One of the main issues of construction scheduling is harmonizing the work of crews that perform repetitive processes. The schedules determine the resource flow and the efficiency of the construction ...stage. Traditional scheduling tools are not suitable for repetitive projects. Therefore, the authors put forward a deterministic method for harmonizing works in projects to construct a number of buildings with the repetitive processes conducted in non-uniform units. The scheduling objectives are to minimize the overall project duration, the makespan of the buildings, and resource idle time. The relative importance of these criteria is to be decided by the planner. A particle swarm algorithm was employed for optimization. The merits of the method were illustrated by a real-life case: a project to construct an estate of duplex houses.
•We propose an original method of scheduling repetitive construction projects.•The user can adjust weights of three schedule optimization criteria.•Application of the method is illustrated by a real-life case.•The method helped reduce project duration by 25.4% compared with duration of the original schedule.
Scheduling repetitive construction projects is a challenge due to computational complexity. The authors aim to construct a scheduling system to facilitate the optimization of such projects. First, ...they formulate a mathematical model of a project composed of any combination of units to be delivered in a fixed order or whose order is to be optimized. With ancillary variables added to the project network, the model proves simple enough to facilitate computations related to schedule optimization. A particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with a unique method to prevent stagnation of the results is proposed to solve the bi-criteria schedule optimization problem. The resulting scheduling system is tested on an actual project to expand an intermodal terminal. The results point to the practical potential of the system. Complemented with a user-friendly interface, it is a ready scheduling support tool. Future research may include incorporating more optimization criteria and making the system risk-aware.
•We propose a scheduling system for complex repetitive construction projects.•Flexible model accommodates a wide range of practical constraints without increase in complexity.•PSO algorithm with an original riot factor efficiently performs bi-criteria schedule optimization.•Case study proves the system's capability to optimize schedules of a real-scale projects.
Mega construction projects in China are usually very complicated in nature, thus evaluating and understanding these complexities are critical to the success of these megaprojects. However, empirical ...studies related to the measurement of the complexity of megaprojects remain lacking. This paper aims to fill this gap by developing a complexity measurement model based on the Shanghai Expo construction project in China using fuzzy analytic network process (FANP). Firstly, a complexity measurement model consisting of 28 factors, which are grouped under six categories, namely, technological, organizational, goal, environmental, cultural and information complexities, is formulated through literature review using the content analysis technique. The model is then refined by a two-round Delphi survey conducted in the case megaproject. Finally, the refined model and suggestions for its application are provided based on the survey results. The model is believed to be beneficial for scholars and serve as reference for professionals in managing megaprojects.
•We develop a complexity measurement model for megaprojects in China.•The model using FANP reflects the interactions among numerous elements.•The model using FANP deals with uncertainty and vagueness of language.•The model can determine the level of complexity of mega construction projects.•We provide suggestions for the application of this measurement model.
BIM-based Construction Networks (BbCNs) are teams comprising members from several specialist organisations to undertake BIM-related tasks on BIM-enabled projects. Fostering collaboration within BbCNs ...is a top priority for construction project managers, yet no explicit body of knowledge has focused on investigating the relevant research gaps in knowledge. The present study intends to address this gap by plotting the storyline of relevant research studies in the last 10years (2006–2016). A “Collaboration Pentagon” consisted of context, process, task, team and actor as the theoretical lens is created through integration of relevant frameworks. The study draws upon a bibliometric analysis of 1031 studies on BIM alongside the outcome of a qualitative evaluation of a total of 62 carefully selected papers on collaboration in BbCNs. The findings reveal that the scholarship on collaboration on BIM-enabled projects has predominately focused on technology as one antecedent of collaboration while project-related and managerial antecedents have remained under-researched. Moreover, though enhancing collaboration necessitates inclusion of all influential antecedents, studies with such an all-inclusive perspective are rare. The study contributes to the field through this inclusive Collaboration Pentagon and by providing a systematic and objective evaluation of available literature on collaboration in BbCNs and uncovering respective gaps.
•The corpus of the literature associated with collaboration in BbCNs is analysed deploying bibliometric and qualitative techniques•Core research areas of published studies on collaboration in BbCNs are identified and visualized•Gaps in the literature on collaboration in BbCNs are identified
The implementation of a building construction project is unavoidable from the emergence of waste material. Construction material waste is defined as something that is over what is required. This ...study intends to find the application of construction waste management in building construction projects to minimize the waste material. Data was collected using observation, interviews, and distributing questionnaires to 4 building project parties in Central Java using a random sampling method. Data analysis was carried out by descriptive analysis to determine the type and cause of the highest waste material and supported by regression and correlation analysis to assess the application of ways to minimize waste material. The results of data analysis show that the most types of waste material are formwork wood, reinforcing steel, concrete, and cement. The factor causing waste material that most often occurs is the design change factor that comes from the design phase. Based on the analysis, the effort to minimize waste material that is the most influential on it is improving the quality of tool and material management by providing training to construction personnel related to materials construction used
We propose that integrated management of construction risk and stakeholder is feasible and can promote the effectiveness of both risk management (RM) and stakeholder management (SM). A systematic ...literature review is conducted on the current construction literature involving both RM and SM, through which we identify four linkage modes between risk and stakeholder management. We further suggest future directions that enable integrating risk and stakeholder management to benefit the management process and/or management outcome of RM and SM. These linkages and directions shed light on enhancing the effectiveness of RM and SM through new ways of thinking about, analyzing, and then managing risks and stakeholders in a holistic and integrated way, but not the traditional endeavor in individual areas. Integrating risk and stakeholder management is challenging, but can be a novel way for improving project performance for which this research conceptually justifies its feasibility and benefits, which merits further study.
