The Awareness Of ICT Implementation For Materials Management In Construction Projects

Construction materials usually constitute a major portion of the total cost in a building construction project. Despite the potential benefit of ICT, convincing construction organisations to embrace its use and implementation has proved a difficult task. This research seeks to identify the implementation of ICT in construction materials management processes and to investigate on the acceptance of contractors for ICT transformation to the materials management in construction projects. In relation to that, current constraints that are found hindering the acceptance of ICT in materials management processes are also identified. A triangulation research approach which consists of standard derived questionnaires, semi structured interviews with class A contractors and review of previous research were conducted. The findings from this research reveal that the implementation of ICT in the materials management for construction projects in Malaysia is at early stage. Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet and handheld devices are found to be the common ICT tools adopted in the materials management processes. Meanwhile, there is only an average level of acceptance towards the transformation of ICT implementation in the construction materials management. The main barrier is found to be the cost involvement at the initial stage or overall implementation of ICT in the materials management processes. Finally, it can be concluded that there is a lack of awareness towards the ICT implementation of materials management in the construction projects

A study on schedule management for BIM projects in the construction industry

There is an advance modelling tool that currently been pushed by the industry is BIM. BIM as known as Building Modelling Information is a computerized process that is used to design, understand and establish the key physical and functional characteristic of a building on a ‘virtual’ computerized model basis at its most basic level [4]. Basically the resulting model is a digital representation of the building which the data can be extracted and analyzed to generate information that can be used for decision making and enhance the process of delivering the building and the entire life cycle use of the building [4]. BIM implementation can help to improve the quality of project especially the schedule management. By implementing BIM into construction project, it can provides schedule visualization which can make the construction planning more efficient. Besides that, through the BIM model clash detection can be detected in the preconstruction phase which save a lot of time on rework during construction phase

Comparative study on the perspective towards the benefits and hindrances of implementing building information modelling (BIM)

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is considered one of the most effective technologies to improve the productivity of the building process. BIM has proven its advantages throughout the building project life cycle. However, the lack of awareness towards BIM is due to the persistent practice of obsolete technology in construction. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the industrial practitioners' perspectives on the benefits and hindrances of BIM implementation in order to understand their level of awareness. A questionnaire survey was distributed to 120 consultant companies in Kuala Lumpur where 52 responded. The data were analysed using frequency analysis and test for correlation was performed. Results revealed that respondents have a positive awareness of the benefits and hindrances towards the implementation of BIM. Both BIM and non-BIM users achieve a significant agreement on the benefits of BIM to control delay, cost, and improves management. On the other hand, all participants criticised that High Cost Allocation, Time Consuming, Lack of Information are hindering the implementation of BIM. In addition, there was a weak relationship between the BIM as a tool in company and the predictor variables which are level of understanding, time saving, cost saving, better management, cost allocation, time consumption and lack of awareness. The correlation coefficient values obtained were 0.419, 0.403, 0.376, 0.446, 0.324, 0.407 and 0.274 respectively. The outcomes indicate that construction industry experience constraint on implementing BIM mainly due to the BIM enforcement by the government industry. Thus, this paper is significant in contributing knowledge of awareness between BIM and non-BIM users on benefits and hindrances of BIM implementation. It also acts as a benchmark for the government to address the relevant issues provide a channel to drive the industry towards BIM level 2

Comparative Study on the Perspective towards the Benefits and Hindrances of Implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is considered one of the most effective technologies to improve the productivity of the building process.  BIM has proven its advantages throughout the building project life cycle. However, the lack of awareness towards BIM is due to the persistent practice of obsolete technology in construction. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the industrial practitioners' perspectives on the benefits and hindrances of BIM implementation in order to understand their level of awareness. A questionnaire survey was distributed to 120 consultant companies in Kuala Lumpur where 52 responded. The data were analysed using frequency analysis and test for correlation was performed. Results revealed that respondents have a positive awareness of the benefits and hindrances towards the implementation of BIM. Both BIM and non-BIM users achieve a significant agreement on the benefits of BIM to control delay, cost, and improves management. On the other hand, all participants criticised that High Cost Allocation, Time Consuming, Lack of Information are hindering the implementation of BIM. In addition, there was a weak relationship between the BIM as a tool in company and the predictor variables which are level of understanding, time saving, cost saving, better management, cost allocation, time consumption and lack of awareness. The correlation coefficient values obtained were 0.419, 0.403, 0.376, 0.446, 0.324, 0.407 and 0.274 respectively. The outcomes indicate that construction industry experience constraint on implementing BIM mainly due to the BIM enforcement by the government industry. Thus, this paper is significant in contributing knowledge of awareness between BIM and non-BIM users on benefits and hindrances of BIM implementation. It also acts as a benchmark for the government to address the relevant issues provide a channel to drive the industry towards BIM level 2

Investigating Significant Issues of BIM Implementation in Industrialised Building System Design and Production Process

