Abstract
The COVID‐19 pandemic has brought about significant influences to the world, including tunnel construction. Based on the analysis of 12 tunnel construction projects, this paper identifies the specific risk factors related to the COVID‐19 pandemic, e.g., men, materials, machines, methods, social environment, and political epidemic prevention pressure. Among these risk factors, worker availability, site accessibility, shortage of construction materials, and inadequate epidemic prevention materials caused by the lockdown policy are the most fundamental challenges encountered by the projects. Social panic and epidemic prevention policy requirements are key issues needed to be addressed before the resumption of construction work. The special circumstances caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic called for flexible project management and coordination skills to raise suitable and effective response strategies, while local governments make substantial contributions in solving the difficulties. Although these measures have resulted in higher project costs, their effectiveness in catching up with project schedules is worthy of recognition. The findings of this study enrich the risk categories of tunnel construction and the risk response strategies from the perspective of a global pandemic. It implies that future construction schemes including design, budget, supply chain, and project management should consider the possible influence of an epidemic.
Highlights
Introduction e COVID19 pandemic has brought about significant changes to human life as well as economic activities
5.1. e Specialties of Tunnel Construction Risks Related to COVID-19. e analysis in this study identified the specific risks brought by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic
Conclusions e COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant influences on the world, including the construction industry
Summary
Introduction e COVID19 pandemic has brought about significant changes to human life as well as economic activities. With the features of closed construction and poor ventilation, tunnel construction work is under greater risk of epidemic spread and infection, compared to other construction projects. Under the strictest epidemic control policy in China, tunnel construction during the pandemic encounters different risks, in addition to the traditional risks identified. Limited studies have been devoted to this special agenda of what are the risks of COVID-19 and how they impact tunnel construction projects. By analyzing 12 tunnel construction projects in China, this study aims to explore the special risks and impacts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in tunnel construction work as well as the strategies adopted by the project management teams in response to the risk and impact. E findings enrich the studies of risk identification and assessment of construction projects and provide possible implications to tunnel construction management during the COVID-19 pandemic By analyzing 12 tunnel construction projects in China, this study aims to explore the special risks and impacts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in tunnel construction work as well as the strategies adopted by the project management teams in response to the risk and impact. e findings enrich the studies of risk identification and assessment of construction projects and provide possible implications to tunnel construction management during the COVID-19 pandemic
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
