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1 – 10 of 32Lynne Armitage, Ann Murugan and Hikari Kato
The purpose of this paper is to deepen understanding of what is working and what is not working within green workplace environments. The paper examines management and employee…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to deepen understanding of what is working and what is not working within green workplace environments. The paper examines management and employee perceptions of their experiences of working in green workplace environments and assesses the effectiveness of such places.
Design/methodology/approach
Being the second stage of a longitudinal study, this paper relies on a data set derived from its survey of 31 management and 351 employee respondents occupying Green Building Council Australia Green Star‐rated offices for more than 12 months.
Findings
The green workplace is a great place to be, at least most of the time, but there is a discrepancy between the views of management who see greater benefits of the green workplace than their employees.
Research limitations/implications
By focussing on green buildings, there is no control to establish a benchmark. Hence, the next stage of the research is a comparable study of a non‐green data sample. Also to be tested is – whilst managers and employees overall report satisfaction with their green workplace, what is the norm?
Practical implications
The findings are useful for green building industry practitioners and for building owners and managers to maximise the benefits of owning and occupying green buildings by highlighting areas that may require particular attention in order to get it right. The results are particularly useful to support targeted efforts to meet the environmental aspects of the workspace needs of employees. This study aims to assist industry practitioners, owner and managers to learn from the experience of current occupiers and thereby assist the design and space management of office space in the future where such considerations will become increasingly important given the international concerns for improved resource management.
Originality/value
With international applicability, a large sample of office space users provides empirical evidence of what works/does not work within the green workplace, i.e. its strengths and weaknesses and provides a good reference point for similar studies in the future, leading to the establishment of clearer, more useful benchmarks of green building occupier satisfaction.
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Isaac Dinaharan, Ramaswamy Palanivel, Natarajan Murugan and Rudolf Frans Laubscher
Friction stir processing (FSP) as a solid-state process has the potential for the production of effective aluminum matrix composites (AMCs). In this investigation, various ceramic…
Abstract
Purpose
Friction stir processing (FSP) as a solid-state process has the potential for the production of effective aluminum matrix composites (AMCs). In this investigation, various ceramic particles including B4C, TiC, SiC, Al2O3 and WC were incorporated as the dispersed phase within AA6082 aluminum alloy by FSP. The wear rate of the composite is then investigated experimentally by making use of a design of experiments technique where wear rate is evaluated as the output parameter. The input parameters considered include tool rotational speed, traverse speed, groove width and ceramic particle type. An artificial neural network (ANN) simulation was then used to describe the wear rate of the surface composites. The weights of the network were adjusted to minimize the mean squared error using a feed forward back propagation technique. The effect of the individual input parameters on wear rate was then inferred from the ANN models. Trends are presented and related to the associated microstructures observed. The TiC infused AMC displayed the lowest wear rate whereas the Al2O3 infused AMC displayed the highest, within the scope of the current investigation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper used ANN for the research study.
Findings
The finding of this paper is that the wear rate of AA6063 aluminum surface composites is influenced remarkably by FSP parameters.
Originality/value
Original work of authors.
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Lydie Myriam Marcelle Amelot, Ushad Subadar Agathee and Yuvraj Sunecher
This study constructs time series model, artificial neural networks (ANNs) and statistical topologies to examine the volatility and forecast foreign exchange rates. The Mauritian…
Abstract
Purpose
This study constructs time series model, artificial neural networks (ANNs) and statistical topologies to examine the volatility and forecast foreign exchange rates. The Mauritian forex market has been utilized as a case study, and daily data for nominal spot rate (during a time period of five years spanning from 2014 to 2018) for EUR/MUR, GBP/MUR, CAD/MUR and AUD/MUR have been applied for the predictions.
