By 2003 the first Irish Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects had reached the operational stage. Media reports were emerging of significant differences in the effectiveness of these projects. This research set out to find a means by which effectiveness of PPPs could be increased and to develop a model that would assist PPP practitioners with this task in the future. Through a literature review, the Irish PPP process was mapped, the changes encountered in the introduction of PPP were investigated and a conceptual model – based on a traditional process model - was proposed. The model was tested by examining the outcomes of two projects and assessing the effect of participant attitudes on these outcomes. The projects were analysed in terms of Risk, Value and Innovation, and three propositions were offered: • there were differences in project outcomes; • there were differences in the attitudes of the project participants; • the attitudes influenced the outcomes. Using a combination of research methods, the data were gathered and analysed. The first two propositions were proven for Risk and Value but not for Innovation. In addressing the third proposition, a pattern matching exercise was undertaken and a number of findings were reached. These findings were further tested to establish their validity, credibility and reliability. The results showed that specific elements of participant attitudes were found to affect some of the project outcomes and that these had a significant effect on the overall success of the project. The findings showed that PPP conducted as outlined by the conceptual model would not maximise effectiveness. The model was revised so that it commenced with analysis of the desired outcomes and proceeded by working back through the PPP process to define the inputs necessary for success. Using this information, the model was refined, making it ready for use by future PPP practitioners.

Social and organisation theorists have become increasingly interested in studying information and communication technologies over the last two decades. This thesis examines how information and communication technologies are organised, and what is organised by information and communication technologies. The thesis contributes to the interest in detailed studies of information and communication technology through an analysis of the implementation and deployment of a mobile data system-the Vehicle Mounted Data System (VMDS)-by firefighters, fire crews and officers at a United Kingdom fire brigade. This thesis examines what becomes of the Vehicle Mounted Data System when it is introduced into a UK fire brigade. This includes an exposition of how recurring issues including the boundaries of the brigade, what is meant by standardisation and risk, what counts as information, and what is understood by devolved incident management is reordered as the VMDS becomes a constitutive part of the problematic fire service provision. The VMDS is bound up with reality constituting effects and this means that what is meant by technology and organisation becomes an important topic of scholarly study. This thesis develops a non-essentialist ontology of technology and organisation-an ontological turn in organisation theory. It is argued that the VMDS is a relational effect that is aligned with existing boundaries and assumptions at Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade, that the VMDS is a multiple object that is a mutable mobile and is deployed not only to manage safety at incidents but also for managing performance and organisational flexibility, and that the instabilities of the VMDS are responded to ambivalently by various actors as they are enrolled in the collective upkeep of the VMDS. In analysing the Vehicle Mounted Data System a range of analytical resources are drawn upon, including, most significantly, actor-network theory, but also the writings of Deleuze and Guattari. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the politics of theory and suggests that researchers would remain faithful to their intellectual tradition and a sense of critical and creative purpose if they engaged with and helped to construct the heterogeneous ways in which technological devices such as the Vehicle Mounted Data System transform what organisation theorists understand by organisation.

Data from existing research are linked together to produce an overview of the effects of chloride-induced corrosion on reinforced concrete structures. The effects of chloride-induced corrosion on the following mechanisms have been investigated: (i) Cracking. (ii) Bond strength. (iii) Flexural strength. (iv) Shear strength. (v) Column behaviour. Models have been developed to link material and structural aspects of deterioration. Despite the complexity of the behaviour, many of the models are modifications to existing procedures contained in UK codes. Material and structural models are integrated together in a spreadsheet for assessing the variation in load-carrying capacity with time. Time to cracking and residual load-carrying capacity are found to be sensitive to small variations in key parameters such as the cover and the surface chloride level. Predictions from a spreadsheet model indicate that structures designed and built to BS 8110 should achieve their design life without the need for significant repair. The predictions also indicate that the UK Highways Agency was justified in making BD 57 more onerous than BS 5400. With validation against further test data the procedures developed in this Thesis could form the basis for codes of practice for the assessment of corrosion-damaged concrete structures and the durability design of new concrete structures.

