Fatemeh Pariafsai | Texas A&M University (original) (raw)

Books by Fatemeh Pariafsai

URL: http://aylarbook.ir/fehrest-entesharat/930-2014-11-25-15-46-32

URL: http://aylarbook.ir/fehrest-entesharat/929-2014-11-25-15-45-55

Journal Papers by Fatemeh Pariafsai

International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2021

American Institute of Constructors (AIC), 2018

This study compares the enrollment, retention, and graduation patterns of Hispanic and White stud... more This study compares the enrollment, retention, and graduation patterns of Hispanic and White students in the Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M University from 2008 to 2012 with three objectives: (1) to analyze demographic and scholastic databases of students enrolled in the department; (2) and to use the databases to identify any significant trends in Hispanic student enrollment in the department. The study demonstrates that there should be a concerted effort to recruit, retain, and graduate greater numbers of Hispanics in the department in order to keep up with the expected rise in Hispanic population in the State of Texas. The literature and data suggest that the best option requires recruitment efforts in midsize urban areas, as well as collaboration with public two-year colleges, especially those that are Hispanic-serving institutions, in order to increase the number of Hispanic transfer students. Also, a mentoring program is essential to promote healthy and positive factors that enhance a student's psychological well-being, leading to better academic performance and higher graduation rates. These efforts would, of course, require strategic investment by Texas A&M University, College of Architecture, and Department of Construction Science resources.

This research study was conducted to investigate the potential of a virtual project-based simulat... more This research study was conducted to investigate the potential of a virtual project-based simulation game for being used as an educational tool, from the viewpoint of construction students. For this purpose, 135 undergraduate construction students played Skyscraper Simulator, which is a virtual project-based simulation game focused on construction management. After playing, the students completed a questionnaire to share their opinions on the game " s strengths and weaknesses. For assessing their responses, the comments were categorized by means of the constant comparative method of qualitative analysis and were counted for each category. The results indicate that the participants believed that Skyscraper Simulator has the potential to help substantially with comprehension of main concepts in construction management, and so it has positive effect on educating undergraduate construction students.

This study was carried out to assess the potential of a virtual project-based simulation game in ... more This study was carried out to assess the potential of a virtual project-based simulation game in educating construction students, form their own perspective. For this purpose, a project-based simulation game, named Skyscraper Simulator, which focuses on construction management, was tested by 135 undergraduate construction students. After playing, the participants filled out a questionnaire to evaluate the game's effectiveness. For assessing their responses, quantitative methods were used. The results indicate that from the viewpoint of the students, a virtual project-based simulation game has positive effect on construction education, and so it can be used as a supplementary tool in educating construction students at the undergraduate level.

This research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual project-based simulation g... more This research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual project-based simulation game in construction education. For this purpose, Skyscraper Simulator, which is a project-based simulation game focused on the construction management process in an interactive environment, was tested by 135 undergraduate construction students. After finishing the game, students completed a questionnaire to rate the game " s effectiveness. Then, quantitative methods were used to investigate their answers. Students also rated their pre-and post-playing construction knowledge, ability and skills in six broad areas typical for their construction management curricula. To measure their perceived learning gains, the self-assessment data on each six area were analyzed by means of a paired-samples T test. The results provide the evidence for positive effect of a virtual project-based simulation game on educating undergraduate construction students, and so for its potential to be used as a supplementary tool in construction education at undergraduate level.

In the past few decades, the use of glass in buildings has remarkably increased. As a result, sev... more In the past few decades, the use of glass in buildings has remarkably increased. As a result, several transparent buildings have been constructed, in which the materials have almost disappeared. Given that the advancement of architecture is inextricably linked to the acquisition of general knowledge on future developments, this study was conducted to predict the paths of development that glass structures are likely to take in the future. Investigations such as this increase the possibility of advancing both design and construction at the same speed as technology. To achieve this goal, this study evaluates the present situation by investigating new possibilities and assessing their effect on the development of glass buildings. The findings of this study show that the durability, safety, appearance, and efficiency of transparent buildings can be improved through continuous refinement of designs, replacement of aged elements, prompt repair of damaged protective coatings, and greater exploitation of double-sided screens.

