Construction Engineering

Constructability

Colorado School of Mines

CEEN 360 – Spring 2019

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Safety Moments

… before we get started…

• Homework/quiz: results and timing of submittals
• Reading
• Journaling

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Today’s Agenda
• Safety Moments
• Constructability Videos Reading:
• Class Exercise – Constructability in
Home Building
• My First Big Constructability Lesson
• Constructability and Value-Improving/
Construction Best Practices
• Example – Constructability and
Construction Safety
• Constructability Considerations &
Implementation Plans
• Class Exercise – Case Studies
(uploaded into
• KISS Canvas “Reading
Assignments” folder

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Construction Industry Institute

(uploaded into Canvas

“References” folder

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Introductory Constructability Videos

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n42czFx60wA

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlMz3G5fS9U

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability

Constructability is the optimum use

of construction knowledge and experience
in planning, design, procurement, and field operations
to achieve overall project objectives.

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Class Exercise: Constructability in Homebuilding

• Gather into 7-8 teams

• Come up with 3-4 constructability items and list them on the board
(you may also refer to our Residential Construction lecture)

• Safety
• CONSTRUCTABILITY

• Costs
• Schedule
• Codes
• Quality

Connect the Dots

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability
One of my first lessons…
Plate Girder design to support compressors…

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Plate Girder Design
Compression Module for Offshore Platform Topsides

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Plate Girder Design

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Plate Girder
Design

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability

Constructability is not just…

• Determining more efficient methods of construction after mobilization
of field forces, or
• Allowing construction to review engineering documents periodically
during the design phase, or
• Assigning construction/operations personnel to the engineering office
during design, or even
• Modularizing or preassembling components.

They’re all a part, but not all…

• It’s the effective and timely integration of construction/operations input
into the planning and design as well as field operation where potential
benefits are achieved.

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability

Industry tends to separate individual functions in it’s capital projects:

• Design tends to emphasize minimizing its office costs.
• Construction focuses on minimizing field costs.
• Fine tuning of its individual parts does not yield the most successful
projects.

Constructability integrates these parts; it’s a powerful best practice

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Value-Improving Practices

• Process Simplification
• Technology Selection
• Process Reliability Modeling
• Minimization (Customization) of Standards and Specifications (Lean)
• Design to Capacity
• Classes of Quality
• Traditional Value Engineering
• Constructability Reviews
• Energy Optimization Modeling
• Waste Minimization (Lean)
• Predictive Maintenance
• Life Cycle Engineering and Information Management (3D CAD)

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Value-Improving Practices – When to Implement?

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Value-Improving Practices – When to Implement?

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Construction Best Practices (CII)

• Constructability – Modularization
• Pre-Project Planning
• Scope Definition and Control
• Project Change Management
• Design Effectiveness
• Technology Exploitation
• Planning for Startup
• Project Controls
• Materials Management
• Quality Performance Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Safety
• Partnering

Construction Engineering Credit: Construction Industry Institute (CII)

CSM Spring 2019
 Offshore Platform Concepts

FIXED PLATFORM HYBRID FIXED-SEMI SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE

(for shallow water) (minimal structure (for deep water)
for intermediate water depths)

Topsides
Topsides
or Topsides
Deck

Jacket Hull

Atlantis
Jacket Gulf of Mexico
7100 ft of water
Shah Deniz 2
Caspian Sea
308 ft of water
Veslefrikk
North Sea
574 ft of water

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
Jacket Fabrication in Verdal, Norway
Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
Jacket Fabrication in Verdal, Norway
Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
Jacket Fabrication in Verdal, Norway
Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
Jacket Fabrication in Verdal, Norway
 Simple Designs = Inherently Safer
Are any of the 8 Golden Rules applicable? • Working at Heights
– complete engineering; no late changes
or additions
– eliminate need for touch-up painting
after roll-ups

• Confined Space
– design simple joints
– minimize internal stiffeners

• Energy Isolation
– less weight = less potential energy
during erection lifts
– fewer welds = less exposure for
welders and inspectors

• Lifting Operations
– understand fabrication erection
sequences
– robust engineering, in the right places
Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Benefits of Constructability

• Has been shown to reduce overall project costs on the average of 4.3%
(impacts design, procurement, construction, and operations /maintenance costs)

• Has been shown to reduce project schedules by an average of 7.5%

• Improves project safety and environmental impact
• Increases project quality
(operability, functionality, and reliability)
• Improves team relationships
• Minimizes rework and rescheduling on the project
• Enhances the progress of the work
(planning, design, construction, and start-up schedules)
• Can result in repeat business

