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Articles 1 - 17 of 17
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
An Analysis Of The Accounting Methods Used By Builders Producing Twenty-Five Or Fewer Homes Per Year, David Andrus
An Analysis Of The Accounting Methods Used By Builders Producing Twenty-Five Or Fewer Homes Per Year, David Andrus
Theses and Dissertations
Accounting plays a crucial role in the success of any business, but it is particularly vital in the construction industry, a complex field that typically requires the coordination of multiple subcontractors and multiple jobs in any given year. Although small-volume home builders make up 70 percent of the membership of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), a trade association of the home building industry, little is known about the accounting practices of these builders. This thesis undertook to study the accounting practices of small-volume home builders. Small-volume home builders were defined as those producing 25 homes or fewer in …
A New Spectroscopic Method For The Non-Destructive Characterization Of Weathering Damage In Plastics, Andrew Robert George
A New Spectroscopic Method For The Non-Destructive Characterization Of Weathering Damage In Plastics, Andrew Robert George
Theses and Dissertations
The weathering of plastics and composites is a problem because of the loss of both physical and mechanical properties that it causes in these materials. But this weathering effect has been difficult, and in some cases, impossible to characterize without the destruction of the plastic or composite part. Clearly a rapid, reliable, and non-destructive test for the extent of the weathering damage is critically needed. A recent problem that arose at Superyacht Solutions, a boat repair company in Australia, required a solution to just this problem. Such a test was developed for Superyacht Solutions, and is being applied across a …
Determining The Value Of A Master's Degree In Construction Management, Benjamin K. Davis
Determining The Value Of A Master's Degree In Construction Management, Benjamin K. Davis
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to determine the value of a master's degree in construction management in southern Idaho. A telephone and Internet survey was employed to determine the value that members of the construction industry in southern Idaho place on construction management (CM) degrees, both graduate and undergraduate. The survey included 27 self-described general contractors who are members of The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) in regions 3 and 4 in the state of Idaho. Regions three and four include Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Ketchum, Burley and surrounding communities. Following the compilation of surveys, it was …
Comparing Time And Accuracy Of Building Information Modeling To On-Screen Takeoff For A Quantity Takeoff Of A Conceptual Estimate, Morgan A. Alder
Comparing Time And Accuracy Of Building Information Modeling To On-Screen Takeoff For A Quantity Takeoff Of A Conceptual Estimate, Morgan A. Alder
Theses and Dissertations
Estimating is a critical aspect of every construction project. The most tedious component of an estimate is the quantity takeoff. Different tools are available to improve an estimator's productivity for a quantity takeoff. Faster quantity takeoffs enable estimator to bid more jobs. This study analyzed the time and accuracy of performing quantity takeoffs when using building information modeling (BIM) through a comparison study using Revit (BIM software) and On-Center's OST. In preparation for the study the researcher conducted a pilot study. Participants of the study were asked to perform a quantity takeoff using both Revit and OST. Their resulting data …
Contractor Variability In Construction Of Cement Treated Base Layers, Maile Anne Rogers
Contractor Variability In Construction Of Cement Treated Base Layers, Maile Anne Rogers
Theses and Dissertations
The primary purposes of this research were to identify construction factors most correlated to specific mechanical properties of cement-treated base (CTB) layers and to determine which construction factors exhibit comparatively high variability within individual construction sections of the two pavement reconstruction projects included in this study. In addition, differences between construction sections tested in this research were evaluated. The research focused on the construction of CTB layers in two pavement reconstruction projects in northern Utah, one along Interstate 84 (I-84) near Morgan and one along U.S. Highway 91 (US-91) near Richmond. The significant predictor variables associated with California bearing ratio …
Incorporating Wireless Power Transfer In An Led Lighting Application, Jonathan S. Shipley
Incorporating Wireless Power Transfer In An Led Lighting Application, Jonathan S. Shipley
Theses and Dissertations
There are various situations in which electrical energy is desired but cannot by conveniently supplied. Since the days of Hienrich Hertz and Nikola Tesla, scientists have tried to solve this problem using different methods of wireless power transfer. Today, wireless power transfer has only been commercially demonstrated at small distances through use of induction. This thesis demonstrated the transfer of wireless power at relatively large distances through radio frequencies in the development of a prototype for a commercial product - a wireless household lamp.
