Site Offices Research Articles

Analysis of the Consequences of Job-Pressure Among Skilled Workers on Performance Standards in the Building Industry in South-Eastern Nigeria

This research was conducted to identify pressing influences among skilled workers in the building industry in South-eastern Nigeria. This is because not much is known about job pressure among skilled workers in the building industry in the sampled areas to date. The investigation involved the administration of a questionnaire to about 108 skilled workers including architects, builders, town planners and quantity surveyors randomly selected from 60 uncompleted building projects in Imo, Ebonyi and Enugu States, Nigeria. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and findings show that the prime sources of pressure were high volume of tasks, uncomfortable site offices, lack of feedback on previous and uncompleted building projects and variations in the scope of work in uncompleted building projects in the selected states. This study recommended taking job responsibilities that one has adequate capacity to handle, establishing realistic budgets and time frames for project delivery, providing spatially adequate, visually and thermally comfortable site offices, adopting appropriate job construction practices, and educating skilled workers on pressure management will reduce the incidence of pressure among skilled workers in the study area. Keywords: Job pressure, building industry, skilled workers, job seekers, south-east, Nigeria

Phytoremediation of indoor air pollutants from construction and transport by a moveable active green wall system

No sustainable, economical and scalable systems are currently available for the direct removal of construction and transport related air pollutants from working environments in these locations. Active green walls have previously demonstrated the capacity to effectively filter NO2, O3, and PM2.5 from indoor and roadside air. This project assessed the air quality provided by a portable active green wall in a construction site office involved in a construction upgrade of train depot, and compared it to a matched reference office to ascertain the active green wall's potential to enhance air quality. Through comparisons between time-matched samples, we established differences in air quality between the ambient and filtered air streams, and thus calculated the single pass removal efficiency provided by the active green wall for each pollutant. A comparison between the two site offices demonstrated that the active green wall produced significant improvements on the air quality of this unique indoor environment, with reductions in PM2.5 and O3 detected, with the active green wall achieving single pass removal efficiencies of 56.42 ± 21.02% and 20.73 ± 0.87% PM2.5 and O3, respectively. The active green wall also caused a small increase in dew point, but had no effect on humidity and temperature, possibly due to the small scale of the system relative to the volume of the test structure. The findings suggest phytoremediation may be an effective method for removing construction and transport associated PM2.5 and O3. Conversely, future research is needed to investigate NO2 removal, with substrate developments potentially required to address this.

Cost-benefits of relocatable modular buildings (RMB) for  construction site offices: the case of Sri Lanka

Relocatable Modular Building (RMB) technology is widely utilised worldwide as a versatile solution for temporary shelter needs, including site offices. The substantial cost benefits associated with RMBs have been acknowledged globally. Nevertheless, the lack of empirical data hampers the ability to substantiate the cost advantages of utilising RMB technology. Therefore, the study aimed to find the cost benefits of RMB technology for temporary offices on construction sites in Sri Lanka through Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA). From a methodological perspective, the research adopted a case study strategy. Data was mainly collected through semi-structured interviews, document reviews, and market surveys while following LCCA as the analysis method to derive findings. The findings disclosed that the initial cost of an RMB site office is 32% higher than a conventional site office, but the annual cost saving is 23%. Hence, it is worth investing in RMB because of its yearly cost saving due to its long life span and higher salvage value. Sensitivity analysis further established that employing an RMB is more cost-effective for contractors even at different discount rates, functional lifetimes, and project durations. This study enlightens construction industry practitioners about the cost-effective utilisation of RMBsin their projects.

Strengthening the Development of Safety and Health Guidelines During Post Covid 19 Condition for Construction Site Project

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the construction industry, and it is critical that the economy recovers quickly after COVID-19. Construction project jobsite safety and health, as well as timely project delivery, must be strictly always adhered to. The aim of this research is to identify the understanding, acceptance, and feasibility of the new safety and health guidelines application, as well as to determine the level of knowledge in the senior management of a construction company about the new performance safety and health guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic condition, by examining the new safety and health application guidance for the post-COVID-19 situation in the project jobsite. The questionnaire survey (quantitative approach) was distributed to construction sites in Klang Valley. Stratified random sampling was used to obtain data from Grade 7 contractor companies. A total of 140 questionnaires were distributed, with 50 received and analysed using descriptive and frequency analysis, as well as the Relative Importance Index (RII). As a result, the most significant new safety and health guidelines applications in construction sites are the implementation of health screening procedures, the establishment of a recording logbook, and temperature screening at the entry point using a touchless thermometer. One of the most significant aspects of the new safety and health guidelines application’s acceptance and feasibility is the routine cleaning and disinfection of commonly touched surfaces, site offices, and labour dormitories every two hours, four times a day. Lastly, the top management and superiors are encouraged to have individual discussions with employees about the precautions and considerations for those with health problems returning to work, as well as precautions to make the workplace safe. This study complements and benefits clients, contractors, project managers, and other project participants by providing an understanding of the existing implementation of safety and health guidelines application during post-COVID-19 conditions for construction site projects.

Analysis of SET* and PMV to evaluate thermal comfort in prefab construction site offices：Case study in South China

In urbanization, prefab buildings for office use are extensively utilized on construction sites owing to their convenience and flexibility. To study the applicability of standard effective temperature (SET*) and predicted mean vote (PMV) models in prefab construction site offices (PCSO), combined thermal parameter measurements and questionnaire surveys were conducted on selected construction sites in Guangzhou during the summer, autumn, and winter seasons. A total of 1505 valid questionnaires were collected. Based on the foundation of the adaptability theory, the data obtained through field studies were used to expand the applicability and reliability of the original PMV model and SET* model. This study found that the SET* and PMV models obtained in the current study cannot accurately evaluate the thermal comfort of people in the prefab building. In the cool condition, the original scale was lower than MTSV, and the conclusion is opposite under warm conditions. In addition, through calculation, it can be found that the natural SET* values were higher than the preferred SET* in three different seasons. The difference in preferred SET* was near 1 °C. The numerical values of the two types of models have been revised so that they can more accurately predict and evaluate the thermal comfort of a prefab building, thereby broadening the application scope of the PMV and SET* models. The modified models can thus be used to predict thermal comfort in prefab construction site offices.

Thermal comfort study in prefab construction site office in subtropical China

In urbanization, prefab buildings for office use are extensively applied on construction sites due to its convenience and flexibility. In order to study the adaptive thermal comfort in prefab construction site offices (PCSO),combined thermal parameter measurement and questionnaire survey were conducted on selected construction sites in Guangzhou during summer and winter seasons. 1179 valid questionnaires were collected. The relationship between Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and the thermal sensation was studied; thermal comfort zones and preferred temperatures in summer and winter seasons were identified. The results show that the indoor thermal environment of the PCSOs was always unacceptable for occupants in summer. However, the percentage of acceptability is much higher in winter. The comfort temperatures in summer and winter are 26.2 °C and 21.1 °C, respectively. In summer, the upper limit of the acceptable temperature is 29.3 °C, and the comfortable temperature range is from 25.0 °C to 28.2 °C, which is different from the thermal comfort zone of ASHRAE–55. An adaptive thermal comfort model for PCSO is established, which is beneficial for reliably evaluating the indoor thermal comfort of PCSO in Guangzhou and other locations with similar environmental conditions.

Networked Decisions: Decision-Making Thresholds in Child Protection

AbstractFamilies are significantly affected by decisions made in the child protection context, yet decision outcomes differ even when cases are similar. Understanding the concepts, practices and processes of differentiation that push some cases over the threshold of key decision points, but not other similar cases, is crucial. Drawing on interviews and focus groups with child protection social workers from three site offices in Aotearoa New Zealand (interviews, n = 26; focus groups, n = 25) and using thematic analysis, this study identified the case, internal organisational, inter-site organisational and external elements that contributed to threshold decisions. Case factors such as children’s age, abuse type and chronicity recorded family history and perceptions of family compliance interacted with internal organisational processes and practices, social negotiations and hierarchical power differences to produce decision outcomes. Inter-site differences in decision thresholds resulted from differences in site managers’ perceptions of acceptable case type, site workloads, resources, size and cultural commitment to family preservation. External demographic inequalities were perceived as causing differing levels of site workload. This ‘networked decision-making’ process is theorised drawing on an extended version of the decision-making ecology (DME), by using qualitative methods to examine interactions between the DME elements and their relationship with risk regimes.

Coordination and Collaboration of Information for Pan Borneo Highway (Sarawak) via Common Data Environment (CDE)

Development of the Pan Borneo Highway in the Malaysian state of Sarawak is the single largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Malaysia’s largest state. Construction works over 786km across Sarawak are underway today in 25 sections at 11 works packages. With multiple disciplinary teams working concurrently, housed in different locations including at remote construction site offices, the efficient management of up-to-date data based on a single source of truth is important for effective decision-making. There can be no compromise in the quality of input at all stages of construction. As Project Delivery Partner, Lebuhraya Borneo Utara (LBU), leverages on technology to improve project management - from planning and design, to construction and monitoring, and preparing to operate and maintain the final asset. The task is challenging at best. To meet its needs for coordination and collaboration of various information sources, LBU uses a Common Data Environment (CDE) to enable teams to work together on the same information. Such information is monitored, tracked and validates, leading to an overall improved efficiency and productivity, and reduced risks. The CDE is central to LBU’s Project Information Management System and Highway Information Modelling, key components for project delivery of the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak within time and cost.

A Case Study on UAV-assisted Construction Surplus Soil Treatment Plant Management in Taiwan

Construction surplus soil tracking management has been the key management issue in Taiwan since 1991. This is mainly due to the construction surplus soils were often regarded as disposable waste and were disposed openly without any supervision, leading to environmental pollution. Even though the surplus soils were gradually being viewed as reusable resources, some unscrupulous enterprises still dump them freely for their own convenience. In order to dispose these surplus soils, site offices are required to confirm with the soil treatment plant regarding the approximate soil volume for hauling vehicle dispatch. However, the excavated soil volume will transform from bank volume to loose volume upon excavation, which may differ by a certain speculative coefficient (1.3), depending on the excavation site and geological condition. For managing and tracking the construction surplus soils, local government authorities frequently performed plant site spot check, but the lack of rapid assessment tools for soil volume estimation increased the evaluation difficulty for plant site inspectors. This study adopted unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in construction surplus soil tracking and rapidly acquired plant site photography and point cloud data, the excavated soil volume can be determined promptly after post-processing and interpretation, providing references to future surplus soil tracking management.

Art for Sale: Covering the Contemporary, Courting the Commercial

Art for Sale: Covering the Contemporary, Courting the Commercial

Feasibility Study on UAV-assisted Construction Surplus Soil Tracking Control and Management Technique

Construction surplus soil tracking management has been the key management issue in Taiwan since 1991. This is mainly due to the construction surplus soils were often regarded as disposable waste and were disposed openly without any supervision, leading to environmental pollution. Even though the surplus soils were gradually being viewed as reusable resources, some unscrupulous enterprises still dump them freely for their own convenience. In order to dispose these surplus soils, site offices are required to confirm with the soil treatment plant regarding the approximate soil volume for hauling vehicle dispatch. However, the excavated soil volume will transform from bank volume to loose volume upon excavation, which may differ by a certain speculative coefficient (1.3), depending on the excavation site and geological condition. For managing and tracking the construction surplus soils, local government authorities frequently performed on-site spot check, but the lack of rapid assessment tools for soil volume estimation increased the evaluation difficulty for on-site inspectors. This study adopted unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in construction surplus soil tracking and rapidly acquired site photography and point cloud data, the excavated soil volume can be determined promptly after post-processing and interpretation, providing references to future surplus soil tracking management.

