Construction Technology I: part A & B

The resource material presents an overview of the structure of the construction industry, classification of the building as a system incorporating different parts, preliminary steps to procuring a building project, an overview of regulations used in the construction industry, and initial stages of building construction and site operations. The document is a useful material for teaching and learning the techniques of construction. It enables the teacher to access activities in words and figures essential to the transfer of construction techniques. The pictures and figures presented will also make it easier for a student of construction to understand and apply these techniques

DETERMINANTS OF CONSTRUCTION FIRMS' COMPLIANCE WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA

The management of health and safety issues is very significant in the construction industry in South Africa in terms of accident rates and cost to contractors. The costs arise from both the cost of compliance with regulations and the cost of accidents and injuries. In spite of the fact that available evidence shows that construction-related accidents and injuries are on the increase in South Africa, many designers and contractors regard the cost of complying with regulations as unnecessary additional financial burdens. It is against this background that this study investigated the statutory regulations relating to health and safety in construction in South Africa and the level of compliance with the regulations and motivation for compliance by contractors. Data obtained from contractors in a questionnaire survey the Western Cape Province of South Africa were analysed using percentage scores and mean score analysis with the aid of the SPSS software. Although the validity of the findings is limited by sample size used in the survey, it is hoped that the findings will provide empirical basis for a more inclusive survey of H&S in the construction industry in South Africa. Keywords: health and safety, regulations, enforcement & compliance, construction industry, South Africa

Managing Energy Demand in Buildings through Appropriate Equipment Specification and Use

The high demand for electrical energy in virtually all human endeavour has engendered the continuous rapid growth of electricity production, transmission and distribution worldwide. Every habitable building structure usually requires electrical appliances and mechanical systems such that the cost of electrical and mechanical installation in a building is generally between 10% and 35% of the total construction cost. This chapter examines the equipment used for electrical, mechanical and lighting systems in contemporary buildings in Cape Town, South Africa, towards determining those materials and equipment aiding energy efficiency in these buildings. The research employs a multiple case study approach, consisting of recently completed buildings. The study established that the equipment used in these contemporary buildings to effect a reduction in energy consumption are compliant with the main specifications and policies guiding energy efficiency in buildings in South Africa and that owners of the Case Study buildings obtained a significant reduction in power consumption as a result of the installation of the identified equipment. Based on these findings, the study concludes that a building that is compliant with energy efficient systems installation standards will experience a significant reduction in utility bills, and savings for commercial buildings and private property owners

The construction industry transformation and the digital divide: Bridging the gap

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Relationship between degree of risk, cost and level of compliance to occupational health and safety regulations in construction

This paper investigates the role of statutory health and safety (H&S) regulations in managing construction project risks. The study examines whether the decision made by contractors to comply with the regulations, the cost of compliance and savings of H&S regulatory requirements is influenced by the degree or level of risk, which the regulations are trying to prevent. The rationale for the examination stems from previous studies which establish that building designers and contractors perceive the cost of complying with regulations as additional burdens, which they have to conform to, and which are in some cases unnecessary, and also the fact that construction related injuries and fatalities are on the increase. Qualitative and quantitative data obtained from a descriptive survey and H&S site audit by the Master Builder Association of the Western Cape (MBAWC) were used as the measurements of risk, level of compliance to regulations, cost of compliance and savings. By correlating the quantitative and qualitative data, there is empirical evidence to support a negative relationship between the degree of risk, level and cost of compliance and cost savings. Based on the study’s findings, this paper concludes that the decision made by contractors to comply with H&S regulatory requirements is influenced by the perceived cost saving on account of compliance and that cost savings are influenced by the probability of accident occurrence which is an element of the degree of risk which the regulation is trying to prevent or control.

Theoretical model of trust-based relationships in building information modelling supply chain for construction projects

The structure of relationships among project participants has a significant impact on trust development, while the number of participants involved in the relationship increases the complexity of trust. Hence, it becomes inappropriate to generalise the existing dimension and components of trustbased relationships to trust-based relationships among the building information modelling (BIM) supply chain members because of the multiple structures of relationship and the numerous interpersonal and inter-organisations that participate on BIM-based construction projects. This article investigates the nature of trust-based relationships among the BIM supply chain members and establishes whether the requirements of  the BIM process influence trust-based relationships among the BIM supply chain members. A five-stage PRISMA was adopted for systematic reviews and meta analysis. The systematic review enabled the development of a theoretical model of trustbased relationships in BIM supply chain which was subjected to meta-analysis for validation. The findings revealed that trust-based relationships among the BIM supply chain members entail trusting and trustworthy behaviours, positive expectations, and positive reputations, under which twenty-seven components were identified and classified appropriately. The article concludes that the nature of trustbased relationships among the BIM supply chain members, as influenced by the requirements of the BIM process, can be explained as trusting and trustworthy behaviours, positive expectations, and positive reputations. The article advances the understanding of trust-based relationships among the BIM supply chain members and recommends a first-hand investigation into the nature of trust-based relationships among the BIM supply chain members in future studies.&nbsp

