Traffic Impact on Incentive Contracting Project Time Performance during Highway Construction

The volume of highway traffic in the United States continues to increase. In the face of this there is a concomitant need to improve and repair transportation infrastructure. Construction frequently requires a reduction in capacity during construction activity; consequently road users as well as adjacent businesses must endure the delays and inconveniences associated with transportation construction. Recognizing the problems that construction can produce, state highway agencies （SHAs） have continually sought ways to minimize the negative impact from their construction operations. Incentive contracting has played an important role in this effort to improve project performance. The Florida Department of Transportation （FDOT） is one of the leading SHAs using such innovative contracting methods as Incentive/Disincentive （I/D）, A＋B （cost plus time bidding） combined with I/D, No Excuse Bonus, and Liquidated Savings. This paper analyzes the traffic impact on incentive project time performance using highway construction projects recently completed in Florida. Project data obtained from FDOT were evaluated using time performance indices. A survey of traffic impact on project work types was performed in Florida in order to evaluate the relationship between construction project types and road traffic influence during construction. Based on the survey results, the 38 most frequently used work types in Florida during the study period were categorized into three traffic impact levels： （1） high traffic impact, （2） medium traffic impact, and （3） low traffic impact. Statistical analysis was performed. The results show that there are significant differences on project time performance between low and high impact levels as well as low and medium impact levels.

On the Application of IPRA Tool in Risk Assessment and Management of International Construction Projects

Construction companies face threats from competition and must be able to adjust to modem technology and changes in customer expectations. These issues require efficient risk management techniques. The success of construction companies running projects in international markets depends on how the risks arise from the host country conditions as well as the project specific risk factors. Successful management of risks requires identification of risks, construction of a risk model which can be used to assess the magnitude of risks, and implementation of response strategies so that an acceptable risk-return balance can be achieved. The project success usually depends on the combination of all risks, response strategies used to mitigate risks, and a company＇s ability to manage them. There exists a need to develop risk models containing the risks of doing business in international markets and factors that affect manageability of these risks. One of the market＇s critical challenges is scheduled management and the understanding and application of program management. This paper uses systematic risk identification, classification and analysis, and measurement and response methodologies to help international contractors quantify the risks of project development and accomplishment.

Research on Contract Management and Control in the Process of Project Cost

In the current economic situation, strengthening the contract management of the construction cost has a beautifully role. At the same time, according to construction project cost management, the scientific management of the contract, can promote the reasonable and balanced investment cost allocation in the quality and safety and other aspects of the project, so that the construction project can obtain higher added value, and to further promote China＇ s economic construction and accelerate the pace of the city. This paper first briefly elaborates our construction project cost of the contract management on the present situation, and some problems are analyzed and discussed, and then puts forward some suggestions on the measures and countermeasures for cost management of construction engineering contract.

Claims in International Construction Contract: A Case Study

Claims in international civil engineering projects sometimes will have impact on implementing the contract successfully. in order to observe and evaluate the contract claim situation and give guideline to all the contractual roles to settle the claims comfortably, this paper devote the research and literate review to find the key problems in contract claim management and give recommendation accordingly. With this focused objective, this paper presents a research analysis based on randomly selected data from international construction organization. The contract claim case studies analyzed by sampling survey scientific research method that follows a research strategy of specific to general. In the beginning, the paper analyzes the elements of contract claim administration,and then provides the general overview of the contract claim. Finally, it numerates the claim causes usage through cases studies under different contract condition of FIDIC. In addition to these discussions, analysis of other secondary data and recommendations forwarded to explain how claims should handle properly. During the thesis research period,there were 14 simple random selected projects have been studied as a case studies. From studied projects,the time extension in average, exceed 117.7% of its original contract completion time and the cost compensation increase 34.8% comparing to its initial contract value. Thus, the main causes of the majority contract claim problem lies on the failure in contract claim management and on unforeseen circumstance like variation, adverse climate, right of way problems, etc. Finally this thesis contributes to the improvement of contract claim management construction industry and open ways for further researches related to claim management.

A Standard Framework for Effective Progress Reports in the State of Kuwait

The construction industry in the State of Kuwait has recently witnessed a rapid growth as the volume of construction projects increased significantly over the past decade. Because of the progress and growth of the industry and the size of the projects, the volume of disputes between the parties to the various contracts has increased accordingly. As projects become larger and more complex, their management and control become more difficult, especially in the absence of effective standard systems to for managing project progress and determining the delay, if any. Even the simple issues, as well as the large ones, if neglected and unaddressed in a timely manner, can cause huge problems that concerns to all project parties. Irrespective of addressing and managing construction delays legally, the resulting legal disputes always have other negative effects on the contracting parties. If the parties to the contract have an insight that enables them to forecast and identify the issues that may cause a conflict before it occurs, that eliminates a myriad of problems before they occur, and greatly reduces the chances of further conflict between contracting parties. This paper presents a framework for a novel progress reporting system that can help minimize contract disputes in the state of Kuwait.

