The Engineering Machine-Learning Automation Platform (EMAP): A Big-Data-Driven AI Tool for Contractors’ Sustainable Management Solutions for Plant Projects

Plant projects, referred to as Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC), generate massive amounts of data throughout their life cycle, from the planning stages to the operation and maintenance (OM) stages. Many EPC contractors struggle with their projects due to the complexity of the decision-making processes, owing to the vast amount of project data generated during each project stage. In line with the fourth industrial revolution, the demand for engineering project management solutions to apply artificial intelligence (AI) in big data technology is increasing. The purpose of this study was to predict the risk of contractor and support decision-making at each project stage using machine-learning (ML) technology based on data generated in the bidding, engineering, construction, and OM stages of EPC projects. As a result of this study, the Engineering Machine-learning Automation Platform (EMAP), a cloud-based integrated analysis tool applied with big data and AI/ML technology, was developed. EMAP is an intelligent decision support system that consists of five modules: Invitation to Bid (ITB) Analysis, Design Cost Estimation, Design Error Checking, Change Order Forecasting, and Equipment Predictive Maintenance, using advanced AI/ML algorithms. In addition, each module was validated through case studies to assure the performance and accuracy of the module. This study contributes to the strengthening of the risk response for each stage of the EPC project, especially preventing errors by the project managers, and improving their work accuracy. Project risk management using AI/ML breaks away from the existing risk management practices centered on statistical analysis, and further expands the research scalability of related works.

An Efficient VLSI Architecture Design of Antilogarithm Converter with 10-Regions Error Correction Scheme

An applications of signal processing are frequently used everywhere in day-to-day life. “Digital Signal Processing (DSP)” has been basic requirement of efficient and accurate arithmetic operations for performing fast and accurate signal processing. Logarithm arithmetic provides an option of that desire. In this work, it is presented an efficient VLSI implementation of an antilogarithm converter by using 10-region error correction. It provides error efficient implementation with significant hardware gain. VLSI implementation of reported and proposed antilogarithmic converters design created in Xilinx ISE 12.1. Antilogarithmic converters (reported and proposed design) are synthesized by using Synopsys design software perform the RTL Synthesis analysis by using package design compiler. This paper presents 10- region converter which considers design trade-off where proposed demonstrates 19.75%, 31.02%, 12.65%, 44.65% and 29.91% respective reduction in comparison of previous design. Error analysis was done using MATLAB for proposed conversion method and reported methods. Suggested antilogarithmic converters have 1.559% error only in comparison of 1.7327% error reported by Kuo et al. On behalf of hardware complexity and error analysis results, it can say that the proposed converters could perform better in comparisons of all aspects of reported design.

An assessment of cost escalation in building construction project

Estimating of cost for building construction projects with minimum error at the conceptual stage of project development is quite essential for planning. This study seeks to evaluate factors responsible for cost escalation of building construction projects. Questionnaires were administered to examine and assess these factors. Subsequently, the mean score value of each factor was determined. In addition, Correlation and Linear regression analyses were used to establish the relationship between these factors. Factors responsible for cost escalation in projects were examined as well as the impact of those factors, and occurrence of those factors on project cost. The result of the analysis showed that, the most agreed factors responsible for project cost escalation were; inadequate supervision, irregular payment, and design error, having high mean values of 4.25, 4.20, and 4.15, respectively. Also, correlation analysis result established that the factors responsible for cost escalation and the impact of cost escalation had significant R and R2 of 0.81 and 0.70 respectively. Addressing these factors would go a long way in reducing the escalation of building project cost. Never the less, an effective cost management strategy is absolutely necessary to safeguard and sustain the construction industry. Keywords: cost escalation, building project, construction, regression analysis

Design and control of a passive compliant actuation with positioning measurement by LED and photodiode detector for medical application

Control of assistive exoskeleton robot recently has to be crucial of development and innovation of medical application. To support daily motions for humans, control application of assistive exoskeleton robot allows for limb movement with increased strength and endurance during patient’s wearable exoskeleton robot application. The interaction between such exoskeleton device and the human body at the connecting joint, especially the knees, is the main interest of this design formation. The assistive device requires to design and to develop into innovation design aspect. This research presents the novel design of an active compliant actuation joint in order to increasing the higher torque of actuation than conventional actuation joint. Control design of the higher torque actuation usually difficult priori to conventional torque control. This will contributed to applying the supervisory control for compliant actuation that verified by experiment method. Then the hybrid Radial Basis Function neural network (RBFNN) and PID were proposed for actuating torque control methods. Experimental results show that the design of supervisory control is get better response, and higher producing torque output than the conventional design. Error of torque control of compliant actuation is not instead of [Formula: see text] N·m for applying supervisory control, RBFNN with PID controller. Indeed, the low electromagnetic interference (EMI) positioning system using LED and photodiode detector is proposed to be usable in medical application.

