FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Department:
Construction Management & Quantity Surveying

Learning guide

Module Name:
Construction Equipment & Automation
(CEA8X00)

Dr Samuel Adekunle

2024 Session

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 Quick Help

Where to Start

• Check to ascertain that you have the following:

• A printed copy of the learning guide for the Module
• The learning guide obtaining important information will be handed out during the first contact session of
the semester, please sign the acknowledgement for receipt of learning guide and return to the lecturer.
• The timetable for the semester will be available from the office of the Departmental Secretary.
• Consultation times with the Lecturer will be as per schedule fixed to the Lecturer’s office door.
• Assessment dates will be as per the learning guide.

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 Action words
Action words that you may be exposed to in this learning guide

Apply Put to practical use or make use of a relevant equation or law.

Calculate Determine the value, using formulae or specific calculation methods.
Group concepts or subjects together based on certain characteristics or
Classify
commonalities.
Point out the similarities and differences between objects or points of view. The
Compare
word contrast can also be used.
Convert Transform a quantity expressed in one unit to a quantity expressed in another unit.
Define Give a short and clear description of a term or concept.
Demonstrate Show clearly/prove/make clear by reasoning or evidence/illustrate and explain,
especially with many examples.
Derive Deduce or infer something from the given information.
Tell in detail how a process works or how a subject appears. You need not comment
Describe
on the process or the subject or give your own point of view.
Differentiate Find differences between objects or statements.
Explain terms or concepts in your own words. Give comments or give your own point
Discuss
of view.
Distinguish Write down the differences between subjects or concepts.
Draw Create a drawing, diagram or representation of a subject or concept.
Write about the subject in your own words. Clarify or give reasons – it may be useful
Explain
to use examples or illustrations. You must prove that you understand the content.
Formulate Express in a concise, systematic way.
Identify Establish the identity or recognise a process.
Illustrate Explain by means of detailed descriptions and drawings.
Interpret Explain or clarify the meaning of a concept/value.
List/Name Briefly write down the facts or main points.
Motivate Give reason(s) for your answer.
Name Nominate or specify a site or process.
Organise Arrange data according to certain criteria.
Predict Use the facts available to derive an outcome.
Relate Show the relation/connection of entities, how the concepts can be linked.
Solve Find an answer by using critical thinking and/or calculations.
Summarise Briefly state/list/write down only the most important detail/facts.
Understand Show insight into or know the meaning/nature of a concept or term; to comprehend.

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 Table of Contents
Quick Help .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Where to Start .................................................................................................................................. 2

Action words that you may be exposed to in this learning guide .................................................. 3

Section A: Administrative details ..................................................................................................... 5

Welcome .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Contact Information ......................................................................................................................... 5
Lecture / Work Schedule.................................................................................................................. 5
Policies and Procedures ................................................................................................................... 8
Regulations....................................................................................................................................... 9
Plagiarism....................................................................................................................................... 10
Grievance procedure ...................................................................................................................... 10
Sick tests ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Class attendance ............................................................................................................................. 11
Prescribed reading/ text book/ reading package ............................................................................ 11
Library ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Additional requirements ................................................................................................................. 12

Section B: Information sheet on academic programme quality .................................................. 13

Entry requirements ......................................................................................................................... 13
Module NQF level ......................................................................................................................... 13
Duration of module ........................................................................................................................ 13
Purpose of the module.................................................................................................................... 13
Module learning outcomes ............................................................................................................. 14
Module assessment methods .......................................................................................................... 14
Teaching and learning strategy ...................................................................................................... 14

Section C: Assessment guidelines ................................................................................................... 15

Assessment schedule / opportunities.............................................................................................. 15
Assessment mark allocation ........................................................................................................... 15
Examination entrance / Promotion requirements ........................................................................... 15
Assessment strategy / method ........................................................................................................ 15
Feedback mechanisms.................................................................................................................... 15

