The field measurements of decay rates and time lags of heat conduction in a building construction taken in Nanjing during the summer of 2001 are presented.The decay rates and time lags are calculated according to the ...The field measurements of decay rates and time lags of heat conduction in a building construction taken in Nanjing during the summer of 2001 are presented.The decay rates and time lags are calculated according to the frequency responses of the heat absorbed by the room＇s internal surfaces,inside surface temperature,indoor air temperature and outdoor synthetic temperature.The measured results match very well with the theoretical results of the zeroth and the first order values of the decay rates and time lags of heat conduction in the building construction,but the difference between the measured values and the theoretical values for the second order is too great to be accepted.It is therefore difficult to accurately test the second order value.However,it is still advisable to complete the analysis using the zeroth-and the first-orders values of the decay rates and time lags of heat conduction in building construction under field conditions,because in these cases the decay rates of heat conduction reach twenty which meets the requirements of engineering plans.展开更多
The aim of this paper is to verify the existence of a clause in contracts of promise of property sale which defines the consequences of delay in the delivery of property, and to discover whether owners demanded any co...The aim of this paper is to verify the existence of a clause in contracts of promise of property sale which defines the consequences of delay in the delivery of property, and to discover whether owners demanded any compensation for delays occurred. The number of buildings delivered after the scheduled deadline in two cities between December 2009 and January 2011 was found （n = 542）, and a sample of 82 residential units was taken. In order to obtain the data, a semi-structured questionnaire was given to the homeowners. It was observed that only 35% （n = 29） of the contracts included a penalty clause for delay. However, in 19 of the 29 contracts the clause regarding delay came with other clauses that allowed the company to delay the delivery of the building for up to six months. This clause is considered null in Brazilian legislation. As for compensation, only one （1.82%） owner demanded that the company provide a rental property during the period of delay. It could be concluded that contractors are not observing Brazilian legislation regarding the delay in the delivery of residential units. In addition, conformism is perceived in the attitude of the homeowners.展开更多
The objectives of this paper were to identify and evaluating the common delay factors among owners, consultants and main contractors in building projects in Singapore. The interview and questionnaire method were used ...The objectives of this paper were to identify and evaluating the common delay factors among owners, consultants and main contractors in building projects in Singapore. The interview and questionnaire method were used in this research. Randomly distributed questionnaire technique was applied to select samples of 74 various construction practitioners consisting of owners, consultants and main contractors to evaluat the severity of the 35 identified delay factors. The project investigated in this study included residential building and office building projects. The results found that delay in progress payment by owner, adverse weather conditions, main contractor financial problems, evaluation of completed works and act of god factor caused mostly severe delay in building construction project.展开更多
Heavy metal removal from water is a great concern for environmentalists and engineers. Ion-imprinted membranes are among the state of the art technologies for selective adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous environm...Heavy metal removal from water is a great concern for environmentalists and engineers. Ion-imprinted membranes are among the state of the art technologies for selective adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous environment. Dialysis permeation of nickel ions through Ni(II)-imprinted membranes has been thermodynamically studied in our prior work. In current study, the diffusive transport model was developed and then applied for better insight into the retardation mechanisms involved in the ion-imprinted membrane transport. The Sips isotherm model was coupled with the transport model to obtain the governing equation. Chemisorption and physical interactions(bulk diffusion and pore-clogging) were the most probable retardation mechanisms according to the modeling results. Relative retardation factor(η) was also defined as; transport-rate controlled by chemical adsorption to that controlled by physical interactions. With the help of the retardation factor, it was understood that the membrane behavior gradually changes from chemisorption to facilitated transport during permeation time. Effect of important operating parameters such as time, temperature and concentration on transport behavior was also investigated. Results indicated that chemisorption rate is rather higher at lower concentrations, early permeation times and reduced temperatures. In addition, η tabulated greater values for Ni(II) compared to Co(II) due to the imprinting effect.展开更多
