Building design, construction management and surveying research
The construction industry has been criticised for not being good enough. Whether that's not doing the right things, delivering the right products, or being too slow and expensive. But modern construction is complex – with hybrid technology, and current management approaches that are inadequate.
This, combined with the modern demand of zero accidents, zero defects and zero delays, means there are many issues to contend with in the high-pressured fast construction industry.
To deal with the fragmentation of the industry, new approaches to project management are required and the barriers within procurement need to be explored. Our research works to appreciate the pressure for change, understand the complexity of design, look at the needs of complex projects and investigate component supply chains.
Our research covers the following topics
- Brief management
- Design management
- Project organisation
- Procurement
- Construction management
- Health and safety
Methods
We research using quantitative methods, such as experiments, regressions and structural equation models, to measure causal effects on variables. Qualitative techniques include ethnography and ground theory, which we use to explore consumer decision processes.
Projects and publications
Our research is fuelled by academic staff, who contribute their professional industry experience to our work. Research is regularly published in papers and journals, including Construction Management Economics, Architectural Engineering and Design Management, and the Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture Research.
Discover our related Group and Area of Expertise
Building design, construction management and surveying is an area of expertise within our Civil Engineering research – explore the other area below.
Construction Management and Surveying Research Group
Our construction management and surveying researchers explore sustainability and regeneration, quantity surveying and construction law, the application of computer systems in construction, and design in construction processes.
Environmental Technology and Management
We're finding sustainable ways of tackling pollution, developing the technology needed to deal with new pollutants, and finding ways to build sustainable, environmentally-friendly urban landscapes.
Interested in a PhD in Civil Engineering?
Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Civil Engineering postgraduate research degrees page.