Installation Project Research Articles

Mental Analysis Workload on Solar Street Lighting Workers

The workload for each scope of work has different responsibilities. The workers will face working hours, loads, remember many patterns, and frustration when doing a special task. Solar street lighting (PJU TS) installation project is affected by various risks. NASA TLX as a tool to measure the workloads. The analysis not only using NASA TLX but also using statistical testing. The Mental Demand (MD) has score 325 (the highest score) due to considerable mental activity. The Performance (P) has a score close to zero that categorized quite well. Regression and correlation analysis between mental demand and duration of work show the direction of positive relationships. More experienced makes more MD scores. That is because every PJU installation project has different criteria. The solution is bookkeeping and mind mapping regarding the type of PJU TS. Each PJU TS has the book as a guide in the field.

A bi-level programming model of rough stochastic MRCPSP in large-scale hydropower construction project

This paper focuses on developing a bi-level programming model for rough stochastic multi-mode resource constrained project scheduling problem (RS-MRCPSP/bi-level). The metal structure installation project (MSIP) in Wudongde Hydropower Station is considered as the prototype, and then it is extended to be a generalised bi-level MRCPSP. In the upper level, the construction contractor is responsible for the investment on the activity, while the outsourcing partner is in charge of construction and implementation in the lower level. In order to deal with the rough stochastic parameters, the rough stochastic expected value operator is employed. Subsequently, in order to obtain the optimal schedule, an interactive method-based passive congregation particle swarm optimisation (IM-based PCPSO) is designed. Finally, a practical application for MSIP is presented to highlight the practicability of proposed model and solution method.

OEBR-GAN: Object Extraction and Background Recovery Generative Adversarial Networks

Generative adversarial networks (GAN) have been widely used in the field of image-to-image translation. In this paper, we have proposed a novel object extraction and background recovery (OEBR-GAN) model, which can extract objects from an image and then complete the image by inpainting the background of the image. This model has been developed for a solar panel installation project, where the user would like to input an original colored image of the roof, and as output, the user requires an edge detected roof image. However, the condition in user requirement is that any object that is hiding the roof edges should be removed first and the background of that part of the roof image should be recovered so that the user can obtain a complete connected edge detected image of the roof. Therefore, the model also completes the image by connecting the hidden edges of the roof. We could achieve the user objective by building a GAN model with a dual generator and dual discriminator network. The generators have been built using an encoder-decoder network with and without skip connections and the discriminators have been built using deep convolutional neural networks and encoder architecture. Quantitative comparisons in the result section shows that OEBR-GAN performs much better than other adversarial models on our collected dataset.

Short Report on an Intensive Archeological Survey for the Schertz-Seguin Local Government Corporation’s Proposed SH123/Austin Street Water Line Installation Project, Guadalupe County, Texas

Schertz-Seguin Local Government Corporation (Client) is proposing to construct an 18-inch water main pipeline along the west side of State Highway (SH) Business 123 (Stockdale Highway/South Austin Street) crossing of the Guadalupe River in the City of Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas (Project). According to current design plans, the proposed water line would be connected to an existing pipeline located approximately 75 feet (ft) [23 meters (m)] north of the Guadalupe River near the existing Max Starke Park Water Treatment Plant and an existing main pipeline located approximately 75 ft (23 m) south of the Guadalupe River along SH 123 in Seguin, Texas. The Area of Potential Effects (APE) consists of two work areas, one north and one south of the Guadalupe River. The northern work area consists of 0.20 acres (ac) and the southern work area consists of 0.15 ac. The APE is 0.35 ac in total. The Project is within the City of Seguin, a subdivision of the state , and thus triggers a review of cultural resources under the Antiquities Code of Texas (Section 191.0525). Additionally, due to Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permitting requirements the Project falls under the regulations of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (U.S. Code 16, §470, et seq.). TRC archeologists conducted a limited desktop literature and archives review for the proposed Project to assess whether previously recorded cultural resources are within or adjacent to the APE or within a 1-mile (mi) (1.6-kilometer [km]) of the APE. This included a review of the THC’s Archeological and Historic Sites Atlas (Atlas) which provides information related to the location of previously conducted archeological surveys and recorded archeological sites, cemeteries, properties currently listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHLs), and State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs) that may be impacted by the proposed Project. According to the THC-Atlas, no previously conducted archeological surveys, archeological sites, cemeteries, historic properties, or historical markers intersect or are adjacent to the APE. Fieldwork was conducted by TRC archeologists on February 12, 2020 under Antiquities Permit Number 9263. The intensive archeological field survey included survey of 100 percent of the APE supplemented with shovel testing and visual inspection. Survey methods followed the guidelines and survey standards set forth by the THC and Council of Texas Archeologists (CTA). Review of the project plans showed that of the 155 m (509 ft) proposed water line only 27 m (89 ft) of the line to the north and 18 m (59 ft) of the line to the south will be buried with the remainder above ground and spanning the Austin Street bridge. Survey efforts were concentrated along the buried portions of the proposed water line. Due to the high degree of ground disturbance from existing utilities, bridge construction, and the presence of steep slope only a single shovel test could be excavated. Nine additional ‘No Dig’ observation points were recorded to document the areas of disturbance and slope. No cultural resources or historic structures were identified within the APE. No additional work is recommended.

