Connections represent major challenges in the design of composite structures, mainly because they entail discontinuities in the geometry of the structure and material properties, and introduce high local stress concentrations. Despite some constructability complications, integrated connection could be a reliable solution. In this paper, the structural behaviour of an integrated connection for implementation between adjacent composite sandwich panels in rapid assembly buildings is studied. The integrated connection system consists of 3-D high density polyethylene (HDPE) skin faces, and cores of high-density polyurethane (PUR) foam integrated into the sandwich panels at the moment of their production. The study included experimental investigations regarding the mechanical and structural response of the connection under actual applied loads, and its torsional rigidity, rotational stiffness and behaviour under lateral loading is investigated. Using Finite Element modelling, the stress distribution and the mechanisms of failure are studied. The results show a good agreement between the numerical and experimental results.

In this paper, we propose an exponential-related function (ER) and develop an intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS model based on the function (IF-TOPSISEF) to solve multi-attribute decision making (MADM) problems in which the performance ratings are expressed in intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs). The main advantage of this new approach is that the exponential-related function is able to represent the aggregated effect of the positive and negative evaluations in the performance ratings of alternatives based on the intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) data. It also serves as a mean for the computations of the separation measures of each alternative from the intuitionistic fuzzy positive and negative ideal solutions to determine the relative closeness coefficients. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the proposed IF-TOPSISEF is applied for the evaluation of the concept designs of a part in an HDD machine (The drill pipe slider), and for some hypothetical examples.

The present work predicts the numerical progressive failure response and crack growth of finite plate laminated composites with cutout and multiple cracks under in-plane tensile and compressive loads. The ply to ply failure response of the finite plate is predicted using ABAQUS user define field variables subroutine approach, whereas the extended finite element method is used for examination of crack growth direction for multiple through crack of laminated composite finite plate. The subroutine predicted results are compared and validated with published experimental results and extended finite element method results. The effect of changing mesh size, fibre orientation, crack length, crack inclination angle on failure load, progressive stress intensity factor and damage toughness of various crack types is presented and discussed.

The rise in the worldwide demand of forest products of the last decades predicts an expansion of the forest harvesting industry. In this context, the Argentinian Northeastern Region (NEA) is considered a promising land since the local forest harvesting industry has one of the largest growing rates in the world. Despite its potential, this region faces some challenging obstacles: budget shortage, trade barriers and poor logistic infrastructure. For instance, traditionally the forest products are delivered by truck, which is from three to five times more expensive than other means of transport, like maritime or river transport. This is why in this paper, after a revision of the most recent advances in the worldwide supply chain management practices in the forest industry, recommendations for Argentina in order to overcome its main drawbacks in the forest sector are presented.

Tower cranes, on today’s typical building construction sites, are the centerpiece of production, hoisting and transporting of a variety of loads. Due to a simple crane limited capacity; there is an urgent need to use high capacity cranes such as tower cranes. However, we have to select an appropriate type of cranes to be utilized to reduce the associated coste as much as possible. In this research, we propose a method to select the suitable type of crane and locate the best place for crane erection based on a minimum radius for requested crane and minimum cost. To fulfill the target, a computer program is designed to numerate these problems, demonstrating an example explaining how to apply the program and the results are discussed.

The paper aims to develop a model for measuring economic system management efficiency of the Black Sea region of Ukraine through the context of sustainable development. The model includes the rates of social and economic efficiency, productivity, and performance. The proposed approach calculates the region’s economic system management efficiency. The respective evaluation criteria are systematized: economic and social efficiency of the region’s economic activity, productivity of the use of resources, and performance of the management system. The system of evaluation indicators by each criterion and mathematical apparatus to calculate them are suggested. The paper suggests methodical approaches to evaluate the economic system management efficiency in the region under transformation. They help determine the current level against similar indicators achieved within the country and the tendencies influenced by regional factors, form the “economic system management profile”, and identify the strengths and bottlenecks.

Powder mixed electro discharge machining (PMEDM) is a hybrid machining process where the electrically conductive powder is mixed into the dielectric fluid to enhance the machining efficiency. In this investigation, PMEDM is performed for the machining of AISI 304 stainless steel when silicon carbide powder is mixed into the kerosene dielectric. Peak current, pulse on time, gap voltage, duty cycle and powder concentration are considered as process parameter while material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR) and surface roughness (Ra) are considered as response. A face centered central composite design (FCCCD) based response surface methodology (RSM) is applied to design the experiment. A hybrid optimization technique like desirability coupled with fuzzy-logic method is performed to get the optimum level of the multiple performance characteristics. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is performed for the statistical analysis. The result shows that peak current is the most significant parameter for MRR, TWR and Ra. The optimal setting for maximum MRR, minimum TWR and Ra have been obtained by desirability coupled with fuzzy-logic method.

This paper examines the spoke and hub location decisions in a routing problem. To minimize the total cost, the study analyzes on how to locate the spokes, hubs and the allocation of spoke nodes to hub nodes, the routing among the nodes and the number of vehicles assigned to each hub thoroughly. As there might be no facility assigned to some points, unsatisfied demands must be distributed to other nodes with available facilities. Furthermore, the realized demand is determined by considering the perceived utility of each path, using The Gravity rule. For this purpose, the proposed nonlinear model is transformed into a linear programming model, where some tightening rules and preprocessing procedures are applied, and also the sequential and integrated approaches are developed to solve the problem. In the sequential method, spokes are allocated, and hubs are selected based on the location of the spokes, after which the routing in the local tour is determined. Meanwhile, in the integrated approach, the aggregated model is solved. A heuristic is presented to address the integrated model. Numerical experiments are run on both approaches, to compare both, and obtain insights from the model.

This research explores the significance of sustainability development through the role of environmental disclosure in Jordanian ministries and government departments by focusing on ministries and government departments that are related with the environment. This research presents the relationship between the environmental disclosure in annual reports and its impact on the overall environmental performance in Jordan, with the use of a mixed approach that will provide better quality of research results. The quantitative approach was used to examine the budgets of 22 ministries and government departments. The study was conducted using the time series from 2006 to 2015. The qualitative approach was conducted to raise the issues related to the subject that are not looked at in the quantitative study and to understand the perception of respondents in the ministries and government departments on the factors and items included in annual reports affecting of environmental disclosure and environmental performance in Jordanian governments. The results show a significant relationship between environmental disclosure and environmental performance in Jordanian government. The findings of this paper present new implications for theorists and practitioners of sustainability development by presenting the importance of the impact of environmental disclosure in the ministries and departments and its relationship on environmental performance of the Jordanian government.

It is very important to manage and control projects with the consideration of the triple constraints; namely time, cost and scope. It is also extremely important to manage the scope and all the procurements needed to complete any project. During the project’s lifecycle many changes take place, either positively or negatively, which should be controlled. If the changes are not controlled we may have scope creep that has negative effect on the project. It is commonly considered a negative incident, and thus, should be kept away from the project. By considering this concept, in this paper, we discuss scope change and managing scope and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process is used in selecting the best strategy to manage scope change in projects.