A persistent theme over the past year in public discussion has been the state of skills in the South African economy and society (DoL, 2003:1). The DoL (2005:55) further states that the issue of "scarce skills" has become a key government priority. It is now generally accepted that skills shortages in key occupational areas are hindering future economic growth (DoL, 2005:55). Within the civil engineering industry in South Africa recent studies have found that there has been a slow decline in the number of civil engineering professionals since the seventies and early eighties; all sectors in the industry have reported staff shortages, particularly of experienced midcareer professionals; staff utilisation rates are over 90% on average and in excess of 100% in many firms and there is a critical shortage of experienced civil professionals responsible for production work (Lawless, 2005 and SAACE, 2005). Some of the reasons cited for the skills shortages and skills gaps include poor quality of both secondary and tertiary education, inadequate training provided by employers, the overall unattractiveness of civil engineering due to relatively lower salaries being paid as compared to other professions and working conditions and emigration (for various reasons). The primary aim of the study was to investigate the impact skills shortages have had on client satisfaction within Stewart Scott International (SSI), a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy firm, in KwaZulu-Natal. Thereafter, from the findings of the research, identify specific areas of dissatisfaction ( from SSI's clients' perspective) and develop short to medium term strategies to better manage the situation, it being noted that addressing the root causes of skills shortages and skills gaps requires long term interventions. The research also sought to assess from SSI's clients' whether they believed any decline in their satisfaction levels was as a result of skills shortages in the industry. The data collection instrument used in the study was a structured questionnaire. Questionnaires were sent to clients with whom SSI had been doing business with for at least five years. The study found three areas of concern in SSI's quality of service (which clients' believed were as a result of skills shortages), viz SSI's approach to work, SSI's creativity in proposed solutions and SSI's approach in dealing with problems in relationships with clients. The findings of the research are similar to the findings of the NACI ( 2003) in SA and Mills and Treagust (2003) in Australia. The study further found empirical evidence to support the hypothesis that the levels of skills and levels of client satisfaction are related. The research found that: • There has been a decline in SSI's approach to work • There has been a decline in SSI's creativity in proposed solutions • There has been a decline in the manner and time frames SSI deals with problems in relationships The following are recommended: • More efficient use of resources (short-term) • Coaching and training initiatives be reviewed and formalised (short-term) • Develop a new skills management specification (medium-term) in / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

The site investigation phase plays a vital role in any foundation design where inadequate characterisation of the subsurface conditions may lead to either a significantly over designed foundation that is not cost-effective, or an under-designed foundation, which may result in foundation failure. As such, the scope of an investigation should be dependent on the conditions at the site and the importance of the structure. However, it is common for the expense dedicated to the site investigation to be a fraction of the total cost of the project, and is typically determined by budget and time constraints, and the experience and judgement of the geotechnical engineer. However, additional site investigation expenditure or sampling is expected to reduce the financial risk of the design by reducing the uncertainties in the geotechnical system and protecting against possible foundation failures. This research has quantified the relative benefits of undertaking site investigations of increased and differing scope. This has been achieved by simulating the design process to yield a foundation design based on the results of a site investigation. Such a design has been compared to an optimal design that utilises the complete knowledge of the soil, which has only been possible due to the use of simulated soils. Comparisons between these two design types indicate the performance of the site investigation to accurately or adequately characterise the site conditions. Furthermore, the design based on the results of the site investigation have been analysed using the complete knowledge of the soil. This yields a probability of failure and, therefore, has been included in a risk analysis where the costs associated with the site investigation have been measured against the financial risk of the design. As such, potential savings in financial risk for increased site investigation expenditure have been subsequently identified. A Monte Carlo analysis has been used in this research to incorporate the uncertainties in the foundation design process. Uncertainties have been included due to soil variability; sampling errors; measurement and transformation model errors; and errors related to the use of a simplified foundation response prediction method. The Monte Carlo analysis has also provided the means to obtain results in a probabilistic framework to enable reliability and risk analyses. Computer code has been specifically developed with an aim to: generate a simulated soil that conforms to the variability of soil properties; simulate a site investigation to estimate data for a foundation design; simulate the design of a foundation and conduct a reliability and risk analysis of such a design. Results indicate that there are significant benefits to be derived from increasing the scope of a site investigation in terms of the risk and reliability of the foundation design. However, it also appears that an optimal site investigation scope or expenditure exists where additional expenditure leads to a design with a higher financial risk due to the increased cost of the site investigation. The expected savings in terms of financial risk are significant when compared to the increased investigation cost. These results will assist geotechnical engineers in planning a site investigation in a more rational manner with knowledge of the associated risks. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1255275 / Thesis(Ph.D.) -- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2006

