Causes and Mitigation of Delay and Cost Overrun in Deep Excavations Supported by Soil Nailing and Ground Anchoring: A Mixed-methods Study From Iran
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Bayandor, Sara
Kalatehjari, Roohollah
Kasebzadeh, Jalal
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Emerald
Abstract
Purpose
Deep excavation projects supported by soil nailing and ground anchoring systems are increasingly prevalent in densely urbanized metropolitan areas, yet remain understudied in construction management research. This study investigates the primary causes of delay and cost overrun in such projects, drawing on empirical data from Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 431 international publications with expert interviews and consultations involving 25 industry professionals and structured questionnaires administered to contractors, consultants and owners. Delay factors were evaluated using impact indices, likelihood of occurrence, and overall significance, with root cause analysis pursued to the fourth causal level in key cases.
Findings
Constraints related to neighboring structures and underground facilities emerged as the most critical drivers, followed by inadequacies in geotechnical investigation. Stakeholder responsibility analysis attributed approximately 38.0% of factors to owners, 37.7% to contractors and 15.9% to consultants. A practical mitigation framework was developed, integrating insights from the systematic review, prior case studies and expert judgement. Regional conditions and sample size constraints may limit transferability.
Originality/value
This is the first study to apply a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 431 publications specifically to soil nailing and ground anchoring systems, combined with multi-level root cause analysis and structured stakeholder attribution, offering targeted guidance for Iranian urban deep excavation projects and transferable implications for similarly urbanizing economies.
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Keywords
0905 Civil Engineering, 1202 Building, 1503 Business and Management, Building & Construction, 3301 Architecture, 3302 Building, 4005 Civil engineering, Delay and cost overrun, Deep excavation, Soil nailing and ground anchoring, Construction risk management, Systematic literature review
Source
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, ISSN: 0969-9988 (Print); 1365-232X (Online), Emerald, 33(15), 889-913. doi: 10.1108/ecam-06-2026-1074
Rights statement
© Sara Bayandor, Roohollah Kalatehjari and Jalal Kasebzadeh. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at Link to the terms of the CC BY 4.0 licence.
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Creative Commons Attribution License