WORKSHOP ON

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
BASIC RESEARCH

Final Report

Robert I. Carr
William F. Maloney

September, 1982

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

Prepared Under Contract No. CEE-8209538

For The National Science Foundation
Workshop on Construction Engineering Basic Research

Final Report

Held at The University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan
May 24-26, 1982

Sponsored by: American Society of Civil Engineers

National Science Foundation
Construction Research Council

Prepared under Contract No. CEE-8209538

for the National Science Foundation

Principal Invesigators: Professor Robert I. Carr

Professor William F. Maloney

Construction Engineering and Management

Department of Civil Engineering
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION 1

SESSION 1 - DEFINITION OF BASIC RESEARCH IN 11

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

SESSION 2 - BASIC RESEARCH IN CONSTRUCTION 17

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

SESSION 3 - BASIC RESEARCH IN CONSTRUCTION 24

ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

SESSION 4 - BASIC RESEARCH IN CONSTRUCTION 30

ENGINEERING UNCERTAINTY

SESSION 5 - BASIC RESEARCH IN CONSTRUCTION 34

ENGINEERING HUMAN
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

APPENDIX

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE 41
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS 43
SUMMARIZATION OF BASIC RESEARCH TOPICS 45
SUBMITTED BY PARTICIPANTS
 INTRODUCTION

The University of Michigan Department of Civil

Engineering conducted a Workshop on Construction
Engineering Basic Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan on May
24-26, 1982. The purpose was to encourage basic research by
civil engineering faculty in construction engineering and
management. The Workshop drew together the core of such
research faculty in America to develop an awareness of
opportunity and an enthusiasm to analyze and explain the
fundamental elements of construction.
Each engineering discipline is founded upon a
comprehensive set of theories. Basic or fundamental
research is the development of such theories through
attempts to (1) put a scientific base under empirical
knowledge or practice, (2) produce scientific explanations
of natural phenomena, or (3) develop new methods of
engineering analysis. Only through such basic research does
a well founded theory of construction engineering and
management emerge.
An overall view of the Workshop is given by this
introduction. The main body follows to report the five
sessions of the Workshop. Appendices provide a detailed
schedule of the Workshop, list of participants, and
summaries of basic research topics suggested by the
participants before they attended the Workshop. All of this
information is unique and gives the reader benefit of the
ideas and interaction of the participants.
 -2-

The Workshop was sponsored by the National Science

Foundation and the American Society of Civil Engineers
Construction Research Council and funded under grant
CEE-8209538 by the National Science Foundation. The program
consisted of five half day sessions on the
following major areas of construction research:
Workshop Topics

Session I - Definition of Basic Research in Construction

Engineering and Management

Session 2 – Basic Research in Construction Engineering

Management

Session 3 – Basic Research in Construction Engineering

Analysis and Design

Session 4 - Basic Research in Construction Engineering

Uncertainty

Session 5 – Basic Research in Construction Engineering

Human Resource Management

Prospect Directors for the Workshop and Chairmen of

the Workahop Steering Committee were Robert I. Carr and
William F. Maloney of the University of Michigan. Members
of the Steering Committee were David B. Ashley, University
of Texas, Austin; Neal B.H. Benjamin, University of
Missouri, Columbia; Raymond E. Levitt, Stanford University;
Harold D. Pritchett, Oregon State University; and Robert M.
Stark, University of Delaware. Professors Benjamin, Levitt,
Pritchett, and Naloney moderated sessions, as did Daniel W.
Halpin, Georgia Institute of Technology. Robert B. Harris
of the University of Michigan wae heavily involved from the
 -3-

conception of the Workshop to responsibility for recording

its progress.
Need for Workshop – The Construction Research Environment
Construction engineering and management has developed
as a specialty area within civil engineering over the past
25 years. Graduate degree programs were first established
in 1954 and 1955 at the University of Michigan and Stanford
University. Programs soon followed at the University of
California at Berkeley, University of Missouri and
University of Illinois. Today, these programs stand with
those at the other top civil Engineering departments of
America as a strong, growing area of civil engineering. At
many engineering schools, including Michigan and Stanford,
more graduate degrees are awarded in construction
engineering and management than any other civil engineering
specialty.
These graduate programs have concentrated on
professional training of engineers at the masters level.
Little attention has been given to Ph.D. research. There
has been little support for research activities, and the
support which has been available, from industry and from
mission oriented government agencies, has focused on
specific industry problems with immediate payoffs. Most
programs have had input of advice and money from industry
interested in a source of construction engineers and
managers with "practical training." Students working
 -4-

toward their Ph.D.'s have too often been encouraged to do

dissertations on "practical" problems which would have
immediate application.
All of this has discouraged rather than encouraged
research and has made the pursuit of basic research
peripheral to the main mission of many faculty. However,
professors recognize a need for analysis and design theory
in construction as in structures, geotechnics, hydraulics,
and other areas of civil engineering. They see that much of
standard practice rests more on habit and folklore than
upon sound theory. Many have worked to develop a base for
the construction courses they teach and for professional
practice. However, a strong basic research direction has
failed to emerge, due to the lack of maturity of
construction engineering and management as an area of
attention, lack of financial support for research
(especially basic research), lack of research experience
and emphasis among predecessors and mentors, and strong
discouragement by close, important industry supporters.
The primary vehicle for communication of research
results in construction engineering and management is the
American Society of Civil Engineers, through paper sessions
at its meetings and conferences (sponsored primarily by the
Construction Division and Construction Research Council)
and its proceedings (primarily the Journal of the
Construction Division). The research focus of the ASCE
 -5-

technical committees, representing academia and industry,

has been on applied research. The Construction Research
council, for the most part representing academia, has
focused on identifying potential research sponsors. ASCE
has not provided sufficient encouragement for construction
basic research. However, it does provide an essential
forum for communicating research results.

Earlier Workshops
There have been three major workshops that have
focused on construction research. The University of
Michigan "Short Course in Construction Engineering" in 1972
collected 32 engineering faculty for 4 weeks in Ann Arbor
to study construction engineering and management education.
It was a landmark in construction education, establishing a
direction for the many programs gust starting to grow and
developing comraderie among construction educators so vital
to construction education and research since that time.
Its focus was more on educational needs than on basic
research.
The Stanford workshop on basic research in the
construction industry in 1975 had representatives from
industry and academia interact to bring attention to
research needed by the construction industry. However, its
thrust was more applied than basic due to strong industry
input.
 -6-

The more recent workshop on specific projects in

productivity research for the construction industry in
1978, initiated by the University of California at Berkeley
and held at the National Bureau of Standards, attempted to
elicit financial support from mission-oriented government
agencies to solve construction industry productivity
problems. The sessions, headed by industry and government
leaders, focused on chart proposal statements by academics
and possible impacts of the research on industry
productivity. The emphasis was upon immediate application
to increase productivity.
It is obvious the atmosphere in which construction
academic research has lived has not been conducive to basic
research. The test for research acceptability has been its
immediate impact on industry economics. Researchers have
felt apologetic about research that "merely" advances
knowledge. It is time that this view should change, but
such change requires a thrust to give it momentum and
respectability. The short workshop focusing on construction
basic research definition, methodology, opportunity, and
need will facilitate a change in attitude among academic
researchers. They can proceed to satisfy their basic
interest and curiosity as a mutually supportive peer group.