Sondu-Miriu hydropower （SMHP） project experienced delay for about five years and one of the contributing factors was delayed payment of the contractor, with ripples effect extending down the contractual hierarchy. T...Sondu-Miriu hydropower （SMHP） project experienced delay for about five years and one of the contributing factors was delayed payment of the contractor, with ripples effect extending down the contractual hierarchy. This study assessed the effects of delayed payment of the contractor on the completion of SMHP project in Kisumu County, Kenya. More specifically, the study addressed two research questions： What is the relative importance of delayed payment of the contractor compared to other forms of contractual delays？ What is the perceived effect of delayed payment of the contractor on the project＇s completion？ A causal-comparative design was adopted and primary data sourced in May 2011 from 39 senior management staff of contractual parties. Relative importance index （RII） was used to determine the relative importance of perceived effects of delayed payment of the contractor on the project＇s completion; while Kendell＇s coefficient of concordance was applied to determine the degree of agreement among participants regarding their perceived effects of delayed payment. The study found that delayed payment of the contractor affected the project by causing： loss of productivity and efficiency （71.8%）; increase in time-related costs （71.8%）; re-scheduling and re-sequencing of works （69.2%）; extension of time and acceleration （69.2%）; as well as prevention of early completion （53.8%）. The study concludes that timely payment of contractors is crucial for ensuring the continuity of works and completion of infrastructural projects within time, budget, and quality specifications. The study recommends the need for appropriate mitigative measures against potential risks, such as delayed disbursement of funds by external financiers, delayed approval of contractors＇ payment requests, as well as community participation and involvement of civil society to influence accountability in the management of project funds and expedite disbursement of funds for subsequent project phases.展开更多
Delay to large scale projects, which is as a result of actions or inactions of some project stakeholders, is becoming a global phenomena and Ghana is no exception. The objective of the research is to identify, rate an...Delay to large scale projects, which is as a result of actions or inactions of some project stakeholders, is becoming a global phenomena and Ghana is no exception. The objective of the research is to identify, rate and rank the most significant risk factors that causes delay on projects and examine the social impact of these delays to recommend modalities to help mitigate these risk factors. The study adopted quantitative methods with the distribution of 144 questionnaires to built environment professionals receiving a response rate of 75.7%. The instrument listed 58 common factors under eight categories that contribute to the causes of delay for respondents to rate. Analysis of data non-parametric test revealed that client, contractor, material and finance category factors significantly resulted in the schedule delay of large infrastructural projects. The survey analysis revealed that micro-factors that result in delays to large construction projects are time constraint, cost overrun, payment problems, dispute and litigation. The research recommended the following modalities to minimize such delays： availability of resources, improved communication and coordination, proper scope definition and feasibilities, utilization of modern technology, appropriate application of technologically based systems and competent project management＇s structures.展开更多
基金The Advance Research Projects of Southeast Universityfor the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.XJ0701262)the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China during the 11th Five-Year Plan Period(No.2008BAJ12B04,2008BAJ12B05,2006BAJ03A04)
文摘The field measurements of decay rates and time lags of heat conduction in a building construction taken in Nanjing during the summer of 2001 are presented.The decay rates and time lags are calculated according to the frequency responses of the heat absorbed by the room＇s internal surfaces,inside surface temperature,indoor air temperature and outdoor synthetic temperature.The measured results match very well with the theoretical results of the zeroth and the first order values of the decay rates and time lags of heat conduction in the building construction,but the difference between the measured values and the theoretical values for the second order is too great to be accepted.It is therefore difficult to accurately test the second order value.However,it is still advisable to complete the analysis using the zeroth-and the first-orders values of the decay rates and time lags of heat conduction in building construction under field conditions,because in these cases the decay rates of heat conduction reach twenty which meets the requirements of engineering plans.
文摘The aim of this paper is to verify the existence of a clause in contracts of promise of property sale which defines the consequences of delay in the delivery of property, and to discover whether owners demanded any compensation for delays occurred. The number of buildings delivered after the scheduled deadline in two cities between December 2009 and January 2011 was found （n = 542）, and a sample of 82 residential units was taken. In order to obtain the data, a semi-structured questionnaire was given to the homeowners. It was observed that only 35% （n = 29） of the contracts included a penalty clause for delay. However, in 19 of the 29 contracts the clause regarding delay came with other clauses that allowed the company to delay the delivery of the building for up to six months. This clause is considered null in Brazilian legislation. As for compensation, only one （1.82%） owner demanded that the company provide a rental property during the period of delay. It could be concluded that contractors are not observing Brazilian legislation regarding the delay in the delivery of residential units. In addition, conformism is perceived in the attitude of the homeowners.
