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Purpose The literature on warehouse performance assessments is mainly focussed on the efficiency and effectiveness of an action or activity due to customer demand and tailored fulfilment, with less attention being given to the performance measurement of each function of the warehouse and its overall productivity. Therefore, this study was aimed at revising the key warehouse performance metrics to a set of productivity measurement indicators that can be adopted internationally for benchmarking productivity performance. Design/methodology/approach A literature review and semi-structured survey questionnaire were used for this study. The importance of warehouse productivity performance was reviewed to revamp the measurement indicators. Through the use of a directed content analysis and descriptive analysis, an extensive study was carried out to analyze existing warehouse productivity indicators. Findings The findings of this study provide comprehensive references for practitioners and academicians for improving the classification of productivity measurements from existing key performance metrics for warehousing. Also, this paper highlights the warehouse resources related to the respective warehouse operation activities. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to productivity performance indicators adapted from Staudt et al. (2015). Furthermore, the samples for this study comprised Malaysian academicians and practitioners in the related field. The findings can be adapted on a global scale as this study implemented general warehouse operation processes. Originality/value Consequently, the contributions of this study are that it provides relevant benchmarks for key productivity performance indicators in the warehousing sector that has worldwide applicability and the developed model provides a conceptual platform from which further theoretical and empirical developments can be carried out.

We developed new composites by combining the solid waste from Low-Density Polyethylene in the form of plastic bag (PB) and biomass from rice husk (RH),in the form of (RH)x(PB)1-x (x = (1, 0.9, 0.7, 0.5)), as alternative fuels for electrical energy sources, and for providing the best solution to reduce environmental pollution. Elemental compositions were obtained by using proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and the thermal characteristics were obtained from thermogravimetric analysis. The compositions of carbon and hydrogen from the ultimate analysis show significant increases of 20–30% with increasing PB in the composite. The activation energy for RH is 101.22 kJ/mol; for x = 0.9 and 0.7, this increases by 4 and 6 magnitude, respectively, and for x = 0.5, shows remarkable increase to 165.30 kJ/mol. The range of temperature of about 480–660°C is required for combustion of the composites (RH)x(PB)1-x (x = (1, 0.9, 0.7, 0.5)) to perform the complete combustion process and produce high energy. In addition, the calorific value was determined by using bomb calorimetry, and shows value for RH of 13.44 MJ/kg, which increases about 30–40% with increasing PB content, indicating that PB has a strong effect of increasing the energy realized to generate electricity.

Utilization of coal as a source of electrical energy in the power plant in Indonesia was increased significantly every year, but it can damage the environment if the excessive use of it is not anticipated. This study was conducted by analyzing the potential energy of the corn cobs (CC) in every province. The conducted study is on energy content and ash content of CC. The study shows the potential of the electric energy of CC is available only in 12 provinces that enable for the operation of the power plant with a capacity of 10 MW. However, the waste CC is highly feasible to use as fuel in the power plant because it has a calorific value of about 16.92 MJ/kg which is greater than the calorific value of rice husk around 13.44 MJ/kg and rice straw around 12.56 MJ/kg, and has a ashes around 2.14 % which is very small compared to ashes of rice husk and rice straw which are 19.11% and 18.51%, respectively. The study results are expected to contribute to reducing the use of coal at the power plant.

Seaport terminal compels sharing its complexities with other industries. It is an integrated place where cargo moves from gate until load onto vessel and vice versa. It represents a systematic lean supply chain in a terminal. The study aims at measuring Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) and analyse productivity change. The MPI denotes productivity level and window analysis of the results . The technical results depict the significant value productivity index for container terminal as well as window analysis. Thus, systematic decision making approach can be applied in running terminal operation. These operation activities contribute significant outcome towards terminal performance.

Large-scale cultivation of seaweed has become one of the most important aquaculture activities in Malaysia which may help increase farmers’ incomes as well as seaweed itself can be processed into many beneficial end products. The present location of seaweed farming selected by farmers is situated close proximity to the coastline which is between 100 and 200 m from the seashore. The unfavourable condition of sea during rough sea with high wave and high speed of current is always a problem to the farmers since this environmental condition destroys their seaweed planting lines. To avoid the above problem, especially in monsoon prone area, a thorough analysis needs to be done in order to prevent environmental load from destroying seaweed platform on its mooring line when subjected to greater stress. The main objective of this study is to perform a simulation study which will allow analysis of the best mooring system for multi-body floating seaweed farm, together with understanding of the reliability a...

