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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Cost Performance Index Stability: Insights From Environmental Remediation Projects, Denis S. Clayson, Edward D. White, Alfred E. Thal Jr. Nov 2018

Cost Performance Index Stability: Insights From Environmental Remediation Projects, Denis S. Clayson, Edward D. White, Alfred E. Thal Jr.

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stability of the cost performance index (CPI) for environmental remediation projects as the topic is not addressed in the literature. CPI is defined as the earned value of work performed divided by the actual cost of the work, and CPI stability represents the point in time in a project after which the CPI varies by less than 20 percent (measured in different ways).


A Surprising Symbiosis: Examining The Mutualism In Department Of Defense Conservation Partnerships, Andrew J. Lankow Mar 2018

A Surprising Symbiosis: Examining The Mutualism In Department Of Defense Conservation Partnerships, Andrew J. Lankow

Theses and Dissertations

Because of the DoD’s unique and significant role in the conservation of natural resources, military leaders and natural resource managers need a trail guide to frame interagency collaboration in a way that shapes productive partnerships. The purpose of this research was to examine successful DoD conservation partnerships in order to identify key success factors (KSFs) and the most prominent challenges faced, and how those characteristics enable the accomplishment of each partner’s objectives. The research questions were answered through a comprehensive literature review and the use of the multiple-case study method. 19 key informants from three installations participated in semi-structured interviews, …


Comprehensive Comparison Of Steel Framed Fabric And Conventionally Constructed Aircraft Hangars, Justin M. Iungerich Mar 2018

Comprehensive Comparison Of Steel Framed Fabric And Conventionally Constructed Aircraft Hangars, Justin M. Iungerich

Theses and Dissertations

Through the life of the United States Air Force (USAF), the accepted method for constructing permanent aircraft hangars is the use of materials such as steel and concrete. However, the emerging type of construction known as steel framed fabric (SFF) construction shows potential to meet the requirements of the USAF at a lower life-cycle cost and with faster construction delivery. A comprehensive comparison to conventional hangars is conducted through the means of an extensive literature review, case study analysis, structural analysis with the use of finite element analysis (FEA) software, and a life-cycle cost comparison. Through examination of Department of …


Quantifying Permafrost Extent, Condition, And Degradation Rates At Department Of Defense Installations In The Arctic, Christopher A.J. Edlund Mar 2018

Quantifying Permafrost Extent, Condition, And Degradation Rates At Department Of Defense Installations In The Arctic, Christopher A.J. Edlund

Theses and Dissertations

The DoD is planning over $500M in military construction on Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) within the next three years. This construction program will expand the footprint of facilities and change parts of the storm water management scheme, which may have second order effects on the underlying permafrost layer. These changes in permafrost will drive engineering decision making at local and regional levels, and help shape the overall strategy for military readiness in the Arctic. Little site-specific knowledge exists on the human caused effects to permafrost at this location. In 2016, the permafrost degradation rates at Eielson AFB were modeled …


Evaluating Contingency Construction Methods: A Delphi Study, William E. Bentley Mar 2018

Evaluating Contingency Construction Methods: A Delphi Study, William E. Bentley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to evaluate which existing RED HORSE vertical construction system was “best” suited for contingency operations and the relative pros/cons/challenges associated with each. RED HORSE units, having existed for over 50 years, currently have 4 active duty squadrons currently employed overseas in multiple military contingency environments. Based on site visits, it was established that the Ultimate Building Machine (UBM)/K-Span, Professionally Engineered Buildings (PEB), and the FrameCAD system are the three most prevalent vertical construction systems/methods in use by RED HORSE. Fourteen Subject Matter Experts (SME) from across the Air Force participated in a Delphi study …


Defining Success In Air Force Infrastructure Asset Management Through Use Of The Delphi Method, Brendan J. Maestas Mar 2018

Defining Success In Air Force Infrastructure Asset Management Through Use Of The Delphi Method, Brendan J. Maestas

Theses and Dissertations

Asset Management has a history of policy mandates within the US Government dating back to 1990’s. In order to accomplish these many directives, the Air Force Civil Engineer community has adopted a mindset and framework commonly referred to as Asset Management. Despite numerous references and guidance to establish Asset Management principles, the Air Force has not yet developed a clear and concise way to define or measure overarching success in Asset Management. This research effort focuses on closing the knowledge gap between issued policy and implementation. It examines Asset Management implementation efforts in other government agencies, private industries, and in …


