Construction Engineering and Management

A myriad of construction companies operating in the global construction industry aim at maximizing their profitability by shouldering international projects making use of such new attractive markets, and thus they reduce the dependency upon local markets. Due to the risky and uncertain nature of construction works, the company and project’s conditions should be accurately monitored; thus, the need to assess risk sensitivity of projects costs in a realistic manner arises. The comprehensive risk assessment is a method introduced as a decision making supporting tool through outlining a risk model that is, if applied, will aid the procedures of risk evaluation and prioritization of such projects, and assessment of risk contingency value. There are two approaches used for developing the risk model: first, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) which is applied for evaluating risk factors weight (likelihood); second Fuzzy Logic approach which is applied for evaluating risk factors influence...

The compressive strength of cement is regarded as a principal indicator to determine the quality of cement.  Therefore, efforts were focused to combine the factors which affect compressive strength together in such a form to develop suitable statistical models for predicting strength of cement at various ages (3 and 7 days). Using SPSS16 software, a statistical analysis is performed for (574) observations taken from archive of quality control at Kerbala Cement Plant, which produces low alkalis sulphate resisting Portland cement. These data sets include compressive strength at 3 and 7 days with various independent variables. Stepwise regression results in multiple linear models that explain (99.7 %) and (99.9 %) of variations in 3-days and 7-days compressive strength respectively in function of; C 3 S, C 2 S, C 3 A, SO 3 contents, and Insoluble residue (IR). The developed models show that these contents positive effect on strength, but (I.R) content has a negative one. Such models co...

This paper details two fatigue analysis approaches, that is, time history and spectral fatigue analyses for truss spar under in-place and transocean dry tow environmental conditions. For the efficiency of in-place time history fatigue damage calculation, a method to condense the seastates is introduced based on a closed form solution of the fatigue damage calculation. The typical fatigue hot-spot locations of the deepwater Truss-Spar are identified. The barge structural flexibility effect on the tow fatigue analysis results is summarized. A real TrussSpar platform successfully installed and operated in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) more than 10 years with water depth greater than 3000 feet is presented. Since this deep-water platform had successfully withstood the major hurricanes (e.g., Ivan, Katrina, Rita, and Ike) and is still operating subjected to under-water inspections as per the requirements of BSEE, it had been proved that the original fatigue analysis approaches are practically...

Hydrogel has been widely used in medical studies due to their unique integration of solid and liquid properties. There is limited studies of using hydrogel in construction materials. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of hydrogel on mechanical behaviors of sandy materials. The effects of reaction time, sodium alginate content, and curing temperature on mechanical behaviors of hydrogel-impregnated sand were studied through unconfined compression tests, falling head permeability tests, consolidated and undrained triaxial tests, scanning electron microscopy, and durability tests. The unconfined compression strength (UCS) increased with sodium alginate content, but the hydraulic conductivity of hydrogel-impregnated sand decreased with sodium alginate content. The optimum reaction time and curing temperature were found to be 3 days and 50°C, respectively, for the hydrogel-impregnated sand. The stressstrain curves of hydrogel-impregnated sand indicated that the ductility of hydrogel-impregnated sand was significantly improved compared with the traditional cementitious method. Moreover, the results of durability tests indicated that approximately 60% of the original UCS of hydrogelimpregnated sand still remained after 12 wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles.

This study seeks to create a process for enacting an apprenticeship education framework as a mechanism for facilitating higher education and industry collaboration (HE-IC). A review of the extant literature in the areas of apprenticeship, higher education and industry collaboration exhibits prior research in these areas. A preliminary conceptual framework is developed based on this review, drawing upon the frameworks of Engestrom (1987) and Sternlieb et al (2013), and underpinned by boundary organisation theory which aligns with the researcher’s interpretivist philosophical approach to the study. The resultant research questions are: (a) what is the process for developing, implementing and enacting a HE apprenticeship education model? (b) How can this model serve as a mechanism for higher education institute (HEI) and industry collaboration? A single interpretive sector study of the International Financial Services suite of apprenticeships underpinned the primary research. The ensui...

Construction projects frequently encounter challenges such as stagnant productivity, excessive waste, cost overruns, and delays, contributing to sustainability issues. In response to these issues, Lean Construction (LC) has emerged as a methodology aimed at eradicating inefficiencies and wasteful practices. However, the construction industry has been slow to embrace LC, primarily due to a lack of comprehensive evaluations regarding its real-world effectiveness. This study seeks to thoroughly assess the effectiveness of LC when implemented in construction projects in Pakistan. The research involved conducting a survey among experts in the construction industry, utilizing a comprehensive questionnaire to evaluate the extent of LC adoption and its impact on construction project performance. The collected data underwent rigorous statistical analysis to ascertain the influence of LC practices on project outcomes. To validate the survey results, the study selected five case study projects for in-depth analysis. These case studies assessed how well the projects adhered to LC principles and examined the resulting effects on project delays, cost overruns, quality issues, rework, and healthrelated concerns. The findings consistently confirmed that a higher level of adherence to LC principles led to significant reductions in project delays, cost overruns, quality issues, and health-related problems. This analysis strongly supports the notion that a more extensive adoption of LC practices results in substantial improvements in project performance. By presenting these compelling results, this study offers valuable insights to the construction industry, providing a clearer path for the effective integration of LC practices.

