CE 477 Construction Engineering

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CE 477 - Construction Engineering

• Summer Session 1, 2002
• J. Phillip King, P.E., Ph.D.

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Homework Format

• Spreadsheets should be neatly organized into
• Given Problem Statement
• Find Objective of problem, specifically stating
  and numbering required answers
• Solution Methods and intermediate calculations
  to arrive at clearly identified answer to each
  required answer identified in Find section.
• Format neatly, include graphs, date, page number,
  and your name on every page.

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(No Transcript)
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US Construction
Constant 1996 dollars U.S. Census Bureau
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Private Construction, 1999
Total 591,561 Million
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Public Construction, 1999
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The Role of the Construction Engineer

• Design
• Cost estimates
• Bid preparation
• Construction supervision
• Construction inspection
• Public involvement
• Dispute resolution
• Forensic investigation

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Objectives

• Maximize profit
• Minimize cost
• Subject to
• Performance requirements
• Safety
• Professional and legal standards

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Kansas City Hyatt Regency Collapse
From Gould, F. E., 1997. Managing the
Construction Process. Prentice Hall, pub.
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Sequence of Events

• Development began in 1976 by Crown Center
  Redevelopment Corporation
• Gillum-Colaco, Inc. hired as consulting
  structural engineers
• Construction began in 1978
• Gillum-Colaco subs structural engineering to
  subsidiary Jack D. Gillum Assc.
• Eldridge Construction is General Contractor
• Havens Steel hired for fabrication

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The plot thickens

• Hanger design modified
• Havens suggested change for ease of fabrication
• Gillum claimed never to have seen or approved
  redesign
• Gillums seal was on 1979 drawings with change

From Gould, F. E., 1997. Managing the
Construction Process. Prentice Hall, pub.
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Prelude

• October 1979 - part of atrium collapses during
  construction
• Unrelated to walkway
• Gillum Assc. and others investigate
• Hotel opens in July 1980

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Catastrophe

• July 17, 1981 4th floor walkway collapses onto
  2nd floor walkway, and onto the main floor during
  tea dance
• 113 killed
• 186 injured

Photo by Dr. Lee Lowery, P.E.,
http//lowery.tamu.edu/ethics/ethics/hyatt/hyatt2.
htm
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Aftermath
Photo by Dr. Lee Lowery, P.E.,
http//lowery.tamu.edu/ethics/ethics/hyatt/hyatt2.
htm
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Photos by Dr. Lee Lowery, P.E.,
http//lowery.tamu.edu/ethics/ethics/hyatt/hyatt2.
htm
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Epilogue
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An Old Concept Hammurabi

• If a builder build a house for a man and do not
  make its construction firm and the house he has
  built collapse and cause the death of the owner
  of the house -that builder shall be put to death.
• If it cause the death of the son of the owner of
  the house - they shall put to death a son of that
  builder.
• If it cause the death of a slave of the owner of
  the house - he shall give to the owner of the
  house a slave of equal value.
• If it destroy property, he shall restore whatever
  it destroyed, and because he did not make the
  house which he built firm and it collapsed, he
  shall rebuild the house which collapsed at his
  own expense.

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NSPE Code of Ethics

• Engineers, in the fulfillment of their
  professional duties, shall
• Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of
  the public.
• Perform services only in areas of their
  competence.
• Issue public statements only in an objective and
  truthful manner.
• Act for each employer or client as faithful
  agents or trustees.
• Avoid deceptive acts.
• Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly,
  ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the
  honor, reputation, and usefulness of the
  profession.

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Next time

• Contracts and Delivery