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Sustainability has become a key concern for project selection in construction industries. Determining the best sustainable project based on various sustainability attributes is a very complicated decision. Accordingly, developing a suitable decision support framework can be very helpful for decision makers to attain planned business goals and complete projects at the right time with good quality. This research develops a decision support model which helps managers to understand the concept of sustainability in construction project selection and choose the best project using a new integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach under uncertainty by integrating Fuzzy Preference Programming (FPP) as a modification of Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP), with Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) as a fuzzy rule-based expert system. In the first phase of the research, fifteen sustainability attributes were selected. In the second phase, the final weight of each attribute was computed by using FPP. In the last phase, the most appropriate project was selected by running the weighted FIS. The results showed that Project 3 (P3) is the best project. Finally, two different evaluative tests were also applied to verify the validity and robustness of the developed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates an extended version of the combined compromise solution method with grey numbers, named CoCoSo-G for short, to measure the performance of suppliers in a construction company in Madrid. Seven criteria from a relevant previous study are the basis for assessing the performance of suppliers, while ten suppliers are composing our decision matrix. To initiate the decision-making process, we invite experts to aid us in the qualitative evaluation of the suppliers using grey interval values. Two weighting methods, including the DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) and BWM (best worst method) are used to achieve the importance of supplier criteria in a combined manner. The DEMATEL method is used to realise the best and worst criteria, and the BWM is used to sort the criteria according to a linear programming formulation. The CoCoSo-G method used to release the score of each supplier and rank them. We compare the results obtained by the CoCoSo-G with those obtained by the Complex Proportional Assessment method. It is evident that offering grey values for supplier qualification, using the combined weighting tool and proposing the new CoCoSo-G approach facilitate the evaluation process while indicating trustable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conflict between parties is a common issue in construction projects. In the present article, the conflicts between contractor and employer in delayed Design-Bid-Build projects have been studied. Defining a case study, a dispute resolution method has been proposed. This case has been considered as a MCDM problem. This problem has been assumed as a discrete zero-sum two-person matrix game with grey numbers. Among the four alternatives available for contractor and employer in the proposed case study, termination is the last alternative that decision makers choose. Based on different risk values, authors determined the optimal solution for both parties. This article integrates some linguistic criteria together with time and cost, providing the better conditions to avoid lengthy bargaining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a novel approach to solve problem of stairs shape assessment for two-story individual dwelling houses. Selection among available shapes and construction of stairs is a multi-criteria decision-making problem in nature. It depends on a set of different conflicting criteria, that have different optimisation direction, different measurement units. There is determined the set of the main criteria to assess the alternatives is as follows: Stairwell Area, The Total Area of Climbing, “Climbing Lane” Area, The Cost of Stairs, and Ergonomics. A novel original hybrid MCDM (multi-criteria decision-making) model, which based on ten different multi-criteria decision-making methods: Game Theory, AHP, and SAW, Multiplicative Exponential Weighting, TOPSIS, and EDAS, ARAS, Full Multiplicative form, Laplace Rule, and Bayes Rule, is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case study provides the correlation analysis of the thickness of the thermo-insulation layer (expanded polystyrene – EPS70) of the typical details of the external wall and energy performance class in a modern newly constructed residential low-energy building (one and two-room apartment). The conducted analysis focused on what impact different geographical areas of building construction and different energy performance classes of the building may had on the thickness of the thermo-insulation layer. Lithuania was chosen as the object of this study. Calculations were carried out in seven towns, including Vilnius, Klaipeda, Kaunas, Siauliai, Panevezys, Utena and Dukstas. According to requirements for legal acts passed in the Republic of Lithuania and to Directive 2010/31/EU (2010), as a result, the necessary thickness of thermo-insulation layers (EPS70) and a payback period were calculated. A multiple criteria decision support system for analyzing the correlation between the thickness of the thermo-insulation layer and its payback period of the external wall (DSS-ACTILPW) consisting of a database, a database management system, a model-base, a model-base management system and a user interface was developed. Information on the performed analysis is important to building designers, energy consumption auditors and investment experts who make the final decisions on energy efficiency of buildings in the residential building sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with selection of foundations for bearing walls of residential buildings depending on the strength of soil and taking into account the economic benefit. Based on in-situ investigation of soil conditions in different Lithuanian regions and construction technologies, it was found that the cost of foundations comprise 2.5–6% of total costs, and takes up 6–10% of construction time. Strip and pile foundations were analysed taking into account dimensions and mode of production. The proposed case study model enables to save up to 30–50% of foundation costs. It has a significant influence on entire life cycle costs of. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides the correlation analysis between the thickness of a thermo-insulation layer of the typical floor-on-soil sample and its simple payback time in a traditional new construction single-apartment residential and net-zero energy building. The calculations were carried out on the energy efficiency class of the building and the geographic area of the construction. On the basis of the results, a simple payback time was calculated. The main aim – thermal transmittance coefficients of soil touching partitions must satisfy the normative value of technical construction regulation and European standards. The research object of the study is relationships between the thickness of a thermoinsulation layer of the typical floor-on-soil sample and its simple payback time. Lithuania was chosen as the geographic area of the research. Calculations were carried out for seven towns: Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai, Panevezys, Utena, and Dukstas. The test result – developed correlation functions. Correlation analysis results are important not only for designers making decisions during the pre-design stage, but also for energy consumption auditors and experts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy generation and savings is a vital problem for the social and economic development of a modern world. The construction of wind farms is a challenge of crucial importance to Lithuania. Offshore wind farms are one of the possibilities of the multiple use of marine space. Wind energy industry has become the fastest growing renewable energy in the world. An offshore wind farm is considered one of the most promising sources of green energy towards meeting the EU targets for 2020 and 2050. They provide long-term green energy production. The major purpose