Survey of the Construction Industry Relative to the Use of CPM Scheduling for Construction Projects

While critical-path method (CPM) scheduling has been around since the 1950s, its application in the construction industry has still not received 100% acceptance or consistency in how it is used. Project controls, and CPM scheduling in particular, have gone unchanged in the standards arena with little focus for a common understanding and recognition of what is required for CPM schedule development, implementation, and use. In recent years, little research has been conducted relative to the use of CPM and its benefits. In order to determine how the industry views its applicability and usage, a survey was developed for the stakeholders in the construction industry. This paper summarizes extensive research that was performed of the construction industry relative to the use of CPM scheduling, its applicability and its acceptance in the execution of today’s constructed projects. The research obtained the stakeholders’ views on the use and effectiveness of CPM scheduling; the necessary qualifications of scheduling personnel; and opinions relative to whether standards and/or best practices are necessary. The paper discusses the different views of the stakeholders and recommendations as to how consistency can be obtained in the use of CPM scheduling in order to improve the construction industry.     

Survey of TQM in Construction Industry in Upper Midwest

The acceptance of total quality management (TQM) within the construction industry is an issue that is difficult to quantify. A survey of construction firms in the upper Midwestern United States was conducted in order to quantify the application and use of the TQM philosophy. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to 1,500 construction firms in the Midwest who are involved in various types of construction activities (general contracting, road and highway construction, subcontracting, homebuilding, electrical and mechanical contracting, etc.). The results of the survey indicate that there are substantial economic benefits that can be attained through the implementation of TQM techniques. However, there are several key educational and operational issues that must be addressed prior to, and after, implementing a TQM program.     

美国稀土产业现状及政策选择

从日常生活到高科技领域,稀土都有着广泛的应用,因此其被很多国家视为战略性资源。近年来,由于对中国稀土的高度依赖,美国等国家对中国的稀土政策产生了不满,并诉至世界贸易组织（WTO）。在简要介绍全球稀土概况（特征与储量）的基础上,分析了美国稀土产业的现状：稀土资源丰富,但国内开采一度停滞;依赖进口,且进口集中度高;国内供应链不完整;科研水平全球领先。对于美国产业未来的政策选择,则可能包括：研发新技术;授权并资助美国地质调查局（USGS）进行全球稀土资源评估;支持并鼓励稀土矿的勘探以及建立储备。由此,美国稀土自给能力将可快速得到增强,而未来,全球稀土储量及未发现资源将足以满足其各种需求。     

ISO 14000 and the Construction Industry: Survey in China

The rapid growth of the Chinese economy sparked off a great volume of construction activities, but the damage caused by construction activities to the environment is indisputable and has alerted some large Chinese construction firms to seek effective environmental management. The ISO 14000 series offers a framework for managing construction operations to improve environmental performance. To discover the conditions of implementation of ISO 14000 in the construction industry, a structured questionnaire survey was conducted whose results show that the major motivation for implementing the system was to seek entry to the international construction market. Other motivations include standardization of the environmental management procedures for internal operations, obtaining social recognition, gaining confidence from clients and a better corporate image, enhancing the environmental awareness of subcontractors, and cleaner sites as a result of better housekeeping. However, some obstacles remain along the path, such as the financial burden, poor rates of return for most firms, low environmental awareness, and inadequate legal enforcement. Based on the analysis and discussion, the paper concludes that the government should take the lead in encouraging training, providing financial support, and improving the legal framework to promote ISO 14000 for the Chinese construction industry.     

Resistance to IT Change in the AEC Industry: Are the Stereotypes True?

