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The Significance of Trust in Fostering Meaningful Learning
No full textIntroduction to Special Section: Trus
Construction Company Insolvencies: State-of-the-Art Review
Get PDFThe surging tendency of insolvencies has emerged as a contemporary issue in the global construction industry. Moreover, these insolvencies have led to project failures, financial losses, and reputational damage within the construction industry. Despite the severity of the issue, there is a lack of research dedicated to introducing practical solutions to mitigate insolvencies. Accordingly, this research aims to pioneer a research direction to find practical and real-world methods to reduce insolvencies. To achieve this, the research combined a bibliometric analysis with a systematic literature review to map current research trends and systematically categorize insolvency factors into themes. Findings reveal that the current research is focused on developing financial ratios to predict insolvencies, undermining the exploration of qualitative factors. Furthermore, the study identified industry-specific, organizational, and costing-related themes as the main insolvency factor. This categorization enables future researchers to effectively identify the potential factors that can be addressed to mitigate insolvencies. Another key finding was the low attention past researchers have given to conducting research on insolvencies caused by poor costing practices, an area a construction practitioner can directly control. Accordingly, this research encourages future research to develop practical solutions to reduce insolvencies stemming from cost mismanagement. Through these findings, this research lays the groundwork for a sustainable and practical approach to mitigate construction insolvencies
Optimizing Responsive Hospital Operations: A New Process for Simulating Uncertain Treatment Demand
No full textHospitals face growing challenges in optimizing resource allocation to meet diverse stakeholder demands under conditions of uncertainty and variability. A pioneering approach to address this issue was recently introduced by Suo et al. (2024b), which, despite its contributions, relied on a limited and predefined set of demand scenarios due to the difficulty of realistically generating a demand model that accurately reflects the highly dynamic nature of real hospital demand. To overcome this challenge, this study presents a novel process that utilizes the Monte Carlo method to model and forecast hospital treatment demand. The process is demonstrated through the simulation of surgical demand in a fictitious yet realistic animal hospital. Using hypothetical data spanning a one-year period, the variability in demand across various surgeries and animal species was modeled, showcasing the method’s ability to simulate realistic scenarios within a one-month timeframe. The findings highlight the process’s potential to enhance decision-making and optimize resource allocation strategies in healthcare settings. The insights gained from this study provide a solid foundation for expanding probabilistic modeling to broader healthcare contexts, offering valuable guidance for future research in this field
BIM and Safety Integration for Steel Erection using Intermeshed Steel Connections
Get PDFThe construction industry faces persistent challenges in the aspect of worker safety and health, particularly with the frequently occurring injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by falls, struck-by, and ergonomic hazards, among others. The use of steel as a construction material has increased the scale and complexity of projects by introducing more intricate design, production, fabrication, and especially the erection processes which impact the safety and health performance of steelworkers. Studies have shown that steel connection systems, specifically innovative systems such as the intermeshed steel connection (ISC) can play critical roles in moderating the types of hazards steelworkers are exposed to. Using a 2-storey steel frame structure, the study assessed the integration of a safety checklist into Building Information Modeling (BIM) for improved safety planning for an innovative intermeshed steel connection system. The study developed a robust safety library compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation incorporated into the BIM environment. The case study research developed a four-step framework which includes BIM model creation, safety checklist development, checklist integration in the BIM model, as well as safety simulation and analysis. The study also adopted a methodology that utilized the BIM virtual environment to classify and simulate hazard scenarios linking specific corrective actions with OSHA references to prevent accidents and injuries in steel erection works. The findings of the study indicated that the BIM-enabled checklist could provide workers, safety managers, and other stakeholders with information on effective safety measures to be taken in steel erection operations with intermeshed steel connections prior to construction to avoid injuries, illnesses, or fatalities
Proposed Framework for LLM-Based Feedback in LEED Assignments
Get PDFThis study investigates the potential of large language models (LLMs) to enhance feedback generation for written assignments, with a focus on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects. Through a systematized review of 70 studies, we identify key trends, including a predominance of structured (52.63%) and argumentative inputs (21.05%) and iterative feedback mechanisms (64.91%), which align with LEED’s criteria-driven workflows. However, gaps remain in addressing technical inputs (3.51%) and scalable automated feedback systems tailored to LEED-specific needs. To address these challenges, a conceptual framework is proposed, emphasizing advanced natural language understanding, real-time iterative feedback, and automated validation systems to support the structured and technical demands of LEED assignments. While this framework offers potential for improving feedback systems in high-stakes educational contexts, further experimental validation is necessary to assess its effectiveness in practice
Innovative Approaches to QA/QC in Construction: Current State
No full textThe construction industry has long faced inefficiencies in Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC), often relying on manual inspections. As construction demands increase and projects become more technologically advanced, there is an urgent need for innovative QA/QC methods that enhance precision and efficiency. While attempts have been made to integrate technology into QA/QC practices, gaps remain in comprehending precision and efficiency, documenting and synthesizing these advancements. This paper addresses this gap by conducting a critical review of emerging digital technologies in QA/QC and identifying future research directions with construction 6.0 speculations for 2050. A structured critical review methodology was adopted, following PRISMA guidelines to systematically collect, screen, and analyze literature from databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 29 key studies were reviewed to highlight technological advancements, applications, and future opportunities. The results indicate that technologies like Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) improve inspection accuracy and reduce labor and time costs, while AI-driven, non-destructive testing (NDT) enhances defect detection. However, challenges like data processing complexities and integration barriers persist. The practical implications suggest that increased adoption of these technologies could make QA/QC practices more proactive, data-driven, and efficient. The construction industry can leverage these insights to optimize quality management. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research, such as advanced technology integration, automation and intelligent systems, human-centric approaches. Construction 6.0 speculations includes, fully autonomous inspections, smart sensor networks and ultra-secure data integrity. These advancements are crucial for widespread adoption of innovative QA/QC solutions in construction