Blockchain-based smart contract for smart payment in construction: A focus on the payment freezing and disbursement cycle

Late payment,and indeed no payment,is a rampant and chronic problem that has plagued the global construction industry for too long.Recent development in blockchain technology,particularly its smart contract,seems to provide a new opportunity to improve this old problem.However,this opportunity is largely unexploited.This study aims to develop a blockchain-based smart contract(BBSC)system for smart payment in the construction industry by focusing on the fundamental cycle of payment freezing(sometimes also synonymously called payment guarantees)and disbursement application.Firstly,a BBSC framework,containing three processes of(a)initiation and configuration,(b)payment freezing,and(c)disbursement application,is developed.Next,based on the framework,the system architecture of the BBSC system,containing three layers of(1)Infrastructure as a Service(IaaS),(2)Blockchain as a Service(BaaS),and(3)Software as a Service(SaaS)is proposed and elaborated.Finally,based on the system architecture,a BBSC prototype system is developed using a real-life modular construction project as a case study.It was found that the prototype system can improve the certainty and efficiency of the progress payment,thereby enabling smart payment in construction transactions.Without advocating radical changes(e.g.,the contractual relationships or the intermediate role of banks in modem construction projects),the prototype can be developed into a real-life BBSC system that can work compatibly with current advancements in the field.Future works are recommended to fine-tune the findings and translate and implement them in real-life applications.

融合行业信息案例的“建设工程招投标与合同管理实务”课程改革探究

作为工程管理类专业中必修的专业课程,“建设工程招投标与合同管理实务”知识在各大工程项目中都有所应用。但由于此课程天然存在知识驳杂、文本量大、理论多、政策更新快等特征,因此在实践教学中该课程的教学难度很大,学生的学习兴趣也相对较差。本文围绕将行业信息案例融合“建设工程招投标与合同管理实务”课程的具体方法进行探讨分析,意在借用职业资格考试的教学内容,解决传统教材更新较慢的问题,并拓展教师的知识储备,借助行业真实工作案例,利用信息技术创建工程招投标案例数据库,为教学过程提供更多实践机会,研究表明,该方法对于学生的课堂表现和最终成绩都有着良好的效果,具备大范围推广的条件。

阴阳合同与合同变更的区分及适用——以《民法典合同编通则解释》第14条为中心

阴阳合同是当事人以虚假意思表示隐藏真实意思表示的行为,应依据《民法典》第146条分别认定阳合同与阴合同的效力。《招标投标法》第46条第1款第二句旨在限制当事人对中标合同的变更,其适用以中标合同有效为前提。因此,为落实该规定而制定的司法解释也应仅适用于合同变更,而非阴阳合同。在阴阳合同的场合,阳合同因不是当事人真实意思表示而无效,但阴合同则应依据所规避的法律来认定其效力。当事人通过合同变更规避招投标程序,应认为当事人对实质性内容的变更无效,但客观原因引起的合同变更除外;在判断是否为实质性内容的变更时,也要注意量变和质变的辩证关系。《民法典合同编通则解释》第14条在区分阴阳合同和合同变更的基础上,就二者的法律适用问题作出了明确规定。

建筑施工总承包项目中消防设施施工全过程管理

研究了建筑施工总承包项目中消防设施施工的全过程管理,探讨了设计阶段、施工准备阶段以及施工过程的质量管理策略,阐述了建筑施工总承包项目中,消防设施施工的文档与记录管理,以及风险管理的相关内容。

基于三重底线理论完善公立医院建设工程合同管理的实践

为进一步提升公立医院建设工程合同的管理效果,推进医院治理能力和法治建设能力提升,本研究基于三重底线理论,结合医院建设合同工程管理实际,从经济、环境、社会三个维度,建立了指标评价体系,包括10个二级指标和25个三级指标。结合各专业人员打分,通过层次分析法进一步确定了各指标权重,进一步实现建设工程合同各环节的分级分类管理,同时通过管理实践进一步对评价结果进行检验。研究结果不仅丰富了建设工程合同管理理论与方法,还为建设工程合同管理工作提供参考依据。

石油化工总承包项目给排水工程施工管理研究

针对石油化工工程项目中的给排水问题,总结了施工准备阶段、施工阶段、试验与验收阶段的施工管理措施及控制要点,包括做好图纸会审、编制专项施工进度计划、加强施工组织设计编制与审查,做好材料管理、施工现场管理、施工安全管理等,实现了给排水工程的施工、质量、安全管理。