Cost And Performance Difference Of High Performance Sustainable Buildings, Philip A. Ramsey Mar 2018

Cost And Performance Difference Of High Performance Sustainable Buildings, Philip A. Ramsey

Theses and Dissertations

Varying legislation and executive orders coupled with needs for energy resiliency have led the United States Air Force to pursue sustainable construction. The limited understandings of initial costs to implement these changes have contributed to poor project cost estimating and changed implementation of legal requirements. A student t-test for populations with unequal variance was accomplished on the final normalized contract cost of 1628 Air Force Military Construction (MILCON) projects executed between 2002 and 2017. Future design considerations for net zero energy buildings were compiled from a net zero energy residential community in Fontana, California. There was no statistically significant difference …


Land Cover Influences On Airborne Noise Propagation At Usaf Installations, Ariel L. Waiters Mar 2018

Land Cover Influences On Airborne Noise Propagation At Usaf Installations, Ariel L. Waiters

Theses and Dissertations

Mitigation of aircraft noise and encroachment by residential areas at various U.S. military installations remains a challenge and hampers effective military operations. The Air Force has established standard practices that utilize computational noise models to generate and display noise propagation from military installations. Despite great advances in models and mitigation action plans, the current USAF Noisemap modeling tool and methods do not consider the effects of variation in land cover. Moreover, such limitations could greatly affect the accuracy of predicting aircraft noise pollution. The standard modeling method assumes a ground cover impedance of 225 Kpa*s/m2, which …


The Effect Of Ms2 Bacteriophage On The Activity And Performance Of Activated Sludge, Sean M. Stuntz Mar 2018

The Effect Of Ms2 Bacteriophage On The Activity And Performance Of Activated Sludge, Sean M. Stuntz

Theses and Dissertations

As a medical waste product, the MS2 bacteriophage has been discharged into wastewater distribution and treatment networks. To categorize its impact to suspended growth treatment methods, this research investigated the effect of the MS2 bacteriophage on activated sludge through a series of respirometry tests. The effects of MS2 bacteriophage at a concentration of 3.2x108 PFU/mL were assessed by determining peak O2 consumption, cumulative O2 consumption, molar CO2/O2 ratios, and shape factors. None of the MS2 samples caused statistically significant effects on the peak or cumulative O2 consumption. The molar CO2/O2 …


Occupational Noise Dose Reduction Via Behavior Modification Using In-Ear Dosimetry Among Usaf Personnel Exposed To Continuous Impulse Noise, Jesse A. Trawick Mar 2018

Occupational Noise Dose Reduction Via Behavior Modification Using In-Ear Dosimetry Among Usaf Personnel Exposed To Continuous Impulse Noise, Jesse A. Trawick

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate the use of in-ear noise dosimetry and worker feedback to reduce noise exposures among combat arms instructors and heavy equipment operators in the Air Force. Specifically, this thesis sought to determine how effectively hearing protection devices (HPDs) are being utilized currently, and whether providing at-ear noise exposure data to workers results in reduced noise exposures or changes in worker attitude. These questions were addressed by performing a six-month field study using dosimeters to record worker noise exposures under HPDs. Subjects served as their own control, receiving feedback in only the latter half …


Analysis Of Cross-Cultural Training Provided To United States Air Force Civil Engineer Officers, And How Engineering Efforts Are Affected On Overseas Air Force Installations: A Delphi Study, Bianca E. Boney Feb 2018

Analysis Of Cross-Cultural Training Provided To United States Air Force Civil Engineer Officers, And How Engineering Efforts Are Affected On Overseas Air Force Installations: A Delphi Study, Bianca E. Boney

Theses and Dissertations

U.S. military personnel perform a wide array of roles and missions at locations all over the world. As such, this research investigates and describes the current process of cultural training, its adequacy, and examines how cultural differences and collaboration efforts may impede or enhance project management and engineering efforts. This qualitative analysis is conducted through a Delphi study of U.S. Air Force officers consisting of 15 subject matter experts (SMEs) with experiences from 13 different countries. All reported to have daily to weekly interactions with locals and foreign partners due to job requirements; however, no set standard of cultural training …