Financial Calculation Problems and Countermeasure Analysis of Large-Scale Engineering Construction Projects

The financial aspects of large-scale engineering construction projects profoundly influence their success.Strengthening cost control and establishing a scientific financial evaluation system can enhance the project’s economic benefits,minimize unnecessary costs,and provide decision-makers with a robust financial foundation.Additionally,implementing an effective cash flow control mechanism and conducting a comprehensive assessment of potential project risks can ensure financial stability and mitigate the risk of fund shortages.Developing a practical and feasible fundraising plan,along with stringent fund management practices,can prevent fund wastage and optimize fund utilization efficiency.These measures not only facilitate smooth project progression and improve project management efficiency but also enhance the project’s economic and social outcomes.

Planning method of infrastructure project in China

Different planning methods have been applied in private and public infrastructure projects, which resulted in different approval procedures and querry about impartiality. However, planning methods of infrastructure projects are seldom investigated up to now. The authors propose a proper project planning method which is applicable to all kinds of infrastructure projects with various funedorigins. The project planning method includes a comprehensive planning frame- work and a six-step planning process. The financial indicator, i. e. , self-reimbursement ratio is introduced for the proper division of financial obligation between government and project company.

Environmental Assessment of Infrastructure Projects of Water Sector in Baghdad, Iraq

In 1970s the city of Baghdad had a good infrastructure. Education and healthcare systems were widely regarded as the best in the Middle East. Income per capita rose to over US$3600 in the early 1980s. Since that time, successive wars and a repressive, state-dominated economic system have stifled economic growth and development and debilitated basic infrastructure and social services. At the end of the 2003 war, Baghdad’s infrastructure was seriously degraded. The majority of the population had limited or inadequate access to essential basic services. Currently, there is an ongoing effort by donor countries, such as the United States (US) (through the US Agency for International Development (USAID)), Japan, the European Union (EU), etc., as well as efforts by multilateral agencies such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), to restore the sector to standards that existed prior to the latest conflict. The present study deals with the evaluation of four projects proposed to improve the deteriorating status of water and wastewater treatment plants. Three methods viz. checklist, strategic environment assessment and cost and benefit analysis are used to evaluate the efficiency of the projects.

Sustainable Development in the Context of Major Infrastructure Projects in United Kingdom

The present paper is aimed at reviewing sustainable development and sustainability approach for infrastructure projects in the United Kingdom. It is imperative that major infrastructure projects (MIPs) adhere to the principles of sustainable development in order to promote sustainability. This requires identifying sustainable strategies that are capable of serving as a guide to inculcating sustainability into major infrastructural projects. The current paper examines ways of inculcating sustainability into infrastructure projects bearing in mind that construction, maintenance and the way we use facilities have significant impacts on the environment. In addition to the fact that, decision making tools on methods of inculcating sustainability into infrastructure project appear too complex to stakeholders;and in most cases they do not provide stakeholders the necessary information required to make a good judgement. Hence, the present paper relies on desk study to gather existing data on infrastructure project and sustainable development. Existing data are obtained from books, scholarly articles and the WebPages of municipal authorities in the UK. Amongst other findings, the paper reveals that the utilization of environmental impact statements and environmental assessment documents at the formative stage of projects will aid the assessment of the level of sustainability to be achieved in any infrastructure development.

Design of High Precision Horizontal Control Network for Large-Scale Hydropower Project

A new solution of combination network of GPS and high precise distance measurements with EDM is proposed. Meanwhile, it’s inadvisable only using GPS network without distance measurements. Three schemes: terrestrial network, GPS network and combination network are discussed for horizontal control network design of Xiangjiaba Dam in view of precision, reliability, coordinate and outlay in detail.

Beijing's Infrastructure and Tertiary Industry Contruction Projects Seeking Foreign Investment

No Projects Coopera- Total Invest- Investment Chinese Partners tion Mode ment Predicted Proportion KF3-01 Sewage Treatment Plant J.V. US$30 million Chinese 30% Beijing Economic with land as & Technological investment, 70% Development Zone for foreign partner SZ3-02 Beijing freight transport J.V. US$85 million Through Beijing Traffic Bureau hub of southwest highway negotiation SZ3-03 Beijing southeast international J.V. US$40 million 50% for each ditto container

ASSESSING THE LINK BETWEEN PUBLIC OPINION AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IN BUILDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Increasing the use of social sustainability in the decision-making process for build-ing and infrastructure projects requires that it be defined such that it can be evaluated objectively.One potential indicator of social sustainability in infrastruc-ture projects is public opinion,which can provide a means to evaluate the level of social sustainability on a project based on personal values.Public opinion includes both support and opposition for a project.In this study,the causes or triggers for public opposition to a construction project are identified and then compared to principles of social sustainability to determine if they are related.Eight case study projects were used to identify common triggers of public opposition.The results suggest that common triggers of public opposition are related to land acquisition,escalating construction costs and the presence of endangered species on the project site.Eight of the twelve principles of social sustainability that were identified were determined to be related to public opposition.The results of this study suggest that public opposition could be used as a measure for some elements of social sus-tainability but that further research into other measures for social sustainability is necessary.

