PurposeThis paper seeks to test the applicability of lean principles to simple construction processes using discrete‐event simulation.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative construction data and process mapping of plastering and block‐laying processes were first gathered and established from construction project through field observation and interviews with those involved in the selected projects. Then a simulation model was built to mimic the aforementioned processes to study the impact of certain lean principles. The simulation models became like an experimentation tool where lean principles (e.g. focus on actual objects and map the value stream) were introduced to evaluate their impact on such processes.FindingsLean principles are effective not only in complicated processes, as proved in previous studies, but also in simple processes. Enhancing the flow of construction materials means the less time they will spend in the value stream and as a result the leaner a process will be. In fact, simple processes are good candidate for lean improvements.Research limitations/implicationsSimulating lean principles did not bring different construction processes to the leanest level of performance. There are other factors that govern each process. Rework, uncertainty, labor skills, site conditions and location are some examples of such factors that need further analyses for leaner construction processes.Originality/valueMany studies focused on complicated processes to investigate the applicability of lean principles to construction. Results of these studies affirmed the great potentiality of such principles in improving construction processes. This study readdressed the issue of lean applicability to construction by focusing on simple processes, which are block‐laying and plastering.

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PurposeBuildings are major contributors to greenhouse gases (GHG) along the various stages of the building life cycle. A range of tools have been utilised for estimating building energy use and environmental impacts; these are time-consuming and require massive data that are not necessarily available during early design stages. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an Environmental Impacts Cost Assessment Model (EICAM) that quantifies both energy and environmental costs for residential buildings.Design/methodology/approachAn Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was employed to develop the EICAM. The model consists of six input parameters, including wall type, roof type, glazing type, window to wall ratio (WWR), shading device and building orientation. In addition, the model calculates four measures: annual energy cost, operational carbon over 20 years, envelope embodied carbon and total carbon per square metre. The ANN architecture is 6:13:4:4, where the conjugate gradient algorithm was applied to train the model and minimise the mean squared error (MSE). Furthermore, regression analysis for the ANN prediction for each output was performed.FindingsThe MSE was minimised to 0.016 while training the model. Also, the correlation between each ANN output and the actual output was very strong, with an R2 value for each output of almost 0.998. Moreover, validation was conducted for each output, with the error percentages calculated at 0.26%, 0.25%, 0.03% and 0.27% for the annual energy cost, operational carbon, envelope materials embodied carbon and total carbon per square metre, respectively. Accordingly, the EICAM contributes to enhancing design decision-making concerning energy consumption and carbon emissions in the early design stages.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides theoretical implications to the domain of building environmental impact assessment through illustrating a systematic approach for developing an energy-based prediction model that generates four environmental-oriented outputs, namely energy cost, operational energy carbon, envelope embodied carbon, and total carbon. The model developed has practical implications for the architectural/engineering (A/E) industries by providing a useful tool to easily predict environmental impact costs during the early design phase. This would enable designers in Saudi Arabia to make effective design decisions that would increase sustainability in the building life cycle.Originality/valueBy providing a holistic predictive model entitled EICAM, this study endeavours to bridge the gap between energy costs and environmental impacts in a predictive model for Saudi residential units. The novelty of this model is that it is an alternative tool that quantifies both energy cost, as well as building’s environmental impact, in one model by using a machine learning approach. Besides, EICAM predicts its outcomes more quickly than conventional tools such as DesignBuilder and is reliable for predicting accurate environmental impact costs during early design stages.

PurposeBuildings are responsible for the consumption of around 40% of energy in the world and account for one-third of greenhouses gas emissions. In Saudi Arabia, residential buildings consume half of total energy among other building sectors. This study aims to explore the impact of sixteen envelope variables on the operational and embodied carbon of a typical Saudi house with over 20 years of operation.Design/methodology/approachA simulation approach has been adopted to examine the effects of envelope variables including external wall type, roof type, glazing type, window to wall ratio (WWR) and shading device. To model the building and define the envelope materials and quantify the annual energy consumption, DesignBuilder software was used. Following modelling, operational carbon was calculated. A “cradle-to-gate” approach was adopted to assess embodied carbon during the production of materials for the envelope variables based on the Inventory of Carbon Energy database.FindingsThe results showed that operational carbon represented 90% of total life cycle carbon, whilst embodied carbon accounted for 10%. The sensitivity analysis revealed that 25% WWR contributes to a significant increase in operational carbon by 47.4%. Additionally, the efficient block wall with marble has a major embodiment of carbon greater than the base case by 10.7%.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is a contribution to the field of calculating the embodied and operational carbon emissions of a residential unit. Besides, it provides an examination of the impact of each envelope variable on both embodied and operational carbon. This study is limited by the impact of sixteen envelope variables on the embodied as well as operational carbon.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt on investigating the effects of envelop variables on carbon footprint for residential buildings in Saudi Arabia.

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Background: An extensive body of knowledge indicated the positive impact of the Advanced Computer based Management Systems (ACMS) on various aspects of project management, while highlighting barriers that hinder adoption, diffusion, and utilization of the ACMS by the construction industries around the world. Remote projects have their unique management problems and these are caused mainly by the remoteness of the project. Little research was undertaken concerning this issue, particularly in the Persian Gulf region, and it has highlighted few unique communications and management problems such as the loose control, lack of human resources, infrastructure and experience. Methods: This research investigated the use of ACMS by large companies in the Eastern province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and how it would help these companies sorting out a number of present projects' management problems. Subsequently, a field study i.e. a questionnaire survey and interviews was carried out. Result: The field study revealed significant association between frequent management problems with little use of ACMS and the domination of use of traditional communications and management systems. This paper argues that the use of traditional systems and the traditional way of sorting out construction problems limit the applicability of ACMS. Conclusion:The present researchers recommend the use of customized ACMS associated with the application of lean and sustainable management principals as these would help overcoming barriers and providing intelligent solution for the strategic, technical, and social issues of the remote construction sites.

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A multi‐objective goal programming model was used to optimize land use allocation for housing projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The main goal of this model is twofold. It is hoped, on the one hand, that it would reduce the effort and time in planning for such projects, as well as guarantee the element of accuracy on the other. The model utilized the planning standards and requirements set by the Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affaires (MOMRA) in allocating land uses of various housing projects. Based on the results of the study, certain planning constraints were proved to be more sensitive than others as planners need to take into account essential factors such as population density and provision of private and semi‐public facilities. In addition, linear goal programming models accompanied by prioritization usually fit the nature of land use allocation problems in housing projects. The result shows that a high level of optimization has been achieved.MOMRA, goal programming, land use, allocation,