Essay: Weather's Impact On Construction In Melbourne.

Rationale and Significance

Discuss about the Construction in and around Melbourne and Its Effects from Weather.

The significance of carrying out this research is to provide useful implications to enhance project financial performance are not just limited to the construction industry as well as the broader community (Allinson et al. 2015). Enhanced project financial performance is deemed to have the potential to offer numerous benefits through managing the weather conditions affecting the construction projects in Melbourne. The current research will focus on offering simple solutions in enhancing the weather conditions that can facilitate in maintaining better working conditions for their employees, increased standards for safety and environmental compliance along with enhanced community engagement levels (Arashpour and Arashpour 2015). The paper will also offer certain implications to enhance the weather conditions that can impact the construction projects in Melbourne that encompass flooding, high winter snowfall, heavy rainfall, heatwaves along with extreme temperatures. The significance of this study is also to evaluate the ways in which the construction industry requires to adapt with the change in weather.

The rationale in carrying out research on the construction in Melbourne and the necessary weather conditions impacting such projects is to analyze whether such weather conditions have the potential to increase in the nation over the upcoming years (Arashpour et al. 2015). Analysis of the climate data in Melbourne and its outskirt places will indicate that the heatwaves in summer or the anomalous hot weather that lasts for several days can impact the construction projects and can lead to delay of its completion. The research also has the rationale to explain in details that the that the hot or even the extreme cold weather conditions can result in the productivity to drop and can delay the ongoing projects particularly within the Melbourne construction industry (Bao, Li and Yu 2015). The paper will also explain the ways in which certain effective solutions can be provided in delivering the construction projects within adverse weather conditions. The research will also explain the ways in which adverse weather conditions in Melbourne causes issues within the industry and leads to delays within the construction projects as claimed by the contractors of the nation. Due to the global warning and the likelihood of natural disasters within the nation can have a drastic impact on the project success along with enhancing financial performance and business continuity (Billig and Waterman 2014).

The research questions those are to be answered through carrying out this research are explained under:

• How is the construction work in Melbourne and the places around gets affected from weather?
• How hot or cold weather conditions impact the construction projects in Melbourne?
• How flood or any other disastrous weather conditions impact the construction projects in Melbourne?

Research Questions and Objectives

Considering such research questions few significant objectives are set in this research and addressing them can provide helpful implications for the project managers in the construction industry of Melbourne to develop effective strategies in dealing with such adverse weather situations. This can further facilitate in accomplishing of project within the predefined time. The research objectives set for this exploration are explained under:

• To analyze the ways in which the construction work in Melbourne and the places around gets affected from weather
• The evaluate the ways in which hot or cold weather conditions impact the construction projects in Melbourne
• To investigate the ways in which flood or any other disastrous weather conditions impact the construction projects in Melbourne

3.1. Research Approach

Deductive research approach will be used in the research of analyzing the construction industry in Melbourne and the weather impacting the industry. This research approach is deemed to be used in accomplishing this research for the reason that it is the best suitable approach in carrying out quantitative analysis in attaining suitable research results (Brinkmann 2014). Deductive approach is used in carrying out the quantitative data analysis as this can facilitate in analyzing the responses gathered from the respondents taking part in the survey. Moreover, as positivism research philosophy issued in this research, deductive research approach will be used that can facilitate in attaining real results for this research. In addition, this reasechers approach is highly helpful in a situation where the researcher did not focus on developing any new model or theory after obtaining significant research results. In deductive research approach the researcher has provided high priority to the human responses through conducting quantitative questionnaire survey (Buller et al. 2017).

The primary as well as the secondary data will be gathered in carrying out research on “construction business in Melbourne and weather conditions impacting the industry”. The relevant data from the authentic secondary sources will be gathered that will include peer reviewed articles, journals, books, government websites indicating weather changes in Melbourne and its impact on construction industry (Choy 2014). The primary data will be gathered through employing questionnaire survey instrument that will encompass the open and close ended questions for the respondents those are the project managers working in the construction industry. Data gathered through employing this research instrument can facilitate in collecting relevant viewpoints on the weather factors that has considerable effects on the completion of construction projects in Melbourne (Deere et al. 2017).

The sampling process involving simple random technique will be use in the current research for the reason that this sampling prices offer equal chances to every participant to take part within the process of survey (Dharssi et al. 2015). Considering the subject of research “construction in Melbourne and nearby areas and impact on weather on the industry” sample size of 43 project managers from the construction companies in Melbourne will be selected. This target sample is selected for the reason that they are the most suitable respondents those can offer suitable viewpoints on the weather factors that affects construction business within the nation.

