The effects of integrating formwork knowledge and experience with structural design of reinforced concrete structures on project outcome

Abstract

Fragmentation in design and construction has been a main cause of failures in reinforced concrete structures. This fragmentation is attributed to the complex nature of projects and the lack of communication and clear responsibility definition among the parties. This thesis addresses a specific process, which is formwork design and construction, and its integration with structural design, and the effects of such integration on project outcomes. Models representing the integration process and its relationship to project outcomes have been developed and tested. Major factors of the integration process have been identified and significant correlations between these factors and outputs to the process have been calculated. Data to support the statistical analysis was collected through questionnaires and telephone interviews with experts in this field. The responses represent 30 projects from top 500 Engineering and Design firms throughout the United States. The projects collected were executed by two delivery approaches, the design-bidbuild and construction management. Conclusion and recommendations for further research are also given.