Construction of multi-storey concrete structures in Italy: patterns of productivity and learning curves

The achievement of expected site productivity is one of the main characteristics of successfully completed projects. The productivity rates of concrete construction according to the learning curve theory are discussed in this paper. The study builds upon the records of variable productivity rates achieved in the erection of 15 multi-storey concrete structures in Southern Italy and the discussion of the factors behind such variability. In this last regard, a multilevel regression analysis identifies the most important factors. The repetitive work that characterizes these structures provides distinct opportunities for productivity enhancement. Learning curve theory is applied to quantify such an improvement by using a straight-line model. The quantification of learning rates, ranging from 85% to 95%, is useful for the labour cost and time planning of future concrete structures in the region. In the case of Italian sites, the application of the learning curve would be more beneficial if more effort were spent in the planning and control of the initial construction site operations and in the constructability analysis of design documents.