Constructionarium Scotland 6^th-18^th June 2010

Thirteen 3^rd year BEng / MEng Civil Engineering students too part in Constructionarium Scotland between 13-18^th June 2010 and were accompanied by tutor Dr Mike Murray. Following on from Glasgow’s Stow College who undertook construction duties in week 1 (6^th-11^th) the departments students were give the task of constructing a scaled down version of the Barcelona Communication Tower (Torre De Collserola). The objective behind Constructionarium is to give students a hands-on experience learning to build whilst testing their classroom knowledge and skills in practice. The students arranged themselves into work teams to survey & set out the foundations; cut and fabricate materials for formwork & reinforcement; excavate and cast foundations and tower core (3x 2m high lifts); fabricate superstructure and jack into final position. Overall Project Management duties were undertaken by Lloyd walker with Laura Porter assuming the role of Safety Health Environmental Quality (SHEQ) Manager.

This is the first year that Constructionarium (http://www.constructionarium.co.uk/) has operated within Scotland following several years of success at the National Construction College (Norfolk). The sponsors for the Scottish event were Dunne Construction who provided key financial support, made land and construction plant available and provided site supervision. Consultant Woolgar Hunter provided design guidance to the students and the concrete was provided by the Concrete Society. Special thanks must also be extended to Robin Holdsworth and Stef Stefanou at Constructionarium and Brian Keenan from Stow College for their continual support for this pilot in Scotland.

The success of the event was confirmed by all students who will return to 4^th year studies in September having a much deeper appreciation of design & constructability, OHS, Environment and Project Management issues. Kyle McKinnon explained why he was so happy to have participated:-