The book helps build these skills through: a holistic view of construction technology, its safe use to maximize productivity and how the principles of science are being applied; linking the material in this course to their previous courses (such as statics, geotechnical engineering) and pedagogy designed to promote knowledge and skill acquisition, such as case studies, open-ended problems.

Contents
Chapter One Human Ingenuity Builds Miracles

1.1 Each Construction Equipment is an Assembly of Classical Machines

1.2 The Need for Construction Equipment and Methods

1.3 Chapter One Review



Chapter Two Costing the Operation of Equipment

2.1 The Economics of Deploying Machinery

2.2 Cash, Credit and Capital

2.3 Costing Construction Equipment

2.4 Computing Ownership Costs

2.5 Computing Operating Costs

2.6 Equipment Overhead

2.7 Reducing Income Taxes with the Help of Tax Depreciation

2.8 Buy, Lease or Rent?

2.9 Chapter Two Review



Chapter Three Safely Deploying Massive Power

3.1 The Mechanical Powertrain

3.2 Taking Advantage of Hydraulic Fluid Power

3.3 Protecting the Health of People Working with Equipment and Tools

3.4 Chapter Three Review



Chapter Four The Omnipresent Backhoes

4.1 The Family Tree of Today's Backhoes

4.2 From the Accident File

4.3 Modeling Forces and Motion at Work

4.4 The Capabilities of the Universal Workhorse

4.5 Principles of Safe Trenching

4.6 The Backhoe as a Mobile Crane

4.7 Planning for a Productive Backhoe Operation

4.8 Smart Add-Ons to Boost Backhoe Safety and Productivity

4.9 What Certifies a Skilled Backhoe Operator?

4.10 Chapter Four Review



Chapter Five Dozers, Scrapers and Graders

5.1 The Family History of Dozers, Scrapers and Graders

5.2 From the Accident File

5.3 Modeling Forces and Motions

5.4 The Dynamics of Dozing, Scraping and Hauling

5.5 Power and Traction to Cut, Rip and Doze

5.6 Boosting Productivity with Electronics

5.7 Planning for Safe and Healthy Work

5.8 Chapter Five Review



Chapter Six Trucks, Loaders and the Quarry Operation

6.1 From 4 to 800 HP Trucks Within One Century

6.2 From the Accident File

6.3 About Trucks and Trailers

6.4 Equipment in the Quarry

6.5 Off-Road Trucks: Earth Haulers

6.6 Electronics and Satellites Boost Truck Performance and Security

6.7 Chapter Six Review



Chapter Seven Cranes--Gentle Giants in Construction

7.1 An Impressive Family Tree

7.2 From the Accident File

7.3 Forces and Moments Affecting Crane Tipping

7.4 The Astonishing Capabilities of Ropes and Sheaves

7.5 Keeping Mobile Cranes Erect

7.6 Reaching High and Out with a Jib

7.7 The Omnipresent Tower Crane

7.8 Calculating Crane Productivity

7.9 Electronic Devices to Boost Safety and Productivity

7.10 Traits of the Master Crane Operator

7.11 Signaling with Hand Signs and Voice--Danger of Miscommunications

7.12 Chapter Seven Review



Chapter Eight Creating and Securing a Deep Dig

8.1 The History of Digging Deep and Retaining the Earth

8.2 From the Accident File

8.3 Building on Soft Ground

8.4 Dewatering the Ground to Excavate in the Dry

8.5 Preventing Collapse of a Vertical Earth Wall

8.6 Bracing Systems to Support Retaining Walls

8.7 Chapter Eight Review



Chapter Nine The Many Ways to Construct Deep Foundations

9.1 From Wooden Stilts to Jetted Piles

9.2 From the Accident File

9.3 Problems with Building on Soft Ground

9.4 Pile-Driving Technology

9.5 Non-Driven Load-Carrying Piles, Columns and Caissons

9.6 Chapter Nine Review



Chapter Ten Forms and Temporary Structures for Material and Laborers

10.1 The Family Tree of Temporary Supports

10.2 From the Accident File

10.3 The Principles of Shoring

10.4 The Ubiquitous Scaffold

10.5 The Large World of Concrete Formwork

10.6 Chapter Ten Review



Chapter Eleven How Do They Build These Magnificent Bridges?

11.1 History of Bridge Construction

11.2 From the Accident File

11.3 Characteristics of Modern Bridges

11.4 Properties of Key Building Materials

11.5 Conventional Construction of the Superstructure

11.6 Bridge Building with Launching Gantry (LG)

11.7 Cable-Stayed Bridge Construction

11.8 The Construction of Arch Bridges

11.9 Chapter Eleven Review



Journaling Questions

Traditional Homework

Open-Ended Problems

Bibliography

Glossary

Index