Digital Commons Network^™

Advancing Health And Safety Performance On A Large-Scale Infrastructure Water Purification Plant Project, Rajandree Mandy Malindi, John Julian Smallwood

CIB Conferences

The Zuikerbosch System 5A Water Purification Plant, launched in August 2025, as Africa’s largest state of the art water purification facility, recorded the achievement as the developer’s first ‘construction work permit’ project completed with zero fatalities. This large-scale project valued at R4.8 billion and designed to deliver 600 Mℓ/day of potable water, included extensive stakeholder participation, multiple contractors, and client appointed construction project managers, designers, quantity surveyors, health and safety (H&S) professionals and asset engineers across diverse disciplines in a highly complex project environment. The paper reviews literature pertaining to project stakeholder H&S involvement in the six project stages. It …

Iso 45003/45001 Integration For Psychosocial And Physical Risk Management In Construction: Worker Safety And Workplace Sustainability, Augusta Nkem

CIB Conferences

Purpose: This study examines how psychosocial risk management, guided by ISO 45003, can be effectively integrated within ISO 45001 construction safety management systems to address both psychological and physical dimensions of workplace risk.

Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative thematic synthesis of peer-reviewed literature was conducted, drawing on recent studies, standards, and industry guidance to identify relationships between psychosocial and physical risks, safety climate, and occupational health and safety management systems. The approach follows an integrative review logic to support conceptual development rather than empirical testing.

Findings: The analysis identified three key themes: (1) psychosocial–physical risk interactions operating through cognitive and behavioural mechanisms …

Evaluating Ergonomics Integration In Safety Curriculum Of Civil Engineering Programs In India, Vigneshkumar Chellappa

CIB Conferences

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a persistent and significant challenge within the construction industry, contributing substantially to non-fatal injuries and long-term health issues among workers. Addressing this concern requires a workforce equipped with a robust understanding of ergonomics to implement effective MSD prevention strategies. However, the degree to which ergonomics principles are incorporated into the safety education curricula of civil engineering programs in India remains largely unexplored. This study evaluates the current integration of ergonomics into the safety curriculum of master-level civil engineering programs to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. A comprehensive curriculum review was conducted across six ranked …

Ai-Based Scaffolding Deficiency Detection As A Proactive Construction Safety Intervention: A Conceptual Review Of Methodological Approaches, Adetayo Onososen, Innocent Musonda

CIB Conferences

Falls from height and structural collapse associated with scaffolding remain among the most persistent contributors to construction fatalities worldwide, and the problem is sharper still in resource-constrained settings where inspection capacity is thin on the ground. This paper sets out a conceptual outline for an AI-based scaffolding deficiency detection system designed as a proactive safety intervention rather than a post-incident diagnostic. Drawing on a thematic review of computer vision methods applied to scaffolding inspection between 2019 and 2026, the study maps what has been tried, where the evidence converges, and where it still falls short. Four structural deficiency classes grounded …

Social Housing Development In Vietnam's Urban Areas Toward Sustainable Development, Hoa Quynh Ta, Tuyen Dinh Pham

CIB Conferences

In Vietnam, the National Housing Development Strategy for the period of 2021 - 2030 with a vision to 2045 has affirmed that social housing is one of the important contents of economic development policy. The situation of social housing development in the past 15 years has shown some initial positive results in building new systems of concepts and awareness on the importance of social housing, the legal framework, in addition to policies for the implementation and development of social housing, as well as the implementation of several social housing programs for specific target groups of people. However, the achievements are …

Ai Agent And Mcp-Based Information Requirement Framework For Building Digital Twins, Ting Lu Chiang, Ruoyu Jin, Weifeng Chen, Lu Gan, Hongying Meng

CIB Conferences

In the operational phase of buildings, Digital Twins (DT) is utilized to enhance maintenance quality and optimize energy efficiency. Building Information Modeling (BIM) serves not only as a visualization tool but as a semantic foundation within this framework, enabling dynamic IoT sensor data to be accurately mapped into physical elements. The process of integrating BIM models with IoT and DT for application development is lengthy. This governance dilemma arises from the gap between high-level organizational requirements and underlying technical implementation, or lack of clear, adaptable information requirement definitions and the inclusion of redundant data in BIM deliverables, which increases management …

The Impact Of Climate-Induced Heat Stress On The Health And Safety Of Construction Workers In Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Phumelela Zibiya, Mohlomi Raliile, John Smallwood

