Projects In Iraq Research Articles

Identifying the Key Causes and Impacts of Variation Orders in Iraqi Construction Projects

Variation Orders is often a reason for construction projects exceeding projects budget and delays; it is a global problem, particularly intensive in the case of a recession of the local economy and stagnation. In Iraq, all the projects have delays in completion, and the cost affects because of the variation orders, which are not well managed. The objective of this study was to identify the key causes responsible for the variation order in construction projects in Iraq using the system dynamic. System's dynamics is the discipline of academics and rooted initially been in management and the engineering sciences. The data relating to the performance of construction projects from 27 projects adopted by Diyala University were collected. Personal interviews and questionnaires survey to the selected projects of specialized engineers were done. The results revealed that the size of variation orders in Iraqi construction projects was high, and 13 key causative factors led to variation orders. The variation in cost was the most influential factor effecting the construction project in Iraq. When variation orders in a cost increased, the owner's opinion decreased. When the external factors increased, cost variation orders increased. It was concluded that minimizing the variation orders was very important to realize the cost in the construction projects. Therefore, the authority management and project managers must make a plan to address these key causes in future projects to ensure their success

Applying analytical network process to the selection of financing method for abandoned construction projects in Iraq

Construction projects are of a special nature affected by many factors, which makes them exposed to multiple risks that may lead to the abandonment of projects. Recently, the Iraqi construction sector is facing a number of problems. Abandoned construction projects are one of the most common and dangerous problems in the construction industry in Iraq, with their negative effects on stakeholders, the economy, and the environment due to the lack of sufficient financial and administrative capabilities to complete construction projects, which is reflected in exceeding the time limit for the completion of projects. The aim of this research is to use the analytic network process (ANP) technique to choose the best form of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts to fund abandoned projects in Iraq. using a questionnaire survey to determine the most criteria and alternatives for selecting appropriate financing for the abandoned project. The results shown final weight of the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) contract from ANP is 0.533, which is the best form of PPP contract among the alternatives proposed to fund the project.

Causes of Abandoned Construction Projects: A case study in Iraq

Recently, many construction projects in Iraq have been either incomplete or abandoned, with negative implications for stakeholders, the economy, and the environment. The research methodology in this study adopts to Identify the reasons for the abandonment of construction projects in Iraq and arranging them corresponding to the viewpoint of three superiors (owners, consultants, contractors) of the construction project. A literature review on abandoned construction projects was carried out and interviews were conducted for a range of experts in the sector of the building environment in Iraq. As a result, the questionnaire consisted of 41 causes of abandoned construction projects in Iraq. the causes are grouped into six-item. A field survey was conducted using the Relative Importance Index (RII) to rate these causes from the perspective of the owner, contractor, and consultant. 85 forms are the total number of questionnaires distributed, representing 30 for owners, 20 for contractors, and 35 for consultants. The results concluded that the causes of abandoned projects related to time, finance, and resources are in the first, second, and third places, with a total RII equal to 78, 76.3, and 75.8, respectively.

Critical Success Factors of Green Building Retrofitting Ventures in Iraq

Climate change has become one of the challenges for development. The building sector represents the largest resource of greenhouse gas production. Iraq depends on fossil fuels in producing energy, electricity with a lack of energy standards. This has made Iraq one of the utmost carbon-intense economic in the world. There is a lack of studies about green building retrofitting (GBR) projects in Iraq as well as lack of awareness about the importance of this concept and its welfare regarding the reduction of the climate change crisis. The enhancement of the implementation of GBR projects in Iraq will be a promising solution to overcome the negative impact of the existing buildings. The GBR projects represent a complicated project that needs an effective project management practices. It is crucial to identify the challenges that restrict the success of these ventures. This paper provides critical success factors (CSF) that will stimulate the achievement of GBR ventures in Iraq. A questionnaire survey is conducted to collect reliable data from the experts in retrofitting projects in Basra, Iraq. Findings showed that the top five challenges in implementing GBR are; absence of government legislation, lack of awareness about benefits of GBR, low government and private sectors’ investment, incompetent team members, and lack of sustainability knowledge. Additionally, the top five CSFs are; efficient legislation, competent team members, subsidies or tax reduction, sufficient experience and competence of the project manager. This research will contribute to the improvement of project management practices in GBR projects, reduction of environmental pollution and enhancement of Iraq’s oil revenues instead of using oil as energy fuel.

