Journal of Construction Engineering and Management

Strategies for Integrating the Use of Offsite Production Technologies in Housebuilding

Wei Pan, Alistair G. F. Gibb, and Andrew R. J. Dainty
Despite extensive research into attitudes and practice surrounding the uptake of offsite production technologies, there is limited understanding of how best to integrate their use into business processes at organizational level. Drawing on an action-research case study with a leading UK housebuildin ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000544] posted Mon Feb 13, 2012.

Establishing and Weighting Decision Criteria for Building System Selection in Housing Construction

Wei Pan, Andrew R. J. Dainty, and Alistair G. F. Gibb
A lack of value-based decision criteria leads to an inability to effectively compare prefabrication and offsite production with conventional construction, which inhibits the realization of benefits of offsite approaches. This paper develops value-based decision criteria and quantifies their relative ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000543] posted Mon Feb 13, 2012.

Detection of Collusive Behavior

Ranon Chotibhongs and David Arditi
Collusion is an insidious issue in the construction industry. Even though it is widely acknowledged as unethical and illegal, there are not many research studies conducted to detect collusive bidding. This study proposes a step-by-step method to detect collusive bidding by analyzing historical biddi ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000542] posted Sat Feb 11, 2012.

The Influence of Dispersion and Location on Pay Adjustment in Construction Engineering

F. G. Pratico, Antonio Casciano, and Domenico Tramontana
Acceptance procedures are usually defined in terms of the fraction of elements that fall outside of certain specification limits, such as the data dispersion around a central tendency. In contrast, design methods usually consider measures of a central tendency or location (i.e., mean) or, occasional ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000540] posted Fri Feb 10, 2012.

Evaluating the Quality Performance of Pavement Contractors

Firuzan Yasamis-Speroni, Dong-Eun Lee, and David Arditi
This paper introduces a contractor quality performance (CQP) evaluation model that measures the quality performance of pavement contractors. The model uses a modified Quality Function Deployment model to support the quality performance measurement that is involved in multi-attribute and multi-partic ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000539] posted Fri Feb 10, 2012.

Success Traits for a Construction Project

Syed Zafar Shahid Tabish and Kumar Neeraj Jha
Ensuring successful outcome in a construction project has always been the aim of the construction project manager and project management is used as a tool to achieve this goal. Based on the assumption that the project success is repeatable, researchers have indicated certain attributes/factors, whic ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000538] posted Mon Feb 6, 2012.

Integrative Model for Quantitative Evaluation of Safety on Construction Sites with Tower Cranes

Aviad Shapira, Meir Simcha, and Marat Goldenberg
The gradual disappearance of traditional borderlines between equipment cultures and the increasing use of tower cranes as today's dominant building construction equipment result in exposure to safety issues concerning tower crane operation that have not yet been fully addressed. The current paper pr ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000537] posted Thu Feb 2, 2012.

An Automated Time-Series Cost Forecasting System for Construction Materials

Sungjoo Hwang, Moonseo Park, Hyun-Soo Lee, and Hyunsoo Kim
As large-scale building projects increase in frequency, their construction costs become a matter of great concern, especially because of their lengthy construction periods. In particular, recent volatile fluctuations of construction material prices fueled problems like cost forecasting. Many researc ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000536] posted Thu Feb 2, 2012.

Controlling Path and Controlling Segment Analysis in RSM

Lihui Zhang and Jianxun Qi
The controlling path and controlling segment are the basis for repetitive project scheduling. In this paper the controlling path is defined as the longest path in duration which determines the minimum project duration, including the controlling segments and controlling constraints on it. The control ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000535] posted Thu Feb 2, 2012.

The Distinction between Team-Based Self-Esteem and Company-Based Self-Esteem in the Construction Industry

Zhikun Ding, Fungfai Ng, Jiayuan Wang, and Liang Zou
Organization-based self-esteem has been a key construct in organizational management research since it was proposed by Pierce et al. in 1989. However, this paper proposes that organization-based self-esteem should be further refined as team-based self-esteem and company-based self-esteem, particular ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000534] posted Thu Feb 2, 2012.

Managing the Stress of Hong Kong Expatriate Construction Professionals in Mainland China: A Focus Group Study Exploring Individual Coping Strategies and Organizational Support

Isabelle Yee Shan Chan, Mei-yung Leung, and Sherwood Shi Wang Yu
The rapid expansion of the construction industry in Mainland China has made it increasingly common nowadays for Hong Kong construction professionals (HK-CPs) to work in Mainland China as expatriates. As the unfamiliar working and living environment there further escalates the stress levels of these ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000533] posted Thu Feb 2, 2012.

