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Producing less than 20,000 units on average annually in California, the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) cannot meet the outsized demand for subsidized housing alone . This report examines alternatives to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit in the State of California, with particular emphasis on the Los Angeles market. This report analyzes project feasibility in today’s conditions, as well as an analysis of the financial impact that certain international policies could have on affordable housing development at the project level. The analyses aim to illustrate possible project models as additional options beyond LIHTC, and demonstrate the value of including higher income projects within an affordable housing system on being able to leverage more debt, equity and other financial resources and thereby produce more affordable housing at all levels.

Low-income communities of color in formerly redlined neighborhoods face persistent racial disparities and inequities in pollution exposure, access to transportation and safe streets, and inadequate provisions for health, safety, stable housing, clean air, education, and employment. In the process of attempting to remedy such disparities through major transportation infrastructure and access improvements, residents who are intended to benefit from expanded transportation access and options are often placed at increased risk of harmful displacement, gentrification, and environmental injustice impacts. This research project employs a case study of the International Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in East Oakland, guided by Community Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) principles, to investigate specific traffic safety and racialized displacement impacts from the project and considers potential solutions towards protecting residents and preventing harmful byproducts of major transportation projects. In collaboration with a Community Advisory Council (CAC), a quantitative analysis of collisions along the corridor and demographic changes in select East Oakland neighborhoods was conducted. The results show evidence of increased fatality and injury collisions along the corridor at the start of construction of the BRT and after opening of the service as well as continued trends of gentrification and displacement in many East Oakland neighborhoods along the corridor. It is inconclusive with this research if there is a causal link between the BRT project and exacerbated displacement trends in nearby neighborhoods. Further qualitative research is needed to ground-truth and understand more fully the indirect land and housing market impacts of the BRT project.

This study explores the mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties of environmentally friendly polymer composite rebar, created using locally discarded vegetable waste biochar and areca fiber. The material underwent various characterization following ASTM standards in order to evaluate its suitability for construction applications. The integration of biochar and areca fiber aims to improve both the sustainability and performance of the composite rebar. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were analyzed to offer insights into the material's microstructure and morphology behind the performance change. From rebar composite 'C,' with 2 wt% biochar and 40% areca fibers, superior load-bearing capacity was observed with a tensile strength of 58 MPa, flexural strength of 99 MPa, and compression strength of 75 MPa, indicating enhanced mechanical performance. In contrast, rebar composite 'E' exhibited notable shore-D hardness of 81 due to excessive biochar content, enhancing material rigidity. The increased biochar content positively influenced the thermal conductivity of the composite rebar material, with the collaborative effect of areca fibers and biochar particles enhancing overall thermal performance. Consequently, rebar composite 'E' displayed a thermal conductivity value of 0.544 W/mK. Water absorption behavior in the rebar composites was influenced by 1 µm-sized biochar particles, rendering them hydrophobic. Despite the natural hydrophilic nature of areca fibers, the biochar content intensified hydrophobic behavior. Rebar composite 'E,' with 8 wt% biochar, exhibited minimal water absorption at 0.0009. In the three-point bending strength analysis of beams constructed with rebar composites, 'C' rebar-made beams demonstrated robust bending strength at 29.6 MPa. This heightened strength is attributed to the structural strength inherent in the 'C' rebar composite, enabling effective resistance and absorption of applied loads. Therefore, this overall characterization provides valuable insights into the performance of the eco-friendly polymer composite rebar, establishing their potential for sustainable construction practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) 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.)

