A knowledge-based system for construction subcontractor appraisal

While a significant proportion of work in a construction project is carried out by subcontractors, keeping track on their performance becomes an important management task to ensure their work is completed satisfactorily and to avoid inferior subcontractors from being appointed in future. Yet, the industry lacks a systematic mechanism to appraise the performance of subcontractors. Despite some clients and contracting organizations have produced their own internal guideline, it is not unusual for their staff to interpret the required quality standard qualitatively and this could lead to disparity and unfairness. To improve the rigor of subcontractor performance appraisal and to facilitate comparison, a more structured approach should be adopted for appraising subcontractors. Knowledge-based systems appear to be a promising approach to formalize the subcontractor appraisal decisions. In this paper, the decision structure governing construction subcontractor appraisal is first highlighted. It is then followed by an introduction to the prototypical knowledge-based system developed for subcontractor performance appraisal. Finally, the ways to apply the results of the knowledge-based subcontractor appraisal model to decision making concludes the paper.published_or_final_versionThe 27th International Conference on Applications of IT in the AEC Industry (CIB W78 2010), Cairo, Egypt, 16-18 November 2010. In Proceedings of CIB W78 2010: 27th International Conference, 2010, p. 1-

Reducing the embodied carbon of construction projects through a carbon emission encompassed tender

Fast speed construction development is a key contributor to excessive carbon emissions. Apart from the operational emissions of construction facilities, more and more clients and designers are concerned about the carbon emissions embodied in construction materials. Despite the significance of this, little research has been conducted to reduce the use of construction materials of high carbon intensity. To significantly reduce the carbon emissions due to the use of construction materials, a fundamental rethink of the tendering mechanism is needed. In this paper, a carbon emission encompassed tender is proposed. The fundamental basis of the envisaged carbon emission encompassed tender is a transparent and equitable framework to estimate the carbon footprint of products. With the release of the ISO14067, it is possible that the carbon footprint of construction materials can be systematically assessed at the product level. In this paper, the way in which the carbon footprint of construction materials is estimated is exemplified through a recently developed carbon labeling scheme. Then, the philosophy of the carbon emission encompassed tender is introduced. Finally, the challenges facing the implementation of the proposed carbon emission encompassed tender are highlighted. Through the carbon emission encompassed tender, contractors can get a reasonable reward to commensurate the carbon reduction attained through the use of low carbon construction materials.published_or_final_versio

Using balanced scorecard for subcontractor performance appraisal

Several influential industry reports have pointed out that a decline in construction quality and productivity could be attributed to the performance of subcontractors who are entrusted to complete the actual works, yet subcontractor performance appraisal is a much neglected subject in construction. To facilitate subcontractor registration, management and/or selection, an equitable and reliable subcontractor performance appraisal would be indispensable. Being regarded as a reliable and practical means for performance evaluation, the balanced scorecard should have a high potential for improving the quality subcontractor appraisal decisions. This paper discusses the issues in developing a balanced scorecard model for subcontractor performance appraisal. The current practice of appraising subcontractor performance begin is first outlined. It is then followed by introducing the research methodology. The structure of the balanced scorecard model for subcontractor performance appraisal is proposed. Finally, a prototype Internet-based model for appraising subcontractors based on the balanced scorecard concept is presented. The initial results indicate that it is possible to establish a balanced scorecard model to formalise the subcontractor performance appraisal decisions.published_or_final_versio

Optimising time and cost in construction material logistics

Materials are important in every construction project as they contribute to a significant proportion of the total construction costs. As a result, planners and managers would strive to plan and control the ordering, distribution and storage of materials (i.e. the logistics process) carefully in order to maximize the productivity. Despite that, there is a lack of simple but powerful formalism to analyze and model the logistics process under a dynamic environment. This research aims to resolve the problem and facilitate the decision-makers to increase the productivity while minimizing the cost through better logistics arrangement. In this research, the common material logistics practices are revealed and a material management tool by referring to the acquisition cost is devised. Time and cost are both considered by linking the schedule of material delivery to the construction program to establish the determinant variables which could affect the material acquisition costs. Genetic algorithms are used to generate the best working and delivery schedules with the lowest material acquisition cost. The results of this research can be used for re-engineering and improving the logistics management at the stage of planning changes and evaluating the effects of those changes before such a decision is made.published_or_final_versio