A Solution For Commodity Field Hauling With Self-Unloading Semi-Trailers, Lee Pagens Wilkerson
A Solution For Commodity Field Hauling With Self-Unloading Semi-Trailers, Lee Pagens Wilkerson
Theses and Dissertations
Commodity hauling of bulk goods is a growing enterprise that has expanded from hauling agricultural products to hauling many other bulk products. Commodity trailers are used to haul agricultural products from storage facilities to processing plants. These trailers are designed for highway use but are frequently required to work in field conditions as well. In many cases this environment overstresses these trailers and results in permanent irreparable damage. In addition to the structural problems of these trailers, the current systems for unloading the bulk produce from these trailers have serious inadequacies. While functional, the currently used chain and non-chain driven …
A Study Of Home Builder Advertising For Smart Home Technologies, Jared Don Bingham
A Study Of Home Builder Advertising For Smart Home Technologies, Jared Don Bingham
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research is to discover if home builders along the Wasatch Front in Utah are advertising smart home technologies. Research was conducted by a review of the display advertisements placed in the Saturday and Sunday editions of The Deseret Morning News/Salt Lake Tribune from March 4, 2006 through April 1, 2006. An internet search for smart home terminology was performed on the web sites of home builders advertising in The Deseret Morning News/Salt Lake Tribune. A review of the display advertisements for the Deseret Morning News/Salt Lake Tribune revealed that home builders are not using that medium …
Payback Information: It's Effect On Home Buyers Regarding Energy Efficiency, Steven E. Sparti
Payback Information: It's Effect On Home Buyers Regarding Energy Efficiency, Steven E. Sparti
Theses and Dissertations
This study was conducted to find out how payback analysis would affect consumer decision making with regards to home energy efficient upgrade packages. Three different home plans were obtained from a local builder and seven different energy efficient packages were created. Using Hot2000 the heating and cooling loads were calculated for each building, with each energy efficient package, in each of the four major cardinal directions. The averages were taken and the payback information was calculated. The payback information included the increased cost of the package, the increase in the mortgage payment, the annual savings from heating and cooling bills, …
Risk-Based Decision Model For Determining The Applicability Of An Earned Value Management System In Construction, Mark D. Workman
Risk-Based Decision Model For Determining The Applicability Of An Earned Value Management System In Construction, Mark D. Workman
Theses and Dissertations
New policy mandated by the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics has lowered the dollar thresholds of contracts requiring earned value management (EVM). This policy directed that a "risk-based decision" be made to determine if EVM should be used on firm-fixed price contracts under $20 million. Although not previously applicable to Military Construction (MILCON) building projects or other Air Force Civil Engineer (CE) managed contracts, the new threshold requires that CE projects be evaluated for risk. Therefore, the focus of this research was to analyze the risk factors associated with construction contracts in an attempt to build a …
Encryption Of Computer Peripheral Devices, Kelly Robert Norman
Encryption Of Computer Peripheral Devices, Kelly Robert Norman
Theses and Dissertations
Computer peripherals, such as keyboards, scanners, printers, cameras, and Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) typically communicate with a host PC via an unencrypted protocol, leaving them vulnerable to eavesdropping techniques, such as keyloggers. An encryption system was developed that is simple enough to be used in peripherals that do not have large amounts of processing power and memory. A software driver loaded in the operating system of the host computer communicates with a simple 8-bit microcontroller in the peripheral device. The driver handles key generation, key exchange, and provides decrypted data to the operating system. A key exchange protocol allows the …
The Art And Science Of Discontinuous Innovation: A Case Study In Product Reinvention, Daniel C. Smoot
The Art And Science Of Discontinuous Innovation: A Case Study In Product Reinvention, Daniel C. Smoot
Theses and Dissertations
Divergence of new and old technologies is a source of tremendous innovation potential. As the dizzying pace of technological innovation accelerates indefinitely into tomorrow, not only do new paths diverge exponentially; doors already opened are increasingly abandoned for the allure of things undiscovered. Mature, late-stage life-cycle products left behind in today's fast-paced world open the floodgates to reinvention. This paper tests the hypothesis that innovativeness can be encouraged through the learning and application of universal innovation principles and processes. The implications of this research area are far-reaching. If innovation can be encouraged, then it can likely be taught. If it …