Structural Path Analysis (SPA) and the Hypothetical Extraction Method (HEM) are both established methods for studying CO2 emissions. However, their combined application to investigate emission linkages in specific sectors, such as construction, is relatively novel. This research integrates SPA and HEM to explore the CO2 emissions linkages within the construction sectors of China and the United States, providing a comprehensive understanding of how these emissions are interlinked. The findings show that construction sector of Untied States and China is the largest production-based CO2 emissions of construction sector in the world, but the consumption-based emissions of construction sector in China contributes 29.81% of total CO2 emissions, compared to 5.63% in the U.S. This suggests that the carbon footprint of the construction sector is a significant consideration, irrespective of whether it is assessed from the standpoint of production or consumption dynamics. Meanwhile, the development of construction sector has driven the electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply sectors to emit a large amount of CO2 emission in both countries. By analyzing the differences in the main emission linkages and pathways of the construction sectors between China and the U.S., this study provides insights for reducing CO2 emissions in the construction sector and assists policymakers in developing future strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new town hall for Hainburg The new town hall building in Hainburg unites the administrations of Hainstadt and Klein‐Krotzenburg town halls under one roof. The building does not look like a classic administrative building in its design language. The generous recessing of the ground floor over a corner and the building‐high atrium behind it make the structure look more like a light, inviting pavilion with a welcoming atmosphere. The building was constructed in timber, which is not only part of the structure but also a design element in the interior. Only the ground floor and the stiffening core were built in solid construction. The town hall's energy concept uses sustainable materials and fulfils the most modern requirements. A photovoltaic system on the roof completely covers the power supply for the entire building and the operation of the air/water heat pumps for the underfloor heating. The vertically structured façade was clad in bronzed metal sheets. The daylight falling on it enhances the impression of a building of high architectural quality. This article describes the project's planning constraints and the attempt to consistently realise the architectural idea in the supporting structure. It also focuses on analysing the calculated CO2 equivalent using the slab above the first floor as an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From demolition to replacement, the Hahnwald bridge in Niedernhausen The new replacement construction in the route of the L 3027 is a road bridge over eleven railway tracks in the city centre of Niedernhausen with a span of 73 m. The planning was carried out under great time pressure, because the existing bridge had to be decommissioned before its remaining service life due to a pier misalignment and a replacement was urgently needed for traffic reasons. Due to the changes in design demanded by the safety requirements of the Deutsche Bahn (DB), the bridge was designed as a tied‐arch bridge (with an overhead supporting structure). In addition to the adaptation of the structure to the state‐of‐the‐art, a cycle lane was added to the road cross‐section. The superstructure was produced from single elements carried to an assembly site about 600 m above the village of Niedernhausen. In early 2023 took place the transport of the about 600 t of the heavy steel construction through the village of Niedernhausen and finally the launching to its final position with the help of an intermediate support. The time‐period between the demolition and launching of the new tie‐arch bridge lasted from September 2021 to June 2023. This report covers the period from the challenges posed to maintenance management of the existing bridge to the planning of the new replacement structure, construction and opening to traffic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research proposes a collaborative teaching method to enhance the learning experiences of fashion design students by combining technology-based and construction courses. Instructors from four different apparel design courses worked together over two semesters to create projects that enabled students to apply new knowledge and gain insight into course content. Survey questionnaires from students and an in-depth interview with one instructor show that collaborative teaching can offer a holistic approach to introducing new technologies, allowing students to see how techniques from one course apply in another, creating a real-world environment. However, this approach also posed challenges, such as pre-planning fabric selection and coordinating with the institution for technological support. This study's significance lies in its potential to improve future course planning and highlight the value of collaborative teaching strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LL-37 is an antimicrobial protein expressed by the CAMP gene in humans. This protein has various antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer effects. Expressing LL-37 as a heterologous protein in E. coli cells has its challenges. LL-37 is a peptide that is so small that it must be engineered with a fusion protein to increase its size solubility and prevent proteolysis of the target protein in cells. Factor Xa is the protease chosen to cleave LL-37 from its fusion protein in this research due to leucine binding factor Xa quite strongly. The aim of this study is, therefore, to express LL-37 as a fusion protein with Histaq_SUMO at the N-terminus linked to LL-37 at the C-terminus through Factor Xa cleavage site. Then, the fusion protein was cleaved by Factor Xa to obtain pure LL-37. In this study, LL-37 was produced by recombinant DNA technology, starting with the construction, expression, purification and cleavage of the fusion protein. The constructed genes consisted of 6xHis, SUMO, the factor X cleavage site, and LL-37, a total of 450 bp inserted in the pD451-SR vector plasmid. The results of this study yielded a SUMO_LL-37 protein with a molecular weight of approximately 17.34 kDa, which could be purified by Ni-NTA under native purification conditions. Based on ImageJ SUMO_LL-37 quantification, it was 1.65 µg/µL. LL-37 can be cleaved by factor Xa from SUMO with an enzyme-to-substrate ratio of 1:12.5 at 37°C with a 24-hour incubation time and results as much as 