This research examines the effect of plan irregularities on the progressive collapse of steel structures. Firstly, 2, 3 and 5-storey steel structures, regular and irregular, located in regions with different seismic activity designed in accordance with AISC (20 I 0) and ASCE7 (20 I 0). Secondly, the effect of the four plan irregularities on the progressive collapse of braced and unbraced steel structures located in regions with different seismic activity assessed. The collapse patterns of the I4 buildings is analysed and compared under seven loading scenarios using nonlinear dynamic and static analyses. In the nonlinear dynamic analyses, node displacements above the removed columns and the additional force on the columns adjacent to them are discussed. Furthermore, the capacity of the columns is compared to determine their susceptibility to collapse. ln the nonlinear static analyses, the pushdown curve and yield load factor of the structures are obtained after column removal. The results indicate that an irregular structure designed in site class C seismic zone collapses in most of the column removal scenarios. Moreover, when comparing regular and irregular structures designed in site class E seismic zone, the demand force to capacity ratio (D/C) of the columns in the irregular structures is on average between I.5 and 2 times that of the regular ones has been discussed by Homaioon Ebrahimi et.al (20 I7). The lack of 2-storey building bearing capacity to withstand the removal of the column is lower than that of the 5-storey structure, which is due to the level of redundancy that characterises in the 5-storey structure.

The search to find new ways of improving performance in the construction industry led to the introduction of collaborative working and, after fifteen years the question is has this approach delivered the expected improvements. The management of collaborative relationships is often underpinned by trust as a governance mechanism. However, owing to the practical problems of operating in the public sector combined, with the natural disposition of human behavior, the risk of opportunism and exploitation remains, requiring additional governance mechanisms to be put in place. However these mechanisms can only be realised if there is a position of strong buyer power. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to consider what impact buyer / supplier power has on collaboration and the consequent benefits delivered. Research has been carried out on a case study involving four projects from the Birmingham Construction Partnership using interviews and a questionnaire. It was found that levels of collaboration were not affected by marginal differences in power, but rather by agency factors and trust. However, the conclusion drawn is that the buyer must retain a strong position of power in order to ensure the buyer obtains a good apportionment of value generated by collaboration.

The United Kingdom published a legally binding document to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by year 2020 up to 34% against the 1990 levels. This target also fulfils the Europe 2020 strategy of 20% carbon emission reductions by year 2020 (EC, 2010). Emissions due to space heating count for around 60% of the total domestic emissions (DCLG, 2012). The report “Rethinking Construction” published in 1998 emphasised the opportunities to improve the quality and efficiency of the UK construction sector (Egan, 1998). More recently, a framework has been published by the Government to tackle fuel poverty by building more energy efficient homes (DECC, 2015). In terms of energy performance, Passivhaus is recognised as one of the most energy efficient and researched construction standards which requires an exceptionally high-level of insulation and airtightness. Closed-panel timber frames are a relatively new system in UK with an opportunity for growth. These advanced panels are pre-fitted in the factory, reducing the on-site work. However, closed-panel systems present a more complex sole plate fixing detail which can have an undesirable long-term impact on the structural and thermal performance of the building. The work presented in this thesis investigates the structural considerations, racking performance, of timber frame closed panel systems for future building regulations. The thesis underlines the significance of structural stability, serviceability and detailing in relationship with long-term thermal efficiency and airtightness, according to Passivhaus standard. An experimental study was carried out to investigate the structural racking performance of advanced closed panel systems. A comparison was made between the behaviour of the timber frame panels and the analytical PD 6693-1. A set of different wall panel built-ups is presented for optimised Passivhaus design, including thermal bridge-free sole plate details. A timber frame racking software application was developed to optimise the structural design of shear walls. A parametric study was carried out with this tool to generate efficient timber frame wall design tables for different applied racking loads and U-values. The software application also allows for direct specification of robust sole plate base fixings and thermal bridge free details.

Flat plate systems are constructed with slabs directly supported on columns. Since there are no beams in the system, the behavior of connections between the slabs and columns play a crucial role. Due to the sudden and brittle nature of punching shear failures, slab-column connection design must be conducted with proper safety precautions. The first part of this study aims to evaluate the safety level of different design expressions in the codes. Fir this purpose, the ability of ACI 318-11, TS-500 and Eurocode-2 to estimate punching shear strength was examined in light of experimental results compiled from previous research. Interior and exterior connections were examined in the course of the study. In the second part of the study, beam and shell models were calibrated to simulate the load-deformation response of interior slab-column connections in light of experimental results. In the final part of this thesis, a typical floor plan of a flat plate system was analyzed to investigate the possibility of a progressivefailure mechanism after punching failure takes place at a slab-column connection. Minimum post-punching capacity required to avoid progressive punching failure in a floor was estimated. It is believed that, the results of this study can be helpful in guiding engineers in understanding the safety inherent in punching shear design expressions and to take necessary precautions against progressive collapse.

