CIVIL 738 : Construction Technology and Innovation

Engineering

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Development of construction technology knowledge and skills including building materials and structural loads, innovative building processes and systems, application of Industry 4.0 in Construction, new construction methods (e.g. prefabrication, 3D printing in metal and concrete, and construction robotics), construction automation and sustainability. Practical construction techniques and skills are covered.

Course Overview

The Construction Technology and Innovation course is a module-based paper designed for postgraduate students with an interest in understanding the new and emerging methods of construction which the industry is embracing. The purpose of this course is to introduce the modern innovative building and construction techniques, processes and products that have disruptive benefits in the construction and engineering-related disciplines to address construction productivity and sustainability issues. It provides a well-structured, holistic knowledge base for students wanting to learn how these new technologies are used in the construction industry. 

In total, there are four modules:
Module 1: Building materials - this module introduces elements of building materials and systems that are commonly used in construction in order to provide sound basis for understanding the construction process to address a practical technology implementation problem. It constitutes timber, steel and concrete structures, with a focus on comparing the pros and cons and the key factors to be considered when choosing a construction methodology.
Module 2: Construction innovation – this module introduces the various types of methods and building products used for different types of building structures (timber, steel, concrete). A focus will be on identifying the application areas in the industry and developing competencies in the use of new and emerging systems for increased productivity and efficiency.
Module 3: Construction 4.0 – this module introduces how digitisation and new technologies are shaping various processes on how our industry functions. It will focus on how the construction work can be automated from technologies that include building information modeling (BIM), prefabrication, wireless sensors, automated and robotic equipment and 3D-printing. It aims to develop students’ skills of technology application and implement strategies for industry transformation.
Module 4: Construction sustainability – this module focuses on addressing the innovation challenges faced by the industry in terms of sustainability and compliance. In particular, it will discuss how the construction sector can utilise the latest technologies on one hand and on the other hand become more environmentally responsible for the change it brings across infrastructure and the built environment.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the process and components of construction (Capability 1 and 6)
  2. Create possible pathways for technology implementation (Capability 2, 3 and 5)
  3. Apply the knowledge learned in real construction projects (Capability 1, 3 and 5)
  4. Be able to use new and emerging technologies to improve construction productivity and sustainability (Capability 1, 3 and 5)
  5. Critically evaluate the benefits and challenges associated with building materials and new technologies at an organisational level (Capability 2 and 5)
  6. Be able to create a prototype for construction automation for offsite construction (Capability 1, 3 and 4)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 40% Individual Coursework
Project 40% Group Coursework
Presentation 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments
Project
Presentation

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, 1 hour of tutorials, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation, on average per week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings.

The course will include live online events including tutorials.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.


Learning Resources

[1] Fleming, E. (2005). Construction Technology: An Illustrated Introduction. Wiley
[2] Allen, E. & Iano, J. (2007). Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods 6th Edition. Wiley
[3] Greeno, R., Chudley R., Hurst M. & Simon, T. (2016). Advanced Construction Technology 5th edition, Pearson Education Limited
[4] Sawhney, A., Riley, R. & Irizarry, J. (Eds) (2020). Construction 4.0: An Innovation Platform for the Built Environment, Routledge
[5] Bock, T. & Linner, T. (2016). Construction Robots: Elementary Technologies and Single-Task Construction Robots. Cambridge University Press
[6] Smith, R. & Timberlake, J. (2010). Prefab Architecture: A Guide to Modular Design and Construction, Wiley
[7] Kibert, C. J. (2012). Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery 3rd Edition. Wiley

Health & Safety

Health and safety induction will be given by the lab manager before any potential entry of the labs.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 20/07/2021 09:52 p.m.