Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
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ItemLean and Green: How the Synergy Can Promote Sustainable Construction(Springer Nature, 2023-08-01)Lean construction aims to improve efficiency through the reduction of wasteful activities. These waste reduction activities also indirectly improve the sustainability approach used by organizations. Our paper examines the definition of lean construction (LC), LC activities, and green construction as understood by academics through a focused literature review. It then examines these practices considering how these activities contribute towards enhancing the sustainability of the built environment and the organization. Our findings suggest that not all waste reduction activities have the same degree of effect on sustainability improvements. Some lean tools such as standardization and just-in-time (JIT) for production scheduling can have a better effect, especially, if the key performance indicators (KPI) specifically target sustainability indicators. “Lean and Green” is not a myth and is very much achievable in the construction industry with the current efforts towards industry 4.0/5.0. Combining these two concepts remains a challenge. This paper aims to learn from what we already know and suggests ways on how “Lean and Green” can be achieved in the future. The paper includes a discussion on leveraging lean and green concepts to achieve the sustainable development goals promoted by the United Nations.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableChallenges in Transport Logistics for Modular Construction: A Case Study(Springer Nature, 2023-01-01)Construction logistics is one of the essential functions in the modular construction industry due to the high demand for on-time delivery of components. For modular component suppliers, there is minimal flexibility in delivery times as generally, the installation times of modular components are critical to the contractor’s construction programme. There are several studies conducted in recent years that articulate novel methodologies in construction logistics scheduling; however, the industry still faces challenges in streamlining the whole supply chain to better cater to potential uncertainties that impact construction logistics. This paper looks at a case study on a modular component supplier in Melbourne, with regarding to the challenges faced and how they have effectively overcome these challenges and provides a framework to mitigate construction logistics related discrepancies in the supply chain. The resilience of these methods in facing unforeseen events such as COVID-19 will also be discussed. The overarching objectives of this paper are to include: (1) bibliographic mapping of related publications; (2) identification of current methods, problems and technologies used in modular construction logistics; and (3) propose best practice guidelines that can be implemented to effectively cater to such uncertainties in construction logistics to minimise the impact on the supply chain. Further, incorporating lean principles for planning construction logistics and transport for the modular construction industry is also in discussion. Finally, the potential future research directions are highlighted to guide the researchers to pursue areas of much importance.
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ItemForeword(Open Book Publishers, 2019-11-01)
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ItemNo Preview AvailableConstruction Project Managers Graduate Agile Competencies Required to Meet Industry Needs(Springer, Singapore, 2021-01-01)The construction industry is embracing new management challenges to deal with the ever-increasing needs for collaboration, environmental and social responsibilities. Improvements in construction project management competencies are essential to helping the construction sector to embrace the new challenges. Building engineering management capabilities through the correct training are therefore essential. In research involving the twenty-four largest contractors in Australia ‘Lean construction’ was identified as an important skill to be included in academic programs that has not yet fully been embraced. Contractors are not yet seeing ‘lean’ and ‘agile’ methods as important approaches to improve communication within the teams and between projects. This research highlighted that although contractors identified communication as one of themain skills needed to achieve a good performance in project construction management they do not yet recognise that training in lean and agile methodologies will help them to improve communication not only between professionals but between projects and organisations involved in each project in improving business goals.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableGreen Buildings in Makassar, Indonesia(Springer Nature, 2020)Indonesia has one of the world’s largest populations, which creates a demand for buildings. Construction and operation of buildings have impacts on environment. To create sustainable cities, Indonesia applied the smart cities concept and selected Makassar as one of three role model cities. This chapter explores the current situation in Makassar with respect to green building adoption, the challenges faced and opportunities in market transformation. The Green Building Council of Indonesia (GBCI) in Makassar is heavily involved with market transformation for green building practices and has four main activities: market transformation, training and education, green building certification and stakeholder engagement. GBCI has developed the GREENSHIP rating tool, an assessment system covering categories associated with the green building concept as it applies to Indonesia. The embracing of the green building concept, however, is still low in Makassar. Market transformation is a challenging task, and there is still a lack of formal education programmes and courses available to architects, engineers and the construction industry to drive the transformation. The initial higher cost of green building presents as a major barrier to the uptake of green building even though these costs are mitigated after a period of 4–5 years through a reduction in operational costs. Government regulations that support green building practices and education of the community about the benefits of green building may support/improve uptake of green building.
