Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The study of high-rise buildings is fundamental to the development of advanced construction management skills and begins to integrate knowledge drawn from other discrete units in the degree course. This unit will enable students to explain how high-rise buildings are constructed, and exhibit logical, rational and resourceful thinking when reviewing alternative techniques.

Aims

You will become familiar with the technology and management of major construction and will be able to describe, analyze, compare and evaluate the technology of high-rise construction and be aware of some of the problems that can arise with high-rise construction.

Using a case study approach, this unit will enable you to explain how high-rise buildings are constructed, and exhibit logical, rational and resourceful thinking when reviewing alternative techniques.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Describe, analyse, compare, contrast and select the most appropriate approach to constructing a high-rise project.
2. Develop presentation skills to present your work to an external party and work in a team environment to secure a project bid.
3. Describe, analyse, compare, contrast and evaluate common construction problems and technology issues for high-rise buildings, and consider various solutions.

Content

In this unit the following major topics will be covered:
· Site establishment and plant management
· Safety and risk management and work method statements
· Demolition and ground preparation
· Earthworks, retaining and piling systems
· Structural framing systems
· Pre-cast and pre-stressed systems and complex formwork
· Deemed to satisfy and performance based solutions to code compliance and fire engineering
· Services & systems interface and design management
· Services co-ordination for high-rise
· High-rise façade systems
· Quality and environmental management
· Human resources management

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Lectorials will be held each week (3 hrs) and their purpose is to provide an outline of the main concepts, identify areas of discussion and debate, and to develop critical inquiry and problem solving skills. You are encouraged to share your experiences of high rise construction within this context. Cases, presentations and discussions are used in lectorials to allow students to develop their abilities in applying theory and practice to workplace situations, and to consider the broader implications of management decisions.

Teaching and learning strategies adopted foster an understanding of the challenges relating to the management of high rise construction projects in a dynamic environment.

PowerPoint lecture material developed for this unit, additional readings, information about assessment items, and cases involved in assessment can be downloaded through the unit's Blackboard site.

Assessment

The assessment for this unit follows the assessment policy stated in section 5.1.1 Manual of Policies and Procedures (MOPP).

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:
· Receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge,
· understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and
· Demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).
There is one compulsory piece of assessment in this unit worth 40%. You have a choice of 6 assessment items for the remaining 60% or you may complete the final exam.Students will be provided with feedback on the individual assignment i.e. Assignment 1 prior to the group assignment i.e. Assignment 2 - Group Presentation.

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: Construction Planning Client Submission
Prepare a submission on 1 of 4 parts to be part of a group presentation to be made to senior managers from Tier 1 contractors on the pre-construction planning of a CBD based high-rise construction project - common project material will be provided to the class.
Relates to objectives: 1. Describe, analyze, compare, contrast and select the most appropriate approach to constructing a high-rise project.
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Presentation (Oral or Group)
Description: Construction Planning Presentation
Prepare a group presentation to be presented to senior managers from Tier 1 contractors on the pre-construction planning of a CBD based high-rise construction project.
Relates to objectives: 2. Develop presentation skills to present your work to an external party and work in a team environment to secure a project bid.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 10

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Final Exam
Multiple choice and/or short answers and/or short essay questions
Relates to objectives: 3. Describe, analyze, compare, contrast and evaluate common construction problems and technology issues for high rise buildings and consider various solutions.
Weight: 55%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

References
Additional readings and references will be posted on the Blackboard website from time-to-time.

Other Resources
You are required to use the following UDB310 Blackboard website.

Risk assessment statement

In this unit you will undertake lectures and/or tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit. Students in this unit, however, may be required to undertake lecturer-led and individual site visits to construction sites. Prior to these site visits, all students are required to attend a construction safety induction session and obtain a safety induction card. This safety induction session introduces students to the relevant workplace health and safety requirements of Queensland construction sites. A safety induction course is provided by the school in the first week of the first semester. Students who do not have, or cannot produce a safety induction card will not be allowed to undertake the site visits.

As this unit may require you to visit construction sites, you need to take your General Site Safety Card and to wear safety boots and a hard hat. You will be required to undergo a specific safety briefing at the site. If you do not act in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Act, you will be asked to leave the construction site.


Additional Costs
There are no additional costs associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 19-Oct-2012