Planning the Workshop

The idea for the Workshop at the University of
 -7-

Michigan originated at an informal meeting of civil

engineering construction faculty and William S. Butcher and
Arthur A. Ezra at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in
September, 1981. After that meeting, the project directors
selected the Workshop Steering Committee, wrote a
preliminary proposal, and circulated it to the Steering
Committee. The elements of the proposal were discussed at
the Construction Research Council meeting in St. Louis in
October, 1981 and with Robert B. Harrie, Boyd C. Paulson,
and Keith C. Crandall who had directed the past workshops.
The feedback from these people went into the final proposal
which was circulated to the Executive Committee of the
Construction Research Council for endorsement and
sponsorship by the Council. Upon receiving the Council's
endorsement, the proposal was submitted to NSF where it
received the approval and financial support requested.
The invited participants were selected for their past
and current demonstrated academic research in construction
engineering and management. A most important element of the
Workshop was the interaction of participants, and the
number of participants was limited to 25 faculty to
encourage interaction during and between sessions. The
group (see Appendix ) represents the core of the
construction academic research community. William S.
Butcher and Arthur A. Ezra from NSF also participated in
the Workshop, to make a total of 27 attendees.
 -8-

Several weeks before the Workshop, participants

submitted annotated lists of research ideas and needs,
according to a guide prepared by the prospect directors.
These lists were distributed to the session moderators for
them to prepare summaries. The prospect directors and
session moderators met in Las Vegas, Nevada, in April, 1982
in conjunction with the ASCE national meeting to firm up
the format of the Workshop sessions.
As moderator of the first session, Neal Benjamin
selected a few research ideas from participants lists and
classified them according to his opinion of their basic
nature. Each moderator of the other four sessions
summarized the ideas from the participants annotated lists
for the topics covered in his session. This five part
summarization was distributed to the participants before
their travel to Ann Arbor, to prepare them for interaction
and sharing of ideas at the Workshop. These summaries are
in the Appendix.

Description of the Workshop

The participants were together at the Workshop from

breakfast in the morning through dinner in the evening. The
formal sessions were from 8:30 in the morning until noon
and from 1:30 to 5:00 in the afternoon. All attendees sat
around a rectangle of tables so that each could participate
in the discussion.
 -9-

The first session was to identify what is meant by

basic research in construction engineering and management.
The full cession discussion among the participants
increased their perspective of fundamental research in
general, its relevance to construction, and its feasibility
for civil engineering construction faculty to direct and
perform* The major comments of the discssion are contained
in the next section of the report. The comments have been
edited to a readable form and to provide continuity out of
context of the discussion.
The other four sessions discussed what was not known
about construction engineering and management and was
worthy of research. Each session covered a broad area of
research, and every construction basic research topic had a
home in at least one of the areas. The general format of
the sessions was a formal listing, with some brief
discussion, of needed research. The summarized lists
prepared by the moderators from participants' lists were
given attention, but the session lists were a separate
compilation, subject to discussion from all participants.
It was evident during the sessions that there are many
equally important research topics which were not discussed
and listed* The items on the list were recorded quickly on
sheets of newsprint so that the participants ideas would
not be lost and so that participants could see what had
been said.
 -10-

These lists served as the record of the sessions and

make up the main body of this report. They have been edited
so that readers of the report who were not at the sessions
will be able to understand them out of context of the
discussions from which they came.
We want to thank the session moderators for their
heavy work,on a tight schedule prior to the Workshop as
well as their leadership during the meeting. Particular
thanks are due Jim Danek and Julie Woodbeck, secretaries at
the University of Michigan. Jim typed the proposal and
correspondence with participants. Julie took over just
before the Workshop, kept the record at the Workshop and
typed this report. We also thank William S. Butcher and
Arthur A. Ezra for their encouragement of construction
research and this Workshop and for their participation in
it.
"This material is based upon work supported by the
National Science Foundation under Grant CEE-8209538. Any
opinions, findings, and conclusions, or recommendations
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect the views of the National
Science Foundation. "
 -11-

SESSION 1

DEFINITION OF BASIC RESEARCH IN CONSTRUCTION

ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

Following introductory comments by Robert Carr, Neal

Benjamin, as moderator, introduced the concept of basic
research. If each engineering discipline is founded on a
comprehensive set of theories, what is that comprehensive
set for construction engineering? He briefly discussed
several research items submitted by participants, in the
context of basic research.
There followed an open discussion by the participants
about basic research in construction. The major ideas
expressed by the participants are paraphrased below. Many
comments are missing which, though valuable in their
context, were not essential in reporting the basic
discussion. Each statement is edited from notes kept by
Carr, Harris, and Julie Woodbeck. We apologize to the
people to whom each of the remarks are attributed for what
are sure to be our mistakes in recording, summarizing, and
paraphrasing their comments.

Butcher – Construction is a valid area of research in

engineering and should have the chance to stand on its
merits for NSF funding. Any funds for construction
engineering research must come from other areas of civil
engineering, but construction should have its chance. The
studies which NSF supports are fundamental to the field,
advance the state of the art, advance the frontier of
knowledge. Basic research is generic, transferrable,
establishment of cause and effect relationships, verifying
hypotheses, refining the tools of the trade. Application to
a specific problem is acceptable as an illustration.
 -12-

Halpin - Results of such research is useful down the road

in establishing a framework for the future.
Ezra - This group must consider what is compatible to a
university environment. What things will contractors not
fund?
Crandall - Contractors will fund short term questions.
Ezra - If individuals can capture benefits of research,
government will not fund the research.
Levitt – We should consider what is academically
interesting and enjoyable to work with.
Maloney - What can we do to explain behavior of people and
systems?
Thomas – We should try to better understand construction
processes and how the industry behaves.
Ezra – One model is that of the steam engine and
thermodynamics. The steam engine came first, followed by a
thermodynamic explanation. Maybe construction processes
have this same characteristic. They now need an
explanation.
Diekmann - In other areas of civil engineering, such as
structures, one can easily go to the laboratory to gather
research data. In construction, data gathering requires
going to the site, and such data gathering is difficult at
beet. How far back can we trace our history?
Ibbs - What about basic research in accounting and
business?
Butcher - Construction is production side. Its counterpart
is manufacturing within mechanical engineering. The
production side is a legitimate area for fundamental
engineering research.
Benjamin - Our inputs to construction engineering and
management come from all disciplines. Can we narrow our
research interests?
Willenbrock - There are steps of a science progression:
scientists, then engineers, then constructors. We are more
removed from pure science than is most engineering.
 -13-

Butcher – We are not removed from design. Design of

construction processes can't be separated from behavior and
financial processes.
 -14-

