Lime stabilisation for earthworks: a UK perspective

Lime stabilisation is a versatile technique applied during earthworks operations. Modern soil recycling units are much more efficient at pulverising fill material and intermixing the added binder/water than machinery available 20 years ago. While supplier innovation adds flexibility to the site working method, specifications have not been sufficiently updated to permit optimal application. This review paper details the physico-chemical changes instigated through the lime-clay soil reaction, updating previous reviews. It aims to assist scientific debate, current practitioners and future specification changes. For example, the application of the minimum 24 h mellowing periods (mandatory to UK specifications) with high reactivity, quicklime powders is concluded to cause increased air voids in the compacted fill. Increased air voids are associated with reduced long-term strength and potential volume change from water ingress, which is of particular concern for sulfate swelling. Shorter mellowing periods and/or use of hydrated lime may lesson this issue; however, a 'one size fits all' approach is discouraged in preference to site-specific methodologies refined to suit the fill material and project requirements. The discussion also summarises working methods which may lower the risk of sulfate swell and defines areas requiring further practical research

Regional Warehouse Trip Production Analysis: Chicago Metro Area

This research report provides primary research data and analysis on heavy truck trip generation and characteristics from regional distribution centers (RDC) and similar facilities in an effort to facilitate future public policy making regarding roadway transportation needs as well as land-use and economic development decisions. The report also provides secondary data and information on intermodal freight transportation - its growth and its economic impacts ??? to provide a regional, national, and international context for the research. The primary data was obtained from a field survey of 12 distribution centers of various scales (7 of them regional) in Northeast Illinois. The 12 facilities and their supervisory personnel were visited by the research team and analyzed in depth for their general business characteristics (e.g. type of goods, number of employees, hours of operation etc.), property characteristics (e.g. location, facility size, ceiling height) and their truck trip productions (e.g. number of arrivals-departures, geographic distribution of inbound-outbound movement, volume per quarter etc.). The findings of this research project in reference to the 12 facilities indicate the uniqueness and significant complexity of the distribution centers. There is clear evidence of an increase in size (sq. ft & ceiling) and automation (racking systems) of the newer facilities as well as 24-hour operations. The comparison of daily heavy truck movement shows significant arrival concentration between 8am-10am and 8pm- 6am. In contrast the heaviest departure activity is between 4-6pm. The majority of originating freight is from the Midwest with the outbound distributions also being allocated regionally then nationally and internationally (minimal allocation). Another result was the increased volume concentration in the third quarter of each year between July and September. The above results along with the significant expansions of RDC facilities in the last few years indicate the additional need for studying the locations of the various facilities and the heavy truck traffic volume they generate. The results should also be useful in determining the economics benefits/costs and impacts of these facilities for purposes of making infrastructure investment, economic incentive, and land use decisions.Illinois Center for Transportation R27-15published or submitted for publicationis peer reviewe

Value Relevance of Financial and Non-Financial Information: Evidence from the Gaming Industry

Using financial and non-financial data from casino gaming firms listed in the United States from 1999–2017, we explore two research questions: (1) Is financial information value relevant to financial markets in the casino gaming industry? (2) Does non-financial information have incremental explanatory power over financial information? In general, we find that accounting numbers can explain a firm’s market value and stock returns in the casino gaming industry, except for accounting accruals, which may behave differently compared to other industries. We also find that non-financial information, such as the number of table games, number of slot machines, and their relative proportion, have significant value relevance in explaining market valuation. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the value relevance of financial and non-financial information in the casino gaming industry. We also provide analysis of firms characterized by these non-financial attributes. Keywords: hospitality, casino, gaming, value relevance, table games, slot machines JEL Code: L83, M19, M4

IT integration, operations flexibility and performance: an empirical study

Purpose: This study examines the relationship between IT implementation and performance with manufacturing flexibility based on a sample drawn from a set of manufacturing firms. Design/methodology/approach: The relationships were analyzed using structural equations modelling (SEM) using EQS 6.2 software. Previously, an explanatory factor analysis confirmed one-dimensionality of the scales, Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to evaluate its internal consistency and a confirmatory factor analysis was run to observe scales’ validity. Findings: This research proves a significant positive and direct effect of IT implementation on operations performance with 4 out of 6 flexibility dimensions (Machine, Labour, Material handling and Volume). Mix and Routing flexibility dimensions show no significant impact on firm performance. Research limitations/implications: It is necessary to be cautious when generalizing this findings these findings, as service firms were not part of the sample even when statistical results prove robustness suggesting that the findings are quite reliable. Some flexibility dimensions show no significant impact in performance (Routing and Mix flexibility). This is consistent with the fact that these flexibility dimensions act as variability absorbers within the manufacturing process. Future research lines: Future studies can focus on determining further internal and environmental factors that affect operations flexibility according to specific sector characteristics. Originality/value: This research proves a significant positive and direct effect of IT implementation on operations performance. Results show not only the links between IT implementation and operations performance, but also the magnitude of every impact. The model considers IT integration as the degree of alignment that existing technology resources in a firm have with the business strategy, in terms of importance and support for this strategyPeer Reviewe

