1. CSCS plan to scrap 13 colour-coded cards in favour of one
The CSCS board is consulting on its plan to scrap the 13 colour-coded cards in its suite of skills cards, replacing them with a single “smart card” carrying the specific qualifications of each individual card-holder. Read more…
2. Clients will look for ‘workarounds’ on CDM 2015
Some developers and clients could simply pay lip service to the reforms of CDM 2015 by appointing “Principal Designers” from their pool of existing CDM coordinators and changing their designation, it’s been suggested. Read more…
3. All you need to know about the Cheesegrater bolts
With news that several bolts had fallen from Richard Rogers’ Cheesegrater tower in the City of London, the developer gave a technical explanation as to why the bolts failed – a process called “hydrogen embrittlement”. Read more…
4. 10 issues on the radar for 2015
From cutting edge materials to energy prices and the General Election, Construction Manager compiled 10 predictions for the coming year from contributions by NBS, GVA, the BCIS and Tuffin Ferraby Taylor. Read more…
5. 360-degree camera set to become invaluable tool
NCTech co-founder Neil Tocher believes that the iSTAR, a hand-held digital camera that uses four precalibrated sensors to create a 50 megapixel full spherical image, will become a common tool for documenting buildings. Read more…
6. Drones to automate groundworks at Tokyo Olympic sites
Komatsu, the largest Japanese manufacturer of construction equipment, has unveiled a plan to automate groundworks by leasing and operating a fleet of 200 drones from the US. Read more…
7. Mace backs new CIOB complex projects contract
The CIOB’s innovative Complex Project Contract is to be trialled for the first time on the £600m refurbishment of the United Nations headquarters complex in Geneva at the suggestion of Mace. Read more…
8. Smart Helmet hatched from Autodesk’s Google Glass pilot
3Squared, a software development company already working on Crossrail trials of wearable technology, has revealed it is nearing completion of a pilot project to integrate Google Glass with Autodesk’s BIM 360 Field software. Read more…
9. Balfour’s Quinn to focus on ‘bread and butter’ issues
Following a further £70m profit shortfall exposed by KMPG’s review of 127 Balfour Beatty projects, new chief executive Leo Quinn told City analysts that he will focus on getting the basics right at the troubled contractor. Read more…
10. Crossrail-ready Tottenham Court Road opens
The revamped Tottenham Court Road underground station – designed by HawkinsBrown and undertaken by Taylor Woodrow Construction and BAM Nuttall – has opened with a new entrance and enlarged ticket hall. Read more…
Top in International
Revenge vowed after Sicilian viaduct fails after one week
The prime minister of Italy Matteo Renzi threatened to take revenge on whoever was responsible for the failure of a newly opened viaduct in Sicily. Read more…
Top in BIM+ Projects
Kier’s UEA campus project delivers 6D BIM
The £10.1m project to build a seven-storey halls of residence was the first on the UEA’s estate to implement BIM Level 2 with a specific focus on delivering a complete 6D Asset Information Model (AIM) and final COBie Data Drop 4. Read more…
Top in Agenda
10 green products we’ll be seeing more of in 2015
What new products and systems on the market will help you specify green in 2015? Katie Puckett rounds up nominations from sustainability experts. Read more…
Top in Management
Try putting dispute avoidance on your radar
Morecorft Drury md and accredited mediator Trevor Drury explains how an anonymous reporting system can help to avoid a project crisis. Read more…
