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Identification of Quality Failures in Building Energy Renovation Projects in Northern China

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  • Yuting Qi

    (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 134, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Queena K. Qian

    (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 134, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Frits M. Meijer

    (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 134, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Henk J. Visscher

    (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 134, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Building energy renovations contribute significantly to energy sustainability and environmental protection. These advantages have increased the importance of renovating existing residential buildings in many countries. In China, the government has supported the energy-saving renovation of existing urban residential buildings since 2007. However, quality failures, which do not meet the technical requirements, occur during construction processes in building energy renovation projects. Although quality failures are regarded as a crucial problem in building energy renovation projects, the identification of quality failures and their sources, likelihood, impacts, and causes remain mostly unknown. This paper investigates the nature of quality failures in building energy renovation projects. A total of 25 quality failures were first identified through five cases, and interviews with six experienced construction professionals in China. A questionnaire survey was further conducted to evaluate the frequency of quality failures. The results show the nature of quality failures that arise during construction and their sources, occurrence frequency, causes, and impacts. The research reveals that quality failures are caused by defaults by workers; inadequate checking procedures; incomplete construction site surveys; inaccurate design work; fraud of construction companies; and inefficient cooperation between different departments. Above all, the behaviors of the main actors are responsible for poor construction quality. Additionally, emphasis on quality control during the renovation preparation stage is critical to ensure that quality failures are reduced in numbers and severity.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuting Qi & Queena K. Qian & Frits M. Meijer & Henk J. Visscher, 2019. "Identification of Quality Failures in Building Energy Renovation Projects in Northern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-23, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:15:p:4203-:d:254587
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Peep Pihelo & Kalle Kuusk & Targo Kalamees, 2020. "Development and Performance Assessment of Prefabricated Insulation Elements for Deep Energy Renovation of Apartment Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Yuting Qi & Queena Qian & Frits Meijer & Henk Visscher, 2020. "Causes of Quality Failures in Building Energy Renovation Projects of Northern China: A Review and Empirical Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Jiefang Ma & Queena Kun Qian & Henk Visscher & Kun Song, 2021. "Homeowners’ Participation in Energy Efficient Renovation Projects in China’s Northern Heating Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-37, August.
    4. Wang, Zhaohua & Liu, Qiang & Zhang, Bin, 2022. "What kinds of building energy-saving retrofit projects should be preferred? Efficiency evaluation with three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA)," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    5. Sofía Mulero-Palencia & Sonia Álvarez-Díaz & Manuel Andrés-Chicote, 2021. "Machine Learning for the Improvement of Deep Renovation Building Projects Using As-Built BIM Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-29, June.
    6. Roman Trach & Yuliia Trach & Marzena Lendo-Siwicka, 2021. "Using ANN to Predict the Impact of Communication Factors on the Rework Cost in Construction Projects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-15, July.
    7. Kheira Anissa Tabet Aoul & Rahma Hagi & Rahma Abdelghani & Monaya Syam & Boshra Akhozheya, 2021. "Building Envelope Thermal Defects in Existing and Under-Construction Housing in the UAE; Infrared Thermography Diagnosis and Qualitative Impacts Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-23, February.

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