10 Sep questions
Chapter 1
The Construction Industry
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Chapter 1
The Construction Industry
- This chapter introduces you to the construction industry and the opportunities that it offers. Here you will learn about the different industry sectors and the roles of the various participants in the construction process.
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The Scope of the Industry
- Construction is one of the nation’s largest industries accounting for approximately 9 percent of the gross national product.
- U.S. Department of Labor estimates that there are at least 880,000 construction companies employing 7.7 million people in the United States.
- Construction impacts the quality of life for every human being.
- Housing starts (which are identified by building permits issued) are one of the major economic indicators reflecting the overall health and direction of our economy.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Los Angeles, CA
Our Lady of Angels
Los Angeles, CA
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Historical Perspective
Construction means, methods, and motivations have changed over the past 12,000 years. Let’s take a look at some of the world’s greatest construction accomplishments:
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Ancient Times
Construction industry can trace its roots back to at least the Stone Age, as early as 12000 BC.
Common materials used:
Mud
Wood
Stone
Simple structures to protect from the rain, cold, heat, and snow.
Simple shelter grew into planned settlements, villages, and cities.
Dolmens in the Netherlands
Skara Brae, Scotland
3180 BC-2500 BC
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Egypt and the Pyramids
Egyptians began to use stone as their primary building material.
The Master Builder
Concept that involved all three disciplines (architecture, engineering, and construction) embodied in one person.
Code of Hammurabi
First known building code recorded. 1792-1750 BC
Dictated acceptable workmanship standards for the master builder
Great Pyramids of Giza
El Giza, Egypt
Code of Hammurabi
1792-1750 BC
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Greek Influence
Greek master builders started to organize skilled stonemasons.
Developed into the building trades concept, where a particular building skill is honed to a level of expertise associated with a master craftsman.
Many beautiful temples made of marble and limestone.
Greek influence can still be seen today in many modern buildings.
Parthenon in Athens
Athens, Greece
White House
Washington D.C.
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The Roman Empire
Early form of concrete was invented by the Romans.
Consisted of a pastry, hydrated lime and pozzolan ash mixture made from rock.
Romans began adding domes and arches to their buildings.
First glass was also incorporated in the first century AD.
Road construction was another high mark of the Roman Empire.
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio wrote the first design and construction handbook around 40 BC.
Road from the Roman Empire
Roman Coliseum (70-80 AD)
Rome, Italy
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The Middle Ages
- Around 900 AD, the Roman Catholic Church revitalized stone construction building churches and cathedrals throughout Europe.
- Craft training and education became a major focus.
- Craft guilds were organized and the two most important building trades were:
- Three distinct stages of ability:
- Master
- Journeyman
- Apprentice
Nidaros Cathedral
Trondheim, Norway
13th Century Church
Ócsa, Hungary
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The Renaissance
Master builder began to be questioned as the most efficient way to build.
Leone Battista Alberti
Considered by many to be the precursor to the modern-day architect.
Argued that he could create the drawings and models as a way to direct master craftsmen without actually being involved in the building process.
Leone Battista Alberti
1404-1472
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The Industrial Revolution
- Building science as a discipline began to emerge
- Various building professions took increasingly defined roles:
- Art of Architecture
- Science of Engineering
- Craft of the Building Process
- Cast iron and wrought iron became the building materials of choice.
- New machinery and equipment were also being invented to support buildings.
Iron Bridge at Coalbrookdale
First cast-iron bridge built in 1779
Ironbridge Gorge, England
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The Age of the Skyscraper
During the late 1800s, production of steel and electricity took off.
Steel framing replaced iron framing and allowed for high-rise building.
Portland cement and reinforced concrete were invented.
Glass became mass-produced and used to clad many of the new building frames.
E.G. Otis invented the first passenger elevator.
Empire State Building
New York City
Home Insurance Building
Chicago, IL
First Skyscraper (1885)
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The 20th Century
- Construction boom in the United States
- Led to need for housing, industry, and infrastructure.
- Building codes, standards, and specifications were established to help regulate and control the quality of materials and methods.
- In 1965, representatives from nine universities met in Florida to form the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC)
- Today there are approximately 120 four-year colleges and universities listed with ASC.
Associated Schools of Construction
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, CA
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The Age of Technology
Computer technology advancing to aid construction:
Estimating Software
Scheduling Software
Project administration
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
A digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building displayed as a 3D model
Added capability to integrate a whole array of design and construction data
BIM model showing the complexity of the mechanical units of a building.
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Industry Sectors
Each sector is characterized by different means, methods, and materials of construction. There are five basic sectors of the industry:
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Residential Building
- Addresses the housing needs of a society. Housing construction takes many forms:
- Individual homes
- Apartments
- Condominiums
- Townhouses
- Prefabricated units
- Relatively low-tech in terms of means and methods. Hammers, nails, drills, and saws make up the primary tools and equipment needed.
- Building materials are typically wood products such as lumber and plywood.
Typical Housing Tract
Wood Framing
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Commercial Building
Addresses the needs of commerce, trade, and government. Makes up about a third of the total construction market.
Special construction processes are utilized in the building of commercial buildings. Examples:
Ironworkers, pipefitters, and glaziers.
Three basic building materials associated with commercial construction:
Steel
Concrete
Glass
Commercial Buildings can often be complex and require special contractors.
Commercial buildings are typically funded by corporations, agencies, or the government
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Heavy Civil Construction
- Often referred to as horizontal construction, heavy civil sector includes:
- Roadways, bridges, tunnels, dams, airports, and railways
- Equipment and equipment operators play a huge role in the work of a heavy civil project.