The site investigation phase plays a vital role in any foundation design where inadequate characterisation of the subsurface conditions may lead to either a significantly over designed foundation that is not cost-effective, or an under-designed foundation, which may result in foundation failure. As such, the scope of an investigation should be dependent on the conditions at the site and the importance of the structure. However, it is common for the expense dedicated to the site investigation to be a fraction of the total cost of the project, and is typically determined by budget and time constraints, and the experience and judgement of the geotechnical engineer. However, additional site investigation expenditure or sampling is expected to reduce the financial risk of the design by reducing the uncertainties in the geotechnical system and protecting against possible foundation failures. This research has quantified the relative benefits of undertaking site investigations of increased and differing scope. This has been achieved by simulating the design process to yield a foundation design based on the results of a site investigation. Such a design has been compared to an optimal design that utilises the complete knowledge of the soil, which has only been possible due to the use of simulated soils. Comparisons between these two design types indicate the performance of the site investigation to accurately or adequately characterise the site conditions. Furthermore, the design based on the results of the site investigation have been analysed using the complete knowledge of the soil. This yields a probability of failure and, therefore, has been included in a risk analysis where the costs associated with the site investigation have been measured against the financial risk of the design. As such, potential savings in financial risk for increased site investigation expenditure have been subsequently identified. A Monte Carlo analysis has been used in this research to incorporate the uncertainties in the foundation design process. Uncertainties have been included due to soil variability; sampling errors; measurement and transformation model errors; and errors related to the use of a simplified foundation response prediction method. The Monte Carlo analysis has also provided the means to obtain results in a probabilistic framework to enable reliability and risk analyses. Computer code has been specifically developed with an aim to: generate a simulated soil that conforms to the variability of soil properties; simulate a site investigation to estimate data for a foundation design; simulate the design of a foundation and conduct a reliability and risk analysis of such a design. Results indicate that there are significant benefits to be derived from increasing the scope of a site investigation in terms of the risk and reliability of the foundation design. However, it also appears that an optimal site investigation scope or expenditure exists where additional expenditure leads to a design with a higher financial risk due to the increased cost of the site investigation. The expected savings in terms of financial risk are significant when compared to the increased investigation cost. These results will assist geotechnical engineers in planning a site investigation in a more rational manner with knowledge of the associated risks. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1255275 / Thesis(Ph.D.) -- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2006

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1985. / Also available in print.

Submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Durban University of Technology. Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Insolvency may be broadly defined as an inability of business entity to meet pending financial commitments. For a construction firm, such a situation creates conditions whereby a business entity is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations with regard to work in progress or creditors owing. There are indications to suggest that during periods of adverse conditions the occurrences of insolvencies are mutually exclusive and remain a subject of debate. The occurrence of these financial failures adversely affect business concerns operating within the civil engineering construction industry. In South Africa, figures released by the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) in 1992 suggested an expected general decline in workload handled by this sector. This was a result of scaling down of heavy infrastructure projects because of government shifting focus to housing and other related projects mainly towards meeting the needs of the previously disadvantaged communities. During that period large contractors suffered financially and some went through insolvency. The government had also put emphasis on transformation of the sector to allow participation of emerging and small contractors, but this was not properly regulated, so most of these contractors did not have the experience and skills to operate sustainable construction firms. The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) was established in 2000 as a statutory body to provide leadership to stakeholders and to stimulate sustainable growth, reform and improvement of the construction public sector for effective delivery and the industry’s enhanced role in the country’s economy. The CIDB’s regulations were implemented after 2003 and are continuously improving the construction public sector’s growth. This research study investigated and evaluated the factors associated with insolvencies amongst civil engineering contractors in KwaZulu-Natal. The study investigated the hypotheses that “the prominent factors associated with civil engineering contractors insolvencies are related to managerial/operational issues”, the prominent factors associated with civil engineering contractors insolvencies are related to financial issues”, “South African government initiatives create an environment for small to medium contractors to develop through their implementation”, and good management and operation of small to medium construction companies reduce insolvency in construction”. Operational management and strategic factors were found to be amongst the leading causes of companies failures. The study also made some recommendations from the research findings. The findings are relevant to the South African government infrastructure service delivery programs and the general issue of affordable infrastructure services. / M

