• Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2017

Construction projects have been observed to have problems of project delays and disruptions and the South African construction industry is not an exception. This research identified causes and effects of project delay and disruption through a desktop study. Subsequently, a questionnaire was designed and used to conduct a survey to obtain the views of the three main construction project participants - clients, consultants, and contractors. The questionnaire contains 48 causes and 13 effects of project delay and disruption identified from the desktop study. This research identified sixteen most important causes of project delay and disruption and five most important effects of delay and disruption. Sixteen most important causes were: (1) strikes, (2) rework due to errors during construction, (3) shortage of materials in market, (4) suspension of work by the client, (5) poor communication between the parties, (6) ineffective planning and scheduling of project, (7) delays in issuing working drawings, (8) mistakes and discrepancies in design documents, (9) shortage of labours and equipment, (10) delay in decision making process by the client, (11) unforeseen ground conditions, (12) unclear and inadequate details in drawing, (13) inadequate contractor's experience, (14) delay in approving changes in the scope of works, (15) delay in material delivery and (16) unacceptable quality of materials. The five major effects include: (1) create stress on contractors, (2) cost overrun, (3) time overrun, (4) poor quality of work due to rush, and (5) disputes. Furthermore, the result of this research was compared with the result of previous studies conducted in other regions of Africa in terms of causes and effects of project delay and disruption. The research concludes that numerous causes and effects of delay and disruption are limited to South African construction projects based on the comparison. The causes limited to South African construction projects include: (1) strikes, (2) suspension of work by the client (3) mistakes and discrepancies in design documents (4) delay in approving changes in the scope of works and (5) unacceptable quality of materials, while the two major effects limited to South African construction projects includes: (1) create stress on contractors and (2) poor quality of work. In conclusion, some recommendations were made in order to minimise the causes of delay and disruption identified.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.340-349
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• 2011

During the negotiation and resolution of delay and disruption disputes on construction projects, the use and misappropriation of float, and the question of float ownership, are considered to be a major concern to those involved. Most practitioners and authors are of the opinion that it is an issue that should be clearly defined and addressed within the provisions of the contract. However, the terms "float" or "ownership of float" are rarely mentioned (if at all) in most of the standard forms of Australian construction contracts, giving little guidance to those involved as to how this issue should be addressed. In October 2002 the United Kingdoms Society of Construction Law (SCL) published a Delay and Disruption Protocol (the Protocol) that contains a suggested approach to the issue. The aim of this research was to obtain an Australian opinion of the suitability of the SCL's Delay and Disruption Protocols suggested approach to the issue of float and ownership of float for use by the Australian construction industry. Qualitative interviews were carried out with Australian construction industry experts experienced in the administration, negotiation, and resolution of delay and disruption disputes to obtain their opinions of the suitability of the SCL's proposed approach. Results indicate general confusion and uncertainty as to how the issue of float and float ownership should be addressed in general, with the SCL's approach adding further to that confusion.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2007.03a
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• pp.150-159
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• 2007

More often than not, cost claims which are legitimately due and entitled to the contractor for works done, or for loss and expense incurred arising from disruption, prolongation and delay, are surprising not successfully recovered, whether in whole or in part, or none at all. One of the main reasons attributing to such scenario, is due to either the contractor, employer or the consultants and their poor understanding of and adherence to established and proper contractual rubric that is embodied in the building construction contract for the works. This paper explores some such pitfalls that could very well spell the ultimate financial disaster for many contractors, and highlights salient and essential intimations that contractors and consultants should watch out for.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.886-891
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• 2005

The frequent maintenance required on some asphalt concrete (AC) pavement sections has made reconstruction with Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) a feasible alternative. However, many constructability issues need to be addressed in order to realize the full potential of this alternative. Accelerated paving encompasses three classes of activities: methods to accelerate the rate of strength gain, methods to minimize the construction time, and traffic control strategies to minimize user delay. Three major AC intersections with severe rutting problems were reconstructed with PCCP. The entire reconstruction of each intersection, including demolition of the AC pavement and its replacement with PCCP, took place over a period of three days, starting on Thursday evening and opening the intersection to the traffic on Sunday afternoon. This paper discusses the use of PCCP for accelerated reconstruction of major urban intersections with minimal user and traffic disruption, using innovative construction techniques and traffic management optimization principles and demonstrates that concrete pavements can be constructed efficiently and quickly.