Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2009. / Mode of access: Internet. Title from PDF title page; viewed on April 21, 2009. Major professor: Arthur J. Chapman, M.S. "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Architecture." "April 2009." Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-70). Also available on microfiche.

This thesis is an investigation into the moisture performance of straw bales used in the construction of buildings. The principle of taking bales of straw off the field and stacking them up on themselves to form the walls of a simple building is a practise that started over a hundred years ago. The modern form of this building method is more sophisticated, and is spreading world wide from its origins in the arid regions of America. Despite advances in modern methods of construction there has been concern and doubt over the suitability of straw bale for use as a building material in a temperate maritime climate. The main concern being that the higher levels of environmental moisture will have the potential to damage the straw over time. In order to assess the moisture performance of the straw bales in the walls of a building in this damp climate, a simple and effective means of measuring the moisture in-situ has been developed as part of this research. The overarching methodology for this research is to develop a more accurate version of a probe that uses a block of wood to measure moisture. An environmental chamber in the laboratory has been used to establish the hygrothermal relationship between the timber to be used in the probe, and samples of the straw used in construction. This is the first time that a continuous set of sorption and desorption isotherms have been created for samples of straw and timber simultaneously, a process that took six months to complete. This data was used in the design of a new wood block probe, and examples of the new probes were installed in the walls of a straw bale house with a known moisture history. The resulting readings from the new probe were compared to those from a professional agricultural straw moisture probe. These results could be checked against the readings of the relative humidity and temperature in the wall. Forty-eight pairs of the new wood block probe were calibrated in the laboratory. Fourteen diverse examples of straw bale construction were selected as case study buildings. Having been surveyed for this research, a number were then selected to have the new probes installed, and evidence of their moisture performance was recorded. Sufficient data was acquired through this process to confirm the suitability of straw bales for use in the construction of buildings, in a temperate maritime climate.

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

The main aim of this diploma thesis is to analyze the legal regulation of contract of work in construction industry, especially the regulation contained in the Act No. 89/2012 Coll., the Civil Code. I also focused on main changes connected with passing the new Civil Code and I clarified the essence of some new legal institutions. This thesis is divided into 9 chapters; some of them are further divided into minor sections. Besides that the thesis includes Content, Index of Abbreviations and Bibliography. First chapter focuses on setting the aim of this thesis and then the historical context of contract of work, its development from the antiquity to concurrence. Contemporary regulation of contract for work is being compared to the contract of purchase and I describe the essentials of contract for work, in particular contracting parties, their rights and duties and the subject of work. In the fourth chapter I focus on the finalization and disposition of the work, according to the Civil Code the work is finished only if it is proven that it can be used for its purpose. Next I analyze the price of the work and options that can be agreed by the contract parties in terms of the price and the payments. Regarding the price I also describe retentive price, penalties and the institute of price cut in the next...

Thesis (M.S. in Engin.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1992. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-148).

