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Full-Text Articles in Construction Engineering

Bs News November/December Dec 2016

Bs News November/December

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.


How Acoustics In California High Performance Schools Relate To Student Achievement, Devin K. Wong Nov 2016

How Acoustics In California High Performance Schools Relate To Student Achievement, Devin K. Wong

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This research project seeks to determine if students attending K–12 schools meeting a minimum standard of high performance classroom conditions in the state of California do evidence higher scholastic achievement, based on publically available results on state-wide standardized tests. In three phases, a subset of 200+ schools applying for grants dedicated to building high performance schools over the past decade was correlated with an existing database of achievement scores for all public schools in California. The criteria utilized to specify high performance classrooms was provided by the California High Performance Initiative (HPI) Grant program. Academic achievement was evaluated on a …


Case Study Of Quantifying Energy Loss Through Ceiling-Attic Recessed Lighting Fixtures Through 3d Numerical Simulation, Ri Na, Shengmao Lin, Zhigang Shen, Linxia Gu Sep 2016

Case Study Of Quantifying Energy Loss Through Ceiling-Attic Recessed Lighting Fixtures Through 3d Numerical Simulation, Ri Na, Shengmao Lin, Zhigang Shen, Linxia Gu

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Abstract Air leakage through recessed lighting fixtures has been identified as a common issue that causes extra energy consumption in residential buildings. However, few quantitative studies in this area were found. As such, a preliminary assessment of the magnitude of this type of energy loss was conducted by using three-dimensional (3D) transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. A hypothetical layout of recessed lighting fixtures was designed with boundary conditions of four different seasons, which were obtained from recorded roof/attic temperature data sets. The results of the study indicate that leakage of recessed lighting fixtures could be a significant channel of …


Fall 2016 - Volume 41, Number 1, Full Issue Sep 2016

Fall 2016 - Volume 41, Number 1, Full Issue

The Professional Constructor

No abstract provided.


Bs News September/October Sep 2016

Bs News September/October

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.


Capacity Building For Sustainable Workforce In The Construction Industry, Edelmiro F. Escamilla, Mohammadreza Ostadalimakhmalbaf Sep 2016

Capacity Building For Sustainable Workforce In The Construction Industry, Edelmiro F. Escamilla, Mohammadreza Ostadalimakhmalbaf

The Professional Constructor

Research has shown that the construction industry will face workforce shortages that will increase delivery cost and completion time. The purpose of this paper is to first identify and synthesize the fundamental factors impacting recruitment and retention of the potential construction workforce. A qualitative approach was employed in order to collect and synthesize known factors related to workforce development and capacity building for the construction industry. The paper then presents a conceptual framework for conducting research on capacity generation of a sustainable construction workforce—by considering the impact of family unit and cultural values, career path perceptions, higher educational attainment, and …


Comparing Owner Perceptions Vs. Performance Reality On Construction Management At Risk Public School Projects, Noel Carpenter, Dennis C. Bausman Sep 2016

Comparing Owner Perceptions Vs. Performance Reality On Construction Management At Risk Public School Projects, Noel Carpenter, Dennis C. Bausman

The Professional Constructor

Over the past decade construction expenditures for education have reached approximately $350 billion with $195 billion of that total spent on K-12 public schools. Public funding through state and local taxes is the primary source of support for construction and school districts are charged with spending these dollars wisely. Within the confines of procurement statutes school districts must select a delivery method that best suits their needs. Two commonly used delivery methods are Design-Bid-Build and Construction Manager at Risk (CM at Risk). This paper examines qualitative and quantitative data collected from one hundred thirty-seven new K-12 school projects constructed in …


Free Fall Of Self-Consolidating Concrete In Walls Three Meters High, Donald J. Phillippi, Katie Loughmiller, Ray Buyle, Michael Cesena Sep 2016

Free Fall Of Self-Consolidating Concrete In Walls Three Meters High, Donald J. Phillippi, Katie Loughmiller, Ray Buyle, Michael Cesena

The Professional Constructor

Self-consolidating concrete, (SCC) is a highly flowable, non-segregating concrete that allows for concrete placement without vibration or external consolidation. SCC also allows rapid concrete placement with reduced labor costs, resulting in vastly improved concrete surface finishes and architectural applications (RMCAO 2009). To accomplish SCC, the concrete industry has developed improvements in high-range water reducer admixtures for flowability and viscosity-modifying admixtures for stability. The current project investigated six specimens, which provided an evaluation of SCC allowed to free fall 3 m (10 ft) that filled wall formwork with different inclinations and amounts of steel reinforcement. The purpose of the investigation was …


