Search results

Title: ORGANIZATIONAL FLEXIBILITY IN CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES
Creator: Taghizadeh Khamesi, Hossein
Date: 2016, 2016-05
Description: Flexibility is a key factor for an organization survival in a changing environment. Considering the cyclical nature of construction demand,...
Show moreFlexibility is a key factor for an organization survival in a changing environment. Considering the cyclical nature of construction demand, organizational flexibility is of special importance in construction company management. Most previous studies tried to categorize the response strategies of construction contractors to business and environmental changes. However, there is gap in the literature about the dynamic effect of organizational flexibility on the growth and competitiveness in construction companies. The objective of this study is to investigate the organizational flexibility of top construction contractors in the U.S. Engineering News-Records (ENR) top 400 contractors lists were used to collect data for the 52-year period 1963-2015. Using the collected data, several analyses were performed to find the relationship between organizational flexibility and competitive success. This attempt did not indicate a distinct relationship between organizational flexibility and competitiveness. It was found however that organizational flexibility is affected by change in the economy and that it was linked to company expansion/contraction. It is concluded that organizational flexibility is an essential advantage for construction contractors. Those contractors that are consistently ranked in the top 400 contractors list respond well to economic changes by expanding and contracting. On the other hand, different size contractors respond to changes in the economy differently, based on their resources and the nature of their work. In addition, this study concluded that those contractors that seek high growth rates face more fluctuations in their growth path and need more flexibility in response to them.
M.S. in Civil Engineering, May 2016
Show less

Title: Water power development at Iowa Falls, Iowa
Creator: Dowdell, Charles O.
Date: 2009, 1907
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/waterpowerdevelo00dowd
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology; Bibliography: leaf 12

Title: IMPROVEMENT OF BUS TRANSIT OPERATIONS BY MINIMIZING NON-REVENUE TRAVEL TIME
Creator: Arthur, Christina
Date: 2012-06-04, 2012-07
Description: There are many activities in which a transit agency can investigate reduce costs. Three main activities include service cuts, renegotiations...
Show moreThere are many activities in which a transit agency can investigate reduce costs. Three main activities include service cuts, renegotiations of union labor contracts and modifications to bus operations. The first activity, cutting service, is often a last resort because not only must an agency adhere to its budget but also its service standards. Service cutting can involve route eliminations, stop eliminations, reroutes and reductions in spans of service and frequency of service. These service cuts greatly impact the riders in which routes serve as well as the image of the agency. In order to maintain customer satisfaction and ridership, an agency may decide to employ the latter two activities. In essence these two types of activities, singularly or in combination, can produce a reduction in overhead costs to the agency by more efficiently operating services. This paper focuses on modifications to bus operations as it relates to pull-in and pull-out trips, commonly referred to as deadheading and operator travel to relief points. Using the urban bus operation of the Chicago Transit Authority, a model is developed to assign routes to garages given the locations of the pull-in and pull-out locations associated with each route. As the system currently exists, there are seven garages distributed across the city from which 144 bus routes start and end. Many of these routes are operated out of multiple garages. The main reason for these route-to-multi-garage assignments is garage capacity and scheduling needs. The goal of this research is to determine how routes can be assigned to one specific garage and still meet the requirements given by the schedule.
M.S. in Civil Engineering, July 2012
Show less

Title: TASK/STAFFING-TECHNOLOGY FIT IN CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULING
Creator: Yang, Juneseok
Date: 2015, 2015-07
Description: Construction managers use scheduling methods such as the critical path method (CPM) and linear scheduling methods (LSM) to improve the outcome...
Show moreConstruction managers use scheduling methods such as the critical path method (CPM) and linear scheduling methods (LSM) to improve the outcome of their project. CPM is a popular scheduling method that is mostly based on precedence relationships and the identification of the longest path through a network. LSMs are based on a continuous flow of resources and are used mostly on projects that exhibit repetitive characteristics. Despite the many obvious advantages of CPM, its use in construction has been limited. LSMs are much less frequently used than CPM, although the general consensus is that LSMs are quite effective in projects composed of activities of repetitive nature. Understanding the reasons why these methods are not used as extensively as expected could improve their level of acceptance in the construction industry. The link between construction scheduling methods and the tasks expected to be performed by schedulers has been an on-going concern in the construction industry. The link between construction scheduling methods and the capabilities of the scheduling staff has also been an important issue. This study proposes a combined task/staffing-technology fit model to understand why CPM and LSM are not used as extensively as expected in construction scheduling: (1) a task-technology fit model that aims to measure the extent to which a construction scheduling method functionally matches the tasks expected to be performed by the scheduling staff; (2) a staffing-technology fit model that aims to measure the extent to which a construction scheduling method matches the staff`s experience, know-how and capabilities. The models that are proposed are an answer to the lack of proper instruments for evaluating the extent to which scheduling methods are used in the industry. A questionnaire survey was administered to professionals listed in the directory of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) who have many years of experience in construction scheduling. Statistical analyses were performed to determine statistical significance of the differences between the level of agreement concerning task-technology fit and staffing-technology fit for CPM and LSM applications. Findings indicate that there are significant differences between the opinions of CPM users and LSM users. This means that task-technology fit is much different in CPM and LSM applications. Similarly, staffing-technology fit is also quite different in CPM and LSM applications.
M.S. in Civil Engineering, July 2015
Show less

