Emeritus Professor David Carmichael
Emeritus Professor

Emeritus Professor David Carmichael

Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering

Emeritus Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

David Carmichael is Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, former Head of the Department of Engineering Construction and Management and the Construction Innovation and Research Initiative (CIRI), and a member of the Centre for Infrastructure, Engineering and Safety (CIES) at UNSW.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales, Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia, Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a trained arbitrator and mediator.

Professor Carmichael publishes, teaches, and consults widely in most aspects of project management, construction management, systems engineering, and problem solving.  He is the author and editor of twenty-three books and over two hundred papers in structural and construction engineering and construction and project management and has provided expert reports and expert witness in cases involving structural failures, construction accidents and safety, and contractual and liability matters. His major consultancy work has included the structural design and analysis of civil and building structures; the planning and programming of engineering projects; the administration and control/replanning of civil engineering projects and contracts; and various construction and building related work.  

With an international reputation for excellence, Professor Carmichael is known for his adeptness at balancing big picture thinking with a keen eye for detail, producing landmark, seminal texts on project and risk management (Project Management Framework, A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 2004), project planning (Project Planning and Control, Taylor and Francis, London, 2006), problem solving (Problem Solving for Engineers, CRC Press, Taylor and Francis, London, 2013), and infrastructure investment (Infrastructure Investment: An Engineering Perspective, CRC Press, Taylor and Francis, London, 2014). With risk management and problem solving among his expertise, it should come as no surprise that in the classroom Professor Carmichael is constantly challenging his students to apply their learning, weigh up their options, test their limits and when necessary shift the goal posts in an effort to create industry leaders who are innovative thinkers.

Education

PhD, University of Canterbury
MEngSc, University of Sydney
BE(Hons), University of Sydney

Teaching

CVEN4101 Problem Solving and Decision Making

CVEN4106 Construction Practicum

CVEN2101 Engineering Construction

CVEN4103 Engineering Contracts

Research Interests

Professor Carmichael's expertise and research interests include:

  • Problem solving, decision making, systems
  • Contracts and disputes
  • Project delivery
  • Construction operations, management
  • Project management and management functional areas including risk, economics, finances, and planning
  • Project and investment feasibility, investment
  • Systems, problem solving
  • Contracts, contracting and project delivery
  • Sustainability in construction
  • Climate change and carbon impact on projects
  • Engineering operations

Grants

Awards

  • Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence, UNSW Australia, 2014
  • Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence, Highly Commended Paper Award, 2015
  • Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence, Outstanding Journal Paper Award, 2014
  • Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence, Highly Commended Paper Award, 2013
  • Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence, Highly Commended Paper Award, 2012

Outreach

Professional Affiliations/Organisations

  • Royal Society of New South Wales, Fellow
  • The Institution of Engineers, Australia, Fellow
  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Life Member
  • Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators, Australia, former graded arbitrator/mediator
  • Editorial Boards/Reviewer – numerous journals

 

 