Industrialised Building System (IBS) has been considered a construction method to accelerate the development of the construction industry in attempt to boost the economic growth of Malaysia. With the slow uptake of IBS method in Malaysian construction industry, Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology was introduced as a IBS catalyst to improve IBS process in term of its productivity and efficacy. However, the advantages of BIM implementation are not fully acquired in IBS industry. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the issues encountered when BIM implemented in IBS design and IBS production process in Malaysia. The preliminary study adopted both literature review and semi-structured interview as research technique. Four semi-structured interview were conducted with the industry experts who have more than 5 years of experience in both IBS and BIM fields to gain insight into the issues of BIM implementation in both IBS design and production process. The likert scale of agreed level was indicated by the respondents simultaneously while investigating the issues of BIM implementation in IBS design and production process during the interview. The interview data was collected and analysed by measuring mean agreed level to issues of BIM implementation in IBS design and production process and identifying the most significant issues of BIM implementation in IBS process across responses from interview using excel tool and content analysis. The results showed that the most significant issues are encountered when BIM is implemented in IBS design process rather than in IBS production process. The most significant issue is the lack of early collaboration among IBS players in the beginning of IBS design stage in a BIM project. In addition, the lack of knowledge and understanding on IBS design and installation among the project stakeholder, especially consultants in the BIM integrated projects leads to the increase of IBS design time, and causes the late confirmation of informed decision of the IBS component design. It can further affect the productivity of IBS production process. Therefore, the issues of BIM implementation in IBS design process should be tackled early to improve the BIM implementation in IBS industry in Malaysia

The awareness of ICT implementation for materials management in construction projects

Construction materials usually constitute a major portion of the total cost in a building construction project. Despite the potential benefit of ICT, convincing construction organisations to embrace its use and implementation has proved a difficult task. This research seeks to identify the implementation of ICT in construction materials management processes and to investigate on the acceptance of contractors for ICT transformation to the materials management in construction projects. In relation to that, current constraints that are found hindering the acceptance of ICT in materials management processes are also identified. A triangulation research approach which consists of standard derived questionnaires, semi structured interviews with class A contractors and review of previous research were conducted. The findings from this research reveal that the implementation of ICT in the materials management for construction projects in Malaysia is at early stage. Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet and handheld devices are found to be the common ICT tools adopted in the materials management processes. Meanwhile, there is only an average level of acceptance towards the transformation of ICT implementation in the construction materials management. The main barrier is found to be the cost involvement at the initial stage or overall implementation of ICT in the materials management processes. Finally, it can be concluded that there is a lack of awareness towards the ICT implementation of materials management in the construction projects

Study on thermal performance of Precast Concrete Sandwich Panel (PCSP) design for sustainable built environment

Sustainability in construction industry has become an issue when designing a new building [1] and the conventional on-site construction methods have long been criticised for imposing rigorous human health and safety risk, as well as causing significant environmental destruction [2]. Meanwhile, PCSP can be perceived as an alternative approaches in creating and maintaining the sustainable built environment. Finsen & Georgia (2011) [1] said that this wall system can maximise benefits from integrated strategies, which focus on all of the building’s materials and systems, as well as the way they interact

Drivers to Enhance ICT Uptake in IBS Management Processes in the Construction Industry

In Malaysia, as a result of the government’s initiative and future outlook in advancing the use of innovative technologies, the Industrialised Building System (IBS) approach is actively promoted through several strategies and incentives as an alternative to conventional building methods. Extensive uptakes of modern Information Communication Technology (ICT) applications are able to support the different IBS processes for effective production. However, it is argued that ICT uptake at the organisational level is still in its infancy. This raises the importance to identify critical drivers for effective uptake of ICT in the IBS production management process. Critical drivers to ICT uptake were identified through questionnaire survey with industry stakeholders which was analysed using mean index and critical t-value with the use of SPSS software. The top ten priority ranked drivers reflect the People, Technology and Policy elements to ICT uptake. These identified critical drivers are able enhance ICT uptake in IBS management process in the construction industry

Drivers to Enhance ICT Uptake in IBS Management Processes in the Construction Industry

In Malaysia, as a result of the government’s initiative and future outlook in advancing the use of innovative technologies, the Industrialised Building System (IBS) approach is actively promoted through several strategies and incentives as an alternative to conventional building methods. Extensive uptakes of modern Information Communication Technology (ICT) applications are able to support the different IBS processes for effective production. However, it is argued that ICT uptake at the organisational level is still in its infancy. This raises the importance to identify critical drivers for effective uptake of ICT in the IBS production management process. Critical drivers to ICT uptake were identified through questionnaire survey with industry stakeholders which was analysed using mean index and critical t-value with the use of SPSS software. The top ten priority ranked drivers reflect the People, Technology and Policy elements to ICT uptake. These identified critical drivers are able enhance ICT uptake in IBS management process in the construction industry

Acceptance of the Application of Sustainable Concept in Malaysia’s Waste Management Infrastructure - Landfill

Sustainable concept has been a topic that is of broad and current interest in applying in many different areas of development. A sustainable concept encompasses three main criteria, namely environmental, social, and economic. This sustainable concept has usually been defined as the ability to develop something to meet the present needs yet it does not compromise the ability of future generation to meet their needs. Whereas waste management plays an important role in managing the municipal solid wastes produced. The landfill has been widely used in the disposal of solid wastes. However, the negative impacts caused by landfill have led to the need for application of sustainable concept. The acceptance of sustainable concept by stakeholders will determine the possibility of moving into sustainable waste management. This study aims at assessing the of acceptance by the stakeholders in the application of the sustainable concept into landfill. The research was conducted by reviewing of the past similar researches and through interview with ten waste management stakeholders. The results obtained show that there are some limitations in terms of understanding on the concept of sustainability and the willingness in accepting on this concept. Further action should taken in and moving towards sustainable waste management