Penalty model for delay of bidding section construction period in South-to-North Water Diversion Eastern Route Project from perspective of programs

According to the multi-project and program management theory, this paper analyzes the program generation principle and establishes a program based on progress goals. On the basis of the present situation of calculation of penalty for delay of the bidding section construction period with the critical path method, we studied the effects of contractor-induced delay of the bidding section construction period in detail, including the effects on the construction period of the bidding section itself, the earliest start times of the next bidding section and other subsequent bidding sections, and the construction period of the program, and then constructed a penalty model for delay of the bidding section construction period from the perspective of programs. Using the penalty model, we conducted a practical analysis of penalty for delay of the construction period of the Baoying station program in the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The model can help determine the amount of penalty for delay of the construction period in bidding sections scientifically and reasonably,

A critical path approach for elucidating the temperature dependence of granular hopping conduction

We revisit the classical problem of granular hopping conduction＇s σ∝exp[-（To/T）1/2] temperature dependence, where a denotes conductivity, T is temperature, and To is a sample-dependent constant. By using the hopping conduction formulation in conjunction with the incorporation of the random potential that has been shown to exist in insulator-conductor composites, it is demonstrated that the widely observed temperature dependence of granular hopping conduction emerges very naturally through the immediate-neighbor critical-path argument. Here, immediate-neighbor pairs are defined to be those where a line connecting two grains does not cross or by-pass other grains, and the critical-path argument denotes the derivation of sample conductance based on the geometric percolation condition that is marked by the critical conduction path in a random granular composite. Simulations based on the exact electrical network evaluation of finite-sample conductance show that the configuration- averaged results agree well with those obtained using the immediate-neighbor critical-path method. Furthermore, the results obtained using both these methods show good agreement with experimental data on hopping conduction in a sputtered metal-insulator composite Agx（SnO2）1-x, where x denotes the metal volume fraction. The present approach offers a relatively straightforward and simple expla- nation for the temperature behavior that has been widely observed over diverse material systems, but which has remained a puzzle in spite of the various efforts made to explain this phenomenon.

GIS-Based Simulation of Engineering Construction Schedule

For its complexity, engineering construction schedule design is limited by various factors.Simulation-based engineering construction schedule takes critical path method (CPM) network as frame and calls complex cyclic operation network (CYCLONE) simulation model enclosed in advance for its simulation nodes. CYCLONE simulation model takes charge of simulating stochastic duration of activity and efficiency of resources, while CPM model performs project scheduling. This combination avoids the shortcomings of both models. Furthermore, geographic information system (GIS) technique is utilized to visualize the construction processes which are otherwise difficult to be understood by static results described. Application in practical project verifies the feasibility and advantage of the technique.

Practical Application of Two-Way Multiple Overlapping Relationships in a BDM Network

Today, most construction projects in urban environments are complex high-rise buildings that present unique challenges, including local building ordinances and restrictions, adjoining public and residential areas, narrow sidewalks and streets, and underground utilities, all of which require extensive planning and tight schedules. A major problem facing such projects is to formulate realistic schedules that will make it possible to meet contractual completion dates with limited resources and budgets. The scheduling software products currently used in construction projects, which include Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, etc., are not actually applied as a scheduling tool in practical construction projects, which instead generally depend on Microsoft Excel or a bar-chart. This is because the existing scheduling programs cannot provide more user-oriented schedule format such as representing two-way multiple overlapping relationships. To overcome this deficiency, the BDM （beeline diagramming method） is proposed as a new networking technique in 2010. But two-way multiple overlapping relationships generate the loop in a conventional schedule computation process. This paper addresses the loop phenomenon of two-way multiple overlapping relationships in a BDM network as well as proposes the solutions of them, and then presents a practical application of two-way multiple overlapping relationships at a real project.

PERT and CPM in Project Management with Practical Examples

This paper reviewed the concepts of Project Evaluation Review Technique and Critical Path Method in project management with practical examples. The methods and success of quantitative decision-making approaches in project management through the use of project evaluation review technique and the critical path method as regards project duration and critical activities of a project, were discussed. The review found that while both methods are effective in achieving success in project management, the relationship and connectivity of activities involved in a project life cycle are key aspects. The paper concludes that the project evaluation review technique is more effective when the duration of the project is uncertain, while the critical path method is effective when the project’s end time is certain. The paper, therefore, recommends that to achieve maximum operative efficiency in utilizing resources in project management, prior to commencing the execution of a project, all required resources to cover every activity must be assembled and prioritized to eliminate interruptions that could bring delay and unnecessary cost implications. Again, policies focused on improving project execution should be implemented in developing nations to minimize the many cases of failed and delayed projects. Subsequently, stakeholders in projects must be given the right, under the law, to prosecute the government, its agencies and/or the executors of projects for failure to execute a project on schedule.