Construction Projects Research Articles

SHRP2 R21 Project Implementation: Two-Lift Concrete Paving on I-65, Nashville

Under Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP2) Project R21, detailed design and construction guidelines were developed for new composite pavement systems. These systems, consisting of either a hot-mix asphalt (HMA) or portland cement concrete (PCC) wearing course over a structural concrete layer (i.e., HMA/PCC or PCC/PCC), are promising technologies for providing sustainable roadways that can be constructed rapidly and rehabilitated (or renewed) with minimal disruption to the traveling public. New composite pavement systems have proven to provide long service life, excellent surface characteristics, exceptionally smooth ride quality, and high durability. As part of the SHRP2 Implementation Assistance Program, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) integrated a two-lift (wet-on-wet) concrete composite pavement into a full-depth shoulder adjacent to a mainline reconstruction project on I-65 in Nashville. TDOT’s interest in the two-lift concrete pavement was driven by a recent specification change requiring a higher quality surface aggregate, and the I-65 project offered the opportunity to evaluate the viability and costcompetitiveness of the two-lift system. This paper describes the construction of the TDOT two-lift composite pavement, including critical aspects of the batching, transport, placement, and post-construction aspects of two-lift composite pavement construction.

Preliminary Optimization of Concrete Paving Mixtures for Sustainability and Performance

Greater sustainability in concrete construction projects generally requires higher replacement of portland cement clinker-based binder materials with byproduct supple-mentary cementitious materials (SCM’s). There may be serious constructability-related performance side effects of such concrete mixtures, however, including delayed setting, slower strength gain, and increased sensitivity of the mixture to changing temperatures. Related impacts for paving applications may include placement and finishing issues, cracking, surface profile and durability concerns, and various other quality and scheduling implications. Mix designs often require more aggressive chemical admixture use and performance side effects are difficult to predict and manage. A protocol is presented for the evaluation of materials and preliminary optimization of proportions that can help maximize practical SCM use in concrete paving mixtures while approximating the performance of traditional mix designs. An approach using simple thermal profile testing of paste mixtures in the lab is presented and used to show how these influences can be understood and managed.

‘Trans’forming identities: migrant workers as informal interpreters

ABSTRACT Construction sites are often multilingual spaces as high numbers of migrants are employed in the industry. Bilingual workers are used as informal interpreters to enable people to work together. However, little is known about who these workers are and why they take on this language work. This paper presents the stories of three informal interpreters who help facilitate communication on international construction projects. These stories, that come from a wider ethnographic research project, demonstrate how the individual’s identity is significant for why they take on this unpaid labour and how identity shapes how they perform it. This study suggests that some workers invest in their language skills, driven by their imagined communities as permanent or transnational migrants. Consequently, they are more engaged with the informal interpretation tasks than bilinguals who do not invest in their language skills and intend to return to their country of origin. This research suggests that formalising language work would help retain communication skills in the industry and may encourage investment in the informal interpreter function. This paper contributes to the theoretical discussion on investment and imagined communities by demonstrating how applying these terms generates new insights in research on migrants at work.

A Comprehensive Review of Machine Learning and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis in Construction Delay Management

Construction delays remain a critical challenge globally, significantly affecting project performance metrics such as cost, schedule adherence, quality, and safety. Traditional methods like the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) are widely used but lack the predictive capabilities and adaptability required for dynamic project environments. Machine Learning (ML) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) have emerged as innovative tools for addressing these limitations. ML excels in predicting delay impacts by analysing historical data and uncovering hidden patterns, while MCDA provides a structured framework for prioritizing delay factors based on their influence on project performance. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the application of ML and MCDA in construction delay management, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and potential integration. The review identifies research gaps, including the need for hybrid frameworks that combine predictive insights with decision support. It proposes future directions to develop real-time tools for delay mitigation, ultimately enhancing construction project outcomes through data-driven decision-making.

Open BIM exchange on Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk: A traceable semantic differential transaction approach

Abstract Building information modeling (BIM) has become prevalent in construction engineering management. However, the efficiency of traditional file-based BIM exchange between multidisciplinary teams remains low due to the transmission of redundant data from mostly unchanged BIM objects. Additionally, the traceability of changes between BIM files is limited. This paper proposes a traceable semantic differential transaction (tSDT) approach for open BIM exchange, which minimizes data redundancy and enables semantic-level traceability of BIM changes. Furthermore, openBIMdisk implements the tSDT and provides a Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk to support efficient, traceable, and secure BIM exchanges across multiple blockchain services. A pilot study of a modular construction project demonstrated the effectiveness of tSDT and open-BIMdisk. Experimental results indicated that tSDT achieved minimal BIM redundancy for storing and restoring all BIM changes, using a sheer 0.007% of disk space on average. openBIMdisk facilitated BIM version management and object-level semantic traceability with a response time of 5.3 ms. The contributions of this paper are twofold. First, tSDT offers a novel and efficient approach for semantic BIM change traceability. Second, openBIMdisk provides BIM practitioners with a Blockchain 3.0 application featuring intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for BIM exchange.