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This paper investigates the impact of climate-induced heat stress on the health, safety and physical performance of outdoor construction workers in Gqeberha, South Africa. Rising temperatures associated with climate change have increased workers’ exposure to extreme heat, thereby elevating the risk of heat-related illnesses, reduced productivity and occupational accidents. The study addresses limited region-specific empirical evidence on occupational heat stress in the Eastern Cape. The study adopted a quantitative research approach within a positivist paradigm, employing a cross-sectional survey design. The primary data was collected using structured questionnaires administered to outdoor construction workers on residential, active construction sites in Gqeberha. …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Ventilation And Air Conditioning Systems On Indoor Air Quality In Commercial Buildings In Viet Nam, Dung Quoc Trinh, Huyen Thi Nguyen, My Thi Tra Pham, Ha Thi Hai Pham, Giang Van Pham

CIB Conferences

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is one of the most critical criteria for assessing occupants’ health, comfort, and work performance in air-conditioned commercial buildings, particularly under tropical urban conditions such as those in Vietnam. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ventilation and air-conditioning systems in controlling IAQ and indoor environmental conditions in 15 representative commercial buildings (i.e., hotels, offices, and shopping centers) located in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. An integrated research framework was employed, combining Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, field measurements, questionnaire-based occupant surveys, and data analysis. Relevant standards were adopted as benchmarks to …

Readiness For Ai And Iot Adoption In Facilities Management: A Bibliometric Literature Review, Trang Thi Nha Nguyen, Nam Phuong Tran, Hoang Van Giang, Viet Hung Nguyen

CIB Conferences

The increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) has attracted growing attention in building operations and facilities management (FM), particularly in relation to smart buildings and data-driven operational practices. However, research on readiness for adopting these technologies remains fragmented and underdeveloped. This study aims to map research trends and identify gaps in AI and IoT readiness in smart buildings. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data from Scopus and the Web of Science database. Science mapping techniques, including keyword co-occurrence, thematic mapping, and trend analysis, were applied to examine the intellectual structure of the field. …

Development Of Low-Carbon Mortar Using Recycled Concrete Powder And Fly Ash For Sustainable And Circular Construction, Lanh Thi Vinh Pham, Dung Tien Nguyen, Thang Thi Nguyen, Kien Ton Tong

CIB Conferences

The construction industry faces urgent challenges to cut carbon emissions and conserve natural resources, even as large volumes of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and fly ash (FA) remain underutilised. This study develops low-carbon masonry mortar by incorporating recycled concrete powder (CP) and FA as partial replacements for Portland cement. Mortar mixtures were prepared with CP replacement levels of 10–80%, followed by the addition of FA (10–30%) in high-CP systems. The effects on workability, compressive strength, water absorption, material cost, and global warming potential (GWP) were evaluated. Results show that increasing CP content reduces workability and strength, whereas FA improves …

Applications Of Ai For Real-Time Mechanical Behavior Prediction In Deep Excavation Support Systems: A Critical Review, Ngoc-Tuyen Tran, Quang Dung Tran, Hong-Lam Dang, Duc Phi Do

CIB Conferences

Progressive deformation in deep urban excavations can trigger catastrophic collapse before conventional monitoring and finite element method (FEM) back-analyses can effectively respond, primarily due to observational and computational latency. This paper presents a PRISMA-adapted review of 20 peer-reviewed studies (2021–2025) investigating artificial intelligence (AI) frameworks for real-time mechanical behavior prediction in deep excavation support systems. Two methodological streams are examined: data-driven models (LSTM, Transformers, ST-GAT) and physics-informed approaches (DeepONet, MS-SDL). By mathematically constraining deep learning within governing partial differential equations, these physics-informed models reduce the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of wall deflection predictions by 40–60% relative to standalone three-dimensional …

Urban Landscape Regeneration In Da Nang: A Case Study Of Hung Vuong Street, Giang Thi Huong Nguyen, Nam Ba Mai, Phuong Thi Tran, Huy Cong Quoc Dang, Dat Huynh Tat Le, Tuan Anh Nguyen

CIB Conferences

This study evaluates the current conditions and proposes urban landscape regeneration solutions for Hung Vuong Street in Da Nang City, with a focus on pedestrian-oriented development. The street currently faces critical challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, sidewalk encroachment, and a lack of public amenities, all of which negatively affect the urban experience. The research combines segmented field observations with a sociological survey of 239 valid respondents. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS through reliability testing (Cronbach’s Alpha), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and linear regression models. The results indicate that the factor groups “Satisfaction with traffic, landscape, and sanitation” and “Street space …

