Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.'s) require state agencies to procure construction contracts using the design-bid-build project delivery system, unless special legislation is enacted to allow the use of alternative methods. Considering the wide range of alternative delivery methods for construction contracts, this thesis focuses on design-build on public projects. Even though Massachusetts laws do not expressly prohibit design-build, they do preclude its use indirectly by requiring the separation of design and construction services, and by requiring that construction contracts be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder only after the project is fully designed. The objectives of this study are to specifically examine the reasons behind the legislature unwillingness to allow design-build as a conventional project delivery method; and to determine the likelihood that design-build will become a conventional delivery system in Massachusetts in the future. For this purpose, several academic research papers, case studies and industry reports have been reviewed. As well, pertinent sections of the M.G.L.'s and other references have been examined. Personal interviews were conducted with key representatives of the public and private sectors, who provided valuable input regarding design-build on public projects. The analysis of the information collected reveals that three principal areas seem to hinder any successful attempts to enact a legislation making design-build a conventional delivery method. These areas can be summarized as (1) loss of opportunities for the design and construction community, (2) technical and management issues at the public sector level, and (3) nature of the political environment in Massachusetts. Due to the unpredictable political environment, and the competing interests within the private sector, within the public sector, and between the private and public sectors, it is highly unlikely that design-build will become a conventional delivery method for public projects in the near future. The report concludes with recommendations to increase the likelihood of design-build to become a conventional project delivery method, considering the issues denoted above.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2014-09-22T21:00:54Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação EMANOELLE PEREIRA DA SILVA.pdf: 6638194 bytes, checksum: d7aa7d2837e9a72171e815ff0dcd4137 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-09-23T15:26:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação EMANOELLE PEREIRA DA SILVA.pdf: 6638194 bytes, checksum: d7aa7d2837e9a72171e815ff0dcd4137 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-23T15:26:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação EMANOELLE PEREIRA DA SILVA.pdf: 6638194 bytes, checksum: d7aa7d2837e9a72171e815ff0dcd4137 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work aimed to quantify the build-up and wash-off pollutants in urban asphalt surfaces, mainly metals and solids, correlating the pollutant load with dry days, traffic load and rainfall intensity. The relationship between metals and particle size has been also evaluated. To do this, three streets with different traffic load as study area in Goiânia City were selected. The sediments samples were collected in six plots of 0,5 m² located in the central track of the streets during 14 days, collecting samples on 1°, 2°, 3°, 5°, 7° e 14° dry days by the vacuuming and sweeping method. For water sampling two rainfall intensities were selected to be simulated, through a simulated rainfall over an area of 3m², being on low and other high intensity, respectively 25 mm/h and 115 mm/h both with 15 minutes duration. Were simulated three events on the same experimental plot in witch study area and collected 5 water samples during witch rainfall event, which were analyzed by concentration of suspend and dissolved solids, DQO, conductivity and the metals copper, chromium, lead, cadmium, zinc, iron and manganese, determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The results showed that build-up has a strong direct relationship with dray days and an inverse relationship with traffic load. For metals in sediments was verified that the higher concentrations are on particles < 63μm, and follow in general the concentration order Fe > Mn > Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd > Cr. The runoff water quality was observed that all the parameters analyzed, except chromium, were detected on selected study areas. The influence of rainfall intensity on wash-off pollutants was observed that this has fundamental importance, so that higher intensity wash-off a higher mass of solids and metals. / O presente trabalho teve por objetivo quantificar o acúmulo e carreamento de poluentes em superfícies asfálticas urbanas, principalmente de metais e sólidos, correlacionando-os com o número de dias secos antecedentes, fluxo de veículos e intensidade da chuva. Avaliou-se