The capture and integration of construction site data

The use of mobile computing on the construction site has been a well-researched area since the early 1990’s, however, there still remains a lack of computing on the construction site. Where computers are utilised on the site this tends to be by knowledge workers utilising a laptop or PC in the site office with electronic data collection being the exception rather than the norm. The problems associated with paper-based documentation on the construction site have long been recognised (Baldwin, et al, 1994; McCullough, 1993) yet there still seems to be reluctance to replace this with electronic alternatives. Many reasons exist for this such as; low profit margins, perceived high cost; perceived lack of available hardware and perceived inability of the workforce. However, the benefits that can be gained from the successful implementation of IT on the construction site and the ability to re-use construction site data to improve company performance, whilst difficult to cost, are clearly visible. This thesis represents the development and implementation of a data capture system for the management of the construction of rotary bored piles (SHERPA). Operated by the site workforce, SHERPA comprises a wireless network, site-based server and webbased data capture using tablet computers. This research intends to show that mobile computing technologies can be implemented on the construction site and substantial benefits can be gained for the company from the re-use and integration of the captured site data

Productivity analysis of horizontal directional drilling

The National Research Council of Canada reported that rehabilitation of municipal water systems between 1997 and 2012 would cost $28 billion (NRC, 2004). With the rapid increase of new installations, the need for replacement and repair of pipe utilities and also the demand for trenchless excavation methods, increase. This must be done with minimum disruption to public. One alternative to reduce disruption is to use horizontal directional drilling (HDD) for new pipe installation scenarios. Consequently, contractors, engineers, and decision makers are facing continuous challenges regarding to estimation of execution time and cost of new pipe installations, while using HDD. This is because productivity prediction and consequently the cost estimation of HDD involves a large number of objective and subjective factors that need to be considered. It is well known that prediction of both productivity and cost is an important process in establishing and employing management strategies for a construction operation. This calls for the need of developing a dedicated HDD productivity model that meets present day requirements of this area of construction industry. There are two main objectives of the current research. The first objective is to identify the factors that affect productivity of HDD operations. The second objective is to develop a productivity prediction model for different soil conditions. To achieve these two objectives a thorough literature review was carried out. Thereafter, data on potential factors on productivity were collected from HDD experts across North America and abroad. Following data collection, the current research identified managerial, mechanical, environmental and pipe physical conditions parameters operating in three types of soils: clay, rock and sandy soils. Prior to model development, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique was used to classify and rank these factors according to their relative importance. A neurofuzzy (NF) approach is employed to develop HDD productivity prediction model for pipe installation. The merits of this approach are that it decreases uncertainties in results, addresses non-linear relationships and deals well with imprecise and linguistic data. The following eight factors were finally selected as inputs of the model to be developed: operator/ crew skills, soil type, drilling rig capabilities, machine conditions, unseen buried obstacles, pipe diameter, pipe length and site weather and safety conditions. The model is validated using actual project data. The developed NF model showed average validation percent of 94.7%, 82.3% and 86.7%, for clay, rock and sand, respectively. The model is also used to produce productivity curves (production rate vs. influencing factors) for each soil type. Finally, an automated user-friendly productivity prediction tool (HDD-PP) based on present NF model is developed to predict HDD productivity. This tool is coded in MatLab ® language using the graphical user interface tool (GUI). The tool was used to test a case study. It was proved to be helpful for contractors, consultants and HDD professionals in predicting execution time and to estimate cost of HDD projects during the preconstruction phase in the environment of imprecise and noisy inputs

Determining variable depth to bedrock using ERT and MASW: A geophysical investigation in St. Louis, MO

“The research involves a geophysical study in the Maremec River Valley in St. Louis County, Missouri. The geophysical methods described in this paper can provide a relatively quick, inexpensive, and accurate means in investigating the lithologic characteristics of the subsurface. Method selection is ultimately dependent of the type of investigation and site-specific characteristics. In this investigation, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) data and Mutli-Channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) data were acquired to image the bedrock beneath the Maremec River to an approximate depth of 110 ft or an elevation of 300 ft for a proposed wastewater tunnel. Two overlapping dipole-dipole arrays were used in a survey across the Maremec River to create a 1,670 ft ERT traverse. The ERT data were then processed to create a 2-D pseudo-section. Multiple MASW surveys were acquired on both sides of the river along the ERT traverse. The MASW data were processed and six shear wave velocity profiles were created. Two borings were logged on both sides of the river near the ERT traverse using material collected from a split-spoon sampler. The data from these geophysical tools were then compared and correlated with the boring data. The depth to bedrock was interpreted to be from 30 ft – 80 ft. The processed MASW data correlated fairly well with the interpreted top-of-rock with 0 ft – 15 ft. Based on the resistivity data, the bedrock can be characterized as fairly weathered beneath ERT stations 600 to 1600. A potential karst feature is present after station 1400 which extends below 300 ft elevation. From ERT stations 100 to 600, the bedrock is considered competent and less weathered”--Abstract, page iii

Evaluation of geophysical methods to characterize alluvial soils in the arid environment

Non-intrusive geophysical investigations, both seismic and electrical, were performed at several locations on the Las Vegas Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada, along with intrusive drilling. These investigations were conducted to determine whether it is possible use geophysical methods to detect piping-induced cavities and shallow inclusions such as calcific nodules and horizons known as caliche in dry, desert soil, while at the same time characterizing the mechanical structure of the soil and distribution of soil moisture for engineering purposes. The geophysical methods used were the Spectral-Analysis-of-Surface-Waves (SASW) method, surface-based seismic cavity detection, multi-electrode electrical resistivity, and electromagnetic conductivity. The results of the geophysical measurements across the site were compared to each other, and to the ground truth obtained through intrusive drilling. The seismic and electrical signature of a known air-filled fissure was also established, and was used for comparison to the results obtained throughout the Preserve. The SASW method was successful in characterizing the complex layered geometry of the soil. The electrical resistivity method successfully distinguished between dry soils at shallow depths, and moist and wet soils beneath. The surface-based seismic cavity detection and the electrical resistivity methods were also used successfully for cavity detection, and it is concluded that voids of engineering significance would have been detected if they had been present. The electromagnetic conductivity method was not successful in detecting voids, but proved to be a valuable preliminary reconnaissance tool

Technology catalogue. Second edition

The Department of Energy`s (DOE`s) Office of Environmental Management (EM) is responsible for remediating DOE contaminated sites and managing the DOE waste inventory in a safe and efficient manner. EM`s Office of Technology Development (OTD) supports applied research and demonstration efforts to develop and transfer innovative, cost-effective technologies to its site clean-up and waste-management programs within EM. The purpose of the Technology Catalogue is to: (a) provide performance data on OTD-developed technologies to scientists and engineers responsible for preparing Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies (RI/FSs) and other compliance documents for the DOE`s clean-up and waste-management programs; and (b) identify partnering and commercialization opportunities with industry, other federal and state agencies, and the academic community

A comparison of construction automation in major constraints and potential techniques for automation in the United States, Japan, and Taiwan

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1995.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-104).by Jen-Chi Hsiao.M.S