Standards In Construction Industry Research Articles

Incorporation of spent bleaching earth and glass sediment as an alternative raw material for the manufacture of eco-products based on fired clay

This study explores the use of two industrial residues: spent bleaching earth (SBE) and glass sediment (GS), as alternative raw materials in the production of ceramic materials from fired clay. The mixtures incorporating 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50% by weight of these residues, were examined. The impact of quantity and type of waste on product properties (density, water absorption, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity) was assessed against NTC 4205 standards. Incorporating 50% SBE reduced thermal conductivity by 35%, but increased porosity affected compressive strength. Glass sediment incorporation increased thermal conductivity but surpassed pure clay in mechanical behavior. The triphasic mix (20% GS, 10% SBE with lime) demonstrated optimal mechanical performance, meeting fired clay masonry unit standards. An eco-product prototype based on this mix was successfully manufactured, affirming that industrial waste is a viable alternative raw material, yielding ceramic materials with properties meeting or surpassing Colombian construction industry standards.

Study of COVID-19 Health Protocol Standards in Construction Industry of Indonesia

Due to the increase in GNI per capita, the Indonesian government has launched its national economic recovery program in response to the COVID-19 emergency crisis, known as the New Normal and ordered to partially resume on-hold infrastructure projects followed by the implementation of a new, integrated COVID-19 health protocol. This research presents a study of health protocol standard implementation in the construction industry with the aim of formulating recommendations for minimum criteria elements that can be used for construction services companies at all levels. The domain-taxonomy analysis approach was used as the research method: the ISO/PAS 45005:2020 and ILO standards were adapted to Ministerial Regulation of PUPR No. 10 Year 2020. A gap analysis was conducted with Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia. The analysis generated four segregated main groups of elements with level-2 sub criteria. The main groups of elements were: Planning, Prevention, Handling, and Control and Evaluation. These criteria were validated and implemented in a case study of state-owned construction enterprises, here called PT. X and PT. Y, with large, qualified construction companies. From the implementation analysis it was found that PT. X and PT. Y had implemented the minimum criteria of the COVID-19 health protocol for construction workers very well.

A framework for measuring the level of achievement of vocational students competency of architecture education

The determination of work competence according to industrial needs that are expected by employers of new graduates in the department of architectural engineering in vocational high schools will help graduates to transit smoothly from the academic education environment to the real conditions of the construction industry in the workplace. This research identifies which group of competencies attributes that graduates should have in explaining appropriate competencies according to construction industry standards in Indonesia. The survey was conducted in 47 building construction companies consisting of 56 respondents using a questionnaire method. Multivariate analyses using the CB-SEM method used to validate the evaluation model. The research analysis used quantitative descriptive and factor analysis with the Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) methods. The EFA test shows ten factors so that it consists of 30 items of competency measurement. Overall, the CFA test has met the criteria for the goodness of fit statistics. The results of the study concluded that the instrument developed met good validity and reliability and two model frameworks for measuring the level of achievement of student competence in architectural techniques were feasible to use.

Performance Assessment of BIPV Systems: From Current Normative Framework to Next Developments

The growing demand for the use of photovoltaic (PV) systems integrated in buildings, having the need to be versatile, to provide design and multifunctional features more evolved than the only energy production, is imposing a profound change in the sector of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), with major challenges to be addressed in the coming years. Supported by an increasing technological development, by digitization and process innovation, such systems will progressively be implemented in the construction market allowing the achievement of the nZEB policies. BIPV products are evolving from the basic architectural integration towards multifunctional products, aggregating essential PV requirements with additional requirements from the building skin such as thermal insulation, solar control, fire safety, water tightness, etc. However, to effectively enter the building market, the BIPV products will necessarily have to respect the goal of cost-effectiveness as well as the compliance with adequate quality, safety and reliability levels. In this context, the H2020 project BIPVBOOST is focused on obtaining a reduction in costs along the entire value chain by pursuing product and process innovation, thus supporting the BIPV implementation in a wider mass market of the built environment. In addition to a technological development, it is essential to solve the interconnection between PV product standards, construction industry standards and specific rules for the installation and use in buildings. The EN 50583-1:2016 and EN 50583-2:2016 made a first step in this direction by defining the properties and the applicable regulatory framework for PV systems modules used as construction products. Nevertheless, the current regulatory framework collects norms created for standard PV or, on the other hand, for “non-active” building elements, so that a significant progress regarding BIPV qualification is still needed, and it represents a current barrier for the market access. It arises the need to identify new “multi-disciplinary” reference requirements, to improve the definition of the performance levels and to develop new test methodologies better suited to the use of PV in the building skin. Therefore, these issues will be addressed within the project by identifying the gaps in the current standards and by implementing a performance-based approach for the qualification of BIPV products. The paper, summarizing the first investigations of the project, will provide an overview on the current normative framework, reporting the main missing gaps and a roadmap to define new reference procedures for BIPV products qualification, setting the basic ground for next developments in the coming years.

