Construction Engineering Commons^™

Enhancing Bim Implementation In The Ethiopian Public Construction Sector: An Empirical Study, Solomon Belay, James D. Goedert, Asregedew Woldesenbet, Saeed Rokooei3

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Recently, the popularity of BIM has grown rapidly in the public construction sector. However, only a few studies so far have been seeking to address the BIM adoption benefits and barriers in developmental public projects across the low-income countries. Thus, the study aims to investigate the benefits and barriers of BIM adoption in the context of the Ethiopian infrastructure market. To achieve the objectives, a comprehensive systematic literature review was conducted to identify BIM adoption benefits and barriers in developing countries. Then, a structured questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data from various professionals working in organizations including client, consultant, …

Condition Rating Prediction Using An Interactive Deterioration Model Development Package, Minwoo Chang, Mitchell S. Maguire

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

This paper presents an advanced method to determine explanatory variables required for developing deterioration models without the interference of human bias. Although a stationary set of explanatory variables is ideal for long-term monitoring and asset management, the penalty regression results vary annually due to the innate bias in the inspection data. In this study, weighting factors were introduced to consider the inspection data collected for several years, and the most stationary set was identified. To manage the substantial amount of inspection data effectively, we proposed a software package referred to as the Deterioration Model Development Package (DMDP). The objective of …

Brazil, Big Hydro, And A Beautiful Monster: “Green” Energy Generation In The Xingu River Basin, Ian F. Hirons

Student Works

Brazil is quickly becoming an influential actor on the world stage of geopolitics. The nation has achieved global economic and environmental recognition due to the extensive development of its hydrological resources in the form of hydroelectric power plants. As the world’s second greatest generator of hydroelectricity, Brazil has proven a staunch adherence to building dams in the large-scale. Though these dams have brought electricity to millions of people across the country, the socio-ecological toll inflicted by their construction has been devastating to natural biomes and local inhabitants. This article traces Brazil’s proclivity for large-scale hydropower to four motivational categories often …

Shahar Sharoitida Avtomobilllarni Parkovkalashda Innovatsion Loyihalash Tizimi, Zohidjon Baxtiyor O`G`Li Abdurahmonov, Jamshid Abdunazarov

Scientific-technical journal

Annotatsiya: Shahar ko`chalarida transport vositalarining soni ko`payishi sababli, transport bilan bog`liq bo`lgan muammolar ko`paymoqda. Bunga sabab qilib yo`lning infratuzilmasi va parkovka joylarining yetarli emasligini hamda mavjud parkovka joylari to`g`risida axborotni yetkazadigan tizimning yo`qligini misol qilib keltirish mumkin. Bu bir qancha salbiy oqibatlarga olib kelishi mumkin. Jumladan transport vositalaridan chiqayotgan zaharli moddalarning atrof – muhitga zarari ko`payishiga, yo`lning o`tkazish qobiliyatiga va haydovchining yo`lda ortiqcha vaqt sarflashlarga olib kelishi mumkin.

Yuqoridagi aytib o`tilgan muammolarni bartaraf etish uchun shahar parkovkalarini innovatsion intellektual loyihasini ishlab chiqish va uni hayotga tatbiq etish lozim. Bu intellektual tizim orqali transport vositalari egalari bo`sh parkovka hududlarini osongini topib …

Framework For Extracting And Characterizing Load Profile Variability Based On A Comparative Study Of Different Wavelet Functions, Andrew Parker, Kevin James, Dongming Peng, Mahmoud Alahmad

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

The penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) on the electric power system is changing traditional power flow and analysis studies. DERs may cause the systems' protection and control equipment to operate outside their intended parameters, due to DERs' variability and dispatchability. As this penetration grows, hosting capacity studies as well as protection and control impact mitigation become critical components to advance this penetration. In order to conduct such studies accurately, the electric power system's distribution components should be modeled correctly, and will require realistic time series loads at varying temporal and spatial conditions. The load component consists of the built …

