Journal of Science and Technology in Civil Engineering (JSTCE) - HUCE

2026-05-25T08:09:45+00:00

Deep learning for classifying and predicting risk factors in retrospective construction fatality reports

2026-05-25T08:03:43+00:00

Despite advances in safety protocols, fatal incidents continue to occur in the construction industry. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program in the U.S. documents hundreds of fatalities; however, the unstructured narrative nature of these reports constrains systematic analysis. This pilot study applies deep learning to classify and interpret fatal construction incidents from 265 NIOSH FACE reports, primarily using narrative text, with structured attributes supporting annotation and label development. The approach involved curating and labeling incident narratives, fine-tuning transformer-based models for supervised classification, and evaluating performance across four targets: Incident Type, Project Type, Incident Causation, and Temporary Structure Type. Results indicated strong performance for Incident Type (accuracy = 0.981 ± 0.019; macro-F1 = 0.933 ± 0.108), moderate performance for Temporary Structure Type (accuracy = 0.830 ± 0.013), and mixed outcomes for Incident Causation and Project Type due to semantic overlap and class imbalance. Overall, the findings demonstrate the feasibility of converting narrative fatality data into predictive insights and support the development of scalable, data-driven frameworks for improving construction safety research and intervention.

Construction project leaders’ perceptions of respirable crystalline silica exposure and control: A safety leadership perspective in the UK social housing sector

2026-05-25T08:03:44+00:00

Although, there have been studies on silica dust practices in the construction industry generally. Specific attention has not been given to construction project leadership (CPL) perceptions of Silica dust safety culture within the social housing sector. A two-stage multi-method qualitative participatory exploratory action research approach was adopted. The first stage involved a mixed-method survey (qualitative and quantitative), with a sample of 64 mid-level management representatives. The second stage involved 8 semi-structured interviews with leaders within social housing organisations. Participants included Senior executives, Project Managers, Asset Managers, Safety Managers and Compliance Managers. Data analysis employed thematic and statistical analysis. The study discovered three key themes (Senior management; Human resource; Technical Safety) and identified nine key challenges, barriers and drivers (including economics, risk taking behaviours, project pressures, skills shortages/gaps) facing CPLs’ current “strategic, tactical, and operational” silica dust approaches. Whilst, the findings highlight that silica dust safety culture is a complex construct, which is difficult to define, even for experts in the organisation. The results of the study have identified some of the shortcomings in project leadership practice in the UK social housing sector which will spur changes that promote greater achievement of the sector to improve silica dust management approaches.

The impact and challenges of digitalising critical energy infrastructure in maritime ports: A qualitative study

2026-06-10T07:49:28+00:00

This research examines the digitalisation of critical energy infrastructure (CEI) in maritime ports, with the aim of assessing its impact and identifying associated challenges. A sequential qualitative research design was adopted, comprising literature review, semi-structured interviews with ten professionals, and a focus group involving six participants from the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Kenya, and Sri Lanka. Thematic analysis was applied to derive key insights. The findings indicate that digitalisation of CEI enhances environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and workplace productivity. Key benefits include reduced emissions, improved energy management, predictive maintenance, enhanced information sharing, and reduced waste of perishable goods. However, significant challenges persist, including skills shortages, resistance to change, ageing infrastructure, unreliable power supply, limited internet connectivity, and financial constraints. The research provides empirical evidence on the impact and challenges of CEI digitalisation, addressing a gap in existing literature. It offers practical insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to advance sustainable and efficient energy systems within maritime ports.

