An Assessment Methodology for Civil Ageing Management and Concrete for LTO/CSO Based on International Standards and Engineering Judgement

International Civil Ageing Management and Assessment Methodology of Concrete

Volume 7: Operations, Applications, and Components ◽

10.1115/pvp2019-93029 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

F. H. E. de Haan – de Wilde ◽

C. G. M. de Bont

Keyword(s):

Degradation Mechanism ◽

Concrete Structures ◽

Assessment Method ◽

International Experience ◽

International Standards ◽

Assessment Methodology ◽

Civil Structures ◽

Starting Point ◽

Operation Period ◽

Ageing Management

Abstract For many nuclear power plants worldwide the operation period will be extended to 60 or 80 years in the coming years. As the operation period increases, the importance of knowledge of ageing mechanisms increases. In the framework of LTO there is limited knowledge about ageing and structural integrity of concrete structures. Knowledge about the strength of concrete structures and modelling thereof can be improved for a more complete knowledge base on ageing and degradation mechanism in nuclear facilities. Therefore, effort is required to improve the knowledge of concrete, material models and finite element modelling techniques as well as the assessment method. Recent developments have shown that ageing of civil structures receive more attention internationally (E.g. concrete degradation in bunker building Doel). Traditionally a large part of the research and development is focused on mechanical issues like piping and vessels. In order to increase the knowledge in the field of civil structures, the focus is on investigation of ageing of concrete and determining analysis methods. This paper focuses on the development of a practical assessment method for ageing of civil structures. As a first step information from international publications and other sources on civil structures ageing issues and management thereof, will be gathered. Well known international standards taking care of ageing phenomena based on problem areas and good practices are IGALL and GALL. IGALL and GALL contain information tables based on international experience. This is the starting point of the research in finding an assessment methodology for civil ageing management. It will be shown that IGALL and GALL contain very similar elements. Sorting on the AMPs results in a practical set of datasheets with summarizing information per AMP, including the underlying international experience. The datasheets are of limited size, presenting an helpful overview of the relevant structures or components, materials, environment and mechanisms. A method for civil ageing management is proposed which will be applied and developed in more detail in future research. Further research is necessary to develop a specific assessment methodology for concrete.

An Update of the Assessment Methodology for Civil Ageing Management for LTO/CSO Based on International Standards and Engineering Judgement

10.1115/pvp2021-61499 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

F. H. E. de Haan - de Wilde ◽

M. J. Janssen

Keyword(s):

Power Plants ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Real Life ◽

Assessment Method ◽

International Standards ◽

Assessment Methodology ◽

Civil Structures ◽

Operation Period ◽

The Right ◽

Ageing Management

Abstract For many nuclear power plants worldwide the operation period will be extended to 60 or 80 years in the coming years. As the operation period increases, the importance of knowledge of ageing mechanisms increases. In the framework of LTO there is limited knowledge about ageing and structural integrity of concrete structures. Recent developments have shown that ageing of civil structures receive more attention internationally. In order to increase the knowledge in the field of civil structures, this paper focusses on investigation of ageing of civil structures and determining an ageing management strategy. Knowledge of the ageing mechanisms of civil structures and especially concrete, will lead to improvement of ageing management and assessment methods of concrete. As a first step international information was gathered on civil structures ageing issues and management thereof (see PVP2019-93029). In addition a highlevel assessment methodology was proposed. In the next step the initially proposed assessment methodology has been tested by application to a nuclear reactor. The resulting list of relevant AMPs has been verified with the outcome for another PWR with a steel containment. With this experience the assessment methodology is tested, compared and improved (see PVP2020-21838). The results indicated that the method can be used to obtain a list of plant specific AMPs. What was added to the assessment method is the link to the TLAAs for civil structures. In this follow up step the transition is made from a high level of IGALL AMPs to a practical AMPs that will deal with the right mechanism at the right location. The detailing to a level of practical work instructions for the maintenance of the plant has to be made in order to make real life implementation possible. In this step studying of relevant degradation mechanisms, relevant AMPs (like IAEA AMP305 and AMP306 ) and applicable literature in combination with the practical knowledge from operation of a reactor, has taken place. The international developments on ageing management of concrete will be included. The goal of the project is to obtain more knowledge on ageing management of civil structures and especially concrete. It will lead to an assessment method for civil ageing management and ageing management programs dealing with the relevant mechanisms at the various locations in a practical manner. The results of this ongoing work are presented in this report. For the research reactor all SSCs in scope of the Continued Safe Operation could be linked to the relevant AMP(s) and a resulting set of plant specific AMPs for civil ageing management was obtained. Including the international developments, literature and guidelines, a more general applicable list was created (Table 5 through Table 13). The conclusion is that Figure 2 represents a practical method for obtaining a set of plant specific civil AMPs ready for implementation. For representation in this paper the final outcome is given in as a generic list of actions for a generic reactor (Table 5 through Table 13). In these tables the relevant SSCs, ageing mechanisms and actions are listed. The tables represent an generic list of actions for civil ageing management that might others help develop their ageing management program. Future steps are shifting the focus from the general but practical assessment methodology to finite element modelling techniques for concrete. The assessment criteria for concrete (e.g. in ASME III, ASME XIII or Eurocode) will be investigated and investigation on the modelling of the concrete for ageing are planned.

