Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2025
09:04
A Modeling and Simulation Method for Preliminary Design of an Electro-Variable Displacement Pump
Published on: June 1, 2022
3.0K
Optimizing concrete pump maintenance in the construction sector using enhanced MCDM techniques.
Dharmpal Deepak1, Gurinder Singh Brar2, Sulakshna Dwivedi3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India.
Scientific Reports
|April 21, 2025
Summary
This study optimizes concrete pump maintenance by using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques. Material wear out is identified as the primary failure cause, improving maintenance strategies and reducing costs.
Area of Science:
- Engineering
- Operations Research
Background:
- The construction sector relies heavily on machinery like concrete pumps.
- Effective maintenance is crucial for concrete pump operational efficiency and profitability.
- Current maintenance planning faces challenges in prioritizing tasks, leading to increased costs and reduced availability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance concrete pump maintenance strategies.
- To identify the most critical reasons for concrete pump failure.
- To improve decision-making in maintenance planning.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques: modified TOPSIS, VIKOR, and PROMETHEE.
- Calculated criterion weights using the fuzzy SAW method.
- Ranked nine potential failure causes to determine the most critical.
Main Results:
- Material wear out was identified as the most critical cause of concrete pump failure across all three MCDM methods.
- Rubber quality emerged as the second most critical factor.
- High pumping strokes were ranked as the least critical failure factor.
Conclusions:
- The developed MCDM approach effectively enhances concrete pump maintenance decision-making.
- Prioritizing maintenance based on identified critical failure causes can reduce costs and improve machine availability.
- The findings provide a data-driven framework for optimizing maintenance in the construction industry.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Pumped Concrete
53
Concrete in large quantities can be pumped across long distances for placing in inaccessible sites. This system comprises a hopper that receives concrete from a mixer, a pump to propel the concrete, and pipelines that facilitate its delivery.
For direct-acting pumps, the concrete enters the pump via the inlet valve under the action of gravity and suction created by the movement of the piston. This concrete is then forced into the pipeline and out through the outlet valve by the forward movement...
For direct-acting pumps, the concrete enters the pump via the inlet valve under the action of gravity and suction created by the movement of the piston. This concrete is then forced into the pipeline and out through the outlet valve by the forward movement...
53
01:14Design Example: Managing Concrete Workability
63
This example deals with managing the workability of concrete for a raft foundation project under hot weather conditions. Workability is crucial for ensuring the concrete is easy to place, compact, and finish. In this scenario, a slump test — a common method to measure the workability of fresh concrete — initially indicated low workability. This was attributed to the rapid water loss from the concrete mix, exacerbated by the high temperatures causing the course aggregates to heat up.
63
01:17Placing Concrete
64
The concrete is placed as close as possible to its final position to avoid segregation. The placed concrete is then fully compacted to expel the entrapped air, and the next layer of concrete is laid while the underlying layer is still in the plastic state. The rate at which concrete is placed and compacted is kept equal.
While placing concrete, care is taken to ensure that the concrete is laid in uniform layers, and hand shoveling and moving concrete using poker vibrators is avoided. Also,...
While placing concrete, care is taken to ensure that the concrete is laid in uniform layers, and hand shoveling and moving concrete using poker vibrators is avoided. Also,...
64
01:26Design Example: Sustainability in Concrete Building
144
As the construction industry moves towards more eco-friendly practices, concrete's adaptability and its ability to incorporate sustainable features make it a key material in the drive towards greener building solutions.
There are multiple approaches to achieve sustainability in a commercial concrete building. For instance, construct a concrete parking area under the building, utilizing pervious concrete paver blocks in open areas to facilitate rainwater collection through an underground...
There are multiple approaches to achieve sustainability in a commercial concrete building. For instance, construct a concrete parking area under the building, utilizing pervious concrete paver blocks in open areas to facilitate rainwater collection through an underground...
144
01:26Ready Mixed Concrete
66
Ready-mixed concrete, also known as pre-mixed concrete, is prepared in a centralized plant and then transported in trucks to construction sites where it is ready for placement. This type of concrete is categorized into central-mixed, truck-mixed (or transit-mixed), and shrink-mixed. Central-mixed concrete is entirely prepared at a plant and moved to the site in agitator trucks that rotate at a speed of 2 to 6 rpm. Truck-mixed concrete, on the other hand, has the ingredients batched at the plant...
66
01:30Mixing Concrete
91
Concrete mixing ensures a homogenous blend where aggregates are well-coated with cement paste. Concrete mixing is typically done using two main types of mixers: batch and continuous. Batch mixers handle one batch at a time, thoroughly combining materials before discharging and receiving the next batch. In contrast, continuous mixers receive a steady flow of ingredients, mixing them consistently and discharging without interruption. Within batch mixers, tilting drum mixers mix with internal...
91