Share:


A model for evaluating causes of wastes and lean implementation in construction projects

    Usama Hamed Issa Affiliation
    ; Muwaffaq Alqurashi Affiliation

Abstract

The wastes in construction projects such as wastes in materials, time, resources and achieving customer needs can be minimized using the new philosophy of Lean Construction (LC). This paper proposed a two-level model based on fuzzy logic technique for evaluating Causes of Wastes (CWs) and lean implementation in construction projects. The probability of occurrence and importance of CWs were two input parameters in level 01 of the model, whereas the output was the level of waste. On the other hand, level 02 of the model depended on using three input parameters which were: level of waste, controllability level for CWs and lean implementation level, while the output was the lean effect. Several linguistic variables and logical rules were used for relating inputs and outputs and new indices were introduced. The model was applied and validated for data collected in two countries: Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Results demonstrated that the expected lean effect is found with a positive correlation with various levels of wastes and can be improved by increasing controllability and lean implementation levels. Regarding the comparative study between the two countries, distinct disparities in lean effect were clarified. Most measured CWs indices were different in both countries while indices values in KSA were higher than in Egypt either in waste, controllability or implementation levels. The results presented an optimum arrangement to reach an effective new lean evaluation model that could be implemented for moving the traditional construction towards LC. Finally, the model can be applied easily in most countries to help decision makers in evaluating CWs and lean implementation in their construction projects.

Keyword : cause of waste, lean construction, lean evaluation, lean effect

How to Cite
Issa, U. H. ., & Alqurashi, M. (2020). A model for evaluating causes of wastes and lean implementation in construction projects. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 26(4), 331-342. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2020.12323
Published in Issue
Apr 9, 2020
Abstract Views
3110
PDF Downloads
1874
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Abd El Khalek, H., Aziz, R. F., & Kamel, H. M. (2016). Risk and uncertainty assessment model in construction projects using fuzzy logic. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 4(1), 24–39. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20160401.13

Abdel-Razek, R. H., Abd Elshakour M. H., & Abdel-Hamid, M. (2006). Labor productivity: benchmarking and variability in Egyptian projects. International Journal of Project Management, 25(2), 189–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2006.06.001

Abo-Zaid, M. A., & Othman, A. A. E. (2018). Lean construction for reducing construction waste in the Egyptian construction industry. Paper presented at Proceedings of 2nd International Conference for Sustainable Construction and Project Management. Aswan, Egypt.

Achanga, P., Shehab, E., Roy, R., & Nelder, G. (2006). Critical success factors for lean implementation within SMEs. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 17(4), 460–471. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410380610662889

Alarcón, L. F. (1994). Tools for the identification and reduction of waste in construction projects. In Lean Construction. A.A. Balkema, Netherlands.

Al-Sudairi, A. (2007). Evaluating the effect of construction process characteristics to the applicability of lean principles. Construction Innovation, 7(1), 99–121. https://doi.org/10.1108/14714170710721322

Aziz, R. F., & Hafez, S. M. (2013). Applying lean thinking in construction and performance improvement. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 52(4), 679–695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2013.04.008

Babalola, O., Ibem, E. O., & Ezema, I.C. (2019). Implementation of lean practices in the construction industry: A systematic review. Building and Environment, 148, 34–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.10.051

Bajjou, M. S., & Chafi, A. (2018). The potential effectiveness of lean construction principles in reducing construction process waste: an input-output model. Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Sciences, 12(4), 4141–4160.

Ballard, G. (2000). The last planner system of production control (PhD thesis). University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Ballard, G., & Howell, G. (2003). Lean project management. Building Research & Information, 31(2), 119–133. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613210301997

Banawi, A., & Bilec, M. M. (2014). A framework to improve construction processes: Integrating Lean, Green and Six Sigma. International Journal of Construction Management, 14(1), 45–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2013.875266

Carr, V., & Tah, J. H. M. (2001). A fuzzy approach to construction project risk assessment and analysis construction project risk management system. Advances in Engineering Software, 32, 847–857. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0965-9978(01)00036-9

Carvajal-Arango, D., Bahamón-Jaramillo, S., Aristizábal-Monsalve, P., Vásquez-Hernández, A., & Botero L. F. B. (2019). Relationships between lean and sustainable construction: Positive impacts of lean practices over sustainability during construction phase. Journal of Cleaner Production, 234, 1322–1337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.216

Crute, V., Ward, Y., Brown, S., & Graves, A. (2003). Implementing lean in aerospace – challenging the assumptions and understanding the challenges. Technovation, 23(12), 917–928. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-4972(03)00081-6

Dikmen, I., Birgonul, T., & Gur, K. (2007). A case-based decision support tool for bid mark-up estimation of international construction projects. Automation in Construction, 17(1), 30–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2007.02.009

Erol, H., Dikmen, I., & Birgonul, T. (2017). Measuring the impact of lean construction practices on project duration and variability: A simulation-based study on residential buildings. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 23(2), 241–251. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2015.1068846

Forbes, L., & Ahmed, S. (2004). Adapting lean construction methods for developing nations. Paper presented at Proceedings of International Latin America and Caribbean Conference for Engineering and Technology (LACCEI’2004). Miami, Florida, USA.