Mechanical And Thermal Evaluation Of Different Types Of Pcm-Concrete Composite Panels, Dervilla Niall, Oliver Kinnane, Roger West, Sarah Mccormack Aug 2016

Mechanical And Thermal Evaluation Of Different Types Of Pcm-Concrete Composite Panels, Dervilla Niall, Oliver Kinnane, Roger West, Sarah Mccormack

Conference papers

ABSTRACT: Thermal mass indicates the ability of a material to store and release heat and is a function of the heat storage capacity of a material. The thermal mass of construction materials can be used to reduce the energy required for heating and cooling buildings. The heat storage capacity of concrete can be increased by incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) into the concrete and hence providing additional latent heat storage capacity. Research was carried out to compare the thermal behaviour of two different types of PCM/concrete composite panels. The first type of panel was formed by adding microencapsulated paraffin to …


Ua66 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter, Cheryl Stevens, Dean Jul 2016

Ua66 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter, Cheryl Stevens, Dean

Ogden College of Science & Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.


Bs News July/August Jul 2016

Bs News July/August

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.


Bs News May/June May 2016

Bs News May/June

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.


The Professional Constructor, Full Issue, Volume 40, Number 01 Apr 2016

The Professional Constructor, Full Issue, Volume 40, Number 01

The Professional Constructor

No abstract provided.


Ua66 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter, Cheryl Stevens, Dean Mar 2016

Ua66 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter, Cheryl Stevens, Dean

Ogden College of Science & Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.


Thermal Mass Behaviour Of Concrete Panels Incorporating Phase Change Materials, Dervilla Niall, Roger West, Sarah Mccormack, Oliver Kinnane Mar 2016

Thermal Mass Behaviour Of Concrete Panels Incorporating Phase Change Materials, Dervilla Niall, Roger West, Sarah Mccormack, Oliver Kinnane

Conference papers

Phase Change Materials (PCM) have been incorporated into a range of building envelope materials with varied success. This study investigates two different methods of combining concrete and phase change materials to form PCM/concrete composite panels. The first method involves adding microencapsulated paraffin to fresh concrete during the mixing process. The second method involves vacuum impregnating butyl stearate into lightweight aggregate which is then included in the concrete mix design. The primary aim of the study is to determine which method is the most effective way to improve the thermal mass characteristics of a concrete panel in the context of a …


Bs News March/April Mar 2016

Bs News March/April

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.


Spring 2016 - Volume 40, Number 1, Full Issue Mar 2016

Spring 2016 - Volume 40, Number 1, Full Issue

The Professional Constructor

No abstract provided.


Strategies For Reducing The Environmental Impacts Of Construction, Jordan Moran Mar 2016

Strategies For Reducing The Environmental Impacts Of Construction, Jordan Moran

The Professional Constructor

Sustainable building is a complex goal to reach even for the most seasoned project managers. If theyfocus on the ideas to reduce, reuse, and recycle that goal becomes much more obtainable. The project manager mustset his expectations and priorities from the moment the contract is signed to navigate which routes are most possible toachieve given the project scope and delivery method. The key to success is to relay the long term benefits of sustainablebuilding on to the owner, and make them realize that up-front cost should take a back seat to life cycle. This will save theenvironment and the owner’s …


General Interest Articles, The Professional Constructor Mar 2016

General Interest Articles, The Professional Constructor

The Professional Constructor

No abstract provided.