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Principles – Project Types

Construction Engineering credit: Strategic Project Planner, Westney

CSM Spring 2019
 3 Tenets of Constructability

Constructability can be summarized to achieve the assessment and

implementation of three basic goals and practices:

1. The greatest level of ease with which a building’s design will allow for
construction while still meeting construction codes
2. Team integration of construction knowledge during the design phase to
determine the most efficient means to construct while still achieving design
goals
3. Team integration of construction knowledge during building to ensure that
the lowest level of environmental impact occurs during construction

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Considerations

• Construction Site Facilities & Capacities (access, layout, material

handling, cranage, movers, etc.)
• Protected/Enclosed Workshops
• Painting Facilities
• Assembly Sequences
• Standard Details – the conflict between Designers and Constructors
• Workforce (especially Welder) expertise and availability

In short… HOW DOES YOUR CONSTRUCTOR WORK?

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Implementation

1. Commitment that a Constructability Program will be

implemented on the project
2. Constructability Implementation Plan
3. Establish Team Members
4. Constructability Workshops
• Terms of Reference
• Information Gathering
• Meeting Agenda
• Constructability Register
5. Monitoring & Reporting

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability
Flowchart

Acronyms:
SPC – Single Point of Accountability
MOC – Management of Change
PACN – Project Advance Change Notice

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Implementation Plan
Table of Contents

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Team Members

Core Team:
• COMPANY Construction Manager
• COMPANY Topsides Constructability Coordinator
• CONTRACTOR Construction Manager
• Constructability Coordinator (for individual construction sites)
• Engineering Interface Coordinator
• Systems Completions/ Hook-Up and Commissioning Representative
• Operations Representative

Extended Team:
• Human Factors Construction & Constructability Coordinator
• Engineering Project Engineers
• Engineering Discipline Technical Lead Engineers
• Construction and Project Engineers
• Appropriate representatives from other contractor/subcontractor organizations

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Workshop Terms of Reference
Table of Contents

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Workshop

Constructability Workshops

• Terms of Reference
• Information Gathering
o Preliminary: Project Reports, Lessons Learned, Checklists, etc.
o Meeting: Brainstorming
• Meeting Agenda
• Constructability Register
• Minutes of Meeting (if required)

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Workshop Agenda
Table of Contents

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Register

(refer to Register in .xls format)

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Barriers
• Complacency with the Status Quo
• Reluctance to invest additional money and effort in the early stages of
the project
• Designer’s perception that the design & analyses have already been
optimized and are complete
• Construction input that is requested too late to be of value
• Limitations of lump sum and design-build contracts
• Lack of mutual respect between constructors and designers
• Lack of construction experience in the design firm and/or owner

• Self-interests; working in silos

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Class Exercise: Constructability Case Studies

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Class Exercise: Constructability Case Studies
Constructability Case Studies

Questions to Ask:
• Who was involved?
• When were the parties likely to have become involved?
• How do the constructability inputs relate to what we learned in
residential construction, safety, or quality?

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability – the Simplicity Factor

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability KISS Principles

• Keep It Straight and Simple

• Keep It Specification Simple
• Keep It Shop Standard
• Keep It Standards Simple
• Keep It Standard Size
• Keep It Same Size
• Keep It Square and Squatty
• Keep it Support Simple
• Keep It Site Suitable
• Keep It Schedule Sacred

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Special Topic: Module-to-Hull Connection
(perhaps the top Constructability effort I’ve experienced)

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Special Topic:
Module-to-Hull Connection

• How can we design the module legs so that they set as level as
possible on the hull deck?
• How we simplify the module-to-hull connection?

• Module supported by 4 leg stubs

• Module weight ~4500 tons
• Hull deck is flexible, but with hard
points (casting & supporting
structure) at landings
• Hull is roughly size of football
field

Go-By from previous project

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Module Installation

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Setting the Module
onto the Hull

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability – “No-Weld” Solution

The advantages included:

• Simple load path between modules

and hull (vertical and shear loads only;
no moments)
• Direct correlation between analytical
computer models and the actual
connection
• Adequate tolerances for all fabricators
and the lifting contractor
• Minimal amount of non-critical path
work by lifting contractor
• No welding to the casting
• Minimal weight in load transfer structural elements
• Minimal in service inspection and maintenance requirements

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Bonus Opportunity
https://www.aisc.org/education/continuingeducation/education-archives/constructability-of-
structural-steel-buildings/#.XE-VumiPIdU

Part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=n42czFx60wA

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Next Time
• Assignments
o Journal Week 4
o M1-Q&A – 2
o 5 Safety Moments

• Reading & Browse

o Constructability – A Primer
o Constructability - IPENZ PN13
o Constructability Implementation Guide –
CII SP 34-1