Globalization push container terminal grown rapidly in decade. To fulfill the future traffic requirement, this study highlights marginal expansion planning of infrastructure in a container terminal. By using marginal approach, the expansion plan can be determine correctly and economically stage by stage. A mathematical model has generated to calculate the expansion size, expansion time, interval of expansion, expansion cost, and significant of expansion for each infrastructure respectively. It recommended determining the expansion plan for each infrastructure respectively. This is because one of the infrastructures needs to be expanding but the other may not. The generated model was verified with others model and validated with case study to investigate the practicability of the model. The model serves as expansion decision making tools to assist port expansion planners.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of impact energy and impactor size on basalt filament wound composite tubes with different winding angles. Tubes with four different winding angles [±45°]3, [±55°]3, [±65°]3 and [±75°]3 were subjected to various impact energy levels, 4, 6, 8 and 10 J, using four different impactor diameters, 6.35, 10, 12.7 and 15.9 mm. The results obtained revealed the significant effect of energy levels, despite the limited range purposely studied. In particular, not only maximum damage diameter (MDD) but also the geometry of damage area is influenced by impact energy. MDD also increases the higher the winding angles. In addition, basalt tubes with higher winding angles absorb less energy than the tubes with smaller winding angles for any given impact energy: this may be also the effect of them being slightly thinner. Impact damage typically propagates in the fibre direction of the tubes. Impact using larger impactors increases the dimensions of damage area, hence reducing the penetration. In comparison with E-glass tubes with similar amount of reinforcement, damage area of basalt tubes is significantly smaller at all impact energies.

The objective of this study was to determine the energy absorption of basalt filament wound rectangular tubes under crushing test. Basalt fibre gained a lot of potential in various application due to low cost of this material together with its capability to breaking the domination of e-glass as a reinforcement material. Coupon tensile and axial compression (crushing) test were performed to investigate the strength and energy absorption performance of basalt filament wound rectangular tubes. Both test have been conducted using [±700]3 winding angle of sample configuration and comparison have been made in coupon test in which the basalt sample shows 8.7% higher than e-glass while produced opposite results in modulus of elasticity. Crushing test was performed in 25mm displacement with different loading rate which are 5, 10 and 15mm/min. The results obtained from three different conditions were compared showing a higher energy absorbed in the lower loading rate. The comparable crashworthiness of basalt suggest possible applications such as automotive industry which is requires a good energy absorb materials in some particular components.

This study was conducted to obtain a model combustion characteristic of rice husk as fuel at power plants in Indonesia. It is expected to be one of the solutions to meet the needs of electrical energy in Indonesia. Modeling characteristics performed using Ansys Fluent software. Modeling results obtained maximum gas temperature at bed about 1600 K. Temperature and CO2, CO, H2O occurs fluctuation in the combustion zone to at distance of 4.66 m from the fuel inlet. Maximum combustion temperature at the base of the furnace about 1600 K and the furnace exit around 967 K. Temperature distributions in the bed and the furnace is uneven due to incomplete combustion of gas in the bed and the fuel air mixture ratio is not appropriate (stoicheometric). Combustion gases in the furnace, ie CO2, CO, H2O fluctuations at the basic furnace, the furnace chamber, and the furnace exit. It was concluded that the model of combustion characteristics of rice husk can be used as a basis for assessing the feasibility of utilization as fuel for power plants.

Studies on the potential of plastic solid waste (PSW) as a fuel supplement for power plant was conducted to determine the potential energy and economic value in Indonesia. In analyzing the potential energy and economic value of PSW, 15 cities provinces having municipal solid waste production of greater than 1,000 tons/day were selected. The study showed that with the total potential of PSW of around 693 tons/day, the electrical energy potential available is around 7,987 MWh/day. The PSW equivalent with coal is approximately 1,065 tons/day, and its equivalent to the oil is around 593 tons/day. In conclusion, the PSW is an environmental pollution material but have the energy and economic potential to be used as a fuel supplement for the power plants. Thereby, it can save the use of coal by means co-combustion with PSW and at the same time be able overcome the environmental problems caused by pollution PSW in Indonesia.

This study was conducted to identify the potential surplus of rice straw as a source of energy for rural communities in Indonesia. Rural communities need a source of energy for electrical energy and small industry. Determination of the potential surplus of rice straw performed by compared the total potential of rice straw produced and portion used for other usage such as animal feed and raw materials for industry. The remainder wasted was named as a potential surplus of rice straw in this study that can be used as fuel. The study shows the potential of rice straw in total, for animal feed, for industries raw materials, and for energy source. Each of which has increased average about 2% per year or increased about 10% over 5 years (2009-2013). The study is expected to be one of the alternative sources of energy to meet the electrical energy needs and energy requirements for small industries on rural communities in Indonesia.

