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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the sustainability performance of modular construction from a life cycle perspective. So far, the sustainability performance of modular buildings has been explored from a life cycle viewpoint. There is no comprehensive study showing which material is the best choice for modular construction considering all three sustainable pillars. Therefore, a life cycle sustainability performance framework, including the three-pillar evaluation framework, was developed for different modular buildings. The materials are concrete, steel and timber constructed as a modular construction method.

Transitioning the built environment to a circular economy is vital to achieving sustainability goals. Modular construction is perceived as the future of the construction industry, and in combination with objective sustainability, it is still in the evaluation phase. A life cycle sustainability assessment, which includes life cycle assessment, life cycle cost and social life cycle assessment, has been selected to evaluate alternative materials for constructing a case study building using modular strategies. Subsequently, the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method was used to compute the outranking scores for each modular component.

The calculated embodied impacts and global warming potential (GWP) showed that material production is the most critical phase (65%–88% of embodied energy and 64%–86% of GWP). The result of embodied energy and GWP shows timber as an ideal choice. Timber modular has a 21% and 11% lower GWP than concrete and steel, respectively. The timber structure also has 19% and 13% lower embodied energy than concrete and steel. However, the result of the economic analysis revealed that concrete is the most economical choice. The cost calculations indicate that concrete exhibits a lower total cost by 4% compared to timber and 11% higher than steel structures. However, the social assessment suggests that steel emerges as the optimal material when contrasted with timber and concrete. Consequently, determining the best single material for constructing modular buildings becomes challenging. To address this, the MCDM technique is used to identify the optimal choice. Through MCDM analysis, steel demonstrates the best overall performance.

This research is valuable for construction professionals as it gives a deliberate framework for modular buildings’ life cycle sustainability performance and assists with sustainable construction materials.

Powder bed density is a key parameter in powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) processes but is not easily monitored. This research evaluates the possibility of non-invasively estimating the density of an AM powder bed via its thermal properties measured using flash thermography (FT).

The thermal diffusivity and conductivity of the samples were found by fitting an analytical model to the measured surface temperature after flash of the powder on a polymer substrate, enabling the estimation of the powder bed density.

FT estimated powder bed was within 8% of weight-based density measurements and the inferred thermal properties are consistent with literature findings. However, multiple flashes were necessary to ensure precise measurements due to noise in the experimental data and the similarity of thermal properties between the powder and substrate.

This paper emphasizes the capability of Flash Thermography (FT) for non-contact measurement of SS 316 L powder bed density, offering a pathway to in-situ monitoring for powder bed AM methods including binder jetting (BJ) and powder bed fusion. Despite the limitations of the current approach, the density knowledge and thermal properties measurements have the potential to enhance process development and thermal modeling powder bed AM processes, aiding in understanding the powder packing and thermal behavior.

Over the past two decades, the study of team resilience has evolved from focusing primarily on team performance to recognizing its importance in various aspects of team functioning, including psychological health, teamwork, and overall Well-Being. This evolution underscores the need for a broader, more inclusive understanding of team resilience, advocating for a shift from a narrow performance-centric view to a holistic perspective that encompasses the multifaceted impact of resilience on teams.

In advocating for this holistic perspective, this chapter reviews the extant literature, highlighting that resilience is not merely about sustaining performance but also about fostering a supportive, adaptive, and psychologically safe environment for team members. Significant areas for further exploration, including the nuanced nature of adversities teams face, the processes underpinning resilient behaviors, and the broad spectrum of outcomes resilience can influence beyond task performance are also discussed.

The chapter serves as a call to action for a more inclusive examination of how resilience manifests and benefits teams in organizational settings. The proposed shift in perspective aims to deepen understanding of team resilience, promoting strategies for building resilient teams that thrive not only in performance but in all aspects of their functioning.

The lean manufacturing (LM) approach is a highly effective method that can be implemented in any industry to streamline production processes, meet customer demand and eliminate any unnecessary waste. This paper aims to propose and evaluate a generic project-based framework grounded on the LM approach for reducing lead time in foundry processes.

