scholarly journals The Optimization of Building Deconstruction for Department of Defense Facilities: Ft. McClellan Deconstruction Project

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Guy
Keyword(s):  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Department Of Defense ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Maximum Amount ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Building Structures ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Total Labor

Deconstruction is the selective dismantling of building structures to recover the maximum amount of primarily reusable and secondarily recyclable materials in a safe and cost-effective manner. Deconstruction is a labor intensive process and can be difficult to achieve in a time-efficient and economical manner for light wood-framed buildings. Deconstruction techniques that balance hand and mechanical labor must be developed to maintain the integrity of materials for reuse and obtain maximum salvage value per unit of cost and time-on-site. This project entailed the removal of three identical WWII-era two-story wood-framed barracks buildings at Ft. McClellan Army Base, Anniston, AL, using hand deconstruction, combined mechanical and hand deconstruction techniques, and a traditional demolition method, i.e., mechanical reduction and disposal, in order to determine “optimal” deconstruction techniques based on salvage value per unit of cost. The maximum practical materials salvage from the study buildings using 100% hand deconstruction techniques was 39% of the mass by weight. A combination of hand and mechanical techniques was discovered to have approximately the same economic efficiency as 100% hand deconstruction, measured as a ratio of gross cost per salvage value, with a 44.6% reduction in total labor-hours, and a reduction of only 7% of salvage materials by weight. These findings indicate the potential for greatly increasing wood-framed building deconstruction practice relative to the additional time-on-site and labor that is required, compared to demolition, while optimizing economic benefits. This paper describes the research methods and deconstruction techniques employed, and lessons learned to advance the practice of deconstruction to be more economically competitive and time-efficient.

Lessons Learned From the Application and Refinement of Risk-Informed Inservice Inspection Programs

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan D. Chockie ◽  
M. Robin Graybeal ◽  
Scott D. Kulat
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Plant Safety ◽  
Nuclear Plants ◽  
New Information ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
Available Information

The risk-informed inservice inspection (RI-ISI) process provides a structured and systematic framework for allocating inspection resources in a cost-effective manner while improving plant safety. It helps focus inspections where failure mechanisms are likely to be and where enhanced inspections are warranted. To date, over eighty-five percent of US nuclear plants and a number of non-US plants have implemented, or are in the process of implementing, RI-ISI programs. Many are already involved in the periodic update of their RI-ISI program. The development of RI-ISI methodologies in the US has been a long and involved process. The risk-informed procedures and rules were developed to take full advantage of PRA data, industry and plant experiences, information on specific damage mechanisms, and other available information. An important feature of the risk-informed methodologies is the requirement to make modifications and improvements to the plant’s RI-ISI application as new information and insights become available. The nuclear industry, ASME Section XI, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have all worked together to take advantage of the lessons learned over the years to refine and expand the use of risk-informed methodologies. This paper examines the lessons learned and the benefits received from the application and refinement of risk-informed inservice inspection programs. Also included in the paper is a review of how the information and insights have been used to improve the risk-informed methodologies.

Drilling with Glass and Air: Using Hollow Glass Spheres to Address a Wide Ranging Drilling Challenge in a Safe, Efficient and Cost-Effective Manner

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.. Rylance ◽  
Y.. Tuzov ◽  
V.. Sherishorin
Keyword(s):  
Scale Up ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Successful Outcome ◽  
Drilling Fluids ◽  
Eastern Siberia ◽  
Hollow Glass ◽  
Glass Spheres ◽  
Effective Manner

Abstract A major development with multiple rigs delivering extensive multi-laterals encountered a pervasive mud-window issue within the reservoir. The resulting severe mud losses, extensive NPT and formation-damage was also deteriorating with time due to depletion. Conventional approaches to stem losses had failed and adoption of an energized mud-system with acceptable Effective Circulating Density (ECD) was not considered cost effective, pragmatic nor safe. Instead a novel application using Hollow-Glass-Spheres (HGS) was trialled, that demonstrated an effective and highly successful outcome. With 10 rigs drilling 60-70 wells per-year, each with 5,500 to 6,750m in the reservoir, quick resolution of the issue was required. For these reasons the Team at bp Russia looked carefully at alternatives that might fit the mud-window, but that offered a realistic approach for the environment and conditions in Eastern Siberia. The Team identified HGS as an approach to lighten the mud, often used for cementing ECD, application for drilling has been limited. For this approach we required an option with broad capabilities that could be scaled-up and exported to other development areas where such issues existed. This paper will report on the planning, delivery, and execution of a pilot on the Sb. field at TYNGD, in Eastern Siberia. Initially deployed on three wells, including multi-laterals, the paper will walk through the engineering considerations, during the planning and execution phases. Reporting comprehensively on the data gathered and the many lessons learned during the incremental and stepwise deployment. Data will be provided that demonstrated loss-free drilling was achieved where this had not occurred before, with a dramatic reduction in NPT, FLA needs and costs. The paper will also report on the post drilling productivity and comparison with offset wells drilled with conventional mud systems and suffering severe losses. The results of this pilot have beaten all expectations, there have been many insights and the Team are now looking to set a timetable to scale-up across the NOJV. Much has been learned, waste HGS material has been demonstrated to be an effective FLA pill in other sections of the well and centralisation of mud process may offer additional cost savings and improvements. Further efficiencies are expected to be achieved and potential across the Company portfolio could be a major game changer. HGS for cementing is well documented, application for drilling fluids has been less reported and almost exclusively applied to one-off sections/wells. The TYNGD application is novel as this is a major new development with 10 drilling rigs. Application is on multi-laterals and prior offset wells are available for direct comparison. The results of the approach demonstrate a new way of performing well construction in an effective manner for major Field Developments where losses are prevalent.

