The continuous desire to improve health and safety in UK construction has in recent years been challenged to adopt offsite strategies in order to address the poor health and safety record of construction. Despite the benefits of using offsite there has been little research on the actual benefits and disadvantages of the effect of offsite on occupational health and safety. This is important given that the UK government has promoted the use of offsite to improve health and safety performance. This thesis provides a strategy for the management of offsite risk and a risk management tool has been developed. The study investigated offsite manufacturers views on offsite activities and risks in comparison with insitu activities and risks. This was achieved through three phases: phase I comprised two expert group interviews, phase II involved ergonomic audits and phase III consisted of three semi-structured interviews with three offsite manufacturers. The thesis identified that there are significant health and safety benefits of offsite. The benefits relate to specific activities within the offsite categories and context studied. Examples include the elimination of work at height, reduction in noise, reduction in work in confined space, reduction in congested work with trade overlap and greater control over work in the factory. The research revealed that there are still potential health and safety risks with offsite. Examples include; transportation and delivery of units of large size and weight with associated high consequence craneage and handling risks (unit fall and hand injury), whole body vibration, cuts, MSDs, RSIs, fumes and slips trips and falls. There appears to be little in the literature to support the identification of offsite risk issues. The study identified strategies to eliminate and reduce offsite residual risks. The case study investigated solutions to further reduce residual risks, which were further explored in phase III the semi-structured interviews. The solutions are grouped into four approaches: process change, workplace environment designing out risks, automation and the use of tools. An offsite risk management tool was developed which transfers knowledge from the study to provide awareness and management of offsite risk. The thesis provides a contribution to knowledge by providing a better understanding of offsite risks, offsite residual risks and strategies used to reduce residual risks.

Offsite construction solutions have gained significant prominence over recent years. Much of the interest however, has been focussed on the building sector, in particular housing. The Civil Engineering and Infrastructure sector (CE&I) has comparatively seen little growth in this aspect. Specific exemplars for some high-profile projects, such as the Heathrow Airport control tower, do exist, but there have been far less applications of the new and emerging technologies and approaches that have been influential in the building sector recently. In addition, Offsite itself is not a well-defined supply sector, but rather a conglomeration of various, largely material or technology-based supply networks. This makes it difficult to realise new opportunities, especially in different sectors of the construction industry. This thesis is the culmination of a four-year Engineering Doctorate (EngD) research programme investigating the components that affect the realisation of offsite in the CE&I sector. It commences with an introduction to the research and its aims and objectives, and moves on to present the methodological considerations. During the four Work Packages (WP) conducted, a total of 78 individuals participated and contributed to workshop and interviews, together with an extensive critical review of literature. All primary and secondary data was examined with appropriate methods, such as a comparative case study and an emergent thematic analysis, upon which a series of conclusions and subsequently recommendations were drawn. The findings clearly identify that CE&I is more risk averse, and defines offsite differently, to the building sector. Each CE&I sub-sector has specific drivers and barriers to offsite, and due to the relative longevity of CE&I projects (both procurement, design, and construction) makes it difficult to benchmark and quantify offsite and its benefits. Large programmes of works rather than small projects are key to realising offsite as they provide confidence to the supply chain of long term investment. In addition, clients are pivotal for driving offsite as they can influence the industry s focus; nevertheless, investment cycles in infrastructure clients hinders offsite realisation. For holistic offsite implementation organisation need to have a top-down strategy. Therefore offsite requirements should be embedded within the project delivery governance processes. Its realisation is linked directly to recruitment, training and research and development plans. Building information modelling (BIM) now plays a key part in offsite realisation in CE&I as from 2016 it will be compulsory for all centrally-funded government works. BIM however, does not directly increase the offsite implementation, but it can help enable offsite due to the ability to define the design earlier in the project lifecycle. In addition, BIM encourages the use of software that can help identify the repetition of components, therefore increasing the potential for economies to scale. Finally, with the use of such software, delivery teams can simulate the construction sequence and therefore further help to enable offsite by reducing logistical challenges.

