Papers by Soliman Abu-Samra
By virtue of its complex nature, the construction industry comprises a wide spectrum of interrela... more By virtue of its complex nature, the construction industry comprises a wide spectrum of interrelated variables and factors. This multifaceted character of the construction industry puts the use of engineering modeling tools and techniques on top of project management necessities. This research introduces a macro-level earthmoving management system using Genetic Algorithms (GAs) to reach the optimum allocation of earthmoving equipment. The Earthmoving Equipment Management System (EEMS) functions through four integrated modules: (1) A Central Database containing information about projects and available equipment; (2) An Equipment per Segment Selection module that calculates the cut and fill quantities, plots the Mass Haul Diagrams, and selects the equipment types to be used for each segment; (3) An Equipment Pool module which determines the production and cost for each available equipment, based upon the project site conditions; and (4) An Optimization Engine equipped with a GA optimi...
2015 International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM), 2015
ABSTRACT Abstract—While extensive research has been carried out on the management of various type... more ABSTRACT Abstract—While extensive research has been carried out on the management of various types of infrastructure assets, limited research was allocated to coastal structures. The rapid world demographic growth especially in low-lying areas within close range to the shoreline over the past century as well as global climate change have given more importance to coastal infrastructure management. Climate change has increased storm intensities while decreasing storm return periods; imposing further risks to life and property. The aim of this research is to provide a modeling methodology for deterioration prediction, and optimization of repair, maintenance, and rehabilitation costs of various sorts of coastal protection structures. The coastal protection structures in Alexandria, Egypt, represent the case study. An Asset Inventory Database for Alexandria’s coastal assets was developed, comprising 43 structures occupying an approximate length of 18.50 km. Established visual inspection and condition rating procedures were followed to obtain a current Structural Condition Index and a Structural Condition Matrix for each reach and each structure, considering a single inspection point in 2013. Structural Indices and Structural Condition Matrices (SCM’s) are classified into severity ranges. Transition probabilities between structural condition ranges were calculated using backward analysis considering an excellent structural condition at the year of construction. Such probabilities were then utilized to formulate the structure’s Markov Chain transition probability matrix, enabling the prediction of future deterioration. Integration of single-time random events, namely intermediate and design storms; was also performed on the future deterioration forecast. Maintenance and repair policies and their associated costs were determined, according to which a Genetic-Algorithm– based Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) optimization modeling was constructed with the aim to optimize maintenance and repair cost for the next 50 years, all while achieving the minimum reliability of structures. Results of the optimization are then presented collectively for the entire group of coastal structures within the study area. Keywords—Infrastructure management; coastal structures; deterioration modeling; life-cycle cost; optimization; Markov Chains; Genetic Algorithms
Construction Research Congress 2014, 2014
The significant increase in the world population living within close proximity to coastlines has ... more The significant increase in the world population living within close proximity to coastlines has assigned further importance to coastal protection structures. This importance has been even ascertained given the increasing risks posed by climate change. From this standpoint comes the importance of maintenance and repair strategies for coastal protection structures especially in low-lying coastal areas. This research provides an integrated model for the optimisation of maintenance and repair for rubble-mound breakwaters, revetments and groins under simulated climatic conditions. The model starts by establishing an Asset Inventory Database (AID), a Markov-Chain (MC) Deterioration Engine, and a Genetic Algorithm (GA) repair and maintenance Optimisation Engine. The AID includes the coastal structures within any particular study area, along with their design attributes and hydrodynamic data. The database divides coastal structures into structural reaches for ease of management. The MC det...
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Papers by Soliman Abu-Samra