The thesis is concerned with summarization of steps to determine of the characteristic values of building materials which are listed in European and Czech standards number 72 - Building raw materials, materials and products and number 73 - Design and construction of buildings. The aim of thesis is to describe differences and perform analysis of individual processes and propose the solution of these problems.

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Increased extreme precipitation has been documented in many regions around the world, in- cluding central and northern Europe. Global warming increases average temperature, which in turn enhances atmospheric water holding capacity. These changes are believed to increase the frequency and/or intensity of extreme precipitation events. In determining the design storm, or a worst probable storm, for infrastructure design and failure risk assessment, experts commonly assume that statistics of extreme precipitation do not change significantly over time. This so- called notion of stationarity assumes that the statistics of future extreme precipitation events will be similar to those of historical observations. This study investigates the consequences of using a stationary assumption as well as the alternative: a non-stationary framework that con- siders temporal changes in statistics of extremes. Here we evaluate stationary and non-stationary return levels for 10-year to 50-year extreme precipitation events for different durations (1-day, 2-day, ..., 7-day precipitation events), based on the observed daily precipitation from Sweden. Non-stationary frequency analysis is only considered for stations with statistically significant trends over the past 50 years at 95% confidence (i.e., 15 to 39 % out of 139 stations, depend- ing on duration, 1-day, 2-day, ..., 7-day). We estimate non-stationary return levels using the General Extreme Value distribution with time-dependent parameters, inferred using a Bayesian approach. The estimated return levels are then compared in terms of duration, recurrence in- terval and location. The results indicate that a stationary assumption might, when a significant trend exists, underestimate extreme precipitation return levels by up to 40 % in Sweden. This report highlights the importance of considering better methods for estimating the recurrence in- terval of extreme events in a changing climate. This is particularly important for infrastructure design and risk reduction. / Ökad extrem nederbörd har dokumenterats globalt, däribland centrala och norra Europa. Den globala uppvärmningen medför en förhöjd medeltemperatur vilket i sin tur ökar avdunstning av vatten från ytor samt atmosfärens förmåga att hålla vatten. Dessa förändringar tros kunna öka och intensifiera nederbörd. Vid bestämning av dimensionerande nederbördsintensiteter för byggnationsprojekt antas idag att frekvensen och storleken av extrem nederbörd inte kommer att förändras i framtiden (stationäritet), vilket i praktiken innebär ingen förändring i klimatet. Den här studien syftar till att undersöka effekten av en icke-stationärt antagande vid skattning av dimensionerande nederbördsintensitet. Icke-stationära och stationära nerderbördsintensiteter föråterkomsttider mellan 10 och 100år bestämdes utifrån daglig och flerdaglig svensk nederbörds- data. Nederbördintensiteterna bestämdes med extremvärdesanalys i mjukvaran NEVA, där den generella extremvärdesfördelningen anpassades till årlig maximum nederbörd på platser i Sverige som påvisade en ökande trend under de senaste 50åren (15% till 39 % utav 139 stationer, beroende på varaktighet). De dimensionerande nederbördsintensiteterna jämfördes sedan med avseende på varaktighet, återkomsttid och plats. Resultaten indikerade på att ett stationärt antagande riskerar att underskatta dimensionerande nederbördsintensiteter för en viss återkomsttid med upp till 40 %. Detta indikerar att antagandet om icke-stationäritet har större betydelse för olika platser i Sverige, vilket skulle kunna ge viktig information vid bestämning av dimensionerande regnintensiteter.

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is an enterprising systems engineering methodology, which in replacing traditional, document-centric systems engineering methods, has the potential to reduce project costs, time, effort and risk. The potential benefits of applying MBSE on a project are widely discussed but are largely anecdotal. Throughout the System Engineering and Project Management industries, there is a strong desire to quantify these benefits, particularly within organizations that are looking to apply it to their complex, system of systems projects. The objective of this thesis was to quantify the benefits that model-based systems engineering presents, particularly in terms of project cost estimates. In order to quantify this qualitative data, statistical analysis was conducted on collected perceptions from industry experts and professionals. The results of this work led to identifying future research that should be completed in order to make MBSE an industry-wide standard for the development and estimation of projects.

