Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

A New Framework For Evaluating Public-Private Partnerships, Junxiao Liu, Peter Love, Jim Smith, Michael Regan

Michael Regan

Since the global financial crisis limited funds have been available for major infrastructure projects. Many governments and other agencies have had great difficulty in promoting and financing infrastructure development using public private partnerships (PPPs). Therefore, it is essential that supporting agencies and financiers conduct effective pre-design and pre-construction analysis and evaluation of the proposed projects. Traditional approaches have tended to focus on the meeting budget and project duration targets, but these single dimension evaluations may not take account of the more complex legal, organisational and financial interfaces created by multiple stakeholder interactions. More effective approaches, mechanisms and frameworks are essential …

Understanding The Landscape Of Overruns In Transport Infrastructure Projects, Peter Love, Jim Smith, Ian Simpson, Michael Regan, Oluwole Olatunji

Michael Regan

Cost and schedule overruns are endemic features of transport infrastructure projects. Despite the considerable amount of research within the field of transport and planning in the past thirty years, limited progress has been made to improving the performance of projects. We contend that this will continue to be an issue as long as research efforts focus on the ‘outside view’ with emphasis being placed upon strategic misrepresentation and optimism bias. Understanding ‘why’ and ‘how’ projects overrun, particularly from both ‘outside’ and ‘inside’ perspectives, is pivotal to reducing their impact and occurrence. Thus, in conjunction with the transport and planning literature, …

Review Of Performance Measurement: Implications For Public–Private Partnerships, Junxiao Liu, Peter Love, Jim Smith, Michael Regan, Ekambaram Palaneeswaran

Michael Regan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the normative literature in regard to public-private partnerships (PPPs) and their evaluations, and attempts to investigate whether the Performance Prism is a feasible framework for effective PPP performance measurement. Design/methodology/approach – An in-depth and critical literature review is conducted in this study. Discussion concentrates on PPP features, performance measurement in PPPs, performance measurement in construction, and characteristics of the Performance Prism. Findings – The Performance Prism exhibits a strong ability to capture the distinct features of PPP infrastructure projects and can be considered as a framework suitable for effective and …

Measurement And Modeling Of The Efficiency Of Constructed Wetlands In Removing Lead And Zinc From Neutral Ph Mine Drainage, Chang Ye

Dr. Chang Ye

"Adsorption by organic matter, Fe hydroxide association, and sulfide precipitation are primary mechanisms for Pb and Zn removal from neutral pH mine drainage by constructed wetlands. A mathematical model was developed with the geochemical modeling tool PHREEQC to simulate the constructed wetland processes, including both kinetic and equilibrium aspects of the above removal mechanisms...This research provides a quantification method to evaluate removal mechanisms of a constructed wetland and is also a direct support for previous research on wetland removal mechanisms"--Abstract, leaf iii.

Book Review, Earthea Nance

Earthea Nance, PhD (Stanford University, 2004)

Book Review published in the journal Water International (2015) The topic… “The book builds upon Nance’s research and presents a comprehensive account of Brazil’s experience of implementing condominial sewerage.” The topic… “From the very beginning, the author expresses her concerns in escaping from preconceived ideas about conventional and participatory development, positioning her views within a third wave of post-structural development discourse, neither universalist nor relativist, that is neither denying nor overvaluing the social content of development.” Research methods… “Nance manages to do so by integrating different areas of established knowledge and examining her research issue from a privileged historical perspective. …

Use Of Auxiliary Lanes At Isolated Freeway On-Ramp Junctions, Yubian Wang, Ruey Long Cheu, Yi Qi, Xiaoming Chen

Yi Qi

No abstract provided.

Use Of Multidepth Deflectometers And Strain Gauges To Investigate The Differential Movement At Railway Bridge Approaches, D. Mishra, E. Tutumluer, H. Kazmee, H. Boler

Debakanta Mishra

Investigation Of Ballast Degradation And Fouling Trends Using Image Analysis, M. Moaveni, Y. Qian, H. Boler, D. Mishra, E. Tutumluer

Debakanta Mishra

Ballast fouling, often associated with deteriorating railroad track performance, refers to the condition when the ballast layer changes its composition and becomes much finer in grain size distribution. This paper describes an image analysis approach to characterize different stages of railroad ballast degradation studied using Los Angeles abrasion testing in the laboratory. An aggregate image analysis approach is utilized to investigate ballast particle abrasion and breakage trends at every stage through detailed quantifications of individual ballast particle size and shape properties. Aggregate image processing or segmentation techniques have been also developed and used in this study to analyze the two-dimensional …

Field Performance Evaluations Of Illinois Aggregates For Subgrade Replacement And Subbase—Phase Ii, Debakanta Mishra, Erol Tutumluer

Debakanta Mishra

The project objective was to validate the results from ICT Project R27-1, which characterized in the laboratory the strength, stiffness, and deformation behaviors of three different aggregate types commonly used in Illinois for subgrade replacement and subbase applications, through accelerated loading of full-scale pavement working platform test sections. Six different test “cells” were constructed at different combinations of aggregate material quality and subgrade strength, and were tested to failure using the University of Illinois Accelerated Transportation Loading Assembly (ATLAS). Each cell was tested along two different wheel paths representing two different aggregate layer moisture contents (Cells 1-5), or geotextile reinforcement …

Wave Transmission And Water Setup Behind An Emergent Rubble-Mound Breakwater, Lorenzo Cappietti, Douglas Sherman, Jean Ellis

Jean Taylor Ellis

No abstract provided.

