FAQ
Organizational information
How can I sign up for the PERI Construction Exercise?
By submitting your entry, you sign up for the competition. If you submit your design solution and the completed entry form in time, i.e. by July 31, 2023 you will be registered automatically. There is no other registration process you have to complete.
What is the deadline for entries?
The deadline is July 31, 2023 (date of the postmark). Any recourse to courts of law is excluded.
What guidelines do I have to follow when submitting my entry? How can I submit my entry?
Entries must be submitted in English or German and may not exceed 125 pages in length, including all drawings and additional documents. Send a printed version of your final documentation to the address to follow:
PERI AG
Attn: Ann-Kathrin Zapf
Rudolf-Diesel-Straße 19
89264 Weissenhorn
It is important to note that you need to submit a print version of your documentation. Additionally, you are welcome to submit an electronic version of your submission material.
Are teams limited to a maximum number of individuals? Can I participate on my own in the PERI Construction Exercise?
You can work on your own or collaborate in a team of five individuals at the maximum.
Can I choose the PERI Construction Exercise task as a topic to write on in a student research project, a bachelor´s thesis, or master´s thesis?
PERI has nothing against the Construction Exercise task being chosen as topic to write on in a student research project, a bachelor´s thesis, or a master´s theses. However, the details would have to be discussed with the faculty.
What are the primary criteria we use in evaluating a submission?
- We place importance on a clear style, and an easy-to-understand presentation of your solution.
- Cost effectiveness and safety are important factors and should serve you as a guideline throughout the entire task.
- Make sure that you pay due attention to all sections and sub-sections of the task.
- When evaluating proposed solutions, we will give weight to the subtasks in the following order:
1. Formwork solution
2. Scheduling and site set-up plan
3. Tender documents
4. Details of construction
5. Construction specifications - You have to score good or very good results in order to make it to the final round. The experience gained from previous Construction Exercises showed us that the task under “details of construction work executed” will give you the chance to score extra points, which often are a decisive element in the end.
In addition, we pay special attention to the following details:
- When preparing formwork design and comparing formwork systems, consider cantilever slab formwork.
- The cycles of the slab formwork need to be correctly arranged. In doing so you can choose between a variant with overlapping formwork components, or an option with formwork that is completely re-erected in each cycle. Either is acceptable – however, it is important that you give reasons for your decision. Make sure that your formwork solution is clearly shown in the drawings, and that it can be evaluated by us.
- All parts lists must be created in a way that they can be verified: Therefore, you have to submit all formwork solutions, parts lists per cycle, maximum lists, and total lists for the construction site (supply lists). Make sure that the cycles of wall formwork are well coordinated, and wall lengths are not too long! The design of all formwork solutions needs to be complete, including all required details. Also consider a formwork solution for the area above the elevator, for example. Follow the instructions for assembly and observe them in your formwork design.
- Create construction site installation plans and schedules in such a way that they can be used on site without further explanation required. An installation plan shall include what has to be set up and where. Dependency relationships must be evident from schedules. This is of particular importance in terms of formwork solutions and their timing. A critical path should also be part of the schedule. It must include a graph showing staff planning related to individual tasks. We place value on well-balanced staff planning. Equipment planning is also important for good site installation and scheduling.
- The individual parts of the task are provided with more information. The details given there are designed to help you with working through the tasks. Of course, you are welcome to contact us, should you have further questions.
How can I get a student license for AutoCAD Architecture?
For a free AutoCAD Architecture license, go to www.autodesk.de/education/edu-software/.
Create an account via “first steps”: confirm eligibility and an education role.
It is important that you go to the Education Area to get educational access to Autodesk. Do not click the button above. It is the Sign In page to create a customer account.
If you have further questions, please refer to the videos (English) (www.autodesk.com/education/support) and FAQs (https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/www/industries/education/docs/edu-verification-customer-faq.pdf) on Autodesk.
Technical information
Can the time values given in the definition of the task be applied to forming and striking operations?
The times values for forming and striking are given in a ratio of 2:1. For example: the time value 0.9 h/m2 includes forming: 0.6 h/m2 and striking: 0.3 h/m2.
What can I do if it the information given in the task seem to be incomplete?
Please, double-check first and carefully read all pages once more. Then go through the supplementary documents made available as download files, such as product brochures and instructions for assembly. If you still cannot find an answer, you may make an educational guess. Please explain your assumption in detail and, if possible, give the source of your information.
The program does not produce the desired wall or slab formwork design.
In case of major issues, check the floor plan again. To correct minor problems like missing panels, add the panels manually. Regarding the layout of the floor plan in PERI CAD: Please practice the use of the program with the help of the PERI Handbook or PERI CAD Online Help before laying out the floor plan of the construction exercise.
Do I have to shutter foundations or base slabs?
No, you do not have to create formwork solutions for foundations or base slab.
How can I use 3D models, which I created, in performing a formwork solution?
You can import a 3D model via an IFC interface. Make sure that you remove all existing wall openings prior to importing the model. Only then the automated planning mechanism will create an acceptable solution. First hide the slabs in your layout, then insert the construction joints into the walls. Finally, create the cycles.
We are looking forward to you!
We wish you every success in performing the Construction Exercise. We would be happy to welcome you as finalist at PERI Headquarters!