Ezra - We should consider what can be done, needs to be

done, and will not be done by industry.
Paulson - We have an advantage because we can find needs
for research. Some other engineering disciplines cannot.
Ezra - An example might be insurance. Can't we rigorously
study it? What motivations and effects come from it? Just
asking opinions of users is journalism, it's not research.
Halpin - We need models which can stand the test of time,
which become basic.
Conclusion by several – We are back to knowledge that needs
to be gained that industry will not fund.
Paulson - We must consider what is basic. Applied research
on earthquakes is funded by mandate of Congress; whereas,
soils or water chemistry need to be basic.
Butcher - The hardware items of construction are in
structures, soils, materials, etc. and there is
considerable current research in those areas. They are
obviously civil engineering. Is insurance, accounting, or
finance actually civil engineering? Or shall we handle only
the hardware side of construction?
Paulson - What basic things about an organization can we
measure and understand?
Crandall - The rest of civil engineering concentrates on
design. We are resource people, multidisciplinary in our
work.
Butcher - We must discover priciples. The Romans built
roads, without understanding basic principles. We must take
empirical practices and look within them to find
principles, connections* Look at a process that works and
try to make it better.
Stark - We should focus on problems. When we look at
estimating, how it is done, it looks haywire. There is a
lot we don't understand.
Diekmann - Colony Oil Shale project just went down the
tube. The estimate of $2 billion became $8 billion.
Comments by several - Estimating is now an art, not a
science, and we need to make it a science. We don't know
the variables, much less the relationships among them and
their effects.
 -15-

Tucker - We need data, any data, without too much regard to

statistical niceties. Measuring productivity is a major
challenge, even defining it is. We need better
technologies, interfaces, and controls.
Carr - We need data that is sufficiently well defined by
its source, sampling techniques, and statistical reporting.
Otherwise it is not useful.
Halpin & Ezra - We need a good framework for data, for
contractors and researchers. Need a reference system for
data. Need a theory of data collection so that data, over
time, is useful.
Stark - Agrees; however, has found he cannot trust data he
has not collected himself.
Willenbrock - We deal with time, cost, quality, safety,
resources, and methods. How are we different from other
civil engineers?
Larew - Need some way for faculty to determine which topics
are researchable.
Benjamin – The coincidence of different participants naming
similar topics on their preworkshop lists of research needs
shows that different people agree on researchable topics.
Butcher discussed how input on construction gets into NSF –
There is some chance that after some years there will be a
formal program in construction. This requres a strong
message, which includes presure from a significant number
of proposals. NSF will review any proposal. The arbitrary
current home of construction is Water Resources and
Environmental Engineering of which Ezra is Program
Director.
Pritchett - Not all research work in construction is by
civil engineers. Business also has some. Conetruction is
interdisciplinary.
Butcher - If proposal is from business it is the content
which is important in determining how it will be handled.
NSF can also handle, in one of its other programs, research
that is nontraditional to civil engineering – behavioral
for example.
Paulson - One can't get NSF funds without writing a
proposal. Submit proposals, learn from the process, and
correct oneself. Money is also in a variety of places. One
 -16-

can also learn from reading and discussing proposals of

one's colleagues in other areas.
Stark – We will have a program when pressure is high.
Butcher – The average success rate on proposals submitted
to NSF is about 40%. This is somewhat misleading because it
includes ongoing projects and experienced people. Rate is
lower in Water Resources and Environmental because of
strong presure, including recent cuts in other sources of
research funds in that area. Cannot expect an acceptance
rate higher than 20K, particularly for those who do not yet
have a successful track record. Within Civil Engineering
there is a separate program in earthquakes which has a high
priority and competition is not as stiff. This includes
disasters and hazards in general but earthquakes in
particular.
Several comments concerned what were appropriate as faculty
projects – One or two faculty and one or two students
funded at $30,000 to $70,000 per year, about what is
appropriate for a doctoral thesis, was considered
particularly appropriate.
Halpin - Considering the scale of a typical project, one
should direct efforts toward developing bulding blocks of
research projects which were each of a manageable size.
Carr - Should we be concerned that this discussion session
does not provide a definition of basic research?
Crandall - We are gaining perspective on basic research. We
are paying new attention to the word "principles".
Examining and establishing principles of construction.
Maloney - We are a baby discipline. We need to collect
data, make connections among processes, perform research on
these processes, and develop a theory of construction.

Cost Estimating Example

It had been decided earlier in the session that the
last 30 minutes were to be spent in developing a basic
research approach to cost estimating. The picture of basic
research in cost estimating which was developed was this:
 -17-

- Variables of cost estimating: Resources that go into a

job
- Resource requirements: definition or characterization,
quantity, rate of use, cost
 -18-

- Resource management
- Combinatians of random variables
- Equation of motion of job
- Basic principle requiring investigation is uncertainty
- How to minimize?
- Correlation among variables?
- How can the unanticipated be included?
- Types of records of costs and production which are
meaningful for estimating future costs
 -19-

SESSION 2

BASIC RESEARCH IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

The session was opened by Ray Levitt, moderator,

looking at the construction process in terms of an input-
output model. The inputs of manpower, materials, machinery,
and money are transformed into the outputs of construction.
The transformation process is construction engineering
management. Construction engineering management can be
analyzed at several levels:
- Task: method optimization
- Subproject: system optimization
- Project: resource balancing
- Company strategy: finance, marketing, diversification
- Structure of participants in industry: organization
theory, contracting practices
It can also be viewed in terms of variances.
Management allocates resources through planning, monitors
performance to determine variances, generates alternatives
to correct variances, evaluates the alternatives, and
reallocates resources to correct variances.
Basic research for construction engineering management
was discussed at each of the five levels listed above. The
research topics which were suggested during the discussion
are presented below.
 -20-

TASK
- Detailed task planning is currently inadequate
- What is the correct or optimal level of task
planning?
- How detailed should the planning be?
- What is the economic tarde off between the extent
of planning and field performance?
- How should plans be communicated?
- Development of a detailed micro level planning system
– Information flow for planning in the construction
organization
- Training for planning
- Task design
- Method(s) to be employed in performing the task
- Weather impact on various methods and tasks
- Crew design
- Factors that interrupt task performance
- Degree of mechanization
- Develop models of quality control/quality assurance
- Define quality
- How much quality is enough?
- Measurement of quality
- Organization for insuring quality
- Need for diagnostic techniques
- Scale models
- Logistics and operations analysis
 -21-

- Computer graphics
- Data archives
- Simulation models, possibly as tools for foremen
- Selection and utilization of cranes and hoists
SUBPROJECT
- Communications, especially those between foremen
- Interrupts
- Diagnostic monitoring using the techniques listed under
the TASK discussion
- Inventory levels
- Quality control/quality assurance
- Impact of organization structure
PROJECT
- Organization of the prospect staff
- Staffing of professional positions
- Site layout as a dynamic process
- Uniformity and independence of activities including
design format and cost and schedule reporting
- The issues listed under TASK and SUBPROJECT were also
identified as researchable issues at the PROJECT level
COMPANY
- Development of data bases
- Optimum sire of project, including influence of
technology
and constructability
- Strategic planning
- Definition and evaluation of markets
 -22-