•Risk and stakeholder literature splinter thereby impeding risk and stakeholder integrated management.•An integrated analysis on risk and stakeholder management connections seems to lack.•Four linkages between RM and SM are identified from 79 construction-specific articles.•Directions for enhancing effectiveness of RM and SM are suggested from an integration perspective.
The management of construction projects requires adequate techniques to support the continual exchange of information across disciplines. Recent advances in Building Information Modelling (BIM) have ...exposed new ways for process and data integration with open data formats, process mapping, and terminology. In construction projects where multiple disciplines produce and share BIM data, mechanisms for defining information priority, provenance and suitability become necessary in order to have consistent and traceable use of data. This includes objects or collection of attributes for data objects that are associated with a discipline or organisation including clear identification of the transaction that has introduced the information. Blockchain can be used to record metadata of BIM objects such as the issuing discipline, object version and responsibility/ liability associated with the data. Blockchain can offer the capability to apply levels of “trust” to individual BIM objects and a more secured framework of collaboration across stakeholders.
This paper proposes a Blockchain-based BIM data provenance model to support information exchange in construction projects. By testing the solution in a real-world bridge construction scenario, it has been shown that the approach can recognise the levels of competence and can improve the process of BIM implementation. The proposed approach gives stakeholders more confidence when sharing their BIM data, reduces costs, and improves risk contingencies in construction projects. The paper provides a cost analysis to evidence the implications of using Blockchain for BIM data provenance through an experimental framework supported by an Ethereum public test network. A front-end web page has also been created to facilitate interaction with smart contracts and to monitor the BIM data provenance process.
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•A Blockchain data provenance framework is proposed to manage BIM data in construction•Blockchain is used to incentivise project collaboration and distribution of BIM objects•A case study is provided to demonstrate the reliability of the BIM data provenance model•The Blockchain-data provenance model facilitates the delivery of project activities•Data provenance costs vary based on to the number of disciplines and volume of data
The rapid urbanization leading to extensive construction activities has significantly harmed the urban ecosystem. However, there remains a lack of systematic consideration regarding the interplay of ...energy and materials within construction projects. To bridge this gap, the present study employs emergy analysis and data envelopment analysis to comprehend the metabolic characteristics of construction projects. Specifically, 66 construction projects in China were selected for their comprehensive project-level data. The construction flows were categorized into renewable resources, local non-renewable resources, imported resources, exported products, and wastes. The results indicate that imported emergy comprises the majority of total emergy usage, with labor input being the primary contributing factor. Ecological benefit and efficiency analyses reveal that the emergy cost surpasses the emergy benefit. This inefficiency stems mainly from suboptimal utilization of imported resources and inadequate management of undesired outputs in construction projects. Furthermore, buildings in northern and central regions exhibit superior performance in total emergy use, emergy density, and emergy load ratio, whereas public and residential buildings exhibit higher environmental burdens and greater reliance on external resources. A statistically significant sublinear power-law relationship between the scale of construction projects and their metabolic rates was also identified, indicating a notable scale effect on energy and resource consumption during the building construction process.
•A project-level analytical framework is built to understand the construction metabolism.•The overall metabolic performances of construction projects are measured.•The scaling law is demonstrated in Chinese construction practice.
Regardless of the calls for a distinction between individual and team levels of analysis, studies regarding the multiple-level analysis of emotional intelligence are lacking in the project management ...literature. This research aims to address this shortcoming by examining the relationships between emotional intelligence, trust, and performance through multilevel analysis. Data were derived from 408 participants from 89 project teams in the large scale projects through three different surveys. We used hierarchical linear modeling and we found that emotional intelligence relates positively to performance and to trust at different levels of analysis. We also found that, at the team level, trust does not mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and project team performance. This research offers a more realistic and comprehensive picture of the management and recognition of emotional intelligence in teams and individuals concurrently and addresses the implications for project leaders of inspiring individuals and teams.
•This study provides a comprehensive view of the management and recognition of EI in teams and individuals.•Emotional intelligence has a positive impact on trust and performance at both individual and team levels of analysis.•Trust in team mediates the association between emotional intelligence and performance.•By demonstrating two cross-level effects, we established that the interplay between levels is important.•To achieve higher performance organizations should incorporate EI in employee recruitment and development programs.
Top construction risks related to project parameters at KAU.
•The key risk criteria of construction projects at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) were studied.•The relative importance index (RII) was ...applied to prioritize the project risks.•Fuzzy AHP method created favorable weights for fuzzy linguistic terms of construction project risk.•The integrated hybrid methodology is fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS for risk assessment.
Construction projects are initiated in dynamic environment which result in circumstances of high uncertainty and risks due to accumulation of many interrelated parameters. The purpose of this study is to use novel analytic tools to evaluate the construction projects and their overall risks under incomplete and uncertain situations. It was also aimed to place the risk in a proper category and predict the level of it in advance to develop strategies and counteract the high-risk factors. The study covers identifying the key risk criteria of construction projects at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), and assessing the criteria by the integrated hybrid methodologies.
The proposed hybrid methodologies were initiated with a survey for data collection. The relative importance index (RII) method was applied to prioritize the project risks based on the data obtained. The construction projects were then categorized by fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS methodologies. Fuzzy AHP (FAHP) was used to create favorable weights for fuzzy linguistic variable of construction projects overall risk. The fuzzy TOPSIS method is very suitable for solving group decision making problems under the fuzzy environment. It attempted to incorporate vital qualitative attributes in performance analysis of construction projects and transformed the qualitative data into equivalent quantitative measures. Thirty construction projects were studied with respect to five main criteria that are the time, cost, quality, safety and environment sustainability. The results showed that these novel methodologies are able to assess the overall risks of construction projects, select the project that has the lowest risk with the contribution of relative importance index. This approach will have potential applications in the future.
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