cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.118
title: MULTISYSTEMIC MODELING TO IMPROVE FORECAST ACCURACY IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

description: Process modeling and simulations provide indispensable support during project preparation, construction process planning, and execution. Realistic correlation modeling in construction management and/or economics is crucial to inform meaningful, beneficial process simulations. Inductive approach to reflecting reality in a (computation) model enables prospective consideration of the object or process under study and related analyses. This method aids decision making in construction management related projects and contributes to developing new computation models. Linking the management of chances and risks to construction process modeling is thus an essential tool for systematically making and implementing decisions in construction management and economics. Forecast-based conclusions regarding future developments or events require computation models to be developed based on handson experience and practical feasibility whilst relying on sound theoretical assumptions, required abstraction levels, simplifications, and considering their mathematical implementation. The resulting model is linked to model objects for which it was developed and to which it is applied. Model objects may include entire buildings or structures, contract sections, or individual structural components, such as those for which construction processes and logistics as well as construction times and costs are determined. Monte Carlo simulations are applied to systematically account for uncertainties. Derived models should be closely related to the aspects and societal challenges of interdisciplinarity, simulation, and digitization. This paper outlines the requirements that a multisystemic model should fulfill to increase forecast accuracy.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.119
title: NEURAL NETWORK AND PROBABILTY BASED COST EXPECTATION LIMIT MODEL FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING COST

description: The aim of this study is to develop a system that could be described as Cost Expectancy Limit Model that could assist clients in having proactive information about construction cost expectation of a particular building type with a view of assisting the client in proactive determination of expected construction cost of a building under predetermined conditions. Two population frames were used in this context, population frame of 1500 samples of actual construction cost of residential building in Lagos state Nigeria out of which 1000 samples of As-built cost (Actual cost) of residential buildings were used, in artificial neural network data training and model development using MATLAB Neuro tools. The second population sample was 250 samples of construction professionals, out of which 200 samples was picked for purpose of questionnaire administration to capture data on factors that could influence building cost expectancy. Mean Item Score, Simple Percentage and Relative Agreement Index of SPSS package was used to analyze and process the data. Cost expectancy limit was developed with parameters trained with Artificial Neural network, while factors that influence the accurateness of the expectancy model were articulated, such as economic factor, political factor, activity of maestros, macro and micro economic variables, and corruption factor among others. The study recommends the use of the model and strategy for effectiveness in accurate prediction of construction cost among other things.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.120
title: NOVEL CONCRETE MIXTURE USING SILICA RICH AGGREGATES: WORKABILITY, STRENGTH AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES

description: The persistent reliance on traditional construction materials is of no gain to the future generation. The rate at which the natural aggregate sources are explored is alarming, and as a result, the threat of depletion of the natural materials has inspired interest in sustainable construction materials, focusing on construction and demolition wastes and local materials. In this study, an experimental insight on modified concrete, based on workability, strength and microstructural properties, is provided, in an attempt to ascertain the suitability of silica-rich aggregates (ceramic industry wastes and laterite) as a replacement for conventional fine and coarse aggregates. Various mix proportions were considered, and material batching was done by weight for concrete casting. The workability test, using slump, indicates that the flowability of the modified concrete mixes is achievable at a water-binder ratio of 0.6. The strength properties of the concrete increased with the increasing ceramic substitution for granite while increasing laterite content beyond 10% negates the strength gain by the concrete. A concrete mix containing 90% ceramic fine and 10% laterite, as fine aggregate, and 100% of cement and ceramic coarse, as binder and coarse aggregate, respectively, gave higher compressive strength (22.5 MPa), and split-tensile strength (3.6 MPa), and these results were found as comparable to the conventional concrete.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.121
title: OPTIMISING COLLABORATIVE LEARNING AND GROUP WORK AMONGST TERTIARY STUDENTS

description: Team work and group assessments have become very common in the higher education context with the aim of enhancing communication skills and student engagement. However, group member accountability introduces a new challenge and constraint to groups in achieving their best performance. To investigate this issue, the current research analyzes the relationship between performance of individual members and group composure to test their relationship and dependency. Towards this research aim, individual and group marks in several units in were analyzed statistically. Empirical results show that there is tendency amongst same-gender students to team up together and this has a significant impact on group results. The current research contributes to improvement of theory and practice in higher education and identifies opportunities to enhance effectiveness of group work.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.122
title: OPTIMIZATION PARAMETER SETS FOR SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE IN TUNNELS