Cross-dwelling validation of indoor environmental monitoring for operational risk screening in social housing portfolios

2026-05-25T08:03:44+00:00

Social housing providers use indoor environmental monitoring within asset management systems. The extent to which these data can differentiate operational risk domains across independent dwellings has not been fully evaluated in operational deployment. Current predictive modelling frequently relies on random data partitioning, failing to reflect situations in which models are applied to previously unseen properties. This study examines the cross-dwelling explanatory capacity of environmental exposure indicators within a London-based
housing portfolio. Five years of monitoring data from 93 UK social housing dwellings were linked with operational risk records, yielding 5,748 monthly dwelling-level observations. Indicators derived from temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide were analysed using Ridge regression and Random Forest models under five-fold property-grouped cross-validation. Under grouped validation, indoor air quality and excess heat domains show positive explanatory power across dwellings. In contrast, envelope-related domains, including heat loss, draught, and cold home risks, produce near-zero or negative R²values, indicating limited cross-dwelling information in bulk indoor environmental measurements. Random Forest models do not consistently improve over regularised linear models. These findings identify the risk domains that can be informed by environmental screening at portfolio level and those which require further or direct structural assessment within asset management practice.

Exploring the potential of senilia senilis shells as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in hollow concrete block production

2026-05-25T08:03:45+00:00

Rising demand for sustainable construction materials has spurred research into alternatives that reduce reliance on natural aggregates. This study investigates the feasibility of using Senilia senilis shells as a partial substitute for fine aggregate in manufacturing hollow concrete blocks. The shells, collected from coastal areas and processed by cleaning, drying, crushing, and sieving, were incorporated into concrete mixes at replacement levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% by weight of fine aggregate, with 0% serving as the control. Laboratory tests, including assessments of physical properties, compressive strength, water absorption, and microstructural analysis, were performed on the materials and cured blocks over 28 days. The specific gravity of natural fine and Senilia senilis aggregates is 2.65 and 2.63, respectively. The two values obtained are within the recommended limit of 2.7 as specified by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and ASTM C128. Compressive strength results showed that replacing 10-30% of fine aggregate with Senilia senilis shells produced blocks with mechanical properties meeting the minimum acceptable compressive strength of 3.5 N/mm², as observed at 30% replacement, in accordance with Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS-87) and ASTM C90 standards for load-bearing applications. Also, for water absorption, the results obtained for 10-30% fine Senilia senilis shells are within the 15% limit specified by ASTM C90. Microstructural analysis (SEM/EDS) revealed that Senilia senilis shell fines, rich in CaCO3, serve as effective nucleation sites for hydration products and aid in densifying the interfacial transition zone at lower replacement levels. Overall, the study highlights the potential of seashell waste as a construction material, which will reduce total dependence on natural aggregate for block production, contributing to waste management within the construction industry.

Thermal-related occupant behaviors in highrise apartments: Evidence from a large scale survey in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

2026-05-25T08:03:45+00:00

The rapid growth of air-conditioning use in Vietnamese metropolitan areas has become a major contributor to residential energy consumption and peak electricity demand. However, empirical studies focusing on actual user behavior in high-rise apartment remain limited. This study investigates air-conditioning usage patterns and related energy consumption behaviors through a large-scale residential survey conducted in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. A total of 950 valid questionnaires were collected, covering occupants’ characteristics, building’s characteristic and air-conditioner ownership, operating habits, temperature settings, seasonal usage patterns. Quantitative statistical analysis was applied to examine differences in usage behavior across cities, seasons, and occupant characteristic groups. The results reveal distinct behavioral patterns in thermal comfort, especially in air-conditioning operation, variations in usage intensity between hot and transitional seasons. Occupants’ characteristic differences were observed in specific behavior. The findings highlight the critical role of occupant behavior in residential energy consumption and demonstrate substantial potential for energy savings through behavioral adjustments and improved user awareness. This study provides empirical evidence to support energy-efficient building design, occupant centric energy strategies in rapidly urbanizing tropical cities.

