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Article
Publication date: 20 July 2023

Haitao Wu, Wenyan Zhong, Botao Zhong, Heng Li, Jiadong Guo and Imran Mehmood

Blockchain has the potential to facilitate a paradigm shift in the construction industry toward effectiveness, transparency and collaboration. However, there is currently a…

1065

Abstract

Purpose

Blockchain has the potential to facilitate a paradigm shift in the construction industry toward effectiveness, transparency and collaboration. However, there is currently a paucity of empirical evidence from real-world construction projects. This study aims to systematically review blockchain adoption barriers, investigate critical ones and propose corresponding solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated method was adopted in this research based on the technology–organization–environment (TOE) theory and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) approach. Blockchain adoption barriers were first presented using the TOE framework. Then, key barriers were identified based on the importance and causality analysis in the fuzzy DEMATEL. Several suggestions were proposed to facilitate blockchain diffusion from the standpoints of the government, the industry and construction organizations.

Findings

The results highlighted seven key barriers. Specifically, the construction industry is more concerned with environmental barriers, such as policy uncertainties (E2) and technology maturity (E3), while most technical barriers are causal factors, such as “interoperability (T4)” and “smart contracts' security (T2)”.

Practical implications

This study contributes to a better understanding of the problem associated with blockchain implementation and provides policymakers with recommendations.

Originality/value

Identified TOE barriers lay the groundwork for theoretical observations to comprehend the blockchain adoption problem. This research also applied the fuzzy method to blockchain adoption barrier analysis, which can reduce the uncertainty and subjectivity in expert evaluations with a small sample.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 32 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 May 2022

Zhenbo Qin, Xuehan Li, Da-Hai Xia, Yiwen Zhang, Zhong Wu and Wenbin Hu

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the effect of compressive stress on cavitation-erosion corrosion behavior of 304 stainless steel.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the effect of compressive stress on cavitation-erosion corrosion behavior of 304 stainless steel.

Design/methodology/approach

Compressive stresses of 60 MPa and 120 MPa were applied to 304 stainless steel through a self-designed loading device, and cavitation erosion-corrosion tests were performed using an ultrasonically vibratory apparatus. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the microstructure evolution, and corrosion behavior was studied by electrochemical analysis.

Findings

The cavitation weight loss of 304 stainless steel decreased with the compressive stress. After cavitation corroded for 8 h, the weight loss for the specimen with 120 MPa compressive stress was 5.11 mg/cm2, which was reduced by 56.7% from that of the specimen without loading stress (11.79 mg/cm2). The reason can be attributed to that compressive stress promoted the deformation-induced martensitic transformation during the cavitation process, which could not only provide a cushioning effect by absorbing cavitation impact energy but also improve the hardness of 304 stainless steel.

Originality/value

Compressive stress was found to restrain the cavitation damage on 304 stainless steel, and the corresponding mechanism was proposed.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 69 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 June 2023

Zhenbo Qin, Jiale Li, Yiwen Zhang, Zhong Wu and Wenbin Hu

The purpose of this paper is to improve the corrosion resistance of stainless-steel bipolar plate by magnetron sputtering.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the corrosion resistance of stainless-steel bipolar plate by magnetron sputtering.

Design/methodology/approach

TiC/amorphous carbon composite film was deposited by magnetron sputter at four different temperature of 25°C, 200°C, 300°C and 400°C. The morphology, composition and structure of the film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. And its corrosion behavior was analyzed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization tests.

Findings

A compact TiC/amorphous carbon film was prepared by magnetron sputtering on 316L stainless steel, and the particles of the film were refined with the increase in sputtering temperature. High temperature promoted the formation of TiC and C–C sp2 hybrid carbon, but excessively high temperature caused the oxidation of Ti and a significant decrease in sp2 hybrid carbon. The corrosion resistance of the film increased with the temperature, and the corrosion current density polarization at 0.86 V and 1.8 V for TiC/a–C film prepared at 400 °C is only 1.2% and 43.2% of stainless steel, respectively.

Originality/value

The corrosion resistance of amorphous carbon films was improved by the doping of Ti carbide, and the appropriate sputtering temperature was obtained.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 70 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 September 2021

Zhong Wu, Qing Hu, Zhenbo Qin, Yiwen Zhang, Da-Hai Xia and Wenbin Hu

Nickel-aluminum bronze (NAB) has been widely used in ship propellers. It is always subjected to local micro-plastic deformation in service environments. This paper aims to study…

Abstract

Purpose

Nickel-aluminum bronze (NAB) has been widely used in ship propellers. It is always subjected to local micro-plastic deformation in service environments. This paper aims to study the influence of plastic deformation on the mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of NAB in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl solution.