The construction sector constitutes one of the most important sectors in the economy of any country. Contractor selection is a critical decision that is undertaken by client organisations and is central to the success of any construction project. For major construction projects, final contractor selection often follows the contractor selection stage. Contractor selection is a process which involves investigating, screening and determining whether candidate contractors have the technical and financial capability to be accepted to formally tender for construction work. The process should be conducted prior to the award of contract, characterized by many factors such as: contactor's skills, experience on similar projects, track- record in the industry, and financial stability. Several models and approaches have been developed to assist client organisations in the contractor selection decision making process. This thesis evaluates the current state of knowledge in relation to contractor selection models. The key features, strengths and limitations of each of these methods are critically evaluated. The key factors of particular interest to client organisations are assessed. This thesis reports on-going research which aims to develop improved contractor selection criteria and methods with specific application to make construction projects in the Libyan context. The aim of this thesis is to build a framework for contractor selection process in the Libyan Construction Industry (LCI) and to find out the major obstacles constraining its operations which so far have not yet been taken into account by the Libyan researchers. However, to address that, a huge investigation has taken place about the current statues for contractor selection in Libya, as well as, in developed and well developed countries. To achieve that, both, theoretical and empirical research was carried out between 2010 and 2013 in Libya. The theoretical study concentrated on the sector of construction industry (Cl) and its key issues, whereas the empirical study focused and explored on the Libyan Construction Industry (LCI) as the context for the study. Two case studies were utilized in this research. The case studies were used to provide more information about the current situation of the LCI and to identify the contractor selection procedures of construction projects in. Also, it assist the researcher to identify key research questions that can later be used in a questionnaire survey. This research was implemented through the administration of a questionnaire survey based on research questions that are required for the building of a framework for contractor selection procedure and the identification of the challenges and obstacles that are facing the clients in the selection process. The development of the framework includes, but is not limited to, contractor selection criteria, decision makers, consultant, clients and sub-contractor. Therefore, the data collection is based on responses from the public and private sector (clients, consultants, contractors and others that are involved in and are knowledgeable about the contractor selection process in the Libyan construction projects). Mean and analysis of variance (independent T-test) were used to manipulate the data from the questionnaire within the SPSS v.20 software environment. The resulting framework was subjected to a validation procedure which involved a structured Delphi technique process based on a focus group consisting of experts who were selected to help with validation of the framework and establishing the extent to which the framework is practical, clear, applicable and comprehensive. This research uses an integrated approach that combines AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method and TOPSIS (Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method to evaluate and investigate the current existing practice of contractor selection in Libya. Also, the Delphi technique was used to establish a road map for contractor selection process. Twelve participants were selected to help with validation of the framework. Overall, this research found that the LCI was suffering from a total absence of contractor selection frameworks. This directly impacts on client satisfaction as well as government planning in the reconstruction of the country after the civil war in particular. To close this gap, this research was embarked upon to identify and explore the various contractor selection methods and frameworks that are utilized to support the guidance of contractor selection process toward success. As a consequence of this study, the Contractor Selection Process (CSP) is now very comprehensive and can now be a reference for any problem. Furthermore, this research will help decision makers and others involved to be more aware of and have a better understanding of the selection procedure in the LCI. This new understanding will help decision makers to make more efficacious decisions and to adopt good short and long term policies for contractor selection planning which can then be put into procedure. Even though this framework is built for the LCI, the research can be utilised in other countries that have a similar construction industry environment.

