Building construction contributes to a substantial consumption of raw materials compared to other sectors in Sri Lanka. Despite the excessive consumption of raw materials, industry is suffering due to low productivity and economic inefficiency. Thus, the circumstance has led to employ alternative building materials to overcome productivity and cost inefficiency with favourable impacts on sustainability. Polymer has become a global phenomenon with increasing demand as sustainable alternative. Polymer facilitates multiple applications in building construction due to its supreme properties and characteristics. Thus, this research focused develop a quantitative model based on factors related to productivity enhancement and cost reduction to measure the applicability of polymer materials in Sri Lankan building construction. A mixed approach consisting of semi structured interviews followed by a questionnaire survey was adapted for conduct this study. 12 experts were selected for the semi structured interviews and 34 respondents participated for the questionnaire survey. The significance of favourable impact to the productivity and cost efficiency of using polymer materials have been identified in the study. The study discussed the applicability of polymer types in building sector in Sri Lanka and derived resulted in a quantitative model to measure applicability of polymer adoption in the terms of productivity and cost related factors. Study concluded that inherent properties of polymers, buildability, ability to prefabricate, life cycle cost, handling would improve the applicability to local context. Further, relationship identified through the regression model would assist practitioners to select polymer materials while enabling researchers to improve the quality of the products.
Cyber–physical systems (CPS) enable the synergistic integration of virtual models with the physical environment. CPS are being increasingly recognized because of their ability to improve information management in construction projects, make project delivery efficient, and enhance facilities management. The use of virtual models in the construction industry is growing. A quantity surveyor (QS) is responsible for estimating and monitoring construction costs from project inception to completion. The use of CPS could integrate the physical environment with the digital information available to QSs. Hence CPS has the potential to streamline the workflow related to key roles of QSs. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of CPS to facilitate the key roles expected of a QS. The study used a qualitative approach, consisting of 18 semi-structured interviews. The interview findings were analysed using manual content analysis. The literature review revealed the need for CPS in the construction industry and identified the key roles of QSs. The interviewees identified the existing CPS and their supportive applications, technologies and proposed new systems. The study findings provide insights on the reforms required in the key roles of QSs when using CPS.
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