Abstracts – Browse Results
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Agapiou, A (1996) Forecasting the supply of construction labour, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Arditi, D A (1973) An investigation into the behavioural and technical factors affecting success in the use of network analysis in the construction industry of Great Britain, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Celik, T (1989) Improving concrete quality by using an expert system, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Dutch, W G (1989) The capital cost aspects of the environmental impact of new highways in association with the new design technique: the commercial route methodology, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Harris, F C (1979) A model for evaluating the effects of weather on construction projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Jayawardane, A K W (1989) Optimising earthmoving by linear programming and computer simulation, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Jergeas, G F (1989) Detailed design and constructability, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
Lam, Y T (1995) A knowledge-based system for planning and scheduling ready-mixed concrete, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.
- Type: Thesis
- Keywords: knowledge-based system; planning; prototype development; ready-mixed concretescheduling;
- ISBN/ISSN:
- URL: https://hdl.handle.net/2134/11138
- Abstract:
The use of ready-mixed concrete primarily involves two parties, the supplier and the customer (who is usually a construction contractor), although others may be involved. Ready-mixed concrete is not only a product, it is also a service. This implies that the supply of ready-mixed concrete should satisfy the customers’ needs in relation to both quality and supply. To satisfy quality requirements, ready-mixed concrete must contain suitable materials, and be produced under conditions of quality control by experienced staff using reliable equipment. To meet the supply requirement, it must be delivered at the time and rate required. Based on the findings in several surveys and studies, the UK ready-mixed concrete industry appears to meet the quality requirement quite well. However, the service provided to the customers could be improved. In addition, the industry’s efficiency is not satisfactory when compared to its counterparts in other European countries such as Germany. Due to the peculiar characteristics of the product, which has a "shelf life" of only a few hours, and the unpredictable nature of the operating environment, the planning and scheduling problems of the production and delivery activities are usually unstructured and complex. In practice, UK ready-mixed concrete companies rely on their shippers’ personal experience or intuition to make their planning and scheduling decisions. This research explored the feasibility of using a knowledge-based decision support system for planning’ and scheduling the production and delivery of ready-mixed concrete. A prototype called ISRMC has been successfully developed as a result of a study of the operations of concrete production and construction as well as the ready-mixed concrete production and delivery process and detailed collection of knowledge from various sources. A study of the operation of ready-mixed concrete in Singapore is also included in this research. The study reveals some characteristics of the operation and capacity of the industry as well as factors affecting the efficient supply of the ready-mixed concrete to the sites. Some recommendations have been made for the industry to improve its efficiency. The performance of ISRMC had also been checked by a domain expert in Singapore and the results were satisfactory. Further development and some refinement will undoubtedly be needed before it can be used on site. In conclusion. the supply of ready-mixed concrete in both UK and Singapore has room for improvement. The ISRMC shows promise in demonstrating the soundness and practicality of the knowledge-based system as a viable means of assisting the ready-mixed concrete industry to improve the effectiveness of its decision-making in planning and scheduling ready-mixed concrete.
Oteifa, S A (1991) An investigation into civil engineering estimators' decision making and expertise, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology.