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1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 7 June 2022

James Geisbush and Samuel T. Ariaratnam

Reliability centered maintenance (RCM) is a process used to determine activities to be taken to ensure an asset continues to perform asset's function in asset's present operating…

1421

Abstract

Purpose

Reliability centered maintenance (RCM) is a process used to determine activities to be taken to ensure an asset continues to perform asset's function in asset's present operating context by identifying asset's function, failure modes that could preclude performing asset's intended function, prioritizing failure modes and determining effective preventative maintenance tasks that can be cost effectively and efficiently implemented to reduce the likelihood of a failure.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive survey of literature was undertaken to examine the current industry state of practice. Various industries were examined to better understand applications of RCM within the various industry sectors and determine those industries that RCM has not historically been readily adopted. A case study example of RCM applied to radial gates for water control in open channel canals for water conveyance is presented to demonstrate a civil infrastructure application.

Findings

The results found that RCM has been used since RCM's inception in the airline industry during the 1960s to reduce the cost of maintaining aircrafts. Over the past 40 years, an assortment of industries has begun implementing cost effective preventative maintenance tasks identified during RCM analysis. However, there is a noticeable lack of civil assets being analyzed by RCM, such as water conveyance systems and other civil infrastructure systems vital to the health and well-being of today's societies.

Originality/value

The comprehensive literature review of the current state of practice will provide a better understanding of the various applications of RCM to facilitate RCM's application to other industries, thereby reducing failure due to early identification of maintenance tasks. An example RCM demonstrates the application to a radial gate, used in water conveyance for the drinking water and irrigation sectors, which have not historically used RCM for developing maintenance strategies.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 29 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 October 2023

Sou-Sen Leu, Yen-Lin Fu and Pei-Lin Wu

This paper aims to develop a dynamic civil facility degradation prediction model to forecast the reliability performance tendency and remaining useful life under imperfect…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a dynamic civil facility degradation prediction model to forecast the reliability performance tendency and remaining useful life under imperfect maintenance based on the inspection records and the maintenance actions.

Design/methodology/approach

A real-time hidden Markov chain (HMM) model is proposed in this paper to predict the reliability performance tendency and remaining useful life under imperfect maintenance based on rare failure events. The model assumes a Poisson arrival pattern for facility failure events occurrence. HMM is further adopted to establish the transmission probabilities among stages. Finally, the simulation inference is conducted using Particle filter (PF) to estimate the most probable model parameters. Water seals at the spillway hydraulic gate in a Taiwan's reservoir are used to examine the appropriateness of the approach.

Findings

The results of defect probabilities tendency from the real-time HMM model are highly consistent with the real defect trend pattern of civil facilities. The proposed facility degradation prediction model can provide the maintenance division with early warning of potential failure to establish a proper proactive maintenance plan, even under the condition of rare defects.

Originality/value

This model is a new method of civil facility degradation prediction under imperfect maintenance, even with rare failure events. It overcomes several limitations of classical failure pattern prediction approaches and can reliably simulate the occurrence of rare defects under imperfect maintenance and the effect of inspection reliability caused by human error. Based on the degradation trend pattern prediction, effective maintenance management plans can be practically implemented to minimize the frequency of the occurrence and the consequence of civil facility failures.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 30 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2023

Narendrasinh Jesangbhai Parmar, Ajith Tom James and Mohammad Asjad

There is an increasing trend of outsourcing maintenance activities of heavy equipment, including belt conveyor installations. However, there are numerous challenges in maintenance…

Abstract

Purpose

There is an increasing trend of outsourcing maintenance activities of heavy equipment, including belt conveyor installations. However, there are numerous challenges in maintenance outsourcing. This paper aims to identify and analyze various challenges of outsourcing maintenance activities associated with belt conveyor installations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identifies maintenance outsourcing challenges of belt conveyor installations through literature review, field visits and expert opinion. An integrated structural hierarchical framework of the identified challenges is developed through analytic hierarchy process and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory.

Findings

The paper has identified eight challenges, namely, attainment of organizational strength by contractors, legal and financial challenges for contractors, attainment of necessary technician skills by contractors, maintenance data acquisition and analysis challenges, facilitation with modern equipment, gadgets and instrumentation, service quality challenges, health, safety and environment-related challenges and spares supply chain management challenges. The segregation of driver and dependent challenges, including their hierarchical framework had been established in this work.

Research limitations/implications

A comprehensive list of challenges and their prioritization in maintenance outsourcing of belt conveyor installations had been established. This will help the organizations who own and operate these installations to make judicious decisions regarding outsourcing maintenance.

Originality/value

This paper significantly contributes to the literature on maintenance outsourcing of heavy machinery installations like a belt conveyor system based on the input of different stakeholders. This study will lead to the development of frameworks for maintenance contractor selection for such installations.

Details

Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-5364

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2023

Ajit Pal Singh and Nardos Fentaw Awoke

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between total productive maintenance (TPM) practices and operational performance (OP) in soft drinks manufacturing…

715

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between total productive maintenance (TPM) practices and operational performance (OP) in soft drinks manufacturing industry, Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study acceptability and implementation of five TPM practices (i.e., dependent factors: autonomous maintenance (AUT); safety, health and environment (SHE); education and training (EDT); focused improvement; and planned maintenance (PLM)) in soft drinks manufacturing industry have been elaborated to ascertain the benefits accrued as a result of successful TPM practices (i.e., independent variables) on OP (i.e., dependent variables). A self-administered survey seven-point Likert scale questionnaire was used for primary data collection. By using simple random sampling technique a total of 100 useable responses resulted in a 66.66 per cent response rate. Descriptive (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (factor analysis, correlation, simple and multiple regression analysis) analysis were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software (version-28) to identify the relationship and effect of TPM practices on OP. Five hypotheses were developed and tested.

Findings

Results show that four of the TPM practices were positively and significantly correlated with OP. Aggregate TPM shows positive and significant correlation with OP. Four hypotheses results revealed that the AUT; SHE; EDT and PLM practices have positive and significant relationship with OP and significantly improve OP. The results also show that the TPM practices have positive and significant relationship with OP and significantly improve cost effectiveness, product quality, on-time delivery and volume flexibility.

Practical implications

The benefits gained by TPM practices in selected soft drinks manufacturing industry have been highlighted, that could be genuine source of motivation to other companies to go in for TPM program. This research contributes to the literature by examining the contingency of various TPM enabling factors in the context of the Ethiopian soft drinks manufacturing sector, and it, therefore, provides direction to increase the success rate of TPM implementation. Study offers academics and practitioners a better understanding of the relationship and effect of the TPM practices on the OPs. Thus, practitioners will be able to make better and more effective decisions about the implementation of TPM practices for better OP results.

Originality/value

The relationship between the five factors TPM practices and OP has not yet been studied or reported in the case of soft drink manufacturing industry. The questionnaire manner and items developed, factor considered in this study, sampling method, deeply statistical data analysis techniques used, soft drink manufacturing industry, developing country like Ethiopia make this study unique and revealed the gap identification in this area. The study has contributed to the TPM literature with a better understanding of the five TPM practices and their association with a soft drink manufacturing industry OP that will provide valuable knowledge to top-management of manufacturing companies, to refine their current TPM practices and subsequently improve OP.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 29 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 January 2023

Mahnaz Hosseinzadeh, Marzieh Samadi Foroushani, Hakim Ghayem and Mohammad Reza Mehregan

While the petroleum industry remains to be the main source of energy in the world, it is responsible for a large amount of resource consumption, environmental emission and safety…

Abstract

Purpose

While the petroleum industry remains to be the main source of energy in the world, it is responsible for a large amount of resource consumption, environmental emission and safety issues. In this industry, most of the refinery equipment are running out of their designed life cycle, leading to many challenges regarding equipment reliability, products quality, organizations’ profitability, human resources safety and job satisfaction, and environmental pollution, which affects not only the human resources of the refinery but also the people who live in the vicinity. This study aims to model and simulate the maintenance system of an oil refinery to reduce the rotating equipment’s downtime while simultaneously considering the three pillars of sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the complexity of the system and its inherent dynamism, System Dynamics (SD) approach is applied to model and simulate the maintenance system of an oil refinery, aiming at reducing equipment’s downtime considering the three pillars of sustainability simultaneously. As a case study, the maintenance system of rotating equipment in the Abadan oil refinery of Iran is investigated.

Findings

Individual policies are investigated and categorized into three main groups: economic, social and environmental. The dynamic nature of the system demonstrates that applying combinations of the policies would be more effective than performing individual ones or even a combination of all policies at the same time. The findings show that to manage the maintenance and reliability issues in complex industries, only operational level maintenance strategies would not be helpful; rather, a holistic strategic solution counting different suppliers or even the government policies supporting the operational level maintenance decisions would be effective.