Assessment of the Productivity of Nighttime Asphalt Paving Operations: A Case Study

Ali Mostafavi, Vanessa Valentin, Dulcy M. Abraham, and Joseph Louis
Performing highway construction operations in the nighttime hours has emerged as a response to traffic congestions caused by daytime lane closures. Work zone conditions at night may be different from those during the day, and the nighttime factors affecting the project metrics (i.e., safety, quality ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000531] posted Fri Jan 20, 2012.

Engineer Self-Evaluation Checklist for Effective Site Visits

Andrew S. Chang, Sin-Jing Du, and Fang-Ying Shen
Site visits are necessary and important for construction projects. Construction engineers spend a lot of time on site visits, but the effectiveness of the visits has not been explored and their effect on project performance is unclear. In this study, a checklist to improve the effectiveness of site ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000530] posted Thu Jan 19, 2012.

Multiplier Model for Forecasting Manpower Demand

Chun-pong Sing, Peter E. D. Love, and C. M. Tam
To better manage and forecast the demand for labor in the construction industry, a mathematical model is developed using a distributed lag model and labor multiplier approach. The model is tested using economic statistics and manpower data derived from Hong Kong construction projects. The model can ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000529] posted Sat Jan 14, 2012.

The Mediating and Moderating Effect of Tension on Withdrawal-Commitment Relationship in Construction Dispute Negotiation

Pui Ting Chow, Fung Kong, and Sai On Cheung
Negotiation is the most cost effective way to resolve construction dispute. The success or otherwise of a negotiation depends very much on the commitment of the negotiators for a settlement. Withdrawal refers to a situation when a construction negotiator loses the interest to continue with a negotia ... [Journal of Construction Engineering and Management doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000528] posted Sat Jan 14, 2012.

Energy Management Reduces Great Pyramid Build Effort by More Than 98%

Gerard C. A. Fonte
The general consensus of most archaeologists is that approximately 25,000 workers labored for 23 years to build the Great Pyramid in Egypt at Giza. However, by examining the mysterious tools and other clues left behind , it is found that the Egyptians were masters of energy management and that the 2 ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000373] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Evaluating the Knowledge Management Practices of Construction Firms by Using ImportanceComparative Performance Analysis Maps

Serdar Kale and Erkan A. Karaman
The emergence of the effective management of knowledge resources as a key factor in gaining and sustaining competitive advantage presents new challenges to construction firms. Evaluating knowledge management practices is considered one of the most important challenges facing firms in today's busines ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000369] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Reviewers

Abstract not available. [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000486] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Erratum for Productivity Scheduling Method: Linear Schedule Analysis with Singularity Functions by Gunnar Lucko

Gunnar Lucko
Abstract not available. [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000434] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Critical Project Management Factors of AEC Firms for Delivering Green Building Projects in Singapore

Yuan Yuan Li, Po-Han Chen, David Ah Seng Chew, Chee Chong Teo, and Rong Gui Ding
In recent years, greater environmental awareness had induced the managers of building projects to go green, and several studies have been conducted on the project delivery of green building. However, there is no comprehensive study that explores the important project management factors from the pers ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000370] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Project Delivery Metrics for Sustainable, High-Performance Buildings

Lipika Swarup, Sinem Korkmaz, and David Riley
Due to the mounting complexity of sustainable, high-performance building projects, there is a consequent increase in the requirements for optimized solutions and multidisciplinary teams. Research suggests that project delivery attributes have an important influence on project outcomes of such buildi ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000379] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Identification of Risk Paths in International Construction Projects Using Structural Equation Modeling

Matineh Eybpoosh, Irem Dikmen, and M. Talat Birgonul
The major aim of this research is to demonstrate that causal relationships exist among various risk factors that necessitate identification of risk paths, rather than individual risk factors, during risk assessment of construction projects. International construction projects have more complex risk- ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000382] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Developing a Fuzzy Multicriteria Decision-Making Model for Selecting Design-Build Operational Variations

Bo Xia, Albert P. C. Chan, and John F. Y. Yeung
Many academic researchers have conducted studies on the selection of a design-build (DB) delivery method; however, there are few studies on the selection of DB operational variations, which pose challenges to many clients. The selection of a DB operational variation is a multicriteria decision-makin ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000381] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Life-Cycle Approach for Implementing RFID Technology in Construction: Learning from Academic and Industry Use Cases

