An Australian-first learning tool for engineering and construction management students has encouraged them to first think small, in order to think big. 

Launched by Constructionarium Australia at USQ Springfield, the pilot program saw 19 early-career engineers from BMD, Aurecon and Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads spend five days working together to construct a replica of the Barcelona TV Tower. 

Based on the United Kingdom’s program established more than 10 years ago, constructionariums involve participants building scaled-down versions of iconic bridges, dams and civil engineering projects from around the world.

USQ Head of School (Civil Engineering and Surveying) Professor Kevin McDougall was a member of the Constructionarium Australia Working Party and helped write the syllabus for the pilot exercise.

He says the program illustrated the benefits of constructionariums for engineering students.

“Building a scale model on a site under construction conditions ensures engineers and designers understand the difficulties and challenges faced by construction staff on the ground,” Professor McDougall said.

“It enables participants to experience the issues faced by construction projects on a daily basis, such as planning and scheduling, procuring materials, dealing with design issues, costing and the weather.”

BMD Constructions General Manager (Northern Region) Peter Anusas says engineering students desperately need to be exposed to the practical realities of a construction project.

“There is a desperate need in our industry to provide an environment where young professionals can safely transition from their academic exposure to the real world of civil engineering practice,” he says. 

Constructionarium Australia Coordinator Nicky Milsom says it will continue to work with USQ to identify where constructionarium projects can be integrated into the curriculum.

“In the UK, many universities offer a constructionarium project as an integrated module as part of their degree or as an optional field trip,” she says. 

“While the initial exercises will be focussed at Queensland, the long term ambition is to create a national network of member organisations from universities, industry and government across the nation.”

Constructionarium Australia was founded by BMD and Aurecon, with support from USQ, Bechtel and RLG International. The pilot exercise was also supported by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.