Current environmental concerns have led to a search of more environmentally friendly manufacturing methods; thus, natural fibers have gained attention in the 3D printing industry to be used as bio-filters along with thermoplastics. The utilization of natural fibers is very convenient as they are easily available, cost-effective, eco-friendly, and biodegradable. Using natural fibers rather than synthetic fibers in the production of the 3D printing filaments will reduce gas emissions associated with the production of the synthetic fibers that would add to the current pollution problem. As a matter of fact, natural fibers have a reinforcing effect on plastics. This review analyzes how the properties of the different polymers vary when natural fibers processed to produce filaments for 3D Printing are added. The results of using natural fibers for 3D Printing are presented in this study and appeared to be satisfactory, while a few studies have reported some issues.

Construction projects are complex and involve thousands of details and complex interrelationships among several parties. In this multidisciplinary environment, claims are immanent and appear to cause delays in delivering projects. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), claims are seen in almost every construction project. In an attempt to prevent/reduce claims, this paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey conducted among construction practitioners in UAE to investigate the types and causes of construction claims and their frequency and severity. The survey data was collected from contractors, designers and owners. Results of data analysis indicated that the ‘changes’ and ‘delay’ types of claims are the most frequent ones while ‘contract ambiguity’ is ranked last. The analysis also showed that ‘change/variation orders’ is the most frequent and severe cause of claims while ‘delay caused by owner’ is ranked second and ‘owner personality’ is ranked last. General recommendations on how to reduce/prevent claims are then presented.

Construction projects are often challenged by tight budgets and limited time and resources. Contractors are, therefore, looking for ways to become competitive by improving efficiency and using cost-effective materials. Using three-dimensional (3D) printing for shaping materials to produce cost-effective construction elements is becoming a feasible option to make contractors more competitive locally and globally. The process capabilities for 3D printers and related devices have been tightened in recent years with the booming of 3D printing industries and applications. Contractors are attempting to improve production skills to satisfy firm specifications and standards, while attempting to have costs within competitive ranges. The aim of this research is to investigate and test the production process capability (Cp) of 3D printers using fused deposition modeling (FDM) to manufacture 3D printed parts made from plastic waste for use in the construction of buildings with different infill structures and internal designs to reduce cost. This was accomplished by calculating the actual requirement capabilities of the 3D printers under consideration. The production capabilities and requirements of FDM printers are first examined to develop instructions and assumptions to assist in deciphering the characteristics of the 3D printers that will be used. Possible applications in construction are then presented. As an essential outcome of this study, it was noticed that the 3D printed parts made from plastic waste using FDM printers are less expensive than using traditional lightweight non-load bearing concrete hollow masonry blocks, hourdi slab hollow bocks, and concrete face bricks.

E-learning offers tremendous benefits to teachers and students as it enhances the teaching and learning experience. Despite the adoption of e-learning in many educational institutions worldwide, delivery of construction management courses has been limited to traditional lecturing approach and the use of limited technology such as PowerPoint presentations and smartboards. This study investigates the effectiveness, benefits, and students’ satisfaction of using video-based e-learning approach in delivering the topics of a construction management undergraduate course by introducing instructional videos related to the topics of the course. A total of 67 undergraduate students were surveyed using a closed- and open-ended questionnaire in one of the leading universities in the United Arab Emirates. The survey was designed and posted using the Blackboard learning platform and students were asked to access these videos and respond to the survey via Blackboard. Surveyed students took the construction management undergraduate course in the “Fall 2018” semester using instructional videos supplied to them in the form of quick response codes in order to be more attractive learning experience to the students rather than using a direct web link that would be more accessible and even could be enriched with logo or numbers that reflects the quick response code contents rather than to distract them. This course has seven learning outcomes and the performance of students in the seven course learning outcomes was compared with that of students who took the same course in the “Spring 2018” semester using the conventional face-to-face lecturing. The responses received from students indicated that they are satisfied with the contents of the instruction videos and benefited from these videos. The received data were statistically analyzed and, despite the fact that this course required more hands-on applications, the results showed that e-learning resulted in better learning outcomes as compared to face-to-face lecturing and boosted student’s learning experience. Students also considered the e-learning approach useful as it allows them to access course material anytime and anywhere. Moreover, it has been revealed that absolutely more than 60% of the students preferred to study by blended learning, a combination of e-learning and traditional face-to-face lecturing since it is useful and helpful to their academic progress. It has been shown that despite the limited online e-learning resources of the course, educators can find solutions to enhance the traditional contents of the course material with the available online recorded resources or even to encourage students to develop a related interactive material to the course content that would be used for the subsequent semesters.