Inspection Protocol Research Articles

The concept of improving communication in BIM during transfer to operation phase on the Polish market

Abstract Communication problem in construction industry is an important matter due to its direct influence on quality of works. Digital support such as BIM software could help in increasing transfer of information between parties. Authors noticed a need for solution to streamline collaboration between stakeholders at a final stage of the investment. Customer at the construction site, is not involved in the construction process until handover. However, he is the one responsible for acceptance of the construction works by signing the final acceptance protocol and verifying whether works have been done according to contract and variations. Due to defects occurring as a result of construction works and nonconformity with variation order or original design, authors suggest creating a program to simplify communication and improve the exchange of information limited not only to construction, but also during the transition phase between the final stage of construction works and the initial stage of operation of the facility. Case study was conducted to reveal the actual digitalization level of recording final works inspection protocol and defect management system at housing construction sector in Poland.

Operational impact estimation of container inspections at Dalian Port: the application of simulation

For the security of ports and the container shipping industry, a key problem for a container terminal is the planning and design of the inspection area. The main goal of this paper is to address an inspection investment planning problem for the international container terminal at Dalian Port using the simulation method. Considering various types of container ships and flexible container truck scheduling and routing, we propose a framework combining an Arena-based simulation model with a developed optimization procedure. Two components of this integrated framework realize information communication via the interface of Visual Basic for Applications. Under the potential inspection protocol, simulation experiments are designed and carried out for investigating the operational impact of container inspections for different allocations of inspection resources at the terminal, including the turnaround time of external trucks, the number of trucks waiting in the inspection area, etc. This paper includes the description of the conceptual framework, the detailed simulation model, the experimental design, and the simulation results.

A RARE CLINICAL CASE OF THE ISOLATED PRIMARY FRONTAL BONE OSTEOMA

To study a rare clinical case of isolated primary osteoma localized in the frontal bone, provide its detailed clinical and pathomorphological analysis, and evaluate statistical indicators of occurrence frequency and localization of facial skeleton osteomas during 2006-2015. The retrospective case records analysis of patients undergoing treatment in the ma-xillofacial department of Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital and suffering from facial skeleton osteomas was conducted. The clinical examination was carried out in accordance with the inspection protocol required for the examination of patients diagnosed with tumors and tumor-like neoplasms in a particular clinical case. Frontal and lateral views were used in the course of X-ray imaging. Histological studies included macroscopy and microscopy. According to the retrospective case record analysis made over the last 10 years 346 cases of facial bone osteoma were revealed and proved histologically comprising 3.7% of all benign osteogeneous maxillofacial tumors. For the first time in 10 years osteoma localized in the frontal bone had been revealed and thoroughly studied. Macroscopically - a semi-spherical and immovable neoformation 7cm in diameter of hard consistency, splaying out at 4cm and being adherent with the frontal bone. Roentgenologically - homogeneous intense shadowing of a round form with relatively distinct outlines complying with clinical sizes. According to the histological data, the tumor consists mostly of the solid osseous tissue and the spongy osseous tissue with the evident thickened trabeculas of the bone located in different directions. The analysis of historical data demonstrated extremely rare localization of primary osteoma of the frontal bone, and indicated the uniqueness of the case and significant clinical importance of its detailed study.

Hierarchical Dense Structure-from-Motion Reconstructions for Infrastructure Condition Assessment

AbstractAccurate condition assessment of in-service infrastructure systems is critical for system-wide prioritization decisions. Current protocols require lengthy inspections and expensive equipment to examine large infrastructure systems. Furthermore, changes in inspection protocols over time can create discontinuities in recording and understanding the time history of a structure. To address these challenges, a systematic and adaptive technique for converting two-dimensional (2D) digital images into three-dimensional (3D) models has been developed, with the goal of creating high-resolution and scale-accurate inspection records. The developed reconstruction technique utilizes multiscale imaging to reconstruct a structure with varying levels of details and geometric complexity. The captured images are then converted into photorealistic, accurate, and dense 3D scene reconstructions by utilizing a hierarchical adaptation of a dense structure-from-motion (DSfM) algorithm. The result of this approach is a vir...

