An Investigation into Factors Influencing Construction Costs Based on Japanese, UK and US Contractor Practice

Construction cost is a major concern to both clients and contractors. Based on a hypotheticalconstruction project (a six-storey concrete framed office building), cost and otherrelated information was collected through a survey of contractors in Japan, the UK and theUS. Using multiple regression analysis it was found that lower overheads, less prefabricatedcomponents, and fewer design variations could reduce construction cost. Overheadslargely represent indirect costs to contractors and if reduced can lead to increased profitlevels and improved competitiveness. The use of prefabricated components may be problematicwhere there are delays in production, insufficient coordination between design andconstruction, and congested transportation on site. Design variations during constructionbring about uncertainties and are disruptive to the construction process. These factorshave paramount impact on construction cost and demand close attention and consideration.Contractors are advised to reduce the costs of their overheads and utilise prefabricationappropriately, while clients and designers should minimise the number of designvariations during construction if better cost performance is desired.

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A Forecast Model for the Level of Engineering Maturity Impact on Contractor’s Procurement and Construction Costs for Offshore EPC Megaprojects

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12122295 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 2295 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Myung-Hun Kim ◽

Eul-Bum Lee

Keyword(s):

Forecast Model ◽

Construction Cost ◽

Cutoff Score ◽

Cost Overrun ◽

Construction Costs ◽

Cost Performance ◽

South Korean ◽

Cost Impact ◽

Data Points ◽

Procurement Cost

This paper focuses on the influence of detailed engineering maturities on offshore engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) project procurement and construction cost performance. The authors propose a detailed engineering completion rating index system (DECRIS) to estimate the engineering maturities, from contract award to beginning of construction or steel cutting. The DECRIS is supplemented in this study with an artificial neural network methodology (ANN) to forecast procurement and construction cost performances. The study shows that R2 and mean error values using ANN functions are 20.2% higher and 19.7% lower, respectively, than cost performance estimations using linear regressions. The DECRIS cutoff score at each gate and DECRIS forecasting performance of total cost impact were validated through the results of fifteen historical offshore EPC South Korean mega-projects, which contain over 300 procurement cost performance data points in total. Finally, based on the DECRIS and ANN findings and a trade-off optimization using a Monte-Carlo simulation with a genetic algorithm, the authors propose a cost mitigation plan for potential project risks based on optimizing the engineering resources. This research aids both owners and EPC contractors to mitigate cost overrun risks, which could be continuously monitored at the key engineering gates, and engineering resources could be adjusted per optimization results.

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SEM - based construction cost analysis of prefabricated building

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202124803002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 248 ◽

pp. 03002

Author(s):

Hongxiong Yang ◽

Yunpeng Wang

Keyword(s):

Information Technology ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Construction Cost ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Construction Process ◽

Construction Costs ◽

Technology System ◽

Three Stages ◽

Installation Cost ◽

Information Technology System

Prefabricated buildings have comprehensive advantages over traditional buildings, but the reasons for the incremental cost in the construction stage are complex and need to be solved urgently. This paper takes the prefabricated components that have the greatest impact on the construction cost of prefabricated buildings as the research object, divides the construction process of prefabricated components into three stages: production, transportation and site installation of prefabricated components, studies the interrelation of each stage in combination with the application of information technology system of prefabricated components, and establishes a model by using structural equation. The results show that the production cost of prefabricated parts has a positive influence on the transportation and installation cost. Transportation and the application of information technology have the greatest impact on construction costs; the production and assembly of prefabricated parts have relatively little influence on the construction cost.

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Validation of the factors influencing family consent for organ donation in the UK

Anaesthesia ◽

10.1111/anae.15485 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

R. M. K. Curtis ◽

A. R. Manara ◽

S. Madden ◽

C. Brown ◽

S. Duncalf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organ Donation ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

The Uk ◽

Family Consent

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Optimisation of Building’s Construction Costs and CO2 Emission Based on the Computer Model of a Theoretical Office Building Located Near London

Architecture and Urban Planning ◽

10.1515/aup-2015-0002 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 13-20

Author(s):

Weronika Lechowska

Keyword(s):

Computer Model ◽

Co2 Emission ◽

Office Building ◽

Construction Costs ◽

Design Optimisation ◽

Floor Area

Abstract The results of the building optimisation presented in this article come from the author’s entry project in the Design Optimisation Competition 2014. Simulations were conducted to help to design an office building and to minimise its costs and impact on the environment. Ultimately, the building’s construction costs were reduced to £2,294,216 and annual CO2 production to 136,169.3 kg, while maintaining discomfort hours below 200 hours per year and daylight floor area above threshold on the level of 60.0 %.

