Scientific and technological advancements are rapidly transforming underground engineering,shifting from labor-intensive,time-consuming methods to automated,real-time systems.This timely and comprehensive review cover...Scientific and technological advancements are rapidly transforming underground engineering,shifting from labor-intensive,time-consuming methods to automated,real-time systems.This timely and comprehensive review covers in-situ testing,intelligent monitoring,and geophysical testing methods,highlighting fundamental principles,testing apparatuses,data processing techniques,and engineering applications.The state-of-the-art summary emphasizes not only cutting-edge innovations for complex and harsh environments but also the transformative role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in data interpretations.The integration of big data and advanced algorithms is particularly impactful,enabling the identification,prediction,and mitigation of potential risks in underground projects.Key aspects of the discussion include detection capabilities,method integration,and data convergence of intelligent technologies to drive enhanced safety,operational efficiency,and predictive reliability.The review also examines future trends in intelligent technologies,emphasizing unified platforms that combine multiple methods,real-time data,and predictive analytics.These advancements are shaping the evolution of underground construction and maintenance,aiming for risk-free,high-efficiency underground engineering.展开更多
The national grid and other life-sustaining critical infrastructures face an unprecedented threat from prolonged blackouts,which could last over a year and pose a severe risk to national security.Whether caused by phy...The national grid and other life-sustaining critical infrastructures face an unprecedented threat from prolonged blackouts,which could last over a year and pose a severe risk to national security.Whether caused by physical attacks,EMP(electromagnetic pulse)events,or cyberattacks,such disruptions could cripple essential services like water supply,healthcare,communication,and transportation.Research indicates that an attack on just nine key substations could result in a coast-to-coast blackout lasting up to 18 months,leading to economic collapse,civil unrest,and a breakdown of public order.This paper explores the key vulnerabilities of the grid,the potential impacts of prolonged blackouts,and the role of AI(artificial intelligence)and ML(machine learning)in mitigating these threats.AI-driven cybersecurity measures,predictive maintenance,automated threat response,and EMP resilience strategies are discussed as essential solutions to bolster grid security.Policy recommendations emphasize the need for hardened infrastructure,enhanced cybersecurity,redundant power systems,and AI-based grid management to ensure national resilience.Without proactive measures,the nation remains exposed to a catastrophic power grid failure that could have dire consequences for society and the economy.展开更多
<b>Purpose: </b><span style="font-family:;" "="">An element of poor service delivery concerns the quality of management on the maintenance of services like water, electricity...<b>Purpose: </b><span style="font-family:;" "="">An element of poor service delivery concerns the quality of management on the maintenance of services like water, electricity, roads, schools and clinics. This is a relevant and topical issue for research because of the current situatio<span>n regarding these provisions in South Africa. This research took place in a Municipality situated in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is the responsibility of municipalities to ensure that they fulfil their constitutional obligations in the delivery of maintainable, operative and well-organised</span> municipal services through the maintenance of infrastructure. As this country has been subjected to a large number of service delivery complaints, this has led to the motivation of this study. The purpose of this study is to analyse maintenance on municipal infrastructure and service delivery in a local municipality, in particular focusing on the water supply. This research study is aimed at analysing how local municipality conducts its maintenance of municipal infrastructure, seeking to understand the challenge of maintenance on service provided to the communities. <b>Design/Methodology/Approach: </b>To achieve the success of this research, both qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted. A survey questionnaire and structured interview questions were conducted with communities and employees in a municipality in Limpopo Province. <b>Findings: </b>The results of the study revealed that residents are facing water difficulties due to a lack of maintenance and absence of water supply. People are fetching water from the rivers in the nearby community, water which unfortunately is not purified. Furthermore, people have experienced this poor maintenance and service delivery for years, negatively impacting on the community’s standard of living. <b>Originality/Value: </b>The original contribution of this work was to analyse the types of maintenance being used in local municipalities and how it will benefit the communities. To the best of the authors’ understanding</span><span style="font-family:;" "="">,</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> there are no studies that have been conducted in South Africa regarding the impact of maintenance on municipal infrastructure, and this paper aim</span><span style="font-family:;" "="">s</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> to fill this gap.</span>展开更多
