Carbon Impact and Cost of Mass Timber Beam–Column Gravity Systems

The need to lower the embodied carbon impact of the built environment and sequester carbon over the life of buildings has spurred the growth of mass timber building construction, leading to the introduction of new building types (Types IV-A, B, and C) in the 2021 International Building Code (IBC). The achievement of sustainability goals has been hindered by the perceived first cost assessment of mass timber systems. Optimizing cost is an urgent prerequisite to embodied carbon reduction. Due to a high level of prefabrication and reduction in field labor, the mass timber material volume constitutes a larger portion of total project cost when compared to buildings with traditional materials. In this study, the dollar cost, carbon emitted, and carbon sequestered of mass timber beam–column gravity system solutions with different design configurations was studied. Design parameters studied in this sensitivity analysis included viable building types, column grid dimension, and building height. A scenario study was conducted to estimate the economic viability of tall wood buildings with respect to land costs. It is concluded that, while Type III building designations are the most economical for lower building heights, the newly introduced Type IV subcategories remain competitive for taller structures while providing a potentially significant embodied carbon benefit.

The Analysis of Cost Estimation using Cost Significant Model on Bridge Construction in South Sulawesi

One of the fundamental problems faced by the province of South Sulawesi is the factor of accessibility, so the role of bridges is quite important. For this reason, the budget planning for standard bridge construction projects also needs to be efficient in terms of preparation and accurate in terms of budget. The Cost Significant Model is one of the total construction cost estimation models that relies more on the prices that have the most influence on the total project cost as the basis for estimation. In general, this study uses data from steel frame bridge construction projects in South Sulawesi Province to formulate a mathematical model with linear regression analysis so that it can be used in the process of estimating similar projects going forward. The Estimation Model which is formed from the regression analysis and the Cost Significant Model in this study, namely; Y = 3.884 (X7) + 0.989 (X8) - 65515.372. With; Y = Estimated Total Cost (Rp/m); X7 = Reinforcement Work Cost (Rp/m); X8 = Steel Frame Structure Work Cost (Rp/m). Where this model can explain 99.7% of the total project cost with a cost model factor of 1.038. The level of accuracy (percentage error estimate) of the estimation results of the Cost Significant Model in this study ranges from - 1.46% to +2.45%.

Optimization of pipeline lifecycle cost using alternatives with different life spans

This paper suggests a pipeline project optimization approach that compares alternatives with different life spans. The average inflation rate is used to project the future maintenance, operation and replacement costs. The average interest rate is used to express all the costs in Equivalent Real Annual Cost (ERAC), which is the correct cost form to compare alternatives with different life spans. The pipe diameter, material, pressure rating, surge tank size, and inlet/outlet resistances are the decision variables. A software was compiled with a commercial pipeline software to generate all the possible design alternatives based on the decision variables. Pipe initial cost as well as operation and maintenance costs are computed for each design alternative. The alternative with the least ERAC value is the optimum one. It was found that the approach can lead to substantial savings in pipelines projects cost. For pipes 800 mm in diameter or larger, and when selecting the optimum diameter, savings are between 23 and 27% in the total project cost. When imposing certain pipe material savings in overall cost will be 8.5, 16.3 and 31.3% for ductile iron, GRP and mild steel pipe material, respectively.

Factors influencing the level of accuracy and compromise in overhead estimation for construction projects in India: an exploratory investigation

PurposePrevious studies have highlighted that overheads form a critical part of the total project cost. However, despite this knowledge, the precise estimation of overheads is often neglected in construction projects. This paper aims to examine the reasons for the lack of effort in estimation of overheads.Design/methodology/approachThe study is carried out in three stages. In stage one, an introductory survey is carried to understand the importance of overheads in total project cost. In stage two, a detailed survey is carried out to understand the factors that affect the level of accuracy and compromise made in estimation of overheads using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). In the final stage, two cases are examined in form of interviews to validate the findings. The model is tested for its reliability, validity and goodness of fit.FindingsThe findings of the study suggest that the time and cost spent is a critical issue. Therefore, if the projects feel that the benefit cost ratio for time and cost spend in the process is positive, they estimate the overheads accurately, whereas if they feel that the cost benefit ratio for time and cost spend is negative, they compromise with accurate estimation. Further, there is a lot of subjectivity in defining and processing overheads that leads to a negative impact on the accuracy level in estimation of overheads. The contract type also influences the compromise in estimation.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, there is scant work that has been carried out on understanding the behavior of overheads and reasons for lack of effort in its accurate estimation in construction projects. Therefore, there are no recent citations in the study. Further, the study being exploratory in nature draws conclusions based on opinion expressed by respondents on survey and interview. Finally, the study is geographically limited as the entire respondent's work in India.Practical implicationsProjects should give due attention to accurate estimation of overheads. Accurate estimation of overheads can help in better control of project margins, thereby serving the profit-maximizing goals of organizations. A conscious effort by industry experts, academicians and researchers can bring some discipline in overhead estimation rather than leaving the critical domain only to thumb rules or experiential assumptions. The regulatory bodies and the project management bodies are advised to come up with some kind of ready reference that can quickly help estimators to arrive at accurate overhead costs.Originality/valueTo the best of knowledge, it is a rare study to exclusively focus on project overhead cost in construction industry and focus on its estimation efforts. The study also uses a robust research process, which improves the reliability and validity of its findings.

