Construction Cost Research Articles

Experimental investigation on wind loads and wind-induced responses of large-span flexible photovoltaic support structure

Flexible photovoltaic (PV) support structure offers benefits such as low construction costs, large span length, high clearance, and high adaptability to complex terrains. However, due to the high flexibility and low damping of the cable system, wind load becomes the primary control factor for structural safety and the key consideration in the design. In this study, a 45 m span flexible PV support structure with 3 spans and 12 rows was designed. The wind loads on PV panels were obtained by wind tunnel tests on a rigid model and the wind-induced responses were investigated by wind tunnel tests on an aeroelastic model. The shielding effects and tilt angle of PV modules on the wind load and wind-induced vibration of the flexible PV support were studied. The experimental results show that in the rigid model wind tunnel test, the wind pressure on the surface of PV modules exhibits a gradient distribution along the direction of wind flow, with symmetric distribution along the mid span. With the increase in the tilt angle of the PV module, the shielding effect becomes significant and the most pronounced shielding effect on the mean wind pressure coefficient occurs in the second row of the windward zone. In aeroelastic model wind tunnel tests, the mean vertical displacement of the flexible PV support structure increases with the increase of wind speed and tilt angle of PV modules. Due to the wind-resistant anchor cables set in both the windward and leeward zones, the vibration amplitude near the edge rows is significantly smaller than that of the middle rows when the structure is subjected to wind suction. When the flexible PV support structure is subjected to wind pressure, the maximum mean vertical displacement occurs in the first rows at high wind speeds. The shielding effect has a noticeable impact on the wind-induced response of the leeward zone at α = 20° under wind pressure, resulting in the decrease of amplitude vibration by approximately 53 %. The wind vibration coefficients in different zones under the wind pressure or wind suction are mostly between 2.0 and 2.15. Compared with the experimental results, the current Chinese national standards are relatively conservative in the equivalent static wind loads of flexible PV support structure.

Forecasting Construction Cost Indices: Methods, Trends, and Influential Factors

The Construction Cost Index (CCI) is an important tool that is widely used in construction cost management to monitor cost fluctuations over time. Numerous studies have been conducted on CCI development and forecasting models, including time series, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and hybrid models. Therefore, this study seeks to reveal the complexity of CCI forecasting and identify the leading indicators, trends, and techniques for CCI prediction. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to explore the landscape in the CCI literature, focusing on co-occurrence, co-authorship, and citation analysis. These analyses revealed the frequent keywords, the most cited authors and documents, and the most productive countries. The research topics and clusters in the CCI forecasting process were presented, and directions for future research were suggested to enhance the prediction models. A case study was conducted to demonstrate the practical application of a forecasting model to validate its prediction reliability. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the need to integrate advanced technologies and sustainable practices into future CCI forecasting models. The findings are useful in enhancing the knowledge of CCI prediction techniques and serve as a base for future research in construction cost estimation.

A taxonomy of machine learning techniques for construction cost estimation

A taxonomy of machine learning techniques for construction cost estimation

Concrete's fire resistance improvement with waste glass and ceramic aggregates

AbstractEven though concrete structures are safer than steel structures in terms of fire resistance, the risk exists in concrete structures by spalling or exploding, especially in high-strength concrete. This study aims to produce a particular type of concrete using waste ceramics as fine aggregate and waste glass as coarse aggregate and compare data with normal aggregate concrete. Studies show that using waste ceramic and glass increases the fire resistance of concrete. After fire exposure in the control mix, the residual compressive strength was 10 MPa. The waste aggregate concrete was found to be 26.9 MPa after 800 centigrade exposures, which was an excellent result. Waste materials decreased construction costs and led to a clean environment.

Long-Term Comparative Life Cycle Assessment, Cost, and Comfort Analysis of Heavyweight vs. Lightweight Construction Systems in a Mediterranean Climate

Massive construction systems have always characterized traditional architecture and are currently the most prevalent, straightforward, and cost-effective in many Mediterranean countries. However, in recent years, the construction industry has gradually shifted towards using lightweight, dry construction techniques. This study aims to assess the effects on energy consumption, comfort levels, and environmental sustainability resulting from the adoption of five high-performance construction systems in a multi-family residential building: (i) reinforced concrete structure with low-transmittance thermal block infill; (ii) reinforced concrete structure with light-clay bricks and outer thermal insulation; (iii) steel frame; (iv) cross-laminated timber (CLT); (v) timber-steel hybrid structure. To achieve this goal, a multidisciplinary approach was employed, including the analysis of thermal parameters, the evaluation of indoor comfort through the adaptive model and Fanger’s PMV, and the quantification of environmental and economic impacts through life cycle assessment and life cycle cost applied in a long-term analysis (ranging from 30 to 100 years). The results highlight that heavyweight construction systems are the most effective in terms of comfort, cost, and long-term environmental impact (100 years), while lightweight construction systems generally have higher construction costs, provide lower short-term environmental impacts (30 years), and offer intermediate comfort depending on the thermal mass.

