Showing papers on "Construction management published in 2014"

Construction projects selection and risk assessment by fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS methodologies

Abstract: Construction projects are initiated in dynamic environment which result in circumstances of high uncertainty and risks due to accumulation of many interrelated parameters. The purpose of this study is to use novel analytic tools to evaluate the construction projects and their overall risks under incomplete and uncertain situations. It was also aimed to place the risk in a proper category and predict the level of it in advance to develop strategies and counteract the high-risk factors. The study covers identifying the key risk criteria of construction projects at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), and assessing the criteria by the integrated hybrid methodologies. The proposed hybrid methodologies were initiated with a survey for data collection. The relative importance index (RII) method was applied to prioritize the project risks based on the data obtained. The construction projects were then categorized by fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS methodologies. Fuzzy AHP (FAHP) was used to create favorable weights for fuzzy linguistic variable of construction projects overall risk. The fuzzy TOPSIS method is very suitable for solving group decision making problems under the fuzzy environment. It attempted to incorporate vital qualitative attributes in performance analysis of construction projects and transformed the qualitative data into equivalent quantitative measures. Thirty construction projects were studied with respect to five main criteria that are the time, cost, quality, safety and environment sustainability. The results showed that these novel methodologies are able to assess the overall risks of construction projects, select the project that has the lowest risk with the contribution of relative importance index. This approach will have potential applications in the future.

A review of rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developments and applications in civil engineering

Abstract: Civil engineers always face the challenge of uncertainty in planning, building, and maintaining infrastructure. These works rely heavily on a variety of surveying and monitoring techniques. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are an effective approach to obtain information from an additional view, and potentially bring significant benefits to civil engineering. This paper gives an overview of the state of UAV developments and their possible applications in civil engineering. The paper begins with an introduction to UAV hardware, software, and control methodologies. It also reviews the latest developments in technologies related to UAVs, such as control theories, navigation methods, and image processing. Finally, the paper concludes with a summary of the potential applications of UAV to seismic risk assessment, transportation, disaster response, construction management, surveying and mapping, and flood monitoring and assessment.

Factors Influencing Construction Labor Productivity in Egypt

Abstract: Construction is a labor-intensive industry. Therefore, construction labor productivity is of critical importance to the profitability of most construction projects. Many construction industry sectors have been experiencing chronic problems such as poor management, inferior working conditions, and insufficient quality. Many researchers have identified these problems as factors that affect construction productivity and will affect a company’s performance and the overall economy of the country. This paper aims to identify, investigate, and rank factors perceived to affect construction labor productivity in the Egyptian construction context with respect to their relative importance. To achieve this objective, practitioners and experts comprising a statistically representative sample were invited to participate in a structured questionnaire survey. The questionnaire comprised 30 productivity factors that were classified under the following three primary categories: (1) human/labor, (2) industrial, and ...

Model for Systematic Innovation in Construction Companies

Abstract: This research was partially funded by the Universidad Catolica del Maule (project MECESUP-UCM0205), the Spanish Ministry of Infrastructure (project 2004-36), and the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (contract UPV-20050921). The authors would like to thank Ricardo Lacort, Francisco J. Vea, and Manuel Civera for their collaboration and support, and Jose C. Teixeira for his advice. Likewise, the authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their suggestions and constructive comments.

Tracking the Built Status of MEP Works: Assessing the Value of a Scan-vs-BIM System

Abstract: Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) works constitute a large portion of construction costs and thus need to be appropriately tracked. Assessment of the built status of MEP works in construction projects is however typically limited to subcontractor claims augmented and contrasted with periodic manual inspection. A more detailed manual inspection is costly and not considered worthwhile on most projects. Within a Scan-vs-BIM object recognition framework, three-dimensional laser scanning and project 3D/4D BIM models jointly offer the opportunity for a frequent, detailed, and semantically rich assessment of as-built status of construction projects at a cost that continues to decline. This potential has already been demonstrated for tracking structural works, but remains to be assessed in regard to other work sections, in particular MEP works. This paper explores that opportunity. A Scan-vs-BIM processing system is described with some enhancements over previous works. It is then tested with a re...

