Browsing by Author "Tahir, MF"

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Assessment of delays and cost overruns during construction projects in Pakistan
(2013-11-26) Ejaz, N; Ali, I; Tahir, MF
Construction projects are commonly delayed due to price escalation of building materials and faulty management in Pakistan. This research paper focused on the main reasons of delay and cost overruns. This research activity was exclusively assessed through questionnaire survey, interviews, field visits and discussion to the concerned authorities. A preplanned survey was conducted through a questionnaire for assessment and evaluation of the important factors those may effect construction delays and cost overruns. Approximately, twenty six numbers of factors were selected initially for the proper assessment of most critical factors. The respondents were selected from construction hub mainly client, contractor and consultant firms. At the same time, the opinion of general public and other stakeholders were also assessed while considering the indigenous trends. The results accomplished from survey revealed that the major causes of delays and cost overruns during construction projects are the escalation of the materials prices and discontinuity of funds. According to the group of contractors escalation of prices is the significant factor for delays. The consultants are blaming the poor supervision and mismanagement by contractors. The overall ranking analysis are indicating that Escalation of material prices, inadequate control procedure, shortage of technical persons, delays in work approval and shortage of materials, plant/equipment are most critical factors, those are responsible for construction delays and cost overruns in Pakistan.
item: Conference-Full-text
Drastic impacts of 8th October earthquake in Kashmir and role of sustainable development
(2013-11-18) Ejaz, N; Dace, E; Naeem, UA; Tahir, MF
The main environmental loses from the earthquake to the environment were the heavy landslides, destruction of residential and commercial structures, destruction and rerouting of water bodies, etc. Due to the lack of sustainable planning and awareness, debris, building waste materials and misuse of other materials are seriously spoiling the sustainability of the area. Detail survey of the ruined areas of Kashmir due to 8th October earthquake after five years has been performed during this research. Present conditions of the study area are presenting the worst picture. Improper management of dumped construction waste is one of the serious issues. Environmental and sustainability conditions before and after earthquake are compared in this research work. It is concluded that infrastructure development and building construction during last five years after the earthquake are not fulfilling the sustainability requirement. Proper waste handing, recycling of materials, promotion of indigenous building materials and awareness among the local dwellers may help to improve the sustainability and environmental conditions in the study area.
item: Conference-Full-text
Effect of isolated Footing settlement on structural response under lateral loads
(2013-11-20) Tahir, MF; Khan, QUZ; Illyas, M
The structural frames are normally analyzed by assuming frames with fixed base, and role of foundation and soil properties, on member action is neglected. It implies that foundation of frame being analyzed is very heavy and soil on which the structure is going to be constructed is rock like material, therefore settlement at the base of frame is considered zero. Actions thus obtained are used in designing the foundations and other structural members like beams and columns. Since base is considered fixed which may not always be true the actions in members and loads transferred at foundation level in this manner do not depict the true structural behavior. A proper and economical design of foundation results in elastic behavior, which makes the foundations vulnerable to settlement under loads. When uniform gravity loads are applied this settlement is less at base of vertical members located at corners of a frame and more under vertical members located in interior spans. Whereas when lateral loads are applied settlement in bases at far ends is very high as compared to the bases located at the near ends. Theses settlements results in member actions, which are different from those obtained when analyses is carried on assumption, that frame has fixed base. Also different types of foundations have different effect on member actions. Response of foundation in terms of settlement in the structure varies with nature and direction of loading. The cross sectional properties of foundation depend upon the soil properties. When the structural frame and the foundation are modeled together and analyzed, real response of the structural frame can be observed. Due to advancement in computational technology i.e. availability of high-speed computers and efficient softwares it has become possible and economical now to conduct analyses in this way. This work is focused on analyzing frame and isolated foundations together and studying the results in terms of foundation reactions and member actions. All results were than compared. It was concluded from the comparison of results that modeling of structure along with foundation affects its response. Under lateral forces the accumulation of stresses at certain points in the foundation resulted in large settlements. The settlements, which occurred in the modeled foundation directly, affected the member forces in the structural members. The research work can be helpful for the practicing engineers to achieve the more realistic response of the structure and more economical and safe design of reinforced concrete structures under gravity as well as seismic loadings.