Container Inspection Utilizing 14 MeV Neutrons

A proposal for an autonomous and flexible ship container inspection system is presented. This could be accomplished by the incorporation of an inspection system on various container transportation devices (straddle carriers, yard gentry cranes, automated guided vehicles, trailers). The configuration is terminal specific and it should be defined by the container terminal operator. This enables that no part of the port operational area is used for inspection. The inspection scenario includes container transfer from ship to transportation device with the inspection unit mounted on it. The inspection is performed during actual container movement to the container location. A neutron generator without associated alpha particle detection is used. This allows the use of higher neutron intensities ( $5\times {10^9} - {10^{10}} \text{n/s}$ in $4\pi $ ). The inspected container is stationary in the “inspection position” on the transportation device while the “inspection unit” moves along its side. The following analytical methods will be used simultaneously: neutron radiography, X-ray radiography, neutron activation analysis, (n, $\gamma $ ) and (n,n’ $\gamma $ ) reactions, neutron absorption. and scattering, X-ray backscattering. The neutron techniques will utilize “smart collimators” for neutrons and gamma rays, both emitted and detected. The inspected voxel is defined by the intersection of the neutron generator and the detectors solid angles. The container inspection protocol is based on identification of discrepancies between the cargo manifest, elemental “fingerprint” and radiography profiles. In addition, the information on container weight is obtained during the container transport and screening by measuring of density of material in the container.

The inspection of soil-disinfection equipment in Belgium.

In Belgium, the mandatory inspection of field and orchard sprayers was already started up in 1995. At that time, there were only inspection protocols available for those two types of sprayers. From 2008 on, two new inspection protocols were developed: one for greenhouse sprayers and one for soil-disinfection machines. Those inspection protocols were added to the Belgian legislation and implemented since 2011. The inspection protocol for greenhouse sprayers was mainly based on the two existing protocols (field and orchard sprayers) as the working principle of those machines was similar. Soil disinfection machines used on Belgian territory needed another approach because of the differences in pressurising and application technique compared to classical spraying machines. Soil disinfection machines use a closed tank containing the vaporous disinfectant. The tank is pressurised by a compressor or a diving cylinder. As concerns the injector side of those machines there are different possibilities. Some are using a manifold with restrictor plates or a small tap per injector, others use narrow tubes towards the injectors, and sometimes nozzles are used. As one can see, there are no standard inspection methods available for those types of machines. Neither a standard spray pattern measurement, nor a separate pressure and nozzle testing is possible on most of those machines. On top there are some important safety aspects that need special attention due to the hazardous products used. The Belgian inspection protocol was almost completely developed in-house and makes it possible to inspect soil-disinfection machines in an accurate, safe and economical way.

Diagnostic efficacy of abattoir meat inspection for detecting bovine tuberculosis at Adama municipal abattoir, Ethiopia

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is endemic in Ethiopia and like other developing countries in Africa. Ethiopia has limited laboratory and other diagnostic facilities. Therefore, abattoir inspection still remains the only option for monitoring BTB prevalence in domestic animals. However, information regarding the efficacy of such routine abattoir (RA) inspection is limited. The present study was conducted on 500 slaughtered cattle heads, slaughtered at the Adama municipal abattoir, Ethiopia from December 2009 to April 2010 to elucidate the efficacy of RA inspection with respect to the detailed abattoir (DA) inspection, bacteriological isolation, and PCR. Diagnostic accuracy of the RA inspection was determined by calculating sensitivity and specificity. The agreement between both the inspection protocols was determined by using kappa statistics. Results showed that there was a moderate agreement between the two inspection protocols (kappa = 0.43) conducted at Adama municipal abattoir, Ethiopia. The sensitivity and specificity of RA were 57.14 [CI 28.92–82.24] and 71.79 % [CI 55.12–84.98] when isolation was considered as reference test and 33.33 [CI 5.33–77.32] and 75.00 % [CI 35.05–96.07] when PCR was considered as reference test. However, DA inspection showed higher sensitivity, when isolation {82.35 % (14/17) [95 % CI 56.55–95.99]} and PCR {75 % (6/8) [95 % CI 35.05–96.07]} were considered as reference tests. The RA inspection failed to detect 69.81 %TB-infected carcasses which increased the chances of BTB-infected carcasses being released into the food chain. Based on our study, it is recommended that integrated preventive approaches involving enhanced surveillance of the disease through establishment of standardized abattoirs well-equipped with laboratory facilities. Also, adequate training to meat inspectors is essential to prevent the spread of the disease.