Root-Cause Analysis of Construction-Cost Overruns

Abstract: Despite their negative impact on the construction industry, cost overruns have become an almost natural part of building and infrastructure projects. This paper examines the phenomenon as a worldwide problem, identifies its root causes, ranks them (on a local basis), and analyses them. Root-cause analysis is not merely an arbitrary expression; rather, it is a systematic, formal, well-structured methodology, used as part of the total quality-management approach. The expand–focus principles and techniques were applied in this research for assembling an initial, as wide as possible, inclusive list (pool) of 146 potential causes gathered from the international professional literature as well as from prominent local experts. Through two cycles of expand–focus, they were filtered and merged into merely 15 independent universal root causes. These were further investigated through a cross-sectional survey among 200 local construction practitioners who ranked the 15 universal root causes according to their...

Vision-Based Tower Crane Tracking for Understanding Construction Activity

Abstract: Visual monitoring of construction worksites through the installation of surveillance cameras has become prevalent in the construction industry. These cameras also are useful for automatic observation of construction events and activities. This paper demonstrates the use of a surveillance camera for assessing tower crane activities during the course of a workday. In particular, it seeks to demonstrate that the crane jib trajectory, together with known information regarding the site plans, provides sufficient information to infer the activity states of the crane. The jib angle trajectory is tracked by using two-dimensional to three-dimensional rigid pose tracking algorithms. The site plan information includes a process model for the activities and site layout information. A probabilistic graph model for crane activity is designed to process the track signals and recognize crane activity as belonging to one of two categories: concrete pouring and nonconcrete material movement. The experimental result...

Analysis of Causes of Delay and Time Performance in Construction Projects

Abstract: Activity delays are a common issue in the construction industry and can increase project schedules and costs. Recent research efforts have focused on the quantitative evaluation of delay impacts. The literature suggests that the construction industry is in need of additional research to systematically relate the causes of delays to their impacts. To overcome this limitation, this paper analyzes delay causes in activities that were not completed as scheduled. The paper contributes to a methodology to examine the qualitative (delay causes) and quantitative (time performance) dimensions of the delay issue. The paper proposes two indicators, as follows: (1) reason for noncompliance (RNC) as an indicator that characterizes scheduling failures, and (2) delay index (DI) as a time-performance indicator that describes the impacts of delay on critical and noncritical activities. The paper presents two building projects as case studies, with planning and subcontractors as the primary RNCs that have the great...

Enhancing Construction Hazard Recognition and Communication with Energy-Based Cognitive Mnemonics and Safety Meeting Maturity Model: Multiple Baseline Study

Abstract: Nearly every safety management activity is designed around the fundamental and implicit assumption that the workforce is capable of identifying hazards before exposure. Unfortunately, research shows preliminary evidence that construction crews perform relatively poorly with respect to hazard recognition. This may be attributable, in part, to the diverse and dynamic nature of construction work. Consequently, many hazards remain unidentified, uncontrolled, and unmanaged until they are encountered by workers. To advance theory and practice in the area of construction hazard recognition and communication, a large-scale, multiphase research project was conducted with the following objectives: (1) devise a new hazard recognition method based upon the principles of cognitive mnemonics and that promotes hazard recognition skill; (2) build a maturity model to improve hazard recognition performance and encourage hazard communication; and (3) experimentally measure improvement in hazard recognition and commu...

Integration and Leadership as Enablers of Innovation in Construction: Case Study

Abstract: Adopting innovations in construction is challenging due to the fragmented and project-based nature of the industry. As construction innovation is a joint activity with a number of participants involved in the process, it is essential to consider the role of interorganizational factors in implementing successful innovations. The aim of this paper is to investigate the components of the innovation process by placing particular emphasis on the enablers of, as well as barriers to, innovation adoption. A case-study methodology was employed to gain insight on how innovation is achieved within a construction project setting. Modern methods of construction and lean construction were adopted in the examined case concerning an urban regeneration project. The findings of the case study suggest that resistance to change, inexperience, and unavailability of advanced products were the main barriers to innovation adoption. The project team benefited from several mechanisms to overcome these barriers, including integration of the project participants and effective leadership. The case study is expected to help participants of the construction industry reflect on their innovation processes and thereby enhance the rate of innovation adoption.

Improving construction productivity: a subcontractor's perspective

Abstract: Purpose – Surprisingly, given the prominence and front-line role of subcontractors in the construction industry, their perspective is almost completely absent from construction productivity literature. Existing research in this area presents a highly one-sided principal contractor perspective and there are very few insights into what subcontractors think. The purpose of this paper is to address the imbalance by investigating the determinants of construction productivity from a subcontractor's perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Focus groups with 71 of Australia's leading tier-one subcontractors were conducted with the aim of exploring their insights into the productivity challenge. Findings – The findings indicate that the main determinants of productivity for subcontractors are: the quality of relationships with principal contractors; opportunity for early involvement in design; transparent tender practices; growing administration and document control; design management; project management and sup...

