A comparison of concrete quantities for highway bridge projects: preconstruction estimates vs onsite records. Issue 5 (3rd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Olanrewaju, Bolaji A.; Panesar, Daman K.; Saxe, Shoshanna
• Is Part Of: Sustainable and resilient infrastructure. Volume 7:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 589
• Page End: 605
• Publication Date: 2022-09-03
• Subjects: Concrete -- material quantities -- bridges -- preconstruction estimates -- onsite -- construction; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; Infrastructure (Economics) -- Periodicals; Hazard mitigation -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; 624.17
• DOI: 10.1080/23789689.2021.1980299
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2378-9689

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper compares onsite concrete quantities to preconstruction estimates for 18 highway bridges in Canada to quantify the differences in quantities and to identify the driving factors. Material estimates completed during planning and design play a crucial role in predicting project cost, duration, and embodied CO2 e emissions for construction projects. However, there is limited understanding of estimating material quantities for construction projects, and their impacts on other estimating processes, e.g., project cost, project schedule, embodied CO2 e assessments. Results show that 3–87% greater concrete quantities are used onsite compared to estimates, with the bridges' substructures responsible for most of the discrepancy. The findings of this study inform our understanding of the preconstruction estimates and their interpretation. Adjusting for the discrepancy between estimates and onsite measurements as well as targeting the drivers of unexpected material use has the potential to reduce environmental impacts, minimize cost overruns, and limit project delays.