Catalogue Search | MBRL
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
{{itemTitle}}
452
result(s) for
"Building sites Risk assessment."
Sort by:
Innovation, strategy and risk in construction
\"Innovation, Strategy and Risk in Construction integrates insights from business and government leaders with contemporary research, to help construction firms of all sizes to use times of crisis to their own advantage and build greater adaptive capacity into their operations. Accessible and full of practical examples, the book argues that traditional business strategies which seek to systematise innovation and eliminate uncertainty need to be balanced with more flexible approaches which acknowledge and harness uncertainty. The missing key to innovation, it is argued, is to turn serendipity into capability. The author proposes a simple model which allows managers to tap into the increasing dynamic and interconnected nature of the construction industry. Innovation does not occur in isolation within individual firms, but through collaboration. Each stakeholder in the construction industry has a responsibility to drive innovation, and this book will be key reading for consultants, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and clients, as well as policy makers and all serious students of construction management\"-- Provided by publisher.
Book
Evaluation of the Updated Site-Specific Risk Assessment for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas
Safeguarding U.S. agriculture from foreign animal diseases and protecting our food system require cutting-edge research and diagnostic capabilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have embarked on an important mission to replace the aging Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) with a new facility, the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). When operational, this new facility would be the world's fourth biosafety level-4 laboratory capable of large animal research. It would serve as a critical world reference laboratory for identifying emerging and unknown disease threats, and would thus be a critical asset in securing the future health, wealth, and security of the nation.
DHS selected Manhattan, Kansas, as the site for the new NBAF after an extensive site-selection process that involved an environmental impact statement. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) raised concerns about DHS's analysis of the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDv), one of the most serious foreign animal disease threats. Congress directed DHS to conduct a site-specific risk assessment (SSRA) for the NBAF, instructed the National Research Council (NRC) to independently evaluate the SSRA, and prohibited obligation of NBAF construction funds until the NRC review was complete.
Congress mandated that DHS revise its SSRA to address shortcomings of the 2010 SSRA, directed the NRC to evaluate the updated SSRA (uSSRA), and again prohibited obligation of construction funds until the completion of the second review. The scope for both of these SSRA reports addressed accidental release of pathogens from the NBAF in Manhattan, Kansas and excluded terrorist acts and malicious threats from its risk assessments. Evaluation of the Updated Site-Specific Risk Assessment for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas is the evaluation of the final uSSRA.
eBook
Multi-vulnerability analysis for seismic risk management in historic city centres: an application to the historic city centre of La Serena, Chile
A comprehensive understanding of the elements at risk, through the identification of the main hazards, level of exposure and different dimensions of the vulnerability of the communities, is an essential step toward the definition and adoption of more effective risk reduction strategies. Historic urban centres have received special attention in the assessment of damage and physical vulnerability to earthquakes, but it is well known that vulnerability also depends on the social and demographic characteristics of communities. This paper discusses the application of a holistic approach aimed at assessing the seismic vulnerability of historic urban centres by considering their physical and social dimensions. Two index-based methodologies are presented, and the data are analyzed using the CENSUS block as the unit of study, which is scarcely present in the literature. The results of both indices are crossed through a matrix, which allows the classification of the blocks in five levels of priority and are mapped using a Geographic Information System tool. The Historic city centre of La Serena, one of the oldest in Chile, was selected as a case study. This historic city centre still preserves historic buildings of raw earth of diverse architectural typologies widely distributed throughout the country, which makes it relevant, not only by itself but as a model that can be replicated and extrapolated to other historic centres of similar constructive characteristics.
Journal Article
Influence of local site effects on seismic risk maps and ranking of Italian municipalities
The latest studies concerning seismic risk assessment in Italy were developed without considering the site geo-lithological effects, thus limiting the assessment to rock soil type. In this study, for the evaluation of site amplification effects, we used the results of recent works based on the Italian seismic microzonation data. As this first study is performed for the entire Italian territory at the municipality scale, the site amplification factors (AFs) have been assigned to the chief town of each of the 7715 Italian municipalities, assuming that the building stock is concentrated in that small area. The AFs have been compared with those foreseen by the Italian building code (NTC2018). The PGA amplification with the new AFs ranges from 1 to 2.2 bringing to an average increase of 75% in the hazard, compared to 27% if using the NTC2018 amplification. The seismic risk has been evaluated using the probabilistic hazard assessment adopted in the NTC2018 and recent vulnerability/exposure models developed for Italy. The residential building stock was subdivided into 5 vulnerability classes (3 for masonry and 2 for concrete) derived from the national census data and further refined using the construction age and building height. The results show that, for a rock site condition, the loss estimates are comparable with those of previous works in terms of casualties, homeless, and economic damage. The introduction of the site effects brings to a significant increase in the expected losses resulting higher than the historical data retrieved from a careful analysis of the major Italian earthquakes. This suggests the importance of developing new fragility curves based on updated AFs. To support the implementation of risk reduction programs, a seismic risk index is introduced, allowing a municipality ranking by risk, a cost estimation of the seismic retrofitting in the highest risk municipalities, and an assessment of the consequent risk reduction.