0.144 µg/µL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women often leave the construction industry faster than men in many countries. Therefore, apart from attracting more women to site-based project management roles to improve gender diversity and address the acute skill shortages, construction organizations must pay attention to their retention. Previous studies offered valuable insights into glass walls (barriers to entry) and glass ceilings (barriers to career progression) that lead to gender inequality in male-dominated construction workplaces. However, there is a lack of research examining early career female construction management professionals' experiences concerning personal and organizational factors contributing to their success, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. Against this background, in-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 early career female construction management professionals in the Australian construction industry to explore their work experiences, personal and organizational success factors and career ambitions. Although most interviewees reported instances of sexist behavior and discrimination they experienced at some point in their careers, they mainly had positive experiences at their workplaces, indicating a positive culture shift toward the treatment of female professionals in the Australian construction industry. The study identified organizational factors such as (1) respectful and fair treatment at work, (2) equal career opportunities, (3) participation in social events, (4) mentoring, networking, and training support, and (5) flexible work arrangements, as well as personal factors such as confidence, curiosity to learn, realistic job expectations, and negotiation skills, influenced early career female construction management professionals' job satisfaction and success in male-dominated work environments. The study also found that if not addressed, poor work–life balance and health and well-being concerns would continue to cause a leaky pipeline for female professionals in site-based construction project management roles. These insights inform various recommendations that could plug the leaky pipeline and retain women in site-based roles. Practical Applications: The need to fill the skill gaps and workforce shortages in the construction industry, along with the numerous benefits of more gender-diverse and inclusive workplaces, demand more actions from different stakeholders not just to attract more female professionals to the construction industry but also to retain them in project roles. The study emphasizes the need for regular site visits, work placements, or internships, and more opportunities to engage with industry professionals to help female students make informed career choices and better prepare them for site-based careers in the construction industry. Moreover, it recommends focusing more on interpersonal or soft skills and attributes such as curiosity, self-confidence, and negotiation in educational and training programs. Construction organizations must review their policies, procedures, and practices to address gender bias and eradicate all forms of discrimination and harassment from both office and construction site workplaces. They must also support gender-equity initiatives and female-centered social and networking events along with other gender-inclusive events to improve the job satisfaction of female employees. Finally, changing the work schedule and demand to offer more flexibility, better work–life balance, and improved health and well-being outcomes is crucial to plugging the leaky pipeline of female professionals in site-based positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction workers are exposed to long physically demanding work hours and require sufficient work rests to avoid strenuous fatigue, productivity loss, and adverse health effects. In the literature, limited efforts incorporated standardized work–rest periods in the construction schedule without accounting for the variation among the workers' live physiological conditions. Rather than focusing on the worker's fatigue data collection, this paper utilizes sample cardiovascular stress and energy exertion data from health-related studies, collected using wearable Fitbits. The paper then proposes a framework for the analysis and utilization of this physiological data to design optimum work–rest schedules and worker reassignment plans as two strategies to mitigate workers' fatigue. The framework uses a constraint programming schedule optimization model that minimizes workers' physiological strain through optimized work rests and worker reassignments. Using a hypothetical schedule with the workers' fatigue data, the model proposed two 20-min breaks for one worker and two 5-min breaks for other workers and reassigned eight workers to different tasks. The framework helps project managers to efficiently improve the health and safety of workers and improve productivity, leading to a more inclusive work environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry plays an important role in the economy of countries and provides the necessary services to achieve the needs and welfare of societies. For this, attention should be given to this sector. The research aims to indicate the most important causes of conflicts in construction projects, the most important reasons for the failure of construction contracting companies, and to study the relationship between conflicts and failure of contractors in the construction industry. This study uses the questionnaire method to achieve its objectives. The target participants are contractor of grade 1 and 2 in Palestine. Eighteen (18) conflict factors and 17 influencing factors in contracting failure are identified and tabulated in a questionnaire form. Results show that the main conflict factors include: delaying monthly payments from the project owner, frequent variation orders, the quality of work is poor, rework, and delay in delivering the works according to the schedule. While the main factors of contractors failure are: cash flow problems, conflict between parties, bidding strategy, local political conditions and low profit due to high competitions. The results show a correlation between conflict and contracting business failure. The results of the research would be of great importance to those interested in the construction industry, as they contribute to identifying the causes of major problems in the construction sector and help in its renaissance and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal 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.)

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal 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.)