Life cycle assessment of biodiesel in Hong Kong

Session: Energy-1: no. 29G1-41. INTRODUCTION: Biodiesel is an environmental-friendly alternative of petroleum diesel. Biomasses, such as soy bean, rape seed, sunflower, palm oil, are usually the sources of biodiesel [1]. It is believed that biodiesel is a carbon-neutral solution, since the combustion of biodiesel generates the same amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as those which have been absorbed by plants [2]. Petroleum diesel, produced from fossil fuel that stocks carbon for millions of years, is generally not recyclable. In Hong Kong, biodiesel is made from a multi-feedstock that includes waste cooling oil, grease waste, palm fatty acid and animal fat. About 100,000 tons of low carbon fuel is manufactured in the biodiesel factory and this can lead to 3.6% of GHG reduction in Hong ...postprin

Company failure in the construction industry: a critical review and a future research agenda

TS 1M – Project and Organisation Management I: Paper no. 4360Company failure is not only extremely disruptive to an industry but may also cause significant rippling effects in an economy. Construction companies are vulnerable to bankruptcy due to the fragmented nature of the industry, high competition, the high uncertainty and risk involved, and considerable fluctuations in construction volume. It is important to recognize any potential company failures at the earliest opportunity. While bankruptcy prediction has long been regarded as a critical topic in the accounting and finance sectors, this research topic is still under-explored in the context of the construction industry. This paper aims to provide a synthesis of the previous business failure prediction models for construction companies and put forward a future agenda in this research area. Common causes of construction company failures are also reviewed. Using the results from the proposed research, it is anticipated that construction companies will be better able to prevent business failure and this should be relevant to the current needs of the construction industry and significant to the society.postprintThe 24th FIG International Congress: Facing the Challenges – Building the Capacity, Sydney, Australia, 11-16 April 2010

Enhancing public engagement in a fast-paced project environment

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Reducing embodied carbon of construction facilities through product-based carbon labelling scheme

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Rethinking public participation in infrastructure projects

The mission of any public infrastructure and construction (PIC) projects is to improve the well-being of the society. In spite of this, as some of these projects might impact on the environment and affect the habitat of local residents, it is not unusual to attract criticism or even opposition from various stakeholder groups. Consequently, there is an increasing concern about the effectiveness of public participation for PIC projects. The authors strive to examine the salient elements of public participation by considering the questions of 'who', 'what' and 'how' in the process. The paper begins by reviewing the international public participation practices and the models proposed by various researchers. The key aspects to be considered during the public participation process are then highlighted. The paper concludes by proposing a comprehensive participatory framework for PIC projects, especially those of a highly sensitive nature. The results show that the standpoints of various stakeholders can be rather diverse and it is necessary to ensure a consensus is reached at different project stages through a well-planned, whole-cycle participatory exercise in order to maximise the chance of project success. More importantly, better acceptance towards other views and more education on the importance of public participation are needed to ensure that society benefits from economic and social development without sacrificing the rights and best interests of the minority groups.published_or_final_versio

Equipping construction and related engineering students for the market needs in mainland China

Electronic Proceedings - http://www.iiis.org/CDs2010/CD2010SCI/EEET_2010/index.aspThanks to a strong internal demand, the economy of mainland China has been increasing sharply during the last decade. It is generally expected that the economic growth in China will persist in the foreseeable future. The economic development of China has given rise to an immense demand for infrastructure and construction facilities. While a number of these projects are complex and large in scale, construction and related engineering professionals who have experience on projects of these kinds should have a good opportunity to provide their services in China. To help promote exporting the services of construction and related engineering professionals, the tertiary education sector and professional institutions have a crucial role to play to equip their students. However, many construction and related engineering programs are tailored for the local markets. Broadening the international exposure of students should become the future direction of construction and related engineering programs. In this paper, the results of a survey conducted with students and professionals in Hong Kong are highlighted. The teaching and learning activities having been built into the construction and related engineering programs are identified. Finally, recommendations for improving the construction and related engineering program structure conclude the paper.published_or_final_versionThe 2nd International Symposium on Engineering Education and Educational Technologies (EEET 2010), Orlando, FL., 29 June-2 July 2010. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on Engineering Education and Educational Technologies, 2010, p. 1-