Literature review indicates that most studies on pavement management have been on reconstruction and rehabilitation, but not on maintenance;this includes routine, corrective and preventive maintenance. This study deve...Literature review indicates that most studies on pavement management have been on reconstruction and rehabilitation, but not on maintenance;this includes routine, corrective and preventive maintenance. This study developed linear regression models to estimate the total maintenance cost and component costs for labor, materials, equipment, and stockpile. The data used in the model development were extracted from the pavement and maintenance management systems of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). The life cycle maintenance strategies adopted by NDOT for five maintenance prioritization categories were used as the basis for developing the regression models of this study. These regression models are specified for each stage of life-cycle maintenance strategies. The models indicate that age, traffic flow, elevation, type of maintenance, maintenance schedule, life cycle stage, and the districts where maintenances are performed all are important factors that influence the magnitude of the costs. Because these models have embedded the road conditions into the life-cycle stage and type of maintenance performed, they can be easily integrated into existing pavement management systems for implementation.展开更多
This study examines the implication of household income composition on infrastructure maintenance in the residential core of Akure,Nigeria with a view to providing suggestive recommendations that will remedy identifie...This study examines the implication of household income composition on infrastructure maintenance in the residential core of Akure,Nigeria with a view to providing suggestive recommendations that will remedy identified problems in the research locale.With regards to this,an estimated of 1%research population,amounting to 425,were served with questionnaires using systematic random sampling technique with replacement.Findings revealed that residents in the study area are low income earners with larger population influenced by market proximity,low prices of staple food items and affordable but tumbledown housing.Likewise,essential facilities are in poor state owing to poor maintenance.Besides,household income induced variables considered in the study,which accounted for 75.6%of the challenges limiting routine facilities maintenance in the study area.The study recommends skill acquisition training,resource collaborative efforts and soft loans scheme to boost the income generation of residents in this locale.展开更多
The world’s energy industry is experiencing a significant transformation due to increased energy consumption, the rise in renewable energy usage, and the demand for sustainability. This review paper explores the pote...The world’s energy industry is experiencing a significant transformation due to increased energy consumption, the rise in renewable energy usage, and the demand for sustainability. This review paper explores the potential for transformation offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving energy infrastructure, specifically looking at how it can be used in managing smart grids, predicting maintenance needs, and integrating renewable energy sources. Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) are crucial AI technologies that have become necessary for enhancing grid stability, reducing operational costs, and improving energy efficiency. AI-powered predictive maintenance has proven to lower unexpected downtime by 40%, while AI-based demand forecasting has reached prediction accuracy of 90%, allowing utilities to efficiently manage supply and demand. In addition, AI helps tackle the issues of fluctuating renewable energy by playing a key role in enhancing energy storage and distribution in nations like Denmark and the US. Moreover, cryptographic frameworks such as Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) offer robust security measures to protect AI-driven energy systems. ECC provides lightweight, efficient encryption ideal for IoT-enabled grids, while PQC frameworks, like the SIKE algorithm, ensure long-term resilience against quantum computing threats, safeguarding critical infrastructure. Nevertheless, obstacles like limited data access, cybersecurity weaknesses, and financial limitations continue to hinder widespread AI implementation, especially in less developed areas. This review emphasizes the significance of adopting essential strategies such as smart grid development, public-private collaborations, strong regulatory frameworks, and standardized data-sharing protocols. It is essential to have strong implementation and monitoring systems, improved cybersecurity measures, and ongoing investment in AI research in order to fully harness AI’s ability to revolutionize energy systems. By tackling these obstacles, AI has the potential to significantly impact the development of a more enduring, productive, and flexible worldwide energy system, hastening the shift towards a renewable-focused energy landscape.展开更多
Effective management and maintenance of building equipment can yield more sustainable delivery of building services systems with buildings/facilities.Buildings generally provide habitation,security,comfort and indeed ...Effective management and maintenance of building equipment can yield more sustainable delivery of building services systems with buildings/facilities.Buildings generally provide habitation,security,comfort and indeed habitat for social and recreational activities.All over the world,buildings/facilities play very vital role in the economic development of any nation.Building equipment is classified as refrigerator,pump,lift and escalator systems,HVAC(heat ventilation and air-conditioning)systems,extractor fans as well as water and firefighting equipment among others.In this paper,the roles of maintenance culture within building equipment were examined in pursuit of achieving effective services delivery.More often than not,maintenance of building equipment option is sometimes played down but with emphasis on achieving optimum performance without recourse to striking a balance between the above indices.The paper also examines immediate and remote causes associated with maintenance management practices within building infrastructure systems(equipment)in this investigation.Experts’opinions were sought for their understanding,barriers and commitment of sustainability agenda in pursuit of building equipment maintenance ethics and the way forward.The achievable outcomes from this study demonstrate that optimum services delivery of building equipment relied on efficient management and maintenance culture options as best practices.展开更多
基金supported by Ministry of Education of Singapore,under Academic Research Fund Tier 1(Grant Number RG143/23).