The objective of this study was to determine the strength of kenaf filament wound tubes under axial compression load. Kenaf is natural reinforcement fibre in which need to explore its capability to replace and compare with other common commercial reinforcement materials. Axial compression test was performed as early indication to identify the performance of kenaf filament wound composite tubes. Comparisons have been done towards basalt, e-glass and carbon tubes using polyester as a resin. Axial compression test of kenaf/polyester and kenaf/epoxy tubes were conducted with different winding angles involved which are 450, 550, 650 and 750. The result shows the 450 kenaf/epoxy tubes generated the higher compressive strength followed by other winding angle in the ascending order. The layer strength identification have been conducted in 550 winding angle sample in which indicate the increment layer of winding is uniform between one, two and three layers in ascending orders. Comparison between the different reinforcement materials show carbon tubes produced the higher compressive strength followed by e-glass, basalt and kenaf. Kenaf/epoxy recorded 38.7% lower the e-glass tubes. Kenaf/epoxy tubes were observed to identify the improvement from kenaf/polyester tubes and results shows at least 22% increment have been generated. It can be concluded that kenaf presence as a reinforcement material was successfully combine as composite system under axial compressive load as well as lead to the promising indication to be introduced in low load bearing application.

Total hip arthroplasty is a flourishing orthopedic surgery, generating billions of dollars of revenue. The cost associated with the fabrication of implants has been increasing year by year, and this phenomenon has burdened the patient with extra charges. Consequently, this study will focus on designing an accurate implant via implementing the reverse engineering of three-dimensional morphological study based on a particular population. By using finite element analysis, this study will assist to predict the outcome and could become a useful tool for preclinical testing of newly designed implants. A prototype is then fabricated using 316L stainless steel by applying investment casting techniques that reduce manufacturing cost without jeopardizing implant quality. The finite element analysis showed that the maximum von Mises stress was 66.88 MPa proximally with a safety factor of 2.39 against endosteal fracture, and micromotion was 4.73 μm, which promotes osseointegration. This method offers a fabrication process of cementless femoral stems with lower cost, subsequently helping patients, particularly those from nondeveloped countries.

The wave run up under semi-submersible platform deck and the dynamic response are important design factors, and determine the expected minimum air gap in extreme design conditions. For a semi-submersible, the prediction of probabilities wave run up in harsh environments is a challenging task. This paper addresses the problem of expressing the probability density and cumulative distribution functions that utilize Weibull distribution to model estimates the waves run up for a large volume semi-submersible squared-section columns platform in two sea states. The two parameters Weibull distribution, namely shape parameter and scale parameter were considered. The analysis interpreted the measured data of 9 realizations with different seeds in the moored model experiments. The length of total measured data analyzed included approximately 9 times 250 waves for each sea state. The wave run up was found by model estimates using a Rayleigh distribution, and some waves run up were identical apart from one another for different seeds. Finally, by this model with a sequence return for two sea states the associated motions distribution for the large volume semi-submersible platform were numerically predicted.

The utilization of rice husk as an alternative fuel for the power plant in Indonesia is still under study. In present, steam power plants in Indonesia are still using coal fuel. This study was conducted to obtain data on the development potential of rice husk within 12 years duration. The potential of rice husk for each province was obtained by analyzing the rice production of 22 provinces that have rice production greater than 1 million tons per year. The study shows that the potential of rice husk and potential electrical energy increased by about 36.8% within 12 years or an average increase of around 3.1% per year. For the potential of rice husk in 22 provinces, the total gain was estimated 12.76 × 106 tons which is equivalent to 6.62 × 106 tons of coal or equivalent to 3.68 × 106 tons of oil. The available capacity of power plants is around 5,664 MW with the potential of electric energy is around 49,622 GWh. This potential is equivalent to 50% of the energy needs of coal in Indonesia in 2011, which was about 99,312 GWh. In conclusion, rice husk is indeed potential to be used as an alternative fuel in power plants thanks to its increasing yearly production and ability for distribution to all provinces in Indonesia.

