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    Cost estimation model for earthquake damage repair in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Construction at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Kahandawa Appuhamillage, Ravindu Visal Dharmasena Kahandawa
    Earthquakes are natural hazards that can devastate nations, their people and the surrounding built environments. Designing a suitable strategy for rapid recovery requires an accurate damage assessment process for the built environment. Loss estimation models were developed to predict the cost of repair, but these models were not used to estimate the costs of post-earthquake repair. This could be due to the fact that these probability-based models tend to provide less accurate outputs. In fact, there is no existing literature on post-earthquake repair cost estimation models that can rapidly produce repair cost estimates. This research developed a post-earthquake cost estimation model for earthquake damage repair work (referred to as a cost of damage repair, earthquake estimation model or C-DREEM). The research used an exploratory sequential research design that used semi-structured interviews (N=19) with engineers, quantity surveyors and builders with experience in earthquake damage repair work as the primary data collection. Then a web-based survey questionnaire (N=310 distributed, N=92 received) of professionals with experience in cost estimation for earthquake damage repair work was the second data collection. The collected data was analysed using thematic analysis, descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. Based on the findings in the literature, document review and research data analysis, a cost of damage repair earthquake estimation model (C-DREEM) was developed. The C-DREEM model was then validated through a focus group interview session with participants who had experience in the cost estimation for earthquake damage repair work in New Zealand (N=9). Key findings identified from the research were: (i) 11 factors have a critical impact on the accuracy of cost estimation of earthquake damage repair work (CEEDRW) which includes consequential damage, initially unforeseen damage, and changes to the final repair state; (ii) Use of a unit rate and lump sum amount methods were some of the most suitable ways incorporate these factors to CEEDRW; (iii) detailed damage evaluation reports are the most likely information sources post-earthquake for CEEDRW; and (iv) the standardised and automated cost estimation model, C-DREEM, developed by this research can improve both pre and post-earthquake CEEDRW process with include the benefits of sharing consequence functions and probable damage information with probability-based methods. The key contribution to knowledge from this research is identifying the factors affecting CEEDRW, evaluating the significance, selecting methods to incorporate the factors into the costing process, and creating the C-DREEM costing process that combines the pre-and post-earthquake loss estimation processes. The research also supports the professional practice by providing: a standardised and automated cost estimation process; specifying the areas that should be improved, such as the damage reporting process; and a better cost control and monitoring process through standardised rates. Through the findings of the research, government and insurance companies: can standardise and improve the accuracy and speed CEEDRW process, and makes informed decisions to manage the impact of the eleven factors affecting CEEDRW identified by this research.
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    The impacts of building code amendments in New Zealand : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Construction, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Nwadike, Amarachukwu Nnadozie
    The performance of buildings during earthquake-related disasters in the New Zealand built environment indicates that the New Zealand building code needs improvement to ensure that impacts of future earthquakes would be minimised. The level of destruction has triggered building code, standards, and compliance document amendments to improve building resilience against natural disasters such as an earthquake and other related extreme loading conditions. The building code has been amended; however, using the revised building code, standards, and compliance documents comes with its unique challenges to the entire system. This thesis explores the impacts of building code amendments in New Zealand's built environment. Before this study, there is no previous research on the impacts of regular building code amendments, their advantages, unintended consequences, compliance and ways of improvements with adequate recommendations in New Zealand. The thesis proposes to address the impacts of building code amendment by identifying and exploring the benefits, effects of innovative techniques, compliance and unintended consequences of building code amendment. The thesis also investigates the factors that contribute to building code compliance challenges, the amendment process, and developing a framework that allows for stakeholder's inclusiveness to increase the level of building code compliance. This thesis involved a mixed research method comprising qualitative and quantitative research to answer the research questions that justify the objectives of this thesis. The mixed research methods include questionnaires, document analysis, interview with subject matter experts, narrative and integrative literature reviews. The study findings show that building code amendments in New Zealand have yielded significant results with emphasis on improved building resilience, increased compliance level, improved flexibility in design and construction, improved the quality of construction materials, increased professional training, and reduced corruption tendencies. Accordingly, the study addressed the efficacy of building code amendments as a measure to reduce the impact of disasters while increasing the built environment resilience. The thesis revealed the effectiveness of consultation with all relevant stakeholders in building a regulatory system, free access to amended documents with support for a three years amendment cycle, as against the current biannual amendment practised in New Zealand. The unintended consequences of building code amendments are primarily influenced by (i) passive training of code users, (ii) bureaucracy, (iii) shortage of competent technical staff, and (iv) increased building code complexities. The thesis developed a framework design based on identified parameters that assist in improving building code. The parameters consist of five action priority features such as regulation and administration, design and implementation, enforcement, compliance, and amendment process. The thesis developed an evidence-based framework that balances the diversity of stakeholder’s interest and enhances the building code improvement. The findings from the evidence-based framework validation show that it can facilitate a robust building code improvement with a well-defined area of priority while providing a better understanding of the code requirements and technical assistance to the code users. The study provides useful recommendations that require an implementation to improve building resilience, performance-based building code, encourage building code compliance, reduce the unintentional consequences of building code amendment and help the stakeholders to comply with building code. The thesis demonstrates that the unforeseen negative impacts of building code amendment can be effectively handled through the intervention of the building regulatory authorities, proactive government response and collaboration with the stakeholders. This research is significant as it contributes to the theoretical understanding of building code, its amendment and regulatory system as a measure to reduce the impact of disasters. The study also contributes to the decision-makers within the building regulatory system as it informs the building policy regulators on the importance of systematic training of code users and balancing of the innovative techniques in performance-based building code with the safety measures in amending the New Zealand building code. The findings in this thesis may not be generalised but could be transferred globally to the nations that regularly review and updates their performance-based building code, standards and other related compliance documents within the range of New Zealand building code amendment interval.
