IMPROVING EFFICIENCY OF SUPPLY CHAIN IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THROUGH PROPER LOGISTICS
ANANTHANARAYANAN KUPPUSWAMY AND MANISH GOYAL**
Supply chain management in a construction management context
aims at the integration of various processes like, materials procurement,
warehousing, distribution and logistics used within and outside the
construction site. In order to reduce the operations cost, improving
the inventory and customer satisfaction, it is necessary to use the
principles of supply chain management. The main objectives of this
study are:
(i) To concentrate on the effect of logistics on the supply chain
within the construction site,
(ii) To find the optimum position of the temporary facilities in order
to minimize the travel time, and
(iii) To develop a software model to obtain the solution for the
logistics problem within the construction site.
The coordinates of the permanent structures and the required storage
capacity of the temporary structures are the major inputs. The program
draws the optimal road networks between the temporary and permanent
structures for the vehicle movement. The scope of this study is limited
to the supply chain for the construction industry and more specifically
to the airport construction projects.
Supply chain management, Airport construction projects, Software model development for logistic problem at construction site
Download
Research Articles
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR MANAGING RISKS IN REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
N. B. CHAPHALKAR, C. A. SHELAR AND SMITA K. PATIL
Construction projects are increasingly growing in value and complexity.
Most of them are innovative resulting into inclusion of a high level
of risk and uncertainty. The management of risks within these
projects remains a major factor in their success or failure. Risk
management involves identifying risks, assessing them and then
developing strategies to manage them. The paper highlights the
various risks prevailing in a construction project and their sources
of origination. Risks can be assessed qualitatively and quantitatively.
The paper also reviews the various techniques used for quantifying
risks and focuses on evaluating risks using the 'Risk Factor and
Priority Model'. The study emphasize the identification and assessment
of various risks in case of real estate projects. The evaluation of
risks can help in prioritizing risks for effective risk management
and successful completion of a project.
Risk, Risk Management, Risk Factor and Priority Model, Risk Matrix and Risk Profile
Download
Research Articles
PRESTRESSED FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE SLABS
VINAYKUMAR C. H. AND S. N. TIRTHAKAR
In recent years, there has been significant increase in interest in the use of fibre reinforced concrete in civil engineering applications. This is due to various advantages such as high strength and resistance to cracking which fibre reinforced concrete offers over conventional concrete. Innovative new flooring systems utilising steel fibres may have the significant potential to offer performance benefits for infrastructure asset owners compared to conventional concrete systems. Arresting micro-cracks in concrete structures has many potential applications. It is especially useful in hot climates where concrete shrinkage causes micro cracks. This superior ductility of fibre reinforced concrete renders such material suitable for many applications in the construction industry. The paper discusses the effect of fibre reinforcement in prestressed concrete slabs.
PRICE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSES OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
A. L. AGARWAL, NAVED AKRAM AND AVICHAL JOSHI
The biggest driver of Indian economy is the infrastructure sector.
To strengthen the infrastructure the investments in the 12th plan
are expected to be roughly double the investments in the 11th
plan. The quantum of construction works has increased multifold
that has to be completed in a short span of time, inviting a lot
of complexities, uncertainties, risks and unforeseen problems during
executions. A major chunk of these risks are mainly due to sudden
variations in the price of various resources used during the course
of construction project. Rates of Cement, Steel and POL (Petrol,
Oil and Lubricant) are varying frequently. Hence it needs compensation
to avoid speculation in tender. Thus a price adjustment clause is
used in the contract to protect the interest of both the contractor
and the client. In this paper efforts are made to highlight the
importance of price adjustment clause, escalations and its correlation
with inflation. The various flaws in the current system of calculating
price escalation have been cited, these have been then compared
with clauses of various different countries and the differences
have been pointed out. Finally a new system of calculating escalation
has been conceptualized which entails all the major discrepancies
in the present system.
Price Adjustment, Escalation, Claims, Price Indices
Download
Research Articles
ECONOMICS AND DECISION: MAKING CRITERIA FOR IRRIGATION PROJECTS
A. S. Jethoo and M.P. Poonia
The policies and decision criteria for investments and approval of infrastructure sectors and in productive sectors are normally different. Governments and financial institutions continue to use traditional economic and financial analysis for irrigation projects as rate of return, discount rates, the exclusion or inclusion of indirect costs for primary decision criteria. Since the 1970s Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) has become the dominant decision support system for project appraisal and the economic internal rate of return (or net present value) is the decision criteria most widely applied by government agencies today. This perspective, however, greatly exaggerates the grip of CBA on decisionmaking regarding approval of project. There are great amount of disparities among regions and countries, leading to differences in crucial aspects of project appraisal. During present study, efforts have been made for review of the criteria for appraisal of irrigation project.
GPS is one of the technologies used in Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). GPS helps in better planning of route and estimation of time of arrival of buses. GPS also helps in route guidance of vehicles like buses, cars, trucks etc. GPS has helped the public transportation to improve their performance considerably. Some of the State Transport Undertakings (STU) like Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) etc., are using GPS technologies. This paper tries to explain the GPS technologies and its benefits in public transportation.
Global Positioning System (GPS), Technology, Transportation System
Research & Publications Department 