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The development of mass housing is an excellent example of multi-disciplinary projects. Several housing projects have been unsuccessful due to a misunderstanding of the necessary collaboration and buy-in that are required from all parties concerned. The focus of this study is to identify the required skill sets and responsibilities of the Housing Project Manager in the Housing environment, and in turn, will support the development of the foundation of the civil engineering postgraduate curricula. Civil engineers are educated with a strong focus on technical subjects, but not much attention is paid to many of the less technical aspects as found in housing projects. Furthermore, the multi-disciplinary aspects of large projects do not receive sufficient attention in either the undergraduate or postgraduate curricula. Considering that many civil engineers become actively involved as managers of housing projects, this paper will present an investigation into the requirements of the curricula of a postgraduate qualification for civil engineers towards becoming managers in housing projects. The investigation will include aspects of multi-disciplinary coordination, the less technical aspects of housing development, but will not exclude a comprehension of technical involvement. In order to identify these skill sets and responsibilities several approaches were adopted. The approaches adopted in this dissertation include: (i) a comprehensive literature study regarding the housing environment and the position of the housing project manager, (ii) a review of several housing case studies with project management related problems, (iii) consulting with several housing management professionals from different sectors in the housing industry, and (iv) a review of existing formulations of the role and responsibilities of the housing project manager. The findings from this study provide evidence that civil engineers operating in the housing environment as project managers require additional education, due to the multi-disciplinary nature of housing projects. The main conclusion drawn from this study is that educating civil engineers towards the management of housing projects would contribute significantly to the housing environment through increasing productivity and quality, and can contribute to meet the housing targets of the government. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ontwikkeling van massa behuising is 'n uitstekende voorbeeld van multidissiplinêre projekte. Verskeie behuisingsprojekte was al onsuksesvol as gevolg van 'n misverstand oor die nodige samewerking en bydraes wat vereis word van alle betrokke partye. Die fokus van hierdie studie is om die vaardighede en verantwoordelikhede van die behuisingsprojekbestuurder in die behuisingsomgewing te identifiseer. Hierdie kennis ondersteun die ontwikkeling van ʼn raamwerk vir ʼn nagraadse kurrikulum in behuisingsbestuur. Siviele ingenieurs is opgelei met 'n sterk fokus op tegniese vaardighede, maar relatief min aandag word geskenk aan minder tegniese aspekte soos gevind word in behuisingsprojekte. Verder, multidissiplinêre bestuursaspekte van groot projekte ontvang nie voldoende aandag in óf die voorgraadse óf nagraadse kurrikula nie. Wetende dat baie siviele ingenieurs aktief betrokke raak as bestuurders van behuisingsprojekte, ondersoek hierdie studie ʼn raamwerk vir ʼn nagraadse kwalifikasie vir siviele ingenieurs as bestuurders van behuisingsprojekte. Die ondersoek sluit in aspekte van die multidissiplinêre koördinasie asook minder tegniese aspekte van behuisingsontwikkeling, maar dit sluit nie 'n begrip van die tegniese betrokkenheid uit nie. Verskeie benaderings is toegepas om die vaardighede en verantwoordelikhede van behuisingsbestuurders te identifiseer. Die benaderings sluit in: (i) 'n omvattende literatuurstudie ten opsigte van behuising en die posisie van die behuisings-projekbestuurder, (ii) 'n oorsig van verskeie behuisings- gevallestudies met projekbestuur verwante probleme, (iii) raadpleging met verskeie professionele rolspelers van verskillende sektore in die behuisingbestuur omgewing, en (iv) 'n hersiening van bestaande beskrywings van die rol en verantwoordelikhede van die behuisings-projekbestuurder. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie verskaf bewyse dat siviele ingenieurs wat in die behuisingsbedryf as projekbestuurders optree, bykomende opleiding benodig as gevolg van die multidissiplinêre aard van projekte. Die belangrikste gevolgtrekking van hierdie studie is dat die opleiding van siviele ingenieurs in die bestuur van behuisingsprojekte ʼn aansienlike bydrae kan lewer tot behuising deur produktiwiteit en kwaliteit te verhoog. Dit kan bydra tot die bereiking van die regering se behuisingsdoelwitte.

This study presents a web-based database application for storing experimental data and related documents at a single location and sharing them among researchers and engineers from all over the world. The database application, accessible from a website was developed for experimental structural engineering researches, and initially tested at Structural and Earthquake Engineering Laboratory of Civil Engineering Department, METU. The application is composed of two parts. The first part is the database that stores information about projects, specimens, experiments, experimental data, documentation, site members, and member groups at the server side. The second part is the website that provides a functional user interface for easy use of application and providing accessibility from everywhere via internet. After the development of the database and the website, these two parts were attached to each other and application functionalities that enabled users to create, modify, search, and delete projects, specimens and experiments / allowed users to upload/download documentation and experimental data / provided abilities to users to plot test data and share their opinions were ensured. ASP.NET framework and C# programming language was utilized for the web application development. Functionality and usability of the database application was then tested by uploading and sharing various experimental results.

published_or_final_version / Management Studies / Master / Master of Business Administration