Title: A system of street pavement for Naperville, Illinois
Creator: Beckman, H. E., Johnson, R. W., Peterson, I. C.
Date: 2009, 1909
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/systemofstreetpa00beck
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology

Title: The structural design of a three-story reinforced concrete cold storage building
Creator: Wamsley, Gage R
Date: 2009, 1920
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/structuraldesign00wams
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology;Includes folded leaves in back pocket

Title: Waterproofing of concrete by addition of commerical compounds
Creator: Hills, G. B, Cleaver, J. G, Schmidt, Fred
Date: 2009, 1911
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/waterproofingofc00hill
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology, 1911 B.S. in Civil Engineering, 1911

Title: BUILDING SCIENCE MEASUREMENTS FOR THE HOSPITAL MICROBIOME PROJECT
Creator: Ramos, Tiffanie
Date: 2014, 2014-05
Description: The Hospital Microbiome Project was designed to study the progression of microbial communities present inside and nearby patient rooms in a...
Show moreThe Hospital Microbiome Project was designed to study the progression of microbial communities present inside and nearby patient rooms in a new hospital pavilion recently built at the University of Chicago, both before the hospital was occupied and for nearly one year after introduction of patients and hospital staff. A suite of building science measurements, which is the focus of this work, was also designed and implemented to provide potentially meaningful data on several building environmental and operational parameters that may have influenced microbial communities inside the hospital. The building science measurement plan included characterizations of indoor air temperature, relative humidity (RH), absolute humidity, light levels, outdoor air fractions in the HVAC systems, room pressurization, and human occupancy using both beam break counters and CO2 concentrations in the 10 patient rooms and 2 nurse stations. Each parameter was measured at 5-minute intervals over the span of nearly one year, which resulted in more than 8 million collected data points. Air temperatures varied more than expected for such a typically tightly controlled environment, with surprisingly low correlations between rooms. RH and absolute humidity were highly correlated between patient rooms, indicating a strong effect from the HVAC system and little effect from occupants. Humidity was more tightly controlled during summer and winter months when the weather was most extreme in Chicago. Light intensity levels were not found to be very different between rooms and floors (which received similar solar exposure), but large seasonal patterns were apparent. CO2 was moderately correlated with non-directional IR beam-break counts at times, but not consistently. IR beam-break counters revealed large variations in patient room occupancy xv patterns throughout the study. In the HVAC systems serving each floor, outdoor air (OA) fractions were successfully calculated using CO2 concentrations measured in the outdoor air intake, recirculation air, and supply air, albeit only after periodic calibrations with data from the building automation system. OA fractions also showed distinct patterns of economizer usage with outdoor temperatures. Ultimately, this large suite of building science data will be used alongside microbial diversity data to explore correlations between indoor microbiology and the built environment.
M.S. in Environmental Engineering, May 2014
Show less

Title: SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS: INFLUENCE OF INFLUENT VARIABLES ON A WRP MODEL
Creator: Wang, Xiaolong
Date: 2015, 2015-07
Description: Balancing between cost and effluent quality at the Calumet water reclamation plants (WRP) is important. Influent quality has strong effects on...
Show moreBalancing between cost and effluent quality at the Calumet water reclamation plants (WRP) is important. Influent quality has strong effects on effluent quality. In this study, based on a simulation model, the influence of influent parameters on effluent ammonia concentration is identified by sensitivity analysis methods. Nine sensitivity analysis methods, including two mathematical methods, five statistical methods, and two graphical methods, are presented. Using different sensitivity analysis, most results presented all main effects have stronger effects than interactions among input variables on the output. Water temperature is always the most important parameter; the most important interaction effect is between water temperature and SS. Key words: Sensitivity analysis; water reclamation plants; design of experiments; simulation model; influent water quality; effluent ammonia
M.S. in Environmental Engineering, July 2015
Show less