Information technology (IT) change is difficult to implement successfully. Cultural (people) issues are a major barrier to IT implementation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry and existing change models have limitations, particularly with respect to cultural issues, which directly affect the ability of companies within the AEC industry to successfully implement IT change. This paper discusses research exploring the relationships between a resistance to change index (RTCI) and the demographics of individuals to understand different AEC participants’ resistance to IT change. Identifying individuals that exhibit different intensities of resistance to IT change efforts and their attendant demographics provides benchmark data to organizations. The ability to identify potential resistors is the first step in helping ensure that new technology implementations succeed. Data was collected from a 156-person sample of the AEC population to determine the relationships among different demographic groups within the AEC population and differences in their RTCI. The data analysis found several demographic groups that were different in their likelihood of resistance, including profession, gender, computer understanding and experience, and awareness of past or future changes occurring in their company. Age and education level were expected to have relationships with RTCI, based on industry stereotypes. The data analysis found that these stereotypes have no scientific basis. Two other stereotypes, gender and computer understanding and experience, were supported by the data analysis.     

铍铜工业近况

本文介绍世界各国铍资源概况、铍铜合金应用、生产铍铜厂家、市场动向,以及替代铍铜合金方面的进展。     

Informatization Index for the Construction Industry

It is normally recognized that information systems (IS) in the construction industry have not been sufficiently used in the era of information. However, so far no serious comprehensive effort has been made to measure the degree of informatization at the industry level. In order to address this problem, in this paper we propose an informatization assessment methodology for the construction industry. An informatization index for the construction industry (IICI) is developed based on specifics of the construction industry. A survey using IICI was conducted among general contractors in Korea, and the results are analyzed in terms of the measure of assessment, IS phases, construction business functions, and size of the firm. It is found that the proposed methodology can provide meaningful indicators that can be used in quantitative comparative assessment from many different perspectives. Details and implications of the case study are briefly presented.     

Framework for Measuring the Rationale Clarity of AEC Design Decisions

Current architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) design processes often rely on precedent to resolve complex decisions. However, changes to stakeholder concerns, design methods, and building products devalue much of this precedent knowledge. Project teams need to clearly communicate their decision rationale to develop consensus about design decisions. This study reviews a broad range of relevant theory from decision-based design, decision analysis, decision theory, linguistics, logic, organization theory, and social welfare. Rationale is defined as a set of assertions regarding distinct components (i.e., managers, stakeholders, designers, gatekeepers, goals, constraints, alternatives, and analysis) that support design decisions. Conditions of clarity (i.e., coherent, concrete, connected, consistent, credible, certain, and correct) are also defined. These definitions are used to measure the clarity of assertions, components, and the rationale as a whole. Taken together, this rationale clarity framework (RCF) provides a structured view that enables an objective evaluation of design decision methods.     

Innovative Wall System for Construction Industry

This paper describes an innovative wall system for use in residential and commercial construction projects that is reusable, uses less dimensional lumber, and is faster to assemble and install compared to traditional stud wall systems. The wall system is an engineered wall design composed of components fabricated from 5.08 × 5.08 cm (2 in.) (nominal dimensions) nailing strips and oriented strand board fins located in the midsection of the nailing strip. Components can be connected to one another by hinges allowing the system to be collapsible. Laboratory testing has shown that this wall system has significantly improved racking capabilities compared to the traditional stud wall system both with and without sheathing. Additional research is required, however, to enhance this wall system's structural characteristics in bending and axial loads. An economic analysis showed that material costs are cheaper for this wall and assembly, and installation times are less compared to traditional stud wall construction. In its present form, this wall system could be used for non-load-bearing applications (e.g., partition walls within a load bearing structure).     

Construction Industry Institute

The Construction Industry Institute has provided research opportunities to many and helped to establish the idea that construction research can have a real impact on the industry. Built on the Business Roundtable’s Construction Industry Cost Effectiveness Project, it has proven the effectiveness of industry–university cooperation in solving real problems.     

浅谈冶金企业信息化平台建设

信息自动化在冶金行业中的应用非常广阔,能够为企业节约成本、提高工作效率;利用网络把生产资源有机结合起来,信息自动化利用网络把原是信息孤岛的各部门连接起来.结合目前冶金行业自动化发展,以信息平台为基础开发更多应用.     