Research Approach and Methods

Data analysis is an important part of gathering constructive findings from the research. Data that has been collected from the questionnaire survey from the primary research will be analyzed by means of using highly relevant statistical tools (Douglas-Lenders, Holland and Allen 2017). In consideration to same, effective selection of the analytical techniques is highly important in attaining constructive results from the research along with attaining a significant and informative conclusion. In addition, it also supports in sustaining transparency as well as proper interpretation of the composed data. MS Excel is deemed to be the most suitable statistical tool employed in tis research for carrying out correlation as well as regression analysis. Tables and graphs will also be considered in proper representation of the gathered research findings (Feddersen, Metcalfe and Wooden 2016). In addition, it has also been considered that excel application is the highly suitable in converting the opinion of the respondents in a percentage form that can facilitate in anticipating the respondents’ viewpoint trend. Implementation of person correlation test will also ensure reliability and validity of the gathered research findings.

The researcher made it certain that in data collection and in accomplishing the research on “construction in Melbourne and its impact from weather” most suitable code of conduct is followed (Humphries 2017). Moreover, the researcher also made certain that the research will be his sole work and the use of previous researches in this research will be provided proper consideration. Moreover, as the researcher has also carried out primary research, it is made sure that no delicate questions have been asked to them at the time of the survey. Along with that mutual permission has also been taken from the target participants for taking part in the questionnaire survey (Jamei and Rajagopalan 2017). Respondents identity has also been maintained confidential because of the privacy concerns within which no such business use of the reasechers statement will be considered from the side of the researcher in the current study.

4.1. Effects of Weather on Construction Works in Melbourne

As per the report presented by Jankovi? (2015) weather in Melbourne is explained as the state of the atmosphere in term of temperature, air pressure, clouds, humidity, precipitation and wind. Sch weather situations an impact the accident rates along with increasing exposure to traffic hazards. These researchers have also indicated that climate change impact on construction process in Melbourne. Jarkas (2015) indicated that the wetted winters as well as sudden heavy downpours make it highly important to the direct rainwater along with meltaway from the houses, roads as well as paved areas. These reasechers have also stated that a milder climate is observed to decrease he durability of the construction materials and impacting the indoor climate of the construction processes and the warmer summers will also need an increased requirement for cooling.

Jayalath, Aye, Mendis and Ngo (2016) evidenced that the buildings that will be constructed can get vulnerable because of climate change. Moreover, in the future years there might be an increase in the risks related with the collapse of the construction buildings, decreasing health and considerable value los. Moreover, natural disasters such as heavy storms, snow as well as subsidence damage, water encroachment, depleting indoor climate can result in decreased building lifetime that is constructed in such adverse climate conditions. Li, McCarthy and Deletic (2016) elaborated that the storms can include a safety risk to the buildings that are being constructed as due to such adverse climate condition, the buildings that will be developed will not meet the buildings code of the safety requirements. In the long term, a long lasting great wave within the Melbourne country can also impose heath related consequences particularly for the elderly and the weak along with the workers that are involved in the construction work.

Lyons (2017) stated that the construction of the new roads face certain challenges due to drastic climate changes and considering the same, investigations have been carried out in managing such adverse climate changes for better managing, constructing and managing roads. These reasechers also indicated that in the road construction rain turns out to be the biggest risk factor. The risk for increased rain poses the highest challenges and the surface water might be director away from the roads in order to make sure the construction projects durability. This challenge can also aquaplane among wit decreasing pass capability for road users. McInnes et al. (2018) revealed that the road construction authorizes of Melbourne are recently focused on the ways in which the road drainage system can be adapted in the future climate with consideration to the new construction as well as managing the existing infrastructure in the nation.

Ngacho and Das (2015) presented a view that traffic reports at the time of extreme weather evets is necessary as the extreme weather events like storms, heavy downpours etc. might require a traffic report for the reason that it has a vital role for the road construction users. Through implementing such solution, the project managers involved in the construction business of Melbourne will be able to attain fresh traffic as well as weather reports through radio, cellphone, GPS as well as by means of the traffic management systems. Simonsohn, Nelson, and Simmons (2017) indicated a research carried out in the roads as well as the climate. The research is offers a new knowledge to the road authorities regarding the ways in which future construction as well as management along with the consequences of the climate change for the construction work. Jankovi? (2015) stated that the construction of the bridges in Melbourne face severe climatic change issues that might drastically impact the shore-based installations are directly exposed at the time of events with high levels of water. Such shore-based installations that can address the climate challenges faced by the company will be protected by dykes. However, the accessibility of such installations can also get affected by the frequent storms that takes place in Melbourne. According to Li, McCarthy and Deletic (2016) regular analysis of risk can be carried out through mapping future risks of flooding of installations based on developments observed in the previous years.

