Construction Geometry B
Course Description
Unlock the world of Construction Geometry through an exploration of real number properties, algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities. The is a project-based course and requires hands-on projects for submissions. This comprehensive course aligns closely with the Idaho State Standards, ensuring a structured and enriching learning experience. Whether they're an aspiring engineer, architect, or simply intrigued by the mathematics behind structures, this course is designed to equip them with essential skills for problem-solving in construction-related fields.
Estimation & Calculation
Learn this: I can develop the ability to accurately estimate material quantities and costs and perform calculations for tasks involving construction materials, including area, volume, and weight.
Do this: I will create a project that demonstrates what I have learned and includes the following information:
Accurate Material Estimation: Accurately estimate the quantities of construction materials needed for a project, such as concrete, dirt/backfill, sand, gravel, lumber, or bricks, ensuring that there is minimal material waste.
Precise Calculation Skills: Demonstrate the ability to perform precise calculations for various construction-related tasks, including calculating areas, volumes, and weights, with minimal errors.
Cost-Efficient Planning: Use your estimation and calculation skills to create cost-efficient project plans, ensuring that material quantities and costs align with the project's budget and specifications.
Grow from: I will respond to teacher feedback.
Some options for a first submission might be:
Concrete Pouring Project: Estimate the quantity of concrete needed for a specific project, calculate the total cost of materials (including concrete, reinforcement, and forms), and create a budget for the project. You will then perform the concrete pour following your estimates and budget. Document your estimation process, calculations, and the actual costs incurred during the project, highlighting any differences between your estimates and actual expenses.
Landscape Design and Budgeting: Estimate the quantities of materials like soil, mulch, plants, and stones required for your landscaping project. You should calculate the total cost of materials and labor, create a budget, and execute the landscaping work. Present your landscape design, cost estimates, and budget, along with photographs of the completed project.
Building Materials Ordering Simulation: Act as project managers and must order construction materials for the project. You should estimate the quantities needed, calculate the costs, and determine the optimal time to order materials to ensure on-time delivery. You will track the actual materials used and compare it with your estimates. Present your materials ordering plan, document any variations in material quantities, and explain how your estimation and calculation skills influenced your decisions.
Construction Material Recycling and Cost Reduction: Estimate the amount of reusable materials, calculate the potential cost savings from recycling, and create a budget for the project that accounts for both disposal and recycling costs. You will then execute the renovation or deconstruction, emphasizing recycling efforts. Provide a detailed report showcasing your estimation of recyclable materials, cost calculations, and the overall environmental and cost benefits of your recycling efforts.
Eco-Friendly Garden Design Project: Design a garden layout with pathways, flowerbeds, and eco-friendly elements like rainwater harvesting. Apply the concept of scale to your design, ensuring that measurements on paper match real-life distances. Use geometric constructions to position features like circular flowerbeds and raised beds, applying transformations to achieve symmetry and variety. Reflect on how you've used these transformations and explain how your design promotes sustainability. Present your garden plan, discussing your scale, geometric constructions, and eco-friendly choices, showcasing your creativity and practical math skills.
Trigonometry for Construction
Learn this: I can apply trigonometric concepts to solve real-world construction problems, including tasks like calculating roof slopes, stair angles, and ensuring structural stability.
Do this: I will create a project that demonstrates what I have learned and includes this information:
Accurately calculate angles using trigonometric functions (e.g., sine, cosine, tangent) for various construction-related scenarios, ensuring precision in measurements.
Effectively use trigonometry to calculate roof slopes, which is critical for designing and constructing roofs that can withstand weather conditions and drainage requirements.
Apply trigonometric principles to calculate stair angles and dimensions accurately, ensuring safety and code compliance in stair design and construction.
Use trigonometry to assess structural stability and load-bearing capacity, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding construction materials and design modifications when necessary.
Grow from: I will respond to teacher feedback.
