Showing papers on "Value engineering published in 1988"

Design productivity: a quality problem

Abstract: The question of design productivity is approached by reviewing work carried out in construction and manufacturing. Principles of productivity improvement are denned and applied to design. The design process is examined as part of the project life cycle to draw the conclusion that the quality of design is a vital factor in determining total life cost and other measures of project success. Since design cost is a small percentage of total costs, an increase in design expenditure can frequently reduce total life costs, but this is discouraged by the structure of the industry; especially the system of payment for consultants, and the tendency of clients to sub‐optimize the design costs. Competitive bidding by consultants also has undesirable effects. It is concluded that attention should be given to the procedures for consultant selection, the basis of fee payment and the question of professionalism and standards. Better and earlier communication with the contractor is needed. Further research should be conduc...

Calculating photovoltaics' value: a utility perspective

Abstract: A utility's valuation method used for conventional technologies is described and applied to the world's largest photovoltaic plant. The method is modified to enable utilities with no photovoltaics experience to estimate its value to their system. The procedure for continuing with the evaluation if use of photovoltaics passes this initial screening is outlined. >

Value Engineering Approach to Low‐Volume Road Bridge Selection

Abstract: Most of the badly deteriorated bridges in the United States are those built prior to the 1950s, and many of these are on low-volume roads where they receive little attention. This paper deals with the use of value engineering principles to study the economics of various low-volume bridge systems along with miscellaneous bridge components so that potential savings through proper choices of innovative bridge systems can lead to better utilization of the funds available. Value engineering principles such as functional analysis and fast diagramming, value analysis and innovation/evaluation techniques have been used to develop and evaluate different design scenarios. The optimal designs derived through this study are of generic nature. Certain geographical factors or other concerns depending on site locations have to be incorporated in the value analysis before the final selection of a bridge system. Specifically, the value engineering analysis revealed that initial material cost, maintenance aspects, durability, service life, availability of components, and ease of erection have turned out to be the most important items in the selection of a low-volume road bridge.

Two major innovations in current maintenance: the multipurpose vehicle and the integrated surface patcher

Abstract: Since 1987, a systematic approach to determining what major innovations are needed in maintenance equipment and a value engineering analysis have led to the development of two new units, the multipurpose vehicle and the integrated surface patcher, that reporsent important advances in routine maintenance equipment. In this paper the development of these two new machines is traced and their performance after 2 or 3 years of field service is assessed.