The main purpose of this research project was to bridge the existing knowledge gap inthe empirical identification and understanding of how conflict occurs between keyproject parties within Saudi Arabia’s public sector building projects. Such conflict hasbecome an increasingly endemic feature within the last 20 years, and this researchproject provides a contribution in knowledge terms which will help to overcome theobstacles and challenges impeding growth and development in the field. This wasachieved by conducting an investigation to provide the theoretical background aboutthe antecedents of conflict, and presenting a number of project management suggestions to avoid or minimise.Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were utilised in this study. Thequalitative research data was obtained from 30 in-depth semi-structured interviewswith four types of key project party, namely, project owners, consultants, contractors,and sub-contractors. This was followed by two separate questionnaire surveys. The firstwas a means of validating conflict data obtained from the interviews, and the secondwas used to test Project Management - PM data, . In this part of the study, 672questionnaires were sent to various people engaged in the Saudi Arabian constructionindustry. The response rate was 46.1% (n = 310 ).In terms of the interview data, a total of 349 data items were derived and from these data items, 30 general themes emerged concerning various causes of conflict and the latent conditions of conflict, providing descriptions of what and how conflicts arise within Saudi Arabian public building projects. From these general themes, 31 recommendations for strategic project management processes are made, with the intention of preventing or at least minimising conflict. The quantitative survey conducted to test these project management strategies (recommendations) revealed that all of them were supported. The study subsequently produced a cyclical framework of conflict avoidance, derived from the research methodology used in the study, and this is outlined to enable project building participants, whether individuals, groups, or organisations, to improve their project management strategy from project to project.The research recommends that: generally, certain project management strategiesshould be implemented in the earlier phases of a project in order to promote conflictavoidance behaviours or at least to effect a reduction in these. Furthermore, strategicactions are required to deal with the latent condition-related issues in respect of building projects in the Saudi Arabian context. In this case, reforms to current practices are required to improve the performance within the building industry. It is also recommended that further research be undertaken to explore other latent conditions of conflict and conflicts themselves in order to develop additional project management strategies aimed at managing the causes of conflict.

The estimation of the time required to construct building projects has been a topic of great interest to many researchers and practitioners. Delays are a common problem in the construction industry and may be motivated by different factors. In this context, prediction of the construction time of building projects at early project phases has been considered a key element for project success. Initially, the construction time of a building is affected by several factors related to project features, although some factors are more crucial than others. Based on these factors, for the purpose of providing proper tools to estimate construction time and minimise the subjectivity in such estimation, to date, most research works have presented parametric models which were built using linear regression analysis (LRA). Nevertheless, there is an increasing trend for using artificial neural networks (ANNs) to develop better predictive models. In order to produce the best possible predictive models and provide a clearer explanation regarding the relationships that exist between different project scope factors and the construction time of new builds, the research work presented in this thesis used two data sets and three different modelling techniques: LRA, ANNs and a new numerical methodology based on the finite element method (FEM). In particular, this thesis addressed the general assumption that nonlinear modelling techniques are likely to better represent the previously mentioned relationships than LRA. According to available data, predictor variables related to construction costs, gross floor area (GFA), number of floors, and the type of facility were selected to analyse their influence on the duration of the construction process. Additionally, and since that there is no general agreement in the literature regarding which is the most appropriate dependent variable for predicting construction time, both time and speed of construction were analysed to determine which of these offer better predictive models. In this regard, construction speed can be used as a useful and robust benchmark for comparison of contractor performance. In the case of ANNs, two different types of network architectures were tested: the multilayer perceptron (MLP) and the radial basis function (RFB). The modelling process of MLP networks was divided into five stages: (i) selection of the training methodology, (ii) data division, (iii) design of the initial network structure, (iv) network optimisation, and (v) validation of the optimised models. MLP networks were used in conjunction with two different training algorithms and five options for calibration data division. In addition, a methodology was defined to obtain optimised MLP networks with an adequate predictive performance. This methodology develops a stepwise trial and error procedure in which a basic MLP network structure, with enough consistency, is first established and subsequently this initial structure is modified at each step of the proposed optimisation process in order to achieve the best possible network configuration. This thesis also proposes a framework to evaluate the performance of predictive models which includes five different assessment criteria: (i) verification of compliance with the underlying assumptions regarding the statistical procedure used to obtain the models, (ii) checking the goodness of fit of the models to the data set used for generating them, (iii) validation of models in terms of ability to generalise, (iv) assessment of the balance existing between the ability of a model to generalise and the accuracy obtained with the calibration data, and (v) development of a sensitivity analysis to verify model stability. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was also proposed to evaluate the impact of the construction cost variability, caused by the uncertainty in its estimation, on the performance of predictive models. The results obtained with this thesis showed that construction speed is a more appropriate dependent variable than construction time to develop predictive models to estimate the construction process duration of building projects, and that such construction speed is affected more by GFA than by construction cost. Furthermore, the FEM-based numerical methodology provided better predictive models than those generated by MLP networks and LRA. In this regard, the findings of this research work support the idea that linear regression models can provide a good starting point from which to search for better predictive models using nonlinear modelling techniques. The knowledge gained from this thesis will allow for new approaches to be explored in order to better determine the relationships existing between project scope factors and the construction speed of new builds, but always taking into account that the results provided by the models proposed herein are only initial construction speed estimates at early stages of project development, when only basic information is available, and are not intended to replace detailed schedules undertaken by builders.