Exoskeleton Use In Construction: Systematic Review Of Real-World Implementation, Prosper Gbiengu, Muhammad Khan, Kaushik Bhattacharjee, Chukwuma Nnaji

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Exoskeletons have shown promise for reducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders and improving worker safety in construction, yet evidence on deployment in real construction environments remains fragmented. This study reviews peer-reviewed empirical research on exoskeleton use in active construction settings to examine implementation patterns, barriers, facilitators, and research gaps. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic review was conducted across Web of Science, Scopus Library, and Google Scholar. Studies were included if they reported empirical evidence on active construction environments or realistic near-site simulations involving professional construction workers. After duplicate removal, screening, full-text eligibility assessment, and backward snowballing, 23 studies were included. Evidence …

Artificial Intelligence For Hazard Recognition Training In Construction: An Integrative Review, Van-Yen Ngo, Quan T. Nguyen, Bao-Ngoc Nguyen, Hoai-Nam Le, Quang-Phuong Luu, Van-Hoan Pham, Ngoc-Tuyen Tran, Zeeshan Aziz

CIB Conferences

Hazard recognition is a core capability in construction safety, yet conventional training often provides limited exposure to realistic, dynamic risk conditions. This paper presents an integrative review of 67 peer-reviewed studies on artificial intelligence-enabled hazard recognition training in construction. The review examines how immersive simulation, neuro-biometric sensing, mixed reality and AI-driven safety knowledge systems contribute to safety learning. Four research streams are identified: neuro-biometric analysis of hazard perception, adaptive immersive training, mixed-reality support for situational awareness and AI-based safety knowledge engineering. The synthesis indicates a shift from instructional safety training toward adaptive, data-informed learning ecosystems in which behavioural, physiological and …

Well-Being Of Women In Construction: Examining Demographic Differences In A Male-Dominated Industry, Prakriti Pokhrel, Xiaohua Jin, Robert Osei-Kyei, Ali Al-Ashwal

CIB Conferences

Women remain a minority in the construction workforce, and those who are working often face gendered challenges that may affect their well-being. Understanding how demographic factors shape well-being is important for improving retention and work experiences, particularly in developing contexts where organisational support systems are limited. This study examines how marital status, motherhood, educational qualification, and work arrangement influence life well-being, workplace well-being, and psychological well-being among white-collar women in Nepal’s construction industry. Data were collected from 153 professionals using a validated eighteen-item well-being scale. Independent-samples t-tests and a one-way ANOVA were used to compare well-being scores across demographic groups. …

(Re)Shaping The Path Of Rural Tourism In Central Vietnam: When Traditionalism As A Driver For Architectural Multiformity, Tung Minh Tran, Chau Thi Bao Huynh

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Rural tourism in Central Vietnam faces tension between infrastructure modernization and the preservation of vernacular architectural identity. This paper examines the (re)configuration of rural tourism by conceptualizing traditionalism as a driver for architectural multiformity rather than a static constraint. Through a multiple-case study of six representative villages and 23 semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders, the study identifies (neo-)vernacular practices and strategies for integrating local materials into contemporary hospitality typologies. Findings demonstrate that a tradition-centric approach supports hybrid morphologies that balance heritage conservation with economic needs. The paper concludes that traditionalism provides a resilient framework for shaping sustainable, locally grounded tourism …

Conceptual Framework For Integrating Ergonomics Into Health And Safety Management Practices In Nigerian Construction Firms, Abdulhafeez Ibrahim, Abubakar Dardau Abdulazeez, Tasiu Mustapha, Ikemefuna Mbamali, Mustapha Abdulrazaq

CIB Conferences

Traditional safety approaches that focus solely on accident prevention have failed to address the significant burden of work-related illnesses and musculoskeletal disorders affecting construction workers. Ergonomic interventions are known to improve worker health, safety, and performance, but their systematic integration into construction health and safety management systems remains limited, particularly in developing-country contexts. Existing frameworks provide useful insights, but many are generic, limited to the design phase, or insufficiently attentive to implementation, stakeholder coordination, and long-term sustainability in project-based construction environments. This paper addresses a gap in construction ergonomics research by focusing on the organisational processes through which ergonomics becomes …

Net-Zero Construction And Decent Work: Skills Transition Challenges In The Construction Workforce, Dinh-Phong Nguyen, Duy Anh Bui, Quan T. Nguyen, Van-Truong Dinh, Viet-Huong Nguyen, Hoang-Mai Dang

