The purpose of this study is to avoid delays and cost changes that occur in emergency reconstruction projects especially in post disaster circumstances. This study is aimed to identify the factors that affect the real construction period and the real cost of a project against the estimated period of construction and the estimated cost of the project. The case study is related to the construction projects in Iraq. Thirty projects in different areas of construction in Iraq were selected as a sample for this study. Project participants from the projects authorities provided data about the projects through a data collection distributed survey made by the authors. Mathematical data analysis was used to construct a model to predict change in time and cost of the projects before the start of the construction. The artificial neural networks analysis was selected as a mathematical approach. The most important factors identified leading to schedule delays and cost increase were contractor failure, redesigning of designs/plans and change orders, security issues, selection of low-price bids, weather factors, and owner failures. The use of the ANN model for such a problem is expected to be an effective method for modeling this complicated phenomenon.
Huge yearly investments were made by organizations for the development and maintenance. However, it has been reported that most of the IT projects fails as it is delayed, over budget and discontinued quality. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) for the IT projects. Nine (9) CSFs was identified from the SLR. An online survey was conducted among 103 respondents from developers and IT managers. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 22). The findings showed that the highest CSFs of IT projects is commitment and motivation. Project monitoring was found the lowest score ranked by respondents.
September 11th attacks held the biggest tragedy in American history. It was a day of grief, and it proved that America was not immune to attacks and threat. Afterwards life has changed not only for the American Muslims but also American Christians and Jews and to people from other religions. The cruelty of that day has left its shed particularly on the Muslims’ life in America who in reality had nothing to do with the attacks. Arab American Muslim writer Laila Halaby’s novel, Once in a Promised Land, intensely displays the problems that Arab Muslims went through after September 11th attacks. This paper discusses this issue through analysing Halaby’s novel, where she deals with the issues such as discrimination, stereotype, and prejudi
... Show MoreIn this study, multi-objective optimization of nanofluid aluminum oxide in a mixture of water and ethylene glycol (40:60) is studied. In order to reduce viscosity and increase thermal conductivity of nanofluids, NSGA-II algorithm is used to alter the temperature and volume fraction of nanoparticles. Neural network modeling of experimental data is used to obtain the values of viscosity and thermal conductivity on temperature and volume fraction of nanoparticles. In order to evaluate the optimization objective functions, neural network optimization is connected to NSGA-II algorithm and at any time assessment of the fitness function, the neural network model is called. Finally, Pareto Front and the corresponding optimum points are provided and
... Show MoreTo perform a secure evaluation of Indoor Design data, the research introduces a Cyber-Neutrosophic Model, which utilizes AES-256 encryption, Role-Based Access Control, and real-time anomaly detection. It measures the percentage of unpredictability, insecurity, and variance present within model features. Also, it provides reliable data security. Similar features have been identified between the final results of the study, corresponding to the Cyber-Neutrosophic Model analysis, and the cybersecurity layer helped mitigate attacks. It is worth noting that Anomaly Detection successfully achieved response times of less than 2.5 seconds, demonstrating that the model can maintain its integrity while providing privacy. Using neutrosophic sim
... Show MoreThe construction industry in Iraq suffers from many problems, perhaps the most important of which is the delay in time and the increase in costs. Therefore, it was necessary to try to adopt a new methodology that would help in overcoming these problems. It was suggested to combine building information modeling with the agile management approach because this technique and methodology is modern and helps in reducing time and cost and improving quality. This paper aims to know the status of using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Agile Project management (APM) in Iraq and to shed light on the merging of this integration, explaining the benefits, difficulties, and workflow practices, finding the most influencing factors on the tim
... Show MoreThis study aims to identify how the Zakat Fund contributes to financing entrepreneurial projects; and the role that these projects play in achieving economic and social development, despite the importance that contracting projects have in most countries as the main engine of growth; however, they still face many challenges that In the forefront of which is the challenge of obtaining financing; in this regard, it is possible to resort to the use of Zakat funds in the Islamic economy as it is a funding source that is closely proportional to the characteristics and goals of entrepreneurial projects in achieving development;
 
... Show MoreThe avoidance of failure in construction projects is not an easy task, which makes the failure of the construction project to achieve its objectives a major problem experienced by all countries in the world, especially Iraq. Where nearly two-thirds of the construction projects in the world have been suffered by significant problems as an increase in the cost of the project, delay in the specified duration for execution, and stopping the project. Therefore it is required to study and apply new methods for managing the construction project to ensure its success and achieve its objectives. The aim of this study is to study the Agile project management method and its impact on the construction project. In addition, to identi
... Show MoreNanoparticles (NPs) have been suggested for subsurface projects, including enhanced oil recovery (EOR), carbon capture and storage (CCS), and hydrogen storage, due to their small size, high surface energy, controlled surface properties, and significant effects on the underground formation properties. Silica is an excellent NP that efficiently modifies the surface properties of subsurface formations for incremental oil recovery and to derisk carbon and hydrogen leaks. However, the retention of injected NPs in a narrow area near the injection inlet can limit a project’s feasibility. In the present study, hydrophobic (hybrid) NPs were produced via silanization of silica NPs, and the mobility behavior of bare (hydrophilic) and hybrid
... Show MoreIn Iraq, more than 1031 school projects have been halted due to disputes and claims resulting from financial, contractual, or other issues. This research aims to identify, prioritize, and allocate the most critical risk factors that threaten these projects’ success for the duration (2017-2022). Based on a multi-step methodology developed through systematic literature reviews, realistic case studies, and semi-structured interviews, 47 risk factors were identified. Based on 153 verified responses, the survey reveals that the top-ranked risk factors are corruption and bribery, delaying the payments of the financial dues to the contractors or sub-contractors, absence of risk management strategy, multiple change orders due
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