Sanjiv Gokhale

Integration of the Construction Knowledge and Expertise in Front-End Planning

AbstractTraditionally, construction input is integrated after the completion of the design stage of the projects. Inadequate construction input at the predesign stage and during the front-end planning (FEP) process results in fragility of plans in terms of constructability. This paper reports on a research to investigate construction input during the FEP process. The research is based on three questionnaire surveys as well as complementary case studies. Questionnaires1 and 2 were developed to assess the status of the FEP process and select areas that require construction input, respectively. Case studies were then selected from a pool of projects and collected data were analyzed to investigate barriers to construction input. Results of the surveys and case studies suggested that lack of well-established interorganizational frameworks within project organizations, as a loosely coupled network, hinders effective construction input. Based on the results, a user-friendly decision aid, a construction input ass...

A decision support system for horizontal directional drilling

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) was pioneered in the US in the early 1970s. Through the integration of vertical oil well drilling technology with modern survey and steering techniques, horizontal directional drilling methods have the capability of undertaking a wide range of pipe installations, from large-diameter river crossings to small-diameter cable pipes. HDD has gained in popularity, as it is able to install underground pipes with minimum impact on society and the environment. Although HDD has been used for over three decades, it is necessary to evaluate the suitability and appropriateness of HDD methods on a project-to-project basis by considering a large number of factors that influence this decision-making. The lack of a systematic tool contributes to the difficulty of making effective decisions. This paper discusses the development of the framework for a decision support system (DSS) to assist in the selection of appropriate equipment/technique for HDD projects. Decision making criteria and rules are developed through literature review, analysis of field data compiled from the completed HDD projects, and investigations of ongoing projects. This DSS is most appropriate for use by contractors and asset managers at project planning stages.

Decision aids for the selection of installation technology for underground municipal infrastructure systems

Sewer systems for a vital component of the municipal infrastructure in the US. Many of the municipal utility systems in the US were constructed during the turn of the 20th century and are reaching the end stages of their design life. Municipal utility systems are eroding due to aging, excessive demand, misuse, exposure, and neglect (National Science Foundation (NSF), January (1993), 8, March (1995).9) Trenchless technology (TT) consists of a wide range of methods, materials, and equipment to install new or to rehabilitate existing underground pipelines and utility systems with minimal excavation of the ground. The development, selection, and utilization of trenchless technology (TT) has expanded rapidly over the past 10 years. The reason for this exceptional growth is the desire to install or rehabilitate underground pipeline systems with minimum impact on society and the environment. The benefits of trenchless technology are quite apparent when compared to the conventional open-cut process. However, it is necessary to evaluate the appropriateness of any technology, trenchless or otherwise, on a project-to-project basis by considerating all the criteria and subcriteria important for the decision task. This paper presents a framework for a Decision Support System (DSS) to assist design engineers and system managers in selecting the most appropriate technology for a project by systematically evaluating five groups of criteria and subcriteria with respect to the knowledge based preference of the user and the project specific situations.

Integrated Project Delivery Method for Trenchless Projects

Aging infrastructures, cost escalation, limited resources, stagnant productivity, environmental issues, and sprawling growth are some of the chief concerns in the management and administration of infrastructure networks, both above ground and below ground. There are strong incentives for seeking alternative and innovative means to expedite the design and delivery of infrastructure projects. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a project delivery method that integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to optimize project results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (MGNDC) is looking to utilize the IPD procurement strategy that would focus on providing the owner with the “Best Value”. This paper describes the various procurement strategies used by MGNDC and their outcomes.

Decision Tool for Selecting the Optimal Techniques for Cost and Schedule Reduction in Capital Projects

Projects must meet budget, schedule, safety, and quality goals to be regarded as a success. Many factors come into play, and many decisions are made that influence a project’s outcome. Today, owners are often faced with deciding between an execution strategy that emphasizes either project cost or project schedule. Such a decision may be made not once, but throughout the life of the project. Project teams, when required by the owner to make a cost-schedule trade-off, generate common sense ideas, best practices, and other means of achieving the desired trade-off through brainstorming sessions. This paper offers a tool for systematically identifying the techniques which are most effective in achieving the trade-off goal. Project teams can then use these techniques in a timely fashion to increase the likelihood of project success.

