bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hybridization of volumetric and surface models for the computation of the T/R EC probe response due to a thin opening flaw
Authors: Maurice Léa , Prémel Denis , Pávó József , Lesselier Dominique , Nicolas Alain 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the development of simulation tools dedicated to eddy current non destructive testing (ECNDT) on planar structures implying planar defects. Two integral approaches using the Green dyadic formalism are considered.Design/methodology/approachThe surface integral model (SIM) is dedicated to ideal cracks, whereas the volume integral method is adapted to general volumetric defects.FindingsThe authors observed that SIM provides satisfactory results, except in some critical transmitting/receiving (T/R) configurations. This led us to propose a hybrid method based on the combination of the two previous ones.Originality/valueThis method enables to simulate ECNDT on planar structures implying defects with a small opening using T/R probes.
h‐ and b‐conform finite element perturbation techniques for nondestructive eddy current testing
Authors: Sabariego Ruth V. , Dular Patrick 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe aim of the present paper is to compare the performances of a finite‐element perturbation technique applied either to the h‐ conform magnetodynamic formulation or to its b‐ conform counterpart in the frame of nondestructive eddy‐current testing problems.Design/methodology/approachIn both complementary perturbation techniques, the computation is split into a computation without defect (unperturbed problem) and a computation of the field distorsion due to its presence (perturbation problem). The unperturbed problem is conventionally solved in the complete domain. The source of the perturbation problem is then determined by the projection of the unperturbed solution in a relatively small region surrounding the defect. The discretisation of this reduced domain is chosen independently of the dimensions of the excitation probe and the specimen under study and is thus well adapted to the size of the defect.FindingsThe accuracy of the perturbation model is evidenced by comparing the results of the two counterpart formulations to those achieved in the conventional way for different dimensions of the reduced domain. The size of the reduced domain increases with the size of the defect at hand. This proposed sub‐domain approach eases considerably the meshing process and speeds‐up the computation for different probe positions.Originality/valueAt a discrete level, the impedance change due to the defect is efficiently and accurately computed by integrating only over the defect itself and a layer of elements in the reduced domain that touches its boundary. Therefore, no integration of any flux variation in the coils is required.
Looking for root cause: a comparative analysis
Authors: Arnheiter Edward D. , Greenland Jean E. 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that management decision making and corporate strategy must start by questioning all prior assumptions and arguments, while focusing on simple fundamental truths.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines fundamental principles practiced by foreign‐owned transplants (e.g., Honda, Toyota, and Nissan) that have entered the automotive marketplace in the latter half of the twentieth century. They use lean production methods, while traditional industry players utilize mass production methods. The authors refer to these two production methods as “The Toyota Way” and “The Traditional Way.” Comparative analysis is conducted to identify and contrast key differences, which are examined using root cause analysis.FindingsThe paper finds that problems facing US industry could have been prevented, if companies had taken the time, and made the effort to fully understand the root causes.Practical implicationsManagers learn that it is beneficial to take time to properly identify and understand the root cause of any problem, no matter how large or small the problem may seem.Originality/valueBy turning 14 principles of lean management upside down the point is made in the paper is that one must start out questioning everything. Even changing something as simple as the order of principals examined could force a very different look at the situation. A summary of root cause analysis suggests a simple answer to the seemingly complex question: “If everyone knows what the problems are, then why isn't anyone fixing them?”
The challenges for quality managers in Britain and Australia
Authors: Burcher Peter G. , Lee Gloria L. , Waddell Dianne 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to compare and contrast the career experiences and development needs of British and Australian quality managers.Design/methodology/approachThe results of a postal survey of the careers of British quality managers are compared with Australian quality managers based on two surveys.FindingsThe study finds that quality managers in both countries brought wide functional experience to their roles. Their current jobs are major sources of intrinsic job satisfaction for both groups of managers but they utilise a very limited range of quality tools. Also British and Australian managers show little awareness in terms of their development needs for a broader background in quality.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest a worrying lack of innovatory zeal amongst quality managers who appear to be more concerned with the maintenance of standards rather than taking a more dynamic approach. Thus it is argued that while quality managers bring wide functional experience to their current roles, there are many who do not appear to be at the cutting edge of knowledge in their field. Neither do the British quality managers in particular appear to be sufficiently aware of the need to address such shortfalls through professional development opportunities.Originality/valueThe roles of those charged with carrying the flag of quality in the two countries have only previously received limited research coverage. This paper, based upon empirical research in Britain and Australia, identifies issues which require the attention of senior management to ensure future competitiveness for their organisations.
