Construction Site Management Research Articles

Safety hazard inspection system during typhoon warning period to improve the disaster resistance ability of road and bridge construction site

Typhoons are frequent in coastal cities, and the vulnerability of road and bridge construction sites is high, but existing studies have not focused on the safety management of road and bridge construction sites under typhoon disasters. Traditional manual safety inspections suffer from problems such as low efficiency, high subjectivity, and incomplete coverage. Therefore, this study aims to develop an intelligent safety management system for road and bridge construction sites during the typhoon warning period, in order to achieve rapid and automated typhoon prevention and control. In this study, the automatic identification algorithm of potential safety hazards was developed based on the MATLAB platform, and then the system design of the MATLAB GUI was carried out, which ultimately forms the automatic safety hazard inspection and measure enquiry system during the typhoon warning period for road and bridge construction sites (RBS-TY). The system can realize the detection of vertical deformation, safety distance and safety height by using the point cloud data of the object to be measured. According to the identified safety hazards, it will automatically retrieve the database of typhoon safety measures in the road and bridge construction site and provide the countermeasures in the GUI interface. Experimentally verified results show that this system can assist safety management personnel to quickly guide typhoon prevention and control work during the 24-h typhoon warning period, improve the efficiency of safety management, and help to promote the development of intelligent typhoon emergency response technology at road and bridge construction sites.

Impact of construction site manager’s technical and managerial skills on quality performance of construction projects in Ghana

Globally, the performance of the construction industry is often cited as one of low performance. Whilst concerted efforts have been made aimed at improving the performance of the construction industry through various strategies, the impact of construction site managers’ technical and managerial skills remains relatively unexplored. This study assesses the impact of construction site manager’s technical and managerial skills on quality performance of construction projects in Ghana. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 115 respondents for the study. The findings of the study revealed that construction site managers were not especially skilled in technical, legal, interpersonal, managerial, and business skills. The findings of the study suggest that the level of implementation of quality management practices among construction site managers for attaining high quality standards was acceptably high. The study revealed that the most significant skill requirements that can improve quality performance at construction sites was managerial and technical skills. The findings of the study disclosed that there is a statistically significant positive correlation between construction site manager’s skills and quality performance of construction projects they managed. It is recommended among others that efforts should be made by the top management of construction firms to create a quality management culture throughout the entire organisations. . Keywords: Construction Site Manager, Managerial Skills, Technical Skills, Quality Performance.

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.

Overlooked carbon sinks in the house building industry and the influential factors

The study aims to establish a carbon sink measurement model for the house building industry and analyze the time-varying characteristics of influential factors. China's house building industry exhibited an increasing trend in carbon sink, from 0.336 billion tons in 2000 to 234.1 million tons in 2020. This study defines the carbon sink coefficient of the house building industry to understand its carbon sink capacity. From 2000 to 2020, the average carbon dioxide absorption per square meter of floor space annually, throughout its life cycle, is 2.09 kg. Factors influencing the carbon sink were analyzed using Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model. The most influential factor was resource consumption intensity, followed by value dependence level and output scale effect. Employing Time-Varying Parameter Vector Autoregression (TVP-VAR), this study examines the impact of macro factors on carbon sinks at various lead times and specific points. Resource consumption intensity exhibits significant time-varying effects. Value dependence level negatively influences, primarily in the medium and long terms, while the output scale effect consistently shows a positive influence, mainly in the long term. Scenario forecasting suggests that by 2035, under low-carbon transition scenarios, carbon sinks could increase by 8.28% and 17.26% compared to baseline and high-carbon crude scenarios, respectively. To foster this growth, prolonging the service life of houses, enhancing construction site management and waste treatment, and employing higher value-added production factors are recommended.

A Reconstruction Methodology of Dynamic Construction Site Activities in 3D Digital Twin Models Based on Camera Information

Digital twin technology significantly enhances construction site management efficiency; however, dynamically reconstructing site activities presents a considerable challenge. This study introduces a methodology that leverages camera data for the 3D reconstruction of construction site activities. The methodology was initiated using 3D scanning to meticulously reconstruct the construction scene and dynamic elements, forming a model base. It further integrates deep learning algorithms to precisely identify static and dynamic elements in obstructed environments. An enhanced semi-global block-matching algorithm was then applied to derive depth information from the imagery, facilitating accurate element localization. Finally, a near-real-time projection method was introduced that utilizes the spatial relationships among elements to dynamically incorporate models into a 3D base, enabling a multi-perspective view of site activities. Validated by simulated construction site experiments, this methodology showcased an impressive reconstruction accuracy reaching up to 95%, this underscores its significant potential in enhancing the efficiency of creating a dynamic digital twin model.