WORK-RELATED STRESS, RESTORATION AND PURSUIT OF SUSTAINABLE MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS IN CONSTRUCTION

Work-related stress and consequent poor performance of workers require diligent application of innovative strategies on construction sites to achieve a viable labor resource. Humankind’s desire for contact with nature serves an important adaptive function, in the form of psychological restoration that heals mental fatigue and the lack of motivation in the construction workforce. An underlying practical challenge is hereby offered in the “greening of the construction site”, or the biophilic design concept, as a relevant aspect of construction management and planning. The question explored includes the nature of the biophilic construction site model (BCSM), and the specific design of workplaces to include “dynamic healing gardens” tailored to the project, environment, and construction processes. The methodology surveys, compares, and analyzes construction sites in South Africa with or without the BCSM. Findings indicate that workers actually achieve restoration and rejuvenation in a natural environment in harmony with the promotion of health and safety, ergonomic strategies in construction, and attention-restorative therapy. We recommend that “informal dynamic therapeutic gardens” be included within the construction planning of worksites, the interior of site offices and welfare facilities to enhance productivity and quality in construction.

Women Microfinance Users and Their Association with Improvement in Quality of Life: Evidence from Pakistan

The present study aimed to examine improvements in the quality of life of women utilizing microfinance in urban Lahore, Pakistan. Random sampling was used to identify 5 microfinance providers in the region, and at a second stage of the study, quota sampling was used to interview 149 women users from microfinance site offices. A questionnaire was developed to measure quality of life in four categories: economic, family, health, and decision-making ability. Data was analyzed through the mixed methods approach of reporting descriptive statistics with user comments and use of multivariate regression analysis. Findings reveal that majority women users of microfinance are poor, illiterate, and employed as unskilled labor. Of significance is that some non-economic variables of quality of life were evidenced to improve after loan-taking. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to obtain an odds ratio of relationships between loan portfolio characteristics and improved quality of life. It was evidenced that group borrowing, use of loan for self, not taking loan repayment assistance from household members, attending monthly meetings, and receiving skill and development training all displayed higher odds of improved quality of life in women users. It is recommended that microfinance service provision should not be limited to financial services and should include urgent and compulsory social development features for women clients.

Work Stress among Professionals in Building Construction Industry in Nigeria

This study was undertaken to identify key stress factors among professionals in building construction industry in Nigeria. This is in view of the fact that to date, very little is known about work stress among professionals in building construction industry in this country. The study involved the administration of questionnaire to 107 professionals including architects, builders, civil/structural engineers and quantity surveyors randomly selected from 60 ongoing building projects in Anambra, Ogun and Kaduna States, Nigeria. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, and findings show that the principal sources of stress were high volume of work, uncomfortable site office environment, lack of feedback on previous and ongoing building projects, and variations in the scope of work in ongoing building projects. The paper suggests that taking responsibility for work which one has adequate capacity to handle, establishing realistic budgets and time frame for project delivery, provision of spatially adequate, visually and thermally comfortable site offices, adoption of appropriate job design practice and education of professionals on stress management strategies will reduce the incidence of stress among professionals in building industry in Nigeria.

OPTIMAL ARRANGEMENT OF TEMPORARY FACILITIES IN CONSTRUCTION SITES

Site layout planning requires decision makers to identify the planned location of each temporary construction facility on site. These temporary facilities include site offices, workshops and storage facilities. Their planned locations on site have a direct impact on productivity, cost, and duration of construction. This paper presents a computer model called “GASITE” helps construction decision makers to carefully evaluate all feasible locations for these temporary facilities and select an optimal layout that minimize the cost and travel distance between facilities. The optimization problem has been solved using genetic algorithms as an optimization technique .Application of the model is illustrated using an example .The proposed model is efficient and easy to apply and as such should be of interest to construction engineers and practitioners.

