Building Projects Research Articles

Readiness for Implemented Sustainable Procurement in Indonesian Government Construction Project

Procurement is the process of obtaining goods and services in a construction project and is a crucial point for the success of a design and build (DB) project. The success of a DB project has an effect on work performance metrics such as cost, quality, and time. Therefore, this research aims to develop a readiness model for implementing sustainable procurement in a DB project with a financing system in the state/regional budget (APBN/APBD). By using previous literature reviews, this research adopted a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. Specifically, the qualitative method was conducted using in-depth interviews, and conclusions were drawn using the Delphi method and focus group discussion (FGD). Meanwhile, the quantitative method was used to analyze secondary data from the current DB project in order to examine sustainable procurement. The projects examined were spread across the country and had a value of at least 100 billion. Consequently, the results showed that various factors influenced sustainable procurement in the DB management project. In addition, this research impacted better procurement management in the DB project based on APBN/APBD funding, thereby increasing project productivity and innovation, as well as other beneficial values to stakeholders. Typically, the result could be used as a readiness model for implementing sustainable procurement in a DB project with APBN/APBD funding schemes, serving as a guide for construction management in the future and being useful for decision making on government projects.

Concrete Breaking Strength Prediction Using Machine Learning

Concrete Breaking Strength Prediction Using Machine Learning

Developing fuzzy-based earned value analysis model for estimating the performance of construction projects. A case of selected public building projects in Ethiopia

Developing fuzzy-based earned value analysis model for estimating the performance of construction projects. A case of selected public building projects in Ethiopia

Forging Romanitas: The Intersection of Urbanization and Identity in Mérida

This paper aims to explore the role of urbanization in the formation of a shared Roman identity during the time of the Roman Empire. By examining the physical features of urban settlements and the economic opportunities that arose from them, it seeks to understand how these factors contributed to the development of a cohesive identity across the empire’s vast and diverse territory. This paper will use examples from cities in the western regions of the empire, such as Pompeii and Mérida, to demonstrate how urbanization and the economic opportunities it brought forth helped create a sense of Romanness among diverse ethnic groups. It will also investigate the impact of building projects and intervention from wealthy elites in the fostering of a Roman identity through urbanization. This idea will then be tied into the role of Roman architecture and urban planning in the development of said identity, exemplified by the similarities and differences between settlements across the empire. At the same time, this paper will also consider the historical context in which these urban settlements emerged, examining how the broader geopolitical situation might have impacted urbanization. By analyzing the intersection between physical structures and economic opportunities brought about within Roman urban settlements, this paper hopes to shed light on the significance of urbanization as a driving force behind the formation of a shared Roman identity. This research will contribute to the broader understanding of cultural identity formation in ancient societies and the role of urbanization in shaping the collective consciousness of diverse populations.

Study on the Benefits of the Implementation of Green Building Rating in Malaysia

A green building is a sustainable design incorporating environmentally friendly practices in its construction and management. The objective of green building development is to reduce the negative impact of buildings on the environment by mitigating carbon dioxide emissions. Several countries worldwide, including Malaysia have established rating tools under the World Green Building Council to measure sustainability for various types of development. The goal is to encourage all nations to promote green building and replace conventional methods that harm the environment. In Malaysia, two of the most commonly used assessment tools for green building are GBI and GreenRE. The Malaysian government has implemented various policies to manage the construction process of green buildings, such as the National Green Technology Policy, Green Performance Assessment System, and the establishment of Green Technology Master Plan for managing green operations. However, green building projects in Malaysia are still in the formative stage, indicating that the construction industry in Malaysia is still in its infancy with regard to sustainable development. This study aims to investigate the perceived benefits of implementing Green Building Rating Tools in Malaysia. Specific factors that enable company readiness to adopt rating tools include benefits to occupants, facility management, and environmental sustainability. The research methodology used in this study was quantitative, employing a questionnaire survey with 140 respondents. The findings indicate that Facility Management and Environmental Sustainability are significantly related to Company's Readiness to adopt Green Building Rating. It is crucial for policymakers to provide incentives to project teams (developers, consultants, and contractors) to increase awareness about green construction and its implementation.