Originality/value

This study is the first which brings the perspective of sustainable policy-making in the SD modeling of a complex maintenance system like that of the petroleum industry. The developed model considers economic, environmental and social objectives simultaneously. Besides, it reflects the role of different stakeholders in the system. Furthermore, the policy-making attempt is not limited to the operational level corrective and maintenance solutions; instead, a comprehensive, holistic view is applied.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 40 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 January 2024

Chinedu Onyeme and Kapila Liyanage

This study investigates the integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies with condition-based maintenance (CBM) in upstream oil and gas (O&G) operations, focussing on…

65

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies with condition-based maintenance (CBM) in upstream oil and gas (O&G) operations, focussing on developing countries like Nigeria. The research identifies barriers to this integration and suggests solutions, intending to provide practical insights for improving operational efficiency in the O&G sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study commenced with an exhaustive review of extant literature to identify existing barriers to I4.0 implementation and contextualise the study. Subsequent to this foundational step, primary data are gathered through the administration of carefully constructed questionnaires targeted at professionals specialised in maintenance within the upstream O&G sector. A semi-structured interview was also conducted to elicit more nuanced, contextual insights from these professionals. Analytically, the collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical methods for summarisation and interpretation with a measurement model to define the relationships between observed variables and latent construct. Moreover, the Relative Importance Index was utilised to systematically prioritise and rank the key barriers to I4.0 integration to CBM within the upstream O&G upstream sector.

Findings

The most ranked obstacles in integrating I4.0 technologies to the CBM strategy in the O&G industry are lack of budget and finance, limited engineering and technological resources, lack of support from executives and leaders of the organisations and lack of competence. Even though the journey of digitalisation has commenced in the O&G industry, there are limited studies in this area.

Originality/value

The study serves as both an academic cornerstone and a practical guide for the operational integration of I4.0 technologies within Nigeria's O&G upstream sector. Specifically, it provides an exhaustive analysis of the obstacles impeding effective incorporation into CBM practices. Additionally, the study contributes actionable insights for industry stakeholders to enhance overall performance and achieve key performance indices (KPIs).

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 September 2023

Mulatu Tilahun Gelaw, Daniel Kitaw Azene and Eshetie Berhan

This research aims to investigate critical success factors, barriers and initiatives of total productive maintenance (TPM) implementation in selected manufacturing industries in…

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to investigate critical success factors, barriers and initiatives of total productive maintenance (TPM) implementation in selected manufacturing industries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study built and looked into a conceptual research framework. The potential barriers and success factors to TPM implementation have been highlighted. The primary study techniques used to collect relevant data were a closed-ended questionnaire and semi-structured interview questions. With the use of SPSS version 23 and SmartPLS 3.0 software, the data were examined using descriptive statistics and the inferential Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) techniques.

Findings

According to the results of descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis using PLS-SEM, the case manufacturing industries' TPM implementation initiative is in its infancy; break down maintenance is the most widely used maintenance policy; top managers are not dedicated to the implementation of TPM; and there are TPM pillars that have been weakly and strongly addressed by the case manufacturing companies.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size is a limitation to this study. It is therefore challenging to extrapolate the research findings to other industries. The only manufacturing KPI utilized in this study is overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). It is possible to add more parameters to the manufacturing performance measurement KPI. The relationships between TPM and other lean production methods may differ from those observed in this cross-sectional study. Longitudinal experimental studies and in-depth analyses of TPM implementations may shed further light on this.

Practical implications

Defining crucial success factors and barriers to TPM adoption, as well as identifying the weak and strong TPM pillars, will help companies in allocating their scarce resources exclusively to the most important areas. TPM is not a quick solution. It necessitates a change in both the company's and employees' attitude and their values, which takes time to bring about. Hence, it entails a long-term planning. The commitment of top managers is very important in the initiatives of TPM implementation.

Originality/value

This study is unique in that, it uses a new conceptual research model and the PLS-SEM technique to analyze relationships between TPM pillars and OEE in depth.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 30 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 April 2023

Daas Samia and Innal Fares

This study aims to improve the reliability of emergency safety barriers by using the subjective safety analysis based on evidential reasoning theory in order to develop on a…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to improve the reliability of emergency safety barriers by using the subjective safety analysis based on evidential reasoning theory in order to develop on a framework for optimizing the reliability of emergency safety barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

The emergency event tree analysis is combined with an interval type-2 fuzzy-set and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. In order to the quantitative data is not available, this study based on interval type2 fuzzy set theory, trapezoidal fuzzy numbers describe the expert's imprecise uncertainty about the fuzzy failure probability of emergency safety barriers related to the liquefied petroleum gas storage prevent. Fuzzy fault tree analysis and fuzzy ordered weighted average aggregation are used to address uncertainties in emergency safety barrier reliability assessment. In addition, a critical analysis and some corrective actions are suggested to identify weak points in emergency safety barriers. Therefore, a framework decisions are proposed to optimize and improve safety barrier reliability. Decision-making in this framework uses evidential reasoning theory to identify corrective actions that can optimize reliability based on subjective safety analysis.

