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Research on Safety Control and Risk Management in Construction Engineering:...
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Research on Safety Control and Risk Management in Construction Engineering: Progress, Challenges and Strategies

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 9787

Special Issue Editors

Dr. José Luis Fuentes-Bargues

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
PRINS Research Center, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: environmental impact assessment; procurement; environmental planning; environmental analysis; environmental management; environmental monitoring
Dr. Cristina Gonzalez-Gaya

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Construction and Manufacturing Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: industrial safety; drawing; lean manufacturing; graphics; product development; industry; project management; production engineering; investment; process management
Dr. Alberto Sanchez-Lite

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, Graphic Expression in Engineering, Cartographic Engineering, Geodesy and Photogrammetry, Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Industrial Engineering, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo del Cauce 59, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Interests: engineering education; ergonomics; manufacturing engineering; project engineering; building information modeling; engineering; management of safety and security problems; industrial heritage
Dr. B. María Villena Escribano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Construction and Manufacturing Engineering, National University of Distance Education (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: safety management; safety; risk assessment; health and safety

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The impact of risk control in the execution of engineering projects, approached from an integral prism, identifies vulnerabilities and threat elements that compromise the safety of the different phases of the work. Given the great complexity of risks that can threaten the construction system, it is necessary to provide tools that control and manage the management structures of the processes that will help to reduce the probability of risk and its consequences. In this context, it is important to make technological and strategic advances that guarantee an optimal safety management scenario in all phases of the engineering project.

Therefore, we present this Special Issue entitled "Research on Safety Control and Risk Management in Construction Engineering: Progress, Challenges and Strategies" motivated by the growing interest in advancing new technologies and innovative approaches to reduce occupational accident rates in the construction industry of engineering projects.

Manuscripts appearing in this Special Issue will cover original and high-quality research, case studies and technology development. Relevant topics to be addressed in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Risk management in engineering works using BIM technology.
  • Artificial intelligence in the management and control of safety in engineering works.
  • New simulations and risk management models applied to engineering works.
  • Advances in the integration of safety in engineering works.
  • Application of scheduling technology to safety control in engineering works.
  • The use of agile methodologies in risk management in engineering projects.

Dr. José Luis Fuentes-Bargues
Dr. Cristina Gonzalez-Gaya
Dr. Alberto Sanchez-Lite
Dr. B. María Villena Escribano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • risk management
  • security integration
  • building information modeling
  • artificial intelligence
  • safety in engineering works
  • risk management simulations
  • safety programming and control
  • engineering projects