This study investigates the feasibility and benefits of transferring data between Autodesk Revit (used for building information modeling (BIM)) and BUILDER SMS (used for sustainable facility management (SFM)). Two data transfer methods were evaluated using a case study; one involved entirely manual data transfer, the other a combination of manual and automatic. Of the data transfer methods evaluated, the manual/automated hybrid was determined to be the best option, especially when regular updates are envisioned. The case study produced an enhanced BIM model that can be used to support sustainable facility management, called here an SFM-enhanced BIM model. An integration workflow is proposed for efficiently creating future SFM-enhanced BIM models. A focus group of facilities management professionals evaluated the case study BIM model. The focus group was most interested in the visualization capabilities—e.g., filtered views for condition assessments—and the ability to view the BIM mo...

There is still ambiguity surrounding the role of certain professions within the construction industry and the overlap of roles and responsibilities; the difference in terminology used to describe them means that the precise role of the Project Manager and associated roles/skills that are performed, are not well defined. Many authors have attempted to define and list the roles that a Project Manager should possess, although it can be argued that as yet, such a comprehensive list of roles/skills that makes a

This report chronicles major technological milestones of the past 200 years, focusing on advancements in data, computing, communication, software, and standards. By systematically documenting these breakthroughs, it offers insights into enduring patterns of change and the foundational role of information in technological evolution. Designed as a public record, this compilation aims to foster appreciation for the ingenuity driving progress and serve as a resource for understanding historical shifts and forecasting future trends.

In Malaysian construction industry, construction problem is a common occurrence that hinders the project to run smoothly, notably in traditional contracting system where the design and construction process are separated. Previous research revealed that buildability is able to minimise these problems as it link the design and construction. This study outlines the buildability attributes in building design. Extensive reviews have been carried out on previous researches on buildability concepts, attributes, principles and other areas related to, and contributing to buildability mainly in the design phase. The term 'buildability attribute' has been selected in this study to describe those characteristics which directly or indirectly optimize integration of construction knowledge in the building process and balancing the various project and environment constraints to maximize project goals and building performance. Close examinations of available references revealed that altogether there are 19 buildability attributes that can be implemented during the design phase. The results of survey conducted in the study show that Malaysian construction industry practitioners rate the attributes Provide Clear and Complete Design Information and Less Work Below Ground as the most important and least important buildability attributes respectively. The client, consultant and contractor share the same opinion regarding the level of importance of the identified buildability attributes. Out of 19 attributes, 11 attributes have significantly high mean values indicating that these buildability attributes have to be considered in future building design. This study has successfully measured the level of importance of design buildability attributes for building construction in Malaysia

Roller-compacted concrete (RCC) is an economical, fast-construction candidate for many pavement applications. It has traditionally been used for pavements carrying heavy loads in low-speed areas because of its relatively course surface. However, in recent years its use in commercial areas and for local streets and highways has been increasing. This guide provides owner-agencies, contractors, materials suppliers, and others with a thorough introduction to and updated review of RCC and its many paving applications. Based on current research and best practices, the guide describes RCC and how it works as a paving material, especially compared to concrete pavement, as well as its common used and its benefits and potential limitations compared to other paving materials. It provides detailed overviews of RCC properties and materials, mixture proportioning, structural design issues, and production and construction considerations, plus troubleshooting guidelines and an extensive reference list for more comprehensive information.

Public agencies must justify the decisions they make to their constituents by demonstrating each project delivery decision’s value for money (VfM). In the traditional low bid procurement VfM is assured to the public via free and open competition to obtain the best price. Public private partnership (P3) project delivery challenges the idea that value is totally defined by minimizing project capital cost and permits public agencies to extend the value calculus beyond construction completion to the development, design, operations and maintenance phases of a project. P3 also furnishes access to private financing, which decreases the burden to the taxpayer and serves to cover current public funding shortfalls. This study compares the VfM of a P3 megaproject in Pennsylvania to that of a comparable design-build (DB) mega-project in Missouri. The paper seeks to determine the change in VfM when private financing and post-construction maintenance are added to the equation. The paper finds tha...

The Missouri Department of Transportation's (MoDOT) past and present Quality Control and Quality Assurance programs for construction are examined. MoDOT's present Quality Management program along with a small number of grading projects has lowered the number of Quality Assurance (QA) soil compaction tests completed in the past two years. The Department would like to rid itself of using the Nuclear Density Gauges because of burdensome Federal regulations, required training, security and licensing fees. Linear and multiple regression analysis was performed to see if a correlation between nuclear density gauge dry densities values and Light Weight Deflectometer modulus values/ Clegg Hammer Clegg Impact Values exist. These relationships or lack thereof will determine the technology used by construction contractors to perform compaction quality control testing if MoDOT moves away from using nuclear density gauges for soil density verification. nuclear density gauge, light weight deflectometer, clegg soil impact hammer, Missouri Department of Transportation, MoDOT, quality management, design-build, design-bid-build, coefficient of determination, modulus, clegg impact value Disciplines Construction Engineering and Management | Geotechnical Engineering | Transportation Engineering Comments This is a manuscript of an article published as McLain, Kevin W., and Douglas D. Gransberg. "Contractorfurnished compaction testing: searching for correlations between potential alternatives to the nuclear density gauge in Missouri highway projects.

