Digital Commons Network^™

From Compliance To Context - Integrating Cognitive Determinants To Inform Technology Driven Safety Communication In Construction, Amit Ajit Bhalerao, Nikhil Bugalia, Farnad Nasirzadeh

CIB Conferences

Construction safety communication, a central mechanism for hazard mitigation, has advanced along three global trajectories, namely symbolic standardization, cognitive diagnostics, and intelligent digital interventions. However, their combined insights have been minimally applied to the Indian construction context, where high fatality rates persist, disproportionate to the country’s share of the global workforce. By interviewing nine safety experts from various hierarchical levels in public, private, institutional sectors, and a professional body, this study explores how these trajectories are reflected in the Indian construction industry. Four thematic findings emerge: (1) attentional limitations responsible for failure of static safety communication channels; (2) organisational structures …

Assessing Toolbox Talk Efficiency: A Comparative Analysis Of International Best Practices And Indian Construction Realities, Shrinidhi Shankar, Nikhil Bugalia

CIB Conferences

Toolbox Talks (TBTs) serve as the primary mechanism for task-level hazard communication on construction sites worldwide; however, their effectiveness in contexts outside North America and Europe remains poorly understood. This paper presents one of the first systematic examinations of TBT practice on Indian construction sites, combining semi-structured interviews with 14 safety professionals and a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 30 international studies spanning more than 10 national contexts. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study identifies structural constraints unique to Indian construction, including multilingual workforces, daily wage employment systems, multi-tier subcontracting, and the legal exposure of site engineers, all of which fundamentally …

Assessing The Sustainability Practices, Perceptions, And Challenges Of New Zealand Construction Subcontractors, Ma Katrina Raneses, Kishan Seger

CIB Conferences

Despite a growing national commitment to sustainability, New Zealand's construction sector continued to face significant challenges in reducing its environmental impact. This study presented a thorough analysis of sustainability practices and perceptions among subcontractors within the sector. The research was conducted through a comprehensive questionnaire survey distributed nationwide, with a total of 104 NZ subcontractor respondents, to capture a diverse range of subcontractor businesses, examining their current practices, attitudes, and challenges. The respondent profile, which included a mix of trades, business sizes, and operating sectors, provided a robust dataset for analysis. Findings revealed a growing awareness of sustainability's importance among …

Advancing Neurodiversity In Construction: A Call Beyond Silent Exclusion, Lungie Maseko, James Rotimi, David Root

CIB Conferences

Neurodivergent workers are increasingly recognized in workplace inclusion debates, yet construction remains underexplored as a context where cognitive difference is shaped by project-based work, site intensity and entrenched operational norms. This study examines how neurodiversity is understood and operationalized in construction organizations, focusing on organizational climate, leadership, communication practices and material work conditions. A qualitative exploratory design was used, based on semi-structured interviews with fifteen senior construction professionals across office and site environments. Thematic analysis identified recurring patterns influencing inclusion. Findings show that neuro-inclusion is constrained by interacting organizational and operational conditions rather than isolated factors. Low awareness, uneven psychological …

Conceptualising Stress, Anxiety, And Depression In The Construction Industry And Evidence And Gaps, Cillian Keane, John Spillane

CIB Conferences

Mental Health challenges, particularly stress, anxiety, and depression, are prominent within the construction industry globally. Despite growing awareness of mental health in the construction industry, existing literature remains fragmented, with these constructs often investigated in isolation rather than how they co-occur and compound over time within the pressures of construction work. Building on the need to synthesise fragmented knowledge, this study conducted a structured narrative review of research on construction mental health literature related to stress, anxiety, and depression. Searches were undertaken across Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, for studies published from 2000 to 2026 using terms related to …

Research On The Practical Use Of Flood- And Storm-Resilient Houses, Bui Bao Ngoc, Trinh Thi Phin, Dinh Tuan Hai

CIB Conferences

Climate change has significantly intensified the frequency and severity of extreme weather events in Vietnam’s coastal regions, posing critical risks to vulnerable communities. In response, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supported the construction of approximately 4,000 storm- and flood-resilient houses across Central Vietnam. While the technical specifications of these structures are well documented, empirical research on their long-term operational performance remains limited. This study conducts a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) to assess the effectiveness, usability, and sustainability of these housing models. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining documentary analysis, structured surveys of …

