Indian Construction Sector Research Articles

Effect of Delay on Profitability of Building Construction Projects

In construction, delay could be defined as the time overrun either beyond completion date specified in a contract, or beyond the date that the parties agreed upon for delivery of a project. It is a project slipping over its planned schedule and is considered as common problem in construction projects. The Indian construction sector has acted as an engine of growth for the Indian economy for over the past five-decades and becoming a basic input for the socio-economic development of the country. Construction is the second largest economic activity after agriculture, and has contributed around 6 to 9% of India's GDP over the past five years while registering 8 to 10% growth per annum. This paper refers to study effect of delay in construction industry particularly in profitability or economic factors. Keywords: Construction, Delay, Profitability, GDP, Economic factor

Analysis the Integrated Approach of Construction Management in India’s Smallest Diameter Sewer Tunnel

India has a large population and is the world's second most populous nation, behind China. As aresult, the nation has a strong need for infrastructure. Infrastructure has been developed, but unfortunatelythere is a lack of policy and foresight. Any government's long-term goal for the economy and its citizensmust be reflected in its infrastructure development policies. In particular, sustainability was not a prioritythroughout the building of necessary infrastructure. This initiative looks at how India may build itsinfrastructure more sustainably. The drivers and constraints of sustainable infrastructure developmentare also discussed in this chapter. There has been a little shift in recent years toward environmentallyresponsible building practices in India. The government's latest plans strongly suggest a dramaticchange in direction toward sustainability. The government is placing a greater emphasis on sustainableinfrastructure activity. Modern construction management is the art of planning, organizing, andcontrolling all aspects of a construction project to ensure that it is completed on time, within budget, andto everyone's satisfaction. Based on the results of this research, the Indian construction sector now hasto use Construction Management Techniques in order to build India's smallest diameter sewer tunnel.

Evaluation and optimization of key performance indicators affecting adoption of the building information modeling and blockchain technology in Indian construction sector through fuzzy TOPSIS and genetic algorithm

Providing a better digital platform is one of the major concerns of the construction industry in Industry 4.0 era. In order to deal with vagueness and imprecision throughout the decision-making process, fuzzy set theory has been applied as one of the principal agents. This paper aims to identify the KPIs related to Building Information Modelling (BIM) and blockchain for a high-speed-rail-project also called as bullet-train project in India. The identified KPIs have been evaluated through a Multi-Criteria-Decision-Making (MCDM) technique like Fuzzy-Technique-for-Order-of-Preference-by-Similarity-to-Ideal-Solution (FTOPSIS) methodology. Furthermore, Genetic Algorithm (GA) has been applied to optimize the resources like manpower and equipment deployed in the bullet-train project which finally enable effective implementation of blockchain technology in construction projects. From the analysis, it has been observed that after application of GA for optimization the average potential savings in skilled manpower was 16.16%, unskilled manpower was 16.82% and equipment was 14.22%. After optimization through GA, overall, there may be a potential savings of 13% and 7.18% respectively in terms of project time and cost. Every activity has been time stamped, which would prevent any kind of manipulation in that activity during its billing.

An exploratory study on the application of digital twins in the Indian construction industry

Digitalization, enhancing operational performance and promoting data-driven practices, is gaining prominence globally. However, its adoption in the construction industry, particularly in developing countries like India, is still in its infancy. This study explores the role and impact of digital twins, a key component of digital transformation, in the Indian construction sector. A cross-sectional study was conducted using qualitative and quantitative methods, collecting data from various roles within organizations primarily engaged in building information modeling. The aim is to understand the feasibility, acceptability, and adaptability of digital twins in the construction sector. Results indicate that identified factors positively influence these constructs. Despite a preference for human intervention, the study predicts significant traction for automated methods in the Indian construction sector. The survey factors strongly influence the feasibility, acceptability, and adaptability of digital twins in Indian construction organizations, demonstrating the potential to adapt and incorporate innovative technologies throughout the project lifecycle. Despite risks and challenges, Indian construction firms can adopt digital twins in projects.

