Identifying Challenges of Internet of Things on Construction Projects Using Fuzzy Approach

Abstract

This study presents a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) analysis of the internet challenges of the internet of things (IoT) implementation of construction projects in Nigeria. The identification of the IoT challenges was carried out through a thorough literature search and discussions with 27 built environmental experts. In addition, DEMATEL, an expert judgement-based tool, was used to pick, design, and evaluate a structural model consisting of a causal relationship between defined IoT challenges. Subsequently, the fuzzy DEMATEL was deployed with a view to constructing a structural relationship between the various challenging factors by visualising the dynamic associations between them. Based on the findings of the literature survey and expert evaluation, 18 obstacles to the implementation of IoT in construction projects were classified into cause and effect classes based on their relative parameters of impact. The results suggest that 8 challenges were categorised into the cause group, while 10 were listed into the impact group. The results of this study will enable construction companies, construction industry experts, project managers in Nigeria to enhance their search to design and execute an effective and productive IoT application for their construction projects.