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FACTORS INFLUENCING RIDERSHIP PREFERENCE IN USING LRT SERVICE IN KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA

PLANNING MALAYSIA JOURNAL ◽

10.21837/pm.v19i16.968 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (16) ◽

Author(s):

Rohayu Ab Majid ◽

Rosli Said ◽

Jamalunlaili Abdullah ◽

Rohana Ngah ◽

Qi Jie Kwong

Keyword(s):

Light Rail ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Chi Square ◽

The Public ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Transportation Service ◽

Design Attributes ◽

Site Design ◽

Klang Valley ◽

Main Components

Light Rail Transit (LRT) is one of the public transports that provides a lot of benefits to the Malaysian. Yet this consumption depends on the diverse tastes of potential ridership which are influenced by various factors. However, it is very challenging to predict significant factors influencing ridership preferences. As such, the identification of these factors is very important in ensuring this transportation service really attract ridership attention. Thus, this paper intends to identify the main factors that influence ridership preference in taking LRT transportation. 28 attributes have been identified in this research which expands from four (4) main components. Data were collected from ridership’s survey, site observations and ridership statistical data. Pearson Chi-square has been employed to justify the significant status and the influence level of each LRT attribute and component factors toward ridership preference. The results show that 23 attributes recorded a significant status (<0.00) in two (2) different directions of correlation. Overall, three (3) component factors namely i) Comfortable Service, ii) Economics and iii) Indoor Environment Conditions, have influenced and contributed to the same effect on ridership considerations, as compared to the negative effects displayed by the Site Design Attributes.

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Out-of-programme experience in UK neurosurgery trainees: optimising the transition back into clinical practice

Bulletin of The Royal College of Surgeons of England ◽

10.1308/rcsbull.2021.43 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 103 (2) ◽

pp. 100-105

Author(s):

J Lam ◽

G Evans ◽

RM deSouza ◽

M Amarouche ◽

J Cheserem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Return To Work ◽

Online Survey ◽

Past Research ◽

Clinical Work ◽

Surgical Skills ◽

Clinical Environment ◽

The Past ◽

New Methods ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

The Uk

INTRODUCTION Out of programme (OOP) experience from training increases the skill pool of the neurosurgical workforce and drives innovation in the specialty. OOP approval criteria are well defined but transition back to clinical work can be challenging with a paucity of data published on trainee perspectives. Our study aimed to investigate factors influencing transition from OOP back to clinical work among neurosurgical trainees in the UK. METHODS An online survey was sent to all members of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons. Questions pertained to details of OOP and factors influencing transition back to clinical work. RESULTS Among the 73 respondents, 7 were currently on OOP and 27 had completed OOP in the past. Research was the most common reason for OOP (28/34, 82%) and this was generally motivated by the aspiration of an academic neurosurgery career (17/34, 50%). Although the majority (27/34, 79%) continued clinical work during OOP, 37% of this group (10/27) reported a reduction in their surgical skills. Fewer than half (15/34, 44%) had a return to work plan, of which only half (8/34, 24%) were formal plans. The majority of respondents who had completed OOP in the past (22/27, 81%) felt that they were able to apply the skills gained during OOP to their clinical work on return. CONCLUSIONS Skills learnt during OOP are relevant and transferable to the clinical environment but mainly limited to research with OOP for management and education underrepresented. Deterioration of surgical skills is a concern. However, recognition of this problem has prompted new methods and schemes to address challenges faced on return to work.

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Choice of insulins, pen devices and blood glucose meters: factors influencing decision making by DSNs in the UK

Practical Diabetes International ◽

10.1002/pdi.514 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 20 (7) ◽

pp. 237-242 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

AD Thynne ◽

B Higgins ◽

MH Cummings

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

The Uk

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Living the ‘Best Life’ or ‘One Size Fits All’—Stakeholder Perceptions of Racehorse Welfare

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9040134 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 134 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Deborah Butler ◽

Mathilde Valenchon ◽

Rachel Annan ◽

Helen Whay ◽

Siobhan Mullan

Keyword(s):

Focus Groups ◽

Animal Welfare ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Human Relationship ◽

Welfare Assessment ◽

Assessment Protocol ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Main Challenge ◽

Animal Welfare Science ◽

The Uk

The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions held by British racing industry stakeholders of factors influencing racehorse welfare. Ten focus groups were held across the UK with a total of 42 stakeholders from a range of roles within racehorse care including trainers, stable staff and veterinarians. Participants took part in three exercises. Firstly, to describe the scenarios of a ‘best life’ and the minimum welfare standards a horse in training could be living under. Secondly, to identify the main challenges for racehorse welfare and thirdly, to recall any innovative or uncommon practices to improve welfare they had witnessed. Using thematic analysis, eight themes emerged from the first exercise. Two strands, factors that contribute to maintaining health and the horse-human relationship ran through all eight themes. Across all themes horses living the ‘best life’ were perceived as being treated as individuals rather than being part of a ‘one size fits all’ life when kept under minimum welfare standards. Health was both perceived as the main challenge to welfare as well as one open to innovative practices such as improved veterinary treatments. Data obtained, informed by the knowledge and expertise of experienced stakeholders, combined with practical animal welfare science will be used to develop the first British racehorse welfare assessment protocol.

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