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James Rowings

    James Rowings

    Energy use, by nature of its economic and political impact is becoming a vital consideration. Energy cost now represents a sizeable portion of the total project cost for civil works projects. This study presents an evaluation of civil... more
    Energy use, by nature of its economic and political impact is becoming a vital consideration. Energy cost now represents a sizeable portion of the total project cost for civil works projects. This study presents an evaluation of civil works projects to determine if a potential for energy reduction or control exists and the nature of possible opportunities for more efficient utilization of energy resources. Using an earth dam project, a method for estimating the energy requirements is demonstrated and the major energy use activities are identified. A scheme for classification of energy use is presented and a method for establishing the energy content for a construction end product or an in-process component of the construction end product is explained and illustrated by example. Based on the estimate of energy requirements for the earth dam project, the activities representing the most intensive use of energy, earthwork operations, are examined in greater detail to determine the primary factors affecting energy use and productivity. The possibility of a correlation between energy use and productivity is evaluated. Methods for coordination and control of the factors affecting energy use and productivity are discussed. Various opportunities for energy reduction and control applicable to civil works projects are identified and evaluated. Further research efforts necessary to develop the potential for energy conservation in the construction of civil works projects are presented and briefly explained
    The current generation of project control systems provides useful information, but has several problems that limit the effectiveness and efficiency in controlling projects. The current generation of project-control systems has focused on... more
    The current generation of project control systems provides useful information, but has several problems that limit the effectiveness and efficiency in controlling projects. The current generation of project-control systems has focused on the increased use of the microcomputer for sorting, computing, and storing data. This increased use of the microcomputer has not been without the introduction of difficulties to the process. The problems include input inefficiencies (e.g., multiple input of the same data) and output problems (e.g., extensive tabular listings of data). These problems lead to wasted or ineffective use of time to support the project-control systems. Potential opportunities and advancements to address these deficiencies are presented. These opportunities include input technologies, analysis techniques, and systems integration. Specific examples discussed include scanning and digitizing technology, holography, artificial intelligence, remote-sensing technologies, voice-recognition systems, and enhanced software-systems development. The areas discussed in this paper are intended to provide direction for future research and development of project control software for the next generation of project-control systems for the construction industry.
    A research study was performed to evaluate the methodologies used by transportation agencies to establish the contract durations used for highway construction projects. The study was financed by the Indiana State Highway Commission... more
    A research study was performed to evaluate the methodologies used by transportation agencies to establish the contract durations used for highway construction projects. The study was financed by the Indiana State Highway Commission (ISHC). After reviewing the system used in ...
    Requirements for construction scheduling Gantt charts critical path method schedules precedence diagramming methods developing the project schedule other scheduling methods updating the schedule effective use of CPM schedules expediting... more
    Requirements for construction scheduling Gantt charts critical path method schedules precedence diagramming methods developing the project schedule other scheduling methods updating the schedule effective use of CPM schedules expediting the project resource scheduling using a schedule to prove delay claims CPM scheduling on microcomputers the scheduling specification.
    The energy-use estimates developed for the example heavy-construction projects suggest a potential for reducing or controlling energy use for similar projects. To fully implement and coordinate the opportunities identified for reduction... more
    The energy-use estimates developed for the example heavy-construction projects suggest a potential for reducing or controlling energy use for similar projects. To fully implement and coordinate the opportunities identified for reduction of energy use and cost will require effort early in the design process and continued effort throughout the construction phase. The mechanisms to identify and implement these opportunities might include contract incentives, use of performance specification, and value engineering. 4 references, 1 figure, 1 table.
    Current practices used to plan, schedule, and monitor transportation projects are reviewed. The results of a survey of state departments of transportation concerning the way contract durations are set and scheduling is practiced are... more
    Current practices used to plan, schedule, and monitor transportation projects are reviewed. The results of a survey of state departments of transportation concerning the way contract durations are set and scheduling is practiced are presented. Project characteristics and appropriate scheduling methods are reviewed. One approach for linear scheduling of transportation projects, the repetitive activity scheduling procedure (RASP), is developed. The RASP approach is presented with an example project to illustrate its features. The process can be effective for monitoring and controlling projects that have a few highly repetitive yet interrelated activities. The system allows for a graphical depiction of both time and space in a format consistent with bar charts. Methods of project control and change management with the system are also detailed. The system fills a void between bar charts and critical path methods.
