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Aibinu, A A, Dassanayake, D, Chan, T-K and Thangaraj, R (2015) Cost estimation for electric light and power elements during building design: A neural network approach. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 22(02), 190-213.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: multiple regression analysis; prediction; modelling; estimating; cost estimates; neural net
  • ISBN/ISSN:
  • URL: https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-01-2014-0010
  • Abstract:
    Purpose - The study reported in this paper proposed the use of artificial neural networks (ANN) as viable alternative to regression for predicting the cost of building services elements at the early stage of design. The purpose of this paper is to develop, test and validate ANN models for predicting the costs of electrical services components. Design/Methodology/Approach - The research is based on data mining of over 200 building projects in the office of a medium size electrical contractor. Of the over 200 projects examined, 71 usable data were found and used for the ANN modeling. Regression models were also explored using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences Statistics Software 21, for the purpose of comparison with the ANN models. Findings - The findings show that the cost forecasting models based on ANN algorithm are more viable alternative to regression models for predicting the costs of light wiring, power wiring and cable pathways. The ANN prediction errors achieved are 6.4, 4.5 and 4.5 per cent for the three models developed whereas the regression models were insignificant. They did not fit any of the known regression distributions. Practical implications - The validated ANN models were converted to a desktop application (user interface) package - “Intelligent Estimator.” The application is important because it can be used by construction professionals to reliably and quickly forecast the costs of power wiring, light wiring and cable pathways using building variables that are readily available or measurable during design stage, i.e. fully enclosed covered area, unenclosed covered area, internal perimeter length and number of floors. Originality/value - Previous studies have concluded that the methods of estimating the budget for building structure and fabric work are inappropriate for use with mechanical and electrical services. Thus, this study is unique because it applied the ANN modeling technique, for the first time, to cost modeling of electrical services components for building using real world data. The analysis shows that ANN is a better alternative to regression models for predicting cost of services elements because the relationship between cost and the cost drivers are non-linear and distribution types are unknown.

Alharbi, M, Emmitt, S and Demian, P (2015) What is architectural management? Towards a pragmatic definition. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 22(02), 151-68.

Ling, F Y Y, Tan, P C, Ning, Y, Teo, A and Gunawansa, A (2015) Effect of adoption of relational contracting practices on relationship quality in public projects in Singapore. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 22(02), 169-89.

Rajeh, M, Tookey, J E and Rotimi, J O B (2015) Estimating transaction costs in the New Zealand construction procurement: A structural equation modelling methodology. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 22(02), 242-67.

Salah, A and Moselhi, O (2015) Contingency modelling for construction projects using fuzzy-set theory. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 22(02), 214-41.

Singh, V and Holmström, J (2015) Needs and technology adoption: Observation from BIM experience. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 22(02), 128-50.