Aquaculture activities are inherently undertaken at close proximity to the coastline and near to the shore. Mounting constraints and environmental impact concerns necessitate the development of offshore aquaculture. Challenges include achieving a reliable structural integrity and mooring system design for ultimate state limit, fatigue state limit and accidental and progressive state limit against environmental loading and accidental loading. To avoid mooring system failure, selecting an appropriate breaking strength and limit state for mooring system components is essential. The aim of the present investigation is to describe a mooring system design that accounts for forces and environmental loadings. An evaluation of optimum mooring performance in wave, wind and current loadings on mooring components anchor, buoy and riser elements, that are involved in the dynamics of a mooring system. It is also to generate discussion on the establishment of suitable safety factors and coefficients for the design of very large offshore aquaculture floating structures.

Environmental issues are among the main concern nowadays. Interest in developing environmental products arises concurrently with the industrial development. The use of plant oil as hydraulic fluid would help to minimize hazardous pollution caused by accidental spillage, lower disposal costs of the used fluid and meet the environmental regulations. This research was conducted to investigate the rheology elements and potential of plant oil in marine application. The properties and characteristics of plant oil were done via rheological study by focusing on the viscosity effect as a function of temperature and shear rate. The rheological models indicate that this plant oil belong to pseudo-plastic category. Further analysis was done to fit the experimental data with various models and the findings show that the Cross and Carreau models fit well with the experimental data. The plant oil was used in 1000 hour operation in a hydraulic system, built in the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. The overall results suggest the potential substitution of plant oil as an energy transport media in marine application.

Container terminal is a dynamic interface worldwide. It portrays national capability in trading with outsider via seaborne. This research aims at measuring operational risk within container terminal besides its efficiency. By means of identify and apply DEA technique towards operationalisation of supply chain and risk, this research is providing final outcome with no adjusted risk rank order of decision-making unit (DMU). A panel data from 6 container terminals in Peninsular Malaysia are retrieved from 2003 until 2010. In turn, 8 years of data with 6 terminals resulting 48 container terminal DMUs. Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) and Super Slacks-Based Measure (SSBM) are used for risk solution. The findings of the research express efficiency based on the allocation of resources must be optimised to achieve optimum outcome. SBM and SSBM findings indicate that no adjusted risks are significantly related with size, planning, equipment and volume of cargoes. This is critical as container segments give a significant contribution to terminal operators. In addition, container terminal is competitive industry, as Malaysia is competing not only with neighbouring countries but also with Asian countries in particular and the world in general.

Malaysia as a country surrounded by water has a huge economic and geographical potential in the development of super yacht industry in South East Asia. There is lack of super yacht design study specifying to Malaysian marinas and seas. Most of the super yacht operates in Malaysia were built and bought directly from oversea, and chartered by foreign companies. It is hence the purpose of this study to survey on Malaysian sea water, particularly Langkawi Island, to introduce a design methodology in producing a preliminary design of super yacht that suits Langkawi Island, and serves as a guideline for future super yacht design for Malaysian sea in different marinas. Suitable dimensions of super yacht were derived by using dimensional relationship via statistical method. Two types of hull form designs (round bilge and V-bottom hull) were designed using Maxsurf Pro software. Resistance analysis on the two hull forms were carried out using Savitsky Pre-Planing and Compton methods via MaxsurfHullspeed software, and stability performance of the two hull forms was analyze using Hydromax software. V-Bottom hull form is found to have better resistance performance as compared to round bilge hull form, and both hull forms are found to be in stable conditions and comply with IMO requirements.

In deepwater development areas of Southeast Asia, the current is strong and relatively more persistent compared to other deepwater regions. Top tensioned risers (TTR) are critical submerged components of offshore platforms, constantly exposed to currents. These currents cause unsteady flow patterns around the risers i.e. vortex shedding. When the vortex shedding frequency is near the riser’s natural frequency, undesirable resonant vibration of the riser also known as Vortex Induced Vibration (VIV) occurs. Several types of VIV suppression devices are used in the offshore industry. Among them, the U-shaped fairing claims to have the capabilities of reducing VIV effectively as well as lowering drag loads. This study investigates the effectiveness of a U-shaped fairing in suppressing riser VIV. The model test was successfully performed in a towing tank facility located at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, Malaysia. This study is a significant collaboration between a local academic institution and the offshore oil and gas industry, aligned with the industry’s initiative of increasing local capabilities for research and development. In this study, the VIV of two risers in tandem is simulated using scaled test models. The current flow is simulated by towing the vertically submerged test models with a moving carriage. The riser with fairing models are attached to a pair of custom-designed test rigs which are able to measure the forces and also allow movement of the test model during towing tests. The two test rigs are attached to a steel structure under the carriage which accommodates different tandem riser configurations and spacings. Two different sizes of risers and fairings are tested to check for Reynolds number effects. For each tandem riser configuration, three different riser conditions are tested, i.e. (a) bare risers without fairings; (b) risers with weathervaning fairings, and (c) upstream riser with fairing stuck at different orientations and downstream riser with weathervaning fairing. The test results show significant reduction in drag and VIV for the risers with weathervaning fairings in different tandem configurations. Interesting motion characteristics are shown in some of the stuck fairing cases highlighting the adverse effects should the fairings fail to perform normally in the field. Effective mitigation of VIV in risers using fairing suppression devices could lead to improved riser fatigue life and overall a more economical platform design. These benefits are highly applicable to local deepwater developments for the oil and gas industry.