A bi-level programming model of rough stochastic MRCPSP in large-scale hydropower construction project

This paper focuses on developing a bi-level programming model for rough stochastic multi-mode resource constrained project scheduling problem (RS-MRCPSP/bi-level). The metal structure installation project (MSIP) in Wudongde Hydropower Station is considered as the prototype, and then it is extended to be a generalised bi-level MRCPSP. In the upper level, the construction contractor is responsible for the investment on the activity, while the outsourcing partner is in charge of construction and implementation in the lower level. In order to deal with the rough stochastic parameters, the rough stochastic expected value operator is employed. Subsequently, in order to obtain the optimal schedule, an interactive method-based passive congregation particle swarm optimisation (IM-based PCPSO) is designed. Finally, a practical application for MSIP is presented to highlight the practicability of proposed model and solution method.

Application of Lean Production/Construction to Reduce Waste in Pipe Gas Construction (Case Study of Semare-Tie in KM 19 Pipa Porong Grati Gas Development Project PT Pertamina Gas)

The lean approach, which was initially used in manufacturing industry, now is widely adopted by the construction industry called lean construction, in order to reduce waste and to optimize the value. This study was conducted to see the suitability of the lean construction approach on the EPC project of gas pipeline installation. This study is viewed from the Company side as the owner particularly in engineering aspect which is carried out by the company itself. Engineering work is deemed as a key to the next activity which is effective and efficient procurement and construction phase. Almost all similar projects show the same symptoms such as: low quality of engineering work (amendment value above 10%), target and realization lagging of its progress, re-work, weak coordination and residual materials. Therefore, the urgency to make improvements occur with the Lean Construction approach described in Big Picture Mapping, Value Stream Analysis Tool, Pareto Diagram, Fishbone Diagram at each stage of the engineering work EPC gas pipeline. Value Added (VA) activities were obtained at 39.35% and Non-Added Value (NVA) activities at 60.65%, engineering work quality classified as poor (amendment value 12.81%). The application of a lean construction approach is suitable to be applied in Company for gas pipe installation projects but with some notes. Then a comprehensive evaluation is required to evaluate man power, load, and skills needed and eventually to be standardized in an acknowledged company standard in order to make every project to be done punctually. The dominant root cause of the problem is the engineering contract form (a lump-sum engineering contract) and company policy as the reference to identify the contract form itself

The Modelling of Roof Installation Projects Using Decision Trees and the AHP Method

In this work, the process of roofing projects’ execution is considered. The proper analysis of this process is important to optimise the behaviour of a project’s participants and to perform risk evaluation. The main result of this work is methodology, which can be used to optimise a project owner’s decisions and potentially can be applied for risk control or integrated into expert systems. This methodology includes the application of a decision tree and AHP (analytic hierarchy process) method to perform the modelling for roof installation project selection. In the proposed approach, a decision tree describes the process with nodes representing the states of a project. The tree includes the decision on whether to sell the project results or not, which requires the estimation of the subjective opinion of the project owner. These subjective values are used in the decision tree leaves. We propose to perform this estimation with the AHP method and describe how to do it in this paper. A particular example was considered. The proposed methodology was applied to that case, and all details of the process and results are provided. Using the proposed methodology, the adapted version of a specific, current situation model of project participants’ behaviours can be formed, allowing one to make the most efficient decisions in the light of the existing constraints. The application of results can increase the investor protection and contribute to the general sustainability of investments.

