Temporary Loads During Construction: Undergraduate Research And Course Development

Teaching models have evolved as research on learning has progressed. Kolb and Felder championed a learning styles paradigm while Dale developed a “Cone of Learning” model to address teaching styles. To maximize the learning experience for one talented undergraduate, we developed a project that required active leaning by the student and opened the potential for improvement of the Civil & Construction Engineering Technology curriculum. Understanding design loading requirements and combinations of loads is a challenging part of the design process, yet it is often not emphasized in undergraduate engineering or engineering technology curriculum. Application of ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures is often an incidental part of one or more design courses. Its proper application, however, requires significant class time so that students can gain the proper understanding of its many facets. Consideration of transient loads imposed during the construction process receives even less attention. Design for these loads is generally dismissed as “means and methods” which are the responsibility of the contractor. However, many graduates are employed by contractors or consultants working for contractors. Understanding that there is a difference between design loads and construction loads is, therefore, relevant and important. This paper looks at construction loads in accordance with ASCE 37, Design Loads on Structures During Construction and is based on an independent project undertaken by a student. He was tasked with researching the topic and preparing a set of notes for presentation to an undergraduate engineering technology class. This paper presents a summary of the topic to show how an undergraduate student would present the material. A review of the material prepared by the student provides insight into the level of understanding of this topic that can be achieved through active independent study and highlights the need for civil and construction engineering technology programs to include discussion of this topic..