According to the views presented by Simonsohn, Nelson, and Simmons (2017) extreme weather conditions is deemed to impact the construction industry of Melbourne along with the economy of the nation as a whole. However, the construction industry is considered as among the most vulnerable because of the nature regarding the ways construction organizations operate along with the industry’s increased dependence on manpower. Jankovi? (2015) also added that the Melbourne construction is highly vulnerable because of the drastic climate changes. These reasechers also indicated that due to the construction companies increased vulnerability to certain climate changes or the extreme weather event, hot weather situations might impact the Melbourne construction industry. Simonsohn, Nelson, and Simmons (2017) stated that construction in hot, natural disaster condition or in extreme rainfall and winter can cause construction companies to deal with several challenges within the projects. Certain challenges that impact the construction projects in Melbourne focused on weather conditions are explained below:

Jankovi? (2015) revealed that “site” in construction projects can get impacted because of extreme weather conditions in Melbourne. Delays in the projects because of the dry subsoil is caused by hot as well as dry weather conditions. It is observed that duct causing from dry subsoils can generate huge clouds of dust that can result in long term health concerns like the diseases including chronic pulmonary disease, silicosis and asthma. Considering the same the employers have the responsibility to control the dust causing such diseases through certain strategies that the “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)”. Simonsohn, Nelson, and Simmons (2017) elaborated that such control to deal with this adverse weather situation is through developing water suppression systems or dust extraction by the construction projects.

Jarkas (2015) indicated that concreting can also get affected by the hot weather conditions in Melbourne. These reasechers defined hot weather as the combination of any of these situations that tends to impair the fresh mixed concrete quality used in the construction work through increasing the rate of moisture loss along with the cement hydration rate that can otherwise result in detrimental findings. Jayalath, Aye, Mendis and Ngo (2016) added that the dry or hot weather conditions can result the water in the concrete and masonry to get evaporated rapidly. Such fast evaporation develops concrete with decreased comprehensive strength along with a finish that is likely to hike upward and drop. These researchers also explained that the drastic impact of high ambient temperatures along with the increased temperature concrete component materials have on the time of its setting. Jarkas (2015) evidenced that this is because of the decreased time in which the concrete can be placed, consolidated and accomplished. This can also result in causing drastic impacts in construction works through increasing potential for plastic shrinkage cracking as well as thermal cracking. This can additionally enhance the potential for decreasing strength because of elevated water demand along with increased curing temperatures.

According to the research conducted by Jayalath, Aye, Mendis and Ngo (2016) it has been gathered that the workers in the construction industry is also impacted because of hot weather conditions in two major ways that are interlinked. These includes a drastic drop in the labor productivity along with an increase in the safety and health procedures. This can be done in order to decrease exposure of workers to the heat related illnesses and risks that can impact the labor productivity and the related health and safety processes. Jayalath, Aye, Mendis and Ngo (2016) elaborated that increase in the humidity because of the climate changes in Melbourne are decreasing through decreasing labor productivity. Moreover, decreased labor productivity can also be because of a drastic increase in the global temperatures in the upcoming years for global warning. Based in their findings, rising temperature is observed to drastically impact the per capita income level of the nation through such decreasing the level of labor productivity within the nation. Jayalath, Aye, Mendis and Ngo (2016) also stated that in a situation where the Melbourne has high temperatures in comparison to the other nations and the cooler temperatures can indicate in increased labor productivity that in turn can ensure an increasing labor wage rate. Enhanced project financial performance is deemed to have the potential to offer numerous benefits through managing the weather conditions affecting the construction projects in Melbourne.

From analyzing the previous literature on the subject of construction in Melbourne and the ways in which weather impacts their success it has been gathered that, past reasechers failed to explain that the quality of the performance within the construction industry relies on the availability of significant financial data at both the project and company level (Tomc and Vassallo 2016). Previous research also failed to explain the unexpected subsurface or inclement weather situations that will inevitable from time of time. Considering such research gap, the future research will investigate the two major challenges that can impact the project based on the soft ground conditions along with the periods of rainy weather. It will also elaborate on the efforts to manage the soft ground situations that are impacted by above-average rainfall in the nation.

