NULL

Traditional research studies on the Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) model propose that produced items have perfect quality. However, in real production systems the quality of the products depends on the production process reliability. EPQ models that consider reliability and the effect of imperfect items are much more complex, and in turn the objective function becomes much more complicated. It is challenging to solve this type of model analytically, and it is also time consuming. Hence, it is necessary to utilize non-traditional solution techniques, such as numerical methods and heuristic search algorithms, for solving this type of model. In this paper, the optimal solution of the EPQ based reliability model are obtained by analytical solution, a Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) algorithm, an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA), a Monte Carlo non-deterministic method and the LINGO™ commercial solver. The methodology of this work has been clearly presented, and the computational results are compared and discussed. The computational results show that the GRG, EA, and Monte Carlo methods result in feasible and similar solutions, while the analytical solution is not valid for the model studied. The model can be extended to solve more complicated inventory models considering rework, shortage and multiple products.

Traditional research studies on the Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) model propose that produced items have perfect quality. However, in real production systems the quality of the products depends on the production process reliability. EPQ models that consider reliability and the effect of imperfect items are much more complex, and in turn the objective function becomes much more complicated. It is challenging to solve this type of model analytically, and it is also time consuming. Hence, it is necessary to utilize non-traditional solution techniques, such as numerical methods and heuristic search algorithms, for solving this type of model. In this paper, the optimal solution of the EPQ based reliability model are obtained by analytical solution, a Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) algorithm, an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA), a Monte Carlo non-deterministic method and the LINGO™ commercial solver. The methodology of this work has been clearly presented, and the computational results are compared and discussed. The computational results show that the GRG, EA, and Monte Carlo methods result in feasible and similar solutions, while the analytical solution is not valid for the model studied. The model can be extended to solve more complicated inventory models considering rework, shortage and multiple products.

Traditional research studies on the Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) model propose that produced items have perfect quality. However, in real production systems the quality of the products depends on the production process reliability. EPQ models that consider reliability and the effect of imperfect items are much more complex, and in turn the objective function becomes much more complicated. It is challenging to solve this type of model analytically, and it is also time consuming. Hence, it is necessary to utilize non-traditional solution techniques, such as numerical methods and heuristic search algorithms, for solving this type of model. In this paper, the optimal solution of the EPQ based reliability model are obtained by analytical solution, a Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) algorithm, an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA), a Monte Carlo non-deterministic method and the LINGO™ commercial solver. The methodology of this work has been clearly presented, and the computational results are compared and discussed. The computational results show that the GRG, EA, and Monte Carlo methods result in feasible and similar solutions, while the analytical solution is not valid for the model studied. The model can be extended to solve more complicated inventory models considering rework, shortage and multiple products.

Traditional research studies on the Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) model propose that produced items have perfect quality. However, in real production systems the quality of the products depends on the production process reliability. EPQ models that consider reliability and the effect of imperfect items are much more complex, and in turn the objective function becomes much more complicated. It is challenging to solve this type of model analytically, and it is also time consuming. Hence, it is necessary to utilize non-traditional solution techniques, such as numerical methods and heuristic search algorithms, for solving this type of model. In this paper, the optimal solution of the EPQ based reliability model are obtained by analytical solution, a Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) algorithm, an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA), a Monte Carlo non-deterministic method and the LINGO™ commercial solver. The methodology of this work has been clearly presented, and the computational results are compared and discussed. The computational results show that the GRG, EA, and Monte Carlo methods result in feasible and similar solutions, while the analytical solution is not valid for the model studied. The model can be extended to solve more complicated inventory models considering rework, shortage and multiple products.

Abstract: In the last three decades, it has been noticed that noise levels in Egyptian cities are disturbingly increasing. Assiut one of the important city in Egypt and the largest one in the Upper Egypt area can’t be excluded from the previous statement. Investigation of traffic noise levels were studied in Assiut city by measuring noise levels at the most hot noise locations; at streets junctions, and vehicles stops. Noise measurements were taken at three different times, morning, afternoon, and evening using sound level meter (SLM 130) and each site coordinates were determined by GPS Garmin, 62s. Ten noise readings at each site of investigation were registered and the equivalent noise level (LAeq) was estimated as well as LA10. Also instantaneous maximum traffic noise levels were evaluated for a period not less than 45 minutes at each site of measurements. The results showed that, instantaneous maximum levels at all investigated sites are increasing than the guideline value and some levels increases than 100 dB(A). Equivalent noise levels are 70±4 in morning, 71±2.8 for afternoon, while it is 74 ± 4 in evening times. Also at all sites of study, LAeq is greater than the guideline values except two places. In this study noise level was assessed in two passenger’s vehicles stops. The results of traffic investigation proved that Assiut city is suffering from traffic noise pollution and solution methods shall be applied which are suggested in this study.

