The objective of this research work is to evaluate the quality of central concrete plant of Al-Rasheed Company by using Six Sigma approach which is a measure of quality that strives for near elimination of defects using the statistical methods to improve outputs that are critical to customers. The fundamental objective of Six Sigma methodology is the implementation of a measurement-based strategy that focuses on process improvement and variation reduction to reach delighting customers, and then suggesting an improvement system to improve the production of concrete in Al-Rasheed State Contracting Construction Company.
A field survey includes two parts (open and close questionnaire) that aimed to get the data and information required for achieving the research where the answers of questionnaire sample have led, during the application of DMAIC improvement cycle, to identifying the potential possible reasons that caused quality deviations in concrete works. Two programs have been used: First, ‘Sigma Level Calculator’ which is formulated by the researcher to measure the components of the processes performance. Second, ‘QI Macros Lean Six Sigma SPC Software 2011’ which uses the statistical tools of Six Sigma DMAIC methodology for: identifying the root causes of defects, analyzing the data, determining capability and stability of process. It is concluded that the processes sigma level for the concrete works quality is 2.41 σ and 181,070 DPMO which is considered too bad as compared with the current global competitio
Rapid worldwide urbanization and drastic population growth have increased the demand for new road construction, which will cause a substantial amount of natural resources such as aggregates to be consumed. The use of recycled concrete aggregate could be one of the possible ways to offset the aggregate shortage problem and reduce environmental pollution. This paper reports an experimental study of unbound granular material using recycled concrete aggregate for pavement subbase construction. Five percentages of recycled concrete aggregate obtained from two different sources with an originally designed compressive strength of 20–30 MPa as well as 31–40 MPa at three particle size levels, i.e., coarse, fine, and extra fine, were test
... Show MoreBecause of the experience of the mixture problem of high correlation and the existence of linear MultiCollinearity between the explanatory variables, because of the constraint of the unit and the interactions between them in the model, which increases the existence of links between the explanatory variables and this is illustrated by the variance inflation vector (VIF), L-Pseudo component to reduce the bond between the components of the mixture.
To estimate the parameters of the mixture model, we used in our research the use of methods that increase bias and reduce variance, such as the Ridge Regression Method and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) method a
... Show MoreBreast mass is by far the most important clinical problem that concerns the breast today. This study was carried out to evaluate diode laser as a cutting tool in breast mass excision and as a hemostatic tool for coagulation during surgery. Using 810 nm diode laser with optical fiber 600μm in diameter of conical tip, udder (cow's breast) tissue, and three female patients (mean age of 35.5 y with clinically palpable breast mass) had been used in this study. The patients were followed up regularly postoperatively. In preliminary work on udder tissue, the power needed for cutting and excision was 15W (power density= 5.3 kW/cm2). The time consumed for excision of a piece of udder tissue, 40×10×3 mm in dimensions was 5 min. The depth range
... Show MoreBackground: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem. Even injuries classified as mild which is the most common, can result in persistent neurobehavioural impairment. Diffuse axonal injury is a common finding after TBI, and is presumed to contribute to outcomes, but may not always be apparent using standard neuroimaging. All severities of TBI can result in a degree of axonal damage, while irreversible myelin damage was only apparent for moderate to severe TBI.
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of moderate closed head injury on visual evoked response (VER) and to assess the changes in VER 6 months later as follow up indices.
Subjects and methods: T
... Show MoreNew polydentate ligand namely bis(N-carboxylatoethyl)-0,0`-dipyridinium) L was synthesised from the reaction of 0,0`-dipyridine with ethyl chloropropionate. Polymeric complexes of general formulae [Cr2(L)(N3)0]Cl2.H2O, Na2[Ag2(L)(N3)0].H2O and [M2(L)(N3)0].nH2O, where (M= Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II); (where n = 2;1;1;1;4;1 and 1, respectively)) are reported. The mode of bonding and overall geometry of the complexes were determined through physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. These studies revealed octahedral geometry complexes. Molecular structure for the complexes has been optimised by CS Chem 3D Ultra Molecular Modelling and Analysis Program and supported a six coordinate geometry.
The concentrations of naturally radioactive made occurring and technically enhanced radioisotopes of fly ash samples, collected from Al-Dura thermal power Plant- south of Baghdad, have been investigated using the NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectroscopy. The average Activity concentrations of the radio elements 238 U, 232Th and 40K in Fly ash samples are measured accurately and found to be 33.860, 32.6 and 644.64Bq/kg respectively. On the whole the radionuclide's concentrations are still below the global average of 50 Bq/kg for 238U and 232Th, but are much higher in 40K, relative to the global average, about 500 Bq/kg. The absorbed gamma doses in air, due to naturally occurring radionuclides in fly ash samples, are measured and found within the ra
... Show MoreIron is one of the abundant elements on earth that is an essential element for humans and may be a troublesome element in water supplies. In this research an AAN model was developed to predict iron concentrations in the location of Al- Wahda water treatment plant in Baghdad city by water quality assessment of iron concentrations at seven WTPs up stream Tigris River. SPSS software was used to build the ANN model. The input data were iron concentrations in the raw water for the period 2004-2011. The results indicated the best model predicted Iron concentrations at Al-Wahda WTP with a coefficient of determination 0.9142. The model used one hidden layer with two nodes and the testing error was 0.834. The ANN model coul
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