Determining Root Cause of Construction Waste Generation: A Global Context

Abstract

Construction sector is one of the main sectors in contributing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in every developing country. The rapid growth of this sector directly produces a huge amount of construction waste. Hence, to find out the main root causes of the generation, this paper aimed to determine root causes of the construction waste generation in the construction sector. The research is carried out through triangulation technique (questionnaire survey and practitioner’s validation). This technique is adopted to facilitate cross validation by analysing 38 articles and then the final results have been validated by construction practitioners. A total of 80 root causes were identified from 38 articles and the 5 main root causes determined have scored more than 50% out of the total number of articles. Finally, the result was validated and found out that 87.5% of construction practitioners agree with the findings. The agreed root causes are ‘Constant design changes’, ‘Incorrect storage of materials’, ‘Poor handling of materials’, ‘Effect of weather’ and ‘Mistakes while ordering from suppliers’. Therefore, these initial findings will be able to aid the construction practitioner (contractors, consultants and developers) to be aware of the root causes that is mostly causing construction waste generation.

An empirical study on non-physical waste factors in the construction industry

“…Several studies have been carried out to investigate the effect of non-physical WFs in different countries within the last decade (Bajjou and Chafi, 2020; Kaliannan et al. , 2018; Khanh and Kim, 2015; Luangcharoenrat et al.…”

“…Several studies have been carried out to investigate the effect of non-physical WFs in different countries within the last decade (Bajjou and Chafi, 2020;Kaliannan et al, 2018;Khanh and Kim, 2015;Luangcharoenrat et al, 2019;Nagapan et al, 2012a;Vilasini et al, 2011;Abisuga et al, 2014;Kog, 2017;Obodoh and Chikasi, 2016). Vilasini et al (2011) adopted a case study approach to identify nonvalue-adding activities during the installation of parapets on a motorway deck.…”

Implementation, Advantages and Management of ISO 9001 in the Construction Industry

“…The basic 34 elements identified with the help of the literature review can be implemented for the effective development of construction firms while it also serves considerable advantages to the company. According to Kaliannan et al (2018) [12] study that some of the advantages of implementing quality management systems in small manufacturing enterprises are accessible leadership at the workplace, hire talented staff for making quick and accurate decisions, and train to staff members for communicating to other ISO certified organizations [13]. The case study by Sohu et al (2017) presents the main advantages of the implementation of quality management systems in Australian organizations [14].…”

Water Penetration of Concrete made with Coarse Aggregates from Demolishing Waste

“…Based on the permeability results of the proposed concrete, the authors concluded that recycled aggregates partially replacing fine and coarse aggregates give almost similar properties as conventional concrete. The test results of concrete made with various alternative materials [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] regarding suitability [18], strength and durability [19], root cause of waste generation [20], sustained loading for 9 and 12 months [21,22], fire resistance at 1000C for 18 and 24 hours [23,24] show the promising effects of recycled aggregates as replacement materials suitable to be used in new concrete. Demolishing waste has also been tested as replacement of fine aggregates.…”