Moisture Monitoring Of A Clt Structure In A Southern Climate, Elizabeth Poblete

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Understanding of moisture behavior in cross laminated timber (CLT) is critical to the widespread use of CLT in construction in the United States. Currently, very little data exists on the long-term impact of moisture on CLT. The objective of this research is to collect data regarding the long-term moisture variation in the CLT panel at the University of Arkansas Adohi Hall residence hall. The climate of Northwest Arkansas is different from previously monitored buildings, as they were in the Pacific Northwest. Comparatively, Northwest Arkansas has a warmer climate with higher average annual precipitation. Waterproofing efforts are usually employed to prevent …

Tanzanian Concrete Masonry Walls, Edward J. Kaminski

Architectural Engineering

Walls that replicate masonry walls used in Tanzania are constructed and tested. The results from testing was compared with the respective predictions made using code guidelines from ASCE 7 and TMS 402.

Recycling Cigarettes Into Concrete, Jonathan R. Rosete

Construction Management

The objective of my senior project is to find a solution for the growing amount of improperly disposed cigarette butts on our planet. To accomplish this, I created and tested concrete cylinders mixed with different amounts of used cigarettes. It is my goal that we will be able to recycle cigarette butts and incorporate them into our everyday concrete use. By adding cigarettes to our mixes, I also understand their will be concerns with its potential strength. However with this in mind, it is my intention that these current mixes will only be used for non-structural concrete. In the following, …

Bs News November/December

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Online Implementation Of Structural Analysis Tool For Remote Learning, Ghada El-Mahdy, Amany Micheal

Civil Engineering

The delivery of a structural analysis module to architectural or civil engineering students needs the visualization of certain diagrams, such as the internal force diagrams and the elastic line. These diagrams are difficult to grasp for students new to structural analysis and need a lot of practice to become proficient in drawing them. Current structural analysis textbooks with electronic platforms do not include tools to draw the internal force diagrams or deflection. This has led to the initiative of creating an online structural analysis tool to enable the student to easily apply different loadings on different statical systems to draw …

Methanosarcina Acetivorans Contains A Functional Isc System For Iron-Sulfur Cluster Biogenesis, Thomas M. Deere, Divya Prakash, Faith H. Lessner, Evert C. Duin, Daniel J. Lessner

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

The production of methane by methanogens is dependent on numerous iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster proteins; yet, the machinery involved in Fe-S cluster biogenesis in methanogens remains largely unknown. Methanogen genomes encode uncharacterized homologs of the core components of the ISC (IscS and IscU) and SUF (SufBC) Fe-S cluster biogenesis systems found in bacteria and eukaryotes. Methanosarcina acetivorans contains three iscSU and two sufCB gene clusters. Here, we report genetic and biochemical characterization of M. acetivorans iscSU2.

Results

Purified IscS2 exhibited pyridoxal 5′- phosphate-dependent release of sulfur from L-cysteine. Incubation of purified IscU2 with IscS2, cysteine, and iron (Fe2+) resulted …

The Professional Constructor, Full Issue, Volume 45, Number 02

The Professional Constructor

No abstract provided.

Bs News September/October

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Improving The Economic Viability And Flexural Strength Performance Of Dowel Laminated Casaurina Glauca Patchwood, Hesham Elseginy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of local casuarina glauca patchwood under artificial weathering presenting the changes of strength of wood along fibers. The study involved wood of similar density - half factorial design experiment was used with four factors to use fewer samples to have a total of 8. The specimens were exposed to artificial weathering consisting of soaking wood in water, drying at 60 °C, and exposure to UV radiation. Three-step aging cycle was repeated 8 times. In general, the tested wood species changed their compressive strength differently under the influence of artificial weathering. …

Change Management In Construction: Necessity, Obstacles,And Suggested Solutions, Ihab M. H. Saad

The Professional Constructor

The construction industry is one of the major harbingers of the economy of any industrialized nation. Its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product is undeniable. The major economic downturn that lasted from 2008 to 2011 resulted in a lot of change in the industry personnel at both the administration and labor force levels. This resulted in expediting the retirement of a generation of seasoned professionals, and creating a gap in the ranks of construction firms that is still to be completely filled. Similar impacts followed the uncertainty resulting recently from Covid-19 and the economic instability and uncertainty it caused. One …