Disputes are common in the construction industry and lead to unnecessary cost and schedule overruns in projects. It is commonly believed that owners' early decisions regarding the selection of delivery methods, procurement methods, and contract types impact the frequency and severity of project disputes; however, no previous study has empirically tested this hypothesis, particularly in highway public projects. Therefore, this study empirically investigated the impact of owners' early decisions regarding project organization (i.e., delivery methods, procurement, and contract types) on performance measures (e.g., cost and schedule growth), specifically dispute performance metrics (e.g., frequency and severity of disputes), in public highway projects. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify factors that impact disputes in construction projects. This review was used to develop a survey instrument capturing both independent factors, including type of delivery methods (e.g., design-bid-build [DBB]), procurement methods (e.g., open bid), and contract types (e.g., lump sum), and dependent factors, including the frequency and severity of disputes as well as other project performance metrics (e.g., cost, time, and satisfaction measures). Then, the survey was distributed to procurement personnel in state departments of transportation (DOTs) across the United States. Data on 60 projects from 22 DOTs were received. The data obtained were analyzed to find any statistically significant differences between dispute frequency and severity; relevant performance metrics; and the various types of delivery methods, procurement methods, and contract types. The results of the analysis showed that in the case of project delivery methods, (1) construction management at-risk (CMR) outperformed DBB in terms of design satisfaction and construction satisfaction, (2) projects delivered using design-build (DB) had lower schedule growth compared to DBB projects, and (3) using alternative delivery methods can lead to lower cost and schedule growth. As far as the selection process was concerned, the results showed that (1) projects procured using qualifications-based selection had significantly less severe claims (i.e. lower cost and lower severity for the largest disputes) compared with projects procured using open bid and (2) procuring a project using best-value selection (i.e., through onestage or two-stage requests for proposals) increases the chances of finishing a project with fewer claims, lower claim costs, and lower severity for the largest disputes. Appropriate team selection can ensure a smooth project delivery process, provide more a collaborative environment, and help achieve success. Finally, based on the study results, it can be inferred that contract types significantly impact schedule growth in highway projects. The impact of project organization decisions is presented to assist DOTs in selecting the appropriate project delivery methods, procurement methods, and contract type for their project goals and expected performance.

A highway construction cost index (HCCI) is an indicator of the purchasing power of a highway agency. Thus, it must reflect the actual construction market conditions. However, current methods used by most state departments of transportation are not robust enough to meet this primary goal due to (1) a significantly insufficient sample size of bid items used in HCCI calculation; and (2) inability to address the need to track highway construction market conditions in specific submarket segments such as, but not limited to, various project types, sizes, and locations. This study proposes an advanced methodology to overcome these apparent limitations using two new concepts: (1) dynamic item basket; and (2) multidimensional HCCIs. The dynamic item basket process identifies and utilizes an optimum amount of bid-item data to calculate HCCIs in order to minimize the potential error due to a small sample size, which leads to a better reflection of the current market conditions. Multidimensional HCCIs dissect the state highway construction market into distinctively smaller sectors of interest and thus, allow state Departments of Transportation to understand the market conditions with much higher granularity. A framework is developed to integrate these two concepts and a standalone prototype system, named the Dyna-Mu-HCCI System, is developed to automate the dataprocessing part of the framework. The historical bid data of the Montana Department of Transportation are used to evaluate the performance of the Dyna-Mu-HCCI System and measure the effects of the dynamic item basket (DIB) and multidimensional HCCIs. The results show an eightfold increase in terms of the number of bid items used in calculating HCCIs and at least a 20% increase in terms of the total cost of bid items used. In addition, the multidimensional HCCIs reveal different cost-change patterns from different highway sectors. For example, the bridge construction market historically shows a very different trend compared with the overall highway construction market. The new methodology is expected to aid state Departments of Transportation in making more-reliable decisions in preparing business plans and budgets with more accurate and detailed information about the construction market conditions. Further, the prototype Dyna-Mu-HCCI System is expected to significantly facilitate the HCCI calculation process and rapidly implement this new system.

Alternative technical concepts (ATCs) have yielded innovative solutions to complicated design issues in a wide range of highway projects. Through ATCs, proposers are allowed to suggest modifications to a contract requirement to provide a project design equal to or better than the one described in the solicitation. However, the realization of such benefits requires a well-structured ATC mechanism, and the project's solicitation documents need to be drafted in a manner that clearly communicates the owner's project goals and ensures fairness and confidentiality to competing contractors. This paper describes the submittal, evaluation, approval, and review procedures currently followed by state transportation agencies to implement ATCs. The study employed a survey that was sent to all state departments of transportation (42 of which responded), in addition to a content analysis of the solicitation documents of 65 ATC projects from 24 agencies. The paper finds that care must be ta...

