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Thesis Proposal
Proposal 12/7/18
Revised Proposal 1/14/19
Analysis I - Foundation System
The first analysis focuses on the foundation system used in 3500 Technology Dr. The construction site is built on an old mine. 3500 Technology Dr uses a mine grouting foundation system with typical spread footers. This differs from the caissons foundation system used in the 2007 addition. The goal of this analysis is to discover whether or not the caissons foundation system from the 2007 addition would be a successful system in 3500 Technology Dr based on functionality, cost, schedule, and feasibility.
Analysis II - Prefabricated Mechanical System
Prefabrication has many advantages such as safety, quality of work, and positive effects on the construction schedule. Analysis II focuses on prefabricating the mechanical system. The goal of this analysis is to compare cost and schedule impacts as well as research the safety benefits of prefabrication.
Analysis III - Alternative Project Delivery Method
The most challenging part of using the CM at Risk delivery method was bidding at 80% CD’s since the schedule did not allow for time to complete the drawings. That caused various questions as well as contractors pricing conservatively in order to protect their interests. Analysis III aims to compare CM at Risk with Design-Bid-Build to discover an alternative delivery method that would be successful when implemented on the project.
Analysis IV- Alarming System for Damage Protection
Weather was one of the largest challenges to the project schedule. There were various delays due to the extremely rainy season that spanned from June into the colder months. Protection of the construction site is extremely important and can help save costs and the overall project schedule. This analysis focuses on researching Pillar Technologies. Pillar Technologies created “Pillar Smart Sensors & Elements Platform” to collect data from hundreds of sensors across a site to give real-time alerts to site managers. The goal of this analysis is to discover new technologies to stop hazards before they become damages.
Breadth Proposal Topics
Mechanical Breadth
The mechanical breadth focuses on Analysis II with the prefabrication of the mechanical system. When prefabricating the system, duct sizes may need to be altered to successfully assemble the pieces. A mechanical analysis will be completed to determine correct duct sizes for the prefabricated system. Another analysis will be completed to determine whether or not the VAV boxes will need to be relocated from where they are currently planned to be.
Structural Breadth
A structural breadth will be conducted based on Analysis I. A mine grouting system with typical spread footers will be compared to a caisson foundation system. In order to determine which foundation system would be favorable, structural calculations will need to be performed on both systems. Each system will need to support the necessary loads of the building. A structural analysis will help discover which system offers higher strength and functionality for 3500 Technology Dr to sit on.
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