Health and safety training in a multilingual construction workforce: Evidence from South Africa

2026-05-25T08:03:45+00:00

The South African construction industry remains one of the most hazardous sectors despite the existence of comprehensive occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation and widespread provision of health and safety (H&S) training. The complexity of construction activities, rapid technological advancement, and an ageing workforce necessitate training that is not only well structured and continuously updated, but also effectively communicated. H&S training is a legal requirement, empowers workers, and plays a critical role in improving H&S performance. However, persistent poor safety outcomes suggest shortcomings in current training approaches. This paper reports on a quantitative study conducted among H&S service providers, construction managers, supervisors, and workers to investigate why poor H&S practices continue to prevail in the South African construction industry. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires distributed in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Area. The findings reveal that the exclusive use of English as the language of instruction for H&S training is largely ineffective, particularly for general workers and laborers. In addition, current H&S training methods and materials were perceived as insufficiently aligned with construction-specific realities. While management respondents tended to believe that the language of instruction has limited impact on training outcomes, workers indicated that training delivered in their home language would significantly enhance understanding and retention. The study concludes that there is an urgent need to review existing H&S training methods, materials, and delivery criteria, with particular emphasis on language. A paradigm shift towards the use of workers’ home languages in H&S training is required. The paper recommends the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in training delivery, critical evaluation of training content, multilingual training provision across South Africa’s official languages, and systematic assessment of training impact. However, as the study relies on perception-based measures rather than objective safety performance indicators, further research is required to determine the direct impact of multilingual training on accident reduction and behavioural safety outcomes.

Reimagining facility management: A critical shift towards proactive OM&R safety

2026-05-25T08:03:46+00:00

Safety during Operations, Maintenance, and Repair (OM&R) activities in buildings is a critical concern, often resulting in preventable incidents. This research addresses the gap in proactive safety measures by advocating for increased involvement of building facility management professionals early in a building’s lifecycle. To qualitatively and quantitatively assess safety incidents, OSHA investigation summaries from 2014 to 2023 were analyzed, focusing on key building elements and equipment including skylights, solar panels, and HVAC in the United States. The analysis examined worker activities, work settings, injury types and severity, building phase, and the nature of the work performed. The primary goal is to develop recommendations that emphasize facility managers’ role in the design phase, ensuring that safety considerations for OM&R personnel are integrated from the outset. By redistributing risk and responsibility, this study aims to foster safer working environments and prevent future safety incidents, promoting a proactive approach to building safety.

Perceived barriers to digital technology adoption in UK construction: Evidence from clerk of works, construction inspectorate and quality control management

2026-05-25T08:03:46+00:00

This study investigates the perceived barriers to digital technology adoption in the UK construction industry, focusing on Clerk of Works and Construction Inspectorate (CWCI) and Quality Control Management (QCM) roles, primarily within residential projects. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining document analysis, a structured survey (n = 20), and semi-structured interviews (n = 4). Data were analysed using inductive thematic coding and Relative Importance Index (RII). Five key barriers were identified: cost, lack of training and support, human behaviour, data security, and fragmentation. Empirical findings indicate that digital tools are widely used and improve efficiency, accuracy, traceability, and collaboration. However, adoption remains constrained by organisational and behavioural factors. Cost was identified as the most significant barrier, followed by resistance to change and lack of training and support, while fragmentation and data security were less significant. A disconnect between ISO 9001 principles and their digital implementation was identified, alongside operational constraints such as usability, administrative burden, and site conditions. The study concludes that organisational and behavioural factors present greater challenges than technological limitations. Targeted strategies, including improved training, leadership commitment, system standardisation, and strengthened digital governance, are suggested to support effective adoption

Socio-ecological resilience in smaller communities – A case study of a rural hub in Sweden