Title: AN OVERVIEW OF IMPROVED PROBABILISTIC METHODS FOR STRUCTURAL REDUNDANCY ASSESSMENT OF INDETERMINATE TRUSSES
Creator: Pathe, Julien Rene
Date: 2012-07-25, 2012-07
Description: The redundancy of a structure refers to the extent of strength that is not considered in design. For an indeterminate structure a member...
Show moreThe redundancy of a structure refers to the extent of strength that is not considered in design. For an indeterminate structure a member failure does not necessarily induces the loss of integrity or functionality of the structure; rather it will affect its potential for safely carrying any future load. Numerous methods have been introduced in structural reliability literature to measure and implement the redundancy in design. However, in accordance with the semi-probabilistic approach of the codes which aim to develop design method providing consistent level of redundancy within the structure, the probability of failure of the structure has been proposed and is widely used as a redundancy measure. A classical method to compute the probability of failure of the structure based on failure paths is presented as a reference in this thesis. However, although extensively used, this method has major shortcomings which may lead to a misrepresentation of the structure redundancy. By using a geometric representation of members’ limit states associated with a loading regime, the research presented herein proposes an improved method for structural redundancy estimation that may be helpful to overcome problems associated with approximations and inconsistencies inherent in classics methods. Specific assumptions and/or procedures considered in the proposed method are described below. (1) An approximation is given to make the events of member failures mutually exclusive. (2) Geometric calculations are used to determine reliability indices and conditional reliability indices in order to establish closer bounds for the failure probability of individual structural members. (3) System’s failure probability is obtained using the assumption and procedures outlined in (1) and (2) above. (4) To further extend the method beyond geometrical redundancy, and to consider material redundancy, plasticity models commonly used in the structural analyses are considered in this study
M.S. in Civil Engineering, July 2012
Show less

Title: INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BID PRICE AND CLAIMS IN PUBLIC BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Creator: Vuong, Huy Anh
Date: 2014, 2014-07
Description: This thesis focus on examining the relationship between bid price and claims in public construction projects in order to propose the...
Show moreThis thesis focus on examining the relationship between bid price and claims in public construction projects in order to propose the alternative bidding strategy and help owner minimize actual completion cost and gain the best value for their construction projects. The investigation on the literature of bidding methods, claims and their relationship guided us to come up with our hypotheses on building up an equation that quantitatively expressing the reverse correlation of bid price and claims. In order to archive our goal, data from 30 public construction projects were collected, and the statistic method and data analysis are utilized. Finally the equation to estimate the amount of claim from the bid price, the engineer’s estimate, and the spread between the lowest two bids are established through regression model. Even though some limitations are remained, the results from this study strongly recommend owners to prefer a contractor that offers the lowest bid and potential claim, rather than select the contractor using the traditional process of choosing the lowest bid.
M.S. in Civil Engineering, July 2014
Show less

Title: Study of the building problems of the Badger Basket Company of Burlington, Wisconsin
Creator: Chase, Derwood
Date: 2009, 1921
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/studyofbuildingp00chas
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology

Title: Stresses in riveted joints
Creator: Rook, Henry A.
Date: 2009, 1916
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/stressesinrivete00rook
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology, 1916 Bibliography: leaves 39-44 B.S. in...
Show morehttp://www.archive.org/details/stressesinrivete00rook
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology, 1916 Bibliography: leaves 39-44 B.S. in Civil Engineering, 1916
Show less