description: Public and private clients are beginning to set complex optimization requirements, taking into consideration environmental and cost-efficiency parameters over the built construction's lifetime. The early design process is currently irreversible, and this makes it difficult to change a concrete structure in the later detailed design stage, when more accurate information is available regarding environmental impact and life-cycle costs. There is a dilemma in complying with existing standards to achieve technical requirements while optimizing a concrete structure in order to reduce the climate impact. The long-term goal of the project is to develop a new theoretical concept for dynamic optimization strategies which can be applicable to the early design, the clientrequirement preparation, the detailed design, the production and the follow-up stages. This paper presents the results of the up-start phase of the project. The work has focused on the identification of current practice regarding clients' requirements for technical, environmental and cost-efficiency parameters. An analysis of these requirements with sprayed concrete (shotcrete) in a number of ongoing projects has led to the identification of optimization parameter sets. The project has also shown how the physical values of those parameters can be collected from existing statistics, experience recovery databases and previous project requirements, or calculated according to standardized methods and tools. The concept developed will be used in a demonstrative modeling in the next project step.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.123
title: PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT OF RC BEAM-COLUMN JOINT REINFORCED WITH DIFFERENT SUPER ELASTIC SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY TYPES

description: Superelastic Shape Memory Alloys (SE SMAs) are smart materials that have the ability to undergo large inelastic deformation upon stress removal (superelasticity) or heating (shape-memory alloy effect). If such smart materials can be used in the plastic hinge regions of reinforced concrete (RC) beam-column joints as reinforcement, they can undergo large deformations during an earthquake and can return to their undeformed/ original shape after the earthquake. This paper represents the seismic performance of beam-column joint reinforced with three different types of SMA (e.g Ni-Ti, Cu-Al-Mn, Fe based) and compared the result with regular steel-RC beam-column joint. An analytical investigation has been considered to evaluate the seismic performance of smart RC beam-column joint and regular steel-RC joint under reversed cyclic loading. The performance of the beam-column joint is compared in terms of load-story drift ratio and energy dissipation capacity. All SMA-RC beam-column joints show nearly 40-60% higher displacement than steel-RC joint before yielding. Among three types of SMA Ni-Ti dissipate 24% higher energy than any other types of SMA.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.124
title: PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF VARIOUS CONCRETE MIXES SUBJECTED TO SULFURIC ACID

description: Concrete is an essential structural material that has long been used for the construction of buildings, bridges, tanks, pavements and variety of the other types of structures. Due to its physical properties and economical use, concrete is used extensively in the country's infrastructure. In the Oil and Gas sector, concrete infrastructures are more challenging structures, which are exposed to a highly aggressive environment. A special type of reinforced concrete structure exposed to different forms of sulfur attack is the sulfur storage structure, typically referred to as "Sulfur Pit". Sulfur Pit is an essential part of oil and gas processing facilities, where the sulfur after extraction from the hydrocarbons in Sulfur Recovery Units is stored and maintained in the liquid phase at temperatures ranging from 130 ฐC to 160 ฐC. The gas sweeting process results in the formation of acid gas consisting of H2S, water vapor in addition to residual sulfuric acid. Reinforced concrete exposed to this environment is subject to deterioration and corrosion of the reinforcing steel. This paper presents the experimental investigation of four different concrete mixes exposed to %5 sulfuric acid at ambient temperature. These mixes include normal OPC, sulfate resistant (Type V) cement, and two mixes with supplementary cementitious materials blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and Class-F fly ash. The investigation is focused on mechanical properties and mass loss of the concrete samples.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.125
title: POTENTIAL UTILIZATION OF GRANITE WASTE WITH METAKAOLIN IN SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE

description: Cement production is a crucial factor responsible for climate change and recognized as major environmental challenge for humankind. It causes around 5% of global CO2 emissions resulting in lowering of air quality and human health. Production of cement is highly energy intensive process requiring consumption of depleting limited natural resources. Granite stone is famous for strength, elegance and durability. Enormous quantity of granite slurry waste is generated during processing of granite stone blocks, which adversely affect the fertility of land, environment and society. Metakaolin is an ultrafine pozzolonic and economical alternative to silica fume. It has positive influence on concrete properties because of filling effect and additional pozzolanic reaction. In this experimental investigation replacement level of both granite slurry waste and metakaolin are taken up to 10% as partial replacement of cement. Mechanical and durability properties of modified concrete have been evaluated. It has been shown that optimum replacement level of both materials enhances the compressive and flexural strength. Also, improvement in water permeability and resistance to acid attack has been observed. This study demonstrates that utilization of granite slurry waste and metakaolin as partial replacement of cement will reduce the consumption of cement, which will conserve the natural resource, reduces CO2 emission, energy demand and waste accumulation. Hence, the production of new composite concrete will be sustainable and advantageous to the environment and society.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.126
title: PRACTICE EXPERIENCE IN ASSESSING THE PROJECT MANAGERS' LEADERSHIP SKILLS

