• Title/Summary/Keyword: construction practice

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Performance of Mature and Matriculation Entry Students Studying Towards the National Diploma in Building at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa

  • Wellington Didibhuku Thwala
    • International conference on construction engineering and project management
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    • 2011.02a
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    • pp.647-652
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    • 2011
  • Developments in the teaching of the National Diploma in Building students should be geared towards meeting the needs of the construction industry in South Africa. These needs are usually in the form of skills and knowledge required to resolve thorny issues encountered in practice. The lack of capacity in the construction industry needs to be addressed from the basis of ensuring that the education system caters for both mature entry and matriculation entry students. The paper looks at a comparison in performance between mature entry and matriculation (just finish High School) entry students focusing on the National Diploma in Building students at the University of Johannesburg. The paper will make a comparison between those students who work first before enrolling for their first year National Diploma in Building and those who are directly from high school. Cooperative education involves training and systematically developing students through the acquisition of the requisite skills, attitudes, values and knowledge required to adequately perform in their chosen careers. The paper describes the problems and experiences that have been encountered by both mature and matriculation entry students in their three years of study which affects their performance. The paper will then look at the value of prior experience in enabling students to finish their National Diploma in Building within a three year period. The paper closes with some recommendations for the future.

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TOWARDS A RELATIONAL CONTRACTING FRAMEWORK IN THE AUSTRALIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: AN INITIAL FRAMEWORK

  • Melissa Chan;Bambang Trigunarsyah;Vaughan Coffey
    • International conference on construction engineering and project management
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    • 2011.02a
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    • pp.117-123
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    • 2011
  • The Australian construction industry is characterized as being a competitive and risky business environment due to lack of cooperation, insufficient trust, ineffective communication and adversarial relationships which are likely lead to poor project performance. Relational contracting (RC) is advocated by literature as an innovative approach to improve the procurement process in the construction industry. Various studies have collectively added to the current knowledge of known RC norms, but there seem to be little effort on investigating the determinants of RC and its impact on project outcomes. In such circumstances, there is lack of evidence and explanation on the manner on how these issues lead to different performance. Simultaneously, the New Engineering Contract (NEC) that embraced the concept of RC is seen as a modern way of contracting and also considered as one of the best approaches to the perennial problem of improving adversarial relationships within the industry. The reality of practice of RC in Australia is investigated through the lens of the NEC. A synthesis of literature views on the concept, processes and tools of RC is first conducted to develop the framework of RC. A case study approach is proposed for an in-depth analysis to explore the critical issues addressed by RC in relation to project performance. Understanding the realities of RC will assist stakeholders in the construction industry with their investment in RC.

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Applying Lean, Green, and Six-Sigma Framework to Improve Exterior Construction Process in Saudi Arabia

  • Banawi, Abdul-Aziz;Bilec, Melissa
    • Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.12-22
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    • 2014
  • Over the last decade, Saudi Arabia has experienced significant economic increases as evidenced by the 30% growth in its gross domestic product; furthermore, the construction industry has increased 10% in the same time period. Due to this significant growth, the construction industry is encountering issues related to construction quality resulting in significant waste and associated environmental impacts. In this research, we applied our previously developed framework that integrates three different methods-Lean, Green, and Six-sigma - to a residential construction complex in Saudi Arabia. Our aim of this case study was to explore the application of the framework in practice to glean quantitative results and further validate the framework. In the case study, we used the developed framework to identify a significant issue related to quality and delays - final completion of 53 residential units was delayed because of failed exterior buildings surfaces. We then used the framework to define the causes behind the defects via a field investigation of the 53 units. Of the defect, construction execution was responsible for 43% of the defect, 31% untrained workers, 19% unfavorable construction weather condition, with 7% accounting for other issues. A procedure was developed in concert with the construction manager and overall developer reducing the amount of rework and waste causes revealed by the field examination and the framework. Although two steps were added to the original construction process to overcome waste causes, still save a lot of resources and reduces environmental impact. In summary, we found that the Lean, Green, Six-sigma framework increased productivity, quality, and reduced waste.

A Study on Cost Management at the Pre-construction Phase in the Korean Construction Market (공공건설사업 시공 전 단계 사업비관리 개선에 관한 연구)

  • Kim Min-Kee;Shin Sung-Hoon;Hyun Chang-Taek
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute Of Construction Engineering and Management
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    • autumn
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    • pp.265-270
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    • 2002
  • Frequent design changes or unnecessary project executions due to illogical practice, lack of feasibility study and, hasty drive have raised problems of budget waste in Korean construction projects. Since the MOCT (Ministry of Construction & Transportation) published Master Plan for budget efficiency for government projects, there have been a lot of policy efforts for budget saving. However, it has been pointed out that cost management at the pre-construction phase, which greatly influences the cost still remains imperfect. The target cost for government clients is not being estimated reasonably, and cost controlling at the pre-construction phase is not yet being carried out properly for keeping the budget. Therefore, improved construction cost management at the pre-construction phase was proposed in this paper. The cost management systems of advanced countries were investigated for it, and the issues were drawn from the cost management systems of these countries. On the basis of the issues, the present conditions and problems of domestic construction cost management at the pre-construction phase were analyzed for suggestion.