Results of a pilot study to examine the effective integration of apprentices into the industrial construction sector

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aminah Robinson Fayek ◽  
Ahmed Shaheen ◽  
Ayo Oduba
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Skilled Workers ◽  
Industrial Construction ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
The Impact

The industrial construction sector in Alberta has recently undergone a period of rapid growth, resulting in a shortage of skilled workers in almost all of the major industrial sector trades. To meet these shortages, a need has arisen to increase the utilization of apprentices on industrial construction projects. In an effort to address this issue, the Construction Owners Association of Alberta has established a goal of developing an industry Best Practice on how to improve the on-the-job portion of apprenticeship training and identify means by which the industry can more effectively use apprentices. The challenge is to increase their usage in a cost-effective manner that also provides apprentices with adequate training opportunities. Before this can be done, the impacts and benefits to the various parties involved in industrial construction must be quantified and assessed. This paper describes the findings of a pilot study that was conducted on a major industrial project to help in quantifying the impact of the use of apprentices in the industrial construction sector and to identify methods of effectively increasing their use while simultaneously enhancing their on-the-job learning experience. The main conclusion of this paper is that apprentices can be effectively incorporated in industrial construction, and they can be both productive and cost-effective, provided they are given adequate instruction and supervision. The lessons learned from the study are discussed to provide insight into conducting future studies. Recommendations for an industry Best Practice on the effective utilization of apprentices are presented.Key words: apprentice, electrician, industrial construction, journeyman, labour force, pipefitter, productivity, training, work sampling.

scholarly journals Celebrating the World Breastfeeding Week in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern Nigeria: Lessons Learned

2020 ◽  
pp. 46-57
Author(s):  
A. R. Nte ◽  
G. K. Eke
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Virtual Meetings ◽  
And Control

Background: The annual World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) celebration has been a period of massive interaction with stakeholders through various means and sharing of information related to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding since its inception in 1992. However, with the advent of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent uncertainties about the fate of breastfeeding on one hand, and the imposed measures for COVID-19 infection prevention and control on the other, there was need to modify the traditional way of celebrating the Week to ensure that knowledge about the COVID-19-breastfeeding dyad is communicated to relevant stakeholders while complying with the COVID-19 preventive protocols. Aims: To share experiences and document lessons learned from the celebration of the 2020 WBW which can be reflected upon and used for improving on strategies to protect, promote and support breastfeeding even amidst the restrictions imposed by the protocols for the prevention and control of COVID-19 infection. Place of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria. Methodology: The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) Committee of the UPTH has celebrated the annual WBW every 1st to 7th August for the past 22 years (1997-2019). The reports of events of previous WBW Celebrations were retrieved and the format of the various activities was compared with that of activities for the 2020 WBW Celebration, which took place in the era of COVID-19 pandemic. The findings are presented in tables. Results: Activities for the celebration of WBW in the pre-COVID-19 era usually included physical meetings for the sensitisation of the hospital communities/stakeholders, radio/television sessions, information sharing in various places of religious activities and a rally to interact with the community people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, new strategies for celebration of the WBW were adopted, including among others, virtual meetings, decentralisation of sensitisation of the hospital’s clientele and a physical meeting for the sensitisation of the Hospital Management Committee. Positive outcomes of the 2020 Celebration included the management’s commitment to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding, participation in the webinars by stakeholders from within and outside the hospital/Rivers State and establishment of collaborations with several partners. Lesson learned included among others, the celebration of the Week by many stakeholders, the reduced cost of celebration due to the absence of physical meetings and their attendant costs. The personalised invitation of all departments, units and professional associations secured their commitments to breastfeeding. Decentralising the celebration facilitated the adaptation of the messages to the needs of different clienteles and strengthening of members from different departments to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in their work environment. However, the poor participation of the hospital community in the virtual meetings attributable to lack of experience and the cost of participation were setbacks to the targets of the Committee. Conclusion: The era of the COVID-19 pandemic provided a good opportunity to engage stakeholders from within and outside the hospital for the support of breastfeeding as a safe infant feeding option in the midst of COVID-19 and introduced a new normal, the use of virtual meetings to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in a cost effective manner. The celebration of the Week reiterated the role of breastfeeding for ensuring planetary health which was being challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Web-Based Risk and Hazard Identification and Screening

