Jeffrey S. Russell

Contractor prequalification data for construction owners

In this paper, an industry evaluation of the perceived impact of various decision factors and subfactors on the contractor prequalification decision-making process has been conducted and the results are presented herein. The three organization types participating in the study were public owners, private owners, and construction managers. An analysis of the mean impact responses by organization type has been performed. An analysis of the correlation coefficients among the questionnaire items has also been completed. The mean impact responses of the various organization types were evaluated for statistical significance. The results indicate a significant statistical difference in the value of the perceived impact among public owners when compared to private owners or construction managers, while private owners and construction managers responded similarly. These results provide documented evidence of organizational similarities and differences that are, in some cases, intuitively perceived to exist. A sumar...

A model specification for FRP composites for civil engineering structures

Abstract A proposed model specification for FRP composite materials for use in civil engineering structural systems is described in this article. The model specification provides a classification systems for FRP materials, describes admissible constituent materials and limits on selected constituent volumes, describes tests for specified mechanical and physical properties, specifies limiting values of selected properties in the as-received condition and in a saturated state, and provides a protocol for predicting long-term property values subjected to accelerated aging based on the Arrhenius model. The model specification is included as an appendix to the article.

Information technology (IT) and integration in the construction industry

The focus of this paper is on the integration of design and construction activities. We argue that information technology (IT) can effectively promote integration in the construction industry. Recent advances in the field of IT, the increasingly global nature of the construction market and a renewed demand for quality and productivity in construction are making the issue of integration more critical than ever. Design and construction organizations can achieve integration of various construction activities by redesigning many of their organizational functions and processes and IT can facilitate redesigning of these processes. The dynamic nature of construction processes, interdependence of various participating entities and the need for teamwork, flexibility and a high degree of coordination suggest that IT has great potential in the construction industry. The construction industry can make effective use of communication, data accessibility and common systems designed to process data, the three major categ...

AutoPave: towards an automated paving system for asphalt pavement compaction operations

Abstract Asphalt pavement density from roller compaction is a crucial factor in ensuring satisfactory pavement performance. Proper and uniform compaction of the pavement mat is essential in achieving the desired final compacted density. There is a necessity to investigate existing pavement construction practices, and provide more cost-effective modifications to the current scenario. Automation of the paving operation can increase the efficiency and quality of the operation, lead to reductions in overall project costs and time, and enhance pavement life. A system can be developed through algorithmic planning and real-time guidance strategies, and the development of a semi-automated path-planning and real-time guidance system that aims towards automating the paving operation. This system accepts relevant paving project inputs, generates appropriate path plans for the compactor, performs a graphical visualization of the generated path plan, and offers real-time guidance capabilities using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology. This system, named AUTOPAVE (v1.0), was developed in Microsoft Visual Basic™ programming language and offers a user-friendly and interactive graphical interface. The proposed new system will incorporate state-of-the-art GPS technology to standardize paving operations that are more amenable to rigorous quality control, and can result in considerable reductions in cost and time involved in asphalt pavement construction projects. This system was tested on several actual paving projects, and many operational issues related to the functioning of the system were successfully overcome.

Relationship Between Pavement Temperature and Weather Data: Wisconsin Field Study to Verify Superpave Algorithm

Six test sections were constructed on US-53 in Trempealeau County by using different performance-graded asphalt binders to validate the Superpave pavement temperature algorithm and the binder specification limits. Field instrumentation was installed in two of the test sections to monitor the thermal behavior of the pavement as affected by weather. The instrumentation was used specifically to monitor the temperature of the test sections as a function of time and depth from the pavement surface. A meteorological station was assembled at the test site to monitor weather conditions, including air temperature. Details of the instrumentation systems used and analysis of the data collected during the first 22 months of the project are presented. The analysis was focused on development of a statistical model for estimation of low and high pavement temperatures from meteorological data. The model was compared to the Superpave recommended model and to the more recent model recommended by the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program. The temperature data analysis indicates a strong agreement between the new model and the LTPP model for the estimation of low pavement design temperature. However, the analysis indicates that the LTPP and Superpave models underestimate the high pavement design temperature at air temperatures higher than 30°C. The temperature data analyses also indicate that there are significant differences between the standard deviation of air temperatures and the standard deviation of the pavement temperatures. These differences raise some questions about the accuracy of the reliability estimates used in the current Superpave recommendations.

