Abstract:

The construction engineering discipline covers a huge number of subjects: its materials, building techniques and optimization. Despite of being one of the sectors generating great environmental impact, the severity of the curricula but also the lacking in time of the subjects, turn inadequate all the applied efforts made at the schools of engineering to teach students how to deal with the environmental impacts derived from the construction processes. In order to speed up this learning process, an appropriate training program was developed in this study. A solid methodology for evaluating the environmental impact (ISMA) focused on the whole structural system for various constructive solutions (case studies) was built; which was further applied to: reinforced concrete, steel and timber structures, respectively. This methodology established a so called “tree of sustainable requirements”, which must comply with the performed structures, according to two main areas: the development of the material itself and the measures taken for the implementation of the on-site works that may affect the environment.

The methodology presented here applies this tree to quantify the value of a particular decision at several hierarchical levels, aiming to assess the final decision in compliance with some criteria. The Analytic Hierarchy Process is applied at the ISMA methodology, by combining Multi-Criteria Decision Making process and the Function-Value Analysis concept (as a normalized tool). In short, the main output of the present paper is the development of a method, which enables a real scenario of valuation process based on indicators and weightings. This approach has been effective and appropriately integrated by a set of indicators, criteria and assessment areas (hierarchy tree), assessing the higher overall “index value” of ISMA.

Industrial engineering students should raise their final project by the design and calculation of a structure, approaching it to a real building, as proposed by the supervisor, by means of clearly identifying the proposed solution, searching for the best company that could build the structure properly. Through this simulation process the student determines the value of ISMA and may analyze the sustainability of the proposed solutions, supplying added value to both project and professional career.

References:
[1] Reyes JP, San-José JT, Cuadrado J, Sancibrian R, (2014), Health & Safety criteria for determining the sustainable value of construction projects. Safety Science, 62, pp.221-232.
[2] Cuadrado J, Rojí E, San-José JT, Reyes JP, (2012) Sustainability index for industrial buildings. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineering - structures and buildings, 164(SB5), pp. 245-253.
[3] San-José JT, Sancibrian R, Blanco JM, Rojí E, Marcos I, Larrauri M. (2015) Teaching students how to solve complex engineering problems by using decision making approaches: value analysis. Proceedings of INTED 2015 Conference, 2nd-4th March, Madrid (Spain). ISBN: 978-84-606-5763-7.

Keywords:

Construction Engineering, Decision Making, Hierarchy Tree, Index Value, Indicators, Learning, Weights.