<p>The thesis aims to evaluate (ground) and influence (inform) the intersection of the Construction Engineering Education (CEE) field with Engineering Education (ENE) by evaluating three research objectives:</p> <ol> <li>Does literature indicate that CEE (Construction Engineering Education) in the US higher education system actively integrate established ENE (Engineering Education) Recommended Practices (RP) pedagogically?</li> <li>Does Purdue’s Division of Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) incorporate Engineering Education Recommended Practices?</li> <li>Can Engineering Education Recommended Practices be applied to CEM courses?</li> </ol> <p>The framework developed to evaluate the research objectives established a mixed-method research approach that employed systematic literature review and action research. The author is motivated to provide students with authentic and centered experiences allowing students to attempt complex activities and fail with a controlled environment before entering the AEC profession. The volume of literature discovered in the research indicates an opportunity to implement and promote ENE RP. The deployment of the CEE-accepted ENE RP demonstrates the agility and impact of the RP options. As a result, the author’s work contributes to the growth of the CEE field, the development of CEM courses implementing ENE RP, and the engagement of the construction student. </p>

<p dir="ltr">The research in this thesis focuses on developing an alert system to detect damage or impact on bridge. It employs Raspberry Pi and accelerometers for real-time health monitoring. The methodology includes bridge model creation, testing under no damage, impact, and structural damage conditions, and data processing for vibration frequency analysis. The aim is to differentiate between normal bridge conditions, collisions, and structural damages, providing timely notifications for necessary investigations or repairs. The study addresses the challenges in bridge safety and aims to improve maintenance efficiency and reliability.</p><p><br></p>

<p>The U.S. construction sector ranks second in fatal occupational injuries in 2021 among other sectors. Although many research efforts have been conducted for decades to improve safety at construction jobsites, fatal occupational injuries did not reduce to the desired level. Specifically, previous studies argued that still more than 70% of hazards often remained unrecognized by construction workers even after receiving safety training. In addition to the enforced safety regulations, the Organizational Safety and Health Administrator (OSHA) has mandated safety training for construction workers to train them regarding potential hazards and risks at jobsites while mainly focusing on a general overview of the hazards and preventive measures.</p> <p>However, in the last decade, it was extensively argued that workers’ low performance in hazard identification may not only be related to their hazard knowledge and more related to the cognitive processing of information to identify and perceive the cues in a construction environment to remain situationally aware (i.e., cognitive failures). Therefore, there is a critical need to identify a new approach for customizing training construction workers to address the lack of knowledge and cognitive failures that workers may experience. Thus, this thesis aimed to develop multi-modal personalized safety training to reduce human errors and construction workers' unsafe behaviors by improving their hazard identification abilities.</p> <p>To do so, workers’ hazard identification skills were assessed through subjective and objective non-invasive psychophysiological metrics (e.g., visual attention, emotional responses) in an immersive 360° virtual environment and customized training for them. The effectiveness of the developed personalized training was tested and validated, and the findings indicate considerable improvements in subjects’ hazard identification performance after receiving this customized training.</p> <p>This thesis contributed to the body of knowledge and practice by proposing an advanced personalized safety training framework that automatically translates workers' subjective test results and objective psychophysiological responses into customized training recommendations. The outcomes lay the necessary foundations for building tailored training regimens to improve construction worker safety using comprehensive cognitive analysis and effective intervention strategies. The developed personalized safety training will not only improve workers' hazard identification performance but will also save construction companies time delays and cost overruns by eliminating the need for a repetitive retraining of the workforce.</p>

The transportation system is vital to the nation’s economic growth and stability, as it provides mobility for commuters while supporting the United States’ ability to compete in an increasingly competitive global economy. State Transportation Agencies across the country continue to face many challenges to repair and enhance highway infrastructure to meet the rapid increasing transportation needs. One of these challenges is maintaining an adequate and efficient agency staff. In order to effectively plan for future staffing levels, State Transportation Agencies need a method for forecasting long term staffing requirements. However, current methods in use cannot function without well-defined projects and therefore making long term forecasts is difficult. This dissertation seeks to develop a dynamic model which captures the feedback mechanisms within the system that determines highway staffing requirements. The system dynamics modeling methodology was used to build the forecasting model. The formal model was based on dynamic hypotheses derived from literature review and interviews with transportation experts. Both qualitative and quantitative data from literature, federal and state database were used to support the values and equations in the model. The model integrates State Transportation Agencies’ strategic plans, funding situations and workforce management strategies while determining future workforce requirements, and will hopefully fill the absence of long-term staffing level forecasting tools at State Transportation Agencies. By performing sensitivity simulations and statistical screening on possible drivers of the system behavior, the dynamic impacts of desired highway pavement performance level, availability of road fund and bridge fund on the required numbers of Engineers and Technicians throughout a 25-year simulation period were closely examined. Staffing strategies such as recruiting options (in-house vs. consultants) and hiring levels (entry level vs. senior level) were tested. Finally the model was calibrated using input data specific to Kentucky to simulate an expected retirement wave and search for solutions to address temporary staffing shortage.

