Yong Woo Kim Archives - Page 3 of 3

A Suggested Color Scheme for Reducing Perception-Related Accidents on Construction Work Sites

Yi, June-Seong; Kim, Yong-Woo; Kim, Ki-Aeng; Koo, Bonsang. (2012). A Suggested Color Scheme for Reducing Perception-Related Accidents on Construction Work Sites. Accident Analysis And Prevention, 48, 185 – 192.

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Abstract

Changes in workforce demographics have led to the need for more sophisticated approaches to addressing the safety requirements of the construction industry. Despite extensive research in other industry domains, the construction industry has been passive in exploring the impact of a color scheme: perception-related accidents have been effectively diminished by its implementation. The research demonstrated that the use of appropriate color schemes could improve the actions and psychology of workers on site, thereby increasing their perceptions of potentially dangerous situations. As a preliminary study, the objects selected by rigorous analysis on accident reports were workwear, safety net, gondola, scaffolding, and safety passage. The colors modified on site for temporary facilities were adopted from existing theoretical and empirical research that suggests the use of certain colors and their combinations to improve visibility and conspicuity while minimizing work fatigue. The color schemes were also tested and confirmed through two workshops with workers and managers currently involved in actual projects. The impacts of color schemes suggested in this paper are summarized as follows. First, the color schemes improve the conspicuity of facilities with other on site components, enabling workers to quickly discern and orient themselves in their work environment. Secondly, the color schemes have been selected to minimize the visual work fatigue and monotony that can potentially increase accidents. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Construction Industry Accidents; Industrial Hygiene; Industrial Safety; Empirical Research; Sensory Perception; Work Environment; Demographic Surveys; Job Performance; Color Scheme; Construction Industry; Labor Demography; Perception-related Accident; Accident Prevention; Accidents; Demography; Human Resource Management; Population Statistics; Color Schemes; Construction Works; Dangerous Situations; Rigorous Analysis; Safety Requirements; Temporary Facilities; Work Environments; Psychological Climate; Drivers; Emotion; Model

Safety Climate and Productivity Improvement of Construction Workplaces Through the 6S System: Mixed-Method Analysis of 5S and Safety Integration

Soltaninejad, Mostafa; Fardhosseini, Mohammad Sadra; Kim, Yong Woo. (2021). Safety Climate and Productivity Improvement of Construction Workplaces Through the 6S System: Mixed-Method Analysis of 5S and Safety Integration. International Journal Of Occupational Safety & Ergonomics, 28(3), 1811-1821.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a framework for integrating essential safety practices (visualization, job safety analysis and plan-do-check-act) into 5S steps and validate it. First, 18 interviews with a snowball sample of construction workers, safety representatives, supervisors and site and project managers were conducted. A grounded theory method was utilized to code the interview data. The results revealed that the studied construction companies implement a systematic safety-based methodology to minimize construction work injuries. Second, to validate the proposed framework, a pre-test and post-test study was applied. The case and control groups (26 participants) answered a 6S questionnaire before the 6S system and 1 month after implementation. The results revealed that safety climate and productivity significantly increased for the case group but reduced for the control group during time.

Keywords

5s Method; 6s System; Grounded Theory; Lean Construction; Productivity; Safety Climate; Health; Management; Leadership; Culture; Impact

Environmental Impacts Comparison between On-site vs. Prefabricated Just-in-Time (Prefab-JIT) Rebar Supply in Construction Projects

Kim, Yong-Woo; Azari-N, Rahman; Yi, June-Seong; Bae, Jinwoo. (2013). Environmental Impacts Comparison between On-site vs. Prefabricated Just-in-Time (Prefab-JIT) Rebar Supply in Construction Projects. Journal Of Civil Engineering And Management, 19(5), 647 – 655.