Due to the nature of construction work projects that must be executed outside regardless of the weather, and because it rains most of the time in the UK, the workforce will need dry clothing to work in the best conditions for their health and productivity. This study aims to identify the energy currently used in a drying room at the Everton site in Liverpool, based on which improvements will be made to optimise the drying system and garment hanging arrangement to reduce the energy bill and carbon (CO2) emissions to the environment. A thermal model using IESVE 2023 (Integrated Environmental Solutions Virtual Environment) software was developed to predict the energy consumption in the current intensive energy drying room to know the baseline energy use before implementing energy savings by constructing a test drying room composed of a heater to raise the temperature, an air circulation fan to circulate air in the room, and a dehumidifier to reduce humidity. Moisture content in the garments to dry was monitored hourly from the 25th of April to the 2nd of May for seven hours, and the results show that the best drying system in terms of energy consumption to adopt is the combination of a dehumidifier and an air mover, saving about 60%. However, adding a low-energy heater to that will still realise the same savings—58%—and the drying process will be faster in this case. Based on this fact, it can be concluded that the impact of low humidity, good air velocity, and high temperature have a great impact on reducing energy consumption, drying time, and carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of high-standard basic farmland is the cornerstone of high-quality agricultural development. In theory, the construction of high-standard farmland will affect changes in land management patterns but there is a limited amount of literature on the relationship between high-standard basic farmland construction and land transfer. Based on the panel data of 31 provinces in China, this study uses the continuous double difference method to analyze the impact of high-standard farmland construction policies on land transfer. The results show the following: the high-standard farmland construction policy implemented by the Chinese government can promote land transfer, which will significantly increase the proportion of land transfer area by 0.196 units. After robustness testing, it was found that this result is still reliable. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the construction of high-standard farmland has a stronger promoting effect on land transfer in major grain-producing areas, eastern and central regions, mountainous, and more economically structured planting areas. The mechanism test shows that the construction of high-standard farmland promotes land circulation through three paths: improving agricultural production conditions, improving factor utilization efficiency, and resisting disasters and increasing income. This study provides a valuable reference for improving the construction of high-standard farmland and promoting land circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry is essential for the economic prosperity of any nation. However, the construction workforce encounters numerous challenges stemming from various factors, including the dynamic and cyclical nature of construction operations. These challenges have led to undesired outcomes such as shortage of skilled employees and increased employee turnover rates. To overcome these undesired outcomes, construction companies have started to look for innovative strategies aimed at empowering their employees. The goal of the present study was to identify and statistically examine the most effective strategies for achieving employee empowerment, focusing specifically on the perspective of employees themselves. To achieve the study goal, a list of strategies from prior studies believed to be desired for empowering construction employees were identified from existing literature. A survey questionnaire was developed and sent to frontline construction employees, and 114 responses were collected. After collecting the responses, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. The findings identified 12 strategies perceived to be effective for empowering construction employees and provided statistical evidence to support the effectiveness of these strategies. In particular, equitable payment, nondiscrimination policy, transparency, and professional development/training were identified as particularly impactful in advancing employee empowerment in construction. By implementing the identified strategies, construction companies are expected to cultivate a positive work environment that fosters employee engagement, improves productivity, and ultimately contributes to overall organizational success. Future research and industry initiatives can build upon these findings to further enhance employee empowerment and well-being in the construction industry and facilitate the implementation of these strategies throughout the industry. The present study contributes to the understanding of employee empowerment in construction by highlighting the strategies perceived as highly effective by construction employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research draws on the pragmatic approach to ELF initiated by Kecskes (2019), who proposes that temporary norms and routines are created during intercultural encounters and interactions. Based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of collocate tokens that are strongly associated with the verb phrases of see, look, hear, listen, watch, and feel, retrieved from Asian and European ELF corpora, this study demonstrates the tendency to use similar lexical associative patterns among ELF interlocutors despite their distinct linguacultural backgrounds. An analysis of the lexical associations of the verb phrases in ELF and English Native Language (ENL) corpora further confirms that ELF speakers do not conform to ENL conventions; instead, they start to develop their own norms that are characterized by specific lexical associations and formulaic expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of Industry 4.0 between the academicians and industry players in construction engineering, further suggesting a mechanism to narrow the gap between the distinct parties. Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted through structured online and face-to-face interviews, using KAP survey, and semi-structured interviews. This constructive research was conducted among Malaysian construction industry players and academicians from the construction engineering department in public universities. Findings: The findings exhibit the similarities and differences of KAP between academics and industry on Industry 4.0 in construction engineering. In general, both categories of respondents have displayed more similarities than differences in all aspects, except for knowledge. The better knowledge profile of Industry 4.0 among the academicians reflects the nature of the academic works that constantly seek new knowledge, thus suggesting the establishment of an industry-academic (I-A) knowledge equilibrium framework to leverage the knowledge profile between both parties. Research limitations/implications: This exploratory study that showcases the perspective of the academia and industry practitioners on Industry 4.0 acts as a cornerstone for bridging the gap between the two distinct sectors within the same field. Practical implications: The gap between the academic and industry was highlighted, further establishing the I-A knowledge equilibrium framework that could also be applied to other fields of study. Originality/value: The originality of this paper was the profiling of the KAP of Industry 4.0 for the academicians and industry players in construction engineering, further distinguishing the gap between both parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With public and private clients in the construction industry increasingly using social procurement to achieve their social responsibility goals, it is important to develop theory-informed approaches for understanding how and to what extent social procurement creates social value. The research presented in this article uses social determinants of health (SDOH) theory to develop a case study of an employment-focused social procurement initiative in Australia's construction industry. The case study shows how the employment-focused social procurement initiative used cross-sector intermediation to alleviate structural barriers to employment, including siloing in the employment services sector, unsupported pathways from training into employment in construction, and negative stereotypes of people who face structural barriers to employment. Using SDOH theory, the paper frames these barriers to employment as 'upstream' and 'midstream' structural determinants of health inequities. The research finds that the initiative's impacts on determinants of health inequities are enabled and limited by commercial factors including project location and duration, status of the principal contractor, and insider knowledge of timing and requirements of new jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undergraduate programs face the challenge of staying up-to-date by responding to globalization, internationalization, and regionalization processes. Civil engineering programs should meet the requirements of the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation (AECO) industry. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a methodology that involves shared digital representations of built assets to facilitate design, construction, and operation processes within the construction knowledge field. The present research describes a methodology with six mechanisms to develop and consolidate BIM-related competencies within the construction area from an undergraduate civil engineering program. It also explores students' perceptions about the subjects within this area and their relationship with the training and reinforcement of the competencies. The study follows a descriptive scope with an action research design. The principal result is the methodology, which has six mechanisms: (1) BIM implementation into topics and syllabi; (2) use of collaborative platforms; (3) professor training programs; (4) establishment of student organizations; (5) development of a BIM application project; and (6) area and subject meetings. The validation process, which included professors, enrollment, employability and research rates, and the curricular proposal and students' perceptions, revealed that the mechanisms could effectively support the development and reinforcement of BIM-related competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the quality assurance (QA) practices of cross-border construction logistics and supply chain (Cb-CLSC) amid the pandemic by adopting an embedded mixed-method design involving a comprehensive desk literature review and experts across the Hong Kong–Mainland China links. The study revealed 10 critical QA practices, with the top three critical practices comprising 'understanding requirements, norms, and standards of quality', 'assigning clear responsibilities to qualified workers' and 'recording and documenting work processes, project routine, and seamless implementations'. This attained a relatively good percentage agreement of 55% between the industry and academia. Sentiment analysis denoted the impacts of the pandemic to be largely neutral, i.e. the created opportunities neutralise the negative impacts. This study deepens the understanding of the subject matter to help practitioners, researchers and policymakers develop innovative approaches and make operational decisions to position QA adequately for the post-pandemic era and endure the risks of future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rework remains an ever-present reality in construction projects. How rework data is defined, its format, location, and quantification contribute to the difficulty in managing its risks. This paper examines the challenges and acquired learnings encountered while attempting to create and curate a domain rework ontology in construction. An explanatory case study approach utilizing the lens of pragmatism is used to develop a rework ontology in a real-life transport infrastructure mega-project procured using a program alliancing delivery strategy. As part of an alliance's continuous improvement strategy, it aims to redress its rework problem by assessing its risk pathways and managing them using a semantic model through an ontology. We use a hybrid approach to develop an ontology. The Correlation Explanation (CorEx) topic modelling approach, a machine learning method, is used to help define our ontology's scope and generate a rework taxonomy representative of practice. The theoretical and practical implications of developing a domain rework are also discussed. Our paper's main contribution is the propagation of a knowledge repository that others can learn from when developing an ontology and addressing the problem of rework, which is often embedded in the practice of construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPorous coral reef limestone (CRL) is characterized by the low strength and developed pore structure, so improving its physico-mechanical properties is important for marine engineering construction work. Chemically consolidated porous CRL was prepared by taking a non-granular chemical grout (sodium silicate) as the main consolidation material. Then, the chemical consolidation effect was evaluated from two aspects (both the physical and mechanical properties) by conducting computed tomography (CT) scanning and quasi-static uniaxial compression tests. The results indicate that the consolidation material can fill the pores in the CRL, which reduces the porosity of specimens by more than 50%. In addition, the peak strength under quasi-static compression is increased by about 20%. The fragments decrease at failure, and fracture plane slip and crack opening are inhibited. Finally, influences of the special banded shape of consolidation material retained in the specimens on the failure process and failure mode of specimens were investigated. The chemical consolidation mechanism of porous CRL was revealed by combining with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Research