Constructability State of Practice Report
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 132, Issue 4
Abstract
This report reviews guidance on constructability programs from a variety of sources and presents the current practice of constructability. The advice of several organizations and researchers is summarized to describe expectations for ideal constructability. Actual current constructability practice, based on results and analysis of a Constructability State of Practice survey, is described. Approximately 100 owners, architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and construction managers answered the survey’s ten questions and provided written comments. The results provide a picture of current constructability practices in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry and progress in recent years. Major conclusions include: (1) constructability has gained acceptance throughout the industry; (2) constructability efforts are clearly beginning in early project phases; (3) a wide variety of constructability techniques and new technologies are being implemented; and (4) obstacles to improving constructability remain, but may be changing. Finally, recommendations are provided based on areas where constructability practice can still be improved. This report is relevant to both industry practitioners and researchers.
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Acknowledgments
The writers wish to thank the following individuals and organizations for their assistance in making this report possible:
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Edward R. Ardery, the author of the ASCE “White Paper” and a current Constructability Committee member, for bringing constructability to the forefront in the industry and academia;
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) in Champaign, Illinois, and in particular, Mr. Bill East, for hosting the survey website;
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Sathyanarayanan Rajendran, a graduate student in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University, for his work in summarizing the literature on implementing constructability;
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Captain Patrick C. Suermann, an instructor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the U.S. Air Force Academy, for his work in compiling and analyzing designer survey responses and reviewing drafts of this report; and
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Dr. Dan Jensen, Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Mechanics, U.S. Air Force Academy, for his assistance with statistical analysis of survey data and results.
References
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© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Dec 7, 2004
Accepted: Aug 11, 2005
Published online: Apr 1, 2006
Published in print: Apr 2006
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