This thesis examines the implementation and effectiveness of Value Engineering in the United Arab Emirates and is restricted to major building construction projects. The aim of the reasurch is to investigate possible areas of improvement and could potentially enhance the effectiveness of the managent and control of the Value Engineering process, for building construction project in the Unietd Arab Emirates. The objectives of the research is to use the data collected to formulate a model for improvement of the Value Engineering process used in building construction projects in the United Arab Emirates. Before a model to be formulated, the following hypotheses need to be addressed. - Value Engineering is currently being effectively implemented - Value Engineering currently provides tangible and measurable benefits - Current practices in the application of Value Engineering can be improved A triangulation approach is employed, with data collected using questionnaires, semi structured interviews and case studies. The data collected was analysed and critically assessed to compare the Value Engineering process conducted in the United Arab Emirates with current best practice and to identify specific area for improvement. Based on the literature review, it became evident that the following seven (7) key factors raised by the researchers were identified for the potential to effect improvements. 1. Structure and Method of the Value Engineering process. 2. Timing and execution of the Value Engineering and workshop studies. 3. Composition of the Workshop team. 4. Understanding of the Value Engineering process. 5. Value Engineering during the Construction phase. 6. Performance measurement based on costs. 7. The effect of environment and culture on Value Engineering ii A model for improving the effectiveness of Value Engineering in the United Arab Emirates was then developed, validated and refined, based on the responses of seventy two (72) experienced clients, construction professionals, value engineers, project mangers and contractors. The responses from expatriates and Emirates nationals were also compared and the following recommendations were incorporated in the model. The identified improvement into the design consultant agreement is to:- - Include Value Engineering in the overall project programme. The identified improvement recommendations for the design stages are:- 1. Conduct Value Engineering workshop by the end of the preliminary design stage. 2. Establish involvement of end-user and who has experience in construction from project management consultant or client’s representative. 3. Specific consideration of the culture and environment in the United Arab Emirates. 4. Develop management awareness and commitment. 5. Implement the new regulations to achieve certification on sustainability (Estidama). The identified improvement recommendations for the construction stages are:- 1. Conducting Value Engineering review after the award of construction. 2. Monitoring and auditing Value Engineering cost benefits. 3. Controlling variations and change orders. 4. Verifying Value Engineering recommendations adopted are achieved. 5. Cultivate company culture and environment to maximise the benefits of Value Engineering. 6. Ensure the new regulations to achieve certification on sustainability (Estidama).

The skyline of many 'world cities' are defined and punctuated by tall buildings. The drivers for such dominant skylines range from land scarcity and social needs; high real estate values; commercial opportunity and corporate demand, through to metropolitan signposting. This fascination with tall buildings started with the patrician families who created the 11th Century skyline of San Gimignano by building seventy tower-houses (some up to 50m tall) as symbols of their wealth and power. This was most famously followed in the late 19th Century with the Manhattan skyline, then Dubai building the world's highest building, then China building some eighty tall buildings completed in the last 5 years, then UK building Europe's highest tower, the Shard and finally back to Dubai, planning a kilometre tall tower, potentially realising Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's 'Impossible Dream' of the 1920's and Frank Lloyd Wright's 1956 'Mile High Illinois'. This ambition to build higher and higher continues to challenge the Architects, Engineers and Builders of tall buildings and is expected to continue into the future. The tall building format is clearly here to stay.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Detroit Mercy, 2007. / "30 April 2007". Includes bibliographical references (p. 150-151).

What’s a building in the landscape like? It’s not indifferent. It uses but doesn’t abuse. It doesn’t compete. It is not indifferent The theme of the project is the road – as progress, as an element of composition. It starts among the vineyards and ends with a view of the hills of Pálava, the dominant feature of the landscape. In the middle, the road is enclosed by houses and passes through a large frame which creates a picture of the landscape that changes with time. Henceforth, the building is not just a building; it is also a frame through which we see an endless number of pictures. It uses but doesn’t abuse The buildings of the winery and of the wine research institute are designed according to the principles of sustainability and are as environmentally friendly as possible. Built with wooden panels on a barren plot of land, they make use of waste water. Does not compete The buildings are located amid the vineyards with a view of the Pálava hills. From the distance, they appear to blend with the landscape thanks to the climbing vines on the outside walls.

