Critical design factors for minimising waste in construction projects: A structural equation modelling approach

Abstract

Notwithstanding that efforts made at the design stage of building construction projects have significant impacts on project outcome, most waste management efforts are usually focussed on construction stage. This is albeit the understanding that construction waste could be significantly reduced through design activities. This study investigates the underlying design measures that are capable of minimising waste generated by construction and demolition activities. Using exploratory sequential mixed method research, the study employs focus group discussions and thematic analysis at the exploratory phase, while questionnaire and structural equation modelling were used at the explanatory stage of the study. The study suggests that construction waste could be significantly reduced by designing for standard materials size and by designing for modern method of construction, thereby minimising waste due to breakage, materials leftover and other major causes of waste. The study further suggests that the design process and design documentation are key underlying measures for mitigating waste in construction projects. This could be enhanced through such critical success factors as a collaborative delivery process, which is characterised by early involvement of contractors and adequate coordination of design between various disciplines involved. Findings of this study would assist designers and other construction stakeholders in understanding the significant measures for designing out waste in construction projects.

Promoting effective construction and demolition waste management towards sustainable development: A case study of Hong Kong

“…Governmental policies can guide producers' waste management behavior (Bao, Lu, Chi, Yuan, & Hao, 2019; Halkos & Petrou, 2018; Liu, Gong, Wang, Lai, & Zhu, 2019; McCauley, 2015; Wei, Li, Liu, & Wu, 2019; Yuan & Yang, 2020; Zhang et al, 2019). To promote C&D waste management, relevant policies have been implemented in many countries (Ajayi & Oyedele, 2018; Bao & Lu, 2020; Chen & Lu, 2017; Di Maria, Eyckmans, & Van Acker, 2018; Tam & Lu, 2016; Wang, Wu, Tam, & Zuo, 2019; Wu et al, 2020; Wu, Zuo, Yuan, Zillante, & Wang, 2020). In literature, C&D waste management policies in different countries or regions have been studied.…”

Combining Green Building and Lean Construction to Achieve More Sustainable Development in South Africa

“…First, the literature emphasised the importance of the preparation and design phase of a development, especially in minimising waste and establishing a strong foundation for the subsequent stages [33][34][35][36][37], [40]. In support of this, the implementation of lean construction and green building principles and practices must be done as early as possible in the project life cycle [37], [41].…”

“…When lean construction and green building thinking are applied to the demolition and deconstruction phase, it is significantly dependent on the considerations from the previous phases [33]. The use of prefabricated construction and of recyclable and reusable materials had been considered at the design stage, through design for demolition or deconstruction (DfD) principles [33][34], [37]. The incorporation of lean construction significantly minimises waste, while green building principles are applied through the incorporation of recyclable and reusable materials.…”

The Role of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies in Production Process Performance: A Causal Model

“…If latent variables qualified for the validation process, they were integrated into the model. In order to evaluate the model in Figure 1, structural equation model (SEM) technique was selected, which was used to explore and test the relationship between variables [66] that include regression analysis, factor analysis, multiple correlations, and route analysis of route. In addition, SEM was chosen since it allowed the analysis of second-order variables, which are latent variables where indicators are other latent variables, in other words, SEM allows the measurement of not only the direct effect, but also the indirect and total effects [67], such as the proposed model in Figure 1.…”