文摘The objectives of this paper were to identify and evaluating the common delay factors among owners, consultants and main contractors in building projects in Singapore. The interview and questionnaire method were used in this research. Randomly distributed questionnaire technique was applied to select samples of 74 various construction practitioners consisting of owners, consultants and main contractors to evaluat the severity of the 35 identified delay factors. The project investigated in this study included residential building and office building projects. The results found that delay in progress payment by owner, adverse weather conditions, main contractor financial problems, evaluation of completed works and act of god factor caused mostly severe delay in building construction project.
基金Arak University for supporting during this study
文摘Heavy metal removal from water is a great concern for environmentalists and engineers. Ion-imprinted membranes are among the state of the art technologies for selective adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous environment. Dialysis permeation of nickel ions through Ni(II)-imprinted membranes has been thermodynamically studied in our prior work. In current study, the diffusive transport model was developed and then applied for better insight into the retardation mechanisms involved in the ion-imprinted membrane transport. The Sips isotherm model was coupled with the transport model to obtain the governing equation. Chemisorption and physical interactions(bulk diffusion and pore-clogging) were the most probable retardation mechanisms according to the modeling results. Relative retardation factor(η) was also defined as; transport-rate controlled by chemical adsorption to that controlled by physical interactions. With the help of the retardation factor, it was understood that the membrane behavior gradually changes from chemisorption to facilitated transport during permeation time. Effect of important operating parameters such as time, temperature and concentration on transport behavior was also investigated. Results indicated that chemisorption rate is rather higher at lower concentrations, early permeation times and reduced temperatures. In addition, η tabulated greater values for Ni(II) compared to Co(II) due to the imprinting effect.
文摘Sondu-Miriu hydropower （SMHP） project experienced delay for about five years and one of the contributing factors was delayed payment of the contractor, with ripples effect extending down the contractual hierarchy. This study assessed the effects of delayed payment of the contractor on the completion of SMHP project in Kisumu County, Kenya. More specifically, the study addressed two research questions： What is the relative importance of delayed payment of the contractor compared to other forms of contractual delays？ What is the perceived effect of delayed payment of the contractor on the project＇s completion？ A causal-comparative design was adopted and primary data sourced in May 2011 from 39 senior management staff of contractual parties. Relative importance index （RII） was used to determine the relative importance of perceived effects of delayed payment of the contractor on the project＇s completion; while Kendell＇s coefficient of concordance was applied to determine the degree of agreement among participants regarding their perceived effects of delayed payment. The study found that delayed payment of the contractor affected the project by causing： loss of productivity and efficiency （71.8%）; increase in time-related costs （71.8%）; re-scheduling and re-sequencing of works （69.2%）; extension of time and acceleration （69.2%）; as well as prevention of early completion （53.8%）. The study concludes that timely payment of contractors is crucial for ensuring the continuity of works and completion of infrastructural projects within time, budget, and quality specifications. The study recommends the need for appropriate mitigative measures against potential risks, such as delayed disbursement of funds by external financiers, delayed approval of contractors＇ payment requests, as well as community participation and involvement of civil society to influence accountability in the management of project funds and expedite disbursement of funds for subsequent project phases.
文摘Delay to large scale projects, which is as a result of actions or inactions of some project stakeholders, is becoming a global phenomena and Ghana is no exception. The objective of the research is to identify, rate and rank the most significant risk factors that causes delay on projects and examine the social impact of these delays to recommend modalities to help mitigate these risk factors. The study adopted quantitative methods with the distribution of 144 questionnaires to built environment professionals receiving a response rate of 75.7%. The instrument listed 58 common factors under eight categories that contribute to the causes of delay for respondents to rate. Analysis of data non-parametric test revealed that client, contractor, material and finance category factors significantly resulted in the schedule delay of large infrastructural projects. The survey analysis revealed that micro-factors that result in delays to large construction projects are time constraint, cost overrun, payment problems, dispute and litigation. The research recommended the following modalities to minimize such delays： availability of resources, improved communication and coordination, proper scope definition and feasibilities, utilization of modern technology, appropriate application of technologically based systems and competent project management＇s structures.
