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Analysis of Risks in Design and Construction
Sustainability and prefabrication are becoming increasing popular in construction. These methods incorporated technological trends to increase quality and efficiency while decreasing safety risks. Analysis of construction risks illustrates that managerial, technical and legal issues have the most potential impact. Probability theory, qualitative and quantitative methods, and process simulation models can be used to study these…
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Risk Assessment and Management in Construction
Construction is a growing industry with major impacts to the economy. Risk assessment is vital to the successful project completion. Quality work should be completed on time and within budget. This process begins with identification, followed by analysis to determine relative severity of threats. Plans and procedures can then be developed to reduce or eliminate…
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Understanding Risks in the Construction Industry
Construction projects are unique and complex, incorporating the interest of various stakeholders and efforts of many different parties. Managing risks throughout the multiple phases is essential to successful completion. Uncertainty will negatively affect productivity, performance, quality, and budget. Implementing a systematic approach will identify and assess these risk to assist in decision-making, thereby minimizing adversity…
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Safety Management in Lean Construction
Lean construction looks for ways to reduce waste, improve quality and enhance performance of building projects to increase profitability and deliver more value. Construction remains a dangerous, dynamic and demanding work environment. Focusing on safety management to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities provides cost benefits. Implementing lean tools and technological advancements further enhances these efforts.
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Total Quality Management in Sustainable Design and Green Construction
The development and densification of urban centers should adhere to sustainable design principles and green construction practices. Negative impacts to the human health and the ecological environment has already become readily apparent. Implementing the principles of Total Quality Management throughout the entire design and construction process will improve the performance of buildings, increase customer satisfaction…
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Integrated Project Delivery Using Building Information Modeling
Design and construction continue to experience low productivity and underperformance. Some of this can be attributed to improper communication and poor management. Adopting a collaborative approach through multi-party agreements will lead to greater project success. Integrated project delivery emphasizes teamwork and cooperation. Building information modeling provides for a shared and centralized virtual resource. As these…
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Implementing Building Information Modeling for Design and Construction
Construction processes differs greatly from manufacturing procedures. Labor productivity and performance, project changes and delays, and misinterpretation or misunderstand negatively impact profitability and sustainability. Building Information Modeling (BIM) offers many ways to increase efficiency, however implementation and utilization of this technology remains challenging. Workflow and protocols must transition from traditional 2D documents into 3D, 4D…
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Promoting Success and Well-Being Through Lean Construction
The construction industry has failed to optimize in many ways where manufacturing has excelled. Derivation from traditional design-bid-build through integrated project delivery and the lean project delivery system provides opportunities for needed improvements. Data collection and statistical analysis seek to further refine those methods. The goal remains focused on achieving project sustainability while promoting public…
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Improving Productivity and Performance in Construction Projects
The profitability of a construction company is greatly affected by the productivity of its labor. Substantial savings in production time and project cost can be facilitated through proper management of resources. Identifying and analyzing a variety of factors is crucial in recognizing areas of improvements. New techniques should be implemented to achieve better performance. Rethinking…
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Project and Labor Management in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The intent of lean construction is to increase productivity while reducing waste. This requires continuous improvements in means and methods through investment in people, tools and equipment. With changes experienced by the fourth industrial revolution and the rapid growth of urban centers throughout the world, there is a current need to rethink communication through information…
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Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings
The USGBC has paved the way through LEED certification to save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create a healthier built environment. By creating guidelines with quantifiable standards, design choices can be made to optimize building performance and reduce energy consumption. Although proper material selection can reduce the embodied energy of the building, it…
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Skeletal Structural Framing Methods in Tall Buildings
There has been a surge in tall, slender buildings throughout urban centers due to population growth and increasing value of land. A variety of structural framing systems can be utilized that weigh construction cost versus lateral stiffness. Design consideration must be made for extreme conditions including high winds and seismic activity. Emerging technologies provide opportunities…
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Modular and Prefab Methods Used in the Construction of Homes
Abstract Desire for affordable and sustainable housing is becoming a driving force behind the construction industry. Innovations in manufacturing technology have begun to make modular design and prefabrication methods the logical choice for the future of housing. Utilization of these approaches should lead towards substantial cost saving. Coupled with material choices like bamboo over traditional…
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Managing Construction Costs by Implementing New Technologies
Current demands on the construction industry have forced those in managerial positions to explore new methods for keeping project costs low while focusing on quality of work and time spent completing it. Alternatives to the traditional delivery model allow individuals and companies to assume roles typically held by others. Implementation of new technologies including the…
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Physical Behavior of Traditional Masonry Buildings
Traditional masonry buildings are common throughout the world. They exhibit similar material choices and design elements. Regional climates impact these structures in a variety of ways. The desert climate and assembly uses of buildings in Las Vegas requires additional efforts to ensure the safety of the occupants and interests of building owners, both in daily…
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Physical and Social Issues of Migrant Construction Workers
Construction workers account for the largest portion of migrant laborers. This labor force is made up of both unskilled laborers and skilled tradespersons. They experience a variety of health risks that must be properly addressed. Improving their physical and mental health has economic benefits while promoting human rights.
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Construction Variables Affecting Project Success
Research shows that the success of a building project is affected by a six critical construction variables. This paper lists those factors and discusses potential ways of enhancing overall project performance. Design variables and building complexity impact project cost. Value management and value engineering focus on improving project performance and increasing overall quality through efficient…
