Material-related Factors Research Articles

Effect Mechanism of Material Ratio on Ultrasonic P-wave Velocity in Coal Based Paste Fill Materials

This research is designed to investigate the variations in ultrasonic p-wave velocity in various coal based paste fill materials used for recovering standing pillars in closed/closing coal mines, with consideration given to the effects of numerous material-related factors. For this purpose, orthogonal tests were designed. The evaluation was performed on the effects of four variables on the ultrasonic p-wave velocities in samples, using coal grains as the primary material. These variables consisted of the coal grains’ particle size (PA), high-water material content (PB), cement content (PC), and water content (PD). The experimental results show the following: (1) Ultrasonic p-wave velocity of coal based paste fill materials are measured within the range of 1.596 to 2.357 km/s, and these are classified (in descending order) as PD, PB, PC, and then PA, based on their effects on ultrasonic p-wave velocity. (2) Ultrasonic p-wave velocity is positively correlated with compressive strength and shear strength; the correlation coefficients are 0.82 and 0.69, respectively. (3) Changes in the ultrasonic p-wave velocity of coal based paste fill materials, when exposed to various factors, have been characterized by fitted formulae. It was observed that the velocity maintained a quadratic polynomial correlation with factor PB and exponential correlations with factors PA, PC, and PD. The comprehensive predictive model, reflecting the characteristics of the ultrasonic p-wave velocity in response to the combined influence of these four factors, was developed through the utilization of fitted equations pertaining to individual factor variations. Subsequently, this model underwent verification.

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Implementation of Sustainable Building Projects

Abstract: Sustainability concept can be defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future” [7]. Conventional buildings approximately consumes more than 30% of energy while utilising around 40% of resources while also simultaneously generating 40% of wastes and 35% of harmful green-house gases [8]. The sustainable building construction approach has the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable development, especially considering the building industry’s considerable influence. Based on our literature assessment, we discovered that multiple research reveal a general lack of consistency across outcomes in different geographical locations regarding factors impacting the implementation of sustainable building projects. Therefore this study is based on the analysis of factors that impact the implementation of sustainable building projects and the effects of sustainable building projects on various critical factors. For the result of the research analysis, the Reliability analysis which was conducted based on Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient for the factors affecting the implementation of sustainable building projects were found to be 0.76658442 which can conclude that the reliability level of the questionnaires responses was good while based on Relative Importance Index (RII) analysis factors affecting the implementation of sustainable building projects were ranked, with material related factors being the most significant (RII 0.705) among other factors. Additionally, the impact of implementing sustainable building projects on different critical factors was determined, with RII analysis indicating that the most significant impact will occur in terms of economic benefits (RII 0.767). Overall, the study tried fulfilling all the objectives which were stated.

Fatigue Failure in Polymeric Materials: Insights from Experimental Testing

The investigation of fatigue failure in polymeric materials subjected to cyclic loading holds significant importance across diverse engineering applications. Numerous variables influence material behavior, encompassing material-related factors such as composition, molecular weight, orientation, and additives, as well as external factors like applied stress magnitude (stress amplitude, dynamic stress frequency and mean stress), and operating temperature. This paper presents an experimental exploration into the impact of loading parameters—mean stress, stress amplitude, and dynamic stress frequency—on the failure modes of two thermoplastic materials: high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The study begins with an assessment of the mechanical and physical properties of the materials, followed by the design and manufacturing of a specialized uniaxial fatigue test rig. Tensile–tensile fatigue tests incorporating positive mean stress are conducted, evaluating the influence of altering stress amplitude and frequency on fatigue life and failure mode. The outcomes reveal that HDPE primarily experiences thermal and creep failure modes, with a lack of observed fatigue failure. Conversely, PVC specimens manifest three distinct failure modes: ductile, creep, and fatigue, with the type of failure contingent upon loading parameters. These findings offer significant insights into the various fatigue failure modes and contribute to an enhanced comprehension of the intricate interplay between loading dynamics and failure modes in polymeric materials.

Quantifying the Dynamics of Bacterial Biofilm Formation on the Surface of Soft Contact Lens Materials Using Digital Holographic Tomography to Advance Biofilm Research.

The increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics in recent years demands innovative strategies for the detection and combating of biofilms, which are notoriously resilient. Biofilms, particularly those on contact lenses, can lead to biofilm-related infections (e.g., conjunctivitis and keratitis), posing a significant risk to patients. Non-destructive and non-contact sensing techniques are essential in addressing this threat. Digital holographic tomography emerges as a promising solution. This allows for the 3D reconstruction of the refractive index distribution in biological samples, enabling label-free visualization and the quantitative analysis of biofilms. This tool provides insight into the dynamics of biofilm formation and maturation on the surface of transparent materials. Applying digital holographic tomography for biofilm examination has the potential to advance our ability to combat the antibiotic bacterial resistance crisis. A recent study focused on characterizing biofilm formation and maturation on six soft contact lens materials (three silicone hydrogels, three hydrogels), with a particular emphasis on Staphylococcus epidermis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both common culprits in ocular infections. The results revealed species- and time-dependent variations in the refractive indexes and volumes of biofilms, shedding light on cell dynamics, cell death, and contact lens material-related factors. The use of digital holographic tomography enables the quantitative analysis of biofilm dynamics, providing us with a better understanding and characterization of bacterial biofilms.

Forecasting Delays and Budget overruns resulting from Material-Related Factors

Forecasting Delays and Budget overruns resulting from Material-Related Factors

Analysis of Labor Productivity in Bricklaying Operation of Building Construction in Surkhet, Nepal

The development of the nation’s infrastructure depends heavily on the construction industry. The entire labor productivity during the project has a significant impact on construction productivity. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the origins and consequences of labor productivity in the context of the Nepalese construction industry. The methodology involved in conducting the research is the formation of the problem statement, developing research objectives, literature review, data collection, data analysis, conclusion, and recommendations. The data for this research is collected by a literature review as well as a questionnaire and physical observations of building construction. The literature review helped to identify several elements that have an impact on labor productivity. To determine the factors that influenced labor productivity the most, a questionnaire survey was undertaken with a Likert scale. The required information was then produced by processing, analyzing, and interpreting the data using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software tools. The Cronbach’s Alpha value was computed using SPSS to measure the internal consistency and found to be 0.976 which shows the better reliability of the research and data collection. From the study, we can conclude that the results obtained from the relative importance index (RII), mean response analysis (MRA), and sensitivity analysis through Artificial Neural Network (ANN) meets the same conclusion as the highest influencing factor affecting labor productivity is ‘Material related factors’ followed by ‘Leadership related factors’, ‘Manpower related factors’, and the last ‘Other factors’.

Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing-Driven Design and Testing of the Snapping Interlocking Metasurface Mechanism ShroomLock

This study presents the manufacturing process-driven development of an interlocking metasurface; (ILM) mechanism for fused filament fabrication; (FFF) with a focus on open-source accessibility. The presented ILM is designed to enable strong contact between two planar surfaces. The mechanism consists of spring elements and locking pins which snap together when forced into contact. The mechanism is designed to deliver optimized mechanical properties, functionality, and printability with common FFF printers. The mechanism is printed from a thermoplastic polyurethane; (TPU) filament which was selected for its flexibility, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the spring elements. To characterize the designed mechanism, a tensile test is carried out to assess the holding force of the ILM. The force-displacement profiles are analyzed and categorized into distinct phases, highlighting the interplay between spring deformation, sliding, and disengagement. Finally, from the measurements of multiple printed specimens, a representative holding force is determined through averaging and assigned to the mechanism. The resulting tolerance, which can be attributed to geometric and material-related factors, is discussed. The testing results are discussed and compared with a numerical simulation carried out with a frictionless approach with a nonlinear Neo-Hookean material law. The study underscores the importance of meticulous parameter control in three-dimensional (3D) printing for the consistent and reliable performance of interlocking metasurface mechanisms. The investigation leads to a scalable model of an ILM element pair with distinct three-phase snapping characteristics ensuring reliable holding capabilities.

