Climatic effects on construction

Koehn, E and Brown, G (1985) Climatic effects on construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 111(2), pp. 129-137. ISSN 0733-9364

Abstract

The results of an investigation designed to determine the relationship between overall construction productivity, and temperature and humidity are presented. Data from the following activities or crafts, or both, were employed: excavation (manual), erection, masonry, electrical, carpentry, laborers, and excavation (equipment). Two nonlinear equations were determined, one for cold or cool weather (R2 = 0.62) and another for hot or warm weather (R2 = 0.64). The overall findings indicate that below –10° F and above 110° F it is difficult to achieve efficient construction operations. In addition to productivity data, the health hazards, possible preventive measures, and acclimatization of workers to severe environments are examined.

Item Type: Article
Index terms: productivity, construction operation, investigation, humidity, construction productivity, health hazard, excavation, acclimatization, weather
Subjects: data collection methods, air quality, human factors, climate science, operations management, construction operations, management, environmental hazards
Topics: Site Management, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles
Descriptive scope: 3 PCA

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