Aligning Virtual Reality With Construction Industry Safety Needs: A Systematic Review And Mapping Study, Rajesh Jat, Nikhil Bugalia

CIB Conferences

The recognized connection between inadequate safety outcomes and workforce skill deficiencies in global construction has driven growing interest in Virtual Reality (VR) for skills training. Prior reviews emphasize technical constraints and neglect alignment with established safety management systems. To fill this gap, this study aligns industry safety training requirements with the capabilities of current academic studies on VR, pinpointing areas that should guide future VR development. Researchers developed a Safety Training Matrix (STM) by systematically reviewing academic literature and secondary materials from international regulators, including OSHA and the UK HSE; the STM specifies 23 training needs and 14 training goals. …

Factors Influencing State Management Of Construction Activities In Hanoi In Line With Sustainable Urban Development, Tuan Anh Ha, Phuong Ngoc Nguyen, Phuong Thi Nguyen, Hai Tuan Dinh

CIB Conferences

State management of construction activities plays an important role in guiding sustainable urban development. In Hanoi, this requirement has become increasingly urgent due to rapid urbanization and growing pressure on urban space, infrastructure, and the environment. This study analyzes the factors influencing state management of construction activities in Hanoi in line with sustainable urban development. The study employs a document-based analysis and synthesis approach combined with an analytical framework consisting of three layers of factors: foundational factors, implementation factors, and contextual factors. The findings show that these factors are interrelated and interact with one another. Among them, institutions, legal policies, …

Enhancing Worker Wellbeing: The Impact Of Technological Ergonomic Interventions On Health, Safety And Productivity In The Construction Industry, Rose Matete, John Smallwood

CIB Conferences

Ergonomic hazards such as repetitive motions, awkward postures, forceful exertions, and prolonged static positions continue to drive musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and productivity losses in construction. This structured narrative review synthesises literature from 2002–2025 relative to technological and participatory ergonomic interventions, drawing on major academic databases and International Labour Organization reports. Evidence shows that wearable sensors, exoskeletons, Virtual Reality training, Building Information Modelling, and Internet of Things enabled monitoring reduce biomechanical strain, enhance hazard recognition, and improve productivity, though adoption is limited by cost, worker acceptance, and organisational culture. Integrating ergonomics at the design stage and combining technology with participatory approaches …

Bim Adoption Category For Health And Safety Management In South African Sme Construction Enterprises, Nosabelo Sila, Justus Agumba, Oluseyi Adebowale

CIB Conferences

This study examined the categorisation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) adopters for health and safety (H&S) management within small and medium construction enterprises (SMCEs) using Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory. The research aims to identify adopter categories in the context of BIM adoption for construction safety management. A simple random sampling method was adopted to collect data from 303 respondents representing SMCEs in Gauteng, South Africa. Five adopter categories were analysed: innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards. Factor loadings and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were computed to assess construct validity and internal consistency. The results revealed clear adopter …

Challenges And Opportunities In Delivering Construction Education Virtually: Insights From A Constructivist Inquiry-Based Framework, Ayesha Mall, Theodore Haupt

CIB Conferences

This paper explores the dual nature of virtual instruction in South African construction education, examining how it simultaneously presents challenges and opportunities through the lens of constructivist inquiry-based learning (IBL). As higher education undergoes digital transformation, the study investigates how virtual platforms can serve as powerful enablers of active, reflective, and collaborative learning while also exposing systemic limitations such as uneven access, instructor preparedness, and inconsistent institutional support. The research follows a sequential mixed-methods design. In the first phase, a panel of academic and industry experts engaged in a Delphi process to validate six key pedagogical constructs central to virtual …

Impediments To The Growth Of Trained Local Construction Contractors In Developing Economies, Richard Ndhlovu, Innocent Musonda, Adetayo Onososen

CIB Conferences

The construction industry in developing economies remains a vital sector for sustainable infrastructure development; however, it is often dominated by foreign enterprises. This study identifies systemic obstacles in contractor growth. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews held with purposively selected twelve (12) industrial experts in the construction sector, with contractors being the key interviewees. After conducting a thematic analysis of responses, six key factors were identified: financial indiscipline, the high cost of borrowing, erratic and delayed payments by clients, inadequate assurance of work opportunities, insufficient collateral to borrow from lending institutions, and insufficient construction …