Abstract: In the last three decades, it has been noticed that noise levels in Egyptian cities are disturbingly increasing. Assiut one of the important city in Egypt and the largest one in the Upper Egypt area can’t be excluded from the previous statement. Investigation of traffic noise levels were studied in Assiut city by measuring noise levels at the most hot noise locations; at streets junctions, and vehicles stops. Noise measurements were taken at three different times, morning, afternoon, and evening using sound level meter (SLM 130) and each site coordinates were determined by GPS Garmin, 62s. Ten noise readings at each site of investigation were registered and the equivalent noise level (LAeq) was estimated as well as LA10. Also instantaneous maximum traffic noise levels were evaluated for a period not less than 45 minutes at each site of measurements. The results showed that, instantaneous maximum levels at all investigated sites are increasing than the guideline value and some levels increases than 100 dB(A). Equivalent noise levels are 70±4 in morning, 71±2.8 for afternoon, while it is 74 ± 4 in evening times. Also at all sites of study, LAeq is greater than the guideline values except two places. In this study noise level was assessed in two passenger’s vehicles stops. The results of traffic investigation proved that Assiut city is suffering from traffic noise pollution and solution methods shall be applied which are suggested in this study.

The continuous growth and development of population need more fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and domestic in arid countries like Egypt. Evaluation the quality of groundwater is an essential study to ensure its suitability for different purposes. In this study, 812 groundwater samples were taken within the middle area of Upper Egypt (Sohag Governorate) to assess the quality of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. Eleven water parameters were analyzed at each groundwater sample (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3− SO42−, Fe2+, Mn2+, Cl−, electrical conductivity, and pH) to exploit them in water quality evaluation. A classical statistics were applied for the raw data to examine the distribution of physicochemical parameters in the investigated area. The relationship between groundwater parameters was tested using the correlation coefficient where a strong relationship was found between several water parameters such as Ca2+ and Cl−. Water quality index (WQI) is a mathematical model used to transform many water parameters into a single indicator value which represents the water quality level. Results of WQI showed that 20% of groundwater samples are excellent, 75% are good for drinking, and 7% are very poor water while only 1% of samples are unsuitable for drinking. To test the suitability of groundwater for irrigation, three indices are used; they are sodium adsorption ration (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), and permeability index (PI). For irrigation suitability, the study proved that most sampling sites are suitable while less than 3% are unsuitable for irrigation. The spatial distribution of the estimated values of WQI, SAR, Na%, PI, and each groundwater parameter was spatially modeled using GIS.

This study attempts to understand the shear behaviour of externally pre-stressed R.C beams using NSM pre-stressed bars.Nine reinforced concrete beams of cross-section 150 mm width, 300 mm overall thickness and 1400 mm total length were fabricated and tested under three point loads. One of these was fabricated without strengthening while the others were strengthened to study different parameters; damage levels, pre-stressing levels, and spacing of NSM pre-stressed bars. The results showed that the effectiveness of the proposed technique is achieved in both ultimate and serviceability limit state. NSM pre-stressed bars could reduce the effect of the existing cracks and increase the beams capacities. Also, the mode of failure of the strengthened beam changed from brittle failure to ductile failure.

This study attempts to understand the shear behaviour of externally pre-stressed R.C beams using NSM pre-stressed bars.Nine reinforced concrete beams of cross-section 150 mm width, 300 mm overall thickness and 1400 mm total length were fabricated and tested under three point loads. One of these was fabricated without strengthening while the others were strengthened to study different parameters; damage levels, pre-stressing levels, and spacing of NSM pre-stressed bars. The results showed that the effectiveness of the proposed technique is achieved in both ultimate and serviceability limit state. NSM pre-stressed bars could reduce the effect of the existing cracks and increase the beams capacities. Also, the mode of failure of the strengthened beam changed from brittle failure to ductile failure.