description: In construction, the achievement of a project is mainly due to the work of the project manager and the contribution they make, as team leader, of knowledge, experience, and coordination skills. This paper presents a practical approach in assessing the students' leadership skills at the College of Engineering at Qatar University, by running a multidisciplinary collaborative project. The students acted as project managers, involved in leading several working groups. The main aim of the exercise was to propose a practical approach to assessing the extent to which the knowledge and skills of a leader are important for ensuring that a project is completed successfully. The project manager's ability to lead a team through the different work stages of a project is seen as a fundamental contributor to its success. This practical approach to the appraisal of leadership brings the theoretical teaching of Project Management closer to its practical applications, by encouraging students to learn the leadership techniques and tools commonly used in the professional setting. The paper concludes by suggesting that there is a need to focus more attentively on assessing leadership skills when selecting a project manager, in either an academic or a professional context.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.127
title: PRIORITIZATION OF PIPELINE REPLACEMENT BASED ON FAILURE RATE

description: The purpose of this paper is to prioritize water pipelines for replacement through the analysis of pipeline failure rates and reliability. By using actual pipe condition record data from Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS), the constant failure rate is recognized through Bathtub profile and used to calculate reliability. This paper provides the utility manager a quantitative method to evaluate and arrange pipeline renewal. It assists in determining maintenance schedules depending on the age and type of the pipe by plotting the corresponding failure rate against time. Reliability helps determine whether the certain group of pipes are within the acceptable practice threshold to signal replacement. In this paper, the analysis of four major types of pipe systems from BWS are conducted. With the data from in fiscal year (FY) 2008, the failure rates are calculated, and the reliability of all pipelines are above 80%.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.128
title: PROJECT MANAGERS' RESPONSIBILITIES IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION PROJECTS: A CASE STUDY IN EDUCATION

description: The success of a project is not only built upon the performance of the team involved but also on the contribution of the project manager and the other participants such as the client, stakeholders, consultant, suppliers, and authorizing bodies. In particular, the project managers' contribution in coordinating and leading the participants is fundamental to the project success. The research hypothesis addressed in this paper is to investigate how a multidisciplinary collaboration experience between two departments, using a Work-Based Learning (WBL) method, can improve students' training while handling responsibilities in project management. This paper presents a practical approach to the teaching of Project Management, based on multidisciplinary collaboration protocol developed by the College of Engineering at Qatar University. Collaboration between two Project Management courses was repeated for two years, involving students of both disciplines in a joint assignment (a collaborative project). During the experience, the project managers' responsibilities were analyzed and evaluated by the students. Outcomes of the study show that because there is a close correspondence between project manager's skills, interpersonal action, and readiness to take responsibility, the success of a project is strongly influenced by the capabilities of its leader. The paper meditates on the contribution of the multidisciplinary experience in developing students' capabilities and responsibilities when working on a collaborative project, improving entrepreneurship's performance and building new ways of collaboration in higher education.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.129
title: PROJECT PERFORMANCE INDEX FOR CAPITAL INTENSIVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

description: Holistic construction performance measure has been an elusive and highly sought-after goal. The stochastic nature of construction processes and the number of stakeholders involved in these processes have added to the complexity of the problem. Large-scale infrastructure projects produce big data in form of actual site parameters, safety data, risk analysis data, cost data, financial data, quality assurance data and procurement data. This research aims at developing a project performance index. The factors influencing project performance have been grouped together as Critical Success Factors (CSFs) then through survey and expert opinions, relative weights have been collected for these factors. The factors and weights have been modeled through Regression Technique and validated through analytical and mathematical methods. The developed index will benefit the academic researchers and industry practitioners to assess the performance of the project and to increase the efficiency of project performance.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.130
title: QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT: EMPIRICAL STUDY OF COVENANT UNIVERSITY SPORTS COMPLEX