Making Better Decisions About Built Assets, Craig Langston, Jim Smith

Craig Langston

Arguably the most important question currently facing the Australian built environment professions concerns how to make better decisions that are feasible, sustainable and in the national interest. This paper describes emerging and ongoing research using a unique multi-criteria decision analysis support model coupled with an adaptive management (or 'learning by doing') approach. The researchers are retrospectively analysing existing Australian commercial buildings to identify potential changes to the original decision-making process in the light of overall evidenced performance. The findings will provide new knowledge about the interaction of economic, social and environmental criteria in practice; so critical to the continuous improvement …

Analysis Of Segmentation Algorithms For Pavement Distress Images, Allen Downey, Haris N. Koutsopoulos, Ibrahim El Sanhouri

Allen B. Downey

Collection and analysis of pavement distress data is an important component of any pavement‐management system. Various systems are currently under development that automate this process. They consist of appropriate hardware for the acquisition of pavement distress images and, in some cases, software for the analysis of the collected data. An important step in the automatic interpretation of images is segmentation, the process of extracting the objects of interest (distresses) from the background. We examine algorithms for segmenting pavement images and evaluate their effectiveness in separating the distresses from the background. The methods examined include the Otsu method, Kittler's method, a …

Primitive-Based Classification Of Pavement Cracking Images, Allen Downey

Allen B. Downey

Collection and analysis of pavement distress data are receiving attention for their potential to improve the quality of information on pavement condition. We present an approach for the automated classificaton of asphalt pavement distresses recorded on video or photographic film. Based on a model that describes the statistical properties of pavement images, we develop algorithms for image enhancement, segmentation, and distress classification. Image enhancement is based on subtraction of an “average” background: segmentation assigns one of four possible values to pixels based on their likelihood of belonging to the object. The classification approach proceeds in two steps: in the first …

Investigation And Mitigation Of Differential Movement At Railway Transitions For Us High Speed Passenger Rail And Joint Passenger/Freight Corridors, Erol Tutumluer, Timothy D. Stark, Debakanta Mishra, James P. Hyslip

Debakanta Mishra

As with most highway bridges, railway transitions experience differential movements due to differences in track system stiffness, track damping characteristics, foundation type, ballast settlement from fouling and/or degradation, as well as fill and subgrade settlement. This differential movement is especially problematic for high speed rail infrastructure as the “bump” at the transition is accentuated at high speeds. Identification of different factors contributing towards this differential movement, as well as development of design and maintenance strategies to mitigate the problem is imperative for the safe and economical operation of both freight and passenger rail networks. This paper presents the research framework …

Laboratory And Field Measured Moduli Of Unsurfaced Pavements On Weak Subgrade, Debakanta Mishra, Erol Tutumluer, Maziar Moaveni, Yuanjie Xiao

Debakanta Mishra

This paper presents findings on the effectiveness of field modulus determinations and modulus based assessment of constructed pavement foundation geomaterials, i.e. subgrade soil and base/subbase unbound aggregate material. Full-scale unsurfaced pavement test sections were constructed on controlled strength weak subgrades and tested to failure for studying effects of aggregate quality on pavement performance. Differences in aggregate quality were assessed by changes in aggregate properties such as particle angularity, fines content and plasticity of fines. In-situ moduli of the constructed layers were measured using both light weight deflectometer (LWD) and GeoGauge^TM type field devices. Tests were conducted on the engineered …

Comparative Procurement Methodology Analysis In Australia: A New Approach, Peter Love, Jim Smith, Michael Regan

Michael Regan

A comparative review of procurement methods was undertaken for the purpose of objectively determining the relative strengths and weaknesses of the principal methods for the state procurement of economic and social infrastructures. The study concerned procurement alternatives commonly usedwith large or complex projects and available to government, including: o In-house provision using a state agency or works departmento Traditional procuremento Outsourcingo Build own operate and related forms of asset procuremento Alliance contractingo Public private partnerships. Around 90% of state procurement in the late 1980s was traditional which employs a comprehensive input specification, a lowest price tender selection process, separation of …

Procurement Method Selection In Practice: A Journey To Discover The Optimal, Peter Love, Jim Smith, Michael Regan

Michael Regan

Determining the optimal procurement approach for capital works is a challenging task considering the array of procurement methods available and criteria that must be assessed. To assist a public sector client with this complicated decision making process, a procurement method selection process was developed. A focus group compromising of key stakeholders involved with an educational capital works project used the developed approach to determine an appropriate solution for their needs. Overwhelmingly, participants supported the outcome albeit, a small minority who had limited wider exposure to alternative methods initially perceived their bastion (i.e. a default Traditional Lump Sum (TLS), to be …

Analysis Of Rainfall Impacts On Platooned Vehicle Spacing And Speed, Ashrafur Rahman

Ashrafur Rahman

No abstract provided.

