Laboratory Learning Of The Benefits Arising From Detailed Pre Planning Of Construction Operations

Construction operations can be categorized as either routine and repetitive or unique and complex. The means of developing an understanding of operations in each category differs. An understanding of routine and repetitive operations is best developed through analysis of field operations. Unique and complex operations by their very nature have not been constructed in the field. Therefore, an understanding of such operations can be developed through a pre-planning process of first “building on paper.” A laboratory session was incorporated into a construction means and methods course to demonstrate the benefits of pre-planning construction operations. Students used the K’NEX construction system to build a replica of the Tower Bridge. By design, some groups pre-planned their operations, while others did not. The value of pre-planning was evident through observation of their performance.