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    Property and maintenance management framework for New Zealand's state schools: a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Construction at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Le, An Thi Hoai
    School buildings and infrastructure are considered fundamental elements of any community. The buildings and infrastructure are not only supposed to provide a pleasant, and safe environment for staff and students, but they are also a clearly visible presentation of the education system. As a result, it is important to ensure that school properties are well maintained through proactive management. In New Zealand (NZ), state school properties are owned by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and managed and operated by the school board of each school with the assistance of external consultants. This research aims to develop a framework which helps those involved in managing school buildings and infrastructure in New Zealand's state schools by focusing on improving the collaboration among the key stakeholders. Previous research on managing existing property and associated theoretical concepts, such as asset management, property management, maintenance management, stakeholders’ involvement, and maturity model frameworks, were reviewed to identify research problems. In order to refine the research objectives, a preliminary study was conducted that involved the researcher attending training courses on property and maintenance management to understand processes, make connections, conduct interviews with other attendees, and distribute a survey among them. Findings from the preliminary study highlighted the central role of stakeholders’ collaboration for the provision of efficient property and maintenance management, but other issues were also identified. A further in-depth study based on interviews with school managers was undertaken to cover the current activities and processes, challenges, roles, and responsibilities of the key stakeholders in managing existing buildings and infrastructure in state schools in New Zealand. Based on findings from the literature review and interviews, a maturity assessment model was developed, and a questionnaire was distributed to explore the maturity levels of different management processes currently in place with the aim of identifying the priorities for process improvement actions. The maturity level scores revealed the most needed improvement areas that the key stakeholders should focus on, including the reporting system, performance evaluation, staff training, lesson sharing, communication, and continuous improvement. In addition, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was used to explore the relationships among key stakeholders and test the research hypotheses. The results of PLS-SEM assessment prove that there are undeniable relationships between the key stakeholders. This also highlighted that all stakeholders are responsible to work closely as a team as they have both direct and indirect effects on each other's performance. Close teamwork contributes to the overall outcome of property and maintenance management for NZ's state schools. A property and maintenance management framework for NZ's state schools was then developed based on the findings of the literature review, and data analysis using the key concepts of the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. The proposed framework comprises five stages (Establish, Plan, Implement, Evaluate, and Improve - E-PIE-I, and shortened to PIE) and includes activities in each stage. More activities were added in the Establish phase in order to address the need to provide staff training programmes and improve the collaboration between people involved in the processes. Moreover, the proposed PIE features a feedback loop in the Evaluate and Improve stages which helps assess performance of the processes and obtain feedback and learning outcomes for continuous improvements. Validation interviews with school managers were conducted and the results show that the PIE framework could help improve the property and maintenance management for New Zealand's state schools. The research contributes to the property and maintenance management field with a focus on the collaboration between the people involved in the process. The research also reveals other challenges and issues in managing school property in state schools and proposes solutions to overcome these challenges. More importantly, this research produces a set of diagrams in the PIE framework which can be used as guidelines for school managers and other stakeholders to perform their roles effectively. The study finally produces recommendations for improvements in managing school property at both the school and the MoE level. The findings should be of interest to top management, schools, service providers, and researchers dealing with the management of existing buildings and infrastructure in schools.