Characteristics of Procurement Methods in Malaysia – Comparing Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build and Construction Management

Design-Bid-Build (DBB) or commonly known as Traditional method is the earliest and most prevalent procurement method used in Malaysian construction industry. Design-Build (DB) and Construction Management (CM) procurement methods were later introduced in Malaysia as an endeavour to satisfy and accommodate the increase in project complexity and the need for avoiding drawbacks of the Traditional methods. Each procurement method has different nature and possesses certain characteristics. Therefore, this study was carried out to ascertain and compare the characteristics of these three procurement methods that are implemented in building construction projects in Malaysia. A questionnaire survey was conducted among architects, consultants, contractors and owners or developers to elicit their feedback on the characteristics which were categorised into time, cost, quality, complexity and flexibility, degree of involvement and responsibility allocation and technical expertise. The findings indicated that only DB method almost fulfils all the characteristics under the six categories, whereas, DBB methods garnered agreement only for certain characteristics under time, cost, complexity and flexibility and technical expertise categories. Meanwhile, the only CM method’s characteristics that satisfy agreement from the respondents are the often used of fast track approach and lack of certainty in price. This study concludes that when a procurement method is adopted for a construction project, not all the features or characteristics will turn out as expected. There are many factors that contribute and are influential on the success in procurement methods that are worth for further investigation

Maintenance Management at Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque, Kuala Lumpur: A Case Study

Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad Kuala Lumpur (MJSASKL) is a historic landmark in Kuala Lumpur, established in 1909 and designated a National Heritage site by the National Heritage Department, Ministry of Unity, Culture, and Arts. As a center for worship, community activities, and tourism, maintaining its facilities\u27 performance is crucial. Current maintenance practices primarily rely on corrective approaches, potentially hindering facility performance and leading to suboptimal management practices within the organization. This study aims to investigate the maintenance practices implemented by MJSASKL management. Using qualitative methods, structured interviews were conducted with key personnels from MJSASKL management and the Development Unit of JAWI. Findings reveal that while MJSASKL management has established a structured maintenance framework, challenges include limited maintenance personnel for assessing maintenance needs and adherence to maintenance budget guidelines set by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). The study contributes by providing insights that can support MJSASKL management and other stakeholders in effective facility maintenance management

Strength and Water Absorption of Concrete Containing Metakaolin and Nylon Fiber

The released of carbon dioxide during the manufacturing of cement is one of the factors that contributes various parties to participate in improving the performance of concrete. The aims of this study is to enhance the performance of existing concrete with the use of metakaolin (MK) and nylon (N) fibers in compressive, splitting tensile, flexural strength and water absorption rate. This study was conducted by comparing the results of control concrete samples with the concrete samples that use metakaolin by 5% and 10% by volume of cement and added with nylon fibers at 0.5% and 1.0%. Compressive, splitting tensile, flexural and water absorption tests were conducted to determine the strength of concrete and the concrete ability to absorb water. From this study it was found that the optimum percentage of metakaolin and nylon fiber was at 5% and 0.5%, which recorded at the highest strength when both materials were used in concrete with strength of 41.4MPa. At the end of this study, it shows that the compressive, splitting tensile, flexural strength and the rate of water absorption are influenced by the percentage of metakaolin and nylon fiber used in concrete mix

Strength and water absorption of concrete containing metakaolin and nylon fiber

The released of carbon dioxide during the manufacturing of cement is one of the factors that contributes various parties to participate in improving the performance of concrete. The aims of this study is to enhance the performance of existing concrete with the use of metakaolin (MK) and nylon (N) fibers in compressive, splitting tensile, flexural strength and water absorption rate. This study was conducted by comparing the results of control concrete samples with the concrete samples that use metakaolin by 5% and 10% by volume of cement and added with nylon fibers at 0.5% and 1.0%. Compressive, splitting tensile, flexural and water absorption tests were conducted to determine the strength of concrete and the concrete ability to absorb water. From this study it was found that the optimum percentage of metakaolin and nylon fiber was at 5% and 0.5%, which recorded at the highest strength when both materials were used in concrete with strength of 41.4MPa. At the end of this study, it shows that the compressive, splitting tensile, flexural strength and the rate of water absorption are influenced by the percentage of metakaolin and nylon fiber used in concrete mix

Improving thermal conductivity of fired clay brick using sawdust waste

The demand for energy efficient design and construction has become progressively important with the growing energy costs and increasing awareness on the effects of global warming. Global warming causes a higher temperature of the surrounding, which will give significant effect to the energy consumption in commercial and residential building. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the possibility of incorporating sawdust as an additive material to improve thermal insulation properties of clay brick through lowering its thermal conductivity value. This study uses three types of soils with the proportion of clay soil (80%), laterite soil (10%) and grey soil (10%). The percentages of sawdust waste used as an additive are 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% by weight. The laboratory works performed involve the geotechnical gradation, physical, mechanical, chemical composition and thermal conductivity of fired clay brick. There are two types of brick that were produced in this study, which are control brick (CB) and sawdust brick (SB). The results show that the thermal conductivity of fire clay brick improves with the increasing percentage of waste material. Therefore, in this study, it appears that the brick incorporated with 5% of the sawdust waste is the optimum value that can achieve 7.5 MPa of compressive strength, 23.01.56% of water absorption and 0.384 W/m˚C of thermal conductivity. Thus, 5% of sawdust waste is chosen as the optimum percentage that yields better fired clay brick. This study reveals that the sawdust is a potential waste material that can be used to improve the thermal property and as a sustainable construction material