Acceptable noise levels for construction site offices

This study examined acceptable noise level of a construction site office in Hong Kong by analysing responses obtained from interviews of 77 occupants. The equivalent continuous noise level Leq measured in the office was chosen as an indicator and correlated with the occupant acceptance recorded on a visual analogue assessment scale and a dichotomous assessment scale. With the use of a logistic regression model, this acceptance was found to be significantly influenced by the working experience and age of occupants, which were in turn highly correlated. Satisfactory noise levels within the office have been evaluated by comparing acceptance responses given by the occupants at different Leq. The proposed criterion of aural comfort was further identified by the survey samples and a conclusion was drawn: an indoor environment with an equivalent continuous noise level Leq of 65 dBA would be deemed acceptable for a construction site office. Practical applications: This study reported the occupant acceptable noise level in construction site offices was more adaptable to a noisy environment than a general office because the occupant acceptance would be significantly influenced by the outdoor noise level, working experience and occupant age. The construction site office with an equivalent continuous noise level of 65 dBA would be recommended as a design criterion for construction site offices as it can balance the cost of acoustical treatment and the satisfaction of occupants.

HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT EFFORTS AS CORRELATES OF PERFORMANCE IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY/SVEIKATOS IR SAUGOS DARBE VALDYMO PASTANGOS NIGERIJOS STATYBŲ PRAMONĖJE

This study investigates the level of efforts made by Nigerian contractors to maintain a healthy and safe work environment. The objectives are to determine the level of management efforts made by contractors on H&S and their correlation with H&S performance. To achieve these objectives, a field survey involving a sample of 40 contractors selected by stratified random sampling from the contractors registered with the Federation of Construction Industry of Nigeria was carried out. For the study, 6 H&S management variables and 7 H&S performance variables were selected. The H&S management variables are in compliance with H&S regulations, provision of H&S facilities, structures for managing H&S in head and site offices, provision of PPE and H&S incentives, while the H&S performance variables are respondents’ assessment of the performance of structures for managing H&S in head and site offices, accident, injury, accident per worker, injury per worker and injury per accident rates. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed by mean and Spearman correlation test. The results reveal that contractors’ efforts on structures for managing H&S on site are the best correlates of H&S performance, but their level is low. The levels of contractors’ efforts in provision of PPE, compliance with H&S regulations are high, but these efforts are not correlates of H&S performance. The levels of contractors’ efforts in structures for managing H&S in head office and provision of H&S incentives are low and they have low correlation with H&S performance. The study considers these results as indication that the management efforts made by Nigerian contractors to ensure a healthy and safe work environment are yet to have meaningful impact. It suggests increased efforts on local H&S regulations, structures for managing H&S in both head and site offices and provision of H&S incentives as measures for improving safety in the Nigerian construction industry. Santrauka Mokslinio tyrimo tikslas buvo gerinti sveikatos ir saugos darbe realizavimą Nigerijos statybų pramonėje. Straipsnyje nagrinėjamos Nigerijos rangovų pastangos išlaikyti sveiką ir saugią darbo aplinką. Siekiant šių tikslų, buvo atliktas praktinis tyrimas, kuriame dalyvavo 40 rangovų, atsitiktinai parinktų iš Nigerijos statybų pramonės federacijos registro. Buvo išrinkti šeši sveikatos ir saugos darbe valdymo kintamieji ir septyni sveikatos ir saugos darbe realizavimo kintamieji. Sveikatos ir saugos darbe valdymo kintamieji siejami su sveikatos ir saugos taisyklėmis, paslaugomis, valdymo struktūromis administracijoje ir statybos aikštelėse, asmens saugos priemonėmis, sveikatos ir saugos darbe skatinimu. Sveikatos ir saugos darbe realizavimo kintamieji yra respondentų sveikatos ir saugos darbe valdymo struktūros realizavimo įvertinimas tiek įmonės administracijoje, tiek statybos aikštelėse. Tai nelaimingi atsitikimai, susižeidimai, nelaimingų atsitikimų skaičius vienam darbuotojui, susižeidimų skaičius vienam darbuotojui ir sužeidimų skaičius per nelaimingų atsitikimų dažnį. Duomenys buvo renkami naudojant apklausas ir analizuojami naudojant vidutinę ir Spearman koreliacijas. Rezultatai parodė, kad rangovų valdymo kintamasis, sveikatos ir saugos valdymo struktūra valdyboje ir statybos aikštelėje geriausiai koreliuoja su sveikatos ir saugos darbe realizavimu, tačiau jų lygis yra žemas. Rangovų pastangos aprūpinti asmeninėmis saugos priemonėmis siejasi su sveikatos ir saugos darbe taisyklėmis, tačiau jos nekoreliuoja su sveikatos ir saugos darbe realizavimu. Teigiama, kad rangovų pastangos yra menkos. Šio tyrimo rezultatai laikomi kaip požymiai, kad Nigerijos rangovų pastangos užtikrinti sveikatą ir saugų darbą turi didelę įtaką. Siūloma laikytis sveikatos ir saugos taisyklių ir administracijoje, ir statybos aikštelėse, gerinti Nigerijos statybose dirbančių žmonių saugą.