Criteria for the selection of sustainable onsite construction equipment

Abstract: Today’s construction projects are highly mechanized and becoming more so every day. With the growing industrialization of construction work, the role of onsite equipment and machineries is vital in achieving productivity and efficiency. During the construction phase, selection of right equipment has always been a key factor in the success of any construction project. This decision is typically made by matching equipment available in a fleet with the tasks at hand. Such analysis accounts for equipment productivity, equipment capacity, and cost. However, the emerging notion of sustainability in construction has emphasized energy conservation, efficiency, green environment, economy and human well being. In this context, selecting the most appropriate equipment from the available options is highly challenging. Therefore, this paper aims to determine a selection criteria based on the fundamental concept of sustainability and provides an assessment framework. A questionnaire survey was conducted among a classified group of Malaysian contractors to elicit information pertaining to the sustainable selection of onsite machineries. The findings of this study will guide the decision makers to appraise the selection process of construction equipment on the triple bottom line of sustainability.

Analysis of the implementation of effective waste management practices in construction projects and sites

Abstract: In this paper, the implementation of effective waste management practices in construction projects and sites is analyzed, using data from a survey answered by 74 Spanish construction companies based in Catalonia. Most commonly implemented practices were found to be on-site cleanliness and order, correct storage of raw materials, and prioritization of the nearest authorized waste managers. The least widespread practices were the use of a mobile crusher on site, the creation of individualized drawings for each construction site, and the dissemination of the contents of the waste management plan to all workers, to help them to meet its requirements. Waste regulations for construction and demolition, and the corresponding construction waste management facilities, were designed before the recession in the Spanish construction sector. Current waste generation rates are still below predicted levels, and the infrastructure was designed for five times more waste generation. Even so, the percentage of reused and recycled waste currently amounts to 43%. Survey respondents highlighted various instruments and measures that would make the management of construction and demolition waste more sustainable. Most of the opportunities identified by construction firms are within the scope of government and related to a combined system of bonus and penalties and the establishment of environmental awareness and training programmes for all the stakeholders. Within the scope of authorized waste managers, firms suggested improvements such as the standardization of fees, a reduction of the time until the issue of waste management certificates, a higher number of inspections, and a change in the current model of a few large construction waste management facilities. This research is useful to better understand the current status of construction and demolition waste management in construction projects and sites. Thus, the results of this research will guide policy makers and relevant stakeholders such as contractors, clients, architects and engineers to achieve the EU target of recovering 70% of construction and demolition waste in 2020. In this sense, reliable information can help governments and professional associations to set future C&D waste management regulations, training programmes and dissemination tools, inspections, etc.

Automatic Detection of Cylindrical Objects in Built Facilities

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) facility models are in increasing demand for design, maintenance, operations, and construction project management. For industrial and research facilities, a key focus is piping, which may comprise 50% of the value of the facility. In this paper, a practical and cost-effective approach based on the Hough transform and judicious use of domain constraints is presented to automatically find, recognize, and reconstruct 3D pipes within laser-scan-acquired point clouds. The core algorithm utilizes the Hough transform’s efficacy for detecting parametric shapes in noisy data by applying it to projections of orthogonal slices to grow cylindrical pipe shapes within a 3D point-cloud. This supports faster and less-expensive built-facility modeling. It is validated using laser-scanner data from construction of the Engineering-VI building on the University of Waterloo campus. The system works on a typical laptop. Recognition results are within a few millimeters to centimeters accuracy in a...

Construction scheduling using Genetic Algorithm based on Building Information Model

Abstract: The construction project schedule is one of the most important tools for project managers in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry that makes them able to track and manage the time, cost, and quality (a.k.a. Project Management Triangle) of projects. Developing project schedules is almost always troublesome, since it is heavily dependent on project planners' knowledge of work packages, on-the-job-experience, planning capability and oversight. Having a thorough understanding of the project geometries and their internal interacting stability relations plays a significant role in generating practical construction sequencing. On the other hand, the new concept of embedding all the project information into a 3-dimensional representation of a project (a.k.a. Building Information Model or BIM) has recently drawn attention to the construction industry. In this paper, the authors demonstrate a novel approach of retrieving enough information from the BIM of a project and then develop construction sequencing for the installation of the project elements. For this reason a computer application is developed that can automatically derive a structurally (statically) stable construction sequence, using the concept of the Genetic Algorithm (GA). The term ''structurally stable sequencing'' in this article refers to the sequencing order of erection in which the structure remains statically stable locally and globally during the entire installation process. To validate the proposed methodology, the authors designed 21 different experiments and used the proposed method for generating stable construction schedules, which all were successfully accomplished. Therefore, this methodology proposes a novel approach of construction project application of the GA, as an Expert System tool.

