Good building design can provide a myriad of benefits. There is ample evidence suggesting an association between design attributes and various outcomes for users and other stakeholders of built environments. Despite is importance, design quality is found to be overlooked in building projects in favour of other objectives such as time and cost. Recent initiatives have attempted to highlight the value of design quality, however, their focus have been mainly on post project completion and building evaluation. ‘How’ design quality - with its complex nature –is achieved during the projects has seen little empirical attempt. The research in this thesis, therefore, aimed to improve the understanding of design quality achievement in building projects by exploring the critical success factors (CSFs) and stakeholder attributes. A multi-phase, mixed methods approach was developed to fulfil this aim. In the first phase, the theory and methods offered in ‘project success’ and ‘stakeholder management’ assisted in devising a developmental process to a) identify, validate and evaluate the CSFs, and to b) explore stakeholder attributes using three major analysis models. A preliminary interview study, then, explored the viewpoints of 11 architects on the topic and verified the research aim and directions. A matrix-based model was also used to map the bi-directionality between design quality and its stakeholders. The second phase, consisting of a qualitative study followed by a quantitative one, first identified 36 potential CSFs from the perspective of 10 experts and then validated 28 of them through a questionnaire survey of 129 individuals with architecture and client backgrounds. ‘Brief’, ‘communications’ and ‘leadership’ were revealed as the most important CSFs. Using principal Component Analysis to assess the interrelationships between the CSFs in 126 building projects extracted 7 components that could meaningfully represent the CSFs. Moreover, Regression Analysis was employed to establish the causal relationship between these components and the design quality success criteria of functionality, build quality and impact. It was found that the components collectively contribute to the achievement of design quality in real projects but differently to each of its success criteria. Also, by applying the second stakeholder model, it was found that clients and architects had the highest level of power, proximity and urgency with regard to design quality decisions while users and facility managers were low in these attributes. In phase 3, Social Network Analysis was used to model and visualise the stakeholder relationships with regard to design quality in a case project (third stakeholder model). 21 members of the stakeholder groups were approached and their involvement, influence and communication effectiveness were assessed. Apart from the evolving understanding obtained through the above process, the research contributed by developing conceptual frameworks for a) design quality CSFs, b) design quality related stakeholder relationships, and c) success criteria of building projects. Moreover, for the first time, the dynamism of stakeholder communications in a construction project was visualised for different stages. Based on the knowledge emerged, the research also proposed a holistic evaluation of design quality achievement to enhance the current DQI tool.

Cement bonded wood-wool as external walls have been used around the world since the 1980s. They can have different appearances, wood-wool slabs connected to each other into larger wall elements that are raised between concrete columns and beams. Another type is hollow wood-wool blocks that are stacked on each other and filled with concrete to make an external wall. In 2004 a new building system was launched in Sweden, large prefabricated wall elements of wood-wool. They are connected to each other with concrete columns and beams integrated in the elements to make an external wall. This report is looking into if the concrete beams and columns for the building system are needed. In the report three different tests were made to get the mechanical properties of the prefabricated wood-wool elements. Results showed that there was a large different in the density between the wall elements and it also showed that the modulus of rupture varied between 0.248-0.449 MPa on three identical wall elements. The characteristic modulus of rupture was three times higher than documented in previous reports of a similar wall. The conclusion of this report is that the concrete beams and columns should still be in the wall system.

No description available.

No description available.

10 Intermediate-level'o computer codes are advocated as being the most appropriate for meeting the requirements of dynamic building thermal models. Such codes may be developed via the .4 computer-generalizationA Of analytical solutions and data correlations, which are then verified using higher-level ccoputational procedures and/or experimental measurements. Two intermediate-level ccniputer codes are described: one to model the convective heat exchange at the external facades of a building (WIND-CHT program), and the other to calculate the hourly mean rates of air infiltration into buildings (FLOW program). These codes take into account most of the key parameters such as wind speed and direction, the change in shape and height of the atmospheric boundary-layer over different terrains, the relative dimensions of the building, the indoor-outdoor temperature difference and the leakage characteristics of the building. Both the WIND-CHT and FLOW programs are carpared with field experimental data, and good agreement is shown. The sensitivity of two dynamic building thermal models to the external convection and air infiltration input data are then assessed. The NBSLD (National Bureau of Standards Load Determination) 'response factor' program (1981) and the BM (British Research Establishment) 'admittance procedure' program (1984) were chosen for this purpose. The sensitivity of these models to the internal convection input data was also assessed. In this case the ROOM-CHT program, developed by Alamdari and Hammond (1982) was employed. Both models displayed a considerable variation in their results when the 'traditional' input data were replaced by the 'improved' values, although the extend of the impact of the convection and infiltration models is likely to depend on the conditions prevailing in and around the particular building being simulated.