Modular Extremely Large-Scale Array Communication:Near-Field Modelling and Performance Analysis

This paper investigates the wireless communication with a novel architecture of antenna arrays,termed modular extremely large-scale array(XLarray),where array elements of an extremely large number/size are regularly mounted on a shared platform with both horizontally and vertically interlaced modules.Each module consists of a moderate/flexible number of array elements with the inter-element distance typically in the order of the signal wavelength,while different modules are separated by the relatively large inter-module distance for convenience of practical deployment.By accurately modelling the signal amplitudes and phases,as well as projected apertures across all modular elements,we analyse the near-field signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)performance for modular XL-array communications.Based on the non-uniform spherical wave(NUSW)modelling,the closed-form SNR expression is derived in terms of key system parameters,such as the overall modular array size,distances of adjacent modules along all dimensions,and the user's three-dimensional(3D)location.In addition,with the number of modules in different dimensions increasing infinitely,the asymptotic SNR scaling laws are revealed.Furthermore,we show that our proposed near-field modelling and performance analysis include the results for existing array architectures/modelling as special cases,e.g.,the collocated XL-array architecture,the uniform plane wave(UPW)based far-field modelling,and the modular extremely large-scale uniform linear array(XL-ULA)of onedimension.Extensive simulation results are presented to validate our findings.

Evaluating Contractors’ Safety Record and Its Influence on Performance of Road Infrastructural Projects

A number of studies conducted in Kenya and internationally indicated that most of the construction firms and contractors do not seem to strictly observe safety administration in construction industry, hence compromised performance at implementation stage of projects and even later in the post implementation or post-delivery stage. The study aimed to examine the influence of contractors’ safety record on road performance. This is to create better understanding of how the safety record of contractors could either positively or negatively influence performance of roads during post-delivery stage. The study used both descriptive survey research design and correlation design based on a pragmatic mixed method approach. Through stratified sampling and proportionate sampling, a sample of 210 was drawn from a population of 460 comprising of registered contractors and Public Service Vehicles (PSV) drivers within Nairobi County in Kenya. Questionnaires were distributed using simple random sampling. The questionnaires returned were 153 in total representing 72.8% of all questionnaires distributed to the respondents. Data was descriptively analyzed using percentages, frequencies, means and standard deviations for measuring central tendency and variability. Inferential analysis was done by use of correlation and regression. The descriptive analysis revealed that safety policy management system, insurance policy, and adequacy of standards in addressing safety outcome are to some extent practiced and adhered to. However, compliance behavior to safety procedures is still weak and requires improvement. The null hypothesis was tested and the results obtained from a simple linear regression indicated that, R = 0.657, R2 = 0.431, B = 0.359, t = 10.703, F (1,151) = 114.558, p = 0.000 < 0.05. This means that contractors’ safety record has a strong positive and significant relationship with road performance and that 43.1% of variation in performance is explained by safety record. This study recommends that contractors’ safety record should be part, and parcel of the evaluation criteria used in selection of a suitable road contractor to ensure road performance is achieved even after construction is completed. The study is significant in that it contributes to the body of knowledge by providing empirical data on the need for safety procedures in urban road construction and beyond.

Effects of Delayed Payment of Contractors on the Completion of Infrastructural Projects： A Case of Sondu-Miriu Hydropower Project, Kisumu County, Kenya

