Construction Project Report

1

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

BCN 3727 CONSTRUCTION SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Term Project (200 Points)

Final Report and Presentation are

due on Friday, April 17, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

1. INTRODUCTION and PROJECT DESCRIPTION During construction work, it is necessary to conduct site preparation and excavation works

for the foundations of buildings. For this project, you are given the site preparation and excavation

works for the foundation of a large mixed used residential/commercial project close to downtown

Miami. The land is 300 yards long and 200 yards wide. The site is reasonably level terrain with

firm ground and approximately less than 25% rock content. The project specifications require

excavating 5 ft. of the entire land area. You have identified a disposal site 4 miles away from the

jobsite with a 4% slope upwards from the site to the disposal. Most of the soil at the site consists

of common earth with 25% swell. You can make reasonable assumptions wherever information

is not provided in this project description (e.g., about soil density and moisture content of the soil,

etc.). You need to clearly state your assumptions before making any calculations regarding the

earthmoving/earthwork operations.

2. INSTRUCTIONS You are required to define three equipment crew compositions (one primary fleet and two

alternatives) for this project. Crews may include combinations of dozers, excavators, hauling

trucks, loaders, support vehicles, etc. Complete the following:

1. Identify Equipment

• Research appropriate brands and models using the internet, operator’s manuals, and

other commercially available data.

• Use manufacturer performance characteristics (e.g., bucket capacity, engine power,

gross machine weight, productivity rates) as the basis for your analysis.

• Make reasonable assumptions where needed (e.g., soil density and moisture content).

2. Analyze Each Fleet

Using the data collected, determine:

a) Productivity of each fleet

b) Ownership and operating costs

c) Trade-offs between productivity and cost across fleets

d) Rent, lease, or buy options, with rationale for each option

3. Compare Alternatives

• Evaluate and compare the fleets based on their ability to perform the job, their

productivity, and by comparing rent/lease/buy options for each

• Estimate project time and cost for each

4. Select Optimum Fleet

• Present your final choice of the most effective fleet, supported by your analysis.

2

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

3. GRADING The term project will be graded out of 200 points and is worth 15% of the total course

grade. Deliverables include:

(1) Meeting minutes of the student group’s first meeting to acknowledge announcement of

the term project instructions, to discuss project objectives, goals, and to determine a work schedule.

(2) Preliminary calculations of the productivity of the primary fleet of vehicles, including

preliminary calculations of the two alternate fleet choices.

(3) A written report.

(4) A 15 to 20-minute group presentation on your project.

(5) A group evaluation form to rate the performance of the other group members.

The report, presentation, and group evaluation are due on Friday, April 17, 2026 @ 11:59

p.m.

3.1 First Meeting (25 points) – Due February 19, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

1. Acknowledgement of announcement of Term Project. Each student in the group

should indicate that they have reviewed the term project and understand the term

project scope and instructions.

2. Meeting minutes of first meeting discussing project objectives, goals, and creating a

schedule to follow regarding the work (additional meetings, calculations, project

sections, etc.)

3.2 Preliminary Calculations (25 points) – Due March 19, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

1. Preliminary calculations of productivity of the primary fleet of vehicles and

alternatives.

2. Estimation of total project time per fleet of vehicles.

3.3 Report (100 points) – Due April 17, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

The report will consist of:

1. Cover page and Table of Contents (2 pages – mandatory) (Not having a cover page

and a table of contents incurs an automatic 10-point penalty)

2. Abstract (5 points) (1 page)

• An abstract is essentially a summary of the entire report and highlights the

main purpose of the report, methods, key findings and conclusions in a

concise and easy to read format. (300-400-word limit)

3. Introduction (10 points) (2-4 pages)

• Provide an overview of the project.

• State all assumptions.

4. Main body (70 points) (No page limit, must include each of the 5 sections below)

This is the content of the main body of the report. It must, at a minimum, include:

• The characteristics of the identified equipment (e.g., bucket size, gross

machine weight, engine power) along with references to the manufacturers’

manuals.

• An estimate of the time/productivity it takes to complete the job with the

selected equipment fleet with all detailed calculations.

3

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

• An estimate of the ownership and operation costs with all detailed

calculations.

• Discussions about your decisions on buy/rent/lease options for each fleet and

the rationale of your decisions.

• Analysis of the cost versus the productivity tradeoffs and the selection of the

optimum fleet composition.

