Role of an architect in projects involving EPC contracts

Purpose: Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts are on their way to becoming the most common type of contract used by the private sector for large-scale infrastructure projects. Every project requires a strong relationship between all of the experts participating in EPC projects and the client. This relationship must be solidly established by an architect; otherwise, the project may fail for all parties involved, including the client, contractor, lenders, government, and others. The purpose of this study is to identify if the working of the EPC contracts is favourable for the architectural profession, and to identify the way in which the working could be improved. Methodology: A qualitative approach was applied to analyze the critical points of EPC contracts based upon reviews of related case studies from the public sector and supplementary interviews with professionals in the field. Main Finding: The architect's role in an EPC contract is not crucial and is equal to other stakeholders involved in the project. Also, EPC contractors have the power to dictate the workflow of the project and hence, architects might have to compromise in terms of the design, compensation, etc. Implications: It is very important for every project to have an outcome based on each stakeholders/consultants inputs specially on larger projects, this article is a step towards understanding the role of architects under an EPC contract as the future projects will come under its purview. Novelty: The study is done under the lens of a newly graduated architect and not as any other professional, thereby trying to develop an understanding for fresh architects.

Prospects for architects in the Government Sector

Purpose: With the conception of one’s professional life, it is essential to understand all the possibilities and opportunities that lie before them. In the case of architecture, there exists a bias towards the private sector where newly graduate students aspire to work in private practices and possibly even envision a practice of their own at a certain point in life. While there is nothing wrong with envisioning a future in the private sector, it is also essential to be aware about the public sector and understand the opportunities it provides to be able to make an informed decision. There is a preconceived notion about the monotonous nature of government jobs and a lack of awareness about students about the opportunities in this sector. Hence, it becomes crucial to understand the numerous opportunities this sector has to offer and thus, explore the potential of architects in government organizations. Methodology: The research for this paper has been done by referring to existing literature and interviews with concerned people. With an understanding of how and why is the government sector an essential area of research for budding architects and planners. The research was done through interviews and possible case studies was done based on review of existing literature. Main Findings: The government is one sector with tremendous possibilities in the realm of architecture but is often plagued with stereotypes and preconceptions which have emerged over the years. It is imagined to be “lazy”, “uninnovative” and “non-productive” but this sector has evolved over the recent years and is now shaping to be one of the more lucrative sectors for practice. The number of perks, benefits and a clear comparative advantage of a higher salary, added with the direct contribution towards serving the nation, the government sector clearly has an unrealised potential for architectural professionals. Implications: With younger architetcs having preconceived notions about role of architetcs in a government sector limited to unexciting set of designs without creativity, this article may help bring a fresh thought process to choose professional sector wisely.

Architect’s Role under the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act, 2016

Purpose: In 2016 the Indian society was introduced with the regulation and development act for real eastate (RERA) to bring transparency in the dealing of real estate in terms of deals between developers and consumers taking into consideration the wellfare of the consumers. This research aims to identify and understand the extent of Arhitects role in the act focussing on punishments and arbitration for various offenses. Methodology: An online survey was conducted with practicing architects to understand their perspective and viewpoints to identify what they feel are the biggest positives and negatives of the act. Main Findings: The results show that 17% of the architects have faced disputes related to RERA and 60% of respondents were not satisfied with RERA's duration to resolve any of the cases, which were not resolved until the date. From the data gathered through the online survey, most of the respondents were unaware of their role they are required to perform as mentioned in the act. Implications: To perform Architects' tasks correctly, awareness of the RERA, 2016 Act is necessary. The survey shows that many respondents thought that the act had nothing to do with architects and was solely for builders.

Client expectations in the purview of architecture

Purpose of the study: From the conceptualisation to the construction stage, clients have a wide range of expectations from architects, and sometimes not addressing or meeting these expectations can land both of them in conflicts of interest, which might affect the architect’s career. This study attempts to unfold the dynamics of the client-architect relationships, emphasizing clients’ expectations from architects. Methodology: This research has been conceptualised to cover various aspects of the client-architecture relationships through an in-depth literature review, followed by undertaking a survey. The literature review has touched upon different factors that shape the client-architect relationships, various architects’ theories, and how clients feel. The survey was conducted online amongst 29 architects and 12 clients to get their perspectives on the issue, giving more detailed insights into the topic. Main Findings: The findings have revealed that clients who’ll be personally occupying and using the space have the maximum expectations from the architects who’re designing that space, with these expectations spanning the entire process starting right from their initial interactions to post-occupancy. Most of these expectations and their consequent circumstances become complex where the budgets are strict and tight, as it is difficult for the clients and the architects to compensate for the losses. Novelty/Originality of this study: Architectural practice is an ever-evolving profession, where relationships between architects and clients are not static, but dynamic as per the changing working styles. This study represents a fresh angle of current practicing architects and their views, which may prove beneficial for architects stepping out from colleges to working industry.