Contractor Feasibility In Providing Cost Segregation Studies From Detailed Estimates: A Case Study, Ben F. Bigelow, Jeremy Robinson, John Killingsworth Mar 2016

Contractor Feasibility In Providing Cost Segregation Studies From Detailed Estimates: A Case Study, Ben F. Bigelow, Jeremy Robinson, John Killingsworth

The Professional Constructor

Profit margins are tight for general contractors, averaging under 3% (Construction Financial Management Association). Further, competition for projects can be very fierce, so any opportunity for increased profit or a competitive advantage in bidding bears consideration by general contractors. Cost segregation studies represent such an opportunity but the feasibility of a general contractor providing them has not been studied. A cost segregation study allows a property owner to accelerate the depreciation of certain portions of a building thus reducing tax liability and increasing cash flow. Because the information needed for a cost segregation study can be found in a detailed …


A Framework For Analyzing Intraorganizational Congruence Of Safety Practices On Safety Performance – A Pilot Study Of Construction, Benjamin Hill, Mohammed S. Hashem M. Mehany, Richard J. Gebken Mar 2016

A Framework For Analyzing Intraorganizational Congruence Of Safety Practices On Safety Performance – A Pilot Study Of Construction, Benjamin Hill, Mohammed S. Hashem M. Mehany, Richard J. Gebken

The Professional Constructor

Previous research has determined that improving employee congruence on organizational methods and goals leads to improved organizational performance. This research establishes a comprehensive framework of common and recommended safety practices that can be used for intraorganizational congruence data collection regarding safety practices. The research is also developing a method for congruence calculation and examine the congruence effect on the subcontractor’s safety performance metrics through a pilot study. The established framework identified and organized 170 practices under seven conceptual, safety-practice categories. The congruence analysis and the pilot study revealed several areas of high and low congruency along with significant correlations between …


Factors Of Employee Loyalty Among Construction Management Field Personnel, Estimators & Bim/Design Specialists: Insights For General Contractors, Colby Humphrey, Ben F. Bigelow Mar 2016

Factors Of Employee Loyalty Among Construction Management Field Personnel, Estimators & Bim/Design Specialists: Insights For General Contractors, Colby Humphrey, Ben F. Bigelow

The Professional Constructor

Since 2008 construction employment has dropped considerably and has remained below 2007 levels, with construction management positions still about 14% down (U.S. Department of Labor 2015). Despite the boom currently occurring in the construction industry, general contractors (GCs) are finding it difficult to fill project management positions (AGC 2014), and construction firms expect these challenges to continue (Mutikani 2014). With greater demand for managers, retaining quality people is a paramount concern. Everyone knows the adage that “money talks”, but what can a GC do to engender loyalty besides just paying more? To explore that question and attempt to better understand …


Construction Industry Professionals Perception Of Project Management Certification In The Houston Texas Region, Lana K. Coble, Margaret D. Watson Mar 2016

Construction Industry Professionals Perception Of Project Management Certification In The Houston Texas Region, Lana K. Coble, Margaret D. Watson

The Professional Constructor

Individual construction design professionals are evaluated on their abilities by state licensing boards in all 50 states of North America. The construction industry has relied upon construction company licenses in 42% of the United States to ensure that buildings are constructed to local area codes. Current practices have created a credibility gap when comparing construction managers to design professionals. Only since the 1970s, have third party agencies led an effort to provide construction management professionals with a certification to establish baseline competencies. To date, research on construction manager certification has been minimal; therefore, this research attempts to contribute to needed …


Measuring Organizational Learning Success In Commercial Construction During Economic Recession, Evan Danforth, Justin Weidman, Clifton Farnsworth Mar 2016

Measuring Organizational Learning Success In Commercial Construction During Economic Recession, Evan Danforth, Justin Weidman, Clifton Farnsworth

The Professional Constructor

The method through which organizations collect and internalize knowledge, termed organizational learning, has been theorized to significantly influence company performance. Specifically, the speed and accuracy of knowledge transfer boasted by organizational learning proponents is thought to assist companies in dealing with, and even benefiting from, environmental changes such as economic volatility. This research studied the organizational learning of fifteen commercial construction companies in the southwestern United States during the 2008-2009 U.S. recession through semi-structured interviews. It was found that the companies that exhibited dramatically higher or lower levels of organizational learning generally experienced correspondingly higher or lower performance. The contribution …


Strategies For Reducing The Environmental Impacts Of Construction “Improving Erosion And Sedimentation Control Practices On Construction Projects”, Richard Pate Jr Mar 2016

Strategies For Reducing The Environmental Impacts Of Construction “Improving Erosion And Sedimentation Control Practices On Construction Projects”, Richard Pate Jr

The Professional Constructor

There are numerous potential impacts associated with constructing our built environment; one in particular is fresh on contractor’s minds around the country and that is the erosion and sedimentation of our waterways. In this essay, I explain why this issue has become such a pivotal discussion within construction and green building efforts, what strategies have recently become available for addressing these issues, and how their implementation will affect a project’s overall budget and schedule. The strategies I have chosen to discuss are silt fence tieback systems, polyacrylamide (PAM) flocculants, and unmanned aerial vehicle inspections.