Organizational culture’s influence on the adoption of information management technology in construction projects in Nairobi, Kenya

The construction industry, being collaborative in nature, has over time grown to accommodate professionals from various backgrounds with varying degrees of human interaction that brings its own organizational culture. This increase in complex and ever-changing construction project activities during the life cycle of construction requires effective communication using appropriate information technology. Many studies have documented the slow uptake of this technology in the industry and have focused on processes and systems when researching the reasons behind it. Human factors, and particularly the unique project organizational culture in construction projects have not been vastly addressed in relation to uptake of information management technology. With reference to the Competing Values Framework the study sought to find out the effect of project organizational culture on information management technology adoption in construction projects in Nairobi, based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. It also described the characteristics of construction project organizational culture, and the perception of respondents on extent of adoption of information management technology and the relationship between the project organizational culture and information management technology adoption. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used and primary data collected using questionnaires. Quantitative Data was analyzed SPSS v25. The findings were that all four components of the Competing Values Framework (collaboration, competition, creativity and control) were statistically significant in the uptake of information management technology. It was also found that the construction projects environment skews collaborative and control-based in nature, and this requires an enhancement of information management technology that ensures values and common goals of the Clan culture (collaboration) and Hierarchy culture (control), an atmosphere of collectivity, discipline and mutual help, and an emphasis on empowerment and project participant evolvement. Organizational culture therefore has an impact in the uptake of Information Management technology for construction projects.

Seismic refraction investigation of the shallow bedrock in New Qena City, Eastern Desert, Egypt

The seismic refraction technique has demonstrated its efficiency as a cost-effective geophysical approach for bedrock investigation, which is very important for major construction projects. In the southern part of New Qena City, in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, construction of many domestic facilities is planned. Therefore, a prior investigation focusing on bedrock is required to validate the site for construction and other projects. In this study, a site investigation of the southern part of New Qena City is conducted using the seismic refraction method to estimate the depth and thickness of the bedrock and to present the subsurface structural features affecting the area. Ten seismic refraction profiles were measured, and the data were used for tomographic inversion. The results revealed a four-layered subsurface, with the bedrock represented by the mudstone unit of the Pliocene Durri Formation. This layer is located at a shallow depth and exhibits relatively low velocities as well as lateral velocity variations. This is attributed to the clay content of the layer, the high degree of fracturing, and the lateral facies variation. Therefore, the layer could undergo geotechnical problems that could affect future construction projects in the area. Ten subsurface faults were also detected in the velocity sections.

Configurations for high outsourcing performance in construction projects: an integrated perspective of transaction costs and capabilities

PurposeThis study aims to integrate perspectives of transaction costs and capabilities to investigate how the configurational fit between outsourcing strategies, asset specificity of projects and the capabilities of general contractors could achieve high outsourcing performance.Design/methodology/approachEmploying fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, this study analyzes 31 outsourcing cases in construction projects to examine outsourcing performance under different combinations of transaction costs and capabilities.FindingsThe findings highlight six different but functionally equivalent configurations to high outsourcing performance, which vary according to attributes of projects and capabilities of contractors. Further, this study develops four context-dependent paths that link outsourcing strategies to high outsourcing performance: leading practitioner, collaborative manager, partnership dependent, and struggler.Practical implicationsHow do contractors in construction projects navigate outsourcing practices to high performance? This study provides a configurational perspective to make outsourcing strategy decisions. Based on the firm’s capabilities and project asset specificity, contractors are encouraged to select from six different but functionally equivalent combinations and thereby four outsourcing strategies, namely leading practitioner, collaborative manager, partnership dependent, and struggler, to achieve high outsourcing performance.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the body of knowledge by offering a holistic perspective that integrates production and transaction costs to analyze contractors’ outsourcing strategies, contributing to the integration of the transaction cost perspective and capability perspective.

