Chapter 01: Introduction to CE.

Topic Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to
1.1 Understand evolution of CEs
1.2 State roles of construction equipment and Classification
1.3 Describe basic considerations for equipment selection.
 1.1 Evolution and classifications,

• Most major heavy construction equipment advances have been made

in the last 175 years.
• The first tools were Hands and animal teeth:
-used to pick, dig, break, scrape, and shape objects/materials.
-used to make other tools, equipment and their shelter.
• Man-drawn, horse-drawn, mule-drawn, or ox-drawn construction
equipment that had evolved over several centuries of design
enhancement.
• ‘‘One of the earliest steam-powered dredges (designed to dig up) was
one recorded working in 1796 for the Port of Sunderland, England’’
 Cyrus McCormick’s reaper
• In 1831 opened a new era for the development of mechanized
equipment. His reaper was a mechanized land-operating unit
pulled by a horse
Otis steam excavator
Holt steam crawler
Fordson tractor loader
The figure shows the earth moving and excavation
equipment development time line.
Lifting equipment development time line.
 Future of heavy construction equipment
• It is interesting to note that earthmoving, excavating, compacting, and lifting
equipment mechanical principles incorporated into today’s designs will
probably not change much in the future.
• Several notable trends are emerging in the design and manufacturing of
these machines.
• Application of computer technology will provide the most significant changes
in equipment design and use.
• Computer control of equipment systems is used to regulate and control fuel
delivery and efficiency, exhaust emissions, hydraulic systems, power transfer,
load sensing, and operation tracking, recording, and regulating.
• Wireless technologies will increase monitoring and
controlling features for equipment fleet management and
production, eventually making remote operation of
equipment a commercially available reality.
• Lighter weight and stronger components made possible by
advances in development of composite materials and alloys
are making it possible for manufacturers to make smaller
equipment units with greater power and productivity
characteristics.
These advancements reinforce the trend to reduce
construction equipment size and increase its capability
and versatility.
• Environmental considerations and mandates will play a larger role in
the development of construction equipment.
Pollution control systems and sensing equipment will become
more prevalent as environmental concerns become greater.
As new power solutions such as alternate cleaner performing
fuels, electric power, and hydrogen fuel cells are developed and
incorporated into automobiles, they will probably be developed
to power heavy construction equipment too.
• Equipment models will incorporate more operator comforts.
Ergonomic features such as customizable seats, user-friendly
controls and foot pedals, noise control, and optimal cab
orientation will become standard features.
 1.2 Role of construction equipments
Generally speaking, Construction Industry is an industry involved in the
planning, execution and evaluation of all types of civil, highway, and
building construction works.
Construction projects (Physical infrastructures) can be broadly classified
as:
a) Building Construction (includes facilities for habitational,
institutional, educational, light industrial (e.g. warehouse),
commercial, social and recreational purposes),
b) Engineered Construction (includes highway and heavy constructions
(e.g. dams, sewage plant) and
c) Industrial Construction.-industrial parks, factories, refineries, ….
The efficient and effective implementation of construction
projects requires good management of relationships among
(the 4 M's)

Money, Materials, Manpower and Machineries

The role of construction equipment are the efficient and

effective implementation of construction projects to be on.
• Construction equipment today is specifically designed
based on customer need by the manufacturer to
perform certain mechanical operations that
accomplish a work activity.
• Working capacity is a direct function of the size of the
machine and the power of the motor.
These simple relationships exist:
The larger the machine, the more power required for
the operation, the greater the production capacity,
and the greater the operational and ownerships cost.
 Equipment types used in a construction
project is largely dependent on their
1.2.1 Direct input to unit prices or not
Productive equipment (pavers, haulers, loaders, rollers)
Support equipment (hoists, lighting sets, vibrators, scaffolds and
heaters)
1.2.2. Type of work or trades
Heavy construction (Road and Hydro Power works, Large
Irrigation schemes, Water Supply and Sewage plants and High Rise
buildings)
Light construction(Low rise buildings, water supply and sewerage
lines, electric and telecommunication lines and small irrigation
schemes)
1.2.3. Scope of work
a) Earth Work Equipment
Earth work is a process of moving soil or rock from one location to
the other and processing it, so that it meets construction
requirements of location, elevation, density, moisture content, etc.
(Include: Bulldozers, Loaders, Graders, Scrappers, Rollers, Drills,
Grouting pumps, Pile driving and Hammers).
b) Hauling and Hoisting Equipments
used to excavate, load and transport earth materials
for various purposes.
(Include: Tractors, Normal and Dump trucks, Hoists,
Conveyors and Cranes).
C) Pumping Equipments
1. Removing water from pits, tunnels, and other excavations
2. Dewatering cofferdams (temporary dams)
3. Furnishing water for jetting and sluicing
4. Furnishing water for many types of utility services
5. Lowering the water table for excavations

Equipment and tools: Pumps, Hoses, Pipes, and Compressors.

1.2.4. On Equipment Mobility

Example for mixer

A) stationary
B) Mobile
1.2.5. On The System Of Control

A) Mechanically operated
B) Hydraulically operated
C) Pneumatically operated or
D) Electronically controlled equipment's
1.3. Factors Affecting Selection of Construction
Equipment
1. Economic factors of a piece of equipment (cost of the CE):
Ownership cost of equipment and operation costs are some of
the most important factors that play a deciding role in selecting
the equipment.
Besides, consideration over resale value is also very important.
 2. Companies factors:

• A company may for a lot of projects in hand for the coming few months
or even years, has to invest in the heavy CE.
• However, if there is a one-time job or a short term job, then the
company might opt for renting the equipment.
• If the projects are given on a contract-basis to the third party, then the
investment on equipment is kept low.
• If the company has its own industrial garage where it can store the
equipment, then it may prefer to buy the CE.
• If the company is doing really well and is ready to expand, then this
also has a considerable impact on CE selection decision.
3. Environmental Factors specific to the jobsite:

• Both ground condition and climatic conditions at the

construction sites also affect the selection decision.
For example, the soil and overall terrain at the jobsite
and nearby surroundings define which CE should be used.
Climatic conditions such as the presence of strong winds,
visibility level etc., also affect the decision process.
4. Factors specific to the equipment:
• Standard equipment which are manufactured in large numbers
by various manufacturers and whose spare parts are easily
available are preferred by the companies.
• The size of the equipment is also an important factor.
The bigger the equipment, the more the investment and other
considerations.
• Versatility of the equipment whether it can perform more than
one function, the adaptability for future use and the interaction
with other equipment also affect the selection of CE.
• Further, if the company is in a position to bear the repair and
maintenance cost, then it can select any equipment type but if the
case is otherwise, then a lot of thought needs to be put in before
finalizing on any equipment.
• Different selections can be made for the motor, transmission,
controls, wheels, buckets, blades, and numerous other items.
5. Project timeline /deadlines/
considerations:
• If there is limited time available to complete a project,
then companies may prefer highly advanced CE that
can reduce a project’s completion time significantly.
 6. Labor considerations:

• If there is a shortage of manpower at the jobsite, then the

companies may opt for highly automated machines.

• Further, the selection of CE may also be highly governed by the

availability or non-availability of trained manpower as then the
company may or may not opt for highly sophisticated equipment.
7. Safety considerations:

• Any construction site is the locus of multiple high-risk activities.

• There are obvious safety concerns associated with workers operating on the
ground, particularly within confined spaces when heavy materials are being
moved around.
• Hence, in such cases, companies may have to select equipment which
ensures safety of the workers.
• Thus, safety considerations also affect the selection of the equipment.
• The operator’s cab can include air-conditioning and special ergonomic seats and
controls.
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