Jarkas, A M (2010) Buildability factors influencing formwork labour productivity of isolated foundations. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 8(3), pp. 274-295. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this paper is to investigate the effects and relative influence of: grid patterns; variability of foundation sizes; total surface area; and average surface area, on formwork labour productivity of isolated foundations. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve this objective, a sufficiently large volume of productivity data were collected and analyzed at both levels; macro, and micro, using the linear regression method. As a result, the effects and relative influence of the investigated factors on formwork labour productivity are determined and quantified. Findings: The findings show significant impacts of the buildability factors investigated on formwork labour productivity, and substantiate the importance of applying the rationalization and standardization concepts to the design stage of construction projects. Research limitations/implications: Further research into the effects of buildability factors on formwork, and other related trades of in situ reinforced concrete material, i.e. rebar fixing/installation and concreting, labour productivity, which are common to other structural elements and activities such as, grade/ground beams, columns, walls, beams, and slabs, is recommended, so that the related findings can ultimately be used to develop an automated "Buildability Design Support System" to formalize the buildability knowledge of reinforced concrete construction projects. Practical implications: The outcomes of this research provide designers with feedback on how well their designs consider the requirements of buildability principles, and the tangible consequences of their decisions on labour productivity. In addition, practical recommendations deduced from the findings are presented, which upon implementation, can improve the buildability level of this activity, hence translate into higher labour efficiency and lower labour costs. On the other hand, the depicted patterns may provide guidance to construction managers for effective activity planning and efficient labour utilization. Originality/value: The findings fill a gap in buildability knowledge and its influence on formwork labour productivity of an important, labour intensive, activity within the in situ reinforced concrete construction projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | concretes; foundations; labour; productivity rate; standardization |
| Index terms: | labour productivity, rebar, in-situ, beam, labour cost, standardization, variability, foundations, implementation, efficiency, designer, formwork, productivity, reinforced concrete, design stage, construction manager, construction project, concreting, methodology, labour utilization, buildability, reinforced concrete construction, column |
| Subjects: | profession, building materials, professional practice, contractual arrangements, management, structural engineering, performance measurement, research methods, performance management, production management, building construction, design efficiency, cost management, statistical analysis |
| Topics: | Project Management, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Procurement, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Human Resources, Quality Management, Design Practice, Site Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here