também a relação entre os metais e a granulometria das partículas. Para tal, foram selecionadas três ruas com diferentes tráfegos de veículos como área de estudo na cidade de Goiânia. As amostras de sedimento foram coletadas em seis parcelas de 0,5 m², localizadas na faixa central das ruas durante 14 dias, sendo coletadas amostras no 1°, 2°, 3°, 5°, 7° e 14° dia seco pelo método de aspiração e escovação. Para a coleta de água foram selecionadas duas intensidades de chuva a serem simuladas, por meio de um simulador de chuvas sobre uma área de 3 m², sendo uma de baixa e uma alta, respectivamente 25 mm/h e 115 mm/h ambas com duração de 15 minutos. Foram simulados três eventos em uma mesma parcela experimental em cada área de estudo e coletadas 5 amostras de água durante cada evento de chuva, as quais foram analisadas quanto às concentrações de sólidos suspensos e dissolvidos, DQO, condutividade, e os metais cobre, cromo, chumbo, cádmio, zinco, ferro e manganês, determinados por Espectrofotometria de Absorção Atômica. Os resultados mostram que o acúmulo de sedimentos tem uma relação direta com os dias secos antecedentes e uma relação inversa com o fluxo de veículos. Para os metais no sedimento, verificou-se que as maiores concentrações estão preferencialmente nas partículas < 63 μm, e que seguem em geral a ordem de concentração Fe > Mn > Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd > Cr. Da qualidade da água escoada, observou-se que todos os parâmetros analisados, exceto o cromo, foram detectados na água das três áreas de estudo. Da influência da chuva no carreamento de poluentes, observou-se que esta tem importância fundamental, de forma que quanto maior a intensidade maior a massa carreada de sólidos e metais.

abstract: The water and wastewater industry in the United States is in dire need of renovation due to dwindling infrastructure and requires substantial reinvestment. Design-bid-build (DBB) is the traditional method of project delivery most widely applied in this industry. However, alternative project delivery methods (APDM) are on the rise and touting the benefits of reduced project schedule and cost. The main purpose of this study is to conduct a qualitative and quantitative performance evaluation to assess the current impact of APDM in the water and wastewater industry. A national survey was conducted targeting completed water and wastewater treatment plant projects. Responses were obtained from 75 utilities and constructors that either completed their projects using DBB, construction manager at risk (CMAR), or design-build (DB). Data analysis revealed that CMAR and DB statistically outperformed DBB in terms of project speed and intensity. Performance metrics such as cost growth, schedule growth, unit cost, factors influencing project delivery method selection, scope changes, warranty and latent defects, and several others are also evaluated. The main contribution of this study was that it was able to show that for the same project cost, water and wastewater treatment plants could be delivered under a faster schedule and with higher quality through the utilization of APDM. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Construction Management 2018

Positive psychological capital (PsyCap), a second-order construct formed from optimism, hope, resilience, and self-efficacy, has predicted the performance and psychological well-being of a variety of full-time workers, and mediators of the relationships between PsyCap and performance and psychological well-being have rarely been examined. Using self-determination theory, broaden-and-build theory, and the conceptual framework of positive psychology, this study was an exploration of (a) the relationships among PsyCap, (b) basic psychological need satisfaction (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness), and (c) psychological well-being and performance using a sample of 103 working actors and stunt people. A serial mediation model was proposed whereby PsyCap predicted performance through need satisfaction and psychological well-being. Statistically significant bivariate correlations were found among PsyCap, autonomy, competence, relatedness, psychological well-being, and performance. Multiple regression analyses yielded indirect effects tested for statistical significance using bias-corrected bootstrapping. Results showed a total indirect effect of PsyCap on psychological well-being through need satisfaction and a specific indirect effect of PsyCap on psychological well-being through relatedness. Results showed no total indirect effect for PsyCap on performance through need satisfaction but did show a specific indirect effect of PsyCap on performance through relatedness. No statistically significant indirect effects of autonomy, competence, and relatedness on performance through psychological well-being were found. Theoretical and practical implications for future researchers, independent workers, and organizations supporting independent workers are discussed.

