Temporary works enable the delivery of all construction projects. They are “engineered solutions” used to support or protect either an existing structure or the permanent works during construction, or to support plant and equipment. Examples include falsework, formwork, excavation support, shoring, excavation stability, crane foundations, etc. They are commonly removed on completion of the works, but on occasions can also remain in place permanently. No construction project can be delivered without the use of temporary works and it is therefore essential that all construction professionals have a sound understanding of the regulatory and practical requirements, the design criteria and the control systems required to coordinate temporary works. They are safety critical elements of work and it therefore incumbent upon civil engineers to ensure that they have the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver and maintain a safe working environment.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a collaborative process that can be applied throughout the lifecycle of a project. The BIM process delivers an integrated set of digital geometric models, data and documentation, capturing information that builds over the lifecycle of the project. Digital geometric models can represent component and spatial characteristics and relationships through embedded &/or associated data &/or information. The BIM process can be utilised by many disciplines, to include but not limited to; design, planning, procurement, commercial, engineering, manufacturing, health and safety and facility management. This digital representation of a project supports clear communication and informed decision making which in turn leads to a greater level of predictability of outcome across quality, time and cost.

This module will introduce the concepts of both subjects and will provide a wide overview of the subject to enhance the practical learning that you have developed on site.

This module will help you to develop the skills required of a civil engineer working in today’s construction industry. It will provide insight into the subjects of temporary works and BIM and will equip you with the knowledge and skills to practically apply your learning in your daily work environment. It will particularly draw upon the knowledge that you have already gained from your work placements and will allow you to more fully appraise and coordinate the works that you will be responsible for in the future.

You will learn about the background to the field of temporary works and why this is a safety critical subject in the delivery of any civil engineering project. This will include an understanding of the regulatory framework, codes of practice and common standards. This will then be enhanced with a wide-ranging study of common elements of temporary works, basic details and outline design criteria. Your understanding of basic structural mechanics will be also required to then allow you to apply your knowledge to develop project specific solutions. A clear understanding of the risk assessment criteria and project control processes for temporary works will also be developed.

You will also develop an understanding of the wider BIM process together with engineering focused skills/techniques that can be practicably applied throughout the project delivery phase. This will include an introduction to basic modelling techniques, model navigation, review and interrogation as part of a collaborative design review process, dimension coordination from the model in support of site survey works, clash detection, buildability reviews, visual representation of construction sequences, temporary works planning and project logistical planning.

Temporary Works 
 
 
History & code of practice 
 
Bragg report 
 
BS 5975 
 
The risk assessment process and appropriate control procedures 
 
Typical temporary works elements 
 
 
Excavations, working platforms, haul roads and foundations 
 
Falsework, formwork and shoring 
 
Scaffold 
 
 
Concrete pressures, striking and back propping 
 
Pre-cast concrete 
 
 
BIM 
 
 
Pace of change of technology 
 
Government mandate, relevant code of practice, PAS 1192 
 
Software,  
 
Revit, Navisworks  
 
Information Management 
 
Modelling techniques and protocols 
 
Model interrogation 
 
Clash detection, Time slices, View ports 
 
Model library and importation of common elements 
 
 
Document production 
 
 
Temporary works design brief 
 
3-D visualisations 
 
Visual method statement/briefing document 

Feedback provided during tutorials

• If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment. 

• Reassessment is only taken for the failed assignment piece and it will be capped at pass mark.  

All materials and resources are provided on the dedicated ELE page.  
 
  
 
ELE: https://ele.exeter.ac.uk/  

Reading list for this module: