PapersFlow Research Brief
Construction Management and Sustainability
Research Guide
What is Construction Management and Sustainability?
Construction Management and Sustainability is the application of management practices in construction projects to minimize environmental impact, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainable urban development through methods like environmental assessments and renewable energy integration.
This field encompasses 11,190 works focused on sustainable urban development, energy-efficient construction practices, and environmental assessments of infrastructure projects. Key areas include building insulation, historic building reconstruction, smart city technologies, and renewable energy sources in urban settings. Research emphasizes quantitative methods for investment analysis and virtual modeling to improve project outcomes.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Building Life Cycle Assessment
This sub-topic covers methodologies for evaluating environmental impacts across a building's full life cycle from cradle to grave. Researchers develop standardized calculation methods and software tools for sustainability metrics.
Construction Productivity Improvement
This sub-topic examines strategies to enhance efficiency in construction processes, including lean methods and technology integration. Researchers analyze factors like labor, equipment, and workflow optimization.
Trombe Wall Thermal Performance
This sub-topic studies passive solar heating systems using Trombe walls for energy-efficient buildings. Researchers investigate design variations, heat transfer modeling, and real-world performance evaluations.
Bio-Based Aggregates in Construction
This sub-topic explores natural and bio-aggregates like hemp or straw for eco-friendly building materials. Researchers assess mechanical properties, durability, and environmental benefits compared to traditional aggregates.
5D BIM for Construction Management
This sub-topic focuses on integrating 5D Building Information Modeling for cost and time estimation in projects. Researchers study virtual model applications in planning, simulation, and decision-making.
Why It Matters
Construction Management and Sustainability addresses real-world challenges in urban infrastructure by enabling energy-efficient building designs and reduced environmental footprints. For instance, Oglesby et al. (1988) in "Productivity improvement in construction" demonstrated methods to boost productivity, which supports sustainable practices by optimizing resource use in large-scale projects. Standards like "Sustainability of construction works. Assessment of environmental performance of buildings. Calculation method" (2011) provide calculation frameworks adopted in European regulations for evaluating building lifecycle impacts, aiding industries in compliance and cost savings. Additionally, Ustinovichius et al. (2007) in "Application of a quantitative multiple criteria decision making (MCDM-1) approach to the analysis of investments in construction" offer decision tools used in investment planning, with applications in projects balancing economic viability and ecological goals, as evidenced by 154 citations influencing infrastructure funding decisions.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Productivity improvement in construction" by Oglesby et al. (1988) is the recommended starting paper because its 514 citations and foundational strategies provide essential principles for efficient construction management that underpin sustainability efforts.
Key Papers Explained
Oglesby et al. (1988) in "Productivity improvement in construction" lays the groundwork for efficiency, which Ustinovichius et al. (2007) in "Application of a quantitative multiple criteria decision making (MCDM-1) approach to the analysis of investments in construction" builds upon by adding decision frameworks for sustainable investments. Popov et al. (2010) in "The use of a virtual building design and construction model for developing an effective project concept in 5D environment" extends these with virtual tools for integrated planning. Standards like "Sustainability of construction works. Assessment of environmental performance of buildings. Calculation method" (2011) and its 2012 companion on product declarations provide assessment methods that operationalize prior concepts. Marceau and Delannoy (2017) in "Bio-aggregates Based Building Materials" applies them to innovative materials.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Current work centers on integrating energy efficiency methods from Kostikov et al. (2020) in "A review of the current work potential of a trombe wall" with urban ecology principles, though no recent preprints are available to indicate shifts.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Productivity improvement in construction | 1988 | Medical Entomology and... | 514 | ✕ |
| 2 | Sustainability of construction works. Assessment of environmen... | 2011 | — | 496 | ✕ |
| 3 | Sustainability of construction works. Environmental product de... | 2012 | — | 171 | ✕ |
| 4 | Urban ecology as the basis of urban planning | 1997 | Marine Pollution Bulletin | 162 | ✕ |
| 5 | A review of the current work potential of a trombe wall | 2020 | Renewable and Sustaina... | 162 | ✕ |
| 6 | Application of a quantitative multiple criteria decision makin... | 2007 | Control and Cybernetics | 154 | ✕ |
| 7 | The use of a virtual building design and construction model fo... | 2010 | Automation in Construc... | 153 | ✕ |
| 8 | A Contribution to the Theory of Self-Renewing Aggregates, With... | 1939 | The Annals of Mathemat... | 145 | ✓ |
| 9 | Bio-aggregates Based Building Materials | 2017 | RILEM state-of-the-art... | 143 | ✕ |
| 10 | Modern construction management | 1990 | Canadian Journal of Ci... | 142 | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What methods assess environmental performance in construction sustainability?
"Sustainability of construction works. Assessment of environmental performance of buildings. Calculation method" (2011) outlines a standardized calculation method for buildings' environmental performance across their lifecycle. This approach quantifies impacts from materials to operations. It serves as a core tool for compliance in construction projects.
How does productivity improvement relate to sustainable construction management?
Oglesby et al. (1988) in "Productivity improvement in construction" detail strategies to enhance efficiency in construction processes. These improvements reduce waste and resource consumption, aligning with sustainability goals. The paper's 514 citations highlight its foundational role in modern practices.
What role do bio-aggregates play in sustainable building materials?
Marceau and Delannoy (2017) in "Bio-aggregates Based Building Materials" examine bio-based aggregates for lower environmental impact. These materials offer renewable alternatives to traditional ones, improving insulation and reducing carbon footprints. The work contributes to greener construction standards with 143 citations.
How is multiple criteria decision making applied in construction investments?
Ustinovichius et al. (2007) in "Application of a quantitative multiple criteria decision making (MCDM-1) approach to the analysis of investments in construction" apply MCDM-1 to evaluate investments quantitatively. This method structures expenses and potentials in construction projects. It aids in selecting sustainable options amid economic constraints.
What is the function of virtual models in sustainable construction project concepts?
Popov et al. (2010) in "The use of a virtual building design and construction model for developing an effective project concept in 5D environment" describe 5D virtual models for project planning. These integrate cost and time dimensions to optimize sustainability. The approach enhances decision-making in complex urban developments.
How do core rules guide environmental product declarations in construction?
"Sustainability of construction works. Environmental product declarations. Core rules for the product category of construction products" (2012) establishes rules for declaring environmental impacts of products. This enables transparent assessments for stakeholders. It supports market-driven sustainability with 171 citations.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can quantitative MCDM methods be refined to better incorporate long-term environmental costs in construction investment decisions, as raised in Ustinovichius et al. (2007)?
- ? What are the unresolved barriers to scaling bio-aggregates in mainstream construction materials for urban sustainability?
- ? In what ways can virtual 5D modeling be extended to predict and mitigate sustainability risks in historic building reconstruction projects?
- ? How do productivity improvements from Oglesby et al. (1988) integrate with current renewable energy sources in smart city infrastructure?
- ? What metrics remain underdeveloped for assessing self-renewing aggregates' viability in sustainable urban ecology?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 11,190 works with sustained interest in energy efficiency and environmental assessment, as top-cited papers like "Productivity improvement in construction" (514 citations, 1988) and assessment standards (2011, 496 citations) continue to dominate citations without noted growth rate data.
Recent emphasis persists on bio-aggregates (Marceau and Delannoy, 2017) and trombe walls (Kostikov et al., 2020), but no preprints or news from the last 12 months signal new directions.
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