Integrated Frameworks for Effective Multi-criteria Decision Making in Reliability Centred Maintenance of Industrial Machines

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Multi-criteria decision making support tools for maintenance of marine machinery systems

PhD ThesisFor ship systems to remain reliable and safe they must be effectively maintained through a sound maintenance management system. The three major elements of maintenance management systems are; risk assessment, maintenance strategy selection and maintenance task interval determination. The implementation of these elements will generally determine the level of ship system safety and reliability. Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM) is one method that can be used to optimise maintenance management systems. However the tools used within the framework of the RCM methodology have limitations which may compromise the efficiency of RCM in achieving the desired results. This research presents the development of tools to support the RCM methodology and improve its effectiveness in marine maintenance system applications. Each of the three elements of the maintenance management system has been considered in turn. With regard to risk assessment, two Multi-Criteria Decision Making techniques (MCDM); Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija Ikompromisno Resenje, meaning: Multi-criteria Optimization and Compromise Solution (VIKOR) and Compromise Programming (CP) have been integrated into Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) along with a novel averaging technique which allows the use of incomplete or imprecise failure data. Three hybrid MCDM techniques have then been compared for maintenance strategy selection; an integrated Delphi-Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, an integrated Delphi-AHP-PROMETHEE (Preference Ranking Organisation METHod for Enrichment Evaluation) methodology and an integrated Delphi-AHP-TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) methodology. Maintenance task interval determination has been implemented using a MCDM framework integrating a delay time model to determine the optimum inspection interval and using the age replacement model for the scheduled replacement tasks. A case study based on a marine Diesel engine has been developed with input from experts in the field to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies.Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), a scholarship body of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for providing the fund for this research. My gratitude also goes to Federal University of Petroleum Resource, Effurun, Nigeria for giving me the opportunity to be a beneficiary of the scholarship

Large-Scale Green Supplier Selection Approach under a Q-Rung Interval-Valued Orthopair Fuzzy Environment

As enterprises pay more and more attention to environmental issues, the green supply chain management (GSCM) mode has been extensively utilized to guarantee profit and sustainable development. Greensupplierselection(GSS),whichisakeysegmentofGSCM,hasbeeninvestigated to put forward plenty of GSS approaches

AN EXTENSION OF THE FAILURE MODE EFFECTS AND CRITICALITY ANALYSIS WITH FUZZY ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS METHOD TO ASSESS THE EMERGENCY SAFETY BARRIERS

The emergency safety barrier is one of the reactive technical safety barriers in industrial facilities. Degrade of emergency safety barriers can lead to a major accident with serious consequences for people, property and the environment. In this context, the purpose of this article is to present a proposed methodology to identify these deficiencies, thus ensuring the effectiveness of the emergency safety barriers. This paper presents an integrated approach that uses fuzzy set theory, extension of failure modes, effects and criticality analysis and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process method to deal with uncertainty in decision-making related to the prioritization of risk factors. These risk factors are the prioritization of corrective actions associated with the most critical disturbance modes to improve the reliability of emergency safety barriers. In addition, a Liquefied Petroleum Gas production facility was selected as a case study to assess the emergency safety barriers. The results show that the proposed methodology provides the possibility to evaluate the fire-fighting systems. In addition, the fuzzy analytical approach method is the most reliable and accurate. Therefore, some corrective actions are suggested to reduce the failure criticality of the emergency safety barriers and help practitioners prioritize the improvement of the emergency safety barriers of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas storage facility. This paper has an important role in the dysfunctional analysis of the emergency safety barriers related to the others effects of the release of LPG, such as the effects of domino scenarios

A STRUCTURED FRAMEWORK FOR RELIABILITY AND RISK EVALUATION IN THE MILK PROCESS INDUSTRY UNDER FUZZY ENVIRONMENT

This paper aims at proposing a novel integrated framework for studying reliability and risk issues of the curd unit in a milk process industry under uncertain environment. The considered plant’s complex series-parallel configuration was presented using the Petri Net (PN) modeling. The Fuzzy Lambda-Tau (λ-τ) approach was applied to study and analyze the reliability aspects of the considered plant. Failure dynamics of the curd unit has been analyzed with respect to increasing/ decreasing trends of the tabulated reliability indices. Availability of the considered plant shows a decreasing trend with an increase in spread values. For improving the system’s availability, a risk analysis was done to identify the most critical failure causes. Using the traditional FMEA approach, the FMEA sheet was generated on the basis of expert’s knowledge/experience. The Fuzzy-Complex Proportional Assessment (FCOPRAS) approach was applied within FMEA approach for identification of critical failure causes associated with different subsystem/components of the considered plant. In order to check the consistency of the ranking results, the Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS) was applied within the FCOPRAS approach. Ranking results are compared for checking consistency and robustness of critical failure causes related decision making which would be useful in designing the finest maintenance schedule for the considered curd unit.  Overheating/moisture lead to winding failure (MSCP5), visible sediment of milk jam in filter (MBFP3), improper quality of oil (H4), blade breakage (CTK4), wearing in gears (PFM11), and cylinder leakage (CFM7) were recognized as the most critical failure causes contributing to system unavailability. The analysis results were supplied to the maintenance manager for framing a suitable time-based maintenance intervals policy for the considered unit

Prioritizing lean techniques by employing Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM): The case of MCoutinho