Nesta dissertação é realizada a aplicação do método do valor agregado no monitoramento e controle da execução de obras de loteamentos urbanos residenciais. Inicialmente, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a aplicação do método e sobre os métodos e teorias de gestão mais usuais no controle de obras da construção civil. Como não foi identificada nenhuma bibliografia com a aplicação do método do valor agregado nesse tipo de obras, foi realizada a aplicação em trinta e quatro empreendimentos de uma empresa do setor, a fim de verificar sua efetividade no monitoramento e controle das obras. Essa aplicação foi descrita detalhadamente para possível aplicação em ferramenta de monitoramento e controle de outras obras de loteamentos urbanos residenciais, que compreende obras de infraestrutura urbana, edificações e paisagismo. Para verificação da efetividade da aplicação do método do valor agregado, foi analisado o seu resultado em relação ao custo real final das obras e realizada a comparação entre as projeções de prazo e custo obtidas com a aplicação e as projeções do método atual de monitoramento e controle da empresa. Dessa forma, verificou-se que a aplicação do método do valor agregado para projeção de custos de obras é efetiva, porém não apresenta os mesmos resultados em relação à projeção de prazo de finalização. / This dissertation performs the application of the earned value analysis (EVA) in the execution\'s monitoring and controlling of residential urban development projects. Initially, it was done a bibliographic review about the application of EVA and about the most recognized methods and theories of management and construction work\'s controlling. How it wasn\'t found bibliography about the application of the earned value analysis in this type of projects, it was applied in thirty-four projects of a company of the sector, in order to verify its effectiveness in the work\'s monitoring and controlling. This application was described in detail for future application in a monitoring and controlling\'s tool for other residential urban development works, which includes urban infrastructure works, buildings and landscaping. In order to verify the effectiveness of the method\'s application, the result was analyzed in relation of final real cost of works and a comparison was done between the projections of time and cost obtained with the application of EVA with the projections obtained with the current method of monitoring and controlling of the company under study. Therefore, it was verified that the application of the earned value analysis for the projection of construction costs is effective, but it doesn\'t show the same results about the projection of the work\'s completion period.

As próteses de membros superiores atualmente disponíveis no mercado não atendem a muitos dos requisitos dos seus usuários, em especial devido à funcionalidade insuficiente e a seu alto peso e custo. Este fato, aliado à importância do assunto, foi a motivação deste trabalho, que utiliza a Análise do Valor no projeto deste tipo de próteses. Para isto, propõe uma metodologia de projeto, que utiliza a mencionada Análise, e aplica a mesma às próteses de membros superiores com o objetivo de obter configurações das mesmas que contenham vantagens comparando-se com as disponíveis atualmente. A Análise do Valor trabalha com funções, e por isto, as próteses, neste trabalho, foram vistas através das funções que deveriam executar. Para a obtenção destas funções e das suas especificações, foram consultados usuários de próteses, de quem as opiniões foram consideradas as mais importantes. Após estas consultas, foi executado um brainstorming com voluntários para a obtenção de idéias de novos componentes e novos tipos de próteses. A partir do resultado das entrevistas com usuários e do brainstorming, e com base nas pesquisas realizadas, foram propostas novas configurações de próteses que procurassem atender ao máximo possível das especificações que tinham sido obtidas. Em suma, esta dissertação pretende fornecer mais subsídios para se entender o que é necessário para que as próteses de membros superiores tenham uma aceitação maior e auxiliem mais seus usuários. A metodologia proposta, por sua vez, mostrou que tem potencial para ser útil na obtenção de produtos cada vez melhores, visto que ela pode ser aplicada a produtos em geral, não somente às próteses. / The available upper limb prosthesis in the market at this moment don’t correspond to many of the users’ requirements, mainly because of the insufficient functionality and the high weight and cost. This fact, allied to the importance of the subject, was the motivation of this work, which uses the Value Analysis in this kind of prosthesis design. For this purpose, it proposes a design method, which uses the mentioned Analysis, and applies it to the upper limb prosthesis aiming to obtain this product configurations with advantages, comparing to the available prosthesis at this moment. The Value Analysis works with functions, and, because of that, the prosthesis, in this work, were seen through the functions they should execute. To obtain these functions and its specifications, prosthesis users were consulted – their opinions were considered the most important. After these consultations, it was executed a brainstorming with volunteers to obtain new prosthesis’ kinds and components ideas. With the interviews and brainstorming results, and supported by the research made, they were proposed new prosthesis configurations, which had the goal to correspond to the maximum possible of the obtained specifications. In short, this dissertation intend to provide more subsidies to comprehend what is necessary to the upper limb prosthesis to have a bigger acceptance and help more its users. The proposed design method, at its side, showed that has potential to be useful in the more and more better products obtaining, because it can be applied to the products in general, not only to the prosthesis.