Implementation of the Family HELP Protocol: A Feasibility Project for a West Texas ICU

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9020146 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 146

Author(s):

Rebecca McClay

Keyword(s):

Strong Support ◽

Family Intervention ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

Positive Perception ◽

Family Presence ◽

West Texas ◽

The Family ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

High Level ◽

Near Future

The purpose of this project was to determine if bedside intensive care unit (ICU) nurse buy-in to the Family Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) protocol was sufficient to make implementation feasible at one county hospital in West Texas. Surveys were anonymous with ballot box collection being available to the bedside ICU nurses for one week each. Questions were based on literature findings of expected outcomes, identified barriers and facilitators, Calgary Family Intervention Method framework domains, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Framework for program evaluation. Outcome measures were taken from the stated aims of the project and evaluated from paired baseline and summative survey questions. Survey participation was approximately half of nurses employed in the studied ICU. Analysis of the surveys showed a positive perception of family presence decreasing patient delirium symptoms, and a positive perception of the Family HELP protocol. The results described a high perception of family members as partners in care and high intention to implement the Family HELP protocol, indicating strong support of a full implementation of the protocol. The high level of bedside nurse buy-in present in this study has large implications for successful implementation of the Family HELP protocol in the near future, with sustainability and continued use supported by potential inclusion of the task in the electronic health record charting.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IN THE FIELD OF NON-FINANCIAL REPORTING AND THE PRACTICE OF THEIR APPLICATION

EKONOMIKA I UPRAVLENIE: PROBLEMY, RESHENIYA ◽

10.36871/ek.up.p.r.2021.04.02.019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 146-152

Author(s):

E. V. ANDRIANOVA ◽

◽

P. S. SHCHERBACHENKO ◽

Keyword(s):

Financial Reporting ◽

Financial Statements ◽

Business Environment ◽

International Standards ◽

Positive Trend ◽

Financial Indicators ◽

Additional Tool ◽

Foreign Companies ◽

High Level ◽

Source Of Information

This article discusses and analyzes the most popular standards of non-financial reporting, which has a significant impact on the transformation of the business environment. Already, domestic and foreign companies with a high level of responsibility are beginning to publish non-financial statements in addition to financial statements, which is an additional tool for communication with stakeholders and a new source of information about their activities. To date, reports of this type are clearly unregulated, there are no verification standards, however, there is already a positive trend and the active introduction of non-financial indicators in the regular reporting of companies.

Concrete degradation mechanisms by sulfuric acid attack

Magazine of Concrete Research ◽

10.1680/jmacr.18.00194 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 71 (7) ◽

pp. 349-361 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana Luisa Tavares Torres ◽

Lourdes Maria Silva de Souza ◽

Maria Isabel Pais da Silva ◽

Flávio de Andrade Silva

Keyword(s):

Sulfuric Acid ◽

Degradation Mechanisms ◽

Acid Attack ◽

Concrete Degradation

A REVIEW OF MATERIAL COVER FEATURES FOR MITIGATING URBAN HEAT ISLAND

International Journal on Livable Space ◽

10.25105/livas.v3i2.3196 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 71

Author(s):

Sri Novianthi Pratiwi

Keyword(s):

Urban Heat Island ◽

Thermal Characteristics ◽

Material Surface ◽

Heat Island ◽

Cool Roof ◽

Urban Heat ◽

Material Feature ◽

High Level ◽

Near Future ◽

Lower Capacity

AbstractUrban Heat Island (UHI) is related to the increase of urban compared to rural temperature as the result of global phenomenon. The increase of temperature is predicted to be intensified along with the extend of urban activity in the near future. Therefore, the discussion on UHI becomes significance. This paper discusses the result of literature studies on thermal characteristics of materials that potentially used to reduce Urban Heat Island, especially in utilizing pavement and roof cover. The result of the study concludes that the reduction of UHI is determined by: 1) the high-level albedo (the ratio between the reflected heat and the absorbed heat) of material that is influenced by the color and texture of its surface; 2) The high level thermal emittance of material; 3) The lower capacity of material to store the heat. 4) The capability thermal conductivity of material surface. Recommended pavements to reduce UHI are cool pavement, reflective pavement, porous pavers, permeable pavers, pervious pavement, water retaining pavement. Roof cover materials that reduce Urban Heat Island are Cool Roof and Green Roof. The design and toughness of materials should be considered to reduce UHI. Keywords: Urban Heat Island, material feature, thermal performance.