Analyzing the Impact of Economic Performance on the Interplay between Financial Management Strategies and Profitability in the Iraqi Context

Purpose - This study examines how economic performance affects financial management approaches and profitability in Iraq's construction business. This research examines how financial management strategies affect profitability and economic success. Design/Methodology/Approach—Construction project and site managers in Iraq were surveyed online for the study. Given the scope and magnitude of the research, this study's 85.3% response rate is impressive. In-depth statistical analysis was performed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), which examined economic performance, financial management, and profitability. Findings - The instance indicates that the lack of organization-wide integrated systems, common across enterprises, contributes to this problem. The major issue is that the organization's information systems strategy never expressly prioritizes KM-enabling schemes. Practical Implications—The study's conclusions have major practical ramifications. Iraqi enterprises should prioritize resource optimization, cost control, and strategic financial planning to improve economic performance. In addition, governments should promote building projects through incentives, subsidies, and tax policies that boost economic productivity and profitability. These policies are available here. Originality/Value—This study adds to the literature by stressing economic performance as a mediator between financial management methods and profitability in Iraq's construction sector. It examines the dynamics of this link in Iraq's building sector. With the new data, firms may improve financial performance by making informed judgments and using efficient financial management procedures.

Impact of Project Management Practices on Cost and Time Overruns in Construction Projects in Nigeria

A major contributor to economic growth in Nigeria, the construction sector is frequently beset by large cost and schedule overruns that jeopardize project profitability and impede the development of infrastructure. This study looks into how project management techniques affect these overruns in building construction projects in Nigeria. The goal of the study is to pinpoint the major project management variables that lead to overspending and delays while also offering recommendations for best practices to address these problems. A mixed-methods strategy was used, integrating qualitative case studies with quantitative data analysis. Project engineers, contractors, Architects, and Technicians were given standardized questionnaires to complete about a variety of Nigerian building projects. In-depth interviews and focus groups were also held to acquire a deeper understanding of the real-world difficulties and experiences encountered in the field. The study pinpoints several crucial project management techniques that affect time and cost performance. The results show that Inadequate construction site management and supervision ranked 1st with an RII of 0.7877, Improper construction techniques and lack of experience of the consultant came 2nd and 3rd with RII of 0.7215 and 0.7213 respectively. Late payments during work progress and Use of improper equipment are contributors to project time overrun; while, factors affecting cost overrun are fluctuation in building material costs ranked 1st with RII of 0.7354, frequent design changes, (0.7138), omissions and errors in bills of quantities (0.6754), import of construction materials (0.6754). The report suggests enhancing project management through effective resource management techniques, ongoing training and certification programs, and implementing advanced technology to improve communication, resource management, and planning precision, contributing to sustainable growth in Nigeria's construction industry. Keywords: stakeholder management, construction sector, project management, major contributor

Application of JIT on Materials and Labor Management of Construction Site

Application of JIT on Materials and Labor Management of Construction Site

Construction Safety Risk Assessment of High-Pile Wharf: A Case Study in China

The complexity of the wharf components and the harshness of the offshore construction environment increase the safety risk of hazards, which has highlighted the importance and urgency of safety risk management in high-pile wharf constructions. This paper established a visualized digital construction safety risk model for high-pile wharf based on a so-called FAHP method (the combination of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methods). The construction safety risk indicators were constructed as the target layer, the principle layer and the scheme layer, and then the corresponding safety risk assessment algorithm was established. The physical, functional and safety risk assessment parameters of the component in the BIM model were employed to the safety risk assessment algorithm, and the risk assessment level of each sub-process was subsequently classified. The case study indicated that the high-pile wharf construction project included five elements in principle layer and 15 risk indicators in the scheme layer. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the sub-processes with the highest construction risk level were steel pipe pile sinking in wharf construction and steel pipe pile, steel sheath-immersed pile sinking and embedded rock pile construction in approaches to bridge construction with a risk level of III. In this way, the quantitative visualization of the construction safety risk was effectively realized, which facilitates the safety risk management of construction sites and timely warning and response to unexpected safety accidents.