Strategic Drivers Of Delivery Capacity, Lynn Crawford

Lynn Crawford

Recent research into the value of project management has highlighted the importance of 'fit' whereby the internal and external context of an organization would determine the configuration of project management that would add value. A major challenge for organizations, and a differentiator of corporate performance, is the ability to execute strategy. It is a key to corporate agility and the ability to build on global recovery. Projects and programs are the primary vehicles for strategy execution, and project management can therefore be seen as the delivery capability of organisations. In order to add value, project management must be configured to …

Particle Shape, Type And Amount Of Fines, And Moisture Affecting Resilient Modulus Behavior Of Unbound Aggregates, Debakanta Mishra, Erol Tutumluer, Yuanjie Xiao

Debakanta Mishra

This paper presents the application of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) approach to study effects of different aggregate properties on the resilient modulus behavior of unbound aggregates. In a recent research project at the University of Illinois, stress-dependent resilient modulus characterization models, in the form proposed for use by the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG), were established for three different aggregate types (dolomite, limestone, and uncrushed gravel) using a statistically well-formulated laboratory test matrix. Such a consistent database enabled the evaluation of the model parameter dependence on different aggregate properties, such as particle shape, type and amount of fines, and …

Characterization Of Illinois Aggregates For Subgrade Replacement And Subbase, Erol Tutumluer, Debakanta Mishra, Abbas A. Butt

Debakanta Mishra

Construction of a pavement working platform is often needed on soft, unstable soils to provide sufficient stability and adequate immediate support for equipment mobility and paving operations without developing excessive rutting. The aggregate type and quality are important factors for determining the required treatment/ replacement thickness. The overall objective in this project has been to characterize strength, stiffness, and deformation behavior of three crushed and uncrushed aggregate materials, i.e., limestone, dolomite and uncrushed gravel, commonly used in Illinois for subgrade replacement and subbase. The goal has been to develop aggregate thickness correlations with aggregate properties to modify and improve the …

Perceived Conditions Of Workers In Different Organizational Settings, Craig Langston, Yu Song, Brian Purdey

Craig Langston

Purpose – Research into office design and its effect on employee satisfaction and performance has attracted considerable contemporary research interest. However, most studies have tended to concentrate on the impact of the built environment on human performance, ignoring the actual needs of employees working in different organizational settings. This paper hence aims to investigate the nature and extent of occupant satisfaction with the built environment in different organizational settings in Australia for a range of climates.

Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted in Australia from 2004-2005, comprising 41 buildings, including six government buildings, 14 educational buildings and 21 commercial buildings. …

Comparing Linkages Of Real Estate And Construction By The Consideration Of The Impact Of Capital, Yu Song, Chunlu Liu, Craig Langston

Craig Langston

Based on the recently published Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) input-output database at constant prices, this research proposes a new model to compare the linkages of the construction and real estate sectors in national economies with the consideration of the impact of capital. Empirical results indicate that the linkages are extremely underestimated in previous research. The backward and forward linkages of the real estate sector are smaller than those of the construction sector, which means in economic development, construction plays a more important role than real estate, given the impact of capital. More importantly, the findings prove that …

Water Intrusion In Base/Subgrade Materials At Bridge Ends, Priyantha Jayawickrama, Phil Nash, Michael Leaverton, Debakanta Mishra

Debakanta Mishra

Departments of transportation spend considerable time and money repairing pavement failures that occur in the base or subgrade materials near bridge ends. Investigation of these failures often reveal saturated base/subgrade materials. The objectives of this research were to determine all possible sources for water intrusion, develop methods to recognize in-the-field causes of water collection at bridge approaches, and to develop new repair methods that can be economically implemented in the field to minimize water intrusion or remove water from soils.

Research focused on existing bridge approaches, concentrated on maintenance techniques to prevent water intrusion at bridge ends, and included an …

Design And Construction: Building In Value, Rick Best, Gerard De Valence

Rick Best

The design and construction of buildings is a lengthy and expensive process, and those who commission buildings are continually looking for ways to improve the efficiency of the process. In this book, the second in the Building in Value series, a broad range of topics related to the processes of design and construction are explored by an international group of experts. The overall aim of the book is to look at ways that clients can improve the value for money outcomes of their decisions to construct buildings.

The book is aimed at students studying in many areas related to the …

Building In Value: Pre-Design Issues, Rick Best, Gerard De Valence

Rick Best

The concept of value in projects is a key issue for everyone involved in the construction industry. Building in Value brings together many experts in the field to outline the wide range of tools, techniques and procedures that can and should be used to make the building procurement phase as efficient as possible. The authors go on to discuss how to ensure that future problems in the design and construction of the buildings are anticipated at the start and to minimise the likelihood of future hiccups. Integrating strategic, financial and construction management techniques, this book provides an essential guide for …