Craig Steel, Zoe Travers, Lynette Meredith, Deborah Lee, Michael Conti and Anne Scoging
The purpose is to report on the mental health response to the Grenfell incident within the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose is to report on the mental health response to the Grenfell incident within the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
Design/methodology/approach
The LFB implemented screening for the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 28 days, 3 months and 6 months for all personnel directly involved in the incident.
Findings
The prevalence of PTSD within frontline personnel was 13.4% at 28 days, falling to 7.6% at 6 months. The LFB's internal Counselling and Wellbeing Service offered treatment to those scoring above the cut-off for PTSD along with accepting self-referral and referrals from line managers and occupational health. There were 139 referrals within the 12-month period following the incident.
Research limitations/implications
The outcomes for those who engaged in treatment are broadly in line with other studies evaluating post-disaster interventions. Issues for consideration within national guidelines are discussed.
Practical implications
The screen and treat approach adopted by LFB was shown to be a feasible approach to use within such a scenario.
Originality/value
The current study reports on a screen and treat approach to one of the largest single incidents in the UK in recent years.
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Zhichao Qiu, Chunming Xiong, Zhengrong Ye, Xiang Zhou, Rui Wang, Xueqiang Lin and Pengfei Sui
This paper aims to explore the influence of CO2 partial pressure, flow rate and water cut on N80 steel corrosion behaviors in the displacement process of oil in glutenite…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the influence of CO2 partial pressure, flow rate and water cut on N80 steel corrosion behaviors in the displacement process of oil in glutenite reservoir by CO2 injection.
Design/methodology/approach
A self-made 3 L high-temperature and high-pressure autoclave was used to conduct corrosion simulation experiments of N80 steel in different CO2 partial pressures, flow rates and water cut (the independently developed oil and water mixing approach can ensure the uniform mixing of oil and water in experiments). Techniques like weight loss and surface analysis were used to analyze the corrosion behaviors of N80 steel under different conditions.
Findings
Results showed that the average corrosion rate of N80 steel accelerated at varying degrees with the increase of CO2 partial pressure, flow rate and water cut. Excluding that the samples showed uniform corrosion under the two conditions of 0.5MPa CO2 partial pressure and static corrosion, they displayed mesa attack corrosion under other conditions. Besides, with the increase of CO2 partial pressure, the pH value of solution dropped and the matrix corrosion speed rose, hence leading to the increased Fe2+ and CO32− concentration. Meanwhile, a lowered pH value improved the FeCO3 critical supersaturation, thereby leading to an increased nucleation rate/growth rate and ultimately causing the decrease of the dimension of FeCO3 crystallites formed on the surface of the samples.
Originality/value
The results can be helpful in targeted anti-corrosion measures for CO2/oil/water corrosive environment.
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Tuan Anh Nguyen and Xianming Shi
This research aims to unravel the role of salt contamination and corrosion inhibiting admixtures in the processes of cement hydration and rebar corrosion.
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to unravel the role of salt contamination and corrosion inhibiting admixtures in the processes of cement hydration and rebar corrosion.
Design/methodology/approach
Mortar samples were prepared with NaCl and one of three corrosion inhibitors, sodium nitrite, disodium β‐glycerophosphate, or N,N′‐dimethylethanolamine, admixed. After 28 days curing, all steel‐mortar samples were ponded with 3 percent NaCl solution and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were conducted periodically during the first 48 days. After 60 days of ponding by 3 percent NaCl solution, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analyses were conducted on the fracture surface of the steel‐mortar sample.
Findings
The FESEM results revealed that admixing chlorides and inhibitors in fresh mortar changed the morphology and cement hydration product of hardener mortar at the steel‐mortar interface. The EIS data indicated that all inhibitors increased the polarization resistance of steel, implying reduced corrosion rate of the steel over 48‐day exposures to salt ponding. 0.05 M N,N′‐dimethylethanolamine was the most effective corrosion inhibitor, followed by 0.5 M sodium nitrite; whereas 0.05 M disodium β‐glycerophosphate was a slower and less capable corrosion inhibitor. The admixing of inhibitors in fresh mortar consistently increased the capacitance and decreased the electrical resistance of hardened mortar. The effect of sodium nitrite inhibitor on the resistance of steel mortar interfacial film compensated that of corrosive NaCl by participating to the formation of a protective ferric oxide film.
Originality/value
The results reported shed light on the complex role of admixed salt and corrosion inhibitors in cement hydration and their implications on the durability of steel‐reinforced concrete.