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Abstract

In the on-site rebar delivery system, as the common method of rebar supply in the construction industry, reinforced steel bars are delivered in large batches from supplier's facilities through contractor's warehouse to the construction site. Rebars are then fabricated on-site and installed after assembly. In the new delivery system, called prefabrication Just-In-Time (prefab-JIT) system, the off-site cut and bend along with frequent rebar delivery to the site are applied in order to improve the process and increase its efficiency. The main objective of this paper is to assess and compare the environmental impacts resulting from the air emissions associated with the two rebar delivery systems in a case study construction project. Environmental impact categories of interest include global warming, acidification, eutrophication, and smog formation. A process-based cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment methodology is applied to perform the analysis. The results show that the prefab-JIT rebar delivery system causes less contribution to all mentioned environmental impact categories compared with a traditional on-site delivery system.

Keywords

Environmental Impact Analysis; Comparative Studies; Microfabrication; Construction Industry; Reinforcing Bars; Contractors; Product Life Cycle; Environmental Impacts; Life Cycle; On-site Rebar Delivery System; Prefab-jit; Bars; Contracts; Global Warming; Just-in-time; Prefabricated Construction; Product Life Cycle Management; Project Management; Rebar; Steel; Warehousing; Waste Reduction; Smog Formation; Eutrophication; Acidification; Air Emissions; Prefab-jit System; Construction Site; Contractors Warehouse; Reinforced Steel Bars; Construction Projects; Prefabricated Just-in-time Rebar Supply; Environmental Impacts Comparison; Process-based Cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment Methodology; Energy; Products; Wood

Comparative Analysis of the National Fatality Rate in Construction Industry Using Time-series Approach and Equivalent Evaluation Conditions

Shim, Yukyung; Jeong, Jaemin; Jeong, Jaewook; Lee, Jaehyun; Kim, Yongwoo. (2022). Comparative Analysis of the National Fatality Rate in Construction Industry Using Time-series Approach and Equivalent Evaluation Conditions. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, 19(4).

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Abstract

Fatality rates such as fatalities per full-time equivalent workers are officially used to compare the risk level of the construction industry among various countries. However, each country evaluates the fatality rate using different conditions. This paper presents the comparison of fatality rates of various countries using conventional (national data) and pair (equivalent condition) methods through a time-series approach. The research was conducted in three stages. The risk level was evaluated in order in South Korea (1.54), Japan (0.84), Mexico (0.83), China (0.70), United Kingdom (0.15), and Singapore (0.13) in terms of national data. However, the risk level was re-evaluated in order in China (2.27), South Korea (2.05), Mexico (1.23), Singapore (0.98), Japan (0.80), and United Kingdom (0.47) in terms of equivalent conditions. The risk level of each can be changed when the fatality rate is compared under given equivalent conditions.

Keywords

Fatality Rate; Risk Level; Full-time Equivalent Workers; Equivalent Evaluation Conditions; Time-series Analysis; Occupational Accidents; United-states; Injuries; Korea; Work; Comparative Analysis; Equivalence; Manual Workers; Risk Levels; Construction Industry; Fatalities; Risk Assessment; Safety Management; Industrial Accidents; Environmental Protection; Time Series; Accident Investigations; United Kingdom--uk; South Korea; Mexico; United States--us; Singapore; China; Japan

Advancing Impact of Education, Training, and Professional Experience on Integrated Project Delivery

Hyun Woo Lee; Anderson, S.M.; Yong-Woo Kim; Ballard, G.. (2014). Advancing Impact of Education, Training, and Professional Experience on Integrated Project Delivery. Practice Periodical On Structural Design And Construction, 19(1), 8 – 14.

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Abstract

With the increased interest in applying integrated forms of project delivery to complex and uncertain construction projects, the building industry has been experiencing an increased demand for integrated project delivery (IPD). With the trend, many empirical studies have examined the collaborative characteristics of IPD and reported that participants must make the necessary transition for its contractual, technological, and cultural requirements. However, little study has been done to investigate relevant education, training, or professional experience that can support the transition. In response, this study used an online survey that was designed to investigate the level and type of education, training, and professional experience of project members and their corresponding level of background knowledge for each IPD requirement. The key survey findings include (1) project members have the highest level of background knowledge on the cultural requirements of IPD, but the lowest level on the technological requirements; (2) the group with more design-build experience has more background knowledge; (3) the group that received an IPD kick-off training has more background knowledge; and (4) having a lean construction class can prepare students for the IPD environment. It is expected that the survey findings will advance the education, training, and levels of background knowledge of IPD participants, which will enhance their IPD experience accordingly.