Phone
(+61 2) 9385 6140
Location
Civil Engineering Building (H20) Level 2, Room CE213 Kensington Campus
  • Book Chapters | 2020
    Carmichael DG, 2020, 'Energy Options', in Future-proofing—Valuing Adaptability, Flexibility, Convertibility and Options, Springer Singapore, pp. 149 - 153, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0723-6_11
    Book Chapters | 2014
    Hosseinian SM; Carmichael DG, 2014, 'Optimization in the Development of Target Contracts', in Xu H; Wang X (ed.), Optimization and Control Methods in Industrial Engineering and Construction, edn. 1, Springer Engineering, Berlin, pp. 259 - 296, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8044-5_15
  • Journal articles | 2022
    Barati K; Shen X; Li N; Carmichael DG, 2022, 'Automatic Mass Estimation of Construction Vehicles by Modeling Operational and Engine Data', Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, vol. 148, http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0002225
    Journal articles | 2022
    Hosseinian SM; Andalib M; Carmichael DG, 2022, 'Appropriate Types of Payments in Construction Contracts Based on Agency Theory Parameters', Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, vol. 148, http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0002228
    Journal articles | 2022
    Nasirzadeh F; Rostamnezhad M; Carmichael DG; Khosravi A; Aisbett B, 2022, 'Labour productivity in Australian building construction projects: a roadmap for improvement', International Journal of Construction Management, vol. 22, pp. 2079 - 2088, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2020.1765286
    Journal articles | 2021
    Carmichael DG, 2021, 'At one with systems', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, vol. 38, pp. 265 - 268, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2021.1980542
    Journal articles | 2021
    Carmichael DG, 2021, 'Author's reply to: David Blockley's discussion of the special issue', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, vol. 38, pp. 250, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2021.1980550
    Journal articles | 2021
    Carmichael DG, 2021, 'Author’s reply to: David Elms’ discussion of ‘a framework for a civil engineering BOK’', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, vol. 38, pp. 276 - 278, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2021.1980549
    Journal articles | 2021
    Carmichael DG, 2021, 'BOK and terminology', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, vol. 38, pp. 257 - 258, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2021.1980543
    Journal articles | 2021
    Robati M; Oldfield P; Nezhad AA; Carmichael DG; Kuru A, 2021, 'Carbon value engineering: A framework for integrating embodied carbon and cost reduction strategies in building design', Building and Environment, vol. 192, pp. 107620 - 107620, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107620
    Journal articles | 2020
    Carmichael DG, 2020, 'A framework for a civil engineering systems BOK', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, vol. 37, pp. 154 - 165, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2020.1815012
    Journal articles | 2020
    Carmichael DG, 2020, 'Author's reply to: David Elms’ discussion of ‘Bias and decision making–an overview systems explanation’', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, vol. 37, pp. 146 - 148, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2020.1821671
    Journal articles | 2020
    Hosseinian SM; Farahpour E; Carmichael DG, 2020, 'An optimum multiple outcomes sharing model with multiple risk-averse agents', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-03-2020-0194
    Journal articles | 2020
    Mahdi Hosseinian S; Farahpour E; Carmichael DG, 2020, 'Optimum Outcome-Sharing Construction Contracts with Multiagent and Multioutcome Arrangements', Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, vol. 146, http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001862
    Journal articles | 2020
    Nasirzadeh F; Kabir HMD; Akbari M; Khosravi A; Nahavandi S; Carmichael DG, 2020, 'ANN-based prediction intervals to forecast labour productivity', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 27, pp. 2335 - 2351, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-08-2019-0406
    Journal articles | 2020
    Yu M; Robati M; Oldfield P; Wiedmann T; Crawford R; Nezhad AA; Carmichael DG, 2020, 'The impact of value engineering on embodied greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment: A hybrid life cycle assessment', Building and Environment, vol. 168, pp. 106452 - 106452, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106452
    Journal articles | 2019
    Carmichael DG, 2019, 'Bias and decision making – an overview systems explanation', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, pp. 1 - 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2020.1744133
    Journal articles | 2019
    Carmichael DG, 2019, 'Organisations as Systems - Difficulties in Model Development and Validation', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, vol. 35, pp. 41 - 56, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2019.1577395
    Journal articles | 2019
    Carmichael DG; Nguyen TA; Shen X, 2019, 'Single Treatment of PPP Road Project Options', Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, vol. 145, pp. 04018122-1 - 04018122-11, http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001591
    Journal articles | 2019
    Carmichael DG; Shen X; Peansupap V, 2019, 'The relationship between heavy equipment cost efficiency and cleaner production in construction', Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 211, pp. 521 - 529, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.11.167
    Journal articles | 2019
    Nasirzadeh F; Carmichael DG; Jafar Jarban M; Rostamnezhad M, 2019, 'Hybrid Fuzzy-System Dynamics Approach for Quantificatiion of the Impacts of Construction Claims', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 26, pp. 1261 - 1276, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-08-2017-0150
    Journal articles | 2019
    Nasirzadeh F; Ghasem Kashi M; Khanzadi M; Carmichael DG; Akbarnezhad A, 2019, 'A hybrid approach for quantitative assessment of construction projects risks: The case study of poor quality concrete', Computers and Industrial Engineering, vol. 131, pp. 306 - 319, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2019.03.045