Life Cycle Assessment for Photovoltaic Structures—Comparative Study of Rooftop and Free-Field PV Applications

The European Union has set itself the goal of increasing its share in renewable energy up to 42.5% by 2030 by accelerating the clean energy transition plan. National legislation within the Member States must now adapt the strategic plans to rapidly implement their allocation in renewable energy. Solar photovoltaics are in this context considered to be one of the technologies that could rapidly be rolled out, with both building-integrated as well as free-field photovoltaic systems needed to reach these ambitious goals. There are strong arguments for prioritizing photovoltaics on buildings, as they make use of land that is already sealed, and the environmental impact is considered lower as fewer resources might be needed for the structures holding the panels. However, since there is limited literature available to back this claim with quantitative data, this paper presents a comparative study of the structures needed to implement rooftop versus free-field photovoltaic applications. With a detailed life cycle analysis, several commonly used structures have been analyzed in relation to their environmental impact. The findings show that the impact on resources can be up to 50% lower in rooftop systems compared with free-field applications but that a series of site- and material-related factors need to be considered to prioritize one system over another on a regional scale. This study thus aims at providing fact-based decision support for strategic considerations related to photovoltaic implementation plans.

Силовой анализ процесса резания единичным зерном сферокорунда при шлифовании древесины

The productivity of the wood grinding process can be increased by using abrasive wheels with spherical corundum grains. They also expand the area of application of rigid abrasive instruments by reducing soiling and eliminating burns on the treated surface. The studies revealed several advantages of the abrasive wheels over sanding paper: very precise processing, achievement of the desired grade of the treated surface, high durability of the instrument, and low cost. A force analysis of a grinding surface with micro-cuttings made of spherical corundum grains was performed depending on the degree of its wear. The results revealed that chip removal by the spherical corundum grains was possible only under certain conditions when the cutting edges of the grains were exposed. Besides, the theoretical dependencies of forces in micro-cutting were obtained from every principal condition for the process of grinding wood and wooden materials: properties of the spheres, treatment modes, and material-related factors. The special properties were analyzed by the chip formation process and self-sharpening conditions of the spherical corundum wheels. The grain size had the greatest influence on the thickness of chips which were cut by one grain. The grain content and bonding, like other properties of the internal volumetric structure, had a less substantial impact. The abrasive tool characteristics must complement the processed material, such as grain size, hardness, and structure. On the other hand, spherical corundum has optimal physical and mechanical properties for grinding, particularly the thickness of the grain’s edges, which primarily determine the material’s tensile strength. The grinding depth and feed rate mostly define the parameters of the grinding performance of wood and wood-based materials. An increase in those leads to a rise in cutting forces, roughness of the ground surface, a reduction in the grinding length over the period of the wheel’s durability, and the grinding coefficient. If the grinding depth and feed rate are constant, the performance can be improved by increasing the cutting rate. For citation: Sergeevichev A.V., Sokolova V.A., Mikhailova A.E., Ovcharova E.O., Voinash S.A. Force Analysis of a Single Grain Cutting Process in Wood Grinding Using Spherical Corundum. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 3, pp. 140–154. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-3-140-154

The efficacy of manual toothbrushes in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances: a randomized clinical trial

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate three types of manual toothbrushes [Cross action (CA), Flat trim (FT), and orthodontic type (OT)] in terms of efficacy in plaque removal in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment.BackgroundManual toothbrushes are an essential part of oral hygiene for primary prevention. Plaque control, however, can be influenced by a number of individual and material-related factors. Individual factors include the presence of fixed orthodontic appliances on tooth surfaces, such as brackets and bands, which create difficulties with oral hygiene and lead to plaque formation. The evidence for the effectiveness of advanced bristle designs (multilevel, criss-cross) of the manual toothbrush alone in removing plaque in patients undergoing orthodontic therapy is limited.MethodsThe experiment followed the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines. This was a three treatment, three-period crossover clinical trial with a single brushing exercise. Thirty subjects were randomized to one of the three treatment sequences of different bristle designs: (CA, FT, and OT). The primary outcome measure was the difference in the plaque scores (baseline minus post-brushing) at each study period, as determined by the Turesky-Modified Quigley–Hein Plaque Index.ResultsOf the thirty-four subjects enrolled in the study, thirty of the subjects met the inclusion criteria and completed all three periods of the study. The mean age was 19.5 ± 1.52 years, with a range of 18–23 years. The differences between treatments in plaque score reduction after brushing were statistically significant (p-value < .001). The treatment differences were statistically significant (p-value < .001) favoring the FT toothbrush over the OT and CA types of toothbrush designs. On the contrary, the difference between the OT and CA types was not statistically significant.ConclusionsPlaque was significantly removed by the conventional FT toothbrush after a single brushing compared to the OT and CA types.

