Hamzeh, F; Abdul, G O; Saleh, B M B and Abbas, Y (2017) Modular concrete construction: The differing perspectives of designers, manufacturers, and contractors in Lebanon. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 24(6), pp. 935-949. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose This study evaluates the enablers and barriers for modular concrete construction in Lebanon. The purpose of this paper is to investigate various factors (time, cost, technical know-how, organizational, sustainability, etc.) and their influence on the choice of the construction method. The paper examines the different assessments of designers, manufacturers, and contractors regarding precast construction in comparison to traditional in-situ methods, and highlights the major differences in their views. Design/methodology/approach Structured face-to-face surveys were conducted with top management personnel of precast manufacturers, architectural and engineering firms, and contracting companies in Lebanon. In addition, a case study from the largest precast project in Lebanon was used to provide a deeper understanding of factors encouraging the use of precast concrete, and to highlight major onsite issues associated with its implementation. Findings On the one hand, the findings highlight technical, logistical, organizational, and cultural factors that inhibit the use of precast concrete as a construction method. On the other hand, results reveal that cost, time, sustainability, and flexibility factors are the main enablers for increasing the uptake of modular concrete construction. Originality/value The main contribution to knowledge is that this study presents different stakeholders' perspectives on precast concrete construction. Moreover, this is the first research addressing precast concrete construction in the Middle East and Lebanon. The results of the study provide valuable global insights and recommendations that may help increase the uptake of precast concrete construction. They can also guide project stakeholders to properly match project characteristics and precast concrete as a construction method.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | developing countries; construction; construction management; construction systems; concretes; construction engineering |
| Index terms: | construction system, Lebanon, project stakeholder, methodology, top management, concrete construction, construction method, survey, face, engineering firm, Middle East, personnel, manufacturer, developing country, implementation, precast concrete, in-situ, construction engineering, designer, case study, onsite |
| Subjects: | physical geography and landforms, management, research methods, engineering methods, firms, Geography, development economics, sociology, building construction, profession, data collection methods, practitioner, psychology, building materials, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Human Resources, International Construction, Organizational Design, Site Management, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Construction Materials, Construction Technology, Procurement, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder 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