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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Selecting The Best Thermal Building Insulation Using A Multi-Attribute Decision Model, Theodore J. Sotoropolis
Selecting The Best Thermal Building Insulation Using A Multi-Attribute Decision Model, Theodore J. Sotoropolis
Theses and Dissertations
Thermal building insulation has traditionally been viewed as a means to reduce thermal conductivity through the building envelope. Builders typically choose the least expensive material which meets the specifications in order to remain competitive. Other factors regarding long term health and environmental consequences are typically dismissed. However, a recent shift toward sustainability requires that architects and engineers take a more responsible approach to building design. This research takes a holistic approach to selecting thermal building insulation through the use of a multi-attribute decision model. Several types of insulating products from a variety of manufacturers were investigated in order to determine …
A Decision Model For Selecting Energy Efficient Technologies For Low -Sloping Roof Tops Using Value-Focused Thinking, Michael J. Mccourt
A Decision Model For Selecting Energy Efficient Technologies For Low -Sloping Roof Tops Using Value-Focused Thinking, Michael J. Mccourt
Theses and Dissertations
The Air Force has a large inventory of low-sloping built up roofs (BURs) and millions of dollars are spent each year retrofitting these systems. The DOD has been directed to reduce non-renewable energy consumption by using energy-efficient technologies. These two details present a great opportunity to use the open roof space to install energy-efficient roofing technologies. The purpose of this research is to provide Air Force decision makers with a tool to assist them in deciding what roofing technologies should be installed on facilities. Value Focused-Thinking is the methodology used to construct the model, in which values were used, instead …
A Value-Focused Thinking Model For The Selection Of The Best Rigid Pavement, Partial-Depth Spall Repair Material, Benjamin G. Speer
A Value-Focused Thinking Model For The Selection Of The Best Rigid Pavement, Partial-Depth Spall Repair Material, Benjamin G. Speer
Theses and Dissertations
Concrete spalls on airfield pavements generate foreign object debris (FOD) that is damaging to aircraft engines, and may damage landing gear by roughening of the pavement surface. Repairing spalled concrete on aging and deteriorating airfields is essential for its safe operational use. Picking the best repair material from many products on the commercial market is difficult. There is wide variation on material properties, and good performance on certain criteria is critical to constructing long lasting repairs. Since there is currently no procedure for Air Force decision-makers to select the best rigid-pavement repair material, a model was created using Value-Focused Thinking …
Using Value-Focused Thinking To Evaluate The Practicality Of Porous Pavement Parking Areas On Air Force Installations, Christopher D. Bulson
Using Value-Focused Thinking To Evaluate The Practicality Of Porous Pavement Parking Areas On Air Force Installations, Christopher D. Bulson
Theses and Dissertations
Natural runoff processes have been altered by urban development; impervious surfaces (rooftops, highways, parking areas) and their associated storm water systems channel runoff from a vast area into one concentrated outflow. This storm water runoff can cause erosion, flooding, landslides, and significant damage to aquatic ecosystems. Runoff from highways and parking areas has also been known to contain high levels of suspended solids, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Porous pavements allow infiltration of water through typically impervious surfaces, reducing storm water volumes and acting as a pollutant filtration system. Since there is currently no methodology for Air Force decision-makers to compare …
Using Value-Focused Thinking To Evaluate The Practicality Of Ground-Source Heat Pumps At Military Installations, Jimmy J. Jeoun
Using Value-Focused Thinking To Evaluate The Practicality Of Ground-Source Heat Pumps At Military Installations, Jimmy J. Jeoun
Theses and Dissertations
Because of potential cost and energy savings, military decision-makers may want to consider the use of energy-efficient heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems at their installations. Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), in particular, show great promise because of their low energy requirements and low life-cycle costs. However, there currently exists no design guidance or established criteria for HVAC selection. Consequently, military decision-makers have no basis for comparing conventional HVAC systems and GSHPs. The Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) methodology was used to create a multi-objective decision analysis model that measures the value of different HVAC systems. Consisting of five bottom-tier values and …
An Evaluation Of Contingency Construction Methods Using Value Focused Thinking, John E. Tyron
An Evaluation Of Contingency Construction Methods Using Value Focused Thinking, John E. Tyron
Theses and Dissertations