An increasing number of manufacturing firms are developing new business models to improve sustainability in the face of growing environmental and social challenges. Product-service systems (PSS) are regarded as promising sustainable business models with significant potential to synergise economic, environmental and social value, together termed ‘sustainable value’. This research investigates ways in which manufacturing firms can identify opportunities for sustainable value creation in PSS business models. The research aims to make theoretical and practical contributions to the fields of sustainable business models, sustainable PSS and sustainable value. The research adopts a qualitative theory building approach, in which theory can be transformed into practice. It involves eight case studies and one focus group formed of manufacturers who provide PSS solutions. A practical-research tool, the Sustainable Value Analysis Tool, is developed to collect data and to provide business support. The key research findings and contributions to theory and practice are: · The research proposes a new PSS classification system based on the ownership of products and changes in ownership. This classification distinguishes the potential for sustainability of each PSS type more clearly than existing PSS classifications. · The research introduces a new concept, value uncaptured, and identifies four forms of this. The introduction of this concept provides a novel perspective of studying value exchange in business models. · The research identifies 26 sources of value uncaptured throughout the product life cycle. These can be used to help industrial practitioners to identify value uncaptured in a structured way. · The research proposed that the act of turning value uncaptured into value opportunities is an effective approach for improving sustainable value creation in business models. This has been empirically demonstrated. · The research proposes a model to understand how and where value uncaptured can be turned into value opportunities. This model comprises two mechanisms, two directions, and fourteen key tactics. The model improves theoretical understanding of the sustainable value creation system and can be applied in practice to help companies search for value opportunities in a systematic and strategic way. · The challenges of turning value opportunities into value are identified. The findings have been used to develop a framework for sustainable value creation in PSS business models. The proposed tool has been validated and used in workshops for purposes including research, consultancy, business education and university education. This research thus makes contributions to both academic knowledge and industrial practice.

This research provides an example delay calculation for long-haul single unit and combination trucks on Interstate-75 (I-75) in Georgia. Truck profiles on Georgia interstates are used to calculate the value of freight by truck type and commodity moved. Determining the types of trucks and commodities moved within the state of Georgia allows the researcher to monetize the effect of recurring congestion by location in addition to the cost of lost time. A more accurate calculation of delay based on truck type and commodity moved will better inform the Georgia Department of Transportation about the performance of Georgia's major truck routes and its potential effect on the local economy. A review of past research on this topic found that the calculated cost of delay in previous studies varied widely based on truck and commodity type. The identification of the types of commodities moved can assist in better monetizing the value of truck freight. Using forecast data on future truck traffic volume increases in the corridor, the growing importance of putting a value on different types of truck freight delay costs are demonstrated.

Recent events such as the New Orleans floods and the Japanese tsunami of 2011 have highlighted the uncertainty in the quantification of the magnitude of natural hazards. The research undertaken here has focussed on the uncertainty in evaluating storm surge magnitudes based on a range of statistical techniques including the Generalised Extreme Value distribution, Joint Probability and Monte Carlo simulations. To support the evaluation of storm surge frequency magnitude relationships a unique hard copy observed sea level data set, recording hourly observations, was acquired and digitised for Devonport, Plymouth, creating a 40 year data set. In conjunction with Devonport data, Newlyn (1915-2012) tide gauge records were analysed, creating a data set of 2 million data points. The different statistical techniques analysed led to an uncertainty range of 0.4 m for a 1 in 250 year storm surge event, and 0.7 m for a 1 in 1000 storm surge event. This compares to a 0.5 m uncertainty range between the low and high prediction for sea level rise by 2100. The Geographical Information system modelling of the uncertainty indicated that for a 1 in 1000 year event the level uncertainty (0.7 m) led to an increase of 100% of buildings and 50% of total land affect. Within the study area of south-west England there are several critical structures including a nuclear licensed site. Incorporating the uncertainty in storm surge and wave height predictions indicated that the site would be potentially affected today with the combination of a 1 in 1000 year storm surge event coincident with a 1 in 1000 wave. In addition to the evaluation of frequency magnitude relations this study has identified several trends in the data set. Over the data period sea level rise is modelled as an exponential growth (0.0001mm/yr2), indicating the modelled sea level rise of 1.9 mm/yr and 2.2 mm/yr for Newlyn and Devonport, will potentially increase over the next century by a minimum of 0.2 m by 2100.The increase in storm frequency identified as part of this analysis has been equated to the rise in sea level, rather than an increase in the severity of storms, with decadal variations in the observed frequency, potentially linked to the North Atlantic Oscillation. The identification as part of this study of a significant uncertainty in the evaluation of storm surge frequency magnitude relationships has global significance in the evaluation of natural hazards. Guidance on the evaluation of external hazards currently does not adequately consider the effect of uncertainty; an uncertainty of 0.7 m identified within this study could potentially affect in the region of 500 million people worldwide living close to the coast.