Oluwaseun Dosumu

Bio: Oluwaseun Dosumu is an academic researcher from University of Johannesburg. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sustainable design & Procurement. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 23 publications receiving 69 citations. Previous affiliations of Oluwaseun Dosumu include National University of Rwanda & University of Lagos.

Assessment of procurement methods used for executing maintenance works in Lagos state

Abstract: The objectives of the study are to determine the procurement methods used by clients to execute maintenance works in Lagos state, identify the factors that influence the choice of those methods and establish the differences in the efficiencies of out-sourced and in-sourced maintenance. Out of the 60 questionnaires sent out to respondents, 34 (giving a response rate of 57%) were retrieved and used for the study. The 34 responses were obtained from randomly selected organizations like Local Authority Housing, Housing Association, Residential Managing Agent, Universities, Health Authorities and Private Commercial Property Owners. The results of the study show that direct labour, lump sum contract and traditional contract, cost reimbursement contract and measured term contracts, are the most commonly adopted procurement methods in Lagos state for maintenance works. Time duration, cost of project and quality level required, are the major factors influencing the choice of procurement methods. Others are risk allocation, price competition and flexibility of contract. Finally, better access to special skills, getting the latest technologies, higher quality work and higher security are the important efficiency factors for out-sourcing and in-sourcing. Key word s: In-sourcing, Lagos state, Maintenance works, Out-sourcing, Procurement

An Analysis of the Factors Responsible for Errors in Nigerian Construction Documents

Abstract: The paper presents an empirical study of factors responsible for errors in Nigerian construction documents and aims at identifying the significant factors that are responsible for errors in the Nigerian construction documents. Information was obtained from both consultants (the producers of construction documents) and contractors (the user of construction documents) for the purpose of comparing the significant factors identified by the two sets of respondents. Out of the two hundred and sixty questionnaires administered, eighty six were retrieved and used for the analysis of the study. The statistical methods used for analysis are frequencies, percentages and mean item scores. The findings of the research show that while the contractors agreed that the consultants and management are the main factors responsible for errors in the Nigerian construction documents, the consultants agreed that the management and clients are the main factors responsible for them. However, the collective agreement of the consultants and contractors was that the consultants and management are the main factors responsible for errors in the Nigerian construction documents. The study concludes that the consultants and management are the main factors responsible for errors in the Nigerian construction documents and that they were just not willing to blame themselves for the misfortunes of Nigerian construction documents, hence they blame clients and management before themselves. The recommendation of the study is that to prevent and reduce errors in Nigerian construction documents, the significant factors that fall under the category of consultants and management need to be avoided when preparing construction documents. Key words: Construction documents, Consultants/designers, Contractors, Errors, Nigeria

Assessing clients’ satisfaction with the service quality of construction consultants in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract: The service quality of consultants plays an important role in enhancing the success of construction projects. The study aims to determine the gaps between the clients’ observed and expected service...

An Investigation of the Factors Influencing Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) of Residential Buildings in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract: The study aims to examine the factors affecting the IEQ of buildings with respect to type of building unit, gender, age, ethnicity and directions that the windows of occupants' building units are facing. The study was conducted in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) of South Africa. The descriptive (questionnaire) survey research design (quantitative method) was adopted in the study. The convenience sampling technique was used to collect data for the study. The method of data analysis includes percentages, mean scores, t-test statistic and one-way analysis of variance. The results of the study indicate that the factors investigated in the study were significantly optimum for the IEQ of buildings. However, inferential statistics show that the respondents differed on some factors of IEQ based on age, gender, ethnicity and building unit. Based on the findings, the study concludes that, the factors affecting IEQ of buildings vary according to age, gender and type of building units occupied. Hence, the factors need to be given dedicated consideration whenever design of buildings are to be done. Despite the existence of standards/assessment tools for determining the IEQ of proposed buildings, gender, age and type of units to be provided for occupants should be put into consideration when building projects are to be designed for IEQ.

