• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.71-82
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• 2009

This paper describes the use of a highly interactive and inter-operative application for complex simulation environments, or Synthetic Environments (SE), as deployed for construction as Construction Synthetic Environments (CSE). Based on the High Level Architecture (HLA), this research focuses on implementing simulation technology in a software environment, COSYE, that will be the foundation for building CSE applications. This framework is discussed in the context of tunneling and industrial construction applications, including steel fabrication and pipe-spool manufacture. The framework is demonstrated using the NEST sanitary tunnel project in Edmonton, Canada, in which COSYE was used for scenario-based analysis and planning.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.665-687
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• 2014

This paper presents a framework for analytical seismic vulnerability assessment of substandard reinforced concrete (RC) structures in developing countries. Amodified capacity-demand diagram method is used to predict the response of RC structures with degrading behaviour. A damage index based on period change is used to quantify the evolution of damage. To demonstrate the framework, a class of substandard RC buildings is examined. Abrupt accumulation of damage is observed due to the brittle failure modes and this is reflected in the developed vulnerability curves, which differ substantially from the curves of ductile structures.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2019

Light construction waste (LCW) particles are pieces of light concrete or insulation wall with light quality and certain strength, containing rich isolated and disconnected pores. Mixing LCW particles with soil can be one of the alternative lightweight soils. It can lighten and stabilize the deep-thick soft soil in-situ. In this study, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and its mechanism of Construction Waste Stabilized Lightweight Soil (CWSLS) are investigated. According to the prescription design, totally 35 sets of specimens are tested for the index of dry density (DD) and unconfined compressive strength (UCS). The results show that the DD of CWSLS is mainly affected by LCW content, and it decreases obviously with the increase of LCW content, while increases slightly with the increase of cement content. The UCS of CWSLS first increases and then decreases with the increase of LCW content, existing a peak value. The UCS increases linearly with the increase of cement content, while the strength growth rate is dramatically affected by the different LCW contents. The UCS of CWSLS mainly comes from the skeleton impaction of LCW particles and the gelation of soil-cement composite slurry. According to the distribution of LCW particles and soil-cement composite slurry, CWSLS specimens are divided into three structures: "suspend-dense" structure, "framework-dense" structure and "framework-pore" structure.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2007.03a
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• pp.69-78
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• 2007

In real world, the project managers handle conflicting goals that govern the use of resources within the stipulated time and budget with required quality and safety. These conflicting goals are required to be optimized simultaneously by the project managers in the framework of fuzzy aspiration levels. The fuzzy linear programming model proposed herein helps project managers to minimize total project costs, completion time, and crashing costs considering indirect costs, contractual penalty costs etc by practically charging them in terms of direct cost of the project. A case study of bituminous pavement under construction is considered to demonstrate the feasibility of applying the proposed model for optimization of project parameters. Consequently, the proposed model yields an efficient compromise solution and the decision maker's overall degree of satisfaction with multiple fuzzy goal values. Additionally, the proposed model provides a systematic decision-making framework, enabling decision maker to interactively modify the fuzzy data and model parameters until a satisfactory solution is obtained. The significant characteristics that differentiate the proposed model with other models include, flexible decision-making process, multiple objective functions, and wide-ranging decision information.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.440-448
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• 2009

Concurrent construction (or overlapping) is an alternative project delivery process to reduce time-tomarket such that the owner can get higher profits; the increased profits due to shortened project duration would exceed the loss of profits from the increased cost, if any. For more effective concurrent construction, a new conceptual framework for concurrent construction planning is suggested. With multiple work methods available in each activity, the performance of overlapping between two activities in terms of cost is affected by the compatibility between work methods selected and the benefit to the project owner is determined by internal rate of return (RoR). The impact of the compatibility between work methods and the conceptual framework are explained by a hypothetical case study.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2015.10a
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• pp.6-9
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• 2015

Traditional project management theory is based on a three-dimensional life cycle approach where the project managerseeks to optimize the dimensions of cost-schedule-technical (quality or design). This paper reports the findings of a case study analysis of two complex mega-projects in Michigan which confirm the findings of previous research and illustrates the use of a framework for five-dimensional project management (5DPM) that is for conceptualizing a complex project's scope of work. The framework elevates the recognition that the project's social/political context and the financial arrangements create complexity adding two new dimensions. This paper also demonstrates a methodology to graphically display a project's complexity to better understand and prioritize the available resources. The result is a "complexity footprint" that may help a complex project manager identify the boundary between controllable and uncontrollable projects impacts. The paper finds that applying 5DPM to the two case study projects has given the project delivery team a tool which is actually adding value to the complex project management process.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2007.03a
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• pp.729-738
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• 2007

The Public Private Partnership/Private Finance Initiative (PPP/PFI) schemes have made the private sector become a major participant involved in the development of infrastructure systems along with the government. Due to more integrated efforts among project participants and longer concession period, PPP/PFI projects are inherently more complex and risky. It is therefore very important to proactively manage the risks involved throughout the project life cycle. Conventional risk management strategies sometimes ignore managerial flexibility in the planning and execution process. This paper starts with a revised risk management framework which incorporates the real option concept. Following the presentation of the framework, a new risk classification is proposed which leads to different ways of structuring options in a project according to the stage of the project life cycle. Finally, the paper closes by discussing other issues concerning option modeling and negotiation.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.479-486
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• 2009

This paper presents an integrated real-time monitoring and control framework that facilitates decision making by enabling project managers to take corrective actions right after any deviation happens and mitigate the damage to the ongoing steel projects. The proposed framework employs the High Level Architecture (HLA) as its infrastructure. It is composed of several individual monitoring and control components called "Federates," which cooperate and interact with each other through the Real-time Infrastructure (RTI). Reusability, interoperability and extendibility of federates in the proposed project control system make this a unique system.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2015.10a
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• pp.477-480
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• 2015

Construction projects are high-risk activities. When undertaking such projects in an international setting, it can be complicated by foreign exchange (FOREX) fluctuation risk. This affects the construction business performance in various ways, namely its progress due to delays, which in turn create further problems, specifically cost overruns as a result of price increase in raw materials, disputes, arbitration, litigation and even, total abandonment. Thus, the effective management of FOREX fluctuations is crucial. Previous studies have focused on the need for contract safeguards, adequate insurance, careful planning and management, as well as foreign exchange futures hedging to address some of the risks triggered by FOREX fluctuations. An analysis of FOREX fluctuations in the international construction industry revealed that more often it was focused on project-specific issues. Currently, there is a relative lack of awareness on Organizational Capabilities (OC), the abilities that owned by the organization, which is essential in managing the impact of FOREX fluctuations. Where research has focused on OC, these are viewed in isolation. Therefore, this study attempts to close the gap by proposing a framework on managing the impact of FOREX fluctuations in the international construction industry, employing the OC perspective.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.413-423
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• 2015

Exterior Insulation and Finishing System(EIFS) is recognized as a promising alternative for energy reduction as energy reduction ratio of apartment is to be increased from 40% to 60% in 2017. However, EIFS is not actively applied to apartment because additional construction costs and duration are required for the current existing construction method of EIFS. Therefore, this study proposes a conceptual framework for concurrent construction method of EIFS which can reduce construction costs and duration by working sequentially from frame work to exterior insulation finishing work, and then verify the method's feasibility by analyzing a case study. It has been proven from the analysis that concurrent construction method of EIFS reduces 6.7% of construction duration and 13% of construction costs compared with the conventional exiting method. The proposed method is expected to contribute to invigorated application of EIFS to apartment.