JournalTOCs

International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering and Technology
Number of Followers: 9

This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 2180-3242
Published by Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

[4 journals]

Numerical Modeling of Sandy Subgrade Reinforcement by Deep Soil Mixing
from Ceramic Industries Wastewater Additive
- Authors: Hamed Heidari Firouzabadi, Mohammad Mehdi Khabiri, Kazem Barkhordari Bafghi
  Pages: 1 - 7
  Abstract: Todays, development of road transportation and settlement of roads on different subgrade are problems of pavement industry. Desert and beach sands in different parts of the world are the results of load bearing, instability and failure against shear stresses. In other points of view, industries produce different wastewaters whose entrance to the natural environment results in environmental problems. This study utilizes numerical models to improve roadbeds made in sandy areas using ceramic industries wastewater. The goal is to investigate the application of experiment results of mixing ceramic industries wastewater, cement and dune sands in different geometrical models of reinforcing weak subgrade. The analysis of pavement reaction has been modeled in software. Using modeling of refined sand as subgrade or pavement layers stabilizer, surface layer settlement was calculated. The maximum settlement calculated from the modeling was compared with international standards.
  PubDate: 2021-02-02
  Issue No: Vol. 11, No. 4 (2021)
Determination of the Bearing Capacity of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular
Structures Coupled with Dismountable Joints
- Authors: P. Semko, G. Gasii
  Pages: 8 - 17
  Abstract: The analysis method of the bearing capacity of concrete-filled steel tubular structures coupled with dismountable joints is presented (in particular elements with flange joints, and longitudinal ribs joints, and steel coupling joints). With the help of the above way, the curves of the bearing capacity of the dismountable joints are plotted. The comparison was made to determine the most optimal joints from presented.
  PubDate: 2021-02-02
  Issue No: Vol. 11, No. 4 (2021)
External Factors of Delay that Affect the Performance of International
Construction Contractors in Kuwait
- Authors: Ahmed Atif Hussein Hamouda
  Pages: 18 - 33
  Abstract: As the construction industry in Kuwait develops, the need for international contractors to handle and manage these projects rises as well. Currently, 70% of the projects in Kuwait get delayed, some by internal factors, and some by external ones. Thus, the purpose of this research is to provide a framework for international construction contractors in Kuwait regarding the external factors of delay that they might face in their projects. External factors of delay are a newly generated type of delays that represent all the delays that are beyond the contractor’s control and cannot be anticipated in the project. In this research, the most important and frequently occurring external factors of delay were extracted and discussed with 15 project management professionals to elaborate their perspectives and construct a survey to evaluate the impact and frequency of these delaying factors in the construction industry in Kuwait. This survey was distributed to 80 project management practitioners; then, the outcomes were analyzed by using the Relative Importance Index methodology to rank the effect of the examined delaying factors. Hence this research will provide international construction contractors with an illustration of the delaying factors that they should focus on and the ones they can pay less attention to them.
  PubDate: 2021-02-02
  Issue No: Vol. 11, No. 4 (2021)
Assessment on Strength Characteristics of Microbial Concrete by using
Bacillus Subtilis as Self-healing Agent: A Critical Review
- Authors: Sudipto Nath Priyom, Md. Moinul Ismal, Wahhida Shumi
  Pages: 34 - 44
  Abstract: Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials by mankind and it is the main material used for the infrastructure development of every country. Microbial concrete, as the name suggest is an improvisation provided to cement using living microbes which are capable of doing so. Using microbes such as Bacillus subtilis which has the properties of bio-calcification can secrete calcium carbonate as an extra cellular product. Thus, filling the pores and the cracks internally, it makes the structure more compact and resistive to seepage. In this experimental investigation, the performance of microbial concrete exposed to plain water. Concrete specimens of 100 mm cubical size were cast and cured for 7, 14, 28, 60, 90 days in plain water with and without using bacterial water. Using a spectrophotometer to measure the optical density at 600 nm (OD600) of a bacterial culture to monitor bacterial growth has always been a central technique in microbiology. Concrete specimens having OD600 0.107, 0.20, 0.637 and 1.221 have been studied in plain water. The specimens were taken out periodically and subjected to compressive & tensile strength tests. From the investigation, it has been revealed that microbial concrete having OD600 0.637 shows better resistance against strength deterioration under all curing conditions and curing ages. Concrete specimens were also subjected to Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) test. From this test, it has been observed that specimens having OD600 0.637 shows better velocity. The higher pulse velocity can therefore be used to assess the quality and uniformity of the material
  PubDate: 2021-02-02
  Issue No: Vol. 11, No. 4 (2021)
Assessing Causes of Contractual Disputes from Different Type of Condition
of Contracts
- Authors: Roziha Che Haron, Md Asrul Nasid Masrom, Khairani Kamal
  Pages: 45 - 59
  Abstract: In a construction industry, a Condition of Contract (CoC) is primarily used to ensure a project can be delivered successfully with minimum disputes. The contractual disputes rooted from many factors, including from the improper management of conflict between parties in the project, misinterpretation of the CoC, lack of documentation, and discrepancies and ambiguities of documents which may lead to as cost overruns, project delay and project cashflow. Thus, a comprehensive CoC plays a significant role to express the rights and obligations of the main contracting parties. CoC functions in stating to each party on what they shall do and to the extent of their entitlement of rights and obligations under the contract. Despite having various of published CoC such as PAM Contract and series of PWD Form of Contract to govern the construction projects, numerous construction cases in relation to contractual disputes are still increasing over the years and there has been little discussion about the causes of disputes. It indicates the ineffectiveness of the contract provision in the CoC. Hence, this study presents thorough review of the disputes occurs in the construction industry by outlining the issues raised in the court cases. This scenario has paved this paper to achieve the objectives of the research, including to identify the factors attribute to the construction dispute and to investigate the provision in CoC that caused the contractual disputes. The data collection used was mainly through literature synthesis and surveys. The results revealed that there are five attributes of construction disputes. The findings of the paper would be beneficial to practitioners in increasing their awareness of the flaws in the CoC and could be helpful in mitigating the disputes.