Stakeholder Perspectives On Local Contractor Capacity Development Initiatives In Zambia, Richard Ndhlovu, Innocent Musonda, Adetayo Onososen

CIB Conferences

Strengthening the capabilities of indigenous contractors is crucial for sustainable economic growth and reducing dependence on imported expertise in developing countries. This study analyses stakeholder perspectives on improving contractor capacity and identifies the systemic barriers that lead to higher failure rates. This study employed a qualitative methodology, utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather data from eighteen (18) industrial specialists purposefully selected from contractors, consultants, clients, and funding organizations. Significant findings indicate nine principal themes extracted from interview replies. The study highlights that achieving a holistic training design requires multidimensional delivery to produce a structured learning environment that enhances skill acquisition. The …

The Effectiveness Of Health And Safety Practices On Peaking Power Stations, Nkosinathi Ndlovu, Claire Deacon, John Smallwood

CIB Conferences

Peaking Power Stations (PPSs) are required to undertake maintenance known as ‘outages’, on a regular basis. Injuries occur during general maintenance and outage activities. Such injuries in turn result in managers at PPSs perceiving health and safety (H&S) management as ineffective. The effectiveness of H&S management systems, particularly accident and incident reporting mechanisms, is critical for enhancing H&S performance in high-risk sectors such as power generation. Poor H&S performance could further result in lower production, higher insurance costs, and a detrimental financial impact on the economy, forcing workers to retire early with persistent disabilities. The aim of the study reported …

Worldbuilding, Brent Ryan Bellamy

CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture

Entry for special issue, 'Keywords for Value and Culture'

Substantialism, David Janzen

CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture

Entry for special issue, 'Keywords for Value and Culture'

Gestation, Savannah Whaley

CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture

Entry for special issue, 'Keywords for Value and Culture'

Exhaustion, Corbin Hiday

CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture

Entry for special issue, 'Keywords for Value and Culture'

Content I, Marie Claire Middlemiss Sanazaro

CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture

Entry for special issue, 'Keywords for Value and Culture'

Compression, Ruth Jennison

CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture

Entry for special issue, 'Keywords for Value and Culture'

The Flight Of The Purdue Owl: An Institutional History, Harry C. Denny, Vicki R. Kennell, Garrett I. Colón

The Founders Series

The Flight of the Purdue OWL: An Institutional History chronicles both the widely known Purdue OWL website and the lesser-known but much-celebrated on-campus writing center. Purdue University is renowned for its world-class STEM curriculum as well as its intercollegiate athletics. The university also receives considerable attention, however, for the OWL website, which is one of the most used educational resources in the world. The on-campus OWL is also a highly regarded collegiate writing center. This book tells the history of how the Purdue OWL grew out of decades of faculty working with students and their desire for a laboratory where …

Fatigue Behavior Characterization Of Magnesium And Aluminum Alloys In Military Trainer Aircraft, Alysson Sousa Rabelo, José Aécio Gomes De Sousa, Feliciano José Ricardo Cangue, Luiz Leroy Thomé Vaughan

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The increasing demand for lightweight and durable materials in aviation industry necessitates continuous improvements in research into fatigue-resistant alloys to improve operational efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The estimation of the operational life of aeronautical structures is directly related to the study of their mechanical properties, particularly concerning fatigue behavior due to the constant exposure to cyclic loads. For this reason, the aeronautical sector often invests significant capital in research for the development of new alloys that enable high structural performance, lightness, low cost, high durability, and tolerance to environmental damage. Despite the advancements in composite materials, aluminum and magnesium alloys …

Editorial, Joseph P. Hupy, Mary M. Fink

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Editorial for JATE 14.1.

Capturing System Complexity In Maritime Decarbonization: A Multilayer Modeling Perspective, Maksym Chepeliev, Rene Banares-Alcantara, Lorenza Campagnolo, Ronald Apriliyanto Halim, Jim Hall, Gianandrea Mannarini, Hesam Naghash, Carlo Palazzi, Ramiro Parrado, Paola Rocchi, Alessandro Taberna, Soheil Shayegh

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Purdue Rising Scholars Experience: Exploring Student Success, Robert M. Stwalley Iii, Carol S. Stwalley, Roger Tormoehlen