Conference Papers by Fatemeh Pariafsai

This paper reports on the results of testing Skyscraper Simulator, which is a virtual project-bas... more This paper reports on the results of testing Skyscraper Simulator, which is a virtual project-based simulation game, in order to find how effective it can be in construction education. A pilot test was performed with 135 undergraduate construction students including 61participants with an associate degree in construction and 74 ones without such a degree. The quantitative methods were used in order to measure the perception of construction learning gain in six main areas of construction through a questionnaire which asks about the retrospective pre and post playing perception of learning gain. In accordance with the results, there is a significant difference between the pre-and post-playing perception of the both groups for all of the six main areas. Furthermore, in 11 of 24 subareas, the difference between pre and post scores for students without an associate degree in construction is higher than those of their counterparts without such a degree, and in other 11 of 24 subareas, it was for the former group in comparison to the latter one. In addition, the difference was the same for both groups in the 2 remaining subareas. It indicates that a virtual project-based simulation game like Skyscraper simulator is an effective tool for construction education at the undergraduate level for both groups of students with or without an associate degree in construction.

This paper reports on the results of testing a virtual project-based simulation game, called Skys... more This paper reports on the results of testing a virtual project-based simulation game, called Skyscraper Simulator, in construction education. The results point to some interesting findings about different perceptions of learning gains between male and female participants. Skyscraper Simulator puts the players in a virtual construction environment and directs them from the beginning of building a skyscraper to the end. In this research study, the quantitative methods are used to measure the perception of construction learning gain. A retrospective pre and post playing perception of six main areas of construction knowledge, ability, and skills was used in a pilot test with 135 undergraduate construction students including 69 males and 66 females. The results indicate that there is a significant difference between the perception of participants in pre-and post-playing content knowledge, ability, and skills for all of the six construction main areas. Moreover, in 21 of 24 subareas, the difference between pre and post scores for female participants is higher than those of their male counterparts, which indicates that a virtual project-based simulation game like Skyscraper simulator is an effective tool for construction education at the undergraduate level, especially for female students.

Skyscraper Simulator is a virtual project-based simulation game, which puts the players in a virt... more Skyscraper Simulator is a virtual project-based simulation game, which puts the players in a virtual construction environment and directs them from the beginning to the end of building a skyscraper. This paper reports on the results of testing Skyscraper Simulator as an effective pedagogical tool in construction education when the target audience is undergraduate construction students who either passed or did not passed any course in construction management. 135 undergraduate construction students including 43 students who did not pass any course in construction management and 92 ones who passed the relevant courses partook in the test. After completing the game, a questionnaire was filled by the participants in order to measure their pre-and post-construction content knowledge, ability and skills in six main construction areas, through self-assessment. Then, the responses were analyzed by a quantitative method. The results show there is a significant difference between the perception of participants in their pre and post playing learning gain for all the six areas each including 4 subareas. In addition, in 18 sunareas, the difference for participants who didn't passed any course in construction management is higher than those of their counterparts who passes such courses, however in 4 subareats it was lowere for the former group than the latter one. In the 2 remainig subareas, the difference was the same for both groups. The results indicate that a virtual project-based simulation game can improve the construction knowledge, ability and skills of construction students at the undergraduate level, especially during passing the relevant courses. Accordingly, such games can be uses as effective tools in construction education.

This paper reports on the results of testing a virtual project-based simulation game, called Skys... more This paper reports on the results of testing a virtual project-based simulation game, called Skyscraper Simulator, as an effective learning tool in educating undergraduate construction students either with or without previous experience in construction. The results point to some interesting findings regarding different perceptions of learning gains between experienced and inexperienced participants. This game puts the players in a virtual construction environment by simulating a skyscraper construction project from the beginning to the end. The quantitative method is used in this research study to measure the perception of construction knowledge gained. After completing the game, a questionnaire which measures retrospective pre and post playing perception of six main construction areas was filled by 135 undergraduate construction students with or without prior experience in construction. The results show there is a significant difference between the perception of participants in pre and post playing learning gain for all of the areas. Moreover, the difference for inexperienced participants is higher than those of their experienced counterparts. The research results indicate that a virtual project-based simulation game can improve the construction knowledge of undergraduate construction students especially those with no previous experience in construction. Accordingly, such games can be uses as effective tools in construction education.