文摘Scientific and technological advancements are rapidly transforming underground engineering,shifting from labor-intensive,time-consuming methods to automated,real-time systems.This timely and comprehensive review covers in-situ testing,intelligent monitoring,and geophysical testing methods,highlighting fundamental principles,testing apparatuses,data processing techniques,and engineering applications.The state-of-the-art summary emphasizes not only cutting-edge innovations for complex and harsh environments but also the transformative role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in data interpretations.The integration of big data and advanced algorithms is particularly impactful,enabling the identification,prediction,and mitigation of potential risks in underground projects.Key aspects of the discussion include detection capabilities,method integration,and data convergence of intelligent technologies to drive enhanced safety,operational efficiency,and predictive reliability.The review also examines future trends in intelligent technologies,emphasizing unified platforms that combine multiple methods,real-time data,and predictive analytics.These advancements are shaping the evolution of underground construction and maintenance,aiming for risk-free,high-efficiency underground engineering.
文摘The national grid and other life-sustaining critical infrastructures face an unprecedented threat from prolonged blackouts,which could last over a year and pose a severe risk to national security.Whether caused by physical attacks,EMP(electromagnetic pulse)events,or cyberattacks,such disruptions could cripple essential services like water supply,healthcare,communication,and transportation.Research indicates that an attack on just nine key substations could result in a coast-to-coast blackout lasting up to 18 months,leading to economic collapse,civil unrest,and a breakdown of public order.This paper explores the key vulnerabilities of the grid,the potential impacts of prolonged blackouts,and the role of AI(artificial intelligence)and ML(machine learning)in mitigating these threats.AI-driven cybersecurity measures,predictive maintenance,automated threat response,and EMP resilience strategies are discussed as essential solutions to bolster grid security.Policy recommendations emphasize the need for hardened infrastructure,enhanced cybersecurity,redundant power systems,and AI-based grid management to ensure national resilience.Without proactive measures,the nation remains exposed to a catastrophic power grid failure that could have dire consequences for society and the economy.
文摘<b>Purpose: </b><span style="font-family:;" "="">An element of poor service delivery concerns the quality of management on the maintenance of services like water, electricity, roads, schools and clinics. This is a relevant and topical issue for research because of the current situatio<span>n regarding these provisions in South Africa. This research took place in a Municipality situated in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It is the responsibility of municipalities to ensure that they fulfil their constitutional obligations in the delivery of maintainable, operative and well-organised</span> municipal services through the maintenance of infrastructure. As this country has been subjected to a large number of service delivery complaints, this has led to the motivation of this study. The purpose of this study is to analyse maintenance on municipal infrastructure and service delivery in a local municipality, in particular focusing on the water supply. This research study is aimed at analysing how local municipality conducts its maintenance of municipal infrastructure, seeking to understand the challenge of maintenance on service provided to the communities. <b>Design/Methodology/Approach: </b>To achieve the success of this research, both qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted. A survey questionnaire and structured interview questions were conducted with communities and employees in a municipality in Limpopo Province. <b>Findings: </b>The results of the study revealed that residents are facing water difficulties due to a lack of maintenance and absence of water supply. People are fetching water from the rivers in the nearby community, water which unfortunately is not purified. Furthermore, people have experienced this poor maintenance and service delivery for years, negatively impacting on the community’s standard of living. <b>Originality/Value: </b>The original contribution of this work was to analyse the types of maintenance being used in local municipalities and how it will benefit the communities. To the best of the authors’ understanding</span><span style="font-family:;" "="">,</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> there are no studies that have been conducted in South Africa regarding the impact of maintenance on municipal infrastructure, and this paper aim</span><span style="font-family:;" "="">s</span><span style="font-family:;" "=""> to fill this gap.</span>
文摘Literature review indicates that most studies on pavement management have been on reconstruction and rehabilitation, but not on maintenance;this includes routine, corrective and preventive maintenance. This study developed linear regression models to estimate the total maintenance cost and component costs for labor, materials, equipment, and stockpile. The data used in the model development were extracted from the pavement and maintenance management systems of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). The life cycle maintenance strategies adopted by NDOT for five maintenance prioritization categories were used as the basis for developing the regression models of this study. These regression models are specified for each stage of life-cycle maintenance strategies. The models indicate that age, traffic flow, elevation, type of maintenance, maintenance schedule, life cycle stage, and the districts where maintenances are performed all are important factors that influence the magnitude of the costs. Because these models have embedded the road conditions into the life-cycle stage and type of maintenance performed, they can be easily integrated into existing pavement management systems for implementation.