Material Planning Analysis with Material Requirement Planning Method in High-rise Building Projects

Planning material supplies well is very important in implementing construction projects to ensure smoothness and efficiency. Smoothness includes thorough planning, including ensuring materials are met as planned, while efficiency aims to reduce time and cost. In this study, material planning will be carried out using the Material Requirement planning (MRP) method, using three different lot measurement techniques, namely Lot for Lot (LFL), Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), and Period Order Quantity (POQ). The MRP method is carried out to accurately calculate the amount of material needed to avoid excessive material inventory levels. After the MRP method, the most optimal number of orders and the total cost required for each lot measurement technique are obtained. The results of this study show that the LFL technique produces the optimum number of orders for gelam wood, plywood, reinforcement, bendrat wire, and ready mix concrete. Meanwhile, for materials such as lubricating oil, meranti wood, randu wood, and nails, it is optimal to order using the POQ technique.

Influence of BIM and Lean on mitigating delay factors in building projects

Building projects are affected by various phenomena that can affect their success and continuity and, in the worst cases, can lead to project abandonment. The delay has been identified as one of the phenomena with the most significant impact and recurrence; therefore, mitigation actions are required. BIM and Lean Construction are two approaches with great potential to mitigate delay-generating factors. However, more studies need to be conducted to analyze their influence on mitigating schedule delays. Considering this gap, this paper focuses on analyzing the influence of Lean Construction tools, and BIM uses that favor mitigating the main factors that generate variations in the construction schedules of residential buildings. The research method was divided into five main stages: (1) delay factors identification; (2) BIM uses identification; (3) Lean tools identification; (4) questionnaire design, validation, and application; and (5) influence quantitative analysis. A total of 20 delay factors, eight BIM uses, and eight Lean tools were selected. Next, a consultation was conducted with 50 building project managers and two residential building projects were analyzed. The findings show that implementing BIM and Lean tools greatly influences mitigating delay factors such as errors and deficiencies in design documents, inefficient project planning and scheduling, and poor communication and coordination with designers. BIM uses that have a strong influence on reducing delays include 4D construction planning and 4D construction analysis and optimization. In the Lean domain, the Last Planner System (LPS) and collaborative meetings have a high influence on mitigating delays. This study provides valuable insights for construction project managers to improve overall project efficiency by optimizing the implementation of BIM uses and Lean tools.

Martian Regolith Simulant-Based Geopolymers with Lithium Hydroxide Alkaline Activator

As humanity envisions the possibility of inhabiting Mars in the future, the imperative for survival in the face of its challenging conditions necessitates the construction of protective shelters to mitigate the effects of radiation exposure and the absence of atmospheric pressure. The feasibility of producing geopolymers using the Martian regolith simulant MGS-1 (as precursor) for potential building and infrastructure projects on Mars in the future is investigated in this paper. Various alkaline activators, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), lithium hydroxide (LiOH·H2O) and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), are employed to investigate their efficiency in activating the precursor. The influence of alkali type and concentration on the mechanical performance of the synthesized geopolymers is examined. Geopolymer samples are oven-cured for 7 days at 70 °C before a compressive strength test. It is found that through the hybrid use of LiOH·H2O and NaOH with optimal concentrations, metakaolin and milled MGS-1 as precursors, geopolymer mixtures with a compressive strength of 30 ± 2 MPa can be developed. The present test results preliminarily demonstrate the potential of Martian regolith simulant-based geopolymers as suitable construction and building materials for use on Mars.

Passive Buildings—Big Opportunities or Big Risks? Quantitative Risk Assessment for Passive Buildings Projects

Passive Buildings—Big Opportunities or Big Risks? Quantitative Risk Assessment for Passive Buildings Projects

KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION TRAJECTORY OF BIM IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

In recent years, the construction industry worldwide has shown significant interest in Building Information Modeling (BIM). This study aims to analyze the dissemination of knowledge about BIM in construction engineering applications using Main Path Analysis (MPA). The research sample comprises 3,761 papers related to BIM’s application in the construction industry, sourced from the ISI Web of Science database. Initially, we investigate trends in paper publications, conduct country and journal analyses, and examine author statistics. Subsequently, we calculate traversal counts along the search path links to reveal the development trajectory of BIM. The trajectory of BIM’s evolution in the construction industry can be divided into four stages as identified through the global key-route main path analysis: 1) BIM standardization; 2) Integration of completed building projects using BIM; 3) BIM applications in precast construction projects; and 4) BIM applications in land management. These findings provide a clear understanding of how BIM has been applied and evolved within the construction industry.

