Journal of Construction Engineering and Management

The concrete arch ribs of the JŌshi Bridge were constructed by a new erection method called the concrete lining method with preerected composite arch (CLCA method). In this method, tubular steel arches are first erected. Next, concrete is filled into the steel tubes to form a composite arch. Finally, the concrete‐filled steel tubes are used like falsework and are encased in reinforced concrete to form the finished arch rib. Because the composite arch has excellent resistance against axial compression, the amount of steel used can be significantly reduced compared to conventional arch center and Melan arch methods. In this paper, the construction of the JŌshi Bridge and the results of performance tests at each stage of the arch rib construction are described. In addition, the design technique of this method is discussed based on the test results.

Existing dynamic programming formulations are capable of identifying, from a set of possible alternatives, the optimum crew size for each activity in a repetitive project. The optimization criterion of these formulations is, however, limited to the minimization of the overall duration of the project. While this may lead to the minimization of the indirect cost of the project, it does not guarantee its overall minimum cost. The objective of this paper is to present a model that incorporates cost as an important decision variable in the optimization process. The model utilizes dynamic programming and performs the solution in two stages: first a forward process to identify local minimum conditions, and then a backward process to ensure an overall minimum state. In the first stage, a process similar to that used in time‐cost trade‐off analysis is employed, and a simple scanning and selecting process is used in the second stage. An example project from the literature is analyzed in order to demonstrate the use of the model and its validity, and illustrate the significance of cost as a decision variable in the optimization process.

Cost of materials, fraudulent practices and kickbacks, and fluctuation of prices of materials are three of the most important factors, among other factors, leading to high construction costs in Nigeria. Analyses of results leading to high construction costs show excellent agreement between the responses of the professionals (architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors) and the results of past researchers, with a Kendell's coefficient $\left(\tau \right)$ of 0.002 and 0.001, and a chi‐square $\left({\chi }^2\right)$ of 6.60 and 4.06, respectively.

The relationship of one subcycle to another can be complex. Productivity suffers when the output of one subcycle delays a following step or when resources required for one subcycle are engaged in another. Isolating subcycles from immediate interaction with other subcycles is an important principle in the design and improvement of work methods. While interaction cannot be eliminated, the negative effect of immediate interactions can be reduced with careful provision of buffers and shared resources. Five cases demonstrate different aspects of this concept. A review of 31 cases of performance improvement shows that reducing the immediacy of interactions between subcycles is an effective method used by supervisors to cope with the uncertainty. Reducing immediate interaction through the provision of buffers and/or shared resources will be the most effective technique for eliminating performance‐reducing interactions until greater control is achieved over the rates of supply and use of resources. A process for the design and improvement of work methods based on these concepts is offered.

Computer technology has provided the construction industry with valuable tools for managing and integrating the large volume of information generated during the design and construction phases of a project. This paper focuses on computer‐integrated systems using affordable technology that can help generate construction project plans from information embedded in the design drawings. The discussion traces the evolution of microcomputer‐based integration technology including a historical perspective of computer‐integration restraints. Implementation of a computer‐aided design (CAD) based integration system using current levels of technology is reviewed. A description of the implementation process is offered to provide direction to professionals interested in developing similar applications. Along these lines, the paper presents the basic sets of information required for an integrated system including a review of the resulting data flow between the CAD engine and the various applications. Future trends related to multiapplication systems are introduced as a basis for exploring more advanced integrated applications. Lessons learned from the integration process are conveyed along with a series of implementation recommendations.

Contractors may be faced with the problem of deciding the bidding price of a construction project, when the likelihood of the occurrence of risk events and the risk‐associated consequences (monetary loss and gain) are uncertain. If the monetary loss resulting from risk events is not considered or is underestimated due to associated uncertainties, a construction enterprise may suffer a tremendous loss and eventually fail. In this paper, a risk‐pricing method is proposed for analyzing and pricing construction project risk. The method consists of identifying risk elements and quantifying risk‐associated consequences. The uncertainty in the values of the quantified consequences are represented by using a fuzzy set approach and incorporated directly into the bidding price decision process. The proposed risk‐pricing method will assist contractors in the process of estimation under uncertainty. A real construction project is selected to illustrate how the proposed method can be put into practice.