Transportation agencies increasingly allow design–build teams and construction contractors to incorporate alternative technical concepts (ATCs) into proposals for highway projects. The ATC approach allows proposers to suggest modifications to a contract requirement that would result in the project being equal to or better than the design in the solicitation. This paper investigates current procurement policies and pre-submittal procedures followed by state transportation agencies in the implementation of ATCs in transportation projects. The paper reports survey results of state departments of transportation (DOTs) that generated responses from 42 state DOTs. These results were compared with a content analysis of solicitation documents of 65 ATC projects from 24 DOTs. The results showed that although ATC usage was most common in design–build projects, ATCs have been successfully implemented in nearly all project delivery methods. The study showed that incorporation of ATCs into the p...

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the shear behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams reinforced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars. A total of six (6) RC beam specimens of dimensions 120 mm x 200 mm x 2000 mm were cast, consisting of five (5) full GFRP RC beams and one (1) full steel RC beam. The beams comprised normal concrete of strength of 23.4 N/mm² and 30.4 N/mm², reinforcement of 0.7% and 1.13% GFRP main tensile bars and a constant 0.7% GFRP compression reinforcement. A constant 0.65% shear reinforcement ratio (200 mm GFRP stirrup spacing) and a fixed shear span-to-depth ratio of 3.78 were maintained. The mechanical properties of GFRP and steel bars were evaluated, with nominal diameters of 10 mm for stirrups and 12 mm for longitudinal reinforcement. The investigation sought to evaluate the effects of these test variables on the shear performance of the RC beams subjected to a four-point monotonic loading. Experimental results s...

PurposeThe paper seeks to identify the major factors causing delay in building construction projects in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was used to carry out the study. The questionnaire consisted of 31 factors which were grouped into four major categories by responsibility – contractor factors, owner factors, consultant factors and external factors. The level of importance of the categories was measured and the relative importance of weights was ranked.FindingsThe study finds that financial problems are the main factor and coordination problems are the second most important factor causing delay in construction projects in Malaysia. The results were analyzed to rank the causes of delay and further classify the types of delay.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of this study is limited to building projects in the Klang Valley area, where major Malaysian cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Seremban are located. The dat...

Change orders in construction projects lead to numerous negative impacts, including loss of labor productivity, delays, and cost overruns. Owners and contractors are usually in disagreement when it comes to allocating the extent of responsibilities with respect to the resulting overruns. Each party tries to hold the other party fully responsible for such overruns through a series of claims and disputes. Several delay analysis techniques have been developed to aid in settling such disputes, however, they do not fully grasp the rippled impacts of change orders and do not assist parties in reaching consensus when it comes to finding the isolated rippled impacts of each change order. This research aims to develop a framework that supports delay analysis based on dynamic modeling with a focus on the impacts of change orders. System dynamics is utilized as the base modeling methodology due to its capability of capturing rippled impacts and complex interrelations. A novel calibration metho...

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the shear behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams reinforced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars. A total of six (6) RC beam specimens of dimensions 120 mm x 200 mm x 2000 mm were cast, consisting of five (5) full GFRP RC beams and one (1) full steel RC beam. The beams comprised normal concrete of strength of 23.4 N/mm² and 30.4 N/mm², reinforcement of 0.7% and 1.13% GFRP main tensile bars and a constant 0.7% GFRP compression reinforcement. A constant 0.65% shear reinforcement ratio (200 mm GFRP stirrup spacing) and a fixed shear span-to-depth ratio of 3.78 were maintained. The mechanical properties of GFRP and steel bars were evaluated, with nominal diameters of 10 mm for stirrups and 12 mm for longitudinal reinforcement. The investigation sought to evaluate the effects of these test variables on the shear performance of the RC beams subjected to a four-point monotonic loading. Experimental results s...

This paper describes current trends and expected future changes regarding design, fabrication and operation of marine structures. Such structures would be needed for ocean transport, exploitation of subsea hydrocarbons and wave energy, sea food production as weIl as for marine infrastructure. The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the sea of opportunities that exists for developing new structures and operational procedures, for rational methods to handle new technology as weIl as the corresponding needs for research and development.

In this study, the stabilization process is introduced to a clayey expansive soil collected in southern Sweden. The tests examined strength parameters of expansive soil stabilized by different binders using combination of both traditional binders (cement and lime) and alternative materials (slag Merit 5000, fly ash from SCA Lilla Edet and fly ash from coal combustion, ISO certified). The practical goal was to find a binder mixture that is optimized for soil stabilization with respect to technical properties of stabilizing agent as an inert ballast material. The strength of soil stabilized by various binders was examined by velocity of the P-waves propagating through specimens. The results show that introducing slag Merit 5000 as an admixture to cement and lime is an effective approach in enhancing strength properties in weak soil, which increases bearing capacity of soil for planned construction works. The results also shown that a mixture of lime and bio ash yields a better effect ...

Non-geodetic activities practised around the globe are not adequately known to the surveying society. However such knowledge will help the profession overcome its current problems and redefinition of the surveyor will ensure his survival in an era of globalisation. In this paper therefore a brief description is given of the main existing non-geodetic activities associated with a surveying title, with their educational requirements and countries in which they are practised, and which are either not represented or under-represented in FIG.

