Thesis (M.S.)--Worcester Polytechnic Institute. / Keywords: quality construction documents; computers. Includes bibliographical references (p. 78-81).

No description available.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019. / This study focussed on the evaluation of quality management at one of the selected South African freight rail construction projects. Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) was selected for its high rate of accidents and injuries that happen on daily basis which affect the company’s operations and profits. The study’s approach was to obtain as much as possible opinions from local and international experts on quality management in construction projects. The opinions were gathered through a number of official journals on the best practices for quality management, comparing all of these practices to that of TFR in order to conclude whether the need for improvement or the change in practicing quality is required. The mixed − method approach was employed, to gather more and accurate data. The strengths of qualitative research approach can make up for the weaknesses of the quantitative research approach, this was the reason why mixed − method was chosen. The targeted population of this study included the internal stakeholders such as quality assurance officers, project managers, project coordinators and project team members. This targeted population was able to provide the accurate information as they are directly involved in the execution of the projects in terms of quality management of the project. A questionnaire was developed and employed as a tool to gather data to satisfy the research questions. This study was a case study because it only focused on TFR Iron Ore line projects. The focus was that, within TFR Iron Ore line, only those who are affected directly by the above mentioned projects were interviewed. The study has revealed that the Total Quality Assurance measures are being ignored at TFR, such as unscheduled quality tours, quality audits, quality control routines, random sampling of errors and record seen defects, and quality monitoring throughout the project life cycle.

Thesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010. / Eskom is embarking on a project that addresses security of supply initiatives, which are live work, high-voltage underground cabling, strategic spares, network planning and design, change management, technical training and contractor development, to strengthen the security and the reliability of the supply chain. This research investigates the causes of poor quality workmanship by the contractors during the construction of network infrastructure. The impact that the contractors have on the network's performance, and the reliability of the supply chain are very important to evaluate, as it is one of the key performance indicators measured for business performance. The quality of workmanship and the best practices that the contractors provide during the construction phase have an impact on the performance of the network, which is why this research will focus on the development of the contractors to improve the quality of workmanship. In the past few years Eskom Distribution Division has experienced numerous electrical faults in the networks, resulting in a loss of power to the customers and loss of revenue to the organisation. Contractor development is one of the methods used to build positive and mutually benefiting relationships between the buyer and the supplier. The method used in this research was through looking at the current practices, from the selection of contractor to development and maintaining of the supplier database. The objectives of the proposed research are to Improve the quality of workmanship of the contractors, Improve the project lead times during construction and investigate contractor development initiatives.

D.Ing. / The construction industry has changed dramatically over the past thirty odd years. The following factors played a significant role in this change: (1) The building boom around the 1970s pressurized the industry to work faster. This was followed by periods of variation in workload, which have over the last number of years manifested in a permanent low demand for construction in South Africa. (2) Projects became larger and more complex. (3) An over-regulated labour environment not only leads to the downsize of organizations, but is a main contributor towards the increased use of subcontracting. (4) The time value of money causes owners to specify compressed project schedules and lowest price is often the only selection factor in the award of contracts. The shift in work from predominantly public sector towards the private sector, which by nature is more time conscious, is another factor pressurizing the industry to work faster. The industry has introduced amongst others the following measures to cope with these demands: (1) Main contractors are subcontracting more and more of the work. (2) The traditional in-series concept came under pressure - the management approaches became formal procurement concepts and design-build re-appeared. (3) New construction techniques such as fast-tracking and the movement towards factory produced elements in certain areas, for example precast concrete elements, reduced project schedules and replaced previously time consuming activities and counteracted to a certain extent the shortage of skilled tradesmen. The author argues that in the process to combat these external pressures, the following problems, amongst others, manifested: (1) Ineffective project procurement. (2) Unethical and unsound practices between main contractors and subcontractors. (3) Lack of quality and reliability of a substantial share of end-products. Another problem burdening the industry is historical, namely cultural differences between designers and contractors.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Architecture / Master / Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Design and Management

published_or_final_version / Surveying / Master / Master of Science in Construction Project Management

M.Tech. / South African government is one of the countries in the world that has delivered the highest number of houses to the poor through various delivery mechanisms to fulfill her vision to adequate housing for all as reflected in the National Housing Policy framework. Since 1994, about One Million Eight Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Eight (1 877 958) houses has been delivered. People’s Housing Process is a state-assisted, self help housing programme and about 3% of the total houses built were delivered through the PHP housing delivery programme. The Government’s goal is, subject to fiscal affordability, to increase housing delivery on a sustainable basis to a peak level of 350 000 units per annum until the housing backlog is overcome (South Africa’s National Housing code policy, 2000:5). The government focused on quantitative housing delivery with qualitative shortcomings. However the focus has now shifted to the quality of the end product delivered. Defects in houses manifest themselves primarily through cracking, dampness, detachment, and water leakages. Defects may be patent or latent, and could be discovered through checking, observations and tests. This research work is a study of structural qualities of houses delivered through PHP. The study investigated the causes of structural inadequacies in PHP houses focusing in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The findings show that different types of structural defects occurred in houses delivered through PHP scheme, these defects include roof leakages, cracks in walls, wall not being straight and defects in roof trusses. The cause of these defects was as a result of poor quality control mechanism put in place by the Department of Housing.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Os produtos e serviços de arquitetura e engenharia precisam atender com qualidade as expectativas e necessidades de quem os contratam. Esta dissertação apresenta um levantamento das queixas mais freqüentes dos consumidores da cidade do Recife e Região Metropolitana a Assessoria de Defesa do Consumidor - ADC, que funciona dentro Conselho Regional de Engenharia, Arquitetura e Agronomia do Estado de Pernambuco CREA - PE, sobre os defeitos encontrados decorrentes dos erros cometidos no processo da indústria da construção civil, e a partir deles diagnosticar as suas causas e as razões que levaram à sua ocorrência. Busca-se com a análise dos mesmos, subsídios para indicar a prevenção e/ou remediação dos problemas detectados. Espera-se que a partir deste diagnóstico seja possível, inclusive, sugerir a instalação de uma educação continuada nos mais diversos níveis do ensino da engenharia / The products and services of architecture and engineering need to assist with quality, the expectations and needs of who hire them. This research project proposes the accomplishment of an inventory of the city of Recife consumers' most frequent complaints to Consumer Defense Consultantship ADC, that works inside of the Regional Council of Engineering, Architecture and Agronomy of the State of Pernambuco CREA - PE, and starting from them to identify causes and reasons that made their occurrence. The data will also be researched along with the builders, through the reports of final evaluation of their constructions. It will also be studied some tragedies in the civil construction where these structures collapsed. By the analysis of them, we look for subsidies for the prevention and/or remediation of the detected problems. Besides, it is expected that starting from this diagnosis it will be possible to trace guidelines for continuous education in the most several levels