that the author has applied on a senior level structures course, as a pilot, in order to establish a benchmark for assessment of the entire program.

Key Words: TAC-ABET, Outcome, Assessment, Pedagogy, Educational Objectives

Exploring the effect of Team Leaders who are autonomous earner in Enhancing Team learning within construction management classes

Mohamed El-Gafy and Keith Rahn,

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of autonomous learners as team leaders on team learning processes within construction management classes. Research has demonstrated that shared knowledge and beliefs influence team behavior and reduce performance errors (Stout et al., 1999). This study explores how team leaders with the characteristics of an autonomous learners; such as desire to learn, personal initiative, resourcefulness, and persistence; affects the overall team learning process. The investigators employed a qualitative research design to gain a comprehensive understanding of the autonomous learner and other team members within the context of team learning. The investigators expect improvement in the team performance when an autonomous learner is assigned as a team leader. Also, the study yields insight into individual learning as it relates to team learning, which will help the Instructor in assigning better teams which foster creativity and growth among students.

Keywords: Autonomous learners, Team learning, Construction management, Education

Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Using Graph Theory

Pooyan Aslani, Ph.D. Candidate and F.H. (Bud) Griffis, Ph.D., PE.

Polytechnic University

Brooklyn, New York

Scheduling of a construction project requires: a) hierarchical decomposition of the project; b) incorporation of risk and uncertainty in the activity time and cost estimates; and c) modeling of resource constrains. Traditional network techniques currently employed in the construction industry have two significant flaws. They provide limited modeling versatility and they are ineffective in modeling a resource-constrained schedule. This paper proposes a solution for resource-constrained project scheduling by use of graph theory application. Resource-allocation problem, in which limited resources must be allocated among several activities, are often solved by dynamic programming. The analysis considers stochastic resource availability and productivity rates. The analysis also uses stochastic simulation and maximum flow and minimum cost flow concepts to optimize construction schedules with respect to both time and cost, and subject to constrained resource availability. Resource optimization would enable a project manager to better understanding and control resource usage such as the impact of adding new equipment and the effect of relocating laborers and completion timeline.

Keywords: Construction Practice-Research, Resource Allocation, Graph Theory, Construction Scheduling, Simulation

Criteria Establishing a Gold Standard Residential Construction Management Curriculum

Erich Connell, RA, Ph.D. and John Patterson, Ph.D.

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

Home building is a significant component of the Construction industry. However, formal study options are not apparent among ACCE programs. In association with the National Housing Endowment, the philanthropic arm of the National Association of Home Builders, East Carolina University’s Department of Construction Management is striving to change that dilemma by developing a “Gold Standard” (GS) Residential Construction Management (RCM) curriculum. Utilizing interviews with experts in the residential construction industry from five of the ASC regions, a criterion for RCM curriculum was developed. Experts from large corporate, large private and small private homebuilders were interviewed. Data was analyzed employing SAS/STAT software to determine the differences articulated by the expert builders. The findings were used to satisfy the industry needs for a GS-RCM curriculum.

The research presents three options for curriculum development; a new Gold Standard RCM program, the creation of a concentration within an existing CMGT program, and changing an existing CMGT into a RCM program. The differences between small and large, private and corporate homebuilders’ suggestions for a RCM curriculum will be shown. The presentation will illustrate three related issues; (a) the problems with curriculum changes, (b) students’ understanding of general versus specific degree programs in Construction education, and (c) implications of a RCM in the current academic setting.

Keywords: Residential Construction Education, Curriculum, Pedagogy

3D/BIM in the Building and Transportation Sectors

Carrie Sturts Dossick, Ph.D., P.E.

University of Washington

Seattle, Washington

Although the term Building Information Modeling (BIM) is new, the concept of integrating data with three-dimensional computer models emerged over 25 years ago. Since that time, a rich body of research has been developed regarding the manufacturing, process and power sectors’ use of 3D models and integrated databases during design and construction. More recently, the building and transportation sectors have begun adopting 3D/BIM technologies, presenting an opportunity to study these technologies in the context of design and construction of infrastructure and organizational change related to the impact of technology on this complex and fragmented industry.

This presentation will report on current research initiatives underway at the University of Washington to study the impact of 3D/BIM technologies on design and construction of building and transportation systems. This research includes a preliminary SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) based on interviews with industry experts and review of literature. The SR-99 viaduct replacement project in Seattle, Washington will be discussed as a transportation case study. This presentation will include a discussion of organizational and technological ramifications of 3D/BIM on the building and transportation sectors.

Key Words: Building Information Modeling, Three-dimensional Computer Modeling, Information Technology, Organizational Change

An Investigation of Errors in Residential Framing Accident

Panagiotis Mitropoulos, Ph.D., and Vince Guillama

Del E. Webb School of Construction

Arizona State University

The goal of this study is to increase understanding of the causes of accidents in residential framing and identify strategies to error-proof the work processes in order to reduce the likelihood of accidents. The research focuses on potential strategies to prevent the errors that cause accidents, rather than strategies to minimize their consequences.