Interface management (IM) in its many forms (physical, contractual and organisational) has not received the management research it warrants in the construction sector. Offsite bathroom construction is seen as a sector of offsite construction that can aid the interface problems that are common in construction. However, interface problems that occur when using offsite bathrooms are considered to be as detrimental, if not more to the overall process when compared to traditional bathroom construction. This research will focus on organisational IM, through research into the relevant process and people factors required to mitigate potential IM problems in the offsite bathroom process. A literature review of IM, offsite construction and traditional construction was conducted which identified 16 factors that could have an influence on the organisational IM of offsite bathroom construction. A further literature review was carried out for each factor to establish its connectivity to the holistic process of the IM of offsite bathrooms. A proforma was constructed which gathered quantitative and qualitative data from 82 interviewees, associated with eight case study projects. The methodology adopted was based on the pragmatism philosophical stance, which concurs with a mixed method approach to the collection and analysis of the data. The quantitative data was analysed using frequency tables and the Wilcoxon sign rank test. The quantitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis identified nine of the 16 factors as main contributors to the IM of offsite bathroom construction. These nine factors consisted of six process factors: procurement, design management, supply chain management, health and safety, tolerance and quality. Three people factors were: communication, client/design team and the role of the project manager. A conceptual model was constructed to encapsulate each of the nine factors and their sub-factors. Important findings from the research identified the procurement route as both an enabler and a constraint, depending on its ability to allow early input from the main contractor and manufacturer to the uptake of offsite bathrooms. The cross-cutting importance of the people factors to the successful implementation of the process factors identified the importance of the main contractor maintaining supervision of the manufacturer and the interface problems created from incomplete design. Further analyses of all the findings identified communication and the role of the project manager as the two most influential factors, with early and informal communication and strong leadership from the project manager relevant to all factors that affect the successful IM of offsite bathroom construction.

Abstract Purpose: Contractors usage of inspection data for the purpose of experience feedback in order to improve the production processes is unusual. The usual procedure with the usage of inspection protocols is to use them as a tool for correcting building errors discovered at the time of the inspection. This report highlights the opportunities and challenges regarding a computer aided inspection process by studying what different people in the industry think about these issues. The aim of the study is to present a proposal on the structure of a program that handles inspection data in the purpose of experience feedback and statistics. The structure shows an example on how the information from inspection statements can be sorted. Method: The authors conducted a case study of a company that works with offsite construction. The data collection was performed through semi structured interviews at the company the study focuses on and also on another company in the same industry. To be able to conduct the interviews in a satisfying way the authors conducted a document analysis of previous inspection protocols as well as a literature study through which the authors became acquainted with the current research frontier. Findings: The data collection with following analysis, among other findings, resulted in that a digital inspection process would make the categorization of errors standardised which in turn would lead to better usage of the information provided from inspections. It was also found that companies within the industry wants to use a digital tool for experience feedback. Especially for, but not limited to, the ability to get statistics over what areas in the business that need improvement. The result most closely related to the aim of the study is the points the authors believe should be included in a specification for a digital tool, for managing inspection protocols and using them for experience feedback. These points are: minimal changes by hand, easy to navigate, the ability to keep statistics over inspection findings and the possibility to adapt the structure of the digital to the specific company or inspector. Implications: The core of the problem that the report intends to investigate is the weaknesses in how industrial contractors use the information from inspections. The result indicate that a digital tool may be part of the solution. With such a tool developed, with above mentioned points in mind, many of the reoccurring errors found through inspections would be made visible through the easy access of statistics. In this way companies that uses a tool like this would have an easier time to introduce changes in their operations to minimize errors. Limitations: The report is limited