Section D: Facilitation of learning .................................................................................................. 16

Learning unit: ... ............................................................................................................................. 16
Practical Learning unit: .................................................................................................................. 16

Section E: ECSA Graduate Attributes........................................................................................... 17

Acknowledgement ......................................................................................................................... 15

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 Section A: Administrative details

Welcome
Welcome to Construction Management and Quantity surveying and specific to the module Construction
Equipment & Automation (CEA8X00)

Contact Information
Head of Department: Dr. L Aghimien (011) 559 6056
Departmental Secretary: Ms A. Mncwango (011) 559 6056
Module Lecturer: Prof. C. Aigbavboa (011) 559 1862
Prof. Edwards
Dr. S. Adekunle

Consultation Times Tel: 011 559 6142

Consultation time is only on Tuesday. If I’m in my office, you can come for Consultation about the
construction equipment and automation. Please adhere to this day as my other days are set out for other
work. However, you can always make contact via the class email:
constructionequipmentandauto@gmail.com or sasamuel@uj.ac.za

Lecture / Work Schedule

The following table details the lecture/work schedule for this module:
Test dates
Tests will be conducted in the dates outlined below, changes if any will be communicated and
agreed upon.
19/03/2024 10 am – 12pm
18/06/2024 10 am – 12pm
27/08/2024 10 am – 12pm
22/10/2024 10 am – 12pm

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Wk Week Starting Topics

1 Feb 13

2 Feb 20 Introduction to the course (course overview), course expectation

Introduction to Construction Equipment: Their contribution and importance in the
3 Feb 27
construction Industry
4 March 5 Basics of equipment replacement policy

5 March 12 Basics of equipment replacement policy

6 March 19 Test 1

7 March 26 Mid-semester Recess

Construction Equipment Management: Equipment Management- Introduction,

Differences between men and manpower, Extent of Mechanisation, Equipment
8 April 2
planning, Selection of equipment, Forward planning, Purchase of Equipment,
Specifications for ordering equipment.

Construction equipment maintenance management – Introduction, Objectives,

Functions, Maintenance planning, Maintenance control, Types of maintenance.
9 April 9 Equipment cost – Operating cost – Cost Control of Equipment - Depreciation
Analysis – Replacement of Equipment- Replacement Analysis - Safety
Management Equipment for Earthwork

Fundamentals of Earth Work equipment and operations - Earth Moving Operations

10 April 16 - Types of Earth Work Equipment –Excavation Equipment- Power Shovels, Back
Hoe, Dragline, Clamshell

Excavating Equipment: Power Shovels, Draglines, Hoes, Clam Shells and trenching
11 April 23 machines, their basic Parts, Operation, Output estimation, Factors influencing
output and methods to enhance it

April 30 Excavating and Earth Moving Equipment – Scrapers, Bull Dozers, Tractors,
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Hauling Equipment – Dump trucks, Dumpers Loaders, trucks
Earth Compaction Equipment-Tamping Rollers, Smooth Wheel Rollers, Sheepsfoot
13 May 7
Roller, Pneumatic-tyred Roller, Vibrating Compactors, Vibrocompaction methods
Belt conveyor system: Terminology, Classification, Components, Power
14 May 14
requirement estimation and design
15 May 21 Compressors and Pumps

16 May 28 Study period

17 June 4 First semester assessment

18 June 11 First semester assessment

19 June 18 First semester assessment

20 June 25 Winter recess

21 July 2 Winter recess

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 22 July 9 Academic staff research period

23 July 16 Drilling and Blasting Equipment

July 23 Pile driving Equipment - Erection Equipment – Cranes, Derrick Cranes, Mobile
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cranes, Overhead cranes, Traveller cranes, Tower cranes

25 July, 30 First Semester Special Assessment

Aug, 6 Types of pumps used in Construction - Grouting - Material Handling Conveyors –

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Industrial Trucks, Forklifts and related equipment