description: The acceptable level of quality in construction projects has long been a problem. Significant resources are wasted on construction projects because of inefficient or nonexistent quality management procedures. Therefore, this study evaluates the quality management and the quality grading practices in the construction project with emphasis on the Covenant University Sports Complex. The quantitative research strategy and questionnaire survey were used as the main data collection instrument for soliciting information from the project participants in order to determine the best key for quality management practice. Moreover, an ultrasonic pulse velocity tester was engaged to assess and evaluate the conditions of concrete structural members. It was found out that management commitment to quality is the most key for effective quality management practices in the construction project. In addition, the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test carried out on the randomly selected structural members varied in the range 4.2km/sec to 4.6km/sec. From this, it is inferred that the quality grading and homogeneity of concrete in the tested reinforced concrete columns, beams and slabs fall in the range of "good to excellent concrete". The findings would assist project participants in implementing an efficient quality grading and management while executing construction projects.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.131
title: QUANTIFYING THE IMPACT OF CONGESTION ON CONSTRUCTION LABOR PRODUCTIVITY USING AGENT-BASED MODELING

description: Several findings from the construction field stipulate that productivity falloffs are primarily management-related
description: however, this notion does not consider the direct impact of these same management decisions on the workers themselves. For instance, the planning of the workspace layout delves in a spatial configuration which if not properly managed can potentially result in congestion that, in turn, directly affects labor productivity. Previous research efforts developed models to analyze the effect of congestion on labor productivity but failed to capture all the complexities of this mechanism and its dynamics. Therefore, this paper puts forward the groundwork of an agent-based simulation model (ABM) and presents work targeted at quantifying the impact of congestion on the productivity of construction crews. More specifically, the ABM model takes into account two construction trades working in the same area and tackles five scenarios each depicting different congestion and interaction levels. At the heart of this simulation is a quantitative model that defines essential congestion metrics and outputs space interference values. Experiments were conducted and results highlighted that the higher the space interference values the less productive the crews become. Additionally, these values will constitute an integral part in future work when studying the impact of congestion on the crews' learning curve, whereby the latter being a major gauge for levels of productivity.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.132
title: QUANTITY UNCERTAINTIES IN REINFORCEMENT WORKS COMPARISON OF PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE CLIENTS

description: Uncertainties are systematically considered and dealt with by applying probabilistic calculation methods, such as Monte Carlo simulations. When selecting appropriate distribution functions for input parameters, users are constantly faced with the issue of having to choose the "right" distribution function for the relevant parameter. Quantities of individual works play a crucial role for costing and pricing, but also for construction process and logistics planning purposes. Quantities stated by the client in its structural specifications are fraught with uncertainties owing to, for instance, incomplete plans at the time of specification, inaccurate calculations, or mere estimates. This is why actual quantities can either be greater or smaller than the specified quantities. This paper demonstrates how distribution functions can be derived from expert surveys delivering responses from actual construction practice. Specific reference is made to reinforcement works whilst distinguishing between public and private clients. The outcomes of the survey presented and discussed in this paper include descriptive data analyses as well as violin plots and fitted distribution functions.
DOI: 10.12755/isec.res.2019.133
title: REACTIVE DEVALUATION AS A BARRIER AGAINST AMICABLE CONSTRUCTION DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

description: Disputes are common in construction projects. Protracted unresolved dispute destroys contracting parties' desire to fulfil the project objectives. In this regard, promoting amicable and efficient construction project dispute resolution (CPDR) has been one of the key recommendations of almost every construction industry review. However, disputants' irrational behaviors would derail trajectory to settlement. Notable example of irrational decision is failing to seize settlement option that provides utility to both disputing parties. This can be the result of a deep-rooted psychological barrier called reactive devaluation (RD). RD describes the behavior of habitually devaluing the proposal raised by the counterpart. Disputants would reject a proposal irrespective of the quality and reasonableness of the proposal, just because it is raised by the counterpart. The occurrence of RD in CPDR would block proposal exchanges that are inevitable if a settlement is to be reached. This study aims to examine the application of RD in CPDR. Possible manifestations of RD in CPDR scenario were summarized and a conceptual framework of RD was proposed. Five types of RD were identified: reluctance to change, doubts about counterpart's ability, overconfidence, biased information processing, and mistrust of the counterpart. Furthermore, suggestions to alleviate RD were also discussed.