Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 316 views
Abstract Construction industry plays an important role in social, economic and environmental developments. However, the unstainable development in the industry has led to environmental issues. Construction waste is one of the biggest problems in the construction industry. In Malaysia, construction waste constitutes a large portion of solid waste every year. Most of the construction waste ends up in landfill without proper treatment. The constriction waste can further lead to other environmental issues. In addition, construction activities have also led to environmental issues such as water pollution, air pollution and noise pollution in the country. Besides, utilization of conventional construction materials in the country also leads to unstainable development in the industry. Conventional concrete is the most used construction material and also the most generated construction waste in a construction project. The production of conventional concrete emits a huge amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) (due to the use of cement), which accounts for 8% to 10% of global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions every year. Thus, environmental management practices and utilization of green materials can be the keys to achieve sustainable development in the Malaysian construction industry.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 557 views
Abstract The surrounding environment plays an important role in communities as living in a good environment can improve the health cycle, increase the quality of life and provide sustainable development for the country. The rapid growth of the human population has led to the increasing demand for infrastructure development and the construction sector in Malaysia. This overview of environmental management practice for construction in Malaysia has reviewed the overall structure of environmental management for the construction site in Malaysia. Construction management is covered in this review report, including construction waste generation, construction waste management, government bodies, government policy, the current status of the environment in Malaysia, challenges, future prospects, and other environmental considerations of environmental management practice for construction in Malaysia. Besides, the detailed guideline and orders for construction waste, effluence discharge, noise pollution, vibration and emission release from construction in Malaysia have been reviewed and stated in this report. Lastly, a recommendation for strengthening the enforcement of law and regulation for environmental management practice to comply has been included in the conclusion of this report to overcome the challenges faced for sustainable construction development in Malaysia.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 276 views
Abstract Building Information Modelling (BIM) Construction Lifecycle Process offers digital construction solutions throughout the whole project lifecycle by providing sustainable productivity and quality and increasing the work collaboration and efficiency of the design teams. BIM represents the development and application of computer-generated n-dimensional (n-D) models to simulate building construction planning, design, construction, and operation. In Sarawak, the BIM technology does not meet the construction stakeholder's expectations during the project lifecycles in different stages, which resulted in low BIM implementation. Therefore, this research study aims to identify the salient barrier factors to the implementation of BIM in the Sarawak construction industry, specifically in the design stage. To achieve the research study, the methodology is applied through literature review, followed by an online interview with BIM experts in Sarawak Construction Industry. Lastly, the findings of this study indicate the most salient factors faced by the Sarawak construction industry until the present, in terms of Technology, Cost, Management, Personal and Policy, such as (1) Lack of active participation from consultants in the project team, (2) Low enforcement from client, (3) Lack of senior management support, (4) Lack of desire to change of the older generation to implement BIM and (5) Lack of the knowledge regarding the cost benefits for implementing BIM.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 458 views
Abstract Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the most advanced developments in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry that can generate a 3D virtual information model which can be used for planning, design, construction, and operations. As Building Information Modelling (BIM) approaches the construction industry as a new technology and process, changes in the industry have created some barriers to BIM adoption in Malaysia. This research aims to enhance the implementation of BIM in the construction stage of Sarawak's construction industry by identifying and classifying the critical barriers. This study fills this current knowledge gap and enhances the understanding of BIM in the construction stage and the factors that hinder implementation in Sarawak. To develop the challenges being faced in this industry, a set of barrier clusters based on people, process, policy, technology, and cost were pre-identified through a literature review, and a structured interview involving three BIM experts was conducted on WebEx to refine these barriers with the current industry situation. As an outcome, this study identified 49 of the barriers from the literature and refined them into 26 of the barriers under their main clusters. Interestingly, they all validated the fact that lack of government involvement in BIM implementation is an undeniable barrier factor to growing BIM utilization and reaching its full potential. This study will form the basis of further research, and additional studies focusing on prioritizing these identified barriers for strategic planning would help the construction players in their swift transformation to BIM.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 130 views