Dans les zones arides de l'Algerie, le climat est caracterise par un climat chaud et sec en ete et tres froid en hiver. Les materiaux de construction utilises dans ces zones sont du beton et des briques d'argile. Ces materiaux ont de faibles proprietes isolantes et ne sont pas adaptes a ce climat. Afin d'ameliorer le confort thermique dans le bâtiment et d'economiser de l'energie, il est necessaire d'ameliorer les performances des materiaux de construction utilises qui doivent etre de bons isolants tout en ayant une resistance mecanique acceptable. Dans cette etude, on a elabore des briques d'argile extrudees avec de bonnes proprietes mecaniques et thermiques. Nous avons teste (07) sept compositions d'echantillons de dimensions 40x40x160 mm3. Le pourcentage de sable de dune a ete fixe a 20% selon le taux optimal utilise a la Briqueterie pour toutes les compositions avec des taux d’argile / fibres pris egaux respectivement de (78% / 2%) a (68% / 12%). ...

Value for money (VFM) analysis is used to evaluate public–private partnership (PPP) concession proposals. However, the VFM approach cannot account quantitatively for benefits to travelers and others from the delivery of a project earlier than would have been possible under conventional procurement. Benefit–cost analysis (BCA) can address this issue and other nonfinancial costs and benefits. In the context of PPP project delivery, BCA may be conducted in three steps, namely, through ( a) project evaluation, with the assumption of conventional delivery of a project on the basis of a financially feasible schedule; ( b) incremental evaluation of an accelerated delivery schedule, with the assumption that the project can be conventionally delivered within the same time frame as would the proposed PPP; and ( c) incremental evaluation of PPP delivery. This project delivery BCA process is demonstrated in this paper with the use of an illustrative highway project.

En 1953 el arquitecto argentino Ernesto Vautier (1899-1989) se vinculó al Centro Interamericano de Vivienda y Planeamiento - CINVA, en calidad de especialista en vivienda rural. Desde entonces y por un período de casi ocho años, tuvo a cargo la supervisión de numerosos trabajos monográficos relacionados con el tema, a cargo de becarios del Centro, los cuales trataban aspectos tanto técnicos como sociales y educativos. También supervisó la construcción de algunas viviendas experimentales hechas en suelo - cemento, como un aporte al desarrollo de la máquina CINVA-Ram

A key 21st century infrastructure challenge is lowering cost and carbon over an infrastructure's whole lifecycle. But, accounting for the carbon footprint of a railway system is problematic due to the complexity of railway systems. Within the rail sector, there is still a lack of infrastructure frameworks which can accurately capture actions, interactions and associated processes by role actors during lifecycle analysis. Whilst there is increased focus to facilitate information digitisation in railway systems, there is a scarcity of literature which attempt to systematise and formalise the process of conducting lifecycle analysis (LCA) of railway systems. This paper identifies complexities associated with legacy LCA methodologies in the rail sector. It then proposes a methodology which applies design science techniques to facilitate the creation and re-use of information and data in a systematic way within a structured process workflow. The proposed methodology enables lifecycle information for a rail-track to be produced collaboratively in an integrated format. In addition, the proposed LCA technique allows the creation of LCA process workflows which can be deployed to the web, potentially integrating with other optioneering applications and BIM platforms.

In recent years the cement and concrete industry has reduced its environmental impact by increasing the use of waste materials as both cement extenders and fillers in concrete. Fly ash has been widely used as a cement extender in concrete for many years but the use of ash from other industries has been limited. In this study the use of ground coarse gasification ash as cement extender is investigated. The effect of grinding time on the particle size distribution (PSD) of gasification ash (GA) and Portland cement (PC) clinker was investigated. The PSD was determined for both blended GA and PC clinker that were first ground separately and interground GA and PC clinker. There appeared to be an optimum grinding time for the GA and interground of GA and PC clinker beyond which the fineness did not increase significantly. The particle size range was narrow after two hours' grinding and any increase in grinding time made it wider for GA and the blended cement. The fineness and Blaine specific surface area of GA and PC clinker increased with an increase in grinding time. However, this increase was less significant beyond two hours. The fineness had an effect on the rate of strength development of the blended cement. The compressive strength, particle size and Rosin-Rammler distribution parameters clearly indicated that grinding time should not be shorter than two hours for interblending and intergrinding of GA and PC clinker.

The construction industry suffers from efficiency and performance problems as a result of its unique characteristics in terms of project size, its connection to the site, and the separation of design from implementation. Information technology can help increase de-sign efficiency and reduce the industry problems. The problems become more influential in the conditions of developing countries such as Syria, which suffer from serious problems facing design and construction. This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of BIM tools in solving design problems in Syria and to study the impact of applying BIM technology in Syrian construction projects. This is done through an analytical study of the capabilities of BIM technology tools in solving design problems based on literature view. The information was discussed, and the results appeared based on a case study. BIM can bypass and be a good solution to most of the problems facing de-sign in Syrian construction projects. BIM can transform the design process in Syrian construction pro-jects into a modern and advanced collaborative work process, leading to fewer conflicts in engineering disciplines.