5. Conclusions (10 points) (2-4 pages)

• Summarize your decisions regarding vehicle choices, buying/renting/leasing

equipment and other project choices.

• Discuss the factors that may have changed your final choice (e.g. soil type and

density, distance from suppliers, etc.)

• Discuss the problems that you think are likely to happen during this sitework

project (e.g. adverse weather conditions, safety issues, etc.) and ways to deal

with such problems.

6. References (5 points)

• Include a list of references that your report cited.

• Use an alphabetical order for listing the references.

3.4 Presentation (50 points) – Due April 17, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

This is the group presentation. All team members need to be present. The content of the

presentation should, at a minimum, include:

• The characteristics of the identified equipment

• Productivity, cost analysis and tradeoffs between productivity and cost

• Comparisons of different equipment crews/fleets

• Decisions on the optimal equipment crew/fleet and reasons for choosing such

crew/fleet.

Notes: You are suggested to use tables and charts to summarize your calculation results.

Please save the detailed calculations for the written report.

Your presentation will be graded on:

1. Delivery (10 points)

• Enthusiasm

• Adequate pace

• Tone (can we hear you)

• Proper voice projection/modulation

2. Organization & contents (20 points)

• Clear objectives

• Logical structure

• Effective use of content and summaries

3. Visual aids (20 points)

• Clear and easy-to-read slides

• Logical organization of slides

• Effective colors and theme (Aesthetics)

4

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

3.5 Group Evaluation Form (Mandatory) – Due April 17, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

For this term project, each student is required to complete a group evaluation form to

assess the performance of their teammates. Members will rate one another based on their

percentage of effort and contribution to the project. Submission of this form is mandatory

for all group members.

4. SUBMISSION 4.1 First Meeting (25 points)

Please submit an electronic copy (PDF) of the first student group meeting on Microsoft Word or

PDF through the link “Term Project First Meeting” on the Canvas website. Please name the file

as: Group Number_Your Name_Term Project Only one team member needs to submit this file.

4.2 Preliminary Calculations (25 points)

Please submit an electronic copy (PDF) of the preliminary calculations on Microsoft Word or PDF

through the link “Term Project Preliminary Calculations” on the Canvas website. Please name the

file as: Group Number_Your Name_Term Project Only one team member needs to submit this

file.

4.3 Report (100 points)

Please submit an electronic copy (PDF) of the report in Microsoft Word through the link “Term

Project” in the Canvas. Please name the file as: Group Number_Your Name_Term Project Only

one team member needs to submit this file.

4.4 Presentation (50 points)

Please use FIU Zoom to record your presentations. In your presentation, please make sure you

share your screens that show your presentation slides. Please submit the recorded video in mp4

format through the link “Term Project_Presentation” on Canvas. Please name the file as: Group

Number_Your Name_Term Project.mp4 Only one team member needs to submit this file.

4.5 Group Evaluation

Please submit and electronic copy (PDF) of the group evaluation form through the link “Term

Project_Group Evaluation on Canvas. Please name this file as Group Number_Your Name_Group

Evaluation Every team member will need to submit the group evaluation form.

5. IMPORTANT NOTE In case of any ambiguities or conflicting information in the term paper instructions, the students

should seek clarification from the instructor in a timely manner, i.e., contact the instructor about

questions/concerns earlier rather than later. Lack of understanding of the requirements of the term

project does not entitle students to extra credits or extension of deadlines. Student groups should

schedule an appointment to meet with the instructor if any questions may arise.

5

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

6. DISCLAIMER This term project was created to facilitate students’ hands-on experience and practical learning of

the course materials. The project description is simplified and should not be used for any purpose

other than evaluating the students’ ability to collect and analyze data related to construction

sitework activities as well as making sound decisions about selecting appropriate equipment for

construction projects.

6

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

Report Grading Rubric:

Report Observations Points Earned

Abstract (5 points)

Introduction (10 points)

Main body (70 points)

Conclusions (10 points)

References (5 points)

Presentation Grading Rubric:

Presentation Observations Points Earned

Delivery (10 points)

• Enthusiasm

• Adequate pace

• Tone (can we hear you)

• Proper voice

projection/modulation

Organization and Content

(20 points)

• Clear objectives

• Logical structure

• Effective use of content

and summaries

Visual Aids (20 points)

• Clear and easy-to-read

slides

• Logical organization of

slides

• Effective colors and

theme (Aesthetics)