- Identification and assessment of competitors

- Pricing (bidding)
- Disaggregation
- Subcontracting
- Procurement
- Use of multiple prime contractors
INDUSTRY
- Development of data bases
- Organization of the industry
- Joint ventures
- Competitive bidding and statistics related to it
- Financing
- Standard contracts
- Collusion
- Codes and regulations
- Issues identified at the company level for optimum size
of projects and disaggregation were repeated at this
level
The participants were asked to list several specific
research topics based upon discussion during the session.
The following topics were identified:
- Quality Engineering
- Organization Structures
- Work Packaging
- Project Delivery Systems
- Detailed Task Planning
 -23-

- Site Layout
The participants were then asked to select three topics
from this list for an indepth discussion of issues to be
researched. Quality Engineering,, Detailed Task Planning
and Site Layout were selected by vote of the participants.
Research issues which should be addressed for each topic
are presented below.
QUALITY ENGINEERING - discussion led by Boyd Paulson
Not much is known about this topic, which was
considered to be good for basic research.
- Appropriate level of detail to be included in design:
schematic vs. shop drawing; percent of design which
should
be completed before start of construction.
- Paying for substandard quality: adjustment of price for
quality which is acceptable, but below that specified.
- Impact on productivity of stringent quality
specifications
versus consequences of reduced quality specifications.
- Effective organization structures and operating for
quality assurance programs.
- Specification and measurement of design quality; quality
of the contract documents. Effect of bad drawings and
confusing specifications on construction process.
DETAILED TASK PLANNING – discussion led by Richard Tucker
The following list of areas in which research should
be conducted was developed for this topic:
 -24-

- Efficient planning methods: how to plan and what tools to

use
- Identifcation of interfaces
- Identification of planning tasks
- When should planning take place
- What training in planning should be conducted?
- Communications: up, down, sideways, and out
- How should the expertise of foremen be utilized?
- Crane and hoist selection and utilization
- Simulation models as tools for foremen
- Scale models
- Computer graphics
- Logistics and operations managment
- Data archives
Other issues that were seen as requiring research were
these: Why is detailed planning resisted in the United
States? Why does it take outside intervention (owners,
etc.) to affect a change? Why does planning return to its
previous levels after 60 to 90 days?
SITE LAYOUT – dicussion led by Dan Halpin
The question addressed was: Is there a theory for
optimum layout? The answer was no. What is currently done,
if anything, is to describe the site on a scale drawing and
then cut out pieces of paper to represent the various areas
and place them on the drawing. These two items require
research:
 -25-

- Identify and describe construction sites by their

physical
characteristics and movement of resources throughout the
site, possibly in terms of $/distance.
- Develop a programming model for job cites, probably using
computer graphics. This should include changes from start
to finish in Job site layout.
 -26-

SESSION 3

BASIC RESEARCH IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING ANALYSIS

AND DESIGN

The session was opened by Hal Pritchett, moderator,

who asked each of the participants to introduce themselves
and to provide the group with information as to their
background, education, and research interests.
Pritchett stated that Manpower + Materials + Machinery
+ Money + Management = Profit in the construction industry,
and the objective of this session is to specify research
necessary in engineering analysis and design to improve the
profitability of the industry and reduce costs to owners.
Pritchett made a presentation on the influence curve
described in Barrie and Paulson's Professional Construction
Management to illustrate where engineering analysis and
design impact the construction costs. It was estimated that
design and construction account for 20' of the life cycle
coste of a facility, financing 40%, and maintenance and
overhead 40%. Only 2% of the life cycle costs are expended
upon planning and design of the facility, as opposed to
planning its construction. The influence curve is based on
projects from Fluor. The curve requires validation, and
differences between types of construction and prospects
need to be determined.
 -27-

The decision was made to work through the list of

topics compiled by Pritchett from the responses of the
participants. Much of the research required falls within
the purview of the traditional civil engineering
disciplines of structures, soils, and materials. Discussion
was focused on the actual construction of the facility and
the engineering required to construct it rather than on the
engineering of the facility itself. The research needs
identified are, therefore, germane to construction even
though the research may be categorized as structural,
geotechnical, etc. in nature.

ROOFING
- Development of an overall generalized model
- Materials problems
- Construction problems
- Liability
- Building codes
- Design of flat roofs
- Cost of design decisions
- Acquisition of longitudinal data
- Erection sequences and construction loads
- Role for construction engineers in roof failure
investigation
CONCRETE AND ASPHALTIC PAVING
- Onsite vs. offsite recycling
- Concrete cutting techniques
 -28-

MATERIALS HANDLING
- Conveyor, vertical, and people transport
- Site planning to optimize material handling
- Energy utilization
- Equipment design, particularly for unique applications
- Cycle times for all materials
- Development of a model of materials handling that
addresses the interaction of different cycles and rates
- Optimization of blasting operations
TEMPORARY SUPPORT STRUCTURES
- Development of criteria and design standards
- Sensitivity of shoring and scaffolds to differential
settlements
- Loads on stakes and braces during construction
- Temporary support capacity of soils
- Shoring as a dynamically loaded system
- Impact of design assumptions on the construction process
- Role for construction engineer in the investigation of
the
failure of temporary structures
CONCRETE AND CONCRETE ADDITIVES
- Impact of superplasticizers
- Impact of additives on imbeds
- Finishing
- Vibrating, with particular attention to the liquification
of concrete under vibration
- Impact of additives on curing and quick-curing
 -29-

- Control of design specifications during concrete

manufacturing
END PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
- Actual and required quality of contract documents
- Problem of shop drawing designs differing from original
designs
- Responsibility for quality
- Development of a scientific basis for the rules of thumb
promulgated in "quality" specifications
INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
- Improved energy efficiency
- Lower noise level
- Increased capacity, prodctivity, mobility, and
versatility
The bulk of equipment research should be carried out
by the construction equipment industry, not universities.
University researchers can play an important role, however,
by identifying areas needing innovative equipment. One area
that was believed to hold significant future benefits for
the industry is robot development, partial automation, and
remote control capability for equipment.
DATA BASES
The onsite acquisition of data for research purposes
is a significant need which requires industry cooperation
to use construction sites as research labs. Because of the
interventions required to collect data, it is necessary to
 -30-

sell project owners on the need for the research and the
benefits to be obtained from the research. Once this is
done, it will likely be necessary to have the owner include
the research effort in the contract documents to gain the
cooperation of the contractor. A feasibility study is
needed to determine if this is possible.
VALUE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
- Computer design
- Computer tracking of changes
- Impact of changes on design
- Value engineering and its acceptance
MODULARIZATION
- Development of models to determine feasibility
- Onsite vs. offsite prefabrication
- Preaseembly
TUNNEL BORING
- Time-cost trade-offs between the cost of investigation of
the site to optimize the set up of the boring machine for
the specific soil and the use of a boring machine set up
to handle a variety of soils
ENVIRONMENT
- Costs and benefits of subsidizing seasonal prospects
- Effects of altitude
- Impact of weather on offshore construction
- Cost impact of severe conditions
 -31-

- Impact of environmental considerations on safety

- Impact on worker productivity
- Impact of radioactivity and other harsh environments
- Control of the environment
 -32-

SESSION 4

BASIC RESEARCH IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING UNCERTAINTY

