Executive Summary

           

North Hills Tower IV is a large-scale commercial construction project developed by Kane Realty Corporation in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is a 20-story building, which includes a 9-floor parking garage, 11 floors of office space built on top, and a ground floor with retail space. Located in Midtown Raleigh, Tower IV will be the largest building in the rapidly growing development area known as North Hills. The 678,113 square feet core-and-shell project has a construction cost of about $69 million.  This senior thesis project uses knowledge gained over four years of coursework within the Penn State Architectural Engineering program to conduct three construction depth analyses and one industry research investigation to explore potential improvements to the current construction methods. Within the three depth analyses, two breadth calculations were also completed to demonstrate an understanding of other disciplines within the Architectural Engineering program. The following report summarizes the different approaches taken to complete these analyses and research investigation, as well as the results and recommendations.

 

Analysis 1: Alternate Support of Excavation System

           

The current project design includes an excavation support system that uses soil nailing to retain the soil along the southern end of the site. Soil nailing requires an unusual amount of hand work and craftsmanship to install a functional system, which leads to a longer construction schedule. This analysis investigated using a soldier pile and lagging system in lieu of soil nailing in an effort to reduce the schedule duration and overall cost. Through a structural breadth calculation, it was determined that HP 14 x 102 piles were the appropriate structural components for the system. It was later concluded that installing soldier piles could reduce the schedule by seven days and theoretically save the project team $10,918.62 based on the cost estimate performed. There are also limited site logistics impacts associated with this system. Overall, using this alternate excavation support system is recommended.   

 

Analysis 2: Prefabricated Riser Modules

           

The North Hills Tower IV project team is currently planning on using traditional methods to install the plumbing risers going up through the core of the building. However, the strategy of using prefabrication is a growing trend within the construction industry. This analysis investigated the method of using prefabricated riser modules in lieu of traditional installation methods. These modules, which span from floor to floor in height, include the specified cast-iron and copper piping. The pipes are framed using a Unistrut racking system in conjunction with pipe clamps and are divided into East and West modules. It was discovered that using these modules would reduce the plumbing installation schedule by thirty days and save the project team $27,727.15.  It was also discovered through a cost benefit analysis that the point at which these modules became cost effective is through four floors of plumbing installation. Since there were no additional major site logistical challenges presented and the site’s tower crane has the capacity to lift the modules to their specified location, it is recommended that these prefabricated modules be installed.

 

Analysis 3: Alternate Method of Excessive Water Removal

           

In September of 2018, the North Hills Tower IV project site was hit by a hurricane, which delayed the project by a week. The site’s current dewatering system utilizes a sump pump, which can only remove so much water at a time. This analysis investigated an alternate dewatering method to combat serious weather events in the future. After some initial research, it was discovered that an eductor well system could potentially perform better than the sump pump. Through a plumbing breadth calculation, the components necessary for a functional eductor well system were determined. It was later determined that in the event of an extreme storm, the eductor well system could potentially reduce a weather delay by seven days when compared to the current sump pump. This would theoretically save the project team $32,340.80 in general conditions costs, which makes the system cost effective despite a higher initial cost. Because the eductor well system presents no additional logistical concerns, it is recommended that the project team utilizes this alternate dewatering method in the event of another major weather delay.

 

Industry Research: Effectiveness of Team Structures for General Contractors

           

One major factor in a general contractor’s project being successful is a properly functioning project team.  This research investigation looked into how a project team’s structure helped determine how successful the team is in a working project environment. Through some initial background research, it was concluded that clearly defined roles for team members, comfortability performing roles, and adequate conflict resolution methods are a few keys to a construction project being successful. These success areas would help create metrics to determine which work breakdown structure and duty distribution method are the most effective in the modern general contracting landscape. After a survey process involving participants from eight different general contractors, it is tentatively recommended that a work breakdown structure of two separate-but-equal field and project management groups, which distributes duties by trade, be utilized for North Hills Tower IV.  However, it should be noted that a more thorough survey and observation process (based on tangible success categories) be conducted to determine the best project team structure for general contractors.