文摘This study examines the implication of household income composition on infrastructure maintenance in the residential core of Akure,Nigeria with a view to providing suggestive recommendations that will remedy identified problems in the research locale.With regards to this,an estimated of 1%research population,amounting to 425,were served with questionnaires using systematic random sampling technique with replacement.Findings revealed that residents in the study area are low income earners with larger population influenced by market proximity,low prices of staple food items and affordable but tumbledown housing.Likewise,essential facilities are in poor state owing to poor maintenance.Besides,household income induced variables considered in the study,which accounted for 75.6%of the challenges limiting routine facilities maintenance in the study area.The study recommends skill acquisition training,resource collaborative efforts and soft loans scheme to boost the income generation of residents in this locale.
文摘The world’s energy industry is experiencing a significant transformation due to increased energy consumption, the rise in renewable energy usage, and the demand for sustainability. This review paper explores the potential for transformation offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving energy infrastructure, specifically looking at how it can be used in managing smart grids, predicting maintenance needs, and integrating renewable energy sources. Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) are crucial AI technologies that have become necessary for enhancing grid stability, reducing operational costs, and improving energy efficiency. AI-powered predictive maintenance has proven to lower unexpected downtime by 40%, while AI-based demand forecasting has reached prediction accuracy of 90%, allowing utilities to efficiently manage supply and demand. In addition, AI helps tackle the issues of fluctuating renewable energy by playing a key role in enhancing energy storage and distribution in nations like Denmark and the US. Moreover, cryptographic frameworks such as Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) offer robust security measures to protect AI-driven energy systems. ECC provides lightweight, efficient encryption ideal for IoT-enabled grids, while PQC frameworks, like the SIKE algorithm, ensure long-term resilience against quantum computing threats, safeguarding critical infrastructure. Nevertheless, obstacles like limited data access, cybersecurity weaknesses, and financial limitations continue to hinder widespread AI implementation, especially in less developed areas. This review emphasizes the significance of adopting essential strategies such as smart grid development, public-private collaborations, strong regulatory frameworks, and standardized data-sharing protocols. It is essential to have strong implementation and monitoring systems, improved cybersecurity measures, and ongoing investment in AI research in order to fully harness AI’s ability to revolutionize energy systems. By tackling these obstacles, AI has the potential to significantly impact the development of a more enduring, productive, and flexible worldwide energy system, hastening the shift towards a renewable-focused energy landscape.
文摘Effective management and maintenance of building equipment can yield more sustainable delivery of building services systems with buildings/facilities.Buildings generally provide habitation,security,comfort and indeed habitat for social and recreational activities.All over the world,buildings/facilities play very vital role in the economic development of any nation.Building equipment is classified as refrigerator,pump,lift and escalator systems,HVAC(heat ventilation and air-conditioning)systems,extractor fans as well as water and firefighting equipment among others.In this paper,the roles of maintenance culture within building equipment were examined in pursuit of achieving effective services delivery.More often than not,maintenance of building equipment option is sometimes played down but with emphasis on achieving optimum performance without recourse to striking a balance between the above indices.The paper also examines immediate and remote causes associated with maintenance management practices within building infrastructure systems(equipment)in this investigation.Experts’opinions were sought for their understanding,barriers and commitment of sustainability agenda in pursuit of building equipment maintenance ethics and the way forward.The achievable outcomes from this study demonstrate that optimum services delivery of building equipment relied on efficient management and maintenance culture options as best practices.
