This article discusses possibilities of application of widely applied and promoted abroad methods of active dampening of vibration and pressure oscillations (antinoise technology) in order to reduce vibration transfer via vibro-insulating couplings (compensators) of fluid pipelines. This is required in solution of issues of vibration insulation of equipment with regard to foundation and environment along pipelines with working mediums, for instance, in transporting of oil and gas, in energy and transport engineering. Reasonability of operation of active system in combination with means of passive dampening of these impacts is demonstrated. In terms of efficiency and minimum energy consumptions by active system it is reasonable to apply active dampening of vibration and oscillations downstream of the vibro-insulator (compensator) where their level is significantly lower than in the source. In the case of pipeline this implies dampening of vibration and oscillation downstream of compensator and damper, however, such works are nearly unavailable. This is attributed to significant coupling between vibration and pressure oscillation in compensator and pipeline itself, complicating solution of the problem. It is concluded that for efficient application of active dampening in pipeline compensators it is required to develop compensators with minimum coupling between vibration and oscillations.

An approximated crack growth direction and coalescence of the multiple cracks were obtained for an aluminum alloy plate by the finite element approach (FEA). Self-similar as well as non-self-similar crack growths were observed based on relative position of multiple cracks. The FE predictions of crack growth direction are validated with an experimental results and good agreement is established. Typical numerical results are presented to examine the effect of changing the crack tip distance (S), crack offset distance (H) on crack growth direction and coalescence of a finite aluminum alloy aluminum plate. Based on the analysis and experimental results, a new mathematical models for self-similar and non-self similar crack growth are introduc

Just in time (JIT) philosophy has grown to a new high level since its evolution and has successfully been implemented in manufacturing. As it is universally accepted that manufacturing and maintenance cannot be managed as a separate function, the aim of the present study is to evaluate various elements of JIT to implement in maintenance sector which have high degree of importance in Global context. It is because now maintenance also plays an important role in optimization of business processes. Maintenance operations are much like manufacturing operations where both employ processes that add value to the basic input used to create the end products. JIT focuses on the processes, not the product. It can, therefore, be applied to any process in manufacturing or maintenance operations. For this, literature related to JIT usage and performance is reviewed. Thirty-eight elements are analyzed from sixty-five research papers of global context. With aid of theoretical analysis and brain storming with maintenance specialists of JIT elements who have implemented it for manufacturing industries, eighteen elements are selected to check the implementation of JIT philosophy in maintenance sector. Relative importance of such elements are also highlighted in the article.

Quality of blast preparation for rock beneficiation influences both on integrity of mineral stock in particular and in economical performances of enterprise operations in general. While rock processing for obtaining of crushed stone the yield of screenings is high, its amounts depend on rock strength properties. Investigation into the influence of drilling and blasting parameters on strength properties of blasted rocks is an urgent research and practical task for mining companies producing building stones. This article discusses results of full-scale experiment aimed at determination of strength of blasted rocks in shotpile with accounting for fracture zones as a function of rock massif saturation with energy of explosive substance.

In this study, a multi-product, multi-period and non-linear programming model is developed for production planning problem where demand is under uncertainty. The proposed study is designed for a real-world case study of chemicals production factory with 1 production line and 2 manual and automatic technologies. In manual technology, workers are working with 3 amateur, typical and professional skills in 2 typical and overtime working. Automatic technology in this system has n machines in which the repairing and maintenance of the machineries are also included. This system has n products and the products are life-limited and with diversity. The primary goal is to propose a model for improvement of the production planning and minimization of the production system costs. The products in high volume and various types are produced and they are stored in bottles as the final products. For different production periods, the human forces capacities are considered and the level of employment or forces dismissal are considered. The production process is forwarding and backward process is not acceptable; that is, it is not allowable to rework in this system. Delivering final product from stockpiles to the retailers is conducted using vehicles with limited capacity. To solve the model in larger space and because of the complexity of the model, meta-heuristic algorithm is used. Finally, it is concluded that due to covering most of the assumptions in perishable products production, the proposed model is closer to the real-world circumstances and reduces costs in production systems.