    Journal articles | 2018
    Carmichael DG; Mustaffa NK, 2018, 'Emissions and Production Penalties/Bonuses Associated with Non-standard Earthmoving Loading Policies', Construction Innovation, vol. 18, pp. 227 - 245, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/CI-05-2017-0047
    Journal articles | 2018
    Carmichael DG; Mustaffa NK; Shen X, 2018, 'A utility measure of attitudes to lower-emissions production in construction', Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 202, pp. 23 - 32, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.08.086
    Journal articles | 2018
    Carmichael DG; Taheriattar R, 2018, 'Valuing Deliberate Built-in Flexibility in Houses - Exampled', International Journal of Strategic Property Management, vol. 22, pp. 479 - 488, http://dx.doi.org/10.3846/ijspm.2018.6273
    Journal articles | 2018
    Sun Y; Carmichael DG, 2018, 'Uncertainties related to financial variables within infrastructure life cycle costing: a literature review', Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, vol. 14, pp. 1233 - 1243, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2017.1418008
    Journal articles | 2017
    Carmichael DG, 2017, 'Adjustments within discount rates to cater for uncertainty—Guidelines', Engineering Economist, vol. 62, pp. 322 - 335, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0013791X.2016.1245376
    Journal articles | 2016
    Carmichael DG, 2016, 'A cash flow view of real options', Engineering Economist, vol. 61, pp. 265 - 288, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0013791X.2016.1157661
    Journal articles | 2016
    Carmichael DG, 2016, 'Risk – a commentary', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, vol. 33, pp. 177 - 198, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2016.1202932
    Journal articles | 2016
    Carmichael DG; Lea KA; Balatbat MCA, 2016, 'The financial additionality and viability of CDM projects allowing for uncertainty', Environment, Development and Sustainability, vol. 18, pp. 129 - 141, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10668-015-9630-5
    Journal articles | 2016
    Jukic D; Carmichael DG, 2016, 'Emission and cost effects of training for construction equipment operators: A field study', Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 5, pp. 96 - 110, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-11-2015-0040
    Journal articles | 2016
    Kaboli AS; Carmichael DG, 2016, 'An examination of the DRET model and the influence of payload, haul grade and truck type on earthmoving emissions', International Journal of Construction Management, vol. 16, pp. 95 - 108, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2015.1130600
    Journal articles | 2016
    Siew RYJ; Balatbat MCA; Carmichael DG, 2016, 'A proposed framework for assessing the sustainability of infrastructure', International Journal of Construction Management, vol. 16, pp. 281 - 298, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2016.1146115
    Journal articles | 2016
    Siew RYJ; Balatbat MCA; Carmichael DG, 2016, 'The impact of ESG disclosures and institutional ownership on market information asymmetry', Asia-Pacific Journal of Accounting and Economics, vol. 23, pp. 432 - 448, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16081625.2016.1170100
    Journal articles | 2015
    Carmichael DG, 2015, 'Incorporating resilience through adaptability and flexibility', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, vol. 32, pp. 31 - 43, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2015.1016921
    Journal articles | 2015
    Carmichael DG; Ballouz JJ; Balatbat MCA, 2015, 'Improving the attractiveness of CDM projects through allowing and incorporating options', Energy Policy, vol. 86, pp. 784 - 791, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.08.024
    Journal articles | 2015
    Carmichael DG; Handford LB, 2015, 'A Note on Equivalent Fixed Rate and Variable Rate Loans; Borrower's Perspective', The Engineering Economist, vol. 60, pp. 155 - 162, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0013791X.2014.973985
    Journal articles | 2015
    Carmichael DG; Karantonis JP, 2015, 'Construction contracts with conversion capability: a way forward', Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, vol. 20, pp. 132 - 146, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JFMPC-10-2014-0022
    Journal articles | 2014
    Carmichael DG; Bartlett BJ; Kaboli AS, 2014, 'Surface mining operations: coincident unit cost and emissions', International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, vol. 28, pp. 47 - 65, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17480930.2013.772699
    Journal articles | 2014
    Carmichael DG; Bustamante BL, 2014, 'Interest rate uncertainty and investment value: a second order moment approach', International Journal of Engineering Management and Economics, vol. 4, pp. 176 - 176, http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJEME.2014.066588
    Journal articles | 2014
    Hosseinian SM; Carmichael DG, 2014, 'An optimal target cost contract with a risk neutral owner', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 21, pp. 586 - 604, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-01-2013-0003
    Journal articles | 2014
    Hosseinian SM; Carmichael DG, 2014, 'Optimum Sharing in Project Delivery Methods', International Journal of Engineering Management and Economics, vol. 4, pp. 151 - 175, http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJEME.2014.066586
    Journal articles | 2014
    Hosseinian SM; Carmichael DG; (Outstanding Paper of 2014 Award) , 2014, 'Optimal Sharing Arrangement for Multiple Project Outcomes', Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, vol. 19, pp. 264 - 280, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JFMPC-09-2013-0038
    Journal articles | 2014
    Kaboli AS; Carmichael DG, 2014, 'Optimum scraper load time and fleet size for minimum emissions', International Journal of Construction Management, vol. 14, pp. 209 - 226, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2014.967924
    Journal articles | 2014