Supporting Agricultural-Based Economic Investments and Rural Economic Investments Within the Scope of Rural Development Support of 2021 in Kastamonu

Rural development policies aim to raise the people living in rural areas to the level of the cities in agricultural, economic, social and cultural issues and to increase their living standards. Rural areas in Turkey are areas where a significant portion of the population is engaged in agriculture. Improving the infrastructure of agricultural enterprises will increase the living standards of the people living in rural areas. Turkey should support its rural infrastructure in order to be competitive in rural development. In this sense, with the order of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey, the first 50% grant support, and the Rural Development Investments Support Program started to be implemented in the whole country with the decision of the Council of Ministers in 2011. In 2021, the support continued in two different parts under the name of agricultural-based economic investments and supporting rural economic infrastructure investments. In the study, Kastamonu province, which has an important potential, was examined in terms of rural development. The contribution of the supports provided with the program "Supporting Economic Investments Based on Agriculture within the Scope of Rural Development Supports" implemented in the province in 2021 has been evaluated. There have been 18 project applications for agricultural-based economic investments in Kastamonu province for 2021. Their total project cost is 12.8 million TL. 279 project applications were made to support rural economic infrastructure investments. The total project cost of these was 30.8 million TL.

CORRELATION BETWEEN VALUE ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Value engineering (VE) is a practical approach for economic saving and enhancing quality, thereby increasing sustainability in the construction industry. This study presents a latent correlation between VE and sustainability in the construction industry. Such correlation is an adapted method from the current VE process that analyzes the effects of sustainability factors on alternative local building materials cost/performance through its lifecycle stages. The model enables the study team to apply the methodology during the briefing process and change their thoughts from the only cost to value. The paper also suggests three stages for applying a correlation study within the early stages of a project. The study modified each stage by considering the sustainability factors. The methodology was synthesized based on a review of previous studies reinforced by an electronic survey. This paper presents the model’s application in an apartment project’s case study. This case study presents the methodology and calculations of the correlation study. The results show that the estimated savings of the alternatives reach approximately 20% of the original material’s cost; hence, considerable savings in the total project cost reach up to 12.3% and delivered sustainability. The interests of VE and sustainability show a positive correlation; hence, integrating the two should add value to construction projects. This study contributes to the industry that is equivalent to the current VE process.

Development Of Optimal Control Scheduling For Short-Term Work Zones For Freeway Maintenance

The sustained deterioration of the freeway infrastructure of a nation has resulted in an increase in the number, duration, and scope of maintenance projects. In order to enhance the mobility and safety of freeway segments plagued by work zone activities, transportation agencies and professionals have been exploring the potential benefits of efficient and economical maintenance scheduling. This thesis proposes systematic methodology for the optimization of work zone scheduling based on analytical and simulation models to estimate total project cost. Multi-regression models were developed using microsimulation and embedded them into the costs models and costs were predicted. Solver optimizer was used to find the optimal start and end times, productivity indices, and corresponding sub-sectional lengths of project by minimizing the total project cost. Case studies were conducted to assess the performance of the proposed methodology. Lastly, conclusions were made to support transportation agencies in the development of work zone management plans.

Development Of Optimal Control Scheduling For Short-Term Work Zones For Freeway Maintenance

The sustained deterioration of the freeway infrastructure of a nation has resulted in an increase in the number, duration, and scope of maintenance projects. In order to enhance the mobility and safety of freeway segments plagued by work zone activities, transportation agencies and professionals have been exploring the potential benefits of efficient and economical maintenance scheduling. This thesis proposes systematic methodology for the optimization of work zone scheduling based on analytical and simulation models to estimate total project cost. Multi-regression models were developed using microsimulation and embedded them into the costs models and costs were predicted. Solver optimizer was used to find the optimal start and end times, productivity indices, and corresponding sub-sectional lengths of project by minimizing the total project cost. Case studies were conducted to assess the performance of the proposed methodology. Lastly, conclusions were made to support transportation agencies in the development of work zone management plans.

Optimasi Biaya dan Waktu Proyek Konstruksi dengan Lembur dan Penambahan Tenaga Kerja

ABSTRACT In the construction of a construction project, there are three main elements: time efficiency, minimal costs, and appropriate quality. This study aims to calculate changes in the cost and time of project implementation with variations in overtime and additional workforce. Data analysis using Microsoft Project 2010 program and Time-Cost Trade-Off method. The results of this study indicate that (1) the optimum time and costs due to overtime are obtained at the project age of 235 working days with a total project cost of IDR 8,438,038,832 with a project time efficiency of 5 days (2.13%) and a project cost efficiency of IDR 3.559,695 (0.042%). (2) The optimum time and cost due to the addition of labor is the best choice with the results obtained at the project age of 226 working days with a total project cost of IDR 8,429,832,759 with a project time efficiency of 14 days (6.19%) and cost-efficiency. project amounting to Rp. 11,779,674 (0.14%). ABSTRAKDalam pelaksanaan pembangunan suatu proyek konstruksi, terdapat tiga unsur utama yaitu waktu yang efisien, biaya minimal dan mutu yang sesuai. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menghitung perubahan biaya dan waktu pelaksanaan proyek dengan variasi lembur dan penambahan tenaga kerja. Analisis data menggunakan program Microsoft Project 2010 dan metode Time Cost Trade Off. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa (1) Waktu dan biaya optimum akibat lembur didapat pada umur proyek 235 hari kerja dengan total biaya proyek sebesar Rp8.438.038.832 dengan efisiensi waktu proyek sebanyak 5 hari (2,13%) dan efisiensi biaya proyek sebesar Rp3.559.695 (0,042%). (2) Waktu dan biaya optimum akibat penambahan tenaga kerja menjadi pilihan terbaik dengan hasil yang didapat pada umur proyek 226 hari kerja dengan total biaya proyek sebesar Rp8.429.832.759 dengan efisiensi waktu proyek sebanyak 14 hari (6,19%) dan efisiensi biaya proyek sebesar Rp11.779.674 (0,14%).