Risk assessment of blasting operations in open pit mines using FAHP method

Purpose. In the mining blasting operation, fragmentation is the most important output. Fly rock, ground vibration, air blast, and environmental effects are detrimental effects of blasting operations. Identifying and ranking the risk of blasting operations is considered as the most important stage in project management. Methods. In this research, the problem of identifying and ranking the factors constituting the risk in blasting operations is considered with the methodology of the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP). Criteria and sub-criteria have been determined based on historical research studies, field studies, and expert opinions for designing a hierarchical process. Findings. Based on FAHP scores, non-control of the sub-criterion of health and safety (C3), blast operation results (C18) and knowledge, and skill and staffing (C2) with a score of 0.377, 0.334, and 0.294 respectively are the most effective sub-criterion for the creation of blasting operations risk. According to the score, the sub-criterion C18 is the most effective sub-criterion in providing the blasting operations risk. Effects and results of blasting operations (D8), with a score of 0.334 as the most effective criterion, and natural hazards (D10), with a score of 0.015, were the last priorities in the factors causing blasting operations risk. Originality. Regarding the risk rating of blasting operations, the control of the sub-criteria C3, C18, and C2, and the D8 criterion, is of particular importance in reducing the risk of blasting operations and improving project management. Practical implications. The evaluation of human resource performance and increase in the level of knowledge and skills and occupational safety and control of all outputs of blasting operations is necessary. Therefore, selecting the most important project risks and taking actions to remove them is essential for risk management.Мета. Визначення ризиків проведення вибухових робіт та їх оцінка на основі використанням нечіткого методу аналізу ієрархій (НМАІ) для покращення управління якістю проектів. Методика. В рамках даного дослідження, проблеми визначення та оцінки ризиків вибухових робіт розглядалися із застосуванням нечіткого методу аналізу ієрархій. На базі аналізу історичних даних і польового дослідження з урахуванням експертних оцінок були визначені критерії та підкритерії для побудови ієрархій. Результати. За результатами НМАІ, неконтролюючий підкритерій здоров’я та безпеки (С3), підкритерій результатів вибухових робіт (С18), знань, умінь і кадрів (С2) зі значеннями 0.377, 0.334 і 0.294 відповідно найбільш ефективні в появі ризику проведення вибухових робіт. Підкритерій С18 чинить найбільший вплив на ризик проведення вибухових робіт. Критерій результатів і наслідків вибухових робіт (D8) з найефективнішим значенням 0.334 та критерій природних катастроф (D10) зі значенням 0.015 є останніми пріоритетами серед чинників, які визначають ризик проведення вибухових робіт. Наукова новизна. Отримав доповнення та подальший розвиток науково-методичний підхід до визначення ризиків при проведенні вибухових робіт, заснований на їх ранжуванні з використанням системи виявлених критеріїв і підкритеріїв методом НМАІ. Практична значимість. Для успішного керування проектом важливо визначати найсерйозніші ризики проекту й вжити заходів щодо їх усунення. Відносно ранжирування ризиків проведення вибухових робіт управління підкритеріями C3, C18 і C2, а також критерієм D8, особливо важливо для зниження цих ризиків та покращення якості управління проектом.Цель. Определение рисков проведения взрывных работ и их оценка на основе использования нечеткого метода анализа иерархий (НМАИ) для улучшения управления качеством проектов. Методика. В рамках данного исследования, проблемы определения и оценки рисков взрывных работ рассматривались с применением нечеткого метода анализа иерархий. На базе анализа исторических данных и полевого исследования с учетом экспертных оценок были определены, критерии и подкритерии для построения иерархий. Результаты. По результатам НМАИ, неконтролирующий подкритерий здоровья и безопасности (С3), подкритерий результатов взрывных работ (С18), знаний, умений и кадров (С2) со значениями 0.377, 0.334 и 0.294 соответственно наиболее эффективны в появлении риска проведения взрывных работ. Подкритерий С18 оказывает самое большое влияние на риск проведения взрывных работ. Критерий результатов и последствий взрывных работ (D8) с самым эффективным значением 0.334 и критерий природных катастроф (D10) со значением 0.015 являются последними приоритетами среди факторов, которые определяют риск проведения взрывных работ. Научная новизна. Получил дополнение и дальнейшее развитие научно-методический подход к определению рисков при проведении взрывных работ, основанный на их ранжировании с использованием системы выявленных критериев и подкритериев методом НМАИ. Практическая значимость. Для успешного руководства проектом важно определять самые серьезные риски проекта и предпринять действия по их устранению. В отношении ранжирования рисков проведения взрывных работ управление подкритериями C3, C18 и C2, а также критерием D8, особенно важно для снижения этих рисков и улучшения руководства проектом.The authors would like to thank Mining Engineering Department, Islamic Azad University (South Tehran Branch) for supporting this research