Abstract The construction industry in Southeast Asian countries especially Association of Southeast Asian Nations receive substantial attention and investment for the high return value of the industry. This review aims to assess the environmental impact of the construction industry in ASEAN countries, analyzing current status, government policies, and innovative green materials and technologies to mitigate environmental effects and promote sustainability. It is important to note that construction industry is currently identified as one of the greatest waste production businesses which can cause adverse impacts and pollution to the environment that degrade the environmental quality. Construction and demolition wastes are emphasized and studied in the following context. The status and government policy on environmental management practices in ASEAN countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore are reviewed and summarised in this article. Furthermore, green construction materials and green material technologies that are practised in ASEAN countries are examined throughout the study. The green materials include bamboo, recycled concrete aggregate, coconut husk and bagasse while the green material technologies include hydrogen energy, carbon capture and storage, and solar energy are discussed and evaluated with respective advantage and disadvantages.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 230 views
Abstract Constant need-for-change in the construction market and social trends has resulted in the demand for more adaptable building systems. The ability to practise and accommodate change has consequently become a new necessity for buildings. Adaptability, therefore, is to be considered in both the pre-construction stage and the entire life cycle of the construction. The further civilization develops, the more we need to take advantage of the Open Building Systems (OBS) concept, introduced to the construction industry almost 70 years ago. However, conventional methods are still common due to the lack of knowledge in OBS, resistance to change, monopoly of conventional building materials manufacturing, insufficient legislation, and lack of end-user’s awareness. The ability to practise and accommodate changes has consequently become a new necessity for building construction. This research aims to address the interactions among the influential factors of OBS. The initial move was to identify and verify the significant open building influential factors in a conceptual model based on previous relevant literature. Then the second step was to find the interactions between the variables through the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique. The results indicate that one of the most significant and main factors is the "Level of Independence", and the main cause factor identified was "Standardization (St)", which had a major role in the success of construction OBS performance.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 863 views
Abstract The growing plastic pollution has prompted the quest to reduce plastic waste sustainably and control the mismanaged plastic stream. The valorization of plastic waste through reusing and recycling has received much attention as a sustainable solution to the global plastic problem, and the construction sector provides an important avenue for such an endeavor. This review aims to present the latest advances in the valorization of plastic waste as construction and building materials through the review of 60 relevant scholarly papers and a content analysis of the papers. In the construction sector, plastic waste can be valorized as additives or raw materials for brick production. As additives, plastic waste is added at different proportions (1%–70%) with other materials, including non-plastic waste, followed by curing to acquire the desired properties. Plastic waste is used as a raw material to contain strength-imparting materials. The former has been reported to have good strengths (5.15-55.91 MPa), chemical, and thermal resistance, whereas the latter may impart lower strengths (0.67-15.25 MPa). Plastic waste is also used as additives for road pavement, primarily as substitutes for concrete-making materials, and was observed to produce desirable strengths (0.95–35 MPa) at appropriate proportions (0.5–25%), indicating the importance of optimizing the plastic contents in the concrete. Plastic waste has been recycled as plastic lumber, plastic-based door panels and gates, as well as insulation materials. Plastic-based construction materials are generally lightweight, resistant to chemicals and heat, and have good sound insulation, but they may pose a fire safety concern.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 174 views
Abstract Earth-based materials are useful in building and engineering construction projects globally, but they have largely remained unextracted and wasted, and their use has been limited to rural areas and avoided in modern buildings in the cities. The sustainability market in developing countries is still largely unsaturated and undertapped. This situation is blamed on lack of knowledge of the potential, benefits, and characteristics of green and sustainable building materials. This study aimed at determining the benefits of earth-based materials that could lead to the rejuvenation of the market for their adoption in building construction projects in the urban areas of a developing economy. The study adopted a structured questionnaire administered via electronic means to construction experts using the snowball sampling technique in Nigeria. With a response rate of 62.94% and a reliability index of over 0.90, the gathered data were analysed using frequency, percentage, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The study revealed that the main clusters of benefits of earth-based materials that can stimulate the market for these materials in urban areas are "cost and pollution-related benefits," "emissions and environmental benefits," "waste and workability benefits," "sound and fire-related benefits," and "thermal insulation and resource efficiency." The study recommended that housing investors, clients, and stakeholders should capitalise on the availability of large quantities of earthen materials to improve the quantity of housing provisions in cities and urban areas.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 232 views