by the fact that it only targets companies that is working with offsite construction in an industrialized fashion and therefore only is privileged by their views of the issues. The inspectors, whom also would be affected by such a tool, is not included in this study. Keywords: ICT, experience feedback, offsite construction, inspection process, requirements engineering. Content is described in Swedish below. / Sammanfattning Syfte: Att industriella byggföretag använder sig av besiktningsprotokoll för erfarenhetsåterföring med syfte att förbättra produktionsprocessen är ovanligt. Det vanliga förfarandet handlar närmast om att använda protokollen enbart som åtgärdslistor för de fel som uppdagas vid besiktningstillfället. Denna rapport belyser möjligheter och utmaningar med en datorstödd besiktningsprocess genom att utreda vad olika personer i den industriella modulbyggbranschen tycker i dessa frågor. Arbetets mål är att presentera ett förslag på struktur för ett program som hanterar besiktningsanmärkningar för erfarenhetsåterföring. Strukturen ska visa hur informationen från besiktningsutlåtandena kan sorteras. Metod: Rapportförfattarna har utfört en fallstudie på ett företag inom industriellt modulbyggande. Datainsamlingen skedde genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer på företaget fallstudien fokuserar på och på ett annat företag i samma bransch. För att genomföra intervjuerna på ett bra sätt genomfördes en dokumentanalys av slut-besiktningsprotokoll från tidigare färdigställda projekt och det gjordes en litteratur-studie där rapportförfattarna bekantade sig med den nuvarande forskningsfronten i ämnet. Resultat: Sammantaget resulterade datainsamlingen, och analysen av denna, bland annat i att en digitaliserad besiktningsprocess hade kunnat göra kategoriseringen av fel standardiserad och att man då i högre grad kan utnyttja informationen i besiktnings-protokollen. Det visar sig också att de industriella byggföretagen i branschen vill använda sig av ett digitalt verktyg för erfarenhetsåterföring, framförallt men inte enbart för att få statistik över vilka områden i verksamheten som behöver förbättras. Det resultat som närmast svarar mot målet är de punkter som rapportförfattarna anser bör ingå i en kravspecifikation för ett digitalt verktyg för hantering av besiktningsprotokoll och erfarenhetsåterföring från dessa. Punkterna som rapportförfattarna kommer fram till är: minimal handpåläggning, lättnavigerat, möjlighet att föra statistik över besiktningsanmärkningar samt möjlighet att anpassa strukturen av det digitala verktyget utefter krav hos det specifika företaget eller besiktningsmannen. Konsekvenser: Kärnan i problemet som rapporten ämnar utreda är brister i hur industriella byggföretag i dagsläget använder sig av informationen i slut-besiktningsprotokoll. Rapportens resultat indikerar att ett digitalt verktyg kan vara en del i lösningen på problemet. Med ett sådant verktyg utvecklat efter ovan nämnda punkter som grund skulle många återkommande fel som idag upptäcks på slutbesiktningar synliggöras genom lättillgänglig statistik. På så sätt kan företag som använder ett sådant verktyg lättare införa förändringar i verksamheten för att minimera fel. Begränsningar: Rapporten begränsas i den mening att den endast riktar sig mot företag inom industriellt modulbyggande och då enbart deras åsikter i frågorna. Besiktningsmännen som också skulle påverkas av ett sådant verktyg ingår ej i studien. Nyckelord: ICT, erfarenhetsåterföring, industriellt byggande, besiktningsprocessen, requirements engineering.

Esta dissertação revê as metodologias de teste de estresse em sistemas financeiros e descreve uma análise de cenário e um teste de estresse aplicado ao Brasil. Os cenários macroeconômicos são modelados por vetores auto-regressivos e o teste de estresse por um probit ordenado com efeitos aleatórios. Dados para o Brasil no período de 11/2002 a 11/2007 são usados para estimar os cenários macroeconômicos. A experiência brasileira de 2002 e início de 2003 parecem particularmente interessante para um teste de estresse por incluir uma grande volatilidade de mercado com taxas de inadimplência e perdas bancárias acima da média. A introdução de cenários macroeconômicos no teste de estresse do sistema financeiro brasileiro e o uso de regressões de dados categorizados com dados em painel são a principal contribuição deste trabalho. O modelo pode ser estendido para usar dados para um setor industrial especifico para identificar potenciais riscos de concentração de empréstimos. / This dissertation reviews financial system stress-testing methodologies and describes a scenario analysis and macro stress testing applied to Brazil. The macroeconomic scenarios are modeled by a vector autoregressive and the stress testing by a random effects ordered probit panel. Data for Brazil over the time period from 11/2002 to 11/2007 is used to estimate the macroeconomic scenarios. The Brazilian experience in 2002 and early 2003 appears particularly suited for macro stress-testing as it includes a great market volatility with significantly higher than average default rates and banks\' losses. Introducing macroeconomic scenarios in Brazilian financial system stress-testing and using categorical regression with panel data are the main contributions of the dissertation. The model can be extended to use industrial specific sector data to stress in order to identify potential risks of loans\' concentration.