Time Consumption of Skidding in Mature Stands Performed by Winches Powered by Farm Tractor

The aim of the present research was to determine the characteristics of time consumption in skidding by winch. The research was conducted in pine, fir, spruce and beech mature stands. It covered the operation of skidding from the stand to the skid trail at the distance of up to 50 m. A time study was performed for skidding operations, timber volume and thinning intensity. The average time consumption of skidding in the operational time, assessed in the examined mature stands, amounted to approximately 18 min/m3. Significant differences were observed in frequency levels between early thinnings (24 min/m3) and late ones (13 min/m3). The operational time structure for skidding by winch was characterized by a large share of auxiliary time: 71%. Out of that time, 30% was used for attaching and detaching the load and 36% for the transfer. Approximation was also done of the multiple regression equations. The equations described changes in skidding time consumption, i.e. the Empirical Efficiency Index (EST). The changes depended on environmental factors (stand, cutting category), elements of the working day structure (the share of a given time category in a shift) and task intensity (ratio of the number of harvested trees per area unit). The strongest correlations between the EST and the analyzed variables were observed for the factors related to the percentage of time required for attaching and detaching the load and factors related to operation intensity

IMPROVING THE METHOD OF OPEN-PIT LIGNITE DEPOSITS DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

Subject of the research is open-pit mining concerning a full- field industrial development of a number of lignite deposits; feasibility study has been performed for them as for the efficient environmental friendly processing of coal and associated minerals. Objective of the research is to develop both methodology and conceptual approaches to high-productive, economically viable, and environmental friendly methods for open-pit lignite mining in the context of suprasalt depressive basins. Task of the research is to analyze the current state of lignite mining in Ukraine; to characterize a new genetic Ukrainian coal type from geological and industrial viewpoint; to substantiate parameters of lignite open-pit mining on the basis of Novo-Dmytrivka mining and industrial district; to expand the capacities of lignite mining on the basis of Novo-Dmytrivka, Bantysh, Stepkivka, and Bereka deposits; to substantiate the integrated use of diverse rock masses in the context of the national economy; to use lignite in terms of its power; to produce montan wax; to apply sodium humite in the context of agriculture; to use overburden rocks for the construction of bordering dams of powerful water storages; and to develop recommendations concerning the design of Novo-Dmytrivka mining and industrial system with the integrated development of lignite and associated minerals. Methods of the research are: analytical estimation of resources of lignite deposits; geological and engineering-technical analysis; and integrated and feasibility studies of indices of mining and opening operations. Optimization of the process solutions relies upon the analysis of changes in rock mass coefficient use within the open-pit area in the context of complete land reclamation of the disturbed land and the development of new productive land instead of the littered territories. The updated research method is to determine the basic technological parameters of equipment taking into consideration significant water inflow in terms of working areas as well as the inflows effect on the output of the lignite open pit depending upon changes in the depth of mine workings. The carried out research helped study more thoroughly the geological and engineering-technical features of lignite deposits in Ukraine. Their geological structures, coal-bearing capacity and the coal grades, total reserves, and their commercial significance have been determined. Parameters of benches and working sites have been substantiated. The parameters make it possible to decrease the current volume of overburden rock mining and to transfer their maximum values to the final stage of the open pit operation. Rational systems of mining and transportation equipment for the development of the open-pit field in terms of criteria of capacity, efficiency, and power consumption have been substantiated involving different traffic flows of rock mass movement in open pits and at the surface. There were issued recommendations to design the development of Novo-Dmytrivka lignite deposit. Relying upon the analyzed deposits of north-west Donbas, it is expedient to develop the unified coal-mining complex for the processing of lignite and associated minerals to be used by plants of building materials and structures as well as chemical and metallurgical plants as the basic raw material. There has been substantiated a possibility of commercial development of a number of lignite deposits in Ukraine to develop mining and preproduction complex with coal output at the level of 9-10 min t/y and 23-24 min t/y of coaly mass as well as their processing by thermal power station which capacity is 1800-2400 MW; a plant to produce 15 thousand tons of montan wax a year; briquetting factory which capacity is 2 min t/y; and a concrete product plant to manufacture building structures with a capacity of 1 min of m2/y