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T16:32:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Odair Aparecido de Paula.pdf: 429034 bytes, checksum: 6aa0c0a0e3e2e6bdddbdbb7fc2ea2a60 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In this research, is had as object i ve to study the creation of the Cabinet Topographico, an establishment of Public Instruction, destined to the con s t i t ution of a center of geodesic studies of the Province of São Paulo. Created in 1835, in a period little studied by History and Brazilian and São Paulo educational historiography, the Topographico Cabinet was formed for a library, a quantity of plants and maps of the Province of São Paulo and a school for formation of engineers of roads. With this work it is intended to contribute with the history of the Brazilian and São Paulo education, filling a gap of the Public Ins t r uction of the Imperial Period. The Topographico Cabinet was the oldest establishment of Instruction of Engineering of the Province of São Paulo and played an important role in the configuration of the city of São Paulo and of the Pr ovince, it was as instrument of knowledge or being able of the São Paulo government. The Engineer of Roads, as course of professional format i o n , i f c h a r a c t e r ized as one of mos t r i g i d o f t h e time, which had to i t s s h or t period of duration, init i ally two years and lat e r three, while other est ablishments of Brazil and the exterior, in the same period, had a minimum schedule load five year. Although the ephemeral life, the Topographico Cabinet constituted an important page of the admi n i s t r a t i o n o f the Province of São Paulo and some of its egresses had acted in diverse sectors of the pol i t i c s and the economy of the Provinc e . I t s e ngineers had contributed for the construction and magnifying of ways of communication of the Province (soil roads) that later they had lost space for the railroads, an English innovation / Nesta pesquisa, tem-se como objetivo estudar a criação do Gabinete Topographico, um estabelecimento de Instrução Pública, destinado à constituição de um centro de estudos geodésicos da Província de São Paulo. Criado em 1835, num período pouco estudado pela História e pel a historiografia educacional brasileira e paulista, o Gabinete Topographico era composto por uma biblioteca, um acervo de plantas e mapas da Província de São Paulo e uma escola para formação de engenheiros de estradas. Com esse trabalho pretende-se contribuir com a história da educação brasileira e paulista, preenchendo uma lacuna da Instrução Pública do Período Imperial. O Gabinete Topographico foi o mais antigo estabelecimento de Instrução de Engenharia da Província de São Paulo e desempenhou um papel importante na configuração da cidade de São Paulo e da Província, fosse como instrumento de conhecimento ou de poder do governo paulista. O Engenheiro de Estradas, como curso de formação profissional, se caracterizou como um dos mais rígidos da época, devido ao seu curto período de duração, inicialmente doi s anos e depois três, enquanto outros estabelecimentos do Brasil e do exterior, no mesmo período, tinham uma carga horária mínima de cinco anos. Apesar da vida efêmera, o Gabinete Topographico constituiu uma página importante da administração da Província de São Paulo e alguns de seus egressos atuaram em diversos setores da política e da economia da Província. Seus engenheiros contribuíram para a construção e ampliação de vias de comunicação da Província (estradas de chão) que mais tarde perderam espaço para as estrada s de ferro, uma inovação inglesa

Orientador: Andre Munhoz de Argollo Ferrão / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-02T19:07:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pinheiro_GustavoFocesi_M.pdf: 6228447 bytes, checksum: e6c78043aed6090f1657570c752366a2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002 / Resumo: O atual estágio de desenvolvimento da humanidade apresenta-se cada vez mais agressivo ao ambiente e ao homem. O crescimento populacional aumenta cada vez mais o impacto das atividades produtivas e das edificações sobre o meio. Por esse motivo é importante que o desenvolvimento seja sustentável. Assim, foi realizada uma pesquisa por meio de questionários pré-testados, para verificar como os engenheiros civis e arquitetos estão preparados para reduzir o impacto das edificações sobre o ambiente e como podem ser melhor informados sobre o assunto. O resultado mostra que a maioria dos profissionais, que responderam ao questionário, têm pouco conhecimento sobre o conceito de desenvolvimento sustentável, reconhecem os impactos das edificações sobre o ambiente, acreditam que a qualidade seja o item mais importante para a construção civil, e têm interesse em conhecer e aplicar mais os conceitos que diminuam o impacto das construções sobre o meio / Abstract: The present human development has been proven wrong by its aggressive means on the environment and to the society. The global population growth, the industrialization and the edifications grown too, to meet the demand, interfering directly in the environment. It¿s important the application of a sustainable development in the civil construction. To identify how the professionals of civil construction are prepared to reduce the affects of edifications on the environment, a survey with pre-tested questionnaires was applied. In this questionnaire, the results show that the respondents do not know precisely what sustainable development means. The answer showed that a great deal of the professionals are worried about the constructions' impact on the environment, and have interest in knowing and getting to know more about the concepts and applying them to their professional life, and think: that quality is the most important thing to the civil construction / Mestrado / Edificações / Mestre em Engenharia Civil