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Ralph G. Kreider

Ralph G. Kreider

Graduate Research Assistant
Construction Engineering and Management Program
Department of Architectural Engineering
The Pennsylvania State University
104 Engineering Unit A
University Park, PA 16802

rgk5000@psu.edu

Research Topic: Organizational Integration of Building Information Modeling

Degree: Ph.D. in Architectural Engineering, Anticipated May 2012

Ralph Kreider is currently a Doctor of Philosophy Candidate in Architectural Engineering. He is a part of the Computer Integrated Construction (CIC) Research Program. Ralph is a major contributor to the current buildingSMART Alliance™ project on the BIM Project Execution Planning Guide sponsored by the Charles Pankow Foundation, the Construction Industry Institute, the Penn State Office of Physical Plant, and the Partnership for Achieving Construction Excellence.  As a contributor, Ralph spent time working with the United States Army Corps of Engineers in the development of a USACE specific BIM Project Execution Plan Template. He also developed a survey to help determine the frequency of use and perceived benefit of different applications of building information modeling which was published as part of the Sixth International Conference on Innovation in Architecture, Engineering and Construction.  As the BIM Project Execution Planning project wraps up, he shifts his attention to the development of a BIM Guide for Owners.  His dissertation will be woven from the fabric of the BIM Guide for owners and focus on framework for BIM use during operations. Ralph passed his Doctorial Candidacy Exam in the fall of 2009.

In the Summer of 2009, Ralph was a Building Information Modeling Integration Intern at Jacobs Global Buildings North America in Arlington, VA. At Jacobs, Ralph Integrated Building Information Modeling between Disciplines, Offices, and the Organization through Clash Detection, Quantity Takeoff, and BIM Implementation Planning. He also shaped and improved various workflows for BIM to become company standards. Additionally, he fashioned and executed a companywide state of BIM survey and offered suggestions to improve Jacobs’ BIM performance throughout the company, based on suggestions from the survey and from prior BIM experience.

Mr. Kreider also completed his undergraduate work in the Architectural Engineering Program at The Pennsylvania State University. He graduated in May 2009 with an Integrated Bachelors/Masters of Architectural Engineering, focused on building construction. Ralph received a number of awards for his undergraduate work including the Balfour Beatty Award for Second place on the Construction Management Senior Thesis. In addition, Ralph passed his Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam in the spring of 2007 and is now an Engineer in Training (EIT). During his undergraduate education, Ralph participated in a number of Student Organizations including communication officer of S:PACE, Officer in the Penn State MCAA Student Chapter, and employed by the CIC Research Group. Ralph is also involved with the CIC Research Group and is the Teaching Assistant for the New Integrated Architecture and Architectural Engineering Studio.

During the summer of 2008, Ralph worked on site with Foreman Program and Construction Managers where he assisted with the daily tasks of a project manager for Ephrata Middle and High School Renovations. During the summer of 2007, Ralph worked for Warfel Construction on site with a superintendent to complete a residence hall.
In his spare time, Ralph enjoys what State College has to offer. He is an accomplished volleyball player and participates in several leagues around State College and University Park. In addition to volleyball, Ralph has spent time playing intramural football, hockey, and softball. Ralph spends time each week participating in Campus Bible Fellowship and attends Alliance Christian Fellowship on Sunday mornings.

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