Federal Policies to Foster Innovation and Improvement in Constructed Facilities Summary of a Symposium (1996) / Chapter Skim
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IDENTIFYING THE BARRIERS TO CHANGE
IDENTIFYING THE BARRIERS TO CHANGE
Pages 17-46
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From page 17... ...
With some surprise, I find that the profession I practice today has changed dramatically and so have the buildings which we design and build. The changes I noted, to list only a few, include: Widespread use of the construction management delivery method Emergence of a common building code format by the three major model code organizations Widespread use of the Construction Specifications Institute three-part specification format A dramatic increase in long-span structures, both in number and length of span Dramatically new and better material technology in several areas The emergence of single-ply roofing systems as a major roof system design The enactment of Occupational Safety and Health Administration and American Disabilities Act legislation The emerging role of plastics in their varied forms in construction lithe need and demand for energy conservation The emerging concepts of "green" architecture The disproportionate amount of time spent by architects and engineers in consideration of their exposure to risk .
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From page 18... ...
The issues I have identified represent my particular perspective, which is as a provider of professional architectural and engineering services for the design and preparation of documentation required to construct buildings and the administration of the contract for construction on behalf of the building owner. I should add that for the past several years I have been deeply involved in the evaluation of exterior building system failures and the overall evaluation of existing buildings on behalf of owners.
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From page 19... ...
It is difficult enough to design and prepare the required documents for complex projects utilizing time-tested and industry-accepted materials, systems, and methods of design and construction. The perception of many design professionals that simple errors in judgment may lead to legal action resulting from errors, real orimagined, is disruptive, time consuming, and expensive.
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From page 20... ...
Increased Competition/Decreased Compensation If the conditions previously addressed are not enough to kill the natural desire of design professionals to develop and take advantage of innovation and change in the performance of their service, this issue alone would be very discouraging. While I do not have the facts and figures available to support the following statement, I believe it is self-evident to those responsible for the financial survival of design firms that competition for commissions is greatly increasing, and the compensation for performing services is steadily declining.
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From page 21... ...
In short, the financial pie available for services will rarely accommodate a slice for innovation and change. Until the basic system we operate under is altered dramatically, it is unlikely that design professionals will be able or willing to provide leadership in accomplishing innovation and change in the development and application of new and better building materials, systems, and techniques.
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From page 22... ...
Prior to joining the Smith Companies, Mr. Neely was Executive Vice President and Managing General Partner of the New Height Group, a real estate development company.
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From page 23... ...
The third component is the institutional investor, be it a bank for construction lending or permanent financing, or a life insurance company as a joint venture partner. For those of us in the development business, there are no barriers to change.
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From page 24... ...
There are a few buildings I wish I didn't have such deep bay depths on today; I could turn them into apartment buildings based on the current office market. I would like to dwell on market forces just a little bit more because I think market forces can also impede innovation, at least we see that today in the office building environment.
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From page 25... ...
On the other hand, if it costs $200 to build an office building today, and we can only lease it for $17, we're not going to be building many office buildings. That is really the condition that we find ourselves in most markets today.
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From page 26... ...
He has been in management since 1976 and supervised research in many innovative concepts, such as epoxycoated rebars, cathodic protection, modifications of and substitutes for asphalt, new deicers, and structural concepts such as pre-stressed pavements and highstrength bridges. He is a registered professional engineer, belongs to about 15 technical organizations, and serves on several advisory boards.
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From page 27... ...
In comparison to Transportation's efforts we can look at the Advanced Materials and Processing Program (AMPP) which was a 1993 program during presidential emphasis on research and development (R&D)
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From page 28... ...
The construction industry has not had an effective voice in the political scene. The electronics industry has been effective.
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From page 29... ...
SOURCE: Civil Engineering Research Foundation. December 1984.
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From page 30... ...
In a 1990 article in the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) magazine, it was found that of the Virginia Department of Transportation's 11,000 employees, 10 percent of them were undergoing remedial reading.
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From page 31... ...
The state departments of transportation used to have 600,000 total employees, and each state had its own new product evaluation board. With the support of AASHTO, FHWA created the Highway Innovation Technology Evaluation Center (HITEC)
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From page 32... ...
If nobody has $10, they are not going to buy it. A more dramatic example is the bridge that fell down in April 1989 where eight people died.
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From page 33... ...
However, if you only use it on bridges, you are missing the opportunity because only 15 percent of the concrete goes into new bridges. You have to get the high-rise construction industry and the residential market sector to work with you to build one large consumer market (as contrasted to dual inventories)
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From page 34... ...
Reduction in Number a/ Supporting Girders 1987 FHWA study on application of high-strength concrete for bridges: · Studied the potential benefits of increased concrete strengths up to 70 MPa (10,000 psi) Benefits included increased span lengths, wider girder spacings, and reduced section of compression members For example (see sketch below)
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From page 35... ...
What are the benefits of this? In the Washington area, we have had numerous accidents and front page pictures of trucks rolling over on cars.
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From page 36... ...
Recapitulation The barriers to innovation in construction infrastructure are many and diverse. Lack of funding, inadequate education, restrictive codes and laws, and lack of future planning are but a few.
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From page 38... ...
in civil engineering from Rutgers University in 1956, M.S. in public financial management and budgeting in 1973, and D.P.A.
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From page 39... ...
They are now updating their patents based on new technology and applying the greater promise of superconducting magnetic energy to produce very strong and efficient levitation so that Maglev will have the ability to carry freight, as well as passengers. This enhanced mobility system comes at a strategically useful time through its ability to enhance industrial competitiveness and create employment opportunities for the next century.
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From page 40... ...
Located in Brevard County, Florida, the AMS project was envisaged to connect they Kennedy Space Center visitor center, the Port Canaveral cruise ship terminal, Interstate 95 and Route 407 by a 20-mile dual guideway (Figure 1~. Technology developed by American Maglev Star participants provides for an elevated system constructed on columns (Figure 21.
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From page 41... ...
N T FIGURE 1 AS Bald County Rout REEF IC~3 | GU1D-~^~ AMEN JOINT 2 AS _ 41 \1 R-D ~N~^D I , FOR i (6~g
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From page 42... ...
The American Maglev Star project approach, with its 100 percent American technology manufacturing and labor content, contrasts strongly with high-speed rail, steel-wheel-on-steel-rail technologies, whose designs use 100 percent offshore components. Similarly, other Maglev systems currently being developed in the United States, not the AMS, also use high percentages of offshore technologies, thus having less positive impact on American jobs, competitiveness, and economic independence.
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From page 43... ...
Yet, the technology is currently available. AMS is working with the state government in Florida, as well as hoping that the state will be the primary government agency that will make the Brevard County proposal proceed.
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From page 44... ...
percent of the cost. Civil and structural engineering design would reduce the cost of the guideway.
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From page 46... ...
He is a registered professional engineer and a recipient of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Dow Outstanding Young Faculty Award in 1977 and the Halliburton outstanding research and graduate teaching award in 1987.
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