Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

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 …

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 …

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

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

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

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

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 …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Behavior Of Filament Winding Fiber Reinforced Polymer Structural Members, Mohamed Soliman Samy Aguib

Archived Theses and Dissertations

Fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) composites are being considered for structural members in construction as lighter, more durable alternatives to steel and concrete. Unlike steel and similar isotropic materials where mechanical properties are independent of the applied load directions composites are anisotropic materials by nature. Pultredud FRP structural members that are considered unidirectional members are subjected to premature failure due to discontinuity of fiber in the transverse and through the thickness of the members in a shape of delamination failure. Proposed box-section structural member by utilizing filament-winding process using· woven roving mats instead of roving strands to reorganize the fibers in produced …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

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 …

Addressing The Challenges That Are Emerging In The Continued Increase In Ppp Use In The Republic Of Ireland, Louis Gunnigan, David Eaton

Conference papers

The Irish Government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme of pilot projects is now reaching its conclusion and PPP has become established as a key element in the strategy for provision of public sector facilities. Compiled through a literature review as part of a PhD level research project, this paper examines organisational culture differences between the public and private sectors and assesses the potential affect of these differences on the future development of the Irish PPP programme. By relating organisational culture differences to the emerging challenges relating to risk, value and innovation, it is evident that the lack of a partnering environment …

A Critical Appraisal Of The Roles Of Public Sector Employees In The Provision Of Educational Buildings Under A Public Private Partnership (Ppp) In The Republic Of Ireland, Louis Gunnigan, David Eaton

Conference papers

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) has now become established as a key element in the Irish Government’s strategy in the provision of school buildings. Specific guidelines have been implemented to define the public sector role in a PPP in Ireland and these guidelines represent a significant change in role from those in the traditional schools procurement process. Through a literature review, this paper maps the PPP process and establishes the new tasks that public sector employees must carry out in the adoption of PPP. The new knowledge, skills and competence (KSC) required to carry out these tasks are noted. Whilst existing literature …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

A Hybrid Course In Fundamentals Of Building Construction Using Combination Archived Video And Live Session Distance Learning, Vernon W. Lewis Jr., Carol L. Considine, June Ritchie

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

A course in the Fundamentals of Building Construction has been a curricular requirement of the Civil Engineering Technology Program (CET) since its inception. This course was taught traditionally as an on-campus class. Over the last ten years, the CET program has expanded to contain an extensive distance learning component, with at least half of the enrollment located off campus. The model for the typical distance-learning class is to meet for three hours, once a week, with a fully interactive (voice) live class. In consideration of the demand of a growing distance learning system, it was decided to restructure this class …

A Critical Appraisal Of The Roles Of Public Sector Employees In The Provision Of Educational Buildings Under A Public Private Partnership (Ppp) In The Republic Of Ireland, Louis Gunnigan, David Eaton

Conference papers

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) has now become established as a key element in the Irish Government’s strategy in the provision of school buildings. Specific guidelines have been implemented to define the public sector role in a PPP in Ireland and these guidelines represent a significant change in role from those in the traditional schools procurement process. Through a literature review, this paper maps the PPP process and establishes the new tasks that public sector employees must carry out in the adoption of PPP. The new knowledge, skills and competence (KSC) required to carry out these tasks are noted. Whilst existing literature …

Ultra Large Container Ships : Technical Implications And Solutions For The Design Of The Vessels And Port Terminal Facilities, Evangelos Fragkoulis

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Mechanical Properties Of Recycled Aggregate Concrete, Sajjad Ali Khan

Masters Theses

The maintenance and repair work in the civil engineering infrastructures develops the production of huge wastes which causes the growth of waste piles, additional costs in construction projects and some environmental problems. If this waste is recycled and used again in construction projects, it will help to overcome the problems discussed earlier. Moreover, if natural aggregates are supplemented by recycled aggregate, it will preserve the natural resources and also put a pause in the deterioration of natural landscape.