The Longevity and Clinical Performance of Direct and Indirect Restorations, Including Amalgam, Composite, Ceramic, and Metal Restorations

The longevity of dental restorations depends on patient-related, dentist-related, and material-related factors. Patientrelated factors include restoration size, chewing habits, oral hygiene, and systemic conditions. Strength, wear resistance, water tolerance, dimensional stability, and colour stability are all material-related variables. When deciding on a course of treatment, dentists must take these things into account. Since the 19th century, dental amalgam, which is composed of mercury, silver, tin, copper, and other metals, has been used effectively. Although it has limits in terms of tooth colour matching, it is appropriate for Class I and II restorations. Amalgam offers good load-bearing qualities, wear resistance, and tolerance for various clinical conditions. Safety concerns include the release of mercury vapor and the possibility of localized allergic reactions. Resin-based composites are esthetic and safe materials used for anterior and small to moderate-sized posterior fillings. Postoperative tooth sensitivity and shrinkage-related issues can occur, but improvements have minimized these problems. Adequate field control is essential for successful placement. Indirect restorative materials include all-ceramic and base metal casting alloys. All-ceramic restorations provide excellent aesthetics, high strength, and biocompatibility. However, they rely on resin-based cements and adhesives for retention, and allergies can occur. Base metal alloys offer an economical alternative and are effective for crown-and-bridge restorations. The choice of restorative materials depends on various factors, and dentists must consider the specific needs of each patient to achieve successful outcomes.

Current Strategies to Control Recurrent and Residual Caries with Resin Composite Restorations: Operator- and Material-Related Factors

This review addresses the rationale of recurrent and/or residual caries associated with resin composite restorations alongside current strategies and evidence-based recommendations to arrest residual caries and restrain recurrent caries. The PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched for composite-associated recurrent/residual caries focusing on predisposing factors related to materials and operator's skills; patient-related factors were out of scope. Recurrent caries and fractures are the main reasons for the failure of resin composites. Recurrent and residual caries are evaluated differently with no exact distinguishment, especially for wall lesions. Recurrent caries correlates to patient factors, the operator's skills of cavity preparation, and material selection and insertion. Material-related factors are significant. Strong evidence validates the minimally invasive management of deep caries, with concerns regarding residual infected dentin. Promising technologies promote resin composites with antibacterial and remineralizing potentials. Insertion techniques influence adaptation, marginal seal, and proximal contact tightness. A reliable diagnostic method for recurrent or residual caries is urgently required. Ongoing endeavors cannot eliminate recurrent caries or precisely validate residual caries. The operator's responsibility to precisely diagnose original caries and remaining tooth structure, consider oral environmental conditions, accurately prepare cavities, and select and apply restorative materials are integral aspects. Recurrent caries around composites requires a triad of attention where the operator's skills are cornerstones.

Microwave-Assisted CO Oxidation over Perovskites as a Model Reaction for Exhaust Aftertreatment—A Critical Assessment of Opportunities and Challenges

We introduce a microwave (MW)-assisted heterogeneous catalytical setup, which we carefully examined for its thermal and performance characteristics. Although MW-assisted heterogeneous catalysis has been widely explored in the past, there is still need for attention towards the specific experimental details, which may complicate the interpretation of results and comparability in general. In this study we discuss technical and material related factors influencing the obtained data from MW-assisted heterogeneous catalysis, specifically in regards to the oxidation of carbon monoxide over a selected perovskite catalyst, which shall serve as a model reaction for exhaust gas aftertreatment. A high degree of comparability between different experiments, both in terms of setup and the catalysts, is necessary to draw conclusions regarding this promising technology. Despite significant interest from both fundamental and applied research, many questions and controversies still remain and are discussed in this study. A series of deciding parameters is presented and the influence on the data is discussed. To control these parameters is both a challenge but also an opportunity to gain advanced insight into MW-assisted catalysis and to develop new materials and processes. The results and discussion are based upon experiments conducted in a monomode MW-assisted catalysis system employing powdered solid-state perovskite oxides in a fixed bed reactor. The discussion covers critical aspects concerning the determination of the actual catalyst temperature, the homogeneity of the thermal distribution, time, and local temperature relaxation (i.e., thermal runaway effects and hotspot formation), particle size effects, gas flow considerations, and system design.