Abstract Building collapse is a universal problem that has resulted in disruption, loss of lives and capital costs, as well as negatively affecting the image of the construction industry and its practitioners. The current study seeks to achieve the following objectives: (i) to assess the contributing factors of internal stakeholders to building collapse due to challenges faced in Lagos state, Nigeria; (ii) to determine the remedies to challenges faced by internal stakeholders towards reducing the spate of building collapses in the study area. The study adopted a survey research method. Questionnaires were administered to purposively selected internal stakeholders in the Nigerian construction industry within Lagos state. 127 questionnaires were administered to survey participants. The data collected was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed a lack of consideration of life cycle costing of utilities, lighting and lifts; lack of proper integration and coordination of design elements; failure to consider the buildability and maintenance requirements during the design; absence of proper supervision and site inspections for quality checks; and failure to inspect materials storage on site, with their mean scores of 4.18, 4.11, 4.10, 4.10, and 4.10, respectively, as the top five contributing factors of internal stakeholders to building collapse in Lagos state. The study provided in-depth insight into the contributing factors of internal stakeholders to building collapse that can help construction professionals and stakeholders facilitate the development of strategies required to minimize the contributing factors of internal stakeholders to building collapse in the construction sector.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 80 views
Abstract Earth-based materials are eco-friendly and harmless to the environment but have been neglected and relegated, and preference is given to non-sustainable and expensive conventional materials owing to certain factors. Existing studies in the Nigerian context did not consider the factors hindering the use of earthen materials in urban low-cost housing production. This study presents the outcome of examining the inhibitors to the adoption of earth-based materials in urban housing construction from the perspective of design experts in a developing country like Nigeria. Thus, it fills the critical literature gap in the Nigerian context. A well-structured quantitative questionnaire was utilised to collect data from construction design experts using the snowball sampling technique via electronic means. With a reliability index of 0.899, The gathered data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, Mean score, normalisation value technique, Mann-Whitney U test, overlap analysis, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). It was found that the major barriers to the use of earth materials in urban housing production are (i) image and aesthetic barriers, (ii) Knowledge and resistance barriers, (iii) technology and data barriers, (iv) strength and maintenance barriers, and (v) demand and demographic barriers. More training and workshops were advocated to increase knowledge of the environmental and economic benefits of these materials among stakeholders to influence their interest and the market for earthen materials' acceptability and usage in housing production in urban areas.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 284 views
Abstract In this modern technological era today, green materials are highly regarded as one of the most important elements when designing and conducting an environmentally sustainable construction project. The cement that is utilized in conventional concrete today is one of the culprits for the high levels of carbon dioxide generated, which is damaging to the environment. Many researchers have shown and suggested that cement substitution is a favorite technique for minimizing the generation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as well as substituting unused raw materials with concrete. The concept of green concrete promotes sustainable development as it utilizes the least natural resources during production and mainly depends on recyclable waste materials as its main raw material. This paper displays the various designs of green concrete in developed countries by partially replacing cement with recyclable materials such as fly ash, demolished waste from construction sites, electronic waste, carpet fiber waste, palm oil fuel ash, and others. Green concrete endorses the innovative and sustainable use of waste aggregate and unconventional alternative materials to substitute cement within concrete. It is crucial to adopt the use of green concrete, especially in developed countries, as they have the capacity and financial strength to ensure adequate training, public awareness, further research and demonstration projects, as well as suitable standards to be applied to endorse the global application of green concrete in infrastructure projects.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 247 views
