Benefits and Challenges of Integrating IoT, VR & AR in the BIM-based Facility Management Process: Literature and Case-based Analysis

With the emerging technologies of the fourth industrial revolution (4th IR), there are more possibilities to enhance the facility management (FM). Despite the increasing tendencies to integrate new technologies in the process of FM, its potentials in enhancing the BIM-based FM decision making process is not yet totally explored and its application is facing many challenges that should be considered. This paper aims to explore the benefits and challenges of integrating the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in the Facility Management (FM) process to enhance the decision making; and to conclude a framework for integrating of such technologies in the BIM-based FM Process. The paper adopted a descriptive methodology through a comprehensive literature and case-based review to achieve its objectives. The conclusion shows that integrating the IoT, VR & AR in the FM process and handling its related challenges from the early stages could greatly enhance and support the FM team and the FM related parties in making quick, accurate and effective decisions, saving energy & cost and optimizing the use of resources

Benefits and Challenges of Integrating IoT, VR & AR in the BIM-based Facility Management Process: Literature and Case-based Analysis

With the emerging technologies of the fourth industrial revolution (4th IR), there are more possibilities to enhance the facility management (FM). Despite the increasing tendencies to integrate new technologies in the process of FM, its potentials in enhancing the BIM-based FM decision making process is not yet totally explored and its application is facing many challenges that should be considered. This paper aims to explore the benefits and challenges of integrating the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in the Facility Management (FM) process to enhance the decision making; and to conclude a framework for integrating of such technologies in the BIM-based FM Process. The paper adopted a descriptive methodology through a comprehensive literature and case-based review to achieve its objectives. The conclusion shows that integrating the IoT, VR & AR in the FM process and handling its related challenges from the early stages could greatly enhance and support the FM team and the FM related parties in making quick, accurate and effective decisions, saving energy & cost and optimizing the use of resources

Phosphate Carbonated Wastes Used as Drains for Acidic Mine Drainage Passive Treatment

This study focused on the removal of heavy metals from a synthetic acid mine water by using continuous column experiments and Phosphate carbonated Wastes as alkaline drains. The passive treatment system targeted aims in neutralizing the acid mine drainage (AMD) containing high concentrations of dissolved iron and other metals. In Morocco, the phosphate mine industry produces huge quantities of overburden waste rocks (named herein PLW) which contain significant quantities of carbonates (calcite (46 wt %) and dolomite (16 wt %). The column experiments were set-up in laboratory and the testing were run under anoxic and oxic conditions by using a hydraulic retention time was 15 hours. The inflow to the treatment system ranged 5.5 mL/min, with acidic pHs of around 3, concentrations of dissolved Fe, Mn, Al, Ca, Zn and Cu were 600, 20,166, 350, 15 and 23 mg/L respectively, containing also some traces of Co, Cr and Ni. The test results showed that pH became neutral and a significant decrease in terms of metal concentrations; in particular for Fe (600 to 120 mg/L), Al (160 to 1.7 mg/L) and Cu (23 to 0.002 mg/L)

Technical Requirements for Connecting Solar Power Plants to Electricity Networks

This chapter discusses basics of technical design specifications, criteria, technical terms and equipment parameters required to connect solar power plants to electricity networks. Depending on its capacity, a solar plant can be connected to LV, MV, or HV networks. Successful connection of a medium-scale solar plant should satisfy requirements of both the Solar Energy Grid Connection Code (SEGCC) and the appropriate code: the Electricity Distribution Code (EDC) or the Grid Code (GC) as the connection level apply. Connection of a large-scale solar plant to the transmission network should satisfy the requirements of both SEGCC and GC. For Small-Scale Photovoltaic (SSPV), the connection should satisfy both the SSPV Connection Code and the EDC. The objectives are to establish the obligations and responsibilities of each party; i.e. operators and all network users, thus leading to improved security, higher reliability and maintaining optimal operation. The technical specifications include permitted voltage and frequency variations in addition to power quality limits of harmonic distortion, phase unbalance, and flickers. Operational limits and capability requirements will be explained and discussed. Solar power grid connection codes of Egypt are explored first. Finally, brief comparisons of PV codes and related codes of UK, Germany, USA, and Egypt are presented

Clinical efficacy of farcosolvin syrup (ambroxol–theophylline–guaiphenesin mixture) in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

