Iseley, D T (1988) Automated methods for the trenchless placement of underground utility systems. PhD thesis, Purdue University, USA.
Abstract
In recent years, much concern has been directed at the productivity, quality of work, morale, rework, and competitiveness of the United States construction industry. Numerous research projects have been funded resulting in technical publications and text books on productivity improvement and the owner, designer, and contractor team concept. These efforts have had little impact on the industry, as a whole. The basis of this research endeavor supports the premise that traditional construction industry research is treating the symptoms and not the problem. This is not to minimize the importance of treating symptoms; but for significant improvements, the problem must be identified and treated. Effective communications must exist between the owner, designer, and contractor. The contract documents, detailed plans, and specifications are the primary instruments of communication for the contractor. "Incomplete, inaccurate, and faulty construction specifications often result in a large number of field problems" (55). Designers have a professional responsibility to insure that their specifications are accurate and complete. This thesis is a result of in-depth research into the development of specifications for the rapidly evolving area of trenchless excavation construction (TEC). A summary description of the various methods, equipment, and materials commonly utilized in the United States is provided. The design principles and practices for various conditions and materials are presented. A summary review of existing specifications is presented, and a model specification that can be utilized for TEC projects was developed. A high degree of variation in TEC specifications was documented on significant technical issues. It was also documented that much of this variation results from a lack of understanding of the construction process by the designers which typically have resulted in confusion, problems, and legal claims.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Hancher, D E |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | United States; communication; competitiveness; designer; equipment; excavation; morale; owner; productivity; professional; specification |
| Index terms: | contract document, excavation, variation, construction process, publication, specification, United States, placement, design principle, rework, competitiveness, construction industry, traditional construction, designer, productivity, morale, owner |
| Subjects: | profession, design methods, sociology, industry analysis, management, contractual condition, operations management, construction operations, research dissemination and communication, building construction, market analysis, heritage and conservation, leadership, Geography |
| Topics: | Project Management, Geographical Context, Organizational Design, Site Management, Contract Administration, Design Practice, Human Resources, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Information Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here