Design/methodology/approach
Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) models are used as a basis for time series modelling for the analysis, along with the non-linear autoregressive network with exogenous inputs (NARX) neural network backpropagation algorithm utilizing different training functions, namely, Levenberg–Marquardt (LM), Bayesian regularization and scaled conjugate gradient (SCG) algorithms. The study also features a hybrid kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) using the support vector regression (SVR) algorithm as an additional statistical tool to conduct financial market forecasting modelling. Mean squared error (MSE) and root mean square error (RMSE) are employed as indicators for the performance of the models.
Findings
The results demonstrated that the GARCH model performed better in terms of volatility clustering and prediction compared to the ARIMA model. On the other hand, the NARX model indicated that LM and Bayesian regularization training algorithms are the most appropriate method of forecasting the different currency exchange rates as the MSE and RMSE seemed to be the lowest error compared to the other training functions. Meanwhile, the results reported that NARX and KPCA–SVR topologies outperformed the linear time series models due to the theory based on the structural risk minimization principle. Finally, the comparison between the NARX model and KPCA–SVR illustrated that the NARX model outperformed the statistical prediction model. Overall, the study deduced that the NARX topology achieves better prediction performance results compared to time series and statistical parameters.
Research limitations/implications
The foreign exchange market is considered to be instable owing to uncertainties in the economic environment of any country and thus, accurate forecasting of foreign exchange rates is crucial for any foreign exchange activity. The study has an important economic implication as it will help researchers, investors, traders, speculators and financial analysts, users of financial news in banking and financial institutions, money changers, non-banking financial companies and stock exchange institutions in Mauritius to take investment decisions in terms of international portfolios. Moreover, currency rates instability might raise transaction costs and diminish the returns in terms of international trade. Exchange rate volatility raises the need to implement a highly organized risk management measures so as to disclose future trend and movement of the foreign currencies which could act as an essential guidance for foreign exchange participants. By this way, they will be more alert before conducting any forex transactions including hedging, asset pricing or any speculation activity, take corrective actions, thus preventing them from making any potential losses in the future and gain more profit.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies applying artificial intelligence (AI) while making use of time series modelling, the NARX neural network backpropagation algorithm and hybrid KPCA–SVR to predict forex using multiple currencies in the foreign exchange market in Mauritius.
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V. Chowdary Boppana and Fahraz Ali
This paper presents an experimental investigation in establishing the relationship between FDM process parameters and tensile strength of polycarbonate (PC) samples using the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents an experimental investigation in establishing the relationship between FDM process parameters and tensile strength of polycarbonate (PC) samples using the I-Optimal design.
Design/methodology/approach
I-optimal design methodology is used to plan the experiments by means of Minitab-17.1 software. Samples are manufactured using Stratsys FDM 400mc and tested as per ISO standards. Additionally, an artificial neural network model was developed and compared to the regression model in order to select an appropriate model for optimisation. Finally, the genetic algorithm (GA) solver is executed for improvement of tensile strength of FDM built PC components.
Findings
This study demonstrates that the selected process parameters (raster angle, raster to raster air gap, build orientation about Y axis and the number of contours) had significant effect on tensile strength with raster angle being the most influential factor. Increasing the build orientation about Y axis produced specimens with compact structures that resulted in improved fracture resistance.
Research limitations/implications
The fitted regression model has a p-value less than 0.05 which suggests that the model terms significantly represent the tensile strength of PC samples. Further, from the normal probability plot it was found that the residuals follow a straight line, thus the developed model provides adequate predictions. Furthermore, from the validation runs, a close agreement between the predicted and actual values was seen along the reference line which further supports satisfactory model predictions.
Practical implications
This study successfully investigated the effects of the selected process parameters - raster angle, raster to raster air gap, build orientation about Y axis and the number of contours - on tensile strength of PC samples utilising the I-optimal design and ANOVA. In addition, for prediction of the part strength, regression and ANN models were developed. The selected ANN model was optimised using the GA-solver for determination of optimal parameter settings.