Bed Bugs: Prevalence in Low-Income Communities, Resident's Reactions, and Implementation of a Low-Cost Inspection Protocol.

We examined bed bug prevalence in 2,372 low-income apartments within 43 buildings in four New Jersey cities using a combination of resident interviews, brief visual inspections, and monitoring with Climbup Insect Interceptors. Infestation rates ranged from 3.8 to 29.5% among the buildings, with an overall infestation rate of 12.3%. Within each apartment, the bed area trapped significantly more bed bugs per trap than the sofa (or upholstered chair) area. African American residents had a proportionally higher number of bed bug infestations than white residents. Women were more likely to report bed bug bite symptoms than men. Only 68% of the residents who experienced bed bug infestations reported symptoms after being bitten (n = 475). Among those with self-reported symptoms (n = 319), the frequency of the reported symptoms was: pain 90%, itchiness 20%, welts 13%, and insomnia 8%. Fifty-nine percent of the residents (n = 539) who experienced bed bug infestations applied insecticides to control bed bugs. Climbup interceptors detected 89 ± 1% and brief visual inspections detected 72 ± 3% of the infestations. Only two out of 291 infestations were not detected by brief visual inspection or interceptors. Assuming US$50 per hour labor rate, the average per apartment cost for the building-wide bed bug monitoring protocol was US$12 per apartment. Forty-nine percent of the infestations detected by the protocol were in apartments whose residents were unaware of the bed bug activity.

Detail Categories for Reliability-Based Fatigue Evaluation of Mast-Arm Sign Support Structures

AbstractSign and luminaire support structures are prevalent throughout the transportation infrastructure network. Collapse and inspection of these pose hazards to the motoring public and the inspection personnel charged with their maintenance. There is a need to understand variability in their performance and to develop inspection protocols consistent with this expected performance to ensure public safety and to rationally disperse limited fiscal and personnel resources. Because mast-arm sign support structures are most often decommissioned when cracks are found, these protocols will focus on detecting crack initiation. Inspection protocols for assessing service life and the limit state of fatigue-induced crack initiation are most effectively developed using reliability-based procedures. The objective of this manuscript is to present two methods for synthesizing archival fatigue test data into a form suitable for implementation in reliability-based procedures for fatigue-induced crack initiation assessmen...

Modeling Error Uncertainty Characterization for Reliability-Based Fatigue Assessment in Sign Support Structures

Sign and luminaire support structures are prevalent throughout the transportation infrastructure network. Collapse and inspection of these signs pose hazards to the motoring public and the inspection personnel charged with their maintenance. There is a need to develop inspection protocols and understand variability in their performance to ensure public safety and to rationally disperse limited fiscal and personnel resources. This paper outlines a methodology that enables simulated and easured time histories of wind speed and resulting bending stress to be used in establishing parameters defining lognormal statistical models for modeling error that can be included in reliability-based assessment of structures subject to the tendency toward fatigue-induced crack initiation. Rainflow cycle counting is used to generate expected stress ranges from simulated and measured bending stress signals. The ratio of simulated expected stress range to measured expected stress range is defined as the modeling error bias factor. Statistical analysis of this factor at various magnitudes of wind speed is then used to formulate lognormal modeling error parameters suitable for implementation into a reliability-based assessment of fatigue-induced crack initiation risk for sign support structures.

Reliability-Based Inspection Protocols for Mast-Arm Sign Support Structures

AbstractThere have been numerous examples of poor in-service performance of welded, tube-to-transverse plate connections within mast-arm sign support structures in the last several decades. A considerable amount of research has been devoted to identifying structural response characteristics of these sign support systems and identifying how these connections may be repaired, retrofitted, or designed to facilitate longer service lives. Little attention has been given to using a systematic reliability-based approach to assess the probability of fatigue-induced crack initiation for in-service structures. The present research effort focuses on quantifying sources of uncertainty and formulating a reliability-based approach for prescribing inspection intervals corresponding to user-specified levels of probability of fatigue-induced crack initiation. The results indicate that implementation of reliability-based assessment procedures can be used to assign inspection intervals based on this probability, and the eng...