Dan Halpin, moderator, introduced the session by

saying uncertainty is pervasive in construction engineering
and management, and there is a fairly large body of
literature addressing construction uncertainty. The impact
of uncertainty on all elements of the construction process
had risen repeatedly in each of the preceding sessions.
Halpin then led the participants through the major topics
within which he had summarized their uncertainty research
ideas (Appendix). Since the original ideas had come from
the participants, there was at least one person familiar
with each idea on the summary. This led to discussion of
basic questions which were worthy of research. The list
below was the work product of the session.
SCHEDULING UNCERTAIN DURATIONS
- Variables which contain uncertainty
-Productivity (skills)
- Weather
- Management
- Economic factors
- Variations in supply
- Detailed logic
- Descriptions of duration probability distributions.
- Easily understood and estimated by managers
 -33-

- For different scheduling systems (PERT type,

simulation,
max-min)
- Flexible
- Characteristic distributions for different types of
activities.
- Characteristics of uncertainty. Which characteristics
lead to which distributions?
- Relationship between variables
- Level of independence
- "Ripple effects" on uncertainty
- Characterization of weather and its impacts on
construction
- Fundamental study of probabilistic networks, to lead to
better understanding of relationships, interactions, and
behavior and to develop to better probabilistic models
- Tools to develop and predict durations
- Better updating methods, particularly to allow better
control of schedule
RANGE ESTIMATING
- Model different estimate levels, from conceptual
estimates
to detailed estimates
- Independence vs. dependence of cost variables
- Characterize prospects to lessen effects of
interdependencies
- Models to handle correlated variables
- Study relationships among variables
 -34-

- Define or characterize uncertainty in cost elements

 -35-

- Check basic assumption of successive approximation

- Value of information for subsurface work
- Characterize uncertainty on non-typical projects
STRUCTURAL FAILURE AND CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
- Probabilistic design of shoring and other temporary
support systems
- Nondestructive testing of structures
- Appropriate level of risk
- Relationship between risk (probability of failure) and
consequence
- Effect of overtime, inclement, or emergency conditions
- Define risks through structural failure and construction
accident investigations
- Worker attitude toward risks and the influence of a
safety
program on those attitudes
CONTRACTURAL RISK
- Optimal distribution of risks among owners, designers,
contractors
- Risk implied by specifications
- Level to which risk should be reduced in design before
work is contracted
- Acceptance of risk versus shift in responsibility
BIDDING AND MARKUP ANALYSIS
- Strategy for competing against other contractors
- Strategy for awarding contracts
- Factors that make up a bid (cost, estimate, etc.)
 -36-

- Influence of multiple projects

IMPACT OF UNCERTAIN PHENOMENA
- Distribution of resources
- Under uncertain activity durations
- Uncertain resource availability
- Among multiple projects
- Subsurface conditions
- Impact of market uncertainty
DECISION THEORY
- Validate variable weights and establish their sensitivity
- Validate decision theory – does it work for construction
decisions
- Employee attitudes toward risk and their influence on
decisions
- Application of fuzzy sets to construction
- Applications of artificial intelligence to construction -
capturing the expert opinion
- Further develop decision methodology for construction
PROCESS AND PROJECT SIMULATION
- Simulation of interaction among correlated variables
- Simulation of nonsteady state process conditions
- Simulation and other gaming techniques as a tool for
personnel selection and training
- Scale models of construction operations
- Simulation of site planning
- Include group dynamics in simulation models
 -37-

SESSION 5

BASIC RESEARCH TOPICS IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The session was started by Bill Maloney, session

moderator, and the decision was made to utilize the
compiled list of topics (Appendix) submitted by the
workshop participants as the agenda for discussion.
Maloney, in his opening comments, emphasized the need to
discuss the topics within the context of basic research,
with a particular emphasis on the development of a theory
or theories of worker behavior and performance. Many, if
not most, of the topics submitted have been researched
extensively in industries other than construction, and
construction researchers need to build upon the research
conducted in those industries.
WORKER MOTIVATION
- Develop a comprehensive model of worker motivation and
performance
- What motivates construction personnel, at all levels
from craftsmen to professional employees?
- Relationship between an individual's motivation and
performance on the job
- Influence of inadequate resources
- Impact of collectively bargained work rules
- Existence and impact of peer pressure
- Role of life style and expectations
 -38-

– Influence of rework
– Influence of management and management systems
- Perception of risk and its influence on job behavior
- Construction worker needs: existence, relatedness,
growth
TRAINING
- Personnel development for work in unknown environments
such as remote locations, possibly including outer space
– Training in tools, methods, and procedures that are
unknown
– Supervisory training
- Training for contingencies
– Training to analyze situations, make decisions, and not
wait for supervision
– Optimal level of worker training relative to supervision:
Untrained or poorly trained workers require close '
supervision; well-trained workers require less
supervision. How much training is necessary to optimize
worker and supervisor performance? The supervisor needs
time to plan and organize future activities as well as
oversee current activities. The trade off is economic.
– Measuring effectiveness of construction training
programs:
With workers employed by more than one employer during a
year, training effectiveness is difficult to measure
- Spreading training costs equitably throughout the industry:
Workers are highly mobile and contractors are reluctant
 -39-

to train workers for their competitors

- Advantages of worker mobility in reducing need for
training
LABOR FORCE
- Demographic characteristics of construction workers,
including education and experience.
Construction employment demographics. Primary versus
secondary employment, hours worked, seasonal
characteristics, number of employers and duration of each
employment.
- Mobility of construction workers and distinguishing
characteristics of mobile workers: Differences by craft.
Influence of job site, project duration, overtime
opportunity and economic conditions.
- Mobility of construction professionals
- Culturally determined differences among workers on
domestic prospects and international projects
LEADERSHIP
Research into leadership in construction requires an
interdisciplinary approach. This should include
construction researchers, typically individuals from civil
engineering or construction engineering and management
programs who possess the knowledge of construction
processes and interaction, and researchers from the fields
of organizational behavior or industrial, organizational,
or
 -40-

social psychology who possess the knowledge of leadership

processes and theories. Several issues requiring research
are:
- Demographic and behavioral characteristics of effective
construction managers
- Different leadership styles in construction and their
effectiveness
- Influence of project size and type on effective
leadership
style
- How can effective leaders be selected?
- Is leadership in construction different from leadership
in other fields?
- Develop theory of leadership which incorporates the many
variables on a construction prospect
- Substitutes for leadership in construction that reduce
the need for formal leadership
LABOR RELATIONS
- Influence of unions on worker motivation through peer
pressure, collectively bargained work rules, or other
mechanism
- Mechanisms and procedures for labor relations on nonunion
projects
- Influence of construction unions and jurisdiction on
development and adoption of technological advances
 -41-

SAFETY
- Construction worker and supervisor attitudes toward
personal risk and safety on and off the job: When faced
with two methods of doing a job, one safer than the
other,
what influences the decision on method?
- Perception of risk and risk avoidance: Differences among
crafts and other employment demographics
– How can workers be motivated to perform in a safe manner?
Effectiveness of motivational techniques on construction
safety performance
- Engineering construction projects for improved safety
– Cost accounting and benefit/cost analysis for safety and
accidents
- Can safety performance be used effectively to prequalify
contracts?
PERSONNEL FUNCTIONS
– Performance evaluation of construction personnel
- Personnel management and administration methods for
changes in prospect characteristics as large or unique
projects move through different stages of completion
ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
Considerable research is needed, particularly in
organization of construction projects and prospect oriented
companies. Attention can be given to other prospect
oriented industries such as aerospace. Among the many
questions concerning construction are these:
 -42-