Framework for an intelligent earthwork system: Part II. Task identification/scheduling and resource allocation methodology

This paper is focused on developing (1) automated task identification and scheduling method and (2) resource allocation method for intelligent earthwork system (IES) described in Part I. The task identification and planning in IES involve the translation of input data to tasks for earthwork operations and explanation of what will happen with the scheduled time zone, where it will happen, and how it will happen. After scheduling earthwork tasks, the available resources, which refer to construction equipment, are allocated for task execution. Resource allocation is essential to achieve successful earthwork operations and is carried out using the resource allocation policy, which is based on the contract net algorithm proposed by Smith and Davis.

Concrete Bridge Decks Constructed with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Stay-in-Place Forms and Grid Reinforcing

A description is given of laboratory testing, initial test results, and continuing research to develop design procedures and plans for construction of a two-span highway overpass on US-151 in the state of Wisconsin using only a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement system in the concrete bridge deck. The use of FRP reinforcing is being pursued to increase the durability of bridge decks and to reduce unit cost and time. The unique aspect of the new bridge is that it will use FRP stay-in-place formwork, placed over precast concrete I girders, to serve as formwork and as the bottom transverse reinforcement of the bridge deck. In addition, a heavy-duty prefabricated FRP grid will be used for the top layer of concrete reinforcing. Full-scale prototype laboratory testing is being used to develop design recommendations including effective distribution widths. From the spring to fall of 2003, a construction productivity study comparing the FRP deck construction sequence with that of identical adjacent steel reinforced deck will be conducted. Both bridges will be field load tested before opening to traffic. The FHWA Innovative Bridge Research and Construction Program is supporting the research and construction.

Framework for an intelligent earthwork system: Part I. System architecture

Recently, there has been an increase in the demand to enhance the intelligence of construction equipment and systems. Especially for semiautonomous and autonomous systems that have great potential for impact on the construction industry, artificial intelligence approaches are required to generate instructions and plans necessary to perform tasks in dynamically changing environments on their own. The framework for an intelligent earthwork system (IES) is suggested by the authors. It generates a plan automatically for construction equipment, provides a means of cooperation between construction equipment seamlessly, and improves worker safety. This paper describes some factors that can affect earthwork operation performance, five emerging technologies that can be adapted to implement an IES, the system architecture, and the system control strategy for IES.

The impact of change orders on mechanical construction labour efficiency

Change orders impact many areas of a construction project. However, the impacts that change orders have on labour efficiency are much harder to quantify than other impacts and therefore are a significant risk to contractors. Little research has been completed in the past quantifying these impacts, so disputes are common between owners and contractors regarding the actual cost of change. This study used data from 43 projects to develop a linear regression model that predicts the impact of change orders on labour efficiency. The input factors needed for the model are (1) total actual project hours, (2) total estimated change hours, (3) impact classification, and (4) timing of change. The model calculates the labour loss in efficiency for a particular project so that owners and contractors will better understand the true impact of change on labour efficiency. The research is limited to the mechanical trade, but does include specific work in plumbing, HVAC, process piping, and fire protection.

Analyzing the Role of National PPP Units in Promoting PPPs: Using New Institutional Economics and a Case Study

The global expansion of public-private partnerships (PPPs) has generated interest in establishing national PPP units for implementing or analyzing PPPs. Despite the good intentions for establishing such units, results have been mixed. Unless its role is clarified, a national PPP unit cannot be successful because it lacks adequate authority to respond appropriately to the changing environment. However, relevant research in construction journals is too limited to provide policymakers with constructive suggestions. This study aims to improve this situation by aligning a theoretical model with empirical data. The PPP activities can be analyzed as a game between the host government and private promoters trying to maximize their respective payoffs; thus, in accordance with new institutional economics (NIE) theory, a national PPP unit can be considered an endogenous equilibrium outcome of a game. On the basis of this perspective, three game (four consensus) theoretical models are constructed to find equilibriums: a single game for a single authority, repeated games for a single authority, and repeated games for government with multiple subordinate authorities. This study also uses a case study to present the history of PPPs in Taiwan and the evolutionary role of the National PPP Taskforce, Taiwan. National and international data confirm the theoretical model, which indicates that the common role of a national PPP unit is as a trust-creator between the public and private sectors. This pilot study contributes to the theoretical foundation that policymakers need to accelerate the learning process for implementing a PPP. It also provides researchers in the construction field with an NIE methodology for analyzing other governance structures in the construction field.