Construction Engineering Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Keywords Abstract Composite Sandwich Structure; Structural Beams, Construction; Damage mechanisms In this review paper, the applications of composite sandwich structures in structural engineering are presented. Composite sandwich... more

Keywords Abstract Composite Sandwich Structure; Structural Beams, Construction; Damage mechanisms In this review paper, the applications of composite sandwich structures in structural engineering are presented. Composite sandwich structures are getting a special attention in most engineering applications as they provide beneficial replacement to the traditional construction materials. This is attributed to their unique mechanical properties such as high specific flexural stiffness, ultra-low structural weight, excellent flammability and corrosion resistance. The use of composite sandwich structures in construction and housing, railway sleepers, huge building frames, and roofs is discussed in detail in this article. Furthermore, a comparison between the numerous types of composite sandwich structures and their most common applications is provided. Also, this study dedicates a section to review the damage mechanisms of composite sandwich structures.

Shear walls are incorporated in building to resist lateral forces and support the gravity loads. RC shear wall has high in plane stiffness. Positioning of shear wall has influence on the overall behaviour of the building. For effective... more

Shear walls are incorporated in building to resist lateral forces and support the gravity loads. RC shear wall has high in plane stiffness. Positioning of shear wall has influence on the overall behaviour of the building. For effective and efficient performance of building it is essential to position shear wall in an ideal location. This paper presents the response of building with different positioning of shear wall using both Equivalent Static Method (Seismic Coefficient Method) and Response spectrum Analysis. Five different Model of RCC building, one with no shear wall and other four models with different position of shear wall which is subjected to earthquake load in zone V has been studied .This study also incorporates how the bending moment, shear force for beam and axial force for column vary with change in positioning of RC shear wall. Building are modelled and analysed using standard package ETABS 2013.

This paper describes the methodology and results obtained after productivity improvement work conducted on two consecutive building construction jobs. The first one was used to evaluate production rates and productivity, current... more

This paper describes the methodology and results obtained after productivity improvement work conducted on two consecutive building construction jobs. The first one was used to evaluate production rates and productivity, current construction methods, potentials and lacks of construction equipment, current construction planning methodology, and existing tools to asses productivity. These are briefly discussed in this paper. The second job was preplanned based on the experience and detailed documentation obtained in the first one. Work was conducted in order to “design” construction methods in detail, develop a detailed production planning based on the construction methods developed, select crew components and select their specific tasks, and design communication and control tools. Although the second job’s schedule and budget were originally calculated using standard methods (i.e. historical production rates), new schedule and budget were calculated based on the preplanning effort. Construction performance was measured against these values.

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Development of materials, machinery handling and equipment procurement can be achieved by leveraging on future technologies and construction equipment is a major resource in the building process for a construction project. This paper... more

Development of materials, machinery handling and equipment procurement can be achieved by leveraging on future technologies and construction equipment is a major resource in the building process for a construction project. This paper x-rays procurement of materials and equipment for civil engineering projects and construction works with future technologies in view. Parameters for measuring the performance of project managers on any construction project are time, cost, quality, health and safety, meeting requirements of the owners and satisfaction of stakeholders. The use of new equipment and innovative methods has made possible wholesale changes in construction technologies in recent decades. The result of the findings shows that effective engagement of project managers on project ensures that project criteria are achieved both at the preliminary and construction stages of projects. It also reveals that the selection of the appropriate type and size of construction equipment often affects the required amount of time and effort and thus the jobsite productivity of a project. It is concluded that there is need to engage the services of project managers in projects for better efficiencies and quality delivery of projects. It is however recommended that project managers should be properly trained and engage in continuous professional development to be abreast with latest project management strategies and future technologies. It is therefore important for engineers, materials experts, site managers and construction planners to be familiar with the characteristics of the major types of equipment most commonly used in construction.