of this study is the selection and ranking of the feasible location areas of wind farms and assessing the types of wind turbines in the Baltic Sea offshore area. Multi-criteria decision making methods represent a robust and flexible tool investigating and assessing possible discrete alternatives evaluated applying the aggregated WSM and WPM method namely WASPAS. The following criteria such as the nominal power of the wind turbine, max power generated in the area, the amount of energy per year generated in the area, investments and CO2emissions have been taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of lightweight construction material with high corrosion resistance and low cost plays an important role in the design and construction of marine structures such as waterfronts. One of the most common methods for strengthening the structures is composite fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) sheet that is used for member retrofitting including wood plastic composite (WPC). The WPC material is produced from wood and compressed resin, which has good mechanical properties as well as economic benefits. The main problem of WPC reinforced with FRP sheets is the debonding of the sheet from WPC surface, which leads to premature and non-economic failure in members. One of the existing methods to solve this problem is surface preparation. However, surface preparation of wood plastic composite has some additional problems, such as operational cost, environmental pollution, etc. Therefore, to avoid debonding, another method has been used, known as the grooving method at the lower parts of beams. The laboratory used 50 I-shaped specimens with the same geometrical and mechanical properties. Initially, some slots such as longitudinal, transverse and diagonal grooves were created on the surface of specimens and filled by an epoxy. All beams were armed using one or two layers of GFRP sheets embedded at the lower part and were tested under four-point flexural loading. Grooves of different shapes, various widths and depths as well as the number of reinforcement layers were determined for considering their effect on the beam's behaviour. The results expressed that the debonding of FRP sheets can be delayed by selecting the longitudinal grooves with certain width and depth, which also leads to resistance improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A great part of energy produced in Europe is consumed by old residential buildings. Consequently, it is necessary to retrofit energetically non-efficient buildings. However, there is a mass financial gap between cost effective retrofitting and upgrading to nearly zero energy building levels. The efficiency of apartment building modernization under current requirements applicable in Lithuania and the requirements for 2020 was analysed, focusing on thermal insulation of external walls. Six cases of residential building modernization in Lithuania were studied estimating criteria that are among the most important for implementation of apartment building modernization, such as the total cost of the external wall modernization, simple payback period, work duration, and other parameters related to the characteristics of thermal insulation systems. The weights of the criteria were calculated after an expert survey and using integrated SWARA-TODIM multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method the best alternatives were ranked. After analyzing the differences between the current situation and upcoming requirements for rendered and ventilated type of façades, it can be stated that the final result depends more on price, duration of works, payback period, energy losses and water vapour diffusion than on the type of façade or insulation requirements applied at present or future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper considers the velocities of air movement in the ventilated air gaps of walls and focuses on pressure fields in both wall models arranged in a climatic chamber and exploited houses. The article investigates the influence of air movement on heat transfer through walls applying numerical modelling methods and conducting experiments in the climatic chamber. The thermal effects of air flows have been described with reference to the Nusselt number defined as the ratio of average convective and conductive heat fluxes and heat flux through still air [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Numerous alternatives exist for foundation systems and construction technologies. The systems can be described by different criteria values which are incorporated in the conventional design process. Decision on the most suitable construction technology is vital for success and depends on many effectiveness criteria. The business success depends on the right choice. The mandate of a construction management researcher is to use rational, systematic, science-based techniques to inform and improve various decisions. The paper presents multiple criteria decision making model for selection of a pile-column technology. The technological criteria are determined by an experimental study. Based on in-situ investigation of natural soil conditions, criteria values are determined. The decision making model incorporates five different methods and techniques. To solve a problem, it uses three multiple criteria decision making methods. Integrated criteria weights are determined by using the analytic hierarchy process and the expert judgement method. This model could be used to solve complicated problems pertaining to the selection of a construction technology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Decision making is a vital component of success in construction management. All construction businesses recognize the painful necessity of technology choice. Good decisions mean good business. Decisions that are based on knowledge and sound reasoning can lead a company into long-term prosperity. The mandate of a construction management researcher is to use rational, systematic, science-based techniques to inform and improve decisions of all kinds. The paper presents results of an experimental study on technological indicators of pile-columns at a construction site. Based on in-situ investigation of natural soil conditions, regression equations have been determined, which can be very useful when planning similar works at a construction site. Besides, they allow determining duration and energy consumption of construction works. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The paper presents the evolution of concepts, an overview of research and applications pertaining to reliability in construction production, the use of reserves, robust itineraries, and contingency of time and cost. It describes areas of management advisory systems in relation to the cycle of risk analysis. The article also presents the main trends in different approaches to risk management in construction and construction project processes, such as reliability of production, discount methods, methods of reporting, integrated management together with trends towards standardisation of the investment process management. The discussion is embedded in the specific context: the achievements of trilateral academic colloquia, with participation of Lithuania, Germany and Poland, and a review of work by Professor Kapliński, the chair of the Polish delegation to the aforementioned colloquia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Journal of Civil Engineering & Management is the property of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper presents risk assessment of construction objects. The assessment is based on the multi-attribute decision-making methods. The risk evaluation attributes are selected taking into consideration the interests and goals of the stakeholders as well as factors that have influence on the construction process efficiency and real estate value. Ranking of objects and determination of their optimality are determined by applying TOPSIS grey and COPRAS-G methods with attributes values determined at intervals. A background and a description of the proposed model are provided and key findings of the analysis are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Civil Engineering & Management is the property of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)