Through the exporting of a portion of site-based work to fabrication shops, modularization (MOD) can enhance efficiency in the construction industry. The industry, however, applies modularization at only a low level. To reach higher levels of modularization, the EPC industry needs new approaches. Previous studies have identified the current trends in and barriers to the industry's application of modularization. Moreover, in 2013, the Construction Industry Institute's (CII) Research Team 283 identified 21 critical success factors (CSFs) that create an optimum environment for a broader and more effective use of modularization. However, the researcher has identified a need to better understand the relative significance of MOD CSFs and their associations with project performance. Thus, the research was conducted to provide recommendations for better project performance by identifying correlations between the accomplishment of MOD CSFs and project performance and examining actual modular projects' MOD CSF accomplishment. This study identified four statistically significant positive correlations. Those are between the accomplishment of MOD CSFs and: 1) cost performance; 2) schedule performance; 3) Construction performance; and 4) Startup performance. In addition to the correlation analysis, the study also identified the CSFs that appear to contribute the most to 1) "Modular Project Success", 2) Construction success, 3) Startup success, 4) Cost performance, and 5) Schedule performance. To collect information on the actual industrial modular projects, the study surveyed industry experts. By using this study, many industrial project stakeholders from owners to fabricators, designers and EPC contractors, will be able to understand the relationships between MOD CSFs and project performance. Such an understanding should motivate them to achieve better project performance through implementing modularization CSFs. / text

Esta dissertação revê as metodologias de teste de estresse em sistemas financeiros e descreve uma análise de cenário e um teste de estresse aplicado ao Brasil. Os cenários macroeconômicos são modelados por vetores auto-regressivos e o teste de estresse por um probit ordenado com efeitos aleatórios. Dados para o Brasil no período de 11/2002 a 11/2007 são usados para estimar os cenários macroeconômicos. A experiência brasileira de 2002 e início de 2003 parecem particularmente interessante para um teste de estresse por incluir uma grande volatilidade de mercado com taxas de inadimplência e perdas bancárias acima da média. A introdução de cenários macroeconômicos no teste de estresse do sistema financeiro brasileiro e o uso de regressões de dados categorizados com dados em painel são a principal contribuição deste trabalho. O modelo pode ser estendido para usar dados para um setor industrial especifico para identificar potenciais riscos de concentração de empréstimos. / This dissertation reviews financial system stress-testing methodologies and describes a scenario analysis and macro stress testing applied to Brazil. The macroeconomic scenarios are modeled by a vector autoregressive and the stress testing by a random effects ordered probit panel. Data for Brazil over the time period from 11/2002 to 11/2007 is used to estimate the macroeconomic scenarios. The Brazilian experience in 2002 and early 2003 appears particularly suited for macro stress-testing as it includes a great market volatility with significantly higher than average default rates and banks\' losses. Introducing macroeconomic scenarios in Brazilian financial system stress-testing and using categorical regression with panel data are the main contributions of the dissertation. The model can be extended to use industrial specific sector data to stress in order to identify potential risks of loans\' concentration.