  PubDate: 2021-02-02
  Issue No: Vol. 11, No. 4 (2021)
Green Building Rating Systems and Construction Waste in High Density Urban
Environment: The Case Study of Hong Kong
- Authors: Lara Jaillon, Chi-Sun Poon, Yan Yu Chan, Ming Wai Lee, Xiaolei Cai
  Pages: 60 - 76
  Abstract: Hong Kong, as many other countries, is currently facing a waste management crisis with the shortage of reclamation sites and landfill space. Examination of construction waste management (CWM) criteria within Hong Kong’s BEAM Plus is limited and lacking. In this paper, CWM criteria were assessed and a case study was conducted on a recent project, pursuing BEAM Plus, to assess the effectiveness of CWM criteria to facilitate waste reduction. The findings revealed that the overall impact of BEAM Plus on construction waste reduction is negligible. The case study showed that the reasons material/waste-related credits are not commonly attempted is due to the lack of minimum thresholds and a low weighting relative to credits in other categories. In the case study, waste generated per constructed floor area was 0.21 tons/m2. This paper also makes recommendations to improve CWM criteria in BEAM Plus in order to promote a more sustainable building industry.
  PubDate: 2021-02-02
  Issue No: Vol. 11, No. 4 (2021)
The Implementation of Knowledge Management in Conservation Construction
Firms: An Empirical Study on Organisational Readiness
- Authors: Shardy Abdullah, Arman Abdul Razak, Suriatini Ismail
  Pages: 77 - 89
  Abstract: The difficulty and complexity of implementing conservation projects on Malaysian heritage buildings have led to construction firms to be more innovative in integrating the implementation process with other concepts from various different disciplines and fields. In this study, the need to implement knowledge management among the conservation construction firms is seen to be a significant aspect, particularly to enable these firms to optimize the available knowledge among the workers in order to remain competitive. However, studies related to the level of exposure as well as discussions of knowledge management implementation in conservation construction firms in Malaysia are extremely limited. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of readiness among conservation construction firms towards the implementation of knowledge management in their organisations as well as to evaluate the relationship between organisational readiness with the readiness components. The data needed for this study was collected through a survey, where a specific questionnaire was designed and distributed to selected employees working in conservation construction firms. The main finding of this study shows that the level of readiness among most of these conservation construction firms is relatively good where it has been proven that these firms are capable of realizing the implementation of knowledge management in their respective organizations. The study findings also reveal that there is a strong relationship between organisational readiness with all readiness components that had been tested within this study.
  PubDate: 2021-02-02
  Issue No: Vol. 11, No. 4 (2021)
Ferrock: A Carbon Negative Sustainable Concrete
- Authors: Niveditha M, Y M Manjunath, Setting H S Prasanna
  Pages: 90 - 98
  Abstract: In this fast-growing world, people are focusing on the infrastructural development, where construction sector plays an important role. Cement is the most prominent material being used in construction that emits approximately 6-8% of the total carbon dioxide in the world during its production which is the major constituent of global warming. Thus, focusing on the carbon emission reduction and also utilization of the waste products for a better environment, a product named Ferrock was constituted. This paper is a review over a product that is stepping towards carbon negativity and waste management. It shows the best usage of iron ore waste powder obtained during the mining process that is just dumped away from the mines, causing air pollution, health hazards and also consuming larger area. The product indirectly reduces the carbon dioxide released by its unique strength gaining mechanism, which is in contrary with that of the cement and thus stands out among many other supplements of cement. Ferrock involves a curing process with carbonation and air curing in varied number of days for better strength in terms of compression, tensile strengths and achieving desirable properties. Ferrock is thus a more promising eco friendlier binding material in terms of its carbon negativity and in best usage of the waste.
  PubDate: 2021-02-02
  Issue No: Vol. 11, No. 4 (2021)
Quality Assurance in Testing of Highway Materials in Pakistan
- Authors: Abdul Sami Qureshi, Shakeel Ahmed Soomro, Nafees Ahmed Memon
  Pages: 99 - 108
  Abstract: In Pakistan three modes of transportation are usually used. It is believed that road sector is the major source of transport, which carries about 92 percent of travelers and 96 percent of cargo traffic. There are various factors which may cause the deterioration of pavement such as inadequate drainage, frost action, unsatisfactory compaction and overloading etc. One of the important factors seriously affecting the pavement performance is quality of material. Although some research work has been carried out related to use of required quality materials in highway construction; however, limited research has been done related to quality assurance in testing of highway materials in commercial laboratories. As the approval of material usage mainly depends upon testing reports provided by laboratories, therefore poor quality assurance system of testing laboratories may have adverse effect on material approvals. Rapid growth of population in Pakistan demands expansions in highway constructions; therefore, assessment and improvement of quality assurance will ensure proper usage of required quality materials. In the above mentioned context assessment of few commercial laboratories involved in highway material testing was done in comparison to public sector laboratory. The results indicate that there are significant variations in test results carried out at different commercial laboratories. Based on the assessment the study highlights the improvement areas to raise the standard of quality assurance in highway material testing in Pakistan.
  PubDate: 2021-02-02
  Issue No: Vol. 11, No. 4 (2021)