Revealing the nature of soil liquefaction using machine learning

This study highlights the importance of consistently assessing soil and subsoil liquefaction susceptibility in construction projects through comprehensive evaluation and regular site investigations. Despite the abundance of geotechnical reports, many remain underutilized post-project completion, while the literature contains numerous site-specific case studies. To address this gap, this study suggests integrating site-specific reports tailored to both the site and the region, aiming to extract valuable insights into liquefaction potential. Utilizing ensemble-based machine learning techniques, two databases of soil liquefaction were analyzed to predict the probability of liquefaction failure (PLF). The results reveal the superior accuracy of the Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR) model, achieving an almost ideal accuracy in predicting PLF. Despite its generalization across diverse geographical patterns, the GBR model encounters limitations with insufficient experimental data within specific parameter ranges. To address this, a graphical user interface (GUI) was developed by leveraging data from previous liquefaction records to predict PLF. The GUI, which has been included as supplementary material, proved to be a useful tool for liquefaction risk assessment, and its predictive capabilities make it invaluable for both practical applications and educational purposes. This empowers engineers, urban planners, and decision-makers to make informed decisions and implement proactive measures for disaster mitigation and infrastructure development resilience.

Developing the Learning Curve Model to Enhance Construction Project Scheduling and Cost Estimating

Aim The aim of the study is to develop a scheduling and cost estimation model for repetitive construction units by applying the learning curve theory and to contribute to advancements in construction project management practices, promoting efficiency and competitiveness within the industry. Background Construction projects, particularly those with repetitive units like housing developments, face ongoing challenges in accurate scheduling and cost estimation. Traditional estimation methods often overlook the impact of learning effects, which can improve productivity and reduce costs as crews gain experience. Learning curve theory, widely applied in manufacturing, offers a framework to model these gains in construction settings. Integrating learning curves into project planning has the potential to enhance accuracy in forecasting timelines and budgets, ultimately improving project efficiency and resource management. Objective The objective of this study is to develop and apply a learning curve model to enhance scheduling and cost estimation in repetitive construction projects, particularly in a multi-unit housing project. Methods By incorporating historical data and analyzing critical factors that impact project duration and cost, a more reliable forecasting model is developed. The learning curves are created using a three-point approach, supported by artificial neural networks (ANN) and the relative importance index (RII), to systematically assess cost divisions and influential project factors. Results The results indicate that the learning curve model can achieve time savings of 27% and labor cost savings of 36% compared to traditional estimation methods that do not consider the effect of the learning curve in construction projects. Conclusion This research demonstrates that learning curve models, combined with advanced data analysis techniques, provide a robust framework for optimizing project schedules and budgets, ultimately leading to more efficient resource utilization and cost-effective project outcomes. In other words, the study presented in this paper is significant as it can lead to improved project outcomes, cost savings, better resource management, and overall advancement in the construction industry's practices and competitiveness. This approach allows for accurate scheduling and cost forecasting based on data-driven insights.

The Involvement of Project Stakeholders in the Briefing Process: Evaluations through a Construction Project

The briefing is a process to ensure that the project stakeholders work together from inception to completion of construction by implementing knowledge management. Effective and continuous involvement of project stakeholders in the briefing is vital for the success of the process and the project. The level and method of participation differ due to the project delivery method; however, the importance of managing project stakeholders' knowledge and experience always remains the place. This study presents the definition and importance of construction briefing and the place of project stakeholders in the process. Then, the participation of project stakeholders is discussed through an example of an existing construction management process. The main objective is to evaluate the relationship of the decision-making process between the involvement of project stakeholders for different stages of construction projects. Thus, Anka Bilim College Building, in which the involvement of project stakeholders was ensured from start to completion, was utilized as a case study. Session examples from the briefing records, kept by the architect from the design phase to the completion of construction, are presented and evaluated as sessions in time order. The evaluation and discussion were made by exploring the sessions' descriptive information. For an important finding, it can be said that the continuous participation of project stakeholders in briefing processes provides a basis for making the right decision with the help of their knowledge, and experience. Examples of situations where issues and problems can be addressed and decisions made more realistically and accurately when contractual and working relationships and project stakeholders are involved in all processes. However, for construction projects, the participation of all project stakeholders in the briefing processes may not be ensured due to the implementation method of the project.