Rapid Engineering Deployable, Heavy Operational Repair Squadron, Engineer (RED HORSE) Squadrons are 400-person, self-contained, combat engineer units that provide deployable and flexible expert construction capability for the United States Air Force. To help meet Air Force mission requirements, RED HORSE units currently employ a variety of traditional and innovative construction methods. But their alternatives-focused decision analysis approach to method selection limits their decision to known alternatives and may not fully achieve all of their objectives. This research developed a generic value-focused thinking (VFT) decision analysis model to help RED HORSE evaluate and select contingency construction methods. Eight alternatives were generated …
Analysis Of Cost Growth In Us Air Force Base Support Function Contracts, James S. Romasz
Analysis Of Cost Growth In Us Air Force Base Support Function Contracts, James S. Romasz
Theses and Dissertations
The United States Air Force (USAF) has outsourced a significant portion of their activities defined as commercial activities and plans to aggressively outsource more in the future. The USAF outsources its commercial activities in the form of multi-year contracts to the private sector. Cost growth (either negative or positive) has been experienced by most of these contracts. This research effort performed a review of current literature and used statistical analysis to clarify the issue: what are the causes, and extent of cost growth in USAF base-support-function contracts?. From the literature, it can be concluded that changes to the statement of …
Optimal Pulsed Pumping Schedule Using Calculus Of Variation Methodology, Tay W. Johannes
Optimal Pulsed Pumping Schedule Using Calculus Of Variation Methodology, Tay W. Johannes
Theses and Dissertations
Application of a variational optimization technique has demonstrated the potential strength of pulsed pumping operations for use at existing pump-and-treat aquifer remediation sites. The optimized pulsed pumping technique has exhibited notable improvements in operational effectiveness over continuous pumping. The optimized pulsed pumping technique has also exhibited an advantage over uniform time intervals for pumping and resting cycles. The most important finding supports the potential for managing and improving pumping operations in the absence of complete knowledge of plume characteristics. An objective functional was selected to minimize mass of water removed and minimize the non-essential mass of contaminant removed. General forms …
A Risk Analysis Of Remediation Technologies For A Doe Facility, Helene A. Wilson
A Risk Analysis Of Remediation Technologies For A Doe Facility, Helene A. Wilson
Theses and Dissertations
The Department of Energy is responsible for selecting a remediation technology to clean up the Waste Area Group (WAG) 6 site at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) in Kentucky. WAG 6 is contaminated with an uncertain amount of trichloroethylene (TCE) and technetium-99 (Tc-99). Selecting a remediation technology involves a certain degree of risk because many of these technologies are new or proven only for a specific type of contaminant or a particular set of site conditions. Differences between contaminant type and site conditions are enough to make the performance of a remediation technology uncertain. This research identifies the technological …
A Cercla-Based Decision Model To Support Remedy Selection For An Uncertain Volume Of Contaminants At A Doe Facility, Christine E. Kerschus
A Cercla-Based Decision Model To Support Remedy Selection For An Uncertain Volume Of Contaminants At A Doe Facility, Christine E. Kerschus
Theses and Dissertations
The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) operated by the Department of Energy is challenged with selecting the appropriate remediation technology to cleanup contaminants at Waste Area Group (WAG) 6. This research utilizes value focused thinking and multi attribute preference theory concepts to produce a decision analysis model designed to aid the decision makers in their section process. The model is based on CERCLA's five primary balancing criteria, tailored specifically to WAG 6 and the contaminants of concern, utilizes expert opinion and the best available engineering, cost, and performance data, and accounts for uncertainty in contaminant volume. The model ranks 23 …
An Examination Of Elements Necessary For Transfer Of An Environmental Remediation Technology From Full-Scale Demonstration To Implementation, Glenn C. Mandalas
An Examination Of Elements Necessary For Transfer Of An Environmental Remediation Technology From Full-Scale Demonstration To Implementation, Glenn C. Mandalas
Theses and Dissertations
The fact that an innovative environmental remediation technology has been proven feasible in a full scale evaluation does not assure that the technology will be implemented. A number of regulatory, economic, and institutional barriers may impede the transition of a remediation technology from full scale demonstration to implementation. This research explores these barriers, suggesting means to overcome them. Regulators, technology users, and other remediation decision makers apply the nine criteria specified in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) to evaluate the applicability of an innovative remediation technology at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. These criteria consider such things …