Journal of Civil and Construction Engineering

Challenges and Critical Factors in the Implementation of Value Engineering in Construction Management: A Literature Review, Survey Analysis, and Case Study Comparison

Sarthak Goel — 2025-05-01

Value Engineering (VE) has emerged as a pivotal methodology in construction management, offering a systematic approach to optimizing project costs, improving quality, and fostering sustainable practices. Despite its recognized benefits, the integration of VE in construction projects often encounters numerous challenges, limiting its full potential. This paper investigates the challenges and critical success factors in the implementation of VE in construction management, drawing from an in-depth literature review, survey data analysis, and comparative case study examination. The primary aim is to provide a holistic understanding of the obstacles to effective VE integration and the essential elements needed to enhance its application in construction projects. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, the study identifies prevalent challenges, including resistance to change, insufficient understanding of VE, and resource constraints, which are then subjected to a frequency analysis to quantify their presence in current research. A targeted questionnaire survey, administered to construction professionals, delves into the perceived impact of various factors influencing VE implementation. Furthermore, by comparing these findings with past case studies of VE implementation, the study examines how challenges and critical factors vary across projects and align with or differ from the literature and survey outcomes. This triangulated approach highlights consistent issues while uncovering new perspectives, providing a robust framework for enhancing VE practices in construction. The results offer valuable insights for industry professionals and policymakers seeking to leverage VE for cost efficiency, project quality, and sustainable construction outcomes.

Development and Evaluation of Land Layout Using Drone Technology

E. Sanjeeva Rayudu — 2025-05-13

The incorporation of drone technology into land plan construction has various advantages, including increased mapping accuracy, decreased time and cost compared to traditional techniques, and the capacity to reach inaccessible or hazardous terrains. Furthermore, high-resolution data enables better decision-making throughout the planning and design phases, resulting in more effective use of land resources and enhanced environmental impact assessments.

The construction and evaluation of land layouts utilizing drone technology offers a big step forward in land management and urban planning. This method takes advantage of the precision, speed, and adaptability of drones to acquire high-resolution aerial pictures and topographical data. The method begins with the deployment of drones equipped with camera to survey the terrain, allowing for the capture of comprehensive geographical data. This information is then analysed using powerful software tools to produce precise Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), orthophotos, and 3D maps.

The evaluation step entails analysing the acquired data to determine the appropriateness of the site for various uses, such as building, agriculture, or conservation. This involves recognising possible difficulties such as erosion, floods, and ecological sensitivity. Drones also allow for continual monitoring of land changes over time, offering crucial insights into long-term land management policies.

Overall, using drone technology to build and evaluate land layouts is a game-changing strategy that improves precision, efficiency, and sustainability in land use planning, opening the way for more informed and effective decision-making processes.

The present study involves collecting various photographs of the area using Edals White hawk drone and tag photos using EMLID software for allocating their respective locations creating a 3D layout and evaluating the land using these annotated photos in AGISOFT software.

Evaluating Key Challenges and Optimization Strategies for Enhancing Labor Productivity on Construction Sites

Sumit Sharma — 2025-07-05

Despite being a vital engine of economic expansion, the construction sector still faces persistent problems with worker productivity. High absenteeism, a lack of talent, inadequate workforce planning, and a general reluctance to adopt cutting-edge digital tools like augmented reality and building information modeling are some of the main challenges. This research identifies the underlying causes of these issues and provides focused solutions by means of an extensive case study, an industry-wide survey, and a thorough review of the body of existing literature. The results show that ineffective staffing and attendance control impedes project workflows, and a lack of skills prevents emerging technologies from being successfully adopted-underscoring the necessity of strong training initiatives. Furthermore, depending too much on unofficial channels of communication makes stakeholder coordination problems worse. On the other hand, the application of systematic management and lean construction techniques.

Applications of Drone Surveying in Civil Engineering: A Technological Advancement Towards Efficient Infrastructure Development

H. S. Vishwanatha — 2025-07-16

Drone surveying has revolutionized civil engineering by offering fast, safe, and cost-effective alternatives to conventional ground-based methods. This paper explores the transformative impact of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in various civil engineering applications, including construction site monitoring, topographic mapping, infrastructure inspection, and post-disaster assessment. The integration of drone technology with photogrammetry and remote sensing tools allows for high-resolution, real-time data acquisition that enhances decision-making and project efficiency.

This study presents a comprehensive methodology that compares UAV-based surveying with traditional techniques in terms of accuracy, time efficiency, and operational costs. Several real-world case studies and field data are examined to illustrate the practical benefits of drone deployment. In addition, visual analyses such as charts, graphs, and tables are used to quantitatively demonstrate performance improvements across multiple survey scenarios.

The results indicate that UAVs can reduce survey time by up to 80%, cut labour costs, and improve safety by minimizing the need for human presence in hazardous areas. The findings support the growing adoption of UAV technology as a standard surveying tool in modern civil engineering practice. This paper also discusses current challenges, such as regulatory constraints and data processing complexities, while highlighting future research opportunities in automation, machine learning integration, and 3D modeling.

Assessment of Causes and Possible Measures in Minimizing Poor Workmanship in Building Construction in Ethiopia

Bewuketu Bitew Ayalew — 2025-07-18

The construction industry encompasses the arrangement, execution, and assessment of all types of construction works. For instance, infrastructures like buildings, projects related to communication and essential services, water supply and sanitation systems, and similar development endeavors. Building development is a crucial component of the construction industry. In this industry, productivity and project quality become lower due to poor workmanship problems. As a result, this research investigates the causes of poor workmanship and its possible measures to minimize poor workmanship in public building projects in Ethiopia. The study started with a review of the literature after identifying problems. Later, based on the literature review, both qualitative and quantitative data were prepared using 5 Likert scale and open-ended questionnaires and distributed for consultants, contractors, and clients randomly who work on public building projects in Ethiopia. Based on attitudes and perceptions of respondents, the data was analyzed using the relative importance index data analysis technique, then a weighted average of each respondent’s attitude and perception is calculated using the Microsoft excel tool. Finally, the research conclusion and recommendations are drawn according to the findings and discussion obtained from the analysis of the results. Based on the findings of this research, the most significant factors affecting poor workmanship in construction was ranked and listed as, a lack of skills and experience among laborers (weighted average: 0.930, rank: 1), limited cost (weighted average: 0.912, rank: 2) and poor project management (weighted average: 0.902, rank: 3), Therefore, treating those cause is vital to minimize the problem. Hence, providing adequate training and development programs, equipping workers with the necessary competencies, we can enhance workmanship quality and overall project outcomes. Effective construction management, strict supervision, and proper design are the top solutions in minimizing poor workmanship. By prioritizing these measures and investing in training and education, the construction industry can significantly improve quality standards, leading to successful project completions and enhanced client satisfaction. Addressing these challenges holistically will not only elevate workmanship but also further contribute to the long-term viability and standing of the construction sector.