PolyU IR Collection: BRE Conference Papers & Presentations

A comparative analysis of construction equipment failures using power law models and time series models

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A comparative analysis of construction equipment failures using power law models and time series models

Authors: Fan, Hongqin

Abstract: Construction equipment reliability is critical to the contractors in heavy construction works. However the equipment reliability is influenced by harsh working environments, tough working conditions and varying management practices. Reliability analysis on field data of equipment failures provides meaningful insight into the failure patterns and causes. Prediction models on reliability metrics can also be established to forecast the equipment reliability performance in the planning horizon. In this paper, classical power law models are compared with time series models in terms of their performance in reliability forecasting of construction equipment. Through experimentation on a large number of field data, it is found that generic time series models based on predictive mining algorithms can better capture the complexities of equipment reliability and identify the underlying trends, patterns and rules for decision support. Classical statistic-based power law models demonstrate better performance in model simplicity, ability of modeling subsystem reliability with minimum failure data. Proper selection of prediction models for reliability analysis can help the contractor to optimize the preventive maintenance and overhaul program by turning unscheduled maintenance actions into scheduled ones to minimize impact on project progress.

Description: This conference is hosted by the Eindhoven University of Technology, International Society for Gerontechnology, and the International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction.

Arbitration in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Arbitration in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Authors: Mau, Stephen D.

Abstract: This paper presents a preview of arbitration and particularly the arbitral process as it is practiced in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Hong Kong modelwill thus be the emphasis of this presentation. The paper begins by distinguishing arbitration from other forms of alternative dispute resolution (hereinafter “ADR”). This will be followed by an overview of arbitration practice in Hong Kong. Finally, by way of comparison, the paper concludes with an introductory discussion of arbitration law and practice in the People’s Republic of China.

A value approach to project briefing

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A value approach to project briefing

Authors: Yu, Ann T. W.; Shen, Geoffrey Q. P.; Kelly, John; Hunter, Kirsty

Abstract: Project Briefing is carried out after Strategic Briefing in the feasibility stage of the development project and is the second stage of the briefing process. The primary objective of Project Briefing is to develop a project brief which forms the basis of design for construction projects. The lack of formal assessment of client’s needs and requirements in the briefing process has been identified as an issue of concerns during an international research project into current briefing practice. A methodology which utilises a Value Management (VM) approach to systematically identify and clarify client’s requirements in the briefing process is developed successfully in this study. The focus of this paper is on how this method can be used for Project Briefing. This methodology comprises eight main activities, Time/Cost/Quality Analysis, User Flow Analysis, Functional Space Analysis, Adjacency Matrix, Outline Room Data Sheets and Functional Performance Specification, Creativity Session, Outline Budget Guidelines and Procurement Route Analysis. Whilst the benefits of using the recommended methodology have been confirmed through a focus group meeting, further research work is needed to verify the benefits of this methodology in practice and to make further improvements. The authors sincerely hope that the recommended methodology will be tested in a number of real life projects in the near future.

Managing multiple stakeholders in the briefing process

Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Managing multiple stakeholders in the briefing process

Authors: Yu, Ann T. W.; Shen, Geoffrey Q. P.

Abstract: Briefing is the first and the most important step in the design process, where the requirements of clients are defined and the objectives of the projects are identified. The briefing stage of construction projects has become the focus of design management research in the last two decades. It is because the briefing process is both critical to the successful delivery of construction projects and problematic in its effective. One of the problem areas is the inadequate involvement of relevant stakeholders. However, little attention is given to the management of multiple stakeholders in the briefing process. This paper introduces stakeholder management in the briefing process. It describes the importance of managing stakeholders in the early phase of the project and presents the methodology of analysing stakeholders to identify stakeholders, assess their needs, wants, commitment, interest and power as well as how to manage them. It concludes that managing multiple stakeholders is essential to the success of the briefing process. By so doing, the needs of all the stakeholders including the clients can be identified and clarified, making the briefing process more effective and efficient.