Construction Products Research Articles

Analysis of Multi-Stakeholder Behavioral Strategies in the Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling Industry through an Evolutionary Game Theory

Construction and demolition waste (C&DW) recycling products have drawn worldwide attention over the past few decades. There is a general agreement among researchers that C&DW recycling is an important means for curbing the deterioration of the environment. Previous papers mainly focused on the decision-making behavior of dual stakeholders or tripartite stakeholders, as well as the lack of cooperation among multiple stakeholders. This study explored a dynamic evolutionary game model with three different parameter conditions to research the decision-making behaviors and stable strategies of the multi-stakeholders involved in the C&DW recycling product industry, including government departments and some enterprises. This research also investigated how the government’s supervision costs, penalties applied to enterprises, and resource taxes affect the dynamic evolution process of C&DW recycling. This research conducted numerical simulations using Python to analyze stakeholders’ behavioral evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) and the sensitivity to main factors in each stage of the C&DW recycling process to accelerate the development of construction waste resource utilization. Based on the results of the evolutionary game, this paper proposed that the roles of multi-stakeholders are different at different stages of industry development, and that supervision costs, penalties, and resource tax have their own impacts on the C&DW recycling product industry. The paper suggests a range of discussions and simulation studies to highlight the significance of the government’s refined and moderate adjustments to the regulatory incentive system and the level of government regulation and involvement at different stages of the process. These adjustments are aimed at promoting the sustainable recycling and utilization of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) products within some countries’ construction industry.

Exploring the feasibility of utilizing high plastic clays as an alternative material to bentonite clay in the production of ceramic tile: Advancing towards efficient life cycle cost

The environmental challenges and high cost of raw materials (i.e., bentonite clays) for the production of ceramic tiles raise concerns for the ceramic industry to look for alternative materials. Therefore, the current research aimed at exploring the possibility of using high plastic clays as a replacement for Bentonite clay in the manufacturing of ceramic tiles. Two different types of high plastic clay in different proportions (i.e. 0–5 %) were used in the preparation of ceramic tiles. A comprehensive material characterization, shrinkage, visual index, flexural strength, water absorption, and microstructural investigation was carried out. The results revealed that the incorporation of plastic clays RC1 from 1 % to 5 % showed a decrease in the flexural strength of ceramic tiles as compared to that of ceramic tiles with bentonite clay. The water absorption of ceramic tiles using RC1 increased with the incorporation of high plastic clays for high plastic clays. However, specimens with all replacements of bentonite clay with high plastic clays showed flexural strength greater than the minimum specified limit of ISO 10545-4. Moreover, it was observed that the replacement of bentonite clay with high plastic clays exhibited higher shrinkage. Further, the visual index of all the specimens did not show any sign of the presence of black core in the ceramic tiles incorporating high plastic clays. The life cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out for the possible utilization of high plastic clays in place of bentonite clay to produce ceramic tiles. The results showed that less than 5 % high plastic clay can effectively be used for manufacturing ceramic tiles leading to economical and sustainable construction products. Hence, it can be concluded that the high plastic clays can be utilized as an alternative to bentonite clay material for manufacturing sustainable ceramic tile leading to sustainable finishes in construction.

Relationship between the acoustic emission and the strain field in finger joints of engineered wood products for construction

The use of Engineered Wood Products (EWPs) for buildings is becoming very popular because they favor decarbonization in the construction sector and improve the performance and mechanical properties of solid timber. Finger joint technology makes it possible to remove the natural defects of timber (knots, splits, decay areas, etc.), providing for clearer timber and the manufacture of larger structural elements. Nowadays, glued laminated timber (GLT) and cross laminated timber (CLT) are the most used products, suitable even for tall buildings. The finger joints —given the adhesive used and the increased friction surface due to their geometry— allow stress to be transferred efficiently between the joined lamellae, making them behave mechanically almost like a single piece of solid timber. The quality control of these products is therefore crucial. In this work, the longitudinal and transverse strain fields in samples with finger joints, measured by means of the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique, are compared with the acoustic emission waves released when the sample is subjected to tensile stress. It is shown that there is a very close correlation between the two, meaning that the acoustic emission technique can be considered a promising tool for the quality control of these structural joints.

DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN CONSTRUCTION AND CIVIL ENGINEERING IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITALIZATION OF THE UKRAINIAN ECONOMY

Purpose. Construction and civil engineering, traditionally perceived as conservative industries, also feel the need to adapt to the demands of the time and introduce innovative technologies. Ukraine, entering the era of digital transformation, is actively developing and implementing new technologies in the construction industry. Therefore, systematization and coverage of key aspects of the impact of digital Transformation into the construction industry and civil engineering in Ukraine is the main task today. Methodology. The introduction of Internet of Things technologies in the construction industry expands the possibilities of building control and management. Findings. Sensors located in different parts of the structures allow you to monitor the condition of the building in real time, identify possible problems and ensure the safety of objects. Artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of the digital transformation of construction. Machine learning algorithms help predict and optimize construction processes, which increases Efficiency of planning and resource management. The 3D printing system in construction is one of the promising and revolutionary innovations that is already influencing traditional approaches to construction processes. This digital technique will bring significant changes to the field of construction, accelerating and optimizing a number of stages from design to execution Originality. Analysis of current problems, especially now, in the difficult times of war, industrial construction in Ukraine, as well as around the world, is a promising direction for the development of other industries in general. Industrial construction is an important branch of the construction industry that specializes in the creation and operation of buildings and infrastructure facilities for industrial needs. Practical value. The introduction of innovative technologies in construction and civil engineering in the context of digitalization of the Ukrainian economy has a significant practical impact on various aspects of the industry: Improving Construction Productivity and Quality: Use of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), allows you to increase the efficiency of construction processes, reduce the time of work and avoid errors; Cost optimization: Using machine learning algorithms to predict resource needs, such as materials and labor, allows you to rationalize costs and reduce construction costs.

TECHNOLOGIES FOR ASSESSING THE OPERATIONAL QUALITY OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF PARTIAL MILITARY DESTRUCTION

Purpose. Research conducted in the direction of operational quality proves that the life cycle of construction products can also be significantly increased due to the use of the latest technologies of a complex technical approach. The complex technical approach covers the principles of using the latest technologies, which compensate for the functional costs of the object at the stage of operation. As part of the latest technologies, the modern world requires the presence of developments that effectively save resources and at the same time ensure the required level of security in various crisis situations, including during a state of war. The main purpose of implementing this approach is to establish the reasons for the loss of reliability and resource when accounting for changes in the conditions of the external and internal environment. Methodology. Methods and techniques for diagnosing the reliability and operational quality of construction objects make it possible to implement assessment procedures at various stages of the life cycle, including during the current period, in previous design cycles (prototype search stages), as well as comparative and analytical comparison with analogues . The results of the implementation make it possible to identify the promising direction of normalization of construction projects, to substantiate and develop technologies for the formation of its operational quality. Findings. The situation of the physical state of the industrial building due to military destruction is analyzed, after which the search for optimization technologies in the formation of reliability and operational quality of construction objects, including for the effective implementation of investment and construction projects, is substantiated and proposed. Originality. Adaptation approaches of timely response in emergency conditions, in order to comply with the planned standards of operational quality, are substantiated, implemented on the practical example of the implementation of the technical report of the production and mechanical building No. 132, located in the city of Zaporizhzhia, SE "Ivchenko-Progress" 63T-1286-OB – TK after military destruction. Practical value. Adaptation approaches of timely response in emergency conditions, in order to comply with the planned standards of operational quality, are substantiated, implemented on the practical example of the implementation of the technical report of the production and mechanical building No. 132, located in the city of Zaporizhzhia, SE "Ivchenko-Progress" 63T-1286-OB – TK after military destruction. Conclusions. The results of scientific and practical research made it possible to reveal the actual principles of management technologies, evaluation and methods of improving operational quality at all stages of the life cycle of a construction object, taking into account risky and dangerous situations during military operations. This technical report was prepared on the basis of the performed visual and instrumental research of construction structures of the industrial building. The decision of the scientific group of experts established that the operation of the object under study should be stopped until its operational suitability is restored in accordance with the proposed recommendations in accordance with the project documentation. The scientific and practical significance of the study justifies the need for further application of the latest technologies of the complex technical approach in the formation of operational quality for the effective implementation of investment and construction projects.