Originality/value
The proposed ANN-GA approach is more appropriate to establish the non-linear relationship between the selected process parameters and tensile strength. Further, the proposed ANN-GA methodology can assist in manufacture of various industrial products with Nylon, polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and PET as new 3DP materials.
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C. Velmurugan, R. Subramanian, S. Thirugnanam and B. Anandavel
The purpose of this paper is to produce Al6061 metal matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) and graphite particulates and study their wear behavior and also to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to produce Al6061 metal matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) and graphite particulates and study their wear behavior and also to develop artificial neural network model to predict the mass loss of hybrid composites.
Design/methodology/approach
The hybrid composites were produced by using stir casting process. The experiments were conducted based on the central composite rotatable design matrix using pin‐on‐disc wear testing machine. The set of data collected from the experimental values were used to train a back propagation (BP) learning algorithm with one hidden layer network. In artificial neural network (ANN) training module, four input vectors were used in the construction of proposed network namely, weight percentage of SiC particles, weight percentage of graphite particles, applied load and sliding distance. Mass loss was the output to be obtained from the proposed network. After training process, the test data collected from the experimental values were used to check the accuracy of proposed ANN model.
Findings
The results show that the well trained one hidden layer network have smaller training errors and much better generalization performance and can be successfully used for the prediction of mass loss of hybrid aluminium metal matrix composites.
Originality/value
In this paper the ANN method was adopted to predict the mass loss of hybrid composites. It was found that artificial neural network can be successfully used for prediction of mass loss of composites.
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In recent years, the application of metaheuristics in training neural network models has gained significance due to the drawbacks of deterministic algorithms. This paper aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, the application of metaheuristics in training neural network models has gained significance due to the drawbacks of deterministic algorithms. This paper aims to propose the use of a recently developed “memory based hybrid dragonfly algorithm” (MHDA) for training multi-layer perceptron (MLP) model by finding the optimal set of weight and biases.
Design/methodology/approach
The efficiency of MHDA in training MLPs is evaluated by applying it to classification and approximation benchmark data sets. Performance comparison between MHDA and other training algorithms is carried out and the significance of results is proved by statistical methods. The computational complexity of MHDA trained MLP is estimated.
Findings
Simulation result shows that MHDA can effectively find the near optimum set of weight and biases at a higher convergence rate when compared to other training algorithms.
Originality/value
This paper presents MHDA as an alternative optimization algorithm for training MLP. MHDA can effectively optimize set of weight and biases and can be a potential trainer for MLPs.
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P. Suresh and T. Poongodi
In the current scenario, new materials are gaining popularity due to higher specific properties of strength and stiffness, increase in wear resistance, dimensional stability at…
Abstract
Purpose
In the current scenario, new materials are gaining popularity due to higher specific properties of strength and stiffness, increase in wear resistance, dimensional stability at higher temperature, etc. Subsequently, the need for precise machining has also been increased enormously. The purpose of this paper is to study the surface roughness during the turning of Al-10%SiC and Al-5%SiC-5%Gr composites under different cutting conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
Artificial neural network (ANN) has been effectively employed in solving problems with effortless computation in the areas such as fault diagnosis, process identification, property estimation, data smoothing and error filtering, product design and development, optimisation and estimation of activity coefficients. Response surface method is also used to analyse the problems involving a number of input parameters and their corresponding relationship between one or more measured dependent responses. Using Design Expert.8 evaluation software package, a simpler and more efficient statistical RSM model has been designed. RSM models are created by using 27 experimental data measurements obtained from different turning conditions of aluminium alloy composites.
Findings
In this work, the surface roughness during turning of Al-10%SiC and Al-5%SiC-5%Gr composites under different cutting conditions has been studied. The surface roughness value is proportional with the increase in feed rate and depth of cut while inversely proportional with the cutting speed. In all turning conditions, Al-10%SiC composite has lower surface roughness values than Al-5%SiC-5%Gr hybrid composite. An ANN and response surface models have been developed to predict the surface roughness of machined surface. The experimental results concur well with predicted models.