Journal Article
Integrated HBIM-GIS Models for Multi-Scale Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Historical Buildings
The complexity of historical urban centres progressively needs a strategic improvement in methods and the scale of knowledge concerning the vulnerability aspect of seismic risk. A geographical multi-scale point of view is increasingly preferred in the scientific literature and in Italian regulation policies, that considers systemic behaviors of damage and vulnerability assessment from an urban perspective according to the scale of the data, rather than single building damage analysis. In this sense, a geospatial data sciences approach can contribute towards generating, integrating, and making virtuous relations between urban databases and emergency-related data, in order to constitute a multi-scale 3D database supporting strategies for conservation and risk assessment scenarios. The proposed approach developed a vulnerability-oriented GIS/HBIM integration in an urban 3D geodatabase, based on multi-scale data derived from urban cartography and emergency mapping 3D data. Integrated geometric and semantic information related to historical masonry buildings (specifically the churches) and structural data about architectural elements and damage were integrated in the approach. This contribution aimed to answer the research question supporting levels of knowledge required by directives and vulnerability assessment studies, both about the generative workflow phase, the role of HBIM models in GIS environments and toward user-oriented webGIS solutions for sharing and public use fruition, exploiting the database for expert operators involved in heritage preservation.
Journal Article
A Value-Based Risk Assessment of Water-Related Hazards: The Archaeological Site of the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus
The accelerating impacts of climate change present critical challenges to cultural heritage, particularly in the Mediterranean region where hydroclimatic extremes are intensifying. Future estimates for the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, suggest more intense precipitation patterns, increased rainfall intensity and water-induced material degradation. This study aims to identify current and projected climate-related threats to the site and to inform adaptive strategies that safeguard both its physical integrity and its associated heritage values through a value-based approach. Opting for a heritage value-based risk assessment, the study employs a mixed-methods technical approach grounded in the Conceptual Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction of UNISDR and ICCROM’s “ABC Method” for the risk assessment of climatic threats that combines GIS-based hydrological modelling (HAND), field observations and existing material assessments with NARA Grids to link exposure, vulnerability and value loss. Results reveal intensified surface water runoff and localised water inundation threatening key monuments, particularly the Roman Odeion and the central part of the site’s ensemble, while frost-related risks are projected to decline towards 2100. The findings suggest the development of site-specific climate change adaptation that prioritises drainage enhancement, preventive conservation and continuous monitoring to preserve its Outstanding Universal Values under changing climatic conditions.
Journal Article
Evolution model and quantitative assessment of risk network in housing construction accidents
PurposeClarifying the risk evolution mechanism of housing construction for work-safety management is essential. Existing studies have inadequately discussed the risk-accumulation process in housing construction. Therefore, this study aimed to use the complex network theory and risk allocation mechanisms to explore the evolution of risk factors.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analysed a database of housing construction accidents in China from 2015 to 2020 to identify risk factors. Moreover, the causal relationship between risk factors was determined through a systematic analysis of the logical sequence of risk factors. A complex network was used to construct a risk network for housing construction accidents (RNHCA).FindingsThe risk matrix method was used to define the factor risk threshold, and a risk value was assigned based on the correlation between risk factors. This contributes to the examination of the evolution mechanism of risk networks in the process of risk factor transmission. The case verification results show that the RNHCA quantitative assessment model can better evaluate the system risk status of housing construction accidents. Furthermore, this model can identify the key risk factors and risk chains with high risk in the evolution of the risk network.Research limitations/implicationsAccident investigation reports need to be classified and processed to analyse the evolution law of risk networks under different scales of construction project, such as high-rise buildings, middle-rise buildings, and low-rise buildings.Practical implicationsThis study clarified the risk evolution process of complex systems in housing construction and provided a new method for analysing accidents.Originality/valueThis study clarifies the risk value allocation of risk factors in the transmission process and reveals the process of risk factor evolution in housing construction. This study explains the individual risk factors that form a systemic risk through the transmission chain. Moreover, this paper clarified the transformation relationship between system risk and accidents. The paper also provided a new perspective for risk analysis.