Determining the stationary digital twins implementation barriers for sustainable construction projects

PurposePrevious research has demonstrated that Digital Twins (DT) are extensively employed to improve sustainable construction methods. Nonetheless, their uptake in numerous nations is still constrained. This study seeks to identify and examine the digital twin’s implementation barriers in construction building projects to augment operational performance and sustainability.Design/methodology/approachAn iterative two-stage approach was adopted to explore the phenomena under investigation. General DT Implementation Barriers were first identified from extant literature and subsequently explored using primary questionnaire survey data from Hong Kong building industry professionals.FindingsSurvey results illustrated that Lack of methodologies and tools, Difficulty in ensuring a high level of performance in real-time communication, Impossibility of directly measuring all data relevant to the DT, need to share the DT among multiple application systems involving multiple stakeholders and Uncertainties in the quality and reliability of data are the main barriers for adopting digital twins' technology. Moreover, Ginni’s mean difference measure of dispersion showed that the stationary digital twin’s barriers adoption is needed to share the DT among multiple application systems involving multiple stakeholders.Practical implicationsThe study’s findings offer valuable guidance to the construction industry. They help stakeholders adopt digital twins' technology, which, in turn, improves cost efficiency and sustainability. This adoption reduces project expenses and enhances environmental responsibility, providing companies a competitive edge in the industry.Originality/valueThis research rigorously explores barriers to Digital Twin (DT) implementation in the Hong Kong construction industry, employing a systematic approach that includes a comprehensive literature review, Ranking Analysis (RII) and Ginni’s coefficient of mean difference (GM). With a tailored focus on Hong Kong, the study aims to identify, analyze and provide novel insights into DT implementation challenges. Emphasizing practical relevance, the research bridges the gap between academic understanding and real-world application, offering actionable solutions for industry professionals, policymakers and researchers. This multifaceted contribution enhances the feasibility and success of DT implementation in construction projects within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector.

Critical Dialogue and Capacity-Building Projects Reduced Alcohol and Substance Use in a Randomized Clinical Trial Among Formerly Incarcerated Men

Background: Rates of alcohol and/or substance use (ASU) among residents of predominantly Black and marginalized communities are similar to ASU rates in White communities. Yet ASU has worse consequences in predominantly Black and marginalized communities (e.g., higher incarceration). Objective: We randomized participants to one of 16 intervention conditions using a 24 full factorial design to optimize a multilevel intervention reducing ASU among 602 formerly incarcerated men with substance-use-disorders (SUD). Candidate intervention components included (1) critical dialogue (CD; six weekly 2-hour-long group sessions vs. no CD sessions), (2) Quality of Life Wheel (QLW; six weekly 1-hour-long group sessions vs. no QLW sessions), (3) capacity building projects (CBP; six weekly 1-hour-long group sessions vs. no CBP sessions), and (4) delivery by a trained peer versus licensed facilitators. Outcome was percentage of days in which participants used alcohol, cocaine, opioid, and/or cannabis in previous 30 days. Results: Intent-to-treat analysis did not meet a priori component selection criteria due to low intervention attendance. After controlling for intervention group attendance (percentage of sessions attended), peer-delivered CD and CBP produced statistically and clinically significant main and interaction effects in ASU over 5 months. Per the multiphase optimization strategy framework, we selected peer-delivered CD and CBP for inclusion as the optimized version of the intervention with a cost of US$1,380 per 10 individuals. No adverse intervention effects occurred. Conclusion: CD and CBP were identified as the only potentially effective intervention components. Future research will examine strategies to improve attendance and test the optimized intervention against standard of care in a randomized-controlled-trial.