The Role Of The Architect: Changes Of The Past, Practices Of The Present, And Indications Of The Future, Chad B. Jones
The Role Of The Architect: Changes Of The Past, Practices Of The Present, And Indications Of The Future, Chad B. Jones
Theses and Dissertations
For centuries the architect was the master builder; the one who was responsible for both the design and the construction of a project with sufficient construction expertise to oversee the project from inception to completion. Eventually, complexity of projects required a higher level of specialization leading to the separation of the designer and the builder. Since that separation, the role of the designer, or architect, has continued to shift and evolve. In recent history, the architect has been the one selected by a building owner, at the inception of the project, as the professional who is able to assist and …
Automated Manipulation For The Lotus Filament Winding Process, Jeffrey V. Anderson
Automated Manipulation For The Lotus Filament Winding Process, Jeffrey V. Anderson
Theses and Dissertations
The filament-winding process produces quality consistent composite parts for many industries. Filament winding allows for consistent quality parts by automating the winding process. A recent development of filament winding is the Lotus process. The Lotus process reverses conventional filament winding by leaving the mandrel stationary and winding composite fiber around the mandrel. The automated Lotus filament-winding machine is controlled by four-axis control manipulating the Lotus ring around a fixed mandrel. This allows Lotus filament winding to wind parts that do not have a linear axis. Lotus filament winding is in its early stages of development. As a second step in …
A Decision Model For Choosing Among Photovoltaic Technologies To Generate Electricity At Grid-Connected Air Force Facilities: A Value-Focused Approach, Mostyn O. Kellner
A Decision Model For Choosing Among Photovoltaic Technologies To Generate Electricity At Grid-Connected Air Force Facilities: A Value-Focused Approach, Mostyn O. Kellner
Theses and Dissertations
The United States is currently consuming fossil fuels faster than natural processes can replace them. Our nation's leaders recognize that a diverse energy portfolio including renewable energy is the key to maintaining our economy, security, and the environment. The federal government is by far the greatest energy consumer; thus, our nation's leaders have directed federal agencies to strive to increase the use of renewable energy at federal facilities. Solar electricity technologies, in the form of photovoltaics, have great potential in the renewable energy mix. Although a major strategy should be integrating photovoltaics into the design of new facilities, an important …
Estimating Required Contingency Funds For Construction Projects Using Multiple Linear Regression, Jason J. Cook
Estimating Required Contingency Funds For Construction Projects Using Multiple Linear Regression, Jason J. Cook
Theses and Dissertations
Cost overruns are a critical problem for construction projects. The common practice for dealing with cost overruns is the assignment of an arbitrary flat percentage of the construction budget as a contingency fund. This research seeks to identify significant factors that may influence, or serve as indicators of, potential cost overruns. The study uses data on 243 construction projects over a full range of project types and scopes gathered from an existing United States Air Force construction database. The author uses multiple linear regression to analyze the data and compares the proposed model to the common practice of assigning contingency …
Correlating Factors Between Student Participation And Student Learning Via A Service Learning Project In Secondary Education: A Case Study, Shawn V. Jensen
Correlating Factors Between Student Participation And Student Learning Via A Service Learning Project In Secondary Education: A Case Study, Shawn V. Jensen
Theses and Dissertations
In this study a service-learning project was conducted with secondary students in a construction technology based course. Three research questions were considered; (1) does service learning projects help to engage student participation, (2) can students learn the course curriculum while participating in a service learning project, and (3) is there a correlation between student participation and student learning as it pertains to service learning projects? The data was collected through surveys, observations, interviews, and evaluations. The researcher concluded the following from the study; 92% of the students were actively participating in the two week service project, 76% of the students …