Six civil engineering and building projects under construction have been observed in order to compare theory and practice, and thus draw conclusions on how Clients and their management teams may control construction effectively. It has been reported and the six studies have shown that during construction as problems occur decisions taken to tackle them result in changes to one or more of the independant variables cost, time and performance. It is therefore argued in this thesis that if these variables are to be controlled to Xhe. Client's benefit:. - clear responsibilities, duties and authority to make decisions should be given to the members of project management teams. -a project control system should be set up which will help the management team to perform those duties. - both the management team and the system should be organized to suit the particular project and Client.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-04-07Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:13:19Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 azevedo_jla_me_rcla.pdf: 4544978 bytes, checksum: 612ec28b3cc261e5b693f7601403f287 (MD5) / See-Sp / Nesta pesquisa trabalhamos diversos conceitos matemáticos como, por exemplo, a Geometria, Matemática Financeira, Trigonometria e Álgebra, com o uso das Tecnologias Informáticas por meio da elaboração de projetos de construção civil, englobando a construção de casas e seus orçamentos. Para isso procuramos nos pautar nas teorias do Construcionismo (PAPERT, 1985, 1986) e da Espiral de Aprendizagem (VALENTE, 1993, 2002), buscando a elaboração de um ambiente de ensino e aprendizagem motivador. As cinco dimensões construcionistas – pragmática, semântica, sintônica, sintática e social – foram priorizadas na elaboração desse ambiente e, em decorrência disto, a espiral de aprendizagem, por meio das fases de descrição, execução, reflexão e depuração se manteve em movimento constante, auxiliando na construção de novos conhecimentos matemáticos por parte dos alunos. Na composição desse ambiente de aprendizagem utilizamos o software Arcon para a construção das casas e a planilha eletrônica Excel para a elaboração do orçamento das mesmas. Nesse contexto, objetivamos investigar o potencial pedagógico de projetos de ensino e aprendizagem na exploração e construção de conceitos matemáticos segundo a abordagem construcionista, no contexto da construção e orçamento de casas. Em relação à Metodologia, a pesquisa foi de cunho qualitativo, focando os trabalhos na aprendizagem dos alunos. O desenvolvimento dos Projetos se deu no laboratório de Informática de uma escola Pública da Rede Paulista de ensino, utilizando o software Camtasia para o registro e auxílio na transcrição, apresentação e análise dos dados. / In this research we have worked with several Mathematics concepts, such as Geometry, Financial Mathematics, Trigonometry and Algebra, with the use of Technologies of Information through the elaboration of projects of civil building, including the building of houses and their budget. For that, we looked to be suited on theories of Constructionism (PAPERT, 1985, 1986) and the Learning Spiral (VALENTE, 1993, 2002), searching for an elaboration of a motivated environment of teaching and learning. The five constructionist dimensions – pragmatics, semantics, synchronic, syntactic and social – were prioritized during the elaboration of this environment and, according to this, the Learning Spiral, through the stages of description, execution, reflection and depuration was in a constant movement, helping in the building of new Mathematics knowledge of the pupils. In the compositon of this learning environment we used the Arcon software for the building of houses and the electronic plan Excel for the elaboration of their own budget. In this context, we aim to investigate the pedagogical potential of the teaching-learning projects in the exploration and building of the Mathematics concepts according to the constructionist bordage, in the context of building and houses budget. Related to the methodology, the research is a qualitative study, focusing on the works of students’ learning. The developing the Projects made in the computer laboratory of a Public School of the paulista teaching system, using the Camtasia software for the register and help on transcription, presentation and data analyses. We believe that this investigation collaborated with the Mathematics Education, in a way to offer an option for the elaboration of a learning environment, in which we can develop teaching and learning projects that privilege the study of Mathematics concepts.

