Effect of construction defects on construction and demolition waste management in building construction: a systematic literature review

Abstract The occurrence of defects in building construction projects is a significant issue, leading to increased construction waste and negatively affecting sustainability and overall project performance. Despite its critical nature, the specific relationship between construction defects and waste generation has been underexplored in the literature. This study seeks to address this gap by conducting a systematic literature review of relevant publications. The research followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, conducting an extensive search across databases like Scopus and Web of Science, which resulted in the identification and content analysis of 59 pertinent articles. The findings reveal that poor workmanship, inadequate planning and scheduling, and frequent design changes are the primary causes of defect-related waste. Additionally, the study identified 12 themes, noting that the quantification of the cost of quality and the association between defect, rework and waste have not been thoroughly analyzed. The study's implications are twofold: Theoretically, it contributes to the academic understanding of the link between construction defects and waste generation, laying a foundation for future research in this area. Practically, it underscores the need for improved industry practices, such as enhanced training for construction workers, more rigorous project planning, and stricter adherence to design and specifications, to mitigate defect-related waste and promote sustainable construction practices.