Design/methodology/approach

Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the microstructure of NAB alloy with different plastic deformations. Mechanical properties of the sample were measured by tensile experiment, and corrosion behavior was studied by electrochemical measurements and the long-term immersion corrosion test.

Findings

Results showed that the plastic deformation caused lattice distortion but did not change the microstructure of NAB alloy. Microhardness and yield strength of NAB were significantly improved with the increase of deformation. The lattice distortion accelerated the formation of corrosion product film, which made the deformed alloy show a more positive open-circuit potential and an increased Rp. However, during the long-term immersion corrosion, the corrosion resistance of NAB alloys deteriorated with the increase of plastic deformation. This is because larger plastic deformation brought about higher internal stress in corrosion product film, which resulted in the premature peeling of the film and the loss of its protective effect on the alloy substrate.

Originality/value

Tensile plastic deformations were found to cause a decline in the corrosion resistance of NAB. And the mechanism was clarified from the evolution of corrosion products during the corrosion process.

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 68 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 September 2023

Wenjing Wu, Caifeng Wen, Qi Yuan, Qiulan Chen and Yunzhong Cao

Learning from safety accidents and sharing safety knowledge has become an important part of accident prevention and improving construction safety management. Considering the…

Abstract

Purpose

Learning from safety accidents and sharing safety knowledge has become an important part of accident prevention and improving construction safety management. Considering the difficulty of reusing unstructured data in the construction industry, the knowledge in it is difficult to be used directly for safety analysis. The purpose of this paper is to explore the construction of construction safety knowledge representation model and safety accident graph through deep learning methods, extract construction safety knowledge entities through BERT-BiLSTM-CRF model and propose a data management model of data–knowledge–services.

Design/methodology/approach

The ontology model of knowledge representation of construction safety accidents is constructed by integrating entity relation and logic evolution. Then, the database of safety incidents in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is established based on the collected construction safety incident reports and related dispute cases. The construction method of construction safety accident knowledge graph is studied, and the precision of BERT-BiLSTM-CRF algorithm in information extraction is verified through comparative experiments. Finally, a safety accident report is used as an example to construct the AEC domain construction safety accident knowledge graph (AEC-KG), which provides visual query knowledge service and verifies the operability of knowledge management.

Findings

The experimental results show that the combined BERT-BiLSTM-CRF algorithm has a precision of 84.52%, a recall of 92.35%, and an F1 value of 88.26% in named entity recognition from the AEC domain database. The construction safety knowledge representation model and safety incident knowledge graph realize knowledge visualization.

Originality/value

The proposed framework provides a new knowledge management approach to improve the safety management of practitioners and also enriches the application scenarios of knowledge graph. On the one hand, it innovatively proposes a data application method and knowledge management method of safety accident report that integrates entity relationship and matter evolution logic. On the other hand, the legal adjudication dimension is innovatively added to the knowledge graph in the construction safety field as the basis for the postincident disposal measures of safety accidents, which provides reference for safety managers' decision-making in all aspects.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 May 2022

Liping Liu and Chunyu Zhang

This study aims to integrate conservation of resources theory discus the antecedents and consequences of cyberloafing as well as the boundary effect between cyberloafing and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to integrate conservation of resources theory discus the antecedents and consequences of cyberloafing as well as the boundary effect between cyberloafing and mental health.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected 431 valid questionnaires in four months. Each questionnaire was divided into two parts that had to be distributed. The interval between the first distribution and the second distribution was 15 days.

Findings

The research study revealed that employees’ Zhong-Yong thinking and cyberloafing promote mental health, and cyberloafing has a mediating effect. Mindfulness weakens the positive impact of cyberloafing on mental health.

Originality/value

The research study’s results break the stereotype that cyberloafing is not good for organizations. When managers allow employees to engage in cyberloafing at work, this is conducive to employees’ mental health, which can ensure the company’s sustainable development.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 April 2024

Haiyan Song and Hanyuan Zhang

The aim of this paper is to provide a narrative review of previous research on tourism demand modelling and forecasting and potential future developments.

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide a narrative review of previous research on tourism demand modelling and forecasting and potential future developments.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative approach is taken in this review of the current body of knowledge.

Findings

Significant methodological advancements in tourism demand modelling and forecasting over the past two decades are identified.

Originality/value

The distinct characteristics of the various methods applied in the field are summarised and a research agenda for future investigations is proposed.

