Construction Digitalisation


Book Description

This book explores construction digitalisation, particularly in developing countries. The book conceptualises a digitalisation capability maturity model that will enable construction organisations to self-assess and benchmark their digital capabilities in their quest for digital transformation. Digitalisation offers a significant solution to the age-long problems of the construction industry. Research shows that when construction organisations transform from a traditional service delivery approach to a more digitalised approach, significant improvement in project delivery and better competitive advantage for these organisations will be attained. The attainment of these benefits is evident in developed countries where the digitalisation of construction activities continues apace. Unfortunately, the story is not the same for construction organisations in developing economies. While some organisations might be willing to be digitally transformed, most have no clue how to go about it. To this end, this book provides guidelines for construction organisations seeking to transform their entities digitally. Its content is a valuable read for construction company owners as it provides a model which they can use in the digitalisation of their activities. Also, regulatory bodies in the construction industry can adopt the capabilities identified in the book as essential prerequisites for their members. Furthermore, the book serves as excellent theoretical background reading for management researchers seeking to expand their knowledge on the digitalisation of the construction industry and other associated industries.




High Performance Structures and Materials VI


Book Description

Containing the edited papers presented at the Sixth International Conference on High Performance Structures and Materials, High Performance Structures and Materials VI addresses the issues involved with advanced types of structures, particularly those based on new concepts or new materials. Contributions will highlight the latest developments in design, optimisation, manufacturing and experimentation in these areas.The use of novel materials and new structural concepts nowadays is not restricted to highly technical areas like aerospace, aeronautical applications or the automotive industry, but affects all engineering fields including those such as civil engineering and architecture. Most high performance structures require the development of a generation of new materials, which can more easily resist a range of external stimuli or react in a non-conventional manner.The book will cover such topics as: Composite materials and structures, Lightweight structures, Nanocomposites, High performance concretes, Concrete fibres, Automotive composites, Steel structures, Natural fibre composites, Timber structures, Material characterisation, Experiments and numerical analysis, Damage and fracture mechanics, Computational intelligence, Adaptable and mobile structures, Environmentally friendly structures.




Collaboration and Integration in Construction, Engineering, Management and Technology


Book Description

This book gathers papers presented at the 11th International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century, held in London in 2019. Bringing together a diverse group of government agencies, academics, professionals, and students, the book addresses issues related to construction safety, innovative technologies, lean and sustainable construction, international construction, improving quality and productivity, and innovative materials in the construction industry. In addition, it highlights international collaborations between various disciplines in the areas of construction, engineering, management, and technology. The book demonstrates that, as the industry moves forward in an ever-complex global economy, multi-national collaboration is crucial, and its future growth will undoubtedly depend on international teamwork and alliances.




Housing


Book Description

This book is proposed as both a general reading of the discipline for students in architecture and urban planning, and offers a variety of materials for professionals of local and international organizations. It brings together studies with new perspectives and relevant subjects from different geographical areas. The book gathers the contributions of international researchers and experts. It is divided into three parts and eight chapters: Part I, "Introduction to Housing Affairs," includes a chapter that discusses a general reading of housing as meaning and action in social, economic, and environmental city life. Part II, "Case Studies Upon Housing Policies," includes four chapters. It consists of many examples from different geographical areas and domains. Part III, "Housing Quality and Affordability," includes three chapters; housing quality, sustainability, and development are the main subjects for this part.




A Maintenance Management Framework for Municipal Buildings in Developing Economies


Book Description

The central aim of this book is to investigate and develop frameworks to aid effective maintenance management of municipal buildings in the education sector of developing economies. Using the South African education sector as a case study, this book provides readers with two major practical insights. Firstly, it focuses on the theoretical underpinnings of maintenance management research and introduces a maintenance management model through the development of a conceptual framework. This framework aids in explaining the factors underpinning the maintenance of municipal buildings but can also be used in the assessment and management of other public buildings. Secondly, the book highlights and addresses theoretical gaps in existing studies essential for the maintenance management of buildings in developing economies, providing a stimulus for future research. The book will be of interest to researchers in construction management, building technology, estate management, civil engineering, architecture, and urban and regional planning. It is an essential manual for policymakers in the education sector, built environment, construction industry, facility maintenance, facility management and consultants at government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) charged with maintenance management of public infrastructures and assets.




Construction Supply Chain Management in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era


Book Description

Providing invaluable support for construction in determining the acceptable practice and standard for regulatory bodies and managers, Construction Supply Chain Management in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era also appeals to researchers as it expands the frontiers of knowledge in the fourth industrial era.




Measures of Sustainable Construction Projects Performance


Book Description

Measures of Sustainable Construction Projects Performance builds on years of knowledge and research providing a comprehensive discussion on various metrics and variables for measuring the success and performance of sustainable construction projects.







International Best Practices of Public-Private Partnership


Book Description

This book discusses how Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is practiced in developed and developing economies. The book demonstrates how PPP as a concept has grown over the years with many governments particularly from developing economies/countries seeking to enhance infrastructure growth and development through this scheme. Further, the book explores how PPP has become the major infrastructure procurement policy adopted by many governments globally to address the rapid increase in demand for infrastructure due to the increase in population growth. Although, there are many available textbooks on PPP, this book is unique because it provides in-depth analysis and discussion on the international best practices of PPP from developed and developing economies perspectives. This book provides strategic measures, useful practices and information about the similarities and differences in PPP practices in developed and developing economies based on empirical evidence and case studies. This book is structured in nine chapters. The first chapter explores the basic concept of PPPs. The second chapter looks at the global development and practices of PPP particularly from developed and developing economies’ perspectives. The third to the eight chapters explores critical topics and issues in international PPP practices from developed and developing economies perspectives. The topics included in this book are: governments motivations for adopting PPPs, barriers to PPP implementation, measuring PPP project success, risk management in PPPs, causes of conflict and conflict resolution mechanisms in PPPs and management of unsolicited proposals. The ninth chapter presents a comprehensive best practice framework for implementing international PPP projects. This book is useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students in architecture, civil engineering, business, construction and project management, researchers interested in PPP topics, international investors and financiers, public authorities and departments and international development banks. This book provides in-depth insights and understanding on the best practices for PPP from the international perspective especially from the viewpoint of countries with diverse culture and policies. Importantly, readers will be adequately informed of the similarities and differences of PPP practices and processes in developed and developing economies based on empirical evidence. Investors and governments will be informed of the strategic plans and preventive actions to employ when engaging in PPP arrangements in any part of the world.