State DOTs (department of transportation) spend billions of dollars on construction and maintenance of transportation projects every year. In addition, significant sums go to preliminary and construction engineering (PE and CE). For many projects, DOTs utilize engineering services from consultants, to supplement in-house engineering. The cost and quality of consultant’s engineering services compared to in-house, are important issues to justify the involvement of consultants. This report provides an analysis of those issues on Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) projects. Traditionally, the costs of PE and CE are calculated as a fixed percentage of total project construction cost, and the efficiency of engineering organizations is assessed by comparison of their gross percentages. However, the results presented here show that project scope and complexity are significant factors in PE and CE cost. Therefore, simplistic comparisons of PE and CE percentages can be misleading when applied across a mixed program of projects. / text

<p>The aim of this thesis is to analyse the effects of train induced vibrations in a steel Langer beam bridge. A case study of a bridge over the river Ljungan in Ånge has been made by analysing measurements and comparing the results with a finite element model in ABAQUS. The critical details of the bridge are the hangers that are connected to the arches and the main beams. A stabilising system has been made in order to reduce the vibrations which would lead to increased life length of the bridge.</p><p>Initially, the background to this thesis and a description of the studied bridge are presented. An introduction of the theories that has been applied is given and a description of the modelling procedure in ABAQUS is presented.</p><p>The performed measurements investigated the induced strain and accelerations in the hangers. The natural frequency, the corresponding damping coefficients and the displacement these vibrations leads to has been evaluated. The vibration-induced stresses, which could lead to fatigue, have been evaluated. The measurement was made after the existing stabilising system has been dismantled and this results in that the risk of fatigue is excessive. The results were separated into two parts: train passage and free vibrations. This shows that the free vibrations contribute more and longer life expectancy could be achieved by introducing dampers, to reduce the amplitude of the amplitude of free vibrations.</p><p>The finite element modelling is divided into four categories: general static analysis, eigenvalue analysis, dynamic analysis and detailed analysis of the turn buckle in the hangers. The deflection of the bridge and the initial stresses due to gravity load were evaluated in the static analysis. The eigenfrequencies were extracted in an eigenvalue analysis, both concerning eigenfrequencies in the hangers as well as global modes of the bridge. The main part of the finite element modelling involves the dynamic simulation of the train passing the bridge. The model shows that the longer hangers vibrate excessively during the train passage because of resonance. An analysis of a model with a stabilising system shows that the vibrations are damped in the direction along the bridge but are instead increased in the perpendicular direction. The results from the model agree with the measured data when dealing with stresses. When comparing the results concerning the displacement of the hangers, accurate filtering must be applied to obtain similar results.</p>

<p>Grouting as a method of strengthening and sealing rock, soil and concrete is widely used. The possibilities of sealing structures are of great importance from both an economical and environmental point of view. The cost of grouting has in certain projects been as high as the cost for the blasting and excavation of the tunnel. To improve the technique of grouting with cement based material, it is necessary to focus on the properties of the used grout mixture. The ability of a grout to penetrate cavities, channels and porous material, the penetrability, depends on two things, the theology and the filtration tendency. Extensive laboratory tests on stable, low w/c-ratio, injection grouts show that the most significant limitation to their penetrability is the tendency of cement grains to agglomerate into an impermeable filter cake. The properties of a grout that may prevent passing obstructions in the flow path without the cement grains clogging and preventing further penetration is in this work called filtration tendency. An inert material mixture and a cement-based mixture are used for the investigations in this work. The inert material, which is crushed dolomite stone, does not react with the added water in the mixture. The used cement grouts are based upon three types of commercial available Portland cements and four Portland cements with modified grain size distribution curves. </p><p>Performed tests show that the grain size and grain size distribution is of great importance for the filtration tendency. According to performed experiments with inert and cement material, it seems to be advantageous for the penetrability to have a grain size distribution that contains neither too many fine or coarse grains. It is reasonable to believe that the grain size distribution should be relatively steep (narrow grain size range) between minimum and maximum grain size. The maximum grain size is of importance in terms of for example d_95. Too large maximum grain size will prevent penetration of the mixture through obstructions in the flow path. According to performed tests, the value of d₉₅, should be between </p><p>4-10 times smaller than the aperture to be penetrated by the cement based mixture. The small grain sizes are also of importance in order to achieve a low filtration tendency of the grout. This is because of the increased tendency for the small grains to flocculation into larger agglomerates, compared to larger grain sizes. </p><p>The filtration experiments with cement based grouts show that influences of parameters like surface chemistry (use of superplastisisers) and cement chemistry (hydration of cement grains) will strongly affect the filtration tendency of the mixture. </p><p>To visualize the phenomenon of filtration tendency it can be investigated on a larger scale than usually takes place. Filtration experiments in the scale of approximately 100:1 have been performed in order to see influences of grain concentration, grain shape and the penetrated slot aperture. It can be seen that used grain sizes (monodisperse and inert mixture) should be approximately at least 2-3 times smaller than the aperture to be penetrated by the mixture. Numerical experiments of filtration tendency have also been performed to investigate the possibilities to numerically simulate the influence of grain concentration and slot aperture. The numerical experiments are based on Eulerian flow modelling.</p>