The compatibility properties of some contemporary finish coats together with their complementary layers used in insulated exterior walls were examined in terms of water vapour permeability and modulus of elasticity. Basic physical and mechanical properties of some synthetic-, cement- and polymer-based external finish coats were analyzed in laboratory. Some additional samples, complementing the wall section, were also examined for their water vapour permeability. Results showed that the finish coats were high vapour permeable although they had high resistance to water vapour permeation, which was achieved by their application in thin layers. Cement-based undercoats were found to be medium permeable. The application of primer and/or paint was found to decrease the permeability of finish coats in different ranges. Thermal insulation layer was found to interrupt water vapour flow considerably. Among polystyrene- and mineral-wool-based thermal insulation boards, rockwool was recommended as the insulation layer due to its medium vapour permeability. In conclusion, walls insulated externally with rockwool boards and plastered with polymer-based finish coat, FC8ACB or synthetic-based finish coat FC3SB were found to be the most proper combination in terms of breathing and thermal resistance capabilities. All finish coats seemed to have sufficient strength and except the synthetic-based finish coat, FC2SB, they seemed to be compatible with each other and with the masonry in terms of their Emod values. Further studies were recommended on some other compatibility properties of finishing systems, such as thermal and moisture dilatation properties, and on the relation between the resistance to water vapour permeation and water permeability.

This thesis offers a comprehensive risk assessment methodology that provides a decision support tool, directed for Turkish construction organizations, which can be utilized through the bidding decisions for international construction projects. Within this context the analytic network process technique is implemented to develop a risk assessment model, which is used to derive the relative priorities of the risk factors associated with international construction projects. The findings of the risk assessment model have demonstrated that the most significant sources of risk are vagueness of contract conditions about risk allocation, client, and immaturity of legal system in the host country. Factors such as low % of advance payment, geographical distance, and bribery were found to be relatively insignificant. An international construction project risk rating software application is then developed. The application incorporates the derived priorities from the risk assessment model to calculate a risk rating for a given international construction project. To increase the credibility of the results a risk rating adjustment methodology was integrated into the application. Its purpose is to count for the potential influencing factors that may increase the risk level of a given project. The influencing factors which were considered are the company&rsquo / s experience, contract type, level of the available project data from the outset, and project delivery system. The application is also structured to enhance the organizational learning practices. It improves the process of the organizational memory formation with respect to postproject risk data by developing a database of risk information of the rated projects for future references. The reliability of the application was tested with post-projects risk data and was found to be satisfactory.

ABSTRACT EFFECTS OF POZZOLAN INCORPORATION AND CURING CONDITIONS ON STRENGTH AND WATER RESISTANCE OF NATURAL GYPSUM PASTES Cengiz, Okan Ph.D., Department of Civil Engineering Supervisor : Prof. Dr. Turhan Y. Erdogan September 2009, 189 pages There are large reserves of gypsum rock (CaSO4&middot / 2H2O) in Turkey and in various regions of the world. Heating gypsum rock to 140 - 190 0C causes it to lose three-fourths of its water molecules and turn into gypsum, called plaster of Paris / heat application over 190 0C results in loss of all the water molecules and this form of the material is called gypsum anhydrite. When gypsum is mixed with water, it gains cementitious property and hardens in a short time. Therefore, natural gypsum anhydrite and especially plaster of Paris are widely used in the construction industry. On the other hand, its not being water resistant and having low strength restrict the use of gypsum products for outdoor applications. In this study, the effects of pozzolan incorporation to natural gypsum pastes and application of various curing regimes for improving their water resistance and strength were investigated. Compressive strength and absorption tests on one thousand one hundred twenty two 5-cm cube specimens produced from v 13 different mixture types were conducted. Also the microstructures of these products were investigated using the analytical technique X-Ray Diffraction. The test results showed that water resistance and strength properties of pozzolan-incorporated gypsum products were improved. Curing of the product at elevated temperature regimes was an additional factor that contributed to this improvement. It was concluded that the natural gypsum mixtures prepared and cured at the above-mentioned conditions could also be used for outdoor applications. Keywords: Pozzolan, Natural Gypsum, Elevated Temperature Curing