طی سال های اخیر، طرح توسعۀ اختلاط کاربری به واسطۀ مزایای اجتماعی، اقتصادی و محیطی آن، مورد استقبا... more طی سال های اخیر، طرح توسعۀ اختلاط کاربری به واسطۀ مزایای اجتماعی، اقتصادی و محیطی آن، مورد استقبال قرار گرفته و به یک الگوی برنامه¬ریزی مهم در جهان تبدیل شده است. کاربری ترکیبی، به عنوان یکی از اصول رشد شهری هوشمند ، رهیافتی جدید در برنامه¬ریزی کاربری زمین های شهری است که با توجّه به ضرورت توجّه به نحوۀ مکان¬گزینی کاربری¬های شهری در درون شهر، با معیارهای پایداری همخوان است. هدف این پژوهش بررسی وضعیت اختلاط کاربری اراضی شهر سبزوار است. پژوهش حاضر از نـوع کاربردی است و به روش توصـيفی – تحليلـی و كمّی انجام شده است. به منظور ارزیابی وضعیّت اختلاط کاربری اراضی در سطح شهر، مساحت و سرانۀ تمام کاربری¬ها مورد بررسی قرار گرفته است. سپس، با استفاده از مدل های هرفیندال- هیرشمن و باربارا براون، وضعیّت اختلاط کاربری اراضی تحلیل و نمایش داده شده است. یافته¬های حاصل از این دو مدل نشان می دهند که ناحیۀ هفت از نظر اختلاط کاربری اراضی وضعیّت مطلوبی دارد. از طرف دیگر، بر اساس مدل باربارا براون، سطح اختلاط کاربری اراضی ناحیۀ یازده از تمام نواحی دیگر پایین¬تر است. اما، بر اساس مدل هرفیندال- هیرشمن، کمترین اختلاط کاربری اراضی به نواحی دو و ده مربوط می شود. بعلاوه، بر طبق مدل هرفیندال- هیرشمن مشخّص شد که اختلاط کاربری اراضی شهر سبزوار از در مجموع بسیار مطلوب است. در حالیکه نتیجۀ به دست آمده از مدل باربارا براون بیانگر وضعیت متوسط اختلاط در شهر سبزوار است. به طور کلی و با توجّه به بررسی¬های صورت گرفته مشخص شد که اولا، شهر سبزوار از نظر کاربری اراضی ترکیبی در وضعیّت مطلوبی قرار دارد؛ در ثانی، توسعۀ اختلاط کاربری¬ها منجر به توسعۀ پایدار شهرها و در نتیجه افزایش امنیت، سرزندگی و نشاط اجتماعی می¬شود.

In the last decades, the use of glass in construction has been increased unbelievably as if mater... more In the last decades, the use of glass in construction has been increased unbelievably as if material has been vanished from transparent buildings. Since the advancement in architecture requires knowledge about the path of future developments, this study was conducted in order to discern the potential of improvements to glass structures as a result of scientific and technological advances. In this way, it increases the chance to move forward in both fields of design and construction at the same speed as technology does. In order to achieve this aim, the study investigated the potential for removing the problems with design and construction of transparent buildings. By this method, it indicated that new possibilities for design optimization and reduction in both probability and risk of damage make it possible to build more beautiful, safer, and more durable glass structures.

Abstract - Nothing‖ as a building! Is it structurally possible? "Less is more!" When visual prese... more Abstract - Nothing‖ as a building! Is it structurally possible?
"Less is more!" When visual presence of materials decreases, maximal transparency and lightness creates astounding beauty. However, the less we use to design with, the more knowledge and experience we need. Undoubtedly, the black holes in knowledge and experience can be found and filled only through research. In order to enhance transparency and lightness, not only cladding but also structures should be clear and light. Glass, in this regard, is an extremely noteworthy material due to its very high compressive strength, durability, resistance to weathering, corrosion and high temperature. Its high transparency also offers energy savings solutions; the widespread use of glass allows natural lighting to be used, insulated glass units provides excellent thermal insulation, and the use of photovoltaic glass in building facades produces energy. All these aspects, which play a central role in the aim of environmental sustainability, make the glass a notable material in contemporary architecture. Although the structural use of glass has increased in recent decade; but, glass as a load bearing material is still not well known for designers because of its brittle behavior and limited tensile capacity. Presenting experience from researchers’ laboratory studies and advanced glass structures built all over the world, this paper aims to highlight structural glass design innovations and methods of solving challenges in order to optimize the glass constructions and determine may glass close the gap between modern architecture’s imagination and realization of nothing as a building"?

