Search results

This research paper aims to establish a comprehensive framework for the barriers to CER in the construction industry, assesses the barriers' relative degrees of hindrance and causal mechanisms.

Firstly, 26 carbon emission reduction (CER) barriers in the construction industry were identified based on a systematic literature review (SLR) and categorized into five dimensions: policy, economy, society, technology and organization (PEST + O model). Secondly, the Best–Worst Method (BWM) was used to clarify the degrees of hindrance of the CER barriers. Then, the Grey-Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (Grey-DEMATEL) was used to visualize the directional cause–result relationship network among prominent barriers. Finally, the Boston matrix model was used to propose differentiated strategies to address CER barriers in the construction industry.

The calculated centrality and causality of the prominent barriers indicated that the lack of relevant legal policies and normative guidelines, the poor binding force and enforcement of existing relevant policies, the lack of effective economic subsidies and incentives and the difficulty in the operation, transformation and upgrading of existing construction CER are the key barriers that CER needs to address first in the construction industry. Considering the order of priority and the optimal path, differentiated countermeasures are proposed to address key, driving, independent and effect barriers.

This study develops a BWM–Grey-DEMATEL integrated multi-criteria decision-making model. An innovative C-shaped strategic map for addressing CER barriers in the construction industry is proposed by integrating the dual dimensions of time and space. This will guide practitioners, policymakers and decision-makers in developing CER strategies.

This study classifies and estimates safety costs in Arctic shipping.

Based on the literature review, the paper details shipping prevention costs into five categories (infrastructure and facilities, measures, technologies, personnel and management) and groups marine accidents into injury and death, property damage, environmental damage and others.

The proposed classification and estimation allow for a comparison of prevention costs and accident expenses. Estimating safety expenses in the Arctic presents challenges, such as data inadequacies. However, the method has been tested with data provided by an Arctic ship operator.

Thus, shipping companies can verify the effectiveness of their investments and reorientate whenever necessary, becoming a decision-support system to best allocate safety investments. Combined with company safety performance, the tool can help identify the safety areas requiring enhanced attention.

This paper presents the first classification and a tool to assess safety costs in relation to Arctic shipping, potentially supporting safety investment decisions.

The construction industry has experienced an irreversible digital transformation to smart construction. Many countries have published supporting policies to encourage the development of smart construction. However, there is no universally valid approach. This paper thus aims to evaluate smart construction policies issued by 24 pilot cities in China and identify applicable policy tools and their impact.

This paper collected 33 governmental documents on smart construction through the official websites in China. Different policy tools were classified into supply-side, demand-side and environment-side categories. The supporting policies of smart construction development in pilot cities were quantitatively evaluated by using a policy modeling consistency index (PMC-index) model.

Supply-type and environment-type policy instruments were used more frequently than demand-type policies in 24 pilot cities. Most of the 24 pilot cities had an evaluation of PMC-index over 8, realizing the consistency of smart construction policies. Eight pilot cities had an evaluation of PMC-index of 6–7.99, realizing acceptable consistency. Only Foshan City has an evaluation of PMC-index below 4, which may reflect a poor consistency of policy implementation. The paper proposes consistencies of smart construction policies of 24 pilot cities and valid policy instruments, including the presale of commercial residential buildings, additional bonus points in the tendering process and cooperating with multiple departments when promoting smart construction.

This paper contributes to expanding policy evaluation studies in the smart construction field and provides concrete suggestions for policymakers to formulate more effective and specific policies and strategies for the development of smart construction.

The main cause of boiler tube failure in high-temperature thermal power plants is molten sulphate-vanadate-induced hot corrosion. Applying thermal spray coatings on alloy steels can reduce hot corrosion. This study aims to examine the impact of nano yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) reinforcement on Ni-20Cr composite coatings on hot corrosion behaviour of T22 steel in a corrosive environment of Na₂SO₄-60%V₂O₅ at 650 °C over 50 cycles.

The coatings were deposited using a high velocity oxyfuel technique. The samples were subjected to hot corrosion in a Silicon tube furnace at 650 °C for 50 cycles. Weight gain data after each cycle were used to analyse the kinetics of corrosion behaviour. Corrosion products were examined using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive and cross-sectional analytical methods.

During investigation, nano YSZ-reinforced Ni-20Cr composite coatings on T22 steel were discovered to give superior corrosion resistance in a molten salt environment at 650 °C. Throughout the experiment, the coatings gained less weight and formed protective oxide scales. Increased YSZ concentration in the coating matrix resulted in better protection against hot corrosion.

The inclusion of nano YSZ reduced porosity in Ni-20Cr coatings by filling voids and interlocking particles, as well as blocking the penetration of corroding species, hence improving the corrosion resistance of composite coatings. The corrosion rate decreased with increasing YSZ content in the coating matrix.

It should be noted that the high temperature corrosion behaviour of thermally sprayed nano YSZ-Ni-20Cr composite coatings has never been investigated and is not documented in the literature. As a result, the current study can provide useful information for the application of nano YSZ-reinforced coatings in high-temperature fuel combustion conditions.