results indicate that the non-granular chemical material (sodium silicate) improves the physico-mechanical properties of porous CRL. The research provides reference for the foundation treatment in coral reefs and the design of consolidation schemes for surrounding rocks of underground spaces in marine engineering operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responding to the call for circular transition, the Dutch and French governments aspire to achieve a fully circular economy by developing a transitional agenda in various sectors, including fashion and construction. The two countries are among the top 10 waste generators in the European Union (EU), while the two sectors--fashion and construction--are the largest polluters in the EU. The aim of this study, and its main contribution, is to harmonize circular design principles, which vary by sector into common types, and identify the circular design principle that balances the sustainability dimensions the most. This responds to research gaps that merely describe these design principles applicable to different sectors but which are also silent on which achieves sustainability balance. Using multicriteria decision analysis, selected case studies of companies in the two sectors and countries were scored and ranked according to environmental, economic, and social sustainability indicators. The case projects were selected based on the circular design principle that the enterprises were applying. These principles were standardized for the two sectors to come up with five distinct types, namely, design for (i) biobased materials, (ii) service/adaptability, (iii) disassembly, (iv) waste and material recovery, and (v) longevity. Three forms of triangulation were used to achieve reliability, validity, and equivalence of the findings: (i) data--by doubling the size of the sample cases to 40 establishments from 20, (ii) investigator--by having the authors score the projects separately, and (iii) method--by using two objective weighting methods in scoring the criteria. These techniques resulted in similar rankings of the cases in terms of triple bottom-line scores per design principle. Designing for biobased materials turned out to achieve the most balance. The case projects were also compared regarding performance in achieving the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), which companies use to integrate sustainability with business. Circularity in fashion and construction primarily targets responsible consumption, production, and climate action. A tertiary SDG was life on water and access to clean water for fashion and life on land and sustainable cities for construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last decade has witnessed an urgency to adopt integrated and sustainable practices within construction manufacturing processes. With this in mind, this study examines individuals' experiences of the sector's uptake of BES 6001 to determine themes and propose methods for improving the process driving towards a sustainable future. Using a phenomenological methodology and a strategy for purposive sampling of architecture, engineering and construction industry professionals involved in the certification of products under the BES 6001 framework, semi-structured interviews (n = 6) were used to collect 'lived-experience' data. The key benefits of implementation include (a) management belief; (b) BES 6001 providing automated, transparent and accountable reporting; and (c) BES 6001 providing assurance to stakeholders. Meanwhile, the key barriers include (a) the complexity and cost of administration of the assessment; (b) access for small and medium-sized enterprises/small supply chain members being challenging; and (c) the perception of value. Based on the findings, the following recommendations are proposed: (a) there should be consultation and assessment of planned future revisions of the BES 6001 standard; (b) there should be analysis of evidence production for BES 6001 accreditation, with a view to provide in-depth support to organisations – such as a guidance manual or similar; and (c) a clear and integrated approach to responsible sourcing should be explored, considering multiple third-party accreditations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid expansion of shield tunnel projects in China, precise accounting of CO2 emissions throughout the entire process is essential for advancing green and low-carbon construction practices. This paper introduces an innovative CO2 accounting methodology utilizing a cost-based carbon emission coding system. It adopts a multilevel approach to carbon emission accounting, aligned with this coding system, which facilitates a detailed examination of carbon emission ratios and characteristics across various construction techniques. The analysis includes six typical shield tunnel projects varying in diameter, focusing on sub-projects to scrutinize CO2 emissions and establish specific indicators. The findings indicate that CO2 emissions per 10,000 yuan of investment, approximately 30.25% (or 3025 kgCO2e/10,000 yuan), are more consistent than those per unit of length. Moreover, the study highlights differing CO2 emission trends among sub-projects compared to whole tunnel projects, assessing emission indicators and distribution patterns in four sub-projects: shield excavation, segmental lining, internal structure, and tunnel reinforcement. From these findings, the paper suggests more precise and tailored strategies for CO2 reduction. This research provides a theoretical basis for future construction planning and carbon management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the integration of wood recycling and reuse practices within construction and reconstruction processes, as highlighted in a wood products questionnaire. The aim of this study is to understand how the Romanian consumers perceive the circular economy in order to adopt responsible consumption models. The working instrument consisted of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was applied to 60.7% urban respondents and 39.3% rural ones and consisted of 23 items. The response rate was 68.5% for certain items (257 responses). In the first part, the integration of wood recycling and reuse practices within construction and reconstruction processes is examined. Emerging recycling techniques and demolition processes, particularly incorporating reused, reconditioned, and recycled wood in the construction industry, are evaluated. The economic and environmental implications of these practices are also examined, contributing to the discussion of eco-design policies, and construction waste management and standards. In the second part, insights are provided into how Romanian consumers' knowledge of CE principles, information about product characteristics, and attitudes influence the demand for recycled wood products. The study concludes with recommendations for better promotion strategies of wood-based recycled products, aiming to increase awareness of its long-term environmental and socio-economic benefits. Additionally, it suggests the need for providing more information on the environmental benefits of wood-based recycled