scholarly journals Assessment of the impacts of building construction activities on the environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-331
Author(s):  
F.O. Akintayo ◽  
O.N. Oyebade ◽  
S.P. Songca ◽  
N.O. Adebisi ◽  
O.S. Oluwafemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Dust Emissions ◽  
Air Contamination ◽  
Major Factors

Activities in building construction industry contribute to air pollution. In this study, gas data from four locations at each three building construction sites in Doha, Qatar were collected and analyzed. Questionnaires were also administered to companies that are involved in building construction projects. The results showed traces of SO2, CO2, CO and NO2 but in amounts below the detrimental limit stipulated by the Ministry of Environment, Qatar. Questionnaire responses revealed that the extraction of raw materials and the energy consumed during construction occur quite often, but strongly implicated dust generated from construction sites and waste disposal, as major factors causing air pollution in the area. It is therefore, recommended that regular monitoring of air should be carried out within building construction sites to aid detection of air contamination. This will serve as a control measure to stimulate catalytic conversion of exhaust, reuse and recycling of waste materials. Keywords: Air pollution, Building construction activities, Dust, Emissions and Environment.

scholarly journals Cost overrun in construction projects in Oman: Case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haitham Nasser Al Siyabi ◽  
Omar Khaleel
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Cost Overrun ◽  
Survey Interviews ◽  
Original Contract ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

There are many challenges in construction industry sector, and one of the most important and critical is completion of the project within the original contract value. As the issue of cost overrun in construction projects is spread worldwide generally and commonly encountered in the Sultanate of Oman.The main objectives of this study are to identify and determine vital factors leading to cost overrun in Building Projects in Oman, evaluate the impact of cost overrun in building construction projects and develop the best protocol strategy for project management teams that can be adopted in order to control the cost overrun in future projects. These objectives have been obtained through several methods, questionnaire survey,interviews with experts in construction industry. Twenty nine major factors lead to cost overrun were identified through literature review and studied in Sultanate of Oman.The study concluded that there are three major impacts of cost overrun in construction projects and industry which are time of completion, delivery of poor quality projects and delay of payment approval. Additional to that, Hire good Supervision Team, a good Cost Controller, Project Manager, a good project design team, well planning for pre-contract stage and proper procurement strategy. Consider the Risk assessment and Risk Control are crucial to minimize the cost overrun in building construction project in Oman. The study have recommended procedure to cost control in future project such as the Employer should have a proper tender analysis of the Contractor’s bid, Detailed design should be finalized before award of work and others.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CULTURE IN GERMANY

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Ben-David ◽  
Aviad Shapira
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Safety Culture ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Contractual Relationships ◽  
Culture Characteristics ◽  
Local Construction

In the course of a study of mega building construction projects in Germany, the need arose to identify and analyze the characteristics of the local construction culture, particularly upon realization that these characteristics may constitute significant contextual factors in equipment and site logistics planning. The study of the German building construction culture was based on (1) a focused literature review; (2) case studies of multicrane construction sites; and (3) structured interviews with experts of various professions from the German construction industry. The findings highlight the role of the following factors: (1) the typical German professional character; (2) various systems of contractual relationships; (3) state and city regulations; (4) technology and industrialization; (5) workforce sources; (6) rooted safety culture; (7) protection of the environment; (8) the crane market; (9) relationships between planning, engineering, and construction; (10) logistics concepts; and (11) additional unique features of Berlin as a major construction hub. Some of the German culture characteristics detected were further supported by a comparison with other advanced European construction cultures.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Procurement Methods in Malaysia – Comparing Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build and Construction Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azeanita Suratkon ◽  
◽  
Riduan Yunus ◽  
Rafikullah Deraman ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Technical Expertise ◽  
Time Cost ◽  
Project Complexity ◽  
Design Build ◽  
Procurement Method ◽  
Design Bid Build

Design-Bid-Build (DBB) or commonly known as Traditional method is the earliest and most prevalent procurement method used in Malaysian construction industry. Design-Build (DB) and Construction Management (CM) procurement methods were later introduced in Malaysia as an endeavour to satisfy and accommodate the increase in project complexity and the need for avoiding drawbacks of the Traditional methods. Each procurement method has different nature and possesses certain characteristics. Therefore, this study was carried out to ascertain and compare the characteristics of these three procurement methods that are implemented in building construction projects in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey was conducted among architects, consultants, contractors and owners or developers to elicit their feedback on the characteristics which were categorised into time, cost, quality, complexity and flexibility, degree of involvement and responsibility allocation and technical expertise. The findings indicated that only DB method almost fulfils all the characteristics under the six categories, whereas, DBB methods garnered agreement only for certain characteristics under time, cost, complexity and flexibility and technical expertise categories. Meanwhile, the only CM method’s characteristics that satisfy agreement from the respondents are the often used of fast track approach and lack of certainty in price. This study concludes that when a procurement method is adopted for a construction project, not all the features or characteristics will turn out as expected. There are many factors that contribute and are influential on the success in procurement methods that are worth for further investigation.

