Large-scale Construction Projects Research Articles

Dispute Causes Analysis Using Analytical Hierarchy Process for Capstone Projects

Abstract: A disagreement, conflict, or subjective matter that leads to a legal process is termed as a dispute. The likelihood of a dispute arising in a loosely framed large scale construction project is high, which has an impact on project progress and can be considered a type of project risk. When different parties associated with the project are unable to resolve the disputes arising during the contract period it can be resolved by applying Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) technique which includes Arbitration, Litigation, Mediation and Conciliation. There are several types of construction disputes in construction projects like price escalation claim, change of work order claim, extra item claim, variation claim, loss of profit claim, delay claim which can be differentiate in various categories of dispute causes.

Financial Calculation Problems and Countermeasure Analysis of Large-Scale Engineering Construction Projects

The financial aspects of large-scale engineering construction projects profoundly influence their success. Strengthening cost control and establishing a scientific financial evaluation system can enhance the project’s economic benefits, minimize unnecessary costs, and provide decision-makers with a robust financial foundation. Additionally, implementing an effective cash flow control mechanism and conducting a comprehensive assessment of potential project risks can ensure financial stability and mitigate the risk of fund shortages. Developing a practical and feasible fundraising plan, along with stringent fund management practices, can prevent fund wastage and optimize fund utilization efficiency. These measures not only facilitate smooth project progression and improve project management efficiency but also enhance the project’s economic and social outcomes.

Sustainability evaluation of urban large-scale infrastructure construction based on dynamic fuzzy cognitive map

Enhancing the sustainability of large-scale infrastructure construction is the foundation and trend of urban sustainable development and environmental protection. This paper proposes a perception and evaluation method based on Dynamic Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (D-FCM) to address the dynamics, uncertainties, and implementation difficulties of sustainability evaluation in large-scale infrastructure construction. Using Hebbian rules to learn the experience and knowledge of experts, a dynamic evolution correlation matrix about evaluation indicators is obtained, and a D-FCM dynamic system model is established to obtain the sustainability evaluation results of large-scale infrastructure construction. The comprehensive sustainable evaluation value (K) of the selected subway project case is 0.934, which belongs to the V level in the sustainable level classification standard and has a good trend in sustainable development. Social public participation (S1), light pollution prevention (H1), wastewater discharge compliance rate (H2), soil pollution prevention (H3), and soil and water conservation and utilization (Z2) are the most significant and sensitive indicators for the sustainable development of large-scale infrastructure construction. Based on the interaction of influencing factors in the D-FCM model, an economically efficient control measures and decision-making plan can be proposed to improve the sustainability of large-scale infrastructure construction projects.

Management Culture and Practice in Ancient Civilizations of Sumerian, Egypt, and Greek

The civilization of mankind started long ago, but the culture of management practices within ancient civilizations remains a subject of exploration. This research investigates the management culture and practices in the ancient civilizations of Sumerians, Egyptians, and Greeks, along with their impact on modern-day life. The study reveals that these civilizations exhibited management practices in decision-making, division of labor, information management, and more. The Sumerians showcased efficient leadership and a hierarchal structure, as evidenced by their record-keeping and division of labor. Similarly, the Egyptians established an organized bureaucracy that controlled the economy and managed labor for large-scale construction projects like pyramids and cities. In Greece, the Delphic Oracle and notable figures like Thucydides and Democritus emphasized information management and decision-making through data-driven practices and resource allocation. These findings underscore that management principles and practices have a historical foundation dating back to ancient civilizations, influencing modern management evolution.

Research on Clustering of Material Inspection Data for Highway Construction Projects Based on Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering

In large-scale highway construction projects, the project implementers will carry out detailed testing of various material indicators used in the project. By processing and analyzing these material testing data, we can reasonably classify large-scale highway construction projects, so that each project implementer can better manage the quality of the materials, which will greatly help all parties to strengthen the quality control of the project and improve the level of project management. This study first preprocesses the material testing data to obtain a structured data set suitable for data analysis. Then statistical features are constructed for the features in the dataset, including maximum, minimum, mean, median and standard deviation, to improve the performance and accuracy of the model. Next, the clustering hierarchical clustering method is applied for classification and the classification results are visualized in the form of dendrograms. Finally, through the comparison of performance analysis and clustering evaluation indexes, it is concluded that the classification of works into 3 or 4 categories according to material performance is in line with the actual level of engineering quality.

