Analysis of Site Schedule Changes and Corresponding Budget Impacts
In order to assess site schedule changes, the Percent Project Progress data was
evaluated. At the beginning of the fiscal year, sites indicated an initial percent
completion as well as a target percent completion that they anticipated reaching by
the end of the FY. Additionally, in each site’s AWP, an associated budget for each
project was developed. This budget information was also evaluated to compare the
amount of funds spent on research support to the amount of progress made on each
of the research project. This information is analyzed in Part 1 of this appendix.
Criteria used to assess if a project was behind on its target completion was if the
reported Q1 percent completion deviated from the target by more than 10 percent.
This deviation was selected based on the overall network average deviation
reported in the FY10 Q4 report. The corresponding budget impacts of these
projects were evaluated. If funds were shifted out of the research support WBS
category, which categories these funds shifted to were identified. This data used in
the analysis is summarized and provided in the tables provided in Part 2 of this
appendix.
Additionally, at the beginning of Q4, NEES equipment sites began generating
multiyear project schedules. NEEScomm collected initial schedules from the sites at
that time. Sites updated schedules in Q1 and these are presented in Part 3 of this
appendix.
Part 1 – Schedule and Budget Analyses
NEES@Berkeley
Berkeley is on schedule for its percent completion targets on all of their projects in
the site’s AWP. The new site manager has adjusted the completion targets in the
AWP to be much more realistic. Whittaker’s project was completed in the first
quarter.
McMullin Specimen #3 was in assembly phase. Due to some delays associated with
troubleshooting of the site's equipment, changes in setup's design and logistics of
panel delivery and installation, this specimen was not tested in Q1. The test of
Specimen #3 is scheduled for Q2 and will utilize extensive usage of Krypton system
to monitor position of the panels in space during the test.
Ryan - Specimen #1 was in assembly and instrumentation phases. The
instrumentation list utilizes more than 200 data acquisition channels. Newly
fabricated instrumentation fixtures measuring rotation at clevises of REPEAT frame
were installed. Due to space limitations any work around the specimen is
complicated and time consuming, that is why the assembly and instrumentation
phases had been taking much more time than it was anticipated. Details of a safety
system preventing catastrophic collapse of the specimen were developed. The
specimen is scheduled for testing in Q2.
Miranda - SURF and ETP of the project were finalized.
Kanvinde - SURF and ETP of the project were finalized.
The site has expended 13% of its project budget while advancing the projects
15.6%.
Multiyear schedule – no schedule changes.
NEES@Buffalo
The UB site has 17 projects in its AWP. Q1 reporting indicates that the projects are
progressing as planned. Status reports of the key projects are as follows.
Dobry - No new laminar box testing was done at UB-NEES for this project during
this reporting period. The project team completed uploading the meta data for all
tests to the NEES depository. With further approval from NEEScomm and NSF, the
project team plans to complete the remaining four planned tests according to the
schedule reported on the annual work plan submitted on May 4, 2011. It is the
project group understands that UB-NEES is making plans to accommodate these
tests commencing in April 2012 assuming the availability of a new replacement
membrane currently under the direction of the NEEScomm design task-force. All
project testing will be completed by the end of the FY if the membrane is available
per the preceding.
Whittaker - Over the period, October 1st thru December 31st, testing of the 6th wall
was completed. Core samples were taken and tested along with cylinders that were
cast on the day of specimen construction. Reinforcing bars have been removed,
from the tested specimens, for tensile testing. All acquired data (including the
unique “Crack Propagation” data) is being processed and will be uploaded to the
NEES HUB website in the near future. Post experiment numerical modeling
calculations using the exact loading protocol and material properties at the day of
testing is currently being done. Set-up of the 7th specimen is done and testing will
be completed in January 2012.
Berman - During this quarter testing has commenced related to the quasi-static test
phase. There are 3 different test frames each with a different rocking joint
connection (i.e. rocking about HBE flanges conn., NewZ-BREAKSS conn. and rocking
about HBE centerline conn.). For each test frame three tests are scheduled (i.e. full
infill web plate, bare frame and infill web strips), leading to a total of nine tests on
the strong-floor comprising the quasi-static tests. At the end of this quarter testing
of Frame #1 (rocking about HBE flanges) is complete. Frame #1’s third test was
completed by the second week of November. At the end of this third test, the floor
mass plates used in the test setup were given to the NEES-ADAPTS project for the
remainder of the quarter whom also needed the plates for their test-setup and
testing. Although this has affected the project schedule, sharing of limited
laboratory resources by different project teams is good research practice. During
this time, work still progressed forward; test Frame #2 (NewZ-BREAKSS conn.) was
prepped for continuation of testing in January 2012. Testing is scheduled to recommence with test #4 during the week of January 16th.