An appraisal of barriers to digitalisation of construction industry in developing countries: perspective from India

Digitalisation in the construction sector promises numerous benefits, yet its widespread adoption in India faces impediments. This study aims to identify and analyse critical barriers hindering the adoption of digitalisation within the Indian construction sector. The study adopts a multi-phase research approach, involving a literature review to identify potential barriers. Subsequently, a questionnaire was administered to 162 professionals in the Indian construction industry. The survey reveals a willingness within the Indian construction sector to embrace digitalisation, citing benefits such as enhanced productivity and revolutionary impacts on construction processes. Larger organizations exhibit greater proactivity, while smaller businesses face challenges in resources and knowledge, leading to slower adoption rates. The study identifies five key themes of barriers, including financial/resource constraints, cultural/organisational constraints, regional disparities, data security/privacy concerns, and awareness/capacity-building constraints. The implication of the study is to unveil crucial barriers and provide insights for tailored interventions, aiding stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers in navigating the evolving digital landscape of the Indian construction industry. This study contributes to the exploration of perceptions of construction professionals specifically in India on why digitalisation is not fully embraced in the Indian construction sector.

INFLUENCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGMENENT STRATEGIES IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

In the dynamic landscape of project management understanding the significant relationship between human resource management functions and project health has become an essential aspect. This research has invested in a primary quantitative investigation focused on the INDIAN construction sector through which the relationship between human resource management functions and project health would be analysed and their contribution to enhancing project success rate would also be evaluated. With the growing emphasis on efficient resource utilisation and project Optimisation, the study would help into the impact of HRM practices on project teams. Scrutinisation of HRM Strategies and their Correlation with Project Success, this research has aimed at offering significant insights that can revolutionise HRM approaches within the construction sector that can ultimately enhance project health and ensure high success rates in INDIAN construction projects.

Assessing the environmental and economic impacts of adopting circular economy for sustainable resource management in the Indian construction sector

PurposeThe aim of this study is to understand the environmental benefits and economic savings associated with adoption of circular economy in the construction sector. The research findings will support different stakeholders and decision makers to develop business models based on responsible consumption of resources and build sustainable business models.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses mixed methodology wherein inventory for life cycle assessment and life cycle costing for environmental and economic impacts is based on primary data using on-site visits for qualitative and quantitative data.FindingsDifferent types of land transportation infrastructures are compared for their environmental impacts. It is found that bridges have the highest environmental impacts as compared to tunnels, roads and railways. Further, the results affirm the environmental and economic benefits of adopting circular economy practices.Originality/valueThis is one of a kind research that compares the environmental and economic tradeoffs of adopting circular economy in different types of land transportation infrastructures.

Factors Affecting Construction Delay in Residences

Construction projects in India are facing delays. It is essential to create a clear understanding among experts in the field and carry out an in-depth analysis of the causes of delays because the volume and capacity of the Indian construction sector have changed significantly over the past ten years. Construction delays have a considerable influence on residential projects budgets, schedules, and stakeholder satisfaction. Construction delays are a big issue in the residential construction industry since they increase costs, cause time delays, and disrupt quality. It is crucial to pinpoint the primary causes of these delays in order to reduce the effect they have on project performance. This research study attempts to give a thorough understanding of the factors that contribute to construction delays in residences. This study synthesises previous literature and research findings to investigate a number of factors, their interactions, and their influence on project delays. In order to properly manage and reduce construction delays in residential construction projects, the review underlines the relevance of recognising these aspects.

Supply Chain Management in Construction Projects: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Indian Context - Review

Supply chain management (SCM) plays a crucial role in the success of construction projects, Influencing factors such as project timelines, costs, and overall efficiency. This literature review paper provides an in-depth analysis of SCM in construction, with a primary focus on the unique dynamics of the Indian construction industry. Drawing from a wide array of scholarly articles, research papers, and industry reports, this comprehensive review synthesizes existing knowledge in the field. It examines the evolution of SCM practices in the construction sector, emphasizing the shift from traditional methods to contemporary, technology-driven solutions. Furthermore, this literature review explores key SCM elements such as procurement, logistics, risk management, sustainability, and the integration of advanced technologies within the construction supply chain. Sustainability emerges as a significant theme in this review, as it discusses the growing emphasis on environmentally responsible SCM practices in construction projects. In conclusion, this literature review offers a comprehensive overview of supply chain management in construction projects, with a specific focus on India. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers seeking to understand the intricacies of SCM in the Indian construction sector. Additionally, the review highlights areas for further research and development, paving the way for continued advancements in construction SCM practices. Keywords: Supply Chain Management; Construction Projects; Sustainability; Technology Integration; Logistics;