Analysis of Relationship between Design and Implementation Stages within Construction Projects in Iraq

Within last years, construction projects have quickly accelerated in both number and size. This study deals with some of effects of performance management and its outputs from service and cost viewing. By focusing on the relationship between the two main stages in construction projects, that is the design and implementing stages, the research is going on using method of questionnaire survey including four main factors: the state of design process, the state of implementing process, the state of interaction between the two stages (design and implementation) and the state of problems resulted during and after construction. A questionnaire was distributed into 50 construction projects and the data are collected and analysed through SPSS. The results have shown that there is a weak relationship between design and construction stages in local construction projects. Research showed also that it could not be claimed that this situation (weakness of the interaction of stages) is responsible of defects in the performance of these projects, which in turn results in service and cost problems. Interpreting for this situation was that the results reflected the weakness in the actual management performance in the local construction projects.

Predicting Tbm Performance for Pila Spi Formation in Qara Dagh Anticline, NE Iraq

There are a few studies on the engineering properties of the Pila Spi Formations in scattered areas of Northern Iraq, but there is no study on predicting the performance of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), which is of great importance in future large engineering projects in Iraq. The study area is located on the Takya about 50 km south the center of Sulaimania City. Field and laboratory studies were conducted on five (5) selected sites situated in the southwestern flank of the Qara Dagh anticline. The axis of the anticline extends from NW-SE of Iraq with a length of roughly 116 km. The engineering and field results of the samples collected from different locations indicate that the compressive strength of the rocks having a fine texture and slightly weathered characteristics ranges between strong to very strong with high dry density and low moisture content. In addition, the average Schmidt hammer rebound and weight losses percentages of Lose Angeles values are 48 and 22%, respectively the sizes of the blocks range from large to very large, the spacing of the discontinuities is medium to wide. The performance of TBM in terms rate of advance is generally determined based on these geological rock materials and masses. To estimate the rate advance of boring machine (TBM) in this study, the method depends on the total hardness. After applying the total hardness method, it was estimated that the predicted rate of advancement of the TBM would be very slow (approximately 1.57 -1.86 m/hr) due to the strong hardness of the rocks of Pila Spi Formation.

Safety management in private construction project in Iraq

The construction industry consider one of the most dynamic industries due to the unique features such as the change in the project site and condition. These features make the application of specifications and codes more difficult. Occupational Safety requirements in project is also difficult to be implemented and monitored due to the unique features of this industry. The aim of the study is to propose a new method that will determine the performance and management of the occupational safety in the construction site, in order to increase the safety at work in the private construction sector in Iraq. Another purpose of this evaluation is to establish a fundamental point that can be graded according to the safety index for the Iraqi construction industry. The information has been collected through a checklist and a questionnaire; the study focused on data collection paradigm and framework based on a fuzzy logic approach, which is especially able to evaluate the efficiency and monitoring of management defects of private contractors in the fields of occupational safety management. The results show a high security management performance in the private construction sector in Iraq, and the survey results show that there is a great deficiency in training on job security, also study found out that the top three elements of occupational safety management in Iraq are: First Aid-medical needs, Safety committees, Hazard prevention and control.

Safety management in private construction project in Iraq

The construction industry consider one of the most dynamic industries due to the unique features such as the change in the project site and condition. These features make the application of specifications and codes more difficult. Occupational Safety requirements in project is also difficult to be implemented and monitored due to the unique features of this industry. The aim of the study is to propose a new method that will determine the performance and management of the occupational safety in the construction site, in order to increase the safety at work in the private construction sector in Iraq. Another purpose of this evaluation is to establish a fundamental point that can be graded according to the safety index for the Iraqi construction industry. The information has been collected through a checklist and a questionnaire; the study focused on data collection paradigm and framework based on a fuzzy logic approach, which is especially able to evaluate the efficiency and monitoring of management defects of private contractors in the fields of occupational safety management. The results show a high security management performance in the private construction sector in Iraq, and the survey results show that there is a great deficiency in training on job security, also study found out that the top three elements of occupational safety management in Iraq are: First Aid-medical needs, Safety committees, Hazard prevention and control.