CIVILICA

کاهش حداکثری حضور بصری مصالح مستلزم دانش جامعی است که تنها با پژوهش قابل دستیابی است. به منظور اف... more کاهش حداکثری حضور بصری مصالح مستلزم دانش جامعی است که تنها با پژوهش قابل دستیابی است. به منظور افزایش شفافیت نه تنها پوشش ها، بلکه سازه ها نیز باید شفاف ساخته شوند. از این لحاظ شیشه به واسطۀ ویژگی هایی که دارد مادۀ ارزشمندی به شمار می رود. با وجود افزایش استفادۀ سازه ای از شیشه در دهه های اخیر، این متریال به عنوان یک مادۀ سازه ای هنوز برای طراحان کاملا شناخته شده نیست. هدف این مقاله، بررسی تازه های بهره برداری سازه ای از شیشه و راه حل های نوین در طراحی با آن بوده است تا از این طریق نشان دهد چگونه این ماده قادر خواهد بود شعار معماری مدرن – less is more! - را محقق کند.

When the visual presence of materials decreases, the maximal transparency creates astounding beau... more When the visual presence of materials decreases, the maximal transparency creates astounding beauty. In order to enhance transparency, clearer and lighter structures should be used. Although glass is extremely noteworthy as a transparent load bearing material, the structural use of glass is still unfamiliar to architects. Since the advancement in architecture requires knowledge about the path of developments, this study was conducted in order to discern the potential of improvement in glass structures as a result of scientific and technological advances. Through analysis of existing challenges and opportunities, this study aims to investigate the possibility of constructing completely transparent buildings in the near future. The findings indicate that improvements in the field of materials, selection of appropriate forms, the advent of innovative techniques, plus fine-tuning the existing technologies can improve structural efficiency, safety, durability, and transparency of glass buildings, so that the imagination of modern architecture can be realized.

Volume i, Issue i by Fatemeh Pariafsai

URL: http://aylarbook.ir/fehrest-entesharat/930-2014-11-25-15-46-32

URL: http://aylarbook.ir/fehrest-entesharat/929-2014-11-25-15-45-55

International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2021

American Institute of Constructors (AIC), 2018

This paper reports on the results of testing a virtual project-based simulation game, called Skys... more This paper reports on the results of testing a virtual project-based simulation game, called Skyscraper Simulator, as an effective learning tool in educating undergraduate construction students either with or without previous experience in construction. The results point to some interesting findings regarding different perceptions of learning gains between experienced and inexperienced participants. This game puts the players in a virtual construction environment by simulating a skyscraper construction project from the beginning to the end. The quantitative method is used in this research study to measure the perception of construction knowledge gained. After completing the game, a questionnaire which measures retrospective pre and post playing perception of six main construction areas was filled by 135 undergraduate construction students with or without prior experience in construction. The results show there is a significant difference between the perception of participants in pre and post playing learning gain for all of the areas. Moreover, the difference for inexperienced participants is higher than those of their experienced counterparts. The research results indicate that a virtual project-based simulation game can improve the construction knowledge of undergraduate construction students especially those with no previous experience in construction. Accordingly, such games can be uses as effective tools in construction education.

CIVILICA

Journal of Cleaner Production

International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2021

This paper investigates competency classifications in construction project management and the rel... more This paper investigates competency classifications in construction project management and the relevant fields as well as the tools and techniques applied for such classifications. A systematic review and a detailed content analysis of twenty-three selected references from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) library published over the last three decades were conducted. The findings of the content analysis showed that for classifying competencies, the information gathering techniques “review” and “authors’ perspective” were predominantly used in the selected sources, whereas the three techniques “factor analysis,” “interview/ meeting,” and “questionnaire/ survey” were seldom used. The content analysis of the selected references also indicated that competency, competency synonyms, competency subdivisions, or competency branches were classified into its components in many different ways. The most common classifications were identified, compared with each other, and the simila...