Evaluating the Role of Project Management Offices (PMOs) in Large-Scale Construction Projects: Insights from Construction Industry Professionals

This research paper evaluates the role of Project Management Offices (PMOs) in large-scale construction projects, with insights from construction industry professionals. The study's main objective was to bridge the gap in literature by obtaining direct perspectives from those managing these projects. A structured online survey, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative questions, was administered to a diverse group of professionals. The analysis, conducted using statistical software for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative insights, led to several key findings. PMOs were perceived as highly effective in aligning project objectives, resource allocation, process standardization, communication facilitation, and risk management. Notable challenges included resistance to change, inadequate senior management support, resource constraints, and project complexity. PMOs positively impacted project timelines, budget management, stakeholder engagement, and quality of deliverables. High integration of sustainability practices and moderate to high adoption of innovative technologies were also observed. Key success factors for PMOs included effective leadership, clear objectives, skilled teams, robust risk management, and effective stakeholder communication. Over 89% of respondents were satisfied with PMO performance. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing practical insights and confirming the critical role of PMOs in the success of large-scale construction projects. It highlights the importance of PMOs in driving sustainability and technological advancements, thus offering actionable guidance for enhancing PMO effectiveness in the construction industry.

Anti-corruption measures in large-scale construction projects

Abstract Accepted by: Konstantinos Nikolopoulos Corruption is affecting many developing countries, manifested often in construction projects. This study identifies the factors causing corruption and prioritizes anti-corruption measures in large-scale urban construction projects with empirical data from a developing country: Iran. The model consists of six main dimensions including 24 measures and was developed by systematically reviewing the literature as well as collecting primary data through interviewing experts. The model prioritizes the anti-corruption measures through an integrated method of the fuzzy best-worst method and fuzzy measurement alternatives and ranking according to the compromise solution. The field of corruption has a multi-faceted nature and inherent uncertainty, which necessitates this integrated approach for its analysis. The results reveal that the ‘lawlessness and deregulation in public construction projects’ and ‘top management and leader commitment’ are the most important causes of corruption. This study offers two main contributions. First, it develops a conceptual model to evaluate and prioritize anti-corruption measures; second, it generates practical solution for reducing corruption in municipal and urban management, thus enhancing the prospects of successful construction projects in developing countries.

Research on the evaluation method of the cost deviation control effect for complex large-scale construction projects based on the matter-element extension theory

Research on the evaluation method of the cost deviation control effect for complex large-scale construction projects based on the matter-element extension theory

Research on the evaluation method of cost deviation control effect for complex large-scale construction projects based on the matter-element extension theory

Research on the evaluation method of cost deviation control effect for complex large-scale construction projects based on the matter-element extension theory

Optimizing building material supplier selection through integrated interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy multi-attribute decision making

In engineering construction, the unavoidable issue is how to choose suitable suppliers. The quality of suppliers has a direct impact on the progress, quality, and cost of the project. The selection of suppliers for construction projects in water conservancy and hydropower engineering is directly related to the cost of construction enterprises, and large-scale construction projects have stricter requirements for cost control. The investment in engineering construction is very huge, so cost control ability is a very important assessment indicator for construction project construction, and the cost of materials is a significant part of the construction project cost. Therefore, the research on the selection and optimization of building material suppliers is a topic that cannot be ignored. The building material supplier selection is a multi-attribute decision making (MADM). In this paper, some calculating laws on IVIFSs, Hamacher sum, Hamacher product are introduced, and the induced interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy Hamacher interactive ordered weighted averaging (IVIFHIOWA) operators (I-IVIFHIOWA) operator is proposed. Meanwhile, some ideal properties of I-IVIFHIOWA operator are studied. Then, the I-IVIFHIOWA operator is employed to cope with the MADM under IVIFSs. Finally, an example for building material supplier selection is employed to test the I-IVIFHIOWA operator.

