Analysis of Formwork System Selection Criteria for Building Construction Projects: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The formwork system (FWS) in reinforced concrete (RC) construction is a critical component. The appropriate FWS is selected based on a number of conflicting and compromising criteria, and the selection of the FWS is carried out by construction professionals with different technical and/or administrative backgrounds. The perspectives and perceptions of construction professionals and companies involved in the FWS selection process may vary depending on their motives. In addition, some building structural parameters may have a significant impact on the FWS selection criteria. Most of the former studies investigated the FWS selection criteria from only the perspective of contractors and neglected the potential differences in the perspectives and perceptions of different construction professionals (i.e., owners (CO), project managers (PM), construction managers (CM), site engineers (SE), planning engineers (PL), procurement engineers (PR), technical office engineers (TO), and formwork design and/or formwork sales engineers (FD/FSL)) and companies specialized in different fields (i.e., project management service (PMS), engineering and design (ENG/DSG), formwork and scaffolding (FW/SCF), and general and/or sub-contractor (GC/SC)) regarding this issue. Moreover, the impact of building structural parameters on the FWS selection criteria has not been investigated. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap through analysing the FWS selection criteria for building construction projects while comparing the perspectives and perceptions of different groups of construction professionals and companies and investigating how FWS selection criteria are affected by the building structural parameters. Based on a comprehensive literature review, 35 FWS selection criteria were identified and a questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire data obtained from 222 Turkish construction professionals were statistically analysed using mean score analysis, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Mann–Whitney U test. According to the study’s findings, the FD/FSL group presented significant statistical differences regarding the FWS selection criteria as compared to the CO, PM/CM/SE, and PL/PR/TO groups. Moreover, the total area of building construction and total building height significantly affected the FWS selection criteria. This study serves to underscore the perspectives of various groups of construction professionals and the critical connection between the structural parameters and FWS selection criteria. The findings of this study may guide construction professionals to select the appropriate FWS for their building construction projects.

Formwork System Selection Criteria for Building Construction Projects: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

“…However, no study has identified the quantitative effects among FWS selection criteria groupings. Terzioglu et al [32] suggested performing factor analysis and SEM technique on FWS selection criteria, which may reveal important quantitative effects among FWS selection criteria groupings. These quantitative effects, if any, can be used to improve the FWS selection process in building construction projects and, consequently, the project performance factors [32].…”

“…Terzioglu et al [32] suggested performing factor analysis and SEM technique on FWS selection criteria, which may reveal important quantitative effects among FWS selection criteria groupings. These quantitative effects, if any, can be used to improve the FWS selection process in building construction projects and, consequently, the project performance factors [32]. To the authors' knowledge, no studies involving formwork or FWS selection have employed the SEM approach.…”

“…Terzioglu et al [10] conducted a critical review of the literature on FWS selection criteria for building construction projects, identified 35 FWS selection criteria in total, and revealed that some of the structural design criteria are interdependent with the criteria under the FWS characteristics category. Based on Terzioglu et al's [10] study, Terzioglu et al [32] ranked the previously identified FWS selection criteria in the Turkish building construction sector using mean score analysis. In addition, Terzioglu et al [32] compared the perspectives and perceptions of Turkish construction professionals utilizing statistical tests and determined the agreements and disagreements regarding FWS selection criteria among different groups of respondents.…”

“…Based on Terzioglu et al's [10] study, Terzioglu et al [32] ranked the previously identified FWS selection criteria in the Turkish building construction sector using mean score analysis. In addition, Terzioglu et al [32] compared the perspectives and perceptions of Turkish construction professionals utilizing statistical tests and determined the agreements and disagreements regarding FWS selection criteria among different groups of respondents.…”

“…The applicability of these FWS selection criteria was further checked and validated by face-to-face interviews with several experts, who have more than 20 years of international experience in formwork engineering (see Terzioglu et al's [10] study). In addition, Terzioglu et al [32] contributed to the applicability and validation of the FWS selection criteria by conducting a questionnaire study in the Turkish building construction sector. Hence, the FWS selection criteria of this study are based on the findings by Terzioglu et al [10] and Terzioglu et al [32].…”