This research makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the area of agile project management and augmented reality visualisation technology. It enables an understanding on how the use of the proposed, designed, and developed ARGILE framework (integration of Agile and Augmented Reality) enhances the collaboration, communication, decision-making, and visual understanding within construction projects. ARGILE changes the current process buildings are designed and built, and consequently contributes to the improvement of the construction project outcomes. This research study seeks the best way to accomplish the research aim, and develops a conceptual framework, which implements a mixed convergent parallel approach in order to discover a rich coherence of the current situation in the design and construction industry; bridges the gap among decision-making, collaboration, communication; and finally facilitates the visual understanding. Consequently, to endorse the validation of the conceptual framework, the triangulation of mixed research methods including qualitative and quantitative to collect the data will be used, followed by a rich analysis and description of the data collected, leading to the design of the ARGILE framework, and ending with two focus groups’ workshops to effectively validate the proposed design and developed ARGILE framework. The main findings of this research are: the successful combination of agile and augmented reality achieved through the development of the ARGILE framework, which contributes to improving and augmenting the decision-making, collaboration, communications, and the visual understanding throughout the design and construction stages. Moreover, the most important outcome of this work is that it enabled the practices to obtain an overview of their current state of decision-making, collaboration, and the visual understanding, assisting in fundamentally changing the current way buildings are designed and constructed. As the design and construction are completely different tasks, but normally treated as one, using ARGILE will help breaking the link by allowing the design stage to spend enough time and conduct productive tests it needs before starting the construction stage on site. ARGILE contains all necessary mechanisms built-in to enable sufficient design, collaboration, decision-making, and client integration.

Heating and cooling account nearly 60% of world total energy consumption and highly depending of conventional energy sources generated by fossils fuels. As the scarcity of oil reserves becomes the jargon issues in all part of the world today, researchers have to look into a robust investigation on finding the alternative energy to alleviate the dependency of conventional energy. Furthermore, if the phenomenon of using fossil fuel remain as the primary energy sources, it would affect adversely on the greenhouse gas emission. In 2008, The Climate Change Act by the UK Government had targeted that 34% cut in 1990 greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and, at least, an 80% cut in emissions by 2050. Therefore, to achieve this target, more low carbon technology needed to realise the future reduction of emission. Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, geothermal and such thought to become the solution to reducing the demand for conventional energy. However, their instability considered as problematic for future energy demand. Thus, a more efficient management of energy demand, coupled with efficient energy storage systems is required. The aim of this study is to develop novel Thermochemical Heat Storage system (THSS) using off-peak power and renewable sources to minimise energy demands from fossil fuels and reducing GHG emissions. Thus, this could be achieved by developed and constructed a unique adsorption heat pipe using a high energy storage density of the nanocomposite Thermochemical material. Other than that, this unique adsorption heat pipe was integrated with a heat-pump circuit for desorption process. In this study, a Novel Thermochemical Heat Storage has been theoretically model, built and tested on a lab scale and a domestic-scale prototype. The chosen Thermochemical Material (Vermiculite + CaCl2) reacting with pure water vapour operates within a closed system. Other than that, result from thermal analysis shown that Vermiculite + CaCl2 could attain higher heat storage capacity of 374 kJ/kg. The heat storage system of this work based on reversible thermochemical reactions, such as adsorption and desorption of composite Thermochemical materials which exhibits very high energy storage density (up to 364 kWh·m3 of material storage). The small scale experimental investigation has found this THSS has the maximum adsorption temperature of 45.07°C to 71.12°C with the corresponding Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 0.53 to 1.34. Another investigation on Solar Heat Solar collector (SHSC) has carried out numerically and experimentally. The numerical study predicted that the temperature lift achieved at 42°C of using 10m2 of the solar collector. Hence, this SHSC has shown the possibility of integrating the TCM (Thermochemical material) with solar thermal energy. Lastly, a domestic scale THSS has revealed that the highest temperature uplift from the adsorption process at 57°C. The economic analysis of a domestic scale THSS has shown that this system will receive payback in 7.5 years with the internal rate of return (IRR) 15.25%. Furthermore, emission analysis demonstrated that this system would reduce 34% of CO2 in 20 years of its lifespans.

This thesis describes an investigation into the phenomenon of air entrainment in vertical dropshafts conveying water from a high level to a lower level. The study initially commenced with hydraulic tests on scale models of a vortex-entry dropshaft arrangement. This subsequently expanded into a more detailed analysis of the mechanisms involved in the air entrainment, rejection and transport processes evident in the early stages of the work. An attempt has been made to define the criteria controlling these three modes of operation in air/ water systems. The physical process of initial entrapment by the plunging water film was researched extensively. The inability to accurately reproduce the bubble sizes in scale models conclusively shows that this aspect is fundamental to the understanding of the problem. A dimensional analysis of the parameters controlling the rate of entrainment in the system was undertaken in the investigations. A number of dimensionless groups were obtained to describe the relationships between the parameters involved in the process. This enables the rate of air entrainment to be predicted in any.system of dropshafts under certain flow and geometrical conditions. The downward passage of air bubbles in water (just one mode of operation in two-phase flow systems) was investigated to establish the air transport capabilities of various flows and hence the air rejection process. An empirical relationship was derived which describes the air void ratio at various discharges and hence enables many aspects of the transport of air bubbles to be studied. A series of values defining the limits of operation of the phases invovled in air entrainment were also identified, e.g. onset of air entrapment and air transport.

