2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Previous Work on the MEP E&O Problem in Concrete Slabs

Presented at CONST 7 - Rethinking Construction Curricula: Content, ABET, and Faculty Expectations

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing concrete slab rough-ins are often subject to errors and omissions (E&O), which can lead to costly rework after the concrete has been poured and cured. These E&O are often discovered at later stages of the project, resulting in costly revisions that can slow progress and increase expenses. Redoing tasks that were not executed correctly the first time can significantly impact project completion time and lead to additional costs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to address the limited research on E&O in MEP rough-ins within concrete slabs. The objective is to review existing literature to better understand the scope of this issue. A scoping review was conducted, guided by the Bibliometric analysis, utilizing multiple databases (ASCE Library, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore). The review covered the past 15 years to capture recurring challenges, patterns, and root causes, reflecting the established role of concrete in construction practices. The findings reveal a notable lack of focused research on this topic. This gap underscores the need for further investigation and for improved strategies that better prepare students for field-based inspection and coordination challenges.

Authors
  1. Amani Qasrawi The University of Texas at San Antonio [biography]
  2. Dr. Tulio Sulbaran The University of Texas at San Antonio [biography]
Download paper (963 KB)

Are you a researcher? Would you like to cite this paper? Visit the ASEE document repository at peer.asee.org for more tools and easy citations.