Genetic Algorithm based Optimized Un-Interrupted Dispatching Schedule for Ready Mix Concrete truck with User friendly Interface on Single window (Single Plant Multi-sites)

Delivering Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) to construction sites is an important task for the RMC Batch Plant (BP) manager. The RMC BP manager has to prepare an efficient schedule of dispatching RMC trucks, which will optimize the operations at the construction sites and also at the batch plant. The existing dispatching schedule mainly depends on the experience of the dispatching manager and preferences from sites. The RMC plant manager dispatches more and more RMC trucks to the longer construction site which may results in the lineup of RMC trucks at one site and keeping other sites waiting for the arrivals of RMC trucks, this may leads to ‘interruption’. In this model attempt is made to reduce the interruptions by giving scope to the BP manager to make changes in the SCT (Scheduled Casting Time) on single window called user friendly interface. A Genetic Algorithm User Interface (GAUI) model is developed in MATLAB environment to reduce waiting time of dispatching trucks. Result shows that GAUI model gives an uninterrupted dispatching schedule with reduced waiting time over the industry thumb rules results

Production Impact Testing Exemption for Round-Seams (Category B Welds) of Welded Pressure Vessel in ASME-Section-VIII Division-1

In lean manufacturing environments for efficient schedule, most process equipment manufacturers procure shells. When impact-tested shells are required, long-seam (Category-A) weld-procedures differ from round-seam (Category B) weld-procedures, thereby initiating UG-84(i) of ASME Section VIII Division 1. UG-84(i) states that when weld procedures for Category B welds are different, weld production impact test is required. This paper evaluates possible production impact test exemption for Category B welds based on stress ratio of each category of weld. While long seams require impact testing at lower thickness range, fully radio-graphed round-seams for Curve-D materials may be exempt from production impact testing with weld procedure controls from UCS-67(a)(3) and impact-tested weld metal at desired minimum design metal temperature. Not including temperature shift below impact test temperature due to dynamic impact testing provides added safety and conservatism to UCS66 rules in the code. Change in rules will provide manufacturers significant relief from production impact tests for Category-B welds that are under-stressed with safety factors currently in Figure UCS 66.1.

Preliminary Analysis and Simulation of Railroad Dispatcher Workload

Railroad dispatch centers increasingly use technology to assist dispatchers as they interact with multiple entities across a variety of tasks to ensure trains and track personnel function safely on an efficient schedule. A railroad dispatcher workload simulation could, therefore, be useful in estimating the impact of new technologies on dispatchers’ workload and overall system performance, particularly in the concept generation phase of a systems engineering process. This paper first discusses railroad dispatchers’ work analysis based on a large dispatch center and then presents the development of the Railroad Dispatcher Workload Simulation (RDWS), which generates models of dispatcher workload given various settings.