Sustainability and resilience interface at typical urban green and blue infrastructures: costs, benefits, and impacts assessment

The rapid urbanization witnessed in recent years has led to the deterioration of urban ecosystems, resulting in various environmental and socioeconomic challenges. In response to these concerns, the implementation of Green and Blue Infrastructures (GBI) has gained prominence as a sustainable urban planning approach. GBI is a planned network system of natural and semi-natural spaces, along with other environmental elements, managed and designed to provide a wide range of ecosystem services and improve ecological conditions, thereby contributing to citizens' wellbeing and quality of life. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the costs, benefits (ecosystem services), and impacts (ecosystem dis-services) associated with the incorporation of GBI in urban environments using the technique of emergy accounting. To achieve this, the research paper introduces a novel integrated valuation framework. This framework encompasses key components such as constructing/maintenance costs, ecosystem services, needed costs to human health and biodiversity damage, as well as ecosystem dis-services. Furthermore, the study conducts a comparative analysis of the costs, benefits, and impacts associated with different urban GBIs via ternary phase diagram, shedding light on their varying contributions to the urban ecosystem. The findings reveal that green roofs offer more ecosystem benefits as compared to other GBIs, but this study also highlights that green roof entail higher initial construction costs and produce a greater number of dis-services. Conversely, street trees have lower initial costs and impacts yet generate higher benefits. Furthermore, green walls, despite having a lower input emergy value and fewer benefits, result in higher impacts compared to other green-blue ecosystems. These findings provide valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders, enabling them to make informed decisions in developing sustainable cities for the wellbeing of present and future generations.

Application of a GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach to the Siting of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Power Plants: A Case Study of the Xisha Sea Area, China

In order to achieve the goals of carbon neutrality and reduced carbon emissions, China is increasingly focusing on the development and utilization of renewable energy sources. Among these, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) has the advantages of small periodic fluctuations and large potential reserves, making it an important research field. With the development of the “Maritime Silk Road”, the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea will see a growing demand for electricity, providing the potential for OTEC development in this region. Optimal site selection of OTEC power plants is a prerequisite for developing thermal energy provision, affecting both the construction costs and future benefits of the power plants. This study establishes a scientific evaluation model based on the decision-making frameworks of geographic information systems (GISs) and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, specifically the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for assigning weights, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to reclassify the factors, and weighted linear combination (WLC) to compute the suitability index. In addition to commonly considered factors such as temperature difference and marine usage status, this study innovatively incorporates geological conditions and maximum offshore distances of cold seawater based on cost control. The final evaluation identifies three suitable areas for OTEC development near the Xuande Atoll and the Yongle Atoll in the Xisha Sea Area, providing valuable insights for energy developers and policymakers.

Optimization of a Typical Gas Injection Pressurization Process in Underground Gas Storage

In the early construction of an underground gas storage facility in an oil and gas field in southwest China, the increasing gas injection volume led to a continuous rise in energy consumption, which affects the economic sustainability of gas injection and extraction. In order to improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption, optimization of the pressurization process was carried out. An optimization model for the process of pressurization in underground gas storage has been established. Based on the model, a joint optimization approach is applied, where MATLAB is responsible for the iterative process of finding the optimal parameter combinations and HYSYS is responsible for the establishment of the process and calculation of the results of the process parameters. The key parameters include the outlet parameters of the compressor and the air cooler, which are critical in determining the overall energy consumption and operational performance of the system. Accordingly, the results related to the optimal parameter combinations for two-stage compression and three-stage compression were obtained in the case study. Compared with one-stage compression, two-stage and three-stage compression can diminish energy consumption by 1,464,789 kJ/h and 2,177,319 kJ/h, respectively. The reduced rate of energy consumption of three-stage compression was 16.10%, which was higher than that of two-stage compression by 10.83%. Although the construction costs of three-stage compression were higher than those of two-stage compression, from the perspective of long-term operation, three-stage compression had lower operating costs and superior economy and applicable value. The research results provided scientific references and new ideas for the optimization and adjustment of the pressurization process in underground gas storage.