products, and for a more active engagement of stakeholders in the transition to a circular economy. The results serve as a basis for a better understanding of Romanian consumers' adoption of sustainable consumption behavior in agreement with circular economy concepts and SDGs. While the majority of respondents generally shows openness to an eco-friendly product, mere promotion of these principles may not suffice to change entrenched behaviors and purchasing habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses competing visions of the decolonization of Ghana's economy during the first decade of the country's independence from Britain (1957–1966), and the agency and horizon of choice available to the Ghanaian decision-makers in charge of implementing these visions. It focuses on Ghana's construction industry, both as an important part of the national economy and as a condition for Ghana's broader social and economic development in the context of colonial-era path-dependencies and Cold War competition. By taking the vantage point of mid-level administrators and professionals, the paper shows how they negotiated British and Soviet technological offers of construction materials, machinery, and design. In response to Soviet claims about the adaptability of their construction resources to Ghana's local conditions, the practice of adaptation became for Ghanaian architects and administrators an opportunity to reflect on the needs, means, and objectives of Ghana's construction industry, and on broader visions of Ghana's economic and social development. Beyond the specific focus on the construction industry, this paper conceptualizes the centrality of adaptation in enforcing technological hegemony during the period of decolonization, and discusses African agency beyond the registers of extraction and resistance that have dominated scholarship on the global Cold War. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Suicide rates in the working-age U.S. population have increased by over 40% in the last two decades. Although suicide may be linked with characteristics of workplaces and their industries, few studies have reported industry-level suicide rates. No study has reported suicide rates by industry using nationally representative data. This study estimates suicide risks across industries in the U.S. working population. Methods: Industry-level estimates of suicide risks require substantial data; we combined 29 years of U.S. suicide data using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)-Mortality Linked data from 1986 through 2014, with mortality follow-up through 2015. We conducted survey-weighted Poisson regression analyses to estimate suicide mortality rates and rate ratios across all populations and stratified by gender. All analyses were adjusted first for age, and then for age, employment status, marital status, race/ethnicity, and rurality/urbanicity (demographic-adjusted). Rate ratios compared results for workers in each industry to those for all industries, accounting for the NHIS survey design. Results: A total of 1,943 suicide deaths were recorded. Age-adjusted suicide rates per 100,000 were highest in the furniture, lumber, and wood industry group (29.3), the fabricated metal industry (26.3), and mining (25.8). Demographic-adjusted rates were higher among men than women in most industries. Demographic-adjusted rate ratios were significantly elevated in the furniture, lumber, and wood industries (Rate Ratio, RR = 1.60, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.18–2.18); chemicals and allied products (RR = 1.49, 95%CI = 1.04–2.13); and construction (RR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.03–1.41). Conclusion: Several industries had significantly high suicide rates. Suicide prevention efforts may be particularly useful for workers in those industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the perceptions of Construction Engineering and Management instructors regarding the competencies for Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) in construction to determine knowledge areas, skills, and abilities prioritized for facilitating effective collaboration between humans and robots in the industry. A two-round Delphi study was employed to evaluate the perceptions of construction instructors regarding HRC competencies. This study's findings revealed that human-robot collaboration knowledge areas prioritized by the instructors include HRC ethics and regulation, robot anatomy and technical specifications, construction robot applications, sensors, and task planning. The instructors prioritized skills such as task planning, application of machine learning algorithms, safety management, human-robot interface proficiency, and effective communication. HRC abilities prioritized include decision-making, continuous learning, critical thinking, attention to detail, analytical aptitude, and adaptability. This research established the competencies prioritized by the instructors for implementing HRC in the construction industry and recommended future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular construction (MC) is an innovative approach to enhancing productivity and sustainability, but its complex and dynamic supply chain is challenging. This paper develops and validates a dialectical system framework for understanding and enhancing the MC supply chain, through the combination of a literature review, interviews with 59 professionals and a case study of modular integrated construction development in Hong Kong, China. The developed framework encompasses seven key components of the MC supply chain technical system – namely, pre-approval, building plan pre-submission, detailed design, module production, logistics, module installation, and quality assurance and quality control – considering various stakeholders embedded in broader contexts. The case study validates the framework as a theoretical lens to comprehend the complex MC supply chain and as a novel analytical model to enhance the MC supply chain from different stakeholder and contextual perspectives. Future research directions are suggested regarding strategy establishment, performance measurement and policy road map development to achieve a mature and sustainable supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing and using environmental management systems (EMSs) in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sectors has received worldwide attention but never through a phenomenological lens. This study investigates the 'lived experiences' of experts who have implemented and used ISO 14001 in AEC organisations based in the UK. Using a qualitative research strategy of semi-structured interviews, extensive analysis of the conversations reveals several themes – namely, participants believe that ISO 14001 is not just an environmental business tool, ISO 14001 offers a means of delivering sustainability, ISO 14001 accreditation opens doors for business accruement and, moreover, ISO 14001 is more than a badge, rather it is a modern-day business necessity. The study also reveals that not all organisations asking for ISO 14001 have the accreditation themselves. Based on this evidence, and contrary to