Editorial

Citation

Shelbourn, D.P.a.M. (2014), "Editorial", Structural Survey, Vol. 32 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/SS-04-2014-0018

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Structural Survey, Volume 32, Issue 2.

Welcome to this second issue of Volume 32 of Structural Survey: Journal of Building Pathology and Refurbishment. This issue contains six papers on a range of contemporary subjects reflecting the environmental focus of the journal. Authors are drawn from a variety of countries including Sri Lanka, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the UK and it is pleasing to see the international reach of the journal.

The first paper by Jayamathan and Rameezdeen investigates how labour arrangements on projects affect the cause of waste generation. A novel combination of research methods is used including observation, source evaluations and a questionnaire survey with results indicating that subcontract labour generate more waste than directly employed labour across a range of building activities. The research is limited to six projects in Sri Lanka and therefore we need to be mindful of the limitations of this case study, however, these are useful findings to consider when making labour arrangements and setting up subcontractor agreements.

Sing et al., report the findings of an experimental study into the condition assessment of reinforced concrete structures using a dynamics response approach. A full-scale RC structure was tested under ambient vibration and the impact from a rubber hammer. Time history data were collected to analyze dynamics parameters such as natural frequency and damping ratio. The research demonstrates that the measured natural frequency is not a good indicator for the integrity of the structure. Similarly, it was revealed that the traditional theory of viscous damping performed poorly for the RC with non-linear characteristics. To address this problem, a non-linear curve is constructed using random decrement which can be used to retrieve the condition of the RC structure in a scientific manner. The results of the study revealed that the damage of a structure can be reflected from the changes in the damping curves. Hence, the non-linear damping curve is a powerful tool for assessing the condition of RC structures in terms of sensitivity and reliability.

This issue includes two papers related to the impacts of flooding on property. These are timely and welcome contributions in light of the winter of flooding in the UK which has affected many businesses and homes. Joseph et al., presents the development of a framework for understanding the cost benefit analysis of implementing property level flood risk adaptation (PLFRA) measures. The work builds on previous studies in this domain by giving greater consideration to the intangible impacts of flooding associated with the long term health effects and the ensuing disruption to normal life. This is an important contribution to the study of adaptation to flood risk and should help contribute to developing a better understanding of the nature of impacts on property and property owners.

Ingirige and Wedawatta consider the impacts of flooding on small businesses and recommend the adoption of an “honest broker” approach to encourage adaptation to future flooding. This paper is very timely in light of the winter of flooding in the UK which has affected many businesses and homes. There currently exists a dearth of research into the affects of flooding on businesses and this study provides a useful contribution. The paper proposes a conceptual model for engaging SMEs that will potentially increase the uptake of flood adaptation measures by such businesses. The model proposes a collaborative engagement process that could escalate to wider participation in other areas to improve the impact of policy initiatives. We would encourage the authors to progress the research with some empirical work to see if their proposed approach for increasing engagement would be effective in practice.

Zapata-Lancaster considers the development of low carbon in the non-domestic building design process in light of new government targets. An ethnographic comparison of design in Wales and England was carried out to reveal how design teams were coping with the energy regulation changes introduced in 2010 in England and Wales. The study compared the design process of six non-domestic buildings in England and Wales and employed interviews, non-participant observation and document analysis over a period of 12-21 months per case study. The field findings suggest the disconnections between the project drivers and the policy agenda and reveal what the design teams do to embed energy performance in routine project design. The designers’ enactment of and responses to the policy changes tend to become an analytical tool to infer lessons that can be learned from the process and lead to the achievement of expected carbon reductions and the success of the policy intentions. Challenges remain in forecasting adequate mechanisms to transfer the lessons learned from project to project and the reconsideration of practical training for designers to anticipate construction and operational matters that may affect the performance estimated during the design phase. It is suggested that the use of design reviews, post-occupancy evaluation and performance studies linking different phases of the building life cycle are a good starting point for detecting inconsistencies, gaps and deviations between the as-designed, as-built and in-use performance. These processes will also help to ensure lessons can be drawn to the benefit of future projects.

Ling et al., consider the strategies for integrating design and construction, and operations and maintenance supply chains in Singapore. They investigate the goals that stakeholders want to achieve in integrating the supply chains; the stakeholders that play an important integration role in each supply chain; and the effective strategies that may yield better integration of the supply chains. Using a structured questionnaire, data are elicited from Singapore-based clients, consultants and construction firms involved in developing and managing built facilities. The most important strategies for integrating the supply chains are found to be sharing relevant information and integrating life cycle optimization options in the supply chains. The research reports that activities in DC and OM supply chains can be integrated, and this leads to higher value for all stakeholders. The implication being that stakeholders can adopt the strategies identified by this study to foster closer integration of the two supply chains in Singapore. Teams from both supply chains need to work jointly instead of consecutively and sharing information through an online platform by setting up a web-based database may help in their collaboration. They report that it is also important that common goals are set at the onset, preferably by clients of built facilities, with strong buy-in by main contractors and consultants, so as to achieve best value.

We hope you enjoy this issue of the journal and extend our thanks to all the authors for their contributions. We would also like to express our sincere congratulations to the winners of the 2013 Award for Excellence including the Outstanding Paper Award, Highly Commended Award and Outstanding Reviewers.

David Proverbs and Mark Shelbourn