Civil and Environmental Engineering 594
Computer-Aided Construction

Course Introduction

Overview

Welcome

Modern construction project management is highly information-dependent. Well-organized data, smooth communication networks, and efficient analytical tools are crucial for making timely and cost-effective decisions on project planning, bidding, and control. To improve the quality, integrity, and timeliness of construction data and analysis, computerization in the construction industry is becoming increasingly important.

In order to meet this challenge, CEE 594 Computer-Aided Construction was developed. This course is to help construction professionals become highly computer literate so that they can take advantage of recent advances in information technology to improve the management of construction projects. Through the nine-week learning period, students will go through fundamentals of computer hardware, learn information sharing through the Internet, and gain hands-on experience with several popular software applications for spreadsheet calculation, data administration, and project management.

Course Description

Compared with other industry sectors, computer applications in the construction industry have lagged behind although the benefit of computerization has been well-recognized. This course aims at improving the utilization of information technology in construction project management by introducing popular computer applications to construction professionals.

Major topics of this course include

1. computer hardware fundamentals;
2. data management and analysis tools (Microsoft Excel and Access);
3. information sharing with the Internet (Microsoft Expression Web); and
4. Microsoft Project applications.

Prerequisites

• Students should have fundamental knowledge on construction project management.
• Students should be familiar with the interface of a recent Windows Operating System (Windows 2000 or Windows XP).

Required Textbook

Computer-Based Construction Project Management by Tarek Hegazy, Prentice Hall, 2002. ISBN: 0-13-088859-1.

 

Required E-Materials

The following E-Materials (EMs) are available online through the University of Washington library.

EM List:

• EM-1. Oloufa, A.A., M. Ikeda, and H. Oda. Situational Awareness of Construction Equipment Using GPS, Wireless and Web Technologies. Automation in Construction, Vol. 12, No. 6, 737-748. 2003.
• EM-2. Habraken, J. W. Lesson 10 Getting Help in Microsoft Access. Microsoft Access 2002: 10 Minute Guide. Que, 2002. Indianapolis, Indiana.
• EM-3. Aderson, V. Chapter 17 Creating Custom Switchboards and Dialog Boxes (pages 467-480). How to Do Everything with Access 2002. McGraw-Hill Professional, 2001. Berkeley, California.
• EM-4. University of Washington Computing and Networking. Creating a Student Home Page. Accessible online at http://www.washington.edu/computing/web/publishing/students.html.
• EM-5. Bucki, L. and G. Chefetz. Chapter 3 Working with Files and Help. Managing With Microsoft Project 2002. Premier Press, 2002. Roseville, California.

All of the required EMs are available online at the University of Washington Library. You can access these from "Course Schedule" on your online course syllabus.

Important Note : If you work on an off-campus computer, you need to use the UW proxy server to access the required EMs. Please refer to the following Web site for details on how to set up the UW Library Proxy Server: http://www.lib.washington.edu/help/connect.html

Some of the online reading materials are formatted as Adobe .pdf files. You will need the Adobe Reader 6.0 or later to read the .pdf files. If you do not have Adobe Reader 6.0 or later installed, you can download it for free at

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Technology Requirements and Skills

In addition to the technology requirements and skills noted in the Online Student Handbook, for this course you will need the following:

• Operating System: Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista
• Memory: 256 MB of RAM or greater
• Hard Disk: 1 GB or bigger
• Internet connection (256 Kbps or faster)
• Software packages: Microsoft Excel 2003 (or 2007), Microsoft Access 2003 (or 2007), Microsoft Expression Web, and Microsoft Project Standard 2003 (or 2007)

If you do not have these software packages installed, you may consider buying them at a discount price from the University Bookstore, finding the free trial versions or using a terminal service account at our course server (terminaltest.transnow.org). Please keep in your mind that the remote terminal service at our course server could be very slow if your Internet connection speed is slow, or if many users are using it simultaneously. Therefore, it is NOT recommended to use the terminal service.

For purchasing information at the University Bookstore, please contact the University Bookstore (1-800-335-7323) or visit its Web site at http://www.bookstore.washington.edu/. Information on software can be found by clicking on the "Computer Shop" link in the top navigation bar. When you place your order over the phone, you will be required to fax a copy of your UW Student ID Card with a current validation sticker.

If you decide to use the trial versions of the required software packages, please keep in your mind that Microsoft may start or terminate any trial version packages at any time. It is possible that some of the required software packages do not have a trial version available at the time it is taught. Also each trial version package has a time limit or a limit on the number of times it can be accessed. You need to choose the right time to activate each trial version package, so that it stays valid during the time it is taught. To check the availability of Microsoft Office System Trial Software License, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/office/newday/default.mspx. To download Microsoft Expression Web Free Trial, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/expression/products/download.aspx?key=web.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are

• to present recent advances in information technology that may affect construction project management;
• to introduce modern concepts for promoting computerization in construction engineering; and
• to help students get familiar with several popular computer application tools relevant to construction project management.