A pragmatic approach to conducting a successful benchmarking expedition
Authors: Marwa Simmy , Zairi Mohamed 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for conducting a benchmarking visit/expedition.Design/methodology/approachRecent articles on the models of benchmarking are reviewed and used to construct a seven‐step benchmarking visit/expedition framework that is subsequently tested by applying it to facilitate a benchmarking expedition for Dubai Holding Group (DHG) with United Utilities, Bradford and Bingley and the Marriot Hotel, all of the UK.FindingsThe paper finds that good planning and execution of the benchmarking visit are essential. How the visit is conducted influences favourably/unfavourably the outcomes of the visit/expedition. Capturing meaningful learning of best practices required a purpose‐focused approach/framework to guide gathering, documenting and prioritising best practice evidences. The suggested 7‐Steps framework, when applied, focuses actions towards realising and reaping the full potential of such visits/expeditions. The 7‐Steps model enabled DHG to exhaustively collect, document and prioritise best practice actions from the three benchmarking partners thereby rendering the expeditions a success.Practical implicationsThe success of a benchmarking visit's/expedition's outcome is contingent on the planning and training undertaken prior to the visit/expedition, how the visit itself is conducted and crucially, the usability and reliability of data and evidence gathered. Poor execution of a benchmarking visit even with good planning inevitably yields poor results and vice versa.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to knowledge by closing a knowledge gap and providing a framework that enables user organisations to fully realise the benefits of a benchmarking visit/expedition.
Integration of CRM and QFD
Authors: Shahin Arash , Nikneshan Payam 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated model of quality function deployment (QFD) and customer relationship management (CRM) for design and delivery processes.Design/methodology/approachAfter the literature review, the elements of a CRM business cycle were integrated with different phases in QFD. The proposed model was further developed, based on customer participation in the design and delivery of products/services, as a major stage in CRM in three cases: customer participation in design; delivery; and design and delivery. As a case study, the customer participation in delivery was studied in after‐sale services of the Iran Khodro Co., which is the second major carmaker company in Iran.FindingsThe results imply that QFD and CRM are complementary approaches and once they are combined, their capabilities are enhanced and managing customer relationship is empowered. According to the case study, personnel monitoring and human resources management (HRM) have been targeted as the first priorities in process parameters and process control characteristics, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the developed model involves considerable advantages, due to the different matrixes used for QFD, its use might become time consuming and complicated. Also, gathering information from customers and categorizing them respectively play major roles in effective and strategic CRM.Originality/valueThe proposed model provides a means of harnessing the power of the present research innovations and advancements in order to empower customer need assessment, acquisition, development, equity leverage, retention and referrals, as well as prioritization of the features of products/services, processes, and performance indicators, according to the voice of customers.
Investigating the implications of static and dynamic loading in high‐performance fabrics for outdoor clothing
Authors: Juodsnukytė Daiva , Daukantienė Virginija , Gutauskas Matas 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to develop the methodology for the imitation of exploitation conditions of textile products as well as to determine the exploitation peculiarities of high‐performance fabrics for outdoor clothing producible in Lithuania.Design/methodology/approachStatic‐ and dynamic‐cyclic loading was applied for the imitation of exploitation conditions as well as for the investigation of the changes in specimen geometrical parameters.FindingsThe differences in the parameters of textile material stability determined under dry and wet cyclic specimen deformation were determined. The investigation results presented show that the parameters of air permeability can be used for the determination of changes in textile product shapes due to their cyclic washing as well as to the other kinds of wet technological treatment, especially in these cases when the small areas of product material are deformed.Practical implicationsThe problems concerned with the methodology for the evaluation of exploitation stability of high‐performance fabrics (woven and knitted) for outdoor clothing are analyzed in this research.Originality/valueIn most cases, the exploitation behaviour of textile materials is investigated under uniaxial or static biaxial deformation. For better imitation of real exploitation conditions of textiles the new testing methodology based on two testing methods was established (original device for punch deformation working in creep mode as well as using wet and dry specimens; device ARRV for cyclic fatigue).