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Steele ◽  
Evaristo J. Bonano
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Hazard Identification ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Safety Management System ◽  
Effective Manner

Abstract Organizations, both in the private and public sector, need to avoid to the extent practicable, workplace hazards and minimize the associated risks in order to comply with regulations. However, they have also recognized that this is a sound business practice that could result in significant cost savings by avoiding fines and penalties due to non-compliance and enhanced productivity. Consequently, many organizations have instituted safe work practices into their operations and those practices have become a major criterion in evaluating managers’ performance. This new philosophy is now commonly referred to as “Integrated Safety Management.” Per the direction of the Secretary of Energy, all U. S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) facilities across the country have been instructed to implement an Integrated Safety Management System. Different DOE facilities have taken various approaches to the implementation of the system. This paper describes the approach instituted at Sandia National Laboratories and a tool that was developed from lessons learned during that effort. The tool is the cornerstone for implementing an Integrated Safety Management System in a time and cost-effective manner. The tool is now commercially available and can be readily rendered applicable to any type of systematic assessment process.

scholarly journals Measurement and Evaluation for Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) for Manufacturing Operations – Summary of an Interactive Workshop Highlighting PHM Trends

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Weiss ◽  
Michael Brundage
Keyword(s):  
Health Management ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Annual Conference ◽  
Prognostics And Health Management ◽  
Manufacturing Operations ◽  
Current State ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Measurement And Evaluation ◽  
Interactive Workshop

Personnel from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) organized and led a Measurement and Evaluation for Prognostics and Health Management for Manufacturing Operations (ME4PHM) workshop at the 2019 Annual Conference of the Prognostics and Health Management Society held on September 23rd, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. This event featured panel presentations and discussions from industry, government, and academic participants who are focused in advancing monitoring, diagnostic, and prognostic (collectively known as prognostic and health management (PHM)) capabilities within manufacturing operations. The participants represented a diverse cross-section of technology developers, integrators, end-users/manufacturers (from small to large), and researchers. These contributors discussed 1) what works well, 2) common challenges that need to be addressed, 3) where the community’s priorities should be focused, and 4) how PHM technological adoption can be sped in a cost-effective manner. This report summarizes the workshop and offers lessons learned regarding the current state of PHM. Based upon the discussions, recommended next steps to advance this technological domain are also presented.

scholarly journals Distance Learning for Teacher Training in Brazil

2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvana Maria Bof
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Teacher Training ◽  
Teacher Certification ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Administrative Unit

<p>Proformação is a distance teacher certification course aimed at providing training to 27,000 uncertified teachers in 15 Brazilian states. This innovative program organizes human and technical resources for delivering distance education in a cost-effective manner. Different from other institutional systems – which typically employ their own dedicated content, design, and instructional resource personnel, and accompanied by a large pool of administrative staff – Proformação leverages pre-existing learning resources such as content experts, technology specialists, instruction, and student support systems from several institutions. Proformação goal is to create a viable teacher certification course to upgrade thousands of non-certified teachers working in the field. Proformação is coordinated by an administrative unit of the Brazilian Ministry of Education. To support the program, an information system was implemented to continuously and consistently monitor the program’s activities and results. Results of an external evaluation have been positive; Proformação is regarded by some as an innovative model for delivering decentralized training opportunities to large student numbers. Therefore, the findings in this article may prove interesting to those charged with implementing distance learning initiatives in developing countries, in that the lessons learned in Brazil may help others interested in implementing similar distance training programs.</p> <p><B>Key Terms:</B> distance teacher training, distance education, in-service teacher training, distance education in developing countries</P>

Rotating Control Device Sealing Element Customization for Ultra-Deepwater Gulf of Mexico

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blaine Dow ◽  
Dexter Pazziuagan ◽  
Ken Vaczi ◽  
Chima Chima ◽  
Jason Guidry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Drill Pipe ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Control Device ◽  
Drill String ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Tool Joint