Using design science research (DSR), we developed a generic LM project-based framework for reducing lead time in foundry processes.

The developed framework provides an alternative method to implement LM projects to reduce lead time and nonvalue activities in foundry factories.

The findings of this research can guide better lean practitioners for lead time reduction in foundry processes.

This paper contributes to the operational excellence literature when discussing the impact of the LM approach on foundry processes. In addition, the paper provides a roadmap for reducing lead time in a foundry company.

The purpose of this paper is to optimize the maintenance strategies for wind turbine (WT) gearboxes to minimize costs associated with PM actions, cooling, production loss and gearbox replacement. Two approaches, periodic imperfect maintenance and a novel design incorporating alternating gearboxes are compared to identify the most cost-effective solution.

This study employs mathematical modeling to analyze the design, operation and maintenance of WT gearboxes. Two maintenance strategies are investigated, involving periodic imperfect maintenance actions and the incorporation of two similar gearboxes operating alternately. The models determine optimal preventive maintenance (PM) and switching periods to minimize total expected costs over the operating time span.

The research findings reveal, for the considered case of a moroccan wind farm, that the use of two similar gearboxes operating alternately is more cost-effective than relying on a single gearbox. The mathematical models developed enable the determination and comparison of optimal strategies for various WT gearbox scenarios and associated maintenance costs.

Limitations may arise from simplifications in the mathematical models and assumptions about degradation, temperature monitoring and maintenance effectiveness. Future research could refine the models and incorporate additional factors for a more comprehensive analysis.

Practically, the study provides insights into optimizing WT gearbox maintenance strategies, considering the trade-offs between PM actions, cooling, production loss and gearbox replacement costs. The findings can inform decisions on maintenance planning and design modifications to enhance cost efficiency.

While the primary focus is on cost optimization, the study indirectly contributes to the broader societal goal of sustainable energy production. Efficient maintenance strategies for WTs help ensure reliable and cost-effective renewable energy, potentially benefiting communities relying on wind power.

This paper introduces two distinct strategies for WT gearbox maintenance, extending beyond traditional periodic maintenance. The incorporation of alternating gearboxes presents a novel design approach. The developed mathematical models offer a valuable tool for determining and comparing optimal strategies tailored to specific WT scenarios and associated maintenance costs.

The practical need for understanding and improving team resilience has increased, and more research is needed to provide an evidence-base for guiding organizational practices and policies. In this chapter, the authors highlight what we see as critical challenges and opportunities for advancing the science of team resilience. We focus on conceptual and methodological challenges involved in conducting field-based research on team resilience, as the authors believe field-based research is a particularly critical approach for advancing the science of team resilience. The authors first provide a brief review of recent theoretical work in defining team resilience. Then the authors describe key challenges that must be managed in field studies seeking to refine and capitalize on this critical area of research to provide solutions capable of supporting individual, team, and organizational outcomes. These challenges include defining trajectories of resilient team performance, understanding the consequences of repeated episodes of team resilience, formal specifications of events precipitating resilient team performance, measuring the event appraisal and communication process, and adopting measurement methods with high temporal resolution. Finally, the authors provide directions for future research to address these gaps.

This systematic literature review aims to investigate the application and integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in transportation infrastructure construction projects focusing on sustainability pillars.

The study employs a systematic literature review approach, combining qualitative review and quantitative analysis of 142 academic articles published between 2011 and March 2023.

The findings reveal the dominance of Building Information Modelling (BIM) as a central tool for sustainability assessment, while other technologies such as blockchain and autonomous robotics have received limited attention. The adoption of I4.0 technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, Augmented Reality (AR), and Big Data, has been prevalent for data-driven analyses, while Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) and 3D printing are mainly being integrated either with BIM or in synergy with Artificial Intelligence (AI). We pinpoint critical challenges including high adoption costs, technical barriers, lack of interoperability, and the absence of standardized sustainability benchmarks.

