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Article
Publication date: 17 May 2013

Hilmi Hussin, Fakhruldin Mohd Hashim, Omar Halim Ramli and Syed Muhammad Afdhal Ghazali

This paper aims to propose a practical method of performing maintainability analysis of an offshore system at operation phase having some improvement trend.

607

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a practical method of performing maintainability analysis of an offshore system at operation phase having some improvement trend.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis follows a systematically developed method of analyzing maintenance data, identifying critical factors affecting system performance, and developing suitable downtime distribution model with some applications of statistical analysis techniques and expert opinion.

Findings

Improvement in spare part logistics is found significant in reducing downtime thus should be well feedback to design and plant engineers so that it can be incorporated in new offshore system. The downtime models developed based on the steady state analysis and expert input are found to be practical for prediction of the system maintainability performance.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis focuses on the downtime which includes the repair, logistics and administrative delay time. At the operation phase, plant personnel are mostly interested in the availability and downtime performance of the system thus this study provides an excellent example of how the analysis can be done practically and effectively.

Practical implications

Maintainability analysis at operation phase is crucial to assess and predict the maintenance system performance and provide valuable feedback to the design phase and existing plant for further improvement. The methodology developed here is practical hence can assist plant personnel to perform maintainability analysis effectively.

Originality/value

This paper present a generic method of analyzing maintainability at the operation phase. The proposed distribution method via steady state and expert input approaches provides a practical method for formulating downtime distribution model when improvement trend exists.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 30 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 11 October 2011

Dereje Engida Woldemichael and Fakhruldin Mohd Hashim

The purpose of this paper is to describe the framework of conceptual design support tool (CDST) developed to assist designers during conceptual design process. The premise of the…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the framework of conceptual design support tool (CDST) developed to assist designers during conceptual design process. The premise of the study is that, by combining human creativity with computer capabilities, it is possible to perform conceptual design process more efficiently than solely manual design. The study aims to show how conceptual design knowledge can be captured from experienced designers and kept in the computer system for later use and how the developed tool assists designers by handling some of the repetitive and time‐consuming tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual design process model, which integrates systematic design approach with knowledge‐based system, is proposed. Based on this model, a CDST, which consists of function library, alternative concepts database, different modules for conceptual design activities, and a knowledge‐based system is developed. The alternative concepts database is built based on design reuse philosophy. Furthermore, the tool is designed to accept and save new concepts from the user through its knowledge acquisition module without modifying the source code. The CDST is developed using public domain open source programming environments namely CLIPS, Python, wxPython, and PyCLIPS.

Findings

Through its graphical user interface, CDST assists designers in performing the conceptual design process such as functional modelling, using standard vocabularies of functions, generating concepts and displaying on morphology chart, concept combination, and concept evaluation. The functionality and interaction between the user and the CDST is demonstrated with an example.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, the alternative concepts database consists of concepts from subsea process equipment design and few general mechanical designs. The database can be enhanced by adding more concepts through the knowledge acquisition module provided.

Practical implications

The tool can be used as a knowledge management system in industry by capturing expertise knowledge and to train novice designers. It augments designer's knowledge by providing concepts from past designs.

Originality/value

The research output from this paper can be valuable resource in industry to support designers with computers. The research represents one of the attempts to develop domain independent conceptual design tool that can acquire new concepts throughout its lifetime.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 11 October 2011

Theo C. Haupt

292

Abstract

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

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