Published Scholarly Output

Construction contracts can be a complex subject if issues corresponding to their interpretation and administration are not handled properly. The need for clarity of construction contracts is eminent especially in the context of the construction industry. The paper holds that a better interpretation and understanding of construction contracts could offer a proactive approach to avoid the inevitability of conflicts occurring in a project. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to develop a conceptual process flow model on how to clarify contract provisions in a contract. It is a subsequent development from the survey and case study that carried out for Malaysian Public Works Department (PWD) -203A (Rev. 10/83) Contract Form. The model is based on the results on the survey and case study, but it designed to render a generic approach of clarifying process for other contracts. Data Flow Diagram (DFD) method was selected to illuminate the process flow as the method focuses on object perspective and appropriate for this development. Certain limitations and recommendations of the model were highlighted. Ultimately, the model renders a useful guideline for future contract drafting and an important insight on clarity approach in contract administration for dispute avoidance.

This paper discusses several outlier detection methods for bioavailability trials, particularly based on residuals. By considering a simplified model of standard crossover model, which is commonly used in bioavailability trials, we propose an outlier detection procedure based on the generalized studentized residuals (SR3) and compare its ability of detecting the possible outlying subjects with two existing procedures, which are carried out based on the classical studentized residual (SR1) and studentized residual using median absolute deviation (SR2). The performances of these procedures in detecting outlying subject are presented via an extensive simulation study. The results show that the proposed procedure SR3 performs more powerful than that using SR1, and as well as the procedure using SR2 for outlier detection. As an illustration, these procedures are implemented on a real dataset from bioavailability study, namely, the area under the curve (AUC) dataset for two erythromycin formulations.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a very useful tool that facilitates architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals and stakeholders in planning, designing and constructing the buildings through 3D models. BIM can be widened to building operations and data storage which can be accessible by owners and others. Such data help owners and stakeholders to generate results according to the information gained through BIM models. The objectives of this study were to identify the perspective of students on drivers of BIM incorporation into the quantity surveying profession and to identify the perspective of students on benefits of BIM incorporation into the quantity surveying profession. A questionnaire survey was carried out to gain the students’ perspective on drivers and benefits of BIM incorporation into the quantity surveying profession in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Specifically, this study investigated twelve drivers and fourteen benefits of BIM incorporation into the quantity surveying profession. The top three drivers were improving the capacity to provide whole-life value to the client, desire for innovation to remain competitive and strong support from university management and industry. The top three benefits were BIM provides fast, effective and efficient quantity take-off and cost estimation, time savings in the preparation of estimating cost and improved visualization for better understanding of designs for measurement and minimise omissions. For future research, it is recommended that the study be replicated at other regions so that a clearer view of this topic can be obtained. Besides, qualitative research methods could be used in identifying other drivers and benefits not covered in this study. By answering the questions in the survey form, the students were able to gain some knowledge on BIM and its importance to the quantity surveying profession. Also, it would be interesting to include industrial practitioners in this kind of study, allowing comparisons of the results between academia and industry at a later stage. Nonetheless, this study benefited the undergraduate students pursuing the Bachelor of Science (Hons) Quantity Surveying programme, universities, colleges and other institutions that offered the quantity surveying programmes at various levels and quantity surveyors working in the construction industry by exposing them to a comprehensive list of drivers and benefits of BIM incorporation into quantity surveying profession. In a way, this study helped promoted BIM and its implementation in the field of quantity surveying in Klang Valley, Malaysia.