Journal of Civil and Construction Engineering

Prioritizing Technical Challenges and Management Strategies in Lift Irrigation Projects: An RII–Pareto Approach from Surkhet, Nepal

2026-05-22T05:09:37+00:00

Lift Irrigation Systems (LIS) are essential for agriculture in Nepal’s mid‑hills, but their performance is often limited by unresolved technical problems. In Surkhet District, Karnali Province, five LIS projects serving 447 households face recurring failures, including insufficient water intake, high silting, electromechanical issues, and budget shortages. However, systematic prioritization of these problems and their management measures has been lacking. This study identifies, ranks, and evaluates technical problems and their corresponding management strategies using a stakeholder‑driven approach. Data were collected from 38 purposively selected stakeholders (7 government officials, 9 Water Users’ Association members, 3 contractors, and 19 local farmers) via Likert‑scale questionnaires covering eight problems (P1–P8) and their management measures (M11–M71). Relative Importance Index (RII), Pareto 80/20 principle with ABC tiering, weighted RII, qualitative feasibility analysis, and a prioritization matrix (problem RII × measure RII) was applied. Category A (“vital few”) problems were: insufficient budget (P5, RII = 0.8526), insufficient water intake (P1, RII = 0.7895), frequent electromechanical issues (P3, RII = 0.7105), and high silting (P2, RII = 0.6368) – together contributing 62.01% of total problem RII. Top‑ranked management measures were: regular tax collection (M52, RII = 0.8421), selection of sump well location (M15, RII = 0.9474), sump well location for silting (M22, RII = 0.8632), and routine maintenance (M32, RII = 0.8105). Feasibility analysis indicated that M52 and M15 are highly feasible (low to medium cost, low to medium complexity), while deep excavation (M13) is costlier. The prioritization matrix confirmed that measures addressing Category A problems have the highest combined impact. The RII–Pareto framework successfully identified the “vital few” technical problems, enabling targeted resource allocation. Recommended actions include implementing M52 and M15 in all five projects, establishing routine maintenance (M32), and using the ABC tiering for annual reviews. The approach is replicable for other LIS projects in Nepal’s mid‑hills and similar resource‑constrained settings.

Comparative Study of Compressive Strength between Natural Concrete and Recycled Concrete

2026-05-22T05:52:54+00:00

This study discusses the use of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) as a partial replacement for natural coarse aggregate (NCA) in concrete construction. Three replacement proportions (15%, 30%, 45%) were used to compare compressive strength and material cost with 0% replacement concrete. The mix design of 1:1.36:2.67 was used with a water-cement ratio (w/c) of 0.45. Compressive strength was determined at 14 days and 28 days by testing 6 cubes for each proportion. Among all proportions, including 0% replacement, the average compressive strength for 14-day and 28-day concrete at 30% replacement was 36.66 MPa and 37.83 MPa, respectively—the highest overall. Non-destructive test (rebound hammer) numbers ranged from 26 to 29, indicating fair concrete. Impact values (19–25%) and Los Angeles Abrasion values (18–29%) suggest suitability for wearing courses. Cost analysis showed up to 13.22% reduction in material cost with 45% RCA replacement. It is concluded that NCA can be replaced by RCA up to 45% when the RCA age is approximately 2 years.

Work Health and Safety Issues in the Construction Sector of Bangladesh: A Review of Challenges and Improvement Strategies

2026-05-12T05:58:52+00:00

The construction industry is a major contributor to economic growth in developing countries such as Bangladesh; however, it remains one of the most hazardous sectors due to persistent workplace health and safety (WHS) challenges. This study aims to examine the key factors influencing construction safety in Bangladesh critically and to identify strategies for improving safety performance. A qualitative systematic literature review approach was adopted, drawing on peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024 from major academic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. The collected literature was analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and key determinants of safety performance. The findings reveal that construction safety issues in Bangladesh are driven by the interaction of four major factors: weak management commitment and safety culture, unsafe worker behaviour and inadequate training, ineffective regulatory enforcement, and resource and technological constraints. These factors are highly interrelated and collectively contribute to unsafe working conditions and high accident rates. The study further highlights that fragmented and isolated interventions are insufficient to address these challenges. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a structured and context-specific synthesis of construction safety issues in a developing country context. It also offers practical implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders by emphasising the need for an integrated approach that combines organisational commitment, worker training, regulatory strengthening, and technological adoption. The study concludes that improving WHS in the Bangladeshi construction industry requires coordinated efforts across multiple levels to ensure sustainable and effective safety outcomes.