previous studies that have proposed that EMSs are chiefly implemented to save costs and comply with legislation, it seems that box ticking as part of the tendering process is now the major motivation for organisations to attain and maintain International Organization for Standardization accreditation. Further, concerns are expressed that some organisations are unwilling to state their sustainability objectives or embed their operations within an EMS that will be audited because it could emphasise their poor performance to stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the total energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will reach considerable levels based on the current speed of urban rail transit system development. Based on the life-cycle assessment theory, this research constructs an urban rail transit system GHG emission assessment method, calculates emission outputs based on resource inputs from actual investigated data and makes a quantitative analysis of GHG emissions. The results show that in recent years, the GHG emission of urban rail transit construction and operation in China is between 2000 × 104 and 4200 × 104 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per year. The proportions of the construction and operational phases in this emission are 57 and 43%, respectively. In the construction phase, the GHG emission intensity per unit mileage of shield tunnels and per unit area of stations is about 1.3 × 104 tCO2e/km and 3.71 × 104 tCO2e/ha, respectively. In the operational phase, the GHG emission intensity per unit trip is 0.084 kg carbon dioxide equivalent/passenger-km. The entire life-cycle GHG emission per kilometre of urban rail transit systems is 11.69 × 104 tCO2e (with a service life of 50 years) in China. The construction phase and operation phase generated about 18.73 and 81.27% of this emission, respectively. The preliminary conclusions of this study may help shed light on the emission reduction potential of urban rail transit systems and the emission reduction targets in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine which types of waste that occur during the construction phase are influenced and reduced by lean principles and building information modelling (BIM) functions. A survey study was conducted and analysed with multiple correspondence analysis. It was seen that waiting, overprocessing and overproduction wastes are reduced by lean principles. It was determined that the visualisation features of lean principles and BIM functions reduce inventory and defect production wastes. It was figured out that BIM functions reduce unnecessary transportation waste by using technologies. It is hoped that the findings of this study will help construction managers quickly determine which lean principles and/or BIM functions to be used at the construction site to reduce waste more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to develop new ternary blend (TB) cement-free binder materials as an alternative to conventional cement by using Paper Sludge Ash (PSA) waste as the base material. During this research, the combined application of mechanical activation (grinding) and chemical activation by blending with pozzolanic: (silica fume; SF) and (rice husk ash; RHA), and high al-kalinity: (poultry litter fly ash; PLFA) and (cement kiln dust; CKD) materials were investigated. The research plan included four stages in which PSA was activated and replaced with the above-mentioned materials until reaching a ternary blend binder with the best performance (depending on the mortar compressive strength). Thereafter, the performance of this ternary blend binder was compared with the conventional cement by conducting compressive strength (at the ages of 3, 7 and 28 days) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests. The findings indicated that a cement-free binder material was developed by using a combination of 60% PSA that was blended with 20% RHA and 20% PLFA. The new binder has shown higher compressive strength than the conventional cement by about 12% after 28 days of curing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inclusive workforce leads to higher productivity and creativity, increased job satisfaction, and decreased turnover. Though few studies have identified factors affecting inclusion in construction, there is a need for a measurement index to enable organizations to assess their progress in inclusion. Therefore, this study aimed to compute the share percentage of each attribute contributing to inclusion in the construction industry, specifically for women and transgender individuals. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used as the multiattribute decision-making tool to transform the judgments of five experts, three practitioners and two academicians, into a list of weighted attributes. Fourteen attributes emerged from AHP, which were grouped into eight unique gender inclusion factors: endorsement of inclusion, external collaboration, quality of work–life, career development, equitable work environment, effective communication, worker health and welfare, and safe work environment. The results underscored the predominance of endorsement-related attributes such as commitment from top management and inclusion at the top management level for enhancing gender inclusion on sites. External collaboration emerged as a prominent factor, whereas communication with management was the least weighted attribute. The findings have threefold implications. The hierarchy structure will enable practitioners to map the various attributes in their organization and suggest actions based on the requirements of the workforce. Second, the ranked list will enable practitioners to focus on the limited resources available to enhance the inclusion of the attributes with higher weightage. Third, the attribute weight will help researchers develop a quantitative index for computing the level of gender inclusion on construction sites. Apart from the general limitations of an AHP-based evaluation, the findings of this paper cannot be used to assess the presence of an attribute onsite; instead, they can indicate the extent to which an attribute contributes to inclusion in the construction industry. Practical Applications: Existing studies have made it abundantly clear that diversity and inclusion are essential practices for the sustenance and progress of the global economy. However, there is limited practical evidence to back up these studies. For example, research that suggests an increase in inclusion in construction sites increases worker productivity cannot be proven quantitatively. This is because although productivity data can be measured, the level of inclusion at a site or that a person feels cannot be measured. To facilitate such research directions about inclusion, especially in construction, it is of the utmost importance to come up with an index that will enable practitioners to assess the inclusion at a site. Developing such an index is a complex task involving many stages. This study endeavored to address one of the stages—weighting of attributes—in detail and explore the results and applications therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]