2013 review of the implementation status of corporate governance disclosures: Case of Egypt

Corporate Ownership and Control ◽

10.22495/cocv11i2c6p6 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 591-601 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nermeen F. Shehata ◽

Khaled M. Dahawy

Keyword(s):

Corporate Governance ◽

Best Practice ◽

Absolute Number ◽

International Standards ◽

Subject Areas ◽

High Level ◽

Implementation Status ◽

Minimal Disclosure ◽

Governance Disclosure

This report is a case study of corporate governance disclosure in Egypt. The study employs the benchmark of good practices in corporate governance disclosure developed by the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR). This benchmark consists of fifty two disclosure items covering five subject areas and is based on a sample of the top 29 listed companies in Egypt. This study is complimentary to an earlier study conducted in 2007: 2007 Review of the implementation status of corporate governance disclosures: case study Egypt. This report compares the results of the current study to the 2007 study. This study finds the average disclosure level is less than half of the items in the ISAR benchmark. While nine items in the ISAR benchmark were disclosed by more than two-thirds of the companies in the study, forty items were disclosed by less than half. The absolute number of disclosure items found for each company ranged from 5 to 43, indicating a high level of variability between ‘best practice’ companies and companies with minimal disclosure practices. The study concludes that while the sample has relatively high rates of disclosure for few items, and the average disclosures in 2010 almost doubled the 2005 average disclosures in Egypt for several categories, they are still low levels compared to the average emerging markets levels. Policy options discussed include penalizing companies for undisclosed items, and providing education and training for executives and directors to enhance the awareness of the rapidly evolving regulatory environment, as well as the underlying importance of corporate governance disclosure

Present status and constitutional remedies of continuing medical education in Korea

Journal of Korean Medical Association ◽

10.5124/jkma.2020.63.12.776 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (12) ◽

pp. 776-781

Author(s):

Sang Hyun Kim ◽

Jung Yul Park

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Online Education ◽

Continuing Medical Education ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Continuing Professional Development ◽

International Standards ◽

Historical Background ◽

Global Standards ◽

Medical Education System ◽

High Level

The purpose of this study is to identify the historical background and status of continuing medical education (CME) in Korea, and to establish a method for improving CME in the future. Currently, the CME in Korea presents several problems that need to be addressed, such as the appropriateness of the annual required credits, maintenance of simple refresher training, insufficient online education, and evaluation and accreditation of educational institutions. Solutions are offered in the form of increased time for the required credits, introduction of social competency topics and education methods, improvement of online education, evaluation to improve the quality of CME, and introduction of a systematic and appropriate evaluation and accreditation system. CME and continuing professional development (CPD) are not only obligations stipulated in the medical law, but also professional requisites in terms of securing autonomy through self-development and self-regulation. It aims to enlighten the high level of professionalism required by the international community. It is an essential requirement and ultimately promotes and protects the physical, mental, and social health of people worldwide. In order to cope with the international standards of CME/CPD that ensure high quality treatment and patient safety, it is crucial to reform the continuing medical education system by securing the physicians’ professionalism. To this end, authors propose the improvement and implementation of CME system in Korea based on internal review and benchmarks of the internationally recognized CME/CPD systems that meet global standards.

Przegląd czynników wpływających na skuteczność nawaniania gazu

Nafta-Gaz ◽

10.18668/ng.2021.08.06 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 77 (8) ◽

pp. 553-560

Author(s):

Anna Huszał ◽

Keyword(s):

Distribution Network ◽

Field Measurements ◽

International Standards ◽

Odor Intensity ◽

Operational Experience ◽

Minimum Concentration ◽

Gas Network ◽

Natural Gases ◽

High Level ◽

The Cost

Due to rapid advancement in technology, the odorization process in Poland seems to be increasingly stabilized in practice and conducted at a sufficiently high level. International standards are adopted in this regard. One of the most important requirements for the natural gases quality delivered to customers from a distribution network, guaranteeing their safe use is ensuring an appropriate odorization level, allowing to detect the uncontrolled gas leakages from the distribution network, installation and gas appliances. The odorant concentration in its dosing point should ensure the intensity of the gas odor at the “clearly perceptible” level at the network end point. The odorant concentration variability in the gas network is a dynamic value, constantly accompanying the odorizing process. In consequence constant metrological supervision over the process is needed (what might be done by measuring the odorant concentration and gas odor intensity). Also, verification of undergoing periodic changes in the value of the minimum concentration of odorant in the gas for the respective groups of natural gases and various gas pipelines based on operational experience and field measurements is required. Such verification allows to determine the optimal concentration of odorant for each group of natural gases and furthermore allows to optimize the cost of gas odorization process while ensuring its legally required quality described as odor intensity. This article presents the problem of the dependence of the network gas odorization effectiveness on various factors, especially network parameters or even the gas composition itself. Their identification allows to better plan the process and ensure its effective implementation, which ultimately ensures safety for gas users.

