Predicting Maintenance Demand through Material Selection Criteria: Evidence from the Oman Construction Industry

In Oman's fast-evolving construction industry, the demand for building maintenance is significantly influenced by the choice of materials, a decision primarily made by architects. This study investigates architects' priorities in selecting materials when predicting building maintenance demand, defined as the expected frequency, extent, and cost of interventions over a building's lifetime. A questionnaire survey of 78 architects was analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression. Eleven technical, contextual, economic, and aesthetic factors were examined alongside professional characteristics. Results indicate that professional background significantly influenced the prioritization of material selection criteria such as climate compliance, durability, and environmental impact. Regression analysis identified material durability as the strongest predictor of anticipated maintenance demand, followed by climate compliance, client demand, and cost considerations. Although climate compliance was statistically significant, it received lower importance ratings in practice. These findings underscore the importance of performance-based material selection frameworks that integrate life-cycle thinking and climate adaptability to reduce long-term costs and maximize resilience in Oman's hot-arid climate. The results contribute to an existing body of knowledge on the fundamental understanding of the predictors of maintenance demand in the context of building management in the Oman construction Industry. The research will benefit industry stakeholders, especially architects, in improving their material selection practices in the face of performance demands associated with buildings.