Network Model Analysis of Quality Control Factors of Prefabricated Buildings Based on the Complex Network Theory

Abstract

Prefabricated buildings are gradually gaining popularity in China because of their lower costs, shorter construction periods, and environmental friendliness. However, compared with traditional buildings, prefabricated buildings require coordination and management of processes such as component production, transportation and storage, and on-site component assembly. Therefore, managing the quality of prefabricated buildings is complex. In order to manage the quality of prefabricated buildings better, it is necessary to study the quality systems of prefabricated buildings. Firstly, by analyzing the logical relationship of each stage of the prefabricated buildings, we identified the key stages. Then, the main quality control factors that affect the qualities and relationships of the main quality control factors were derived by combining relevant building codes, literature studies, and project experiences; a network model of quality control factors of prefabricated buildings (NQPB) was constructed. Secondly, the complex network theory was applied to analyze the node degree, betweenness centrality, clustering coefficient, and other indicators of the NQPB to derive 17 key quality control factor nodes. The importance of the 17 key nodes in the quality management of prefabricated buildings was verified through a simulation. Next, the NQPB of Project A was constructed and analyzed, and five key nodes were identified. This demonstrates how the NQPB method can be applied to a specific prefabricated building project. Moreover, Project A was used as a case study to compare fault tree analysis (FTA), fishbone diagram, and 4MIE methods with the NQPB method to derive the potential advantages of the NQPB method. Finally, further analysis led to recommendations for quality management of prefabricated building projects in general as well as for Project A. This study can be used as a reference for quality control and assurance managers in all stages of prefabricated buildings and provide new ideas and methods for the quality analysis and management of prefabricated buildings.