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.

An investigation of the barriers to the uptake of local materials in Africa: A literature review approach

Abstract: The activities of the construction industry require that alternative construction materials be used for construction projects, especially in developing countries like those in Africa. The conventio...

Sustainable Design and Construction in Africa: A System Dynamics Approach

Abstract: This book addresses some of the countless challenges faced by developing countries when adopting sustainable design and construction and offers suggestions for the way forward for African development projects. The authors argue that the pervasive non-consideration of the interrelationship between the elements of sustainable design and construction is the reason for the current failures in sustainable design and construction in developed countries. By treating sustainability as a complex system, the authors provide the missing link between the design and construction of projects in a sustainable way with a view to improving industry and project performance. In doing so the book posits the need for improved sustainability practice in developing countries, lessons for developing countries from the successes and failures of sustainability adoption by developed nations, factors influencing adoption of sustainability and effects of sustainable designs and construction on productivity, human health and the environment at large. This book will be of interest to construction researchers, practitioners, professional bodies, housing policy makers and government institutions as well as training and funding providers in these areas.

Recruitment and Selection Practices of Construction Employers in Rwanda

Abstract: Human resources play a key role in the achievement of construction projects. This study investigated the recruitment practices of construction employers in Rwanda. The problem of the study is the lack of empirical evidence to support the recruitment and selection practices of construction employers in Rwanda. Similar studies are abundant in other sectors of the economy but very scarce in the construction industry. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. A closed-ended questionnaire was used for data collection. The population of the study are the construction organisations that employ construction workers in Rwanda. Hence, the population of the study is the 580 construction organisations that are officially working in Rwanda. A sample of 80 firms used for the study were determined with the use of Slovin’s formula. The findings of the study indicated that requests for the curriculum vitae, cover letter, face-to-face interview, submission of applications with key information of education/work experience and knowledge test to measure job specific knowledge are the prevalent strategies of recruiting and selecting staff in the construction industry. The prominent sources of recruitment and selection are internship performance, internal advertisement, and local newspaper advertisement. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that construction organizations should study and adopt the recruitment and selection strategies that have given them the most effective results. It was also recommended that the organisation should stick to the most effective sources of recruitment and selection for their organisations

Assessment of Cost Variation in Solid and Hollow Floor Construction in Lagos State

Abstract: The differences in construction methods between different forms of slabs construction tend to result into variation in the cost of the slabs for any building project. Thus, this study aims at assessing the variation in construction cost among various construction methods available for hollow and solid floors in construction projects within Lagos State. The research design for this study was a survey design approach and the population of the study are active professionals (Architects, Civil Engineers, Builders, Quantity Surveyors, Consultant) and contractors because they are the major participants in the construction activities of the construction industry in Lagos State, Nigeria. The research is based on 46 returned questionnaires out of the 60 that was administered. The data from the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive tools such as frequencies, percentage and mean values. The hypotheses were tested with paired sample t-test and it was found that the system or method of slab construction well known to the respondents is cast in situ, precast and semi-precast. The study also shows that the cost of in-situ solid slabs are higher than that of hollow slab which is an indication that solid slab construction is more expensive than hollow slab construction provided the hollow slab is a one-way hollow floor and not waffle floor. In pre cast solid slab construction the cost of transportation of units to sites, cost of expertise required in the construction process and the cost of fabrication off site are the three highest and most expensive aspects of precast solid slab while cost of erection and placement and the cost of grouting and topping if required are less expensive. Therefore there is difference in the cost of construction between the solid and hollow slabs but the difference is not appreciable. The study’s major recommendation is that, adequate and careful analysis must be done in the choice of floor system being adopted for any project.Keywords: Cost variation, Hollow slabs, Lagos state, Reinforced concrete, Solid slab, Waffle floor

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.