Introducing a Novel Concept for an Integrated Demolition Waste Recycling Center and the Establishment of a Stakeholder Network: A Case Study from Germany

Using recycled aggregates has many positive environmental impacts because of the conservation of natural resources and minimization of waste. The use of recycled aggregates in downcycling processes is already common in Germany, whereas utilizing them to produce high-quality recycled concrete is rarely applied in practice. The reasons behind this lag have been investigated based on surveys and interviews with stakeholders. Miscommunication and missing information were identified in all stakeholder groups. Therefore, establishing a robust network and facilitating knowledge transfer by specifying the demand for recycled aggregates in the case study region have been considered as prerequisites. Therefore, the paper presents a novel concept of a stakeholder network for an integrated construction and demolition waste center. The conceptualization integrates the recycling companies and construction product manufacturers in one venue with research, service, and educational divisions. The design of the facilities is based on calculations regarding future construction activities and the demand for concrete production. The proposed concept aims to supply the region in the west of Germany with high-quality recycled products while also establishing a robust network that offers benefits in terms of logistical optimization and knowledge transfer.

The Effect of the Contemporary Digital Revolution on the Forms of Metal Furniture and Construction Products

The Effect of the Contemporary Digital Revolution on the Forms of Metal Furniture and Construction Products

Developing an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System for Performance Evaluation of Pavement Construction Projects

This study employs an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to identify critical success factors (CSFs) crucial for the success of pavement construction projects. Challenges such as construction cost delays, budget overruns, disputes, claims, and productivity losses underscore the need for effective project management in pavement projects. In contemporary construction management, additional performance criteria play a vital role in influencing the performance and success of pavement projects during construction operations. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by comprehensively identifying a multidimensional set of critical success performance factors that impact pavement and utility project management. A rigorous literature review and consultations with pavement experts identified sixty CSFs, categorized into seven groups. The relative importance of each element and group is determined through the input of 287 pavement construction specialists who participated in an online questionnaire. Subsequently, the collected data undergo thorough checks for normality, dependability, and independence before undergoing analysis using the relative importance index (RII). An ANFIS is developed to quantitatively model critical success factors and assess the implementation performance of construction operations management (COM) in the construction industry, considering aspects such as clustering input/output datasets, fuzziness degree, and optimizing five Gaussian membership functions. The study confirms the significance of three primary CSFs (financial, bureaucratic, and governmental) and communication-related variables through a qualitative structural and behavioral validation process, specifically k-fold cross-validation. The outcomes of this research hold practical implications for the management and assessment of overall performance indices in pavement construction projects. The ANFIS model, validated through robust testing methodologies, provides a valuable tool for industry professionals seeking to enhance the success and efficiency of pavement construction endeavors.

Advancing the understanding of successful technology implementation factors within state DOTs: a maturity model perspective

In an effort to improve the security, dependability, and quality of infrastructure systems, the implementation of complex transportation construction and maintenance projects is essential. Building upon a previous study that identified six crucial factors for effectively implementing new and emerging technologies in the State Department of Transportations (DOTs), this research aims to comprehensively explore six critical factors using a maturity model perspective. DOTs have shown increasing interest in adopting emerging and wireless technologies, as evident in various Federal Highway Administration Every Day Counts initiative. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, using survey responses from DOT personnel to evaluate the relative significance of technology implementation factors and subfactors. The six factors for successful technology implementation explored in this study are Organization Structure, Information Technology Infrastructure, Data Security, Information Workflow, Personnel Training, and Stakeholder Engagement. The study also evaluates the relative importance of People, Process, and Technology for each of these six factors. The paper focuses on providing detailed insights into the different criteria of each technology implementation factor and subfactor to guide agencies in successful technology deployment. Understanding these factors is critical to deploying emerging technologies successfully, which, in turn, leads to much-needed efficiency and productivity in highway construction and asset management. The findings of this study can help DOTs prioritize their technology investments and ultimately contribute to the development of a more advanced and sustainable transportation infrastructure system.

Bioprinting of Perfusable, Biocompatible Vessel-like Channels with dECM-Based Bioinks and Living Cells.