Modular momentum: assessing the efficacy of modular construction in alleviating the UK housing crisis

This manuscript critically evaluates the potential of modular construction as a viable remedy to the ongoing housing crisis in the UK. In light of the escalating construction costs and the long-standing lack of productivity gains in the residential construction sector, there is in fact an urgent need to explore innovative solutions to address the scarcity of affordable housing. The study delves then into the feasibility and effectiveness of modular construction in providing cost-efficient and sustainable housing alternatives, particularly for the working-class population. Through a comprehensive analysis of construction trends and methodologies, and stakeholder perspectives, this research aims to illuminate the advantages and limitations of modular construction compared to traditional building techniques. Drawing upon data sourced from construction professionals, and government records, the study assesses crucial factors such as construction timelines, financial implications, design adaptability, and overall efficacy in tackling the housing crisis. The findings of this study are poised to offer valuable insights into the potential role of modular construction in transforming housing solutions in the UK. By examining the intersection of housing demand, construction practices, and technological advancements, the manuscript seeks to inform decision-making processes in both public and private sectors. Ultimately, the objective is to identify strategies that can facilitate the widespread adoption of modular construction as a sustainable and scalable solution to the housing crisis, in line also with the principles of the circular economy, thereby enhancing access to safe, affordable, and high-quality housing for all segments of society.

Application of artificial intelligence in construction

This paper mainly introduces the application and assistance of artificial intelligence in architecture and construction cost, as well as the future prospects and development trends. The study adopts a quantitative research design of survey research and data collection method of literature analysis. In addition, it can further explore the innovative applications of artificial intelligence in architectural design, such as spatial planning optimization based on big data analysis and simulation experience through virtual reality technology. At the same time, it can also deeply explore the role of artificial intelligence in the automated management of construction processes, material selection optimization, etc., and give detailed explanations with specific cases. In addition, when discussing the future prospects and development trends, it can consider the prediction of the impact of the continuous evolution of artificial intelligence technology on the construction industry, such as the wider application of machine learning algorithms in project management, the gradual maturity of intelligent sensor systems in building equipment monitoring. At the same time, it can also analyze the profound impact of artificial intelligence on the future development of the construction industry from economic, social and environmental angles, and put forward corresponding solutions.

The State of the Art on Phase Change Material-Modified Asphalt Pavement

During the construction and maintenance of asphalt pavement, a lot of non-renewable resources are consumed, which discharge a variety of waste gasses and smoke, causing a serious impact on the environment. Reducing society’s reliance on non-renewable resources is therefore key to improving sustainability. It is found that phase change materials (PCMs), as environmentally friendly materials, can spontaneously store and release heat energy by changing the phase state, thus reducing the adverse effect of temperature on asphalt pavement, reducing the occurrence of high-temperature stress, minimizing the cost of road construction and maintenance, and saving resources. In order to promote the application of PCMs in asphalt pavement, to promote self-controlling temperature technology for asphalt pavement, and to improve the sustainable development of asphalt pavement, this paper reviews the research status of PCMs in asphalt pavement, both domestically and abroad. The results show that the thermal conductivity of the modified asphalt binder can reach 0.29–0.39 W/mK, and the thermal diffusivity can reach 0.2–0.3 mm2/s, but the influence on the viscosity of the asphalt is limited, and both are less than 2000CP. The durability and thermal stability of the modified asphalt mixture are improved, and the maximum temperature can be lowered by 9 °C, which effectively reduces the occurrence of hightemperature stress. This review will help to better understand the function of PCMs and promote the sustainable development of green and environmentally friendly asphalt pavement.

Influence of macroeconomic factors on construction costs: an analysis of project cases

This study explores the relationship between price increase and project cost increase under macroeconomic shocks by considering the hierarchical structure within price categories, diversification of the cost breakdown structure, infrastructure sector, delivery system, construction methods, and type of bid. The analysis of a large construction company with five large projects as embedded units of analysis reveals significant variations in the relative influence of specific factors across the projects. Unit price categories located higher in the hierarchical breakdown structure display lower vulnerability to macroeconomic changes due to their unique and group-specific influencing factors while price categories influenced by macroeconomic factors depart at lower values in the hierarchical structure. Projects with low-cost breakdown structure diversification can either mitigate or exacerbate cost increases depending on construction methods (off-site or on-site), price drivers of most representative materials (global or local), and delivery systems risk allocation. Under macroeconomic crisis periods, public entities may consider giving high priority to projects more reliant on materials driven by regional dynamics (e.g., concrete pouring) over those driven by global market conditions (e.g., steel, aluminum) while prioritizing integrated delivery systems (e.g., design-build) that promote enhanced collaboration, proactive risk management, aligned incentives, and adaptability for managing complexities and volatilities. Complementary, for projects with higher reliance on global market-driven materials, the results suggest that contractors should prioritize early procurement and acquisition of highly volatile resources in projects under macroeconomic crises.

