Esther Obonyo

Enhancing performance: a case study of the effects of employee coaching in construction practice

The contemporary practice of coaching in the business world entails engaging accredited professionals to enhance the performance of employees. A key problem impeding the widespread adoption of coaching is the lack of empirical research supporting the effectiveness of implemented programmes and the returns on investment. The benefits of coaching are assessed from the perspective of employees. Data were collected through a case study of an employee coaching programme within a large, multinational construction company. The programme had significantly enhanced the employees’ personal and professional growth and development. It had also increased their motivation levels and loyalty to the company.

Effect of polypropylene fiber length on the flexural and compressive strength of compressed stabilized earth blocks

Earthen masonry is generally brittle, weak and poor in damage resilience. There is historic evidence that natural fibers such as straw and horsehair have been used to reinforce earthen masonry to prevent desiccation cracks and improve tensile strength. However, fibers have also been known to negatively affect mechanical properties such as compressive strength (an important quality control parameter for load bearing masonry) by creating voids and lowering density. This paper reports on findings of a study directed at investigating the feasibility of avoiding such problems in compressed and stabilized earth blocks through optimizing the fiber length when using soil from Newberry, Florida. Standard polypropylene fibers were selected for the study. The two different lengths of fibers studied were 54 mm and 27 mm. The test results showed a general improvement in compressive strength of the fiber reinforced matrices compared to the unreinforced ones. While an improvement in modulus of rupture (MOR) was observed for matrices reinforced with 54 mm fibers, results varied for the other fiber-reinforced matrices. An improvement in post-initial crack behavior was observed for all fiber-reinforced matrices compared to the unreinforced ones. The 54 mm fibers yielded the best results based on the influence on MOR, compressive strength, and deformability compared to the other matrices. INTRODUCTION Earth has been used as a construction material since early civilization. Adobe, molded earth, wattle and daub, and cob are all forms of earthen construction that have been in existence for centuries. Globally, about a third of the human population resides in earthen shelters. In developing countries, the number is estimated to be as high as 50% (Minke, 2009).The use of locally available materials is highly encouraged by proponents of the green building movement. It is generally accepted that earthen masonry is a green material considering that at it uses indigenous soils 661 Construction Research Congress 2014 ©ASCE 2014

Design of Compressed Stabilized Earthen Wall Systems for High-Wind Resistant Residential Unit Construction

Compressed and stabilized earthen masonry (CSEM) offers a sustainable, affordable, and locally appropriate alternative to traditional residential construction. In a National Science Foundation funded project carried out by the authors, the suitability of engineered earthen construction in high-wind climates as the main wind force resisting system (MWFRS) is investigated. The fundamental research program includes experimental investigations on the material properties of cement stabilized earth blocks, mortars, and assemblies. However, the particular subject of this paper is the remaining research gap with respect to available design processes and construction details in material-specific and general design codes and guidelines. In this project, this gap in knowledge is addressed by using the experimentally determined material characteristics and traditional reinforced masonry design methods to develop high-wind resistant wall systems using CSEM. Various reinforced double wythe CSEM wall system alternatives are proposed with roof-to-wall and wall-to-foundation connections and wall section details. Also, due to CSEM assemblies not meeting minimum strength requirements, bond beam designs made of CSEB units and CMU are proposed.

Enhancing Intelligent Knowledge Systems Using Organization-Centered Agent Models

AbstractMany construction industry–specific, agent-based applications have been deployed to enhance knowledge systems. These applications are generally agent-centered multi-agent systems (ACMAS). Interaction between ACMAS agents is designed around the internal mental states of an agent and the relationship between these states and its overall behavior. Communication in this approach comprises speech acts whose meaning can be described in terms of the mental states of an agent. This interaction protocol makes it difficult for agents that have been implemented using different approaches to communicate. This paper reviews the potential for addressing this limitation through using organization-centered multi-agent systems (OCMAS) in which agent interaction is designed around macro-level concepts such as organizations, groups, communities, and roles. Although the use of organizational metaphors in agent-based application is still in its infancy, there are some emerging modeling tools that can be used to advanc...

Towards a Data-Driven Approach to Injury Prevention in Construction

The research discussed in this paper is part of a project directed at increasing productivity in construction through mitigating the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD). Postures and activities recognition through motion capturing techniques have shown promising potential for monitoring, assessing, and reducing such risks. Current motion sensing systems require a complex whole-body senor placement to capture and recognize construction activities, which limits the practicality and requires great computational effort. This challenge can be addressed through using a machine learning approach that recognizes specific activities from human motion data. The feasibility of reducing the computational effort through using fewer sensors rather than whole-body sensor placement was assessed through a case study. Five sensors were placed in targeted motion areas. The authors propose a novel automatic model configuration process to improve recognition performance under the selected sensor placement. It is based on designing optimal combination of data segmentation window size, feature sets, and classification algorithms for a specific set of injury-prone construction activities. The proposed approach achieved an average overall recognition accuracy of 0.81 and 0.74 for two sets of activities. The recognition model operation time is also reduced to less than 0.01 s under the proposed approach. In this initial case study, the model configuration process was developed iteratively based on the output from the test case. In subsequent efforts, the authors will develop a generic activity recognition model with predefined rules and criteria. This will further accelerate and automate the model configuration process.

