Blog Archives

Value Engineering Change Proposals

Posted by on 25/ 11/ 15

As described by AASHTO, VECP programs differ from other VE programs in that the construction contractors develop the recommendations. The contractors choose whether or not to participate, with the incentive for sharing in any cost savings realized. Thus, the states must create and manage a program that will be attractive to the contractors. This program is called by different names in various states, for example, Value Engineering Incentive Provision (VEIP), Value Engineering Incentive Clause (VEIC), and Cost – Reduction Incentive Proposal (CRIP).

A contractor’s participation in a VECP program involves a certain amount of risk. It costs money to search for realistic savings that will be shared by the state, and the contractor cannot expect all proposals to be accepted...

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The “belle epoque” of the Middle Ages, from the dawn of the 12th century to the Hundred Years’ War

Posted by on 25/ 11/ 15

The hydraulican-monks: Benedictines and Cistercians

We have seen that the earliest Benedictine monasteries at the end of the 8th century already were employing a range of hydraulic techniques to support their activity. Much later, in the 12th century, Saint Bernard founds the abbey of Citeaux in Bourgogne, and with it the order of the Cistercians. Throughout Europe (France, Germany, Holland, Portugal) the Cistercian abbeys are established near watercourses. But after several years of growth, these abbeys typically found it necessary to augment their water sup­plies through capturing other rivers or torrents.

The Obazine (Aubazine) abbey was founded in Limousin in 1130 by the hermit Eti­enne. This abbey quickly entered the fold of the Cistercian order...

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Structure

Posted by on 25/ 11/ 15

Stairs may be classified into two basic structural types: continuously supported and freespanning.

Continuously supported stairs—Continuously supported stairs are commonly used as interior stairs. Both sides of the stairway are supported by wall framing, so calculations of spanning capacities are not necessary. These stairs are site-built in some regions, but are predominantly prefabricated in others.

Structure

Continuously Supported Stair (Shown with Closed Risers)

Freespanning stairs—Freespanning stairs have the structural capacity to span from the bottom stair to the top stair without intermediate support. The freespan­ning stair is commonly used as an exterior stair between floors or landing levels or in conjunction with porches and decks...

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Road Drainage and Treatments Systems

Posted by on 25/ 11/ 15

In recent years, it has been demonstrated that diffuse or irregular sources of pollu­tion, like runoff, constitute significant contamination points in the natural drainage system. In most cases one has to take appropriate measures to control this pollution. In general, the environmental aspect of a road project nowadays constitutes an in­tegral and fundamental part of the project, so that there is a strong interdependency between the various aspects considered in design and in the interventions that have

to be planned. In particular, it will probably be necessary to perform an integrated assessment of the road project itself, the drainage, the water resources, the quality of the water, the geology and the geotechnical aspects, with special focus on hydrol­ogy and landscape studies...

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Team Structure

Posted by on 25/ 11/ 15

AASHTO gives the following guidance on structuring the VE team. A team of five to seven persons with diverse areas of expertise usually produces the best results. A team of fewer than five tends to limit the amount and variety of creative input, and a team of more than seven can be unwieldy. Teams should be structured so there is appropriate expertise to evaluate the major problem areas anticipated within the project, e. g., traffic, right-of-way, structures, soils, paving, etc. Including general expertise from the areas of design, construction, right-of-way, maintenance, or traffic operations makes for a good team balance.

Team Leader. One individual should be appointed as team leader to guide the team in its efforts and be responsible for its actions during the study...

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ATTACHING A COUNTERTOP TO A. BASE CABINET

Posted by on 25/ 11/ 15

ATTACHING A COUNTERTOP TO A. BASE CABINETПодпись:Подпись: Take the saw to the work. If you have a chopsaw that's compact and light enough to carry, move it into the room where you're installing trim. This can save you time and energy when making the many required cuts.

An electronic stud finder will locate studs quickly and accurately. But if you don’t have one, there are other methods you can use. Look on the floor for keel marks that were used to locate the studs before drywall installation. Electrical-outlet boxes are nailed into studs. Tap gently on the wall and listen for a duller sound when you tap over a stud. Or drive nails behind the cabinet to locate a stud. When one stud is found, other studs should be 16 in. or 24 in. from it. Once the studs are found, mark their locations inside the cabinets on the mounting rail. Predrill screw holes in the cabi­net mounting rail, set the cabinet in place, and drive a screw into each stud. If the screw misses the stud, check again for its location until you get it right...

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Study Selection and Scheduling

Posted by on 25/ 11/ 15

As previously indicated, states must perform a VE analysis on all federal-aid-funded projects on the National Highway System having an estimated total cost (design, construction, right-of-way, and utilities) of $25 million or more. However, additional projects should be selected for study, based on providing the maximal opportunity to improve the public investment by quality enhancement or life cycle cost savings. AASHTO has identified the following typical characteristics of potential VE projects:

• Projects substantially exceeding initial cost estimates

• Complex or multipart projects or processes providing unique, but costly functions

• Items using critical or high-cost materials

• Items requiring difficult construction or fabrication procedures

• Items performing a questionable...

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Chair rail adds character

Posted by on 25/ 11/ 15

Chair rail is another type of traditional trim that is installed horizontally and often used in kitchens, dining rooms, and sometimes hall­ways. In days past, chair rail protected the wall

from being marred by the backs of chairs. Today, it is mainly used to add character to a room. Chair rail is cut and installed just like baseboard (see the photo below). Join two pieces with a coped joint at inside corners and a mitered joint at outside corners. Nail the chair rail directly to the wall studs, with the top of the rail 36 in. from the floor.

STEP 7 Trim Out the Closets

Most closets in affordable houses get nothing more than a shelf and a pole. It’s my opinion that we can do much better without a lot of effort or expense...

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Windmills: medieval innovations?

Posted by on 25/ 11/ 15

The use of wind energy (over and above the powering of sailboats) had begun on the Persian-Afghan plateau in the 7th century. It then spread to China from the 12th centu­ry as we have seen in the preceding chapter. At the beginning of this century, windmills began to see rapid development in Europe as well. Did the idea come from the Crusades, or perhaps from Sicily or Spain? Or did it arise, as we have proposed for tidal mills, quite independently? After two centuries of Muslim occupation, Sicily became Normand from 1061...

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Biensi

Posted by on 25/ 11/ 15

This tiny structure, and those fol­lowing it, are different than the ones on the preceeding pages. Inside you will find a single open room. Just add closet(s), a loft, utilities and furniture as needed. The pictures on the following pag­es show how my friend Greg man­aged to fit everything he needs to live full-time in his Biensi. Visit www. resourcesforlife and click on “mobile hermiage” for more about Greg and his house.

House width: 8’

House length: 15’

Road Height: 13’-5” Dry Weight: 4400 lbs

Porch: 3’x 7%’

Ceiling height: 6’-3” – sizes are approximate

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