<p>The United States presents the appropriate conditions for a wider adoption of offsite construction (OSC): steady growth in the construction industry, high construction wages, shortage of labors, and demand for housing – especially multifamily housing. The multifamily housing market is overheated, but many design and construction companies are still struggling to stay strong in this market, marked by tight profit margins, high competitiveness and inefficiencies. OSC presents itself as a solution to help design and construction companies to become more efficient and resilient to potential market crises. However, the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is hesitant to move to higher levels of OSC adoption, mainly because stakeholders, including owners, developers, designers, and construction companies, are not aware of the potential benefits resulting from OSC and are not prepared to promote the changes necessary for the successful adoption of OSC or for the engagement in modular construction, which would represent an important move towards industrialized construction. This study focused on how to implement strategic changes in design and construction companies, particularly small and medium-size enterprises, interested in successfully using OSC in multifamily housing projects, considering the need for more affordable and sustainable multifamily housing in the United States. Using mixed methods, the study involved five phases of data collection and data analysis and had the contribution of professionals from the AEC industry. Focusing only on the AEC industry of the United States, the researcher first identified the main factors affecting the use of OSC in multifamily projects, as well as the most important changes that design and construction companies need to adopt for the successful use of OSC in multifamily projects. The factors and the changes helped to structure and shape the scope of the principles, which were later consolidated and validated through research with professionals from design and construction companies. The final set of eight principles was divided into four topics: (1) strategy and business model, (2) people, organization, and culture, (3) technology, materials, and tools, and (4) processes and operations. In addition to helping to shape more efficient and resilient construction companies, the application of the proposed principles contributes to building more affordable and sustainable housing in the United States.</p>

The development of society calls for a new approach to traditional building systems, which no longer meet the demands of today's society. This is mainly manifested in the following points: 1. Traditional buildings, when decayed, generate a large amount of construction waste, which occupies more land and resources in the form of landfills. New buildings should aim to minimize or eliminate construction waste generation, thus reducing environmental damage. The transformation of buildings from "Cradle to Grave" to "Cradle to Cradle." 2. Different ages, social roles, and professions require varying building functionalities and sizes. Buildings should be adaptable to meet these diverse needs. 3. Buildings should not be permanently fixed to a single location but should be in a continuous process of change, even to the extent of being movable. 4. Buildings should have a growth and transformation process, where components can be recycled and reused, similar to how chemical elements can cycle naturally in the environment. 5. Buildings should be designed for rapid transport, assembly, and disassembly. They should not require specialized construction workers for installation. This is in contrast to traditional buildings with long construction periods, poor construction quality, and high levels of complexity. 6. Building design should be simplified and modular, allowing for quick achievement of aesthetic, functional, safety, and livability requirements. Owners should be able to participate in the design process, enabling them to meet their own usage and living needs. This approach differs from traditional building design, which requires extensive involvement from trained architects and engineers, resulting in higher construction costs and resource consumption. 7. New recycling houses should be adaptable for various functions and building types, such as houses, apartments, townhouses, offices, affordable housing, single-story or multi-story buildings, and even high-rise structures. 8. In summary, the concept of recycling houses aligns with the need for sustainable and adaptable buildings that minimize waste, accommodate diverse needs, promote ease of construction, and allow for resource conservation. / Master of Architecture / The development of society calls for a new approach to traditional building systems, which no longer meet the demands of today's society. This is mainly manifested in the following points: 1. Traditional buildings, when decayed, generate a large amount of construction waste, which occupies more land and resources in the form of landfills. New buildings should aim to minimize or eliminate construction waste generation, thus reducing environmental damage. The transformation of buildings from "Cradle to Grave" to "Cradle to Cradle." 2. Different ages, social roles, and professions require varying building functionalities and sizes. Buildings should be adaptable to meet these diverse needs. 3. Buildings should not be permanently fixed to a single location but should be in a continuous process of change, even to the extent of being movable. 4. Buildings should have a growth and transformation process, where components can be recycled and reused, similar to how chemical elements can cycle naturally in the environment. 5. Buildings should be designed for rapid transport, assembly, and disassembly. They should not require specialized construction workers for installation. This is in contrast to traditional buildings with long construction periods, poor construction quality, and high levels of complexity. 6. Building design should be simplified and modular, allowing for quick achievement of aesthetic, functional, safety, and livability requirements. Owners should be able to participate in the design process, enabling them to meet their own usage and living needs. This approach differs from traditional building design, which requires extensive involvement from trained architects and engineers, resulting in higher construction costs and resource consumption. 7. New recycling houses should be adaptable for various functions and building types, such as houses, apartments, townhouses, offices, affordable housing, single-story or multi-story buildings, and even high-rise structures. 8. In summary, the concept of recycling houses aligns with the need for sustainable and adaptable buildings that minimize waste, accommodate diverse needs, promote ease of construction, and allow for resource conservation.