– Relationship between worker productivity and the number

of supervisory and staff (professional) personnel
– What is the relationship between crew size and
productivity on cyclic processes?
- Is there an optimal job design (set of activities for an
individual worker)?
- How should jobs be structured to foster effectiveness in
worker performance and satisfaction?
- How can large projects be structured to provide more work
force involvement and reduce the "smell cog in big wheel"
syndrome?
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT
The diversity in construction tasks and lack of exact
repetition has frustrated measurement of production.
Mechanisms must be developed to measure and correlate
performance of different tasks, crews, activities, crafts
and prospects for all levels of personnel. The most basic
need is for standard units to measure individual and crew
level performance on construction tasks.
GROUP DYNAMICS
Applicability and adaptation of quality circle and
other group dynamic techniques to construction projects
with their finite durations and their multiple employers,
crafts and tasks.
 -43-

APPENDICES
 -44-

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Monday, May 24, 1982

7:30 Breakfast buffet at Campus Inn

8:30-12:00 Session 1 - Definition of Basic Research in

Construction Engineering and Management –
Moderator: Neal B. H. Benjamin, University
of Missouri
Definition of basic research, classification of
examples from construction and other fields,
criteria for construction basic research,
methodology for basic research, research
experience and opportunities.

12:00-1:30 Luncheon at Campus Inn conference room

1:30-5:00 Session 2 - Basic Research in Construction

Engineering Analysis and Design – Moderator:
Harold D. Pritchett, Oregon State University
Possible subtopics: construction equipment
analysis and design, temporary services and
utilities, temporary support systems, erection
loadings and stresses, material characteristics
relevant to construction processes, performance
testing, environmental control, quality control.
7:00 Dinner at Pretzel Bell Restaurant (walk 5 blocks)
 -45-

Tuesday, May 25, 1982

7:30 Breakfast buffet at Campus Inn

8:30-12:00 Session 3 - Basic Research in Construction

Engineering Management - Moderator: Raymond E.
Levitt, Stanford University

Strategic planning, prospect planning and

scheduling, cost systems, procurement,
inventory, site layout, equipment management,
engineering economy, work measurement, work
improvement, financial management.

12:00-1:30 Luncheon at Campus Inn conference room

1:30-5:00 Session 4 – Basic Research in Construction

Engineering Uncertainty - Moderator: Daniel W.
Halpin, Georgia Institute of Technology

Scheduling uncertain durations, range

estimating, insurance and other risk analysis,
impact of uncertain phenomena, bidding and
markup analysis, nonlinear value systems,
decision theory, quality assurance and
reliability, resource dependability and use,
process and project simulation, multiattribute
decisions.

7:00 Dinner at Gandy Dancer Restaurant (walk 6 blocks)

 -46-

Professor Neal B. H. Benjamin Professor Enno Koehn

Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
1043 Engineering Building Purdue University
University of Missouri-Columbia West Lafayette, IN 47907
Columbia, MO 65211
Professor Richard E. Larew
Professor Leroy T. Boyer Department of Civil Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering Ohio State University
University of Illinois 2070 Neil Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801 Columbus, OH 43210

Professor James L. Burati Professor Raymond E. Levitt

Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
Clemson University Stanford University
Clemson, SC 29631 Stanford, CA 94305

Professor Herbert W. Busching Professor William F. Maloney

Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
Clemeon University University of Michigan
Clemson, SC 29631 Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Professor Robert I. Carr Professor Robert H. Mayer, Jr.

Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
University of Michigan University of Colorado
Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Boulder, Colorado 80309

Professor Keith C. Crandall Professor John W. Melin

Department of Civil Engineeering Department of Civil Engineering
University of California University of Illinois
Berkeley, CA 94720 Urbana, IL 61801

Professor James E. Diekman Professor Boyd C. Paulson

Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
University of Colorado Stanford University
Boulder, Colorado 80309 Stanford, CA 94305

Professor Daniel W. Halpin Professor Harold D. Pritchett

School of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology Oregon State University
Atlanta, GA 30332 Corvallis, OR 97331

Professor Donn E. Hancher Professor Robert M. Stark

Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
Purdue University University of Delaware
West Lafayette, IN 47907 Newark, DE 19711

Professor Robert B. Harris Professor H. Randolph Thomas

Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
University of Michigan Penn State University
Ann Arbor, MI 48109 University Park, PA 16802
 -47-

Professor Weston T. Hester Professor Richard C. Tucker

Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
University of California University of Texas
Berkeley, CA 94720 Austin, TX 78712

Professor Jimmie W. Hinze Professor Jack H. Willenbrock

Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering
University of Missouri 212 Sackett Building
Columbia, NO 65201 Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16801
Professor C. William Ibbs
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Illinois
Urbana, IL 61801

Dr. Arthur A. Ezra

Dr. William S. Butcher Water Resources & Environmental
Civil Engineering Engineering Program
National Science Foundation National Science Foundation
1800 G. Street, N.W. 1800 G. Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20550 Washington, D.C. 20550
 -48-

SESSION 1
DEFINITION OF BASIC RESEARCH IN
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

BY NEAL B.H. BENJAMIN

The following have been selected from lists of topics

proposed by workshop participants as suitable for "basic
research". The have been arranged by session (there may be some
overlap) and a personal Judgment has been made as to whether the
topics are (A) definitely basic research topics, (B) moderately
basic, or (C) definitely not basic research topics.

Session 2 – Basic Research in Construction Engineering Management

A. (1) Analysis of production transients in engineering.

(2) Integration of resource levelling with time-cost

trade-offs.

B. (1) Research on evolution of organizational structure

through project phase.

(2) Correlation of work sampling with delay surveys.

(3) Integration and interaction of CPM and inventory models.
C. (1) Study of current financing options.
(2) Use of insurance on large projects.

Session 3 - Basic Research in Construction Engineering Analysis

and Design

A. (1) What is the optimum level of maintenance of heavy

equipment.

(2) Optimal siting of construction plant.

B. (1) Incorporation of temporary facilities and final product.

C. (1) Methods for analysis of quality of bid documents, with

predictions of quantity and likely areas for future change
orders.

(2) Robotics in construction.

(3) Develop portable pipe extension process to eliminate

field welding.
 -49-

Session 4 – Basic Research in Construction Engineering Uncertainty

A. (1) Probabilistic models for construction-production-systems.

(2) To what extent can classical operations research

techniques be applied to construction operations?

B. (1) Use of "fuzzy sets" in the interpretation of imprecise

construction data.

(2) Bidding theory.

C. (1) Development of texts for grade school and high school

on uncertainty.

(2) Identify the minimum number of samples required in

construction quality control to assure reliability.

Session 5 - Basic Research in Construction Engineering Human

Resource Management

A. (1) Identification of common personal characteristics of

persons in various management positions in construction.