Version #	Implemented By	Revision Date	Approved By	Approval Date	Reason
1	Jack Wilder	1st June 2018	Project manager	20th June 2018	For identifying the reasons or the climate factors that is impacting the construction project success in Melbourne
2.	Rusha Wilson	1st July 2018	Project manager	20th July 2018	For deciding the data collection process and research method in evaluation of impact of such factors
3.	Emerald Wilco	1st August 2018	Project manager	20th August 2018	To carry out data analysis and interpretation using statistical tools
4.	David silver son	1st September, 2018	Project manager	15th September 2018	To reveal the solutions in dealing with weather conditions that can increase the success of the construction project

Budget for Research
	Item	Amount
A. Personnel		$200.00
1.	Researcher	$300.00
2.	Managers	$400.00
3.	Employees	$250.00
4.	Data analyst	$180.00
5.	Statistician	$220.00
	Category Total:	$1,350.00
B. Equipment
1.	Questionnaire	$230.00
2.	Statistical tool	$260.00
3.	Research utensils	$190.00
4.	Printer	$300.00
	Category Total:	$980.00
C. Supplies/Expenses		$190.00
1.	Research utensils	$300.00
2.	Category Total:	$490.00
D. Travel
1.	Petrol	$190.00
2.	Cars	$300.00
3.	Category Total:	$490.00
	TOTAL	$3,310.00

Task	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Week 5	Week 6	Week 7	Week 8	Week 9
Selection of topic and search for justification
Constructing literature
Selecting appropriate methods
Data collection
Data analysis and representation
Reviewing the outcomes
Conclusions and recommendations
Submitting draft of the project
Printing and final submission

 

References

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Arashpour, M. and Arashpour, M., 2015. Analysis of workflow variability and its impacts on productivity and performance in construction of multistory buildings. Journal of Management in Engineering, 31(6), p.04015006.

Arashpour, M., Wakefield, R., Blismas, N. and Minas, J., 2015. Optimization of process integration and multi-skilled resource utilization in off-site construction. Automation in Construction, 50, pp.72-80.

Bao, J., Li, X. and Yu, C., 2015. The construction and validation of the heat vulnerability index, a review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 12(7), pp.7220-7234.

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Choy, L.T., 2014. The strengths and weaknesses of research methodology: Comparison and complimentary between qualitative and quantitative approaches. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 19(4), pp.99-104.

Deere, D., Leusch, F.D., Humpage, A., Cunliffe, D. and Khan, S.J., 2017. Hypothetical scenario exercises to improve planning and readiness for drinking water quality management during extreme weather events. Water research, 111, pp.100-108.

Dharssi, I., Bi, D., Brassington, G., Hudson, D., Lorenz, R., Wang, Y.P. and Day, K., 2015. Coupled Modelling and Prediction: from weather to climate-abstracts of the ninth CAWCR Workshop 19 October-22 October 2015, Melbourne, Australia.

Douglas-Lenders, R.C., Holland, P.J. and Allen, B., 2017. Building a better workforce: A case study in management simulations and experiential learning in the construction industry. Education+ Training, 59(1), pp.2-14.

Feddersen, J., Metcalfe, R. and Wooden, M., 2016. Subjective wellbeing: why weather matters. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A (Statistics in Society), 179(1), pp.203-228.

Humphries, B., 2017. Re-thinking social research: anti-discriminatory approaches in research methodology. Taylor & Francis.

Jamei, E. and Rajagopalan, P., 2017. Urban development and pedestrian thermal comfort in Melbourne. Solar Energy, 144, pp.681-698.

Jankovi?, V., 2015. Working with weather: Atmospheric resources, climate variability and the rise of industrial meteorology, 1950–2010. History of Meteorology, 7, p.98.

Jarkas, A.M., 2015. Predicting contract duration for building construction: Is Bromilow’s time-cost model a panacea?. Journal of Management in Engineering, 32(1), p.05015004.

Jayalath, A., Aye, L., Mendis, P. and Ngo, T., 2016. Effects of phase change material roof layers on thermal performance of a residential building in Melbourne and Sydney. Energy and Buildings, 121, pp.152-158.

Li, Y., McCarthy, D.T. and Deletic, A., 2016. Escherichia coli removal in copper-zeolite-integrated stormwater biofilters: Effect of vegetation, operational time, intermittent drying weather. Ecological Engineering, 90, pp.234-243.

Lyons, A., 2017. A changing environment. Good Practice, (4), p.10.

McInnes, J.A., MacFarlane, E.M., Sim, M.R. and Smith, P., 2018. The impact of sustained hot weather on risk of acute work-related injury in Melbourne, Australia. International journal of biometeorology, 62(2), pp.153-163.

Ngacho, C. and Das, D., 2015. A performance evaluation framework of construction projects: insights from literature. International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 7(2), pp.151-173.

Simonsohn, U., Nelson, L. and Simmons, J., 2017. Research Methodology, Design, and Analysis. Annual Review of Psychology, 69(1).

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Tomc, E. and Vassallo, A.M., 2016. The effect of individual and communal electricity generation, consumption and storage on urban Community Renewable Energy Networks (CREN): an Australian case study. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, 11, pp.15-32.