Mechanical Technology January 2016

⎪ Structural engineering materials, metals and non-metals ⎪

Objective: to maximise achievable self-benefit. Known Unknown

science, which demands that matters are always re-assessed in terms of new understanding. Take a commonly used material as an example, structural steel. In years gone by it was easily weldable and highly user friendly. The chemistry was relatively simple as was the manufactur- ing process. But the development of higher per- forming steels and more predictable manufacturing processes over the past two decades has led to far lighter struc- tures. These steels often have a more complex chemistry and require manufac- turing processes involving heat soaking and controlled cooling. As a result of the lighter structures that are possible, problems that were previously masked by scale, notably deflection and distortion, have started to emerge. With thinner sections, manu- facturing and fabrication tolerances can play a significant role. Welds are far more highly stressed and tighter weld- ing process control is required. The higher performing weldable steels may require pre-weld heat treatment and complicated post-weld heat treatment,

Optimal decision capability 

Known

Calculation

Mutual adjustment

The effect of a possible decision choice.

Unknown

Judgement

Intuition

Figure 3: The effect of uncertainty on optimal decision-making capability.

including quenching. Unfortunately the user friendliness of more modern steels has declined significantly. Practically, some are unaware of the new possibilities and challenges offered and imposed by modern steels. How can the product-centred ap- proach be modified to match the current reality? One method is to adopt a target cost approach, which does not change the normal tender procedure but recog- nises that all the expertise required for an effective solution does not necessarily lie with the client or designer. The essence of a target cost contract is that it allows for all parties to offer alternative solutions that meet the operational circumstances defined on the basis that cost savings that accrue are shared. The target cost approach – with re- ciprocal interdependence – was used for the 2012 UK Olympic games to provide

a mechanism through which negotiations could quickly move to win-win scenarios as participants concentrate on the indi- vidual value potential available through the project. Providing an opportunity for more ef- fective communication, sequential inter- dependence driven by processes is better replaced by a reciprocal interdependence structure, which recognises that each party is dependent on the others and where coordination is achieved through cooperation and adjustment. Administration in South Africa has grown towards control at the expense of facilitation. Whilst this strives towards controlling the performance of less able staff using procedures and reports, the question arises as to whether perfor- mance is actually enhanced and whether the reciprocal interdependence between parties is sufficiently embraced. q

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Mechanical Technology — January 2016

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