Browsing by Author "Palihakkara, AD"

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item: Conference-Full-text
Application of computer vision for construction progress monitoring.
(2022-06-24) Moragane, HPMNLB; Perera, BAKS; Palihakkara, AD; Sandanayake, YG; Gunatilake, S; Waidyasekara, KGAS
Progress monitoring of construction work is crucial to identify the discrepancies between the as-built product and as-planned design and take necessary action based on the results. Construction work is time consuming and labour intensive. However, the use of new technologies, such as computer vision (CV), in construction progress monitoring (CPM) can minimise human errors. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the current applications of CV in the construction industry in general and in the different stages of CPM. A qualitative approach based on the Delphi technique comprising two interview rounds was used to collect the required data. The study findings revealed that CPM has seven stages: initial planning, data acquisition, information retrieval, verification, progress estimation and comparison, results visualisation and schedule updating. During these stages, CV can be used in various CPM activities, such as earthmoving operations, crane operations, formwork and rebar tracking, worker activity tracking, safety assurance, landscape identification, work item monitoring and integrating with other technologies. Familiarisation of the workforce with CV and research on the applications of CV in construction can help the construction industry to move with technology and be on par with other industries. This study would enable construction personnel to explore the possibility of applying CV in CPM. Further research on identifying the synergy between CV and CPM can be based on the study findings.
item: Article-Full-text
Application of computer vision for construction progress monitoring: a qualitative investigation
(2022) Moragane, HPMNLB; Perera, BAKS; Palihakkara, AD
Progress monitoring of construction work is crucial to identify the discrepancies between the as-built product and as-planned design and take necessary action based on the results. Construction work is time consuming and labour intensive. However, the use of new technologies, such as computer vision (CV), in construction progress monitoring (CPM) can minimise human errors. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the current applications of CV in the construction industry in general and in the different stages of CPM. A qualitative approach based on the Delphi technique comprising two interview rounds was used to collect the required data. The study findings revealed that CPM has seven stages: initial planning, data acquisition, information retrieval, verification, progress estimation and comparison, results visualisation and schedule updating. During these stages, CV can be used in various CPM activities, such as earthmoving operations, crane operations, formwork and rebar tracking, worker activity tracking, safety assurance, landscape identification, work item monitoring and integrating with other technologies. Familiarisation of the workforce with CV and research on the applications of CV in construction can help the construction industry to move with technology and be on par with other industries. This study would enable construction personnel to explore the possibility of applying CV in CPM. Further research on identifying the synergy between CV and CPM can be based on the study findings.
item: Conference-Full-text
Cultural basic assumptions of consultants and contractors during negotiations
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2022-06-24) Alankarage, S; Samaraweera, A; Royle, J; Macolino, A; Robertson, S; Palihakkara, AD; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Gunatilake, S
Negotiations are required in every stage of a construction project. The process of negotiation involves being able to understand the position and emotions of the other side of the negotiation. A reliable means for understanding cultural basic assumptions on negotiation tactics assist in better predicting how individuals may act in a negotiation. This research aims to analyse the effect of basic assumptions of consultants and contractors on negotiations in the South Australian construction industry. This was approached through a case study research strategy, utilising semi-structured interviews with two contractors and two consultants each from three large South Australian Road projects followed by a Content Analysis. Findings reveal that both the contractors and consultants believe the nature of human relationships as collaborative and therefore view negotiations as a mean of strengthening the partnership. They negotiate openly to reach win-win outcomes. They view the nature of human nature to be good, therefore more trust and more openness to creative new ideas in negotiation planning. Respondents mostly believe the nature of the human activity to be harmonizing and are more likely to use trade-offs in reaching mutually beneficial negotiation outcomes. The knowledge created in this research will be useful for anyone preparing to negotiate within the South Australian construction industry or similar cultural setups to understand and predict how contractors and consultants would react to different situations and issues within negotiation processes and to achieve effective outcomes. Further research can study the basic assumptions of sub-contractors about negotiations.
item: Article-Full-text
Financial and economic risk management in coastal land reclamation projects
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2022) Perera, HP; Perera, BAKS; Palihakkara, AD
Purpose – Coastal land reclamation (CLR) projects have become an effective solution for population growth while creating new market areas and expanding revenue streams. Although a few studies have been conducted on risk management in CLR projects, they had very little prioritisation on financial and economic risk management. Thus, this study aims tomanage the financial and economic risks of CLR projects. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative research approach consisting of three Delphi rounds was adopted for this study. The findings of this study were analysed and validated using statistical tools. Findings – This study identified 13 significant financial and economic risk factors in CLR projects, among which poor quality of the sand and soil, delays in making payments, unpredictability of the safety and security of the country and high dredging volumes were the most significant. Most of these risks have to be borne by the client and the contractor. Conducting environmental impact studies, following quality control procedures and increasing social awareness are significant strategies to handle the financial and economic risks of CLR projects. Originality/value – This study addresses the literature gap pertaining to financial and economic risk management in CLR projects by identifying its overall process, including the identification of significant financial and economic risks based on the severity levels; risk allocation among the client, contractor and consultant; and suitable risk handling strategies for each significant financial and economic risk factor. Moreover, the findings of this study can be used to effectively deal with financial and economic risks in CLR projects while raising society’s awareness.
item: Conference-Abstract
Identification of significant risk factors of guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contracts
(2021-07) Palihakkara, AD; Perera, BAKS
The construction industry is a risk-prone industry where projects are implemented in a dynamic environment with frequent exposure to various uncertainties. A construction contract is a document that allocates the risks associated with a construction project among the project stakeholders. Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contracts have become popular as a project delivery method because they provide the client with a high degree of cost certainty through a fixed price cap that the contractor cannot exceed. However, most of the GMP projects are risky. Thus, the significant risk factors of GMP projects have to be identified to ensure their successful completion. This study, therefore, aimed to identify and rank the most significant risk factors present in GMP contracts. The study adopted a quantitative approach, which included a Delphi survey conducted in two rounds and a statistical analysis of the survey data. The most significant risk factors associated with GMP contracts were ranked according to their impact on the projects and their probability of occurrence (severity). Poorly defined scope of work and design changes were found to be the most significant risk factors associated with GMP contracts. The other significant risk factors of the projects are related to the scope of work, design, documentation, unfamiliarity with the GMP concept, agreed GMP value, and financial failures of the client and contractor.
item: Conference-Full-text
The role of the quantity surveyor in achieving circular built environment at the design stage
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2022-06-24) Victar, HC; Perera, BAKS; Palihakkara, AD; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Gunatilake, S
The construction industry is becoming more circular by reducing waste, reusing building materials, and embracing regenerative solutions for energy generation and biodiversity conservation. The ramifications of circularity on building operations are complicated, necessitating a comprehensive assessment of the consequences before deciding on the best course of action. In addition, professionals need to perform diversified services in achieving Circular Built Environment (CBE). Thus, the investigation of the involvement of Quantity Surveyors (QSs) with the CBE is important in achieving the CBE during the Design stage. Hence, the study aimed at investigating the role of QSs in achieving a CBE. The research apprehends a qualitative approach inclusive of two expert interview rounds adhering to the Delphi technique and manual content analysis for data analysis. The research findings revealed the important roles of QS in achieving CBE at the Design stage. Accordingly, cost control, cost planning, feasibility studies, measurement and quantification, risk management, value engineering and innovations and technologies were highly agreed upon by the majority of interviewees as important roles of QS during the Design stage