There is a growing concern that current levels of economic activity have outgrown the physical limits of the planet. In the face of global constraints, humanity continues to deplete nature, through resource harvesting and waste generation, faster than nature can regenerate itself. The UN World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) introduced the idea of sustainable development in 1987, with the release of Our Common Future. Sustainable development has since become a powerful and controversial theme, creating seemingly impossible goals for policy makers. Sustainable indicators can be a key mechanism for encouraging progress in the right direction by providing a measuring tool that gives a clearer understanding as to whether sustainability is being achieved. The ecological footprint has emerged as an innovative technique to measure the ecological dimension of sustainability. The research tests the ecological footprint as a tool for guiding humanity towards sustainability. The research establishes whether or not the ecological footprint provides an effective accounting framework for the biophysical services that a given society requires from nature. With Guernsey as the case study, the research investigates whether or not the ecological footprint is a comprehensive tool for local policy decision-making. Considering the methodology of the ecological footprint, its use for time series analysis and the development of scenarios does this. The ecological footprint is also tested for its ability to act as a tool to communicate the ideas of sustainability. In conclusion, while containing some limitations, the ecological footprint is a tool that can facilitate the comparison of policy choices society inevitably must face. At the local level, the ecological footprint is a valuable part of the sustainable indicator tool kit. The use of the ecological footprint as a communication tool for sustainable development is invaluable. It is an indicator that can be understood by the general public and one that links individual lifestyle choices to global environmental problems. The ecological footprint is only an empirical tool and in itself cannot change anything. It is a first step in a process of change and the political will and desire to change must be the driving force. Its great advantage over other sustainability indicators is that it is holistic and makes connections between different activities and impacts. However, the ecological footprint is based on assumptions as the ratios/equations calculated by others. In conclusion, the ecological footprint demonstrates that intelligent rationalisation of means and prudent moderation of ends is the only solution. By providing common ground, the ecological footprint builds bridges between different worldviews and amplifies the resonance between all disciplines working on sustainability.

Despite the constant improvement of project management tools and methodologies the performance of projects is decreasing. Considering the forecast that the volume of projects undertaken will roughly double by 2025 this is a considerable issue for the profession. Therefore this work focuses on the psycho-social relationships in projects, in particular organisational justice (climate) and their impact on performance in order to present an alternative approach to increase project performance and to highlight this under-researched area. Three studies were conducted for the purpose of this work: first, a questionnaire was used to explore the relationships between organisational justice (climate) and different aspects of performance, mediated through antecedents of project performance. The questionnaire produced a final sample of 194 cases and was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). Second, focus groups were administered to better understand how organisational justice (climate) effects performance. A phenomenological analysis was conducted to explore the lived experience of the participants. And third, a case study was undertaken to explain how organisational justice (climate) relates to various antecedents of project performance. The case study was analysed using propositions and pattern matching. All three studies revealed that there are significant and strong relationships between organisational justice (climate) and project performance. These relationships are complex and manifold, but it can be concluded overall that the adoption of fair principles and procedures in projects improves the project performance. Based on the triangulation of the three studies an explanatory framework was developed, which includes details on all the different aspects. In essence, this research showed that next to tools and methodologies it is important to pay attention to the psycho-social relationships in projects in order to be able to face the upcoming challenges of the profession.

The aim of this research project is to develop an improved backcalculation procedure, for the determination of flexible pavement properties from the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) test results. The conventional backcalculation methods estimate the pavement layer moduli assuming full adhesion exists between layers in the analysis process. The method developed in this research can predict the interface condition between the wearing and the base courses in addition to the layer moduli, which can be considered an improvement to the existing procedures. A two stage database procedure has been used to predict the above parameters and to facilitate the determination of the deflection insensitive parameters. The need for this improvement arises from the large number of debonding failures which have been reported in the literature between the wearing and base courses, and the theoretical studies which identified the significance of including the interface bonding condition in the analysis process. The validation of the improved method has been carried out firstly by comparing the backcalculated results for ninety theoretical pavements with their hypothetical values, and secondly by comparing the improved procedure results with other well known programs such as WESDEF and MODULUS. Full scale pavement testing using the FWD has been performed and the backcalculated results compared with measured values for the pavement materials. Indirect tensile tests for resilient modulus of bituminous materials were carried out on cores extracted for the pavements, whereas Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) tests were conducted for the unbound materials. The Backcalculated and the physically measured results correlated well, validating the improved procedure.