Goh, M., & Goh, Y. M. (2019). Lean production theory-based simulation of modular construction processes. Automation in Construction, 101, 227–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2018.12.017

Heigermoser, D., García de Soto, B., Abbott, E. L. S., & Chua, D. K. H. (2019). BIM-based last planner system tool for improving construction project management. Automation in Construction, 104, 246–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.03.019

Hsieh, M. H., Pan, S. L., & Setiono, R. J. (2004). Product-, corporate-, and country-image dimensions and purchase behavior: A multicountry analysis. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 32(3), 251–270. https://doi.org/10.1177/0092070304264262

Innella, F., Arashpour, M., & Bai, Y. (2019). Lean methodologies and techniques for modular construction: Chronological and critical review. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 145(12), 04019076. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001712

Issa, U. H. (2012). A model for time overrun quantification in construction of industrial projects based on risk evaluation. Journal of American Science, 8(8), 523–529.

Issa, U. H. (2013). Implementation of lean construction techniques for minimizing the risks effect on project construction time. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 52(4), 697–704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2013.07.003

Issa, U. H., & Ahmed, A. (2014). On the quality of driven piles construction based on risk analysis. International Journal of Civil Engineering, Transaction B: Geotechnical Engineering, 12(2B), 121–129.

Issa, U. H., & Salama, I. M. (2018). Improving productivity in Saudi Arabian construction projects: An analysis based on Lean techniques. International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 13(10), 8669–8678.

Issa, U. H., Ahmed, A., & Ugai, K. (2014). A decision support system for ground improvement projects using gypsum waste case study: Embankments construction in Japan. Journal of Civil and Environmental Research, 4(1), 74–84.

Issa, U. H., Mosaad, S. A., & Hassan, M. S. (2019). A model for evaluating the risk effects on construction project activities. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 25(7), 687–699. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2019.10531

Khazaeni, G., Khanzadi, M., & Afshar, A. (2012). Optimum risk allocation model for construction contracts: Fuzzy TOPSIS approach. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 39(7), 789–800. https://doi.org/10.1139/l2012-038

Ko, C.-H., & Kuo, J.-D. (2015). Making formwork construction lean. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 21(4), 444–458. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2014.890655

Koskela, L. (1999). Management of production in construction: a theoretical view. In Proceedings of IGLC-7 (pp. 241–252).

Moaveni, S., Banihashemi, S. Y., & Mojtahedi, M. (2019). A conceptual model for a safety-based theory of lean construction. Buildings, 9(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings9010023

Nascimento, D. L. de M., Sotelino, E. D., Lara, T. P. S., Caiado, R. G. G., & Ivson, P. (2017). Constructability in industrial plants construction: a BIM-lean approach using the Digital Obeya Room framework. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 23(8), 1100–1108. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2017.1385521

Nesensohn, N., Bryde, D., & Pasquire, C. (2016). A measurement model for lean construction maturity. Lean Construction Journal, 1–9.

Sarhan, J. G., Xia, B., Fawzia, S., & Karim, A. (2017). Lean construction implementation in the Saudi Arabian construction industry. Construction Economics and Building, 17(1), 46–69. https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v17i1.5098

Sarhan, J. G., Xia, B., Fawzia, S., Karim, A., & Olanipekun, A. (2018). Barriers to implementing lean construction practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) construction industry. Construction Innovation, 18(2), 246–272. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-04-2017-0033

Senaratne, S., & Wijesiri, D. (2008). Lean construction as a strategic option: testing its suitability and acceptability in Sri Lanka. Lean Construction Journal, 34–48.

Tezel, A., & Nielsen,Y. (2013). Lean construction conformance among construction contractors in Turkey. Journal of Management in Engineering, 29(3), 236–250. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000145

Womack, J. P., Jones, D. T., & Roos, D. (1991). The machine that changed the world: the story of lean production. Harper Perennial.

Yin, S. Y. L., Tserng, H. P., Toong, S. N., & Ngo, T. L. (2014). An improved approach to the subcontracting procurement process in a lean construction setting. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 20(3), 389–403. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2013.801900

Zadeh, L. A. (1965). Fuzzy sets. Information and Control, 8, 338– 353. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0019-9958(65)90241-X

Zhang, L., Chen, X., & Suo, Y. (2017). Interrelationships among critical factors of work flow reliability in lean construction. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 23(5), 621–632. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2016.1217921