This study seeks to explore the application of the Delphi method in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure research over a ten-year span (2015-2024), with a focus on various characteristics such as the application of the Delphi method across different PPP infrastructure sectors, expert criteria for Delphi panels, the diverse use of consensus, and the execution of Delphi rounds. Employing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by the PRISMA framework, the study utilizes thematic categories alongside co-occurrence and co-authorship analyses to identify trends in the application of the Delphi method in PPP infrastructure studies. The review concentrates on literature indexed in two leading academic databases: Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus. The findings indicate that the use of the Delphi method has grown significantly in the past ten years within infrastructure PPP schemes, particularly in emerging countries driven by the increasing demand for infrastructure development. Research trends have highlighted a variety of characteristics of the Delphi method, including criteria for selecting experts, the number of expert participants, the number of Delphi rounds, and different approaches for achieving consensus or agreement. These findings offer valuable insights to inform and enhance the methodological rigor of future research utilizing the Delphi method in the context of PPP infrastructure.

Concrete is important construction material in civil applications. Portland Cement (PC) is considered the essential component material to produce the concrete, especially in high-strength concrete. Around ranging from 5 to 7% of CO 2 was generated during PC production. Consequently, the concrete and PC production are change in the environment. So; it has become very important for the construction industry to focus on minimizing environmental pollution, energy consumption reduction. Several pozzolanic cementitious materials can be added as a fractional replacement of cement in concrete to reduce PC impact on environmental pollution. Pozzolanic materials include PC as one of its main components as well as natural or industrial by-products such as slag, silica fume, fly ash, etc. The major objective of this investigation is to study the effect of natural pozzolanic basalt on the properties of high-strength concrete in terms of lower shrinkage, low permeability, high modulus of elasticity, or high-strength using various percentages of basalt as replacement weights of PC by 5%, 10%, and 15% in concrete. Fresh concrete workability, setting times, compressive of concrete strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and concrete porosity percentage were investigated by testing samples of hardened concrete at various ages 7, 28, 56, and 90 days. According to the test results in this investigation, it can be concluded that the optimum quantity of basalt as a replacement for PC in high-concrete compressive strength mix is 10%, increasing in compressive strength, splitting, and flexural strength by 18.29%, 72.69%, and 15.23%, respectively, while decreasing in porosity by 18.26% when compared with a specimen without basalt.

The role of the construction sector in Ireland is critical in terms of the economic and social development however the economic, competitive, and regulatory business environment present a myriad of complexities to firms operating within the sector. The importance of strategic planning for business survival and prosperity has been well documented over several decades of research but there remains a paucity of empirical evidence to determine the in strategic decision-making process under these volatile environmental conditions. This study addresses the perceptible gap in existing knowledge by investigating the characteristics of the strategy strategic decision-making process, strategic choices, and implementation process in addition to the impact of environmental turbulence on the strategy process within Irish construction contractor firms. A mixed-methods research approach was adopted over two phases of fieldwork. With support from the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) of Ireland a widespread survey was disseminated to a key informant at senior management in each member firm, for which a 22 per cent usable response rate was obtained. Results from the quantitative phase were analysed prior to the qualitative stage, involving semi-structured interviews being undertaken. The findings demonstrate that the strategic type, strategic choices, planning approach, flow, participation, and comprehensiveness of strategic planning vary according to company size. Likewise, it was found that competitive success arises from the continuous configuration of a firm's assets in response to market changes, which resonates with the Dynamic Capabilities perspective of competitive strategy. While there is growing realisation regarding the importance of strategic planning for business survival, the results reveal a modest level of experience in engaging in strategic planning and implementation among the majority of construction contracting firms.

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the shear behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams reinforced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars. A total of six (6) RC beam specimens of dimensions 120 mm x 200 mm x 2000 mm were cast, consisting of five (5) full GFRP RC beams and one (1) full steel RC beam. The beams comprised normal concrete of strength of 23.4 N/mm² and 30.4 N/mm², reinforcement of 0.7% and 1.13% GFRP main tensile bars and a constant 0.7% GFRP compression reinforcement. A constant 0.65% shear reinforcement ratio (200 mm GFRP stirrup spacing) and a fixed shear span-to-depth ratio of 3.78 were maintained. The mechanical properties of GFRP and steel bars were evaluated, with nominal diameters of 10 mm for stirrups and 12 mm for longitudinal reinforcement. The investigation sought to evaluate the effects of these test variables on the shear performance of the RC beams subjected to a four-point monotonic loading. Experimental results s...

This research seeks to understand the difference in impact resistance of ordinary Portland cement concrete and a ternary blend containing crumb rubber. In simpler terms, the question posed is: in what way does substituting traditional aggregate with crumb rubber change the ability of concrete to withstand impacts? The answer to this question rests on a comprehensive framework of experiments. First, we must assess the concrete's mechanical properties, particularly impact resistance and overall durability. This dissertation observes the impact resistance properties of Portland cement concrete and ternary blended cement concrete incorporating crumb rubber, while specifically concentrating on the mitigation of effects in concrete with crumb rubber utilized as a substitute aggregate. The investigation conducted suggests that ternary blended cement concrete outperforms impact resistance and durability relative to the lifetime of the concrete, alongside its dubbed blended cement counterparts. It seems that the incorporation of crumb rubber does more than merely lighten the concrete; it also enhances the impact resilience of the concrete, which strengthens the notion that concrete may, in fact, be suitable for constructing enduring structures. These outcomes could prove to be extremely important concerning the construction of buildings that house healthcare facilities, since withstanding strong impact could make hospitals and clinics much safer, while other structures could fortify natural disaster regions. Alongside these aspects, this research fulfills the sustainability targets of the healthcare sector by reducing carbon emissions related to concrete production, including by incorporating waste such as crumb rubber. The results of this research will guide the future adaptation of concrete technology and its use through refining performance to the material's durability and ecofriendliness to healthcare and other industries. I.