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Siddharth Kulkarni, David John Edwards, Erika Anneli Parn, Craig Chapman, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa and Richard Cornish
Vehicle weight reduction represents a viable means of meeting tougher regulatory requirements designed to reduce fuel consumption and control greenhouse gas emissions. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Vehicle weight reduction represents a viable means of meeting tougher regulatory requirements designed to reduce fuel consumption and control greenhouse gas emissions. This paper aims to present an empirical and comparative analysis of lightweight magnesium materials used to replace conventional steel in passenger vehicles with internal combustion engines. The very low density of magnesium makes it a viable material for lightweighting given that it is lighter than aluminium by one-third and steel by three-fourth.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural evaluation case study of the “open access” Wikispeed car was undertaken. This included an assessment of material design characteristics such as bending stiffness, torsional stiffness and crashworthiness to evaluate whether magnesium provides a better alternative to the current usage of aluminium in the automotive industry.
Findings
The Wikispeed car had an issue with the rocker beam width/thickness (b/t) ratio, indicating failure in yield instead of buckling. By changing the specified material, Aluminium Alloy 6061-T651 to Magnesium EN-MB10020, it was revealed that vehicle mass could be reduced by an estimated 110 kg, in turn improving the fuel economy by 10 per cent. This, however, would require mechanical performance compromise unless the current design is modified.
Originality/value
This is the first time that a comparative analysis of material substitution has been made on the Wikispeed car. The results of such work will assist in the lowering of harmful greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously augment fuel economy.
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Kathleen Gurley and Craig G. Wishart
This case study is based on an MBA team's experience in analyzing a scrap metal recycling business and developing recommendations to improve the performance of the business. The…
Abstract
This case study is based on an MBA team's experience in analyzing a scrap metal recycling business and developing recommendations to improve the performance of the business. The company, Steel City Salvage, has three locations which are managed as separate business entities. The case focuses on the business repercussions of the poor integration across the three locations, and the team's choice of options to improve the integration. These options include changes in organizational structure, processes or culture/leadership style. The case allows students to see how their own experience and education may bias their selection of a preferred option.
Siddharth Kulkarni, David John Edwards, Craig Chapman, M. Reza Hosseini and De-Graft Owusu-Manu
Road passenger transportation faces a global challenge of reducing environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions because of the vehicle weight increases needed to enhance…
Abstract
Purpose
Road passenger transportation faces a global challenge of reducing environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions because of the vehicle weight increases needed to enhance passenger safety and comfort. This paper aims to present a preliminary mechanical design evaluation of the Wikispeed Car (with a focus on body bending, body torsion and body crash) to assess light-weighting implications and improve the vehicle’s environmental performance without compromising safety.
Design/methodology/approach
For this research, finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to examine the Wikispeed chassis for light-weighting opportunities in three key aspects of the vehicle’s design, namely, for body bending the rockers (or longitudinal tubes), for body torsion (again on the rockers but also the chassis as a whole) and for crash safety – on the frontal crash structure. A two-phase approach was adopted, namely, in phase one, a 3D CAD geometry was generated and in phase, two FEA was generated. The combination of analysis results was used to develop the virtual model using FEA tools, and the model was updated based on the correlation process.
Findings
The research revealed that changing the specified material Aluminium Alloy 6061-T651 to Magnesium EN-MB10020 allows vehicle mass to be reduced by an estimated 110 kg, thus producing a concomitant 10 per cent improvement in fuel economy. The initial results imply that the current beam design made from magnesium would perform worst during a crash as the force required to buckle the beam is the lowest (between 95.2 kN and 134 kN). Steel has the largest bandwidth of force required for buckling and also requires the largest force for buckling (between 317 kN and 540 kN).
Originality/value
This is the first study of its kind to compare and contrast between material substitution and its impact upon Wikispeed car safety and performance.
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Keywords
Yahya N. Al Serhan, Craig C. Julian and Zafar Ahmed
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between time-based manufacturing competence (TBMC), time-based competitiveness, time-based manufacturing capability, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between time-based manufacturing competence (TBMC), time-based competitiveness, time-based manufacturing capability, and the performance of SMEs engaged in the steel minimill industry in the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was based on an empirical investigation of manufacturing firms in the steel minimill industry in the USA. The sample of firms was provided by the US Association of Iron and Steel Engineers. In order to obtain valid and reliable measures of the variables, previously validated scales were used to measure all variables. The primary data for the study were collected from a self-administered mail survey of 137 SMEs with the sample consisting of 71 SMEs indicating a response rate of 52 percent.
Findings
Statistically significant positive relationships were found between all independent variables and performance. The results also indicate that the high performers have a higher TBMC than the low performers. The findings further confirm the assertion in the manufacturing strategy literature which states that time, as a strategic factor, is a source of competitive advantage.
Research limitations/implications
From a methodological perspective, a potential concern may be that the measures are all self-reported. Consequently, the relationships tested may be susceptible to the influence of common method variance.
