Applications of the Internet of Things in the Sustainable Cement Industry(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)
حوزههای تخصصی:
The cement industry plays a crucial role in construction and infrastructure development, carrying significant economic implications. While demand in developed countries has declined due to environmental concerns, Iran remains self-sufficient and a leading exporter in the Middle East. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has introduced the Internet of Things (IoT) as a transformative technology, delivering economic, environmental, and social benefits. Although historically resistant to change, the cement industry has recently begun adopting IoT technologies, demonstrating notable progress in recent years. This study aims to identify and prioritize IoT applications within the sustainable cement industry in Iran. The research began by identifying IoT applications through a review of leading industry practices and academic literature. A sustainability-based framework was developed to evaluate these applications across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The Best-Worst Method (BWM) was used to weight sustainability indicators, and the VIKOR method was applied to assess the relative attractiveness of each application. Capability indicators were also evaluated. A capability–attractiveness matrix was constructed to score and prioritize the applications accordingly. The study identified 13 relevant IoT applications for the cement industry. A set of 17 attractiveness indicators (grouped into economic, social, and environmental dimensions) and eight capability indicators (based on IoT architecture layers) were used in the evaluation. The applications were assessed using a capability–attractiveness matrix, and “Gas Monitoring” and “Temperature Measurement and Monitoring” were found to have the highest priority, indicating strong feasibility and strategic value for sustainable implementation.