Management of Abandoned Construction Projects in Iraq Using BIM Technology

Recently, a significant number of construction projects that have not been completed in Iraq have a negative impact on stakeholders, the economy, and the environment. The traditional method fails to manage the reconstruction of existing buildings Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a new technology that has helped to improve many aspects of the construction industry. The purpose of this study use BIM technology to reconstruct unfinished projects, and energy performance assessment to minimize the environmental effect of buildings, the use of Building Information Modeling technology could reduce significantly time, and cost. The research idea will be applying to one of the projects in Iraq. the results concluded that applying BIM in the project will significantly reduce the cost of energy of buildings when they are appropriately used in the renovation. Results concluded that using BIM technology and Green Building Studio (GBS) efficient tool for the simulation of building energy and optimization of take-off quantities as accurately as possible.

Reasons for Delaying the Constriction Projects in Iraq

This article dealt with construction projects in Iraq, and the research focused on the risks that may affect these projects. The purpose of this study is to determine the risks that construction projects are exposed to in Iraq and the methods of dealing in order to reduce these risks. Sometimes, if the construction projects are similar to each other in terms of configuration, requirements and purpose, then changing the project site is very sufficient to make these projects differ from each other and thus may be exposed to different risks. These are risks that negatively affect the implementation of these projects and may lead to delay or increase in their cost. Here a questionnaire is designed to collect data to identify risks that may occur during the construction project phases. This questionnaire was distributed electronically to several samples in the public and private sectors within state institutions in Iraq. After completion, the risks that these projects may be exposed to were identified. This was done with engineers and managers of companies and projects working in the public, private and joint sectors, and then these risks were analyzed by the Social Sciences for Packet Statistical Test program(SPSS).

Causes of Problems in Post-Disaster Emergency Re-Construction Projects—Iraq as a Case Study

This study examines the causes of time delays and cost overruns in a selection of thirty post-disaster reconstruction projects in Iraq. Although delay factors have been studied in many countries and contexts, little data exists from countries under the conditions characterizing Iraq during the last 10-15 years. A case study approach was used, with thirty construction projects of different types and sizes selected from the Baghdad region. Project data was gathered from a survey which was used to build statistical relationships between time and cost delay ratios and delay factors in post disaster projects. The most important delay factors identified were contractor failure, redesigning of designs/plans and change orders, security issues, selection of low-price bids, weather factors, and owner failures. Some of these are in line with findings from similar studies in other countries and regions, but some are unique to the Iraqi project sample, such as security issues and low-price bid selection. While many studies have examined factors causing delays and cost overruns, this study offers unique insights into factors that need to be considered when implementing projects for post disaster emergency reconstruction in areas impacted by wars and terrorism.

Utilizing geographic information systems in pavement maintenance applications: Baghdad university as case study

management of the paved network system is a critical issue that always has been the main focus not just in this university, but also to other educational institutions and organizations At the University of Baghdad. These extensive networks are crucial systems at the university as it does not just include the roads, parking spaces, pedestrians' lanes, and sidewalks around the university campus, but also is also extended to a large-scale area, including the bus stations and terminals. This research is conducted in order to set up a smooth and reliable Pavement Maintenance Management System (PMMS) for the university's road lanes and parking spaces. A thorough analysis of related past studies has been done on the PMMS projects in Iraq and other countries to gain a comprehensive understanding on this topic. A PAVER system software is adopted in the study in order to develop a complete and integrated database and the GIS-based map layers for the road pavement and other extended engineering features. While there are past studies discussing the Maintenance and Rehabilitation (M&R) system for road pavement networks, though the systemic approach and forecast method is still missing. Hence, this project is conducted to help in providing a structural M&R system for the pavement networks.

Adoption PPP model as an alternative method of government for funding abandoned construction projects in Iraq

The Iraqi construction sector is facing complex issues and a number of problems. Abandoned construction projects are considered one of the most common and serious problems in the construction industry in Iraq due to a lack of funding, which reflected by exceeding the time limit for completion of the projects. The number and value of the projects involved are usually large. reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of unfinished projects in Iraq require better coordination between these issues, and the country’s other affairs, this goal, cannot be accomplished unless the project is financing in the most successful way. This study aims to use the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)technique to select the appropriate type of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts to finance abandoned projects in Iraq. using a questionnaire survey to select the most significant criteria for choosing an appropriate financing approach for the abandoned project. The reliability of the questionnaire is achieved, by using the Cronbach Alpha calculated by SPSS software (Version 26). The results obtained illustrate the final weight of the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) contract from AHP is 0.261 is the best type of the (PPP) contracts in the alternatives suggested to finance the project.