The construction industry is in need of an industry‐wide standard specification format, or structure, at the division level that goes beyond the needs of commercial projects. Such a system should readily accommodate engineered project types such as airports, waterways, tunnels, roads, bridges, water‐ and waste‐water‐treatment plants, power plants, and petrochemical facilities. This paper explores the importance of such an industry‐wide standard and objectively analyzes the system that currently most closely resembles such a standard, the Construction Specification Institute's (CSI) MASTERFORMAT. Analysis indicates that CSI Divisions 2 (site work), 15 (mechanical), and 16 (electrical) are either particularly problematic with respect to or nonresponsive to the needs of engineered projects. An alternative division‐level standard format is suggested and evaluated. An active industry‐wide debate is needed.

In an attempt to formalize the integration of construction knowledge and experience into the planning and design phases, many organizations have developed constructability programs. For many such organizations, development of a formalized program is viewed as a work process. This paper presents a comparison of two formal corporate constructability programs. The first program is part of the construction division of a design/construct organization (constructor performed), while the second is within the project management group of an owner organization (owner performed). The attributes of the two formal programs are described and compared. Documented results regarding program performance including costs and benefits for both the corporate and project levels are provided. The constructor‐performed program relates to the constructor functioning as both the facilitator and source of constructability. The owner‐performed program, however, facilitates construction input by managing and tracking program progress while constructability input is provided through feedback from constructors, subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, and the owner's field construction manager. Benefit/cost ratios for both programs show the potential return on investment in a formal program.

With the ever‐increasing competition in the architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) industry, more and more A/E/C firms are considering new business strategies to gain a competitive market advantage, while still taking care of the needs and requirements of their customers. A new class of strategies, time‐based competition (TBC) strategies, responds to the new competitive conditions of the market today, identifying time as the most critical variable in today's competitive arena. Although these strategies have been extremely successful for an increasing number of firms in the industrial and service sector, A/E/C firms have not fully realized their strategic importance in gaining a competitive edge in the market. This paper describes some isolated examples of limited application of TBC in the A/E/C Industry, and introduces a conceptual framework for the implementation of TBC as a strategic tool for gaining a competitive advantage.

Implementation of automation and robotics is being considered by segments of the construction industry as part of an overall program to increase productivity, safety, and quality, and to remain competitive in the face of growing global competition. The limited experience of applying robots to construction, together with conclusions drawn on the basis of robotic applications in related areas, show that developing efficient robotic systems alone will not ensure successful implementation. Significant resistance was observed in the manufacturing industry, which seriously impeded successful implementation. In addition to this, the conservative nature of the construction industry suggests potentially significant levels of resistance to the introduction of project‐level automation and robotics. The present paper reviews several limited introductions of automation into the construction industry and finds evidence of resistance. The sources and the causes of resistance to the introduction of automation and robotics, as experienced in selected manufacturing industries, are summarized, followed by an exploration of their applicability to construction. A strategy for the implementation of an automated system is developed, relating to resistance to automation elements and successful reduction actions in manufacturing.

This paper presents a model process for implementing constructability at the project level. The model is the result of input from Construction Industry Institute's Constructability Implementation Task Force and an investigation into constructability programs currently used in industry. Data used in the creation of the model included: (1) Literature review; (2) questionnaire survey; (3) 62 personal interviews with industry representatives; and (4) four in‐depth case studies. Of eight constructability‐implementation approaches identified in the investigation, three approaches were primarily used to develop the model. The model consists of milestones, steps, and activities. Three milestones are described: (1) Obtaining constructability capabilities; (2) planning constructability implementation; and (3) implementing constructability. Within each milestone specific steps are described, and each step is further described by activities. The timing of the milestones within facility delivery process is discussed. The model process provides a benchmark for owners to use for enhancing constructability. This benchmark can assist owners in reaping the maximum benefits stemming from constructability.

A remotely controlled pipe jacking system of microtunneling machine and hydraulic jacks is utilized to install 2,103 m (6,900 ft) of 1.52‐m (5‐ft) diameter interceptor sewer in Staten Island, N.Y. The sewer alignment is along a heavily traveled thoroughfare in Staten Island and passed through soils of glacial and cretaceous origin. This system of pipe jacking proves to be an effective alternate means of constructing sewers in heavily traveled, densely populated urban areas. Details of subsurface conditions, construction of receiving and jacking pits, and the pipe jacking system and its performance are herein described.

The purpose of this technical note is to describe the results of a study investigating trends in contractor financial data to help predict their likelihood of experiencing a claim. Financial statements of 87 contractors (36 claim and 51 nonclaim) were obtained from four companies underwriting construction contract surety bonds. A claim contractor is defined as one that defaulted on a bond, many times requiring the surety to pay a loss. A nonclaim contractor is defined as one that has not defaulted on a surety bond during the period for which financial data was supplied. The described trends can assist construction industry professionals by providing them with quantitative values of financial variables for both claim and nonclaim contractors.