Pert, Cpm And The Tangled History Of Network Scheduling, Charles Christopher Smith, Vivek Sharma, Gregory B. Baecher

The Professional Constructor

The origins of two network scheduling techniques: The Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT); and the Critical Path Method (CPM) are examined. Prior accounts hold that each are different and were created separately. PERT, developed within the U. S. Navy’s highly classified POLARIS nuclear missile program which began in 1955. CPM, the creation of American industrial concerns E. I. du Pont de Nemours (du Pont) and Remington Rand UNIVAC. With the objective of settling “an acrimonious dispute over parentage,” this research examines the literature and the original forms of PERT and CPM noting their ‘dead ring’ resemblances, synchronous development timelines, while …

Identifying Challenges To Project Outcomes From A Transportation Project Owner Perspective, Evan D. Bingham, Clifton B. Farnsworth, Rebecca O. Warr, James P. Smith

The Professional Constructor

Transportation project owners are often concerned with the risks associated with construction, because these challenges can directly affect project outcomes and often lead to increased time and cost for projects. It is, therefore, vital to identify challenges early within the project life cycle. Transportation project delivery has evolved to strengthen the influence that the owner has upon the project, transitioning away from the exclusive use of traditional Design-Bid-Build to the more innovative and involved approaches of Design-Build and Construction Manager / General Contractor. Unfortunately, this has resulted in increased owner risk. In this research, transportation project owners were asked to …

A Culture-Based Analysis Of Construction Management Students’ Conflict Management Styles, David W. Martin

The Professional Constructor

The use of collaborative project delivery systems in the construction industry requires cooperation and shared management of the construction process to achieve success. This growth in collaborative systems requires project representatives to effectively manage conflict. Project failures utilizing collaborative methods are frequently attributed to an inability of project representatives to collaboratively resolve conflict. Research suggests that minorities are prone to use a collaborative conflict management style and the inclusion of minorities in construction management (CM) roles can reduce negative conflict. The growing evidence that increasing workforce diversity in CM is beneficial to the industry indicates that there is value in …

Role Of Infrastructure In The Success Of Residential Developments In Michigan, Aditi Hardekar, M.G. Matt Syal

The Professional Constructor

Infrastructure systems are critical for the success of a residential development. These systems include the infrastructure within and around the development as well as facilities and amenities in the surrounding area. Most of the residential development literature tend to focus on the planning, layout, social aspects, and the residential units itself, but lack emphasis on the infrastructure systems. This paper identified supporting infrastructure for residential developments based on the review of research and industry literature, and several case studies nationwide. The availability and absence of infrastructure systems were investigated in each case study. The review led to the identification of …

The Irish Construction Industry’S State Of Readiness For A Bim Mandate In 2020, Barry Mcauley, Alan V. Hore, Roger P. West

Conference papers

It was recently announced that a BIM mandate for the Irish public sector is not imminent, suggesting that the sector is not yet ready for what such a mandate implies. Following on from a forward-looking BIM Roadmap for Ireland in 2017 and the publication by the authors of a detailed BIM in Ireland study in 2017 and 2019, what is the actual state of readiness for a more general BIM mandate in Ireland? This paper will review recent publications, seminars and industry initiatives on this topic of interest supported by an online survey to assess the current state of readiness …

Can Public Construction And Demolition Data Describe Trends In Building Material Recycling? Observations From Philadelphia, Kimberlee Marcellus-Zamora, Patricia Gallagher, Sabrina Spatari

College of Architecture and the Built Environment Faculty Papers

There is a significant amount of waste generated during construction and demolition (C&D) activities, but few data to understand the sources, age, spatial origin, and its fate following entry into the waste management system. With few public records that track C&D waste flows, we turned to industry and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) to quantify C&D data and meta-data using material flow analysis (MFA). LEED databases are not normally used to build life cycle inventories or material flow accounts because they do not house sufficiently detailed data. We propose using the geo-referenced data on reused C&D waste in …

How Can Sustainable Building Practices Reduce The Environmental Impact Of Building Activities?, Aaraf Shukur Alqaisi