Quantification Methods for Construction Waste Generation at Construction Sites: A Review

2010 ◽  
Vol 163-167 ◽  
pp. 4564-4569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Firman Masudi ◽  
Che Rosmani Che Hassan ◽  
Noor Zalina Mahmood ◽  
Siti Nazziera Mokhtar ◽  
Nik Meriam Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Waste Reduction ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Civil Infrastructure ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Construction Waste ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
User Friendly

Estimation of construction and demolition (C&D) waste amount is crucial for implementing waste minimization program. Estimation of C&D waste amount generated is a mean in assessing the potential for waste reduction. Thus, a better understanding of C&D waste generation in terms of causes and sources can be achieved. The aim of this paper is to conduct a review on available construction waste quantification methods from previous studies, which have been utilized in certain countries, while attempting to choose the most suitable and applicable method, and to direct future studies for better quantification methods. This review is applicable only for building construction projects and did not include civil/infrastructure, demolition, renovation, and excavation projects. Six quantification methods and/or waste audit tool available from literatures are discussed, which include their limitation and future direction for this study. It is believed that some combination of these quantification methods could make a good impact in accurate numerical estimation of construction waste amount generated in building construction projects. A strong and accurate database as presented by Soliz-Guzman, combined with effective, vital, and resourceful estimation suggested by Jalali’s Global Index (GI), also with the aid of user-friendly software tool like the SMARTAudit could provide an effective and reliable waste quantification.

A Study on Variations in Sewerage Construction Projects

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Azraai Kassim ◽  
Jen Loong Lee
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Project Costs ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Project Characteristics ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
A Company ◽  
Total Project ◽  
Sewerage Network

Perubahan dalam pembinaan telah lama menjadi isu pertikaian antara pelbagai pihak yang terlibat dalam projek pembinaan. Namun, hanya sejumlah kecil kajian yang rasmi telah dijalankan untuk menganalisis sebab-sebab dan kesan-kesannya. Kajian ini tertumpu kepada analisis kekerapan dan keterukan berbagai-bagai faktor yang mengakibatkan perubahan dalam projek pembinaan rangkaian pembetungan. Adalah penting bagi sesebuah syrikat bukan sahaja mengetahui kos perubahan, tetapi juga mengenal pasti perkara-perkara yang perlu diberi perhatian untuk mengurangkan kos-kos sedemikian dalam projek akan datang. Kesemua data dan maklumat yang diperlukan diperolehi dari fail-fail arkib bagi tiga belas projek yang disahkan melalui temubual. Data-data dikategori untuk menganalisis kekerapan dan keterukan faktor-faktor. Jadual dan carta digunakan untuk menunjukkan hasil-hasil kajian. Daripada hasil analisis, keadaan tapak yang berbeza merupakan faktor utama yang mengakibatkan perubahan. Faktor-faktor ini menyumbangkan 49.3% daripada jumlah bilangan perubahan, 56.2% daripada jumlah kos perubahan dan 3.8% daripada jumlah kos projek. Dua ciri projek, iaitu nilai anugerah kontrak dan gred pendaftaran kontraktor dengan Lembaga Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan (mewakili pengkhususan, kedudukan kewangan dan sumber-sumber lain kontraktor) menunjukkan penyebab yang tertentu dengan perubahan. Kata kunci: perubahan; kekerapan; keterukan; pembetungan; rangkaian; pengkhususan Variations in construction have long been a debatable issue among the different participants involved in construction projects. However, only a few formal studies have been carried out to analyse its couses and effects. This study is focused on the frequency and severity of various factors causing variations in sewerage networks construction projects. It is important for a company not only to know the variation costs, but also to identify the most likely areas on which to focus in order to reduce these costs for the future projects. All the necessary data and information are obtained from archival files of thirteen projects and verified through interviews. These data are categorised to analyse the frequency and severity of factors. Tables and charts are presented to show the research findings. From the analysis, differing site conditions appear to be the major factors contributing to variations. They average 49.3% of the total number of variations, 56.2% of the total variation costs and 3.8% of the total project costs. Two project characteristics i.e. contract award value and the contractor´s registration grade with the Construction Industry Development Board (which represents the contractor´s specialisation, financial and other resources standing) show certain causal relationships with variations. Key words: variation; frequency; severity; sewerage; network; specialisation

scholarly journals Tension between Productivity and Respect for People in Construction

2020 ◽  
Vol 312 ◽  
pp. 05005
Author(s):  
Lesiba George Mollo ◽  
Fidelis Emuze ◽  
Nicholus Sishuba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Management System ◽  
Ethical Reasoning ◽  
Construction Site ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Productivity in the construction industry is declining in real-time. The decline in productivity is a source of worry for practitioners and researchers. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain major factors influencing productivity in relation to the notion of respects for people (RFP) in construction. The reviewed literature influences the semi-structured questionnaire used to survey construction professionals in Johannesburg, South Africa. The results reaffirm the tension productivity increment and the enhancement of RfP as both ideas appear to be moving in opposite directions on a typical construction site. It was discovered that respect for workers on a construction site is a major concern. The paper argues that ethical reasoning affects productivity. Therefore, an appropriate management system is required to improve the workers' perception of productivity and RfP working on construction sites.