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Needs for the Educational Subjects of Practitioners in Apparel Distribution Industry in Taejon and Chongju (대전.청주지역 의류유통산업 종사자들의 관련 교과목 필요도에 대한 인식)

  • Kweon, Soo-Ae;Lee, Eun-Kyung;Choi, Jong-Myoung;Kim, Eun-Young
    • Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.179-192
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    • 1999
  • The purposes of this study were to investigate the needs for the educational subjects of practitioners in apparel distribution industry and to examine the relationship between the needs and their socio-demographic variables. And it was intended to be used as basic data to develop the curriculum for continuing education in university. The subjects were consisted of 473 practitioners in apparel distribution industries in Taejon and Chongju. A questionnaire was used and classified into seven areas--basic area textile science, design, clothing construction, fashion marketing theory, fashion marketing practice and business management. Descriptive analysis, t-test and ANOVA were used for statistical analyses. The results of this study were as follows: First, the educational needs of subjects by practitioners were in the following order: 1)fashion marketing practice, 2)design, 3)fashion marketing theory, 4)business management, 5)clothing construction, 6)textile science, 7)basic area. Second, the educational needs of subjects by practitioners were also related to their socio-demographic variables like educational background, work area, type of market, total work experience, years in present job, and the role. It was implied that subject areas like fashion marketing and design with theory and practice we of most importance for practitioners in apparel distribution industry. Therefore, a university curriculum of continuing education for them should take into account of those factors mentioned above.

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Experimental Improvement of the Dropping Test for Evaluating the Appropriate Level of Water Content Ratio in Rammed Earth Method (흙다짐 건축재료의 적정함수비 현장확인을 위한 낙하시험 방법의 실험적 개선)

  • Lee, Jong-Kook
    • Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.35-42
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    • 2015
  • Although the interest for earth architecture has been expanded and settled as a part of modern architecture, precisely calculating the ratio of water content in practice is still difficult and the calculation is based on empirical analysis yet. This causes many problems in durability and maintenance of earthen architecture. Therefore, this study investigated to find the easiest way to correctly calculate the appropriate level of water content ratio (AWCR), which can be used in practice. Until now, the workers have checked the AWCR based on their own experience with popular but vague manuals. On this awareness, we studied the several testing methods and found the dropping test which uses the pattern of shape after the sample is dropped. In this point, we studied and developed the definite testing method in terms of process, and shape discrimination. Also we suggest the test recording sheet by using the cobalt chloride($CoCl_2$) whose color is instantly changed when contacts with the moisture. It is believed that this result can help improving the quality and durability of the earthen architecture using the rammed earth method and the efficiency in practice.

Effect of Forest Road Network on Accessibility and Cost Reduction for Forest Operations (I) - Silvicultural Operations - (임도 시설에 따른 접근성 개선 및 산림작업비용 절감효과(I) - 조림 및 숲가꾸기 작업을 중심으로 -)

  • Hwang, Jin Seong;Ji, Byoung Yun;Jung, Do Hyun;Cho, Min Jae
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.104 no.4
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    • pp.615-621
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    • 2015
  • This study was conducted to analyze accessibility and reduction effect of forest operations cost before and after forest road construction based on actual silvicultural operations in 5 regional forest service(8 management planning district) where forest operations was enacted consistently. The result show the accessibility and the reduction effect of the operation cost, the accessibility of forest operation area within 500 m from forest road or public road increased about 3.2 times after the forest road construction. The reduction effect of the operation cost was averagely 576,000 won/km/year. According to the results, forest road had an effect on improvement of accessibility and reduction effect of forest operation cost. This result could be offered basic information to support policy of forest road expansion.

