Browsing by Author "Assefa, Abraham (PhD)"

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    Analysing the Planning and Scheduling of 40/60 Saving Houses Development Enterprise
    (Addis Ababa University, 2016-11) Oumer, Hassina; Assefa, Abraham (PhD)
    One of the major challenges of Addis Ababa city is lack of shelter and unemployment as identified by city administration of Addis Ababa, which needs an urgent remedy. In order to solve these challenges, the city administration has established an integrated housing development program which has to be planned to change the image of the city, to modernize the life style of the society, and to promote the construction industry. In Addis Ababa slum upgrading, public-private partnership for housing production, and direct government low-cost housing are undertaken with varying degrees of success. However, the vast majority are uncoordinated, small in scale compared with demand, and often do not reach the target low income beneficiaries. There is a critical problem in the construction of these saving houses in Addis Ababa that had limited the timely delivery of the houses. The objective of this research was to investigate the planning and scheduling phases of saving houses development enterprise construction projects by identifying the project planning elements and the project resource requirements by to comparing and contrasting the resource constrained and unconstrained schedules. To identify the resource availability the scheduling is done by as resource constrained schedule. This exploratory study applied an inductive approach with the use of both qualitative and quantitative case studies, by collecting and analysing textual data through document analysis, interviews, observations and resource determination using MS Project. To effectively evaluate a project planning and scheduling the schedules submitted by the contractors were collected and evaluated. The best contractor schedules were identified using a schedule goodness index. A resource driven schedule was also proposed and developed, and was compared with contractor’s submitted schedule to identify the resource gaps. The research results showed that the lacks of planning in saving houses development enterprise are due to: lack of technical knowhow, poor institutional arrangements, and weak legal frameworks. The gaps are identified and recommendations are forwarded for both the client and contractors. Key words: Project management, Housing, Planning, Scheduling
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    Assessment of Current Practice of Shoring and Scaffolding Systems in Building Construction Industry in Addis Ababa
    (Addis Ababa University, 2017-03) Kelemework, Eyerusalem; Assefa, Abraham (PhD)
    The demand of shoring and scaffolding systems for the construction of the new high-rise buildings in Addis Ababa is very high. Shoring and scaffoldings are usually constructed using Eucalyptus wood but currently the use of metal is emerging around Addis Ababa building projects. However, despite the short comings of the traditional Eucalyptus wood shoring and scaffolding, due to the level of development of the construction industry it still dominates the building construction industry. Recent concerns about safety, increasing height of buildings, operating cost and flexibility constraints are now requiring innovation in shoring and scaffolding systems in Addis Ababa. In order to make these necessary changes possible first there should be a clear understanding of the current practice of shoring and scaffolding systems. This study was conducted by selecting forty-four G+5 and higher building projects around Addis Ababa that are under construction during the study period. Site observation and questionnaires were conducted in the projects to get relevant data which helps to achieve the objectives of this thesis. The research findings indicated that Eucalyptus wood metal combination and Eucalyptus wood were the most frequently used materials for construction of shoring and scaffoldings, respectively. Capacity of a company, availability of shoring and scaffolding material in the company, and initial cost of the material were identified to be the top three influencing factors considered in selection of both shoring and scaffolding systems. Moreover, the pattern of the chosen material and geometry of the building and activity related factors such us, type of the slab, method of slab concrete construction, maximum floor height, degree of repetition of the work, expected floor cycle construction duration, height of the building and expected duration of work on the constructed scaffolding systems were also the other critically influencing factors. The research also indicated that speed of construction of metal shoring and scaffolding are faster than eucalyptus wood, and the initial cost of H-frame is higher than Eucalyptus wood, however, the life cycle cost of Eucalyptus wood shoring is higher than H- frame shoring. The average meter square cost of Eucalyptus wood shoring was found to be 34.4 birr/m2 or 47 % higher than H-frame shoring considering 4 times and 20 times life use of each material, respectively. Regarding safety of the shoring and scaffolding materials, buildings which were using Eucalyptus wood for both shoring and scaffolding systems have contributed the most to construction injuries occurring in the selected projects. A total of 10 or 42% of the incidents out of the 24 incidents, and 2 or 33% of the fatality out of 6 occurred in building projects using Eucalyptus wood for both shoring and scaffolding systems. Key words: shoring and Scaffolding systems, Methods and materials, Influencing factors
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    Astudy on Problems Affecting The Integration of Major Construction Parties in Design-Bid-Build Project Delivery Method in The Addis Ababa 40-60 Housing Construction Projects
    (Addis Ababa University, 2016-11) Tadesse, Gebrehana; Assefa, Abraham (PhD)
    Construction industry is a major player in the economy of countries by generating employment and wealth to the nations. However, in design-bid-build project delivery, many projects in developing countries like Ethiopia experienced extremely high disintegration among the major parties. In this respect, this study’s objective was to identify the major problems affecting the integration of these parties in Addis Ababa 40-60 saving houses of construction projects. For this, both questionnaire survey and selected case studies were conducted. Accordingly, interpretation and discussion were made on the basis of results. The study was conducted on 13 Addis Ababa 40-60 housing construction projects within the focus group of clients, consultants, contractors and regulatory body. Accordingly, the research came up with the following conclusions. To begin with the needed level of project parties’ integration is not achieved. Besides, 24 integration problems were identified in survey study and ranked based on their importance index. Self-serving objectives; lack of coordination; lack of trust and reliability among contracting parties; and disregarding contextual issues, poor communication between relevant construction parties, and lack of knowledge by the client about project processes and integration issues, and inadequate technical skill by the client are among the major integration problems. Furthermore, two additional problems were identified in the case study. The research concludes that level of integration among the parties was not totally fragmented nor fully integrated due to several integration problems, and further provides recommendations on how to improve the existing situations. Key Words: Addis Ababa housing projects, construction, design-bid-build, project delivery, integration, and parties.
