Nicholas Umosella's E-Portfolio

Thesis Proposal
The Picture to the right contains my thesis proposal which will be used as a basis for research in the spring semester. Below is a brief introduction to the the topics of research that I will conduct. Click Here for an updated Proposal as of January 15th, 2010 Click Here for an updated Proposal as of March 30th, 2010
Critical Industry Issue-Integrated Project Delivery
Opportunity for Resolution The construction world we live in currently embodies one of hostile and adverse relations, little collaboration, and finger-pointing mentalities. When issues of design and construction occur, they appear too late for pro-active solutions. Innovative efforts are hampered by wasted time defending liability and the quality of a finished product deteriorates. Designers lack the experience of nuts and bolts construction; Constructors have no ability to give input on design, cost, schedule, etc…until it is too late in the project; and owners face a process whittled with unforeseen costs and a vague vision of their product. The architecture, engineering, and construction industry is a trying world that sometimes lacks professionalism and efficiency, but the world of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) could offer a solution this industry has been searching for. West Village Commons did bring in a contractor early to help plan out the construction sequence and create an accurate estimate. But the relationship between the contractor and the architect is very strained. Victor Sanvido of Southland Industries told me during a conversation that the Architect does not understand the financial risk the contractor takes on, and the contractor does not understand the professional liability the architect takes on. The goals of both are not aligned and until they are, project communication and efficiency will not reach full potential. There needs to be a delivery system that unites the key members involved, the architect, contractor, and owner, and creates common goals for the entire project team. Research Goal This industry topic can be a daunting task to evaluate because it is hard to place a physical value on efficiency. Because this delivery system is quite new, it will be challenging to find quantifiable solutions. The goal of this research is create a delivery system that would have harnessed the full potential of communication, the benefit of bringing on a contractor at project inception, signing a single contract based on project goals, and utilizing the full potential of BIM technologies. I will also research possible solutions to IPD issues such as bonding and insurance problems and quantifying profit based on project goals. Finally I will compare and contrast the AIA sample IPD contract and the AGC’s Consensus contract; find the commonalities and research solutions to the differences. IPD will be the overarching theme for my entire Thesis project: How IPD could have made these analysis topics possible, and the cost benefit of using an integrated delivery system.
Analysis I - Structural Steel System
Opportunity for Resolution The project originally was planned as an all steel structural system, but the contractor suggested using concrete so construction could begin earlier. The project would have had to be 100% designed before construction could begin. With concrete, the project could be broken up into an early bid package and begin before design was complete. Currently concrete is falling behind due to rain delays, and is proving to be a menace to coordinate embeds and sleeves. Concrete also takes much more time to construct, especially when forming drop panels around the columns. Research Goal The focus for this analysis will be to evaluate the cost and schedule impacts of constructing an all steel system. I will create a steel sequencing plan with durations from the current steel erector. The goal is provide a system that will satisfy all building loads as well provide an efficient construction process.
Analysis II - Prefabricated Curtain Wall and Brick Veneer
Opportunity for Resolution Currently, enclosures are a major part of the critical path and is key to beginning work in the interior of the project. There is very small space between the site fence and the building exterior work which makes construction difficult. Finally the project is only pursuing 4 LEED points in optimizing energy. Towson could be seeing greater long time energy cost savings by using a more efficient enclosure system. Research Goal By analyzing a prefabricated system for the curtain wall and the brick veneer, I hope to show that critical path can be shortened. I hope to show that while prefabrication may have more material and transportation costs, labor costs will be minimal. I would also like to show that installation of the curtain wall sections may be safer if done from the interior. In terms of energy efficiency, I would like to research a system that would provide greater energy savings. I would like to analyze initial costs and long term savings of this system.
Analysis III - West Campus Utility Plant
Opportunity for Resolution The east portion of campus runs all heating and cooling utilities through a central utility plant. When the plan to create West Village came to fruition, no central utility plant was planned. One of the reasons was that the apartments would be privately owned, leasing the land from Towson. Without a central plant on west campus, the individual buildings have to create their own energy with their own air handlers. West Village Commons specifically has 7 different air handlers, leading to increase in structural load on the roof and an increase in initial mechanical costs. Electrical utilities may have been tied in with the east campus grid (whose source is the east utility plant), but instead Towson decided to just allow Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) to run power. They now rely on BGE’s electrical costs. Research Goal The goal for this research topic is to explore the cost benefits of using a central utility plant to create heat and cool air for West Village Commons. Some of my time will be evaluating the advantages and disadvantages to the entire West Campus areas, but the majority of the time will be spent evaluating the costs savings of eliminating some of the 7 air handlers. This will tie in with my structural breadth by lowering the dead load on the roofs. I will also evaluate the effect on mechanical ductwork and air distribution (which ties in my structural breadth and mechanical breadth).
Structural Breadth Description
For my first breadth I will conduct a structural calculation for the change in the structural system from cast-in-place concrete to structural steel. I will perform the calculation for a typical bay on one of the floors and distribute it to the rest of the project. I will also calculate a roof bay for all building loads, minus the subtraction of air handlers due to the use of a central utility plant. I will distribute this bay throughout the roof. I calculate the change in loading on the exterior girder beams which will be supporting the new prefabricated brick veneer. My structural breadth ties into my analysis of using Integrated Project Delivery because IPD will allow a structural contractor to help during the design phase. I will also analyze the impact on overhead mechanical systems (mechanical breadth) for the depth of beams may have an impact on distribution.
Mechanical Breadth Description
For my second breadth I will research the effects that a steel system and a central utility plant would have on the overhead distribution of the mechanical system. I will also be analyzing the effects that a central utility plant has on energy efficiency and energy cost reduction. Because sustainability will have an impact on energy source a utility plant, I will break down the cost savings this will have on West Village Commons. This analysis will tie into the structural steel analysis in that the depth of steel beams will decrease the amount of room for overhead mechanical systems. A central utility plant will also lower the dead loads on the roof of the building, as well as claim back valuable building space. The type of systems required for West Village Commons will drastically change when a utility plant is used.