CE 434 Construction Planning

Credit Structure: (3-0)3

Catalog Description:
Economical and juridical basis of construction planning. Methods of planning. Gantt charts, cyclogrammes, networks. (CPM and PERT) Arrow and precedence systems. Resource leveling and time-cost trade offs. Probabilistic and deterministic networks. Computer applications of construction planning process by using available softwares. Problems encountered during implementation.

Course Objectives:
Construction industry has a very poor reputation for achieving planned completion dates within estimated cost budgets. In the case of developing countries, delays and frequent changes in plans and specifications are very common. To compensate these adverse consequences, frequent updating of construction projects is essential. In the framework of this course; the theoretical background of Critical Path Method (CPM) and Probabilistic Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) are given and also illustrated with a computer application. Thus, the student is furnished with the theoretical aspects as well as practical solutions of the construction planning process.

Prerequisites:
None

Textbook(s):
K. Lockyer and J. Gordon, “Critical Path Analysis”, 5th Ed., Pitman Publishing, 1991.

Reference(s):
J.O. Stevens, “Techniques for Construction Network Scheduling”, McGraw Hill, 1990.
R. Pilcher, “Principles of Construction Management”, 3rd Ed., McGraw Hill, 1992.

Syllabus:
1. Introduction to construction management
2. Principles of Gantt charts
3. Network analysis
4. Preparation of arrow diagrams
5. Calculation of floats, network time calculations, critical path analysis (CPM). Analyzing the network.
6. Network compression
7. Resource allocation by networks
8. PERT versus CPM
9. Precedence diagrams, implementation problems in the construction industry
10. Line of Balance method
11. Introduction to PRIMAVERA software
12. Practical applications and future potential for development in the construction planning sector.

Homeworks, Quizzes, Projects:
None

Computer Usage:
Network analysis of construction projects by using PRIMAVESA software.

Laboratory Work:
None

Category Content:
Mathematics and Basic Sciences: 1 credit
Engineering Design: 0.5 credits
Engineering Sciences: 0.5 credits
Humanities & Social Sciences: 1 credit
Departmental: None

Instructors:
Talat Birgönül