1

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

BCN 3727 CONSTRUCTION SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Term Project (200 Points)

Final Report and Presentation are

due on Friday, April 17, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

1. INTRODUCTION and PROJECT DESCRIPTION During construction work, it is necessary to conduct site preparation and excavation works

for the foundations of buildings. For this project, you are given the site preparation and excavation

works for the foundation of a large mixed used residential/commercial project close to downtown

Miami. The land is 300 yards long and 200 yards wide. The site is reasonably level terrain with

firm ground and approximately less than 25% rock content. The project specifications require

excavating 5 ft. of the entire land area. You have identified a disposal site 4 miles away from the

jobsite with a 4% slope upwards from the site to the disposal. Most of the soil at the site consists

of common earth with 25% swell. You can make reasonable assumptions wherever information

is not provided in this project description (e.g., about soil density and moisture content of the soil,

etc.). You need to clearly state your assumptions before making any calculations regarding the

earthmoving/earthwork operations.

2. INSTRUCTIONS You are required to define three equipment crew compositions (one primary fleet and two

alternatives) for this project. Crews may include combinations of dozers, excavators, hauling

trucks, loaders, support vehicles, etc. Complete the following:

1. Identify Equipment

• Research appropriate brands and models using the internet, operator’s manuals, and

other commercially available data.

• Use manufacturer performance characteristics (e.g., bucket capacity, engine power,

gross machine weight, productivity rates) as the basis for your analysis.

• Make reasonable assumptions where needed (e.g., soil density and moisture content).

2. Analyze Each Fleet

Using the data collected, determine:

a) Productivity of each fleet

b) Ownership and operating costs

c) Trade-offs between productivity and cost across fleets

d) Rent, lease, or buy options, with rationale for each option

3. Compare Alternatives

• Evaluate and compare the fleets based on their ability to perform the job, their

productivity, and by comparing rent/lease/buy options for each

• Estimate project time and cost for each

4. Select Optimum Fleet

• Present your final choice of the most effective fleet, supported by your analysis.

2

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

3. GRADING The term project will be graded out of 200 points and is worth 15% of the total course

grade. Deliverables include:

(1) Meeting minutes of the student group’s first meeting to acknowledge announcement of

the term project instructions, to discuss project objectives, goals, and to determine a work schedule.

(2) Preliminary calculations of the productivity of the primary fleet of vehicles, including

preliminary calculations of the two alternate fleet choices.

(3) A written report.

(4) A 15 to 20-minute group presentation on your project.

(5) A group evaluation form to rate the performance of the other group members.

The report, presentation, and group evaluation are due on Friday, April 17, 2026 @ 11:59

p.m.

3.1 First Meeting (25 points) – Due February 19, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

1. Acknowledgement of announcement of Term Project. Each student in the group

should indicate that they have reviewed the term project and understand the term

project scope and instructions.

2. Meeting minutes of first meeting discussing project objectives, goals, and creating a

schedule to follow regarding the work (additional meetings, calculations, project

sections, etc.)

3.2 Preliminary Calculations (25 points) – Due March 19, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

1. Preliminary calculations of productivity of the primary fleet of vehicles and

alternatives.

2. Estimation of total project time per fleet of vehicles.

3.3 Report (100 points) – Due April 17, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

The report will consist of:

1. Cover page and Table of Contents (2 pages – mandatory) (Not having a cover page

and a table of contents incurs an automatic 10-point penalty)

2. Abstract (5 points) (1 page)

• An abstract is essentially a summary of the entire report and highlights the

main purpose of the report, methods, key findings and conclusions in a

concise and easy to read format. (300-400-word limit)

3. Introduction (10 points) (2-4 pages)

• Provide an overview of the project.

• State all assumptions.

4. Main body (70 points) (No page limit, must include each of the 5 sections below)

This is the content of the main body of the report. It must, at a minimum, include:

• The characteristics of the identified equipment (e.g., bucket size, gross

machine weight, engine power) along with references to the manufacturers’

manuals.

• An estimate of the time/productivity it takes to complete the job with the

selected equipment fleet with all detailed calculations.

3

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

• An estimate of the ownership and operation costs with all detailed

calculations.

• Discussions about your decisions on buy/rent/lease options for each fleet and

the rationale of your decisions.

• Analysis of the cost versus the productivity tradeoffs and the selection of the

optimum fleet composition.

5. Conclusions (10 points) (2-4 pages)

• Summarize your decisions regarding vehicle choices, buying/renting/leasing

equipment and other project choices.

