Decision making between hybrid and in-situ concrete construction in South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A construction method that proves to be the best today will not necessarily be the best method forapplication in 20 years. Therefore, with changing circumstances, engineers have to consider allthe options before selecting a specific method. Options that are weighed in this study are in-situconcrete construction and hybrid concrete construction.Hybrid concrete construction is the combination of in-situ and precast concrete in structures, withthe purpose to exploit the advantages of each to its full potential. This construction method gainedpopularity in the United States and in Europe due to its distinctive benefits. However, the increaseof its application in some countries (including South Africa) has been slow and possible reasons forthis are investigated in this study. With the intention of improving the South African constructionindustry, a model is developed for decision making between hybrid concrete construction and insituconcrete construction.The main purpose of a larger research project is to assist project teams in the decision makingbetween precast concrete and in-situ concrete in building construction projects. This decisionmaking is not based on decision making models with mathematical output, since the decision of aconstruction method is influenced by many variables that may not all be quantifiable.Consequently, instead of prescribing a decision making method, the relevant information is to beprovided for the decision maker. The aim of this study is to identify the relevant parameters and toset a framework for further in depth investigation by subsequent theses.A decision making process in any field normally involves having a list of advantages anddisadvantages of the different options. Therefore this study includes the following managerialdiscussion topics: factors that influence hybrid concrete construction, as well as benefits, barriersand other aspects to consider, structural systems and elements, decision making methods andimportant factors that will be the basis of the decision making process.Traditionally the most important factors for decision making between construction methods wereconstruction cost and duration, but more recently sustainability is becoming increasingly important.It is the civil duty of all parties involved in a project to foresee that most of the criteria ofsustainability are met. Sustainability covers all the aspects of economic, social and environmentalimpacts. Furthermore quality is identified as an important aspect in the decision making processfor a construction method. The comparison of precast and in-situ concrete construction istherefore discussed, considering all the abovementioned criteria and investigating possiblequantification methods. This information, together with information from future studies, would thenallow the project team to consider each aspect involved in the decision making process.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University