Abstract The issue of the cathode ray tube (CRT) technology facing its end-of-time and increasing quantities across the globe has acquired the responsiveness of many researchers. The use of waste CRT glass as a construction material has fascinated them due to its significant advantage in recycling the hazardous and non-biodegradable waste CRT glass. However, lack of knowledge about the effects and features of CRT glass as a construction material could be a hindrance to the excessive utilization of waste CRT glass. Therefore, in order to establish the idea of using CRT waste glass as a more common construction material, this paper reviews several recycling techniques of CRT glass and further detail on the workability, density, and compressive strength properties of concrete and mortar using CRT glass (treated or untreated) as fine aggregates. The review showed that, generally, the use of CRT glass as a complete or partial replacement of natural sand shows a slight increase in density, workability, and concrete strength compared to conventional concrete. However, there are no clear trends that can be concluded as this review also showed that various factors influenced its performance, such as percentage replacement, particle size, lead (Pb) content, and types of admixtures.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 106 views
Abstract Roads play a crucial role in fostering economic growth and providing social advantages in every nation. However, over time, road infrastructure can become outdated. According to studies conducted by World Highways, a road may seem to be in good condition on the surface while hiding a severe issue beneath. As a result, periodic maintenance, repairs, or modernization may be necessary for road structures. The primary purpose of this project was to investigate the effects of permeability on road base materials by removing particles and restoring strength through stabilization with bitumen. Optimum grade 60/70 bitumen was used in compliance with Malaysia JKR specifications to create a realistic case scenario. The formulation excluded open-graded road base material with particles smaller than 1.18 mm or 2.0 mm, and bitumen stabilization levels of 0%, 2%, 2.5%, and 3% were implemented to reduce the decrease in mechanical strength. The mechanical strength was determined using the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test, while a Constant Head Method Permeability test was conducted to identify the optimal design mix with the maximum achievable permeability coefficient. The results showed that bitumen stabilization increased the mechanical strength of the road base material, with the highest result compensating for the drop by 8.7%. With open-graded road base material, the permeability can be increased by up to 17.2%. Therefore, open-graded road foundation material with bitumen as a binder for stabilization can be used in the construction of pavements in Malaysia, an area with relatively high rainfall intensity.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 249 views
Abstract Petrochemical is a vital pillar industry for the national economic growth wherein the past few years, it has produced a huge amount of petroleum sludge. Petroleum sludge (PS) contains toxic and carcinogenic-mutagenic compounds and heavy metals, which are a major source of pollution in the environment. Thus, it needs to be properly treated and disposed of. Correspondingly, this paper presents a review of the techniques to treat petroleum waste to effectively immobilize the heavy metals and highlights their possible application as construction materials. This review concludes that each treatment method (i.e., solidification, stabilization, incineration, bioremediation, centrifugation, etc.) has its own merits and demerits and may be more suitable for certain applications than others. The use of pyrolysis, solidification, and stabilization techniques has been demonstrated to be potentially beneficial in protecting the environment from contaminants in PS and further recycling PS as cementitious materials. However, the selection of suitable treatment methods has to be made based on the chemical composition of the waste, method capacity, costs, and disposal standards. Therefore, an overall evaluation is required prior to treatment method selection to ensure the safe disposal or recycling of petroleum waste. This review could improve basic knowledge of PS treatment and disposal techniques and serve as a future guide for recycling PS as a building material.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 180 views
Abstract This study investigated the effects of clogging in Pervious Concrete (PC) from January 2015 to December 2022. Three different PC mixtures were used, which included coarse aggregate (4.75-9.5 mm), fine aggregate (0-20% weight of coarse aggregate), cement (340 kg/m3), and w/c ratio of 0.35. The samples were tested for compressive strength, permeability, and porosity. The best PC mixture containing 10% fine aggregate was selected for monitoring clogging over time. This mixture had a compressive strength of 24.7 MPa, permeability of 1.19 mm/s, and void content of 13.96%. A large-scale prototype of PC10 (10% of fine aggregate) measuring 3.5 m in length, 1.7 m in width, and 0.20 m in depth was constructed in Mashhad City, Iran. The in-place infiltration rate was measured on a monthly basis as the PC experienced different rainfall levels. The results showed that due to clogging, the infiltration rate was reduced by an average of 10% for the first four years of the experiments. This was followed by a substantial reduction of 20% in 2019 and 16.75% in 2020. Due to a high level of clogging, the infiltration rate was reduced by 5.02% and 2.23% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. However, the system still has the capacity to infiltrate at 1.14 mm/s. Although no maintenance was performed on the PC system, its efficiency and lifespan were substantially reduced. Nonetheless, the system can still be considered as an effective solution for stormwater management.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 160 views
