Construction Management Research Articles

Perceptions of mental health, suicide and working conditions in the construction industry-A qualitative study.

The aim of the study was to explore perceptions of mental ill health, suicidal behaviour and working conditions among male construction workers, in order to gain an in-depth understanding of these phenomenon and to identify relevant avenues for workplace interventions. Data were collected in individual and group interviews, and 43 individuals from the Swedish construction industry, workers, union representative and managers, participated in the study. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Five main themes were found: Difficult to talk about mental health, Demanding working environment affects mental health, Substance abuse among construction workers, Importance of management, and Need for routines and social support in the workplace. Many participants reported that there was a stigma related to mental health. Suicides that had occurred among colleagues were perceived to come out of the blue. The working environment in the construction industry was perceived to have a negative effect on mental health, and it was reported that the management played an important role in both the cause and prevention of mental health problems. The results from this Swedish study are in accordance with previous international research regarding a macho culture, stigma of mental health and a demanding working environment in the construction industry. The study adds to existing knowledge by highlighting that suicides were perceived to be very unexpected, that poor physical health affected mental health and that many participants did not know how to deal with mental health issues in the workplace.

Digital Trio: Integration of BIM–EIR–IoT for Facilities Management of Mega Construction Projects

Facility Management (FM) has increasingly focused on integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) with the Internet of Things (IoT), known as digital twins, in large-scale development projects. Effective BIM integration in FM requires improved cooperation among participants across various project stages. This digital revolution aims to enhance planning, construction, and asset management efficiency, benefiting all parties. However, BIM utilization in FM is limited by incomplete owner understanding, insufficient data accessibility, and stakeholders’ unfamiliarity with BIM procedures and standards. Despite recognizing BIM’s significance, the FM industry faces significant implementation challenges. Facility managers often lack a comprehensive understanding of BIM’s benefits in streamlining operations and enhancing cost efficiency, as well as the necessary skills for its use. Addressing these barriers requires developing an Employer’s Information Requirements (EIR) document at a project’s outset, providing a strategic plan and vision for all involved parties. BIM and IoT are pivotal technologies for transitioning to efficient building operations and crucial for reducing time, costs, and operational challenges throughout any project. This research aims to establish a digital trio workflow, integrating BIM, EIR, and IoT to maximize stakeholder benefits. It explores how preparing the EIR through stakeholder communication can improve design processes, sustainability, efficiency, cost, and time, especially for megaprojects.

The role of construction consultants in disaster recovery

Abstract. Disaster recovery requires speed above all, and the public and private sectors need to work together. In the event of a disaster, the activities of the construction industry play a crucial role. Construction consultants, surveying companies, and geological survey companies play an important role. Construction consultants oversee the entire process of disaster recovery, from assessing the damage immediately after the disaster to managing the restoration work. In some cases, local governments order construction management services to supervise the entire disaster recovery work, and in such cases, construction consultants are even responsible for part of placing construction procurements. In this way, construction consultants have become an indispensable part of the disaster recovery process. This report is an introduction to the activities of construction consultants in times of disaster, using the heavy rains situations as examples, and presents of challenges and recommendations.

Exploring the roles of lean design and operations in improving construction logistics collaboration and supply chain performance

ABSTRACT Previous studies have conceptually mentioned the important roles of lean practices (LP) (in design, planning, operations, and safety) in improving logistics collaboration (LC) and construction supply chain performance (SCP). However, there is a lack of studies exploring their relationships in a structural model. Thus, this study is conducted to provide theoretical insights into how LC and construction SCP can be improved by considering LP. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) results show that LP in design and planning has positive impacts on internal LC and SCP while LP in operations and safety has significant impacts on internal and external LC. The results also reveal that internal and external LC positively impact the construction SCP. Based on the research results, we also propose managerial implications for construction managers to improve SCP.

Multi-objective optimization analysis of construction management site layout based on improved genetic algorithm

In construction management, the rationality of on-site layout is crucial for project progress, cost, and safety. In order to improve the rationality of on-site layout, a multi-objective optimization model combining ant colony algorithm and Pareto optimal solution was constructed based on genetic algorithm, and this model was applied to practical engineering cases. The results show that in terms of computational time, the genetic algorithm takes an average of 1702.0 s, while the improved algorithm takes an average of 421.0 s, which is 1281s less and 85.9% more than before the improvement. The performance of the improved algorithm is the best, and the optimal solution can be obtained through multiple iterations. The improved algorithm has improved the efficiency of on-site layout optimization, and possesses practical application value for the layout of construction management sites. It offers a certain reference for the reasonable setting of construction management sites.

