Stephen Kleps

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, 2013
Masters of Structural Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, 2003
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, 2002

Research Interests

Understanding how construction foremen improvise on construction sites in response to a disruptive event. Correlated the type of disruption to the extent and time of the improvisation required.

Best practices for construction estimating, including on-screen and digital estimating tools and techniques.

Understanding construction contract language and it’s correlation to construction project outcomes.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – Member

The Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) (Illinois Chapter) – Member

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) – Member

American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) – Professional Member

Publications

Menches, C. L. and Kleps, S. (2012). Best practices and benefits of estimating techniques and technology. Bethesda, MD: National Electrical Contractors Association.

Menches, C. L., Chen, J., Carretero Llorente, E., and Kleps, S. M. (2013). The dyadic nature of improvisation in construction. 4th International Construction Specialty Conference, Canadian Society of Civil Engineering, Montreal, Quebec, May 2013.

Expertise

Forensic Engineering; Investigating commercial and residential structures to determine cause and extent of structural damage, as well as determining the required repairs.  Construction and blasting vibration analysis.  Evaluation of construction defects.  Investigations into how construction materials behave in extreme conditions.

Construction Management; Safety standard of care on multi-employer construction sites.  OSHA regulations and ANSI/ASSE standards for construction sites.