Background Minimal available information concerning hip morphology is the motivation for several researchers to study the difference between Asian and Western populations. Current use of a universal hip stem of variable size is not the best option for all femur types. This present study proposed a new design process of the cementless femoral stem using a three dimensional model which provided more information and accurate analysis compared to conventional methods. Methods This complete design cycle began with morphological analysis, followed by femoral stem design, fit and fill analysis, and nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA). Various femur parameters for periosteal and endosteal canal diameters are measured from the osteotomy level to 150 mm below to determine the isthmus position. Results The results showed better total fit (53.7%) and fill (76.7%) canal, with more load distributed proximally to prevent stress shielding at calcar region. The stem demonstrated lower displacement and micromotion (less than 40 μm) promoting osseointegration between the stem–bone and providing primary fixation stability. Conclusion This new design process could be used as a preclinical assessment tool and will shorten the design cycle by identifying the major steps which must be taken while designing the femoral stem.

Total hip arthroplasty is a flourishing orthopedic surgery, generating billions of dollars of revenue. The cost associated with the fabrication of implants has been increasing year by year, and this phenomenon has burdened the patient with extra charges. Consequently, this study will focus on designing an accurate implant via implementing the reverse engineering of three-dimensional morphological study based on a particular population. By using finite element analysis, this study will assist to predict the outcome and could become a useful tool for preclinical testing of newly designed implants. A prototype is then fabricated using 316L stainless steel by applying investment casting techniques that reduce manufacturing cost without jeopardizing implant quality. The finite element analysis showed that the maximum von Mises stress was 66.88 MPa proximally with a safety factor of 2.39 against endosteal fracture, and micromotion was 4.73 μm, which promotes osseointegration. This method offers a fabrication process of cementless femoral stems with lower cost, subsequently helping patients, particularly those from nondeveloped countries.

This paper empirically determines “Contribution of Human Factors to Shipping Safety”. Human factors can be classified into three categories. They are organizational factor, group factor, and individual factor Based on its classification, a questionnaire was made. A questionnaire was tested to 30 respondents who are working at a shipping company (PT. Baruna Jaya) to determine its validity and reliability by using Ms.Excel program. After the test is done, results show that 17 organizational factor statements, 11 group factor statements, 12 individual factor statements, and 10 shipping safety statements are valid with a reliability value for each variables are 0860, 0.767, 0721, and 0.8. By using its valid statements, questionnaires distributed to 86 respondents who are working as passenger ship’s crew at two shipping companies (PT Baruna Jaya and PT. Lestari IndomaBahari). After obtaining data, analysis requirements test (normality, homogeneity, linearity and independence test between independent variables) needs to be done to determine the statistical method to be used. Correlation and regression method by using SPSS program was used to determine the contribution of human factors to shipping safety, either carried out independently between an independent variable to dependent variable, or together between three independent variables to the dependent variable. Analyzed data was found that there are 28.8% contribution of human factors to shipping safety with correlation coefficient is 0.488. This lower contribution of human factors to the shipping safety is one of the causes of ship accidents frequently happen in the case study area. During the last two years there were 22 cases of ship accidents. With respect to that all parties which involve in shipping include shipping companies, the ship’s owners, government, regulatory authorities, classification society and other parties should take a serious concern about safety in shipping by improving on all aspects of human factors.

This minireview focuses on current understanding of the blue technology with special emphasis on algae products utilization. These relationships are discussed based on their economic value. The emerging antioxidant role for human health is highlight and the approach used to identify the oceanic parameters that are most suitable for the macro algae cultivation in Bidong Island, Redang Island, Perhentian Island and Setiu Wetland (Malaysia water) is reported.