Study on Deformation Control of Road-Deep Foundation Pit Passing under Elevated Subway Bridge

This paper focuses on the application of pile foundation underpinning technology in a deep foundation pit of a subway Viaduct Project in Beijing. The study aims to address the engineering characteristics of the project, including a large number of new piles, a wide span of underpinning abutment, a long length of deep foundation pit, and a wide range of influences. This research utilizes field monitoring and numerical simulation methods to investigate the pile foundation underpinnings. The impact and management of road-deep foundation pit construction are considered, as well as their combined effect on subway viaducts and track structures. The primary accomplishments are as follows: (1) By analyzing the data from on-site deformation monitoring, it is evident that the pier exhibits maximum vertical deformation and maximum transverse deformation at the same location. The measuring locations are specifically situated on Pier 7# at the pile foundation underpinning. The maximum vertical and transverse deformations of the track are directly proportional to the maximum deformation of the pier. (2) By comparing the numerical simulation results with the field monitoring data, it is observed that although there is some discrepancy between the two, the deformation trend is largely consistent. This suggests that the numerical simulation analysis method is effective in reflecting the deformation of the bridge and track. (3) Through the numerical model and changing the values of the retaining structure parameters, the sensitivity of the pier deformation near the road foundation pit to the retaining structure parameters is systematically analyzed. The sensitivity of the pier deformation to the foundation pit parameters is as follows: the embedded depth insertion ratio of the retaining pile > the diameter of the retaining pile > the pile spacing.

Over 30 years of monitoring and implementing the Bern Convention's recommendations for the protection of Mediterranean sea turtles

The Bern Convention was the first international treaty dedicated to the conservation of European wildlife and habitats. Their task is to review member states’ efforts depending on their commitments for flora and fauna protection. Since 1993, the Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles (MEDASSET) has been advocating for the creation and enforcement of legislation at the national, European Union, and regional levels. MEDASSET monitors the implementation of the Convention’s recommendations in two major sea turtle nesting areas in Greece (Laganas and Kyparissia Bays) and four in Turkey (Anamur, Kazanli, Fethiye, and Patara). In Greece, the most important pressures are uncontrolled tourist boat activity, illegal construction, and beach furniture management issues reported in Laganas Bay, and light pollution, illegal construction, and unhindered vehicle access in Kyparissia. In Turkey, Anamur is negatively impacted by the lack of law enforcement, illegal sand extraction, and coastal development, and Kazanli has been subjected to the release of toxic waste from a Soda Chrome Factory since 2000. Moreover, Fethiye and Patara are affected by the lack of management and protection, and the rapid construction and touristic development. Nevertheless, some positive steps have been made due to MEDASSET and other NGO activities over the past 30 years, such as the establishment of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, and the issuing of the Bern Convention’s recommendations for each one of the aforementioned nesting sites.

Building Digital Twins to Overcome Digitalization Barriers for Automating Construction Site Management

Construction sites are highly unpredictable environments involving a wide variety of stakeholders with complex information exchanges, which lead to the well-known inefficiencies and unproductivity of the construction sector. The adoption of Building Digital Twins (BDT) in the construction site is a promising solution to this issue, by automating data acquisition and knowledge extraction processes and providing what-if scenario simulation capabilities. Furthermore, the current research sets the principles to define, replicate, and scale-up the architecture of a Building Digital Twin Platform (BDTP), conceived as a scalar ecosystem, which allows to seamlessly manage on-site construction processes, integrating cross-cutting domains for the construction site optimization (Progress monitoring, Quality control, Operational Health and Safety, Equipment control, and Production planning). The starting point of the research is a comprehensive diagnosis of on-site process inefficiencies and the barriers to its digitalization leading to the user requirements, which have been underpinned by questionnaires and interviews addressed within an open innovation user-centered approach around Living Labs. The research has been conceived following the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology and based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) analysis for the continuous improvement of the construction process. By means of the adoption of the standard Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), based on the BDTP architecture, the research has resulted in BPMN workflows stemmed from the Digital Twin (DT) where the DT itself is an actor in a service-oriented data-exchange workflow. Moreover, the use of a BDTP can pave the way for the transition from user-driven construction management to hybrid management, coexisting with both human and digital actors and merging expert knowledge with artificial intelligence techniques.