ESTIMATING RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF RESILIENCE INDICATORS FOR LARGE-SCALE HOSPITAL BUILDINGS TO WITHSTAND HYDROLOGICAL DISASTERS

Purpose of the study: Uninterrupted hospital services and medical functions are the keys to functional resilience to cope with mass casualties. This paper presents the important level of resilience indicators for hospital functions to withstand natural disasters. Methodology: For the survey, 21 indicators are grouped into three domains focusing on i) general concerns of healthcare infrastructure planning ii) design and planning of hospital buildings iii) emergency service and management. The corresponding indicators were ranked on a Likert scale of 1 to 5. The authors collected 389 responses through an online survey of the healthcare professionals including disaster management professionals, medical officers, hospital architects, planners, project managers, and engineers. Main Findings: The data were analysed for determining the Relative Importance Index (RII) of each indicator. The top 7 indicators as an outcome of this research are: ‘access to the emergency services (0.861), ‘planning of refugee settlements’ (0.814), ‘uninterrupted supply of MEP services to critical units’ (0.871), ‘signages for internal circulation’ (0.845), ‘adaptive control, command, and communication system’ (0.848), ‘flexible spatial planning in case of a surge of patients’(0.813), ‘ensuring availability of healthcare workers with the provision of support infrastructure’ (0.758). Applications of this study: Assessment of the top indicators highlight the importance of ‘flexible design’ and ‘access to medical functions of a hospital building’. Based on these outcomes, it is proposed to develop a numerical framework for a comprehensive design appraisal of resilient hospital buildings.

ASSESSMENT AND MAPPING OF RAINFALL EROSIVITY INDEX (R) FOR MAJHA REGION, PUNJAB IS A STATE IN NORTHERN, INDIA

Purpose: This study gives a critical assessment of the rainfall erosivity factor (R) for selected sites in the Majha region, representing different locations use of mean monthly rainfall data. Methodology: By applying empirical methods, the rainfall intensity for all the locations were obtained and was further determined at three different intervals of 30-minutes, 45-minutes and 60-minutes, respectively. The rainfall erosivity factor (R) was calculated by the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). Main Findings: Using RUSLE, the rainfall erosivity factor (R) for each of the locations was measured as follows; EI = 3878.49 (MJmmha-1hr-1), EI = 4013.71 (MJmmha-1hr-1), EI = 4302.24 (MJmmha-1hr-1) for Majha region of Amritsar, Tarntaran and Pathankot respectively. A close observation of the data obtained revealed that as rainfall intensity increased with the duration, the rainfall erosivity index reduced or decreased. Implications of study: Nevertheless, it is expected that if proper cover crop and management practices are applied despite the region, the study area falls within, rainfall erosivity can be cushioned, thus reducing further erosion tendencies and enhancing food production chances from productive lands within the area. The novelty of study: The rainfall erosivity factor (R) was calculated by the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE).

ENGINEERING MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) TRANSMISSION IN IRAQ

Purpose: As a result of a sudden spreading of an epidemic novel virus, scientifically named COVID-19, this paper has been done to present a contribution towards fighting this virus in Iraq. Methodology: This investigation is focusing on constructing an engineering mathematical model based on the Suspected, Infected, and Recovered model (SIR), given by Kermack and McKendrick. Main Findings: Iraqi people are facing and suffering from this COVID-19. Three governorates occupying the locally highest infection levels, plus the world's highest deaths to infected cases ratio of about 11%, are Baghdad, Sulaimani, and Karbala. Implications: It is showed that the Reproduction ratio R0)K is positive (greater than 1) in the three nominated zones, which means that the epidemic disease will keep spreading in a broad manner and depending on many specific factors. Many effective recommendations are presented to avoid spreading this novel virus via many techniques. Novelty: SIR model is used to assess epidemic levels in 3 zones.

USE OF FUZZY MATHEMATICAL QUADRATIC PROGRAMMING APPROACH IN JOB EVALUATION

Purpose of study: The current paper is the based on mathematical model of the job evolution system. Methodology: The proposed method is the fusion of quadratic programming and fuzzy logic where quadratic programming is used to optimize objective function with related constraints in the form of non-linear formulation. Fuzzy logic is used to control uncertainty related information by estimating imprecise parameters Main Finding: The optimal solution of the job evaluation based on fuzzy environment where goal is imprecise. Application of this study: It is used in the areas where information is not exact. The originality of this study: The novelty of the method is the fusion of quadratic programming and fuzzy logic.

ρ-PROJECTIVE AND σ-INVOLUNTARY VARIATIONAL INEQUALITIES AND IMPROVED PROJECTION METHOD FOR PROJECTED DYNAMICAL SYSTEM

Purpose of study: To introduce the concept of projective and involuntary variational inequality problems of order and respectively. To study the equivalence theorem between these problems. To study the projected dynamical system using self involutory variational inequality problems. Methodology: Improved extra gradient method is used. Main Finding: Using a self-solvable improved extra gradient method we solve the variational inequalities. The algorithm of the projected dynamical system is provided using the RK-4 method whose equilibrium point solves the involutory variational inequality problems. Application of this study: Runge-Kutta type method of order 2 and 4 is used for the initial value problem with the given projected dynamical system with the help of self involutory variational inequality problems. The originality of this study: The concept of self involutory variational inequality problems, projective and involuntary variational inequality problems of order and respectively are newly defined.

A FUZZY PROGRAMMING APPROACH TO INVENTORY CONTROL PROBLEM

Purpose of study: Main aim of this study is to deals with the problem of inventories. Their holding cost, set-up cost, and many more related to that. All the problems are flexible and having fuzzy nature. Methodology: The model takes the form of a Geometric Programming problem. Hence geometric programming algorithm is used here. Main Finding: The developed models may be used for a single item with a single constraint of limitation on storage area and multi-item inventory problems. Application of this study: This study is useful in the area of inventories. There holding cost and set-up cost etc. The originality of this study: This study may help the stockholders for storing goods and minimizing the cost of holding.