Repair Costs Research Articles

Improving the efficiency of repair and strengthening of the diesel exhaust system by using a highly common high-temperature synthesis of alloys

In accordance with the requirements of the Ukraine strategy of eco- nomic development and coverage of processes economic approaches to the transfor- mation of the national economy in various industries, we present a separate methodology in the field of restoration and repair of marine vehicles. The main direction of improving shipbuilding production is to reduce the duration, improve the quality and reduce the cost of ship repair. Such factors influencing production and repair as material supply and energy consumption can be reduced by 10-20 percent if we apply the latest technological implementations that are already developed and improved in the research of both Ukrainian and foreign scientists.

Fostering sustainable consumer behaviour: Unravelling the determinants of repair intentions for smart appliances

Consumer demand for repair services is vital for prolonging product lifespan, yet factors influencing the repair intention for smart appliances remain unclear. Addressing this gap, we propose an extended theory of planned behaviour, incorporating four additional constructs: environmental knowledge, cost of repair, financial benefit, and data security. We collected data from 383 participants in the United Kingdom, which we analysed using a partial least squares approach. Results reveal that the cost of repair, perceived behavioural control, attitude, and financial benefit directly impact repair intention, while subjective norms do not. Environmental knowledge indirectly influences repair intention through attitude mediation, and data security's impact is not moderated by attitude. This extended theory offers a theoretical foundation for future related studies, providing insights for repair providers, environmental NGOs, and policymakers. Our findings can inform interventions promoting repair behaviour and guide policies incentivising consumers, thus increasing the demand for repair services.

Estimating the cost for obstetric fistula repair in hospitals of Mozambique: a low-income country

BackgroundObstetric fistula is incident and prevalent in low-income countries. Globally, about 100,000 women develop fistula annually. In Mozambique, more than 2,000 fistulas are reported annually. A national strategy to combat obstetric fistula has been implemented in Mozambique from 2012–2020. This strategy is under review, making it opportune to generate evidence that reflects the course of the strategy implemented to subsidize/optimize the definition of priorities of the new strategy to achieve universal health coverage. In Mozambique, information on the costs incurred to treat fistula is scarce. This study aims to estimate the mean unit cost of repair/treatment of simple and complex obstetric fistula in Mozambique.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective evaluation, from the provider’s perspective, using the Ingredient and Stepdown approaches. The mean unit cost was obtained by the sum of individual and shared ingredients to treat fistula. Cost dimensions included Direct Medical Costs (personnel, drugs, and supplies), Overhead and Capital Costs (administration and capital assets’ costs, respectively). The average exchange rate was USD 1 = MZN 61.47. Data were collected in secondary, tertiary, and quaternary hospitals of Zambézia and Nampula provinces in 2021. Costs borne by patients and their families and loss of productivity were not included.ResultsThe mean cost for Simple Obstetric Fistula repair was MZN 14,937.21 (USD 243) and Complex Obstetric Fistula was MZN 21,145.68 (USD 344) per person operated. Regardless of the type of fistula, the repair cost was MZN 18,072.18 (USD 294).ConclusionWithout neglecting that prevention is better than plasty, the results show feasible levels of fistula repair costs for mobilization of funds. For the estimated 2,000 fistulas reported annually, the government needs an average MZN 36,144,360 (USD 588,000).

Doing nothing is no solution: Coastal erosion management in Guardamar del Segura (Spain)

Human activities like dam construction in rivers and urban development in coastal areas, combined with climate change, are degrading coastal systems. As a result, many European countries have implemented laws and strategies to protect their shorelines. This research focuses on Guardamar del Segura in Spain, where human actions in the Segura River basin and changes in wave patterns have significantly damaged the beach-dune system, with erosion rates reaching −0.71 m/year. If these rates and extreme climate events continue to rise, the shoreline will keep retreating, leading to the destruction of beachfront houses and parts of the dune surface by 2050. This will cause changes in land ownership and irreversible ecological damage to the natural ecosystem. The Spanish Public Administration's inaction on coastal protection is due to a lack of coordination between government levels, insufficient technical tools to combat erosion, and inadequate legal mechanisms to fund protective measures. In contrast, countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have effective models in place. Potential solutions for Guardamar del Segura include beach and dune restoration or adding sand through revetments. Another option is a managed retreat of the most vulnerable buildings to avoid continuous repair and maintenance costs. Coastal erosion is a growing issue, and preserving our coastal ecosystems requires proactive measures, so doing nothing is no solution.

Seismic loss assessment of direct-DBD platform-type cross-laminated timber shear wall systems using FEMA P-58 methodology

An efficient design method should provide practitioners with a means for sizing timber buildings to meet specific performance levels against estimated earthquake intensities. Displacement and energy design considerations in force-based design (FBD) procedures are not as precise as intended in complex systems, such as mid- to high-rise timber buildings. The main aim of this study is to tailor the direct displacement-based design (D-DBD) classical framework to platform-type cross-laminated timber (CLT) shear wall structural systems and validate their performance for low-rise to high-rise timber mixed-use buildings. A comparison with results obtained via the FBD analyses is also provided. To this end, timber buildings with heights of 4, 8 and 12 stories are designed via the D-DBD and FBD methods. The seismic performance of platform-type CLT wall buildings is assessed in terms of the repair cost, repair time and casualty rate using FEMA P-58 methodology. The seismic response of CLT shear walls shows that the FBD method may lead to an expensive overdesign, especially in high-rise platform-type CLT walls. Conversely, the D-DBD method develops structural systems which can sustain a comparable level of damage from low- to high-rise platform-type CLT walls. Although the seismic loss assessment of buildings shows slightly better performance for the FBD method than the D-DBD method, it is worth noting that the D-DBD method does not lead to an unsafe building. Consequently, the D-DBD method sounds like a proper alternative approach for designing the CLT shear walls to achieve target performance levels without requiring a premium upfront cost.

Research on the Application of New Energy and Low-carbon Technologies in the Repair of Concrete Surface Defects

Photovoltaic heating is a new energy technology, which plays an obvious role in concrete curing, which can shorten the curing time of concrete. However, the role of this technology in concrete surface repair is not clear. In order to expand the application scope of low-carbon energy, this paper takes concrete surface repair as the research object and conducts photovoltaic heating analysis. Firstly, the data of concrete surface depression were collected, and then the repair effect of photovoltaic heating technology on the concrete surface was analyzed with C30 # as the research object, such as compressive strength, curing time, complex spacing, repair cost and energy consumption. and analyze the range of variation of each indicator; The results show that the photovoltaic heating technology can shorten the curing time by 20% and improve the compressive strength to 50kg/m2 with a complex spacing of less than 20 microns. At the same time, the repair cost and energy consumption are reduced, and the reduction range is 15~18%. Therefore, new energy and low-carbon technologies such as photovoltaic heating can effectively repair concrete surface defects, build on the cost and energy consumption of repair, improve the repair time, and meet the overall requirements of concrete construction.

Remote Vibration FFT Analyzer –Using Mobile App IOT and MATLAB Application

A new system to check machine vibrations from far away has been created. It uses sensor and IoT technology and MATLAB to show data. It's better than old ways because it uses new technology to watch things right away. Here's how it works: M5StickC device on the machine. This thing has a 3-axis IMU digital sensor that measures the acceleration. Then, it sends this info to phones using Bluetooth. This makes it a small, flexible IoT platform that collects reliable data. After that, an app sends this stuff to a cloud platform. There, a MATLAB program does something called Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis. This gives you pictures of the signals in remotely showing how they change over time and how often they happen. Methods like remote vibration tests can spot equipment problems such as unbalance, gears and bearing issues on. This real-time data review and evaluation boost productivity and make things more accurate while cutting down on repair costs and time when machines aren't working. It allows factories to use predictive upkeep, which makes equipment more reliable and accurate. This means less downtime and cheaper maintenance overall. Key Words: IoT (Internet of Things), Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Predictive maintenance

Improving the planning and accounting of material costs for the repair and maintenance needs of an industrial enterprise

The optimal use of material resources is an essential factor in ensuring the profitability of the business of an enterprise in the real sector of the economy. An essential part of the system of material resources of an industrial enterprise is the material costs of repair and maintenance needs. The purpose of the research presented in this article is to structure the information space with a high level of transparency and improve the quality of tools for operational planning and accounting of these expenses of an industrial enterprise at all stages of production activity; The tasks include the development of a model for improving operational planning of the need for these resources for repairs, maintenance and operation of production equipment in the context of production orders and operational accounting, including the preparation of management reports on the implementation of planned plans. The research used methods of systematic and situationally oriented analysis; collection, accumulation and systematization of information about economic activity; economic analysis; classification; aggregation; reduction; generalization; graphical visualization of data; comparison; process approach.

