Yongwei Shan

Oklahoma State University | Oklahoma State · School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

The coexistence of multiple defect categories as well as the substantial class imbalance problem significantly impair the detection of sewer pipeline defects. To solve this problem, a multi-label pipe defect recognition method is proposed based on mask attention guided feature enhancement and label correlation learning. The proposed method can achi...

Project bundling is a method used by state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and other public agencies to combine multiple construction projects into a single contract. Project bundling is typically applied when the projects share similarities in terms of type, size, and geographical location. Prior research has demonstrated cost savings and acc...

As an innovative contracting strategy, project bundling has been used by state departments of transportation (DOTs) and other local public agencies (LPA) to combine multiple projects that are of similar type, size, and in a similar geographical location into a single contract. Previous studies on project bundling have claimed its expected savings i...

This paper presents the development of a novel AR-based learning application namedSocial Presence-Enabled Augmented Reality (SPEAR) that presents opportunities for online peer learning through mobile devices. The app was developed using an AR Foundation framework in the Unity game engine.The learning module included in the app is structural beam-be...

Replacing equipment at the most economical time not only helps to save state transportation agencies (STAs) costs for operatingthe fleet but also keeps the fleet’s level of service at an optimal level. Prior research studies focused on developing alternative economic-oriented equipment replacement models rather than the equivalent annual cost (EAC)...

Project Bundling is a contract procurement strategy that is being widely used by many State Transportation Agencies (STAs). It is claimed that project bundling can reduce project costs and expedite project delivery. To understand the current state of the practice and perception about project bundling among STA representatives as well as how practic...

The extraction of regulatory information is a prerequisite for automated code compliance checking. Although a number of machine learning models have been explored for extracting computer-understandable engineering constraints from code clauses written in natural language, most are inadequate to address the complexity of the semantic relations betwe...

This paper presents a novel computer vision based system to support automated PACP (Pipeline Assessment Certification Program) coding for cracks. The proposed system comprises five major steps: 1) identifying forward facing view (FFV) with pipeline viewpoint detector, 2) obtaining stable edge information using structure edge detector, 3) acquiring...

Whether to bid on construction work is a traditional question that is often challenged in different economic situations. What will the decision factors be when contractors have to struggle to achieve growth in economic downturns? Since previous studies have not widely agreed with each other on this issue, this study aims to examine China’s construc...

Due to budget constraints of Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and a significant number of deficient bridges around the U.S., there is a need for a systematic approach to more efficiently and optimally allocate limited resources for bridge maintenance efforts. This paper presents a GIS-integrated decision-making framework to prioritize bridge ma...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the features and tendency of cost indices in the global construction setting. Design/methodology/approach Data from 22 countries/regions are collected and analyzed using maximum variance formulation and Kendall rank correlation coefficient. Findings It is found that global construction cost indexes...

With a significant number of steel bridges approaching the end of their service life, understanding deterioration characteristics will help bridge stakeholders better prioritize bridge maintenance, repairs, and rehabilitation as well as help with budget planning. This paper applies data mining techniques including logistic regression, decision tree...

Following the recent progress of the pixel-level filtering for pedestrian detection, we propose a window differential feature (WDF) based on the multiple channel maps. More specifically, WDF encodes first-order statistics between artitary two pixels in the whole detection window, thus obtaining larger receptive field for achor pixel than other filt...

Advocates for biodiesel claim that it is a clean, renewable, and cost effective fuel that provides economic and environmental benefits while easing the energy impacts of petroleum diesel; however, these claims are often anecdotal in nature and may not be based on empirical data. This paper presents the results of a case study that analyzes the econ...

The use of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology for slope monitoring and landslide/rockslide risk assessment on highways is proven to be one of the best practices. Registration is one of the crucial steps in data processing which involves aligning and merging of multiple point cloud datasets collected from different scan positions to obta...

Understanding the current condition and deterioration mechanism of sewer pipe networks is a critical step in improving national wastewater systems. Several studies have attempted to develop deterioration models for sewer pipes, and a common concern raised by those studies was data quality. Due to quality issues in current data collection practices,...

Although there are widespread claims that the nation's sewer infrastructure is failing, these claims are often undocumented except in the region where the sewer is located. There is a need for a national inventory to present empirical data that accurately represents the condition of our sewer systems. The benefits of such an inventory include: empi...

Previous research in other disciplines identified that job satisfaction plays a major role in employee performance and retention. This paper examines the relationship between job satisfaction and quality of work-life (QWL) factors from the perspective of construction craft workers. The study analyzed data collected from 2002 to 2014 using the Gener...

When construction craft workers consider potential career alternatives, overall job satisfaction is a fundamental factor that influences their retention and productivity. This paper analyzes changes in job satisfaction and job preferences of craft workers in the US construction industry across successive economic recession–expansion cycles. The ana...