Title: HEAT PUMPS IN DRINKING WATER UTILITY BUILDINGS
Creator: Colomer Pons, Ana Maria
Date: 2012-07-12, 2012-07
Description: In the United States each person consumes about 70 million BTUs per year in the residential sector, a tendency that is constantly growing...
Show moreIn the United States each person consumes about 70 million BTUs per year in the residential sector, a tendency that is constantly growing because of technology and society growth (EIA, 2011). The United States Department of Energy (USDOE, 1988) reported that heat pumps are energy efficient devices that can provide heating and cooling in residential and industrial buildings and also in households. According to Bernier (2006) heat pumps offer many advantages such as decreased space needs, higher efficiencies, and lower maintenance costs, and that is why they have been implemented in many regions throughout the United States as well as in many European countries. However, their use is many times hindered due to the high initial costs relative to conventional heating air conditioning ventilating systems (HVAC), technologies that are widely known and have been used for many years. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the performance, economic feasibility, and greenhouse gas emission reduction of implementing heat pump devices in drinking water plants for heating and cooling needs inside the building. The proposed system is similar to groundwater heat pumps (described in an upcoming section) but instead of groundwater the heat pump relies on drinking water that has been treated in the plant and it is ready for its use. Groundwater has one main advantage because it is at a constant temperature year round (NRC, 2005) which gives the heat pump system stability in its behavior. Moreover, it is at a higher temperature than air in winter, and at a lower temperature than air in summer, which makes it an excellent candidate for heat transfer purposes in the refrigeration cycle. The four cases studies described in this work examine medium and high efficiency heat pumps installed in existing plants and new plants. Because drinking water is readily available after its treatment, the cost of drilling and grouting is avoided and this high quality water also avoids most of the problems related to quality of water such as scaling or fouling. This system gives a return of investment that is in all cases lower than six years. emissions are reduced by about 50 per cent because the use of a much more efficient device produces less for each kWh of heating or cooling delivered in the building.
M.S. in Environmental Engineering, July 2012
Show less

Title: Investigation of the relative stability of vertical back and battered back dam sections
Creator: Geisler, R.j, Clark, R.b.
Date: 2009, 1912
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/investigationofr00geis
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology

Title: An investigation of the various properties of sand as affecting its use in concrete and mortar
Creator: Altman, Eugene E
Date: 2009, 1916
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/investigationofv00altm
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology;Bibliography: leaf 70

Title: An investigation of the tar by-product of the water gas industry
Creator: Harper, Robert B., Fash, Ralph H.
Date: 2009, 1905
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/investigationoft00harp
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology

Title: UTILIZING SUSTAIN TO MODEL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ON THE IIT CAMPUS
Creator: Miller, Patrick
Date: 2013-05-15, 2013-05
Description: As cities expand the amount of impervious surface area increases, which increases the amount of stormwater runoff generated. Urban stormwater...
Show moreAs cities expand the amount of impervious surface area increases, which increases the amount of stormwater runoff generated. Urban stormwater runoff contributes to the degradation and poor biological conditions of rivers and streams throughout the United States (USEPA, 2013). Currently, there are several different tools (i.e. computer software and models) available for stormwater managers to assess the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) to meet stormwater quality and quantity goals. In an effort to a create a single model that allows stormwater managers to evaluate the effectiveness of BMPs and associated cost information, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency developed System for Urban Stormwater Treatment and Analysis INtegration (SUSTAIN) (USEPA, 2009). In this study, SUSTAIN is used to determine what BMPs are necessary to meet the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) 2020 Sustainability Plan’s goal of achieving 100 percent capture and retention of all stormwater runoff on the IIT campus by the year 2020. Multiple BMPs were simulated in currently available green space and parking lots to evaluate the level of runoff reduction and associated cost of BMP installation. Although the simulations show that reductions in runoff are possible without affecting the current layout of the campus, 100 percent capture and retention is not possible for the entire IIT campus. While the 2020 goal of 100 percent reduction cannot be met for the entire campus, significant reductions in runoff can still be realized with the use of BMPs in different sections of campus with high associated costs.
M.S. in in Environmental Engineering, May 2013
Show less

Title: Complete design of a reinforced concrete street-crossing for track elevation
Creator: Dierking, F. C.
Date: 2009, 1912
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/completedesignof00dier
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology

Title: Design of a sewer and water system for the village of Kimberly, Wisconsin
Creator: Rosback, L. H., Michels, T.
Date: 2009, 1921
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/designofsewerwat00rosb
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology;Includes folded leaves in back pocket...
Show morehttp://www.archive.org/details/designofsewerwat00rosb
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology;Includes folded leaves in back pocket Bibliography: leaf 3
Show less

repository.iit

Search the repository

Pages

Pages

Enabled Filters

Refine Results

Date

Subject

Creator

Rights