Impact of Successful Timely Completion of Construction Projects on the Economic Development of Sri Lanka

The construction industry is identified as an income-driven sector, especially in developing countries. However, in the Sri Lankan construction industry, the vital factor of ‘on-time project completion’ is not been achieved at all times. Since, the public sector projects are not being completed within the anticipated duration, their expected outcomes are not well-received, resulting in a form of unconstructive economic development. The purpose of this study is to resolve the highlighted problem statement – the impact on the economic development in Sri Lanka, if the construction projects were successfully timely completed – through achievement of the laid down objectives. The main objective is to illustrate the impact of the successful timely completion of construction projects on the economic development of Sri Lanka. The research employs a qualitative research methodology, delving on semi-structured interviews. The impact of successful timely completion of construction projects on the economic development of Sri Lanka are determined through a detailed literature survey. The potential implementations to mitigate adverse time impact on public sector construction projects are identified, by analyzing the qualitative data through a content analysis, using frequency tables gathered from a sample of 30 professionals. The data covers the wider Sri Lankan construction industry, obtained through conducting comprehensive interview sessions. The major findings deliberate a greater impact from the specified time factors that derives the project’s successful completion on the economic development of Sri Lanka. It concludes with key mitigating implementations such as contracting qualified/competent parties, increased ethical professionalism of parties and proper supply chain management etc. This research is conducted to provide key implementation factors for the Sri Lankan construction industry, aiming to achieve timely project completion and enhance contributions to the national economy, while also guiding future studies.

Quality and reliability of IFC/BIM models for public educational facilities construction projects via clash detection

This study investigates the reliability of monodiscipline IFC/BIM models in public construction projects of educational facilities through advanced clash detection and quantitative analysis. Data were collected from BIM models of two kindergartens and a school in Vilnius, Lithuania, representing different design disciplines. A mixed-methods approach was employed to analyse the number, types, and geometric characteristics of detected clashes. The research introduces innovative metrics, such as the Relative Quality Coefficient (RQC), Relative Uncertainty Coefficient (RUC), and Modified Relative Quality Coefficient (MRQC), to assess model quality and reliability quantitatively. The findings reveal a direct relationship between model complexity, clash detection precision, and the number of identified clashes, underscoring the importance of enhanced quality control measures in IFC/BIM models for public procurement. The study concludes that the implementation of these novel metrics can enhance the reliability of IFC/BIM models, thereby optimizing the design and construction process.

An integrated framework for sustainable retrofitting of existing university buildings

Energy consumption is a global problem facing the world. According to the latest studies, and there is a great opportunity of reduction of the carbon dioxide emissions by re-considering the existing non-residential buildings, such as educational, commercial, and administrative facilities. This study investigates the concepts of sustainable retrofitting of existing university buildings. A framework for sustainable retrofitting of university buildings is developed. The framework illustrates the workflow including the different phases of retrofitting, and the possible choices for optimizing energy consumption within the different systems of university buildings. Thus, reaching a step towards green buildings by working on the existing built environment, not only new construction projects.

Study on the cooperation model of infrastructure projects in the third-party market of the Belt and Road

Third-party market cooperation is a vital concept to promote the implementation of the ‘Belt and Road’ infrastructure projects, but in the context of counter-internationalization and the decoupling of trade between China and the United States, how to participate in the third-party market and turn competition into cooperation among enterprises is an issue that needs to be studied urgently. To investigate the viability, models, and benefits of infrastructure collaboration within the third-party market under the Belt and Road Initiative, this paper employs both the literature review approach and the case study method. It strengthens the theoretical framework of third-party market cooperation by introducing the latest developments in this sector to infrastructure project construction along the Belt and Road. The study also identifies three major potential risks and proposes corresponding solutions. Concluding with a discussion and summary of this cooperation model, the paper provides international engineering project managers with a sustainable and innovative management framework. This strategy aims to alleviate geopolitical tensions and regional restructuring, address challenges associated with Belt and Road infrastructure projects, and promote sustainable, high-quality growth.

Prioritization of Preventive Measures: A Multi-Criteria Approach to Risk Mitigation in Road Infrastructure Projects

Risk management in construction projects is a critical process aimed at identifying, evaluating, and mitigating potential risks that could impact project performance. Preventive measures play a central role in this process, serving as proactive strategies to minimize the likelihood and impact of risks on project outcomes. This study involved 37 experts from multidisciplinary fields related to road infrastructure, ensuring a diverse and comprehensive perspective on risk evaluation and prevention. The DELPHI method was employed to systematically define key risks and their corresponding preventive measures, providing a structured foundation for further analysis. The experts evaluated 302 preventive measures across 56 risks using 4 predefined criteria: implementation costs, time required for implementation, implementation complexity, and probability of success. A multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach was then applied to analyze these evaluations, enabling the prioritization of preventive measures and the allocation of resources toward the most effective strategies. Additionally, fuzzy logic was employed to analyze and validate the results, providing a complementary approach to the MCDM methodology. The results of this research provide a robust framework for risk management, offering practical guidance for decision makers in the construction industry. By integrating expert judgment, systematic evaluation, and advanced analytical methods, this study delivers actionable insights and establishes a reliable methodology for enhancing the effectiveness of risk mitigation in road infrastructure projects.