Scaffolding Success: A Comprehensive Analysis of Cost Management Drivers in Construction Projects

Abstract This research examines the multifaceted factors that influence cost management practices in the Indian construction sector, with the objective of improving efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability. The study addresses two central questions: (1) What are the prevailing cost management practices in the Indian construction industry, and (2) Which factors significantly impact these practices? Using a comprehensive literature review and empirical data collected through an online survey, the study uses factor analysis via SPSS 28 to discern the key determinants affecting cost management. The analysis identifies economic conditions, material costs, supply chain disruptions, project delays, poor site management, and lack of skilled labour as critical factors. The findings underscore the need for robust cost management strategies to mitigate financial challenges, reduce project delays, and improve overall project success. This research contributes to a more profound understanding of cost management dynamics in the Indian construction sector and provides practical recommendations to practitioners and policymakers to foster more effective cost control measures, thus ensuring the timely and cost-effective completion of construction projects.

Evaluation Of Mechanical Properties And Water Absorption Replacing Natural Coarse Aggregate With Recycled Aggregate In Concrete

The Indian construction sector is surge to be slated in resulting significant rise in gap with respect to construction materials such as aggregates (fine and coarse), cements and bricks etc. On the side, the huge number of unseasoned Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste posed consequent issue in one or the other place, especially in buildings like residential, institutional, industrial or commercial construction navel. Extensive research attempts to analyze and discuss the existing codification and challenges, and recommends an information structure for standardized collection, storage, treatment/processing, and disposal of C&D waste. The application of recycled aggregate (RA) , its limitations, and the best practices of utilizing these aggregate are important constituents of the proposed framework for processing mechanism, potential management in India. In the present paper it is discussed and focused on the prejudicial impact of recycled aggregate, ways to generate less wastes and its proper handling. Also the effects of recycled aggregate concrete on compressive strength and split tensile strength by using recycled aggregate as a replacement of natural coarse aggregate (NCA). Percentages replacement used were 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% with 0% replacement was used as control. Mix design of 1:1.5:2 was used in the study with water to cement ratio of 0.45. Influence of RCA on compressive strength was determined for all the mixes as per IS 516:1959 standard. Results of compressive strength indicated that concrete with 40% replacement of NCA can be effectively used in structural concrete without incorporating much on strength. Also the water absorption test was conducted to assess the one of durability property of the concrete replaced with RA.

Review- Using Ground Bakelite as Alternative Solution for the Replacement of Fine Aggregate

Abstract: India is very fast developing nation, and construction plays vital role in developing the nation. In construction, concrete is the majorly useful material. Fine aggregate used in concrete like traditional UHPC causes several environmental issues like floods due changes the direction of river flow, effect on biological diversity, falling water table also . In current time millions of tons of waste materials disposed in open environment which causes several health as well as waste disposal problems. We can use waste material like Bakelite as the partial replacement of fine aggregate. The purpose of this study is to find whether the use of Bakelite in concrete improve its compressive strength as a partial replacement in conventional M25 grade concrete Mix. From 2010 to 2020, river sand usage in Indian construction sector increased from 630 to 1400 Tons. This type of usage is very harmful for our next generation also that’s why many states in India like Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have banned the river sand mining for use in concrete

Identifying the stressors hindering performance in the Indian construction industry: an empirical investigation

PurposeThis study attempts to analyse and rank the impact of work-related issues arising within the Indian construction industry in the context of the existing pandemic. Furthermore, this is the first attempt to provide strategies to overcome issues among a workforce that is highly contractual in nature and is currently witnessing the uncertainties of the pandemic's aftermath. To the best of the author's knowledge, few studies have highlighted the combined analysis of job insecurity, psychological stress and emotional exhaustion in the Indian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe “Best Worst Methodology” (BWM) has been used in this study to analyse and rank the key factors that eliminate negative characteristics among contractual construction employees. The BWM, outlined by Rezaei (2015, 2016), is a popular “multi-criteria decision analysis technique” due to its advantage of consistent results and lesser pairwise data requirements.FindingsThe study identified and ranked the socioeconomic impact of the three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic on construction sector employees in the Indian subcontinent. The results indicate that job insecurity has the most prominent impact, which ultimately produces psychological stress and emotional exhaustion among employees.Originality/valueTo achieve the objective of identifying and prioritising the criteria of adverse socioeconomic impacts during the pandemic and outlining plans of action for the construction industry, ten experts (civil engineers/managers) from ten different construction projects were involved in a mixed-method case study, which has never been explored in the Indian construction sector.