区块链技术在建筑工程项目管理中的应用

随着技术的快速发展,区块链技术已成为建筑工程项目管理的新趋势,为传统管理模式带来深刻变革。本文通过某公司的建筑工程项目管理论述区块链的应用。同时,也以此实例对区块链技术的核心原理进行解释。此案例说明区块链提供了一个去中心化、不可篡改的数据存储环境,保障了数据的透明性和安全性,也保证专人操作的机密性,确保数据和信息安全。结合智能合约,质量与进度管理,极大提高了办事效率。

Preparing construction supply chains for blockchain technology:An investigation of its potential and future directions

Blockchain,a peer-to-peer,controlled,distributed database structure,has the potential to profoundly affect current business transactions in the construction industry through smart contracts,cryptocurrencies,and reliable asset tracking.The construction industry is often criticized for being slow in embracing emerging technologies and not effectively diffusing them through its supply chains.Often,the extensive fragmentation,traditional procurement structures,destructive competition,lack of collaboration and transparency,low-profit margins,and human resources are shown as the main culprits for this.As blockchain technology makes its presence felt strongly in many other industries like finance and banking,this study investigates the preparation of construction supply chains for blockchain technology through an explorative analysis.Empirical data for the study were collected through semistructured interviews with 17 subject experts.Alongside presenting a strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and threats analysis(SWOT),the study exhibits the requirements for and steps toward a construction supply structure facilitated by blockchain technology.

油田站场类总承包项目施工进度控制与管理措施

本文针对油田站场类总承包项目的施工进度控制与管理措施进行了深入研究。研究结果表明,通过科学的施工进度控制与管理,可以有效提高油田站场类总承包项目的施工效率,确保项目按期完成,降低成本,提高工程质量和企业效益。本文探讨了油田站场类总承包项目施工进度的影响因素,并提出相应的控制与管理措施,以期为实际项目管理提供参考和借鉴。

EPC总承包模式下设计施工一体化相关问题探讨

已有对EPC总承包建设模式进行的研究与探索表明:按照优势互补、强强联合、团结协作的原则组建联合体能够提升联合体的核心竞争力,进而实现联合体各方达到共赢的目的,其为EPC建设的主要模式。阐述了对总承包项目设计施工一体化等若干问题进行的讨论,结合亭子口灌区一期工程第Ⅲ标的组织模式提出了由设计牵头的EPC项目设计管理流程与要点,有助于总承包模式的高质量发展,提升EPC总承包模式成本控制的管理水平,这一思路可供业主与总承包商参考。

德尔加杜角省N14国道改造项目合同风险研究

为科学有效评价国际工程项目合同风险,提高项目合同风险预防能力,本文首先基于文献调研法,构建了由4个一级指标和16个二级指标组成的国际工程项目合同风险指标体系;其次利用区间组合数有序加权算子对指标进行赋权,将区间组合数有序加权算子与可拓云模型有机结合,构建了国际工程项目合同风险评价模型;最后选取了德尔加杜角省N14国道改造项目分析该模型的适用性。

EPC模式固定总价的风险责任分配实证研究

固定总价是与EPC工程总承包配套的合同价款结算方式。针对EPC固定总价的风险责任分配问题,实证研究可以提炼出四种主要样本:新增工程价款如何处理、未完工的工程价款是否扣减、结算依据是否为固定总价、实际施工时工程发生其他变化如何处理,以及相应的裁判规则。由于相关法律规定尚不完善,建设单位与施工单位也尚未摆脱传统施工总承包的观念,因此在固定总价的法律适用中存在工程实践现状与法律提倡的固定总价不相适应、发包人缺少主动补偿总承包人的法律通道、发包人招标文件不详细时缺少法律责任进行规制等问题。基于此,EPC风险责任分配上应当结合我国工程实践的现状,采用固定总价与固定单价相结合的计价方式,再将设计优化所产生的利益明确归属于总承包人,并明确招标文件编制不合格时发包人的法律责任,以形成我国独特的EPC风险责任分配模式。

国际工程项目施工管理制约因素及应对举措分析

随着我国建筑行业的快速发展,国际工程项目的数量、规模不断增加,科学合理开展施工管理活动能够促使国际工程项目的良好建设。目前在国际工程项目施工管理工作方面存在诸多制约因素,不利于工程项目施工工作的有效开展。基于此,本文分析国际工程项目施工管理制约因素,并提出应对举措。

国际EPC工程合同付款条件的解读与应用

针对当前国际建设项目中常见的设计采购施工总承包模式,通过分析国际咨询工程师联合会出版的黄皮书和银皮书,解读书中的关键付款条件,研究其投标策略。研究认为应当以较确定的总价承包方式和预先确定的付款计划来计量和支付,合同价款的结算和支付应当约定币种和汇率,应当设置预付款摊还机制和保留金保函替换机制,付款账期应当考虑结算审批和支付两个环节,延误付款应当设置惩罚性机制以应对恶意欠付。