    A research study was performed to evaluate the methodologies used by transportation agencies to establish the contract durations used for highway construction projects. The study was financed by the Indiana State Highway Commission... more
    A research study was performed to evaluate the methodologies used by transportation agencies to establish the contract durations used for highway construction projects. The study was financed by the Indiana State Highway Commission (ISHC). After reviewing the system used in ...
    Energy use, by nature of its economic and political impact is becoming a vital consideration. Energy cost now represents a sizeable portion of the total project cost for civil works projects. This study presents an evaluation of civil... more
    Energy use, by nature of its economic and political impact is becoming a vital consideration. Energy cost now represents a sizeable portion of the total project cost for civil works projects. This study presents an evaluation of civil works projects to determine if a potential for energy reduction or control exists and the nature of possible opportunities for more efficient utilization of energy resources. Using an earth dam project, a method for estimating the energy requirements is demonstrated and the major energy use activities are identified. A scheme for classification of energy use is presented and a method for establishing the energy content for a construction end product or an in-process component of the construction end product is explained and illustrated by example. Based on the estimate of energy requirements for the earth dam project, the activities representing the most intensive use of energy, earthwork operations, are examined in greater detail to determine the primary factors affecting energy use and productivity. The possibility of a correlation between energy use and productivity is evaluated. Methods for coordination and control of the factors affecting energy use and productivity are discussed. Various opportunities for energy reduction and control applicable to civil works projects are identified and evaluated. Further research efforts necessary to develop the potential for energy conservation in the construction of civil works projects are presented and briefly explained
    This paper identifies major problems impairing the cable-stayed bridge industry, and provides recommendations to mitigate them. The unique features of cable-stayed bridges are described as well as problems relating to design and... more
    This paper identifies major problems impairing the cable-stayed bridge industry, and provides recommendations to mitigate them. The unique features of cable-stayed bridges are described as well as problems relating to design and construction. Owner related problems include the following areas: contracts, bidding, field representation, and project document reviews. Designer-related problems inclulde the following: incomplete design, lack of access to specification development, congested areas, and restrictive tolerances. Constructor-related problems include engineering requirements, inexperienced personnel, project planning, and shop-drawing specification. Modifications to mitigate the problems are suggested.
    Requirements for construction scheduling Gantt charts critical path method schedules precedence diagramming methods developing the project schedule other scheduling methods updating the schedule effective use of CPM schedules expediting... more
    Requirements for construction scheduling Gantt charts critical path method schedules precedence diagramming methods developing the project schedule other scheduling methods updating the schedule effective use of CPM schedules expediting the project resource scheduling using a schedule to prove delay claims CPM scheduling on microcomputers the scheduling specification.
    This report describes a new approach to the problem of scheduling highway construction type projects. The technique can accurately model linear activities and identify the controlling activity path on a linear schedule. Current scheduling... more
    This report describes a new approach to the problem of scheduling highway construction type projects. The technique can accurately model linear activities and identify the controlling activity path on a linear schedule. Current scheduling practices are unable to accomplish these two tasks with any accuracy for linear activities, leaving planners and manager suspicious of the information they provide. Basic linear scheduling is not a new technique, and many attempts have been made to apply it to various types of work in the past. However, the technique has never been widely used because of the lack of an analytical approach to activity relationships and development of an analytical approach to determining controlling activities. The Linear Scheduling Model (LSM) developed in this report, completes the linear scheduling technique by adding to linear scheduling all of the analytical capabilities, including computer applications, present in CPM scheduling today. The LSM has tremendous p...
    In the United States many bridge structures have been designed without consideration for their unique construction problems. Many problems could have been avoided if construction knowledge and experience was utilized in the design... more
    In the United States many bridge structures have been designed without consideration for their unique construction problems. Many problems could have been avoided if construction knowledge and experience was utilized in the design process. A systematic process is needed to create and capture construction knowledge for use in the design process. This study was conducted to develop a system to capture construction considerations from field people and incorporate it into a knowledge-base for use by the bridge designers. This report presents the results of this study. As a part of this study a microcomputer-based constructability system has been developed. The system is a user-friendly microcomputer database which codifies construction knowledge, provides easy access to specifications, and provides simple design computation checks for the designer. A structure for the final database was developed and used in the prototype system. A process for collecting, developing and maintaining the ...