<p>The built environment usually constitutes a very important part of the real capital of a nation, and the construction sector represents more than 10% of the yearly Gross National Product of the industrialised world. Good planning of all construction is important, and consideration of the service life of the work is of great interest and is a significant aspect of sustainability considerations. The need for more knowledge about degradation of materials, for structured methodology, and for working tools for those involved in the planning process, has resulted in an extensive effort in pre-normative research and standardisation regarding this field.</p><p>This thesis presents a discussion on service life planning and the role of the Factor Method in such work, and especially, discussion of modification and development of the methodology. In the design process, the need to evaluate the service life of products is a great challenge, as the results will depend on both material properties and the environment in which the material is placed or used. A practical solution has to be based on a good knowledge in the field, but also on a sound working strategy, to ensure that different design scenarios can be compared in a standardised or structured way. The Factor Method is a promising working tool for such an evaluation and comparison, but is as such, still more of a methodology, than a method. Examples of the use of the methodology are still very limited, and the method as such, is much discussed by researchers. However, its future will depend upon how practical it will be to apply in use. The method is useful to estimate the service life of products, based on a known reference service life and a number of modifying factors. These factors in turn depend on the conditional differences between the specific project and the reference, in-use conditions. This thesis discusses the required precision of such a methodology, especially in light of inherent distributions in material properties, and the fact that the consequences of failure are often very limited. In such cases, the standardised Factor Method is considered to be quite useful, and should give the parties involved a good means for working in a structured and systematic way. </p>