Seismic response sensitivity and optimal design of an isolated multi-span continuous highway bridge with self-centering SMA RC bridge piers and superelastic SMA restrainers

The use of superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) in reinforced concrete (RC) pier and restrainers between girder and pier/abutment has been proposed in an earlier study to improve the seismic performance of highway bridges. This paper aims at identifying the significant factors that affect the seismic response of such a novel bridge system. A sequential fractional factorial design method is performed to statistically evaluate the effects of six design factors (three geometry-related and three material-related) as well as their interactions. Additionally, a multi-criteria optimization technique is implemented to determine the most efficient combination of the design parameters for SMA RC piers and SMA restrainers. Results demonstrate that the geometry-related factors and their interactions have large effects (with a contribution greater than 91%) on the relative displacement between the girder and pier. The target residual drift of the pier, design target displacement of the restrainer, and their interaction are the three most significant factors (with contributions approximately 30%–68%) affecting the base shear of the pier. The residual drift of the pier is sensitive to the design target displacement of the restrainer, its interaction with the forward transformation stress of SMA, and material-related factors with regard to the energy dissipation of SMA.

Analysis of acute sinusitis-related early failed implant surface: a combined histological, electron microscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy approach

BackgroundEven though dental implants are a reliable choice for dental rehabilitation, implant failures due to various etiologies have been reported. Early implant failures account for 2 to 6% of installed implants and are reported to have a higher rate than late failures, regardless of loading time. We herein report three cases of acute sinusitis and early implant failure with implants that failed within 1 month after installation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface properties of early failed implants and peri-implant tissue to determine the early osseointegration pattern in acute sinusitis-related failed implants as well as the possible role of surface contamination in the failure of osseointegration.ResultsA combined histological, electron microscopy, and X-ray spectroscopy approach was used to characterize the surface of non-osseointegrated titanium implants and the surrounding biological tissues. Morphologic scanning electron microscopy revealed a heterogeneous surface and irregular osseointegration. The implant surface was covered mostly by carbon- and oxygen-rich organic matter. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy surface analysis of three implants showed the incorporation of some contaminants in both the upper and apical regions. Carbon, nitrogen, sodium, silicon, chlorine, sulfur, gold, and zirconium were detected on the surface of one or more failed implants. Fibrosis, lymphocytic, and macrophage infiltrates and a high activation of osteoclasts surrounding the bone graft particles were detected in the surrounding tissues.ConclusionsThe etiology and mechanism of early implant failure, especially in sinus-related cases, as well as the proper management interventions to minimize the rate of early implant failures, are of great concern. No matter how confident and accurate the surgeon’s operation, there may be unknown errors in the whole procedure that no one knows about. Rather than errors related to the implant surface, it is expected that there were invisible problems during the evaluation of the patient’s own unique sinus mucosal inflammation or the operator’s own procedure. Furthermore, well-designed researches are necessary to reveal the effect of material-related factors on acute sinus complication and early implant failure.

Bonding Time and Prestress Loss in Precast Pretensioned Concrete during Steam Curing

During steam curing of concrete, the axial restraint of pretensioned strands causes thermal prestress loss of the strands accumulated until sufficient bonding occurs. A theoretical model is presented in this paper to predict the progressive slippage of strands with time, bonding time, and the amount of thermal prestress loss. The model incorporating the equivalent age-dependent local bond-slip relationships considers the effects of material-related factors, the layout of the prestressing system, and changes in the temperature. Three pairs of two monostrand pretensioned concrete prisms were fabricated to validate the developed model. The model was able to trace the experimentally measured progressive slippage of the strand reasonably well, and it predicted thermal prestress losses by 5.2%–5.5% of the initial prestress of 1,395 MPa for the tested prisms.

Overrun Factors During the Construction Phase of Project

The construction sector contributes to a country's development by providing real solutions to human needs, improving the gross domestic product (GDP)and providing job opportunities. Besides numerous benefits, the construction industry is a resource-driven sector and faces many challenges. One of the challenges is to complete the construction project on time within the budget that is momentous for the client, consultant, and contractor. However, time and cost overrun are the most common anomalies due to improper management of the constructions. Hence, this article aimed to recognize the most affecting causative factors to delays and cost overrun construction projects. The detailed literature and comprehensively reviewed from 49 research articles of the past three decades found that 'delay in the payment' is the most repeated factor mentioned by 35 researchers in their studies. However, 'poor site management,' labor, material related factors, and 'delay in design development with errors' are the most repeated factors reported by the research for the delay and cost overrun. This paper also suggests the appropriate strategies and techniques minimize the causative factors of time and cost overruns uncovered from the previous literature.