This research distinguishes itself by not only mapping the current integration of I4.0 technologies but also by advocating for standardization and a synergistic human-technology collaborative approach. It offers tailored strategic pathways for diverse types of transportation infrastructure and different project phases, aiming to significantly enhance operational efficiency and sustainability. The study sets a new agenda for leveraging cutting-edge technologies to meet ambitious future sustainability and efficiency goals, making a compelling case for rethinking how these technologies are applied in the construction sector.

The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to draw insights from the rich literature on humanitarian operations efforts to combat human trafficking; second, to inspire humanitarian operations researchers to work more on human anti-trafficking.

This is a conceptual paper inspired by recent relevant reports, the academic literature and the authors’ years of involvement in both humanitarian operations and anti-trafficking.

Humanitarian supply chains and human trafficking supply chains very often operate in the same environments and hence face similar challenges. The paper highlights the overlaps between the two domains and demonstrates how two decades of learnings from humanitarian supply chain literature can help improve the understanding of the more recent academic field of human trafficking supply chains significantly.

This study is conceptual and illuminates numerous opportunities for research in anti-trafficking.

By inspiring more research on anti-trafficking, this paper hopes to facilitate enhancements to human trafficking operation to prevent more cases and protect victims.

There is an opportunity to increase the effectiveness of anti-trafficking activities, disrupt human trafficking and enlarge the “humanitarian space.”

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to discuss human trafficking operations in relation to humanitarian supply chains.

In recent years, augmented reality (AR) has shown its potential to assist various construction activities. Its use commonly requires additional refinement to be integrated into the building information modeling (BIM) process. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated AR implementation in BIM-enabled projects because of numerous challenges related to its implementation. This study aims to investigate the implementation of AR in construction and identify the critical mechanisms for implementing BIM-AR successfully.

A mixed methodology was adopted for this study. First, this work presents a bibliometric analysis covering articles obtained from Scopus database published between 2000 and 2022. A sample size of 65 research papers pertinent to AR in construction was analyzed using VOSviewer software. Second, a participatory case study was conducted for a BIM-enabled project in China to gain insight into how BIM-AR implementation in construction is achieved.

The findings from the bibliometric analysis show an increasing interest in AR research within construction. The results indicate that AR research focuses on four clusters: real-time communication, project management, construction activities and education. Findings from the case study provide an empirical experience of AR application scenarios in a BIM-enabled project. Concomitantly, 15 critical success factors that influence BIM-AR implementation were finally identified and demonstrated.

This study provides a rich insight into the understanding and awareness of implementing AR. First, the findings are beneficial to construction practitioners and researchers because they provide a concentrated perspective of AR for emerging activities in the construction industry. Second, the results obtained from the case study could provide a useful guide for effectively implementing AR in a BIM-enabled construction project. Overall, this study may stimulate further research on AR-related studies in construction, such as BIM integration, factor analysis and construction education.

The digital warehouse management system is an emergence that forms a critical part of the transformation of economic structure in Industry 4.0. In the present business scenario, the warehouse management system encounters a messy layout, poor damage control, unsatisfactory order management, lack of visibility and lack of technological interventions. Digital twin (DT) based warehouse system shows the ontology and knowledge graphs for competitive advantage by consolidating and transferring goods directly from an inbound supplier to an outbound customer on short notice and with no or limited storage. There remains a lack of clarity on how the DT can be implemented successfully in warehouse management.

The current literature remains largely unstructured and scattered due to a lack of a systematic approach to integrating the research implications and analysis. This paper probes the conceptualization of the DT with the help of theoretical analysis using the systematic literature analysis method.

The study explores essential concepts such as interoperability and integrability in implementing DT. Further, it analyzes the role of a supply chain control tower (SCCT) in modern supply chain management. A research framework is proposed for practitioners and academicians by incorporating the opportunities and challenges associated with DT implementation. The research findings are mainly threefold: Conceptualization of DT, Featuring SCCT and Exploration of cross-computer platform interfaces, scalability and maintenance strategies.

This study is among the first to analyze and review DT applications in warehouse management. Moreover, the study proposes a theoretical toolbox for the practitioners to successfully implement the DT in warehouse DT-based warehouse management system: A theoretical toolbox for future research and applications.