scholarly journals Main Challenges to Concrete Recycling in Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 11077
Author(s):  
Abdulmalek K. Badraddin ◽  
Rahimi A. Rahman ◽  
Saud Almutairi ◽  
Muneera Esa
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
Recycled Concrete ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Project Cost ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Small Medium Enterprises ◽  
National Programs ◽  
Concrete Recycling

While concrete recycling is crucial to protecting the environment, its implementation in practice is low in many countries. This study aims to highlight challenges to concrete recycling. To achieve that aim, the study objectives are (1) to identify the main challenges to concrete recycling in construction projects; (2) to compare the main challenges between small–medium enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises (LEs); and (3) to determine the underlying groups among the main challenges. Potential challenges were identified through a systematic literature review of journal articles and semi-structured interviews with fifteen industry practitioners. Then, the identified challenges were inserted into a questionnaire survey and distributed to industry practitioners. Eighty-nine valid responses were collected and analyzed using the mean score ranking, normalization, agreement analysis, and factor analysis techniques. The analyses show thirteen main challenges to concrete recycling. The main challenges include increased project duration, lack of national programs, lack of comprehensive rules and regulations, increased project cost, low demand for recycled concrete, low cost-effectiveness of concrete recycling, and increased transportation cost. However, there is no consensus on the criticality between SMEs and LEs. For example, increased project cost is the main challenge for SMEs but is only middlingly ranked for LEs. Finally, the main challenges can be categorized into three interrelated groups: people and technical, legal and environmental, and economic challenges. This study contributes to the literature by analyzing challenges that hinder concrete recycling in practice. The findings allow researchers and practitioners to develop strategies to reduce concrete recycling rejection.

scholarly journals MANAGING CONCRETE WASTES BY IMPLEMENTING CONTEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES IN SRI LANKA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.R. Senarathna ◽  
◽  
B.L.S.H. Perera ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Construction Material ◽  
Value Engineering ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Project Cost ◽  
Main Component ◽  
Precast Elements ◽  
Concrete Recycling

Material waste is one of the main reasons for the client to suffer due to increments in unnecessary costs. Among all construction material wastes, concrete waste highly draws expenses to the project stakeholders. As a main component in construction, the volume of the concrete waste in Sri Lankan construction projects are considerably high, when comparing with the other material wastes. Currently, most of the countries are moving towards the sustainable developments while minimizing concrete waste. Therefore, applying traditional practices to minimize concrete waste have not been successful over the years. The aim of this research study is, to minimize concrete wastes by implementing contemporary practices that assists to reduce the project cost in Sri Lankan construction industry. In order to achieve the aim, comprehensive literature review, a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data in both qualitative and quantitative procedures. The empirical findings revealed that concrete waste has a positive relationship with the project cost. Same time, discovered the drivers and barriers that gains while implementing contemporary practices in Sri Lanka. Concrete recycling, precast elements, lean construction techniques, value engineering methods and few more other contemporary practices were identified that leads to minimize concrete waste. The results from the interviews found that many projects are willing to implement mentioned contemporary practices within their construction projects although there are few barriers. These findings deliver a valuable evidence to the practitioners with an in-depth understanding about the essential necessity of contemporary practices to construction projects.

Post-tensioned concreting: its suitability for and acceptability in Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-735
Author(s):  
Hewa Siliyange Athushla Madhubhashana ◽  
B.A.K.S. Perera ◽  
Colombapatabendige Savindi Ranthika Perera
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Swelling Soils ◽  
Post Tensioned

Purpose Many countries have started to use post-tensioned (PT) concrete because of its sustainability and low cost. However, it is not quite popular in Sri Lanka as the required knowhow and technology are not available within the country. By introducing PT concrete to the country, unwanted costs and time overruns could be eliminated from the construction projects. This paper, therefore, aims to identify the suitability and acceptability of PT concreting for/in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach An extensive literature review was first carried out to gather knowledge on PT concreting. The four case studies that followed it included eight semi-structured interviews and a document review. Ten expert interviews were conducted finally to strengthen the findings of the literature review and case studies. Cross-case analysis and NVivo 11 content analysis software were used to analyze the data gathered. Findings Findings reveal that PT concreting saves cost and time of construction and that it can have a control over the resources required for construction, which makes it environment-friendly. PT concreting allows thinner concrete sections, extended spans, stiffer walls that resist lateral loads and stiffer foundations that resist the effects of shrinking and swelling soils. Originality/value It is found that PT concreting is more suitable for the construction industry in Sri Lanka than traditional concreting.