Exploring the critical waste factors affecting construction projects

PurposeWaste is typically encountered during the building's life cycle, from the design phase, through the construction phase, to modification and demolition. Most of these construction wastes are unnoticed or unattended by project managers, which lead to serious environmental problems. Effective waste reduction strategies will require a thorough and detailed understanding of the causes of construction waste. Hence, this paper aims to explore critical waste factors (CWFs) affecting the performance of construction projects.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive literature review was carried out to determine these factors based on previous studies, from which a questionnaire was developed. Series of statistical analyses such as reliability analysis, Spearman Correlation, Kruskal–Wallis and factor analysis were performed on a total of 330 valid responses to identify latent factors responsible for wastes occurrence.FindingsThis study reveals 31 CWFs through evaluation of prior relevant studies carried out in several countries and then adjusted and validated through semistructured interviews. The significant differences in views within various groups of respondents with different organizational characteristics are highlighted. The results of factor analysis showed that there are six principal components extracted with 66.3% of variance explained (material-related factors; subcontractors and workers; planning, communication and coordination; people involvement and financial issues; people development strategies; and external factors).Originality/valueThis study differs from other studies in the literature by gathering all relevant waste factors including those related to nonphysical waste such as time, budget, workers and equipment. Furthermore, this paper will be of great interest to both practitioners and researchers since it brings various recommendations concerning the prevention/reduction of waste through lean construction for more sustainable construction projects.

A review of current physical techniques for dispersion of cellulose nanomaterials in polymer matrices

Abstract Cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) naturally exist in biomass. Recent developments in nanotechnology and extraction procedure of CNMs open up a new era in the polymer composites industry. Abundant, renewable, biodegradable, transparent, light weight, and most importantly, low cost make CNMs the ideal material for packaging, automotive, construction, and infrastructure applications. CNMs are generally used as materials for polymer matrix reinforcement in the composites industry. The industrial-scale manufacturing of CNM/thermoplastic composites remains an unsolved puzzle for both academics and industries. The dispersion of nanocellulose in polymer matrix is the central problem inhibiting the manufacturing of CNM/polymer composites at an industrial scale. Several attempts were made to disperse nanocellulose effectively in a polymer matrix and improve compatibility between the matrix and CNMs. Chemical-aided surface modification of CNMs has been effective in several cases; however, chemical toxicity, high price, and critical control of reactions make them unsuitable. This current review paper focuses on novel eco-friendly physical dispersion techniques of CNMs and their future scope of research. The physical dispersion techniques such as plasma-induced surface modification, ultrasonication, magnetic and electric field discharge, electrospinning, or drawing can visibly improve the dispersion state of CNMs. But several factors affect physical techniques’ performance, e.g. CNM type and forms, process conditions and parameters, etc. Moreover, the material-related factors interplay with the process-related factors. This review addresses the current state of knowledge on the physical dispersion techniques for CNMs and identifies challenges that are critical to adoption of these novel materials at commercial scale for future applications.

Cost Optimization in Building Construction Projects with Special Reference to Kathmandu Valley of Nepal

Cost optimization is a process that should be carried out throughout the construction period to ensure that the cost of the project is within an allotted budget. Time and cost are the two most significant factors in any construction project. Cost increases with the time of construction. The objective of this study was to find out the factors that contribute to the optimization of construction costs in building construction projects in Nepal. The study was conducted during the period from April 2019 to September 2020. Field observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaire surveys were the major tools for the investigation of this study. The findings were analyzed in nine categories: project related factors, design related factors, owner related factors, consultant related factors, contractor related factors, material related factors, labor related factors, equipment related factors, and external factors. The study found some key factors related to time and cost overrun, optimizing cost of construction and the strategies to optimize project costs. The most important strategy to optimize the construction cost are effective cost planning and control, development of proper monitoring and tracking system, sound working environment, recording daily work progress, using time cost trade off, follow plan-do-check-act quality policy, hire skilled labor and effective supervision. The study suggests that constructability and value engineering principles should be adopted in construction projects.