scholarly journals Assessment of Lean Construction Practice at Selected Construction Sites in Klang Valley

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.35) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Mohammed Elhaj Alsoufi Mohammed Ahmed ◽  
Leong Sing Wong
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Lean Construction ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Construction Techniques ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Klang Valley

Lean construction is known to reduce costs, improve profit or increase competitiveness, increase business opportunity and customer base, improve health and safety, improve quality, yield higher employee salaries, shorten production timescales and increase customer satisfaction. With little attention on research of lean construction in Malaysia, it remains a problem of non-standardization in waste elimination strategies thereby sub optimizing waste management in Malaysian construction projects. The objective of this paper is to evaluate lean construction techniques and measure the feasibility in term of their applicability for construction at selected sites in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The study is novel and significant in a sense that it can help to develop reliable management strategies for implementing lean construction technologies at the construction sites. Case studies were carried out as a strategic method and comprehensive survey that covers both questionnaire and interview were adopted as a method of data collection. Likert scale 1 to 5 was used in the written questionnaire with workers in order to assess the level of awareness and acceptance on the need of lean construction techniques for eight construction sites in various places and with various categories (infrastructure and building construction projects) in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Later, semi structural interview was conducted with expert judgment to justify the factors which affect the implementation of lean construction at the construction sites. From the study outcome, it was discovered that both Total Quality Management (TQM) and Industrialized Building System (IBS) were rated by the respondents to be highly effective in both infrastructure and building construction projects.

scholarly journals ACHIEVING SAFETY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafiq Muhammad CHOUDHRY
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Hard Copy ◽  
Construction Sites

Improvement of safety and productivity are major concerns throughout the construction industry. There is a dearth of efforts that document the need for simultaneous achievement of safety and productivity on construction sites. The objective of this research is to investigate productivity and safety simultaneously on construction projects by con­ducting a survey. In total, 1,800 hard-copy questionnaires were distributed and the response rate was 81%, resulting in 1,454 valid questionnaires for analysis. Safety and productivity were investigated on 25 construction projects by means of statistical analysis. The results indicated that eleven of the fifteen significant findings pertained to safety and the rest to productivity. The results confirmed that it is possible to improve productivity and safety simultaneously on construc­tion projects. All measures were found to be correlated with both safety and productivity. The findings of this research provide practical knowledge to project managers and safety practitioners on construction projects to achieve safety and productivity simultaneously. The methodology of research might be useful for research at other construction projects in other regions and cultures.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATION OF PLANT AND EQUIPMENT OPERATORS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN SRI LANKA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.G.A.S Waidyasekara ◽  
◽  
K.I. Ridmika ◽  
N.M.G.H. Sandagomika ◽  
A.N Konara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Data Collection Tool ◽  
Social Returns ◽  
The Status ◽  
Essential Input

The construction industry, which is a labour intensive and skill development of the industry would yield both economic and social returns to the national economy. Among other occupational categories, there is a significant demand for the plant and equipment (P&E) operators in the construction industry. Nevertheless, limited numbers of research are available on the said area. Hence, the aim of this paper is to investigate the status of P&E operators in Sri Lankan building construction projects. Accordingly, this study encompassed a qualitative research approach, and six semi-structured expert interviews were conducted as the data collection tool. The study revealed that mainly two categories of P&E as moveable and immovable and further identified subcategories under each. Based on the results, occupational map was developed for the P&E operators in building construction projects in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the study revealed that technical and mechanical skills as an essential input for an efficient P& E operator. Moreover, the paper discussed issues with P & E operators. Accordingly, inconsistency, taking long leave, poor health conditions, less experience, and less motivation were identified as prominent issues.

scholarly journals Critical Review of Construction Accident Causation Theories and Models: The Need for Improved Models

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Opeyemi Samuel Williams ◽  
Razali Adul Hamid ◽  
Mohd Saidin Misnan
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Accident Causation ◽  
Improved Model ◽  
Construction Accidents

Construction industry is recognized and best described as an accident-prone industry, being characterized with a plethora of occupational risks. Review of literature on construction accidents revealed that a copious number of theories have been propounded over the years by different theorists, though some of these theories were criticized. In addition to this were the multifarious models developed by different proponents at different times. However, accidents are an unplanned event that are common on the building construction sites, involving materials, objects and people with attendant damages, loses and injuries. Moreover, existing models were developed to investigate the causations of accident with the aim of preventing its occurrence. Effort to analyze the existing models, with criticism in view, was the aim of this research, which was accomplished by pointing out the limitations of applicability of the models and ascertaining the need for an improved model. A major gap was discovered, in that most of these models concentrated on accident causations and investigations with little or no emphasis on preventive measures via the duties of the construction stakeholders (client, consultant, contractor, health and safety agency) at the preconstruction and during construction stages. Having considered the strengths and weaknesses of the existing models, it was discovered that another, but improved, model was needed and such model will consequently enable construction stakeholders in putting up and implementing accident preventive measures on the building construction sites, as all stakeholders have significant roles to play in preventing accident.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document