The retail sector is a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the UK and is one of the world’s most competitive industries. Its development in the UK has seen it expand dramatically and these changes are of particular significance in regard to retailers in traditional town and city centres. The publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in 2012 set out the government’s objectives for town centres. The key strategies from the paper were to promote their vitality and viability by planning for their growth and development as well as promoting and enhancing existing centres. The main focus of the policy however was to promote a ‘town centre first’ approach in regards to new retail development. Liverpool is one of many UK cities who have recently experienced a new inner-city retail development built alongside existing inner-city retail areas, in particular, through the building of Liverpool One. Opened in 2008, Liverpool One was built to not only offer a new retail experience in the city, alongside the established inner-city retail areas, but to also enhance the existing city centre retail areas through retail-led regeneration. The overall aim of this research is to examine the impacts that have arisen in regard to the opening of Liverpool One in particular, the impacts that this new retail development has had on the already established inner-city retail areas. A mixed methods approach was adopted; a questionnaire was developed to investigate existing retailers’ sales levels and vacancy rates and changes of occupation were measured using Goad maps. Semi-structured interviews were also carried out with existing inner-city shopping centre managers. The findings of the research suggest that the opening of Liverpool One impacted on existing retailers and shopping centres through a loss in annual sales, alterations in footfall patterns, fluctuations in vacancy rates, and changes in occupation of retail space. However, the scale of impact varied between retail areas within the city centre and the economic recession at the time of the study may have also been a contributing factor to these findings. This research informed the development of a set of recommendations to be used as a possible industry tool when incorporating a new regional inner-city shopping centre into an existing town or city centre.

The principles of organization theory are applied to the organization of construction projects. This is done by proposing a framework for modelling the whole process of building procurement. This consists of a framework for describing the environments within which construction projects take place. This is followed by the development of a series of hypotheses about the organizational structure of construction projects. Four case studies are undertaken, and the extent to which their organizational structure matches the model is compared to the level of success achieved by each project. To this end there is a systematic method for evaluating the success of building project organizations, because any conclusions about the adequacy of a particular organization must be related to the degree of success achieved by that organization. In order to test these hypotheses, a mapping technique is developed. The technique offered is a development of a technique known as Linear Responsibility Analysis, and is called "3R analysis" as it deals with roles, responsibilities and relationships. The analysis of the case studies shows that they tended to suffer due to inappropriate organizational structure. One of the prevailing problems of public sector organization is that organizational structures are inadequately defined, and too cumbersome to respond to environmental demands on the project. The projects tended to be organized as rigid hierarchies, particularly at decision points, when what was required was a more flexible, dynamic and responsive organization. The study concludes with a series of recommendations; including suggestions for increasing the responsiveness of construction project organizations, and reducing the lead-in times for the inception periods.

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Este trabalho objetiva propor diretrizes para a elaboração de um modelo de gestão de fluxo de informações como suporte à logística em empresas construtoras de edifícios. O foco da pesquisa limita-se especificamente à gestão de materiais, apesar da logística também abranger mão-de-obra, serviços e equipamentos. O objetivo da gestão de materiais é o de assegurar um fluxo continuo e sem interferências de materiais e componentes à obra, na quantidade requerida, com a qualidade especificada, no tempo e lugar certo, ao menor custo total. Estas diretrizes foram identificadas visando a uma integração funcional dentro da empresa construtora. Com base em um estudo de caso realizado em três empresas construtoras e em um levantamento e estudo bibliográfico, foram estudados os fluxos de informações ligados à gestão de materiais que ocorrem dentro das empresas construtoras. Desta maneira, identificaram-se os principais fatores que facilitam e que dificultam os fluxos de informações entre agentes relacionados com a gestão de materiais. Uma vez analisados estes fatores, foram identificadas as diretrizes objeto desta pesquisa e foi proposto um fluxo de informações modelo baseado exclusivamente nos casos estudados. Adicionalmente, foram discutidos alguns parâmetros a se levar em conta para avaliar o modelo proposto e conseguir uma melhoria continua dentro do processo. Também, foi brevemente discutida a forma como as parcerias com os fornecedores, o uso de produtos normalizados, a Internet e os códigos de barras poderiam inovar estes fluxos de informações e conseguir a integração tão almejada na cadeia de suprimentos. / This research aims to identify guidelines for developing an information flow management model to support materials management in building construction firms. The main purpose of building materials management is to have the required materials at the right place, at the right time, in the right quantity without prejudicing cost and quality. These guidelines were identified considering a functional integration within the construction firm. Based on three case studies developed in construction firms and a literature review, the materials management information flows inside the construction firm were studied. In this way, the principal factors that affect or enhance these information flows were analyzed. Once analyzed these factors, we were able to determine the best arrange for these flows and identify the guidelines and propose an information flow model based exclusively in the three cases studied. Besides this, we discussed the parameters that should be taken into account to guarantee a continuous improvement in the model proposed. Finally, we briefly discuss how partnering with suppliers, the use of normalized products, the Internet and the use of code bars could innovate traditional information flows and integrate the supply chain.