Originality/value
In the present trend, new materials are gaining popularity due to higher specific properties of strength and stiffness, increase in wear resistance, dimensional stability at higher temperature, etc. Subsequently, the need for precise machining has also been increased enormously. In this work, the surface roughness during turning of Al-10%SiC and Al-5%SiC-5%Gr composites under different cutting conditions has been studied.
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The purpose of this paper is to carry out erosion wear investigation on high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF)-deposited 86WC-10Co4Cr and synergistic Ni/Chromia powder (i.e. 80Ni-20Cr2O3…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to carry out erosion wear investigation on high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF)-deposited 86WC-10Co4Cr and synergistic Ni/Chromia powder (i.e. 80Ni-20Cr2O3) on AISI 316L.
Design/methodology/approach
Design of experiments-artificial neural network (DOE-ANN) methodology was adopted to calculate the erosion wear. Taguchi’s orthogonal array L16 (42) was used to perform set-of-erosion experiments followed by lower-the-better rule. The artificial neural network (ANN) model is used on erosion wear data obtained from the experiments.
Findings
Experimental results indicate that 86WC-10Co4Cr provided better erosion wear resistance as compared to Ni/Chromia. The erosion wear of 86WC-10Co4Cr and synergistic Ni/Chromia coatings increases with an increase in time duration, solid concentration and time. The magnitude of erosion generated by ashes was comparatively lower than sand. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of finished AISI 316L, 86WC-10Co4Cr and Ni/Chromia coating was found as 0.46 ± 0.13, 6.50 ± 0.16 and 7.04 ± 0.23 µm, respectively. Surface microhardness of AISI 316L, 86WC-10Co4Cr and Ni/Chromia coating was found as 197 ± 18, 1,156 ± 18 and 1,021± 21 HV, respectively.
Practical implications
The present results can be useful for estimation of erosion wear in slurry pumps used in mining industry for the conveying of sand and in thermal power plants for the conveying of ashes to the dyke area.
Originality/value
The erosion wear of HVOF-sprayed 86WC-10Co4Cr and Synergistic Ni/Chromia powders was studied experimentally as well as predicted by the ANN model, and wear mechanisms are well discussed by scanning electron micrographs.
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Veerapazham Murugan and Murugan Suresh Kumar
It is known that the iterative roots of continuous functions are not necessarily unique, if it exist. In this note, by introducing the set of points of coincidence, we study the…
Abstract
It is known that the iterative roots of continuous functions are not necessarily unique, if it exist. In this note, by introducing the set of points of coincidence, we study the iterative roots of order preserving homeomorphisms. In particular, we prove a characterization of identical iterative roots of an order preserving homeomorphism using the points of coincidence of functions.
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Meimei Liu, Yicha Zhang, Wenjie Dong, Zexin Yu, Sifeng Liu, Samuel Gomes, Hanlin Liao and Sihao Deng
This paper presents the application of grey modeling for thermal spray processing parameter analysis in less data environment.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents the application of grey modeling for thermal spray processing parameter analysis in less data environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on processing knowledge, key processing parameters of thermal spray process are analyzed and preselected. Then, linear and non-linear grey modeling models are integrated to mine the relationships between different processing parameters.
Findings
Model A reveals the linear correlation between the HVOF process parameters and the characterization of particle in-flight with average relative errors of 9.230 percent and 5.483 percent for velocity and temperature.
Research limitations/implications
The prediction accuracies of coatings properties vary, which means that there exists more complex non-linear relationship between the identified input parameters and coating results, or more unexpected factors (e.g. factors from material side) should be further investigated.
Practical implications
According to the modeling case in this paper, method has potential to deal with other diverse modeling problems in different industrial applications where challenge to collecting large quantity of data sets exists.
Originality/value
It is the first time to apply grey modeling for thermal spray processing where complicated relationships among processing parameters exist. The modeling results show reasonable results to experiment and existing processing knowledge.
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