CIB Conferences

The transition towards net-zero construction is transforming not only the technologies used in the built environment but also the capabilities and working conditions of the construction workforce. While existing research has largely focused on engineering solutions for reducing carbon emissions, comparatively limited attention has been paid to the labour implications of this transition. This paper addresses this gap by examining how sustainability transitions reshape workforce competencies, labour market dynamics, and decent work conditions in the construction sector. Adopting an integrative literature review approach, the study analyses 63 academic publications and policy reports related to sustainable construction, workforce development, and green …

Edge Ai For Real-Time Recyclable Waste Sorting In Viet Nam: A Practical Approach For Smart And Sustainable Cities, Tam Thanh Luong, Hop Quang Do, Anh Tien Nguyen, Khanh Bao Trinh, Dat Quoc Trieu, Giang Minh Hoang, Thang Nam Hoang

CIB Conferences

In Viet Nam, recyclable municipal solid waste is often inadequately sorted and disposed of. While computer vision offers automatic sorting solutions, few studies address real-world deployment constraints on resource-limited edge devices. This research develops and evaluates an optimized edge AI framework for real-time waste classification. To better reflect practical sorting conditions, a dataset of 21,329 images was constructed, combining 15,158 internet images with 6,171 highly contaminated waste images captured in Hanoi, Viet Nam. The validation and test sets capture image variations in object shape, size, occlusion, and illumination. To enable deployment on the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano, the system uses …

Enhance Green Space Accessibility To Improve Quality Of Life In Hanoi's Inner City, Phuong M.T. Le, Huong T.D. Nguyen

CIB Conferences

Urban green spaces play an important role in improving environmental quality and enhancing the quality of life in cities. However, in high-density urban areas such as the inner city of Hanoi, the distribution of green spaces and residents’ accessibility to these spaces remain uneven. This study applies Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate the accessibility of urban green spaces in the historical inner-city area of Hanoi. Spatial datasets including parks, public gardens, water bodies, residential distribution, and administrative boundaries were integrated into a GIS database. Spatial analysis tools in ArcGIS were used to calculate residents’ accessibility to green spaces within …

Northern Vietnamese Catholic Churches In A Contemporary Context: From Religious Space To Community Space, Van Vu Nguyen, Viet Huy Nguyen

CIB Conferences

In the context of contemporary Vietnamese society, religious buildings not only serve a religious function and role but are also increasingly involved in community life and the architectural and landscape spaces of urban and rural areas. Catholic churches in Northern Vietnam are a typical example, clearly reflecting the process of integration and development in the face of socio-economic, cultural, and construction technology changes. This article focuses on analyzing the transformation of church architecture in this region during the contemporary period, through aspects such as spatial organization, architectural form, construction materials and technology, and the relationship with the local landscape and …

Barriers To Essential Services On Construction Sites: A Reflection Of Sexual Health Services., Henerico Henerico, Geraldine Kikwasi, Joel Zambi

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Sexual health services being are critical for the well-being of construction workers, however, it has been lacking attention in many occupational settings. In Tanzania, construction workers, many of whom operate under informal or temporary conditions, face various sexual health challenges. This study examines the barriers to providing sexual health services on construction sites. Data was obtained from 80 randomly selected respondents on ongoing construction sites using questionnaires. The main barriers to providing sexual health are lack of funding for sexual health education, exclusion of sexual health from occupational health and safety, absence of collaborations between workplace with clinics or NGOs, …

A Multi-Fidelity Approach For Forecasting Seismic Responses In Building Structures, Quynh Doan Thi Mai, Viet Hung Dang, Trong Phu Nguyen

CIB Conferences

In this study, a hybrid physics-based and data-driven model is proposed to reliably forecast the dynamic responses of structures under time-varying excitations. While detailed physics-based models are accurate, they are computationally intensive; conversely, purely data-driven models are efficient but highly dependent on data quality and volume. The proposed hybrid approach bridges this gap by combining a fast, low-fidelity physics-based model with a data-driven corrector to predict the residuals between the low-fidelity approximation and the high-fidelity target. Specifically, the low-fidelity physical model relies on a multi-degree-of-freedom mass-spring-damper system, while the data-driven corrector is based on a selective state-space neural network. The …

An Autonomous And Controlled Agentic Framework For Structural Analysis, Viet Hung Dang, Kim-Anh Do, Tien Dung Nguyen