The purpose of this paper is to present a collaborative effort between the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) and Oklahoma State University (OSU). This effort is known as one-voice and the goal is to develop a unified national inventory of underground sewer condition assessment data. Currently there is no uniform or consistent...

Increasingly pertinent linkages of cities via knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) in the 21st century have opened a new window for academia to reconsider the approach to achieving urban sustainability. In this study, city network was investigated with an aim of identifying its attributes in the framework of sustainable urban development. D...

Bridges are a key component of transportation infrastructure. Currently, decisions on what material should be used to build a bridge superstructure are primarily driven by the initial costs in design/construction, but subsequent repair and maintenance costs are less emphasized. Moreover, limited budgets for bridge construction and maintenance requi...

Prefabrication is believed to improve construction labor productivity by increasing direct work rates and reducing rework and onsite injuries. Anecdotal evidence shows that electrical contractors are able to improve their average labor productivity by 30% by bringing 20–30% of their field labor hours into the prefabrication shop; however, this stat...

A large number of deficient bridges may endanger the public and affect the economy at a broader scale. Bridge superstructure rating is a critical element that affects the overall sufficiency rating of a bridge. Accurately predicting the superstructure performance of a bridge may help agencies better prioritize their resources for maintenance and re...

Federal regulations require that state transportation agencies have written procedures for setting the construction contract time for highway projects. Since the institution of those regulations, state agencies have used a variety of methods to estimate and set contract time. FHWA recommends the use of methods based on production rate and activity...

Many metropolitan areas struggle to meet the EPA standard for ozone. These areas need to realistically assess all potential pollutant emitting sources to comply. One pollution source that needs close examination is construction activities that employ nonroad diesel equipment that emit ozone-forming pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and volatile...

The objective of this study is to develop a proof-of-concept framework to quantify the impact of the anticipated rise in temperature and humidity change on construction productivity at a project level as a result of global warming. The developed framework applies building information modeling (BIM) integrated with labor productivity information, cr...

The purpose of this research effort is to identify the effectiveness of a particular set of important management programs in improving construction labor productivity. These programs were previously defined through industry experts and research consensus as having significant impact on project cost, schedule, safety, scope, and quality performance,...

Achieving sustainability through the market has been a research topic in the field of sustainable development. Nevertheless, the ways in which sustainability in construction is influenced by the construction market have not been explored explicitly. In the research reported in this paper, hypotheses on the effects of market competition on the susta...

Traditional steel connection systems rely on on-site welding and bolting, which are labor intensive and require skilled craft workers. Reducing welding and bolting efforts in structural steel erection presents an opportunity to improve steel structure construction productivity. A series of steel quick connection systems (SQCS) have been introduced...

Steel construction activities are often undertaken in an environment with limited climate control. Both hot and cold temperatures can physically and psychologically affect construction workers, thus decreasing their productivity. Temperature and humidity are two factors that constantly exert forces on workers and influence their performance and eff...

Craft productivity is a paramount factor that affects a construction project's ability to be completed on schedule and budget, while also ultimately affecting the profitability of a company. At a micro-level, improving craft productivity differentiates a company from its peers and keeps it more competitive. At a macro-level, improving craft product...

Although change orders occur on many construction projects, data examined in this paper suggest that many change orders can be avoided on roadway construction projects through improved project planning and scoping. Statistical analyses of change orders on 610 Kentucky roadway construction projects from 2005-2008 examined how the causes of change or...

Current applications of BIM in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry are primarily limited to presentational purposes for clients, design clash detection, walk-through simulations, 4D animations, and on-site construction coordination. This paper examines the use of BIM as a platform to perform labor productivity studies cons...

Over recent decades, sporadic advancements in machinery and construction materials have to some extent increased construction productivity in the United States. However, there is evidence that additional productivity improvement opportunities exist. One way to improve direct work rates and likewise the potential to increase construction craft produ...

Change orders are an element of highway construction that often pits the state department of transportation (DOT) and contractor against each other in a game of cost risk allocation. Much of the risk is due to the uncertainty of the change order's total cost. Calculating a fair and accurate price can be difficult and time consuming due to different...

Sustainability involves focusing on a project’s impact in three areas: (1) environmental; (2) economical; and (3) societal. In reality, companies’ approaches in the three areas are not evenly distributed. A study of current trends in the US construction industry related to the emerging focus on sustainable construction will be of great value for th...

While the U.S Construction industry is currently experiencing minimal shortage in craft workers, the shortages that existed prior to the current economic downturn are likely to return. Previous research argues that worker satisfaction plays an important role in retaining and attracting more workers into the construction industry. The authors previo...