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The objective of this study is to create and test an integrated framework for assessment of vulnerability to uncertainty in complex projects. In the proposed framework, construction projects are conceptualized as metanetworks composed of different nodes (i.e., human agents, information, resources, and tasks) and links. The effects of uncertain events are translated into perturbations in the nodes and links of project metanetworks. These uncertainty-induced perturbations are reflected as transformations in a project's topological structure, and thus negatively affect the efficiency of the project's metanetwork. The extent of the variation in the efficiency of a project's metanetwork is used to determine the extent of vulnerability to uncertainty. The application of the proposed framework is shown in an illustrative case study related to a tunneling project. In the case study, various scenarios related to different uncertain events were simulated through the use of dynamic network analysis and Monte Carlo simulation. The illustrative case study demonstrated the application of the proposed framework for predictive assessment and proactive mitigation of vulnerability to uncertainty based on evaluation of dynamic interactions between various entities and networks in construction projects. The proposed framework integrates elements from complex systems, dynamic network analysis, and Monte Carlo simulation approaches, and it provides a novel computational framework for ex-ante evaluation of vulnerability to uncertainty in civil engineering projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PERFORMANCE INEFFICIENCY IS A CRITICAL CHALLENGE FACING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. DESPITE THE EFFORTS MADE IN THE EXISTING BODY OF LITERATURE, AN INTEGRATED THEORY OF PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT FACILITATING A BOTTOM-UP UNDERSTANDING OF THE DYNAMIC BEHAVIORS, UNCERTAINTIES, AND INTERDEPENDENCIES BETWEEN THE CONSTITUENTS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IS STILL MISSING. The traditional paradigm for performance assessment is mainly based on a reductionism perspective, in which construction projects are identified as monolithic systems. However, complex construction projects are systems-of-systems. Systems-of-systems have unique traits that are different from those of monolithic systems. Failure to investigate construction projects as systems-of-systems has led to theoretical and methodological limitations in the creation of integrated tools and techniques for better assessment of performance in complex construction projects. To address these theoretical and methodological limitations, a system-of-systems framework is proposed as a theoretical lens and methodological structure toward creation of tools and techniques for integrated performance assessment of complex construction projects. Two principles (i.e., base-level abstraction and multi-level aggregation) are used to develop the proposed framework. The proposed framework facilitates a bottom-up evaluation of the dynamic behaviors, uncertainties, and interdependencies between the constituents in construction projects. The capabilities of the proposed framework show its potential in addressing the limitations pertaining to the traditional frameworks for performance assessment. Hence, it can be adopted and tested by researchers to advance the body of knowledge and create integrated theories of performance assessment in complex construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, the state departments of transportation in the US have experienced an increase in their construction projects, while the level of their in-house inspection staff and resources has either remained the same or declined. Previous studies have found that one strategy that may reduce the inspection workload is prioritizing construction activities for inspection. However, reducing the number of inspections also has its risks, such as functional failures and reduced design life. Thus, available inspection resources should be allocated to the activities with significant risk consequences if inspection is reduced. The objective of this paper is to develop a risk-based inspection protocol to facilitate efficient allocation of available inspection resources to minimize the risks associated with reduced inspection. First, the risk consequences associated with reduced inspection are identified for various construction activities linked to transportation projects. Based on data collected from 23 state departments of transportation, 58 engineers and inspectors from the Indiana Department of Transportation and 20 inspection consultants in the Midwest, the subjective perceived probabilities associated with the occurrence of each risk consequence are encoded by using fuzzy analysis, from which the risk impacts due to reduced inspection are obtained. The construction activities are prioritized based on the risk impacts associated with reduced inspection into five priority levels. The greater the risk impacts are as a result of reduced inspection, the higher the priority would be for inspection of that activity. Thus, the proposed protocol can be used for resource allocation based on risk impacts. The proposed list of prioritized construction activities can assist project and program managers in state departments of transportation in better allocating their limited inspection resources while reducing the risks due to reduced inspection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]