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 3558 KiB  
Article
Factors Influencing the Safety Enhancement and Cost Reduction in Site Layouts of Construction Projects
by Amirhossein Javaherikhah, Payman Alimohammadi, Hadi Sarvari, David J. Edwards, Daniel W. M. Chan and Clara Cheung
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071089 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 407
Abstract
As the foundation of national development, the construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries in the world, facing safety challenges and high rates of work-related accidents, especially in developing countries such as Iran, where 35% of all industrial accidents are related [...] Read more.
As the foundation of national development, the construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries in the world, facing safety challenges and high rates of work-related accidents, especially in developing countries such as Iran, where 35% of all industrial accidents are related to construction accidents. In the meantime, construction site layout (CSL) design is vital in improving safety and cost efficiency, but the lack of comprehensive frameworks has limited its effective application. Traditional methods also create inefficiencies and additional costs due to the lack of flexibility in the face of project-specific constraints and unpredictable conditions. Significant research gaps exist, especially in Iran, where socioeconomic and cultural factors affect construction methods. This study aims to identify and analyze the critical factors affecting CSL in developing countries and provides a comprehensive framework that integrates regional constraints with global best practices. The main criteria identified in order of priority are hiring skilled professionals (weight: 0.32), hazardous materials management (weight: 0.25), and using advanced technologies (weight: 0.18). We first conducted a Delphi survey with domain experts using a hybrid approach to identify and refine key factors. Next, we utilized the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and fuzzy logic to examine causal relationships among the factors. Additionally, we prioritized the factors based on their relative importance using the fuzzy analytic network process (FANP). This research provides a practical framework for CSL optimization that helps improve safety and reduce costs in construction projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Safety Control and Risk Management in Construction Engineering: Progress, Challenges and Strategies)
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24 pages, 3685 KiB  
Article
An Intervention Study of Employee Safety Behavior in Nuclear Power Plants Under Construction Based on the SEM-SD Model
by Jianzhan Gao, Weibo Yang, Xueqiang Shan, Kai Yu and Ying Zhang
Buildings 2025, 15(6), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060954 - 18 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 283
Abstract
Employee behavior is a key factor affecting the safe construction of nuclear power plants and is directly related to whether construction work can be carried out smoothly. However, employee behaviors are difficult to quantify, which brings significant challenges to safety management and control. [...] Read more.
Employee behavior is a key factor affecting the safe construction of nuclear power plants and is directly related to whether construction work can be carried out smoothly. However, employee behaviors are difficult to quantify, which brings significant challenges to safety management and control. To this end, this paper constructs an SEM-SD model to explore in depth the intrinsic relationship between burnout, unsafe behaviors, and safety climate, and simulates and analyzes the dynamic evolution process of these factors. Based on the analysis results, this paper proposes a joint intervention strategy system for burnout and unsafe behaviors of employees in nuclear power plants under construction. In addition, this paper designs and develops an intervention system to effectively deal with burnout and unsafe behaviors. The research results not only clarify the system of intervention methods for the safety behavior of employees in nuclear power plants under construction, but also provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for the management and control of employees’ unsafe behaviors, thus providing strong support for the safe construction of nuclear power plant projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Safety Control and Risk Management in Construction Engineering: Progress, Challenges and Strategies)
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22 pages, 4895 KiB  
Article
Complexity Assessment in Projects Using Small-World Networks for Risk Factor Reduction
by Juan-Manuel Álvarez-Espada, José Luis Fuentes-Bargues, Alberto Sánchez-Lite and Cristina González-Gaya
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 4065; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14124065 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 855
Abstract
Despite following standard practices of well-known project management methodologies, some projects fail to achieve expected results, incurring unexplained cost overruns or delays. These problems occur regardless of the type of project, the environment, or the project manager’s experience and are characteristic of complex [...] Read more.
Despite following standard practices of well-known project management methodologies, some projects fail to achieve expected results, incurring unexplained cost overruns or delays. These problems occur regardless of the type of project, the environment, or the project manager’s experience and are characteristic of complex projects. Such projects require special control using a multidimensional network approach that includes contractual aspects, supply and resource considerations, and information exchange between stakeholders. By modelling project elements as nodes and their interrelations as links within a network, we can analyze how components evolve and influence each other, a phenomenon known as coevolution. This network analysis allows us to observe not only the evolution of individual nodes but also the impact of their interrelations on the overall dynamics of the project. Two metrics are proposed to address the inherent complexity of these projects: one to assess Structural Complexity (SC) and the other to measure Dynamic Complexity (DC). These metrics are based on Boonstra and Reezigt’s studies on the dimensions and domains of complex projects. These two metrics have been combined to create a Global Complexity Index (GCI) for measuring project complexity under uncertainty using fuzzy logic. These concepts are applied to a case of study, the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, a complex project due to the intense interrelations, the integration of new technologies that require R&D, and its location next to a natural park. The application of the GCI allows constant monitoring of dynamic complexity, thus providing a tool for risk anticipation and decision support. Also, the integration of fuzzy logic in the model facilitates the incorporation of imprecise or partially defined information. It makes it possible to deal efficiently with the dynamic variation of complexity parameters in the project, adapting to the inherent uncertainties of the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Safety Control and Risk Management in Construction Engineering: Progress, Challenges and Strategies)
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35 pages, 2044 KiB  
Article
Applying Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to BIM-Based Risk Management for Optimal Performance in Construction Projects
by Khaled Jameel Aladayleh and Mohammad J. Aladaileh
Buildings 2024, 14(11), 3632; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113632 - 15 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2510
Abstract
This study explores integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology into risk management practices for construction projects, aiming to enhance project performance through improved risk identification, assessment, and mitigation. The research employs the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize BIM-based strategies across multiple risk [...] Read more.
