The dynamic, challenging, and complex nature of the construction projects environment often cause adversarial culture, disputed claims, and deteriorating relationships between project participants. This paper aims to study the correlation between Relationship Management (RM) and construction project success and to develop a framework that includes practical actions, tools, and strategies for managing relationships in construction projects. Literature review and interviews were used to explore and validate the RM’s relevant associated traits. Subsequently, a piloted questionnaire was used to collect the data from 264 construction experts and assess the effect of RM on the overall project success. The data were analyzed using Partial-Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), where the structural and measurement models of the higher and lower order constructed were assessed. The study findings categorized the RM-associated traits into three main pillars: Contractual Measures, Team Interactions, and Top Management Actions. The findings also confirmed that RM has a significant positive effect on the overall success of construction projects. In addition, this paper proposed an integrated framework for managing relationships in construction projects, allowing construction firms to monitor the relationships in their projects and identify key areas for strengthening the relationships throughout their projects to foster their projects’ success rates.

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is an innovative concrete that does not necessitate vibration for placing and compaction. Nineteen concrete mixes were investigated including a control mix without fibers as well as eighteen SCC with fibers (SCFRC) mixes. Three types of fibers (polypropylene, glass and steel) were used. Slump flow, L-box, V-funnel as well as column segregation tests were conducted to assess the fresh properties. Whereas, compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths were measured to assess the hardened properties of SCFRC. Three point bending tests were performed for the purpose of assessing the fracture properties of SCFRC. Test results showed that the inclusion of fibers to produce SCFRC mixtures remarkably enhanced the fracture properties including fracture energy (Gf) and fracture toughness (K1c). Inclusion of steel fibers with 2% volume fractions showed an improvement with 26.9 times for Gf over the control mix. Whereas, 104% increase in K1c was recorded for the same mix over the mix without fibers. Adding fibers to SCC to produce self-compacting fiber reinforced concrete (SCFRC) will expand its advantages. However, the application fields still need to understand the properties of SCFRC.

No abstract