International Programs

Sustainability has been a very important subject lately , Due to the observable change in the environment, which drives us to seek solutions for the current situation. in this poster we will discuss some of the sustainable solutions that aims to reduce the environmental impact that relates to building & construction industry

Bim Research In Irish Academic Institutions 2015-19, Barry Mcauley, Alan V. Hore, Roger P. West

Conference papers

The use of BIM in the Irish construction industry has become pervasive in the last decade and it is an essential element in improving productivity in the market. The developments in BIM education and training in supporting the increase in Ireland’s BIM maturity has been well documented in recent years, principally through the proceedings of the BIM Gatherings and the BIM in Ireland 2017 and 2019 reviews. Similarly, the public and private sectors have been surveyed to establish their readiness for digital transformation on their BIM journey. However, BIM research undertaken by Irish academics, while individually strong, has not been …

Turn Trash Into Treasure: Recycling Of Waste Building Materials, Xiaoyin Shen

International Programs

No abstract provided.

The Advantages Of Integrated Project Delivery (Ipd) Utilization In The Construction Industry Compared To Traditional Project Delivery Methods, Mert Oytun

International Programs

Today, primarily due to the development of information technologies, the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry has the opportunity to realize its shortcomings more effortlessly. Typically, the most considerable difficulties are encountered in the performance measurements of projects in the AEC industry. The reason is that the AEC industry is highly fragmented, even though it involves various stakeholders that should be in uninterrupted communication throughout all phases of a project. This fragmented structure mainly causes (1)endless debates among the stakeholders, (2) schedule delays, and (3) profit losses. Hence, addressing projects’ productivity change regarding the utilization of different project delivery methods …

Bs News July/August

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Project Risk Management In Malaysian Oil And Gas Industry: Implementation By Epc Local Contractor, Che Rosli Zaim Aiman

Student Works (2020-2029)

The megaproject in Downstream Sector of Oil and Gas Industry only achieve 50% success rate which warrants attention by researchers. The Owners and Contractors are not fully aware on the full range of project risks and only few have demonstrated the knowledge and expertise in managing risk effectively. The common understanding had by the EPC Contractor is they are having the full flexibility and freedom in performing execution work by maximizing profit while still complying towards client’s requirement as the contract price has been fixed during award stage. However, there is a hidden risk which seldomly being placed attention by …

The Critical Success Factors Of Cloud Based Application Implementation In Construction Management, Sukiman Mohd Asfahani

Student Works (2020-2029)

Design and construction are information intensive activities, involving a great number of people collaborating to produce complex, one-off developments. Whilst historically, information may have been managed and communicated using paper-based systems and verbal instructions, the integration of the supply chain, the introduction of computer aided design (CAD) and building information modelling (BIM) and the development of cloud computing application means that information communications technology (ICT) is becoming a fundamental part, not just of the design office, but also of the construction site. Cloud computing is a relatively new phenomenon in the construction industry. It allows the delivery over the 'cloud' …

Impact Of Motivation Factors On Workforce Productivity In Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Hassan Muhammad Hafeez

Student Works (2020-2029)

Motivation factors are an important aspect in workforce productivity. In an organization, workforce motivation are among the main important criteria to ensure a smooth and stable business operation. The motivation of workforce will directly impact the individual, organization and team in an organization which will also influence the organizational behavior. This research aim is to investigate the impact of motivation factors on workforce productivity in Tenaga Nasional Berhad. The objectives of the research is to explore the motivation factor affecting workforce motivation, to investigate the impact of motivation factor on workforce productivity and to recommend on how to improve motivation …

Quality Management In Oil And Gas Turnaround/Shutdown Projects, Rosli Ghadaffi

Student Works (2020-2029)

This study discusses the problem of defining quality in the oil and gas industry, to determine possible benefits of implementing quality, and to identify barriers of quality implementation in the oil and gas industry. Quality management is the process for ensuring that all project activities necessary to design, plan and implement a project are effective and efficient with respect to the purpose of the objective and its performance. Specifically in the oil and gas Turnaround Maintenance / Shut down Maintenance project, a comprehensive understanding of issues related to project quality is required. This research aims to investigate the benefit and …