Servant leadership (SL), a universal, ethical leadership style, consistently produces high performance and employee engagement. For the last two decades, lack of business ethics in decision making by senior leaders has resulted in many negative outcomes, such as the WorldCom scandal. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to identify and report the lived experiences of senior leaders in relation to decision making in SL organizations in the southwestern United States. The study's theoretical/conceptual foundations encompassed Maslow's motivation theories, decision theory, spirituality, spiritual intelligence, Cicero's virtue theory of ethics, and Greenleaf's SL. Data collection involved the use of semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of 18 participants who were senior leaders of SL organizations. Data analysis employed Giorgi's method whereby phenomenological reduction revealed meaning units, and psychological reduction reached descriptive psychological structures of experiences by hand coding and integrative data analysis software. Findings confirmed senior leaders' ethical decision making in SL organizations. Recommendations include addressing ethical decision making in team leadership at the board and operational levels and examining the interrelation of CEO ethical leadership and firm performance. Conclusions reached confirm a prevailing structure of experiences as collaborative, interdependent, egalitarian teamwork, a family metaphor. Application of the findings of this study may result in positive social change by fostering a more ethical, kinder capitalism in everyday life and in building community with more servant leaders and SL organizations.

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) offers rational and fast casting process since it merely has to be poured, or pumped, into the formwork without any compaction work needed. But this can be at the cost of high form pressure. However, reported results show that SCC can act thixotropically, i.e., build up a structure at rest, and this can reduce the form pressure considerably. Thus, in order to utilise the favourable possibilities to increase effectiveness without risking form collapses, the need arises for deeper and broader understanding of the mechanisms behind this thixotropic behaviour. Methodologies have been developed for the characterisation and measurement of the structural build-up at rest, both for the fluid (micro mortar) phase and the concrete itself. Hypotheses state that thixotropic mechanisms originate within the colloidal domain and, thus, motivate studies on the fluid phase comprising this domain. The stress-strain methodology is based on the hypothesis stating that the magnitude of the structure is represented by the maximum elastic stress the fresh material can withstand before the structure breaks. An instrumented steel tube is used to simulate various casting heights and rates. Results show that both micro mortar and SCC are thixotropic and this behaviour is influenced by every measure taken influencing the interparticle colloidal forces. The time-dependent structural build-up of SCC is a function of an irreversible structure (slump-loss) and a reversible, thixotropic structure. There is apparently a threshold value of the structural build-up necessary to reach before obtaining any significant form pressure reduction. Housing SCC´s, with W/C = 0.58, show low degree of structural build-up and pressure decrease while civil engineering SCC´s can show the opposite, but this often at the cost of slump-loss. Recommendations are presented and for the nearest future, suggesting a conservatism regarding design of formwork systems when SCC is used. If the behaviour of a SCC is known it should be used to optimise the formwork. If not, calculating with hydrostatic pressure should be done or the knowledge missing should be gained by using this methodology. A third option is given and this is to monitor the form pressure in real time using sensors. / QC 20100812

Project planning in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry at present relies heavily on individual skills, experience and improvisation. In an attempt to increase predictability and efficiency, and to improve knowledge retention across projects, this thesis proposes a more systematic approach to project planning. It does so by introducing the notion of a meta-process model that embodies and cultivates the logic and intelligence of incremental and collaborative planning activities in a given domain. Planning tasks are encoded and enforced as a set of structured dialogues between project partners. To make this possible, a taxonomy extension to current workflow modeling technology is introduced. The concept of the chosen approach can thus be classified as process mediation through structured dialogues. It is applied to the particular example case of Design-Build project delivery for which a detailed workflow model was created. This model serves as a partial instantiation of the larger Project Management Body Of Knowledge, an abstract framework put forward by the US Project Management Institute. A prototype system architecture is devised as an extension to an existing collaborative virtual environment developed in the European e-HUBs research project. This experimental Web-based platform supports the enactment of workflows that are expressed in the standardized syntax of the neutral process definition language XPDL. The functional richness of the structured dialogue extensions is demonstrated through a dialogue management prototype developed as a separate MS Access database application.