fficient structures and a systematic way of working are required to maintain and keep an aging infrastructure of construction buildings to meet the requirements of road safety and function. Regular inspections and the right priorities regarding the need for operation and maintenance are an important prerequisite for long-term sustainable management and community building. This thesis aims to contribute to increased knowledge about municipal management of various types of construction buildings. By answering the three questions “How are municipal construction buildings managed?”, “What are the challenges for municipal managers?” and “Which maintenance strategies create the best conditions for ensuring maximum technical service life and thus a socio-economically sustainable development?”, the aim is investigate different structures and working methods to promote sustainable management by making the right priorities when there is a need for operation and maintenance. The methods chosen to produce this report are literature studies, interviews, email contact and meetings with a few different people in the public sector. Most of the report´s content is based on literature studies. Other methods that have been applied complement the literature study. The results showed that the majority of all municipal management of various types of construction buildings take place through the management system BaTMan with registered inspections and damages as a starting point for large and costly operation and maintenance measures. For ongoing operation and maintenance, other systems and tools are used as a complement to BaTMan.  The results also showed that there are a number of challenges for municipal managers who often face a rapid expansion development with many new buildings and ever-increasing number of inhabitants. Today, lack of communication and information between various municipal departments and administrations is a major problem when it comes to the construction of new construction buildings and the consequences these have for the operation and maintenance activities. Through increased cooperation across administrative boundaries, great coordination opportunities can be created to build more sustainably. From a socio-economic perspective, different maintenance measures can lead to different amounts of traffic disruption that can lead to costs for society. It is cheaper for society if the proportion of risk-reducing repairs is increased to recuse the need for urgent repairs. In addition to reduced costs, this could also lead to minor traffic disruptions.   The conclusion of the work is that today's and tomorrow's society is dependent on a well-unctioning infrastructure. Through a systematic approach with the right priorities,commitment and interest in efficient management, major socio-economic effects can be achieved. / Det krävs effektiva strukturer och ett systematiskt arbetssätt för att underhålla och sköta en åldrande infrastruktur av konstruktionsbyggnader för att uppfylla kraven på trafiksäkerhet och funktion. Regelbundna inspektioner och rätt prioriteringar när det gäller behov av drift och underhåll är en viktig förutsättning för ett långsiktigt hållbart förvaltarskap och samhällsbyggande. Detta examensarbete syftar till att bidra med ökad kunskap om kommunalt förvaltarskap av olika typer av konstruktionsbyggnader. Genom att besvara de tre frågeställningarna ”Hur förvaltas kommunala konstruktionsbyggnader?”, ”Vilka utmaningar finns för kommunala förvaltare?” och ”Vilka underhållsstrategier skapar bäst förutsättningar för att säkerställa maximal teknisk livslängd och därmed en samhällsekonomisk hållbar utveckling?” är målet att utreda olika strukturer och arbetssätt för att främja en hållbar förvaltning genom att rätt prioriteringar görs vid behov av drift och underhåll. De metoder som valts för att framställa denna rapport är litteraturstudier, intervjuer, mailkontakt och möten med ett antal olika personer inom offentlig sektor. Största delen av rapportens innehåll baseras på litteraturstudier. Andra metoder som har tillämpats kompletterar litteraturstudien.  esultaten visade att majoriteten av all kommunal förvaltning av olika typer av konstruktionsbyggnader sker genom förvaltningssystemet BaTMan med registrerade inspektioner och skador som utgångspunkt för stora och kostsamma drift- och underhållsåtgärder. För löpande drift- och underhåll används andra system och verktyg som ett komplement till BaTMan. Av resultaten framkom även att det finns ett antal utmaningar för kommunala förvaltare som ofta står inför en snabb expansion utveckling med många nya byggnationer och ständigt ökande invånarantal. Idag utgör bristande kommunikation och information mellan olika kommunala avdelningar och förvaltningar ett stort problem när det gäller byggnation av nya konstruktionsbyggnader och de konsekvenser som dessa medför för drift- och underhållsverksamheten. Genom ökat samarbete över förvaltningsgränserna kan stora samordningsmöjligheter skapas för att bygga mer hållbart.  Ur ett samhällsekonomiskt perspektiv kan olika underhållsåtgärder medföra olika mycket trafikstörningar som kan leda till kostnader för samhället. Det är billigare för samhället om andelen riskreducerande reparationer ökas för att minska behoven av akuta reparationer. Utöver minskade kostnader skulle detta även kunna leda till mindre trafikstörningar.  Slutsatsen av arbetet är att dagens och framtidens samhälle är beroende av ett välfungerande infrastruktur. Genom ett systematiskt arbetssätt med rätt prioriteringar, engagemang och intresse för effektiv förvaltning kan stora samhällsekonomiska effekter uppnås.