Some example projects might be:
Roof Design and Framing Project: Design a roof for a structure of your choice, such as a shed, house, or gazebo. Calculate the roof slope and angles using trigonometric functions to ensure proper drainage and load-bearing capacity. Create detailed plans, including framing diagrams and measurements, and then construct the roof based on your design. Present your roof design, calculations, and photographs of the completed roof, demonstrating how trigonometry influenced your design and construction decisions.
Staircase Construction Challenge: Calculate the required stair angles, dimensions, and rise-and-run ratios using trigonometric principles. Construct the staircase, ensuring that it meets safety and code requirements. Present your stair design, calculations, and photographs of the completed staircase, emphasizing the use of trigonometry in your project.
Structural Analysis and Reinforcement: Assess a structure's stability and load-bearing capacity using trigonometric calculations. Identify weaknesses or stress points and design structural reinforcements to improve stability. Present your structural analysis, calculations, and a plan for implementing the necessary reinforcements, showcasing how trigonometry was applied to enhance structural integrity.
Land Surveying and Foundation Design: Conduct land surveying to determine land elevation changes and use trigonometric calculations to design a foundation that accommodates these variations. Consider factors like soil stability and drainage. Present your land survey data, foundation design, trigonometric calculations, and an explanation of how your design addresses the land's topography.
Sawhorse Design Competition: Design and construct your own sawhorses, emphasizing compound miter cuts and precise angle measurements.
Sawhorse Assembly Video: Create instructional videos detailing the step-by-step construction of a sawhorse, focusing on accuracy and safety.
Scaled Sketch Transfer: Scale sketches and transfer them onto wood to build a mini Adirondack chair.
Foundation Showcase: Research different foundation types and materials, creating visual displays and explanations for each type's calculation and construction.
Grading Simulation: Design a hands-on grading simulation where your manipulate materials to understand how grading affects landscaping and road construction.
Construction Cost Analysis
Learn this: I can understand the principles of construction cost estimation and analysis, including labor costs, material costs, equipment expenses, and overhead. I can also learn how to create accurate cost estimates and budgets for construction projects, ensuring they conform to industry standards and constraints.
Do this: I will create a project that demonstrates what I have learned and includes this information:
Accurate Cost Estimation: I can estimate construction costs accurately, considering labor, materials, equipment, and overhead expenses with minimal errors.
Industry Standards Compliance: I ensure that my cost estimates and budgets align with industry norms and regulations, demonstrating a strong understanding of construction financial practices.
Effective Budgeting: I can create realistic construction budgets that account for all relevant cost factors and project constraints, enabling effective project planning and management.
Grow from: I will respond to teacher feedback.
Some example projects might be:
Residential Renovation Budget: Create a comprehensive budget for the renovation, considering costs such as labor, materials, permits, and any unexpected expenses. Include itemized lists and cost estimates for each aspect of the renovation. Present your renovation budget, outlining how they arrived at their estimates and explaining any contingencies for unforeseen costs.
Construction Material Cost Comparison: Research and compare the costs of different construction materials commonly used in the industry. Select a specific construction project (e.g., building a fence, constructing a patio) and create a cost comparison chart for various materials, including wood, steel, concrete, and composite materials. Consider factors like longevity, maintenance, and environmental impact. Present their material cost comparison and justify their recommendations based on cost-effectiveness and suitability for the chosen project.
Commercial Project Budget Analysis: Analyze project details and create a detailed construction budget, accounting for labor, materials, equipment, permits, and potential contingencies. They should consider the project's scope and timeline. Present their construction budget and explain how they derived cost estimates from the provided project information.
Green Building Cost Evaluation: Select a construction project type (e.g., a green residential home, solar panel installation) and create a budget that compares the costs of conventional and sustainable construction methods and materials. They should also calculate potential long-term savings and environmental benefits. Present their cost evaluation, emphasizing the financial and environmental advantages of green building practices.
Construction Cost Estimation: Have students develop a cost estimation for a construction project. They would need to use algebraic expressions and equations to calculate quantities of materials needed, labor costs, and other expenses. This project highlights their ability to apply mathematical concepts to practical budgeting scenarios.