Buffalo expended 17.7% of its project budget while only progressing projects by 7%.
NEEScomm will work with Buffalo to make sure expenses follow progress.
Multiyear Schedule – The UB did not change their schedule from FY11 Q4. They
appear to be on schedule.
NEES@Cornell
Cornell has one project that is on schedule.
The site expended 24.8% of its project budget and made 33.3% progress on project
completion.
Multiyear Schedule - no schedule changes.
NEES@Lehigh
Lehigh has eight projects in their FY12 AWP. There are no projects that are not
adequately meeting the targets.
Lehigh spent 15% of its project dollars while making 19% progress on their
projects.
Multiyear Schedule – All projects have moved slightly by one to two months from
the FY11 Q4 schedule, but progress is being made as per the schedule.
NEES@OSU
Five projects were included in the OSU AWP. The Liu project (Measuring run-up
and bed shear stress using long stroke wave-makers) is behind schedule due to the
failure of the Large Wave Flume. All other projects are progressing according to
schedule.
OSU made 19% progress while expending only 13% of their project monies.
Multiyear Schedule – No schedule changes
NEES@RPI
RPI has five projects in its FY12 AWP. Progress was made on four of the five
including testing done for Zeghal and El Shamy.
The site progressed their projects by 35% while only expending 11.5% of their
budget. NEEScomm will monitor RPI’s progress.
Multiyear Schedule – Updated schedule not provided.
NEES@UCDavis
Davis has 7 projects in their FY12 AWP. Progress and experiments reported in Q1
on 2 of the projects. The site experienced significant downtime in October due to
the accident involving the work table.
The research schedule at UC Davis has been impacted, at least in the short term, by
the incidents this summer. Two project teams have had direct impacts on their
work, and other teams have had to alter their schedules according to equipment
availability. The shift in focus of site staff effort and budget allocation has also
impacted our planned MO&M activities for the fiscal year.
Davis made 12% progress while expending 15% of their project budget. This is in
line.
Multiyear Schedule – Updated schedule provided. No major changes.
NEES@UCLA
UCLA has 6 projects in its FY12 AWP. Progress reported on 5 of the 6.
UCLA made 21.6% progress on their projects while spending 15% of their project
budget.
Multiyear Schedule - no significant schedule changes.
NEES@UCSB
UCSB did not submit Q1 activity or financial reports. Thus, it is not possible to
analyze project progress or budget impacts.
NEES@UCSD
There are three projects in the UCSD AWP. The Hutchinson project made good
progress in Q1.
During Q1 the following major phases were completed: (1) Exterior balloon framing
was installed on the first three floors, (2) 75% of the interior partition walls were
installed (3) Exterior precast concrete panels were installed on the fourth and fifth
floors (4) 75% of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing installation was completed
(4) 66% of the fire sprinkler systems were installed (5) On the roof, the penthouse
was constructed, the air handling unit (AHU) was installed, the cooling tower
assembly including load cells, vibration isolators and tower was installed (6) 25% of
the elevator was completed (7) The stair installation was completed. During the
construction phase, instruments were added as the building was erected and we
recorded data in different construction stages. In October we ran two sets of white
noise tests to take base line data information regarding the response of the
structural assembly only. During the addition of the non-structural components we
will take measurements at different construction stages to determine evolution of
dynamic characteristics of the whole structure. The full instrumentation will start in
February.
The 5-story building project has been rescheduled to end on March 31, 2012. The
second phase of the Shing’s project will continue on April-July, 2012, followed by
Cheng’s project on August –Sept, 2012.
San Diego made 31% progress while spending 17% of their monies for projects.
Multiyear Schedule – No schedule changes.
NEES@UIUC
UIUC has six projects in their AWP. Progress was made on four of the six projects.
Illinois spent 18% of their project money while making 16% progress on projects.
Multiyear Schedule – No significant schedule changes.
NEES@Minnesota
Six projects are in the UMN FY12 AWP. The Hassan project was completed in the
first quarter as well as Gustavo’s additional testing.
UMN made 34% progress while spending 27.5% of their project budget.
Multiyear Schedule – No significant schedule changes.
NEES@UNR
The FY12 AWP for UNR contains four projects. All projects are on target.
UNR spent 7% of their project budget, but made 11% progress on their projects.
Multiyear Schedule - no schedule changes.
NEES@Texas
UT Austin has six projects in their AWP. Progress reported on 3 of the projects.
Texas reported 4% progress while expending 15% of their project dollars.
NEEScomm will monitor their progress.
Multiyear Schedule – no significant schedule changes.