<p>The aim is to share experience gained when simulating (and doing measurements on) the turbocharged SI-engine as well as describing the limits of current state of the technology. In addition an overview of current boosting systems is provided.</p><p>The target readers of this text are engineers employed in the engine industry as well as academia who will get in contact, or is experienced, with 1D engine performance simulation and/or boosting systems. Therefore the text requires general knowledge about engines.</p><p>The papers included in the thesis are, in reverse chronological order:</p><p>[8] SAE 2005-XX-XXX Calculation accuracy of pulsating flow through the turbine of SI-engine turbochargers - Part 2 Measurements, simulation correlations and conclusions Westin & Ångström</p><p>To be submitted to the 2005 SAE Powertrain and Fluid Systems Conference in San Antonio</p><p>[7] SAE 2005-01-2113 Optimization of Turbocharged Engines’ Transient Response with Application on a Formula SAE / Student engine Westin & Ångström</p><p>Approved for publication at the 2005 SAE Spring Fuels and Lubricants Meeting in Rio de Janeiro</p><p>[6] SAE 2005-01-0222 Calculation accuracy of pulsating flow through the turbine of SI-engine turbochargers - Part 1 Calculations for choice of turbines with different flow characteristics Westin & Ångström</p><p>Published at the 2005 SAE World Congress in Detroit April 11-14, 2005</p><p>[5] SAE 2004-01-0996 Heat Losses from the Turbine of a Turbocharged SI-Engine – Measurements and Simulation Westin, Rosenqvist & Ångström</p><p>Presented at the 2004 SAE World Congress in Detroit March 8-11, 2004</p><p>[4] SAE 2003-01-3124 Simulation of a turbocharged SI-engine with two software and comparison with measured data Westin & Ångström</p><p>Presented at the 2003 SAE Powertrain and Fluid Systems Conference in Pittsburgh</p><p>[3] SIA C06 Correlation between engine simulations and measured data - experiences gained with 1D-simulations of turbocharged SI-engines Westin, Elmqvist & Ångström</p><p>Presented at the SIA International Congress SIMULATION, as essential tool for risk management in industrial product development in Poissy, Paris September 17-18 2003</p><p>[2] IMechE C602/029/2002 A method of investigating the on-engine turbine efficiency combining experiments and modelling Westin & Ångström</p><p>Presented at the 7th International Conference on Turbochargers and Turbocharging in London 14-15 May, 2002</p><p>[1] SAE 2000-01-2840 The Influence of Residual Gases on Knock in Turbocharged SI-Engines Westin, Grandin & Ångström</p><p>Presented at the SAE International Fall Fuels and Lubricants Meeting in Baltimore October 16-19, 2000</p><p>The first step in the investigation about the simulation accuracy was to model the engine as accurately as possible and to correlate it against as accurate measurements as possible. That work is covered in the chapters 3 and 5 and in paper no. 3 in the list above. The scientific contribution here is to isolate the main inaccuracy to the simulation of turbine efficiency.</p><p>In order to have anything to compare the simulated turbine efficiency against, a method was developed that enables calculation of the CA-resolved on-engine turbine efficiency from measured data, with a little support from a few simulated properties. That work was published in papers 2 and 8 and is the main scope of chapter 6 in the thesis. The scientific contributions here are several:</p><p>· The application on a running SI-engine is a first</p><p>· It was proven that CA-resolution is absolutely necessary in order to have a physically and mathematically valid expression for the turbine efficiency. A new definition of the time-varying efficiency is developed.</p><p>· It tests an approach to cover possible mass accumulation in the turbine housing</p><p>· It reveals that the common method for incorporating bearing losses, a constant mechanical efficiency, is too crude.</p><p>The next step was to investigate if different commercial codes differ in the results, even though they use equal theoretical foundation. That work is presented in chapter 4, which corresponds to paper 4. This work has given useful input to the industry in the process of choosing simulation tools.</p><p>The next theory to test was if heat losses were a major reason for the simulation accuracy. The scientific contribution in this part of the work was a model for the heat transport within the turbocharger that was developed, calibrated and incorporated in the simulations. It was concluded that heat losses only contributed to a minor part of the inaccuracy, but that is was a major reason for a common simulation error of the turbine outlet temperature, which is very important when trying to simulate catalyst light off. This work was published in paper 5 and is covered in chapter 7.</p><p>Chapter 8, and papers 6 and 8, covers the last investigation of this work. It is a broad study where the impact of design changes of both manifold at turbines on both simulation accuracy as well as engine performance. The scientific contribution here is that the common theory that the simulation inaccuracy is proportional to the pulsation amplitude of the flow is non-valid. It was shown that the reaction was of minor importance for the efficiency of the turbine in the pulsating engine environment. Furthermore it presents a method to calculate internal flow properties in the turbine, by use of a steady-flow design software in a quasi-steady procedure. Of more direct use for the industry is important information of how to design the manifolds as well as it sheds more light on how the turbine works under unsteady flow, for instance that the throat area is the single most important property of the turbine and that the system has a far larger sensitivity to this parameter than to any other design parameters of the turbine. Furthermore it was proven that the variation among individual turbines is of minor importance, and that the simulation error was of similar magnitude for different turbine manufacturers.</p><p>Paper 7, and chapter 9, cover a simulation exercise where the transient performance of turbocharged engines is optimised with help from factorials. It sorts out the relative importance of several design parameters of turbocharged engines and gives the industry important information of where to put the majority of the work in order to maximize the efficiency in the optimisation process.</p><p>Overall, the work presented in this thesis has established a method for calibration of models to measured data in a sequence that makes the process efficient and accurate. It has been shown that use of controllers in this process can save time and effort tenfold or more.</p><p>When designing turbocharged engines the residual gas is a very important factor. It affects both knock sensitivity and the volumetric efficiency. The flow in the cylinder is in its nature of more dimensions than one and is therefore not physically modelled in 1D codes. It is modelled through models of perfect mixing or perfect displacement, or at a certain mix between them. Before the actual project started, the amount of residual gases in an engine was measured and it’s influence on knock was established and quantified. This was the scope of paper 1. This information has been useful when interpreting the model results throughout the entire work.</p>

The concept of Lean Construction has been introduced successfully into the Construction Industry to increase efficiency and profit by elimination of non-value adding activities or ‘Waste’. Lean Construction is an adaptation of Lean manufacturing principles and is the future of the Construction Industry in developing as well as developed countries. There has been much study and documentation conducted on ‘Lean Construction’ in USA. Even though people have started practicing Lean in India, there is lack of documented information available about it. Professionals within the Industry could already be minimizing ‘Waste’ and/or following Lean principles without the knowledge of the term ‘Lean Construction’. This thesis has reviewed and compared Lean Construction practices and awareness in India and USA. A questionnaire based study was used to examine practices and collect data about Construction for analysis. Descriptive statistics was primarily used to make inferences from the data. The Lean Construction characteristics of the construction professionals from both the countries were discussed and analyzed. It was inferred that the Construction Industry in both the countries could benefit further from the Lean practices and increase profitability by up to 25%. In general, personnel in the Construction Industry from both the countries need to receive regular knowledge and updates about Lean principles in order to optimize resources effectively.