Key Performance Criteria Influencing the Selection of Construction Methods Used for the Fabrication of Building Components in the Middle East

There is a lack of an efficient systematic approach to the selection of appropriate construction methods for building projects. Not only various innovative methods are now available, but also established methods may often be adapted inappropriately, without recourse to the necessary scientific foundation of their efficiency. The result is that there is a low level of performance on building projects. This study examines how key performance criteria were used in the selection of construction methods on projects. The study employed an extant review of the literature, cross-section survey of construction managers of building projects and experts interview in the Middle East to identify and evaluate the influencing of the key performance criteria on selecting construction methods for building projects. It emerged from the Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Analytical Hierarchy Process analysis that key performance criteria consisting of time, quality, and cost have strong positive significant roles in the selection of construction methods used on building projects and that these selection criteria differed depending on the building components. The study concludes that the likelihood of a construction method being selected for use on projects in the Middle East depends on its ability to shorten the duration, improving the quality and reduce the cost of projects

A framework for managing contextual influence on health and safety in construction projects

This study examines the construction environment in developing countries towards developing a conceptual framework for managing contextual influence on health and safety (H&S) in construction projects. This is on the grounds that the solution to the challenging state of H&S in developing countries depends on understanding the internal and external environment that construction contractors operate in. While the contextual environments of construction contractors in developing countries continue to receive little attention, according to literature review; the little attention does not proffer process-based solutions for companies. In filling the above gap, an existing framework in literature is modified, demonstrating how contextual influence on H&S can be managed in construction activities. This framework will enable organisations to identify the contextual factors (CFs) that will impact on H&S and rank the perceived impact, degree of dynamism, influenceability, producing the outcome of calculated level of awareness for proportionate attention. While identifying the CFs could significantly challenge the use of the tool, the level of awareness it creates puts the organisation that adopts it at the forefront of H&S management

Skilled labour supply in the South African construction industry: The nexus between certification, quality of work output and shortages

Orientation: Construction human resource management. Research purpose: The study examines the skilled labour supply in the South African construction industry and determines whether there is a relationship between trade certification, quality of work output and scarce labour skills. Motivation for the study: The rationale for the investigation is based on the view of scholars that a skilled labour shortage is preponderant in the South African construction industry even though there is a high level of youth unemployment in South Africa and that the perceived skills shortage contributes to a decrease in productivity and product quality. Research design, approach and method: The paper reviews relevant literature and employs a mixed method research approach in collecting empirical data from contracting companies within the Western Cape Province of South Africa that are listed on the Construction Industry Development Board contractor register. Main findings: The study demonstrated that there is no shortage of manpower, but there is a shortage of qualified or skilled tradesmen, such as electricians, plumbers, welders, fitters and carpenters, whose professions are more technical and require formal training and certification. The level of supply of skilled tradesmen is attributed to the lack of high-quality basic education, the state of the economy, compulsory certification of tradesmen and an ageing workforce. It was also found that there is a significant relationship between skilled labour shortages and the requirement that labour be certified and that work output is unsatisfactory when there is no certification requirement. Practical/managerial implications: Based on these findings, the study concludes that skilled labour shortages and poor work output quality continue to be experienced in the South African construction industry when workers are unable to obtain formal certification for informal work experience acquired through years of practice on construction sites. Contribution: It is recommended that the South African government establish proactive strategies in the form of a framework for use in evaluating, certifying and grading the informal expertise acquired by workers through years of practice. This recommendation seeks to ensure that the supply of certified craftsmen capable of undertaking and producing high-quality construction work meets demand. Keywords: Artisans; Education; Experience; Expertise; Practic

Building Information Modeling—Enabled Construction Safety Culture and Maturity Model: A Grounded Theory Approach

The study examines the dimensions and components of construction safety culture and whether the application of BIM technologies to the dimensions of construction safety culture improves the safety maturity levels among construction workers. The study employed a systematic literature review and grounded theory in achieving the research objectives. The dimensions and components of construction safety culture were found to comprise of a safety management system, safety behavior, and safety climate. A bim-enabled conceptual model of construction safety culture was developed as an output of the study. The model demonstrates how the dimensions of construction safety culture change the maturity levels of safety among construction workers as enabled by BIM technologies. The model has implications for improved construction safety management practices through the use of BIM on construction projects. The study concludes with implications for practice and future research