Minimizing waste on construction project sites

Waste minimization strategies and the relative significance of construction waste sources were examined using a survey of 24 construction firms operating in Australia. The results indicated that a sizeable proportion of respondent firms did not have specific policies for minimizing waste. Furthermore, while a majority of firms with specific waste minimization policies made efforts to minimize waste at source, i.e. to avoid generating waste in the first place, this minimization was limited to waste generated by site offices and amenities. Potential scope exists for improving the effectiveness of waste minimization at source by addressing the sources of all waste generated during the construction phase. The survey results indicated that the five most significant sources of construction waste were design changes, leftover material scraps, wastes from packaging and non-reclaimable consumables, design/detailing errors, and poor weather. Potential opportunities for minimizing the amount of waste generated on construction project sites are identified.

Minimizing waste on construction project sites

Waste minimization strategies and the relative significance of construction waste sources were examined using a survey of 24 construction firms operating in Australia. The results indicated that a sizeable proportion of respondent firms did not have specific policies for minimizing waste. Furthermore, while a majority of firms with specific waste minimization policies made efforts to minimize waste at source, i.e. to avoid generating waste in the first place, this minimization was limited to waste generated by site offices and amenities. Potential scope exists for improving the effectiveness of waste minimization at source by addressing the sources of all waste generated during the construction phase. The survey results indicated that the five most significant sources of construction waste were design changes, leftover material scraps, wastes from packaging and non‐reclaimable consumables, design/detailing errors, and poor weather. Potential opportunities for minimizing the amount of waste generated on construction project sites are identified.

Detection of Earth Anchors at building sites

Earth anchors are steel cables used in the construction of earth-retaining walls to transmit load to earth or rock at greater depth away from the structure. In the construction of large multi-storey buildings it is common for percussion drilling to be conducted in close proximity to buried anchors. If an anchor is intercepted, there is a significant risk that the retaining wall and supported site offices would collapse. The detection of earth anchors beneath pavement in an urban environment is a difficult geophysical problem because the target has a dimension of about 0.01 m at a depth of about 10 m. Since one end of the anchor is exposed, the detectability of the target can be enhanced by injecting electrical current into it. Modelling of a buried inclined source has shown that the electric potential at ground surface is diagnostic of the anchor, and that the half-width of the anomaly is proportional to depth. A field trial has been conducted at one of the major building sites in the Sydney Central Business District. Various combinations of point sink and line sink current electrodes were tested in the field, but the most effective combination proved to be a pair of line electrodes set up by electrifying two earth anchors about 2 m apart in a vertical plane. Measurements of total potential and potential difference were made at electrodes driven into the contact between the concrete gutter and asphalt road. Because the anchor plates are in contact with the network of steel girders which form the skeleton of the retaining wall, most of the injected current was short-circuited through the shoring and the terminals of the transmitter. The magnitude of the observed response is consistent with about one per cent of current entering the ground through the anchors. The mean depth of the anchors is estimated at 8.5 m, compared to an expected depth of 7.8 m if the anchors are inclined at 45 degrees.