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    Contractor’s Payment Delay and its Impact on Road Projects Administered under Ethiopian Roads Authority
    (Addis Ababa University, 2017-08) Tadele, Gizachew; Assefa, Abraham (PhD)
    Ethiopia has given special attention for development of the road sector. In this regard, the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) has been given the responsibility to procure, regulate, and administer construction works and consultancy services. For ERA, to competently discharge these responsibility, it is essential that those members of ERA responsible for the project management to have a complete understanding of the Technical, Contractual and Financial aspects of the project. As part of these competence and capability, ERA is expected to have effective budget allocation and utilization system. However, ERA has usually faced difficulty in paying due payments on time to the Contractors and Consultants. As a result of this, the Contractor’s cash flow status have been affected, and, ultimately it results in delay in construction, quality related problems, late interest payment, increase in construction cost, and other cases of Contractor’s claim on a project. This research work, therefore, focuses on identifying the causes and impacts of delay in Contractor’s payment on road projects administered under ERA based on randomly selected six road projects in which late interest payment has been effected and questionnaire based survey with engineers from ERA, Contractor and Consultant and; subsequently, the detailed sources of the delay, potential impacts, and possible remedial measures were identified. Accordingly, it was found that ineffective budget allocation and utilization is the major cause for delay in Contractor’s payment and delay in progress of the physical works, reduced quality in construction works, increase in frequency of workmanship problems, insufficient resource arrangements, inability to comply Environmental, Health, Safety and Social Management requirements, and increase in construction and supervision cost of project were some of impacts of delay in Contractor’s Payment. To this respect, as a major outcome of the study, it has been arrived that maximizing the efficiency of design, the actual performance of the Contractors, information on past performance of Contractors and resource allocated on the project site and capacity of Professionals working at Planning and Program and Implementation directorate are very critical matters to plan and allocate sufficient fiscal year budget by the client so that occurrence of Contractor’s payment Delay.
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    Identification of the Major Causes to the Delay in the Construction of 40/60 Saving Houses Project in Addis Ababa
    (Addis Ababa University, 2016-12) Mamuye, Endale; Assefa, Abraham (PhD)
    Delay is the most frequent problem in the construction industry particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia. However, it can be better managed when the causes are identified and action is taken by the concerned bodies. The main objective of this research is to identify the major causes to the delay in the construction of 40/60 saving houses project in Addis Ababa. Overall, 80 respondents from client, consultants and contractors participated in the survey and identified 10 major causes of delay from a list of 45 common causes of delay based on the relative importance index (RII). The ten major causes of delay in the construction of 40/60 saving houses project were late material supply, financial difficulties faced by the contractor, problem of electric supply, problem of water supply, equipment unavailability, delayed payments to contractors, poor site management, ineffective planning and scheduling, late design review and approval, and slowness in decision making process. The results of the case studies showed that late material supply was mainly caused by the client due to financial shortage, time taking material procurement process, unfair distribution of material, shortage of transport facilities, scarcity of material in the market etc. Financial difficulty faced by the contractors was caused by both the contractors and the client due to the contractors’ poor financial management, and delayed payments to contractors. Problem of electric supply was caused by both the client and the contractors due to frequent power interruption, late maintenance, unsafe construction, unavailability of high capacity stand by generators etc. Furthermore, the impacts of the major causes of delay were time overrun and cost overrun to the client and the contractors. Key words: Delay, Questionnaire Survey, Relative Importance Index, Major Causes of Delay, Case Studies, Sources of Delay, Reasons, Impacts
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    Investigation of Road Asset Management Practices in Ethiopia (A Case Study: Addis Ababa City Roads Authority)
    (Addis Ababa University, 2007-06) Bihon, Yetnayet; Assefa, Abraham (PhD)
