Melissa Rosol Information Sciences & TechnologyBuilding

Construction Management University Park, PA

Dr. Michael Horman

December 13, 2002

CM Thesis Proposal

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: CM THESIS PROPOSAL

The attached pages are ideas and information on alternative systems, value engineering ideas, and research topics for the Information Sciences and TechnologyBuilding. The proposed ideas, after approval by the AE Department, will be further investigated in the Spring 2003 ThesisProject.

The four main topics under investigation will be:

  1. FOUNDATIONS-COMBINATION OF MINI-PILES AND SPREAD FOOTINGS VS. ALL MINI-PILES VS. ALL FOOTINGS
  2. Research topic – MOLD ACTION PLAN
  3. REDESIGN OPEN AREA AT BRIDGE ATRIUM
  4. FLOOR FINISHES-CONCRETE GRINDING VS. ALTERNATIVE FLOORING

Analysis one will be an investigation on the foundation system for the Information Sciences and TechnologyBuilding. Currently the foundation is a combination of mini-piles and spread footings. The analysis will be to redesign the foundations using all mini-piles versus all spread footings versus the actual foundation system. The study will determine potential cost savings, schedule reduction, and overall construction.

The main research element of this proposal will be to devise a Mold Action Plan, where companies can refer to on how to prevent mold from entering and what to do if mold is introduced into the building. The research on the mold risks will also be based on insurance companies and what they want to see happening on a jobsite in order to insure potential mold in the building.

Currently on the bridge area of the I.S.T. structure, half of the roof is a skylight and half of the roof is open to the sky (see following report for more detail). Analysis three is proposing to add a skylight over the entire roof, allowing cover for pedestrians and potentially preventing other problems such as drainage and maintenance.

The main corridors of the I.S.T.Building and the area over the bridge are exposed concrete. The concrete is to be ground to give a shiny, terrazzo-like finish. The concrete grinding and the protection it will need until the completion of construction can be costly, so analysis four is to compare the prices of the concrete grinding versus terrazzo versus an alternative method.

Investigation Weight Distribution for Spring 2003:

Proposal Weight Matrix / Value Engineering Analysis / Constructability Review / Schedule Reduction / Acceleration Proposal / Research or Developing Methods Study / Systems Engineering / Integration
Analysis 1 / 5 / 5 / 5 / 15
Analysis 2 / 5 / 20
Analysis 3 / 5 / 1.5 / 1.5 / 2 / 15
Analysis 4 / 10 / 5 / 5
TOTAL / 20 / 11.5 / 11.5 / 27 / 30
TOTAL / 100

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