Practical implications
TBMC enables SMEs to offer high-quality products at low cost and in a timely manner. This reflects the value of the positive relationship between TBMC and business performance.
Originality/value
This study’s finding identifies the need for time-based competition. The literature suggests that the strategic focus on time enables firms to obtain a sustainable competitive advantage. Nevertheless, this suggestion has been based on conceptual rather than empirical research. The results of this study provide empirical support for that suggestion with respect to SMEs.
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The extreme nature of fire makes structural fire engineering unique in that the load actions dictating design are intense and neither geographically nor seasonally bound. Simply…
Abstract
Purpose
The extreme nature of fire makes structural fire engineering unique in that the load actions dictating design are intense and neither geographically nor seasonally bound. Simply, fire can break out anywhere, at any time and for any number of reasons. Despite the apparent need, the fire design of structures still relies on expensive fire tests, complex finite element simulations and outdated procedures with little room for innovation. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This primer highlights the latest state of the art in this area with regard to performance-based design in fire structural engineering. In addition, this short review also presents a series of examples of successful implementation of performance-based fire design of structures from around the world.
Findings
A comparison between global efforts clearly shows the advances put forth by European and Oceanian efforts as opposed to the rest of the world. In addition, it can be clearly seen that most performance-based fire designs are related to steel and composite structures.
Originality/value
In one study, this paper presents a concise and global view to performance-based fire design of structures from success stories from around the world.
Details
Keywords
Ruoyu Jin, Tong Yang, Poorang Piroozfar, Byung-Gyoo Kang, Dariusz Wanatowski, Craig Matthew Hancock and Llewellyn Tang
The purpose of this paper is to present a pedagogical practice in the project-based assessment of architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) students’ interdisciplinary…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a pedagogical practice in the project-based assessment of architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) students’ interdisciplinary building design work adopting BIM. This pedagogical practice emphasizes the impacts of BIM, as the digital collaboration platform, on the cross-disciplinary teamwork design through information sharing. This study also focuses on collecting students’ perceptions of building information modeling (BIM) effects in integrated project design. Challenges in BIM adoption from AEC students’ perspective were identified and discussed, and could spark further research needs.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a thorough review of previous pedagogical practices of applying BIM in multiple AEC disciplines, this study adopted a case study of the Solar Decathlon (SD) residential building design as the group project for AEC students to deliver the design work and construction planning. In total 13 different teams within the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, each group consisting of final year undergraduate students with backgrounds in architecture, civil engineering, and architectural environmental engineering, worked to deliver the detailed design of the solar-powered residential house meeting pre-specified project objectives in terms of architectural esthetics, structural integrity, energy efficiency, prefabrication construction techniques and other issues such as budget and scheduling. Each team presented the cross-disciplinary design plan with cost estimate and construction scheduling together within group reports. This pedagogical study collected students’ reflective thinking on how BIM affected their design work, and compared their feedback on BIM to that from AEC industry professionals in previous studies.
Findings
The case study of the SD building project showed the capacity of BIM in enabling interdisciplinary collaboration through information exchange and in enhancing communication across different AEC fields. More sustainable design options were considered in the early architectural design stages through the cross-disciplinary cooperation between architecture and building services engineering. BIM motivated AEC student teams to have a more comprehensive design and construction plan by considering multiple criteria including energy efficiency, budget, and construction activities. Students’ reflections indicated both positive effects of BIM (e.g. facilitating information sharing) as well as challenges for further BIM implementation, for example, such as some architecture students’ resistance to BIM, and the lack of existing family types in the BIM library, etc.
Research limitations/implications
Some limitations of the current BIM pedagogy were identified through the student group work. For example, students revealed the problem of interoperability between BIM (i.e. Autodesk Revit) and building energy simulation tools. To further integrate the university education and AEC industry practice, future BIM pedagogical work could recruit professionals and project stakeholders in the adopted case studies, for the purpose of providing professional advice on improving the constructability of the BIM-based design from student work.
Practical implications
To further integrate the university education and AEC industry practice, future BIM pedagogical work could recruit professionals and project stakeholders in the adopted case study, for the purpose of providing professional advice in improving the constructability of the BIM-based design from student work.
Originality/value
This work provides insights into the information technology applied in the AEC interdisciplinary pedagogy. Students gained the experience of a project-based collaboration and were equipped with BIM capabilities for future employment within the AEC job market. The integrated design approach was embedded throughout the team project process. Overall, this BIM pedagogical practice emphasized the link between academic activities and real-world industrial practice. The pedagogical experience gained in this BIM course could be expanded to future BIM education and research in other themes such as interoperability of building information exchange among different digital tools.