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The overall aim of this thesis is to develop reliable methods of measuring output levels for construction plant and labour, with a view to establishing realistic output rates for concreting operations. This thesis demonstrates that most of the variability in production rates can be quickly explained, leaving relatively constant levels of output f or individual construction operations (i.e. basic operation times). The primary factors in determining output rates were found to be work rate, delays and waiting caused by poor management, and poor motivation. The latter two items accounted f or more than fifty per cent of the available working time on many sites, whereas work rate varied only slightly. This last finding may be surprising, but the results indicated that when work was being done the effort applied appeared fairly constant to the observer. However, the time spent working was largely dependent upon the level of motivation induced through the payment system. Where a combination of good direct supervision and satisfactory financial incentives were present, high levels of motivation were observed, conversely, low motivation occurred on sites where minimum day-work payments were present. Investigations into several construction trades indicate that work study techniques can be modified to meet the requirements of most construction operations, sites and companies, whether the requirements be a complex synthesis of basic operation times or the more simple determination of site efficiency. The key to this portability lies in the isolation of basic operation times via the application of site efficiency factors. In this thesis, primary work study techniques are identified and discussed. The need for specific construction work study techniques is shown to be of paramount importance. The results from over seventy concrete pours are combined and statistically analysed to produce realistic output rates arid current levels of production. Site factors are combined and statistically analysed to produce a relationship between efficiency and level of remuneration. A comparison is drawn between: the production rates achieved on several sites; and the output rates currently being used in the planning and estimating processes.

Many countries in the Third World are faced with the grave problem of providing adequate housing in sufficient quantity at a low cost in line with their economies and the resources of the people. From early ages soil has been used as a major building material for low cost dwellings and more recently, by using cement or lime as a soil stabiliser, reasonable building blocks have been produced. These blocks have been produced using a relatively low compacting pressure and have proved to be of limited satisfaction. Stabilised blocks are weak in the 'wet state' after dernoulding, and prone to damage whilst 'green'; however, after controlled curing, the undamaged blocks are generally usable. From experience it has been observed that the lime stabilised blocks deteriorate rapidly in a hot/wet climate whereas there is hardly any deterioration in a hot/dry climate. Manually operated block making machines have used a compacting pressure of around 2 MN/rn 2 and research has demonstrated that with a machine operating with a compacting pressure of 10 MN/rn2 good quality, durable stabilised soil building elements could be produced.

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The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between the use of character education programming and school health. Measuring and improving school health is a process that supports social, emotional, ethical and civic education. Hoy, Tarter, and Kottkamp define this concept as a healthy school is one in which the institutional, administrative, and teacher levels are in harmony; and the school meets functional needs as it successfully copes with disruptive external forces and directs its energies toward its mission (Hoy, Tarter & Kottkamp, 1991). <br>School climate, school culture, and school health are used synonymously in the research. They refer to the quality and character of school life. School climate is based on patterns of school life experiences and reflects norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching, learning and leadership practices, and organizational structures. It recognizes the two essential processes that research and best practices from a number of traditions (character education, school reform, social emotional learning, community schooling, pro-social education, risk prevention and health/mental health promotion) have indicated that there are two core processes that educators, parents/guardians, students and community leaders need to focus on to support students developing the skills, knowledge and dispositions that provide the foundation for school success and the ability to love, work and become an engaged and effective citizen (Cohen & Sandy, 2007). <br>A character education program entitled CHARACTER COUNTS! has been implemented in a rural elementary school located in south central Pennsylvania. Implementation included initial as well as ongoing faculty training, district financial support, administrative support and parent education. Another rural elementary building similar in size and demographics located in the same region of the state reportedly has not implemented a formal character education program. <br>This study will investigate the level of character education and school health in each of these buildings to investigate a possible correlation between character education programming and school health. / School of Education / Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program for Education Leaders (IDPEL) / EdD / Dissertation

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The use of financial incentives mechanisms (FIMs) in Australian government large nonresidential building projects is seen as a way to improve project motivation and outcomes and reinforce long-term commitment between participants. Yet very little empirical research has been conducted into how FIMs should be applied in the context of construction projects and what determines their impact on motivation. The primary aim of this research was to identify the motivation drivers impacting on the achievement of FIM goals. This allowed for the formulation of recommendations to improve Australian government building procurement strategies, creating the potential for better project outcomes. The research involved four major case studies of large construction projects. Analysis of motivation drivers on each project was based on interviews with senior project participants, secondary documentation and site visits. Once the motivation drivers were identified, they were ranked by the weighted number of motivation indicators impacted, to give an indication of their relative importance. The results provide Australian government clients with key areas for policy direction. The findings indicate that the following motivation drivers (in order of impact) were more important than FIM design in achieving FIM goals: equitable contract risk allocation and management scope for future project opportunities with the client harmonious project relationships early contractor involvement in design stages value-driven tender selection processes. A consequence of ignoring these key procurement initiatives can be a less than ideal FIM goal performance, despite the nature of FIM design, including the strength of the reward on offer. FIMs have the potential to be a valuable addition to any project procurement strategy. Yet, the main message of this thesis is: If clients rely solely on financial incentives as the driver of motivation it will likely result in failure.