This report explores the definitions of general- and work lighting in an indoor construction site and how the lighting affects a construction worker. This in order to clarify the controversial topic of: which purpose the ceiling lighting has, thus making the lighting plan optimal. This study was made in cooperation with Skanska Sweden AB. The main ceiling lighting-device in Skanska Sweden is a custom made LED-lamp which is the main tool that this research is based on. The main research methods are project site visits, interviews and surveys in combination with literature studies, and also practical measurements and simulations of the LED-lamps. The results of the interviews and surveys show that comprehension of the functions of the ceiling lighting varies among Skanska Sweden employees. While construction workers generally refer to work lighting when addressing ceiling lighting, the managers tend to refer to general lighting or as a tool to orientate the building. Although, how general lighting is defined, varies among the employees. With that said, the simulations reveal that a reasonable amount of a ceiling lighting will not fulfil the requirements for work lighting for all construction operations. Furthermore, our results from the interviews and surveys confirm those from previous studies; that lighting is essential for the well-being of people. A poorly illuminated workspace dulls one’s work performance and effects one’s health in both the short- and long terms. A well-lit workspace can, on the other hand, reduce the potential health and safety risks on a construction site and also ease multiple work tasks. There are currently no clear assembling routines of ceiling lighting. Therefore, to create consensus on the purpose of lighting and the health and safety prospects that come with it, this report recommends possible solutions and clarifications of the issues and misinterpretations in the matter. / När tidiga byggarbeten utförs inomhus är det vanligt att provisorisk belysning används, dels för att kunna se omgivningen och dels för att kunna arbeta. Skanska Sverige AB uppmanar byggprojekt till att använda taklampor i form av belysningsbojar. Funktionen av den här typen av belysning har på flera projekt varit en kontroversiell fråga där somliga anser att den ska fungera att arbeta i och andra ser det som en orienterande belysning. Det finns inte heller några tydliga riktvärden på vilken ljusstyrka som behövs på en byggarbetsplats.Undersökningen syftar till att dels förtydliga begreppen allmän- och arbetsbelysning inomhus vid byggarbetsplatser och dels utreda belysningens påverkan på yrkesarbetaren. Med hänsyn till detta och lagkrav ska takbelysningens tänkta funktion i byggarbetsplatsens inomhusmiljö utredas. Målsättningen är att skapa en enhetlig syn på belysning inom byggföretaget och underlätta planeringen av den. Utredningen genomförs med en grundläggande litteraturstudie, intervju- och enkätstudier där tjänstemän och yrkesarbetare tillfrågas, platsbesök samt mätningar och simuleringar. Resultaten visar att det finns en varierande uppfattning kring definitionen av allmän- respektive arbetsbelysning. Generellt har yrkesarbetare och tjänstemän olika syn på takbelysningens funktion. Majoriteten av yrkesarbetarna förväntar sig kunna arbeta i takbelysning medan de flesta tjänstemän anser att huvudsyftet är framkomlighet. Vid simuleringar visar sig däremot att den takbelysning som idag används vid Skanskas byggarbetsplatser inte är tillräcklig för att tillgodose kraven på ljusstyrka för alla typer av arbetsmoment som sker på en byggarbetsplats. Resultat från intervjuer och enkäter bekräftar resultat från tidigare utförda studier; att ljusnivån har betydande inverkan på människan både psykiskt och fysiskt. En dåligt belyst arbetsplats påverkar arbetarens förmåga att i stunden utföra arbetsuppgifter men har även långvariga effekter på hälsan. Vidare kan en bra takbelysning kombinerat med riktad arbetsbelysning minska arbetsmiljörisker och underlätta arbetet. Idag finns inga specifika rutiner för planering och utformning av takbelysning även om många tjänstemän utgår från liknande underlag. För att skapa en samsyn kring funktionen och upplysa om arbetsmiljörisker kring belysning ges slutligen rekommendationer som kan tydliggöra funktionen och underlätta utformningen av provisorisk takbelysning.