Sustainable procurement in the Canadian construction industry: challenges and benefits

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 417-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeev Ruparathna ◽  
Kasun Hewage
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Sustainable Procurement ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Harmful Emissions

Disregard of triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability is one of the major drawbacks of current construction procurement practices. Sustainable procurement is an emergent concept that can improve procurement practices and enhance the sustainability performance of the construction industry as a whole. Presently, sustainable procurement is still not fully utilized in the Canadian construction industry. A comprehensive literature review showed that the construction industry is still not fully aware about the benefits of using sustainable procurement or ways of implementing the same. This study evaluates challenges encountered in implementing sustainable procurement in the Canadian construction industry. In addition, this study investigates perceptions of construction professionals on the benefits of using sustainable procurement for construction projects. A country wide questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect required data. A statistical analysis was performed to rank the challenges and benefits of sustainable procurement. Findings from semi-structured interviews were used to validate the results observed in the statistical analysis. This study revealed that lack of funding is the main challenge for implementing sustainable procurement, while reducing harmful emissions and waste generation was identified as the main benefit. It was concluded that the leadership and commitment of the project owners is the key to fully establish sustainable procurement in the Canadian construction industry.

scholarly journals REVIEW ON WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: USE OF SPECTRAL AND BISPECTRAL METHODS / ATLIEKŲ TVARKYMO SISTEMŲ HONKONGO STATYBŲ SEKTORIUJE APŽVALGA: SPEKTRINIO IR BISPEKTRINIO METODŲ TAIKYMAS

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian W. Y. Tam ◽  
Khoa N. Le ◽  
S. X. Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Waste ◽  
Building Components ◽  
Concrete Recycling

The Hong Kong government has implemented various measures to reduce waste, including a waste disposal ordinance, a green manager scheme, a waste reduction framework plan, a pilot concrete recycling plant, waste management systems and a landfill charging scheme. However, there are difficulties in implementing the waste management systems for contractors. This paper examines the existing implementation of waste management systems in the Hong Kong construction industry. Major sources of construction waste, awareness to install environment-friendly activities, benefits, difficulties and recommendations in the implementation of waste management systems are discussed. Questionnaire survey and structured interviews are conducted. Power spectra and bispectra of the survey data are introduced to assess the implementation of the existing waste management systems. It is found that formwork and temporary hoardings are the major sources of construction waste. Improving environmental performance is ranked as the least project scope for construction projects. “Propose methods for reducing waste” is the major benefit gained. However, “Lack of well-known effective waste management methods” is the major difficulty encountered by organisations. “Use of metal formwork”, “Use of prefabricated building components” and “Use of non-timber hoarding” are the recommended methods to improve the existing implementation of waste management systems. Santrauka Honkongo valdžia įdiegė įvairių priemonių atliekų kiekiui mažinti, įskaitant atliekų šalinimo potvarkį, žaliojo tvarkytojo planą, bendrąjį atliekų mažinimo planą, bandomąją betono perdirbimo gamyklą, atliekų tvarkymo sistemas ir sąvartyno mokesčių planą. Tačiau diegiant atliekų tvarkymo sistemas rangovams kyla sunkumų. Šiame darbe nagrinėjamos Honkongo statybų sektoriuje jau diegiamos atliekų tvarkymo sistemos. Aptariami pagrindiniai statybinių atliekų šaltiniai, žinios apie galimą aplinkai nekenksmingą veiklą, taip pat atliekų tvarkymo sistemų diegimo nauda, sunkumai ir rekomendacijos. Atliekamos anketinės apklausos ir nustatytos struktūros pokalbiai. Pasitelkus per apklausas surinktų duomenų galios spektrus ir bispektrus, įvertinamas esamų atliekų tvarkymo sistemų diegimas. Nustatoma, kad pagrindiniai statybinių atliekų šaltiniai – klojiniai ir laikinos tvoros. Aplinkosaugos charakteristikų gerinimas statybos projektuose laikomas mažiausia projekto dalimi. Pagrindinė gauta nauda – siūlomi atliekų kiekio mažinimo metodai. Tačiau didžiausias organizacijoms kylantis sunkumas – žinomų efektyvių atliekų tvarkymo metodų stoka. Gerinant šiuo metu diegiamas atliekų tvarkymo sistemas, rekomenduojama taikyti tokius metodus: metalinius klojinius, surenkamuosius statinių elementus ir laikinas tvoras ne iš medžio.