Evolution mechanism of deviated well fiber-optic strain induced by single-fracture propagation during fracturing in horizontal wells

Considering the high construction cost of horizontal adjacent well monitoring and the lack of vertical adjacent well fiber optic for obtaining fracturing information, this paper proposes the use of deviated wells with fiber optics for monitoring purposes. To demonstrate the advantages of deviated well fiber optics and the feasibility of their deployment, this paper constructs a forward model based on the finite element coupled with cohesive element approach to simulate the strain induced by the propagation of a single hydraulic fracture in horizontal wells on deviated well fiber optics, and conducts a numerical simulation analysis of the strain induced by the propagation of a single hydraulic fracture on deviated well fiber optics. The results show that the strain evolution induced by single-fracture propagation in deviated well fiber optics can be divided into four stages: strain-enhancing, strain-converging, tensile strain-expanding, and linear strain-converging. The strain evolution characteristics of deviated well fiber optics are manifested as follows: a “heart-shaped” tensile strain convergence zone with a certain deviation appears in the middle, which subsequently converges into a tensile strain convergence band, with compressive strain convergence zones on both sides, and an expanding tensile strain convergence zone on the outer side of the compressive strain convergence band. The analysis finds that when the well inclination angle is greater than 45°, the strain response characteristics of deviated well fiber optics are mainly governed by the width expansion of the fracture, and when less than 45°, they are mainly governed by the height expansion of the fracture. Changes in the azimuth angle can cause a deviation of the “heart-shaped” tensile strain area and the compressive strain convergence zone in the fiber-optic strain waterfall plot, with larger deviations corresponding to smaller azimuth angles. The depth at which the deviated well fiber optics are deployed, reaching the depth of the horizontal section of the horizontal well, can reflect the upward expansion of the fracture height. The results of the analysis illustrate the advantages of deviated well fiber optics in obtaining both fracture width and height expansion information simultaneously and propose a method for selecting suitable deviated well fiber-optic construction parameters based on fracturing monitoring needs. This research can reduce the construction cost of deploying fiber optics in adjacent wells and has significant implications for guiding the layout of adjacent well fiber optics.

Optimization and modeling of the insulating and mechanical properties of fired ceramics for sustainable construction

The increasing demand for insulating bricks, driven by climate change and the rising costs of construction, has led to the exploration of alternative building materials. Clay, which is readily available in our environments, emerged as a viable option. When fired, it achieves sufficient stability to provide effective insulation. While numerous studies have experimented with various types of fired bricks, little attention has been given to modeling their results. This study evaluates the experimental outcomes obtained from the use of locally sourced bulk clay for building construction. Wood sawdust (WSD) was added as a pore former in proportions of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wt%, and firing was performed at 1200 °C and 1400 °C. The influence of these input variations on the properties of the clay bricks was assessed and analyzed using the response surface method. The results revealed that the input variables (WSD and firing temperature) significantly influenced the responses with p-values below 5 %. However, interactions between the input factors had a marginal effect on the outcomes. Optimal performance was achieved with 1.6 wt% WSD and a firing temperature of 1200 °C, demonstrating that the developed fired bricks are suitable for insulation in building construction under these optimal conditions.

Prediction and Estimation of Highway Construction Cost using Machine Learning

Prediction and Estimation of Highway Construction Cost using Machine Learning

RESIDE: REPRESENTATIVE DATABASES FOR MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION TOOL

RESIDE is a software that allows designers and decision-makers to simultaneously consider issues related to energy consumption for environmental conditioning and water heating, construction costs and public policies from the initial planning stages of residential developments. However, its use is conditional on the existence of a database for the context analyzed. Understanding the growing importance of addressing the innate complexity in sustainability-oriented design activities, this article presents a procedure to identify representative databases for the state of Minas Gerais, in order to enable the use of the RESIDE multi-criteria decision tool.