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / Construction projects for buildings, in the execution stage, show a variation of the real with respect to what is planned in the budget. The consequence of this lag presented usually causes large economic losses. Given this situation, in the construction industry, various control systems have been developed that have as a final deliverable a frequent management report, which serves to make decisions regarding the analyzed, whose results are applied and evaluated after a specific period of time. These management reports have good results at the time of their application; however, data processing, analysis execution, and decision making take approximately 30 days. In this sense, the present investigation proposes to develop a control system focused in real time, generated by the daily control in the execution stage. The results show a reduction of waste in the main resources of multi-family building projects, and this is in labor and materials, identifying the causes that originate them and suggesting generic solutions, at the end of the workday. / Revisión por pares

Several studies have shown that the main problem in the construction industry is low productivity. Therefore, this study focuses on developing a proposal through a methodology that can increase productivity in the construction of buildings. The proposed methodology is Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), which has 4 pillars: Building Information Modeling (BIM), Integrated Concurrent Engineering (ICE), metrics and Project Production Management (PPM). However, the article mainly develops BIM and ICE sessions. In addition, in the ICE sessions, "work executors"will be added, so that the information is fed back by both parties, specialist engineers and work executors. Finally, the proposal will be applied in a multi-family building project in the city of Lima - Peru, in order to obtain improvement results.

The Design/Bid/Build (DBB) delivery method has historically been the most popular and the most effective means of determining the least cost for building a project based upon a set of construction documents. In recent years, however, other project delivery methods, including but limited to Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) and Design/Build (DB), have slowly taken a share of the construction market away from the DBB delivery method. The choice of delivery method that will produce the best value for an owner in the measurements of efficiency in quality, cost, and timeliness depends upon the type of project and the business culture of the project owner. A unique opportunity for a comparative study was presented by the Meetinghouse Facilities Department (MFD) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The MFD completed over 200 repetitive meetinghouse projects in the U.S. over a five-year period (1999-2003), contracting approximately two-thirds of the projects using a CM/GC delivery method with an attached partnering agreement. The remaining meetinghouses were contracted using a DBB delivery method. A comprehensive comparison was conducted measuring all of the efficiencies created by the selection of delivery method, including short- and long-term costs, direct and indirect costs, construction cycle time, and quality assessment scores. After identifying and then adjusting for several confounding variables in the historical data, the statistical analysis provided evidence that the CM/GC delivery method proved to be the best value for the MFD by producing a total cost savings of over 5.5 percent on the meetinghouse projects when compared to the DBB meetinghouse projects. Construction cycle time was 20% shorter on the CM/GC meetinghouse projects and quality assessment (QA) scores were consistently higher. In regards to a 10-year life cycle repair costs, the CM/GC delivery method produced a higher quality meetinghouse, reducing repair costs by 34% when compared to the DBB meetinghouse projects.