Keywords

Buildings (structures); Construction Industry; Contracts; Cultural Aspects; Industrial Training; Professional Aspects; Project Management; Construction Project; Building Industry; Integrated Project Delivery; Ipd; Contractual Requirement; Cultural Requirement; Professional Experience; Design-build Experience; Training Impact; Education Impact

Prefabrication Supply Chains With Multiple Shops: Optimization For Job Allocation.

Ho, Chung; Kim, Yong-woo; Zabinsky, Zelda B. (2022). Prefabrication Supply Chains With Multiple Shops: Optimization For Job Allocation. Automation In Construction, 136.

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Abstract

Prefabrication or off-site construction is a growing trend contributing to productivity improvements. It motivates specialty contractors and suppliers to operate multiple fabrication shops close to market regions, where a shop can produce and delivery prefabricated components in a timely fashion and at a minimal cost. Few quantitative models are available to assist companies with scheduling and allocation questions. This research utilizes optimization to answer these questions supporting the production planning in prefabrication supply chains. The paper presents an optimization model that seeks minimal cost while considering job demands and shop capacities. Computational results suggest that the model generates a lower-cost production schedule than the early due date (EDD) method. It also indicates that varying due dates cause changes in total cost. Moreover, this research supports decision-makers by analyzing the impacts of changing shop capacities regarding available machines. It provides further insight into construction supply chain management with multiple shops.

Keywords

Supply Chains; Job Shops; Supply Chain Management; Production Scheduling; Production Planning; Warehouses; Construction; Modularization; Optimization; Prefabrication; Scheduling; Off-site Construction; Modular Buildings; Scheduling Model; Precast; Management; Transportation; Performance; Decisions

Computerized Integrated Project Management System for a Material Pull Strategy

Kim, Sang-Chul; Kim, Yong-Woo. (2014). Computerized Integrated Project Management System for a Material Pull Strategy. Journal Of Civil Engineering And Management, 20(6), 849 – 863.

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a computerized integrated project management system and report results of a survey on the effectiveness of the system. The system consists of a scheduling system, material management system, labor/equipment system, and safety/quality control system. The backbone system is a scheduling system that adopts a production planning system and a project scheduling system. The lowest level in the scheduling system is a daily work management system, which is linked to each functional management system (i.e. material management system, labor/equipment system, and safety/quality control system). The paper focuses on the material management and scheduling systems to implement a material pull system to reduce material inventories on site. Details of material management and scheduling systems are discussed, and a sample application is presented to demonstrate the features of the proposed computer application system. The paper presents practitioners and researchers with a practical tool to integrate material management and scheduling systems for site personnel.

Keywords

Construction; Lean Construction; Material Management System; Integrated System; Daily Work Management

Reinforcement Learning Approach To Scheduling Of Precast Concrete Production

Kim, Taehoon; Kim, Yong-woo; Lee, Dongmin; Kim, Minju. (2022). Reinforcement Learning Approach To Scheduling Of Precast Concrete Production. Journal Of Cleaner Production, 336.

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Abstract

The production scheduling of precast concrete (PC) is essential for successfully completing PC construction projects. The dispatching rules, widely used in practice, have the limitation that the best rule differs according to the shop conditions. In addition, mathematical programming and the metaheuristic approach, which would improve performance, entail more computational time with increasing problem size, let alone its models being revised as the problem size changes. This study proposes a PC production scheduling model based on a reinforcement learning approach, which has the advantages of a general capacity to solve various problem conditions with fast computation time and good performance in real-time. The experimental study shows that the proposed model outperformed other methods by 4-12% of the total tardiness and showed an average winning rate of 77.0%. The proposed model could contribute to the successful completion of off-site construction projects by supporting the stable progress of PC construction.

