Assessing The Impact of Lean Construction Principles on Improving The Environmental and Performance of Earthwork Operations in Vietnam
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Abstract
In the context of the world facing serious environmental problems, sustainable development has become an inevitable trend in the construction sector. To achieve sustainability in construction, environmentally friendly solutions must be considered from the early planning stages. However, most construction projects today prioritize productivity optimization while neglecting environmental impacts. Developing methods to assess both construction performance and environmental impact simultaneously remains a major challenge in the industry. As part of research efforts to promote sustainability in construction, this study proposes a methodology for applying lean construction principles to improve performance and reduce environmental impact in earthwork activities in Vietnam. The EZStrobe simulation was used to model the earthmoving process under real-world conditions. After validating the model and identifying bottlenecks in the construction process, four lean construction principles were tested through simulation to optimize earthmoving efficiency. The most effective lean model resulted in significant improvements in construction performance, increasing productivity by 65.5% and reducing costs by 21.7%. Moreover, this model contributed positively to the environment by reducing fuel consumption by 21% and lowering CO₂ emissions by 12.7%. These findings highlight that integrating lean construction into earthwork operations is not just an effective management tool but also a crucial strategy for promoting sustainable construction.
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