Oleg Kapliński

Three phases of multifactor modelling of construction processes

Abstract A multifactor modelling the construction processes is a subject of the paper. Three phases and several steps of the proposed extended procedure are presented. Tools for these phases from chronometric testing to verifying the assumed model are indicated. The following elements of the procedure as multi‐ and partial regression, correlation analysis, sensitivity analysis and proposed model are presented. Besides the classic verification activities the method of artificial neural networks has been applied. The processes of assembly of structural corrugated steel plate structures are a background of the consideration.

Development and usefulness of planning techniques and decision‐making foundations on the example of construction enterprises in Poland

Abstract Three groups of planning techniques and foundations for decision‐making techniques have been identified. Their development tendencies have been indicated, as well as degree of practical usage by Polish construction companies. Two periods: the years 1990 and 2005 have been compared. Data and numbers have been obtained mainly by questionnaires and personal contacts. A relationship between the degree of utilisation of the discussed techniques and the type, size, and legal ownership of a construction company has not been found, in spite of current prosperity trends in the construction sector. A discrepancy between the evaluation of the degree of attractiveness of techniques and methods from the viewpoint of academics and building company managers has been pointed out.

Information technology in the development of the Polish construction industry

Abstract The utilization of Construction Management (CM) tools and Information Technology (IT) is the object of the paper. A review of the problems of usefulness of IT solutions on offer in Polish construction sector is presented. Generally, changes in approach to information technology, diversification and variety of its software, prosperity in construction industry and its solutions are the main motif of this paper. A significant discrepancy in the assessment of attractiveness and usefulness of those methods by businessmen and academics has been pointed out. Relationships between prosperity in construction market and usage of new planning methods, decision making, and IT systems are discussed. Results of studies are negative. The reasons for such a state of things have been presented. The research was based on questionnaires and interviews. Regression and correlation were used for the analysis. Besides, an attempt to describe the phenomenon of saturation of Polish construction sector with IT tools has b...

Multi-criteria decision making in civil engineering : Part I - A state-of-the-art survey

For several decades, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods have been in use to address issues particular to design, organisation and management of constructions. This article reviews the history of MCDM methods since their origins to current times. The academic database Thomson Reuters Web of Science Core Collection was used to overview publications that contain keyword “MCDM” and are included in Web of Science Category “Engineering Civil”. The analysis of publications was made according to their year, state, journals and used MCDM methods.

Multi-criteria decision making in civil engineering. Part II – applications

AbstractThe first part of the paper shortly presented developments of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods and general data about their use in civil engineering, i.e. distribution by years, countries, authors and journals (Zavadskas et al. 2015). The current part of the paper focuses on MCDM application areas and domains. Web of Science Category “Engineering Civil” in Thomson Reuters Web of Science Core Collection academic data base is searched for a topic of MCDM. Only articles and review document types are selected for a detailed survey. They are grouped by Research Areas as presented in Web of Science data base. The most numerous research areas as Construction Building Technology, Transportation, Water Resources and Engineering (other topics) are analysed in detail. Research domains and solved problems are described as well as applied MCDM methods are highlighted. A total of 114 articles are reviewed, showing a wide possibilities of applying MCDM methods for civil engineering problems.

Model for rapid assessment of vulnerability of office buildings to blast using SWARA and SMART methods (a case study of swiss re tower)

AbstractAccidental and intentional explosions are incidents often destroying buildings and leaving casualties. As a result of these blasts all over the world, demand of safe constructions with less vulnerability to explosions is rising. A large number of office buildings are built each year in many countries, housing large numbers of staff and clients, and due to specific nature and function, activities and services, these buildings are usually centrally located. Their architectural form being vital, therefore the article attempts, firstly, to present indices depicting the building form from the viewpoint of vulnerability to explosion. Secondly, the article presents such indexes as: capability to reduce blast effects, economic factors, simplicity of implementation, relationship among spaces in the crisis condition, and creating the least unusable space. The model of rapid assessment of vulnerability of office buildings forms to blast, SMART (simple multi attribute ranking technique) procedure is used and,...

AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEMS RELATED TO RESEARCH IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING, MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS IN POLAND

Abstract Problems related to research on the organization, management, economics and technology in the construction industry in Poland are discussed and evaluated in this paper. Scientific and, more specifically, academic circles are characterised and alarming phenomena that accompany practicing the issues of organization and management in construction engineering are discussed: an increase of the number of employees with economic education, phenomena related to finance, staff feminization and fluctuations among other things. Trends observed in research works and changes in the subject matter of interest to participants at scientific conferences are pointed out. Publication activity, dissertations and international cooperation are discussed. Non-serial publications of the last three years are listed. The analysis is based on a questionnaire circulated by the Construction Management Section of the Civil Engineering Committee of the Polish Academy of Science, the members of which are the authors of this art...

CURRENT STATE AND PERSPECTIVES OF RESEARCH ON CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND MECHANISATION IN POLAND

Abstract Current and intended research on construction management and mechanisation in Poland is the focus of this article. The discussion comprises four subject groups: investment process organisation, construction company operation, organisation and management methods, and mechanisation—including automation and robotisation in construction industry. Within all subject groups, an overview of the subject and analysis of the research state, as well as priority research trends have been presented.

Diminishing non-uniformity of construction processes

Reasons for the occurrence of the non-uniformity of production processes in construction and an outline of a formal approach that makes use of the theory of stochastic processes and statistics have been given. Attention has been drawn to the necessary and satisfactory conditions for balancing these processes. The distinction between the distribution of work time and the distribution of production volume (characterized by opposite skewness) has been introduced. A few cases of diminishing the non-uniformity have been given; the existence of mutual relations between the intensity of processes, concentration (superposition) of the processes and their non-uniformity have been used for that purpose. Examples of a superposition of processes (as a case of concentration of production) have been taken from the production and deliveries of concrete mixture. Attention has been drawn to savings resulting from such actions. These savings often require only simple technical or organizational operations.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Socio-Economic Systems: a systematic review

AbstractToday, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Socio-Economic Systems exists in micro, meso and macro environments. A complicated process is required to find a rational solution that would include a large number of problems and criteria. Therefore, existing MCDM methods must be used as well as new ones developed. Notwithstanding SEA of Analysis of Socio-Economic Processes, there is little research examining factors of use of MCDM methods; thus, a more in-depth analysis should be undertaken. This study applied a systematic search of literature. A total of 73 papers from the academic literature containing such terms as ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)’, ‘Socio-Economic Processes (SEP)’, ‘Socio-Economic Systems (SES)’, ‘Social Systems (SS)’, ‘Economical Systems (ES)’, ‘Decision-Making (DM)’ and ‘Multi Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM)’ were identified and reviewed. As to the eligibility problem in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), criteria included studies on both Social and Econom...