Nam, C H; Gasiorowski, J G and Tatum, C B (1991) Microlevel study of integration in high-strength concrete innovation. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 117(2), pp. 294-309. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
This paper analyzes the process of innovation on the Two Union Square project in Seattle, Washington. On this project, 19,000 psi (131, 005 kPa) concrete—a world-record high strength—was field placed inside 10 ft (3.05 m) diameter steel tubes to create the main columns for a high-rise office building. This paper describes the process leading to this innovation, including the owner’s commitment to the project, the structural designer’s tendency toward innovation, the concrete supplier’s progressive developmental efforts, and the interactions between these key players to overcome the inherent uncertainty of innovation. Lastly, this paper develops discussions based on this example of the process of construction innovation, regarding the importance of owner’s commitment, importance of having a long-term perspective, informal R&D for construction innovation, and qualifications of champions in construction.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | Seattle, column, interaction, commitment, construction innovation, integration, owner, tube, office building, structural designer, qualification |
| Subjects: | building construction, materials science, psychology, construction type, sociology, structural engineering, profession, Geography, educational resources, organizational analysis, behavioral psychology |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Engineering Principles, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Stakeholder Management, Education, Geographical Context, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here