Bijleveld, Frank (2015) Professionalising the asphalt construction process: Aligning information technologies, operators' knowledge and laboratory practices. PhD thesis, University of Twente, Netherlands.
Abstract
This research addresses the need to professionalise the asphalt construction process. A distinctive action research strategy is designed and carried out to progressively improve operational strategies of asphalt teams from technological, human (operator) and laboratory perspectives. Using information technologies, such as GPS, a laser-linescanner, and infrared cameras, the on-site construction process in made explicit. More than thirty asphalt construction projects are systematically monitored and mapped demonstrating the extent of process variability. By organising feedback sessions with asphalt teams, the tacit operators' knowledge is extracted. In the laboratory, the monitored process is simulated and compaction procedures are developed to evaluate and design the process. This research provides methods for researchers and practitioners to implement technologies, analyse operational strategies of asphalt teams and their effects on asphalt quality, design the asphalt construction process and enhance reflective and method-based practices. This is an important step that leads to construction process improvements, more consistent asphalt quality, and more professional operators and companies. Together, this research contributes to a professional asphalt construction process and to better constructed asphalt roads.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Dorée, Andries G; Miller, Seirgei Rosario and Hartmann, Timo |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | asphalt construction; process variability; action research; information technology; global positioning system; infrared cameras; process monitoring; operator knowledge; quality control; process design |
| Index terms: | laboratory, variability, action research, quality control, strategy, construction project, process design, construction process, practitioner, monitoring, information technology |
| Subjects: | design methods, computing systems, research management, management, project delivery, statistical analysis, production management, building construction, practitioner, data collection methods, control systems |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Research Practice, Project Management, Site Management, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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