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Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Building Construction

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https://hdl.handle.net/1853/72547
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search.filters.applied.f.advisor: Roper, Kathy O. × search.filters.applied.f.isSeriesOfPublicationTitle: Building Construction and Facility Management Graduate Program ×

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Quantifying the benefits of greywater systems
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011-04-05) Wickstead, Frank Anthony
    This thesis offers a decision support framework to establish the economic feasibility associated with considering the installation of a greywater system. Because of the potential dangers and lack of widespread knowledge of greywater systems, the study begins by providing an explanation of current greywater technology to include the history of the technology, an explanation of greywater as opposed to reclaimed water, the potential risks of greywater use, and the necessary components of a greywater system. This decision support framework can be used with any scale of greywater system to be installed within any scale of facility. The example of an typical Atlanta, Georgia, USA multifamily rental development is used within the study to explain the framework by showing a working model. The need for water conservation in Georgia is shown and how greywater use dovetails with the need to lower overall usage. The legality of greywater use in Georgia along with the specific legal uses is also shown. The findings are then made State of Georgia and use specific to a multifamily development. The decision support framework provided is a viable tool. The sample framework in chapter 5 shows that the implementation of a greywater unit in the sampled facility would save 5,060,739.6 gallons of potable water per year with a 10.49 year payback cycle.
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    An analysis regarding energy efficiency in metro Atlanta's private office buildings
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009-06-12) Fore, Elizabeth K.
    Commercial office building occupants are a significant consumer of electricity, and they subsequently contribute a significant amount of greenhouse gases into the environment in the process. An opportunity exists to improve the energy efficiency in existing buildings, and the Energy Star certification program provides both tools to do so and an independent verification of a building's superior energy efficiency. However, only 16% of metro Atlanta's office space has achieved this certification. The intent of the research was to identify the current state of energy efficiency in buildings, and to identify potential obstacles to obtaining the Energy Star certification. Towards this goal, secondary research was conducted among prominent academic journals, as well as numerous professional and governmental organizations and publications. Primary research was conducted through an online survey of Facility Managers, Property Managers, and Building Engineers of Energy Star office buildings and comparable non-Energy Star office buildings in the metro Atlanta area. The survey was conducted mostly using closed-ended questions using a Likert scale so as to provide a basis for statistical analysis among responses, and open-ended questions were also included to identify the current state of energy efficiency practices. The research identified three areas which hold statistically significant differences between Energy Star and directly comparable buildings. An analysis also determined that building age does seem to play a role in the building representatives' responses. Four conclusions were found regarding characteristics of Energy Star buildings themselves. The research also identified five conclusions regarding the expected result when pursuing the Energy Star certification. These conclusions include the best method to achieve the Energy Star certification, the expected energy savings, the expected time spent to achieve the certification, the expected cost to achieve the certification, and the main reasons to recertify the building. Finally, this research highlights innovative practices in other states and cities, such as financial incentives and legislation which require commercial buildings to obtain a building rating. Such innovative practices are currently not employed in the Atlanta metro area, but would be beneficial to both the Atlanta area and individual buildings.
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    Leadership in project management
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-11-19) Xiong, Riyue
    Project management is a carefully planned and organized effort to accomplish a specific one-time task. For example, constructing a building or implementing a new computer system, all need to be well-managed. Projects are conceived and completed by people, who are involved in the whole process of project execution and completion. Thus, project management not only requires an efficient project manager, but also a qualified leader who can lead the team effectively. This research will provide a clearer understanding of the concept of leadership in projects, discussing how and why it works, and the ways to make project teams more dynamic and effective. The results from the study are applied to these leadership concepts, in an effort understand the role of effective leadership in reducing costs across the whole project process and increasing the project value.