目的

本文旨在对先前关于旅游需求建模和预测的研究进行叙述性回顾并对未来潜在发展进行展望。

设计/方法

本文采用叙述性回顾方法对当前知识体系进行了评论。

研究结果

本文确认了过去二十年旅游需求建模和预测方法论方面的重要进展。

独创性

本文总结了该领域应用的各种方法的独特特征, 并对未来研究提出了建议。

Objetivo

El objetivo de este documento es ofrecer una revisión narrativa de la investigación previa sobre modelización y previsión de la demanda turística y los posibles desarrollos futuros.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

En esta revisión del marco actual de conocimientos sobre modelización y previsión de la demanda turística y los posibles desarrollos futuros,se adopta un enfoque narrativo.

Resultados

Se identifican avances metodológicos significativos en la modelización y previsión de la demanda turística en las dos últimas décadas.

Originalidad

Se resumen las características propias de los diversos métodos aplicados en este campo y se propone una agenda de investigación para futuros trabajos.

Article
Publication date: 16 August 2022

Ming Jiang, Mengyang Shi, Jiamao Li, Juan Liu, Lei Zhang, Jian Qin, Yongtao Jiu, Bin Tang and Dong Xu

This paper aims to study the effects of MnO2 on the ZnO–Bi2O3-based varistor prepared via flash sintering (FS)

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effects of MnO2 on the ZnO–Bi2O3-based varistor prepared via flash sintering (FS)

Design/methodology/approach

MnO2-doped ZnO–Bi2O3-based varistors were successfully prepared by the FS with a step-wise increase of the .current in 60 s at the furnace temperature <750°C under the direct current electric field of 300 V cm−1. The FS process, microstructure and the electrical performance of ZnO–Bi2O3-based varistors were systematically investigated.

Findings

The doping of MnO2 significantly decreased the onset temperature of FS and improved the electrical performance of FS ZnO varistor ceramic. The sample with 0.5 mol% MnO2 doping shows the highest improvement, with the nonlinear coefficient of 18, the leakage current of 16.82 µA, the threshold voltage of 459 V/mm and the dielectric constant of 1,221 at 1 kHz.

Originality/value

FS is a wonderful technology to enhance ZnO varistors for its low energy consumption, and a short sintering time can reduce grain growth and inhabit Bi2O3 volatilize, yet few research studies work on that. In this research, the authors analyzed the FS process and improved the electrical characteristics through MnO2 doping.

Details

Microelectronics International, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-5362

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1997

Low Sui Pheng

The potentially lucrative construction market in Asia is obviously the target of many international contractors from the west. However, in their clamour for a share of the Asian…

1027

Abstract

The potentially lucrative construction market in Asia is obviously the target of many international contractors from the west. However, in their clamour for a share of the Asian construction market, international contractors must recognize the peculiarities of Chinese societies while structuring their marketing plans. A clear understanding of these peculiarities and an ability to align themselves with Chinese customs, beliefs and practices would go a long way in helping international contractors win building projects in China. An understanding of the Chinese mind is an important factor for penetrating the Asian business culture. Highlights the “thick face, black heart” concept as an important phenomenon for marketing to the Chinese. It also analyses how an understanding of “thick face, black heart” can help international contractors from the west market their services more effectively in China.

Details

Marketing Intelligence & Planning, vol. 15 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-4503

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2018

Yunlong Zhong, Lijian Wu, Youtong Fang and Xiaoyan Huang

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and restrain the cross-coupling effect among X, Y and Z-axes of a three degrees of freedom hybrid magnetic bearing (3-DOF HMB). The…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and restrain the cross-coupling effect among X, Y and Z-axes of a three degrees of freedom hybrid magnetic bearing (3-DOF HMB). The influence of the cross-coupling effect on the force characteristics and stiffnesses are analysed. Two additional methods are proposed to eliminate the cross-coupling effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis with finite element method (FEM) is time-consuming because of the requirement of a 3D model for the studied 3-DOF HMB. Hence, an improved magnetic circuit model considering the leakage, cross-coupling and saturation effects is used to investigate the cross-coupling effect in this paper. In addition, two restraining methods are proposed. One is adding an auxiliary coil between radial and axial stators. The other is adding an iron ring between the PM and radial or axial stator.

Findings

The X-axis (or Y-axis) force characteristics and stiffnesses are significantly influenced by the Z-axis current, while other axes force characteristics and stiffnesses do not show the cross-coupling effect. Moreover, this cross-coupling effect is inversely related to the distance between axial thrust disk and radial MB part. Besides, adding an auxiliary coil can effectively eliminate the cross-coupling effect in whole work range and adding an iron ring can reduce the cross-coupling effect.

Originality/value

The cross-coupling effect and its restraining methods of a 3-DOF HMB are investigated, which is beneficial to the design and control of such 3-DOF HMB.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 37 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

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