- Asphalt, gravel, concrete, sand, and dirt make up the primary materials used in heavy civil construction.
- Typically publicly funded projects and tend to last a long time.
Equipment plays a major role in the heavy civil sector
Heavy civil construction is the least affected by economic fluctuations.
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Industrial Construction
Highly specialized sector that requires firms with vast resources and engineering expertise.
Industrial buildings are often very basic in their exterior design. The installation of equipment makes up a big piece of the industrial construction process
Primary components:
Steel
Concrete
Reinforced concrete masonry
Specialized equipment
Industrial buildings often house specialized equipment, machinery, or process piping.
Often huge facilities that take many years to complete. Funding usually comes from private sources.
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Environmental Construction
- Comprised of projects that improve the environment, maintain public health, and contribute to a community’s quality of life.
- There is a great deal of earth moving and site work that usually takes place. Along with trenching, pipe laying, tunneling, and other means of excavation.
- In addition to a combination of commercial, industrial, and heavy civil materials, specialized materials such as pumps, valves, filters, membranes, and aerators are required this sector.
Lots of time will be spent dealing with governmental and regulatory agencies.
Often publicly funded projects.
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The Project Players
Primary Players:
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Owners
- Driving force behind the construction industry.
- Two basic types of owners:
- Public Owners
- Typically government agencies
- Private Owners
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Public owners can vary from federal government, state government, or even city municipals.
Private owners can vary from home
owners to businesses.
Owners
After determining need and deciding to build, the owner is accountable for four primary duties:
Developing the program and outlining the needs and requirements of the end users.
Determining the quantity, extent, and character of the project by defining the scope of work.
Creating the overall budget for the project, including land acquisition (if necessary), development, design, and construction costs.
Providing the funding for the project and making periodic payments to the designers and the contractor.
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Design Professionals
Two types of professional designers are engaged in the construction process:
Architects deal with the function, life safety issues, and aesthetics of the building.
Engineers deal with the systems.
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Design Professionals
Primary responsibilities of the designers:
Assisting the owner in developing the facility program and determining end user needs and requirements.
Advising the owner regarding the image and character of the facility and establishing broad design goals.
Assisting the owner in selecting products to fit the program and the budget.
Advising the owner on special and aesthetic issues and generating graphic solutions to problems.
Developing the final building plans, construction details, and specifications
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Construction Professionals
- Responsible for all construction activities.
- Constructor’s job:
- Interpret the plans and specifications and prepare cost estimates and time schedules to meet the requirements of the owner.
- Determine and implement the best construction practices, means, and methods to satisfy the owner’s requirements for time, cost, and quality.
- Oversee and manage all of the construction operations into a single, safe coordinated effort.
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Secondary Players
First-Level Players
Includes subcontractors, material suppliers, and equipment vendors.
This layer directly influences the outcome of a job. This level often has contractual connections to either the construction professionals or design professionals.
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Secondary Players
Second-Level Players
Includes insurance companies, utility companies, bonding companies, building code officials, zoning, labor unions, and manufacturers.
This level has no contractual connection or obligation to any of the three primary parties.
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Secondary Players
Third-Level Players
Includes the courts and attorneys, local government, state and federal government, trade associations, education and training, bankers, and others.
This level does influence construction projects on a regular basis.
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An Industry in Transition
The construction industry has changed its image around through various construction associations:
Associated General Contractors (AGC) has developed an exciting campaign called Construction Futures to help inform and educate youngsters about the career opportunities the construction industry has to offer.
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An Industry in Transition
The construction industry has changed its image around through various construction associations:
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) created a public service campaign called Home Builders Care to recognize contractors who have contributed millions of dollars in cash, building materials, supplies, and countless volunteer hours to community charities through local community service projects.
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An Industry in Transition
The construction industry has changed its image around through various construction associations:
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) initiated the ABCares to recognize chapters that contribute significantly to their communities.
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The Industry Image
Globalization
In the late 1970s, 80 percent of the world’s construction was being built in the United States. In 1997, 80 percent of the world’s construction was occurring on foreign soil.
Engineering News Record (ENR) is the only weekly construction magazine that reaches a global audience.
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The Industry Image
Sustainability
In recent years, a voluntary, market-driven building-ratings system called the Leadership on Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program has been developed.
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The Industry Image
Efficiency
In 1993, a group of contractors started to apply lean principles to the construction industry.
Lean principles stemmed from the manufacturing industry with principles focusing on creating more value for customers with less work and the elimination of waste.
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Career Opportunities
Employment Opportunities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, excellent employment opportunities are expected for construction managers through 2016.
The number of construction management jobs is expected to increase by about 16 percent compared to 11 percent for all industries combined.
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Career Opportunities
Education Offerings
The ideal construction management candidate is typically an individual who has a bachelor’s degree or higher in construction management, construction engineering, or construction science.
The Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) lists about 120 colleges and universities offering four-year accredited degree programs.
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Personal Affiliation and Certification
The American Institute of Constructors
The AIC helps individual contractors who meet the requirements to achieve professional status through an examination and certification program.
The AIC is the certifying body for the designation of Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) and Associate Constructor (AC).
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Personal Affiliation and Certification
The Construction Management Association of America
The CMAA is dedicated to promoting the professional practice of construction management.
The organization welcomes members from all construction and design disciplines as well as owners and various service providers to the industry.
The CMAA offers certification through its Certified Construction Manager (CCM) program.
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Exercise
- Get with a partner or group
- Visit an industry organization or personal certification website from the lecture or other industry organization
- Identify the purpose of the organization
- Identify the type of members
- What organization are you a member of or would like to become a member.
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