Use of Warranties on Highway Projects: A Real Option Perspective

Since the introduction of warranty provisions in federal highway jobs, more and more state departments of transportation (DOTs) have considered the use of such provisions to protect their initial investment. This paper describes the pros and cons of warranty contracting in highway construction based on a survey of warranty practices in the United States. In particular, the need for state DOTs to buy a warranty for a well-built project is questioned. As an alternative, this paper introduces the warranty option, which gives the DOT the right to buy a warranty only if it becomes necessary at the end of construction. This option is exercised if the performance on site warrants it. This paper describes the mechanics of the warranty option and its advantages over the conventional warranty. A bid evaluation model is also developed for the warranty option approach.     

真空行业现状及未来国内市场

简单扼要的概述了真空行业的发展历史，以较详细的统计数据阐述了2002年行业经济运行情况，并通过对相关行业“十五”发展规划的研究，对今后5～10年真空设备的市场进行了分析预测。     

我国WCDMA系统产业化现状及挑战

我国移动通信制造业在2G上晚了十年，未能取得相应的市场份额。但在3G领域，已经逐渐同步业界先进水平。如何改变现有市场格局，我国移动通信业面临全新的机会和重大的挑战，本就我国WCDMA系统产业化现状做了简要论述。     

Failure analysis of three reconditioned rail car couplers

Three reconditioned rail car couplers, arbitrarily identified as couplers, failed during service due to cracking of the front face. The three couplers were reportedly upgraded by quenching and tempering to enhance strength and toughness. The objective of this investigation was to determine the mode of crack propagation and the root cause of the observed failures. Verl E. (Bud) Kahle, P.E., was a professional failure analyst for more than forty years. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in physical metallurgy from Washington State University 1957, Bud was employed by the General Electric Company at a facility in Hanford, Washington. He later was employed by the Aerojet General Corporation and eventually was head of the Southern Pacific Materials Science Laboratory in Sacramento. After retirement from Southern Pacific he owned and operated his own firm, Kahle Metallurgical Consulting Services, for fifteen years. He came to be known as “the man with the answers” to clients in a variety of industries. Bud was a Life Member of ASM International. Many of Bud’s clients remarked on the high quality of his failure analysis case histories and encouraged him to have them published. After Bud passed away in 1999, his wife, Suzanne, approached ASM International to see if the society would be interested in publishing any of his work. Mrs. Kahle was able to supply a large number of reports, which Bud had carefully archived over the years. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention Associate Editor Michael Stevenson read through the collected case histories, selected the ones to be included in this issue, and edited them for journal publication. ASM International wishes to thank Mrs. Kahle for providing these case histories for publication.     

煤炭企业管理的激励方式及运用

本文介绍了煤炭企业管理的激励方式以及激励机制的具体运用。     

把中国建设成世界有色金属制造业基地的对策研究

本文首先介绍了我国有色金属工业的现状以及当前世界有色金属工业发展的新格局,并分析了中国成为世界有色金属制造业基地的支撑条件,最后提出了关于建设具有特色的中国有色金属制造业基地的几点看法。     

电子工业用高纯氮的生产

生产电子工业用高纯氮的制氮装置 ,其要点和难点是一氧化碳和氢的清除。采用一氧化碳转换炉和特殊的冷箱内流程组织 ,可以生产纯度为 99 9999%以上的高纯氮。对制取电子工业用高纯氮制氮装置与常规制氮装置加氮终端净化器两种流程进行了比较。     

Virtual Teams: Guide to Successful Implementation

The successful initiation and execution of a virtual team is gaining increasing attention in the design and construction community. From opportunities to integrate international and multidisciplinary teams to the opportunity to leverage the best resources in an organization on a given project, virtual teams can transform the concept of project planning and execution. However, potential barriers exist in several areas to the successful implementation of virtual teams. The needs of increased management emphasis, social and cultural understanding, and emphasis on common goals are only a few of the nontechnical factors that can turn successful virtual teaming into virtual frustration. When combined with traditional technical challenges including compatibility of systems, security, and the selection of appropriate technologies, the line between leveraging virtual technologies for enhanced solutions and introducing additional complications into the project process is one that can be easily crossed. This paper presents the findings of research that addresses the opportunities and potential barriers to successful virtual teams in the engineering, procurement, and construction industry. Combining results from current research, industry practices, and early results from nonconstruction industries, the research findings provide an initial path to successful virtual team implementation.