Samta Benyahia

https://scholar.utc.edu/global-contemporary-artists/1017/thumbnail.jp

Framework for smart card use in the construction industry

The use of Smart Card Technology in the construction industry is untested. This thesis presents the study of framework for using smart card technology as a new means to reduce cost and improve productivity for construction companies. The purpose of this research is to investigate the applicability of smart card in construction sector and explore the potential applications of smart card for timesheet, labor payment, schedule update and job site access control. A smart card questionnaire was conducted to obtain input from construction senior managers and executives regarding the prospect of employing smart card in the industry. In addition, this research identified the potential applications of smart card with the most suitable infrastructure to the construction environment and the capability of card technology to mechanize the current paper-based timesheet and manual labor payment practice. This thesis presents also a proposed implementation process of the Construction Labor Smart Card (CLSC) and its labor payment application along with a cost comparison analysis between paper-based and smart card-based timesheets

Overcoming Barriers to P2 and Recycling for Construction Waste

Estimates of construction and demolition (C&D) waste entering landfills range from 20 to 33% of the total waste stream volume. Although waste estimates are difficult to verify, it is clear that, even at the low end of this estimate range, there is significant potential for diverting C&D materials from landfills. A study by the California Environmental Protection Agency (2006) found that new residential construction comprised about 10% of the C&D waste stream. Although much of the construction waste that currently and typically goes to landfill can be recovered, effective waste management in the residential construction industry remains an elusive goal. Guided by the ADOP2TTM model (Lindsey, 1998, 1999) for diffusion of innovation, this research project worked toward accelerating the adoption of waste minimization and pollution prevention (P2)/recycling practices by Illinois home builders. Major phases of the study included: establishing partnerships with home builders in two Illinois counties; identifying and quantifying typical waste streams from residential construction; identifying priority waste materials for P2/recycling, local best management practices, and barriers to P2/recycling faced by home builders; implementing P2/recycling demonstration projects in two counties; developing case study fact sheets to document the procedures and results; and disseminating the results of the demonstration projects.published or submitted for publicationnot peer reviewe

The water poverty index as an assistant tool for drawing strategies of the Egyptian water sector

Developing strategies for the water sector in integrated manner is essential. The present study details the development and uses of the Water Poverty Index (WPI) to be applied as a holistic tool for the conceptualization of water strategies in Egypt. The WPI herein considers the following: (i) water availability; (ii) access to water taking into account energy as a factor to water system operation; (iii) capacity to manage the water system considering the gender perspective; (iv) allocation of water uses considering the economic value of water; and (v) quality of the environment. The developed WPI was applied at the Egyptian governorates level and priorities to be achieved in their water sector were determined. The study concluded that, WPI as a summarized index combines into a single number a cluster of data is considered a robust tool to assist decision makers in determining priority to conduct prospect development plans in the water sector

Assessing greenhouse gasses emitted from on-farm irrigation pumps: Case studies from Egypt

Increasing greenhouse gas emission has become a worldwide concern as it is considered a major driver of global warming and climate change. Clear picture of greenhouse gasses emissions due to utilizing energy for on-farm irrigation pumps is a key guide for decision makers to identify strategies for greenhouse gasses emission reduction that consequently impact on the national and international level. The current study determined the carbon emitted from three common categories of diesel and electric on-farm irrigation pumps in Egypt. A set of environmental, economic, and social evaluating indicators were applied to carry out a comparative analysis among the pump categories in three study areas at El-Behera Governorate. The study showed that pumping 1 m3 of water for irrigating the cropping pattern at the study areas produces an average of 690 ton CO2. The study illustrated that electrical pumps are more environmentally, economically, and socially advantageous than diesel pumps

Maximizing the economic value of irrigation water and achieving self sufficiency of main crops

Water is a limited resource that needs sustainable management, which aims to develop and protect it. Without a proper management, water will become a constraining factor in the socioeconomic development of Egypt. Giving information on the economic value of water enable decision makers to take informed choices on water allocation to face the growing demands for all uses and drawing its sustainable future in agricultural and water policies. The current paper aims to assist decision makers in developing new cropping patterns considering the supply and demand aspects based on the efficient utilization of the water resources. It has proposed a cropping pattern which can increase the economic value of irrigation water from 0.88 LE/CM to 0.92 LE/CM. It can also decrease the gap between the national production and the imports, and increase self sufficiency of the main agricultural crops

Decision support system to maximize economic value of irrigation water at the Egyptian governorates meanwhile reducing the national food gap

The water resources and agricultural policies in Egypt tend to minimize the food gap, increase self-sufficiency, maximize the economic value of water, decrease the cultivated area of voracious crop water and optimize the water allocation and use. The main goal of the present study is developing a decision support system that can be utilized to assist in achiving these polices and stategies. The decision support system was applied to: (i) analyze of the current situation of the consumed water and the cultivated areas by main crops and their net return, (ii) calculate economic value of irrigation water for main crops at twenty two governorates in Egypt, and (iii) solve a linear optimization problem where the objective function is maximizing the economic value of the irrigation water, and finally (iv) propose an optimal cropping pattern at the Egyptian governorate level. The paper concludes that proposing a cropping pattern at the governorate level is essential where it provides a reliable and accurate view of the economic value of irrigation water rather than the national level. The proposed cropping pattern reduces the national food gap and the cultivated areas of voracious crops water, and saves the irrigation water. Alternatives to utilize the saved water due to the proposed cropping pattern are suggested

WORKING THROUGH UNFORSEEN UNCERTAINITES USING THE OODA LOOP: AN APPROACH FOR SELF-MANAGED CONSTRUCTION TEAMS

ABSTRACT Construction operations are dynamic and time sensitive. The management response to issues on site is typically a consequence of and the response to an event that has already taken place. Decisions and actions that are delayed are often rendered ineffective because of the constantly changing site conditions. The sudden emergence of the situation and the dynamic nature of its evolution needs to be addressed with flexibility and fluidity based on an appropriate assessment of the issues at hand. The need to increase the effectiveness with which self-managed teams perform under such conditions cannot be overstated and clearly requires a theoretical framework that can provide an interpretation of the underlying cognitive processes and selected responses in the face of dynamically evolving environments, and the intricate interrelationships among all constituents of the process. This paper presents the Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA) loop as the theoretical interpretation by which to understand, influence, and predict the performance of self-managed construction teams. The paper begins by introducing the constructs of the OODA loop, followed by exploring its application to understand and evaluate the performance of self-managed teams in construction. The paper then posits that the effectiveness of self-managed teams found in construction is a function of the collective OODA loop speed of the group. The paper concludes with research possibilities associated with the OODA Loop, and develops guidelines for embracing uncertainty in the project, and production management phases. KEY WORDS Lean construction, OODA loop, last planner system, self-organizing teams