Integrating Drone Imagery and AI for Improved Construction Site Management through Building Information Modeling

In the rapidly advancing field of construction, digital site management and Building Information Modeling (BIM) are pivotal. This study explores the integration of drone imagery into the digital construction site management process, aiming to create BIM models with enhanced object recognition capabilities. Initially, the research sought to achieve photorealistic rendering of point cloud models (PCMs) using blur/sharpen filters and generative adversarial network (GAN) models. However, these techniques did not fully meet the desired outcomes for photorealistic rendering. The research then shifted to investigating additional methods, such as fine-tuning object recognition algorithms with real-world datasets, to improve object recognition accuracy. The study’s findings present a nuanced understanding of the limitations and potential pathways for achieving photorealistic rendering in PCM, underscoring the complexity of the task and laying the groundwork for future innovations in this area. Although the study faced challenges in attaining the original goal of photorealistic rendering for object detection, it contributes valuable insights that may inform future research and technological development in digital construction site management.

The adoption of automation technology for the mitigation of material waste on construction sites in the Malaysian construction industry

The construction business has always been at the forefront of technological advancements, and this trend has only accelerated in recent years as one of the important contexts among the other numerous new technologies. The current study aims to examine the relationship between Automation Technology Adoptions (ATA) and Construction Site Performance (CSP) and their influence on material waste mitigation measures in Johor construction sites. Data was gathered utilizing an online survey method, with the participants from the Johor construction industries representing contractors and experts. A total of 257 responses were valid to investigate the assumptions of the validations, and ‘Partial Lease Square - Structural Equation Modeling’ (PLS-SEM) procedure has been used. The adopted model may be used to help construction site managers and workers understand the importance of the ATA, CSP, and their utilization as material waste management approaches. The obtained results emphasize the relevance of automation technology adoption for mitigating construction material waste in construction sites with such a clear significance and clarity under the use of automation in construction sites. These findings will assist construction professionals to manage their materials on the job site and complete their projects.

Mediating effect of ecospirituality on the relationship between green training and voluntary workplace green behaviour in construction projects in Nigeria

PurposeThe impact of mankind on the environment and the usage of natural resources might be influenced by spirituality, through the consciousness of creating an improved moral sense regarding the consequences of human activities and the necessity to alter these to achieve sustainable development. However, the spiritual element in the form of ecospirituality (ES) has not been sufficiently considered in pro-environmental studies as it relates to the influence of green training (GT) on voluntary workplace green behaviour (VWGB) in the construction sector. This study aims to determine the effect of GT on VWGB and the mediating effect of ES on the relationship between GT and VWGB on construction projects.Design/methodology/approachThis study’s data were gathered through a questionnaire survey of construction site managers and project managers by adopting the probability sampling method. 249 appropriately completed questionnaires were returned. The data obtained were analysed by means of the partial least squares structural equation modelling technique (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe outcomes of the study show that GT has a significant positive impact on VWGB, while ES has a significant mediating effect on the relationship between GT and VWGB, both supporting the study’s hypotheses.Practical implicationsThese findings point to the fact that the hitherto conflicting results reported in earlier studies on the GT–VWGB relationship can be attributed to the lack of consideration given to ES. Hence, special attention should be given to ES.Originality/valueThis research presents actions to enhance the transformation of GT into VWGB by giving due consideration to ES, which was not taken into account in previous studies.

A comparative analysis between conventional methodology and lean construction principles

In recent years, construction planning and control have faced significant criticism, prompting the development of methods to overcome issues related to low material quality and poor construction site management. Originating from essential service methodologies in construction, Lean Construction, developed by Lauri Koskela, aims to optimize services through site management, the use of straightforward tools, process minimization, and action control. This study aimed to compare data available in GOINFRA tables with outcomes derived from the implementation of Lean Construction methodology on-site. Thus, an evaluation was conducted by applying Lean Construction philosophy in a residential project, using management and administrative techniques alongside a production card to oversee actions and teams. Consequently, this study presents several achieved outcomes, demonstrating how Lean Construction enhances and minimizes unnecessary processes and activities, resulting in more satisfactory and productive results.

Role modeling of safety-leadership behaviors in the construction industry: A two-wave longitudinal study.