Adoption of light steel (LS) for building projects in South Africa

Abstract: Purpose This paper aims to investigate the level of awareness about, adoption of and willingness to adopt light steel (LS) for building projects. It also assessed the benefits, challenges and solutions to the challenges of adopting LS for building projects. Design/methodology/approach The quantitative (questionnaire) research method was used for the study. The research design was survey in nature. The whole-population cluster sampling technique was adopted. The clusters were the LS buildings from two (Western Cape and Gauteng) out of the eight provinces in South Africa. The respondents were the construction organizations that have executed LS building projects in the selected provinces. Hence, 56 firms filled and returned the questionnaire. Data analysis was done with frequency, mean scores, t-test and analysis of variance (normality of data distribution assumed). Findings Results indicated that, out of the 29 areas of application of LS identified in literature, respondents were aware of 11 areas, adopted LS for seven areas and were willing to adopt LS for six areas. Respondents also noted that 18 of the 25 identified benefits of LS were relevant to South Africa. Despite the benefits, few developers embrace it, it is a threat to suppliers’ and contractors’ businesses and it delays building approval due to low awareness. Practical implication The implication of the results is that there is low awareness about, adoption of and willingness to adopt LS for building projects in South Africa, and this may be due to the identified challenges. To boost the awareness about, adoption of and willingness to adopt LS, LS technologies need to be imported, LS warehouses should be provided in all cities and it must be ensured that LS building projects are cheaper than conventional buildings. Originality/value The value of the study is that the adoption of LS for building projects will improve the capacity of sustainable development.

Introduction To Statistical Thermodynamics

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ISM-based relationship among critical factors that affect the choice of prefabricated concrete buildings in China

Abstract: It is well known that building prefabrication has numerous prominent advantages, including shortening construction time, promoting efficiency, reducing air pollution, and so on. As a result, the Ch...

Machine learning-aided engineering services' cost overruns prediction in high-rise residential building projects: Application of random forest regression

Abstract: Current approaches to automating cost estimation mainly focus on construction costs. Yet, the two main services provided by design firms, namely ‘designing the project’, and ‘supervision of construction operations’ labelled as engineering services, despite their comparatively low cost, can significantly affect the total cost of construction projects as they can engender reworks, changes and disputes on project participants during the subsequent stages of the project. Continuous evaluation of engineering services' cost overruns (ESCO) is quintessentially important in order to prevent consequential problems later on in the project's development and use. Consequently, this research proposes a robust random forest (RF) regression model to predict ESCOs considering both project-related and organizational-related variables. A database consisting of 95 high-rise residential building projects designed during the past eight years in Iran, along with 12 related variables, were collected to develop and validate the model. The results were also compared with those of support vector regression (SVR) and multiple linear regression (MLR), which indicated that with an R2 value of 0.8680 and mean-absolute-error (MAE) of 3.88, the RF regression model performs better than those baseline models, namely SVR and MLR. This research presents two main contributions to the existing body of knowledge. From the practical point of view, it provides an efficient tool for design firms enabling them to screen and prioritize their projects from the cost overrun standpoint and to devise a contingency plan for them. From the theoretical point of view, it revealed that to mitigate ESCOs, three key factors should be given thorough consideration, namely: ‘the level of computer-aided design technologies adoption’; ‘level of communication among the project team’; and scope definition adequacy’ – cumulatively, these three factors contribute to 52.35% of ESCO variations.

Multi-storey residential buildings and occupant’s behaviour during fire evacuation in the UK: Factors relevant to the development of evacuation strategies

Abstract: Purpose - The paper aims to investigate human behaviour during fire evacuations in multistorey residential buildings through a focus on the challenges and obstacles that occupants face. Any variations in response behaviours that are relevant to the evacuation strategies/plans in the UK context of occupancy typical of multi-storey buildings in large cities. Design/methodology/approach - A literature review was conducted to identify the factors occupants face and also the decision-making of occupants regarding methods of egress. A mixed research method was adopted using interviews and a questionnaire survey. The findings from the interviews and survey are benchmarked against the information gathered from the literature review. Findings - The paper identifies various challenges that occupants face when evacuating a multi-storey residential building. In terms of the decision-making process, the research results evidence that occupants could be given more information on the evacuation procedures within their specific building. The paper also finds that occupants remain reluctant to use a lift during evacuation in fire event, irrespective of any signage clearly stating that is appropriate to do so in the context of modern lift technology. Originality/Value - This paper contributes to the body of knowledge available on the evacuation of multi-storey buildings located in large cities within the UK, outlining potential areas for future research, focused on providing an insight of the behavioural decisions made by the occupants make when evacuating a building in the event of a fire.