Construction processes

Design team

Shasta Dam under construction

In the modern industrialized world, construction usually involves the translation of paper or computer based designs into reality. A formal design team may be assembled to plan the physical proceedings, and to integrate those proceedings with the other parts. The design usually consists of drawings and specifications, usually prepared by a design team including the client architects, interior designers, surveyors, civil engineers, cost engineers (or quantity surveyors), mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, structural engineers, and fire protection engineers. The design team is most commonly employed by (i.e. in contract with) the property owner. Under this system, once the design is completed by the design team, a number of construction companies or construction management companies may then be asked to make a bid for the work, either based directly on the design, or on the basis of drawings and a bill of quantities provided by a quantity surveyor. Following evaluation of bids, the owner will typically award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder.

Apartment is under counstruction in Daegu, South Korea.

The modern trend in design is toward integration of previously separated specialties, especially among large firms. In the past, architects, interior designers, engineers, developers, construction managers, and general contractors were more likely to be entirely separate companies, even in the larger firms. Presently, a firm that is nominally an "architecture" or "construction management" firm may have experts from all related fields as employees, or to have an associated company that provides each necessary skill. Thus, each such firm may offer itself as "one-stop shopping" for a construction project, from beginning to end. This is designated as a "design Build" contract where the contractor is given a performance specification, and must undertake the project from design to construction, while adhering to the performance specifications.

Construction of a pre-fabricated house

Several project structures can assist the owner in this integration, including design-build, partnering, and construction management. In general, each of these project structures allows the owner to integrate the services of architects, interior designers, engineers, and constructors throughout design and construction. In response, many companies are growing beyond traditional offerings of design or construction services alone, and are placing more emphasis on establishing relationships with other necessary participants through the design-build process.

The increasing complexity of construction projects creates the need for design professionals trained in all phases of the project's life-cycle and develop an appreciation of the building as an advanced technological system requiring close integration of many sub-systems and their individual components, including sustainability. Building engineering is an emerging discipline that attempts to meet this new challenge.

American Society of Civil Engineers

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is a professional body founded in 1852 to represent members of the civil engineering profession worldwide. It is the oldest national engineering society in the United States. ASCE’s vision is to have engineers positioned as global leaders who strive toward building a better quality of life. Its world headquarters is in Reston, Virginia.

ASCE was founded in New York City on November 5, 1852 when twelve engineers met at the offices of the Croton Aqueduct and formed the American Society of Civil Engineers and Architects. ASCE was the first national engineering society created in the United States.

As part of understanding the history of civil engineering and promoting the civil engineering profession, a survey of the historic accomplishments of civil engineers is continually conducted by ASCE members. Such reviews of civil engineering accomplishments have produced various lists of the notable categories and projects of the profession.

The society canvassed its members in 1999 to identify the 10 civil engineering achievements that had the greatest positive impact on life in the 20th century. They chose to recognize broad categories of achievements rather than individual projects:

* Airport design and development, as exemplified by the Kansai International Airport
* Dams, as exemplified by Hoover Dam
* The Interstate highway system
* Long-span bridges, as exemplified by the Golden Gate Bridge
* Rail transportation, as exemplified by the Eurotunnel rail system
* Sanitary landfills and solid waste disposal
* Skyscrapers, as exemplified by the Empire State Building
* Wastewater treatment, as exemplified by the Chicago wastewater system
* Water supply and distribution, as exemplified by the California State Water Project, the subject of California Water Wars
* Water transportation, as exemplified by the Panama Canal

ASCE encourages its affiliates to support state and local public and governmental affairs activities, especially through efforts by its grassroots Key Contact program. The Society’s federal priority issues for the 110th Congress are clean water, drinking water and wastewater, math and science education, natural hazards mitigation and infrastructure security, Qualifications Based Selection for engineering services, smart growth/sustainable development and transportation infrastructure. The state priority issues are infrastructure issues, licensing, math and science education, procurement of professional services, smart growth, and transportation infrastructure.

Construction Management Profession

Construction management profession focuses on construction processes of any built environment. Construction management typically encompasses commercial building sites or multi-unit residential sites, but not usually single-family residential building sites. Construction management of the site may be maintained by a general contractor or a separate entity, and the construction management personnel or firm answers to the developer and is responsible for overseeing every aspect of the project from start to finish.

The construction management field requires a minimum of four years in an undergraduate program and may require a Masters in Construction Management for certain projects. Areas of study for construction management include advanced math, design and construction laws, architecture, estimating, accounting, and business. Construction is one of the single largest industries in the United States and the outlook for careers in construction management is favorable. Job opportunities exist both in the private sector and in government.

During a typical project, construction management personnel are responsible for overseeing each phase of construction and resolving any discrepancies in original blueprint design and actual implementation. Construction management personnel are also accountable for the cost of a project and must control material and labor cost. They may work with one or more project managers, architects, and site-specific superintendents, often in both an office and hardhat environment simultaneously. In addition to overseeing the physical construction phases of a project, construction management must also be familiar with design and construction laws — including OSHA regulations and building codes — and serve as a point of contact for all issues. Equally important is delivering each phase of a project within a given time frame and budget, right down to the completed building or buildings.

Construction management firms vary in size, and some provide their services exclusively to smaller general contractors. Large construction companies generally hire their own construction management personnel. The earning potential for construction management varies by region, but can easily reach six figures with experience and reputation for effectively managing larger, multi-million dollar projects.