To better understand the errors involved in framing accidents, this study examined 177 recordable accidents that occurred in a large framing company in 2005. This paper reports the initial findings: analyzes the frequency and severity of different accident events, examines the production tasks during which the accident happened, and identifies the most common errors involved in the different types of accidents. Based on the accidents examined, falls during truss installation, falls during roof plywood installation, and saw cuts were the three most severe accident events and together they accounted for 58% of the total workers compensation costs. Nail gun injuries and falls from same level were also identified as important accidents. Analysis of the accidents and interviews with safety and production personnel identifies the common errors that contribute to these accidents and points out directions for error proofing interventions.

Key Words: construction safety, construction accidents, errors, error-proofing, residential, framing.

ConstructionPOD^®-Podcasted Global Education for the Design and Construction Industry

Scott J. Arfsten, B.S., MBA

Chico State University-Construction Management Department

Chico, CA

Students today learn differently and www.constructionpod.com is designed to provide Intellectual Content, relevant to Design and Construction, available to the student on demand. This is a new delivery method of educating the students by leveraging today’s innovative technologies with the goal to excite, stimulate and educate the global workforce. This intellectual content can be downloaded to a computer, IPOD or linked to on-line accredited University systems. The benefits are to reduce cost, increase access and promote lifelong learning to the Global Design and Construction Industry, which employs approximately 10 million plus individuals. With the growth of demand for construction learning, increased cost of real estate and reduced educational budgets, this service allows access to more students in an efficient manner for higher level coursework and audio/video intellectual content sharing anytime of the day or night. This medium for learning also attracts the world class intellectual content providers that are currently working in industry and allowing real world insight to the student population of ConstructionPOD. This site is self funded and supported by Bovis Lend Lease and other sponsors and intellectual content contributors. The official launch is January 22, 2007. This site will attract and retain the leaders of tomorrow.

Key Words: Constructionpod, Construction, Intellectual Content, Podcasting, Video cast

Architectural Features Disparity and Preservation of Structural & Fabrics Integrity of Buildings

Benedict D. Ilozor, Ph.D., FMA, MNIA, AIA Assoc.

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Life-cycle preservation, operation, and maintenance aspects of buildings are rarely considered at the initial design and construction stages. The reason lies mainly with the disconnections in built facilities life-cycle, from their initial creation process through use to obsolescence. There is also a dearth of knowledge of the specific impact of design decisions and choices on the later preservation, operation, and maintenance of building structures and fabrics. Hence, in order to bridge this knowledge gap and forge a connection between design and life-cycle use and preservation of buildings, this study aims to identify and examine those features that are associated with various building faults and defects, and by implication, impact preservation of their structural and fabrics integrity. Two distinct buildings located on the same block at Hampton University, Virginia, were investigated to illustrate the problem in this study. It was observed that the differing structural and fabrics integrity of these buildings overtime was connected most significantly to their different roofing styles and features. This finding underscores the importance of designing architectural features of buildings with their operation, maintainability, and life-cycle preservation in mind, if structural and fabrics integrity must be maintained, and a greater sustainability achieved, while restoration dollars are saved.

Key Words: Architectural Features, Building, Life-cycle Preservation, Defects

Concrete Research at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy, France

Richard Burt, MRICS, Ph.D

Texas A&M University

College Station, Texas

Tanya Wattenburg Komas, Ph.D.

California State University, Chico

Chico, California

Concrete research is ongoing at Pointe-du-Hoc, the most culturally important historic site of the World War II Normandy invasion. The site consists of numerous concrete structures including gun emplacements and ammunition bunkers originally constructed in two phases that were marked by differences in the availability of quality materials, urgency of construction, and environmental conditions. The research focuses on determining what the differences were between the structures and phases and how they affected the amount of damage sustained during the D-Day bombings. On site observations suggested inconsistencies in the quality of the concrete, that the concrete may not have cured completely at the time of the invasion, and differences in aggregate. Laboratory tests, including petrographic analysis, chemical analysis, and compressive strength testing, revealed the presence of various aggregates including sea shells, slightly non-uniform distribution of aggregates suggesting inadequate mixing, fair to poor aggregate gradation in one sample and highly angular aggregate in another, a mix that was “paste-poor” evidenced by the closeness of sand particles, incomplete consolidation evidenced by voids sized to indicate the absence of air-entrainment, a higher concentration of slag versus Portland Cement, and a tested comprehensive strength of 7000 psi obtained from a necessarily smaller than standard cylinder suggesting a likely higher psi in the in situ material. These findings will be further analyzed, compared with historical documents, and plans for on site in situ testing leading to the formulation and implementation of a preservation plan.

Keywords: Materials, Concrete, Historic Preservation, Testing