Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
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ItemImproved capital procurement through increased use of quantitatively-based decisions(Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, 2008)The procurement of major capital projects always involves significant risk and uncertainties and this is one of the primary causes for the variations from expected outcomes. This paper outlines the delimitation between strategies for making complex decisions using quantitative analyses as opposed to the techniques and applications currently being used by project and construction managers. Various approaches have been developed and adopted by researchers and practitioners to improve the quality of critical project decisions to maximise benefits. Strategic frameworks and organisational hierarchies are frequently deemed as an optimal solution from the perspective of industrial participants, while numerous researchers indicate decisions with quantitative evidences, underpinned by proper choice of technique, will add additional benefits over current industrial practices. It is asserted that improved decisions can be made through the additional use of quantitative approaches. This paper reports the finding of a study that has identified where the increased use of quantitative approaches may assist project and construction managers and proposes a mechanism to confirm the potential benefits.
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ItemInterpretation of qualitative and quantitative information for project reviews: A fuzzy-based approach for OGC ™ gateway review (GR) colour code system (CCS)(Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, 2008)Independent project reviews are gaining popularity as a technique to improve project outcomes through the timely identification of outstanding project risks. A common technique is that of a Gateway. The Gateway Review Process (GRP) appraises qualitative and quantitative risks and reports the findings via a Colour Code System (CCS) of Red/Amber/Green (R/A/G). Medium to high risk projects that exceed certain risk thresholds are eligible for GRP. Intuitive recognition of potential risks from the application of CCS is insufficient to determine the value gained from the process. This paper attempts to shed light on a tentative effort to interpret the CCS into numerical descriptions by using fuzzy-based method on a survey outcome. This quantitative interpretation of the CCS would then be adopted to provide a measure and understanding (decision evidence) of the benefits obtained through project review such as GRP.
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ItemQuantification of the contribution of non-structural components to the structural performance of high-rise buildings(Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, 2008-12-01)Non-structural components (NSCs) such as infill walls, façades, stairs, and windows are normally considered as non-load bearing components in the design of buildings. However, a number of researchers have identified that those so-called NSCs have a significant contribution to the lateral performance of the structure. This paper presents the findings of the investigation into the influence of a variety of NSCs on the performance of typical high-rise framed structures via the observation of the influence of these NSCs on the shear and flexural performance, as well as the lateral stiffness of the structures. Finite element (FE) models have been developed to analyse storey drifts, shear force distributions, bending moment distributions, and joint rotations under different structural configurations. The results of the study indicate a significant decrease of the storey drift can be achieved by including different NSCs to the structural frame. Dramatic changes to both the bending moment and the shear force distributions in the inner columns of the structural frame are resulted from the inclusion of NSCs. However, the influence of these NSCs on the flexural and shear performance of the outer columns of the building is significantly less than that of the inner columns. It is concluded that the enhanced performance of actual buildings by including NSCs provides opportunity for refining of the lateral deflection of the building for the serviceability limit states.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableAccuracy of satellite measured wave heights in the Australian region for wave power applications(SAGE Publications, 2008-06-01)This article focuses on the accuracy of satellite data, which may then be used in wave power applications. The satellite data are compared to data from wave buoys, which are currently considered to be the most accurate of the devices available for measuring wave characteristics. This article presents an analysis of satellite- (Topex/Poseidon) and buoy-measured significant wave heights for a 1-year period at Cape Sorell and Rottnest Island, off the Australian coast. The analysis found that the satellite-measured wave heights showed a slight positive bias. This is contrary to the findings of most other authors, who have analyzed data from the Northern Hemisphere and generally found a negative bias in the satellite-measured wave heights. The implication is that calibration functions to improve the correlation between the buoy and satellite data may vary for different hemispheres or even regions within these.
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Item[Review of the book Better: a surgeon's notes on performance]( 2008)Author-surgeon’s book describes improved outcomes by improving on performance.
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ItemThe brethren updated [Review of the book The nine: inside the secret world of the Supreme Court]( 2008)This book looks at the process underlying the nomination, confirmation and appointment of some US Federal judges including the resignation of Justice O'Connor of the Supreme Court.
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Item[Review of the book How the states got their shapes]( 2008)This book considers the political and legal reasons underlying the present location of the borders (or boundaries) of the states making up the United States of America.
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ItemBeware of zebras [Review of the book How doctors think]( 2008)Decision making under uncertainty. How humans think and make decisions with particular reference to the medical profession.
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ItemCupidity or stupidity: lawyers' ethics on trial [Review of the book The Crime of Sheila McGough]( 2008)Solo practitioners are more prone to failing their ethical obligations because they do not have colleagues to consult with and receive counselling from.