Keywords

Precast Concrete; Reinforcement Learning; Deep Q -network; Production Scheduling; Minimize; Model

PhD in the Built Environment

The College of Built Environments consists of five departments that together provide one of the country’s few comprehensive built environment programs within one academic unit: Architecture, Construction Management, Landscape Architecture, Real Estate, and Urban Design and Planning. Together, this combination of departments enable faculty and students to engage almost the entire development process, from economic and environmental planning, real estate, regulatory processes, siting and design, through actual financing and construction, to facility management and adaptive reuse in subsequent stages. Thus, the college is inherently multi-disciplinary, not only in terms of the dimensions of reality that it treats, but also in regard to the specialized disciplines, methods, and practices that it employs: history, theory, cultural criticism, engineering, design, planning, urban design, energy sciences, acoustics, lighting, environmental psychology, ecology, real estate analysis, statistics, management, horticulture, soil science, law, public policy, and ethics. In addition, because of the College’s focus on comprehensive analysis and practice concerning the built environment and its interrelation with society, it is substantially engaged in interdisciplinary work with other units on campus and outside of the campus, including mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering; with public policy and the health sciences; with art and art history; with textual interpretation in the humanities; with many of the computing and digitization activities that range from digital arts to the information school and technical communications; with education and social studies and services; with sustainability and ecological programs, including urban ecology, geography, the College of Forest Resources (especially urban horticulture and urban forestry), and Ocean Science and Fisheries; with environmental and land use law.

The College’s interdisciplinary character is a good fit with the emerging trends in today’s complex world, where only a pluralistic and collaborative approach will generate the necessary learning and teaching, research, and service. If we are to provide, in the end, both disciplinary and professional means to promote environmental well-being, the diverse environmental specializations must be fully integrated. Thus, working outside traditional disciplinary and departmental categories, the College’s faculty will advance solutions to problems that demand interdisciplinary perspectives and expertise. Other UW units bring much to bear on the built environment and students are wholeheartedly encouraged to explore possible cross-campus connections both in obvious and seemingly unlikely places. The Technology and Project Design/Delivery specialization especially connects with Psychology, the Information School, Technical Communication, Computer Science and Engineering, and Industrial Engineering; the Sustainable Systems and Prototypes field with Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, the Information School, Technical Communication, the College of Forest Resources (especially Eco-System Science and Conservation, Urban Horticulture and Urban Forestry), the Evans School of Public Affairs, Geography, Public Health, Ocean Science and Fisheries, and Social Work, Urban Ecology, and perhaps Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Processes and Nanotechnology; the area of History, Theory, and Representation with Textual Studies, Art History, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences at Tacoma, and Comparative History of Ideas.

Yong-Woo Kim

Yong-Woo Kim is a Professor and P.D. Koon Endowed Professor of Construction Management. His research emphasizes lean principles focusing on interdependency and uncertainty in construction supply chain networks. His research has been defined by his cultural background spanning two continents and educational and professional experience in production management and construction industry. Dr. Kim has published more than 30 peer-reviewed technical journal articles, 50 papers in peer-reviewed conference proceedings, and one professional book on design-build system. Dr. Kim developed a new metric to measure the inventory work between trades called CEV (Customer Earned Value), and two international contractors have been using this new metric for their project control. Dr. Kim has pursued $3.86 million dollars worth of funding for thirty-eight projects, and has been awarded $1.05 million dollars (his share: $785,333) as PI or Co-PI for sixteen different projects. Sources of these funds include national and international research agencies, municipalities, and construction industry.

In his teaching, Dr. Kim engages students in discussions to cultivate critical thinking skills in his students. He has also developed case studies in his scholarly work; those cases have been actively used in the classroom to improve students’ ability to apply construction management principles to real construction projects. He has developed two new courses: CM518 Lean Construction and CM 528 Advanced Cost Management. CM518 focuses on lean construction principles and its application to design and construction processes, reflecting the needs for a new production paradigm in the industry. CM 528 deals with cost management practices focusing on overhead costs. As the demand for teaching lean principles has recently increased, he will also offer CM 434 Lean Project Planning in Spring 2017 for the first time; this class focuses on production planning processes using lean principles.