VIKOR and its Applications: A State-of-the-Art Survey

Abstract: Recently, Multiple-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) tools have increasingly been expanded to help researchers and practitioners to evaluate and select the best compromise alternatives. Among popular MCDM methods, Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija I KOmpromisno Resenje (VIKOR) has attracted much attention to cope with complex problems with conflict factors. The current study conducted a state-of-the-art literature review to embody the research on VIKOR and its applications. The paper structure consists of 198 papers from more than 100 journals and conference proceedings since 2002 which were classified into nine categories: 1) Design and manufacturing management, 2) Business and marketing management, 3) Supply chain and logistics management, 4) Environmental resources and energy management, 5) Construction management, 6) Education management, 7) Health-care and risk management, 8) Tourism management, and 9) Other topics. The last topic contains Information and knowledge management, Mine industry, etc. The study also proposes four classifications: 1) Publication year, 2) Journals, 3) other techniques combined or compared with VIKOR, and 4) Keywords distribution by VIKOR papers specifications. Finally, it was proposed forthcoming areas of study and recommendations for practical means. This study intends to generate insights on decision making techniques.

Causes and effect of delay on project construction delivery time

Abstract: Delay is one of the biggest problems often experienced on construction project sites. Delays can instigates negative effects such as increased costs, loss of productivity and revenue many lawsuits between owners and contractors and contract termination. The aim of this project is to investigate the causes and effects of delay on building construction project delivery time. Random sampling technique was used in this study. Population sample of 150 was used in this work. A total sample of ninety three (93) was deployed. A structured questionnaire in Likert scale was used in data collection. There are many factors that induce delay on construction projects, however in some of identified factors includes: lack of funds to finance the project to completion, changes in drawings, lack of effective communication among the parties involved , lack of adequate information from consultants, slow decision making and contractor’s insolvency, variations among others. Also, project management problem, mistake and discrepancies in contract document, equipment availability and failure, mistakes during construction, bad weather, fluctuation in prices of building materials, inappropriate overall organizational structure linking to the project and labour. The factors above could be observed and could be a clue to preventing delay on construction sites.

Improving construction management practice with the Last Planner System: a case study

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing the Last Planner System (LPS) to improve construction planning practice and enhance site management in the Saudi construction industry Design/methodology/approach – LPS was implemented in two large state-owned construction projects through an action research process The data collection methods included interviews, observations and a survey questionnaire Findings – The findings identify benefits including improved construction planning, enhanced site management and better communication and coordination between the parties involved The paper describes the critical success factors for LPS implementation The paper also describes barriers to the realisation the full potential of LPS, including the involvement of many subcontractors and people's commitment and attitude to time Research limitations/implications – The work reported in this paper is limited to two case studies Practical implications – The study has thus con

Assessment Model for Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions during Building Construction

Abstract: Many studies use life-cycle assessment (LCA) as a tool to quantify the environmental impact of buildings. Most of these studies have focused on the maintenance and operation phases of construction projects, which account for the largest part of energy consumption during the life cycle of buildings. However, the construction phase may cause significant environmental impacts, so a detailed analysis on the construction phase is required to conduct a more accurate assessment of the energy consumption and environmental impact of a building's entire life cycle. To assess energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, this study developed a model using process-based LCA and input-output (I-O) LCA. This study divided the construction phase into material manufacturing, transportation, and on-site construction, and applied an appropriate methodology for each part. The analysis of an apartment building project using the developed model showed that the material manufacturing stage had the largest amount of energy consumption and GHG emissions. Quantitatively, material manufacturing, transportation, and on-site construction phases were responsible for 94.89, 1.08, and 4.03% of energy consumption, and 95.16, 1.76, and 3.08% of global warming potential, respectively. It is believed that the developed model would allow a more accurate assessment of energy consumption and GHG emissions during a building's construction phase. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000199. © 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.