Design Changes and Inattentive Workmanship Drive Construction Waste

Why It Matters

Understanding the root causes of construction waste is crucial for developing effective waste reduction strategies. By pinpointing design changes and human factors as key contributors, design and construction professionals can implement targeted interventions to minimize material waste, reduce environmental impact, and improve project efficiency.

Key Finding

The study found that changes in design and poor attention from workers are the biggest reasons for waste in construction, followed by issues with planning and how materials are stored.

Key Findings

• Design and documentation issues are the most significant category contributing to construction waste.
• Human resources (inattentive working attitudes and behaviors) are the second most significant category.
• Ineffective planning and scheduling, and material storage issues are among the highest impact factors.

Research Evidence

Aim: What are the most significant factors contributing to construction waste generation in the building construction industry?

Method: Quantitative Survey

Procedure: A literature review identified 28 potential causes of construction waste, which were then categorized. A structured questionnaire was distributed to contractors to assess the significance of these factors, and the data was analyzed to rank the contributing categories and individual factors.

Context: Building construction industry in Thailand

Design Principle

Minimize waste by controlling design evolution and enhancing workforce diligence.

How to Apply

Before finalizing designs, conduct thorough reviews and establish clear protocols for managing design changes. Implement ongoing training programs for site personnel focusing on precision and material handling.

Limitations

The study was specific to Thailand's construction industry, and findings may vary in different geographical or economic contexts. The reliance on contractor perception through questionnaires introduces potential bias.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: This research shows that when designs change a lot during building, or when workers aren't careful, a lot of building materials get wasted.

Why This Matters: Understanding waste generation helps in designing more sustainable and cost-effective projects by identifying key areas for improvement.

Critical Thinking: How might cultural differences in work ethic or common construction practices in different regions affect the ranking of these waste-generating factors?

IA-Ready Paragraph: Research indicates that design changes and inattentive workmanship are significant contributors to construction waste (Luangcharoenrat et al., 2019). Therefore, rigorous design management and workforce training are essential for minimizing material waste in any construction project.

Project Tips

• When planning a design project, think about how changes might impact material use and waste.
• Consider how your design choices might affect the ease of construction and potential for error.

How to Use in IA

• Reference this study when discussing the impact of design decisions on material waste in your project's analysis or evaluation.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an understanding of how design choices directly influence material waste and resource efficiency.

Independent Variable: ["Design changes","Inattentive working attitudes and behaviors","Ineffective planning and scheduling","Material storage practices"]

Dependent Variable: Construction waste generation

Controlled Variables: ["Type of construction project","Project scale","Specific materials used"]

Strengths

• Identifies specific, actionable factors contributing to waste.
• Categorizes causes for a structured understanding.

Critical Questions

• To what extent can technology (e.g., BIM, prefabrication) mitigate waste caused by design changes?
• What are the most effective training methodologies to improve worker attention and reduce material waste?

Extended Essay Application

• Investigate the correlation between the number of design revisions and the volume of waste generated in a specific construction project, using quantitative data collection.

Source

Factors Influencing Construction Waste Generation in Building Construction: Thailand’s Perspective · Sustainability · 2019 · 10.3390/su11133638