Version | 1.2 |
Unit Name | Construction Engineering |
Unit Code | BCS202 |
Unit Duration | 1 Semester |
Award |
Bachelor of Science (Engineering) Duration 3 years |
Year Level | Two |
Unit Creator / Reviewer | N/A |
Common/Stream: | Stream |
Pre/Co-requisites | N/A |
Credit Points |
3 Total Course Credit Points 81 (27 x 3) |
Mode of Delivery | Online or on-campus. |
Unit Workload | (Total student workload including “contact hours” = 10 hours per week) Pre-recordings / Lecture – 1.5 hours Tutorial – 1.5 hours Guided labs / Group work / Assessments – 2 hours Personal Study recommended – 5 hours |
Unit Description and General Aims
The objective of presenting this unit is to impart to students advanced specialised knowledge of construction techniques and management.
Construction engineering is a major sector of the civil engineering profession and building industry. Construction projects range from small works (such as a swimming pool or a subdivision) to very large projects (such as the construction of a hydroelectric power station or a freeway system). All these projects utilize manpower, materials, and equipment and require effective and efficient organization, control, and management for their successful completion, no matter the size. After this unit, students will have been imparted with the requisite knowledge to assist them in achieving this. Students will be capable of applying knowledge of construction engineering principles and practices to site works and project activities.
The subject matter covered in this unit will include the characteristics and use of equipment commonly used in civil and construction engineering; construction techniques of the civil construction engineering industry; planning and control/management techniques used in civil engineering and building construction. Additionally, this unit covers relevant aspects of safety and sustainability in construction.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this Unit, students are expected to be able to:
- Examine the basic characteristics and assess the use of equipment commonly used in civil and construction engineering.
Bloom’s Level 4 - Explain and apply construction techniques of the civil construction engineering industry.
Bloom’s Level 3 - Analyse and apply commonly used planning and control/management techniques used in civil engineering and building construction.
Bloom’s Level 4 - Prepare well-ordered technical site visit plans and communicate professional reports to all role players.
Bloom’s Level 3 - Evaluate sustainable construction practice.
Bloom’s Level 5
Student Assessment
Assessment Type | When assessed | Weighting (% of total unit marks) | Learning Outcomes Assessed |
Assessment 1 Type: Weekly Quizzes Topics 2 to Topic 11 |
Weekly | 15% | All |
Assessment 2 Type: Test (Invigilated) Description: Students will need to answer some short and/or long answer questions and/or solve some numerical problems. |
Due after Topic 5 | 25% | 1 to 3 |
Assessment 3 Type: Practical project (report) Description: Students will need to complete this practical project using software or a project presentation. |
Due after Topic 10 | 20% | 4, 5 |
Assessment 4 Type: Examination (Invigilated) Description: An examination with a mix of MCQs, theoretical short/detailed answer questions and some engineering problems. |
Final Week | 40% | 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
Overall requirements: Students must achieve a result of 50% or above in the exam itself to pass the exam, and must pass the exam to be able to pass the unit. An overall final unit score of 50% or above must be achieved to pass the unit once all assessment, including the exam, has been completed.
Prescribed and Recommended Readings
Required textbook(s)
-
S. W Nunnally, Construction Methods and Management, 8th Edition. Pearson Education Limited, 2014 – ISBN13: 978-1292054667
Reference Materials
- V. W. Y. Tam and K. N. Le, Sustainable construction technologies: life-cycle assessment. Oxford, Uk: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2019.
- M. Aitchison and E. Al, Prefab housing and the future of building: product to process. London: Lund Humphries, Cop, 2018
- R. L. Peurifoy, Construction planning, equipment, and methods. New York U.A. Mcgraw-Hill, 2018.
- G. C. Sen, Blasting technology for mining and civil engineers. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Engineers Media, 2009..
- M. Ogden, Design In Modular Construction. S.L.: Crc Press, 2019.
- Madan Mehta, W. Scarborough, and D. Armpriest, Building construction: principles, materials, and systems. New York, Ny: Pearson, 2018.
- M. Aitchison and E. Al, Prefab housing and the future of building: product to process. London: Lund Humphries, Cop, 2018.
Website: https://www.yourhome.gov.au/materials/construction-systems
Unit Content
Topic 1
Construction Plant and Techniques
Earthmoving
Water and compressed air
Topic 2
Construction Plant and Techniques (continued)
Rock excavation and treatment
Topic 3
Construction Plant and Techniques (continued)
Construction techniques
Topic 4
Construction Plant and Techniques (continued)
"Mock-up" Construction site visit
Site visit and inspection reporting
Topic 5
Construction Management
Introduction to management theories and processes
Topic 6
Construction Management (continued)
Projects from initiation to design
Topic 7
Construction Management (continued)
Projects from estimate to completion
Topic 8
Construction systems
- Types of system
- Properties of construction systems
- Elements of construction systems
- Durability and maintenance
Topic 9
Construction safety
- Hazard identification and management
- Creating risk assessments
- International regulations – WHS/OSH
- Safety in Design
Topic 10
Prefabrication and modular construction
- Precast concrete
- Steel modules
- Timber-framed modules
- Assembly and Construction Methods
- Applications – housing and buildings
Topic 11
Sustainability in construction
- Environmental impacts - LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
- Social and economic impacts – LCC (Life Cycle Cost)
- Sustainability rating schemes
Topic 12
Case study - Unit review
In the final week, students will have an opportunity to review the contents covered so far. Opportunity will be provided for a review of students’ work and to clarify any outstanding issues.
Software/Hardware Used
Software
-
Software: N/A
-
Version: N/A
-
Instructions: N/A
-
Additional resources or files: N/A
Hardware
- N/A