Assessing binary measurement systems and inspection protocols utilizing follow-up data

ABSTRACTIndustry uses inspection protocols to protect customers from receiving non-conforming product. The two error rates of these systems are the chance of shipping non-conforming product (customer's risk) and the chance of rejecting good product (producer's risk). We investigate the properties of two inspection protocols. In these protocols, the customer uses a gold standard measurement system that determines if received components are conforming. We show that with the first inspection protocol, we can estimate its error rates using only production data. With the second protocol, we propose adding a small measurement assessment study to allow estimation of the error rates.

Tunnel Operations, Maintenance, Inspection, and Evaluation Manual, 2015: Practical Implications for Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems

Practical implications of the new Tunnel Operations, Maintenance, Inspection, and Evaluation (TOMIE) Manual with regard to fire protection and life safety systems (FPLSS) are discussed, and resources are suggested for assistance in TOMIE manual implementation in this subject area. The new TOMIE manual takes a major and long-needed step toward the formalization of road tunnel inspection and maintenance requirements and protocols. The new program will not only benefit the condition and life of the structural elements of the tunnel but also enhance the public’s safety. According to the manual, “many tunnels have complicated functional systems such as lighting, ventilation, drainage, fire detection and alarms, fire suppression, communication and traffic control; these systems must be kept in good working order to minimize death and injury during an emergency such as a vehicle collision, fire, flood, earthquake, or criminal act.” All the operating mechanical and electrical systems mentioned above can be considered FPLSS. In an emergency each of these systems, and several others, has a role to play in ensuring that occupants have the best chance to survive and that responders can reach the scene as quickly as possible. This paper briefly examines FPLSS inspection and testing as related to the TOMIE manual. Although the TOMIE manual is an important step forward in protecting infrastructure and ensuring public safety, it cannot cover all the detailed requirements for operating, maintaining, inspecting, and evaluating the complex mechanical and electrical systems of FPLSS.

Vibration Diagnostics of Gas Pipelines Technological Equipment Using Wavelet Analysis

This paper dwells upon the methods for diagnosing ground gas pipelines as a part of gas-compressor station equipment. Such methods were used in accordance with normative certification documents. A supposition was made that the design of such pipelines had several faults. This paper is devoted to the methods of diagnosing entire gas pipelines or parts thereof for such faults during expert inspection and certification protocol registration. The analysis of all defects allows determining the time-between-repairs so as to develop some operations for the purpose of avoiding these faults, evaluating the repair operation quality and reducing failure probability.

A standardized diode cryogenic temperature sensor for aerospace applications

The model DT-670-SD cryogenic diode temperature sensor, manufactured by Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc. has been used on numerous aerospace space missions since its introduction nearly 15years ago. While the sensing element is a diode, it is operated in a non-standard manner when used as a temperature sensor over the 1.4–500K temperature range. For this reason, the NASA and MIL-type test and performance standards designed to ensure high reliability of diode aerospace parts don’t properly define the inspection and test protocol for the DT-670-SD temperature sensor as written. This requires each aerospace application to develop unique test and inspection protocols for the project, typically for a small number of sensors, resulting in expensive sensors with a long lead time. With over 30years of experience in supplying cryogenic temperature sensors for aerospace applications, Lake Shore has developed screening and qualification inspection and test protocols to provide “commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)” DT-670-SD temperature sensors that should meet the requirements of most high-reliability applications including aerospace. Parts from acceptance and qualified lots will be available at a base sensor level with the ability to specify an interchangeability tolerance, calibration range, mounting adaptor, and/or lead extension for final configuration. This work presents details of this acceptance and qualification inspection and test protocol as well as performance characteristics of the DT-670-SD cryogenic temperature sensors when inspected and tested to this protocol.