The study of the motivation of construction workers is limited to a relatively small body of knowledge. Although there is considerable research available regarding motivation and productivity, few researchers have provided a comprehensive... more

The study of the motivation of construction workers is limited to a relatively small body of knowledge. Although there is considerable research available regarding motivation and productivity, few researchers have provided a comprehensive analysis on the motivation of construction workers. The research stated that productivity in construction has not improved compared to other industry sectors such as manufacturing. This trend has been echoed in publications throughout the past five decades, and suggested that motivation is one of the key factors impacting productivity. This paper offers a comprehensive review of the published work that directly links the key words—construction and motivation. The findings have been presented in five themes, that is, motivation models, environment and culture, incentives and empowerment, and worker management. This paper concludes with two methods suggested by previous researchers to improve motivation of construction workers: (1) relevant worker in...

Most of the existing buildings in Syria may not meet the design requirements for seismic load resistance, so they may be subject to a range of serious damage that may reach the point of collapse. In order to reduce seismic... more

Most of the existing buildings in Syria may not meet the design requirements for seismic load resistance, so they may be subject to a range of serious damage that may reach the point of collapse.
In order to reduce seismic danger, existing buildings must be repaired and strengthened to increase their resists for seismic acts and thus to reduction physical and human damage.
The study of the method of strengthening by adding external shear walls, analyzed 54 models with several variables (the rise of the phase, seismic zone, foundation soil).
The analysis was done by the ETABS program according to the static method and the dynamic method (the response spectrum method)And then discuss the results of the analysis (base shear, period, total floor displacements, relative floor displacements, the occupancy rate of the shear wall)..
The study showed the effectiveness of the strengthening by external shear walls, which increase the lateral stiffness relatively large and the building is able to resist the horizontal forces and thus reduce the damage caused by earthquakes and prevent the collapse of the building.

This paper presents results from an experimental study including testing five reinforced concrete beams in order to investigate the efficiency of external strengthening of such beams when provided with large openings within their shear... more

This paper presents results from an experimental study including testing five reinforced concrete beams in order to investigate the efficiency of external strengthening of such beams when provided with large openings within their shear zones. Firstly tow beams were considered. One of these beams was solid without any openings and was considered as a control beam. The second beam was provided with one opening within the shear zone but without any strengthening and was also considered as a control beam. Secondly, three beams provided with openings at the same location and having the same dimensions like the second. Such three beams were externally strengthened with steel plates along the opening edges. It was found that the steel plates used for strengthening and its configuration scheme significantly affects the efficiency of strengthening in terms of beam deflection, steel strain, cracking, ultimate capacity and failure mode because using steel plates restored the beam shear strength .Finally, theoretical analysis was performed for all tested beams with openings in order to calculate the ultimate shear force carried by such beams. Equations presented by empirical formulas found in the literature were used to perform the theoretical analysis. Good agreement was observed between the theoretical results and the experimental ones.

AL-Taifregion, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), can be classified as rainy region; however, during day the weather can be changed several times means rainfall at any time. Due to the advantage of concrete too many concrete structures... more

AL-Taifregion, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), can be classified as rainy region; however, during day the weather can be changed several times means rainfall at any time. Due to the advantage of concrete too many concrete structures executed and massive quantity of concrete cast every day, some of it can subject to rainfall. An experimental program has been carried out to investigate the influences of rainfall duration on the compressive strength of fresh concrete. Concrete mixture was designated and cast in standard cubes molds 150 *150* 150 mm as control compressive strength. Based on the mix quantities obtained from concrete mixture, seventy two cubes cast in three groups, each group has four subgroups with six cubes each. Three different rainfall started time from casting studied 15, 30, and 45 minutes each represented as group. Four duration of rainfall studied 10, 30, 45, and 60 minutes each represented as subgroups. Results of compressive strength test on cured specimens were used to obtain equations for prediction the influences of concrete compressive strength regarding to rainfall duration and starting time of rainfall from casting. From this research, the findings can get site decisions on whether to continue or suspend the construction based on the forecasted rainfall. On the other hand, if concrete subjected to rainfall after casting, the engineer will have an equation can be used as a guide to determine the new concrete compressive strength.