2026-05-25T08:03:46+00:00

Amid growing global uncertainty, including war, extreme weather events, and resource instability, self-sufficiency and resilience become crucial. Socio-ecological resilience refers to the capacity of communities to regenerate ecological systems while fostering social cohesion and adaptability. This study aims to establish mechanisms contributing to socio-ecological resilience in a rural setting. A qualitative case study approach is employed, with data collection through interviews, site visits, and document reviews. The case is a Rural Resilience Hub in Southern Sweden with a network of interconnected self-sufficiency initiatives contributing to both resilience and sustainability. The hub currently hosts a supermarket, a cafe, library services, elderly care facilities, art gallery, social and meeting spaces, and sports facilities. Planned activities include a circular system with locally produced solar electricity, aquaponic fish farming, tomato cultivation, and biofuel generation. Another circular initiative is the adaptive reuse of a vacant school building for short-term accommodation, with potential use as a crisis shelter. These creative efforts are aligned with circular economy, adaptive capacity and known social sustainability impacts, such as generating local employment. By reimagining infrastructure and embedding resilience in everyday life, the hub unlocks possibilities for empowerment and self-sufficiency. The study provides a grounded example of socio-ecological resilience in an uncertain world.

Understanding labour productivity in reinforcement works through real-life data analysis and simulation

2026-05-25T08:03:47+00:00

Labour productivity in construction exhibits significant variability, which poses challenges for reliable estimation of task duration. This study proposes a probabilistic framework for modelling labour productivity and execution time in reinforcement works, based on empirical data and Monte Carlo simulation. Labour productivity is modelled using fitted continuous probability distributions, while crew size is represented as a discrete empirical variable. The analysis is conducted separately for different types of structural elements to avoid aggregation bias. The results show that productivity varies not only in magnitude but also in distributional characteristics
across element types. The apparent relationship between productivity and crew size is shown to result primarily from data aggregation rather than a direct dependency. Simulation outcomes indicate that execution time
distributions are asymmetric, with higher-percentile values significantly exceeding median estimates, reflecting substantial schedule risk. The proposed approach provides a more realistic basis for construction duration estimation under uncertainty and supports improved planning and decision-making by explicitly accounting for
variability and heterogeneity in construction processes.

Digital innovations in construction health and safety: A systematic literature review

2026-05-27T02:18:12+00:00

The construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries, with persistently high rates of injuries and fatalities. Traditional approaches to safety management are largely reactive, relying on inspections, checklists and investigations after incidents occur. These approaches are valuable but often insufficient to prevent recurring accidents or establish proactive safety cultures. In recent years, digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and immersive virtual environments have entered the construction sector. These technologies enable earlier
hazard detection, real-time monitoring and improved training opportunities for workers and managers. This study systematically reviews digital technologies applied in construction health and safety between 2015 and 2025. The review follows the PRISMA framework and analyses peer-reviewed literature retrieved from Scopus and Discover databases. After screening and applying inclusion criteria, 68 studies were selected for analysis.
The findings classify digital technologies across five analytical dimensions including stage of application, mode of application, response type, machine-human interaction and nature of deployment. Results show that digital technologies contribute to hazard detection, immersive training, real-time monitoring and data-driven safety planning. Despite clear benefits, adoption remains uneven due to cost, interoperability challenges, limited digital literacy and concerns about privacy. The review concludes that digital technologies are transforming safety management from reactive compliance to proactive risk prevention, offering significant potential to improve worker protection and safety performance across the construction industry

Journal of Science and Technology in Civil Engineering (JSTCE) - HUCE

Table of Contents

Deep learning for classifying and predicting risk factors in retrospective construction fatality reports

Construction project leaders’ perceptions of respirable crystalline silica exposure and control: A safety leadership perspective in the UK social housing sector

The impact and challenges of digitalising critical energy infrastructure in maritime ports: A qualitative study

Cross-dwelling validation of indoor environmental monitoring for operational risk screening in social housing portfolios

Exploring the potential of senilia senilis shells as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in hollow concrete block production

Thermal-related occupant behaviors in highrise apartments: Evidence from a large scale survey in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Health and safety training in a multilingual construction workforce: Evidence from South Africa

Reimagining facility management: A critical shift towards proactive OM&R safety

Perceived barriers to digital technology adoption in UK construction: Evidence from clerk of works, construction inspectorate and quality control management

Socio-ecological resilience in smaller communities – A case study of a rural hub in Sweden

Understanding labour productivity in reinforcement works through real-life data analysis and simulation

Digital innovations in construction health and safety: A systematic literature review