This study explores integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology into risk management practices for construction projects, aiming to enhance project performance through improved risk identification, assessment, and mitigation. The research employs the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize BIM-based strategies across multiple risk management dimensions, including technical, financial, sustainability, and time management. The findings demonstrate that BIM-based financial strategies rank highest among BIM-driven risk management, followed by sustainability and time. In contrast, technical, operation, and maintenance capabilities have the lowest rank. Given the high priority of BIM financial strategies, they have been applied to conduct sensitivity analysis; the sensitivity analysis results demonstrate the dynamic nature of a BIM sub-criteria strategy in response to changes in the weight of financial considerations. As financial concerns diminish, the shift towards sustainability, health, safety, and time efficiency underscores the importance of a more balanced approach in BIM strategy prioritization. BIM-based risk management improves project outcomes by enabling real-time data-driven decision-making, enhancing stakeholder collaboration and optimizing resource use, cost control, and sustainability. This research contributes to theoretical and practical advancements in construction risk management, suggesting that BIM can be a transformative tool for optimizing project performance while addressing the complexities and uncertainties inherent in the construction industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Safety Control and Risk Management in Construction Engineering: Progress, Challenges and Strategies)
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15 pages, 3222 KiB  
Article
Methods to Stimulate the Proactivity of Enterprises in Fulfilling Safety Responsibilities: A Fundamental Issue in Construction Safety Management
by Beining Chang, Xiaosi Yu and Yachen Liu
Buildings 2024, 14(10), 3329; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103329 - 21 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1135
Abstract
Management factors are among the most significant causes of construction safety incidents, and there is an issue of insufficient supervision at present. The degree of diligence exhibited by relevant entities is crucial, and the payoff can influence the decision-making behaviors of involved parties. [...] Read more.
Management factors are among the most significant causes of construction safety incidents, and there is an issue of insufficient supervision at present. The degree of diligence exhibited by relevant entities is crucial, and the payoff can influence the decision-making behaviors of involved parties. Based on this, the aim of this paper is to investigate how to enhance the initiative of enterprises in fulfilling their safety responsibilities during the construction process. By developing a tripartite evolutionary game model that involves supervision companies, general contractors, and labor subcontractors and conducting numerical simulation analysis, we reveal that simultaneous proactive investment in safety by all three parties is challenging, with labor subcontractors being relatively more prone to opt for active safety investment. Supervision companies and general contractors often struggle to fulfill their safety duties at the same time. Factors such as the rewards and penalties stipulated in a contract, rent-seeking amounts, and accident-related losses have a significant impact on the evolution of the system. Based on the findings, we propose recommendations for construction management, which include the management of labor subcontracting in construction, the control of rent-seeking behaviors, and the establishment of a cooperative safety culture during the construction process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Safety Control and Risk Management in Construction Engineering: Progress, Challenges and Strategies)
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17 pages, 499 KiB  
Article
Risk Analysis in Building Renovations: Strategies for Investors
by Daniel Macek and Stanislav Vitásek
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 2219; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14072219 - 19 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1828
Abstract
This study explores the diverse array of risks inherent in building renovation investments and proposes effective strategies for risk mitigation tailored to investors. Through a combination of qualitative analysis, expert interviews, and quantitative risk quantification techniques, the research identifies and evaluates key risk [...] Read more.
This study explores the diverse array of risks inherent in building renovation investments and proposes effective strategies for risk mitigation tailored to investors. Through a combination of qualitative analysis, expert interviews, and quantitative risk quantification techniques, the research identifies and evaluates key risk factors across regulatory, financial, technical, market, and other domains. Thorough due diligence, proactive stakeholder engagement, and contingency planning emerge as critical components of effective risk management in renovation projects. The study underscores the importance of proactive risk mitigation in enhancing project success and investor returns. By providing investors with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges they may face and practical strategies for addressing them, this research aims to empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and achieve positive outcomes in building renovation investments, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and sustainably built environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Safety Control and Risk Management in Construction Engineering: Progress, Challenges and Strategies)
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18 pages, 3028 KiB  
Article
Identification of Key Risk Nodes and Invulnerability Analysis of Construction Supply Chain Networks
by Hongchun Wang and Zixiang Zhou
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 1997; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071997 - 1 Jul 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1644
Abstract
The construction supply chain confronts interruption risks that raise significant concerns regarding industry safety and stability. Consequently, exploring risk management strategies from both enterprise and supply chain network perspectives is crucial. This study employs complex network theory and the cascade failure model to [...] Read more.
The construction supply chain confronts interruption risks that raise significant concerns regarding industry safety and stability. Consequently, exploring risk management strategies from both enterprise and supply chain network perspectives is crucial. This study employs complex network theory and the cascade failure model to propose a methodology tailored to the unique characteristics of the construction supply chain, facilitating the identification of key risk nodes and the conduct of invulnerability analyses. By evaluating the importance of construction enterprise nodes and their risk propagation ability during cascade failures, this method enables the comprehensive identification of key risk node enterprises within the construction supply chain network. Furthermore, this study examines and discusses strategies for enhancing network invulnerability by taking into account node capacity, load, and resilience. Empirical results indicate that the key nodes and risk nodes in the construction supply chain network are mainly located upstream and downstream, displaying specific distribution patterns. In addition to core enterprises, key risk nodes comprise some strong suppliers at the intermediary and lower tiers of the supply chain. Adjustments to node enterprise parameters like capacity, load, and resilience have diverse impacts on the invulnerability of the construction supply chain network. This study clarifies the distribution patterns of key risk nodes within the construction supply chain network and the variations in network invulnerability under particular conditions, providing valuable insights for risk management decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Safety Control and Risk Management in Construction Engineering: Progress, Challenges and Strategies)
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