Voltage Impact on Oil Pipelines from High Voltage Underground Cables: Relocation of Overhead Lines at Kelanitissa

When a large-scale urban construction project requires the relocation of an electrical overhead transmission line, going underground becomes the only feasible solution. However, due consideration must be given to the interaction with underground steel pipelines already laid as the life of metallic pipelines is highly susceptible to corrosion when buried underground. Corrosion occurs because of an electrochemical reaction, with Impressed Current Cathodic protection, with an impressed negative dc voltage of the order of 850 mV, usually employed in many metal pipelines to mitigate the deterioration of the surface. This paper scrutinizes the impact of high voltage underground cables on the cathodic protection of buried metal pipelines. The induced voltage due to the addition of high voltage underground cables crossing the pipelines perpendicularly has been analysed using Ansys Maxwell’s electromagnetic software using actual dimensions and parameters. The introduction of two 220 kV underground cables from Biyagama - Kelanitissa line and two 132 kV underground cable circuits from Kelanitissa - Kolonnawa running perpendicular to six underground petroleum carrying steel pipelines has been investigated to study its influence on existing impressed current cathodic protection. The study has shown that the maximum induced voltage is less than 1.5 mV which has no adverse effect on any existing impressed current cathodic protection. The high voltage cables have been in fact installed and no adverse effects have been detected.

A Study on Sustainable Concrete by using Recycled Concrete Aggregate and Waste Glass

Sustainable and affordable building materials are a developing concern in the construction sector. This abstract outline a creative method for creating a cost-effective concrete mix that uses discarded glass as the fine aggregate and recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) as the main coarse material. The goal is to investigate whether using recycled materials instead of traditional aggregates is feasible while both addressing environmental issues and lowering construction costs. The proposed concrete mix's mechanical qualities, financial ramifications, and environmental impact were all compared through laboratory experiments, a thorough assessment of the literature, and comparative analysis. The scrap glass came from glass bottles and other abandoned containers, while the RCA came from crushed concrete waste. The experimental studies assessed different concrete mix proportions while taking into account various replacement amounts for RCA and waste glass. Along with other crucial qualities like workability, density, and durability, the mechanical properties including compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength were evaluated. The test outcomes were contrasted with a control concrete mixture made up only of common aggregates. The results of the research show that using waste glass as fine aggregate and recycled coarse material in the making of concrete can substantially reduce building costs. The mechanical performance of the concrete was not significantly affected by the use of the RCA and waste glass in place of normal aggregates. Additionally, using these recycled materials lowers the amount of waste that is transported to landfills and helps conserve natural resources. Economic concrete mixtures that use waste glass as fine aggregate and recycled coarse material have enormous potential for green building techniques. This method is appealing for large-scale construction projects due to the lower material cost and positive environmental effects. To make sure the best mix proportions are employed, it is necessary to take the specific application into account as well as the engineering requirements. This study supports continuing initiatives to advance affordability and sustainability in the building sector. As well as studying further strategies to improve the engineering features of recycled aggregate-based concrete, future research could concentrate on examining the long-term performance and durability of the suggested concrete mix.

Search on Risk Assessment of PPP Project Financing Based on ISM-FAHP Model

With the rapid development of China's economy, the demand of large-scale infrastructure construction projects is increasing day by day, but the shortage of funds has become the bottleneck restricting the progress of projects. In order to solve this problem, the Chinese government has gradually implemented the PPP project financing model in the field of infrastructure to attract social capital to participate and share the risk. However, with the implementation of this model, the problem of financing risk has gradually become prominent. Therefore, this study aims to provide scientific theoretical support and practical suggestions for relevant decision-making through in-depth analysis of PPP project financing risk and application of ISM-FAHP model.

Sharing in construction projects — On determining optimal container assignments for the on-site accommodation of trades

The sharing economy is among the top trending topics in operations research. In this paper, we introduce a novel sharing application encountered in the construction industry. The problem under research, which has been developed in close cooperation with an industrial partner, is concerned with the on-site accommodation of trades in large-scale construction projects. In such projects, a construction logistics company provides containers gathered in an area of the site and assigns trades to them based on their requests issued online. Usually, a single trade will only remain on-site for a certain period of time, i.e. for as long as it is carrying out its activities in the project. Similarly, containers will only be provided for a certain time interval. This dynamic nature may require re-assigning trades as the project progresses. As such re-assignments impose costs for the logistics company, it is the goal to keep them to a minimum. We formally define the resulting optimization problem, present two mixed-integer programming formulations and develop a fix-and-optimize heuristic. In an extensive computational study, we show the latter to not only clearly outperform standard solver CPLEX operating on the holistic mixed-integer program, but to also provide substantial savings over the assignment policy currently applied in practice.