Monitoring the Corrosion Resistance of Cold-Spray Coatings with Membrane-Based Sensors

Ensuring the management of gas transportation infrastructure requires the monitoring of internal corrosion within pipelines. The utilization of membrane-based electrochemical sensors is a promising advancement in corrosion risk monitoring. These sensors demonstrate an ability to operate within humidified gas environments, previously inaccessible to conventional electrochemical monitoring methods. Simultaneously, ongoing research is delving into novel sacrificial coatings and application methods to prolong the lifespan of existing pipeline structures and minimize associated repair costs. In this context, we broaden the application of membrane-based electrochemical sensors to investigate the response of electrodes equipped with cold-spray coatings. This examination encompasses a range of fluids exhibiting varying levels of corrosivity pertinent to natural gas pipelines. Multiple sensors with 316 stainless steel working electrodes were coated with cold spray sacrificial coating then exposed to humidified gases with differing relative humidities (RH) (5 %, 50 %, and 95 %) and condensed phases with differing salt content (deionized water and 0.1 mol kg-1 NaCl solution). Three electrochemical techniques (potentiometry, impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic scans) were used to monitor the corrosive environment and probe the extent of coating coverage. For the conditions studied, impedance values were extremely sensitive to changes in water content through changes in the membrane resistance (from ~1 kΩ in deionized water to ~5 MΩ with 5 % RH). Polarization resistances (Rp) consistently decreased with increasing corrosivity (~3 kΩ in deionized water to 15 GΩ with 5 % RH). Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to identify the extent to which corrosion products permeated the membrane after major corrosion events.

Impact of leasing transactions on business development in Kyrgyzstan

The purpose of this study was to determine how leasing transactions contribute to business modernisation in Kyrgyzstan. The study used survey methods and semi-structured interviews with company representatives, followed by statistical analysis of the collected data to determine changes in productivity, operating costs, and investment payback period. In particular, the results showed that 90% of the surveyed agricultural enterprises reported a 25-30% increase in productivity after using leasing to purchase machinery, which was confirmed by analysing data on the reduction of repair and maintenance costs for old equipment. In transport logistics, 85% of the companies indicated a reduction in operating costs and improvement of logistics processes due to fleet renewal through leasing programmes, which also contributed to an increase in the customer base by 15-20%. In the construction sector, the use of leasing allowed 82% of companies to reduce project completion time by 20-25%, which was due to the acquisition of new construction equipment through leasing, which can accelerate the performance of work and improve the quality of projects. In the manufacturing sector, 70% of companies reported a positive impact of leasing on their production capacity, but a longer payback period was identified, which requires the development of specialised leasing programmes with more flexible terms for industrial enterprises. The results of the study confirmed the important role of leasing as a financial instrument for the modernisation of enterprises in Kyrgyzstan, but also reveal the need to improve the access of small enterprises to leasing programmes and adapt the conditions for sectors with a long investment cycle, such as manufacturing

Analyzing the dependency of earthquake insurance premium on the intensity measure used in probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and fragility curves

Considering the uncertainties associated with earthquake, seismic response of structures, damage caused by the response and the repair costs, determining Earthquake Insurance Premium (EIP) is a challenging task that requires a framework for modeling all inherent risks. Most of the models proposed for EIP determination have two basic components. The first component indicates the probability of seismic hazard (generally obtained from the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis), and the second component indicates the probability of occurrence of a given damage to the structure with respect to different seismic hazard levels (generally obtained from the fragility curves). These two components are interconnected through an intermediate parameter, known as the Intensity Measure (IM), which is of great importance in calculations and has hardly been considered so far. In this study, the dependency of EIP on the IM used in the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and the fragility curves is analyzed. To this end, the EIP was determined for five types of buildings at low, medium and high seismic hazard levels using two IMs (peak ground acceleration and first mode spectral acceleration). The results of this study warn that the EIP can be highly dependent on the IM, so that for all studied structures, the EIP determined based on peak ground acceleration at a high seismic hazard level is nearly three times as many as the one determined by the first mode spectral acceleration. A significant finding is that when the first mode spectral acceleration is used as the IM, the ratio of EIP at different seismic hazard levels closely matches the ratio of IM at the same levels. This result can be valuable in developing insurance codes and regulations. However, this is not the case for the currently used IM, i.e., peak ground acceleration.

Modelling and Diagnosis of Hybrid Dynamic Systems by a Multi-Model Approach

Fault diagnosis is an essential task in ensuring the smooth operation of complex dynamic systems. The consequences of faults can be serious, leading to loss of life, harmful emissions to the environment, high repair costs and economic losses caused by unplanned production line stoppages. The work developed in this paper concerns the modeling and diagnosis of faults (sensor faults, system faults, actuator faults) in hybrid dynamic systems using our multi-model approach (which combines two sub-models, one continuous and the other discrete). The aim is to integrate three well-known tools in the literature: the Bond Graph, the Observer and the Timed Automata, to design a global diagnostic model. The hybrid dynamic system is modeled by connecting the tools for the continuous part, i.e. the bond graph and the observer, to the timed automata for the discrete part. The resulting model is used for fault diagnosis in two stages: The first is fault detection by analyzing the residuals generated by the system output and that of the observer. The second step involves fault localization, which results from analysis of the signature matrix and temporal identification of the system. The proposed method combines the advantages of these tools to obtain the best performance, particularly in the fault location phase. The simulation results prove the effectiveness of the proposed model for the hybrid dynamic system. Moreover, these results also evaluate the performance of the proposed diagnostic approach while reducing non-detections, detection delays and false alarms.

Quay Crane Performance Improvement and Lifecycle Extension: Retrofit Determination – A Case Study

Quay cranes (QCs) are critical equipment in Container Terminals and their performance determines the port operation efficiency in meeting operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Considering 30-year lifespan of QCs and deteriorating reliability of the electrical control system, planning for timely retrofit of the QCs is critical. The paper aims to present a case study on how the performance of a batch of QCs, having more than 50% remaining lifespan, were analyzed and concluded to be retrofitted to address their deteriorating performance, high maintenance cost and obsolescence. The study methodology is based on quantitative data and employed a prospective longitudinal panel research design over sixteen years. eleven years of pre-retrofit and five years of post-retrofit operations, maintenance and financial data were collected. Convenient sampling technique was selected in this study as the QCs identified as samples were having reliability issues. The Correlation Analysis indicates strong positive correlation of more than 90% between Mean Time Between Failure, Mean Move Between Failure and Reliability KPIs. These KPIs have moderate positive correlations of about 50% with Availability KPI. These 4 KPIs have strong negative correlation of between -50% and -85% with Mean Time to Repair, Maintenance and Breakdown Repair Cost indicating performance degradation but increased maintenance and repair costs as shown by Trend Analysis. The 11-year preretrofit data has identified parameters to determine the QC retrofit prediction. The KPIs, obsolescence status, maintenance and breakdown repair cost can be used as the inputs to the future QC Retrofit Prediction Model development.

