Gotthelf, H; Ozbek, M E and Guggemos, A (2013) Potential efficiency gains from early involvement of steel fabricators and erectors: Lessons learned from the nrel research support facility project. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 9(2), pp. 147-160. ISSN 1557-8771
Abstract
While the structural steel industry has made commendable progress to improve its efficiency and reduce its environmental impacts over the years, room remains for improvement, particularly in the fabrication and erection of structural steel during construction. The purpose of this research is to determine the potential benefits of including the steel fabricator and erector early in the design phase with respect to increasing the efficiency and thus reducing the environmental impacts of the structural steel construction process. Interviews were performed with the key participants in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Research Support Facility (RSF) project located in Golden, Colorado, United States to collect information in the form of lessons learned. Analysis revealed several benefits that result from leveraging the unique perspective and knowledge of the steel fabricator and erector during the design phase when utilizing them for decisions concerning fastening hardware, types of connections, and erection sequencing. In addition, the steel fabricator and erector may be able to foresee potential conflicts between structural and architectural features. This information supports reduced resource use, identification of cost effective solutions, significant efficiency increases, and a reduction in environmental impacts.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | efficiency; environmental impacts; project delivery system; steel fabricator and erector; structural steel |
| Index terms: | design phase, hardware, project delivery, fabrication, efficiency, environmental impact, lessons learned, steel construction, renewable energy, United States, laboratory, interview |
| Subjects: | professional development, performance management, computer hardware, data collection methods, project delivery, energy systems, Geography, structural engineering, manufacturing engineering, research management, environmental impact, professional practice |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Sustainability, Procurement, Quality Management, Information Management, Research Practice, Digital Applications, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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