The research investigates how Design-Build and Traditional Project Delivery Methods affect construction project timelines and financial costs while examining their effects on stakeholder satisfaction. The analysis of multiple projects implementing both delivery methods shows that Design-Build delivers superior performance through better cost efficiency and project management outcomes in most scenarios. The research indicates that design-build projects finish 20% faster while requiring a budget of 15% less than traditional projects, which experience delays and budget overruns. Healthcare construction projects demonstrate the most significant benefits from Design-Build delivery because timely completion and budget adherence remain critical for facility readiness. The research results show that healthcare facility construction should adopt new strategies for resource management, service delivery improvement, and patient care enhancement. This research adds value to project delivery system discussions while providing healthcare managers and construction specialists with reference material for implementing enhanced strategies in their work.

This dissertation investigates the application of value engineering, in general, to construction projects. The objective, of course, is to increase cost-effectiveness while upholding the quality standards because this addresses the issue of financial and quality output limitations. A comprehensive study, using quantitative data from different construction projects, concludes that value engineering, when applied systematically, is cost-saving. There is a reduction of costs with an average range of 15-25%. In addition, there has been an improvement in the quality metrics, with a 20% decline in defects and rework incidents. The construction industry is facing increasing economic pressures, and these findings assist in resource management optimization as well; it underscores the ability of value engineering to function as a construction industry strategy. In healthcare construction, for example, budget overruns pose significant challenges to service delivery and, more critically, to patient care. It, therefore, becomes essential to adopt value engineering principles to provide financial savings while simultaneously improving the facility. Along these lines, this study examines implications that go beyond immediate cost and quality savings. The construction industry as a whole transform because it shifts the focus towards supporting broader healthcare goals, such as providing safe, effective, and sustainable healthcare environments. This is why the study recommends that construction professionals be more educated and further trained in value engineering methods, as this might foster easier cooperation between the healthcare and construction industries. Enhanced synergistic engagement of the construction and healthcare industries can help fulfill the evolving infrastructure needs of a shifting population and emerging epidemic patterns, ultimately improving public health. I.

This research examines the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to optimize natural ventilation
techniques in green buildings. The study emphasizes that improving airflow management is essential for
enhancing both indoor air quality and energy consumption. This study provides unique insight into the
components that define the natural ventilation problem. The research investigates multiple environmental and
geometric variables alongside vital factors like ventilation rates and thermal comfort measures, which present
complex interdisciplinary connections. Proper airflow management results in lower indoor pollutant
concentrations and improved thermal comfort levels. Ventilation benefits reach building occupants through an
unseen system that prevents them from experiencing strong gusts that would otherwise make them feel trapped in
a wind tunnel. Sensor technology-based indoor ventilation systems demonstrate advantages in maintenance tasks.
The results of this research extend their impact, especially toward the healthcare field. Spaces with better indoor
conditions directly relate to the quality of oxygen found inside. The healthcare facilities and elder care centers
require this improvement, as it is critical for their operations. This research connects to the healthcare industry
through its potential benefits stemming from this integration.
The research demonstrates how advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques play a vital role in
designing environmentally friendly buildings. This research introduces basic principles that can be classified as
'sustainable architecture.' The study aims to secure the best possible conditions for building occupants who will
use ventilation systems with or without natural ventilation labels, as these systems will perform better than
traditional building ventilation systems. The core elements of sustainable public health consist of public health
and sustainable construction work. The advancement of this field will provide major advantages to public health
and environmental protection, thereby expanding existing knowledge.

Nesta comunicação apresenta-se um estudo económico e de viabilidade duma central de reciclagem de resíduos de construção e demolição (RCD) a ser implantada na Zona Norte de Portugal. Começa-se por fazer a definição da central incluindo implantação e funcionamento interno para produção de agregados de reciclagem para utilização na construção civil. Depois, com base em vários cenários considerados, faz-se a avaliação económica e o estudo de viabilidade da central. A construção civil é uma fonte de grandes quantidades de resíduos, que emergem de variados processos, desde a limpeza do local de obras e movimentação de terras (vegetações e terras), até sobras, materiais inutilizados e desperdícios na construção de obras e ainda as demolições e operações de manutenção, restauro e reabilitação de construções previamente existentes. Tradicionalmente, a maioria dos RCD destinam-se a aterros, frequentemente os mesmos usados para os resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU), que nem sempre oferecem as condições que seriam desejáveis para lidar com os diversos resíduos que recebem. Dada a crescente falta de espaços para aterros e perante o agravamento de custos que advém das novas técnicas de aterros, com maiores cuidados de protecção ambiental, torna-se claro que a diminuição de volumes de RCD por meio da sua reutilização e reciclagem aliviaria as pressões sobre o processamento dos RSU. De resto, também em termos de boa gestão dos resíduos e diminuição do impacte ambiental -orientações cada vez mais seguidas na comunidade europeia -, uma política virada para a reutilização e reciclagem é uma solução com potencial elevado. Quando se fala em reciclagem de RCD tem particular importância os materiais incluídos no chamado "núcleo de resíduos". Este é composto essencialmente pelos resíduos que se obtêm em trabalhos de construção, demolição ou remodelação, excluindo movimentos de terras, instalações gerais -como canalizações, tubagens, rede eléctrica e telefónica -e vegetação proveniente de limpezas (Symonds Group, 1999). Das matérias que constituem os resíduos de construção e demolição, podem ser reaproveitadas e recicladas porções que incluem betão, tijolos, metais e asfalto usado. A reciclagem e reutilização de RCD já são feitas regularmente em locais de processamento em vários países, principalmente em grandes áreas metropolitanas e encontra-se em crescimento † Autor para quem a correspondência deverá ser enviada (

