Construction Engineering Technology

Program Update: Dr. Althea Arnold joined the CNET faculty in fall 2007 and Dr. Zhenhua Huang in fall 2008. The enrollment exceeds 100 students in the third year of existence with the first gradutes expected in May 2009.

The Construction Engineering Technology program (CNET) builds on a strong foundation in mathematics, science, engineering, and general education. The students are enabled with a variety of backgrounds to achieve their professional successes in Construction Engineering/Management or related fields. Knowledge and skills relative to the construction field such as construction methods and materials, computer aid design, structures, construction management, construction scheduling and control, construction contracts and laws are acquired. Technical and management skills are enhanced through laboratory sections which are tied to most of the CNET major courses. Cold-formed steel construction, Building Information Modeling, and many other latest technologies in Construction are actively implemented in the curriculum.

The CNET program also provides industry with expertise in the development and applications of new technologies relative to construction practice. An advanced light gauge steel testing laboratory is being added to this program as part of a new partnership agreement with NUCONSTEEL™.
The Department of Engineering Technology will seek accreditation at the appropriate time of the CNET program by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (TAC of ABET). The program will also endeavor to formulate its curriculum to satisfy accreditation requirements by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE).

Structural Testing Laboratory

The phase I of the new structural testing lab was finished in 2006. The phase I included a 16 ft wide 12 ft high adaptable reaction frame equipped with one 35 kip hydraulic actuator, one electrical controlled power unit, and one multi-channel data acquisition system. The new lab enables the students to perform both static and dynamic structural tests on beams, columns, and shear walls in order to investigate the behavior and strength of those building components or systems.
The second phase of the Nuconsteel Material Testing Laboratory was completed in 2007. A truss testing rig, equipped with 31 hydraulic cylinders, provides a uniform load up to 10,000 lbs per foot. This equipment is suitable for testing full scale trusses up to 60 feet long and 20 feet high. A 20 GPM MTS hydraulic power unit was added to support both the new truss rig and the existing reaction frame. Conducted research is being funded by Nuconsteel Corp., American Iron and Steel Institute, Steel Stud Manufacturers Association, Nucor R&D, and Worthington-IBS.

 

Concrete and Soil Laboratories

A soils laboratory and a construction methods and materials laboratory, 5400 square feet, were built at the high bay area inside the Discovery Park facility. Comprehensive experimental devices for soil analysis, such as gradation analysis, consolidation tests and permeability tests, have been installed in the soils lab. Dr. Arnold is developing this lab as part of CNET 3460 Soils and Foundations.