Sondu-Miriu hydropower （SMHP） project experienced delay for about five years and one of the contributing factors was delayed payment of the contractor, with ripples effect extending down the contractual hierarchy. This study assessed the effects of delayed payment of the contractor on the completion of SMHP project in Kisumu County, Kenya. More specifically, the study addressed two research questions： What is the relative importance of delayed payment of the contractor compared to other forms of contractual delays？ What is the perceived effect of delayed payment of the contractor on the project＇s completion？ A causal-comparative design was adopted and primary data sourced in May 2011 from 39 senior management staff of contractual parties. Relative importance index （RII） was used to determine the relative importance of perceived effects of delayed payment of the contractor on the project＇s completion; while Kendell＇s coefficient of concordance was applied to determine the degree of agreement among participants regarding their perceived effects of delayed payment. The study found that delayed payment of the contractor affected the project by causing： loss of productivity and efficiency （71.8%）; increase in time-related costs （71.8%）; re-scheduling and re-sequencing of works （69.2%）; extension of time and acceleration （69.2%）; as well as prevention of early completion （53.8%）. The study concludes that timely payment of contractors is crucial for ensuring the continuity of works and completion of infrastructural projects within time, budget, and quality specifications. The study recommends the need for appropriate mitigative measures against potential risks, such as delayed disbursement of funds by external financiers, delayed approval of contractors＇ payment requests, as well as community participation and involvement of civil society to influence accountability in the management of project funds and expedite disbursement of funds for subsequent project phases.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING ON CAMPUS CASE STUDIES FROM UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS-AMHERST

College campuses pride themselves in being leaders in promoting innovation in both technical and theoretical aspects of all fields of study, including sustainability. The drive for sustainability in higher education has become institutionalized in many college campuses in the form of offices of sustainability, as well as membership in the American Association for Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). In parallel, but not always in concert, are more grass-roots efforts by students to promote sustainability through recycling programs, urban agriculture, and similar initiatives. Students are often frustrated between the classroom lessons they learn about sustainability and the slow adoption of sustainable practices in the “real-world,” including on campus. In order to address this issue, faculty have begun to engage students in the sustainability challenges facing their own campuses. The Journal of Green Building showcases these projects in the New Directions in Teaching and Research section of the journal. As part of this series, this article will highlight a course at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in which students engage in green infrastructure planning projects for the campus.

Mega infrastructure project affordance:A new perspective to improve stakeholder management and project sustainability

Mega infrastructure projects(MIPs)play crucial roles in promoting social development,regional growth,and disaster and crisis resilience.These complex projects frequently face challenges in stakeholder management,which might be a risk for their sustainability.Hence,this paper proposes affordance theory as a new theoretical framework,particularly on the basis of understanding and managing MIPs.This paper aims to achieve three main objectives:1)conceptualizing MIP affordance,2)documenting the influence of MIP affordance on stakeholder management and project sustainability,and 3)developing strategies for managing MIP affordance.It applies critical realism to conceptualize MIP affordance and its mechanism,and employs the expectation-confirmation theory to identify critical determinants for managing MIP affordance.The paper thus provides new knowledge and insights into the management of MIP stakeholders concerning project sustainability.

Project-based learning principles:Insights from the development of large infrastructure

In recent decades,interest in project-based learning within organizational learning has grown significantly.This study synthesizes principles that facilitate learning at the project level.Through a cross-case analysis of the Gaasperdammer Tunnel project in the Netherlands and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in China,and validation via focus group discussions,we have identified five key principles:Owner Commitment,Social Environment Approach,Collaboration Vision,Value Orientation,and Open Mindset.These principles highlight the mindsets that guide the behavior and thinking of project practitioners beyond prescriptive processes and routines.Our research enhances the understanding of how project participants can learn from their involvement in unique,complex projects and improve their capabilities for future endeavors.We emphasize the critical role of learning in the development of project capabilities and suggest it be a focal point in future research on infrastructure development projects.

Comparison of life cycle assessment of large-scale biogas projects with different raw materials in China

The anaerobic digestion(AD)disposal of stover and cattle manure is of great significance to the development of low-carbon economy and green energy in China,but it will also have an impact on the environment,and the degree of influence is different for various raw materials.In this study,life cycle assessment(LCA)methods were applied to analyze and compare the impact of corn stovers biogas projects(CSBP)and dairy manure biogas projects(DMBP)on the environment during the whole operation stage.The results of inventory analysis were evaluated by ReCiPe2016 Hierarchy(H)mid-point(problem-oriented)and end-point(destruction-oriented)method,respectively.The results showed that the net energy efficiency of CSBP was higher(763.903 kW·h/FU)and the greenhouse gas(GHG)emission reduction of DMBP was more(5541.418 kg CO_(2)-eq/FU).The anaerobic digestion(AD)units have the greatest environmental impacts,and human carcinogenic toxicity is the largest environmental impact category(1.16-1.43 PE).The key to reducing environmental impact is reducing the input of chemical substances and the waste of electric energy.Both CSBP and DMBP have a favorable impact on ecosystem quality and resources,and CSBP is more beneficial to the environment(-10.297 Pt).Co-digestion is an important measure to reduce the environmental damage from biogas projects.These research results provide theoretical support for the selection of raw materials for large-scale biogas projects in China,provide technical basis for reducing the impact of actual operation on the environment,and promote the resource utilization of agricultural waste and carbon dioxide emission reduction and sequestration.