Abstract Geopolymers, primarily composed of fly ash, have proved an excellent substitute for ordinary portland cement (OPC) in terms of sustainability and productivity. In order to determine the geopolymer concrete's (GPC) resistance to chemical assaults and water permeability, it is necessary to obtain geopolymer concrete (GPC) of varying strengths after normal curing. The objectives of the research was to test the durability performances of the GPC of various strength under normal curing and investigating the optimum strength based on durability testing of the GPC. For this research, different type of cement-to-fly ash ratio was used for various strength data. The appropriate mixture was conducted by using the trial mix method in order to obtain better accuracy of the results data during the mixing design process. To satisfy the varied strength designs, a small proportion of OPC is added to the GPC mixture as part of the mix design. After 28 days of curing, this durability testing is undertaken after the concrete has reached its maximum strength. The compressive strength test and weights were performed and compared to the GPC mix design at 60 °C after heat curing. The 8% OPC replacement has greater resistance to sulfate attack, saltwater exposure, and water permeability compared to the 6% and 7% OPC alternatives. Consequently, the experiment reveals that the GPC's durability and strength increase as the percentage of OPC increases.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 367 views
Abstract The state of utilities and infrastructure within an academic institution plays a vital role in learning and the development of human capital. Hence, this study seeks to examine the management practices used in maintaining facilities in a government-owned tertiary institution and then examine the conditions of critical facilities and their related services in the institution. To achieve the study's goal, a questionnaire survey approach was used to collect information about users' and property managers' perceptions of maintenance management practices. The results revealed the existence of a maintenance policy covering critical systems and services. The discovery also implies that maintenance tasks are generated and planned in response to inspections and user requests. Respondents' perceptions of the state of facilities and utilities indicate that they are in good condition. While literature shows school infrastructure issues remain an ongoing concern, the majority of respondents affirm security and electricity as the most important critical infrastructure and services in the institution, amongst others. The most important limitation of the current study lies in the fact that the findings may not be generalizable to other tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Hence, more research needs to be done in order to gather more information about maintenance management practices in public universities and other educational institutions to improve critical facilities and services to enhance learning outcomes.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 115 views
Abstract Urbanization and population density surges globally have triggered environmental challenges, with the construction sector notably contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and high energy consumption. Urban expansion has exacerbated issues, converting green spaces into impermeable structures and heightening flood risks. Green roofs have emerged as an eco-friendly solution, excelling in stormwater management, mitigating the urban heat island effect, enhancing air quality, reducing noise transmission, preserving biodiversity, extending roof lifespan, and augmenting aesthetics. They absorb rainwater, decreasing stormwater runoff, yet entail higher installation and maintenance costs and potential fire hazards compared to conventional roofs. In Malaysia, government policies and incentives drive green roof adoption, particularly in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings, predominantly of the intensive green roof type. Buildings undergo green rating tool evaluations for green certification. Despite progress, challenges persist, including expertise shortages, lack of design guidelines, limited research, low public awareness, and green roof component disposal issues. Addressing these demands significant government efforts, including robust policy development, increased support for local companies, expanded research initiatives, heightened public awareness, and optimized synergy with other technologies. Integrating green roofs with solar panels and utilizing greywater for irrigation can reduce energy and water consumption concurrently, showcasing potential for comprehensive and sustainable urban development.[...] Read more. Full text

Civil Sustain. Urban Eng. 177 views
Abstract The escalating global demand for forest products, driven by economic growth and a growing population, has led to increased forest conversion activities. Forest conversion involves transforming forested areas to meet industrial demands, resulting in severe ecological consequences. This review focuses on the state of soil erosion practices in Malaysia, which is a pressing issue with wide-ranging impacts on soil health, agricultural sustainability, and the environment. Malaysia's geographical location exposes it to the El Nino phenomenon, characterized by disrupted climate patterns and altered rainfall intensities, indirectly contributing to soil erosion. During El Nino events, diminished vegetation cover, primarily due to rainfall deficits, increases soil susceptibility to erosion, emphasizing the need for adaptive erosion control measures. Soil erosion poses a significant challenge to the sustainability of agriculture and terrestrial ecosystems. Malaysia has made efforts to address this issue by implementing soil and water conservation practices like terraces, grassed waterways, strip cropping, and conservation tillage, which effectively reduce erosion rates. However, these methods face challenges due to the variations in natural erosion rates driven by extreme events. Additionally, the conversion of natural forests to economic forests remains an underexplored concern in Malaysia, hindering the development of tailored soil erosion control strategies. Addressing soil erosion demands a comprehensive approach that includes research, policy support, and empowering farmers to adopt soil conservation practices. Soil erosion affects ecosystems, water resources, and urban development, necessitating multifaceted solutions to preserve both environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity in the face of evolving environmental challenges.[...] Read more. Full text