Identifier

etd-10242014-084819

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Human Resource Education and Workforce Development

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if the use of three dimensional (3D) modeling to enhance visualization of structural steel installation would increase labor productivity of industrial construction workers in a selected industrial facility in southeastern Louisiana. The construction industry has seen a decline in labor productivity for many years. The effects of low labor productivity in the construction sector causes unnecessary escalated costs, scheduled completion dates to slip, and conflicts between the owner, engineering firm, and the construction company. The need for reversing this decline and improving construction productivity is critical. The loss of productivity has adverse consequences in the construction industry and modern society as a whole. This study included 41 individuals who were industrial construction workers installing structural steel during the research period at a selected southeastern Louisiana chemical facility. The study utilized a one-group pretest-posttest time series design. The dependent variable was labor productivity measures and the independent variables were providing 3D modeling shots, age, gender, total years of construction experience, worker classification, and frequency of looking at the 3D modeling shots. Using the paired t-test procedure, significant differences were found between labor productivity measures before and after introducing 3D modeling. Using multiple regression analysis, the researcher identified a statistically significant model. The variable frequency of looking at the 3D modeling shots explained 11.5% of the variance in mean labor productivity measures in the third week after introducing 3D modeling. This indicated that workers who reported that they looked at the 3D modeling shots more frequently tended to have higher labor productivity scores. Based on these findings, the researcher concluded that the introduction of 3D modeling shots had a significant impact on labor productivity measures. The researcher recommends further research in other disciplines and construction sectors. In addition, future research should be conducted to determine if other mechanisms to convey the 3D modeling shots have a significant impact on labor productivity. Lastly, the researcher recommends that chief executive officers of construction organizations implement the use of 3D modeling during the construction phase to enable workers to visualize the installation process before it occurs.

Date

2014

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Burnett, Michael

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.4071

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