Archaeological sites have been subjected to preservation efforts due to their significant historical and cultural value, as well as their vulnerability. Several advanced digital imageries and modeling technologies have been proposed in the literature and adopted in practice to obtain accurate data required to manage and restore archaeological sites. This study proposes an integrated data collection and analysis methodology combining aerial and close-range photogrammetry, geographic information systems (GIS), and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technologies to capture essential geospatial and geophysical information for preserving archaeological sites. The integrated methodology was applied and demonstrated with data and information collected from the important archaeological site of Qaser Amra, which is an ancient castle located in the desert in Jordan. The proposed methodology generated various levels of details, including a 2.5-dimensional geo-reference model, a GIS vector site layout, and a three-dimensional (3D) textured model. Subsurface detection of anomalies was performed across the site using the GPR technology. Most anomalies indicated shallow subsurface walls buried within depths ranging from half to one meter and at different extensions. Moreover, based on the GPR data, the horizontal and vertical extent of Qaser Amra’s walls were defined using 3D imaging. The integrated 3D archaeological model of Qaser Amra can be used for archaeological documentation, maintenance and monitoring, conservation, tourism, and urban planning.

Purpose: This study aims at introducing a method based on the failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) to aid in selecting the most suitable formwork system with the minimum overall cost.Design/methodology/approach: The research includes a review of the literature around formwork selection and analysis of data collected from the building construction industry to understand material failure modes. An FMECA-based model that estimates the total cost of a formwork system is developed by conducting a two-phased semi-structured interview and regression and statistical analyses. The model comprises material, manpower and failure mode costs. A case study of fifteen buildings is analysed using data collected from construction projects in the UAE to validate the model.Findings: Results obtained indicate an average accuracy of 89% in predicting the total formwork cost using the proposed method. Moreover, results show that the costs incurred by failure modes account for 11% of the total cost on average.Research limitations/implications: The analysis is limited to direct costs and costs associated with risks; other costs and risk factors are excluded. The proposed framework serves as a guide to construction project managers to enhance decision-making by addressing the indirect cost of failure modes.Originality/value: The research proposes a novel formwork system selection method that improves upon the subjective conventional selection process by incorporating the risks and uncertainties associated with the failure modes of formwork systems into the decision-making process.