Preliminary Proposal for a Knowledge Management System in a Brazilian Construction Company, Based on ISO 30401 Requirements
Get PDFKnowledge management (KM) has established itself into a discipline for the past decades, progressively being incorporated into international standards such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 9001, in 2015 and well-established guides, such as the PMBOK, in 2017, becoming an International Standard in 2018, ISO 30401, which sets the requirements for Knowledge Management Systems (KMS). Although there is substantial literature on the use and application of KM tools and techniques in the construction industry, proposals for KMS are scarce, and, specifically aligned to the ISO 30401 requirements, inexistent. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to tackle this issue, outlining the proposal of a KMS, aligned to the ISO 30401 requirements, for a construction firm. A case study was carried out within a private Brazilian construction company (CC), based in São Paulo. Information has been gathered from direct observation and from internal documents, reports, memos, and records, to obtain an accurate picture of the organization and identify its KM practices. Once the structure and practices of the CC were understood, the fulfillment of the ISO 30401 requirements was addressed, resulting in a multi-stage action plan aiming to gradually comply with the standard. During research, the organization´s Project Management Office (PMO) was identified as a key element in this endeavor. Although the proposed plan is specific for a particular organization, it can be adapted to other contexts, contributing to the discussion of KM in the construction industry and the role of the PMO in KMS
A Review of Supply Chain Dynamics of 3D Concrete Printing Construction Practice
Get PDF3D printing has gained increasing interest as a revolutionary digital technology in the construction industry. This technology has been supported as an effective tool for improving construction efficiency. Through a previous systematic review study, we comprehensively analysed the benefits and challenges of 3D printing technology implementation in the construction industry. This paper will follow the findings of the review study, investigating supply chain management strategies and challenges in 3D concrete printing projects in conjunction with a questionnaire pilot study.
This paper is part of an ongoing research programme focusing on the decision-making mechanism of construction supply chain management in 3D printing. The purpose of this study is to identify key challenges in 3D concrete printing and supply chain. This paper adopted data from a literature review and a questionnaire survey pilot study to investigate the challenges of 3D concrete printing implementation and its supply chain management in practical construction projects. A questionnaire survey was conducted with participants who have significant experience in the construction sector. The result of the Five-Point Likert scale questionnaire was statistically analysed and interpreted.
As a result, the critical challenges of 3D concrete printing projects have been defined. The findings show that high initial investment, technology awareness, regulation support as well as workforce training significantly affect 3D printing implementation in the construction sector. The study result provides the research programme with practical data in 3D concrete printing practice. The findings of this paper support a follow-up study in discussing the decision-making of the 3D concrete printing supply chain
Comparing Stressors and Stress among Diverse Foreign Ethnic Minority Workers Groups in the Construction Industry
No full textTo overcome the shortage of construction workers in developed countries, a foreign minority workforce is recruited from developing countries. However, foreign construction workers experience numerous stressors in the host country that may induce stress significantly, which could affect their overall health and performance. It is essential to explore what unique stressor and stress foreign construction workers are experiencing and then propose targeted practical recommendations. This research adopted a large-scale questionnaire survey with 91 valid responses included for data analysis, focusing on differences between Nepali, Pakistani and Other worker groups. Five key stressors (including away from family, unfair treatment, lack of trust, manual material handling, and unclear job responsibilities) and two stress outcomes, being easily upset and emotionally drained, are identified among foreign ethnic minority workers in Hong Kong\u27s construction sites. Significant differences were found in the experience of specific stressors: Nepali workers reported a higher lack of trust in colleagues, influenced by limited social interactions and reliance on their community for employment-related needs. In contrast, Pakistani workers, actively engaging with diverse local and foreign contacts, showed more clarity in job responsibilities but higher emotional stress, attributed to challenges in adapting to advanced construction technologies and cultural barriers. The findings suggest targeted interventions to address distinct stressors faced by different ethnic groups, enhancing their work environment and reducing overall stress levels
Research on building strategy of Chinese traditional village farm house in Miyun District, Beijing
No full textMiyun District is located in the ecological conservation area in the northeast of Beijing. It has the characteristic cultural resources such as the Great Wall culture and the superior natural environment and landscape pattern. In this paper, the construction of traditional Chinese village farm houses in Miyun District of Beijing was investigated, and the status quo and construction problems of farm houses were investigated. According to the protection and development plan of traditional villages, the construction of farm houses was classified and sorted out. This paper classifies and studies the style control, building height and renovation requirements from the two levels of traditional villages in historical and cultural towns and traditional Chinese villages in general towns. This paper puts forward the guiding elements and design strategies for the construction of rural house style, and puts forward suggestions for the control of rural house style from the aspects of roof shape, wall shape, doors and Windows shape, courtyard door shape, equipment air conditioning outdoor unit external hanging form and solar energy equipment construction, in order to provide reference for the future construction of characteristic rural house style