Development of Construction Project Performance Management System(PPMS) Considering Project Characteristics (건설 프로젝트 리스크 관리 효율성 향상을 위한 성과측정시스템(PPMS) 개발)

  • Cha, Hee-Sung;Kim, Ki-Hyun
    • Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.82-90
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    • 2013
  • In the construction industry, there are so many qualitative factors affecting the performance of a project. So it is crucial to measure the factors in an effective way in order to analyze the interrelationship among the various factors. To improve the performance level of a project, it is also important to identify the most appropriate management practices which are inter-linked with the subject project. The purpose of this study is to develop a project performance management system (PPMS) to quantitatively analyze the variety of project performance data and identify the best management practice to increase the potential level of a particular performance area. Using a comparative statistical method, this study developed a quantification method and web-based computerized system to enhance the usage of the system. The system, however, is still under the validation stage because of the shortage of data set. In the future, when more and more completed project data are stored in the system, the system would play a crucial role in predicting the performance level and matching the best management practice for a subject project. In addition, the system can also be modified as a tool for a business- or industry-level system by incorporating the existing enterprise resource programs.

A Study on the Curricular Development of the Dept. of Landscape Architecture in Junior Colleges (專門大學 造景科 敎育課程 修正開發에 關한 硏究)

  • Ahn, Seong-Ro;Yoon, Keun-Young;Kim, Hak-Beom
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.18 no.3 s.39
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    • pp.99-113
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    • 1990
  • The purpose of this study was to prepare some more up-dated and advanced curriculum in Landscape Architecture in Junior College education to bring up a leading professional who can meet the changing social needs. To achieve this goal, the data about the actual employment status of graduates, current relevant systems and legistations, the questionnaires of Landscape companies, graduates and undergraduates, and the current relevant curriculum of domain 6 junior colleges and Japanese relevant curriculum was gathered and analyzed The results are as follows ; 1. Currently the majority of the graduates are employed in Construction field, but the employment trend of graduates shows diversification and subdividing as following 5 fields, that is Construction, Design, Maintenance, Administration and Indoor Landscaping. 2. It is essential to bring up a Landscape Technician who has a Landscape Certificate of qualifications(esp. 2nd class). 3. Lately, the actual Practice came to be one item of the qualifying examination, so the subjects of Landscape Design, Landscape Construction and Landscape Estimation Should be emphasized, Accordingly, current curriculum should be revised. 4. Currant curriculum model(1979) made by the Ministry of Education doesn't play a real and adequate role and should be up-dated in view of the current curriculum of domain 6 junior colleges has no regular standards. In preparation for new standardized curriculum model, following criterior could be suggested, that is, ratio of the Major Required Subjects vs. The Major Optional Subjects would be 50 : 50, and the Major Optional Subject would be 48 credits which is 150% of the Required Credits(32 credits) 5. The subjects such as Basic Agriculture, Afforestation, Nature Conservation, Sketch, Civil Engineering, Landscape Seminar and Modelling Practice would be deleted in the curriculum model established in 1983. 6. The subjects such as Perspective Practice, Indoor Landscaping, Landscape Legislation and Landscape Design( III ) could be newly opened to meet the social needs, to prepare for the qualifying examination and to serve well in the employment fields. 7. The subjects of Surveying ( I ) & ( II ) would be unified into one Subject as Surveying, and some in view of the average situation of 6 junior colleges. 8. It is urgent to open some subject related to computer. At first, An Introduction to Computer could be recommended in the cultural studies course and Landscape Computer Technique as the Major Optional Subjects.

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Comparing and Analyzing Construction Textbook by Elaboration Theory - Centered with National Textbook of 7th curriculum and the new revised curriculum (정교화이론에 의한 건설교과서의 교과내용 비교.분석 - 7차 교육과정, 2007 개정 교육과정의 국정교과서 중심으로)

  • Park, Ji-Yeon;Park, Jun-Seoung;Park, Wan-Shin;Jang, Young-Il
    • 대한공업교육학회지
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    • v.37 no.2
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    • pp.99-125
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    • 2012
  • The objectives of this study was to apprehend the displaying components by comparing and analyzing the ten types of construction textbooks used in Technical high schools by elaboration theory by Ferigeluth, and to supply preliminary data for the following revising textbooks. To achieve them, first, comparable units were excerpted by analyzing between the national textbooks of 7th curriculum and the new revised curriculum used in Technical high schools. Second, each five types of 7th and new curriculum textbooks were compared and analyzed by seven requisites in the Elaboration theory by Reigeluth. As the results of the study, first, elaborating process like conceptual, procedural, and theoretical elaboration has been applied to the different subjects according to their properties. Second, cognitive strategy activator among the seven strategies was widely used. Whereas, analogy was not applied to all the ten types of the text books. In addition, Learning prerequisite sequence was presented with only simple picture and explanation, and it was inadequately used in practice. Third, summary was more used in 7th curriculum text than the new revised text. Fourth, six strategy components were widely used to all texts except construction and materials in the five types of texts. Lastly synthesis of theory and practice was more used than summary in theory subjects and learner control was more used in the subject of the synthesis of theory and practice.