For the Greater Good?—A Critical Reflection on Assessing Indirect Economic Effects Caused by Large Transport Projects

Investing in large transport projects affects the (potential) economic development of metropolitan areas. Yet, very little critical research has been performed to understand how to assess these effects. The relationship between infrastructure investments and regional economic development is complex and indirect, and many theoretical and methodological difficulties remain. On the one hand, the assumption that investing in infrastructure is important to sustain economic growth is sometimes doubted. On the other hand, it is argued that investments in infrastructure enhance the accessibility of urban regions and that in the slipstream of such investments, social problems in urban regions can be tackled as well. Despite these contrasting views, there is at least a consensus that transport infrastructure development depends on economic development and vice versa. Yet, in many cases, the method of assessing economic impacts highly affects the results. Therefore, this paper focuses on a critical reflection of methods for estimating economic effects of infrastructure investments. A critical evaluation is made based on Indonesian and Japanese cases. After conducting in-depth desk research on both cases, we found that the broader effects on affected group of people tend to be overlooked due to the problems of time and space dimensions, the chain reaction of effects, and inappropriate data practices. The assessment on the appraisal processes tends to overlook the broader economic implication due to narrow focus and the concept of efficiency of economic theory.

Practice and experience of engineering culture development in the Sutong Bridge project

To keep up with the time,culture is integrated to large-scale construction project management in China,which will absolutely add more vitality into construction project management in our country.Engineering culture is an integration of project construction and engineering culture.However,engineering culture development enjoys its own particularity as a project is constructed once only within a limited period of time.This paper gives affirmative opinion that engineering culture development in large-scale projects backs project management on the basis of thorough investigation of engineering culture development in Sutong Bridge Project and after deepened analysis,proposes new thinking pattern of engineering culture development in large-scale projects in a systematic manner,including thorough understanding of the essence of engineering culture,principle and contents of engineering culture development as well as efficient method in respect of establishment and implementation of engineering culture,and therefore provides a standard reference and systematic thinking pattern for engineering culture development in future large-scale projects.

城市更新中基础设施化的社会网络建构——中国香港“妙想毡开”西营盘计划

本研究基于城市更新中基础设施化的理论,探讨中国香港特别行政区“妙想毡开”西营盘计划如何通过技术性平台搭建推动社会网络建构的发展脉络与实践路径。文章详细阐述了基础设施化模式在城市更新中的实际应用,聚焦参与式影像技术如何促进社区转型的社会空间机制,着重阐释以影像传声为载体的技术性平台如何建构积极的社会网络,联结政府、NGO组织、居民等多元行动主体。研究发现影像传声技术平台的搭建不仅为城市更新提供了技术支持,还促进了社区信息的共享和公共资源的优化配置。基础设施化的社会网络构建有助于加强社区成员之间的联系,形成共同的价值观念和发展目标,从而推动“以人为本”的城市更新进程。

医院基建工程管理与造价控制

近些年,我国对医疗卫生事业愈发重视,各地医院建设也极为迅速,而在建设过程中,基建工程管理与造价控制也极为重要,它直接关系到医院发展的方向与速度。因此,在医院基建中,需要合理控制人力、物力、财力,在保证基建工程质量、合理控制工程成本、提高工程经济效益的前提下,把全过程成本控制理论运用到实际工作中去。基于此,本文便对医院基建中的工程管理与造价控制进行简单探讨,仅供参考。

油气田基建项目基础工作信息化创新与实践

油气田基建项目管理是系统性工作,涉及多单位、多部门、多人员,传统模式下的基础工作信息沟通、业务往来时效较低,存在人工浪费,多项目总体运行管理难度大,迫切需要利用信息技术创新提升管理效率和管理水平。通过梳理基建项目全周期中的基础工作内容、业务流程和逻辑关系,从日常资料信息化、协同办公与信息共享、统筹运行管理等角度分析基于信息化系统的提升方案,从项目基础信息、合规手续、施工图设计、物资采购、选商及合同、现场施工、结算和投资管理、竣工验收等方面进行功能设计,有效融合信息化技术和实际业务,完成信息化系统设计与实践,实现对应的管理创新提升。随着项目管理日益精细化,实施数字化转型是其发展趋势,信息化系统与实际业务的融合具有必要性和可行性,且管理深度更深、范围更广,功能也将更加完善。