Strengthening and Repair of a Precast Reinforced Concrete Residential Building

The deterioration or ageing of the existing infrastructures coupled with increased safety requirements necessitate immediate strengthening. Developing long lasting and cost effective repair techniques and materials continue to capture the attention of concrete professionals worldwide. The main purpose of this investigation was to extend the life span of a multi-storey precast reinforced concrete structure built in Riyadh 40 years ago. The condition assessments relied on analytical tools, visual, field and laboratory experiments for core samples collected from the building. The analytical checks of the building revealed considerable deflections of some slabs because of design error. The field and chemical analysis tests performed, confirmed the occurrence of durability defects as a result of poor workmanship during the construction stage. Several state-of-the-art repair techniques and materials were used for enhancing the service life of the structure at a minimum cost. The Repair strategy implemented included, removal of the deteriorated concrete, pouring a bonding agent on the surface of the damage, followed by injecting high strength cementitious grouts, supporting the deflected slabs using I-section steel beams, using cathodic protection to prevent corrosion, strengthening the columns and beams using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets, and steel jackets. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2020-03091630 Full Text: PDF

Meta-heuristic techniques for optimal design of analog and digital filter

In this paper, two Meta-heuristic techniques; namely Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) have been applied for the optimal design of digital and analog filters. Those techniques have been used to solve multimodal optimization problem in Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter design and to select the optimal component values from industrial series as well as to minimize the total design error of a 2nd order Sallen-Key active band-pass filter, also a comparison between the performances reached by those two Meta-heuristics was made in this article.

Measuring project performance and dynamic risk management for engineering design alliance

Purpose The purpose of this study is to integrate modern decision sciences and develop a dynamic risk management model for international alliance engineering design projects. Design/methodology/approach To apply the model to real-world risk assessment and managerial decision-making, a mega project case study was conducted. System dynamics and computer simulations were used for improving quantitative analyses and scenario planning. Findings Based on the consideration and analyses of different cooperation risk factors, ripple effects of design error is found to be the key factor of subcontract management in international alliance projects in this study. Research limitations/implications This study provides a rationale for dynamic risk management decisions and enables international alliance companies to systematically control the cooperation risks in the execution of projects. Practical implications In the dynamic project management process, a significant increase in the design error rate does not unilaterally occur but is caused by subcontract and other management errors as a system problem. Integrative solutions with systems thinking would help the management. Originality/value This study proposed a framework of measuring project performance and dynamic risk management. The benchmarked case study demonstrates the capability of the proposed model for the feedback learning of business lessons and knowledge accumulations.

Learning Tool for Robotics Basic Programming Based on Contextual Teaching and Learning to Improve Problem-Solving Skills

In the robotics program design basic course, it is very essential to be able to construct programming and then translate it into the language. If there is a design error in the algorithms and mistakes in the flowchart or an error in translating it into a programming language, the application software would be unable to work. The objectives of this study are to develop the basic teaching module for Robotics Programming and to implement robotics courses oriented on contextual teaching and learning to enhance university students' problem-solving skills. This study was designed with pre-action, action and reports procedures. 4D development was employed in the software development process. Implementation processes cover four phases: identifying, planning, creating, and disseminating. The findings suggested that contextual teaching and learning enable students to be actively engaged in the learning process encourage and motivated more active students' activities and promote creativity.

EFFECTS OF HEAD GAPS AND ROTOR GAP ON FLOW RATE AND HYDRAULIC LEAKAGE OF A NOVEL NON-CONTACT ROTOR BLOWER

The Roots blower belongs to the non-contact rotor pump family, therefore, there are always certain clearances between rotors and clearances between the rotor and the stator. These clearances have serious effects on the working performance of blower. Therefore, to determine the design error and the method of machining to achieve the lowest price, required machining technology, flow rate and pressure, the determination of leakage flow rate and pressure through the head gap and rotor gap is very necessary. Thus, in this paper, the authors conduct to build a mathematical model in order to determine the flow rate and pressure of blower in the ideal case in which there is no clearance and the case in which there are clearances. On that basis, the authors aim to evaluate the impact of head gaps and rotor gap on flow rate and pressure leakage. In order to improve the working performance of blower and to choose the machining method that is suitable for the applications of this blower.