Renáta Bašková

Comparison of Conventional and Advanced Concrete Technologies in terms of Construction Efficiency

Nowadays, high-performance concrete (HPC) and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) are ranked among advanced concrete technologies. The application of the mentioned advanced technologies may have potential to improve the construction efficiency from several points of view. For instance, reducing of construction time and construction material, construction quality improving, environmental impact minimizing, and increasing of both durability and lifetime of structures as well as reducing of total construction costs may be obtained. Particular advanced concrete technologies are described and the possibilities of their utilization in both monolithic structures and precast units are presented in the article. The main benefits of modern methods of construction (MMC) based on advanced concrete technologies application in precast elements production are presented. Regarding the selected aspects of construction efficiency assessment, a comparison of conventional and advanced concrete technologies that are applied in monolithic structures and precast units is made. The results of this comparison, estimated in semantic differential scale, are presented in the article. By the results of the comparison, the significance of applying the advanced concrete technologies in modern methods of concrete structures production is demonstrated in order to improve construction efficiency.

Applicability of Bromilow´s Time-cost Model for Residential Projects in Slovakia

Abstract The concept of construction time has been mentioned by most researchers as one of the key factors of a successful project. Time-cost model for rapid estimation of construction time appeared in the world some fifty years ago and the most mentioned is model developed by Bromilow. The purpose of submitted research is to validate Bromilow´s time-cost (BTC) model and identify constants in BTC model in context with residential construction projects in Slovak construction conditions. The data for the study were obtained from 28 residential projects completed within the period 2010-2013 in regions of Slovakia. The data were analyzed using classical correlation and regression analysis

Innovation of education for the development of key competencies of university graduates

Abstract Competency-based education is a new trend in the process of teaching to support and develop the competencies of graduates. This challenge of the European Union aimed at changes in learning processes contributes to improvement in the educational qualifications of the population. Recently, in Europe and Slovakia, several research studies aimed at key competencies of graduates have been conducted. This paper provides the results of the study aimed at identification of key competencies of graduates of the study program Construction Technology and Management. A proposal for innovations in learning forms is presented as an output of the national project “Universities as Engines of Knowledge Society Development”. The innovations will influence the development of profession-specific and transferable competencies of graduates of the afore-mentioned study program at the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Technical University of Košice, Slovakia.

The importance of the criteria of residential buildings from the perspective of future users

Abstract The developers need to know what is important to their customers in preparation of new construction of residential buildings. The paper deals with finding the importance of structure, material, cost, time and environmental criteria of residential buildings from the perspective of the future owners. The research methodology that provided the information was questionnaire survey. Research was conducted in two lines. The first line is dedicated to the research of main construction domains of residential building. The second line of the research deals with the specific criteria of main construction domains. The order of importance of the main areas and the specific criteria is determined by analyzing of data through descriptive characteristics: median, modus, variance, average value and by weigh of importance.

The Cost Monitoring of the Construction Machinery with Using the Stochastic Progress-Based S-curves

Abstract Contribution presents methodology for evaluating at-completion project performance status. Accurate cost and schedule project forecasts are difficult to generate when considering the impact of such events as unforeseen cost changes, material delays, scope deviation, changes to the project execution plan and poor subcontractor performance. In reality, the original estimate may be considered the first project forecast and at the point of project completion, the latest updated estimate (last forecast) and the actual amount of what is being expended should be the same. Final project performance is determined by comparing the planned budget and project duration, with the expected forecasted final budget and elapsed time. The stochastic S-curve methodology permits objective evaluation of project performance without the limitations inherent in a deterministic approach. This paper used the stochastic S curve to monitor the cost and time consumption in operation of the construction machines. The contribution presents a partial outcome from the dissertation thesis called the Interactive tools for resource optimization in construction.