Integrated Electronic Commerce Model for the Construction Industry

The construction industry has been relentlessly searching for technology solutions to enhance its productivity and efficiency. This paper presents an investigation that was conducted to obtain an overview of the current situation of electronic commerce applications using Internet and web-based technologies for the construction industry. A conceptual model named Integrated Electronic Commerce Model for the construction industry is proposed in this paper. Based on this model, construction project scheduling process and its related business activities at the industry and enterprise levels are analyzed to compare the interaction and integration of construction processes, in the electronic commerce environment versus those in the traditional environment.     

Options for long-term ventilatory support

Long-term mechanical ventilator support for patients with chronic respiratory failure is becoming more common. This article reviews the common causes for chronic ventilator dependence, and offers an approach to weaning these patients from the ventilator. In addition, the details for preparing these patients for prolonged mechanical ventilation outside of the acute-care hospital setting are discussed. Appropriate education of the patient's caregivers is key to the success of long-term ventilatory support outside of the acute-care hospital.     

Developing ERP Systems Success Model for the Construction Industry

Recently, a significant number of major construction companies embarked on the implementation of integrated information technology solutions such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to better integrate various business functions. However, these integrated systems in the construction sector present a set of unique challenges, different from those in the manufacturing or other service sectors. There have been many cases of failure in implementing ERP systems in the past, so it is critical to identify and understand the factors that largely determine the success or failure of ERP implementation in the construction industry. This paper presents the process of developing an ERP systems success model to guide a successful ERP implementation project and to identify success factors for ERP systems implementation. The paper identifies factors associated with the success and failure of ERP systems, and develops a success model to analyze the relationships between key factors and the success of such systems. The proposed ERP systems success model adapts the technology acceptance model and DeLone and McLean’s information systems success model and integrates those with key project management principles. The goal of the ERP systems success model is to better evaluate, plan, and implement ERP projects and help senior managers make better decisions when considering ERP systems in their organization.     

Construction Industry in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has experienced a construction boom of unprecedented volume during the past decade, attracting construction professionals from all over the world. Construction industry was the greatest recipient of the government spending during both the First (1970–1975) and Second (1975–1980) National Development Plans. It has received 49.6% and 32% of total government expenditures during the two plans, respectively. Construction projects worth over U.S. S130 billion will be executed in the country between 1980 and 1985. Construction industry in Saudi Arabia employs 15% of the total labor force and uses 14% of the total energy consumption in the country. It contributes about 20% to the total non‐oil gross domestic product. The purpose of this paper is to describe the status and size of construction activities in Saudi Arabia. Construction facts and figures are cited, and a few examples are discussed in more details in order to help the reader visualize, evaluate and understand the size, diversity and type of the construction boom in Saudi Arabia. The future trends in the construction industry are discussed, and a few recommendations are included as well.     

世界粉末冶金工业一瞥

简介了国外与国内的粉末冶金工业发展现状;详述了近年来出现的温压、流动温压、高速压制、动磁压制、AncorMax D压制的新技术以及选择表面致密化方法;并对烧结硬化材料、软磁复合材料、磁致热材料等粉末冶金新材料进行了评述.     

Options for Centralized Management of Swine Waste

Management of swine waste generated in North Carolina and other states is a challenging problem facing engineers, farmers, scientists, regulators, and policy makers. Technologies for processing and storing swine waste have not been fully developed and refined in a manner acceptable to the public and environmental regulators. The primary concerns with improperly disposed swine waste are the effects on human and livestock health, surface and groundwater quality, air quality, and conservation of nitrogen fertilizers. Centralized swine waste management facilities, analogous to municipal wastewater treatment plants, provide an alternative to individually managed swine lagoons, which are subject to spills, leaks, and improper management and application of waste. A preliminary analysis for Duplin County, N.C., was performed with one, three, or ten centralized waste treatment systems within Duplin County. Centralized waste treatment facilities have high capital and transportation costs as compared to individual on-site lagoons, but may offer greater treatment efficiency and reduced environmental impact with associated economies of scale.