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Article
Publication date: 14 January 2014

Tarek Hegazy, Mohamed Abdel-Monem and Dina Atef Saad

This paper aims at improving progress tracking and control of repetitive projects by developing a novel framework that automates the documentation of as-built information directly…

1174

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims at improving progress tracking and control of repetitive projects by developing a novel framework that automates the documentation of as-built information directly into the project schedule and also introduces enhanced linear scheduling formulation to support project control decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed framework uses e-mail technology to facilitate detailed tracking of daily as-built events of all parties through bidirectional communication between site and head office. It also provides a new formulation for more accurate critical path and linear scheduling computation to accurately update the project's time and cost during construction.

Findings

Using a case study of a road project, the paper proves that the proposed framework reduces as-built documentation effort and its schedule updates are more responsive to all as-built events than traditional scheduling techniques.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method applies to linear projects (e.g. highways) and can be extended to other repetitive projects such as high-rise buildings. It can also be extended to include voice features and procedures for forensic schedule analysis.

Practical implications

The developed methodology presents a low-cost approach to document timely progress information for decision makers of massive linear projects (often associated with infrastructure) to have better control over the execution of projects, save documentation time and cost, and avoid disputes and problems.

Originality/value

This research contributes in improving construction productivity by collecting timely as-built information using affordable communication technologies. It also presents novel advancements to the existing scheduling and control techniques to suit linear projects, which are most challenging.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 19 December 2024

Mohammed Soliman Aly Khedr, Mona Foad Ali, Ahmed Nabil Emam, Abdullah Mahmoud Kamel and Manal Abdel-Monem Ghanam

This study aims to provide an efficient nanocomposite that might be used to protect deteriorated archaeological stucco.

27

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide an efficient nanocomposite that might be used to protect deteriorated archaeological stucco.

Design/methodology/approach

The current experimental study evaluates the effectiveness of the hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA NPs) added to graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and mixed with Paraloid (B-72) (B-44) in acetone in consolidating samples. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared nanopowders have been investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). This study involves monitoring the transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform changes in consolidated samples after exposure to various conditions by using the digital microscope and scanning electron microscopy to identify the appearance of the consolidated stucco samples after applying the selected nanocomposites and after their artificial aging procedures. Color change is measured using a colorimeter, and comparisons are made between samples before and after aging. Physical and mechanical properties are determined, and the contact angle is measured to measure hydrophobicity rate.

Findings

The obtained results indicate that HA/g-C3N4 hybrid nanocomposites with a composition of HA 0.5%/g-C3N4 1%/B-72 3% and HA 0.5%/g-C3N4 1%/B-44 3% achieved the best consolidating results among the proposed mixtures for stucco samples, where the percentage of weight loss was 0.77 with B-72, 0.53 with B-44. Surface identification and characterization of hydroxyapatite HA NPs/g-C3N4 hybrid nanocomposites embedded in B72/B44matrix were carried out using Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX).

Originality/value

This study provides important findings from the analytical procedures used to evaluate the consolidation materials used in this study. The findings are beneficial for the preservation of archaeological stucco. The investigation findings revealed that the most favorable outcomes were obtained from HA/g-C3N4 hybrid nanocomposites containing HA 0.5%, g-C3N4 1% and B-72 3%, as well as HA 0.5%, g-C3N4 1% and B-44 3%. Consequently, it is advised to use this nanocomposite to consolidate archaeological stucco, thus establishing a promising initial stride toward conserving archaeological stucco for future research endeavors. This study introduces a new nanocomposite material (HA NPs/G-C3N4) that can be used to protect and improve archaeological plaster. This is very important for preserving cultural heritage. The incorporation of nanotechnology improves the material’s physical and mechanical qualities. The research uses various characterization techniques (including TEM, XRD and FT-IR) to meticulously analyze the physicochemical properties of the nanocomposite material and assess its efficacy in practical applications through artificial aging experiments, offering novel insights and methodologies for future cultural relic preservation studies.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

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Article
Publication date: 13 May 2024

Rania Abdel Gwad Eloriby, Wael Sabry Mohamed and Hamdy Mohamed Mohamed

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of nanocontainer solutions in removing deteriorated and aged polymers commonly used in coating and consolidating…

39

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of nanocontainer solutions in removing deteriorated and aged polymers commonly used in coating and consolidating archaeological glass.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focused on characterizing glass surfaces coated with two commonly used polymeric materials in archaeological glass preservation. Furthermore, the study evaluates the elimination of these coatings from the surfaces by using innovative aqueous systems composed of micellar solutions (MS) and oil-in-water (O/W) Texapon-P microemulsions (TEX). Glass samples coated with selected polymers were subjected to thermal and photochemical aging to simulate natural degradation conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nanocontainer aqueous systems compared to acetone (Ac), a conventional solvent commonly used for removal procedures. The characterization procedures involved transmission electron microscopy, USB digital microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, color alteration and gravimetric measurement.