    Kaboli AS; Carmichael DG, 2014, 'Truck Dispatching and Minimum Emissions Earthmoving', Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 3, pp. 170 - 186, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-10-2013-0050
    Journal articles | 2013
    Carmichael DG, 2013, 'The Conceptual Power of Control Systems Theory in Engineering Practice', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems: decision making and problem solving, vol. 30, pp. 231 - 242, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2013.865021
    Journal articles | 2013
    Hosseinian SM; Carmichael DG, 2013, 'An Optimal Incentive Contract with a Risk-Neutral Contractor', Journal of Construction Engineering and Management - ASCE, vol. 139, pp. 899 - 909, http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000663
    Journal articles | 2013
    Hosseinian SM; Carmichael DG, 2013, 'Optimal Gainshare/Painshare in Alliance Projects', Journal of the Operational Research Society, vol. 64, pp. 1269 - 1278, http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/jors.2012.146
    Journal articles | 2013
    Siew RYJ; Balatbat MCA; Carmichael DG, 2013, 'A Review of Building/Infrastructure Sustainability Reporting Tools (SRTs)', Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 2, pp. 106 - 139, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-03-2013-0010
    Journal articles | 2013
    Siew RYJ; Balatbat MCA; Carmichael DG, 2013, 'The Relationship between Sustainability Practices and Financial Performance of Construction Companies', Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 2, pp. 6 - 27, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/20466091311325827
    Journal articles | 2013
    Tran H; Carmichael DG, 2013, 'A Contractor's Classification of Owner Payment Practices', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 20, pp. 29 - 45, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09699981311288664
    Journal articles | 2012
    Balatbat MC; Findlay E; Carmichael DG, 2012, 'Performance Risk Associated with Renewable Energy CDM Projects', Journal of Management in Engineering, vol. 28, pp. 51 - 58, http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000090
    Journal articles | 2012
    Kaboli AS; Carmichael DG, 2012, 'Emission and Cost Configurations in Earthmoving Operations', Organization, Technology and Management in Construction: An International Journal, vol. 4, pp. 393 - 402, http://www.grad.hr/otmcj/
    Journal articles | 2012
    Tran H; Carmichael DG; (Highly Commended Paper Award) , 2012, 'The Likelihood of Subcontractor Payment; Downstream Progression via the Owner and Contractor', Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, vol. 17, pp. 135 - 152, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13664381211246589
    Journal articles | 2011
    Balatbat MCA; Lin C; Carmichael DG, 2011, 'Management Efficiency Performance of Construction Businesses – Australian Data', Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 18, pp. 140 - 158, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09699981111111120
    Journal articles | 2011
    Carmichael DG, 2011, 'An alternative approach to capital investment appraisal', Engineering Economist, vol. 56, pp. 123 - 139, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0013791X.2011.573616
    Journal articles | 2011
    Carmichael DG; Balatbat MCA, 2011, 'Risk Associated with Managed Investment Primary Production Projects', International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, vol. 3, pp. 273 - 289, http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJPOM.2011.042033
    Journal articles | 2011
    Carmichael DG; Hersh AM; Parasu P, 2011, 'Real Options Estimate Using Probabilistic Present Worth Analysis', The Engineering Economist, vol. 56, pp. 295 - 320, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0013791X.2011.624259
    Journal articles | 2010
    Balatbat MCA; Lin C; Carmichael DG, 2010, 'Comparative Performance of Publicly Listed Construction Companies: Australian Evidence', Construction Management and Economics, vol. 28, pp. 919 - 932, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2010.501805
    Journal articles | 2010
    Carmichael DG; Balatbat MCA, 2010, 'A Contractor's Analysis of the Likelihood of Payment of Claims', Journal of Financial management of property and construction, vol. 15, pp. 102 - 117, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13664381011063412
    Journal articles | 2010
    Johar K; Carmichael DG; Balatbat MCA, 2010, 'A Study of Correlation Aspects in Probabilistic NPV Analysis', The Engineering Economist, vol. 55, pp. 181 - 199, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0013791x.2010.481185
    Journal articles | 2008
    Carmichael DG; Balatbat MC, 2008, 'Probabilistic DCF Analysis and Capital Budgeting and Investment - A Survey', The Engineering Economist, vol. 53, pp. 84 - 102, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00137910701864809
    Journal articles | 2008
    Carmichael DG; Balatbat MCA, 2008, 'The Influence of extra projects on overall investment feasibility', Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, vol. 13, pp. 161 - 174, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13664380810913403
  • Conference Papers | 2018
    Sun Y; Carmichael DG, 2018, 'A Simplified Approach to Address Uncertainty in Life Cycle Costing (LCC) Analysis', in Caspeele R; Taerwe L; Frangopol DM (eds.), 6th International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE 2018), IALCCE, Ghent, Belgium, presented at 6th International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE 2018), Ghent, Belgium, 28 October 2018 - 31 October 2018, http://www.ialcce2018.org/#/home
    Conference Papers | 2014
    Carmichael DG; Malcolm CJ; Balatbat MCA, 2014, 'Carbon Abatement and Its Cost in Construction Activities', in Construction Research Congress 2014, American Society of Civil Engineers, presented at Construction Research Congress 2014, http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/9780784413517.055
    Conference Papers | 2012
    Carmichael DG; Williams EH; Kaboli AS, 2012, 'Minimum Operational Emissions in Earthmoving', in Construction Research Congress 2012, American Society of Civil Engineers, Virginia USA, pp. 1869 - 1878, presented at ASCE Construction Research Congress 2012, Purdue University, 21 May 2012 - 23 May 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/9780784412329.188