(2) Effectiveness of various motivational techniques on

construction safety performance on medium to large scale
projects.

B. (1) Determine the potential applicability and effectiveness

of Quality Circles as a problem solving technique.

(2) What is the optimal division of labor.

C. (1) Educational programs for participants in outer space

construction*

(2) Develop better procedures for evaluating construction

personnel for promotion to foremen and superintendent
levels.

(3) Interviewing, hiring, and retaining construction

personnel.
 -50-

SESSION 2
BASIC RESEARCH TOPICS IN
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

SUMMARIZED BY RAYMOND E. LEVITT

A. Decision Support Systems Engineering

(1) Development of Network Based Methodologies

(a) Computerized time cost trade-off analysis

improvement of techniques.
(b) Techniques for assessing cause of delays:
retrospective vs. real time*
(c) Integration of resource leveling with time-cost
trade-offs.
(d) Measuring activity time distributions.

(2) Cost Engineering Methodologies

(a) Effect of cost accounting procedures on quality of

decisions.
(b) Refine framework for modeling productivity.
(c) Modeling the impacts of multiple design changes.
(d) Treatment of inflation in economic decisions.
(e) Process vs. unit cost data gathering.
(f) Design of work packages to facilitate
measurement.
(g) Correlation of work sampling with delay surveys.
(h) Electronic measurement of progress.
(i) Better techniques for measuring design progress,
delays.
(j) Valuation of substandard work.

(3) Application of Systems/Optimization Techniques

(a) Heuristics for site planning, recognizing dynamics.

(b) Analysis of production transients in construction.
(c) Process interaction on linear construction sites.
(d) Crane or hoist location.
(e) Progressive use of floor space for laydown.
(f) Inventory models for material procurement; integration
with CPM, storage constraints.
(g) Two cycle production systems: stochastic effects on
production.
(h) Use of "fuzzy set" theory for imprecise data.
(i) Use of artificial intelligence for nonroutine
decisions.
 -51-

B. Use of Computers in Construction Engineering Management

(1) Computer Systems Analysis and Design
(a) Methodology for design of database for large project
planning and control.
(b) Coordinating data with jobsite distributed
processing
(c) Enhanced computer graphics.
(d) Computer-aided engineering and design for
microcomputers.
(e) Robotics in construction environment
(f) Impacts of CAD on decision-making.
(2) Man-Computer Interface ("Cognitive Ergonomics")
(a) Applications to project control.
(b) Numbering systems that are easily understood.
(c) User friendly systems - basic research on CPM, cost
control, etc.
(d) Use of graphic displays.
(e) Faster input devices: "mouse", digitizer, etc.
C. Prospect Delivery Options
(1) Role of Architects/Engineers in construction
oversight-implications for control of schedule, cost,
quality*
(2) Analysis of subcontracting using markets/hierarchies
framework.
(3) Impact of organizational structure on performance of
large prospects.
(4) Research on evolution of organizational structure
through project phases.
D. Risk Management and Insurance
(1) Methodology for identifying, linking risks.
(2) Methodology for insurance on large projects.
E. Estimating Techniques
(1) Development of conceptual estimating techniques.
F. Bidding Strategy
(1) Analysis of overhead and profit mark-up.
G. Financial Policy
(1) Study of current financing options
H. Logistics/Operations Planning
(1) Material packaging to facilitate deliveries of groups
of materials.
 -52-

SESSION 3
BASIC RESEARCH TOPICS IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING ANALYSIS AND
DESIGN

SUMMARIZED BY HAROLD D PRITCHETT

A. Roof Design and the Behavior of Roofing Materials

(1) Roofs that continue to leak.

(2) Structural failures.

B. Definition and Description of Concrete and Asphaltic

Pavement Fracture Mechanisms

(1) Important in the design and economic analysis of

pavement breaking and cutting equipment.

(2) Needed for the design and analysis of recycling

equipment

C. Improved Materials Handling Systems

(1) For highway and tunnel construction.

(2) For industrial and high rise construction.

(3) Cycle times and transport distances.

D. Need to Develop Criteria and Design Standards for:

(1) Temporary support structures during construction

(coffer dams, shoring, scaffolding, etc.).

(2) Short term soil bearing capacities.

(3) Temporary loads induced by construction equipment and

materials during construction.

(4) Structural support bracing during construction (wind,

ice, snow, etc.).

E. Impact of Concrete Additives on the Construction

Characteristics of Concrete Structures

F. Evaluation of End Performance Specifications

 -53-

G. New Innovative Construction Equipment

(1) Energy and noise efficiency.

(2) Increased capacity and productivity.

(3) Increased mobility and versatility.

H. Temporary Utilities (Electrical, Water, etc.)

(1) Efficient portable units.

(2) Incorporate in permanent system.

I. On Site Research Data Acquisition Procedure

(1) Standard practice on major project.

(2) Prospects serve a major research facility.

J. Analysis of Crane Lifts for Construction

(1) Location.

(2) Accessibility.

(3) Support.

(4) Height.

(5) Capacity.

(6) Etc.

K. Value Analysis and Design Considerations

(1) Value engineering.

(2) Computer aided design

(3) Prospect delivery techniques.

L. Criteria for Intensive Quality Control and Quality

Assurance Programs to Make Them Effective

M. The Creation of Portable Robots to Perform Repetitive Tasks

(Like Automobile Industry)

N. Portable Pipe Extrusion Process for On Site Use,to

Eliminate Field Welds

0. Improved Control on the Variability of Specified Design

Strengths of Concrete, Found During Testing
 -54-

P. Improved Modularization Techniques for Heavy and Industrial

Construction

Q. Adaptable Tunnel Boring Machines for Variable Soil and Rock

Formations

R. Concrete Handling and Placement

(1) Vibrating limitations.

(2) Transporting and placing.

(3) Effects on quality.

S. Construction Environment Considerations (Location, Climate,

Season, Altitude, etc.)

(1) Offshore.

(2) Underwater.

(3) In space.

(4) Underground.

(5) Northpole - equator.

(6) Denver - Miami.

T. Basic Construction Research and Development Methods, Need

to Become an Integral Part of the Overall Construction
Industry Process on a Continual Basis
 -55-

SESSION 4

BASIC RESEARCH TOPICS IN

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING UNCERTAINTY

SUMMARIZED BY DANIEL W. HALPIN

A. Scheduling Uncertain Durations

(1) Character of uncertainty.
(2) Fall-off in production proportional to coefficient of
variation?
(3) Distribution for activities - define probabilistic
distributions.
(4) Causes of uncertainty - model the cause and effect
relationship.
(5) Probabilistic models for construction production
system.
(6) Better identification of construction related
uncertainty.
(7) Fuzzy sets to study construction uncertainty.
(8) Weather effects in scheduling.
B. Range Estimating
(1) Character of uncertainty in estimating.
(a) Variability in quantities, costs, times.
(b) Correlation between variables in range
estimating.
(2) Successive approximation in estimating as described by
Lichtenberg.
(3) Risk analysis in construction estimating.
(4) Risk in estimating underground structures.
(5) Better means of coping with variability inherent in
construction.
C. Risk Analysis
(1) Risk management of site and firm.
(2) Risk in reuse of materials for temporary support.
(3) Risk in form removal in concrete construction.
(4) Quality risk potential based on records of
construction failures.
 -56-

(5) Optimum allocation of contract risk.

