North Hills Towers IV

Four investigation topics will be completed, including three construction depth topics and one industry research topic.  These topics have to potential to improve the construction methods used to complete construction of North Hills Tower IV. Within two of the construction depth topics, two breadth analyses will also be performed to demonstrate an overall understanding of architectural engineering topics. The following proposal identifies the investigation topics chosen and how they will be performed.   ​

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ANALYSIS 1: ALTERNATE SUPPORT OF EXCAVATION SYSTEM

 

The current excavation support system used in North Hills Tower IV applies the use of soil nailing to hold the excavation walls intact. Soil nailing is economical but requires extensive handwork and expertise. This proposed analysis will investigate the advantages of utilizing a soldier piles and lagging system in lieu of soil nails.  Soldier piles and lagging has the potential to reduce the construction schedule and decrease the cost of excavation.  In addition to schedule, cost, and site logistics analyses, a structural breadth analysis will be performed to ensure this proposed excavation support system has the structural capacity to withstand the required loads. 

 

ANALYSIS 2: PREFABRICATED RISER MODULES  

 

The mechanical system for North Hills Tower IV incorporates waste and vent risers and water risers through the core of the building.  These risers run from the eleventh story to the top of the building.  This proposed analysis will investigate the potential advantages of installing prefabricated riser modules in lieu of traditional construction methods. The ability to assemble these modules at an offsite facility and transport them to the project site offers possible cost and schedule reductions.   

 

ANALYSIS 3: ALTERNATE METHOD OF EXCESSIVE WATER REMOVAL

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Hurricane Florence hit Raleigh, NC in September 2018.  This natural disaster brought excessive rain to the area, causing a week-long delay in North Hills Tower IV’s construction. While the project team had installed a sump pump for dewatering, it still could not prevent a schedule delay.  This proposed analysis will investigate the potential advantages of installing an eductor well system to dewater the construction site. Eductor systems have been proven to remove up to 100 feet of water, which could have reduced the schedule impact the hurricane created. Analyses on cost and schedule will be performed to determine the appropriateness of this dewatering method. In addition to cost and schedule analyses, a plumbing breadth analysis will be performed to determine the effectiveness of the system. 

INDUSTRY RESEARCH: EFFECTIVENESS OF TEAM STRUCTURES FOR GENERAL CONTRACTORS

 

The final proposed topic will investigate how general contractors can improve performance on their project teams in the field. Many firms organize teams and delegate responsibilities differently.  Interviews will be conducted, and a survey process will take place to help determine the most effective team structure for general contractors. Team satisfaction, team size, and project success are just a few topics that various project teams might be questioned on. Based on the survey results, recommendations will be presented for the best project team structure, which have the potential to assist general contractors in making their project teams more efficient. 

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BREADTH ANALYSES

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Breadth #1: 
 
A structural breadth analysis will be performed on the proposed excavation support system.  North Hills Tower IV is currently using soil nailing to support the excavation walls. Soldier piles and lagging is the system being proposed in lieu of the soil nailing due to a possible reduction in installation time and cost.  This structural analysis will ensure that the system selected is capable of supporting the loads caused by the soil outside of the excavation area. It will be completed using hand calculations and knowledge obtained in AE 405.  
 
Breadth #2: 

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A plumbing breadth analysis will be performed on the proposed eductor well dewatering system.  North Hills Tower IV is currently using a sump pump to dewater the site’s excavation area.  However, when Hurricane Florence hit in September 2018, the excessive rain caused a week-long delay in construction activities.  The proposed alternative involves installing an eductor well system in lieu of the sump pump.  This method is more extensive and could potentially be more effective at dewatering the excavation area after a major weather event.  Pressure and plumbing load calculations will be performed to determine how much water can be moved away from the excavation and how fast it can dewater the area.  This plumbing breadth analysis will establish whether or not the chosen system is more efficient at getting rid of excessive water.