Conclusions – summary, the status quo and future trends

May 2011 witnessed the UK Government’s commitment to support a transformation of the construction industry through the launch of their Construction Strategy (2011), which mandates BIM (Level 2) on all public procured projects by 2016. Since its launch the UK construction sector has witnessed a momentum build in the awareness and adoption of BIM. The 2014 NBS report indicates an increase in the awareness and current use of BIM from 13% in 2010 to 54% in 2013 with a decrease in neither being aware of BIM nor using from 43% in 2010 to 5% in 2013. However, the report also identified that one of the key barriers for wider adoption perceived by the industry is the lack of clients demanding BIM, which is considered in part due to limited/no awareness/understanding of and drive for BIM, i.e. clients being uninformed. This chapter aims to explore the BIM journey so far of a local authority public sector client, Manchester City Council (MCC), and to show the transition from being an uninformed client to becoming an informed client through collaborative engagement with their supply chain on the prestige exemplar Manchester Central Library and Town Hall Extension project. The influences of key decisions during this journey and on behaviours that enhance collaboration and cooperation in understanding of BIM requirements are discussed. Furthermore, the challenges, drivers and enablers as well as the key roles, e.g. a visionary champion are explored. Two empirical studies with a local university to that measured improvements of their BIM maturity and capability, which served as a further driver for MCC in their adoption of BIM are presented. Lessons learned from the project, recognised as an exemplar, and which are being transferred to other projects are shared, and finally recommendations are provided.Given the fact that construction sites comprise dynamic and unstructured work environments and hazardous work settings, it necessitates the use of intelligent ways to support mobile construction workers. In recent years, there have been significant developments in technologies such as information systems, cloud computing, wireless networking and mobile technologies, which can assist to better integrate mobile construction workforce. Recent advances in Mobile Information Technology include improved wireless bandwidth, better quality of service, low cost, higher processing power and battery life, and hardware to support real-time connectivity. These advances enable better data sharing, which has become a trigger for growth in mobile computing. This chapter reviews evolution and key drivers of mobile computing within construction. This is followed by a discussion on the need for integration between various project stakeholders is highlighted, to ensure smooth flow of information between project participants. Relevant research in the area and case studies on how various construction production management activities are supported using mobile computing is presented. Recent developments in the area of cloud computing and Building Information Modelling and emerging application scenarios in field data collaboration, co-ordination, production support, building handover and facilities management are discussed. A prototype architecture and demonstrator illustrating use of mobile web services, Internet of Things for on-site environmental services monitoring is presented. Conclusions are drawn on future possible impact of emerging mobile technologies on the construction industry.This chapter provides the concluding highlights of this book. Many past studies conducted in the construction industry confirm the positive impact of utilising ICTs, with an improving effect on costs, scheduling and quality. The various sections and chapters of this book presented some of the realisation and leveraging of the benefits of new advances in construction ICT and e-Business through discussion of theory, contextualising practical case studies, policies and regulation framing advancements and identifying some of the growing trends in the future.

Advances in construction ICT and e-Business

May 2011 witnessed the UK Government’s commitment to support a transformation of the construction industry through the launch of their Construction Strategy (2011), which mandates BIM (Level 2) on all public procured projects by 2016. Since its launch the UK construction sector has witnessed a momentum build in the awareness and adoption of BIM. The 2014 NBS report indicates an increase in the awareness and current use of BIM from 13% in 2010 to 54% in 2013 with a decrease in neither being aware of BIM nor using from 43% in 2010 to 5% in 2013. However, the report also identified that one of the key barriers for wider adoption perceived by the industry is the lack of clients demanding BIM, which is considered in part due to limited/no awareness/understanding of and drive for BIM, i.e. clients being uninformed. This chapter aims to explore the BIM journey so far of a local authority public sector client, Manchester City Council (MCC), and to show the transition from being an uninformed client to becoming an informed client through collaborative engagement with their supply chain on the prestige exemplar Manchester Central Library and Town Hall Extension project. The influences of key decisions during this journey and on behaviours that enhance collaboration and cooperation in understanding of BIM requirements are discussed. Furthermore, the challenges, drivers and enablers as well as the key roles, e.g. a visionary champion are explored. Two empirical studies with a local university to that measured improvements of their BIM maturity and capability, which served as a further driver for MCC in their adoption of BIM are presented. Lessons learned from the project, recognised as an exemplar, and which are being transferred to other projects are shared, and finally recommendations are provided.Given the fact that construction sites comprise dynamic and unstructured work environments and hazardous work settings, it necessitates the use of intelligent ways to support mobile construction workers. In recent years, there have been significant developments in technologies such as information systems, cloud computing, wireless networking and mobile technologies, which can assist to better integrate mobile construction workforce. Recent advances in Mobile Information Technology include improved wireless bandwidth, better quality of service, low cost, higher processing power and battery life, and hardware to support real-time connectivity. These advances enable better data sharing, which has become a trigger for growth in mobile computing. This chapter reviews evolution and key drivers of mobile computing within construction. This is followed by a discussion on the need for integration between various project stakeholders is highlighted, to ensure smooth flow of information between project participants. Relevant research in the area and case studies on how various construction production management activities are supported using mobile computing is presented. Recent developments in the area of cloud computing and Building Information Modelling and emerging application scenarios in field data collaboration, co-ordination, production support, building handover and facilities management are discussed. A prototype architecture and demonstrator illustrating use of mobile web services, Internet of Things for on-site environmental services monitoring is presented. Conclusions are drawn on future possible impact of emerging mobile technologies on the construction industry.This chapter provides the concluding highlights of this book. Many past studies conducted in the construction industry confirm the positive impact of utilising ICTs, with an improving effect on costs, scheduling and quality. The various sections and chapters of this book presented some of the realisation and leveraging of the benefits of new advances in construction ICT and e-Business through discussion of theory, contextualising practical case studies, policies and regulation framing advancements and identifying some of the growing trends in the future.