This thesis addresses the importance of using recycled aggregate in concrete structures. Its practical feasibility in construction projects is studied in light …

Evaluation Of Mechanical Properties Of Self-Consolidating Concrete, Bhusan Basnet

Masters Theses

The concept of Self-Consolidating Concrete is a fresh and rapidly ramping technology in USA, but in some other continents such as Japan and Europe it is in fully fledged stage. The development of this technology has a high potential to economize construction minimizing labor, scheduled time and equipment eliminating consolidation process. In USA, construction professionals are reluctant to its in-effect application because of lack of deliberate and methodological steps for production and applications. The lack of study of its durability characteristics and confusion in design and production process are seems to be vital factors hindering full scale production and application …

Resilient And Residual Properties Of Asphalt Concrete: Superpave And Conventional Mix Design, Tamer Mohamed Breakah

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of Employee Satisfaction And Employee Empowerment Specific To On-Site Supervisors In The Residential Construction Industry, David Lars Halvorsen

Theses and Dissertations

Employee satisfaction and empowerment are vital elements to businesses in most industries. The construction industry has various types of employees, ranging from managers and executives to on-site supervisors and laborers. This study was conducted to obtain a greater understanding about the elements and levels of satisfaction and empowerment of on-site supervisors in the residential construction industry. An on-site supervisor in the residential construction industry is responsible for coordinating and managing employees, materials, equipment, budgets, schedules, contracts, and the safety of employees and the general public. They are also the employees most frequently perceived as accountable for the success or failure …

A Gasless Method Of Spraying Thermoplastic Resin, Dan T. Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

This spraying method for thermoplastic resins is a new manufacturing process for applying thermoplastics to a mold or surface in an efficient way that has the potential of reducing cycle time. Spraying thermoplastic resins is similar to spraying other polymers, such as paint, with the differences being higher pressure and temperature. This method uses an injection molding machine with a modified nozzle to spray the plastic material. In this study, temperature, pressure, and nozzle size were factors that influenced the success of this spraying method. The method of spraying in this study proved spraying without a gas is possible, a …

Development Of Commercial Applications For Recycled Plastics Using Finite Element Analysis, Nanjunda Narasimhamurthy

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the suitability of thermo-kinetically recycled plastics for use in commercial product applications using finite element analysis and statistics. Different recycled material blends were tested and evaluated for their use in commercial product applications. There are six different blends of thermo-kinetically recycled plastics used for testing and CATIA is used for finite element analysis. The different types of thermo-kinetically recycled plastics blends are: pop bottles made of PolyethyleneTeraphthalate (PET), milk jugs made of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Vinyl seats made of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) and small amount of Polypropylene (PP) and Urethane, electronic scrap made of engineering resins …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Cm Facilities Update, Construction Management Department

Construction Management

No abstract provided.

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Assessing Construction Management Higher Education Strategies: Increased Demand, Limited Resources, And Over-Enrollment, Kristen Lea Wynn

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to see how Baccalaureate Construction Management Programs accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) were managing increased enrollments within their programs. The review of literature identified related topics, comparable studies, and relevant issues surrounding over-enrollment. Forty-nine of the 53 accredited ACCE programs responded to the survey instrument. Over two-thirds of the respondents stated that they were either approaching, or were at the limits of enrollment capacities. Most of the respondents listed limited enrollment, the use of adjunct faculty, and funding from industry as leading strategies for managing or obtaining resources. Because CM …

Alkali Silica Reaction In Virgin And Recycled Aggregates: State Of The Art And Experimental Investigation Using Astm C 1260 And The Staining Method, Shadi Sami Bajjali

Masters Theses

Alkali silica reaction (ASR) is one of the most prevalent causes of concrete deterioration worldwide. A study done in 1995 showing the impact of ASR on structures stated that 104 concrete dams and spillways, massive concrete structures, have been damaged by alkali silica reaction up to date. Since its discovery by Stanton (1940), there has been significant research on ASR, and major advances have been made in understanding the mechanism underlying ASR-induced expansion and in developing methods of preventing ASR in new and existing concrete through proper measures including proper materials selection and mixture proportioning.

This thesis summarizes the findings …