Mostafa Yakoot1, Amel Salem2, Abdel-Mohsen Omar31Green Clinics and Research Center, Alexandria, Egypt; 2Al-Mabarah Hospital, 3Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptBackground: Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) are defined as recurrent attacks of worsening bronchial inflammation that are marked by an increase in the volume of daily sputum produced, a change in color of the expectorated sputum, and worsening dyspnea. Farcosolvin® (Pharco Pharmaceuticals, Alexandria, Egypt) is a mixture of ambroxol (15 mg); theophylline (50 mg); and guaiphenesin (30 mg), per 5 mL syrup.Objective: To test the clinical efficacy of Farcosolvin in the treatment of AECB in a randomized, single-blinded, controlled study design.Patients and methods: One hundred patients with AECB were randomized to either Farcosolvin or guaiphenesin treatment groups, in addition to the standard medical treatment for their cases. Baseline clinical symptomatolgy of breathlessness, cough, and sputum severity scoring were compared before and after 3 and 7 days of treatment in both groups and the differences compared between groups. Changes in perceived improvement were also compared between groups using the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement or Change Scale (CGIC).Results: There were statistically significant improvements in breathlessness and cough scores in both groups (pretreatment versus posttreatment at day 3 and at day 7; P < 0.05). There were highly statistically significant differences between groups in improvement in ­breathlessness and cough scores, after 3 and 7 days treatment, in favor of the Farcosolvin ­treatment group (P < 0.001). Out of 50 patients, 48 (96%) in the Farcosolvin-treated group rated their ­improvement on the CGIC scale as “much” and “very much” improved, while only 41 patients (82%) reported such a degree of improvement in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusion: We concluded from our study that Farcosolvin syrup might be safe and effective in improving symptoms in cases of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.Keywords: acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, ambroxol, theophyllin

TRA-941: EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS IN IMPROVING THE ROAD NETWORK THROUGH ROUTE GUIDANCE

Variable Message Signs (VMS) are a means of providing valuable information to roadway users and enhancing the performance of the road network. The main objective of this research was to analyze the effectiveness of the use of VMS in improving the efficiency of the road network. This was implemented through a number of case studies under different conditions and different designs of the VMS. As this is a unique traffic guidance method to Egypt, the different factors that may affect the effectiveness of the sign to divert drivers was studied to fully understand the benefits of implementing VMS in Egypt. Traffic data was collected from five sites which are located in Giza Governorate, Egypt. At each location, the driver had the choice of two alternative routes leading to the same destination. The VMS informed the drivers that one of these routes was congested and to use an alternative route. Three different sign types were applied to identify the most effective type of VMS on drivers in Egypt. The most effective sign type was identified during the pilot study and used in the remaining sites. For each site, Traffic counts for each route was recorded for twenty minutes without the VMS and twenty minutes with the VMS applied to obtain the diversion rate of drivers Average travel times for 30 vehicles and queue lengths were also recorded before and after the application of the VMS and Queue lengths were also recorded before and after applying the VMS

BIM & BEM for a Net Zero Energy house model Case Study: A Housing Unit in Riyadh, SA

Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) are becoming more and more important with the global sustainability movements and energy crisis which increase the need to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption. The development of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Building Energy Modelling (BEM) techniques and applications increase its capabilities to support designers in their trials to cope with such movements during the design process and proved its benefits in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry and used in multiple purposes efficiently. However, the status of the documented trials to achieve a NZE is in its modest situation. This represents a research gap and the intensive for this study that aim to invest the capabilities of BIM and BEM applications to reach a NZE house model in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study adopted a descriptive and experimental approach to apply the NZE concepts on a house model using Revit, Green Building Studio and Insight applications. The reached model could reduce the normal yearly energy combined consumption by about 40% and proved that the building could produce more energy than it consumes

A novel machine learning model for autonomous analysis and diagnosis of well integrity failures in artificial-lift production systems

The integrity failure in gas lift wells had been proven to be more severe than other artificial lift wells across the industry. Accurate risk assessment is an essential requirement for predicting well integrity failures. In this study, a machine learning model was established for automated and precise prediction of integrity failures in gas lift wells. The collected data contained 9,000 data arrays with 23 features. Data arrays were structured and fed into 11 different machine learning algorithms to build an automated systematic tool for calculating the imposed risk of any well. The study models included both single and ensemble supervised learning algorithms (e.g., random forest, support vector machine, decision tree, and scalable boosting techniques). Comparative analysis of the deployed models was performed to determine the best predictive model. Further, novel evaluation metrics for the confusion matrix of each model were introduced. The results showed that extreme gradient boosting and categorical boosting outperformed all the applied algorithms. They can predict well integrity failures with an accuracy of 100% using traditional or proposed metrics. Physical equations were also developed on the basis of feature importance extracted from the random forest algorithm. The developed model will help optimize company resources and dedicate personnel efforts to high-risk wells. As a result, progressive improvements in health, safety, and environment and business performance can be achieved.Cited as: Salem, A. M., Yakoot, M. S., Mahmoud, O. A novel machine learning model for autonomous analysis and diagnosis of well integrity failures in artificial-lift production systems. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2022, 6(2): 123-142. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2022.02.0