The business cycle in the automotive industry follows the general economic cycle closely and therefore, undergoes cyclical fluctuations over time. Companies in the sector are faced with challenges and need to deal with market demands efficiently and quickly to stay competitive. Lean approach is one of the strategies that can aid firms to improve their competitiveness by minimizing waste (Pullan et al., 2013). In order to benefit from a lean approach, the first step is to select a proper tool based on the available resources and requirements of the company. Due to the fact that numerous lean tools have been introduced over time, decision makers in company may encounter challenges in selecting the proper one with regard to their demands. To deal with such an issue, Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) can greatly assist decision makers to compare available alternatives and consequently select the best possible solution among them. This study aims at improving the operational process in MCoutinho Group, a Portuguese well-known company in the automotive sector, by helping the management board in selecting lean tool due to the company preferences. In this study, the applicability (and results) of the application of some MCDM techniques (SAW, TOPSIS, and VIKOR) is examined to compare ten lean tools, determined based on the literature. The results reveal some gaps between company requirements and the demands which have been considered in previous surveys. The process applied can save the costs of trial and error of implementing different lean tools. And finally, adopting such a lean tool that has been selected totally based on the exclusive requirements of the company can improve efficiency in the company.O ciclo de negócios na indústria automotiva segue de perto o ciclo econômico geral e, portanto, sofre flutuações cíclicas ao longo do tempo. As empresas do setor enfrentam desafios e precisam lidar com as demandas do mercado de forma eficiente e rápida para se manterem competitivas. A abordagem enxuta é uma das estratégias que pode ajudar as empresas a melhorar sua competitividade, minimizando o desperdício (Pullan et al., 2013). Para se beneficiar de uma abordagem enxuta, o primeiro passo é selecionar uma ferramenta adequada com base nos recursos disponíveis e requisitos da empresa. Devido ao fato de que várias ferramentas enxutas foram introduzidas ao longo do tempo, os tomadores de decisão na empresa podem encontrar desafios ao selecionar a ferramenta adequada com relação às suas demandas. Para lidar com essa questão, a Tomada de Decisão Multi-Critérios (MCDM) pode ajudar muito os tomadores de decisão a comparar as alternativas disponíveis e, conseqüentemente, selecionar a melhor solução possível entre elas. Este estudo tem como objetivo melhorar o processo operacional do Grupo MCoutinho, empresa portuguesa de renome no setor automóvel, auxiliando a administração na seleção da ferramenta enxuta em função das preferências da empresa. Neste estudo, a aplicabilidade (e resultados) da aplicação de algumas técnicas MCDM (SAW, TOPSIS e VIKOR) é examinada para comparar dez ferramentas enxutas, determinadas com base na literatura. Os resultados revelam algumas lacunas entre os requisitos da empresa e as demandas consideradas em pesquisas anteriores. O processo aplicado pode economizar os custos de tentativa e erro de implementação de diferentes ferramentas enxutas. E, por fim, a adoção de uma ferramenta tão enxuta que foi selecionada totalmente com base nos requisitos exclusivos da empresa pode melhorar a eficiência da empresa

AN EXTENDED SINGLE-VALUED NEUTROSOPHIC AHP AND MULTIMOORA METHOD TO EVALUATE THE OPTIMAL TRAINING AIRCRAFT FOR FLIGHT TRAINING ORGANIZATIONS

Aircraft’s training is crucial for a flight training organization (FTO). Therefore, an important decision that these organizations should wisely consider the choice of aircraft to be bought among many alternatives. The criteria for evaluating the optimal training aircraft for FTOs are collected based on the survey approach. Single valued neutrosophic sets (SVNS) have the degree of truth, indeterminacy, and falsity membership functions and, as a special case, neutrosophic sets (NS) deal with inconsistent environments. In this regard, this study has extended a single-valued neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based on multi-objective optimization on the basis of ratio analysis plus a full multiplicative form (MULTIMOORA) to rank the training aircraft as the alternatives. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is performed to demonstrate the stability of the developed method. Finally, a comparison between the results of the developed approach and the existing approaches for validating the developed approach is discussed. This analysis shows that the proposed approach is efficient and with the other methods

An Integrated Fuzzy Framework for Analyzing Barriers to the Implementation of Continuous Improvement in Manufacturing

Purpose – Delivering premium services and quality products are critical strategies for success in manufacturing. Continuous improvement (CI), as an underlying foundation for quality management, is an ongoing effort allowing manufacturing companies to see beyond the present to create a bright future. We propose a novel integrated fuzzy framework for analyzing the barriers to the implementation of CI in manufacturing companies. Design/methodology/approach – We use the fuzzy failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) and a fuzzy Shannon’s entropy to identify and weigh the most significant barriers. We then use fuzzy multi-objective optimization based on ratio analysis (MOORA), the fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and fuzzy simple additive weighting (SAW) methods for prioritizing and ranking the barriers with each method. Finally, we aggregate these results with Copeland’s method and extract the main CI implementation barriers in manufacturing. Findings – We show “low cooperation and integration of the team in CI activities” is the most important barrier in CI implementation. Other important barriers are “limited management support in CI activities,” “low employee involvement in CI activities,” “weak communication system in the organization,” and “lack of knowledge in the organization to implement CI projects.” Originality/value – We initially identify the barriers to the implementation of CI through rigorous literature review and then apply a unique integrated fuzzy approach to identify the most important barriers based on the opinions of industry experts and academics