After the course is successfully completed, a student will be able to

• describe new developments in computer and software industries that may be applied to construction project management;
• use the Internet for data or information sharing;
• analyze and visualize data with Microsoft Excel;
• manage data effectively using Microsoft Access;
• develop Web sites using Microsoft Expression Web (a new generation Web design product based on Microsoft FrontPage 2003); and
• apply Microsoft Project for simple construction project management tasks.

Outline of Lessons

The course is organized into eight online lessons to be completed in the first eight weeks of a summer quarter. The time allocated for each lesson is one week, Monday through Sunday.

Lesson One: Computerization in Construction, Computer Basics, and GPS

This lesson overviews the whole course. It explains the concept of e-construction, reports the status of computerization in the construction industry, introduces popular software applications used in construction project management, and reviews fundamental knowledge about computer hardware, PC operating systems, computer networks, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), etc.

Lesson Two: Data Analysis with Microsoft Excel

This lesson shows how to do spread sheet calculation and data visualization (drawing graphics) using Microsoft Excel. It contains two parts: part one introduces fundamental functions of Microsoft Excel and part two covers advanced Excel applications, such as the Statistical Analysis Toolkit, solver, and Global goal seeking.

Lesson Three: Using Microsoft Access for Data Management (I)

This lesson introduces the interface and fundamental features of Microsoft Access. Four Access objects, table object, query object, form object, and report object, are described in detail. The power of Microsoft Access for data management, analysis, and reporting is demonstrated.

Lesson Four: Using Microsoft Access for Data Management (II)

This lesson is based on Lesson Three. It covers advanced features of Microsoft Access. Specifically, this lesson teaches switchboard application for database navigation, introduces page objects, and demonstrates how pages can be used for online data sharing.

Lesson Five: Web Site Development Using Microsoft Expression Web

This lesson introduces information sharing through the Internet. Functions of Microsoft Expression Web are explained and demonstrated for a simple Web site development and management.

Lesson Six: Introduction to Microsoft Project

This lesson reviews the basic concepts for construction project management and introduces the interface and working mechanism of Microsoft Project. To demonstrate the procedure of using Microsoft Project for construction project management, a residential infrastructure construction project is employed.

Lesson Seven: Managing a Simple Project with MS Project

This lesson shows how to link tasks, set and assign resources to tasks, and fine-tune task details. It continues the example project started in Lesson Six.

Lesson Eight: Advanced Project Scheduling with MS Project

This lesson is based on Lessons Six and Seven. It covers some of the advanced features of Microsoft Project for construction project management, which include fine-tuning resource and assignment details, examining resource allocation, tracking project progress, and sharing project information online.

Online Tools

This course makes use of three online tools—discussion forums, online quizzes (e-quizzes), and an electronic turn-in area for submissions.

You can access these from "Course Schedule" on your online course syllabus.

Course Elements

Lessons

The course is organized into eight online lessons to be completed in the nine weeks allocated. The time allocated for each lesson is one week (for the topics for each week, please refer to the "Course Schedule" on your online course syllabus). Each week's online lesson(s) must be completed Monday through Sunday.

Reading

The reading assignments provide background material and a good discussion of each lesson’s major teaching points. You should finish the reading assignments before you start the corresponding online lesson.

E-Quizzes

There are three e-quizzes. Each e-quiz consists of a number of multiple choice questions. Your grade is calculated based on the number of questions answered correctly. Guessing is valid; no points are subtracted for incorrect answers. E-quizzes are due by 6:00pm Pacific Time on the designated Mondays.

Projects

To help you get familiar with static webpage design using Microsoft Expression Web and gain hands-on experience with Microsoft Excel, Access, and Project, four projects are arranged in this course. Projects 1 and 3 are one-week projects. Project 2 is a two-week project and Project 4 is a three-week project. Projects are also due by 6:00pm Pacific Time on the designated Mondays. Please remember that your submission for each project should include a report that summarizes your achievements and justifications, if necessary, to your work.

Study Questions

Study questions appear on the last slide of each lesson. These ungraded questions are for your personal review of the material presented in that lesson. Use them to make sure you understand and can apply key concepts. If you find you cannot answer a question to your satisfaction, review the related reading and lesson parts, or contact an instructor for clarification.

Discussion Forum

Our virtual classroom is the discussion forum, where each of you is expected to visit and interact with the rest of the class regularly. You are required to post at least one comment, question, or response related to the course by 6:00 pm Pacific Time each Friday. You are also encouraged to use the discussion forum for idea exchange and discussions. Your participation in the discussion forum constitutes 10% of your final grade in this course. The reason for requiring participation in the discussion forum during the week is to motivate you to review the online lessons, read the required readings, and summarize your weekly learning as scheduled.

Grading Policy

Except in truly exceptional circumstances, late submissions will NOT be accepted. Projects may take a lot of time. Estimating how long a project will take is difficult, even for software professionals, so start early!

There is no midterm exam or final exam. A student's final course grade is based on his/her performance on e-quizzes and projects.

Assessment	Weight	Subtotal
E-quiz 1	10%	40%
E-quiz 2	10%
E-quiz 3	20%
Project 1	10%	50%
Project 2	10%
Project 3	10%
Project 4	20%
Discussion Participation	10%	10%
Total	100%	100%

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