On Oct. 17, 1989, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit San Francisco, where Game 3 of the World Series had just gotten underway. No one at Candlestick Park was hurt, but the quake killed 63 people and caused $6 billion in damage. The ballpark was demolished and a new stadium built with private funds was…(Read More)
Reduced waste, precision assembly, and quality control are a few of the reasons construction companies opt for prefabrication. Jeff Dusing writes on Modspace.com that reduced waste is another advantage. Factory construction allows builders to keep materials in stock and ready to use. “Remnant materials are used where possible instead of being discarded as scrap…(Read More)
A potential significant rise in construction costs may be looming, according to Rider Levett Bucknall’s Third Quarter 2014 USA Construction Report. A lack of skilled labor is creating a strain on the industry, states a post on GlobeSt.com. RLB, which tracks construction costs in 12 major U.S. cities, found that between April…(Read More)
As the U.S., China, and other countries work to quell the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, the construction industry will be stepping up as well. The design and construction of treatment and quarantine centers needs standards that will minimize the risk of spreading the deadly disease. Equally as important is how to maximize both…(Read More)
How are employers in the construction industry establishing diverse talent pools? When looking for college students preparing to graduate, you may want to consider the strategy used by corporations such as Bank of America, Aon, and Accenture. These organizations are looking closely at campus clubs. Rick Gomez, executive director of Global AT&T College…(Read More)
Transportation funding is in desperate need of an overhaul, according to a report from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The numbers—which reach into the billions of dollars—are frightening. Budget cuts, population shifts, and growth, are impacting infrastructure, and the federal government isn’t solely to blame. “Intergovernmental Challenges in Surface Transportation examines the role…(Read More)
With a lot of moving parts and individuals involved, miscommunication throughout a project is a guarantee, according to a post from Procore Technologies, Inc. “Paper-based systems and outdated technology, like fax machines and endless spreadsheets, impede the ability to anticipate delays and supervise deadlines, and end up wasting valuable time and resources.” Using cloud…(Read More)
An architectural design firm in California has created structural columns that can withstand horizontal movement during earthquakes. Joseph Flaherty explains on Wired.com how the concrete pillar is created. “It combines an ancient Incan masonry technique with state-of-the-art manufacturing tools to create a structure that can withstand seismic shocks without mortar or…(Read More)
Some may think the construction industry is a harsh place to work, but there is heart among those who make their living in the field. The human interest stories featured in this post include the rescue of a kitten from a tree, the gathering of 2,000 loose coins from an antique collection, and the…(Read More)
Three companies have received “Contractor Safety Awards” from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) Transportation Development Foundation. ARBTA.org reports the initiative promotes worker safety and health as core values of the transportation design and construction industry. Judges evaluated the entries based on corporate safety culture, operational safety plans and worker training…(Read More)