FRAMEWORK FOR IDENTIFYING INFLUENCING FACTORS FOR FORMWORK SELECTION FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Formwork systems (FWS) are essential to any reinforced concrete (RC) construction activity. They are the temporary structures that can bear the load from the concrete and also shape the fresh concrete till it hardens. FWS accounts for around 40% to 60% of concrete's cost and 10% of overall construction's cost of the project. Further, FWS operations consume 50% to 70% of the time in RC construction. The selection of a FWS for a particular type of buildings depends on several factors. However, selecting a FWS is a complex process that takes years of knowledge in this way. In the Indian construction sector, FWS decisions primarily rely on formwork specialists' intuitive and subjective opinions. Therefore, the present research proposes a framework to identifying the influencing factors for formwork selection for residential buildings construction using the Delphi technique. Firstly, the study identifies nine factors and their thirty-four sub-factors influencing the formwork selection based on literature review. The factors are finalized after conducting two rounds of the Delphi technique by creating a questionnaire and gathering data from eleven qualified professionals. Eventually eight main factors (Characteristics, Cost Productivity, Building Design, Productivity, Safety, Quality, Formwork aspects, and Degree of repetition) along with their thirty-one sub-factors are shortlisted. To check the reliability, Cronbach's alpha value is calculated for each factor. The proposed framework can be extended for estimating the weightage of influencing shortlisted factors for the selection of FWS of residential projects in the Indian construction sector.

APPLICATION OF NEURAL NETWORK IN PREDICTING THE OUTCOME OF CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES

Surat, India The Indian construction sector has become more organized after implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. However, occurrence of disagreement between the stakeholders is still a raising question despite the well-established framework of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). Project characteristics such as project cost, project type, project scale and anticipated completion time have an impact on causing these disagreements, which ultimately result in a dispute. The disputes might adversely impact the stakeholders associated with them and may lead the project to delay. In order to establish the interrelationship between the project characteristics causing delay due to disputes, an appropriate soft computing technique can be applied. Therefore, this study highlights the application of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for forecasting the outcome of a dispute. The inputs for the ANN model are project costs, project type, land area acquired and anticipated completion time of disputed projects from RERA. The proposed ANN model of 4-6-1 feed-forward back propagation structure helps to satisfy the need for quick and accurate resolution of disputes with lowering the stress on the judicial system. Moreover, the stakeholders engaged in the dispute can potentially save a considerable amount of money and time if they have an insight of the potential outcome.

Identification and assessment of risks related to digitalization in Indian construction: a quantitative approach

PurposeThe purpose of this research article is to investigate the critical risk factors associated with the digitalization impact on the Indian construction industry, as these firm plans to implement digitalization in order to improve their construction management processes.Design/methodology/approachIn this research article, risk factors and dimensions are taken from diverse industries and validated in the construction domain by industry and academic experts. Further, multi-criteria decision-making techniques are employed to assess the Indian construction sector scenario quantitatively. The interrelationship and weightage of risk factors and dimensions are determined by the Fuzzy Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Analytic Network Process (DANP) method. However, the method Grey Technique for the Order of Prioritization by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is used to determine the ranking of each risk factor.FindingsThis study finds 14 critical risk factors along with four risk dimensions. Operational and financial dimensions are significant risk dimensions. Whereas the threat of high outlay and low yield is a significant risk factor in construction. Besides that, the interrelationship among risk factors, the weightage of each factor and the ranking of critical risk factors are also identified.Research limitations/implicationsThis research article uses Fuzzy DANP and Grey TOPSIS techniques as exploratory research methods with a limited group of construction professionals from a leading Indian construction firm. Furthermore, comprehensive confirmatory research can also be performed with a large group of construction experts using advanced analytical techniques to validate the ranking of critical risk factors.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study provide insight into the knowledge of construction firms by emphasizing significant risk factors related to digitalization in construction operations. Another finding of this study shows that the risks associated with digitalization in construction are similar to those in manufacturing, where high outlay and low yield hold a significant role in the transformation process.Originality/valueThe research is unique since there have only been limited studies in the Indian construction scenario to analyze the significant risks associated with digitalization. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that the combination of Fuzzy DANP and Grey TOPSIS techniques may be used successfully to prioritize risks in construction digitalization, which is still in its early phases.

