Journal de génie civil et environnemental

Economic recessions pose significant challenges to various sectors, including civil engineering. As governments and private entities tighten budgets and investment slows, the demand for civil engineering projects often declines. In such times, reforming civil engineering studies becomes imperative to ensure the profession remains resilient, adaptable, and responsive to changing economic conditions. This essay explores strategies for reforming civil engineering studies in recessionary times, focusing on curriculum adjustments, interdisciplinary approaches, industry partnerships, and fostering innovation, Reforming civil engineering studies in recessionary times necessitates a re-evaluation and adjustment of the curriculum to align with emerging industry needs, technological advancements, and sustainable development goals. Curriculum revisions may emphasize interdisciplinary coursework, focusing on areas such as sustainable infrastructure, resilience engineering, and advanced construction materials. Integration of courses in project management, risk assessment, and cost optimization equips students with essential skills for navigating economic uncertainties and delivering projects efficiently within constrained budgets. Additionally, incorporating hands-on experiences, case studies, and real-world projects enhances students' practical knowledge and problem-solving abilities, preparing them for diverse career opportunities in the evolving civil engineering landscape.

In the realm of civil engineering, soil serves as the foundation upon which structures are built. However, not all soils possess the necessary properties to support construction safely and effectively. Soil improvement techniques are employed to enhance the mechanical properties of soil, ensuring stability, bearing capacity, and durability of engineered structures. While traditional methods such as compaction and stabilization are widely utilized, there is a growing recognition of the potential of biological processes for soil improvement. This essay explores the biological mechanisms involved in soil improvement and their applications in civil engineering; Biological soil improvement refers to the enhancement of soil properties through the activity of living organisms. These organisms, including plants, microorganisms, and earthworms, interact with soil particles and organic matter, leading to changes in soil structure, composition, and properties. Biological processes such as bioturbation, root reinforcement, and microbial activity contribute to soil stabilization, nutrient cycling, and erosion control. Unlike conventional methods, biological soil improvement techniques are often sustainable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective.

Construction delays are very common to the industry, and it is very evident in different kinds of construction projects. Even though there are construction guidelines, some companies still fail at some point in their overall cycle, and some consider these failures as norms. Such failures can have a significant impact on project performance. This research paper will analyze the effects of selected factors causing construction delays in residential projects. Contemporaneous method of measurement will determine the effect of each delay in labour hours of a 10-week construction period. The study will then determine the relation between some construction delay factors, and its overall effect in the construction progress. Then, the analysis will discuss the weaknesses of Contemporaneous Method of Measurement. The study will be conducted by means of actual observation data gathering and surveys on eight different residential projects with varying contractor/engineers. To evaluate the performance of the Contemporaneous Method of Measurement, the author will measure and collect the completion (in percentage) of accomplished activity on a daily to weekly basis, then, the gathered data will be compared to the planned accomplishment (actual over planned). For each delayed activity, the reasons will be stated why such delay occurred and what caused it basing from the selected factors of construction delays. The gathered data will then be analyzed with respect to time using linear regression for each type of delay and then applying a multiple regression for all of the types of delay on all the residential projects. The findings illustrate that Contemporaneous Method of Measurement is a reliable tool in defining the weak points of residential construction or which is most commonly called the project delays.