Strategies For Reducing The Environmental Impacts Of Construction, Alex Stewar Mar 2016

Strategies For Reducing The Environmental Impacts Of Construction, Alex Stewar

The Professional Constructor

In order to carry out a successful and sustainable construction project, quality project planning isessential. In this paper, I will discuss how design and preconstruction are the most important parts of a sustainableconstruction project. The three main points will be about the importance of selling sustainability to the owner, choosingthe proper project delivery method to integrate team members, and planning for the future when designing the project.Finally, I will touch on how my own education through the Construction Science and Management program at ClemsonUniversity has prepared me for this new era of construction.


A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment For Utilising Laminated Veneer Bamboo As A Primary Structural Material In High-Rise Residential Buildings, Philip Kavanagh Jan 2016

A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment For Utilising Laminated Veneer Bamboo As A Primary Structural Material In High-Rise Residential Buildings, Philip Kavanagh

Masters

In a time when construction is ranked as one of the world’s least sustainable industries consuming about half of the world’s non-renewable resources (Hinson, 2012), it is important to develop and advance the methods and means by which we select and use building materials and how we design, engineer and construct our architecture. This research aimed to evaluate a method for utilising laminated veneer bamboo (LVB) as a primary structural material in high-rise residential buildings and evaluate the environmental potential of LVB through a comparative life cycle analysis (LCA). The process of life cycle analysis was completed through the development …


Development Of Coordination Control For Multiple Rooftop Units, Denchai Woradechjumroen, Haorong Li, Akekachai Deesiri Jan 2016

Development Of Coordination Control For Multiple Rooftop Units, Denchai Woradechjumroen, Haorong Li, Akekachai Deesiri

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Rooftop Units (RTUs) have been widely applied in providing space heating and cooling for commercial buildings. In total, they serve over 60% of the commercial building floor space in the U.S. Even through the current control approaches of a RTU can maintain the zone temperature corresponding to a set point temperature, it performs inefficiently due to several factors such as limited sensing capability, non- coordinated local control, inherent oversizing effects and so on. In addition to unnecessary power consumptions, the current control and operation technology on RTUs also lead to the space humidity problem, equipment efficiency degradation, and premature failure. …


A Need For Evidence-Based And Multidisciplinary Research To Study The Effects Of The Interaction Of School Environmental Conditions On Student Achievement, Josephine Lau, Lily M. Wang, Clarence E. Waters, James A. Bovaird Jan 2016

A Need For Evidence-Based And Multidisciplinary Research To Study The Effects Of The Interaction Of School Environmental Conditions On Student Achievement, Josephine Lau, Lily M. Wang, Clarence E. Waters, James A. Bovaird

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

With funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Healthy Schools initiative, a research team from the University of Nebraska– Lincoln (UNL) is currently working on establishing how environmental conditions in K-12 school buildings impact student scholastic achievement. The objectives of the research project are: (1) to study comprehensively the impacts of a wide set of indoor environmental factors (including indoor air quality, thermal, lighting and acoustic conditions) on student achievement; (2) to investigate how these environmental conditions interact with each other to impact student achievement; (3) to rank order the environmental variables in terms of their relative impact on …


Fault Diagnosis Of Refrigerant Charge Based On Pca And Decision Tree For Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems, Jiangyan Liu, Huanxin Chen, Jiangyu Wang, Guannan Li, Haorong Li, Wenju Hu Jan 2016

Fault Diagnosis Of Refrigerant Charge Based On Pca And Decision Tree For Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems, Jiangyan Liu, Huanxin Chen, Jiangyu Wang, Guannan Li, Haorong Li, Wenju Hu

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems are easily subjected to performance degradation due to refrigerant leakage, mechanical failure or improper maintenance after years of operation. Ideal VRF systems should equip with fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) program to sustain its normal operation. This paper presents the fault diagnosis method for refrigerant charge faults of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems. It is developed based on the classification and regression tree (CART) algorithm. Data of the experimental VRF system is used to test the advantages of the CART method. Results show that the decision tree can achieve desirable diagnosis efficiency on undercharge faults, …