THE COVID-19 FINANCIAL PROBLEMS AND ASPECTS OF AUDIT QUALITY ASSURANCE IN GEORGIA

Economic Profile ◽

10.52244/ep.2021.21.03 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1(21)) ◽

pp. 22-31

Author(s):

David Bidzinashvili

Keyword(s):

Audit Quality ◽

International Standards ◽

Time Interval ◽

Second Stage ◽

The World ◽

Main Variable ◽

The Subject ◽

High Level ◽

Two Stages ◽

Working Out

The new Corona-virus and the contagious disease which it causes, the so called COVID 19, put forward the serious challenges for many countries all over the world and for Georgia among them. Almost the whole world is facing very serious obstacles on the international and national levels. Too many problems emerged in the world countries. To resist against the new disease has become the main priority for each country. The global processes caused by the pandemics have influenced the audit service as well. The uncertainty and unpredictability caused the new risks of deficiencies and activated already existed ones in the new environment. The situation became more complicated due to the fact that it can happen that the auditors do not consider the mentioned risks in the process of planning for audits or the risks may be considered mistakenly. The firms and other economical institutions in which the audit is carried out are obliged to adopt the new rules and changing environments in which their businesses function; they should change the rules of fulfilling the operation, preparing the financial accounts, the processes of their representing the information processes, safety of information shown in the financial accounts, the rules of their preparing; they also evaluate the possibilities of keeping on their activities in the nearest future. The qualified performing of the audit implies the basical elemenst which helps to create such environment where the possibility of the high level audit will be at the maximum. Implementing the quality control implies that such system will include two stages; each of them is directed towards providing the audit processes according the international standards There are several types of the quality improvement system. In all of them the main variable value represents the amount of costs for the proper system. All countries choose the system which provides benefits taking the costs into consideration. There are four main stages in the process of implementation the system which will ensure the high quality audit. Here are four main stages shown in the process of implementation:  The first stage: to carry out diagnostic observation;  The second stage: stating the view;  The third sage: working out the system;  The fourth stage: implementation of the system. The firms and other economical institutions where the audit is carried out are obliged to be reliable with their activities in the changing situation in which their businesses function. The subjects change the rules of carrying out the usual operations, change the open information given in the financial accounts, and estimate the possibilities of maintaining the existing possibilities for the nearest future. It is important to revise some standards out of Audit International Standards and to make them fit for revealing and assessing the risks of essential mistakes and discrepencies. The controlled variation of the standard regulates such issues as the newly corrected risks caused by influences of COVID-19 pandemic on the planned approaches to the audit and also, evaluation of the risks already defined and making changes in them taking into consideration the influence of the errors in the risk evaluations and influence made upon the planned evaluations and audits the changes of which will influence the evaluations of the risks in the inner control of the subject on the previously made imagination of the control environment, in order to define the measures to be taken in order to change the reactions to the mistakes using different measures in order to reach the trustful mechanisms to rely on. International standards of audit– answering to the assessed risks, the checked variation of the standard implies that it maybecome necessary to change the measures of reaction to the changes in the circumstances in order to obtain enough reliable measures and activities to control the situation by means of enough auditory evidences. The auditor has responsibilities to take into consideration that largening the deadlines will cause growth of the period and the risks of the dates of events which will happen in the time interval between accountability date and the date of the conclusion made by audit, the audit is also responsible for any event taking place later in relation to the Covid-19 situation. He is responsible also for evaluation of the fact about financial information. The enterprise functioning within nowadays complex environment taking into consideration the situation of COVID 19, should consider such priority issues as the uncertainty accompanying the Covid situation, related covenants, and others which accompany the pandemic period, among them the region, the financial state of customers and dealers, liquidating and paying capacity. During the process of the risk assessments it should considered that Covid 19 pandemic greatly influenced the global economics and the separate branches such as hotels business, retail sail, tourism and others. As a result of pandemic, it is possible that the number of audit considerations and thee circumstances can modify them which can be conditioned by different circumstances and the audit will state if there are incorrectable improper conditioned due to the circumstances. The audit will make it certain there are unimprovable mistakes which apart and together are essential for the financial accountability and the auditor will conclude that they cannot acquire the proper conditioned which apart or together could be essential financial accounts or the audit will conclude that they are not able to the essential accountability. Important researches were led to assess the appeared situation and it was concluded that the COVID 19 pandemic had influenced the financial situation which showed that the specific actions and procedures became complicated.