Reintegration of Ex-Offenders Convicted of Violent Crimes into the Community in the Iranian Context: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2110226
Author(s):  
Mohammad Sabzi Khoshnami ◽  
Fardin Alipour ◽  
Maliheh Arshi ◽  
Hassan Rafiey ◽  
Mohhamad Hossein Javadi
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Violent Crimes ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Improved Outcomes ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Reducing Recidivism ◽  
Iranian Context

Community reintegration of ex-offenders is a main issue for reducing recidivism. This article aims to explain the process of reintegration into the community based on the experiences of people who have been convicted of violent crimes in Iran. A qualitative study based on grounded theory was conducted in 2020 in Tehran/Iran. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 26 participants. An institutional review board approved the study. Results indicate that the “worry trap” is the main challenge that those convicted of violent crimes face upon reentry into society. If these individuals are provided with governmental and non-governmental services and support, they can move toward “restoring their lost social capital.” The “redefinition of an independent identity” is a consequence of released individuals’ struggle to restore their lost social capital. Further research exploring the causality of social capital and improved outcomes after release from prison and reentry to community is needed.

scholarly journals Innovative Use of Low-Cost Digitisation for Smart Information Systems in Construction Projects

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 270
Author(s):  
Mostafa Babaeian Jelodar ◽  
Feiya Shu
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Expert Interviews ◽  
Human Intervention ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Is Development

The low-level application of digital tools and information systems in construction implies that many projects cannot meet modern requirements and standard of work of advanced industries. This study adopts a practical and diagnostic approach to identify key attributes and implementation processes of information systems in construction and logistics. To have triangulation of knowledge, a three-step methodology is adopted. Initially an exploratory analysis of previous literature is performed. Secondly a diagnostic analysis of IS applications in construction is achieved by case studies. Finally, expert interviews are performed to examine and consolidate the findings. The study illustrated practical and innovative applications of low-cost digital tools in IS development and created a framework for documentation of these discrete and mostly unshared practices. It is recommended that the construction sector should embrace more advance technologies to minimise human intervention and enhance real-time capabilities. The practicality of how different low-cost and off-the-shelf tools and digital platforms can be combined is discussed and demonstrated. The study provides a clear distinction for practitioners and academics as to what is being practiced in comparison to the dominant theories.

scholarly journals Video-Based Intervention for Improving Maternal Retention and Adherence to HIV Treatment: Patient Perspectives and Experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1737
Author(s):  
Steven Masiano ◽  
Edwin Machine ◽  
Mtisunge Mphande ◽  
Christine Markham ◽  
Tapiwa Tembo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Retention In Hiv Care

VITAL Start is a video-based intervention aimed to improve maternal retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Malawi. We explored the experiences of pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV) not yet on ART who received VITAL Start before ART initiation to assess the intervention’s acceptability, feasibility, fidelity of delivery, and perceived impact. Between February and September 2019, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of 34 PWLHIV within one month of receiving VITAL Start. The participants reported that VITAL Start was acceptable and feasible and had good fidelity of delivery. They also reported that the video had a positive impact on their lives, encouraging them to disclose their HIV status to their sexual partners who, in turn, supported them to adhere to ART. The participants suggested using a similar intervention to provide health-related education/counseling to people with long term conditions. Our findings suggest that video-based interventions may be an acceptable, feasible approach to optimizing ART retention and adherence amongst PWLHIV, and they can be delivered with high fidelity. Further exploration of the utility of low cost, scalable, video-based interventions to address health counseling gaps in sub-Saharan Africa is warranted.

