In order to minimise the cost of constructing low volume roads (LVRs), it is essential that optimum use is made of locally available, naturally occurring materials. However, conflicts often arise between material acce...In order to minimise the cost of constructing low volume roads (LVRs), it is essential that optimum use is made of locally available, naturally occurring materials. However, conflicts often arise between material acceptability, as defined by conventional test methods and specifications, and material suitability in terms of actual engineering performance as a “fit-for-purpose” road construction material. To avoid such conflicts, it is crucial to adopt appropriate test methods and specifications for selecting construction materials. This paper presents a materials evaluation framework for optimizing the utilisation of materials in LVR pavements based on the use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP). This approach enables materials to be selected on the basis of their “fitness-for-purpose”. It avoids suitable materials from being rejected based on one or other of the traditionally specified parameters not being complied with, even though their strength, as measured by the DCP penetration rate (DN value in mm/blow) of the soil, may be adequate. Investigations of the properties of a wide range of locally available materials that have been used successfully in the construction of LVRs have confirmed the validity of the materials evaluation framework.展开更多
This article considers threats to a project slipping on budget,schedule and fit-for-purpose.Threat is used here as the collective for risks（quantifiable bad things that can happen）and uncertainties（poorly or not qu...This article considers threats to a project slipping on budget,schedule and fit-for-purpose.Threat is used here as the collective for risks（quantifiable bad things that can happen）and uncertainties（poorly or not quantifiable bad possible events）.Based on experience with projects in developing countries this review considers that（a）project slippage is due to uncertainties rather than risks,（b）while eventuation of some bad things is beyond control,managed execution and oversight are stil the primary means to keeping within budget,on time and fit-for-purpose,（c）improving project delivery is less about bigger and more complex and more about coordinated focus,effectiveness and developing thought-out heuristics,and（d）projects take longer and cost more partly because threat identification is inaccurate,the scope of identified threats is too narrow,and the threat assessment product is not integrated into overall project decision-making and execution.Almost by definition,what is poorly known is likely to cause problems.Yet it is not just the unquantifiability and intangibility of uncertainties causing project slippage,but that they are insufficiently taken into account in project planning and execution that cause budget and time overruns.Improving project performance requires purpose-driven and managed deployment of scarce seasoned professionals.This can be aided with independent oversight by deeply experienced panelists who contribute technical insights and can potentially show that diligence is seen to be done.展开更多
Occupant behavior(OB)is one of the significant sources of uncertainty in building performance simulation.While OB modeling has received increased attention in the past decade,research on the degree of granularity or l...Occupant behavior(OB)is one of the significant sources of uncertainty in building performance simulation.While OB modeling has received increased attention in the past decade,research on the degree of granularity or level of detail(LoD)required for representing occupants is still in the nascent stages.This paper analyzes the modeling and applicability of three LoDs to represent occupants in building performance assessment.A medium-sized prototype office building located in Chicago,Illinois is used as the simulation case study.Ten occupant-centric attributes are adopted to develop the LoDs for OB representation.We first demonstrate the different modeling approaches required for simulating the three fidelity levels.Later,we illustrate the suitability of the developed LoDs in supporting six building performance use cases across different lifecycle stages.This study intends to provide guidance for the building simulation community on appropriate OB representation to support various use cases.展开更多
文摘In order to minimise the cost of constructing low volume roads (LVRs), it is essential that optimum use is made of locally available, naturally occurring materials. However, conflicts often arise between material acceptability, as defined by conventional test methods and specifications, and material suitability in terms of actual engineering performance as a “fit-for-purpose” road construction material. To avoid such conflicts, it is crucial to adopt appropriate test methods and specifications for selecting construction materials. This paper presents a materials evaluation framework for optimizing the utilisation of materials in LVR pavements based on the use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP). This approach enables materials to be selected on the basis of their “fitness-for-purpose”. It avoids suitable materials from being rejected based on one or other of the traditionally specified parameters not being complied with, even though their strength, as measured by the DCP penetration rate (DN value in mm/blow) of the soil, may be adequate. Investigations of the properties of a wide range of locally available materials that have been used successfully in the construction of LVRs have confirmed the validity of the materials evaluation framework.
文摘This article considers threats to a project slipping on budget,schedule and fit-for-purpose.Threat is used here as the collective for risks（quantifiable bad things that can happen）and uncertainties（poorly or not quantifiable bad possible events）.Based on experience with projects in developing countries this review considers that（a）project slippage is due to uncertainties rather than risks,（b）while eventuation of some bad things is beyond control,managed execution and oversight are stil the primary means to keeping within budget,on time and fit-for-purpose,（c）improving project delivery is less about bigger and more complex and more about coordinated focus,effectiveness and developing thought-out heuristics,and（d）projects take longer and cost more partly because threat identification is inaccurate,the scope of identified threats is too narrow,and the threat assessment product is not integrated into overall project decision-making and execution.Almost by definition,what is poorly known is likely to cause problems.Yet it is not just the unquantifiability and intangibility of uncertainties causing project slippage,but that they are insufficiently taken into account in project planning and execution that cause budget and time overruns.Improving project performance requires purpose-driven and managed deployment of scarce seasoned professionals.This can be aided with independent oversight by deeply experienced panelists who contribute technical insights and can potentially show that diligence is seen to be done.
基金supported by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,Office of Building Technologies of the United States Department of Energy,under Contract No.DE-AC02-05CH11231.
文摘Occupant behavior(OB)is one of the significant sources of uncertainty in building performance simulation.While OB modeling has received increased attention in the past decade,research on the degree of granularity or level of detail(LoD)required for representing occupants is still in the nascent stages.This paper analyzes the modeling and applicability of three LoDs to represent occupants in building performance assessment.A medium-sized prototype office building located in Chicago,Illinois is used as the simulation case study.Ten occupant-centric attributes are adopted to develop the LoDs for OB representation.We first demonstrate the different modeling approaches required for simulating the three fidelity levels.Later,we illustrate the suitability of the developed LoDs in supporting six building performance use cases across different lifecycle stages.This study intends to provide guidance for the building simulation community on appropriate OB representation to support various use cases.