A Study on Job Satisfaction among Engineers with Master’s Degree in Construction Management in Kathmandu Valley

A Study on Job Satisfaction among Engineers with Master’s Degree in Construction Management in Kathmandu Valley

Quality management and technological innovation in concrete structure construction

Quality management and technological innovation in concrete structure construction is a complex and systematic process, which requires comprehensive measures from multiple perspectives to ensure construction quality. Through continuous technological innovation and quality management practices, the overall quality of concrete structure construction can be effectively improved, contributing to the sustainable development of the construction industry.

The role of interpersonal conflict as a cause of work-related stress in construction managers in Ireland

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide evidence to support an emerging theory that interpersonal conflict is the primary cause of workplace stress among a self-selected sample of Irish construction managers. Design/methodology/approach Eighteen construction managers working in Ireland were recruited for this study. Using semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis as the research methodology, the causes of their workplace stress were investigated. Findings Participants reported that the principal cause of their workplace stress was high levels of interpersonal conflict between colleagues. The effects of this interpersonal conflict included avoidance behaviour, ill health, absences from the workplace and loss of productivity issues. Deadlines, penalty clauses, lack of appreciation, cliques, costs, communication, temporary contracts and delays were also reported stressors. Research limitations/implications A limitation of the study is the small sample of 18 construction managers and the limited geographical area. Social implications The social implications of this study could be to clearly identify that interpersonal conflict may be under reported in the construction industry, and there is a possibility that it is being misclassified as other workplace behaviours such as bullying, harassment and workplace violence. If this is so, this could aid future researchers in addressing this challenging workplace behaviour. Originality/value The current consensus in the literature is that the three main causes of workplace stress are bullying, harassment and violence. However, the role and importance of interpersonal conflict as reported in this study, with the exception of North America and China, is not reflected in the wider health and safety research literature. In addition, interpersonal conflict and its reluctance to be reported is largely absent from construction safety research. The findings of this study may be explained if the workplace stress research community is currently misclassifying interpersonal conflict as a manifestation of bullying, harassment or violence. If this is the case, interpersonal conflict needs further research. This is to establish if this cause of construction-related workplace stress needs to be reconsidered as a standalone phenomenon in the wider family of challenging workplace behaviours.

Challenges in the management of construction and demolition waste in Beira-Sofola

Challenges in the management of construction and demolition waste in Beira-Sofola

The Sustainability Journey of Chinese Ready-Meal Companies Going Global: Configurational Analysis Using the Technology-Organization-Environment Framework.

In the new wave of globalization, China's pre-cooked meal industry has rapidly emerged as a significant player in the food supply chain domain, owing to its convenience and diverse choices. Amidst intensifying market competition, crafting a sustainable supply chain for overseas expansion has become an indispensable core element for driving corporate internationalization. This study focuses on the sustainability generation mechanism of the overseas supply chain of Chinese pre-cooked meal A-share listed companies, employing the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method. Herein, an in-depth analysis of 388 data points from 17 listed companies has been conducted. The study systematically reveals the key factors affecting the sustainability of overseas supply chains and identifies three critical sustainability generation paths: the technology-driven and norm compliance model (path 1), the market sensitivity and product innovation model (path 2), and the robust operation and risk control model (path 3). The present study not only introduces a novel perspective on the application of a TOE framework within the realms of sustainable supply chain management and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria but also offers clear directions for companies to enhance sustainability in their overseas expansion process. This includes strengthening technological research and development, compliance construction, market adaptability, product diversity, infrastructure construction, and risk management. Moreover, the research findings provide valuable insights for policymakers in promoting the internationalization of the pre-cooked meal industry and enhancing industry competitiveness.