INTERNAL CONTROL ON MILITARY ASSETS ACCORDING TO MILK AL-DAULAH IN ISLAMIC ECONOMIC LAW

This article aims to examine the internal control system of national military assets in Indonesia at the Kuta Alam Banda Aceh barracks, reviewed according to the concept of milk al-daulah. The approach taken by the author is a juridical-empirical study. The research findings indicate that to address issues in the internal control system of assets in the Indonesian National Army (TNI) at the Kuta Alam Banda Aceh barracks, a holistic approach is required to effectively tackle existing challenges. It is crucial to update and refine the inventory process to ensure that asset data is more accurate and current. Implementing an integrated, technology-based asset management system will facilitate tracking and monitoring. Furthermore, asset maintenance should be scheduled regularly and its implementation should be ensured to prevent damage that could increase repair costs. Enhancements in surveillance technology, such as modern CCTV and access control systems, are essential to reduce the risk of theft and damage. Compliance with policies should be strengthened through intensive training and consistent enforcement to ensure procedures are properly followed. Risk management also needs improvement with more effective and proactive mitigation strategies. Additionally, the use of advanced technology can support efficiency in asset management and reporting. Transparency should be increased by providing clear and accessible reporting mechanisms, while budget management should be improved to ensure efficient allocation. Regular personnel training is important to keep their skills relevant, and routine audits and evaluations should be conducted to maintain the effectiveness of the internal control system.

Strength optimization of transverse retrofitting device for seismic isolated bridge based on seismic repair cost ratio

At present, the application of seismically isolated bridges is widespread. However, the elongation of the period of isolated bridges often leads to large displacements in the superstructure and significant residual displacements after earthquakes, which results in high repair costs or even bridge collapse. Therefore, various retrofitting measures for laminated rubber-bearing isolated bridges have emerged. The selection and design of these retrofitting measures are crucial to the response of bridges. In this study, three types of retrofitting devices are considered: concrete shear key, steel cable, and superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) cable. The performance of different retrofitting devices is compared using the annualized seismic repair cost ratio (ASRCR) analysis and incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). Then the ASRCR analysis based on probability is used to optimize the strength of the retrofitting device. The results demonstrate that SMA cables and steel cables demonstrate similar effectiveness in reducing the fragility of bearings, but the superior self-centering ability of SMA cable significantly reduces the residual displacements of bearings. Furthermore, a mathematical model is developed to evaluate the economic benefits of seismic isolated bridges equipped with SMA cables and the strength of SMA cables can be designed rapidly by this model.

Repair and maintenance of fixed assets

Federal Accounting Standard 26/2020 “Capital investments” has established rules for reflecting the cost of repairing fixed assets — if the repair is of a capital nature, the cost of it increases the cost of the repaired object, i.e. it is capitalized, and in the case when the repair is of a current nature or relates to the ongoing maintenance of fixed assets (when it is carried out with a frequency not exceeding 12 months), the costs of conducting them are not included in capital investments, but are written off as expenses of the current period. The non-governmental accounting regulator “Accounting Methodological Center” in its Recommendations sets out its position on the reflection of repair and maintenance costs. During the research, we used such methods as analysis and synthesis, comparison, grouping method, analogy method, logical approach, systematic approach. As a result of the conducted research, this article, in particular, presents additional proposals clarifying the wording of both the FSB 26/2020 and the Recommendations of the NBU BMC. In addition, in this paper, suggestions are made to improve the content of accounting statements. The results of this study will be of interest to a wide range of readers studying various problems of modern Russian and foreign accounting, and can also be used in the educational process of higher educational institutions.

Failure Consequence Cost Analysis of Wave Energy Converters—Component Failures, Site Impacts, and Maintenance Interval Scenarios

In the early stages of developing wave energy converter (WEC) projects, a quantitative assessment of component failure consequence costs is essential. The WEC types, deployment site features, and accessibility should all be carefully considered. This study introduces an operation and maintenance failure consequence cost (O&M-FC) model, distinct from conventional O&M models. The model is illustrated with case studies at three energetic Atlantic sites, each of which considers two types of generic floating WECs: a 300 kW point absorber (PA) with a hydraulic power-take-off (PTO) and a 1000 kW oscillating water column (OWC) with an air-wells-turbine PTO. This study compares 39 failure modes for PA and 27 for OWC in terms of direct repair costs and indirect lost production costs, examining the impact of location accessibility, capacity factors, and the mean annual energy production. The discussion revolves around the sensitive parameters. Recommendations for failure mitigations are presented, and the impact of planned maintenance (PM) during the operational phase is examined for 20 MW PA and OWC WEC projects. For a given WEC type, the method thoroughly evaluates how the location affects performance metrics. It offers a decision-making tool for determining optimal PM intervals to meet targets such as O&M costs, operating profit, or availability.