Rapid Prototyping (RP) is the process of building three-dimensional objects, in layers, using additive manufacturing. Rapid Manufacturing (RM) is the use of RP technologies to manufacture end-use, or finished, products. At small lot sizes, such as with customized products, traditional manufacturing technologies become infeasible due to the high costs of tooling and setup. RM offers the opportunity to produce these customized products economically. Coupled with the customization opportunities afforded by RM is a certain degree of uncertainty. This uncertainty is mainly attributed to the lack of information known about what the customers specific requirements and preferences are at the time of production. In this thesis, the author presents an overall method for selection of a RM technology, as an investment decision, under the geometric uncertainty inherent to mass customization. Specifically, the author defines the types of uncertainty inherent to RM (epistemic), proposes a method to account for this uncertainty in a selection process (interval analysis), and proposes a method to select a technology under uncertainty (Decision Theory under strict uncertainty). The author illustrates the method with examples on the selection of an RM technology to produce custom caster wheels and custom hearing aid shells. In addition to the selection methodology, the author also develops universal build time and part cost models for the RM technologies. These models are universal in the sense that they depend explicitly on the parameters that characterize each technology and the overall part characteristics.

Denna rapport ingår i ett examensarbete på avancerad nivå inom ämnet produktutveckling.Arbetet innefattar en fallstudie som genomförts vid RTGA, Scania CV AB i Södertälje.Examensarbetet omfattar 30 högskolepoäng och har genomförts av undertecknad,teknologstudent från Mälardalens Högskola vårterminen 2015. Rapporten har upprättats i tvåversioner, en för Scania CV AB respektive en generell version där känslig företagsspecifikinformation har censurerats. I takt med att utvecklingen av motorprestanda fortskrider, med avseende på ökademotoreffekter samt teknikutveckling för emissionsreglering, så ökar också kravet på prestandaför kylsystem som måste klara av att kyla bort högre effekter. Fordonskombinationer medkraftfulla laddluftkylare löper dock stor risk att drabbas av utfälld kondens som fryser till is iladdluftkylaren vid låga omgivningstemperaturer. Isen medför ett tryckfall i laddluftkylarenmed prestandabortfall som följd. Scanias lösning till problematiken är en så kallad kylargardinsom syftar till att reducera kylluftflödet genom laddluftkylaren till den mån att isbildning intesker. Kylargardinen monteras manuellt av föraren framför kylarpaketet dåomgivningstemperaturen understiger 5 °C. Det finns även andra fördelar med att begränsa det yttre kylluftflödet som passerar genomkylarpaketet. Lastbilars kylsystem är i regel överdimensionerade för normala driftfall såsommotorvägskörning vilket betyder att maximal kylning inte krävs vid dessa situationer. Genomatt reducera det yttre kylluftflödet genom kylarpaketet så kan även hela fordonets totalaluftmotstånd reduceras vilket kan utnyttjas i syfte att reducera bränsleförbrukningen. För att erhålla en bra balansgång mellan aerodynamik och kylprestanda samt motverkaproblemet med isbildning i laddluftkylaren fanns därför en önskan om att en reglerbarkylartäckning skulle utvecklas för att kunna reglera kylluftflödet genom fordonets kylarpaketvid behov. Detta arbete innefattar en fallstudie där olika produktutvecklingsverktyg använts för att ta framolika konceptlösningar, anpassade för en specifik lastbil. Datorstödda flödessimuleringarutnyttjas för att utvärdera respektive verifiera konceptens funktion jämfört med olika referensmodeller. Resultatet visar bland annat att det slutgiltiga konceptets funktionsduglighet överensstämmermed den lösning som används idag samt att kylluftflödet inte påverkas nämnvärt då maximalkylkapacitet eftersträvas. Resultatet från den aerodynamiska flödessimuleringen indikerar ävenatt fordonets totala luftmotstånd kan reduceras med - Drag Counts (DC) vid hastigheten90 km/h och 0° vindriktning. Detta medför att bränsleförbrukningen i det specifika driftfallet,enligt tumregel, antas reduceras med - % för det specifika fordonet. / This report is part of a Master thesis project in the subject of Product Development. The workincludes a case study which was carried out at RTGA, Scania CV AB in Södertälje. The workcomprises 30 credits and was conducted by a student from Mälardalen University during thespring semester 2015. The report has been prepared in two versions; one for Scania CV AB anda generalized version where sensitive company specific information has been censored. The development of vehicle engine performance progresses in a rapid pace. This progressinclude increased engine power and improved technical features for emission control. This alsogoes