Research on the application of BIM technology in commercial building construction management

The development of information technology plays an important role in building engineering design, construction, and cost management. This is intended to support the smooth progress of construction projects by optimizing the entire construction process, reducing engineering costs, and improving construction efficiency. In order to further improve the development of this field, this study combines the application of building technology with the project construction management process based on Building Information Modeling (BIM). In response to the demand for multi-objective optimization, this study established a multi-objective optimization model with two stages: time cost and time resource balance, and utilized this model to optimize resource allocation and reduce construction costs. In order to solve this multi-objective solving problem, genetic algorithm was used to solve the model, and the optimal construction management plan was obtained, which is suitable for large commercial buildings. During the construction process, as the construction period progresses, the construction cost gradually increases. Through the optimal construction management plan of this study, the optimal construction period of the project was determined to be 438 days. Under this construction period, the cost of this phase of the project is 2712.32 million yuan. Compared to the project planning cost, the total cost decreased by 17.05%. This result indicates that through the collaborative work of construction management mode and BIM technology, the entire construction process of the project has been effectively optimized. In addition, the construction management model of this study provides valuable benchmarks for the development of large-scale construction projects. It demonstrates how to use BIM technology and optimization models to improve the construction process, and provides a reference for the future development of more advanced construction management technologies.

Evaluation of Key Factors for Promoting Green Construction Practices Based on a Hybrid Decision-Making Framework: A Case Study on the Renovation of Old Residential Communities in China

The multi-criteria group decision-making approach, rooted in fuzzy mathematics theory, is employed to address the globally significant issue of green construction in this paper. The construction industry is one of the most prominent contributors to carbon emissions, which is evident throughout the entire supply chain. Meanwhile, the renovation of old residential communities is a large-scale urban construction project in China. In striving to advance the sustainable development of the construction industry and meet decarbonization goals, the attention has shifted towards green construction in the renovation of old residential communities. However, substantial gaps persist in both technical innovation and practical application of green construction. This study aims to identify the factors that influence the popularization and implementation of green construction practices in the renovation of old residential communities. To achieve this, a comprehensive decision-making approach is sought, and these factors are thoroughly investigated. In this paper, we propose a hybrid decision-making framework that incorporates grounded theory, the fuzzy decision-making and trial evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method, and the analytic network process (ANP) method. Leveraging triangular fuzzy numbers and other fuzzy mathematical theories, this approach is designed to assess the factors that influence the popularization and implementation of green construction practices, uncovering their interrelationships and mechanisms. The results indicate the comprehensive nature of advancing green construction practices, encompassing the entire supply chain involved in the renovation of old residential communities. Among these factors, social participation and market environment emerge as the most influential. Building upon these conclusions, this paper offers specific recommendations. Ultimately, this study equips the construction industry with both a theoretical foundation and a methodological framework to popularize and implement green construction practices effectively.

Assessing the Degradation of Safety Management Performance in Large Construction Projects: An Investigation and Decision Model Based on Complex Network Modeling

Modern safety control theory suggests that the accumulation of safety management defects at the organizational level can lead to a degradation in the overall safety management performance. This problem is exacerbated by the increasing complexity of safety management in large construction projects. The theoretical frameworks proposed by existing studies can provide generalized guidance for identifying safety management defects, but they are not flexible enough to address the complexity of a safety management system (SMS) in specific large construction projects. This study proposed an investigation and decision model based on a complex network model of SMSs. The main purpose was to accurately assess the degradation of safety management performance through the comprehensive identification of safety management defects for large construction projects. The functional components and their interactions in SMSs were graphically represented in a complex network using the fuzzy DEMATEL technique. Based on this, deep-seated safety management defects were identified by tracing the path of influence between the functional components and their roots. Furthermore, the results of this identification were used to support the assessment of the degradation of the safety performance of the overall SMS. The proposed model was verified with a large-scale wastewater treatment plant construction project in Lanzhou City, China. The degradation of the functional components could be presented in a complex visual network map to facilitate an understanding of the weak points or risk-sensitive areas throughout the SMS. Especially in the case of false safety perceptions, deep-seated safety management defects can be identified in time to prevent a sudden collapse of the SMS through early warnings. In addition, it also facilitates timely short-term improvement strategies and systematic long-term improvement strategies for long-term sustainability and increased resilience.