International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2021

Retention is a key indicator of institutional effectiveness in education research. Retaining full... more Retention is a key indicator of institutional effectiveness in education research. Retaining full-time freshman students has been a long-standing problem for institutions of higher education. Overall, 40% of U.S. college students leave college among which the majority are freshman students. About 30% of freshman students drop out before their sophomore year of college. The primary causes for leaving college include financial pressure, falling behind in classwork, lack of social connections, and loss of family support. Higher educational institutions need to understand the dynamic between different expenditures and freshman retention rates to responsibly and strategically allocate funds to what will best support institutional success. This study investigates how freshman retention rates at large public colleges are associated with instructional expenditures and residential status. Findings of this study indicate that regarding freshman retention at large public colleges, spending mor...

Frontiers in Built Environment, 2022

Over 48% of the world’s energy is consumed by buildings in their construction and operation alone... more Over 48% of the world’s energy is consumed by buildings in their construction and operation alone, which add to over 39% of global carbon emissions. In addition, the building sector generates over 569 million tons of waste every year within just the United States. Reducing the environmental impacts and construction waste generated by buildings has, therefore, become a concerning global issue. Very few studies have addressed how site logistics planning may impact construction resource use on a site and how it may affect a project’s embodied energy. Site logistics plans control the sequencing of labor, materials, and equipment. Inefficient plans may lead to rework, material damage, and waste generation, requiring additional materials to complete the same task, which eventually increases the embodied energy of a project. In this study, we investigated, identified, and ranked site logistics-related factors that may affect the amount of resources used in a construction project. The Delph...

This technical report aims to provide detailed information on the results of Stage I of the metho... more This technical report aims to provide detailed information on the results of Stage I of the methodology used to find references that are potentially relevant to the topic "Core Competencies for Construction Project Management." In Stage I, potentially relevant references were searched using the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Library. In the ASCE Library, "advanced search" was used to find applicable references via specific search terms, topics and publication dates. For topics, the term "construction" was used. The option "title" was checked to specify where to look for search terms. The search terms used included competencies, competence, skill, capability, knowledge, project manager, project management, construction management, and engineering management. For more representative results, the search was restricted to references inclusively published from 1988 to 2019. When more than one chapter of a book was found, instead of coun...

This technical report aims to provide detailed information on the results of Stage I of the metho... more This technical report aims to provide detailed information on the results of Stage I of the methodology used to find references that are potentially relevant to the topic "Classification of Key Competencies for Construction Project Management." In Stage I, potentially relevant references were searched using the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Library. In the ASCE Library, "advanced search" was used to find applicable references via specific search terms, topics and publication dates. For topics, the term "construction" was used. The option "title" was checked to specify where to look for search terms. The search terms used included competencies, competence, skill, capability, knowledge, project manager, project management, construction management, and engineering management. For more representative results, the search was restricted to references inclusively published from 1988 to 2019. When more than one chapter of a book was found...

URL: http://aylarbook.ir/fehrest-entesharat/930-2014-11-25-15-46-32

Journal of Civil Engineering Education, 2021

AbstractAlthough the construction industry is a major player in the global economy, it is dealing... more AbstractAlthough the construction industry is a major player in the global economy, it is dealing with problems such as declining productivity, workplace safety, and work disputes. The human elemen...

EPiC Series in Built Environment

The construction industry is confronted with a critical shortage of skilled trade workers, which ... more The construction industry is confronted with a critical shortage of skilled trade workers, which greatly hampers its growth and labor productivity. This shortage of workforce mainly stems from a lack of effective strategies for recruiting and retaining students in construction programs, which can be addressed by fully understanding major factors that influence student decisions to pursue a career in the industry. This study investigated the perceptions and opinions of students on developing a long-term career in the construction industry. The study data were gathered by surveying students enrolled in construction trade programs at three institutions in Texas. A total of 154 responses allowed for specific examination of the impact of family units and social media on student career decisions, factors leading participants to select a construction program, and participant perceptions of the construction industry. For unbiased analysis, the collected data were stratified by socioeconomic...