Eco-efficient alkali-activated cement based on red clay brick wastes suitable for the manufacturing of building materials

The objective of this study was to obtain hybrid-type binders at room temperature (25 °C) from the alkaline activation of a red clay brick waste and the addition of a reduced amount (≤30%) of Portland cement. Different types of activators were used, including solids (Na2SO4, Na2CO3, NaOH) and liquids (Na2SiO3xH2O). The results highlight the possibility of obtaining an eco-efficient, hybrid cement with compressive strengths of up to 102 MPa at 28 days and reductions of up to 73% in the global warming potential (expressed in kg·CO2·eq/MPa) associated with a Portland cement paste. Based on the optimum hybrid cement, a mortar was developed and used as a base material for the production of block and paver construction elements that comply with construction industry standards.

The Role of Concrete Industry Standards as Institutional Barriers to More Sustainable Concrete Bridge Infrastructure

Abstract The concrete construction industry is governed by a network of codes and standards that ensure safety and quality. This study evaluates two central concrete construction industry standards related to bridge construction to determine if these standards inhibit more sustainable concrete bridge construction. Using social networking tools, ASTM C150-05: Standard Specification for Portland Cement and American Concrete Institute (ACI) 211.1-91/09 Standard Practice for Proportioning Normal, Heavyweight, and Mass Concrete, were identified as “central” concrete industry standards and were evaluated to test whether central concrete industry standards pose institutional barriers to innovation for sustainable concrete construction. Results indicate that while these standards do not explicitly inhibit more sustainable concrete practice, the manner in which they are used implicitly impedes more sustainable concrete construction and innovation for sustainability. Specifically, ASTM C150-05 does not inhibit the use of cement materials with lower environmental impact, but industry demand for rapid construction and institutionalized use of C150-05 to the exclusion of other environmentally preferable products does inhibit more sustainable concrete construction. Similarly, mixes designed for durability using performance-based specifications exhibit reduced annual energy and material impacts compared to mixtures traditionally designed using ACI 211.1-91/09.

Developing green bridge rating system using Simos’ procedure

Sustainable development principles have been implemented in various sectors including construction. Proper development and operation of infrastructure projects, such as bridges and highways, can contribute significantly to the mission of sustainable development. In this respect, there is little existing work on appropriate methods to assess the sustainability performance of bridge projects. This paper introduces a key-list of gathered important criteria that affect the sustainability of bridge projects. Various construction industry standards have been reviewed in order to decide the criteria that influence sustainability of bridge projects. The initial list of criteria has been identified by unstructured interviews. Then, structured interviews and questionnaire survey have been conducted to identify the final list that is deemed important in rating green bridges. Various construction industry standards have been reviewed to decide on the criteria that influence sustainability of bridge projects. Final criteria results from this paper are used to develop a green bridge rating system to achieve sustainable development. Degree of importance and weights of these criteria are determined using Simos’ procedure. Five classes of bridges are proposed to judge their status with respect to sustainability, with these being Non-Green, Certified, Green, total Green, and Evergreen.

Trends in laser beam welding technology and fracture assessment of weld joints

Recent advances in the industrial application of laser welding are reviewed, drawing on examples from the aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, offshore, and white goods industries. Attempts are being made to introduce laser welding procedures into construction industry standards. The impact of the narrow, overmatched weld zone on joint properties and the difficulties this raises for quality assessment are briefly considered.

Trends in laser beam welding technology and fracture assessment of weld joints

Recent advances in the industrial application of laser welding are reviewed, drawing on examples from the aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, offshore, and white goods industries. Attempts are being made to introduce laser welding procedures into construction industry standards. The impact of the narrow, overmatched weld zone on joint properties and the difficulties this raises for quality assessment are briefly considered.

Health & Safety Executive campaigns to improve standards in construction industry

Health & Safety Executive campaigns to improve standards in construction industry

Engineering and Construction Industry Standards Developers

This paper discusses the organizations and agencies that develop standards that are used in the engineering and construction (E/C) industry. It provides general information on standards, definitions of standards, technical standards, nongovernment standards, government standards, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) standards, and international standards. It provides information on U.S. standards organizations including the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the ASTM, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The status of standards in the United States is also discussed, as well as private industry involvement in standards development.

Construction noise standards and the draft Singapore code

A code of practice for the control of noise from construction and demolition sites in Singapore has been proposed. Based on a British Standard, but with some significant deviations, the Code has been proposed by the Technical Committee, under the direction of the Building and Construction Industry Standards Committee, of the Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research, in response to growing public concern over the noise problem caused at the construction and demolition sites springing up all over the country. The country's warm climate, necessitating open windows, and its generally built up nature, have contributed to the seriousness of the situation. This paper looks at some of the areas highlighted in the proposed new code.