The Application of Digital Technology in Public Building-The Han Hall Project at the Wuhan International Expo Center

This article takes the Han Hall project at the Wuhan International Expo Center as a case study to illustrate how digital technology has been applied in various stages of the construction process, including conceptual design, construction drawing design, engineering construction, and operation and maintenance management. It demonstrates the role of digital technology in the construction of public buildings.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Delays in the Implementation of the Meninting Dam Construction Project, West Lombok Regency

The Meninting Dam Construction Project is part of the National Strategic Project (PSN). Delays can occur in any project, including the construction of the Meninting Dam in West Lombok. This study aims to identify and analyze risk factors impacting the project, determine the risks classified as dominant major risks, and evaluate the residual risks of the Meninting Dam construction project to formulate risk responses that minimize the impact on the project. The study employs the Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Probability Impact Matrix (PIM) methods and uses related sources as theoretical foundations. Based on the study results, the Meninting Dam project identified four factors that most significantly affect delays using the FTA method: 1) “Delay in decision-making by the owner,” probability = 17.443%, 2) “Lack of control over work by Construction Management,” probability = 13.771%, 3) “Inadequate planning and control by the Contractor,” probability = 17.207%, and 4) “Weather intensity or high rainfall/heat,” probability = 13.041%. From the identification, four dominant risk variables with high risk levels were obtained using the PIM method: 1) Objections from local residents regarding land acquisition, 2) Delays in material arrival, 3) Delays in procurement of work equipment, and 4) High rainfall causing uncompact soil to become landslides. The risk mitigation category used in this study is risk reduction. The assessment of residual risk shows that of the four risks initially at a high level, these risks decreased after risk mitigation, with two risks becoming moderate and two risks becoming low.

A Study on Causes of Gender Gap in Construction Management: High School Students’ Knowledge and Perceptions across Genders

This paper addresses three research questions: (1) According to the pertinent literature, what are the main causes of the current gender gap in the construction industry, particularly for management and leadership roles? (2) Is there a significant difference between male and female high-school-age students regarding their level of knowledge of the construction industry? (3) Is there a significant difference between male and female high-school-age students in their perception of the construction industry and factors impacting their career choice? These research questions are addressed by a review of the literature followed by a discussion of precamp survey results from two consecutive years of a two-week high school summer camp, which is focused on construction science and management. The literature review reveals that the issues are deep-routed and complex but can in general be categorized into two groups: the recruitment and retention of women in construction management and related careers. While the literature review summary in this paper addresses both categories, the focus of the paper remains recruitment, particularly through a study of high school students’ level of knowledge and perceptions of construction management. The pre-camp surveys assessed the participants’ baseline knowledge and perceptions of construction management as a career. The results showed that the knowledge of construction management as a career is very low, with no statistically significant difference between genders. It must be noted here that the participants are biased positively toward the construction management and related careers, as they chose to attend the camp for a variety of reasons, from wanting an experience on the campus of this university to parents’ encouragement. Despite this baseline interest, however, the data show that the participants lacked clarity on what this career really entails. It is suggested, therefore that the general knowledge of this career path across larger and more randomized samples across U.S. will be even lower. The perceptions of the construction industry differed slightly between genders, with females perceiving it as more physically challenging and prioritizing family friendliness when considering career options. In conclusion, both the literature review and the survey data analysis show that the lack of knowledge of this career path, exacerbated by the negative perceptions of the construction industry, contribute to the problem of women not choosing to study construction management. The construction industry continues to make significant improvements in their diversity and inclusion efforts, and there are a variety of paths within the industry for graduates of construction science and management degrees. As such, significant work remains for both the industry and academia to overcome the lack of knowledge and negative perceptions of the industry through increased outreach to better inform high school students, parents, and counselors.

Examining the Drivers to Support Improved Construction and Demolition Waste Management for a Circular Economy: A Comprehensive Review Using a Systematic Approach

With the rapid pace of global urbanisation, construction demolition waste (CDW) constitutes roughly 36% of the total solid waste deposited in landfill sites worldwide, thereby posing a significant challenge to the sustainability of the construction industry. To address this issue, circular economy strategies are proposed as a solution. This paper systematically analyses 55 research articles published in leading peer-reviewed English-language scholarly journals over the past decade. It aims to identify and categorise drivers for enhanced CDW management by synthesising findings from previous research to support the principles of a circular economy. Utilising a PESTLE model for classification and analysis provides valuable insights into disparities and distinctions among categories, regions, and countries. The resulting analysis yields valuable insights into enablers and trends, with the aim of making a substantial contribution to mitigating the impact of construction activities and thus fostering the establishment of an efficient circular economy within the sector.