Aug, 13 Equipment for Concrete and Road laying: Aggregate production equipment-
Different Crushers – Feeders - Screening Equipment - Handling Equipment -
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Batching and Aggregate Mixing Equipment - Asphalt Plant, Asphalt Pavers,
Asphalt compacting Equipment

Aug, 20 Ready mix concrete equipment, Concrete mixers, Concrete batching and mixing
28 plant, Transportation of concrete mix, Concrete pouring and pumps, concrete
compaction equipment

August 27 Resource allocation and Resource Scheduling: Various schedules i.e. Material,
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labour, equipment etc. Resource allocation models with and without constraints

30 Sept 3 Mid-semester Recess

31 Sept 10 History and evolution of automation

Sept 17 Classification of construction technologies, the need for automation in construction,

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prospects in introducing automation to construction

33 Sept 24 Heritage Day

34 Oct 1 The state-of-the-art in construction automation and types

35 Oct 8 The state-of-the-art in construction automation and types

Oct 15 Automated systems in cohonstruction such as expert systems, automated managerial

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tools, automated data acquisition etc

37 Oct 22 Study Period for Students

38 Oct 29 Second Semester Final Assessment

39 Nov 5 Second Semester Final Assessment

40 Nov 12 Second Semester Final Assessment

41 Nov 19 Second Semester Supplementary Assessments

Policies and Procedures

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Find policies and procedures on UJ website www.uj.ac.za, consult the 2022 regulations.

Regulations
The UJ’s educational policy, General Regulation and Faculty Regulations is applicable and is available for
scrutiny at the faculty office.

Give special attention to the following rules stipulated in the Faculty Regulations.
• 6.1.2 No student may attend lectures or any contact sessions in a module, receive study material or
supervision, or have access to any electronic study material or sources, or be assessed in a module if
he/she is not a registered student at the UJ for the relevant module for the academic semester/year
concerned.
• 6.1.3 No assessment result is official if a student was not registered for a module in the specific
academic year.
• 6.1.4 Any student who is not registered for a relevant module and is present in an assessment venue
with the intention of taking part in the assessment is guilty of fraud and may face disciplinary

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Plagiarism
Dishonesty and plagiarism are not tolerated and will be punished. Plagiarism is the verbatim (word-for-word)
use of another’s work and presenting it as if it were one’s own.

It is essential to acknowledge any thoughts, ideas and information which are not your own. It is also
important to use a standard form of referencing to provide all relevant information that will help any person
interested in reading further about the information. As a result, you need to keep an accurate record of
collecting your data.
• You will be required to cite your source(s), especially when referring to an item within your text.
You are also required to indicate the reference where the citations can be found at the end of your
work.
• The different departments within the University may require you to use a particular (or different)
way of citation. It is therefore important for you to enquire and adhere to the requirements set by the
department.
• The University lays down the proper procedures. The Faculty is responsible for strategies that
address means of preventing, monitoring and handling acts of plagiarism.

Cheating during tests will not be tolerated and will be dealt with very firmly.
This includes: the use of crib notes in the tests,
Copying from another learner – similarities with another’s work
Use of any means that will unfairly affect your performance in a test
If found guilty, you could be expelled from the University.

Grievance procedure
A student with a grievance must follow the Faculty’s grievance procedure. If the student experiences any
problems in this module, please discuss the problem with the following persons in the given order:
• Lecturer
• Head of the Department
• Head of the School
• Deputy Dean of the Faculty
• Dean of the Faculty.

Sick tests
If a test is missed, the student must produce a copy of an official document to the lecturer to
explain his/her absence within 3 working days of returning to the University of Johannesburg.
These can include:
A sick note from a doctor
Certified copy of Death Certificate
Record of court appearance
Record of hospital admission
If this is done, a sick test will be awarded.
Failure to produce this documentation within 3 working days will result in a mark of ZERO
being awarded.

