Georgia Institute of TechnologyConstruction Information Technology Laboratory

Teaching Construction IT

The body of knowledge in Construction IT has grown at a very fast pace during the last decade. Similarly, the demand for knowledgeable young people with a graduate degree in this area is growing even faster. Construction companies already have senior personnel who are experts in the traditional fields, such as scheduling and estimating. These experts, however, are usually of some age, with little to no exposure to new technologies in their field. Companies seek to fill this gap with young people who have already been exposed to IT concepts, such as building information models, decision support systems, databases, data collection and analysis, and knowledge discovery, and are willing to champion the effort of integrating these concepts into their employer's business practices and of teaching them to the senior personnel.

Our teaching focuses in conveying the core construction concepts, as well as the modern IT concepts that distinguish our graduates from others. Deep knowledge in both is necessary for a successful career in construction.

Courses @ GATech


CEE 8813E SPATIAL AND VISUAL SENSING FOR CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Available in Spring 2010

This course is an introduction to civil infrastructure sensing for spatial and visual data acquisition and analysis. It is intended mainly for graduate students who want to acquire a basic understanding of the theoretical concepts as well as the applicability of spatial and visual sensing to civil infrastructure development problems. Some of the topics introduced are: a) multi-dimensional signal processing for pattern recognition in sensor data with a focus on construction materials, personnel and equipment, b) segmentation, clustering, and filtering techniques, c) 3D reconstruction of civil infrastructure elements, and d) defects detection and system health monitoring.


CEE 4120 CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS

Taught in Fall 2009

This is a heavy/highway construction course that teaches the basics of major construction equipment, earthwork and concrete construction operations. It is intended for all CEE students and highly recommended for those who expect to work in transportation related projects in the future, either from a design or a construction perspective. Some of the topics introduced are: earthmoving materials, excavation, loading and hauling, compacting and finishing, cranes, rock excavation, paving, equipment economics, and concrete construction.


BC 6650 ADVANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Taught in Fall 2009

This course builds on CEE 4100 / BC 6025 Construction Management and covers organizational and administrative topics of project management. It is intended mainly for 1st year graduate students who want to acquire an understanding of the project management concepts as well as the applicability of various managerial theories to project management problems. Some of the topics presented are a) organization and legal structures, b) risk management, c) bidding, d) labor, and e) construction documentation.


BC 4600 PROJECT MANAGEMENT II

Taught in Spring 2009

This course covers practical project management, technology, and tools for this approach and the required management skills for successful execution of projects. It is intended mainly for senior students who want to acquire an understanding of the project management concepts as well as the applicability of various technological innovations to project management problems. Some of the topics presented are a) issues during the construction phase, b) contract management, c) project funding and funding structures, and d) construction equipment and methods.