Construction Project Management Challenge
A comprehensive culminating project that integrates the topics of Estimation and Calculation, Trigonometry for Construction, and Construction Cost Analysis could be a large-scale construction management simulation. This project would require students to plan, execute, and manage a construction project from start to finish, incorporating all the skills and knowledge they have gained throughout the course. Here's a detailed description of this culminating project:
Project Description: Students will work in small teams and assume the roles of construction project managers. They will be tasked with planning, executing, and managing a construction project of their choice. The project should incorporate the following elements:
1. Project Proposal and Planning (1-2 weeks):
Teams select a construction project (e.g., building a school, renovating a commercial space, constructing a bridge) and develop a detailed project proposal.
They estimate material quantities and costs using their estimation and calculation skills, taking into account project scope, schedule, and budget.
Teams use trigonometry for construction to calculate angles, slopes, and structural requirements, ensuring that the project design is sound.
Construction Cost Analysis is applied to create a comprehensive project budget, considering labor costs, equipment expenses, and overhead.
2. Project Execution (4-6 weeks, depending on complexity):
Teams carry out the construction project based on their plans, managing the procurement of materials, coordinating labor, and applying trigonometric principles when needed (e.g., for structural calculations).They closely monitor the project's progress, ensuring that it stays on schedule and within budget. Any unexpected issues or changes must be addressed effectively.
3. Documentation and Reporting (1 week):
Throughout the project, teams maintain detailed construction journals, documenting their activities, challenges, and decisions.
They create comprehensive reports that include cost tracking, progress updates, and explanations of how they applied estimation, calculation, trigonometry, and cost analysis skills during the project.
4. Project Presentation (1-2 days):
Each team presents their construction project to the class, showcasing their planning, execution, and management skills.
Presentations should cover project proposal and planning details, progress updates, budget management, and how trigonometry and cost analysis influenced their decision-making.
Assessment Criteria: Teams will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
The quality and feasibility of the project proposal, including budget and timeline accuracy, estimation and calculation precision, and trigonometric considerations.
The quality of the constructed project, including adherence to the project plan, budget, and the application of trigonometry for structural elements.
The thoroughness and organization of the construction journal and the completeness of the project report, highlighting how estimation, calculation, trigonometry, and cost analysis skills were applied.
The clarity, professionalism, and effectiveness of the project presentation, emphasizing how these skills were integrated into the project's success.
Grow from: I will respond to teacher feedback.
This project should be a culminating project showing you know how to apply the concepts you've learned. Some example projects might be:
Residential Home Construction Simulation: Estimate the quantities and costs of construction materials (e.g., lumber, concrete, landscaping materials, roofing materials) using estimation and calculation skills. They use trigonometry to calculate roof slopes and angles accurately. Construction cost analysis is applied to create a budget. Teams then "build" the home using scale models or digital simulations. Provide detailed construction plans, material cost estimates, and a project budget. They also present their construction models or simulations.
Bridge Design and Construction Challenge: Use trigonometry to calculate structural elements like bridge angles and supports. They estimate material quantities and costs for the bridge construction, applying their estimation and calculation skills. Construction cost analysis is used to create a budget. Present their bridge design plans, material cost estimates, structural calculations, and a budget. They construct the bridge and test its load-bearing capacity.
Commercial Building Renovation Project: Estimate the quantities and costs of renovation materials (e.g., drywall, flooring, lighting) using estimation and calculation skills. They use trigonometry to calculate angles for structural modifications or new installations. Construction cost analysis is applied to create a renovation budget. Provide renovation plans, material cost estimates, structural angle calculations, and a renovation budget. They document the renovation process and present before-and-after photos.
Land Development and Infrastructure Project: Estimate the quantities and costs of materials for tasks like road construction, drainage systems, and utility installations using estimation and calculation skills. They use trigonometry for tasks such as calculating slope gradients. Construction cost analysis is applied to create a comprehensive project budget. Present land development plans, material cost estimates, slope calculations, and a project budget. They execute the project and document its progress.