Present day manufacturing assembly relies extensively on a variety of fasteners for the assembly of sub-systems, components and trim. Speed Fastening (SF) is one commonly used non-structural assembly fastening method. The primary limitation of SF is the lack of continuously fed rivets. One path to productivity improvement for SF is the development of a continuously feed tool that would eliminate the non-value added time currently scheduled for reloading in the work cycle. In preparation for the design of a new tool, a proactive ergonomic investigation was carried out to examine differences in muscular effort, upper-body posture, as well as subjective ratings of perceived exertion and discomfort across three different work rates for a simulated SF task conducted in a laboratory setting. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the ergonomic consequences that an increase in work rate would have on SF operators. Twelve healthy female subjects participated in simulated SF work over four test-sessions. The first test session familiarized subjects with the SF tasks as well as the data collection protocol. Subsequent test days, which were scheduled 24 hours apart, were block randomized to one of three work rates (7, 14 and 21 fasteners/min.) with subjects required to complete 120 minutes of a simulated SF task at both waist and shoulder height using a 50% work to rest duty cycle. The results of this study show significant increases in the amount of muscular activity required to complete the simulated SF, particularly for the 21 fasteners per minute work rate, with increases in peak sEMG amplitudes ranging from 3-12% MVIC. Specifically these increases were most marked in the forearm extensor muscles. In addition, significantly deviated postures were found in upper-limb joint ROM data, particularly when SF work was completed at shoulder height. Overall, based on the increased exposure to risk factors known to be precursors for workplace injury (i.e. repetition and awkward posture), it is inferred that an increase in work rate will put SF operators at an elevated risk of musculoskeletal injury. It is expected that this risk would be even more pronounced for work completed at shoulder height. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-02 00:01:36.701

In the construction industry, onsite labour is one of the most variable and costly factors which affect project profits. Due to the variable nature of construction labour and its correlation with profits, construction managers require a comprehensive understanding of the activities of workers onsite. For project success, it is important that workers are spending the majority of their time installing materials which advance the project. This material installation time is known in the construction industry as “direct-work” or “tool time”. Site management should continuously seek to improve the direct-work rate through the life of the project. A review of the literature indicates that no workface assessment method exists in the literature which provides: (1) a detailed description of worker activities, and (2) a continuous productivity improvement process to help management identify productivity inhibitors affecting site labour, to develop a plan to reduce or eliminate these issues, and to measure improvements as a result of these changes. In response to this need, this research has focused on the development of a workface assessment method called activity analysis. Activity analysis is a continuous productivity improvement process which efficiently measures the time expenditure of workers onsite and identifies productivity inhibitors that management must reduce or eliminate to provide workers with more time for direct-work activities. Six case studies were conducted to verify the feasibility of the activity analysis process. Further, cyclical data from two major construction firms was collected and statistically analyzed to validate the hypothesis that activity analysis can improve direct-work rates. It has been concluded that activity analysis, as a continuous productivity improvement process, is both feasible and when continually applied to a construction site, can significantly improve direct-work rates through the life of a project.

In the construction industry, onsite labour is one of the most variable and costly factors which affect project profits. Due to the variable nature of construction labour and its correlation with profits, construction managers require a comprehensive understanding of the activities of workers onsite. For project success, it is important that workers are spending the majority of their time installing materials which advance the project. This material installation time is known in the construction industry as “direct-work” or “tool time”. Site management should continuously seek to improve the direct-work rate through the life of the project. A review of the literature indicates that no workface assessment method exists in the literature which provides: (1) a detailed description of worker activities, and (2) a continuous productivity improvement process to help management identify productivity inhibitors affecting site labour, to develop a plan to reduce or eliminate these issues, and to measure improvements as a result of these changes. In response to this need, this research has focused on the development of a workface assessment method called activity analysis. Activity analysis is a continuous productivity improvement process which efficiently measures the time expenditure of workers onsite and identifies productivity inhibitors that management must reduce or eliminate to provide workers with more time for direct-work activities. Six case studies were conducted to verify the feasibility of the activity analysis process. Further, cyclical data from two major construction firms was collected and statistically analyzed to validate the hypothesis that activity analysis can improve direct-work rates. It has been concluded that activity analysis, as a continuous productivity improvement process, is both feasible and when continually applied to a construction site, can significantly improve direct-work rates through the life of a project.

Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med den här studien var att undersöka den aeroba fysiska aktivitetsnivån hos gymnasieungdomar på Bygg- och anläggningsprogrammet under skoldagar som innehöll teorilektioner, praktiska lektioner, idrottslektioner och raster. Frågan som ställdes var: Hur ser den fysiska aktivitetsnivån ut under teorilektioner, praktiska lektioner och lektioner i idrott och hälsa samt under raster hos gymnasieelever på Bygg- och anläggningsprogrammet. Metod I studien deltog 9 pojkar i åldern 16 år, längd 174-192cm och vikt 51-91kg. Den test som genomförts är 5 Minuters Pyramid Test (5MPT) och registrering av aerob fysisk belastning gjordes med hjärtfrekvensmätningar. 5MPT är ett skytteltest som är fem minuter långt, där försökspersonen tar sig fram och tillbaka mellan två stolpar och så snabbt som möjligt passerarfram och tillbaka över en vertikal pyramidformad trappramp (sträcka 5,5 meter). Antalet vändor, skattad ansträngning samt hjärtfrekvens (HF) registrerades. Utvecklad power (effekt) erhölls genom produkten av kroppsmassa, gravitation, antal vändor, höjd på högsta plinten (0,53 m) dividerat med total tiden i 5MPT. Utifrån 5MPT kunde beräknad VO2 max samt Power/kg (W/kg) beräknas för försökspersonen. Testet med hjärtfrekvensregistrering gick till så att eleverna under en skolvecka hela skoldagen bar en pulsklocka med förtejpad urtavla och ett elektrodbälte. De tryckte på händelsemarkering vid rast och när lektionen startade igen. Eleverna förde dagbok där de beskrev vad de gjort under dagen.  Resultat För samtliga försökspersoner kan man se en genomgående trend avseende fysisk belastningsnivå uttryckt som hjärtfrekvens vilket syns i följande resultat. Den högsta pulsen uppnåddes under idrottslektionerna med en genomsnittlig hjärtfrekvens på ca 140 slag/min, den näst högsta under de praktiska lektionerna med 94 slag/min. Därnäst följde rasterna med 83 slag/min och lägst utslag visades under teorilektionerna med en genomsnittlig hjärtfrekvens på ca 80 slag/min. Försökspersonerna utnyttjade ca 30 % av sin maximala syreupptagningsförmåga under de praktiska lektionerna. Slutsats Den här studien har visat att det är under undervisningen i idrott och hälsa och delvis på de praktiska lektionerna som en högre aktivitetsnivå mätt i hjärtfrekvens kan noteras hos försökspersonerna. Studien indikerar också att försökspersonerna utsätts för relativt hög fysisk belastning. Ca 30 % av den maximala syreupptagningsförmågan utnyttjas vid en skoldag med praktiska lektioner. / Aim The aim of the study was to investigate the aerobic physical activity level of high school students who study to become building workers during school days which consist of theory classes, practical classes, physical education classes and pauses. The question to be answered was: How was the aerobic physical activity level during theory classes, practical classes, physical education classes and pauses for high school students in a program for building workers. Method In this study participated 9 boys aged 16, length 174-192 cm and weight 51-91 kg. The test that has been carried out was 5 Minutes Pyramid Test (5MPT). In addition heart rate was measured during the school day. The 5MPT is a 5-minute-shuttle test, in which the participant moves back and forth in a short interval (5.5 m) over boxes (highest height 0.53 m) formed like a pyramid. Power in the pyramid test (5MPT POWER) was calculated as the product of numbers of laps, body mass, gravity and highest box level divided by time. From 5 MPT VO2 max and Power/kg (W/kg) were calculated for the participants. The participant’s heart rates were measured during a week the whole school day by means of a heart monitor with the monitor display taped over and an electrode belt. They pushed a button on the clock to mark when they had pauses and when the classes started again. The participants wrote in a diary what they had done during each day. Results The results show that for each of the participants the same trend considering aerobic physical load level expressed in heart rate in the following results. The highest pulse rate was obtained during the physical education lessons 140 beats/min followed by practical lessons 94 beats/min, pauses 83 beats/min and theory lessons 80 beats/min. The participants are using approximately 30 % of their maximal oxygen uptake during a day with practical lessons. Conclusions This study shows that it is during physical education lessons and to some extent during practical lessons in building construction, a higher activity level measured in heart rate can be noticed in the participants. The study indicates that the participants are exposed to a relative high physical workload. Roughly 30 % of maximal oxygen uptake is used during a day of practical lessons.

