Analysis of the time variable in on-site concrete production

Abstract

Abstract Time is one of the most important magnitudes of physics; it is considered a variable that determines movements, positions, and speeds. Consequently, its adequate study, in the context of construction activities, allows for the dimensioning of its incidence and the correct way in which this variable should be analyzed. The objective of this research was to establish how the time variable determines productivity in the production of concrete on site. In this way, it was possible to find that this variable, when analyzed in construction activities, should not be analyzed with a unique definition, but rather it should be analyzed from 3 points of view, as productive time, contributory time, and non-contributory time. The final results indicated that the time variable measured in concrete production activity on site corresponds to productive time by 46%, to contributory time by 30%, and to non-contributory time by 24%. These results allow concluding that, for the case of activities related to the construction sector, time cannot be conceived with an absolute definition, but it should be analyzed in a discriminated way, according to the time measured for an activity, contributing or not to the improvement of productivity in a construction work. It was found that these times are not within the optimal times proposed in the literature to decrease losses in the work performed, which are around 60% for contributory time, 25% for productive time, and 15% for non-contributory time. The above indicates that the measurement of the time variable and its adequate analysis is essential to implement processes of productivity improvement in the construction sector, particularly in the way time is distributed for the production of concrete on site.