Proactive safety hazard identification using visual–text semantic similarity for construction safety management

Automated safety management in construction can reduce injuries by identifying hazardous postures, actions, and missing personal protective equipment (PPE). However, existing computer vision (CV) methods have limitations in connecting recognition results to text-based safety rules. To address this issue, this paper presents a multi-modal framework that bridges the gap between construction image monitoring and safety knowledge. The framework includes an image processing module that utilizes CV and dense image captioning techniques, and a text processing module that employs natural language processing for semantic similarity evaluation. Experiments showed a mean average precision of 49.6% in dense captioning and an F1 score of 74.3% in hazard identification. While the proposed framework demonstrates a promising multi-modal approach towards automated safety hazard identification and reasoning, improvements in dataset size and model performance are still needed to enhance its effectiveness in real-world applications.

Long-term prediction modeling of shallow rockburst with small dataset based on machine learning

Rockburst present substantial hazards in both deep underground construction and shallow depths, underscoring the critical need for accurate prediction methods. This study addressed this need by collecting and analyzing 69 real datasets of rockburst occurring within a 500 m burial depth, which posed challenges due to the dataset's multi-categorized, unbalanced, and small nature. Through a rigorous comparison and screening process involving 11 machine learning algorithms and optimization with KMeansSMOKE oversampling, the Random Forest algorithm emerged as the most optimal choice. Efficient adjustment of hyper parameter was achieved using the Optuna framework. The resulting KMSORF model, which integrates KMeansSMOKE, Optuna, and Random Forest, demonstrated superior performance compared to mainstream models such as Gradient Boosting (GB), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XBG), and Extra Trees (ET). Application of the model in a tungsten mine and tunnel project showcased its ability to accurately forecast rockburst levels, thereby providing valuable insights for risk management in underground construction. Overall, this study contributes to the advancement of safety measures in underground construction by offering an effective predictive model for rockburst occurrences.

Innovative strategic multicriteria decision-making selection model of infrastructures projects delivery systems using multiobjective optimization, case of Egypt

Purpose To help decision-makers choose appropriate infrastructure project delivery systems (IPDS) and keep up with the construction industry’s rapid growth, this study aims to develop a goal optimization technique.This looks into team integration, large production and optimum sustainability. The suggested approach for meeting several infrastructure project objectives is flexible and expandable. This research overcomes the significant discrepancy between the construction industry’s progress and the rate at which project delivery methods evolve. Design/methodology/approach This study examined pertinent literature to choose an appropriate project delivery method and gave information on several elements that affect that decision. After optimization using a genetic algorithm (GA), a Pareto front of solutions has been found. The three construction goals of sustainability, mass production and team integration are all met by the chosen best solution. The four most popular possibilities for studying the suggested approach are five primary categories, each of which has 22 variables, and the weight of each variable was established using Simo’s procedure. This is optimized, demonstrating the accuracy of the optimization model. Findings Sustainability, mass production and team integration are the major goals of selecting the finest IPDS. The Pareto-optimal solutions discovered through analysis demonstrated that the created GA is reliable and generates solid outcomes. In fact, it enables decisions that were based on a single criterion to be overturned. The process has therefore demonstrated its efficacy in identifying the ideal answer. First integrated project delivery (IPD), second design-build (DB), third design-bid-build (DBB) and last construction manager at risk (CMR) are the best options. The weight of the aims function has found these rankings to be satisfactory. Practical implications The findings demonstrate that the suggested strategy can lead to optimization, providing the government with a wide range of options for attaining certain project objectives. The ability of this study to evaluate the combined effects of three objectives in choosing the best IPDS, the production of optimal selection solutions (IPDS), which can help with better decision-making when many objectives are present, and the flexibility and extendibility of the suggested approach for achieving priorities in infrastructure projects are what make it unique. This approach was able to select IPDS to meet developments in the construction project. Originality/value To confirm the validity of the GA, the factor of error was calculated, which is equal to 1.7599e-08.