Pavement Rutting Prediction Model based on the Long Term Pavement Performance Data
Conference paper

Various types of pavement deterioration can affect pavement performance, including rutting,

which causes safety and service quality problems on the highways. Rutting, often referred to as

permanent deformation of a pavement surface, causes longitudinal depressions creating

channels in wheel paths. There are many in-service pavement performance databases, but the

Long Term Pavement Performance database (LTTP) is the largest of its kind in the world. It

encompasses data from four different climate zones in North America. Data on flexible

pavements from only the dry freeze zone was included in the scope of the study reported herein.

Regression analysis was performed to develop a rutting model. The proposed model indicates

that the voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA) of hot mixed asphalt is the most important factor

and the positive values of the regression coefficient of VMA implies that rut depth increases

when VMA increases. The other important factors in this model are Marshall stiffness and

freeze index. The negative values of the regression coefficients of Marshall stiffness and freeze

index indicates that the rut depth will decrease when the Marshall stiffness and freeze index

increase.

Asmaiel Kodan Ali Naiel, (06-2011), , Zürich: ISEC, 1-6

KEY INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FACTORS INFLUENCING DESIGN TEAM PERFORMANCE IN GREEN BUILDIBDS
Conference paper

With the increase inherent technologies and parties involved during the design process of green buildings, Green Design Process (GDP) becomes more complex motion. The selection of a competent Design Team (DT) is essential to overcome the complexity for high performance green design. Certain attributes of the design team are required. The overall objective of this research is to provide the green design team with key attributes that design team should have to be used to improve their design performance of buildings. Furthermore, Internal and external factors influencing these attributes, specifically, Governance system, client quality and Project Nature to be investigated. Design team attributes variables were identified based on literature within the domain of green design team responsibilities. By conducting a questionnaire survey this study identified the common design team attributes and their relative importance to design green buildings. A sample of 277 respondents has been covered under the study, including architects and engineers practicing design and consultancy in Malaysia. Analysis data includes descriptive and quantitative analysis by using SSPS software version 16 was carried out. A correlation and regression models was established to explore the relationship between identified factors. The results showed that the design team needs to comply with certain knowledge and skills that necessary to overcome complexity of the green design process. On the other hand, Clients should consider green design need additional time. Moreover, Governance system and client quality have major influence on design team attributes. An effective approach such as training courses to design team to increase their competency in order to improve green design performance.

Mohamed S Abd Elforgani, (08-2010), Engineering and Technology: World Academy of Science, 1-13

An Investigation of Factors Influencing Design Team Attributes in Green Buildings
Journal Article

 Buildings contribute significantly global environmental problems. Better design can minimize these impacts. Design Green Building (DGB) aims to reduce buildings' impact on the environment. However, the green design performance depends on design team attributes. In addition, the Governance System (GS) and Client Quality (CQ) as external factors have influence on Design Team Attributes (DTA) of green building. Approach: To identify mentioned factors questionnaire survey was conducted to collect dada required. A sample of 277 respondents has been covered under the study, including architects and engineers practicing design and consultancy building sectors. Analysis data includes descriptive and quantitative analysis by using SSPS software version 16 was carried out. A correlation and regression models was established to explore the relationship between identified factors. Results: Architect is most involved one during the design process of green buildings with mean 4.82 followed by mechanical and electrical engineers with mean 4.52 and 4.44 respectively, while structural and civil engineers, interior designers and quantity survivors were 3.71, 3.29 and 2.88 respectively. The most design team attributes were investigated have a significance degree of influence except design team reputation. On the other hand, the other hand, the Governance system and client quality have major influence on these attributes. Conclusion: Involvement and participation of all project stakeholders are required. Design team attributes are the key factors to improve green design performance. Governance system and client quality play major role to enhance design team attributes. Therefore, effective regulations and policies may increase performance of the green Effective design team management device should be applied to implement Design team attributes effectively in order to improve green design team performance. 

Mohamed S Abd Elforgani, (07-2010), Science Publications: American Journal of Applied Sciences, 6 (7), 963-973

COSMOLOGY, CULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE- The interaction between man and his surroundings
Journal Article

Many questions enter our minds, which may take us to another world. However, this is a very brief paper about cosmology and its relation with man and culture with particular reference to reflection in built-form. It can be seen as an approach to amalgamate many subjects.

Mohamed Ammar A Abdalla, (04-2006), جامعة الزاوية: مجلة جامعة الزاوية, 14 (2), 22-33