Introduction

Greetings,

For this project, I studied the benefits of applying technology to civil engineering. In the introduction video on this post, I show my main points. I have also provided a list of essential vocabulary for this topic, and I have posted a short annotated bibliography to help your in your research. Most significantly, I also wrote an in-depth research article that explains my ideas in more detail.

This issue is important because of the tendency of our society to use more technology, so companies need to invest in technology to help society progress and succeed in the market.

Again, thank you for your time! I hope you find this interesting and useful.

Applying technology in Civil Engineering

The 21st century is seen as the technological century. In fact, technology surrounds our society. It is changing, and most of time facilitating people’s lives. Computers, smartphones, tablets, projectors, millions of electronics devices, but also the physical space where we live: houses, buildings, stadiums, roads, and any structure.

More and more industries have been using modern machines to improve material production. Nowadays, companies feel the need to innovate to follow the needs of modern society. World Famous Apple inventor, Steve Jobs, said that “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” Technology is changing how cities and communities are built. It is changing how we live.

Important Vocabulary for Technology in Civil Engineering

PREFABRICATED (adj) [pree-fab-ri-keyt-ed]
Forms: prefabrication (n), prefabricator (n), unprefabricated (adj).
Definition: something that is previously constructed.
Sentence: Many builders start the construction with a prefabricated metal shell.

PROPERTY (n) [prop-er-tee]
Forms: propertyless (n)
Definition: an essential or distinctive attribute or quality of a thing.
Sentence: All elements have chemical and physical properties.

OPTIMIZE (veb) [op-tuh-mahyz] 
Forms: optimization (n), optimized (adj).
Definition: to make as effective, perfect, or useful as possible.
Sentence: Software can optimize the time of construction.

PRE-MIXED CONCRETE (n) [PREE-MIKS-T kon-kreet]
Definition: a kind of concrete that is prepared at the industry and arrives at construction site ready for application.
Sentence: Many construction companies prefer to work with pre-mixed concrete.

MEASURE (verb) [mezh-er]
Forms: measurer (n), intermeasure (verb), mismeasure (verb), outmeasure (verb), premeasure (verb).
Definition: the act or process of ascertaining the extent, dimensions, or quantity of something. 
Sentence: Barometer measures the air pressure. 

Annotated Bibliography

1) Formoso, C.,  Soibelman, L., De Cesare, C., & Isatto, E. (July/August 2002). Material Waste in Building Industry: Main Causes and Prevention. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 316-325. doi: 10.1061/~ASCE!0733-9364~2002!128:4~316!

The author analyzed two studies carried out in Brazil about waste of materials and concluded that the main solution for this problem is an implementation of control systems, that is able to measure financial and non financial waste and optimize the production process, in construction companies.

2) Ghaboussi, J., Garret Jr., J. H., & Wu, X. (January 1991). Knowledge- Based Modeling of Material Behavior with Neural Networks. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 117, 132-153. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1991)117:1(132)

In this paper, the author analyses the use of neural network to determine the behavior of concrete during the state of plane stress under monotonic biaxial loading and compressive uniaxial cycle loading. The author concluded that, through the use of this device, it is possible a better modeling of materials. 

3) Jaillon, L., Poon, C.S., & Chiang, Y.H. (January 2009). Quantifying the waste reduction potential of using prefabrication in building construction in Hong Kong. Waste Management, 29, 3009-320. DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2008.02.015

The author discuss about the amount of building waste generated in Hong Kong and governmental actions to reduce the percentage of waste. The author analyze the significant wastage reduction through the use of prefabricated materials.

4) Peddi, A. (n.d.).  Development of Human Pose Analyzing Algorithms for the Determination of Construction Productivity in Real-time. Retrieved from http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/bitstream/1808/4283/1/umi-ku-2739_1.pdf

The author analyzes an automated on-site productivity measurement system which, through the capturing of a sequence of images, can provide instant feedback about the productivity of the construction. The author shows that it is possible to increase the productivity from this analysis.