Python Interactive Cost Control System for Major Contractors

In this study a computerised management system was developed to aid major contractors in improving cost control performance in construction projects. The system was developed by synthesising all construction cost-related functions into a comprehensive framework, taking into account both cost overrun factors and mitigating measures. These factors and measures were based on the findings of previous studies by the authors, in which 10 cost factors were specified as the most potentially controllable by contractors of an observed 59 influential factors identified in construction projects in Iraq. The system was then developed using Python programming language to incorporate the material, labour, and equipment costs of each construction activity. The system was then compared to in real life implementations in seven types of construction projects undertaken by the State Company for Project Execution of the Ministry of Transport, a major contracting company in Iraq, with the results showing that the system can be successfully utilised by major contractors for cost control during construction.

Evaluation of the sustainability of the urban development sector in Iraq

Aim: Sustainability is now considered an important consideration of the urban development sector in terms of reducing undesirable impacts on human life and environment. This has led to the development of best-practice patterns and integrated elements of urban planning and design and the implementation of sustainable technology scenarios. Furthermore, urban development projects to promote unique solutions for various urban fields, as well as access to the potential inherent in urban development projects, whether existing, planned, or under construction, have been identified as extremely important. Identifying local urban challenges to existing development projects by investigating stakeholder perceptions can help determine the actual situation and offer an accurate view of the size of the challenges faced by such projects. Furthermore, measuring such projects’ quality, performance, and applicability in different urban environments, particularly in developing economies, such as Iraq is necessary.Methods: A national survey was conducted to identify and investigate crucial challenges faced by the urban development sector in Iraq. Several important statistical tests were then applied to investigate the relationships between the identified items and the demographic characteristics of respondents, as well as to evaluate the sustainability of study indicators in terms of availability, public acceptance, and quality from stakeholders’ perspective in Iraqi cities. Results: The survey achieved a response rate of 59.4% (n = 1,496) across all Iraqi regions. An 18-item scale related to the main topic was thus presented, with stakeholder’s perceptions on each item evaluated on a 6-point Likert scale. Public awareness of the importance of sustainability was reflected in the fact that about 42%of the respondents were highly concerned with urban development, and well informed about sustainability issues. This offers an optimistic take on people’s interest in sustainable urban projects in Iraq. About 71% of the participant were prepared to pay extra fees to live in a sustainable city in the future. However, the “Use of renewable energy” (mean = 1.77) was ranked lowest, based on it being generally “not available” for use.Conclusion: the urban development sector in Iraq faces numerous challenges, both in terms of service quality and availability. This reflects an urgent need for the immediate development of sustainable practice in urban development projects.

Utilizing BIM 4D in Improving Project Execution Scheduling A Realistic Project for the Mosul Municipality as a Case Study

The architectural projects in Iraq, designed according to the traditional method, face problems of the delay in the completion of work and the increase in the cost. The paper adopts the implementation of BIM system in the field of architectural design as one of the leading digital systems for estimating project scheduling accurately. The research problem was to identify the requirements for applying BIM 4D (one of the BIM tasks) in architectural projects in Iraq. The research goal was to determine the requirements of applying BIM 4D in public sector projects in Iraq. The research identifiedthe most important prerequisites, for examples: the adoption of Iraqi codes in defining the libraries of components involved in the design, the definition of the detailed components of building to take into account the local market such as manufacturers, setting determinants that require cooperation and communication between the relevant government agencies and the diverse design teams during the design phase to avoid future conflicts, and ensuring early participation of the contractor in the design stages.

Identification of crucial performance measurement factors affecting construction projects in Iraq during the implementation phase

Construction industry has complexity in its nature because it contains a large number of participants as clients, consultants, contractors, stakeholders, shareholders, regulators and others. The topic of performance measurement becomes very crucial to construction projects to determine their success. Previous studies show the development of specific indicators for performance is among the most significant mechanisms for the measurement of performance. The main objective of this study is to examine and evaluate the systems for performance measurement adopted in the Iraqi construction projects during the implementation phase. This aim was achieved through structured interviews and a survey that was carried out among the different parties involved in the construction process. A total of 97 participants contributed to this survey representing public and private clients, consultants, and contractors. The analysis of the survey revealed that the most significant factors relating to the types of measurement systems in use are satisfaction of the client, the profitability of the project, viability and feasibility of the project, satisfaction of the project’s users, and quality of the project. The study revealed that all of the 20 indicators suggested in the survey might be utilized to shape the performance framework measurement of Iraqi construction projects at the implementation phase.