International journal of scientific research in science, engineering and technology, 2016

This research study was conducted to investigate the potential of a virtual project-based simulat... more This research study was conducted to investigate the potential of a virtual project-based simulation game for being used as an educational tool, from the viewpoint of construction students. For this purpose, 135 undergraduate construction students played Skyscraper Simulator, which is a virtual project-based simulation game focused on construction management. After playing, the students completed a questionnaire to share their opinions on the game‟s strengths and weaknesses. For assessing their responses, the comments were categorized by means of the constant comparative method of qualitative analysis and were counted for each category. The results indicate that the participants believed that Skyscraper Simulator has the potential to help substantially with comprehension of main concepts in construction management, and so it has positive effect on educating undergraduate construction students.

This study was carried out to assess the potential of a virtual project-based simulation game in ... more This study was carried out to assess the potential of a virtual project-based simulation game in educating construction students, form their own perspective. For this purpose, a project-based simulation game, named Skyscraper Simulator, which focuses on construction management, was tested by 135 undergraduate construction students. After playing, the participants filled out a questionnaire to evaluate the game’s effectiveness. For assessing their responses, quantitative methods were used. The results indicate that from the viewpoint of the students, a virtual project-based simulation game has positive effect on construction education, and so it can be used as a supplementary tool in educating construction students at the undergraduate level.

Facilities, 2019

Purpose The purpose of this study is to create a knowledge base for decision-making in healthcare... more Purpose The purpose of this study is to create a knowledge base for decision-making in healthcare design by seeking, analyzing and discussing the preferences of facility managers of healthcare facilities regarding floor finishes and their selection criteria. The goal is to enable a simplified and holistic selection of floor finishes based on multiple criteria. The authors studied floor finish selection in three healthcare units: emergency, surgery and in-patient units. Design/methodology/approach The authors completed a literature review to identify types of floor finishes currently used in healthcare facilities and the criteria applied for their selection. Using the literature survey results, a questionnaire was designed and administered to healthcare facility managers. The descriptive statistical analysis and the Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests were used for reporting and analyzing the survey data. Findings The top five floor finishes used in the healthcare sector were identified as vinyl flooring, vinyl composite tile (VCT), rubber, linoleum and ceramic flooring. The top five selection criteria for floor finishes were durability, infection control, ease of maintenance, maintenance cost and user safety. The non-parametric test results show that the floor finish rankings and selection criteria were similar in the three healthcare units under study. Originality/value The most significant contribution of this research is to the design decision-making process of healthcare facilities. These results offer an understanding of what floor finishes are preferred by healthcare facility managers and why. This knowledge is crucial for designers and facility managers to make informed choices and floor finish manufacturers to keep their product line relevant to the industry.

Facilities, 2019

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that impede the integration of facili... more Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that impede the integration of facilities management (FM) into building information modeling (BIM) technology. The use of BIM technology in the commercial construction industry has grown enormously in recent years. Its application to FM, however, is still limited. The literature highlights issues that hinder BIM–FM integration, which are studied and discussed in detail in this paper. Design/methodology/approach A review of literature is conducted to identify and categorize key issues hampering the application of BIM to FM. This paper has also designed a questionnaire based on a literature review and surveyed FM professionals at two industry events. Using the collected responses, these issues are analyzed and discussed using non-parametric statistical analyses. Findings A total of 16 issues are identified through the literature review of 54 studies under the four categories of BIM-execution and information-management, techno...

Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 2018

As the construction industry advances technologically, it becomes imperative to introduce the res... more As the construction industry advances technologically, it becomes imperative to introduce the respective information technology tools to present-day curriculum. This research study was conducted to identify any significant differences in student performance contributed by using an information technology tool, specifically the Apple® iPad® tablet. IPad tablets were used to electronically present construction drawings to a treatment group, and a control group was given traditional paper drawings. Following an instructional lecture, students were given a test based on the provided construction drawings. The test results indicate that there was no significant difference in performance between students who used the information technology tool to complete the test and those who used traditional paper drawings to complete the same test. The treatment group also answered a usability survey, which helped to comprehend how students perceive the tablet’s usability. Students indicated that they...

Frontiers of Architectural Research, 2016