Contractor Attitudes Toward Construction R & D

Results are presented from a survey of contractor activities and attitudes of construction research and development. Responses from 148 members of the Associated General Contractors of America are presented and examined. The survey shows that virtually no organized R & D activities are practiced internally by construction companies. Moreover, little use is made of universities or professional research organizations in solving construction problems. Although there is a slight wariness of the ability of universities to make meaningful construction research contributions, most contractors are willing to participate in R & D activities of specific interest. The survey enumerates many technical problems of a recurring nature, appropriate for engineering research. Contractors also are interested in subscribing to an R & D publication with appropriate information.