Findings

The findings indicate that the effectiveness of novel techniques using aqueous nanocontainer systems is quite promising when considering a “green approach” to preserving cultural heritage. Microscopic examination demonstrated the efficacy of MS in effectively removing acrylic and vinyl polymers from the glass surface. Furthermore, TEX proved effective in removing polyvinyl acetate (PVA) over Paraloid B72 (B-72). In addition, the measurement of color alteration values revealed a decrease after using MS compared to the standard sample before applying the polymers, with values of ΔE = 1.48 and 1.82 for B-72 polymer and PVA, respectively.

Originality/value

This research provides nanocontainer solutions for removing aged polymers from the glass surface. This makes the current study a promising step for treating archaeological glass.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

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Article
Publication date: 31 July 2023

Santonab Chakraborty, Rakesh D. Raut, T.M. Rofin and Shankar Chakraborty

Increasing public consciousness and demand for sustainable environment make selection of a safe location for effective disposal of healthcare waste (HCW) a challenging issue. This…

160

Abstract

Purpose

Increasing public consciousness and demand for sustainable environment make selection of a safe location for effective disposal of healthcare waste (HCW) a challenging issue. This problem becomes more complicated due to involvement of multiple decision makers having varying knowledge and interest, conflicting quantitative and qualitative evaluation criteria, and presence of several alternative locations.

Design/methodology/approach

To efficiently resolve the problem, the past researchers have already coupled different multi-criteria decision-making tools with uncertainty models and criteria weight measurement techniques, which are time-consuming and highly computationally complex. Based on involvement of a group of experts expressing their opinions with respect to relative importance of criteria and performance of alternative locations against each criterion, this paper proposes application of ordinal priority approach (OPA) integrated with grey numbers to solve an HCW disposal location selection problem.

Findings

The grey OPA can simultaneously estimate weights of the experts, criteria and locations relieving the decision makers from complicated computational steps. The potentiality of grey OPA in solving an HCW disposal location selection problem is demonstrated here using an illustrative example consisting of three experts, six criteria and four alternative locations.

Originality/value

The derived results show that it can be employed to deal with real-time HCW disposal location selection problems in uncertain environment providing acceptable and robust decisions. It relieves the experts from pair-wise comparisons of criteria, normalization of data, identification of ideal and anti-ideal solutions, aggregation of information and so on, while arriving at the most consistent decision with minimum computational effort.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

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Book part
Publication date: 29 March 2022

Khaled I. Nabil

Al-Tahrir Square (Liberation Square, in Arabic) is one of the main public spaces in Cairo, Egypt, and was the focal point for the Egyptian Revolution of January 2011. Although…

Abstract

Al-Tahrir Square (Liberation Square, in Arabic) is one of the main public spaces in Cairo, Egypt, and was the focal point for the Egyptian Revolution of January 2011. Although Tahrir Square is traditionally a noisy disliked crowded traffic zone, people gathering and demonstrating during 2011 transformed the a space into a livable interactive civic place (Bricoleurbanism, 2019). The study integrates three main subjects affecting each other: first; Tahrir history and its architectural description, second; activities and events of 2011 revolution at Tahrir and thirdly; theories and concepts of place/space transformations. Many space and place transformation cycles of the Al-Tahrir square have been studied for over a century. It shows that transformation happens when a “meaning” is added and “memories” turn into “behavior” and belonging (Pallasmaa, 2014). This chapter discusses how both the functions and the mental image of Al-Tahrir Square changed with the events along with the behavior of its occupants during 2011.

The square was analyzed to discover the mechanisms, motives, and reasons that caused such change. Furthermore, a comparison between Tahrir Square's status before and after 2011 was offered, according to “New Urbanism's successful places criteria” (PPS, 2009). Recently, physical and moral evacuation of the square deliberately enforced to replace its iconographic status as a place of revolution, with ancient Egyptian elements. This study elaborates on these results demonstrating how Cairo's Tahrir Square is a remarkable example of the dynamic nature of public spaces turning into places, and then into spaces again, due to actions of authority or the will of people.

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Article
Publication date: 14 January 2014

Ronald McCaffer

166

Abstract

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 27 January 2021

Mohamed ElMenshawy and Mohamed Marzouk

Nowadays, building information modeling (BIM) represents an evolution in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries with its various applications. BIM is…

1121

Abstract

Purpose

Nowadays, building information modeling (BIM) represents an evolution in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries with its various applications. BIM is capable to store huge amounts of information related to buildings which can be leveraged in several areas such as quantity takeoff, scheduling, sustainability and facility management. The main objective of this research is to establish a model for automated schedule generation using BIM and to solve the time–cost trade-off problem (TCTP) resulting from the various scenarios offered to the user.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is developed to use the quantities exported from a BIM platform, then generate construction activities, calculate the duration of each activity and finally the logic/sequence is applied in order to link the activities together. Then, multiobjective optimization is performed using nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) in order to provide the most feasible solutions considering project duration and cost. The researchers opted NSGA-II because it is one of the well-known and credible algorithms that have been used in many applications, and its performances were tested in several comparative studies.

Findings

The proposed model is capable to select the near-optimum scenario for the project and export it to Primavera software. A case study is worked to demonstrate the use of the proposed model and illustrate its main features.