Evaluation of e-learning web sites using fuzzy axiomatic design based approach

High quality web site has been generally recognized as a critical enabler to conduct online business. Numerous studies exist in the literature to measure the business performance in relation to web site quality. In this paper, an axiomatic design based approach for fuzzy group decision making is adopted to evaluate the quality of e-learning web sites. Another multi-criteria decision making technique, namely fuzzy TOPSIS, is applied in order to validate the outcome. The methodology proposed in this paper has the advantage of incorporating requirements and enabling reductions in the problem size, as compared to fuzzy TOPSIS. A case study focusing on Turkish e-learning websites is presented, and based on the empirical findings, managerial implications and recommendations for future research are offered

A risk index model for security incident prioritisation

With thousands of incidents identified by security appliances every day, the process of distinguishing which incidents are important and which are trivial is complicated. This paper proposes an incident prioritisation model, the Risk Index Model (RIM), which is based on risk assessment and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The model uses indicators, such as criticality, maintainability, replaceability, and dependability as decision factors to calculate incidents’ risk index. The RIM was validated using the MIT DARPA LLDOS 1.0 dataset, and the results were compared against the combined priorities of the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) v2 and Snort Priority. The experimental results have shown that 100% of incidents could be rated with RIM, compared to only 17.23% with CVSS. In addition, this study also improves the limitation of group priority in the Snort Priority (e.g. high, medium and low priority) by quantitatively ranking, sorting and listing incidents according to their risk index. The proposed study has also investigated the effect of applying weighted indicators at the calculation of the risk index, as well as the effect of calculating them dynamically. The experiments have shown significant changes in the resultant risk index as well as some of the top priority rankings

Mengenal pasti tahap motivasi dan kecenderungan keusahawanan di kalangan pelajar semester akhir Ijazah Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan Mekanikal : satu tinjauan di KUiTTHO

Keusahawanan merupakan bidang yang mencabar dan tidak ramai yang mahu menceburi bidang ini tenitaraa lulusan bidang kejnriiteraan. Mereka ini mempunyai elemen keusahawanan nntuk menjadi usahawan yang beijaya. Oleh itu, timbul persoalan mengapakah pelajar-pelajar ini kurang berminat dengan bidang keusahawanan?. Bersesuaian dengan pennasalahan tersebut, kajian ini dijalankan bertujuan untnk meninjau tahap motivasi bagi memberikan pendedalian dan menarik kecenderungan pelajar kejuruteraan terliadap bidang keusahawanan. Objektif kajian ini berdasarkan kepada beberapa aspek iaitn taliap pengetahuan keusahawanan, motivasi, kecenderungan terhadap bidang keusahawanan dan keperluan subjek atau elemen keusahawanan dalam jumsan kejuruteraan. Kajian yang telah dijalankan adalah kajian deskriptif berbentuk tinjauan yang menggunakan soal selidik sebagai instrumen untuk mendapatkan data. Dengan menggimakan persampelan rawak mudah, seramai 99 orang pelajar semester akhir ijazah Saijana Muda Kejuruteraan Mekanikal telah dipilih sebagai responden kajian. Instrumen kajian adalah soal selidik dan data-data yang diperolehi telah dianalisis menggimakan perisian Statistical Package For Social Science versi 11.0 untuk mendapatkan nilai min dan peratus. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa pelajar-pelajai' ini mempunyai kecenderungan terhadap bidang keusahawanan dengan skor min keseluruhan 3.573 dan taliap motivasi keusahawanan yang tinggi dengan skor min keseluaihan 3.965 tetapi kekurangan pengetahuan dalam bidang keusahawanan dengan skor min 3.16. Oleh itu. adalah perlu elemen-elemen keusahawanan diterapkan ke dalam kuriknlum kursus kejuaiteraan

