Mohamed, Y and AbouRizk, S (2005) Application of the theory of inventive problem solving in tunnel construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 131(10), pp. 1099-1108. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Despite the importance of innovation in construction, there is no structured approach to systematically support innovation. The theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) provides a unique approach for structuring the development of innovative solutions for technical problems and has the potential for substantial results in construction innovation if used properly. This paper describes TRIZ and introduces its tools through applications in the field of utility tunnel construction. This paper describes how TRIZ tools can be used to generate conceptual solutions to a number of tunnel construction problems. In order to assess the practicality of the TRIZ analysis, the proposed solutions are compared to recent innovations in the field and actual solutions developed by experts. The comparison shows that although TRIZ tools were used by nonexperts in the tunneling field they included most of the features that exist in solutions developed by experts and were also able to point to technologies that are not yet widely used in the tunneling industry. The use of TRIZ in these applications showed that despite the advantages of the theory, further research and supporting tools are required to facilitate its day-to-day use in the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | algorithms; innovation; theories; tunnel construction; tunneling |
| Index terms: | tunnel construction, construction industry, TRIZ, problem solving, construction innovation |
| Subjects: | decision-making and reasoning, civil engineering, industry analysis, building construction, problem-solving |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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