Survey Comparing Critical Path Method, Last Planner System, and Location-Based Techniques
JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT
Authors: Olivieri, Hylton; Seppanen, Olli; Alves, Thais da C. L.; Scala, Natalie M.; Schiavone, Vincent; Liu, Min; Granja, Ariovaldo Denis
Abstract
In construction, the most relevant systems used for project management (PM) and project production management (PPM) in the planning and control phases are critical path method (CPM), last planner system (LPS), and location-based techniques (LB). Studies have addressed these systems, mostly in isolated fashions. This study aims to compare and contrast their use in terms of PM and PPM and clarify industry benefits in order to eliminate potential misunderstandings about their use. A survey was administered to construction professionals in Brazil, China, Finland, and the United States. No single system addresses all needs of PM and PPM. CPM is the dominant system when considering the following characteristics: primary industry types, type of organization, size of organization, professional position within the organization, and area of work. Contributions to knowledge include that CPM is a contract requirement with perceived benefits associated with critical path analysis; LB and LPS have perceived benefits regarding continuous flow and use of resources, treatment of interferences, and improving production control. All systems were found to have a similar level of benefits for management of contracts, delay and change, and evaluation of the root causes of delays. The industry can benefit from aligning project scheduling methods with project needs.
Experimental investigations on mechanical behavior of the carbon fiber tube reinforced polyurethane foam
THIN-WALLED STRUCTURES
Authors: Zhang, Yong; Yan, Xiaogang; Huang, Wenzhen; Lin, Jiming
Abstract
The paper proposes a carbon fiber tube reinforced polyurethane foam material (CPM). Mechanical behavior of the CPM is investigated by quasi static crushing experiment. The results show that the carbon fiber tube reinforced design can obviously improve the energy absorption and load carrying capacity of the polyurethane (PU) foam. Parameter studies show that the density of the PU foam, the number and the diameter of the thin carbon fiber tube have significant effect on mechanical performance of the CPM. Moreover, the CPM filled thin walled columns (aluminum column or carbon fiber column) are further developed and their crushing behaviors are investigated under axial crushing conditions. The results show that the CPM filled design can effectively improve the crashworthiness of the aluminum column or the carbon fiber column. The interaction behavior between the CPM and the thin-walled column presents a significant contribution to energy absorption of the CPM filled columns. Moreover, the CPM filled carbon fiber column has greater potential to improve the crashworthiness than the CPM filled aluminum column. The research findings of this paper provide a new method for designing the lightweight protective structure.