If a student misses a test due to illness, the lecturer must be informed during the first lecturing session of the
specific module after his/her return to the University.

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The following valid reasons for being absent will be accepted:
• Illness or other medical reasons. A genuine doctor's certificate must be presented. A one-day ill-
health certificate is not accepted
• Compassion proof must be presented

A sick test will be written 1 or 2 weeks after the scheduled test date. The sick test date will be communicated
through blackboard. The scope of work for the sick test will be the same as for the scheduled test.

Class attendance
Lecturing time is of essence and punctuality, is therefore vital. To ensure that time is used optimally,
students must come to class early. In addition, students must strive to attend all classes for the session.

A class register will be taken in every class. You must attend 80% of the classes to qualify to
write the tests. If you did not attend 80% of the classes before the test, you would not be able to
write the test, and this will give you a result of 0% for the applicable test.

NEVER BE SHY OR AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS

Prescribed reading/ textbook/ reading package

In addition to the under listed, students are advised to visit the library to obtain further information related to
the subject.
Books
- Advanced Construction Technology, 5th edition by Roger Greeno, R. Chudley, Mike Hurst, and
Simon Topliss
- Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods, Ninth Edition By: Robert L. Peurifoy; Clifford J.
Schexnayder; Robert Schmitt; and Aviad Shapira
- Construction Management, 5th Edition by Daniel W. Halpin, Bolivar A. Senior, and Gunnar Lucko
- Building Construction Handbook 12 Edition by Roy Chudley, Roger Greeno, and Karl Kovac
- Moving the Earth: Excavation Equipment, Methods, Safety, and Cost, Seventh Edition 7th Edition
by Robert Schmitt , Clifford Schexnayder , Aaron Cohen, Herbert Nichols , and David Day
- Construction Equipment Management for Engineers, Estimators, and Owners 2nd Edition
by Douglas D. Gransberg, Jorge A. Rueda- Benavides
- Construction Equipment Management, 2nd edition by John E. Schaufelberger; and Giovanni C.
Migliaccio
Journals
- See Blackboard

Book chapters
- See blackboard

Library
Please contact the librarian for information on different resources available, using the library link on the UJ
website or library live on your Edulink site.

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Additional requirements
• This Module is important as it will teach a learner how to apply academic knowledge in a practical
way for more advanced problems.
• Learners are expected to use the knowledge gained from previous courses
• Learners are expected not to disturb other learners during lectures.
• The lecturer has the right to suspend students from classes in the event of unacceptable conduct.
• Announcements are made during the semester on an ongoing basis. An absent learner will not hear
these vital pieces of information.
• Learners are required to sign the acknowledgement slip at the end of the learner guide thereby
acknowledging that they have read and understood the learner guide for this Module. The slip should
then be neatly cut from the page and returned to the Lecturer.
• Assignment marks for students repeating the module cannot be carried over from previous years

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 Section B: Information sheet on academic
program quality

Entry requirements
A prospective learner for Construction equipment and automation must have passed the following pre-
requisite subjects:

• None

Module NQF level

NQF level 8
Credits 12
Study Field Engineering
Subfield Construction management

Duration of module
The module duration is one session.

Purpose of the module

The primary purpose of this module is to introduce learners to the construction equipment, mode of
operation, selection criteria, scheduling decision and emerging automation tools in the construction industry.
Learning
Topic Critical Cross-field Outcomes
unit:
Construction equipment
• A clear understanding of the mode of operation of
- Construction equipment
construction equipment, suitability for tasks,
Learning management
scheduling and selection criteria.
unit 1 - Excavating and earth moving
equipment • Knowledge of the history and trend of construction
equipment evolution.
- Piling equipment
Understand:
Construction automation • State of the art of construction automation in the
Learning
- History and evolution construction industry.
unit 2
- Automated systems • The concept of construction automation
• Diverse automation tools used in construction

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Module learning outcomes
At the end of this module, you should be able to understand among others:

• The different types of equipment and their task-fit criteria in the construction industry.
• The effect of automation on the construction industry, process and products.