There is a growing interest in the production of bioinks that on the one hand, are biocompatible and, on the other hand, have mechanical properties that allow for the production of stable constructs that can survive for a long time after transplantation. While the selection of the right material is crucial for bioprinting, there is another equally important issue that is currently being extensively researched-the incorporation of the vascular system into the fabricated scaffolds. Therefore, in the following manuscript, we present the results of research on bioink with unique physico-chemical and biological properties. In this article, two methods of seeding cells were tested using bioink B and seeding after bioprinting the whole model. After 2, 5, 8, or 24 h of incubation, the flow medium was used in the tested systems. At the end of the experimental trial, for each time variant, the canals were stored in formaldehyde, and immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the presence of cells on the canal walls and roof. Cells adhered to both ways of fiber arrangement; however, a parallel bioprint with the 5 h incubation and the intermediate plating of cells resulted in better adhesion efficiency. For this test variant, the percentage of cells that adhered was at least 20% higher than in the other analyzed variants. In addition, it was for this variant that the lowest percentage of viable cells was found that were washed out of the tested model. Importantly, hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that after 8 days of culture, the cells were evenly distributed throughout the canal roof. Our study clearly shows that neovascularization-promoting cells effectively adhere to ECM-based pancreatic bioink. Summarizing the presented results, it was demonstrated that the proposed bioink compositions can be used for bioprinting bionic organs with a vascular system formed by endothelial cells and fibroblasts.

Стратегические приоритеты развития локальных рынков строительной продукции Центрального Черноземья

Local markets boost domestic production, encourage regional businesses, improve the local economy, and structure the local economy. They are responsible for property relations, interregional economic links, and distribution of goods and services, which is especially relevant under the current foreign sanctions. This article describes a number of socio-economic indicators that affect local markets in general and construction products in particular. The study sample included local markets for construction products in Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, Lipetsk, and Tambov, i.e., the major cities in the Chernozem macroregion, also known as the Black Earth Region. Using the theory and methodology of strategizing, the authors analyzed data from the Federal State Statistics Service and revealed that construction work increased per capita in 2017–2021, which indicates a dynamic development of the local markets. The local markets in Belgorod, Voronezh, Lipetsk, and Kursk specialize in construction products and services. Their main strategic priorities include a prospective expansion of the range and quality of goods in order to meet the demand and satisfy the local communities and business. These local markets strive to overcome infrastructural constraints and increase the availability and quality of market infrastructure in different sectors. They level interregional differentiation, accelerate sustainable socio-economic development, and achieve local provision security. The research results contribute to urban and regional strategizing, as well as the construction industry.

Стратегические угрозы низкой производительности труда в строительной отрасли

The author applied the methods of Professor L.V. Kvint’s scientific school of strategizing to the construction industry in the Russian Federation. Strategic threat is a set of adverse conditions and factors that affect the strategic results. This term belongs to the first stage of strategizing which analyzes external and internal environment and assesses new opportunities and threats. The research featured various strategizing issues in the domestic construction industry, in particular, those that increase labor performance. The factors that reduce labor productivity were divided into several groups as “an unstable contractor”, “an unstable team”, and “an unstable worker”. The article describes strategic threats to the development of the construction industry and introduces some ideas on how to strategize labor performance, e.g., by developing and implementing social and technological innovations. In this regard, the priority tasks should include the following measures. The best workers should be encouraged to develop their professional skills and paid as much as qualified engineers. Robotic complexes and technical systems are to replace heavy physical labor. Innovative construction technologies and products should cover a wide range of construction types.

A BIM-Based Bar Bending Schedule Generation Algorithm with Enhanced Accuracy

Rebar quantity estimation is pivotal for determining the cost of construction projects and is essential for bidding purposes. A bar bending schedule plays a crucial role by providing rebar information and bending instructions, facilitating efficient procurement. Traditional methods, which rely on manually extracting data from 2D (two-dimensional) drawings, are error-prone and hinder construction productivity. This study utilized a special length approach to yield optimal rebar consumption, resulting in a total rebar order of 19,582.427 t and minimizing rebar waste to 0.77%. Additionally, this method saved 3000.22 t of rebar compared to traditional methods, using only stock lengths. To enhance the accuracy and efficiency, a 3D (three-dimensional) model was developed in a Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment to prepare a Bar Bending Schedule (BBS) automatically, integrated with an Application Programming Interface (API) for data entry to eliminate manual errors. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm was confirmed by comparing the rebar quantities it generated with those obtained from optimization calculations. The results demonstrated a mean absolute error of 0.017 and a mean absolute percentage error of 1.13%, validating the algorithm’s precision. Furthermore, this method reduced the manpower required for BBS preparation by 33.33%, highlighting its potential to revolutionize construction workflow efficiency and accuracy.