Purdue University Press Books

Many intelligent low-socioeconomic status high school students correctly view STEM majors as a way out of poverty, but the challenges to ultimate success are plentiful. For those who applied but did not initially gain admittance into an engineering department, the Rising Scholars program at Purdue University offered these undergraduates a pathway through college that brought them into contact with a network of professional mentors, including university professors, staff, and graduate students. Program participants were also provided opportunities to engage in team-building activities and teaching seminars that involved writing research papers focused on postgraduate careers. Although no longer in operation, the …

A Hedonic Analysis Of Farm Tractor Auction Prices, Madison Pearson, Chad Fiechter, Andy Campbell

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Used farm machinery values play a critical role in farm management and in assessing the financial health of the agricultural sector. However, the heterogeneity of machines, particularly regarding embedded technology and usage, complicates efforts to isolate the factors that influence prices. This study leverages a detailed dataset from Tractor Zoom to estimate the effects of machine characteristics and market conditions on auction prices of used 300 to 450 horsepower tractors. We find a nonlinear relationship between machine usage and price: tractors with fewer than 500 hours of use lose approximately 118⁢𝑝⁢𝑒⁢𝑟⁢𝑎⁢𝑑⁢𝑑⁢𝑖⁢𝑡⁢𝑖⁢𝑜⁢𝑛⁢𝑎⁢𝑙⁢ℎ⁡𝑜⁢𝑢⁢𝑟,𝑤⁢ℎ⁡𝑖⁢𝑙⁢𝑒⁢𝑡⁢𝑟⁢𝑎⁢𝑐⁢𝑡⁢𝑜⁢𝑟⁢𝑠⁢𝑤⁢𝑖⁢𝑡⁢ℎ⁡𝑚⁢𝑜⁢𝑟⁢𝑒⁢𝑡⁢ℎ⁡𝑎⁢𝑛⁢10,000⁢ℎ⁡𝑜⁢𝑢⁢𝑟⁢𝑠⁢𝑠⁢ℎ⁡𝑜⁢𝑤⁢𝑜⁢𝑛⁢𝑙⁢𝑦⁢𝑎⁢𝑤⁢𝑒⁢𝑎⁢𝑘⁢𝑙⁢𝑦⁢𝑠⁢𝑖⁢𝑔⁡𝑛⁢𝑖⁢𝑓⁡𝑖⁢𝑐⁢𝑎⁢𝑛⁢𝑡⁢𝑑⁢𝑒⁢𝑐⁢𝑙⁢𝑖⁢𝑛⁢𝑒⁢𝑜⁢𝑓⁡𝑎⁢𝑏⁢𝑜⁢𝑢⁢𝑡2 per hour. We also document pronounced seasonal patterns, with …

X-Ray Crystallography Laboratory, Purdue University Office Of Research, Matthias Zeller

University Research Core Facility Boilerplate Descriptions

No abstract provided.

Scifres Nanofabrication Laboratory (Cleanroom), Ron Reger, Purdue University Office Of Research

University Research Core Facility Boilerplate Descriptions

No abstract provided.

Developing Indices To Study Engineers' Interest, Confidence, And Experience With Global Engineering Work Activities, Lexy Arinze, Joe Tort, Kirsten A. Davis

School of Engineering Education Faculty Publications

Background

As engineering work has become increasingly globalized, prior studies have examined the intercultural attitudes and competencies of engineering students and practicing engineers. However, we lack tools to study how engineers engage in global work across industries, roles, and organizational contexts.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop a tool to measure engineers' interest, confidence, and frequency in performing global work tasks. To this end, we designed the Global Task Performance (GTP) indices, which evaluate four dimensions of engagement in global engineering work.

Methods

Guided by Social Cognitive Career Theory and the Global Engineering Competency (GEC) framework, we …

Rise Pilot Teacher Implementation, Jennifer Sdunzik

Evaluation and Learning Research Center Reports

Project RISE aims to address civic opportunity and achievement gaps faced by underserved populations by integrating engineering design thinking with civic education in US middle and high schools. The curriculum uses a focus on community-based problem-solving as a mechanism for inspiring and empowering students – particularly those from traditionally underserved backgrounds – to engage in activities aimed at addressing systemic inequities in their communities. Following a week-long professional development in the summer 2024, the participating pilot teachers were tasked with implementing lessons plans and teaching practices from the RISE curriculum and reflect upon their classroom experiences post-implementation.