    Currently, the construction industry is one of the biggest industries in Ethiopia contributing 10% to the Gross Domestic Product(GDP).It needs to be emphasized that road construction in Ethiopia is the means through which development are achieved.The economic growth of the country depends on availability and utilization of physical infrastructures.Road construction and utilization in Ethiopia are the means through which development strategies are achieved. The development of road construction projects can be enhanced through well established Asset Management system that will improve tactical and operational decisions by applying the required knowledge to gain wisdom for provision of strategic infrastructures. However, most of the road construction in Ethiopia encounters problems due to lack of proper Asset Management practices. In this respect, this study‘s objective was to investigate Roads Asset Management practices in Ethiopia the case of AACRA.In order to find answers to the research questions and to achieve the objectives of the study, quantitative and qualitative ways of research adapted. Interviews and questionnaires analyzed quantitatively whereas the desk study analyzed qualitatively explanatorily to assess alternatives, diagnose a situation, and discover new ideas. Accordingly, interpretation and discussion were made on the basis of results. The findings of the study revealed that there is lack of: Asset management system components implementation rated as low with a result of 54.5%, 63.6%,64%,82% and 73% respectively except condition assessment rated as medium with a result 45.5%,technologies like individual management system implementation in AACRA is in the planning phase as the response of the (7) professional in aggregate revealed, Integration of those management systems also is not there yet, Decision making levels are not explicitly defined in AACRA except programming and budgeting level rated as 54.5%. 91% of respondents revealed that there is lack of professional associations, conferences, short courses and 73% of the respondents disclosed that there is lack of organized asset management department. Some of the specific recommendations forwarded are decision making levels should be explicitly defined, applying different individual management systems and integration of those management systems is necessary and etc. Finally framework and organizational structure were developed for effective and efficient Road Asset Management. Investigation of Road Asset Management Practices in Ethiopia the Case of AACRA, 2017 Msc Thesis by Yetnayet Bihon PageIV Key Words: Asset management, Individual management systems, Data, Decision making , Project selection and AACRA
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    The Prevalence of Tuberculosis among Addis Ababa City Bus Drivers and Cash Collectors
    (Addis Abeba Universty, 2004-04) Abseno, Mohammed; Assefa, Abraham (PhD)
    Tuberculosis control policies emphasize the importance of case finding and treatment, particularly of Smear-positive cases aiming at a cure rate of 85%. This is a Cross-sectional survey which was mainly aimed to estimate the magnitude of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis among Addis Ababa City Bus drivers and cash collectors. The specific objectives were to determine the proportion of all forms of tuberculosis among the bus drivers and cash collectors; to determine the proportions of smear-negative and extra-pulmonary TB cases, relapses, defaulters, and treatment failures among all types of the identified TB cases; to determine the proportion of registered Smear-positive TB cases among all the identified cases; and to look for trends in the magnitude of tuberculosis over the years. A total of 903 [466 (51.6%) Addis Ababa City Bus drivers and 437 (48.4%) cash collectors] aged between 19 and 59 years (mean age = 35.6 years) were screened for tuberculosis. Six hundred and forty (70.9%) were males and 263(29.1%) females. The study took place starting from December 28/2003 to March 15/2004. A pretested standardized questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics and clinical information. All the study participants had a full physical examination and laboratory tests (sputum smear for AFB, chest x-ray, and FNA) were ordered for all suspected TB cases as recommended by the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Guide line. EPI-INFO Version 6 and SPSS statistical packages were used for data entry and analysis. There were 12(1328/100,000) existing cases of tuberculosis and 4(442/100,000) newly diagnosed. The prevalence of Smear-positive pulmonary TB (PTB+) was 4/903(443/100,000) (P >0.05). There was no significant difference with the proportion of smear-positive pulmonary TB cases in Wereda 16, Addis Ababa (189/100,000). The prevalence of all types of tuberculosis was 16/903(1772/100,000) (P< 0.05) as compared with the prevalence of notified cases in Addis Ababa in 2003(372/100,000). The proportion of Smear-negative pulmonary TB (PTB-) cases among all types of tuberculosis was 8/16(50%) (P>0.05) and the proportion of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) 3/16(18.8%) (P> 0.05). In Addis Ababa the two proportions were 33.4% and 33.01% respectively. The proportion of relapse TB cases was 1/16(6.25%). There was no association between the prevalence of tuberculosis and the various socio-demographic characteristics. All the identified cases were registered in health institutions where there were DOTS program (P<0.05). The trend of tuberculosis was analyzed starting from 1989 G.C. to 2003/04 G.C. There was no increasing or decreasing trend for all forms of tuberculosis, Chi-square test for trend for PTB+, PTB-, and EPTB were 1.86, 1.26, and 0.0635 respectively. Since our comparison group was not an appropriate one it was concluded that this study will help as a base line for future studies and it was recommended that further future studies will be required. Key words: Tuberculosis, Case finding, Smear-positive, Smear-negative, Extra-pulmonary, Relapse, Defaulters, Prevalence, DOTS, Trend, Ethiopia.