484 research outputs found

    Integration of Cost andWork Breakdown Structures in the Management of Construction Projects

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    Scope management allows project managers to react when a project underperforms regarding schedule, budget, and/or quality at the execution stage. Scope management can also minimize project changes and budget omissions, as well as improve the accuracy of project cost estimates and risk responses. For scope management to be effective, though, it needs to rely on a robust work breakdown structure (WBS). A robust WBS hierarchically and faithfully reflects all project tasks and work packages so that projects are easier to manage. If done properly, the WBS also allows meeting the project objectives while delivering the project on time, on budget, and with the required quality. This paper analyzes whether the integration of a cost breakdown structure (CBS) can lead to the generation of more robust WBSs in construction projects. Over the last years, some international organizations have standardized and harmonized different cost classification systems (e.g., ISO 12006-2, ISO 81346-12, OmniClass, CoClass, UniClass). These cost databases have also been introduced into building information modeling (BIM) frameworks. We hypothesize that in BIM environments, if these CBSs are used to generate the project WBS, several advantages are gained such as sharper project definition. This enhanced project definition reduces project contradictions at both planning and execution stages, anticipates potential schedule and budget deviations, improves resource allocation, and overall it allows a better response to potential project risks. The hypothesis that the use of CBSs can generate more robust WBSs is tested by the response analysis of a questionnaire survey distributed among construction practitioners and project managers. By means of structural equation modeling (SEM), the correlation (agreement) and perception differences between two 250-respondent subsamples (technical project staff vs. project management staff) are also discussed. Results of this research support the use of CBSs by construction professionals as a basis to generate WBSs for enhanced project management (PM)

    Abordagem multi-escalar para a construção de um modelo de reservatorio carbonatico com feições cársticas e tendências do pré-sal brasileiro usando simulação numérica

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    Orientador: Denis José SchiozerDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica e Instituto de GeociênciasResumo: O pré-sal brasileiro é formado principalmente por carbonatos nos quais podem ocorrer cenários de desenvolvimento cárstico. Este tipo de reservatório apresenta um desafio para modelagem e simulação de fluxo, dado seu comportamento multiescalar heterogêneo. O uso de abordagens hierárquicas multiescalar tem mostrado ser útil para representar heterogeneidades em reservatórios complexos. Metodologias relacionadas ao gerenciamento de reservatórios podem ser testadas em modelos sintéticos de reservatórios. No presente trabalho, apresentamos a elaboração de um modelo sintético de reservatório com características do pré-sal brasileiro e feições cársticas, baseado em uma abordagem hierárquica de transferência de escala. O método integra modelagem e transferência de escala entre malhas que possuem diferentes tamanhos de bloco e geometria. O modelo geológico de campo completo, denominado Lira-G, é gerado pela combinação de dois modelos denominados Lira-M e Lira-K. O modelo Lira-M tem as mesmas dimensões de bloco que Lira-G e representa a simulação estocástica de saída usando dados de perfil de dois poços. O Lira-K tem uma resolução maior, os carstes são heterogeneidades em pequena escala além da escala dos blocos Lira-M. O procedimento de transferência de escala foi ajustado através de simulação de fluxo. O processo de validação mostrou a influência das feições cársticas na recuperação no comportamento dinâmico. Usando pseudo-curvas foi possível combinar os dados dinâmicos de produção. Finalmente, Lira-G é transferido para uma malha mais grossa, chamada Lira-S para ser usado em simulação numérica de fluxo. Este trabalho contribuiu com uma abordagem hierárquica de transferência de escala para construir um modelo geológico cárstico, integrando modelagem e simulação de reservatório. O modelo proposto Lira-G, acrescenta uma oportunidade para ser utilizado como modelo de referência numa proposta de benchmark para avaliar e comparar diferentes metodologias com foco em transferência de escala e simulação numérica de reservatóriosAbstract: The Brazilian pre-salt is formed mainly by carbonates in which karstic development scenarios can occur. This type of reservoir presents a challenge for modeling and flow simulation given its heterogeneous multiscale behavior. The use of hierarchical upscaling approach has shown to be useful to represent heterogeneities in complex reservoirs. Methodologies regarding reservoir management can be tested in synthetic reservoir models. In this work, we present the elaboration of a synthetic reservoir model with Brazilian pre-salt characteristics and karst features, based on a hierarchical upscaling approach. The method integrates modeling and scale transfer between grids with different block sizes and geometry. The full field geological model, called Lira-G, is generated by combining two models, Lira-M and Lira-K. Lira-M has the same cell dimensions as Lira-G and represents the output stochastic simulation using well log data. Lira-K has a finer cell resolution; karsts are small-scale heterogeneities beyond the Lira-M cell. The upscale procedure was validated using flow simulation. The validation process showed the influence of karst features in recovery and dynamic behavior. By using pseudo-curves, it was possible to match the dynamic production data. Finally, Lira-G is upscaled to a coarser grid, called Lira-S, to be used in numerical flow simulation. This work contributed to a hierarchical upscaling approach to construct a karstic geological model, integrating modeling and reservoir simulations. The proposed model provides an opportunity to be used as a benchmark to evaluate and compare different methodologies regarding upscaling procedures and reservoir numerical simulationMestradoReservatórios e GestãoMestre em Ciências e Engenharia de Petróleo33003017CAPE

    Investment Decision in Vegetable Oil Extraction Plants in North of Minas Gerais – Brazil: An Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process in a Biodiesel Production Chain

