TECHNICAL PAPERS
Apr 1, 2006

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:
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;
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;
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;
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
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

Arditi, D., Elhassan, A., and Toklu, Y. C. (2002). “Constructability analysis in the design firm.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 128(2), 117–126.
ASCE Body of Knowledge Committee of the Committee on Academic Prerequisites for Professional Practice. (2004). Civil engineering body of knowledge for the 21st century—preparing the civil engineer for the future, Reston, Va.
ASCE Construction Management Committee of the Construction Division. (1991). “Constructability and constructability programs: White paper.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 117(1), 67–89.
Business Roundtable. (1983). “More construction for the money.” Summary Rep. of the Construction Industry Cost Effectiveness Project, New York.
Construction Industry Institute. (1986). “Constructability—a primer.” Publication 3-1, Austin, Tex.
Construction Industry Institute. (1987). “Guidelines for implementing a constructability program.” Publication 3-2, Austin, Tex.
Construction Industry Institute. (1993). “Preview of constructability implementation.” Publication 34-2, Austin, Tex.
Construction Institute. (2003). “Constructability committee.” ⟨http://www.constructioninst.org/COC.htm⟩ (Dec. 1, 2003).
Construction Institute. (2004). “Constructability committee. ” Constructability Catalog, ⟨http://www.cecer.army.mil/pl/catalog/index.cfm?RESETSITE=ConstrucCommit⟩ (Nov. 29, 2004).
Fox, S., Marsh, L., and Cockerham, G.(2002). “Constructability Rules: Guidelines for Successful Application to Bespoke Buildings.” Constr. Manage. Econom., 20(8), 117–126.
Gugel, J. G., and Russell, J. S. (1994). “Model for constructability approach selection.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 120(3), 509–521.
Navidi, W. (2006). “Confidence intervals.” Statistics for engineers and scientists, McGraw-Hill, Boston, 335–337.
O’Connor, J. T., and Miller, S. J. (1994). “Constructability programs: Method for assessment and benchmarking.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 8(1), 46–64.
Pocock, J. B. , Kuennen, S. T. , Gambatese, J., and East, B. (2004). “Constructability state of practice survey.” Proc., 2004 Specialty Conf. on Management and Leadership in Construction, ASCE, Reston, Va., 95–108.
Radtke, M. W., and Russell, J. S. (1993). “Project-level model process for implementing constructability.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 119(4), 813–831.
Uhlik, F. T., and Fores, G. V. (1998). “Assessment of constructability practices among general contractors.” J. Archit. Eng., 4(3), 113–123.

Information & Authors

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Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 132Issue 4April 2006
Pages: 373 - 383

History

Received: Dec 7, 2004
Accepted: Aug 11, 2005
Published online: Apr 1, 2006
Published in print: Apr 2006

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Authors

Affiliations

James B. Pocock [email protected]
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840. E-mail: [email protected]
Steven T. Kuennen [email protected]
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840. E-mail: [email protected]
John Gambatese [email protected]
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR 97333. E-mail: [email protected]
Jon Rauschkolb [email protected]
Associate Engineer, Schnabel Engineering, Inc., 405-A Parkway Dr., Greensboro, NC 27401. E-mail: [email protected]

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