scholarly journals The identification and analysis of making-do waste: insights from two Brazilian construction sites

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Torres Formoso ◽  
Lucila Sommer ◽  
Lauri Koskela ◽  
Eduardo Luís Isatto
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Human Practice ◽  
External Conditions ◽  
Exploratory Case Studies

Abstract Making-do has been pointed out as an important category of waste in the construction industry. It refers to a situation in which a task starts or continues without having available all the inputs required for its completion, such as materials, machinery, tools, personnel, external conditions, and information. By contrast, the literature points out that improvisation is a ubiquitous human practice even in highly structured business organizations, and plays an important role when rules and methods fail. The aim of this paper is to provide some insights on the nature of making-do as a type of waste, based on two exploratory case studies carried out on construction sites. The main contributions of this research work are concerned with the identification of different categories of making-do and its main causes. This paper also discusses some strategies for reducing making-do on construction sites.

scholarly journals Risk Perception in the Construction Industry: Differences Between Italian and Migrant Workers Before and After a Targeted Training Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Federico Ricci ◽  
Giulia Bravo ◽  
Alberto Modenese ◽  
Fabrizio De Pasquale ◽  
Davide Ferrari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Visual Tool ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Linguistic Barriers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference

We developed a visual tool to assess risk perception for a sample of male construction workers (forty Italian and twenty-eight immigrant workers), just before and after a sixteen-hour training course. The questionnaire included photographs of real construction sites, and workers were instructed to select pictograms representing the occupational risks present in each photograph. Points were awarded for correctly identifying any risks that were present, and points were deducted for failing to identify risks that were present or identifying risks that were not present. We found: (1) Before the course, risk perception was significantly lower in immigrants compared to Italians ( p < .001); (2) risk perception improved significantly ( p < .001) among all workers tested; and (3) after the training, the difference in risk perception between Italians and immigrants was no longer statistically significant ( p = .1086). Although the sample size was relatively small, the results suggest that the training is effective and may reduce the degree to which cultural and linguistic barriers hinder risk perception. Moreover, the use of images and pictograms instead of words to evaluate risk perception could also be applied to nonconstruction workplaces.

scholarly journals Towards a multi-criteria framework for stereotomy – Workflows for subtractive fabrication in complex geometries

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 468-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shayani Fernando ◽  
Simon Weir ◽  
Dagmar Reinhardt ◽  
Adam Hannouch
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Structural Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Advanced Manufacturing ◽  
Essential Condition ◽  
Robotic Fabrication ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Comparative Case Studies ◽  
End Effectors

Abstract In a context of stereotomy, robotic subtractive cutting enables design-to-production processes that integrate craftsmanship with advanced manufacturing technology. This paper discusses empirical research into the fabrication of complex and custom-designed geometries by means of robotic subtractive cutting, with a specific focus on modular elements and joint typologies that form an essential condition for self-supporting stone structures. The paper presents research findings in two parts. In the first part, four case studies for jointing techniques and a cross-comparison between these are introduced to derive strategies for multiple criteria, including macro-and-micro geometries, modules and joints, structural performance, material variations, machine cutting methods and end-effectors, and robotic workspace. In the second part, the paper focuses on the structural performance of the joint geometry typologies, expanded towards material constraints and robotic fabrication process. The paper concludes with a discussion on these varied subtractive cutting methodologies and a resulting design-to-fabrication workflow, and indicates future research work. Highlights Demonstrates applications of stereotomic practice for robotic subtractive cutting. Reports on comparative case studies for four different module and joint structures. Discusses structural performance for Interlocking base block geometries. Provides a multi-criteria framework for structural, material/machine cutting methods. Develops a design-to-fabrication workflow in robotic subtractive cutting.

scholarly journals DfMA: Towards an Integrated Strategy for a More Productive and Sustainable Construction Industry in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 9219
Author(s):  
Craig Langston ◽  
Weiwei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Design For Manufacture ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Interdisciplinary Design ◽  
Business Politics ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Manufacturing Assembly

Design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) is an important part of the future of the construction industry due to the promise of speed of project delivery, quality control, worker safety, and waste minimization onsite via the purposeful design for manufacture and assembly offsite. However, the adoption of DfMA in Australia has been slow. This paper investigates the barriers prohibiting widespread uptake and how digital construction will be a catalyst for improving use on commercial-scale projects. A total of six leading experts were interviewed to elicit their opinions, and seven recent case studies of high-rise modular apartment and hotel buildings constructed by Hickory were cross-referenced as evidence of DfMA capability. The experts suggested that the reasons for slow adoption in Australia were community mindset, government regulations and incentives, planning and building codes, unionization and business politics, finance, and supply chain management. The case studies suggest that compatible building type and transportation distance are also factors. These barriers can be addressed by the clever integration of building information modelling tools with lean construction processes as part of a proposed strategy leading to smarter (more productive) and better (more sustainable) outcomes predicated on growth in digital construction practices. The paper concludes with a proposed framework for change that conceptualizes the ‘ecosystem’ needed to support widespread DfMA in the Australian context, including the paradigm shift from building to manufacturing/assembly, the displacement of workers from onsite to offsite activity, and the expansion of interdisciplinary design and construct collaboration.