(6) Are risk transfer mechanisms in construction contracts

(i.e., differing site conditions clauses, etc.) really
cost effective in reducing contingencies and therefore
bid price. How should an owner decide which contract
clauses are coat effective?

(7) Optimum percent of design prior to commencing

construction.

D. Bidding and Markup Analysis

(1) Characteristics of contractor strategy for different

types of bid competition (including those in which low
bid is not winner).

(2) Is fastrack really a time and money saving approach?

(3) Bidding theory - does it work? Is it practical?

(4) Negotiated contracts vs. bidding? Contract form and

productivity?

E. Impact of Uncertain Phenomena

(1) Construction firm fixed resources in an uncertain

market.

(2) Uncertainty impact on market and firm.

(3) Study of causes of uncertainty and effects.

(a) Schedule versus plan versus update.

(b) Cost accounts (plan versus actual).

(4) Extent of exploration and testing under varying levels

of uncertainty? Analytic tools? During design and
predesign.

(5) How does uncertainty effect design and selection of

equipment for tunnels, shafts, deep foundations?

(6) Use of fuzzy sets to analyze*

F. Decision Theory

(1) Utility and value analysis ("Nutzwertanalyse").

(2) Decision theory and optimization to short range

prospect decisions based on use of micro-computer.
 -57-

(3) Guidelines for decision making under uncertainty in

construction management.

(4) Successive approximation in decision making –

Lichtenberg concept to define most important
parameters.

G. Prospect and Process Simulation

(1) Methods of examining correlated variables in

simulation.

(2) Study production transients in construction processes

using simulation.

(3) Process interaction of linear sites.

(4) Crew size determination based on simulation.

(5) Study transport and materials handling cycles in

construction using simulation*

(6) Productivity estimation using simulation.

(7) To what extent can simulation techniques be applied to

the building construction industry?

(8) Allocation of management resource using simulation.

(9) Simulation exercises to build more effective

management teams?

(10) Site preparation and layout based on prospect

simulation.

(11) Movement of facilities on a linear construction job

study using simulation.

(12) Precast plant layout.

(13) Investigation of multicycle systems (balance,

transients, probaility distributions).
 -58-

SESSION 5
BASIC RESEARCH TOPICS IN CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERING HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

SUMMARIZED BY WILLIAM F. MALONEY

A. Worker Motivation

(1) What needs are workers attempting to satisfy,

variation by demographics.

(2) Impact of rework.

(3) Relationship between motivation and productivity.

(4) Impact of management and management systems on worker

motivation

B. Training

(1) Educational programs need to be developed for

managers, supervisors, and workers in outer space
construction.

(2) Relative effects of on the job training vs. apprentice

schools training for specific needed tasks vs. craft
Journeyman range of tasks, in developing a stable,
flexible, productive work force.

(3) Training for tasks vs. crafts; a systems study of this

dealing with training costs, supervision costs,
unemployment costs, motivational and productivity
impacts, etc., is needed.

(4) Educating the educator and student for the educator

and student for radical technological change.

(5) Resource requirements in training on mega-projects.

C. Labor Force

(1) Labor force characteristics: hours worked segregated

on the basis of demographic variables.

(2) Stability of employment with one employer.

(3) Mobility and the distinguishing characteristics of

mobile workers.
 -59-

D. Leadership
(1) Relationship between leadership style and
effectiveness.
(2) Determinants of effective leadership.
(3) Substitutes for leadership (characteristics of the job
and the worker) that reduce the need for formal
leadership.
E. Labor Relations
(1) Quantitative relationship between labor contract work
rules and worker productivity.
(2) Effect of jurisdictional restrictions upon
construction costs, market structures, and worker
recruitment.
(3) Impact of dual allegiance of foremen on union
prospects.
F. Safety
(1) Construction worker attitudes toward personal risk and
safety on and off the job.
(2) Difference in accidents occurring in warm weather and
cold weather.
(3) Effectiveness of various motivational techniques on
construction safety performance on medium to large
scale projects
(4) Effective safety management systems for construction
companies.
(5) Worker disability: characteristics of disabled workers
(disabled by either health or safety).
(6) Relationship between job characteristics and
disability.
G. Personnel Functions
(1) Performance evaluation and review for all levels.
(2) Career development for construction professionals -
planning for utilization.
(3) Interviewing, hiring, and retaining construction
personnel.
(4) Develop better procedures for evaluating construction
personnel for promotion to foreman and superintendent
levels.
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(5) Effect of various management functions (recruitment,

organization, payments) upon management capabilities,
attitudes, and other characteristics.
(6) What are the physical and mental skills, training, and
experience required to have a fully qualified
journeyman?
(7) Structure and effectiveness of compensation programs.
(8) Identification of common personal characteristics of
persons in various management positions in the
construction industry.
H. Organizational Structure
(1) Relationship between worker productivity and number of
supervisory personnel on the job site.
(2) Relationship between worker productivity and the
number of staff (professional) personnel on the
project.
(3) Relationship between crew size and productivity on
certain cyclic processes.
(4) Create structures on large projects that provide more
involvement with the work force and reduce ("the small
cog in big wheel" syndrome).
(5) What is the optimal division of labor?
(6) How should tasks be structured to foster effectiveness
in terms of worker performance and satisfaction.
I. Environment
(1) Impact of weather on productivity.
J. Performance Measurement
(1) Develop craftsmen delay surveys to encourage
participation and determine lost time.
(2) Productivity measurement and improvement for
professional employees.
K. Group Dynamics
(1) Determine the potential applicability and
effectiveness of quality circles as a problem solving
technique of each level of the hierarchy.
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L. Miscellaneous

(1) What are the human concerns that must be anticipated

in accomodating robotics and other forms of automation
in the workplace? How will the economists handle the
displacement and retraining of blue collar and white
collar workers supplanted by robotics and office
automation? What psychological problems are involved
when human beings work side by side or interact with
automatons simulating various levels of intelligence?

(2) Where can technology make more effective and

economical some of the general topics mentioned? For
example, can interactive computer controlled video
tape techniques improve employee training? Can real-
time automated data acquisition through electronic
video pattern recognition or other methods make
regular productivity sampling and analysis more widely
accepted? Could simulation exercises influence
organizational behavior, or assist in building
effective teams? With techniques of artificial
intelligence, research have accurately simulated the
diagnostic abilities of one of Massachusetts General
Hospital's pathologists. Could A.I. techniques
8imilarly replace or supplement some kinds of project
management or administrative functions?

(3) Human resource aspects of international point

combines.

(4) Guidelines for the effective management of

construction personnel on foreign projects.

(5) Problems of human resource management on

superprojects.

(6) Dealing with stress in the construction environment.

(7) Study of reaction of job site personnel to the use of

computers: (a) identify motivators; (b) identify
demotivators; and (c) what constitutes a user friendly
system.

(8) Impacts of variance on worker productivity and

determination of mitigating influences from advancing
forecasting and communication of impacts.