A systematic approach for monitoring and evaluating the construction project progress

A persistent problem in construction is to document changes which occur in the field and to prepare the as-built schedule. In current practice, deviations from planned performance can only be reported after significant time has elapsed and manual monitoring of the construction activities are costly and error prone. Availability of advanced portable computing, multimedia and wireless communication allows, even encourages fundamental changes in many jobsite processes. However a recent investigation indicated that there is a lack of systematic and automated evaluation and monitoring in construction projects. The aim of this study is to identifytechniques that can be used in the construction industry for monitoring and evaluating the physical progress, and also to establish how current computer technology can be utilised for monitoring the actual physical progress at the construction site. This study discusses the results of questionnaire survey conducted within Malaysian Construction Industry and suggests a prototype system, namely Digitalising Construction Monitoring (DCM). DCM prototype system integrates the information from construction drawings, digital images of construction site progress and planned schedule of work. Using emerging technologies and information system the DCM re-engineer the traditional practice for monitoring the project progress. This system can automatically interpret CAD drawings of buildings and extract data on its structural components and store in database. It can also extract the engineering information from digital images and when these two databases are simulated the percentage of progress can be calculated and viewed in Microsoft Project automatically. The application of DCM system for monitoring the project progress enables project management teams to better track and controls the productivity and quality of construction projects. The use of the DCM can help resident engineer, construction manager and site engineer in monitoring and evaluating project performance. This model will improve decision-making process and provides better mechanism for advanced project management

Design of FNN AVR for Enhancement of Power System Stability Using Matlab/Simulink

A simple technique of excitation voltage control with NNAVR (Neural Network Automatic Voltage Regulator) is proposed in this paper. Popular type of ANN (Artificial Neural Networks) known as RBF (Radial Basis Function) architectures with OLS (Orthogonal Least Square) algorithm is suggested to design AVR in order to prove its applicability and suitability. This proposed technique is implemented considering as SMIB (Single Machine Connected to Infinite Bus) system with linearized model of synchronous machine and its excitation system using Matlab/Simulink. The simulation results of RBF AVR, when compared with conventional AVR controllers show better performance, improve the transient and small signal stability of the system and above all its response is more suitable in case of load changing conditions

ISO in the Construction and Manufacturing Companies: A Case Study from the Construction Industry of Hyderabad

ABSTRAC

Intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma mimicking hydatid cyst of liver: A clinicopathologic study of six cases

Background: Intrahepatic biliary cystadenomas are rare hepatic neoplasms, which are usually cystic. These tumors are often misdiagnosed as simple liver cysts and hydatid cysts clinically and radiologically owing to nonspecific clinical and radiologic features. These tumors require complete resection, as recurrence and malignant transformation can occur following incomplete excision. It is essential that these tumors be diagnosed accurately so that they can be adequately excised. Methods: Clinical and radiological features of six cases of biliary cystadenoma are described. Results: All of these cases were resected with the clinical and/or radiological impression of simple liver cysts and/ or hydatid cysts. Out of the six patients, five were female and one was male. Ages of the patients ranged from 28 to 60 years (mean 45 years). The patients presented with nonspecific symptoms. Internal septations were seen on preoperative imaging (when available). On gross examination, all tumors were cystic; their sizes varied from 5.5 to 14 cm, mean size was 9.0 cm. On histopathologic examination, cystic spaces were lined by cuboidal to columnar mucin-secreting epithelium with underlying ovarian-type stroma. In one case, ovarian-type stroma was not seen. Recurrence was seen in three cases at 1 to 5 years of follow up. Conclusions: Owing to their malignant potential and high recurrence rate following incomplete resection, an aggressive surgical approach is recommended. Prognosis is excellent after complete resection

New method for square root of non-singular M-matrix

Square root of a matrix play an important role in many applications of matrix theory. In this paper, we propose a new iterative method for square root of a non-singular M-matrix. We first transform the matrix equation X2 – A=0 into special form of a non-symmetric algebraic Riccati equation (NARE), and then solve this special NARE by Newton method. Efficiency and effectiveness proved by theoretical analysis and numerical experiments. Keywords: - Matrix square root, M-matrix, Non-symmetric algebraic Riccati equation, Newton method

A systematic procedure for developing the 3D model to evaluate the construction project progress

This main purpose of this study is to summarize the experience at the Construction Technology and Management Center (CTMC) to develop a Digitalizing Construction Monitoring (DCM) system by integrating 3DAutoCAD drawings and digital images. The objective of this paper is to propose a framework model for the DCM system and discuss in detail the steps involved for developing and calculating the 3D coordinate values from 2D digital images

High dynamic performance power quality conditioner for AC microgrids

This paper deals with power quality problems encountered in weak AC microgrids and solutions for mitigation. A power electronic converter can be used as an effective power quality conditioner to compensate non-idealities in currents drawn from the grid. A power quality conditioner consisting of three power converters connected to a common DC link is analysed. One of these converters acts as an active power filter for removing unwanted harmonics in grid currents feeding a non-linear load. The other two converters instead remove the harmonics from the voltage at the terminals of a sensitive load. The control of the shunt converter is designed to be fast enough for power quality servicing but also has a fast disturbance rejection capability. Simulation and experimental results validating the concept are provided along with obtained total harmonic distortion improvements