Framework for Understanding Factors Influencing Clothing Selection

Clothing selection is a product of social construction that defines what people choose to wear. The choice of what, how, and when to select what individuals, wear is based on the perception that surrounds their reality. For the purpose of this research work, factors influencing clothing selection have been organized into a framework to facilitate easier understanding. The factors influencing clothing selection have been arranged into a logical system of concepts grouped into four categories: Social/Psychological, Economic, Environmental, and Physiological Factors. A detailed deconstruction of each of these factors has been further conceptualized into smaller concepts and discussed in a nuanced context. Under the Social/Psychological factors are concepts such as culture, gender, occupation, personality, religion, socio-status, and fashion. Economic factors evaluated are concepts such as the Economic well-being of a Nation (GDP), the Economic status of individuals, Economic environment (availability of technology and raw materials and buying behavior). Environmental factors such as Location (Urban/Rural), Climatic conditions, protection from extreme weather conditions, and unconventional places like deep seas, and space were examined. Lastly, the physiological factors such as age, health condition, and figure were also evaluated. Developing a conceptual framework for understanding clothing selection is apt in filling the gap in Literature since most research works on factors influencing clothing selection may not have been organized into a framework for clothing selection, whether intrinsically or extrinsically motivated.

The strength of complex compressed reinforced concrete structures utilising hollow concrete blocks

Structures in which elements from different materials work together are successfully used in various combinations. Recently, new, effective construction materials and products have appeared. In complex or multi-component structures, elements made of materials with different physico-chemical or strain-strength characteristics should be sensibly combined for joint work. The more fully the properties of the components’ materials are utilised, the more efficient the design itself is. By analysing global practice, it can be seen that small concrete blocks have become widespread. The use of masonry made of hollow concrete blocks in modern construction differs from traditional ones in that the void area (up to 70%) makes it possible to create complex high-strength load-bearing structures by filling them with monolithic reinforced concrete. This also enables speeding up the construction process itself and reducing the cost of work on the construction site. The purpose of the study was to examine the strength of centrally compressed columns composed of hollow blocks and concrete filling with different transverse and longitudinal reinforcements, as well as to improve their calculation methodology. Experimental studies of centrally compressed columns, with different percentages of reinforcement using hollow concrete blocks as permanent formwork, have been carried out. The article presents the results of the research on strength, but the results of the strain studies were not included in this work. The proposed method of calculating complex constructions can be applied in design practice. A good correlation was observed between the experimental results and the results of the analytical model.

Sustainability of underground infrastructure – Part 1: Digitalisation-based carbon assessment and baseline for TBM tunnelling

Alongside the transition towards sustainable and renewable infrastructure and energy production, tunnelling projects that adopt tunnel boring machines (TBM) continue to increase in size and complexity. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies have a significant impact on the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, with a shift in focus to cost and carbon management across the infrastructure lifecycle through the use of digitalisation techniques and sustainability rating systems. This paper aims to develop a systematic framework to enhance the sustainability of underground infrastructure in the early design and construction stages, aiming for “build clever and efficiently”. This framework integrates digitalisation, carbon assessment standards, numerical modelling, and optimisation techniques to assess carbon emissions and establish benchmarks for construction products and processes. The approach uses parametric models to define tunnelling-related entities such as geological formations, TBM, and segments, designed with dimensional constraints that allow for adaptive modelling and interactions. Enabled by building information modelling (BIM) through parametric models enriched with domain properties, module-based carbon accounting is adopted to evaluate the footprint of material- and asset-level key emitters with functional units. Leveraging established databases, baselines for segmental lining designs and carbon reduction strategies are established. Through project-driven case studies, the correlations among geotechnical conditions, tunnel dimensions, and TBM operating parameters are developed to quantify TBM carbon emissions. A prototype programme demonstrates the framework's application on typical metro and road tunnels at different levels of details (LoD). This paper serves as a guideline for conducting embodied carbon assessments specifically tailored to TBM tunnelling, acknowledging the substantial contribution of the TBM construction process, which is controlled by geotechnical conditions.

