A grey-DEMATEL based collaborative quality value network model for nuclear power equipment intelligent manufacturing

Digital construction has profoundly transformed the quality management process throughout the full lifecycle (design, procurement, construction, and commissioning) in nuclear power equipment manufacturing, with quality value factors across stages containing complex interdependencies. To address this challenge, this study proposes a grey-DEMATEL based collaborative quality value network model to capture the dynamic characteristics of the quality value chain, incorporating a time decay parameter to quantify evolving factor relationships. First, quality value influencing factors in nuclear power equipment digital collaborative manufacturing are identified through expert questionnaire. Based on it, a comprehensive framework of collaborative quality value chain is established using complex network theory, where nodes and their correlations are defined. Next, the grey-DEMATEL method is applied to analyze the significance and causal relationships among key quality value factors, addressing uncertainty in expert judgments and supporting data-driven decisions. Finally, a dynamic quality value growth curve is derived based on the proposed model, and the framework’s efficacy is validated through a case study of a reactor pressure vessel support ring, culminating in targeted quality management strategies. This research provides a novel approach for lifecycle quality management of nuclear power equipment in intelligent construction environments.