The primary objective of this research study was to observe the changes in the physical properties of cement coated secondary aggregates, namely surface roughness and angle of internal friction and how these properties are related to the performance of Open Graded Friction Course asphalt mixtures, OGFC made from these materials under laboratory Uniaxial, deformation and rutting testing simulating the traffic loading and temperature of the materials in service. The secondary aggregates, namely Croxden natural gravel aggregates, which is rejected by road engineers for use in road surfacing was upgraded with a specifically designed cement coating. Asphalt mixtures mechanical properties in terms of stiffness modulus, deformations and rutting were determined and analyzed using state-of-the-art laboratory test equipment and supported by technical literature from different information and resources. Three aggregate types were considered in this study; Arcow rock crushed aggregates( as a control aggregate), Croxden aggregate (as a secondary or low quality aggregates) and cement coated Croxden aggregate (as an upgraded material). One aggregate gradation was designed for all mixture types and the adopted aggregate gradation had a nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) of 14mm. Two binder types were selected, 100/150 pen binder and 40/60 pen binder to represent the soft and hard binders respectively that are commonly used by road engineers. This research also documents a survey of literature review that led to the design of a novel machine that is eagerly needed by the pavement industry to boost the knowledge and understanding of real tyre-road interaction. Computer software, SOLIDWORKS, was used to create a 3-dimentional model of the machine that was jointly named by the Highway Agency and Tarmac ltd., as Low Cost Asphalt Tasting Equipment (LoCATE). The machine was designed for use and for the first time to investigate the performance of the said mixtures under real traffic loading and environmental conditions and to correlate its results with those obtained using Repeated Load Indirect Tensile Test (RLIT) and Repeated Load Axial Test (RLAT), which were carried out at 10°C, 20°C, 30°C and 45°C. At an advanced stage of this research work and when the cost of fabricating LoCATE was found impossible to be met by LJMU, wheel tracking tests were done on the materials studied as a replacement of LoCATE and this part of the research program was achieved at Wolverhampton's bituminous testing laboratories in collaboration with Tarmac Ltd. In general, the results of this research investigation indicate that the introduction of cement coated aggregates to OGFC led to an outstanding improvement in the chemical properties of the coated natural aggregates and the stiffness and deformation properties/resistance of the road mixtures containing them. This was in comparison with that made from the uncoated aggregates in all the tests that have been carried out within this research study. Also, the effects of elevated temperature were investigated and it was found to have significant influence on the engineering properties, Indirect Tensile Stiffness Moduli (ITSM) and permanent deformation/rutting characteristic of the mixtures were also investigated. Outstanding new results were achieved, using LJMU cement coating paste for coating the waste natural aggregate and as thus this will hopefully eliminate the restriction imposed by road engineers on the use of natural gravel aggregates in road pavement surfacing layers. This is an outstanding knowledge extension in this field and marks a starting point for more research in this ever growing industry i. e. the use of waste and recycled aggregates in construction industry.

No description available.

This research constructs and tests a model of the organisation of building projects for maximum benefit to clients. The model is developed from systems theory, independently of conventional organisational assumptions. It is based upon the premise that the process to be managed must be identified before organisational structures can be designed and it recognises the influence of environmental forces upon projects. The model proposes that the process of building provision consists of sub-systems created by decision points and identifies the interdependency and hence the differentiation within and between the subsystems. The major propositions of the model are that; a) there should be a match of differentiation and integrative effort, b) the operating and managing systems should be differentiated, c) the managing system itself should be undifferentiated and, d) the client and process of building provision should be integrated. The model was tested against three commercial buildings for private clients. Data is presented from interviews and other sources and is interpreted using Linear Responsibility Analysis, which was adapted and developed in this research. The testing method examines the overall compatibility of the model and the test projects, and also identifies the causes of deficiencies in the outcomes of the projects and whether they can be explained by divergence of the projects from the model. The model was found to be valid for the type of project used in the tests. It provides a theoretical framework against which the effectiveness of organisation structures for the management of building projects can be predicted and which can be used for the design of such structures. It is suggested that Linear Responsibility Analysis provides a useful tool for organisation analysis and design. Finally, implications of the results for the organisation of building projects in practice are discussed.

This work addresses the use of an electromagnetic wave sensor to determine moisture content within building fabrics. Building materials that require a special mixing ratio such as concrete, mortar and membrane layers will be subject to significant effects when exposed to unpredictable weather changes owing to the excess of the acceptable moisture content. The acceptable moisture content level varies with various building fabrics and exceeding this level will affect the overall performance of building constructions. The project proposes using a novel electromagnetic (EM) sensor to monitor, in a non-destructive manner, the signal reflected from building structures in real time to determine exceeded moisture content level. This project involves the design and construction of an EM sensor operating at two frequency ranges: 2GHz to 6GHz and 6GHz to 12GHz at a power of 0dBm. This research is a new approach for monitoring moisture in buildings which has not been investigated before. The simulation software High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) was used to model the microwave sensor. The pyramidal horn antenna was chosen as the preferred antenna for this work owing to higher gain, directivity and overall performance. Different building materials and structures have been made in a laboratory environment to determine the levels of moisture content, as well as to determine the modes of building fabrics failures owing to membrane failure, a pipe burst and ground source. Finally, a graphical user interface was developed and used to control the sensor parameters as well as frequency sweep, to capture the data from the sensor. Based on the findings of this project, the EM wave sensor could be used to determine the moisture content of building fabrics in a non-destructive manner.