The economic significance of corrosion is now being increasingly appreciated throughout a wide range of industry. In some industries corrosion must be controlled if the industry…
Abstract
The economic significance of corrosion is now being increasingly appreciated throughout a wide range of industry. In some industries corrosion must be controlled if the industry is to function. This is so particularly of the chemical process industries, but is not wholly true of civil engineering. Exposed steel structures such as bridges must be protected, but generally the possibility of structural weakness arising from corrosion has been allowed for in design by generous safety factors. This attitude has generally prevailed in that part of civil engineering known as foundation engineering.
MICHAEL P. O'REILLY and MICHAEL J. MAWDESLEY
Disputes frequently occur on engineering and construction projects. In this paper it is argued that these disputes need to be evaluated and managed, with proper attention being…
Abstract
Disputes frequently occur on engineering and construction projects. In this paper it is argued that these disputes need to be evaluated and managed, with proper attention being paid to planning of time and money. Since the way in which dispute management is approached will depend on the perceived self‐interest of the parties, it is imperative that disputants have a sensible measure of their self‐interest. ‘Traditional’ probabilistic risk assessment techniques are shown to be of assistance and can be used to compute appropriate dispute management strategies. By way of example, a Monte Carlo simulation of a dispute is performed and discussed.
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Monty Sutrisna, Barry Cooper-Cooke, Jack Goulding and Volkan Ezcan
Offsite construction approaches and methodologies have been proffered a potential solution for controlling “traditional” projects, especially where high levels of complexity and…
Abstract
Purpose
Offsite construction approaches and methodologies have been proffered a potential solution for controlling “traditional” projects, especially where high levels of complexity and uncertainty exist. Given this, locations such as Western Australia (WA), where there are unique housing provision challenges, offsite construction method was considered a potential solution for not only addressing the complexity/uncertainty challenges but also alleviating the housing shortage. However, whilst acknowledging the benefits of offsite construction, recognition was also noted on perceived barriers to its implementation, primarily relating to cost uncertainty. This recognition is exacerbated by very limited offsite construction cost data and information available in the public domain. In response to this, this paper sims to provide detailed cost analysis of three offsite construction projects in WA.
Design/methodology/approach
To hold parameters constant and facilitate cross-case comparative analysis, data were collected from three embedded case studies from three residential housing projects in WA. These projects represent the most contemporary implementation of offsite in WA; where two were completed in 2016/2017 and the third project was still ongoing during the data collection of this research. The research methodological approach and accompanying data analysis component engaged a variety of techniques, which was supported by archival study of project data and evidence gathered from the offsite construction provider.
Findings
Core findings revealed three emerging themes from residential offsite construction projects pertinent to cost. Specifically, the overall cost of delivering residential housing project with offsite construction techniques, the cost variability of offsite construction residential housing projects as impacted by uncertainties and the cash flow of residential offsite construction projects based on the payment term. These three major cost drivers are elucidated in this paper.
Originality/value
This research presents new cost insights to complement the wider adoption of offsite construction techniques. It presents additional information to address the limited cost data and information of offsite construction projects available in the public domain particularly for residential housing projects (within the bounded context of WA). It also highlights the further stages needed to enhance data validity, cognisant of universal generalisability and repeatability, market maturity and stakeholder supply chains.
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Julia Jansen-van Vuuren, Danielle Roberts, Grace L. Francis, Colleen M. Davison, Sharon Gabison and Heather M. Aldersey
COVID-19 has affected families across the globe with far-reaching consequences, particularly in regard to children's education. The pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities…
Abstract
Purpose
COVID-19 has affected families across the globe with far-reaching consequences, particularly in regard to children's education. The pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities for families of students with disabilities in particular. This chapter explores families' perspectives on how COVID-19 affected partnerships between families of students with disabilities and their schools in Ontario, Canada.
Approach
We interviewed 18 parents of students with disabilities in K-12 Ontario schools. Using a reflexive thematic analysis approach, we analyzed interviews to develop themes inductively.
Findings
Participants shared varied experiences of partnerships with their schools both before and during the pandemic. However, all participants described additional challenges as a result of COVID-19. Frequent, open, and personalized communication was emphasized as essential for effective partnerships; however, this was often lacking. Participants shared various ways they were involved in schools, including advocating for their child, and needing to balance multiple roles during COVID-19. Overwhelmingly, participants expressed an inadequacy of support during the pandemic related to online learning and a lack of human resources (e.g., Educational Assistants, therapists), negatively affecting partnerships. However, they also described positive experiences of family-school partnerships, as well as hope for effective future partnerships.
Implication/Value
This research gives voice to families of students with disabilities to deepen our understanding of barriers and facilitators to positive family-school partnerships. Findings help to direct appropriate policies and practices that can improve partnerships during COVID-19 and beyond, and ultimately enhance education and quality of life for students with disabilities and their families.
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PERHAPS if the most controversial White Paper of recent years had been called In Place of Fear it might have received a better welcome. That, surely, is the basic objection so…
Abstract
PERHAPS if the most controversial White Paper of recent years had been called In Place of Fear it might have received a better welcome. That, surely, is the basic objection so many people have to sweeping changes in the industrial world; fear of venturing from the familiar anchorage on to unknown seas.
IT was no surprise to us, that news published just as this issue was being prepared, that Clive Sinclair was in an advanced stage of examining the possibilities of his firm, known…
Abstract
IT was no surprise to us, that news published just as this issue was being prepared, that Clive Sinclair was in an advanced stage of examining the possibilities of his firm, known all over the world as pioneers of electronics and the one which has brought micro‐computers within the reach of every family, expanding into the production of battery‐driven electric motorcars. He has recognised, as so many other directorates have failed to do, that the recession can only be beaten by finding new markets for new products. The world of yesteryear will never return.