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ItemPotential Infrastructure Enhancements for Ports and Cities: Conclusions, Future Research and Policy Concepts(Open Book Publishers, 2019)The final chapter of this research monograph draws together key points from each of the chapters. It summarises key findings from the research and poses questions that would benefit from future/further research.
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ItemInitial Investigation into the Effectiveness of Australian Ports’ Governance and Management Structures(Open Book Publishers, 2019)The ninth chapter considers effectiveness of port governance and management structures in Australia. It briefly reviews Australian port reform, before considering private, local and international investment in Australia; the make-up of investors in major city ports in Australia; and the need to carefully assess foreign investment in critical infrastructure. Asset recycling in Australia is discussed. Factors identified from focus group discussions (in Australia) with key port stakeholders that help improve or act as obstacles to governance/policy, and that help improve or hinder management structures in ports, are also presented.
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ItemRevealing Indonesian Port Competitiveness: Challenge and Performance(Open Book Publishers, 2019)The eighth chapter considers Indonesian port competitiveness. It notes that the Indonesian government is in the midst of planning broad policies and strategies concerning maritime and port development and has recently provided a reform package to improve logistics in the country to improve the supply chain. Results from focus group meetings, a detailed questionnaire and in-depth interviews with key port industry stakeholders and financial bodies in Indonesia are presented. Problematic factors contributing to port problems were identified from the perspective of research participants. The chapter identifies important aspects of port competitiveness: government support, business support and operational performance. Despite general support towards the government policies in facilitating port investment, there seems to be a substantial gap between policy expectation and policy realisation.
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ItemComparative Efficiency Analysis of Australian and Indonesian Ports(Open Book Publishers, 2019)A comparative analysis of Australian and Indonesian port efficiency is presented in the sixth chapter. The analysis utilises the Data Envelope Analysis model to quantify and measure the efficiency of ports, focusing on port and container cargoes. Ports included in the benchmarking included major Australian, Indonesian and Chinese international ports. International benchmarking of port facilities provides an opportunity to identify areas for improvement.
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ItemVisual Tools for Analyzing and Organizing Engineering Data and Information(IGI Global, 2019)The chapter examines the use of visual tools in inquiry-based learning in post graduate engineering education. Engineering information has traditionally been communicated using engineering drawings and engineering graphics. With the advancement of technology, engineers are now empowered to work with data, information and to computer generated graphics. The ability to visualise data is fast becoming an important part of an engineer’s tool kit and skill sets. Just as engineering graphics have been used to aid product visualisation, knowledge of visual tools such as graphs, charts, fishbone diagrams, and one-pagers, posters etc are important as they have been successfully employed in the industry for decades as a basis for organisational learning and dissemination of information. However, many educational institutions still rely on text-based learning, which may rely on linguistic abilities to convey complex concepts. Visual learning tools such as a poster can overcome some of the disadvantages of language by showing complex relationships in diagrams or in a visual manner. In properly structured exercises, learners can also acquire knowledge and know-how by using visual tools to represent ideas in a similar manner. In this book chapter, we examine some of the visual tools that are commonly used in industry, we will attempt to explain the significance by using learning theories and showing examples of how they can be applied in a learning environment. In particular, we showcase how a poster can be used to combine a variety of visual tools to present information in a logical and consistent manner. We will also give a report on on-going education research work done use of one-pager or poster as a visual learning tool. Students reported benefits in poster exercise compared with a written assignment. This chapter also discusses the educational and managerial significance of using visual tools to greater effectiveness as the ability to communicate technical information is an important part of an engineer’s training and has significant implications on an engineer’s effectiveness.