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    Engaging the Senses for Performance: a Framework for Researching Sensory Design Elements and Their Effects on Productivity in the Workplace
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005-11-29) Hyatt, Abigail
    In conjunction with an investigation of past research, this study provides a measured account of changes in worker productivity resulting from changes including the application of new sensory design elements in a typical office environment. A case study is presented that follows a collection agencys relocation of offices in order to provide confirmation of a relationship between employee productivity and changes in the office environment. As noted, these changes included a general application of color in the new environment as compared to the neutral palette of the previous site. Data representing the total dollar amounts collected by individual employees is compiled for the two months directly prior (November and December 2004) and immediately following (January and February 2005) the companys relocation of offices to a space integrating various colors (red, blue, green, and gold) into the work environment. Information relating to a total of 10 client groups and the average volume per employee are compared for each of the months. In order to substantiate the findings, the monthly numbers are also compared to the same periods (November/December 2003 and January/February 2004) in the previous year.
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    Standardized Design Process and Capital Planning for Salvation Army Corps Community Centers: a Case Study and Recommendations
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005-04-10) Taylor, Robert L.
    The Salvation Army, a non-profit Christian Church and social service enterprise, struggles as all corporations do, with expending limited resources in the most efficient and effective manner. The Salvation Army has been recognized as a corporate leader in effectively managing administrative and programmatic resources and generating positive results in their programs designed for the benefit of society and the community of mankind as a whole. This document focuses on whether The Salvation Armys practices concerning the design, construction, and operation of facilities warrants the same praise regarding efficiencies and effectiveness. The contents of this thesis are an evaluation of, and recommendations for, the design and construction processes used by The Salvation Armys Corporate Headquarters to construct and operate Salvation Army Corps Community Centers throughout the southeastern United States. The primary objectives were to analyze the current design and construction processes, develop a prototype design, and determine through quantitative research if standardization of the design is cost effective, programmatically functional, superior in terms of constructability, maintainability, sustainability, and if and how a standard model should be implemented. The methodology used to produce this thesis included a comprehensive review of relevant literature concerning current industry standards regarding design and construction to develop an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of standardized design. Personal interviews with architects and directors of similar facilities were conducted to gain a thorough knowledge of the concept of standardization. A survey was distributed to internal personnel involved in the design, construction, and operations of Salvation Army Corps Community Centers. The survey was used to determine the experience, expertise, and limitations of those individuals and how the internal population views and implements current processes, as well as their opinion of standardization. In concert with a standard design, an integrated operations, maintenance, capital renewal plan, and emergency plan concept is discussed, produced, and incorporated into an actual constructed model. An implementation plan for each of the components mentioned above is also provided. The information gleaned from the research indicated that process improvement was warranted and that a standardized design could effectively jump start the design process which would ultimately result in cost savings, production of a programmatically functional facility that is cost effectively maintained, built from sustainable products, and incorporates an operations, maintenance and capital renewal plan as well. While the research conducted supports the implementation of a standardized design, operations, and capital renewal plan, further research will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented program. By studying the constructed model, adjustments can be made in the process and practice to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the standardized design process, operations, maintenance, and capital renewal plan.
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    Technology advancement in intelligent buildings : a through preplanning process pertaining to long-term maintainability
    (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004-08-20) Wilson, Michael Thomas
    Innovation and new technologies are daily changing the characteristics of facilities as building owners are requiring more automated services, increased security is becoming more prevalent, and budget constraints are affecting facility operations. Therefore, additional avenues should be evaluated to reduce long-term costs by improving facility maintainability. The conclusions of these quarries should be incorporated into the design and preplanning phases as early as possible, as this is when the most impact can be made at the least expense. As it relates to this effort, preplanning refers to the project concept development and includes some initial aspects of the design. Preplanning for maintainability is one aspect that has historically not received much industry attention. This study considered the preplanning process as it pertains to maintainability, particularly for intelligent buildings, as this is the current trend in which building construction is heading. It limitedly considered the historic aspects of construction and automation, assessed the current situation and considered the projected future needs. Based on the expectations as to where future building intelligence will lead, it was ascertained that better preplanning should be incorporated into the construction process, especially as it pertains to maintainability.