for the requirement on performance of cooling systems in heavy trucks, which has tohandle dissipation of the increased power. Vehicles with powerful charge air coolers however,runs a high risk of being affected by iced condensation in the charge air cooler at low ambienttemperatures. The ice build-up results in a pressure drop in the charge air cooler with a loss ofengine performance as a consequence. Scania's solution to the problem is a so called radiatorblind designed to reduce the cooling air flow through the charge air cooler to the extent thatice build-up does not occur. The blind is mounted manually in front of the cooler package whenthe ambient temperature is expected to be below 5 °C. There are also other advantages to limit the outer cooling air flow passing through the coolingpackage. The cooling systems in heavy trucks are usually oversized for normal operatingconditions such as highway cruising, which means that maximum cooling is not required inthese situations. By reducing the airflow through the cooler package, the vehicle's total airresistance is reduced, which can be utilized in order to reduce fuel consumption. To obtain a good balance between aerodynamics and cooling performance, and to counteractthe problem of ice build-up in the charge air cooler, there was a desire for an adjustable radiatorcoverage which would be able to regulate the airflow through the vehicle's cooling packagewhen needed. This work includes a case study in which various product development tools are used toinvestigate different concept solutions, designated for a specific truck model. Computationalfluid dynamics (CFD) are used to evaluate and validate the concept’s functionality andcomparing them to different reference models. The results reveal that the final concept functionality is consistent with the one used today, andthat the cooling air flow is not significantly affected when maximum cooling capacity is strivedfor. The results of the aerodynamic flow simulation also indicate that the vehicle's total airresistance can be reduced by - Drag Counts (DC) at the speed of 90 km/h and 0° yaw angle.This means that fuel consumption in the specific operating case, as rule of thumb, is assumedto be reduced by - % for the specific vehicle.

A common strategy in dealing with housing shortages is the provision of loans to low-income groups. Tried in many countries for a very long time, this approach has produced a common phenomenon - poor servicing of loans. Thus, an empirical study was undertaken in Namibia, using the country's Build Together Programme as a case study. The aim of the study was to understand how the livelihood circumstances of the beneficiaries might be contributing to their inability to meet their loan obligations. The BTP's beneficiaries and the housing officers at both local and national level constituted the study's respondents. Housing officers responded to questions in an interview schedule while the beneficiaries were engaged using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. All beneficiaries were purposefully identified on account of outstanding arrears on their loans. Reviewing of literature covered the challenge of urban housing and strategies used to address it at both global and national level, documentary analysis on government documents to provide information on establishment of BTP and lastly, the direct observation of the concerned sites. The study focused on BTP in Windhoek (WHK) particularly in two settlements, Katutura (a formal settlement) and Goreangab (an informal settlement). Poor servicing of loans was shown to be closely associated with the socio-economic circumstances of the beneficiaries. This suggests the importance to recognise that housing is not just about the physical structure called a house, but there are other more subtle but equally important considerations that need to be met. Issues such as reliance on wage labour and large household sizes combined in ways that placed limitations on their ability to service the loans. An important conclusion from the study is that understanding beneficiary' constraints and their livelihood strategies might be a very important step in future housing policy actions in Namibia. The study also highlighted concerns about the programme such as inadequate communication. Some recommendations are provided, prominent among them being the need to strengthen the training component so as to assist the beneficiaries with some of the issues, The study consists of two components: A and B. Component A comprises the study background, the problem statement, aim, objectives, literature review and methodology. Component B is presented as a research paper for publication purposes and complies with the requirements of the selected journal (Appendix six). For the purposes of the paper, relevant information from component A on the purpose of the study and methodology are incorporated in Component B. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.