Expert‐based customized pattern‐making automation: Part I. Basic patterns
Authors: Fang Jing‐Jing , Ding Yu 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to present a flattening method for developing 2D basic patterns from 3D designed garments. The method incorporates the techniques of professional pattern development for the purpose of pattern‐making automation. The aims of the flattening method are to improve the dressing suitability and to produce pleasing figures by reversing design procedures.Design/methodology/approachA flattening method is presented in this paper for developing 3D undevelopable NURBS surfaces in 2D. The automatic operation embeds the expertise of pattern makers by reducing total area differences between the designed garments in 3D styles and the two‐dimensional patterns. Basic pattern‐making invokes the boundary constraints which apply mesh alignments techniques.FindingsThe global area difference between the original 3D designs and the 2D‐developed pattern is controlled within 5 percent in order to reach the final outcomes of basic patterns, whose shapes are similar to the drawing patterns currently utilized in the industry.Research limitations/implicationsThis study currently handles simple designs, such as basal designs, and can only flatten garments in symmetric styles. The direct flattening method is developed by this study. In addition, this study is supplemented by expert‐based knowledge, and it establishes basic boundary conditions for various garment patterns to increase the feasibility of flattening automation.Originality/valueThis study introduces the fundamental theories and methodologies used in the automatic making of basic patterns from 3D garment designs. It proposes a flattening method with pattern expertise embedded by real‐time approximations of the global area of the 3D undevelopable designs to the 2D patterns.
Numerical analysis of turbulent natural convection heat transfer inside a triangular‐shaped enclosure utilizing computational fluid dynamic code
Authors: Ghassemi M. , Fathabadi M. , Shadaram A. 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe paper's purpose is to consider a numerical study of turbulent natural convection heat transfer inside a triangular‐shaped enclosure.Design/methodology/approachIn the formulation of governing non‐linear partial differential equations the momentum and energy equations coupled with a k‐ε model are applied to the enclosure. To solve these equations, a commercially available computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code, Fluent, is utilized. In addition a control volume‐based code is developed. Finally, the results are compared.FindingsFlow and temperature field are presented as a function of aspect ratio (Ar), angle between the sloped and horizontal wall (θ) and the Grashof number (Gr). It is shown that heat transfer is higher for turbulent flow when compared with laminar flow. Meanwhile the results reflect a strong dependency on the angle between two enclosure walls (θ). It is clear from the data that the results obtained by CFD code are similar to that of control volume method.Research limitations/implicationsThe case considered is two‐dimensional, the motion is two‐dimensional and steady state, the flow is incompressible, the flow is Boussinesq, and the fluid properties are constant. It is recommended to conduct an experimental test in order to validate the analytical results.Originality/valueThe code enables the prediction of the heat transfer inside an attic‐shaped enclosure. This helps in locating the highest area of heat loss; hence prevention can be implemented for this area.
Computer simulation of a pressure‐volume‐temperature process
Authors: Horta‐Rangel J. , Hernández‐Zaragoza J. , Pérez‐Rea L. , López‐Lara T. , López‐Cajun C. , Castano V.M. 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThe study of pressure‐volume‐temperature (PVT) process is necessary to understand the physical behaviour of materials. This paper seeks to develop a simulation procedure to predict phase behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThe procedure consisted of the application of a thermo‐mechanical nonlinear model that simulated the behavior of the test sample in the PVT apparatus. Software Ansys was used for modeling this case, making a subroutine in APDL language. The real time data of the experimental procedure in PVT apparatus were applied in the computer simulation, that is the real time of application of pressure and heating scaling of the sample were taken into account. A specific case was simulated and its results compared with those obtained from the real experimental test. In order to evaluate phase changes, enthalpy was considered using an approximated expression described in the paper.FindingsResults obtained from the simulation were compared with the resulting isobaric graphics of the experimental test. Results show a good correlation, obtaining in addition stress‐strain behavior of the sample. This simulation procedure allows one in a simple way to vary the properties and characteristics of the sample. This makes the computer simulation a useful tool together with the experimental test, in the development of novel materials.Research limitations/implicationsResults of the numerical simulation are based on the properties and characteristics of the sample. In this study, real data of the material were used; however, some others had to be assumed based on references on this topic.Practical implicationsThe coupled field analysis and the subroutine built in an Ansys environment are of a general purpose applicable to many kinds of material without practical limitations but getting a priori the required data and properties needed for running the simulation test.Originality/valueComputer simulation of PVT process is not a common procedure – the experimental study of the material is mainly the procedure used to define the stated equations of a material and for knowing their phase changes. Computer simulation is a procedure that provides other important features of the material that the experimental study cannot produce simultaneously.