Project’s Success Factor in the Building Construction: A State of Art Review

For the growth of the economic sector and to support future development, the construction industry plays a vital part in providing employment. Completion of projects is also hence most important. Common issues faced by most projects, mainly government-subsidized, are suffering delays and budget overruns. The vital part of the project is to complete it within the expected schedule, and a budget with the expected value through effective project management. However, in reality, several traits of different types and periodically a variety of restrictions are involved, which must be managed successfully by overcoming several problems. The core objective of project management is to perform the project on schedule and enclosed within the financial plan. Cost, schedule, performance, and safety are the four inevitable objective achievement metrics that have continuously assisted as the base for project success measurement in construction. Schedule-based building project management is still a novel model and watchword in the Indian construction sector. The main factors influencing performance currently include the knowledge fields of project management. If a project is finished on time, as planned, and with stated quality, it is deemed successful. However, as success is variable and hard to agree upon, assessing project success is a challenging task. Keywords: Construction Management, Cost, Schedule, Scope, & Success Parameters.

Circular economy adoption barriers in built environment- a case of emerging economy

Built environment consumes vast volumes of natural resources and also poses several environmental threats owing to mining, construction emissions, and waste disposal processes. Thus, it is imperative that the principles of circular economy (CE) be adopted to enable the recirculation of resources back to the construction system. However, in the emerging economies, owing to numerous barriers, the momentum for achieving accountable progress towards CE adoption in the construction sector has not been adequate. This research article aims to understand & examine the factors that obstruct the incorporation of CE in the built environment or the construction sector in India. A total of sixteen barriers hampering the adoption of CE in built environment are identified and categorised under six categories of economic, environmental, technical, societal, governmental, and behavioral barriers. The research uses Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to analyse the barriers and develop a cause-effect relationship among them. This study reveals that the most predominant barrier to adopting CE in the Indian construction sector is an environmental barrier. The lack of environmentally safe material recovery processes and high operating costs for running a circular supply chain are other significant barriers. Authors further stress on the interdependence of factors and propose appropriate enablers to facilitate CE in built environment. The study's findings are intended to enable policy and decision-makers of the built environment to implement CE effectively.

Assessment of embodied energy of masonry building materials in Hassan, India

The construction sector is putting a lot of effort in reducing its energy, carbon, material, and water footprints, as well as taking steps toward a more sustainable built future. The building materials such as cement, aggregates, masonry units like bricks and blocks constitute to dominant percentile utilization in the construction of building. The activities involved in the production of construction materials will consume large amounts of energy. Hence time has arrived for an effective, environmental friendly, sustainable building material with judicious use of energy. It is therefore important to identify and modify the existing process of manufacture of building construction materials and compute the energy associated with manufacturing process. Production of these materials is a major cause for global warming due to release of carbon-di-oxide (CO2) and other gases. Hence there is a need to think, act and adopt low energy consuming, locally available building materials, reducing the transportation energy (TE) to provide alternatives which is both cost effective and environment friendly. The whole energy expenditure involved in the material manufacturing, including all upstream activities such as raw material extraction and transportation, is referred to as embodied energy (EE). This paper examines the energy efficiency of a few masonry building materials used in large quantities in the Indian construction sector. The key stages of production, consumption of excessive energy and the importance locally available raw materials are studied. The study focuses on the various stages of production and measuring the associated embodied energy of masonry building materials of Hassan. These EE figures were calculated by personal visits and survey data to industrial production plants. EE of burnt brick masonry is found to be 2.8 times the EE in comparison with AAC block masonry wall.

Health and safety management in Indian construction sector: a legal perspective

Health and safety management in Indian construction sector: a legal perspective