A Decision Support System for Infrastructure Rehabilitation Planning

More and more state and local communities are relying on maintaining, operating, and refining the existing infrastructure systems instead of new large capital programs to improve the performance of infrastructure. Therefore, it is important for every governing agency to plan effectively for rehabilitation of existing facilities within the constraints of the capital program. This paper presents a computer based tool called the Model for Infrastructure Rehabilitation Planning (MIRP) to help governing agencies plan, select, and make decisions on infrastructure rehabilitation. With a group evaluation module and a flexible evaluation criteria database, the Model for Infrastructure Rehabilitation Planning can evaluate the facilities for rehabilitation needs at five different levels: (1) technical/social evaluation including functional criteria and social/community/political criteria; (2) group evaluation that allows multiple user evaluation; (3) cost evaluation, which includes cost estimates for partial and full rehabilitation of facilities with respect to functional and social/political criteria; (4) funding sources and constraints; and (5) management considerations. The paper also describes the software package and illustrates a hypothetical example to explain the model and software

Counterfeiting Risk Governance in the Capital Projects Supply Chain

The capital projects supply chain has proved to be vulnerable to disruption by counterfeit, fraudulent, and suspect items (CFSI). The challenges associated with CFSI are intensified considering the project-based nature of industry that involves diverse actors and a complex supply-chain structure. The aim of this research is to study governance of the risks associated with CFSI in the capital projects supply chain. First, the status of the industry regarding CFSI is updated through a multistaged survey of the industry. An analysis of the survey results underscores the lack of awareness in the construction industry about the risks associated with CFSI and highlights the need for guidelines and collaboration at the industry level. A comparative study of CFSI risks and mitigation procedures in other industries echoes these needs. Therefore, mitigation strategies and practices are explored, and a framework to govern the risk of CFSI in the capital projects supply chain is proposed. An implementation roadmap is also recommended as a two-phased collaborative approach at the construction company and industry levels based on the proposed framework.

Automated Assessment Technologies for Renewal of Underground Pipeline Infrastructure

As our drinking water and waste water infrastructure age, it is important to increase the knowledge about the actual status of the infrastructure. Assessment of pipeline condition is becoming a priority with municipal authorities worldwide. CCTV based assessment is the norm, however accurate assessment is difficult to achieve in practice as subtle defects are hard to discern. CCTV technique is also highly subjective due to its reliance on the skill and concentration of the field operator. In recent years research efforts have concentrated on developing systems that can not only collect accurate relevant data, but also use this data to make intelligent, cost effective decisions regarding the rehabilitation, operation, and maintenance of the network. This paper presents two state-ofthe art technologies for automated assessment and robotic repairs of underground pipelines.

Evaluation, Analysis, and Enhancement of INDOT's Utility Accommodation Policy

The Utility Accommodation Policy (UAP) is a collection of the regulations and practices to control the utility occupancy of all public highway rights-of-way under jurisdiction of the different States. UAPs not only help to regulate the installation of new utilities and the renovation of the currently installed by construction companies, subcontractors, and utilities companies, but also provide a framework to develop and preserve a safe roadside and to minimize possible interferences and impairment to the highway, its structures, appearance, safe operation, construction and maintenance. According to FHWA (2002) “Present FHWA regulations, policies, and practices dealing with utility relocation and accommodation matters have evolved from basic principles established decades ago, with many of the policies remaining unchanged.” It is therefore imperative to develop a utility accommodation policy that reflects the current needs of the industry. The current utility accommodation policy of the State of Indiana (policy) was adopted on September 10, 1990. It was revised on March 26, 1998 to include the placement of telecommunication towers within highway right-of-way of partial or full access control. In order to achieve an effective accommodation of existing and new utilities, INDOT’s current Utility Accommodation Policy (UAP) was revisited and analyzed by comparing UAPs in mid-west states and incorporating experts opinions from INDOT and related industry. The advances in construction technologies such as trenchless technology and Subsurface Utility Engineering as well as the demands for new types of utilities, and issues related right-of-way, permits, appurtenances, emergency responses, etc. were analyzed and the implications of these were addressed in INDOT’s new UAP.

An Overview of Common Methods in Trenchless Technology

The demand for installing new underground utility systems in congested areas with existing utility lines has increased the necessity for innovative systems to go underneath in-place facilities. Environmental concerns, social (indirect) costs, new safety regulations, difficult underground conditions (existence of natural or artificial obstructions, high water table, etc.) and new developments in equipment have increased the demand for trenchless technology. Trenchless technology methods include all methods of installing or rehabilitating underground utility systems with minimum disruption of the surface. This study presents an overview of major trenchless technology methods for installation and renewal underground pipelines and conduits.