• Next Class:
Guest Lecturer: Ian Glasner – JVA
http://www.jvajva.com/meet_jva.php

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability
Additional Information Slides

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Concepts (CII)

By Phase Groupings
I. Conceptual Planning
II. Design and Procurement
III. Field Operations

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Conceptual Planning Concepts (CII)

I-1 Constructability program is an integral part of project execution

plan
I-2 Project planning involves construction knowledge and experience
I-3 Early construction involvement is considered in development of
contracting strategy
I-4 Project schedules are construction-sensitive
I-5 Basic design approaches consider major construction methods
I-6 Site layouts promote efficient construction
I-7 Project team participants responsible for constructability are
identified early on
I-8 Advanced information technologies are applied throughout project

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Design and Procurement Concepts (CII)

II-1 Design and procurement schedules are construction sensitive

II-2 Designs are configured to enable efficient construction
II-3 Design elements are standardized
II-4 Construction efficiency is considered in specification development
II-5 Module/preassembly designs are prepared to facilitate fabrication,
transport, and installation
II-6 Designs promote construction accessibility of personnel, material,
and equipment
II-7 Designs facilitate construction under adverse weather conditions
II-8 Design and construction sequencing should facilitate system
turnover and start-up

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Field Operations Concepts (CII)

III-1 Constructability is enhanced when innovative construction

methods are utilized

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Constructability Implementation Roadmap (CII)

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 THE TOP FIVE RULES FOR AN EFFECTIVE CONSTRUCTABILITY REVIEW:

Build the Project; Don't focus solely on the problems. Only by taking the time to walk through the
construction process step by tedious step will the problems be discovered. Avoid viewing a constructability
review as an exercise in flipping through the construction documents with a focus on finding the problems,
as the problems will not jump out at you.

Review the Interface of Various Systems. Whether it be interior, exterior, structural or MEP, problems are
not discovered nearly as frequently within the body of a system as they are at the perimeter of a system
where it interfaces with the various adjacent systems and trades.

Keep the Review of Preliminary Documents Constructive. When performing a constructability review on
50%, 75%, or even 90% documents, be cognizant that the design documents are not complete and avoid
providing the design team an exhaustive list of things they already know aren't done. Preliminary reviews
should focus on general design approaches, correcting items that have been completed and identifying the
obscure, easy to miss, details.

Stay Focused on the Important Items. Before making a comment to the design team, ask yourself two
questions. First, "Will this impact the cost, time, or quality of the project?" and secondly, "Will the contractor,
or subcontractors, require an answer to this question in order to perform their work?" If the answer to either
of these questions is yes, pose the comment. Otherwise, posing the comment will consume the design
team's time that could be better spent directed to other issues.

Take the Time to Complete a Thorough Review. A thorough constructability review will take weeks, even
months, but for every hour spent planning a project the hours saved down the road are exponential.
Thorough reviews cannot always be complete and incorporated into the design documents in time for bid,
but it is nonetheless important to address the problems early in the project.

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Design Stage
• Review (between contractor, client, consultants and architects/designers) whether the
construction design is realistic or not; architects can sometimes get carried away, and
contractors know what is feasible or not
• Review whether the design can be executed within budget
• Review whether the design will take longer to execute than time afforded to the project

Planning Stage
• Review which materials will be necessary to complete the design, and which are the
most cost effective while still achieving the design-vision
• Review which equipment is necessary to achieve construction, and which can be done
without; eliminate luxury but non-essential construction equipment
• Perform a cost/benefit analysis on equipment quantity demands (i.e. will using one
tractor for multiple roles which takes more time, saves more project money than
investing in multiple tractors for accomplishing individual roles more quickly?)
• Review proposed site soil composition, and how it will impact building

Building Stage
• Review how quickly the contractor is performing the construction, whether it is on
schedule or falling behind
• Review whether design expectations are being met
• Review how construction waste is being managed
• Review again if there is any extraneous, non-essential equipment being used during site
construction

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019
 Benefits of Constructability Beyond Cost Savings

The benefits reaped from proper implementation of constructability are

both physical and conceptual. Efficiently, quickly executed projects
completed with constructability don’t only get everyone a rewarding
payday, but fortify the reputations of each party involved in the project.
The ability to complete a project on time, and save on costs is one
immediate benefit to your team’s reputation. Everyone likes saving
money, especially if it’s in the seven-figures for large-scale projects.
By using the most spartan of equipment and materials in place of costly,
needlessly complex gear, teams demonstrate to prospective clients that
they can accomplish design and construction goals that are not only
cost-effective, but by using constructability during design, planning, and
building, waste is further reduced, which makes for an attractive final
project.

Construction Engineering
CSM Spring 2019