Plastic Roads in Asia: Current Implementations and Should It Be Considered?

The rapid economic and industrial growth experienced in the Asian region has significantly increased waste production, particularly single-use plastic. This surge in waste poses a significant challenge for these countries' municipal solid waste management systems. Consequently, there is a pressing need for progressive and effective solutions to address the plastic waste issue. One promising initiative involves utilizing used plastic to produce components for asphalt pavement. The concept of plastic road technology has gained traction in Asia, with 32 countries displaying varying levels of interest, ranging from small-scale laboratory experiments to large-scale construction projects. However, as a relatively new technology, plastic road implementation requires continuous and comprehensive environmental and health risk assessments to ascertain its viability as a reliable green technology. This review paper presents the current findings and potential implementation of plastic-modified asphalt in Asian countries, with particular attention given to its environmental and human health impacts. While plastic asphalt roads hold promise in waste reduction, improved asphalt properties, and cost savings, it is imperative to thoroughly consider the environmental and health impacts, quality control measures, recycling limitations, and long-term performance of this road construction material. Further research and evaluation are needed to fully understand the viability and sustainability of plastic asphalt roads. This will enable a comprehensive assessment of its potential benefits and drawbacks, aiding in developing robust guidelines and standards for its implementation. By addressing these considerations, it will be possible to optimize the utilization of plastic waste in road construction and contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.

Hydration, Microstructure, and Properties of Fly Ash–Based Geopolymer: A Review

Abstract Geopolymers have gained attention as a potential eco-friendly alternative to Portland cement, primarily due to their reduced carbon dioxide emissions and the opportunity to repurpose industrial waste materials. Fly ash (FA), a byproduct of coal combustion, has been favored as a raw material for geopolymer concrete owing to its widespread availability and high concentrations of alumina and silica. The development and application of fly ash–based geopolymer concrete can contribute significantly to production of sustainable construction materials. An in-depth analysis of fly ash–based geopolymer concrete has been conducted to explore its potential as a substitute for traditional concrete. This review encompasses the underlying reaction mechanism, strength, long-term durability, and microstructural characteristics of geopolymer concrete. The present review paper shows that adding the optimal quantity of fly ash improves the performance of fly ash–based geopolymer when exposed to extreme durability conditions, as well as improving strength properties. The microstructural analysis shows that when fly ash is added, the microstructure of the concrete matrix would be dense and packed. However, challenges remain in adopting fly ash–based geopolymer concrete for large-scale construction projects, as the existing literature presents inconsistencies in the reported strength, durability, and test results. Further research is necessary to consolidate knowledge on the behavior and mechanism of fly ash–based geopolymer concrete and to ultimately provide comprehensive data to support its widespread implementation in the construction industry.

Coping with skill shortage within the UK construction industry: Scaling up training and development systems

A skilled workforce is essential for producing high quality construction work, efficiently and effectively. This paper is formulated to improve the understanding and knowledge surrounding the skill shortage currently being faced within the UK, and the significant impact it is having on quality management. It surrounds around each main area, and the impacts of recent years: Brexit, Covid-19 and ageing workforce. A mixed method approach was applied to collect data from the quantitative and qualitative sources. The quantitative survey data was collected through snowball sampling from the 130 construction professionals working the UK construction industry. Moreover, a case study has been conducted on a large-scale construction project located in the Northeast of England where the outcome of these issues can be seen in all aspects of the work. Training and development are the fundamental issues highlighted during the literature review and then subsequently expressed by participants of the surveys. In addition, the moderation analysis also provides the important role of training and development in reducing the negative impacts of COVID-19 and Brexit towards quality management. However, it was also revealed that the training and development are not useful for the aging workforce in combating the skilled shortage challenges towards quality management system in the construction industry. This research will allow the industry to understand the need for a skilled workforce and how it benefits the quality management elements of a construction project.