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Unsupervised machine learning for identifying key risk factors contributing to construction delays

Open Access
|Aug 2024

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1:

General research methodology adopted in this study.
General research methodology adopted in this study.

Fig. 2:

Reliability assessment using Cronbach’s Alpha.
Reliability assessment using Cronbach’s Alpha.

Fig. 3:

General overview of the K-means clustering approach.
General overview of the K-means clustering approach.

Fig. 4:

Average scores of the effects of each risk variable on the delay of construction projects.
Average scores of the effects of each risk variable on the delay of construction projects.

Fig. 5:

Number of risk factors associated with each cluster.
Number of risk factors associated with each cluster.

Fig. 6:

Distribution of average scores in each cluster.
Distribution of average scores in each cluster.

Fig. 7:

PCA analysis based on the K-means clustering results. PCA, principal component analysis.
PCA analysis based on the K-means clustering results. PCA, principal component analysis.

Fig. A1:

A statistical representation of the risk factors on the construction delays of projects.
A statistical representation of the risk factors on the construction delays of projects.

Fig. A2:

Heatmap of the interaction between risk factors and cluster.
Heatmap of the interaction between risk factors and cluster.

Risk factor categorisation using K-means clustering

Risk Factor DominantCluster IDRisk Factor DominantCluster ID
Lack of construction materials3There is a design change0
Material changes in form, function and specifications3Design errors by planners0
Material delivery delay2There is additional work0
Material damage in storage3Weak time control system3
Scarcity of materials3The arrangement of the sequence of activities is not good3
Inaccuracy in ordering materials2No evaluation of job specifications before implementation3
Inefficient use of materials3There is no operating procedure for each job3
Delayed material arrival2Error in understanding contract documents3
Poor calculation of material requirements3Poor occupational health and safety management3
Equipment breakdown3Improper quality management procedures3
Lack of equipment3Error in using execution method3
Poor equipment productivity3News from print and electronic media that are counterproductive to project implementation1
Poor financial condition during implementation0Lack of coordination between relevant agencies in decision making that can affect construction project work3
Delay in the payment process by the owner3Inputs from other agencies that result in changes to the design and technical work0
No financial support from banks for additional working capital1The procedure for permitting the implementation of development that is complicated by various parties3
High operational costs and overhead by contractors0Delay in the approval of the budget1
Effect of weather on construction activities3Rejection from certain mass organisations for the sake of the group’s interests0
Poor environmental safety3Loss of materials and equipment during project implementation0
Geological problems on site3Damage to tools, materials, and facilities by irresponsible parties0
Lack of communication between contractors and the community3The occurrence of petty corruption practices by project workers0
Difficult access for heavy equipment to the project site3Use of illegal substances and drugs by workers0
Shortage of labour2Extortion from outside0
Labour incapacity2There are fights between workers0
Owner’s intervention2Poor ability of the project manager in selecting personnel involved in the project.0
Labour fatigue owing to overtime2Lack of project manager experience in dividing tasks and responsibilities0
Lack of awareness of project workers on occupational safety and health2Lack of project manager experience in scheduling all work activities0
Replacement of new workers2Lack of project manager communication skills with the owner when coordinating during the project1
Labour absenteeism rate2Poor communication between the project manager and his team, including sub-contractors.2
Lack of workforce motivation2Project managers do not encourage the whole team to work in totality.1
Licensing delay2Lack of monitoring and control during project implementation0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/otmcj-2024-0014 | Journal eISSN: 1847-6228 | Journal ISSN: 1847-5450
Language: English
Page range: 170 - 185
Submitted on: Aug 31, 2023
Accepted on: Jun 26, 2024
Published on: Aug 8, 2024
Published by: University of Zagreb
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

© 2024 Fuad Al-Bataineh, Ahmed Ali Khatatbeh, Yazan Alzubi, published by University of Zagreb
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.