An integrated digital design and construction approach for falsework-minimal masonry vaults

Masonry vaults, mechanically efficient structures, are challenging to build because they require significant tailored falsework as temporary structures for centering, guidework, and scaffolding, which decreases construction productivity and increases financial cost and environmental impact. Traditional building techniques combined with recent digital technologies can eliminate such temporary construction. An integrated digital design and construction approach that leverages the benefits of four construction strategies (namely, thin-tile vaulting, loxodrome tessellation, augmented reality, and prefabricated spine) within a 4D funicular design framework is presented in this paper and illustrated by a large-scale demonstrator, innixAR. This structure demonstrates that the combination of the vernacular craft of thin-tile vaulting with augmented reality technology to produce a digital guidework, informing a 4D funicular design process that considers the entire construction sequence from a prefabricated spine, minimizes the required falsework, making the construction of masonry vaults more efficient and affordable. This approach is benchmarked against alternative conventional vault falsework. Combining thin-tile vaulting and prefabricated spine allowed a reduction of 82% of the falsework mass, making transport lighter. Whereas combining digital guidework and prefabricated spine allowed a reduction of 91% of the falsework elements, making assembly faster. This research contributes to the development of structures that are efficient both mechanically and constructionally.

Carbonation of Recycled Concrete Aggregates for New Concrete and Concrete Fines to Make Cement-Free Hollow Blocks

Mineral carbonation provides a way to increase the recycling of concrete waste in added-value products, and contributes to the principles of the circular economy. At present, most concrete waste is still downcycled. The high water absorption of recycled concrete aggregates, among other factors, impedes their recycling in the concrete industry. The quality of coarse recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) can, however, be enhanced by carbonation. Even when starting with high-grade RCA obtained from a selective demolition process, the carbonation process can decrease the water absorption of the RCA to as low as 3.0%. Concrete with a 50% replacement rate of carbonated RCA can be produced without a significant compressive strength reduction. The research further shows that carbonation can be performed at atmospheric pressure and low CO2 concentrations (e.g., 10%). The recycled concrete fines (RCF, 0–4 mm) in combination with 25% stainless steel slag were used to make zero-cement hollow blocks (39 × 19 × 9 cm) by carbonation curing without using any hydraulic binder. The hollow blocks have a compressive strength of 15.4 MPa at the lab scale. Both technologies were demonstrated on a pilot scale. In both processes, CO2 is immobilized in the resulting construction product. The developed production processes use less primary raw materials and cause less greenhouse-gas emissions than the production of traditional concrete products.

Application of pulsed electric field technology to skin engineering.

Tissue engineering encompasses a range of techniques that direct the growth of cells into a living tissue construct for regenerative medicine applications, disease models, drug discovery, and safety testing. These techniques have been implemented to alleviate the clinical burdens of impaired healing of skin, bone, and other tissues. Construct development requires the integration of tissue-specific cells and/or an extracellular matrix-mimicking biomaterial for structural support. Production of such constructs is generally expensive and environmentally costly, thus eco-sustainable approaches should be explored. Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology is a nonthermal physical processing method commonly used in food production and biomedical applications. In this review, the key principles of PEF and the application of PEF technology for skin engineering will be discussed, with an emphasis on how PEF can be applied to skin cells to modify their behaviour, and to biomaterials to assist in their isolation or sterilisation, or to modify their physical properties. The findings indicate that the success of PEF in tissue engineering will be reliant on systematic evaluation of key parameters, such as electric field strength, and their impact on different skin cell and biomaterial types. Linking tangible input parameters to biological responses critical to healing will assist with the development of PEF as a sustainable tool for skin repair and other tissue engineering applications.

A study of production outsourcing strategies of dual oligopoly manufacturers based on quality investments

Introduction: Self-production and outsourcing are two important production strategies for manufacturers, and the production capacity and investment capacity of manufacturers and suppliers play a decisive role in the quality of products. This study aims to analyze the manufacturer’s best production strategy and the drivers of outsourcing in the context of quality.Methods: This study constructs production outsourcing game models for duopoly manufacturers, examines the trade-offs between self-production and outsourcing when suppliers have the ability to invest in quality, explores the requirements and implications of outsourcing and compares the differences between “one-to-one” and “one-to-many” outsourcing structures.Results: First, outsourcing can reduce the level of product quality and that a necessary condition for manufacturers’ outsourcing is a strong advantage in the supplier’s production costs. Second, duopoly manufacturers may face a prisoner’s dilemma as a result of outsourcing. Finally, compared to two independent suppliers, outsourcing to a common supplier can increase the level of product quality by exploiting the centralization effect and increase the firm’s profits when the market’s competition intensity is low.Conclusion: First, the production strategy balance of duopoly manufacturers is closely related to the outsourcing structure, production efficiency and investment efficiency. Second, duopoly manufacturers choose outsourcing may fall into the prisoner’s dilemma, and outsourcing has the risk of quality reduction.