scholarly journals Evaluación del bloque de tierra mediante un Estudio De Viabilidad Constructiva (EVC)

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-69
Author(s):  
Ana Romero-Girón ◽  
Jacinto Canivell ◽  
María Reyes Rodríguez-García ◽  
Ana González-Serrano
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Case Analysis ◽  
Technical Training ◽  
External Conditions ◽  
Block Construction ◽  
Earth Block ◽  
Common Situation ◽  
Technical Safety

Although earth block construction (EB) is supported by numerous scientific works, there is a lack of confidence in its constructive viability, aggravated by the lack of specific technical training. In view of this uncertainty, which is widespread in Spain, it is necessary to provide well-founded technical responses. This article, considering these aspects, presents the design and validation of a tool to assess the constructive viability of EB. For this purpose, 29 case studies are chosen in Spain, which establish the constructive use determinations and indicators to assess a degree of technical suitability. This parameter, as a result of the proposed tool, acts as a support for decision-making, the improvement of the design and, the efficiency of the solutions that use EB. It concludes by validating the tool, demonstrating its reliability and adaptability to any situation. Finally, the case analysis shows how the quality of the product combined with adverse external conditions, even with correct construction designs, defines a common situation where the degree of suitability of the solution is reduced. Therefore, it is also necessary to demand products with guarantees and prescriptions that ensure and offer sufficient technical safety.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Rules and regulation of Construction and Demolition Waste Management (CDWM) in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2S11) ◽  
pp. 2642-2644
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction And Demolition Waste ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Demolition Waste ◽  
Construction Waste

The rules and regulations on waste management in the construction and demolition sector are analyzed corresponding to the present scenario of C&DW in India. C&D waste from construction sites has emerged as a significant threat to India because of its severe footprint on the environment. Vast quantities of construction waste will have unfavorable consequences on the surroundings if they are not properly managed. Therefore it is necessary to manage the development of C&DW by the experts within the construction industry. The approach represented is specialized in rules and regulations on waste management so that the environmental impact of construction activities can be minimized.

Applied Practices: Perspectives from the Field

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-142
Author(s):  
SUSAN COLMAR
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Journal Article ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Control Group ◽  
List Type

This is our second publication with this section in our journal which encourages and welcomes applied practice contributions from colleagues. These papers have an applied focus with scope for colleagues to offer work such as: Evaluations of practice, even if these are not methodologically at the standard required for contributions to the main journal (e.g., no control group),Conceptual reviews with implications for practice,Linked case studies in therapeutic and learning and behaviour areas of intervention,Reports from presentations and adapted student assignments,Research work put forward for psychologists' registration requirements. Fuller details are noted below. Please contact Dr Susan Colmar, who edits this section of the journal if you wish to discuss your ideas, possibilities, probabilities or even the germ of an idea. Papers will be refereed; however criteria, particularly methodological, will be less restrictive than aiming for a full journal article. If you need some encouragement and assistance in preparing your paper, I am happy to guide you with my red pen.

Building information modelling (BIM) and the return on investment: a systematic analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Apeesada Sompolgrunk ◽  
Saeed Banihashemi ◽  
Saeed Reza Mohandes
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Value Drivers ◽  
Productivity Improvement ◽  
Building Information Modelling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Information Modelling ◽  
Building Information

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify and analyse the key measurable returning factors, value drivers and strategic benefits associated with building information modelling (BIM) return on investment (ROI). The findings of this study provide researchers and practitioners with up-to-date information in formulating appropriate strategies to quantify the monetary value of BIM. The suggested research agenda provided would also advance what is presently a limited body of knowledge relating to the evaluation of BIM ROI. Design/methodology/approach To fill the identified gap, this study develops a comprehensive systematic review of mainstream studies on factors affecting BIM ROI published from 2000 to 2020. A total of 23 academic records from different sources such as journals, conference proceedings, dissertation and PhD theses were identified and thoroughly reviewed. Findings The reported BIM ROI ranged greatly from −83.3% to 39,900%. A total of 5 returning factors, namely, schedule reduction and compliance, productivity improvement, request for information reduction, rework reduction and change orders reduction were identified as the most commonly reported factors that influence BIM ROI. Four quantification techniques including general assumptions-based theoretical model, perceived BIM ROI based on survey, factors affecting BIM ROI with no reported ROI and quantified BIM ROI based on a case study were observed and pointed out in the review, together with their limitations. Finally, three major gaps were raised as the lack of consideration on the likelihood of BIM assisting in a construction project, intangible returning factors influencing BIM-based projects and industry standards in benchmarking BIM ROI. Practical implications The outcomes of this study would assist practitioners by providing the current evaluation techniques that address the limitations with BIM investment and present issues relating to the economic evaluation of BIM in the construction industry. It is also expected that presenting a deeper and wider perspective of the research work performed until now will direct a more focussed approach on productivity improvement efforts in the construction industry. Originality/value This study identifies and analyses the key measurable returning factors, value drivers and strategic benefits associated with BIM ROI on an industry scale rather than a particular organisation or a project scale.

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