Application technology solar thermal power plant in Al-Kut

In this research, we study the operation and challenges of a renewable energy facility in the city of Kut, in central Iraq, which is common in Iraq, the electricity is generating from oil and gas which are harmful to the environment. In the article we have made a detailed study on power generation by relying on sunlight and the water of the Tigris River (the most famous river in Iraq). The article aims to develop detailed solutions to obtain energy without harming the environment by converting solar thermal energy into kinetic energy to generate the steam needed to rotate turbines during the day. And stored energy for use at night. The research shows the results of renewable energy evaluation and technology management in Iraq. To reduce the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels to maintain a safe and clean environment. The world today has already begun to turn to this type of energy, and Iraq is one of the first countries in the Middle East, which has a good climate and record conditions for the success of renewable energy projects, technology renewable energy projects in Iraq is a must, given our lack of such important projects in the public interest.

Investigating the Effects of Economic Crisis on Construction Projects in Iraq

Construction is a complex activity performed in an almost uncontrolled environment. Although, in theory, projects can be well planned in advance, there is a possibility that unexpected events and crises will disrupt these plans, which will affect the progress of projects. Construction companies can be easily affected by crises because the initial investment costs are very high in construction projects, which may lead to huge financial damages. One of the most prominent crises that Iraq faced was the financial crisis in 2014, which had a significant impact on various activities and the construction industry. This research aims to explore the most important causes of the economic crises in Iraq in general, investigate the impact of this crisis on the construction industry in Iraq particularly, explore the most important factors that contributed to the aggravation of the crisis in this area. Finally, explore the most important strategies adopted by higher authorities and construction companies during the economic recession that followed the crisis to mitigate its impact. One hundred fifty-one closed questionnaires were distributed for this purpose. The results showed that financial and administrative corruption is one of the most important causes of crises with (RII) 0.93. Also, 82% of the respondents answered that the projects had increased their duration significantly so that it was difficult to set a date for their completion due to the insolvency or inability of the Iraqi state to pay the financial dues to the contractors. This insolvency negatively impacted the construction industry during the crisis with RII (0.832).

Irrigation projects in Iraq

Iraq has a unique irrigation system since the early history, these systems are functioning through many irrigation projects built over `Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Irrigation projects include several categories, which are dams, barrages, canals, drains, pumping stations, regulators, and reservoirs. There are six large dams inside Iraq, 5 are existing in Tigris basin, and one in Euphrates basin, these dams which were built since 1950’s are suffering from several issues, like foundation liquefaction, seismic effects, and others. Tharthar Lake, Habbaniyah Lake, Razzaza Lake, and Southern Marshes are also one of the main projects in Iraq to control flood and storing excess water in some. These lakes serve in protection of the main cities during large floods. There are also many barrages on Tigris and Euphrates, some of these barrages are part of Tharthar and Habbaniyah projects, while others serving the irrigation projects in Mesopotamia. On Euphrates, there are several irrigation projects, where the projects upstream Fallujah city are almost small or medium projects irrigated by pumping. Then, in the rest of Euphrates, there are Great Abu Ghraib project, Great Mussayab, HillaKifil, some small projects, and Kifil-Shinafiyah projects. Also, Hilla branch which is the largest branch in Iraq from Euphrates, where this branch is irrigating several irrigation projects. On Tigris basin, there are Jazeera project irrigated by pumping from Mosul Dam, Kirkuk project that is irrigated from Lesser Zab River, and Diyala are projects. Inside Mesopotamia and over Tigris reach, there are Ishaqi project, Nahrawan project, Middle Tigris projects, Dujailah project, Dalmaj project, and Gharraf Canal projects. In the middle of Mesopotamian plain, Main Outfall Drain was completed in 1992, this grand drain are serving around 6 million donum of farmlands. Keywords: Dams, Barrages, Irrigation canals, Iraq.