Dalam suatu proyek konstruksi yang memiliki berbagai macam kegiatan yang kompleks, diperlukan suatu metode yang dapat meningkatkan kualitas perencanaan dan pengendalian proyek. Salah satu metode tersebut adalah metode Network Analysis. Metode Network Analysis yang sering digunakan pada proyekproyek konstruksi dengan pekerjaan yang berulang dan saling tumpang tindih waktu pelaksanaan pekerjaannya adalah Precedence Diagram Method (PDM). Di dalam PDM sebuah kegiatan dapat dikerjakan tanpa menunggu kegiatan pendahulunya (predecessor) selesai, sehingga dapat mempercepat waktu penyelesaian pekerjaan proyek tersebut. Network Analysis dengan PDM tidak menggunakan Dummy Activity, sehingga network yang dihasilkan relatif sederhana dibandingkan dengan metode CPM. Metode PDM adalah metode Network Analysis yang termasuk dalam klasifikasi Activity on Node (AON). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menyusun Network PDM dan menentukan jalur kritis pada penjadwalan proyek

The construction industry significantly impacts the environment, consuming 50% of natural resources and generating 20% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In developing countries, managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a growing challenge due to rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management practices. This study employs life cycle assessment and life cycle costing to compare landfill and recycling scenarios for C&D waste using ISO 14040 (Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Principles and Framework) and ISO 14044 (Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Requirements and Guidelines). The study’s system boundary encompasses the entire life cycle of C&D waste management, with one ton of C&D waste as the functional unit. The results demonstrated that landfilling C&D waste is harmful due to negative impacts from transportation and landfill emissions. Recycling shows promising potential by significantly reducing environmental impacts and lowering the demand for new raw materials. The recycling scenario substantially decreased GHG emissions, saving 37 kg of CO2 equivalents per ton of waste. Economically, recycling C&D waste proved more viable, with favorable indicators. Implementing a recycling plant in Lahore could save USD 2.53 per ton in resource costs and mitigate significant environmental impacts. This study recommends that policymakers in developing countries prioritize C&D waste recycling to enhance sustainability and support the transition to a circular economy. The findings provide valuable insights for developing effective waste management strategies, contributing to environmental conservation and economic efficiency. These recommendations guide future initiatives for sustainable C&D waste management, promoting a greener and more resilient urban environment. Furthermore, this study underlines the potential of C&D waste recycling to contribute significantly to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly sustainable cities (SDG 11), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13).

This report presents the results of theoretical studies performed to understand and be able to predict better the response of "short" drilled shafts. A "short" drilled shaft has been defined as a shaft which undergoes less than two points of zero deflection when subjected to lateral loads. The first portion of this study was directed towards developing simplified procedures for estimating when a drilled shaft would respond as a "short" shaft, taking into account at least approximately the nonlinear response of the soil. The second portion of this study was directed toward improving the present procedure for predicting the response of "short" drilled shafts. Several modifications were made to existing procedures based on "p-y" curves to improve their ability to predict the response of short drilled shafts. These modifications were incorporated into a computer program with other modifications, which are presented in a companion project report.

Effects of Surface Treatments on National Bridge Inventory Condition Ratings for Concrete Bridge Decks in Utah John Taani De Leon Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, BYU Master of Science Although the application of surface treatments on bridge decks is expected to positively impact bridge deck condition, the effectiveness of specific surface treatments on extending bridge deck life has not yet been quantified on Utah bridge decks. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to develop and analyze deterioration curves for bare concrete bridge decks and decks with specific treatments commonly used in Utah. The scope of this study was determined by the types and extent of electronically available data, including selected static inventory information; maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction histories; and National Bridge Inventory (NBI) condition ratings for the bridge decks. Bridge deck selection criteria and analysis procedures were developed to enable eval...

The construction industry has always relied on precision, efficiency, and safety-and nowhere is this more evident than in the evolution of precast concrete elements. In recent years, technological advancements have significantly transformed precast detailing, allowing for faster workflows, fewer errors, and more complex, highperformance structures. Precast panel detailing has moved from traditional 2D drawings to intelligent 3D models, enhancing coordination and boosting productivity across the entire construction lifecycle. Let's take a deeper look into how technology is revolutionizing the industry and why staying updated with innovations in precast detailing is crucial for modern construction professionals.