Thesis Proposal
This document is intended to outline the issues I plan to research in the spring. Two technical issues and one industry issue will be explored throughout the spring semester. The technical issues will focus on Coppin State University’s Health and Human Services Building’s building envelope and mechanical system. The industry research will discuss ways to protect a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) or estimate in the current market by focusing on controlling the risk of escalating material prices.
Breadth #1 – Building Envelope
The technical research will focus on solving issues of constructability while reducing the schedule through prefabrication and a unitized curtain wall system.
Breadth #2 – Mechanical System
The technical research will focus on energy and cost savings from value engineering different elements of the mechanical system.
Industry Issue – GMP Protection
The risk of a GMP due to volatile material prices will be assessed by analyzing the trends in the cost of steel, concrete, and drywall.