Issues Facing Implementation of Edo State Public Procurement Law in Construction Projects: Threat to Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11

Studies showed that unethical practices in public procurement may hinder construction projects and economic development, particularly in developing cities and states, such as Edo State, Nigeria. The Nigerian Government enacted the Public Procurement Act (2007) to address the issues. Many states domesticated the Act, including Edo State (Edo State Public Procurement Law (ESPPL) 2020). However, implementation in some states may be challenging and can thwart achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities – SDG 11). This study investigated ESPPL implementation issues in construction projects and their outcome to Goal 11. It also proffered ways to boost implementation and, by extension, improve achieving SDG 11 and related SDGs. The researchers engaged knowledgeable respondents within Edo State, Nigeria, via a questionnaire survey approach. This study analysed the collected data with descriptive statistics. The results showed that the issues facing ESPPL implementation can hinder the achievement of Goal 11 if not curbed. As part of the study’s implication, the researchers proffered measures to mitigate the issues and, by extension, improved the achievement of Goal 11 and other SDGs related to construction project performance and excellence.

Predicting the Effectiveness of Resilient Safety in the Building Construction Sector of Rwanda Using the ANN Model

Most construction projects encounter safety issues that may affect project effectiveness and the lives of workers. Although various studies have investigated these factors, in some countries, such as Rwanda, there is still little empirical evidence regarding the important aspects that contribute to safety effectiveness. Therefore, this study was carried out to predict the resilient safety effectiveness in the Rwandan building construction sector via the artificial neural network (ANN) model. Through a literature review, resilient safety variables that may be relevant in the Rwandan construction sector were identified. Data were collected through questionnaires. Moreover, the levels of importance of resilient-safety-effectiveness-related factors were pinpointed and assessed using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Consecutively, an ANN model that could predict the effectiveness of resilient safety was developed. This study contributes to the awareness of key factors that may affect the effectiveness of resilient safety, and it helps to forecast the effectiveness of resilient safety not only in Rwanda, but also in other low- and middle-income countries with different conditions by stressing the importance of reducing safety-related risks in building construction projects.

Comparison of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the construction of timber, concrete, and steel check dams in Akita, Japan: An input-output analysis.

To mitigate global warming, replacing concrete and steel with timber as the primary construction material for construction projects, such as check dams, is being promoted in Japan and other countries. Timber check dams have more limited installation sites than concrete or steel dams because of installation conditions such as locations less susceptible to debris flows and locations where there is constant running water. However, even when the installation conditions are met, engineers and contractors are reluctant to select timber as a construction material because of its high construction cost. In this study, an input-output table was used to compare the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the construction of a timber check dam at the design stage with those associated with the construction of concrete and steel check dams to quantitatively evaluate the added value of timber utilization (in addition to its construction cost). The results revealed that replacing concrete and steel check dams with timber check dams could reduce GHG emissions by 61% and 34%, respectively. This study demonstrated the possibility of evaluating the GHG emissions associated with a construction project at the design stage. Moreover, it highlights the importance of considering the GHG emissions associated with construction materials when selecting the most appropriate materials for public works projects.

Arbitration in Resolving Construction Cost Claim Disputes Due to Time Extensions: A Study of Contract Law in Indonesia

This research aims to analyze the resolution of construction cost claim disputes arising from time extensions, focusing on the arbitration mechanism. The findings indicate that delays in the completion of construction projects not only give rise to cost claim disputes but also necessitate a meticulous analysis of the causes of the delays and the responsibilities of the parties involved. In this regard, arbitration offers a more effective and efficient dispute resolution mechanism than litigation. The advantages of arbitration, including the speed of the process, confidentiality, expertise of arbitrators, procedural flexibility, and binding awards, make it a favourable option for the parties. Therefore, the parties must pay close attention to the arbitration clause in the construction contract. This clause must be formulated clearly and definitively, encompassing the types of construction cost claim disputes arising from time extensions, including claims for price adjustment, overhead costs, extension of performance bonds, material demurrage, and equipment idleness. In addition, the parties can also utilize the Binding Opinions of the BANI Arbitration Center as an instrument for dispute prevention and resolution. For information, Binding Opinions have binding legal force on the parties and are enforceable through the District Court. Thus, the Binding Opinions of the BANI Arbitration Center are beneficial as a dispute resolution instrument and contribute to the development of legal scholarship.