The construction industry is heavily affected by occupational accidents, and it is important to investigate how leadership behaviors promoting safety on construction sites are fostered among construction-site managers. The overall aim of this study was to investigate how safety-leadership behaviors can be developed in the construction industry, specifically focusing on managerial role modeling. A two-wave longitudinal cohort study with approximately four months between measurement occasions was conducted among construction-site supervisors in Sweden (n = 51). Supervisors' ratings of their site managers' and their own generic and safety-specific contingent reward (CR) leadership behaviors were obtained by means of questionnaires. Cross-lagged panel models were tested within a path model framework to test the hypothesis that site managers' leadership behaviors prospectively influence supervisors' leadership behaviors. Site managers' CR behaviors prospectively influenced supervisors' CR behaviors, both generic CR behaviors (β= 0.29, p = 0.01) and safety-specific CR behaviors (β= 0.22, p = 0.04). For safety-specific CR behaviors, a reversed effect (β= 0.26, p = 0.03) was also found, implying that supervisors' behaviors prospectively influenced site managers' behaviors. Site managers act as role models for supervisors when it comes to developing safety-leadership behaviors on construction sites. The results also indicate that site managers are influenced by their subordinate supervisors' safety-leadership behaviors. Hence, there seems to be reciprocal interaction between site managers and supervisors in which they influence each other and together shape safety-leadership practices at their construction sites.

Significant factors affecting the Vietnam Roads Infrastructure Construction Cost Overrun - A Review

Cost overrun represents a significant challenge faced in construction projects, particularly in the realm of transportation infrastructure. The investigation into the causes of cost overruns in such projects has garnered substantial attention from both academics and the general public. Various studies conducted globally have identified diverse factors contributing to cost overruns. This article undertakes a critical review of the literature on cost overruns in construction projects, encompassing cases from different countries with a specific focus on Vietnam. The aim is to identify and comprehend the primary potential causes of cost overruns in construction projects across various geographical contexts, providing insights into both commonalities and distinctions within the identified factors. According to the findings of this study, the ten identified factors encompassing Delay in site clearance certificates, Change Management, Delay in Payment, Extension of the project implementation schedule, Construction Material Price Fluctuation, Effects of inflation and price slippage, Poor construction site management, Poor project management capacity of the investor, Poor financial capacity of the investor, Geological complexity are deemed highly influential and warrant close scrutiny during the implementation of projects in Vietnam. The insights gained from this study will serve as invaluable recommendations for active entities within the construction industry to adopt a more holistic approach to project management, cost control, and cost overrun management. By addressing quantitatively these factors in the forthcoming research, organizations in construction industries in Vietnam can effectively minimize project costs overrun in the future.

Assessment of Construction Site Management Practices: A Case Study of a Construction Project in Hargeisa

The effective management of construction sites is crucial for minimizing risks such as lost productivity, injuries, and theft and ensuring the successful completion of projects. Site management encompasses applying scientific methods and evaluation criteria to plan and organize various production factors, including workforce, machinery, and materials. Managing these factors is vital for transforming raw materials into the final product. Inefficiencies in site management often lead to increased rework, defects, delays, disputes, and cost overruns, affecting construction projects. This study evaluated a construction project in Hargeisa, utilizing six established construction site management practices as assessment criteria. The findings reveal significant shortcomings in the site management practices, with 15 key items within these practices either partially performed or not performed. These inadequacies mirror the broader challenges construction sites face in Hargeisa, highlighting the need for a more robust and comprehensive site management approach. The study’s findings indicate that implementing an improved site management procedure is critical for the long-term sustainability of the construction industry in Hargeisa. Such improvements are essential for enhancing project efficiency, reducing costs, and safeguarding the health and safety of workers and all individuals involved in the construction projects. Based on the evaluation, the study proposes specific recommendations to address these shortcomings, aiming to contribute to advancing construction site management practices in the region. These recommendations could significantly improve project outcomes, worker safety, and industry standards.