In the present study, the flexural behavior of concrete beams reinforced with longitudinal rebars made of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites (GFRP), is studied using finite element method. For this purpose, a number of concrete beams with square sections are modeled in ABAQUS. In all of the beams, four GFRP rebars with diameter of 12 mm, and 10 steel rebars with diameter of 8 mm are vertically used to prevent creating shear cracks in the beams. The beam no. 1 is without transverse rebar, beam no. 2 has a row of transverse rebar, which is placed at the bottom and in the plane of vertical rebars. Beam no. 3 has a row of transverse rebars that is placed at the top and in the plane of vertical rebars; and the beam no. 4 has two rows of transverse rebar at the top and bottom of the beam in the plane of vertical rebars. The beams are gradually loaded under up to 6 ton, and the amounts of displacement and strain at the middle of beams are compared together. The obtained results reveal that the force-displacement diagram of reinforced beams with composite rebars are almost linear until ultimate phase, and in all of the beams, adding transverse rebar leads to less deflection in the middle of the beam under an identical loading. Moreover, the load bearing capacity of beams containing transverse rebars, were higher than the other beams.

Extension of product’s useful life through product recovery options can help to reduce the consumption of natural resource and environmental pollution. Remanufacturing operation is considered as the most suitable product recovery option for automotive parts. The objective of this paper is to identify the barriers and the critical success factors in automotive engine remanufacturing. A case study is carried out in an automotive engine remanufacturing plant, situated in the south-western part of India. In this case study, the strategic, tactical and operational characteristics of the remanufacturing process are explored, what are the barriers they have faced while remanufacturing and to overcome those barriers, what strategies they have adopted are also analyzed. A fuzzy technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solutions (TOPSIS) is used to identify the critical success factor to overcome the roadblocks of remanufacturing. As this study is directed by the experts’ opinion from the remanufacturing plant which proves its practical implication. This case study is also useful for the other OEM remanufacturers in India.

Many researchers focused on economic production quantity (EPQ) model for deteriorating items with rework of defective items in a single production run. Few of them proposed the model for multi-production inventory model under the assumptions (i) all the defective items can be reproduced as serviceable items and (ii) all the deteriorating items can be detached from the inventory through screening process. However, in real life manufacturing systems, due to controllable or uncontrollable factors, the defective items may not be reproduced as serviceable items and hence the generation of scrap (disposable) items is potential. It is possible that the internally deteriorating items like fruits, vegetables, eggs, pharmaceutical drugs, etc. pass on to customers which will make negative impact on corporate image in the global market. This paper presents a multi-production run inventory model for deteriorating items with scrap, defective items, failure rework and penalty cost for selling the deteriorating items to customers under finite planning horizon. Our objective is to determine the optimal production run, optimal finite planning horizon by minimizing the total cost of the system. A solution procedure with an algorithm is proposed and a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the applicability of the model. Finally, sensitivity analysis is provided to provide managerial phenomena of the system.

Fashion and Apparel Supply Chains work in a very fast-changing environment and always demand better quality, higher availability of products, broader assortments and shorter delivery times. An efficient Supply Chain Management can make a difference between success and failure in the market. In this context, the main purposes of the presented work are: (i) to define the physical and informative flows, together with connected cost and revenue items, which characterize a Fashion Supply Chain working with a wide network of direct-operated or franchising mono-brand stores and (ii) to optimize Supply Chain performances through a responsive approach which, during the sales season, analyses actual market demand and adjusts operations plans accordingly. The framework aims at becoming a decision support system for the optimization of the performances of a process that starts from the development of the collection by the Styling Office and ends with the withdrawal of unsold items from the stores. In order to analyze the performances under different scenarios, a set of Key Performance indicators, partially selected from the SCOR Model, is defined.

Accidents and unpredictable diseases in different parts of the world, especially in big cities influence many lives. Most of the accidents and/or sudden diseases require quick aid due to its relation to people’s life, and the least time might affect the result of the aid significantly. It is noteworthy that finding the appropriate solution is under influence of considering the financial and treatment limitations. Integration of decision making in relief logistics leads to establish a better condition. Also, with regards to the unpredictability of relief demand, uncertain conditions should be investigated in a more appropriate way of planning process. This paper investigates a comprehensive and multi-level emergency Location allocation routing emergency problem under uncertain conditions with stable response to the different situations. In the presented model, the demand is defined by the emergency stations in order to represent the actual situations in real world. On the other hand, by the increase in the rate of providing services by the ambulances, the length of the queue will decrease and the costs will reduce due to the increase in the efficiency of the ambulances. A simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is developed to solve the problem. The obtained results show that the proposed algorithm has good performance. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is done to consider the effect of different values and uncertainty taken by parameters in real world.