Stakeholders' Perception on the Current Practices of Industrial Building System (IBS) Construction Technology

The Industrialised Building System (IBS) has been adopted in the Malaysian construction sector to replace the conventional building approach. Despite the government's attempts to encourage IBS adoption, the use of IBS in Malaysian building projects remains low. This study aims to gather stakeholders' views on drivers, barriers, and strategies to improve IBS implementation in Malaysia. About 52 questionnaires were received from IBS stakeholders in Johor such as consulting firms, contractors and IBS manufacturers. Average Index Analysis was used to analyse the questionnaire data on the main factors: current drivers, factors when considering IBS construction, current barriers and strategies to increase IBS construction. From the questionnaire survey, among the main drivers of IBS construction in Malaysia are technology advancement, reduce completion time and improve quality and productivity. Stakeholders also perceived that supervision on continuous and regular improvements and IBS implementation needs planning for productive process among the main factors when considering IBS construction. Meanwhile, the main barriers for IBS construction perceived are high initial cost investment in projects related to IBS construction, lack of skilled workers and unable to adapt instant changes to design modification in IBS construction. Several main strategies were noted to enhance the IBS implementation such as improving the balance between supply and market demand, innovation in creating eco-friendly sustainable construction and factory production optimization for IBS items. The outcomes of the study could assist relevant parties to understand the current drivers and barriers of IBS construction, and further help them to enhance the IBS implementation in Malaysia.

Challenges in construction readiness for BIM-based building projects

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate challenges in achieving adequate construction readiness for building information modeling (BIM) based building projects, using Malaysia as a case study. To achieve this aim, 20 semi-structured interviews with BIM professionals were conducted using the purposive sampling method. Then, the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study results revealed that the challenges can be categorized into two themes: BIM-related challenges and project-related challenges. BIM-related challenges include knowledge, infrastructure, modeling, adoption, and awareness issues. Project-related challenges include funding, communication, team management, cooperation, timeline, coordination, and change order issues. These findings imply that although BIM offers numerous advantages, its implementation introduces specific challenges that differ from those faced in traditional construction projects. These challenges often revolve around technological adoption, data management, changes in project workflows, and team dynamics. Therefore, investigating the specific challenges in BIM-based construction projects is crucial for achieving project success. This study adds to the existing knowledge by providing valuable insights into the challenges faced during the pre-construction phase of BIM-based building projects. The insights can be used to develop strategies for ensuring BIM-based construction projects are ready for the construction phase.

Green building in the ESG agenda for sustainable development of Russia: conditions and trends

To achieve the sustainable development goals proclaimed by the UN, we need to use more green building technologies that meet the principles of sustainable development, increase energy efficiency and achieve the environmental direction of the country’s ESG transformation. The authors consider the main problems and directions of green building in the Russian Federation. The study highlights the main limiting factors to develop green building in the domestic building industry. It was revealed that the main ones are related to the inconsistency of legal regulation, lack of demand from consumers, lack of specialists in the field of green building, assessment and certification of green objects. The study found that no more than a third of the country’s population knows about green building, only 20% are aware of the need for environmental certification of buildings, and only 6% of the population require this certification when purchasing housing. At the same time, the development of green building is hampered by difficulties with import substitution of green technologies and green building materials. The purpose of the study is to analyze the conditions and trends for green building development in the Russian Federation. The scientific research hypothesis is to introduce the ESG principles into building as an effective approach for sustainable development in Russia. The main conclusion of the study is to develop incentive tools for transition to green building technologies and green certification of building projects. The results of the study will contribute to the expansion of green building projects in the domestic building industry.

The Uncertainty of Reusable Building Components/Materials A Subsidiary of Circular Economy in the Africa Construction Sector: The Issue of Affordable Housing in Kenya

There is growing interest in the adaptation of circular economy approaches in the construction sector, for developing African countries like Kenya with an increase in construction activities leading to more generation of construction wastes. The approach of circularity presents an alternative to reuse these construction or demolition wastes thereby lowering environmental risks and providing for a lower price for building components/materials required for affordable building projects. However, there is little, or no information on these reusable building components/materials, which lowers the confidence by construction stakeholders in using them. No information on its possible new life longevity (durability), its possible maintenance budget, and no means of enabling a design team to plan for its acquisition (accessibility) in a design project. This paper adopted a review of previous literature on these topics to search for possible solutions to the research questions, of which some literature provided only a list of requirements needed to give a level of information to reusable building elements. The paper went further to provide proposals for an information catalogue that would enable the insertion of reusable building elements’ Indicators of service (availability, reliability, and maintainability) obtainable from experience with the elements. Also, a format for a maintenance budget plan would be required during the new service life of the reused element. And a means of simulation using the Monte Carlo simulation tool to obtain reliable viability of access to reusable building elements in a transitional building in its design stage. These proposals would have to be put into practice to ascertain their effectiveness, meanwhile, other areas of further studies are provided in the paper.