The The Influence of Construction Site Internships in Architecture Education

This study examines the impact of internships and the influence of construction site manager (CSM) as a role model on students' educational and career paths, employing Kolb's experiential learning theory as a theoretical framework. To address the research objectives, a questionnaire was conducted on 93 architecture students, focusing on four key research questions: (1) Does the internship experience affect students' perception of CSMs? (2) Does it influence their career goals related to CSM positions? (3) Does the internship experience alter the career aspirations of intern students regarding the career as a construction site manager? and (4) Do students perceive CSMs as role models after completing their internships? The findings show how internships significantly affect students, improving their comprehension of the CSM role, influencing their aspirations for their careers, and offering life-changing experiences. It is anticipated that these findings will significantly advance the field of architecture education and have applications in curriculum development, internship program design and execution, and career counseling services, especially in underdeveloped or developing countries.

Research on the Coupled Relationship of Factors Influencing Construction Workers’ Unsafe Behaviors: A Hybrid DEMATEL-ISM-MICMAC Approach

The unsafe behavior of construction workers is the most direct reason of frequent construction site accidents. In order to improve the safety management of construction sites and figure out the causal relationship among the influencing factors in the field of construction workers’ unsafe behaviors, literature research, questionnaire survey, decision-making trial, and evaluation laboratory—interpretive structural modeling—crossimpact matrix multiplication applied to classification (DEMATEL-ISM-MICMAC) methods were used in combination in this thesis. The analysis of collected data was carried out in three dimensions: individual, organizational environment, and safety management. A framework about influencing factors of construction workers’ unsafe behaviors was constructed. DEMATEL-ISM was used to construct the explanatory structural model, which to analyze the influence relationships and hierarchical relationships among factors. MICMAC method was used to analyze the driving dependency. ISM model consists of six parts, the bottom of which includes three influencing factors: work environment, safety supervision, and concernment of superior. With characteristics of high drive and low dependence, the bottom layer are the root causes of construction workers’ unsafe behaviors. Work environment and concernment of superior are the core indicators of it. The intermediate layer with a low drive and low dependence covers six factors: psychological status, physical health, professional skills, organizational climate, work quota, and safety plan. It is the indirect factor to influence construction workers’ unsafe behaviors. The top layer is composed of safety awareness, safety education, and technical delivery. Safety awareness is the core of individual dimension, showing the characteristics of low drive and high dependence, is the direct factor to influence construction workers’ unsafe behaviors. Based on the DEMATEL-ISM-MICMAC method, the methodology to reduce construction workers’ unsafe behaviors was proposed.

Automated system for high-accuracy quantity takeoff using BIM

Reliable construction project cost estimation relies on accurate quantity takeoffs (QTOs), traditionally done with error-prone 2-D drawings, but the emergence of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has improved QTO speed, accuracy, and reliability. However, the quality of BIM models can influence quantity accuracy, an aspect often overlooked in research on automating QTO with BIM. This paper develops an integrated framework to automatically extract and visualize construction quantities from BIM models. The system includes a Quantity Precision Check (QPC) module for automating more accurate QTO outputs. These outputs are then automatically transferred to an external database and visualized through a user-friendly dashboard on the Microsoft Power BI platform. This dashboard allows for comparisons between 2-D and BIM quantities and helps track changes in quantities over time due to design changes. The system was successfully validated in an infrastructure construction project in Canada, where it identified a 39% inconsistency in wall elements' material quantities and reduced steel quantity by 10% due to design changes. Overall, the system offers a speedy, reliable, and efficient tool for construction estimators, site managers, and cost control teams to provide accurate quantities to the procurement team and make swift decisions in response to design change impacts on construction costs.

Impediment to implementation of Internet of Things (IOT) for oil and gas construction project Safety: Structural equation modeling approach

Several industries have adopted Internet of Things (IoT) technology extensively. Several impediments have impeded its widespread adoption in the oil and gas industry, making it challenging to supervise the safety of infrastructure projects involving these industries. The objective of this study was to catalogue and analyze the barriers to using IoT for ensuring safety on oil and gas development sites. The primary objective of the study was to develop a model of the barriers preventing the use of IoT for oil and gas safety management. Using a mixed-methods research strategy, the data collection and analysis were carried out. The survey information was analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Five formative constructs emerged from the EFA and were confirmed by structural equation modelling: technical, organizational, integration, economic, and efficiency. Using SEM's path analysis, we determined that all five structures have a substantial impact on how oil and gas companies manage the safety of construction sites when utilizing IoT. The findings of this study could inform efforts to improve the safety management of oil and gas construction sites through IoT. Using the framework presented in this study, organizations in the gas and energy industry can eliminate the barriers to IoT deployment in building safety management.