Este trabalho expõe a premência da revisão do Programa de Necessidades do edifício escolar de Ensino Médio. Para tanto identifica a necessidade de investimentos nesse nível de ensino para melhoria de seu desempenho a fim de que seus alunos sejam inseridos na sociedade conscientes dos direitos e deveres do cidadão e capazes de atuar adequadamente no mercado de trabalho. Com a finalidade de comprovar a necessidade de revisão do espaço escolar, demonstra como a arquitetura do edifício interfere no desempenho das práticas pedagógicas e na empatia do aluno com o espaço oferecido. Para tanto, associa o rendimento destes a fatores ambientais e de utilização dos espaços, evidenciados nas pesquisas junto a especialistas em educação escolar e usuários de escolas públicas e particulares. Ao final, realiza uma proposta de viabilidade para adequação de um edifício escolar público existente e, a partir daí, recomenda diretrizes para adequação da rede pública de escolas de Ensino Médio do Estado de São Paulo e construção de novos edifícios para esse nível de ensino. / This work evidences the importance to review the programming of necessities pertaining to High School building. In this sense it identifies the investments’ needs for this school level in order to improve its performance, so that it inserts the scholars in the society conscientious of the citizen’s rights and duties and capable to act properly in the job market. With the purpose to prove the necessity to review the learning and design principles for the school space, it shows how the learning facilities intervene in the performance of the teaching practices as well as in the relationship between the scholars and the offered space design. In this way, it associates the performance to environmental aspects design as well as to the use of the learning spaces, witch is evidenced through researches with education experts and public and private schools’ users. To finalize, it makes a proposal of viability for the adaptation of an existing public school building and, from this point, it recommends guidelines for adapting the present public High School network in São Paulo State and for constructing new buildings for this education level.

Este trabalho expõe a necessidade de inserção da produção rural no fenômeno chamado globalização, para tanto propõe a capacitação da população rural, ora residente e proveniente do programa de reforma agrária, através da educação escolar. A pesquisa aborda aspectos históricos e presentes do papel social da escola, dos recursos e Políticas educacionais, da história da educação, da construção escolar e da zona rural paulista. Demonstra a situação que se encontra atualmente a rede escolar rural do Estado de São Paulo e propõe alternativas para sua viabilização construtiva com qualidade adequada, de acordo com o estabelecido pela proposta pedagógica ora adotada. Ao final, realiza reflexões prospectivas e recomenda estudos a fim de viabilizar uma escola rural que se adeqüe à evolução da proposta pedagógica e às novas formas de relação de trabalho. / This work reveals the need to include rural production in the so called globallization phenomenon. In this view, it proposes that the capacitation of the rural population, wich lives in the rural area and is derived from the agrarian reform program, be undertaken by school education. This research approaches historical and present aspects of the social role of school, the funding and educational politics, the history of education, of school building and of the characteristics of the rural zone in the state of São Paulo. It describes and analyses the present situation of the rural school sistem of the state of São Paulo and proposes alternatives for a constructive realization with adequate quality, in accordance with the present established pedagogic proposals. At last, it raises a series of prospective reflexions and recommends studies to be understaken aimed at the construction of a rural school adequate to present state of evolution of the pedagogic proposals and to the new forms of labour relations.

Este trabalho expõe a premência da revisão do Programa de Necessidades do edifício escolar de Ensino Médio. Para tanto identifica a necessidade de investimentos nesse nível de ensino para melhoria de seu desempenho a fim de que seus alunos sejam inseridos na sociedade conscientes dos direitos e deveres do cidadão e capazes de atuar adequadamente no mercado de trabalho. Com a finalidade de comprovar a necessidade de revisão do espaço escolar, demonstra como a arquitetura do edifício interfere no desempenho das práticas pedagógicas e na empatia do aluno com o espaço oferecido. Para tanto, associa o rendimento destes a fatores ambientais e de utilização dos espaços, evidenciados nas pesquisas junto a especialistas em educação escolar e usuários de escolas públicas e particulares. Ao final, realiza uma proposta de viabilidade para adequação de um edifício escolar público existente e, a partir daí, recomenda diretrizes para adequação da rede pública de escolas de Ensino Médio do Estado de São Paulo e construção de novos edifícios para esse nível de ensino. / This work evidences the importance to review the programming of necessities pertaining to High School building. In this sense it identifies the investments’ needs for this school level in order to improve its performance, so that it inserts the scholars in the society conscientious of the citizen’s rights and duties and capable to act properly in the job market. With the purpose to prove the necessity to review the learning and design principles for the school space, it shows how the learning facilities intervene in the performance of the teaching practices as well as in the relationship between the scholars and the offered space design. In this way, it associates the performance to environmental aspects design as well as to the use of the learning spaces, witch is evidenced through researches with education experts and public and private schools’ users. To finalize, it makes a proposal of viability for the adaptation of an existing public school building and, from this point, it recommends guidelines for adapting the present public High School network in São Paulo State and for constructing new buildings for this education level.