Dzieje parafii unickiej pw. św. Michała w Łosińcu do 1875 roku

The introduction of the article contains the parish geographical location, its size and the place within the Church hierarchical structure. Having analyzed post- visit inspection protocols by Chelm Bishops as well as statistical specifications the look, fittings and ancillary equipment of the parish church and its affiliated churches was recounted. As far as possible the look of vicarage and ancillary buildings was introduced as well. Not only was the list of 19 clergy recreated but also the Orthodox church benefice was defined. The other part render the number of worshipers as well as the number of Holy Communion receivers.

Affordable Housing and Health

To characterize the prevalence of health-related housing quality exposure for the vulnerable populations that live in affordable housing. Retrospective cross-sectional study. Affordable housing properties in Ohio inspected between 2007 and 2011. Stratified random sample of physical inspection reports (n = 370), including a case study of properties receiving multiple inspections (n = 35). Health-related housing factors, including mold, fire hazard, and others. The majority of affordable housing property inspections (85.1%) included at least 1 health-related housing quality issue. The prevalence of specific health-related violations was varied, with appliance and plumbing issues being the most common, followed by fire, mold, and pest violations. Across funding agencies, the actual implementation of inspection protocols differed. The majority of physical inspections identified housing quality issues that have the potential to impact human health. If the frequency of physical inspections is reduced as a result of inspection alignment, the most health protective inspection protocol should be selected for funding agency inspections; a standardized physical inspection tool is recommended to improve the consistency of inspection findings between mandatory physical inspections in order to promote optimum tenant health.

Design Standards Considerations and the Effective Prevention of Operator Fatigue

In this chapter, we explore the need to develop specific guidance, tailored to consumers of fatigue risk management systems, outlining how to verify that program elements effectively control the incidence of operator fatigue. We advance the notion that without independent proof of efficacy, consumers are left to assume that program implementation and sustainment costs actually yield the desired results. Lacking this information perpetuates losses associated with fatigue-related performance degradation, health issues, and mishaps. Inspection and verification protocols require objective evidence, beyond surveys, to demonstrate that fatigue management program elements control the incidence of operator fatigue in the workplace. Scientific and technological advances facilitate the evaluation of fatigue management programs and the use of objective techniques to test circadian rhythm stability and alertness. However, consumers are yet to incorporate these test protocols and technological advances in their safety management system assurance infrastructure. The prevailing assumption has been that scientific tests and methodologies are beyond the reach of the consumer and fall in the purview of scientists and fatigue management professionals. In this chapter, we propose the use of the design basis plan in safety management systems as the assurance infrastructure to associate program inspection elements, fatigue leading indicators, and specific standards with compulsory review and approval activities. These assurance activities not only provide objective means to identify fatigue management program elements that fail to control the incidence of operator fatigue but also enable consumers to proactively implement necessary modifications.

Detailed inspection of metal implants.

Detailed visual inspection of metal hips is the first step in retrieval analysis. In this study a systematic visual inspection protocol was developed to quantify bearing surface changes and their associations with material loss was investigated. Simple and multiple linear regression models found that moderate surface scratching, discolouration, haziness and the size of visible wear scars were all significantly associated with material loss (R2 = 5%-73%, p<0.05). Visual inspection is not a substitute for measurement of material loss but an understanding of bearing surface changes may offer unique clues as to the mechanisms of failure of retrieved hips.

Green offal inspection of cattle, small ruminants and pigs in the United Kingdom: Impact assessment of changes in the inspection protocol on likelihood of detection of selected hazards

The changes in detection of selected public and animal health as well as welfare hazards due to the change in current inspection of green offal in cattle, small ruminants and pigs were assessed. With respect to public health and animal health, the conditional likelihood of detection with the current green offal inspection was found to be low for eleven out of the twenty-four selected hazard-species pairings and very low for the remaining thirteen pairings. This strongly suggests that the contribution of current green offal inspection to risk mitigation is very limited for public and animal health hazards. The removal of green offal inspection would reduce the detection of some selected animal welfare conditions. For all selected public and animal health as well as welfare hazards, the reduced detection could be compensated with other pre-harvest, harvest and/or post-harvest control measures including existing meat inspection tasks.