External time-influencing risk factors in infrastructure soft soils projects

Abstract

Malaysian government has putting a lot of budget and resources in developing and upgrading infrastructure of the country. The covered area of an infrastructure project especially in a transportation project is quite significant compared to residential and commercial projects. As such, construction on soft soils is unavoidable and it increases uncertainties and risks in an infrastructure project. The current literature review showed that existing knowledge on risk assessment of infrastructure projects on soft soils is scarce. Hence, this research was focused on determining the critical time-influencing external risk factors during the construction phase. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to determine the most critical external risks in infrastructure projects on soft soils. Research method was questionnaire survey. It is found that the five most critical risk factors were thick soft soil layer, high water content, high organic content, price changes (material & energy) and karstic cavity formation. While the five least critical risk factors were archaeological/habitant issue, lack of political support, protectionism, corruption and change in government/legislative/regulatory. In conclusion, soil condition and economic are critical determining the time performance in infrastructure projects on soft soils, while political risk contributes little impact on this aspect.