Shakantu, W; Muya, M; Tookey, J and Bowen, P (2008) Flow modelling of construction site materials and waste logistics: A case study from Cape Town, South Africa. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 15(5), pp. 423-439. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to determine the nature and extent of the current practice of logistics in the construction industry and to investigate the utility of reverse logistics in a construction context. Design/methodology/approach - A pilot study was utilised to devise a method for the identification and measurement of parameters for incorporation within a process of construction site logistics optimisation. Data on vehicular movements were collected from seven sites in Cape Town. The data were used to design a flow model of material delivery and waste removal vehicular movements. Findings - The results showed that in terms of transport distribution, of all vehicle movements observed, 62.6 per cent were classified as material delivery and 26.3 per cent as construction and demolition (C&D) waste removal. This ratio approximates to 2.4 materials delivery journeys to one waste removal journey. An optimised integrated materials delivery and waste removal logistics model is presented. Practical implications - The research has highlighted the potential for integration of building materials and C&D waste logistics. Based on the ratio of 2.4:1, up to 26.3 per cent of vehicular movements transiting sites could be eliminated by allowing material delivery vehicles to back-haul waste to points of disposal, reuse or reclamation. Originality/value - The potential use of "reverse logistics" in a construction context is demonstrated, as is the scope for the utilisation of spare capacity through the application of the reverse logistics concept and the possible reduction in unit costs and numbers of empty vehicular movements.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction materials; distribution management; South Africa; waste |
| Index terms: | construction material, building material, construction industry, modelling, reverse logistics, case study, methodology, integration, reclamation, South Africa, unit cost, movement, construction site, construction and demolition |
| Subjects: | analytical methods, financial and cost management, building materials, work location, waste management, health behaviours and lifestyles, data collection methods, industry analysis, organizational analysis, Geography, land management, research methods, supply chain operations |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Site Management, Supply Chain Management, Design Practice, Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Cost Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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