Compressive Strength, Temperature Performance and Shrinkage of Concrete Containing Metakaolin

The influence of metakaolin (MK) on concrete was investigated as a partial replacement of cement, which is liable for high content of CO2 emission during the manufacturing process. The study aimed to assess the compressive strength, temperature performance and drying shrinkage of MK blended concrete. Different ratios of MK (5%, 10%, and 15%) as cement replacement, and two ratios of superplasticizer (SP), 1.5%, and 2% as cement weight were utilized in this study. The results indicated that using MK increased the compressive strength at 28¬ day. The improvement of strength is ascribed to the pozzolanic reaction and the packing effect of fine MK particles. MK blended concrete experienced a decrease in the temperature rise of heat of hydration (HOH) and low drying shrinkage when compared to the control concrete. The SP ratio does not have significant effect on the temperature of the concrete mixtures: however, using 1.5% SP slightly reduces the drying shrinkage of MK blended concrete compared to 2% SP. In conclusion, Incorporation of MK as partial cement substitute enhances the concrete strength, thus various types of concrete can be produced. Low temperature and drying shrinkage of MK blended concrete help in reducing thermal crack after casting process

Compressive Strength, Temperature Performance and Shrinkage of Concrete Containing Metakaolin

The influence of metakaolin (MK) on concrete was investigated as a partial replacement of cement, which is liable for high content of CO2 emission during the manufacturing process. The study aimed to assess the compressive strength, temperature performance and drying shrinkage of MK blended concrete. Different ratios of MK (5%, 10%, and 15%) as cement replacement, and two ratios of superplasticizer (SP), 1.5%, and 2% as cement weight were utilized in this study. The results indicated that using MK increased the compressive strength at 28¬ day. The improvement of strength is ascribed to the pozzolanic reaction and the packing effect of fine MK particles. MK blended concrete experienced a decrease in the temperature rise of heat of hydration (HOH) and low drying shrinkage when compared to the control concrete. The SP ratio does not have significant effect on the temperature of the concrete mixtures: however, using 1.5% SP slightly reduces the drying shrinkage of MK blended concrete compared to 2% SP. In conclusion, Incorporation of MK as partial cement substitute enhances the concrete strength, thus various types of concrete can be produced. Low temperature and drying shrinkage of MK blended concrete help in reducing thermal crack after casting process

e-Procurement in Malaysian construction industry: benefits and challenges in implementation

In this paper, the benefits and challenges embedded in Electronic procurement (e-procurement or ePerolehan) are highlighted. Specifically, the benefits of introducing e-procurement for tendering and online registration of businesses and companies in Malaysia was emphasized.The study highlighted E-procurement advantages such as cost reduction, improved efficiency in government business with the aid of internet-based information and communication technology.The study concluded with recommendations to policy makers to pay more attention to the availability of infrastructure such as information technology for a better E-procurement implementation

Preliminary survey on the crucial root causes of material waste generation in Malaysian construction industry

Construction waste generation has been perceived as a crucial issue that has critical consequences on the project effectiveness and ecological effect of the construction industry. The key objective of the current research is to identify the root causes of material construction waste generation in Malaysia. A well-structured questionnaire was designed based on the 52 identified root causes of material waste generation. The developed questionnaire was distributed to 35 highly experienced in Malaysian construction industry experts. The collected data was analyzed by the use of mean score analysis. The top identified root causes are poor supervision during the construction stage, lack of efficient site management, last minute changes, cutting uneconomical sizes of materials, and constant design changes during the construction period. The initial findings will aid construction practitioners to focus on these root causes in order to reduce the material construction waste generation at construction sites

Significant factors of construction delays among contractors in Klang Valley and its mitigation

Construction industry has become one of the greatest income provider as it has contributed to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Malaysia. However, construction sector has been much affected by unexpected situation such as construction delays. Delays in construction industry is one of the common problems that happened to most construction projects. By considering all viewpoint from various parties that involves in construction process such as contractors, client, consultant and others, this research identified the major factor that contributes to delays in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Questionnaires were distributed among respondents that involved in construction project in Klang Valley. The process of data analysis was conducted by using descriptive statistic that ranked the mean value of factors that contributes to delays. By using the ranking method, financial difficulties were recognized as the most significant factor that caused delays. Thus, by using the same method, some mitigation action has been proposed in order to avoid time overrun in construction