    Current practices used to plan, schedule, and monitor transportation projects are reviewed. The results of a survey of state departments of transportation concerning the way contract durations are set and scheduling is practiced are... more
    Current practices used to plan, schedule, and monitor transportation projects are reviewed. The results of a survey of state departments of transportation concerning the way contract durations are set and scheduling is practiced are presented. Project characteristics and appropriate scheduling methods are reviewed. One approach for linear scheduling of transportation projects, the repetitive activity scheduling procedure (RASP), is developed. The RASP approach is presented with an example project to illustrate its features. The process can be effective for monitoring and controlling projects that have a few highly repetitive yet interrelated activities. The system allows for a graphical depiction of both time and space in a format consistent with bar charts. Methods of project control and change management with the system are also detailed. The system fills a void between bar charts and critical path methods.
    This report proposes, that for certain types of highway construction projects undertaken by the Iowa Department of Transportation, a scheduling technique commonly referred to as linear scheduling may be more effective than the Critical... more
    This report proposes, that for certain types of highway construction projects undertaken by the Iowa Department of Transportation, a scheduling technique commonly referred to as linear scheduling may be more effective than the Critical Path Method scheduling technique that is currently being used. The types of projects that appear to be good candidates for the technique are those projects that have a strong linear orientation. Like a bar chart, this technique shows when an activity is scheculed to occur and like a CPM schedule it shows the sequence in which activities are expected to occur. During the 1992 construction season, the authors worked with an inlay project on Interstate 29 to demonstrate the linear scheduling technique to the Construction Office. The as-planned schedule was developed from the CPM schedule that the contractor had developed for the project. Therefore, this schedule represents what a linear representation of a CPM schedule would look like, and not necessaril...
    AbstractFostering the development of the next generation of construction engineers requires broad input from both industry and academia. The 2014 Construction Engineering Conference (CEC) aimed to bring industry and academic leaders... more
    AbstractFostering the development of the next generation of construction engineers requires broad input from both industry and academia. The 2014 Construction Engineering Conference (CEC) aimed to bring industry and academic leaders together to recognize emerging challenges in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry and present ideas for a path forward. The conference papers showed the following three emerging themes: (1) the need for industry-academia integration in the delivery of case-based learning; (2) the role of building information modeling (BIM) in project coordination and construction engineering education; and (3) the increasing need for integrated project teams. This paper summarizes the current state of the AEC industry, trajectory, educational opportunities, and future directions of each theme drawing upon the papers submitted to the 2014 CEC. This aggregation yielded compelling conclusions that the industry is facing an exciting but challenging path forward. Potential...
    The current generation of project control systems provides useful information, but has several problems that limit the effectiveness and efficiency in controlling projects. The current generation of project-control systems has focused on... more
    The current generation of project control systems provides useful information, but has several problems that limit the effectiveness and efficiency in controlling projects. The current generation of project-control systems has focused on the increased use of the microcomputer for sorting, computing, and storing data. This increased use of the microcomputer has not been without the introduction of difficulties to the process. The problems include input inefficiencies (e.g., multiple input of the same data) and output problems (e.g., extensive tabular listings of data). These problems lead to wasted or ineffective use of time to support the project-control systems. Potential opportunities and advancements to address these deficiencies are presented. These opportunities include input technologies, analysis techniques, and systems integration. Specific examples discussed include scanning and digitizing technology, holography, artificial intelligence, remote-sensing technologies, voice-recognition systems, and enhanced software-systems development. The areas discussed in this paper are intended to provide direction for future research and development of project control software for the next generation of project-control systems for the construction industry.
    ABSTRACT: Construction education is not new. It was a part of the practical aspects of many early civil engineering degree programs. As early as the 1920's, specializations in construction engineering were found in a few civil... more
    ABSTRACT: Construction education is not new. It was a part of the practical aspects of many early civil engineering degree programs. As early as the 1920's, specializations in construction engineering were found in a few civil engineering programs, paralleling structural ...
    ... Typology. ; Method study. ; Mots-clés français / French Keywords. Gestion projet. ; Industrie construction. ; Ordonnancement. ; Modèle linéaire. ; Méthode chemin critique. ; Contrôle. ; Activité. ; Typologie. ; Etude méthode. ;... more
    ... Typology. ; Method study. ; Mots-clés français / French Keywords. Gestion projet. ; Industrie construction. ; Ordonnancement. ; Modèle linéaire. ; Méthode chemin critique. ; Contrôle. ; Activité. ; Typologie. ; Etude méthode. ; Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords. Modelo lineal. ...