CIB Conferences

This study introduces a proof-of-concept agentic framework designed to assist structural engineers in managing sophisticated computational workflows for complex structures. The proposed framework automates the structural analysis lifecycle while adhering strictly to procedural controls. Unlike conventional workflows that rely on graphical user interfaces or automation scripts, this framework utilizes large language model (LLM) orchestrators to decompose complex structural problems into executable sub-tasks, such as structural data extraction, structural analysis, and results visualization and discussion. Furthermore, the data extraction agent establishes a live connection to AutoCAD to extract structural data, the physics-based agent interacts with the finite element software OpenSees to …

How Construction Site Characteristics Shape Workers' Mental Health And Wellbeing, Parisa Moshashaei, Hamed Golzad, Henry Liu, Nasser Bagheri

CIB Conferences

Psychosocial risks in construction are increasingly recognised, yet evidence remains fragmented regarding how site-level physical and operational characteristics shape workers’ mental health and wellbeing. This exploratory study aims to develop an evidence-based conceptual framework to identify relationships between construction site characteristics and workers’ mental health and wellbeing. A systematic literature review of 51 studies (2014–2025) identified 34 site-related indicators grouped into five domains: environmental conditions, welfare amenities and facilities, safety and security, work settings and practices, and physical space design. These domains were then examined through 21 semi-structured interviews with site-based workers across Australian commercial and residential building projects. Interview …

A Tqm-Based Conceptual Framework For Developing Quality Environments In Architecture And Planning Education, Thanh Trung Nguyen

CIB Conferences

Enhancing quality in higher education (HE), particularly in architecture and planning (A&P) education, requires moving beyond fragmented perspectives on learning environments toward more integrated and systemic approaches. This study addresses this need by developing a conceptual framework for the quality environment in A&P education based on Total Quality Management (TQM). Drawing on a theory-building methodology, the study synthesizes literature on HE quality, TQM, and learning environments, with particular attention to the pedagogical and contextual characteristics of A&P disciplines, through a thematic analysis and iterative abstraction process. The findings identify three core dimensions-physical, academic, and social environments-and integrate them into a …

An Assessment Of The Extent Of Adherence To Health And Safety Regulations At Building Construction Sites In And Around Gaborone, Joseph Ssegawa, Kganetso Kgotlaetsile

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The article presents findings of a study aimed at assessing the extent to which health and safety regulations (HSR) are adhered to at building construction sites in and around Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. The study was motivated by the increasing levels of construction activity in Botswana, alongside some incidents of construction related accidents reported in the media. A structured questionnaire survey was used in the study. It was administered to 126 construction workers and seven government health and safety inspectors. The SPSS software was used to analyse data. The findings showed that, there is a low adherence to …

Has The Construction Industry Become More Inclusive? A Diachronic Investigation Of Challenges And Changed Experiences Of Women In The Industry, Katerina Prevelianaki

CIB Conferences

A traditionally male dominated industry, construction always struggled to attract and retain women, and despite efforts and legislation encouraging equality and inclusion, women continue to be a minority in this space. Challenges women have faced have been documented; it is, nevertheless, unclear whether the same problems continue to occur in ways they did in the past, how the challenges have evolved over time, and how these have potentially brought a changed experience for women, while research investigating those issues diachronically is sparse. This paper adopts a retrospective approach on women in construction; it explores how the industry landscape has been …

Exploring The Interpersonal Stressors Of Safety Officers In The Construction Industry Via A Focus Group, Wenqian Yang, Mei-Yung Leung

CIB Conferences

The construction industry is inherently hazardous, making effective safety management critical for project success and worker well-being. Safety officers play a crucial role in the safety management system. They act as the central bridge for communication and coordination across all organizational levels, from top management and inter-departmental peers to frontline workers. Safety officers often face hostility, resistance, and social isolation due to the unique nature of their duties, as they frequently need to identify non-compliance and rectify the mistakes of colleagues and workers. Despite the complex interpersonal relationships in their daily work, the interpersonal stressors experienced by them still remain …

Impact Of Organizational Stressors On Stress Among Foreign Construction Workers From Nepal, Khursheed Ahmed, Mei-Yung Leung, Wenqian Yang

CIB Conferences

The construction industry in developed regions relies heavily on foreign labour. Working in a new environment exposes these workers to unique organizational stressors that can deteriorate their well-being. Specifically, Nepalese Construction Workers (NCWs) face distinct challenges that may lead to severe physical and psychological stress. This study, therefore, aims to identify the critical organizational stressors and their impact on the stress of NCWs. Based on a conceptual model, a questionnaire survey was adopted to collect data from NCWs. In order to investigate the relationships among stressors (i.e., ethnic barriers, lack of acceptance, insufficient authority, low reward, and unfair treatment) and …