Journal Article
Residential Building Site Suitability Assessment and Mapping, Philippines
This paper suggests a novel method to site suitability mapping in the Philippines. In a country where natural hazards pose a serious threat to human development the assessment of the potential impacts of such hazards is of central importance. However, up to now, no comprehensive, nationwide, probabilistic risk assessments have been conducted resulting in vague qualitative risks estimations and in turn large uncertainties for site suitability assessments. Taking asset-specific vulnerabilities into consideration, the new approach here estimates the physical damage caused by six natural hazards, and this leads to a solid risk estimation with a resolution of 30 m. Such an estimation forms the backbone of site suitability. Other factors influencing suitability depend largely on subjective preferences like the closeness of hospitals or shopping facilities. The suggested method can facilitate an infinite number of factors if they can be geographically located. As an example, the proximity to population and to roads was introduced here. A single, detached, residential building with medium fragility served as a sample asset. The risk assessment revealed a strong gradient of risk, and by extension site suitability, from relatively low values for the southwest to higher values in the north of the Philippines, if all other factors are equal. Coastal areas are especially at risk because of the tsunami and storm surge hazards and thus, generally less suitable for residential buildings.
Journal Article
Digital Prototyping and Regenerative Design Toward Carbon-Neutrality and a Climate Resilient Built Environment: A Multi-Scale Assessment of Environmental Multi-Risks
This study addresses the urgent need to move the construction sector toward carbon neutrality and climate resilience, by considering the increasingly intense impacts of climate change. The research aims to evaluate the application of advanced digital prototyping tools and regenerative design principles to identify environmental risks at different scales, with a particular focus on cultural and natural heritage. The hypothesis is that the integration of climate data and predictive models with regenerative design can overcome existing barriers to sustainable practices and significantly enhance the adaptive capacity of the built environment, particularly in safeguarding cultural and natural heritage against the multi-hazard impacts of climate change. To test this hypothesis, an experimental study is conducted using a combination of climate data, advanced modeling and regenerative design tools to assess and manage multi-hazard impacts on cultural and natural heritage. Two case studies were analyzed: Palizzi Marina, a coastal town vulnerable to sea level rise and flooding, and Palazzo Mesiani in Bova, a historic building exposed to increased solar radiation and temperatures. This type of analysis has enabled a comprehensive multi-scenario and multi-hazard assessment that offers a detailed overview of the risks to be considered in the design phase. In conclusion, the research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and emerging technologies in resilient design frameworks. By integrating climate data and predictive models with regenerative design methodologies, this study can significantly contribute to enhancing the adaptive capacity of the built environment. This approach aids in the transition of the construction sector toward sustainability and climate resilience, particularly in protecting cultural and natural heritage.
Journal Article
Identification and evaluation of deep foundation pit construction risks based on Grey-DEMATEL-Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method
In recent years, foundation pit construction has been rapidly developing in the direction of deep and large-scale, leading to the frequent occurrence of construction accidents. The pit construction process is characterised by a complex environment, high construction risk, and numerous coupling effects between the construction risk factors. In this paper, 23 main accident-causing factors in foundation pit construction are determined based on the six major risk accident types. In addition, the Grey-DEMATEL-Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method of the risk evaluation model is introduced for better prediction and judgment of risk level, which combines the grey system theory with the method of decision-making experimental analysis, and in the case of inaccurate or incomplete information, the use of less data can achieve the evaluation results with a high degree of reliability, and it will effectively avoid the impact of the lack of information as well as the subjectivity in the process of risk evaluation. Through the Grey-DEMATEL method, the central degree value for each risk indicator factor is calculated, the coupling role and importance of each risk indicator are analysed, and the indicator weights are calculated. Based on the calculated weights, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is used to evaluate the overall risk level. The empirical research on the deep foundation pit construction project of Haitangxi subway station in Chongqing reveals that the excessive lateral earth pressure on the pile wall is the most prominent risk factor. The overall risk level of the construction process is medium, and the risk is within the controllable range. On this basis, corresponding preventive measures can be formulated, providing a basis for risk prevention in the construction of deep foundation pit projects.
Journal Article