Coupling dynamic characteristics of installation vessel - Multi buckets jacket foundation lowering system

Precise control of the splash zone lowering process of the multi-bucket jacket foundation for an offshore wind turbine can save time during the entire construction period, thereby reducing construction and installation costs. This paper focuses on the “installation vessel - multi buckets jacket foundation” coupled dynamic system during the lowering process of the multi-bucket jacket foundation. Taking the three-bucket jacket foundation (TBJF) and the four-bucket jacket foundation (FBJF) as the research objects, four different sling layout types were proposed. The influence of the slings layout types on the motion response of the installation vessel and foundation and the slings' tension in this system were comparatively studied through numerical simulation. Research shows that through the lowering of Type 1 conditions, that is, each chord corresponds to a vertical sling and is directly connected to the crane's lifting point, the motion performance of the foundation and installation vessel can be reduced, ensuring the smooth progress of the lowering process of the structure. Under the same conditions, the FBJF has greater motion response due to the large wave force bearing area and large water plane area. Under different conditions, the DAF value and failure factor of the slings of the two structures during the lowering process all meet the specification requirements.

Location and Size Planning of Charging Parking Lots Based on EV Charging Demand Prediction and Fuzzy Bi-Objective Optimization

The market share of electric vehicles (EVs) is growing rapidly. However, given the huge demand for parking and charging of electric vehicles, supporting facilities generally have problems such as insufficient quantity, low utilization efficiency, and mismatch between supply and demand. In this study, based on the actual EV operation data, we propose a driver travel-charging demand prediction method and a fuzzy bi-objective optimization method for location and size planning of charging parking lots (CPLs) based on existing parking facilities, aiming to reduce the charging waiting time of EV users while ensuring the maximal profit of CPL operators. First, the Monte Carlo method is used to construct a driver travel-charging behavior chain and a user spatiotemporal activity transfer model. Then, a user charging decision-making method based on fuzzy logic inference is proposed, which uses the fuzzy membership degree of influencing factors to calculate the charging probability of users at each road node. The travel and charging behavior of large-scale users are then simulated to predict the spatiotemporal distribution of charging demand. Finally, taking the predicted charging demand distribution as an input and the number of CPLs and charging parking spaces as constraints, a bi-objective optimization model for simultaneous location and size planning of CPLs is constructed, and solved using the fuzzy genetic algorithm. The results from a case study indicate that the planning scheme generated from the proposed methods not only reduces the travelling and waiting time of EV users for charging in most of the time, but also controls the upper limit of the number of charging piles to save construction costs and increase the total profit. The research results can provide theoretical support and decision-making reference for the planning of electric vehicle charging facilities and the intelligent management of charging parking lots.

Environmental and socio-economic evaluation of a groundwater bioremediation technology using social Cost-Benefit Analysis: Application to an in-situ metal(loid) precipitation case study

Bioremediation can be an alternative or complementary approach to conventional soil and water treatment technologies. Determining the environmental and socio-economic impacts of bioremediation is important but rarely addressed. This work presents a comprehensive sustainability assessment for a specific groundwater bioremediation case study based on In-situ Metal(loid) Precipitation (ISMP) by conducting a social Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) using two different approaches: environmental Life Cycle Costing (eLCC) and Impact Pathway Approach (IPA). Externalities are calculated in two ways: i) using Environmental Prices (EP) to monetize Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results and metal(loid)s removed at field scale, and ii) following the IPA steps to determine the social costs avoided by removing arsenic contamination at full scale. The results show that, in the baseline scenario, the project is not socio-economically viable in both cases as the Net Present Value (NPV) is −129,512.61 € and − 415,185,140 € respectively. Sensitivity and scenario analyses are performed to identify the key parameters and actions needed to reach a positive NPV. For instance, increasing the amount of water treated per year to 90 m3 and assuming a 20 % increase in operation costs and a 60 % increase in construction costs can make the project socio-economically viable at the field scale, while a reduction in the social discount rate from a 4 % to a 2 % can lead to a positive NPV at the full scale. The approaches proposed in this work may be useful for practitioners and policymakers when evaluating the environmental and socio-economic impacts of bioremediation technologies at different scales and regions, as well as human health impacts caused by contaminants at the current legal limits.

Labor Cost Estimation: Factors Influencing Labor Costs in Civil Construction and Methods for Accurate Forecasting

Labor Cost Estimation: Factors Influencing Labor Costs in Civil Construction and Methods for Accurate Forecasting