Showing papers on "Value engineering published in 1990"

Function Costing: A Potential Aid to Designers

Abstract: SUMMARY A potential aid to engineering designers is offered by the concept of Junction costing. Many functions can be quantified and the cost associated with that function is often simply related to the quantity or quantities. Obtaining reliable data is difficult, except in the case of components marketed as such, but fortunately there are many of these, such as bearings, reduction gearing and actuators. The problems of modelling cost in terms of function are briefly addressed. The uses of function costing are also discussed, the estimation of cost directly from the specification, the comparison of alternatives, and the detection of areas of potential cost reduction, as in value engineering. An important principle u that the costs used for modelling should be representative of the best (i.e. most economical) practice, wherever found.

The essentials of value engineering

Abstract: Confronts some prevalent misconceptions regarding value engineering in the construction industry. Argues that value engineering offers a methodology by which a value audit can be implemented during a building′s design. Reviews the value engineering approach, the nature of unnecessary costs, value engineering methodology, and considers the issues of the composition of the value engineering team and problem solving. Concludes that value engineering offers a fundamentally different approach to cost control during the design stage.

Applying Value Engineering to Rooms Management

Abstract: Achieving a balance between occupancy and average room rate is now well recognised as a prime determinant of good rooms department performance. Yield management techniques are increasingly used to help maximise rooms department sales revenue. However, it can be argued that the complexity of making available different product offerings to different market segments requires not only consideration of the sales side of the profit equation but of the cost side as well. The nature of the variable costs of accommodation operations is examined and a case study approach is used to describe the contribution derived from different room types. These data are then used to construct a value engineering matrix which can identify successful and not so successful areas of operation and suggest ways of improving overall profit performance.

Value engineering study of bridge deck maintenance, repair, and protection. final report

Abstract: A Value Engineering Study was performed by six State highway agencies (California, Washington, Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia and New Hampshire), covering various aspects of materials and equipment used in the repair of cracking, scaling and spalling of concrete bridge decks. Numerous types of qualified and untested equipment, materials and processes were examined and ranked by the task team. The private sector participated in the study and shared their knowledge and experience with the team. A survey was developed and sent to the six participating states and their neighboring states prior to the start of the three month study, to determine common and unique procedures. Some of the proposals are: provide an on site water source to flush bridge facilities, eliminate bridge deck drains, provide permanent access for inspection, exclude contaminants from reinforcing steel, cathodic protection to prevent corrosion in new construction, modular deck components for deck replacement projects on high-volume bridges, joint pre-final design plan reviews, joint post-construction and follow-up reviews, require certified construction inspectors, contractor pre-qualification should include performance capability and quality/durability evaluations, preventative maintenance considerations, and repair options.

Value engineering approach to geologic hazard risk management

Abstract: Decision makers and planners need answers to four basic questions to deal responsibly with geologic and other hazards: (a) When will the hazard occur? (b) What will happen when the hazard occurs? (c) What area will be affected? (d) What can be done to reduce the risk? A perspective for evaluating in comparable terms all hazards at a site and a means for intelligent decision making based on the evaluation is the purpose here. The value engineering approach to geologic hazard risk management is a creative effort concerned with eliminating or modifying those aspects of a system that add costs without reducing risk. The model for risk management, and the risk-based framework, permit estimation of risk costs initially for the existing conditions and subsequently for the variety of alternative responses. Selection of the optimum response to a hazard usually will be based on the least cost at some acceptable level of risk. Absolute safety is not possible, and the costs of approaching absolute safety increase exponentially. Risk costs can be considered to be expected values. Investment decisions are often based on the present worth of the expected values, on the basis of annual discount or interest rates over the design life of a facility or system. Calculation of present worth values for the variety of possible risk reduction measures permits a systematic assessment of alternatives in comparable terms to facilitate decision making. The value engineering component of this approach to geologic and other hazard risk management requires an integrated, multidisciplinary effort among geologists, engineers, seismologists, meteorologists, and socioeconomists working closely with the decision makers.