Originality/value

The proposed model can provide a simple and user-friendly model for automated schedule generation of construction projects. In addition, opportunities related to the interface between an automated schedule generation model and Primavera software are enabled as Primavera is one of the most popular and common schedule software solutions in the construction industry. Furthermore, it allows importing data from MS Excel, which is used to store activities data in the different scenarios. In addition, there are numerous solutions, each one corresponds to a certain duration and cost according to the performance factor which often reflects the number of crews assigned to the activity and/or construction method.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 28 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 8 February 2021

Ebtsam Abdelmowla Ahmed, Galal Elgemeie and Kawther Abd-Elzaher Ahmed

This study aims to represent a successful simple method for the synthesis of some novel dyes based on thiazole derivatives and their applications in textile printing.

219

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to represent a successful simple method for the synthesis of some novel dyes based on thiazole derivatives and their applications in textile printing.

Design/methodology/approach

2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylmethyl)thiazol-4(5H)-one compound is prepared by convention heating and microwave technique then used as a coupling agent, which reacts with different diazonium Salt to form diazo dyes.

Findings

The synthesized diazo dyes are confirmed via spectral data (IR,1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and Mass spectra). The dyes are used to print polyester fabric. The obtained results clarified that the prints have good color strength, brilliant color and highly durable antibacterial activity.

Originality/value

The authors designed efficient synthesis for some novel thiazolone dyes. The novel procedure features short-reaction time, very good yields and a simple workup. The authors studied the antibacterial activity and their application in printing polyester fabrics.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 51 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

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Article
Publication date: 26 March 2019

Lucian Constantin Ungureanu, Timo Hartmann and Ion Serbanoiu

The line of balance (LOB) method is a suitable scheduling technique that managers can use to support lean planning efforts for projects composed of repetitive activities such as…

384

Abstract

Purpose

The line of balance (LOB) method is a suitable scheduling technique that managers can use to support lean planning efforts for projects composed of repetitive activities such as high-rise building construction. Like any other method, LOB has certain disadvantages that create a set of practical limitations in its application. An LOB schedule gives insights about how continuous and synchronized single resources are scheduled and how uniform these resources are distributed over the project duration. However, these three characteristics have to be visually checked, which makes the evaluation and the comparison of different schedule alternatives difficult. To overcome this problem, the purpose of this paper is to present a quantitative method to calculate quality degrees for the continuity, the synchronization and the uniformity of an LOB schedule that can be applied to assess an LOB schedule globally.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces a set of global indicators, termed quality degrees, which allow for a quick quantitative evaluation of LOB schedules at the global level. These quality degrees are quantitative indicators for the: degree of continuity, degree of synchronization and degree of uniformity within a specific LOB alternative. A mathematical model was developed to calculate the quality degrees for LOB schedules. This model was validated using a well-known case study extracted from literature, and its practical implementation was exemplified on two real Romanian projects.

Findings

The paper illustrates this contribution using two case studies that confirm that the proposed method can be used to evaluate different schedule alternatives. In particular, the paper shows that quality indicators can be used to analyze and control interdependencies between cost and time.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the proposed method is that it cannot indicate the desired level of continuity, synchronization or uniformity to be achieved. Further studies need to explore this possibility, as well the relationship between indicators.

Practical implications

The presented quality indicators contribute to existing LOB methods as they allow for the quick analysis and assessment of schedules without an in-depth visual analysis.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an innovative method, mathematically formulated, to quantitatively assess the quality aspects of continuity, synchronization and uniformity for LOB schedules.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 2 May 2023

Johnson Olayiwola, Anthony Olukayode Yusuf, Abiola Abosede Akanmu, Homero Murzi, Xinghua Gao and Kereshmeh Afsari

As video-based interventions are continuously utilized as alternatives to physical site visits, directing students' attention to specific learning contents within videos could…

151

Abstract

Purpose

As video-based interventions are continuously utilized as alternatives to physical site visits, directing students' attention to specific learning contents within videos could increase their comprehension and stimulate their interest. Students' knowledge of construction practice can be reinforced, misconceptions and improper inferences can be reduced by calling out significant learning concepts. However, few studies have formalized practice concepts that could be beneficial in preparing students for the workplace. This paper presents an investigation of construction practice concepts, based on site visits that would be beneficial in complimenting classroom teaching to prepare students for the realities of practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods research approach was employed combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. An online questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and a focus group were conducted with industry practitioners and instructors to identify the topics and practice concepts significant for supporting classroom teaching with site visits.

Findings

The findings suggest that the most relevant topics typically supported with site visits are preconstruction management, excavation and foundation work, construction equipment, construction means and methods, project management, road construction, sustainability, building systems, structures, construction technology, building construction, capstone, site logistics and safety. Practice concepts were identified for each of these topics.

Research limitations/implications

The study will guide researchers in the design of video-based pedagogical tools to be used as an effective complement of or alternative to site visit experiences. The findings will support instructors on how to structure their teaching practices to prepare students for some of the complexities of the workplace.

Originality/value

This study adds value to the existing literature by providing insights into industry perception of practice concepts for complementing classroom teaching.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 14 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

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