Module assessment methods

The respective outcomes will be assessed in the following manner:

• One (1) written test

The written tests will be ‘closed book’ written under strict examination conditions. Communication and the
interchange of notes or books during a test are not allowed.

• Two (2) term assignments

Assignment 2 will be completed by groups of learners.

• One (1) written final assessment
The written assessment will be ‘closed book’ written under strict examination conditions.
Communication and the interchange of notes or books are not allowed.

Teaching and learning strategy

An integrated teaching and learning approach is followed in this module. This means that learning is
facilitated by more than one support resource, e.g., online lectures, self-study and group work. Each is
complementary to the other.

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 Section C: Assessment guidelines
(As per UJ policy and Faculty regulations)

Assessment schedule/opportunities
See the attached lecture program (Section A)

Assessment mark allocation

Assessment 1: Test 1 20 %
Assessment 2: Test 2 40 %
Assessment 3: Assignment 1 20 %
Assessment 4: Assignments 2 (Group) (This is a GA 20 %
case study and the student must pass
this assignment to pass the subject)
Total 100%

Examination entrance / Promotion requirements

The learner is required to obtain a sub-minimum of 40% for the semester mark in order to gain examination
access.

Assessment strategy/method
A process of assessment is followed as part of the teaching. Formative assessments in the form of written
tests and assignments during the semester build up a mark for the semester.

Feedback mechanisms
Feedback is an essential part of the assessment and will be given after each assignment to maximise your
learning. A memorandum of each test will be discussed in the classroom. The results for each test will be
communicated.

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 Section D: Facilitation of learning

Learning unit:
Introduction

Learning in this module takes place based on attending formal lectures online, performing assignments and
self-study during the learner’s own time. Consultations with the Lecturer are given to assist the learners in
the development of their abilities.

Practical Learning unit:

This course does not have any practical component. However, a visit to construction sites might be organized
in order to afford students the opportunity to observe the types of equipment in use.

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 Section E: SACPCMP THEMES

The Graduate Attributes (GA’s) covered in this module are as defined in the SACPCMP accreditation
documents

List of all themes in brief

• Construction Technology
• Construction Management
• Construction Environment
• Sustainable Construction
• Construction Research Innovation

Applicable theme

The theme applicable to the module Construction equipment and automation is theme 5.

SACPCMP theme How is Graduate Attribute What is Satisfactory Performance?

- Construction Research
Innovation
Information technology
Use information technologies
to solve problems in
construction
Outcome Assessed?
Knowledge and understanding • Students are expected to obtain a
of the Engineering methods, sub-minimum of 40% in both
skills and tools, including assignments and tests.
information technology, are
assessed by:
• A minimum of 40% ensures that the
student qualifies to write an exam. A
State of the art review and
critical analysis performed final mark of 50% ensures that the
by the students through a student passes the module.
search in literature, company
brochure and video clips of
existing construction
applications. Students are
required to report about an
existing automated system
like an on-site automated
system, automatic offsite
production etc.

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Assessment

Marking rubric to be added by lecturer after the assignment has been set up. Final assessment will be
externally moderated.

Acknowledgement
I ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(Learner Surname and Initials)
Student Number
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
acknowledge that I have read and understood the Learning Guide for Construction Equipment and
Automation (CEA8X00) as well as the SACPCMP themes section. I have read and understood that if I do
not pass the GA, I will not pass the module and understand how the marking rubric works and which
assignments/tests/projects are attached to the GA required in this module

………………………………………. ………………………….
(Signature) (Date)

(Please tear this page from your Learner Guide and return to your lecturer at the next lecture, or print this
page, sign and date it and hand it to the lecturer no later than two weeks after classes have commenced. If
this page has not been handed in, the student may not attend classes; this is a compulsory document for each
student)

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