TEACHING HOW TO USE A REPETITIVE SCHEDULING METHOD WHEN PLANNING A GREEN CONDOMINIUM BUILDING

This paper aims to present a methodology for use in construction planning named the Repetitive Scheduling Method(RSM).Students on a graduate level construction management program can learn how to create a RSM schedule to be applied to a real project.Typically,the Critical Path Method(CPM)is used to plan general construction projects.This paper presents a case study wherein a CPM diagram is transformed into a RSM schedule for use in the construction of a green condominium.RSM is the most suitable tool for planning repetitive projects like condominium buildings,apartment complexes,or real estate development projects.It utilizes an uninterrupted flow of resource concept in order to eliminate manpower-related resource wastage.As a result,construction productivity can be improved by using the right construction planning tool on the right project.Interested graduate students researching construction engineering can apply RSM on their repetitive projects in the future.

GREY WATER RECYCLING FOR REUSE IN TOILET FLUSHING: A CASE STUDY IN THAILAND

Grey water from washbasins represents the least polluted source of waste water in households and buildings. This research study investigated three alternatives in recy-cling grey water from washbasins for reuse in toilet flushing systems. Grey water was collected from the washbasins of a nine-storey university building. The water was treated employing three distinct treatment systems in order to determine the most appropriate system when reusing such water in flushing systems. The grey water treatment systems under scrutiny were composed of a sedimentation tank, a 24-hour aeration tank and a sand and carbon filtering tank, functioning in conjunction with a final sedimentation tank. The water quality from the selected treatment system had TSS, BOD_(5), and Turbidity measures of 1.67 mg/l, 3.33 mg/l, and 3.33 NTU, respectively. Fecal coliform bacteria and E. Coli were not found in the treated water. Efficiency measures in reducing TSS, BOD_(5), and Turbidity were 93%, 75%, and 91%, respectively. Fifty-five toilet users were interviewed during the experiment, sixty nine percent of which reported that the recycled water was comparable to tap water. In conclusion, this research recommends treating grey water from washbasins and reusing it in flushing systems in order to deploy water more efficiently in buildings.

AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT USING ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN CLASSROOMS

The purpose of this research is to investigate how indoor air quality might be improved by installing particular ornamental plants available in Thailand.Traditionally,ventila-tion fans have been used to encourage fresh air into living areas in order to reduce CO_(2) levels.This consumes more energy than using ornamental plants.Our research screens three types of ornamental plants and selects one to investigate its potential for enhancing indoor air quality by reducing carbon dioxide levels.The three plants are epipremnum aureum,spathiphyllum wallisei,and dieffenbachia sp.The propensity to reduce carbon dioxide levels of each plant was preliminary screened using a closed flux chamber method over a 24-hour period.It was found that epipremnum aureum had the ability to absorb carbon dioxide better than the others.The epipremnum aureum was then put in a classroom to investigate variables in two further experiments.The ability to improve air quality in terms of sensitivity to various light concentrations and the number of plants in the room are explored.It was found that epipremnum aureum should be placed within a distance of 1.5 meters from windows to achieve the appropriate light concentration to enhance indoor air quality.It was also found that 150 pots of epipremnum aureum had the propensity to reduce CO_(2) by 430 ppm in a classroom of 20 students for an 80-minute class.The use of sufficient amounts of epipremnum aureum can improve air quality in classrooms.A model to estimate numbers of such plants needed in classrooms is also presented.