Issue 3

CONTENT

Editorial

1. M. Galić, I. Završki and Z. Dolaček-Alduk:
Scenario Simulation Model of the Production,
Transportation and Asphalt Paving

2. J. Korytárová, J. Štaffa, P. Papežíková, M. Špiroch:
Financial Risk Hedging Instruments for Public Work Contracts

3. I. Kovacic, D. Vasilescu, M. Filzmoser, R. Suppin and L. Oberwinter:
BIM in teaching — lessons learned from exploratory study

4. A. Rimmington, G. Dickens and C. Pasqire:
Impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
on construction projects

5.A. Srdić, J. Šelih:
Delays in Construction Projects: Causes and Mitigation

1. M. Galić, I. Završki and Z. Dolaček-Alduk:

Scenario Simulation Model of the Production,
Transportation and Asphalt Paving

Abstract:
Organizational processes modelling and scenario simulation is proved to be an efficient tool for the quantitative strengthening of the decision making process. In business of production, transportation and paving of great quantities of asphalt mixture, solving problem of project’s fragmented sub-processes has been emphasized by previous researchers as a high priority. Detached process modeling and optimization without taking into account constraints of interrelations among sub-processes cannot offer the optimal or quality solution. Thus, it is necessary to structure a developing and easily adjustable model which will be able to integrate all sub-processes with their interrelations. In this paper authors gave a review of the findings and recommendations of the previous researches. Based on the recommendations, authors structured a developing simulation model for planning and optimization “just in time” chain of processes of production, transportation and paving of great quantities of asphalt mixture. Suggested model is based on the algorithm for scenario simulations which is dynamic and adjustable for changes and updates of the input parameters.

Keywords: Asphalt; Paving; Process Chain; Production; Scenario; Simulation; Transportation

2. J. Korytárová, J. Štaffa, P. Papežíková, M. Špiroch:

Financial Risk Hedging Instruments for Public Work Contracts

Abstract:
Publicwork contracts create a substantial share of building industry performance and consume a large amount of public financial resources. Construction process should be efficient without additional costs and overrun time schedules. A very important point in this process is represented by hedging public contracts against potential risk. There are many instruments used in the Czech Republic - insurance construction contracts, contractual penalty and retention or a bank guarantee to name several of them. But not all of them are as effective as the contractors need them to be. The main aim of this paper is to find an effective set of hedging instruments in contracts for work to sufficiently fulfil their function and protect the goals of both the investor and the contractor impending business risks. Information on hedging instruments has been studied on the sample of 246 public works contracts of sewage facilities and equipment. The empirical part of the research focuses on the extent of hedging instruments used, and discusses their application in the context of efficiency. Research finds out that the most commonly used instruments are retention and bank guarantees. Furthermore, the reasons for significant changes in shares of these instruments in the course of monitoring have been analyzed. The final outputs can have societal benefits and serve the contracting authorities and suppliers as a comparison of conditions of their own work contracts or as a help in creation of new work contracts. As additional outputs of this research is also comparison of contract prices and estimated values of tender according to number of tenders and type of award procedures.

Keywords: Public works contracts; Hedging instruments; Estimated value; Tender price; Contract price

3. I. Kovacic, D. Vasilescu, M. Filzmoser, R. Suppin and L. Oberwinter:

BIM in teaching — lessons learned from exploratory study

Abstract:
Building Information Technology bears promise to bring integration into fragmented AEC industry, as well as large potentials for optimization and management of building performance along life cycle. However, the adoption in Central Europe is much slower than in the USA or Scandinavia; the designers and planners are sceptical about BIM benefits. In order to build up capabilities and thus support BIM adoption in the practice, BIM skills have be built up already in university teaching. This endeavour is the central aim of the BIM_sustain project accomplished at the Vienna University of Technology. In winter term 2012/13 and winter term 2013/14 we accomplished interdisciplinary BIM-supported design labs with student participants from architecture, civil engineering and building science. The teams used different modelling and simulation software constellations for building design and analysis. The software-constellations were evaluated in terms of BIMinteroperability, and the design process was documented by
means of time and activity assessment, surveys on team performance, process satisfaction and technology acceptance and focus group interviews. In this paper we will present the results of the evaluation of both courses and analyse the differences resulting from the different course design in the two consequent terms. The first course was dominated by the issue of interfaces, whereas the second course, where better functioning software combinations in terms of data transfer were used, was dominated by the issues related to the collaboration and teamwork. Our results are not only informative for the configuration of interdisciplinary BIM-supported university teaching, but can be derived for the practice as well, especially in the areas of project management, software usage, modelling conventions or incentive systems.

Keywords: BIM; Exploratory study; Colaboration; Simulation; Analysis

4. A. Rimmington, G. Dickens and C. Pasqire:

Impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on construction projects

Abstract:
The changing face of construction projects has resulted in a movement towards the use of technology as a primary means of communication. The consequences of this rise in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is a loss of interpersonal communication skills. A number of resulting issues within the human – electronic and human – human interfaces are identified in an attempt to define the efficiency of communication in projects. The research shows how ICT effects the social environment of construction project teams and the project outcome. The study seeks to confirm the need for further work in order to develop new forms of communication protocols and behaviour. An initial literature review was undertaken to develop a theoretical review of the impacts of ICT on construction project teams. This review identified a number of issues that were then tested in the field through an observation and two verification interviews. The research confirms the existence of tensions and conflicts in the human – electronic and human - human communication interfaces within the studies environment. It is proposed that the increasing use of ICT occur at the expense of soft system communication. The principal impact of this is a form of ‘human distraction’ which adversely affects the performance of project teams. There is limited theory exploring these issues that suggests the problems identified are not well understood and consequently indicates a gap in knowledge.

Keywords: ICT; Project teams; Construction; Communication; Organisations

5 A. Srdić, J. Šelih:

Delays in Construction Projects: Causes and Mitigation

Abstract:
During execution of construction projects, the works proceed at a slower pace than planned, and delays frequently appear. Their appearance leads to additional cost generation, conflicts among project participants and, in worst-case scenario, litigation. The presented study uses online survey as the research tool in order to determine the current level of use of time management techniques and tools in Slovenian construction industry. The obtained results show that the construction companies could use the available contemporary time management tools in larger extent, as well as more efficiently in order to manage their projects more efficiently.

Keywords: Delays; Construction Project; Responsibility; Empirical study