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    In line with the social objectives of the PNPB (Brazilian Program of Production and Use of Biodiesel) and its “Social Seal” Framework, PETROBRAS has set up a 57 million liter/year biodiesel plant in the semi arid region of North of Minas Gerais State, where the socioeconomics indicators are very unfavorable. Despite the potential to boost the agricultural and agroindustrial sector, the biodiesel plant is using mainly soybean oil from other regions. Funded by the Minas Gerais Government, the ongoing project aims to contribute to the development of oilseed supply chain in the North of Minas Gerais. To deal with these socioeconomic complex decisions, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used. Organization models were proposed for the following production chain: i) castor seed, ii) jatropha, iii) sunflower seed, iv) cotton seed, v) macaw palm and vi) soybean. For each chain, investment alternatives were analysed using the software BiodieselFAO. The organizational models and economic results will be discussed with the stakeholder in a workshop, when the alternatives will be selected. Partial results of the project demonstrate that the lack of trust between the stakeholders is the main challenge to the organization of the production chains. The AHP methodology has been proved to be adequate to accomplish the project objectives. Further researches on production chain modeling and building are, especially for the bioenergy sector, highly opportune

    QuEF: An environment for the assesment of MDWE methodologies

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    This paper presents QuEF (Quality Evaluation Framework), an environment for the assesment of Model-Driven Web Engineering (MDWE) methodologies. This approach is oriented to evaluate, through objectives measures, the quality of MDWE methodologies in a specific environment. Given the high number of methodologies available and proposed in the last years, it has become necessary to define objective evaluation tools to enable development teams to improve their methodological environment and help designers of web methodologies design new effective and efficient tools, processes and techniques. Since methodologies are constantly evolving, the need may arise not only to evaluate the quality but also to find out how it can be improved and how the quality improvement process could be optimize in order to reduce costs. Besides, an example of application to the NDT (Navigational Development Techniques) methodology is presented and the Functionality of the NDT methodology is evaluated in terms of MDE and Maturity characteristics.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TIN2007-67843-C06-03Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TIN2007-30391-

    Achieving Sustainability in Capture Fishing Industry Based on the Regional Characteristics

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    The prospect of the fishery sector becomes one of strategic economic activities, in which the government implements fisheries industrialization as a strategy to enhance added values of fishery production. The fishing industry is unique since it exploits fish as the main raw material naturally available and accessible by humans. Moreover, the capture fishing industry is relatively a high cost economy. This study was aimed at designing the regional-based institutional and network models of the fishing industry in order to achieve the sustainable fishing industry in Maluku province. The research employed Soft System Methodology to obtain an ideal model for the management of the sustainable capture fishing industry. Structure identification in designing the institutional model for a supply chain system of the sustainable fishing industry was carried out using the Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM). Meanwhile, TOPSIS was involved in establishing a model for the fishing industry. The results show the institution that would be developed was a financial institution (cooperative) that would be managed and run by fishermen. The capture fishing industrial network in Maluku province was built by actualizing PPN Ambon as a main server in the route of PPI Masarette PPI Eri PPN Ambon. While Amahai would act as a main server for the route of PPN Tual PPI Amahai and PPI East Tahme PPI Amahai

    Geographic Information Systems for Crime Prone Areas Clustering

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    Crime is one of the problems that is quite complicated and very disturbing to the community. Crimes can occur at different times and places, making it difficult to track which areas are prone to such actions. K-means algorithm is used to cluster prone areas and Geographic Information System is used to map crime-prone areas. Web-based application is developed with the PHP programming language. The data used is quantitative data in the form of the number of crimes committed and the coordinates of the cases. The attributes of the crime used consist of five parameters: theft, mistreatment, rape, women and child protection cases and fraud. The results of this study are clustering areas into 3 cluster and mapping prone areas that is safe area, safe enough area and prone area. From the overall crime data for 2019 in Purwakarta district, it was found that 68.75% was safe, 18.75% was quite safe and 12.5% was prone area

    Energetics as Self-Organized System: Methodological Aspects

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    In the article we propose new decision support tools for region energetics development. The method is based on analysing complex system’s state and comparing it with the self-organized criticality (SOC) class that characterize the long-term system’s stability. We start with urban system modelling using cellular automata (CA) with the best fit to real data and then we raise hypothesis about adequacy of urban and energetics system elements distribution. The urban data analysis shows that it is in SOC state for wide rank of countries. We calculate required parameters for energetics system, which are used in decision making for the system long-term development

    Simulation modelling construction project with repetitive tasks using Petri nets theory

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    Resources selection and allocation at the project planning stage is an important issue for reducing project cost, duration and risk. Existing planning and scheduling methods overlook aspects of limited production capacity of construction companies (contractors) due to the fact that they are simultaneously engaged in realization of some projects. This paper presents a new methodology for project scheduling with repetitive processes using Petri nets based approach. The paper starts with an overview of current developments in the Petri nets theory. We then propose an efficient computational method based on simulation of Petri net model for construction project planning and subcontractor agreement analysis. An example of construction project simulation research is presented to illustrate the method of project planning and resources allocation. First published online: 14 Oct 201

    Remote Sensing Information Sciences Research Group, Santa Barbara Information Sciences Research Group, year 3

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    Research continues to focus on improving the type, quantity, and quality of information which can be derived from remotely sensed data. The focus is on remote sensing and application for the Earth Observing System (Eos) and Space Station, including associated polar and co-orbiting platforms. The remote sensing research activities are being expanded, integrated, and extended into the areas of global science, georeferenced information systems, machine assissted information extraction from image data, and artificial intelligence. The accomplishments in these areas are examined
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