• Discuss the factors that may have changed your final choice (e.g. soil type and

density, distance from suppliers, etc.)

• Discuss the problems that you think are likely to happen during this sitework

project (e.g. adverse weather conditions, safety issues, etc.) and ways to deal

with such problems.

6. References (5 points)

• Include a list of references that your report cited.

• Use an alphabetical order for listing the references.

3.4 Presentation (50 points) – Due April 17, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

This is the group presentation. All team members need to be present. The content of the

presentation should, at a minimum, include:

• The characteristics of the identified equipment

• Productivity, cost analysis and tradeoffs between productivity and cost

• Comparisons of different equipment crews/fleets

• Decisions on the optimal equipment crew/fleet and reasons for choosing such

crew/fleet.

Notes: You are suggested to use tables and charts to summarize your calculation results.

Please save the detailed calculations for the written report.

Your presentation will be graded on:

1. Delivery (10 points)

• Enthusiasm

• Adequate pace

• Tone (can we hear you)

• Proper voice projection/modulation

2. Organization & contents (20 points)

• Clear objectives

• Logical structure

• Effective use of content and summaries

3. Visual aids (20 points)

• Clear and easy-to-read slides

• Logical organization of slides

• Effective colors and theme (Aesthetics)

4

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

3.5 Group Evaluation Form (Mandatory) – Due April 17, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m.

For this term project, each student is required to complete a group evaluation form to

assess the performance of their teammates. Members will rate one another based on their

percentage of effort and contribution to the project. Submission of this form is mandatory

for all group members.

4. SUBMISSION 4.1 First Meeting (25 points)

Please submit an electronic copy (PDF) of the first student group meeting on Microsoft Word or

PDF through the link “Term Project First Meeting” on the Canvas website. Please name the file

as: Group Number_Your Name_Term Project Only one team member needs to submit this file.

4.2 Preliminary Calculations (25 points)

Please submit an electronic copy (PDF) of the preliminary calculations on Microsoft Word or PDF

through the link “Term Project Preliminary Calculations” on the Canvas website. Please name the

file as: Group Number_Your Name_Term Project Only one team member needs to submit this

file.

4.3 Report (100 points)

Please submit an electronic copy (PDF) of the report in Microsoft Word through the link “Term

Project” in the Canvas. Please name the file as: Group Number_Your Name_Term Project Only

one team member needs to submit this file.

4.4 Presentation (50 points)

Please use FIU Zoom to record your presentations. In your presentation, please make sure you

share your screens that show your presentation slides. Please submit the recorded video in mp4

format through the link “Term Project_Presentation” on Canvas. Please name the file as: Group

Number_Your Name_Term Project.mp4 Only one team member needs to submit this file.

4.5 Group Evaluation

Please submit and electronic copy (PDF) of the group evaluation form through the link “Term

Project_Group Evaluation on Canvas. Please name this file as Group Number_Your Name_Group

Evaluation Every team member will need to submit the group evaluation form.

5. IMPORTANT NOTE In case of any ambiguities or conflicting information in the term paper instructions, the students

should seek clarification from the instructor in a timely manner, i.e., contact the instructor about

questions/concerns earlier rather than later. Lack of understanding of the requirements of the term

project does not entitle students to extra credits or extension of deadlines. Student groups should

schedule an appointment to meet with the instructor if any questions may arise.

5

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

6. DISCLAIMER This term project was created to facilitate students’ hands-on experience and practical learning of

the course materials. The project description is simplified and should not be used for any purpose

other than evaluating the students’ ability to collect and analyze data related to construction

sitework activities as well as making sound decisions about selecting appropriate equipment for

construction projects.

6

BCN 3727

CONST. SITEWORK & EQUIPMENT

Spring 2026

Report Grading Rubric:

Report Observations Points Earned

Abstract (5 points)

Introduction (10 points)

Main body (70 points)

Conclusions (10 points)

References (5 points)

Presentation Grading Rubric:

Presentation Observations Points Earned

Delivery (10 points)

• Enthusiasm

• Adequate pace

• Tone (can we hear you)

• Proper voice

projection/modulation

Organization and Content

(20 points)

• Clear objectives

• Logical structure

• Effective use of content

and summaries

Visual Aids (20 points)

• Clear and easy-to-read

slides

• Logical organization of

slides

• Effective colors and

theme (Aesthetics)