Research Status and Prospect of Recycling of Waste Concrete for Sustainable Development

2013 ◽  
Vol 791-793 ◽  
pp. 335-337
Author(s):  
Chao You ◽  
Guan Jun Liang ◽  
Yong Xiang Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Engineering Application ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Recycled Concrete ◽  
Research Status ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Waste Concrete ◽  
Drying Up ◽  
Concrete Recycling

In modern society, the development of urbanization process makes the increasing waste concrete and natural aggregate resource increasingly drying up. Recycled concrete research has become the inevitable development of society. This paper briefly introduces the research status of waste concrete recycling, and points out the current waste engineering application research status and existing problems of the concrete utilization. The industrialization of recycled concrete is in accordance with the needs of environmental protection and sustainable development strategy.

An empirical study on non-physical waste factors in the construction industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Igwe ◽  
Fuzhan Nasiri ◽  
Amin Hammad
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Planning And Scheduling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Normality Test ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Human Material

PurposeThis study highlights the findings of an empirical study to investigate waste factors (WFs) affecting the performance and delivery of construction projects in developing countries. The objectives of this study are to identify non-physical WFs in developing nations and rank the identified factors based on their degree of influence on the key performance indicators (KPIs) of cost, quality and time.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 34 WFs were identified through a detailed literature review and consolidated using semi-structured interviews with construction practitioners. The statistical analysis involved a normality test using the Shapiro–Wilk test to determine if sample data have been drawn from a normally distributed population, ranking the WFs using the Frequency Index (FI), Severity Index (SI) and Importance Index (IMPI), ranking the WFs based on their effect on the project KPIs of cost, quality and time, and identify clustering structures for the identified WFs to using factor analysis (FA).FindingsThe results revealed ineffective planning and scheduling, rework/repair of defective work and resource quality problems (human, material and equipment) as the three most important WFs affecting construction projects. The factor analyses showed that WFs can be grouped into five interrelated components, suggesting the need for integrated and holistic strategies to overcome the identified WF.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the effects of WFs on construction projects is a first step towards designing holistic solutions to ensuring projects deliver value to the clients and other stakeholders. The findings of this study provide direction to construction practitioners on where to focus appropriate strategies to manage the identified WFs effectively and, therefore, improve the productivity of construction projects.Originality/valueThis study provides the first holistic analysis of WFs affecting the productivity of construction projects in developing countries.

scholarly journals Quality perception of organically grown tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in Vienna, Austria

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-20
Author(s):  
PK Ng’ang’a ◽  
CR Vogl
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Sweet Taste ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Quality Perception ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Human Health Damage ◽  
The Government ◽  
Organically Grown

Austria is one of the major organic tomato producing countries for local and export marketing. These tomatoes are produced in parts of Austria especially around Vienna where their production system has to meet stringent organic quality standards in both local and international markets. These quality standards may put considerable strain on farmers and are normally formulated without famers’ participation so may not be wholly representative of the farmers’ quality interpretation. The aim of this paper is therefore to determine the Austrian organic tomatoes growers’ perception and practice of quality and challenges. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out among 28 organic tomatoes farmers in Vienna, Austria. Findings suggest that quality of organic tomatoes is mainly perceived in terms of both informal values (big fruit size, long shelf life, food security and amount of income received from tomato sales) as well as formal norms (non- application of chemicals, human health, damage free, sweet taste, red colour, and juiciness). There were no gendered differences in quality perception among the growers. High costs of production inputs were identified as the main challenge to attaining quality in organic tomatoes. Following these findings, there is need for effective participation of growers in formulation of standards as well as subsidizing of production inputs by the government. The Austrian tomato growers as well as local and international retailers should work closely to increase the price received by the Austrian organic tomato growers so that it more adequately covers their production costs.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 5 (2): 16-20, December, 2015

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