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Use of PC elements for waste minimization in the Sri Lankan construction industry

Use of PC elements for waste minimization in the Sri Lankan construction industry Purpose – In the construction industry, it is well known that there is a relatively large volume of material being wasted due to a variety of reasons. The problem of material waste on construction sites is not an isolated issue and is of environmental concern. Therefore, waste minimization has become an important issue in the construction industry. The aim of this research was mainly to identify the pre‐cast contribution to the construction waste minimization in the Sri Lankan construction industry, through a comparison of material waste arising from pre‐cast, ready‐mixed and site‐mixed concrete. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 27 building construction projects and three concrete elements: slabs, beams, and columns, were considered to quantify construction waste. To compare the wastage due to pre‐cast involvement with other types, three categories of building projects were used, including projects using pre‐cast concrete elements, in situ concrete elements – site mix, and in‐ situ concrete elements – ready mix. Findings – The study found that mean wastages of cement, sand and metal in PC elements amounted to 5.34 per cent, 13.86 per cent and 7.62 per cent respectively showing lower values compared with the material wastages in the other two technologies ( in situ concrete elements – site mix, and in situ concrete elements – ready mix). Further, statistical t ‐test and ANOVA were carried out to ascertain whether these results were significant. Results revealed that there is a significant waste reduction when pre‐cast concrete is used. Originality/value – The paper provides useful information on pre‐cast contribution to the construction waste minimization in the Sri Lankan construction industry. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Structural Survey Emerald Publishing

Use of PC elements for waste minimization in the Sri Lankan construction industry

Nayanthara De Silva; S.B.K.H. Vithana
Structural Survey , Volume 26 (3): 11 – Jul 11, 2008
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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0263-080X
DOI
10.1108/02630800810887081
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose – In the construction industry, it is well known that there is a relatively large volume of material being wasted due to a variety of reasons. The problem of material waste on construction sites is not an isolated issue and is of environmental concern. Therefore, waste minimization has become an important issue in the construction industry. The aim of this research was mainly to identify the pre‐cast contribution to the construction waste minimization in the Sri Lankan construction industry, through a comparison of material waste arising from pre‐cast, ready‐mixed and site‐mixed concrete. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 27 building construction projects and three concrete elements: slabs, beams, and columns, were considered to quantify construction waste. To compare the wastage due to pre‐cast involvement with other types, three categories of building projects were used, including projects using pre‐cast concrete elements, in situ concrete elements – site mix, and in‐ situ concrete elements – ready mix. Findings – The study found that mean wastages of cement, sand and metal in PC elements amounted to 5.34 per cent, 13.86 per cent and 7.62 per cent respectively showing lower values compared with the material wastages in the other two technologies ( in situ concrete elements – site mix, and in situ concrete elements – ready mix). Further, statistical t ‐test and ANOVA were carried out to ascertain whether these results were significant. Results revealed that there is a significant waste reduction when pre‐cast concrete is used. Originality/value – The paper provides useful information on pre‐cast contribution to the construction waste minimization in the Sri Lankan construction industry.

Journal

Structural Survey – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jul 11, 2008

Keywords: Construction industry; Construction materials; Cements and concretes; Waste management; Sri Lanka

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