Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY
The construction industry is one of the
largest industries in the United States,
historically accounting for about 10% of
the nations gross national product and
employing some 10 million workers.
It is widely recognized that construction
as a discipline is a combination of art
and science.
Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.
S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY
Construction Contractors
Companies and individuals engaged in the
business of construction are commonly
referred to as construction contractors
because they operate under a contract
arrangement with the owner.

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

FIGURE 1-1. Construction of St. Louis Gateway Arch.

(Copyright American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc.
Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.)
Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.
S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY
Construction
Industry Divisions
The major divisions
of the construction
industry consist of
building construction
(also called vertical
construction) and
heavy construction
(also called
horizontal
construction).
Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.
S. W. Nunnally

FIGURE 1-2. Distribution of U.S. new

construction volume. (Source: Bureau of the
Census)
Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

FIGURE 1-3. Modern building construction project.

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY

FIGURE 1-4. Heavy construction projectKennedy

Space Center launch complex. (U.S. Air Force
photograph)
Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.
S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
PROCESS
Project Development and Contract
Procedures
The major steps in the construction contracting
process include bid solicitation, bid
preparation, bid submission, contract award,
and contract administration.
Contract Documents:
Contract
Drawings
Specifications

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
PROCESS
For major projects, steps in the project
development process include the
following:
Recognizing the need for the project.
Determining the technical and financial
feasibility of the project.
Preparing detailed plans, specifications,
and cost estimates for the project.
Obtaining approval from regulatory
agencies.
Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.
S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
PROCESS
How Construction Is Accomplished
Construction employing an owner
construction force.
Owner management of construction.
Construction by a general contractor.
Construction using a design/build (turnkey)
contract.
Construction utilizing a construction
management contract.
Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.
S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
PROCESS

FIGURE 1-5. Construction employing

owner construction forces.
Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.
S. W. Nunnally

FIGURE 1-6. Owner-managed construction.

[Either (a) or (b) or both may be employed.]
Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.
publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
PROCESS

FIGURE 1-7. Construction by a general contractor.

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
PROCESS

FIGURE 1-8. Construction

employing a design/build firm.

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

THE CONSTRUCTION
PROCESS

FIGURE 1-9. Construction utilizing

a construction management
contract.

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

CODES AND REGULATIONS

Projects constructed in most areas of
the United States must comply with a
number of governmental regulations.
These include building codes, zoning
regulations, environmental regulations, and
contractor licensing laws, among others.

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

Examples of Local Agencies

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Denver Water
Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD)
Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment (CDPHE)
Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)
Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.
S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

CODES AND REGULATIONS

Building Codes
Zoning, Environmental, and Other
Regulations

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Construction Productivity
Reducing Construction Costs

Good work planning.

Carefully selecting and training workers and managers.
Efficiently scheduling labor, materials, and equipment.
Properly organizing work.
Using laborsaving techniques, such as prefabrication and
preassembly.
Minimizing rework through timely quality control.
Preventing accidents through good safety procedures.

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT
Elements of Construction
Management
Quality Management
Safety and Health
Organization for Construction
Reasons for Construction Company
Failure
Use of Computers
Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.
S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT

FIGURE 1-10. Representative construction company organization chart.

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.
S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]

CONSTRUCTION TRENDS AND

PROSPECTS
Construction Trends
Problems and Prospects

Construction Methods and Management, 8th ed.

S. W. Nunnally

Copyright 2011, 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc.

publishing as Pearson [imprint]