Performance assessment of alko-amine corrosion inhibitors for use as an admixture in reinforced concrete structures: Experimental investigation and mechanism of action

Corrosion in reinforced concrete (RC) is a major issue in the construction industry, giving rise to structural failure, huge repair costs, and safety concerns. To mitigate RC corrosion, chemical corrosion inhibitors (CCI) are commonly used. This study aims to investigate the performance of different alko-amine CCIs for corrosion control in reinforced concrete (RC) structures subjected to chloride-rich conditions. The experimental program was divided into two levels: investigations comprised of quick testing on bare rebars, suitable for industries, and analysis which comprised of electrochemical investigation in simulated concrete pore solution and testing on rebar embedded in concrete, suitable for research labs. The interaction between inhibitors and steel was examined through surface analytical techniques such as AFM and XPS. Finally, the inhibition mechanism for the CCI was proposed. The alko-amines were found to show a strong dependence on their molecular structure for the formed film integrity. Monoethanolamine (MEA) and methyl ethanolamine (MeEA) formed a denser and more uniform film compared to dimethyl ethanolamine (DMeEA) and ethyl monoethanolamine (EMEA). MeEA showed the highest inhibition efficiency in both simulated pore solution environments and when used as an admixture in RC.

Quantifying the effect of pulse-like ground motions on the seismic design of SMA restrained isolation bridges using probabilistic repair cost method

The shape memory alloy (SMA) restrainer serves as an effective but expensive bridge restraining device. However, the impact of pulse effect on SMA design approach under pulse-like ground motions (PLGM) has not been fully quantified in previous studies, which hinders its application in near-fault regions. Therefore, based on the risk probability assessment method throughout the entire life cycle, by accounting for the comprehensive repair cost of each component damage, this paper introduces a parameter design method for SMA restrainer of near-fault bridges that considers structural parameters, pulse parameters, and economic indicators. Firstly, the repair cost ratio (RCR) of bridge system, which means the expenses for repairs expressed as a proportion of bridge replacement costs, was regarded as the life-time optimization goal and overall performance indicator. Secondly, by accounting for near-fault effects, the relationship between RCR and SMA design parameters was established by convolution algorithm of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, demand analysis and capacity analysis. A novel probabilistic seismic demand model was utilized to quickly determine the RCR of the bridge system under PLGM. Finally, the influence of pulse period on the rational design parameter of SMA restrainer was comprehensively investigated by RCR-based method. A seismic isolation arch bridge was selected as the illustrated case in this article. The results indicate that the rational design parameters of SMA exhibit a pattern of initially rising, then falling as the pulse period increases, reaching the peak value when the pulse period approaches bridge fundamental period. Moreover, the price parameter of SMA significantly affect the optimal design parameters, and the effective range is also recommended.

Multi-hazard life-cycle consequence analysis of deteriorating engineering systems

Probabilistic life-cycle consequence (LCCon) analysis (e.g., assessment of repair costs, downtime, or casualties over an asset’s service life) can enable optimal life-cycle management of critical assets under uncertainties. This can lead to effective risk-informed decision-making for future disaster management (i.e., risk mitigation and/or resilience-enhancing strategies/policies) implementation. Nevertheless, despite recent advances in understanding, modeling, and quantifying multiple-hazard (or multi-hazard) interactions, most available LCCon analytical formulations fail to accurately compute the exacerbated consequences which may stem from incomplete or absent repair actions between different interacting hazard events. This paper introduces a discrete-time, discrete-state Markovian framework for efficient multi-hazard LCCon analysis of deteriorating engineering systems (e.g., buildings, infrastructure components) that appropriately accounts for complex interactions between natural hazard events and their effects on a system’s performance. The Markovian assumption is used to model the probability of a system being in any performance level (i.e., limit state) after multiple hazard events inducing either instantaneous and/or gradual deterioration and after potential repair actions through implementing stochastic (transition) matrices. LCCon estimates are then obtained by combining limit state probabilties with suitable system-level consequence models in a computationally efficient manner. The proposed framework is illustrated for two case studies subject to earthquake and flood events as well as environment-induced corrosion during their service life. The first is a reinforced concrete building and the second is a simple transportation road network with a reinforced concrete bridge.