2. Thesis and Dissertations

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Author: search.filters.author.Mahesh, Gangadhar

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    Improvement of Indian Residential Real Estate Asset Demand and Delivery for Enhancement of Construction Industry Output
    (National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, 2024) D K, Apoorva; Mahesh, Gangadhar
    In the context of an absence of studies examining the interrelationship between Indian construction industry and residential real estate sector, the study aims to develop and test a conceptual framework aimed at stimulation of construction industry output through optimization of housing market, followed by development of improvement frameworks for demand and supply side forces of housing market. Means of stimulation of construction industry by residential real estate sector were categorized based on the intent behind purchase of residential real estate assets or inflow of capital into housing development entities. Housing market was examined to identify factors constituting consumer-centric delivery and consumer-empowered demand. Supply side of housing market was probed to identify underlying factors stifling the delivery of housing assets. The identified factors were put together to form the conceptual framework. Questionnaires were developed and administered to both demand and delivery-side stakeholders of housing market, along with carrying out of interviews and document analyses. The study demonstrates significant correlations between real estate investment-led construction industry output stimulation and consumer-centric residential real estate asset delivery. The deterrents to consumer-centric housing delivery have been ascertained to be having an impact on time, cost and scope of housing projects. Significant correlations have been ascertained between these deterrents. On the demand-side, skills, awareness and engagement of consumers are strongly correlated with each other. Affordability of housing is rightfully correlated with all the three means of stimulation of construction industry output. Improvement frameworks for the delivery-side of housing market have been identified to be required to be developed to cover the interfaces of interaction between promoters/developers, judicial/quasijudicial bodies, urban local bodies and governments. Improvement frameworks for the demand-side of the housing market were ascertained to be required to be centered around the different phases of asset acquisition. Specific to the Indian context, the study presents and validates a novel conceptual framework aimed at stimulation of construction industry output through interventions in housing market, along with development of improvements frameworks catering to both demand and supply-side forces of housing market.
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    A Framework for Enhancing Sustainable Competency of Small and Medium Contractors in the Ethiopian Construction Industry
    (National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, 2024) Bekele, Abraham Aboneh; Mahesh, Gangadhar
    Small and medium contractors (SMCs) are vital in promoting socioeconomic development, particularly in developing economies, as they constitute a significant portion of the construction industry (CI). Their significance lies in their ability to create employment opportunities, generate revenue, develop infrastructure, and have strong links with other sectors of the economy, which have multiple effects on the country's growth. While acknowledging their significant importance and contribution, it is evident that there is a need to enhance and maintain their competency in light of various challenges affecting their growth. This research aims to devise a sustainable competency development framework for enhancing the competitiveness of SMCs in the Ethiopian CI and establish management mechanisms to facilitate their business sustenance. The specific objectives are to: identify factors affecting sustainable competency of SMCs; assess the effectiveness of the development programs in enhancing progress in the CI; evaluate the prevailing opportunities to create sustainable SMCs and develop appropriate improvement mechanisms to exploit these opportunities; and develop sustainable competency development framework for SMCs. The study employed qualitative and quantitative research methods. This approach allowed for gathering input from industry stakeholders, which was then used to develop the framework. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors impacting the sustainable competency of SMCs in Ethiopia. The study identified the major underlying factors or challenges, such as the lack of project management skills; low-profit margin due to high competition; inability to access plants and equipment; and the inability to access financial resources emanating from endogenic core sources. Additionally, the study also identified factors or challenges stemming from exogenic core sources including unfavourable financial policy, lack of trust between parties in the industry, and uncertainty in supplies of materials and prices. Furthermore, the study's findings offer valuable insights into potential improvements that could enhance the prospects of sustainable SMCs development in Ethiopia. These improvements encompass encouraging local construction material producers and enhancing their capacity, advocating for an industry-based education system, introducing sector-specific financing programs, and implementing project planning, scheduling, and performance tracking practices. The study's findings highlight priority areas for enhancing competitiveness, providing valuable guidance for policymakers, regulators, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in making informed decisions.
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    Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Geopolymeric Fly Ash Based Mortar Cured in Ambient Conditions
    (National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, 2024) K M, Prasanna; Das, Bibhuti Bhusan; Mahesh, Gangadhar
    This experimental study aims to improve the IST and FST, flowability, and compressive strength of FA-based geopolymer mix samples for pastes, mortars, and mortars with steel fibre additions by substituting GGBS with various alkaline to binder ratios. GGBS substitution in geopolymeric mixtures is essential for achieving quicker setting in the resultant geopolymeric samples and also to accomplish the practical viability without any heat curing. SEM-EDS and FTIR were used to perform microstructural characterization and chemical identification of structural growth in the resulting geopolymers. According to the obtained findings, GGBS addition increased geopolymeric samples compressive strength while decreasing their setting time. The IST attained for geopolymeric paste samples is 20 minutes for F50:G50 samples with an alkaline to binder ratio of 0.5. However, the FST attained is 485 minutes for F100:G0 samples with an alkaline to binder ratio of 0.8. The highest 28 days compressive strength attained for geopolymeric paste samples is 85 MPa for F50:G50 samples with an alkaline to binder ratio of 0.5. Furthermore, for geopolymeric mortars, the IST attained is 22 minutes for F50:G50 samples with an alkaline to binder ratio of 0.5, whereas the FST attained is 668 minutes for F100:G0 samples with an alkaline to binder ratio of 0.8. A highest compressive strength of 56 MPa at 28 days is attained for F50:G50 geopolymeric mortar samples with an alkaline to binder ratio of 0.6. Additionally, for geopolymeric samples with steel fibres, after a curing period of 28 days, the compressive strength obtained is 69.5 MPa. This was observed in specimens containing 1% steel fibre content, an alkaline to binder ratio of 0.6, and binder proportions of 50%:50%. SEM microphotographs of geopolymeric pastes and mortar samples revealed the presence of a dense matrix with the GGBS substitution. Furthermore, the presence of rough steel fibre surfaces and hydration reaction products on the steel surface implies a rather good link between the geopolymer matrix and steel fibre, which boosts compressive strength values, as observed in SEM images of steel fibre-containing mortar samples. The FTIR analysis of geopolymeric paste samples reveals a notable downward shift in wavenumbers of distinctive bands, corresponding to varying levels of GGBS substitution. This shift signifies a heightened degree of geopolymerization within the paste samples.