Ranking load in microgrid based on fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution algorithm for load shedding problem

This paper proposes a method to rank the loads in the microgrid by means of a weight that combines the criteria together in terms of both technical and economic aspects. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (fuzzy AHP TOPSIS) algorithm is used to calculate this combined weight. The criteria to be considered are load importance factor (LIF), voltage electrical distance (VED) and voltage sensitivity index (VSI). The fuzzy algorithm helps to fuzzy the judgment matrix of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, making it easier to compare objects with each other and remove the uncertainty of the AHP method. The technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) algorithm is used to normalize the decision matrix, determine the positive and negative ideal solutions to calculate the index of proximity to the ideal solution, and finally rank all the alternatives. The combination of fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS algorithms is the optimal combination for decision making and ranking problems in a multi-criteria environment. The 19-bus microgrid system is applied to calculate and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method

Control priorization model for improving information security risk assessment

Evaluating particular assets for information security risk assessment should take into consideration the availability of adequate resources and return on investments (ROI). Despite the need for a good risk assessment framework, many of the existing frameworks lack of granularity guidelines and mostly depend on qualitative methods. Hence, they require additional time and cost to test all the information security controls. Further, the reliance on human inputs and feedback will increase subjective judgment in organizations. The main goal of this research is to design an efficient Information Security Control Prioritization (ISCP) model in improving the risk assessment process. Case studies based on penetration tests and vulnerability assessments were performed to gather data. Then, Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was used to prioritize them. A combination of sensitivity analysis and expert interviews were used to test and validate the model. Subsequently, the performance of the model was evaluated by the risk assessment experts. The results demonstrate that ISCP model improved the quality of information security control assessment in the organization. The model plays a significant role in prioritizing the critical security technical controls during the risk assessment process. Furthermore, the model’s output supports ROI by identifying the appropriate controls to mitigate risks to an acceptable level in the organizations. The major contribution of this research is the development of a model which minimizes the uncertainty, cost and time of the information security control assessment. Thus, the clear practical guidelines will help organizations to prioritize important controls reliably and more efficiently. All these contributions will minimize resource utilization and maximize the organization’s information security

Applying a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process to Demand Considerations of Households Opting for Mortgage Loans

The need for high economic development across the entire globe and Sub-Saharan Africa in particular has led to the awareness of the need to increase the housing base across the continent. The astronomical increase in population and urbanisation and its associated problems of accommodation call for the need to provide good housing for the people of Ghana; the provision of which could depends largely on the availability of mortgage facilities. However, obtaining the right mortgage is as crucial as obtaining the right home, yet buyers seemingly do not invest as much time and effort in a mortgage search as in house searches. It is against this backdrop that this study investigates factors considered by households before acquiring mortgage loans. A questionnaire was administered within the Accra metropolis, the area of Ghana with the most mortgage loan providers. We employed the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) to analyze the thought processes of households when making their decisions on acquiring a mortgage loan. The results indicated that factors considered by households when opting for a mortgage loan, ordered based on their degree of importance, were "Employment", "Housing Market Conditions", "Personal Factors", "Economic Factors", "Mortgage Lender Policy", "Housing Alternatives", "Knowledge", and "Social Factors". The weights of the first four factors were as high as 70.99% (Buckley’s method) and 69.70% (Chang’s method). These four items, have the most impact on household demand considerations when opting for a mortgage loan. If these factors are significantly improved, then, they can have a positive microeconomic impact on actual households demand for mortgage loans, in turn making the mortgage market a lucrative business