(2019). Factors affecting the capacity of small to medium enterprises (SME) building construction firms in Ghana.

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The presence of grouting defects emanating from construction operations constitutes a major threat to the structural integrity of the grouted sleeve connection of precast concrete members. This work presents a location-based assessment of the impact of grouting defects on the tensile performance of the grouted sleeve connection. Twenty-two specimens with different configurations of defects were subjected to a uniaxial tensile experiment. Corresponding numerical models were proposed, validated and used to conduct a sensitivity analysis of the connection to the defect's location while considering different design confinements of grouting materials. Experimental and numerical studies revealed the following outcome: In consideration of confinement parameters, when the defect of size 3d is located in the mid-span anchorage length, the variation of the sleeve-to-bar diameter (ds/d) from 2.66 (lower design limit) to 3.55 (upper design limit) changed the drop in the ultimate capacity from 19% to 44% below the connection's design requirement. The governing parameters of the grout-bar bond stiffness were the defect's location and degree of confinement. This work proposes a theoretical diagnosis model and a risk assessment catalogue as a promising step toward establishing a computerized diagnosis model of the defective connection to enlighten rational maintenance actions in actual construction.

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The construction industry is a sector of the economy that transforms various resources into constructed physical economic and social infrastructure necessary for socioeconomic development. Labour forms an integral part of the construction process and cannot be overlooked. The reward of labour wages has become a domain for agitation in recent times as a result of the differential pricing of labour across the country, ranging from city to city. The aim of this study is to explore the determinants that account for different rates of labour. A mixed method approach was used that involves semi-structure interview and closed-ended questionnaires. The target population for the data collection was contractors, labourers and consultants within Ghana. Data generated from the survey were analysed using relative importance index (RII). The study revealed that consultants, labourers and contractors take into account the level of skill of personnel, demand for labour competition among firms, use of plant and equipment among others as the important determinants for labour pricing differential. The empirical data are limited to the views of consultants, labourers and contractors in the Ghanaian construction industry only. The article is of utmost importance for policymakers especially consultants in estimating prices of labour for certain geographical regions. Likewise, the study has the potential of spurring future development of the industry in order to stop labour agitation and also serve as a basis for future research.