Rebuilding St Andrew Undershaft: A Study in Executorial Discretion in Early Tudor London

Using a case study of the early sixteenth-century rebuilding of the London parish church of St Andrew Undershaft, this article focuses on the hitherto unrecognised role played by the executors of London mercantile testators in pre-Reformation church building. Drawing on the rare sets of extant accounts kept by executors in the course of their duties (which would once have been ubiquitous), the details of several ecclesiastical rebuilding projects can be revised, including that of St Andrew’s. It will be argued that this realisation possesses important implications for our understanding of late medieval ecclesiastical building projects, and that executors—sometimes acting on the instruction of the testator but also (more significantly) on their discretion—should be considered a profoundly influential force in shaping the infrastructure of the pre-Reformation City.

Soil-cement columns for high-rise buildings: design–testing–construction–monitoring: A case study of green solution in Vietnam

Soil cement columns (SCCs) are commonly used to reinforce soft ground to support roads and railway embankments, or to withstand horizontal pressure for deep excavations. This study presents another application of SCCs as load-bearing foundations for high-rise building projects. SCCs with a diameter of 800 mm, length of 10 m, cement content of 350 kg/m3, and an unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of 3.6 MPa were applied. In this study, five single columns and one group constituting two columns were constructed, and core drilling and axial static load tests were conducted. The test results indicated that the SCC could achieve a load of 1,650 kN for a single pile and 3,300 kN for the group constituting two columns. In total, 1,123 columns were designed and constructed for this project. Compared with conventional reinforced concrete pile methods, a project using SCC could save 30 construction days and 20% of the total cost. Moreover, SCC can be considered a green and environmentally friendly foundation solution because it does not use concrete or steel materials and does not produce waste soil.

Application of microencapsulated phase change materials in prefabricated building projects based on building information modeling technology

Faced with the rapidly increasing urban population, there is a surge in demand for building construction, accompanied by an incessant rise in building energy consumption. To promote sustainable development and mitigate building energy consumption, this study proposes the utilization of microencapsulated phase change materials in prefabricated buildings through the integration of building information modeling. We prepare polymethyl methacrylate/n-eicosane/wood cellulose nanocrystal microcapsules using Pickering emulsion through the solvent evaporation method. The results showed that the material exhibits optimal comprehensive performance at a core–shell ratio of 2:1, with a melting enthalpy of 152.10 J/g and a coating rate of 60.27%. However, when the core–shell ratio increases to 2.5:1, significant performance degradation occurs due to phase change material leakage. The materials show excellent cycling performance in cold-hot cycling tests, maintaining their melting enthalpy value above 97% even after 100 cycles. Moreover, materials with a core–shell ratio of 2:1 exhibit good thermal stability up to high temperatures (160 °C). In conclusion, this study has great significance for advancing the progress of prefabricated buildings and sustainable buildings.

Experiment and analysis of train-induced metro depot vibration

ABSTRACT Vibration induced by metro propagates to the building and affects people’s normal life and work, which has become a key factor restricting the development of over-track building. Relying on an over-track building project in Southwest China, vibration experiments are carried out in turnout area, parking area, over-track area and sensitive area of the metro depot. Acceleration and vibration level are selected as indicators to study the propagation law of vibration in depot structure and evaluate the impact of vibration on depot. The vibration amplification phenomenon of the over-track platform is studied and the functional relationship between the vibration amplification position and the wave velocity, frequency, and bearing column spacing is constructed. Results show that the vibrations of the turnout area are obviously greater than other areas, the maximum vibration is 100.3 dB on the rail. In the process of vibration propagating from the rail to the bearing column, the attenuation increases with the increase of distance, and the vibration is attenuated in the range of 1.25 Hz−200 Hz. The phenomenon of vibration amplification exists at the over-track platform, the maximum z-vibration level is amplified by 4.3 dB at most, which is considered to be caused by the vibration superposition in the depot structure. For the structure studied in this paper, the vibrations with frequencies of 10 Hz, 20 Hz, 31.5 Hz, and 63 Hz cause local vibration amplification of the floorslab, and the maximum position of vibration superposition is related to wave velocity, frequency and bearing column spacing.