Postępowania prekwalifi kacyjne jako pierwszy etap udziału w aukcjach OZE

The paper describes the legal grounds of prequalifi cation proceedings allowing certain categories of energy producers to participate in the Polish auction system, and thus to create a new system responsible for supporting the development of renewable energy sources (RES). These procedures are of administrative proceedings character but are modifi ed by specifi c legal provisions under the RES regulations. The legislator diff erentiated between two types of these procedures. Although they diff er in specifi c legal provisions, they both pursue to achieve common targets that will subsequently contribute to a speedy development of the RES plants in Poland. Among the main objectives of the prequalifi cation proceeding, the necessity of the regulatory authority to obtain the basic information about the RES installation project must be mentioned. This information not only allows to check the legitimacy of the accession to the RES auctions system but also allows to check the investment documentation of the project, and consequently implement and start the RES installation on time as prescribed by the law. In the initial period, the measures taken by the RES are to be aimed at eliminating form the auction these energy producers who could theoretically win the RES auction but would not, due to legal, technical or fi nancial reasons manage to complete the investment (build and start up the RES installation) within the time prescribed. This would not only impede a competitive conduct of the RES auction but would also prevent realisation of the EU climate and energy policy due to the failure to produce enough electricity to meet the required volume contracted for each new RES installations according the RES auctions.

Environmental and economic performance assessment of elemental sulfur recovery unit installation project

The problem of air pollution is one of the global problems of mankind at the present time. The Irkutsk region has been one of the “leaders” in Russia with the highest excess in air concentrations of maximum permissible concentrations of pollutants during the past decades. The current situation has a very negative impact on the environmental well-being of both adults and children. In the conditions of the prevailing realities, an immediate modernization of production is required, aimed at eliminating or reducing such a prolonged negative impact. The construction and installation of a sulfur recovery unit at oil refineries complies with the latest environmental protection requirements and contributes to a significant reduction in emissions of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. The environmental and economic feasibility of such production modernization is illustrated by the example of the Angarsk Petrochemical Company JSC.

Comparative Research of Electromechanical Design Schemes for Highway Tunnels between China and Eastern Europe

This study aims to strengthen the understanding of the electrical and mechanical (E & M) design plans of highway tunnels in Eastern Europe and to create a foundation for Chinese enterprises to open up the market for tunnel E & M installation projects in Eastern Europe. The Bar-Boljare Highway in the Republic of Montenegro is taken as an example to conduct a comparative research on the E & M designs of highway tunnels in China and Eastern Europe. On the basis of tunnel electrical and mechanical facilities covering ventilation, lighting, fire protection, monitoring, communication, and power supply and distribution, the comprehensive comparison focuses on design concept, design scale, design specifications, design parameters, design plan, equipment selection, and other aspects. The research method involves comprehensively comparing and studying the E & M installation work standards in China and East Europe and the Bar-Boljare Highway Project in Montenegro and similar projects in China. The expected conclusion of this study is that the tunnel E & M design concepts in China are mostly similar to those in Eastern Europe, with few differences. The selection of tunnel systems, such as lighting, ventilation, fire protection, monitoring, and other types of E & M facilities, and the layout of evacuation, indication, and other types of safety facility signs predicate the importance attached to tunnels. The E & M designs of tunnels in Eastern Europe are relatively large in scale and have all mechanical types, and the tunnels with a length exceeding 400 m are equipped with a relatively complete set of systems; in China, the same could be said of only category B tunnels or above. Design standards in China are systematic, whereas no unified design system exists in Eastern Europe, with a conspicuous difference noticed among miscellaneous standards. The valuation of design parameters in Eastern Europe is similar to that in China, but the valuation of luminance outside tunnels is more scientific than that in China. The valuation of fire disaster release amount of the ventilation system is also larger in the former. The tunnel fire rescue evacuation and escape-related design considerations in Eastern Europe are, to some extent, redundant but more scientific and humane, whereas they are more economical and reasonable in China. Eastern European tunnels are equipped with domestic undermanned portal railings, and radio and traffic broadcasts. Great differences in design norms exist between the tunnels in Eastern Europe and China. The parameters of fire-related equipment in Eastern Europe are more demanding than those in China, whereas the parameters for some equipment are highly conservative.