Nan Li and Burcin Becerik-Gerber
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is an effective automated data collection technology that has been adopted by a number of industries. Researchers and practitioners in the construction industry have explored and implemented RFID technology extensively in the past decade. To provide a ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000376] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Proposed Framework for Applying Cumulative Prospect Theory to an Unbalanced Bidding Model

David W. Cattell, Paul A. Bowen, and Ammar P. Kaka
Recent research on unbalanced bidding models has identified both the benefits and the risks generated from different prices applied to the component items of a construction project. It has also been proposed that modern portfolio theory (MPT) be used as the technique by which to trade-off the confli ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000367] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Multiobjective Optimization of Resource Leveling and Allocation during Construction Scheduling

Dho Heon Jun and Khaled El-Rayes
Construction scheduling techniques often generate schedules that cause undesirable resource fluctuations that are inefficient and costly to implement on site. This paper presents the development of a novel multiobjective optimization model that is capable of measuring and minimizing these undesirabl ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000368] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Withdrawal in Construction Project Dispute Negotiation

Sai On Cheung and Pui Ting Chow
A negotiation is doomed if a negotiator loses the desire to continue with the discussion, and it is described as withdrawal (WA). Construction project disputes are content-specific, with resolution options governed by the contract, thus fitting neatly with the rationality framework. Nevertheless, fa ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000388] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Fuzzy AHP-Based Risk Assessment Methodology for PPP Projects

Jie Li and Patrick X. W. Zou
Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) have been used globally as a method to procure infrastructure projects, such as expressways, bridges, water plants, and power plants. The risks involved in such PPP projects are unique because of the large amount of investment and long contractual concession period ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000362] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Dynamics of Rework in Complex Offshore Hydrocarbon Projects

Peter E. D. Love, David J. Edwards, Zahir Irani, and Yang M. Goh
Little systematic knowledge is available on the dynamics of rework in complex hydrocarbon (oil and gas) projects, despite the fact that they frequently exceed budget and schedule projections by more than 10%. To better understand pertinent issues associated with rework, twenty three in-depth intervi ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000377] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Activity Analysis for Direct-Work Rate Improvement in Construction

Michael C. Gouett, Carl T. Haas, Paul M. Goodrum, and Carlos H. Caldas
In the construction industry, on-site labor is one of the most variable and costly factors that affect project profits. Because of the variable nature of construction labor and its correlation with profits, construction managers require a comprehensive understanding of the activities of workers on-s ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000375] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Is Customization Fruitful in Industrialized Homebuilding Industry?

Isabelina Nahmens and Vishal Bindroo
The level of customization currently being built by U.S. industrialized homebuilders, including modular and manufactured homes producers, is characterized and the impacts of customization on plant operational performance, and employee and customer satisfaction are examined. To assess the current sta ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000396] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Goal and Process Alignment during the Implementation of Decision Support Systems by Project Teams

Timo Hartmann
Despite the significant amount of work in recent years to better understand the implementation of technologies in project-team settings, the research community still lacks an in-depth understanding of the social dynamics around the implementation of a new technology to support decision-making tasks ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000389] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Risk Assessment Methodology for a Deep Foundation Pit Construction Project in Shanghai, China

Hong-bo Zhou and Hui Zhang
Risk assessment and risk management for deep foundation pit engineering are essential for quality and safety in civil engineering owing to the needs of urban construction projects. However, uncertainty and fuzziness continue to challenge studies of the probability and consequences of risks in this a ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000391] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Chemical Properties of Blended Cement Pastes

Mehmet Serkan Kirgiz
This study establishes the chemical properties of blended cement pastes to understand the effect of marble and brick powders on cement chemical properties. Thus, this paper extends knowledge of construction material handling and practices. Marble and brick powder and CEM I 42.5N cement clinker have ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000378] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Mini-Excavator Safety: Toward Innovative Stability Testing, Procurement, and Manufacture

David J. Edwards and Gary D. Holt
Mini-excavators (m-excs) are commonly used in construction and allied industries to maximize productivity and reduce costs, but they present considerable health and safety hazards, the greatest of which is arguably their tendency to overturn. Assessment of m-exc stability is not prescribed in recogn ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000383] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.

Integrated Sequential As-Built and As-Planned Representation with DAR Tools in Support of Decision-Making Tasks in the AEC/FM Industry

Mani Golparvar-Fard, Feniosky Pena-Mora, and Silvio Savarese
The significant advancement in digital imaging and widespread popularity of digital cameras for capturing a comprehensive visual record of construction performance in the architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management (AEC/FM) industries have triggered an extensive growth in the ra ... [J. Constr. Eng. Manage. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000371] published Fri Jan 13, 2012.