Submitted by Geandra Rodrigues (geandrar@gmail.com) on 2018-08-23T11:35:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 guilhermegarciamatta.pdf: 1719369 bytes, checksum: 42139fc58efd2d5ccff0c46d5eb98c7b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2018-08-28T12:32:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 guilhermegarciamatta.pdf: 1719369 bytes, checksum: 42139fc58efd2d5ccff0c46d5eb98c7b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-28T12:32:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 guilhermegarciamatta.pdf: 1719369 bytes, checksum: 42139fc58efd2d5ccff0c46d5eb98c7b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-27 / O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a estratégia de pacing adotada por corredores durante uma ultramaratona de 6 horas e investigar o efeito de uma velocidade inicial lenta no desempenho, percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE), fadiga (ROF) e alterações mecânicas. Dezesseis ultramaratonistas foram recrutados e incluídos na parte descritiva (parte 1) deste estudo. Durante a parte experimental (parte 2), 10 atletas realizaram uma terceira sessão subsequente. O estudo contou com 3 sessões de teste: 1) teste de velocidade crítica; 2) ultramaratona de 6 horas self-paced (primeira prova); e 3) ultramaratona de 6 horas com manipulação da velocidade inicial (segunda prova). Durante a primeira prova, os atletas foram instruídos a completarem uma ultramaratona de 6 horas em pista de atletismo, a fim de atingir a maior distância possível. Quatro semanas depois, os participantes foram submetidos a uma segunda ultramaratona de 6 horas, na mesma pista de atletismo e no mesmo horário do dia, na qual eles foram solicitados a correr os primeiros 36 minutos da prova (i.e. primeiros 10%) em velocidades ~18% mais baixas do que a média da velocidade inicial da primeira prova. Em ambas corridas, a PSE, ROF e mecânica de corrida foram coletadas em intervalos de tempo constantes. Os resultados mostraram que de forma geral, os atletas adotam uma estratégia de pacing com perfil sigmoide (F = 32,90; P < 0,001; ηp2 = 0,69), demonstrando um aumento linear na PSE (F = 30,27; P < 0,001; ηp2 = 0,67) e ROF (F = 56,04; P < 0,001; ηp2 = 0,79). O tempo de contato aumentou (F = 9,43; P < 0,001; ηp2 = 0,39) e o tempo de fase aérea diminuiu (F = 9,77; P < 0,001; ηp2 = 0,39) a partir de 1 hora de prova, enquanto que a amplitude de passada diminuiu (F = 9,92; P < 0,001; ηp2 = 0,40) após 2 horas e a frequência não se alterou (F = 0,90; P = 0,45; ηp2 = 0,06) durante a primeira prova. Apesar de uma velocidade média normalizada menor durante 10% de prova (P < 0,001), e maiores durante 50% (P < 0,001) e 90% (P = 0,034), o desempenho não foi diferente entre as provas (57,5 ± 10,2 vs. 56,3 ± 8,5 km; P = 0.298). No entanto, os corredores diminuíram consistentemente a PSE (F = 3,46; P < 0,001; ηp2 = 0,28) e ROF (F = 2,30; P = 0,010; ηp2 = 0,20) durante toda segunda prova. Além disso, o tempo de contato foi menor e o tempo de fase aérea maior na segunda prova, na primeira volta (P < 0,001) e 30 minutos (P < 0,004). A amplitude de passada foi menor na primeira volta (P < 0,001), com 30 minutos (P < 0,001) e 1 hora (P = 0,047), enquanto que frequência foi significativamente menor apenas com 30 minutos (P < 0,001). Diminuir a velocidade inicial de prova em ~18% pode não afetar diretamente o desempenho, mas é capaz de diminuir o desenvolvimento da PSE e ROF. Finalmente, as mecânicas de corrida parecem ser influenciadas principalmente por mudanças na velocidade. / The aim of this study was to describe the pacing strategy adopted by runners during a 6-hour ultramarathon running race and investigate whether a slow-start affect overall performance, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), ratings of fatigue (ROF) and running mechanics. Sixteen ultrarunners were recruited and took part of the first part of this study (descriptive). During the second part (experimental), 10 participants performed a third additional testing session. The study consisted of three sessions: 1) critical speed test; 2) self-paced 6-hour ultramarathon running race; and 3) 6-hour ultramarathon with initial speed manipulation. During the first race, the athletes were instructed to achieve the greatest possible distance in a 6-hour run in an athletics track. Four weeks later, they performed a second 6-hour ultramarathon, in which they were requested to run the initial 36 minutes (i.e. first 10% of the race) at speeds ~18% below their mean speed of the initial 36 min of the first race (self-paced). During both races, RPE, ROF and running mechanics were measured in consistent time-intervals. Our results showed that, in general, athletes adopted a sigmoid pacing strategy (F = 32.90; P < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.69), increasing linearly their RPE (F = 30.27; P < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.67) and ROF (F = 56.04; P < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.79). The contact times increased (F = 9.43; P < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.39) and aerial times decreased (F = 9.77; P < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.39) after 1 hour