Improving the information transfer between engineering and installation; case study at AS Nymo

AbstractEngineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) projects for the offshore oil and gas industry become more and more complex, with a reduced timeframe, and increased demand for cost savings in the industry. The result is reduced profit margins; therefore, the need for increased productivity is higher than ever. Some of the aspects important for productivity include material flow, information flow, sound planning, and organizational structure. This paper focuses on the information transfer between the engineering team and the installation phase of the fabrication at AS Nymo. Feedback from stakeholders, previous research and lessons learned from completed projects pinpoints that this handover has a potential for improvement. We analyzed historical data and involved key stakeholders in an iterative process to identify insignificant elements in the handover format. By removing this insignificant information, we found that it is possible to reduce the number of handover revisions by 60%. Additionally, we found that improving the handover could give a 67% reduction in time spent for the receiving stakeholders to find the specific information they seek. To verify our results, we suggest further testing for verification before validation through a full‐scale project execution testing for future research.

Application of particle swarm optimization algorithm for adjusting project contingencies and response strategies under budgetary constraints

Reducing negative risk and the associated contingency cost in a project becomes a challenging task for managers. Inadequate and excessive contingency can lead to budget overrun and bidding loss, respectively. In the other hand, lowering the contingency also needs risk-handling cost which will, in turn, be added to project budget. Within limited budget, managers should make an optimum adjustment between reduction of contingency and the increase of risk-handling cost from multiple risk items with different levels. This study proposes a mathematical model in combination with risk matrix function and performed the computation using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. The proposed model and algorithm are applied on a sub-sea pipeline installation project done by a company in Indonesia. This project influenced by several risk due to uncertain weather, social-economic condition, and technical condition. The computation result demonstrated that PSO could solve the adjustment problem without any violation to the model’s constraints. Besides minimizing risk contingency while keeping total budget at lowest amount, the proposed model could also provide recommendations for appropriate risk response strategy (either acceptance, mitigation, transference or avoidance).

Building Material Conversations

An expanded notion of conversation is developed through a series of large-scale temporary installations, and used to articulate an approach to collaborative creative practice that furthers the discourse of new materialist philosophy. These collaboratively produced installations are introduced into different spaces of a singular building in an iterative engagement sustained over a period of five years. In order to engage "conversationally" with the building, the projects adopt and rephrase the architectural language of their environment. An expanded conversation occurs between materials, creative practitioners, and the architectural site. This conversational approach is extended through an experimental writing project, where a “cut-up” writing technique functions as a third author that disrupts, complicates, and needs to be accounted for through the writing process. An iterative series of texts reflect on the ideas at play in the installations, raising new questions that are addressed in later installation projects. The built projects and the experimental writings raise larger questions about relationships between humans and surrounding environments, which unfold through our collaborative journey of creatively “getting to know” a building.

Creation of permanent establishment by foreign contractors when performing construction and installation projects in Russian Federation

Creation of permanent establishment by foreign contractors when performing construction and installation projects in Russian Federation

Emergency overflows – consequences of non-compliance with the construction law

The article is based on a technical opinion that specifies the causes of a construction disaster within an industrial hall that occurred after torrential rain. This article describes the condition before the disaster, provides an analysis of legislation along with a commentary on the analysis of provided materials, in particular - stormwater drainage installation projects from before and after the modernization of the roof - as well as a summary and conclusions.

Predicting Damage and Life Expectancy of Subsea Power Cables in Offshore Renewable Energy Applications

Subsea power cables are critical assets within the distribution and transmission infrastructure of electrical networks. Over the past two decades, the size of investments in subsea power cable installation projects has been growing significantly. However, the analysis of historical failure data shows that the present state-of-the-art monitoring technologies do not detect about 70% of the failure modes in subsea power cables. This paper presents a modeling methodology for predicting damage along the length of subsea cables due to environmental conditions (e.g., seabed roughness and tidal flows) which result in the loss of the protective layers on the cable due to corrosion and abrasion (accounting for over 40% of subsea cable failures). For a defined cable layout on different seabed conditions and tidal current inputs, the model calculates the cable movement by taking into account the scouring effect and then it predicts the rate at which the material is lost due to corrosion and abrasion. Our approach integrates accelerated aging data using a Taber test which provides abrasion wear coefficients for the cable materials. The models have been embedded into a software tool that predicts the life expectancy of the cable and demonstrated for narrow conditions, where the tidal flow is unidirectional and perpendicular to the power cable. The paper also provides discussion on how the developed models can be used with other condition monitoring data sets in a prognostics framework.