A hybrid finite difference‐finite element method for solving the 3D energy equation in non‐isothermal flow past over a tube
Authors: Arefmanesh A. , Alavi M.A. 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a hybrid finite difference‐finite element method and apply it to solve the three‐dimensional energy equation in non‐isothermal fluid flow past over a tube.Design/methodology/approachTo implement the hybrid scheme, the tube length is partitioned into uniform segments by choosing grid points along its length, and a plane perpendicular to the tube axis is drawn at each of the points. Subsequently, the Taylor‐Galerkin finite element technique is employed to discretize the energy equation in the planes; while the derivatives along the tube are discretized using the finite difference method.FindingsTo demonstrate the validity of the proposed numerical scheme, three‐dimensional test cases have been solved using the method. The variation of L2‐norm of the error with mesh refinement shows that the numerical solution converges to the exact solution with mesh refinement. Moreover, comparison of the computational time duration shows that the proposed method is approximately three times faster than the 3D finite element method. In the non‐isothermal fluid flow around a tube for Re=250 and Pr=0.7, the results show that the Nusselt number decreases with the increase in the tube length and, for the tube length greater than six times the tube diameter, the average Nusselt number converges to the value for the two‐dimensional case.Originality/valueA hybrid finite difference‐finite element method has been developed and applied to solve the 3D transient energy equation for different test cases. The proposed method is faster, and computationally more efficient, compared with the 3D finite element method.
Finite element modelling of electro‐osmotic flows on unstructured meshes
Authors: Arnold A.K. , Nithiarasu P. , Tucker P.G. 
Published: January 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to numerically model electro‐osmotic flow (EOF) through microchannels using a finite element‐based unstructured mesh solution methodology.Design/methodology/approachThe finite element method (FEM) combined with the characteristic‐based split (CBS) algorithm is used to solve the coupled Navier‐Stokes equations in order to simulate EOFs. The Laplace and Poisson‐Boltzmann equations are solved explicitly a priori to the solution of the fluid dynamic equations. The external electric field and internal potential values are then used to construct the source terms of the fluid dynamics equations.FindingsProposed methodology works excellently on unstructured meshes for both two‐ and three‐dimensional flow problems. The results obtained for benchmark channel flow problems show an excellent agreement with analytical and experimental data.Originality/valueThe idea of using the FEM and the CBS algorithm to solve the governing equations of EOFs is proposed. This particular method of solving these equations is unprecedented. In addition to benchmark examples, a problem of practical importance is also solved in this paper.
Experiencing collaborative knowledge creation processes
Authors: Jakubik Maria 
Published: January 2008

PurposeHow people learn and create knowledge together through interactions in communities of practice (CoPs) is not fully understood. The purpose of this paper is to create and apply a model that could increase participants' consciousness about knowledge creation processes.Design/methodology/approachThis four‐month qualitative research was conducted as action research (AR). Data were collected through participative inquiry.FindingsDrawing on current developments in the knowledge creation theory of knowledge management (KM) and taking the collaborative learning approach (CLA), the model of collaborative knowledge creation process (CKCP) is constructed and applied. It brings structure into highly unstructured human processes of knowledge creation and helps participants to understand what they are doing and why.Research limitations/implicationsIt is difficult to assess the quality, validity and objectivity of the data as the researcher was a member of the community. Further research could address the role of diversity and social context, and the formation of the community identity.Practical implicationsMembers of this specific community (i.e. managers, teachers, students, and experts) reflected that the implemented way of learning helped them to realize the importance of interactions, exchanges, and collective experiences in community knowledge creation.Originality/valueApplying AR is rather exceptional in KM. However, it proved to be a good way of experiencing knowledge creation processes in communities. The novelty of the study is in contributing to the KM theory by opening the black box of community knowledge creation by demonstrating in practice how people interacted and created knowledge in a specific community.