Abstract As the Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) systems for deepwater drilling rigs mature, operators are applying the technology on more complex prospects. Wells are encountering higher pressures in deeper water depths, pushing against the boundaries of technical limits not previously encountered. A prospect in the US Gulf of Mexico required drilling to measured depths exceeding 31000 feet in water deepwater. Under such demanding depth, a non-typical drillstring was required to manage the tensile loading. Typical drill pipe connections on 6 5/8" S-135 tool joints are 8.5" diameter. This drill string would require V-150 landing string, with a 6 5/8" FH tool joint diameter of 8.875". Hard banding would bring the tool joint nominal OD above 9". The depth of the well and planned string RPM presented risk of casing wear, therefore drillpipe protectors would also be required. The depth of the reservoir and size of the drillstring meant pipe would need to be stripped out of the well with up to 900 psi backpressure in order to maintain constant bottom hole pressure. All well challenges were used to determine design specifications for a custom sealing element. The scope of work was to design, validate through finite element analysis, then validate in a test fixture per API16RCD test procedures. On conclusion of the product validation, a land test rig trial, with mock-up of the planned system, including dual sealing elements in the Rotating Control Device (RCD), the required non-rotating drill pipe protectors on the planned drillpipe, was executed. The development schedule from start to finish was compressed to less than 6 months also, targeting completion ahead of the rig's drilling program. This paper will recount the various phases of the design-build-validate-test effort that went into resolving these technical limits. It will conclude with field results and lessons learned from first deployment. As operators pursue more challenging deepwater wells, this systematic approach, through alignment of the operator, drilling contractor and MPD technology company, serves as a model to expand the operating envelope of drilling systems, improving safe performance in a cost-effective manner.

Design and Testing of an Internally-Cooled Radial Turbine With High Tip Speed

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant O. Musgrove ◽  
January Smith ◽  
Ellen Smith ◽  
Steve White
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Operational Experience ◽  
Internal Cooling ◽  
Manufacturing Method ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Internally Cooled ◽  
Cooling Design

Abstract Radial impellers are not internally-cooled because of the manufacturing challenge. The conventional manufacturing method for internally-cooled components is an investment cast process using a ceramic core to create internal passages. This approach has been developed for axial gas turbines for the past few decades and is a low-risk manufacturing approach for single blade castings. However, conventional manufacturing methods are difficult to apply to a radial impeller in a cost-effective manner. For example, the entire impeller (blades and the hub) are typically manufactured from a single piece of material. Therefore, if one blade is poorly cast, the entire impeller must be thrown away. To overcome the complexity and reduce production risk, additive manufacturing can be used to build internally-cooled radial impellers. Additive manufacturing is a growing area and gaining operational experience is required to confidently build complex parts, such as a radial impeller with small, internal passages. In this paper, additive manufacturing is used to avoid the challenges of conventionally manufacturing. Multiple iterations of the internal cooling design are examined to illustrate lessons learned. Flow and heat transfer tests are used to verify the impeller cooling design. Material properties are discussed to verify that the impeller can withstand high rotational stresses.

scholarly journals The Air Force Visiting Surgeon Program: Development, Outcomes, and Future Application

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin P Fox ◽  
Kerry P Latham
Keyword(s):  
Plastic Surgery ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Military Health ◽  
Effective Manner

ABSTRACT Introduction Active duty service members and their families have limited access to subspecialty surgical care when assigned OCONUS. To address this issue, the Air Force Visiting Surgeon Program (VSP) was created to push subspecialty care to these locations. Visiting Surgeon Program was accomplished using temporary duty (TDY) orders. We conducted this 12-year review, 2009-2021, of the program to assess objective measures of impact, identify key lessons learned, and consider the program’s future. Materials and Methods In 2009, the senior author, Col Latham, performed a cost analysis of plastic surgery care provided at OCONUS installations and found that TRICARE Overseas often paid rates substantially higher than a TDY assignment for a single procedure. To improve beneficiaries’ access to care while providing a cost savings to the health care system, 2-week plastic surgery missions were proposed to interested OCONUS military treatment facilities (MTFs). Ultimately, four sites selected to host the program in Alaska, Italy, England, and Japan. These sites were selected based on patient volumes, operating room capacity, and local command and surgeon support. By 2015, the Air Force formalized the program via Air Force Instruction 44-102 which outlined roles and responsibilities of MTF Commanders; established points of contact; and instituted key safety measures. Results To date, 58 missions have been completed by 21 surgeons through the VSP at Aviano Air Base (Italy; 24.1%), Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (Alaska; 31.0%), Royal Air Force Lakenheath (England; 27.6%), and Yokota Air Base (Japan; 17.2%). While primarily an Air Force program, 17% (10/58) of missions were supported Army or Navy surgeons. Overall, 2,000 patient consultations and 865 surgical cases were performed avoiding $6.7 million in cost. In addition to direct beneficiary care, the VSP also contributed to the participating surgeon and host surgical teams mission readiness. Conclusions The VSP provides a template to make select subspecialty surgical care available in a cost-effective manner across the military health system, while also providing a model for the forward deployment of military plastic surgeons and triservice collaboration.

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