Findings

A real case study of a liquefied petroleum gas storage in Algeria is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The results show that the proposed methodology provides the possibility to evaluate the values of the fuzzy failure probability of emergency safety barriers. In addition, the fuzzy failure probabilities using the fuzzy type-2 AHP method are the most reliable and accurate. As a result, the improved fault tree analysis can estimate uncertain expert opinion weights, identify and evaluate failure probability values for critical basic event. Therefore, suggestions for corrective measures to reduce the failure probability of the fire-fighting system are provided. The obtained results show that of the ten proposed corrective actions, the corrective action “use of periodic maintenance tests” prioritizes reliability, optimization and improvement of safety procedures.

Research limitations/implications

This study helps to determine the safest and most reliable corrective measures to improve the reliability of safety barriers. In addition, it also helps to protect people inside and outside the company from all kinds of major industrial accidents. Among the limitations of this study is that the cost of corrective actions is not taken into account.

Originality/value

Our contribution is to propose an integrated approach that uses interval type-2 fuzzy sets and AHP method and emergency event tree analysis to handle uncertainty in the failure probability assessment of emergency safety barriers. In addition, the integration of fault tree analysis and fuzzy ordered averaging aggregation helps to improve the reliability of the fire-fighting system and optimize the corrective actions that can improve the safety practices in liquefied petroleum gas storage tanks.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 41 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2023

Nofirman Firdaus, Hasnida Ab-Samat and Bambang Teguh Prasetyo

This paper reviews the literature on maintenance strategies for energy efficiency as a potential maintenance approach. The purpose of this paper is to identify the main concept…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper reviews the literature on maintenance strategies for energy efficiency as a potential maintenance approach. The purpose of this paper is to identify the main concept and common principle for each maintenance strategy for energy efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review has been carried out on maintenance and energy efficiency. The paper systematically classified the literature into three maintenance strategies (e.g. inspection-based maintenance [IBM], time-based maintenance [TBM] and condition-based maintenance [CBM]). The concept and principle of each maintenance strategy are identified, compared and discussed.

Findings

Each maintenance strategy's main concept and principle are identified based on the following criteria: data required and collection, data analysis/modeling and decision-making. IBM relies on human senses and common senses to detect energy faults. Any detected energy losses are quantified to energy cost. A payback period analysis is commonly used to justify corrective actions. On the other hand, CBM monitors relevant parameters that indicate energy performance indicators (EnPIs). Data analysis or deterioration modeling is needed to identify energy degradation. For the diagnostics approach, the energy degradation is compared with the threshold to justify corrective maintenance. The prognostics approach estimates when energy degradation reaches its threshold; therefore, proper maintenance tasks can be planned. On the other hand, TBM uses historical data from energy monitoring. Data analysis or deterioration modeling is required to identify degradation. Further analysis is performed to find the optimal time to perform a maintenance task. The comparison between housekeeping, IBM and CBM is also discussed and presented.

Practical implications

The literature on the classification of maintenance strategies for energy efficiency has been limited. On the other hand, the ISO 50001 energy management systems standard shows the importance of maintenance for energy efficiency (MFEE). Therefore, to bridge the gap between research and industry, the proposed concept and principle of maintenance strategies will be helpful for practitioners to apply maintenance strategies as energy conservation measures in implementing ISO 50001 standard.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper is in-depth discussion on the concept and principle of each maintenance strategy (e.g. housekeeping or IBM, TBM and CBM) for energy efficiency. The relevant literature for each maintenance strategy was also summarized. In addition, basic rules for maintenance strategy selection are also proposed.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 29 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 August 2022

Ronghua Cai, Jiamei Yang, Xuemin Xu and Aiping Jiang

The purpose of this paper is to propose an improved multi-objective optimization model for the condition-based maintenance (CBM) of single-component systems which considers…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an improved multi-objective optimization model for the condition-based maintenance (CBM) of single-component systems which considers periodic imperfect maintenance and ecological factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the application of non-periodic preventive CBM, two recursion models are built for the system: hazard rate and the environmental degradation factor. This paper also established an optimal multi-objective model with a normalization process. The multiple-attribute value theory is used to obtain the optimal preventive maintenance (PM) interval. The simulation and sensitivity analyses are applied to obtain further rules.

Findings

An increase in the number of the occurrences could shorten the duration of a maintenance cycle. The maintenance techniques and maintenance efficiency could be improved by increasing system availability, reducing cost rate and improving degraded condition.

Practical implications

In reality, a variety of environmental situations may occur subsequent to the operations of an advanced manufacturing system. This model could be applied in real cases to help the manufacturers better discover the optimal maintenance cycle with minimized cost and degraded condition of the environment, helping the corporations better fulfill their CSR as well.

Originality/value

Previous research on single-component condition-based predictive maintenance usually focused on the maintenance costs and availability of a system, while ignoring the possible pollution from system operations. This paper proposed a modified multi-objective optimization model considering environment influence which could more comprehensively analyze the factors affecting PM interval.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 29 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

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