Blockchain applied to the construction supply chain:A case study with threat model

The construction industry has long faced the challenge of introducing collaborative systems among multiple stakeholders.This challenge creates a high level of rigidity in terms of processing shared information related to different processes,robust holistic regulations,payment actualizations,and resource utilization across different nodes.The need for a digital platform to crossconnect all stakeholders is necessary.A blockchain-based platform is a prime candidate to improve the industry in general and the construction supply chain(CSC)in particular.In this paper,a literature review is presented to establish the main challenges that CSC faces in terms of its effects on productivity and efficiency.In addition,the effect of applying blockchain platforms on a case study is presented and analyzed from performance and security level.The analysis aims to emphasize that blockchain,as presented in this paper,is a viable solution to the challenges in the CSC regardless of the risks associated with the security and robustness of the flow of information and data protection.Moreover,a threat analysis of applying a blockchain model on the CSC industry is introduced.This model indicates potential attacks and possible countermeasures to prevent the attacks.Future work is needed to expand,quantify,and optimize the threat model and conduct simulations considering proposed countermeasures for the different blockchain attacks outlined in this study.

The incentive and coordination strategy of sustainable construction supply chain based on robust optimisation

This paper considers the incentive and coordination problem of the construction supply chain consisting of the owner,general contractor,subcontractors and suppliers based on the sustainable development goals under uncertain environment.Firstly,according to the general contract management pattern and the relationships among those participants,we establish an uncertain bi-level nonlinear model in which the owner set the proper intensities to minimise the total cost at first while the general contractor decides its alternative and the limits to subcontractors correspondingly.Then,we convert the primal model into a deterministic bi-level nonlinear programming model based on the concept of relative robustness.Next,a solution procedure combing interactive fuzzy technique and genetic algorithm is designed.Finally,the validity of the model is verified by a numerical example.Our paper provides a method to optimise the construction project management from the perspective of supply chain under the requirement of sustainable development.

An incentive model between a contractor and multiple subcontractors in a green supply chain based on robust optimization

In this paper,we consider the incentive mechanism of a construction supply chain which includes a contractor and several subcontractors from both economic and environmental perspectives.Firstly,we describe the structure of the construction supply chain as well as the relationship between the contractor and subcontractors.Then,a bi-level nonlinear model with multiple followers comprising uncertain parameters is developed to balance the benefits of all supply chain members.In this model,the contractor is the leader while the subcontractors are followers.Next,we convert the primal model into a deterministic counterpart robust model,and a heuristic polynomial algorithm is designed to solve the transformed model.Finally,the validity of the model is verified by a numerical example.Our paper provides a method to quantitatively analyze construction projects from the perspective of supply chains while considering economic performance and environmental performance with the existence of uncertainty.