Systemic Integrated and Dynamic Approach As a Basis To Ensure Sustainable Operation of a Construction Company

Global and local experience in developing construction projects over the last 30 years suggests a clear dependence of the construction production volumes on the market demand. However, as the economic situation in this country gradually evolved into a systemic crisis, the industry has witnessed mass liquidation of large construction companies and a sharp decline in the number of construction and installation projects. Improvement of housing conditions for the population through implementing new construction and area renovation programs is a very relevant task indeed. Notably, the Russian government has recently been active in providing aid to the construction industry. In this regard, we can say that the construction industry is market-oriented and, given the best-case scenario, has good upside potential. When writing this paper, the author tasked himself with developing appropriate methodological provisions, approaches that helped identify the sustainability of an enterprise to enable effective managerial decision-making and efficient production planning within a given firm. The aim of this paper is the development of a multifactor simulation method for identifying the sustainability potential of a construction firm pursuing the systemic integrated approach to the production planning of a construction company program. In this regard, the article reviews and evaluates the main factors that influence the behavior of a mathematical model while applying the systemic integrated approach to determine the stability potential of structural divisions-construction enterprises that are separate elements of a construction system. The scientific problem reviewed has an important social and economic significance for both contractors and end-customers, and the scientifically substantiated technical and organizational solutions obtained as a result of the research will make a significant contribution to the development of the construction industry, increase the level of production activities undertaken by construction firms and help foster scientific and technical progress on the industrywide scale.

Penentuan Prioritas Strategi Pengelolaan K3 Proyek Pemasangan Pipa Gas Menggunakan Pendekatan Metode AHP

The pipeline is an immobile transport medium that functions to distribute liquids and gases. The pipeline installation project is one of the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) projects that has the potential for accident and occupational safety risks. The purpose of this research is to determine the priority of work accident management strategies gas pipeline by applying the AHP method. Brainstorming and pair-wise comparison approaches were conducted by experts. A total of three experts are used as key informants in assessing paired comparisons. The results show that there are four main factors that could potentially result in the risk of working accidents such as humans, machines, methods, and materials. Furthermore, based on the analysis result shows that human factor is the highest priority and environmental factor as the lowest priority. The AHP method application in this study indicates that this method can be used to determine the priority of each criterion and sub-criteria on the health and safety management strategy of the gas pipeline installation project. The implication of this in the application of AHP in other issues required more in-depth review related to the criteria and sub-criteria that are used to obtain more comprehensive results.

Application of time-cost-quality-risk trade-off model in magnetic resonance imaging machine installation project

Effective project planning in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine installation takes into consideration several factors including Time, Cost, Quality and Risk which are essential but conflicting factors that affect projects. These critical factors should be optimized in all projects especially those in Low and Medium Income Countries (LMIC) with limited resources and inadequate investment in medical facilities and equipment. The main objective of this study was to develop an optimization model for fuzzy Time-Cost-Quality-Risk Trade-off (TCQRT) problem for MRI machine installation project. The model was solved by Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) and the solutions ranked using the Technique for the Order of Preferences by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The results indicate a trade-off relationship exists among time, cost, quality and risks. Keywords: Time-Cost-Quality Trade-off Model, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm

Construction management of petrochemical process pipeline installation

The petrochemical pipeline installation project is a very complicated project, each link must abide by the construction plan strictly to ensure the smooth operation of the petrochemical process pipeline and the safe operation of the pipeline.However, from the current situation, there are many problems during the installation of petrochemical process pipeline.To solve these problems effectively, we must choose a scientific and rational method, a clear management of the content, a comprehensive consideration of the problem and deal with the problem in time to improve the installation efficiency of petrochemical pipelines and promote the rapid development of petrochemical technology.