of the race, whereas the stride length was lower (F = 9.92; P < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.40) after 2 hours and stride frequency did not change (F = 0.90; P = 0.45; ηp2 = 0.06) during the first race. Despite lower normalised mean speeds during the first 10%-time interval (P < 0.001), and greater speeds at 50% (P < 0.001) and 90% (P = 0.034) of the second race, overall performance was not different between races (57.5 ± 10.2 vs. 56.3 ± 8.5 km; P = 0,298). However, runners decreased their RPE (F = 3.46; P < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.28) and ROF consistently throughout the second race (F = 2.30; P = 0.010; ηp2 = 0.20). Moreover, contact times were higher and aerial times shorter during the second race, during the first lap (P < 0.001) and at 30 minutes (P < 0.004). The stride length was lower during the first lap (P < 0.001), 30 minutes (P < 0.001) and 1 hour (P = 0.047), whereas stride frequency was lower only at 30 minutes (P < 0.001). Decreasing initial speed by ∼18% might not affect 6-hour ultramarathon performances, but it lowers the development of RPE and ROF. Finally, running mechanics seem to be affected mainly by changes in running speed.

This thesis is focused on increasing productive actions in construction by a procedure known as Activity Analysis. Activity Analysis is a continuous productivity improvement tool for identifying barriers to site productivity with the goal of decreasing them and thereby increasing the direct work rate. A preceding study validated this approach, however it had two limitations. No reevaluation was conducted on projects in Canada by the authors, and not enough resources or data were available to understand behaviour of the activity rates in absolute value terms across many projects. Based on three case studies and data collected over 17 days by the author and a colleague, Activity Analysis was validated as being applicable in Canadian conditions. A desired value, known as a target rate, was then studied in order to be able to set expectations with respect to the productivity to be achieved in each cycle. The premise behind setting a “target rate” is that 100% direct work is neither possible nor desirable, since some time must always be spent on communications and planning. However, a higher direct work rate is generally better than a lower rate. Thus, a target rate is needed. A mathematical model called ANFIS was developed as a means of setting the desired level of activities. Through consideration of a variety of factors that affect labour productivity, the developed model was trained based on 65 data points. The model was found to be easy to use and flexible enough to be appropriate for all of the factors considered. Based on the data points available from 5 different past projects and 3 recent projects and the experience associated with these projects, three additional methods of defining the target rate were developed. The impact of these results is that companies now have appropriate methods and an initial data set for industrial construction in order to establish target rates for direct work and supporting activities. This should help reduce project costs and improve productivity.

This thesis is focused on increasing productive actions in construction by a procedure known as Activity Analysis. Activity Analysis is a continuous productivity improvement tool for identifying barriers to site productivity with the goal of decreasing them and thereby increasing the direct work rate. A preceding study validated this approach, however it had two limitations. No reevaluation was conducted on projects in Canada by the authors, and not enough resources or data were available to understand behaviour of the activity rates in absolute value terms across many projects. Based on three case studies and data collected over 17 days by the author and a colleague, Activity Analysis was validated as being applicable in Canadian conditions. A desired value, known as a target rate, was then studied in order to be able to set expectations with respect to the productivity to be achieved in each cycle. The premise behind setting a “target rate” is that 100% direct work is neither possible nor desirable, since some time must always be spent on communications and planning. However, a higher direct work rate is generally better than a lower rate. Thus, a target rate is needed. A mathematical model called ANFIS was developed as a means of setting the desired level of activities. Through consideration of a variety of factors that affect labour productivity, the developed model was trained based on 65 data points. The model was found to be easy to use and flexible enough to be appropriate for all of the factors considered. Based on the data points available from 5 different past projects and 3 recent projects and the experience associated with these projects, three additional methods of defining the target rate were developed. The impact of these results is that companies now have appropriate methods and an initial data set for industrial construction in order to establish target rates for direct work and supporting activities. This should help reduce project costs and improve productivity.