Kaizen within Kaizen Teams: Continuous and Process Improvements in a Spanish municipality

( Manuel F. Suarez Barraza ),( Tony Lingham ) 한국품질경영학회 2008 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.9 No.1

Multi-objective Optimization of Structural Steel Buildings under Earthquake Loads using NSGA-II and PSO

Manuel Barraza,Edén Bojórquez,Eduardo Fernández-González,Alfredo Reyes-Salazar 대한토목학회 2017 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.21 No.2

The aim of this study is to illustrate and compares the use of Genetic Algorithms (GAs) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for multi-objective optimization of two and three dimensional moment resisting steel structures subjected to earthquake loads. For this purpose, steel buildings with different characteristics are designed under earthquakes using the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) and PSO as a tool to achieve the best structure in terms of: minimize the total structural weight (which is directly related with the costs), control of the maximum inter-story drift, and to satisfy the strength requirements of the AISC-LRFD specification. It is considered that all the steel structures are constituted by elements with W section (256 in total) taken from the LRFD-AISC Database. Although, the GAs and PSO are applied for moment resisting steel structures, the concepts can be extended for other structural systems. It is concluded that the use of NSGA-II and PSO reduce the structural weight and they are a very useful tools to improve the structural performance of the buildings. Finally, the structural buildings obtained via PSO are in general better solutions in comparison with the NSGA-II approach.

In search of “Muda” through the TKJ Diagram. An analysis and Classification

( Manuel F. Suarez-barraza(phd) ),( Francisco G. Rodriguez-gonzalez(phd Candidate) ) 한국품질경영학회 2015 한국품질경영학회 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.2

Purpose. Muda is a Japanese term literally meaning futility, uselessness, idleness, superfluity, waste, wastage or wastefulness. The term was introduced by the Japanese engineer Taiichi Ohno of Toyota Motor Corporation in the 1960s. Therefore, reducing and minimizing Muda is an effective way to increase the operational efficiency and productivity of an organization’s processes. In turn, the technique known as the affinity or TKJ diagram represents a practical way of sorting data or ideas into groups classified by common patterns; it can be regarded as one of the new seven tools of quality. The purpose of this paper is to discover Muda by applying the affinity or TKJ diagram in Mexican organizations. Design/methodology/approach. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted. Using theoretical sampling, we identified and analyzed data from a kaizen training course. Each course workshop was organized by the consulting firm “Mi Empresa” and given to employees of various organizations in various sectors over three years from January 2012 to January 2015. In total, 36 KJ diagrams were obtained from 12 course workshops. Findings. The research provided the first evidence of Muda in Mexican organizations. The Muda of Ohno’s classification was confirmed, but new common patterns of Muda in 21st century organizations also arose. Furthermore, the TKJ diagram proved to be an effective tool of quality to detect it. Research limitations. This paper has the same limitations as all other qualitative research, including analysis subjectivity and questionable generalization of findings. It is also important to highlight that the 36 KJ diagrams yielded 1,026 Muda, a seemingly abundant figure. However, it is a small sample for the number of companies and processes to be found in Mexico. Practical implications (if possible). This paper may prove to be valuable for practitioners and managers involved in the operations and continuous improvement fields. Getting to know Muda in organizations is of great importance for continuously improving organizational processes. This classification will allow greater insight and easier detection. Originality/value. The study contributes to the limited existing literature on total quality management, lean thinking and kaizen and subsequently disseminates this information in order to provide impetus, guidance and support towards improving the quality of organizational processes.

Kaizen within Kaizen Teams: Continuous and Process Improvements in a Spanish municipality

Suarez-Barraza, Manuel F.,Lingham, Tony The Korean Society for Quality Management 2008 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.9 No.1

A Purpose. As organizations become more team oriented, research on teams continues to increase especially involving how teams contribute to organizational performance and effectiveness. Although there has been existing research on Kaizen teams in the private sector, very little research has included Kaizen teams in the public sector. In this paper, we present a method to study Kaizen teams in a local Spanish government that have been using Kaizen teams for more than ten years. Design/methodology/approach. Quantitative research was adopted for this study. Twenty teams participated in the study by filling out the Team Learning and Development Inventory (TLI) proposed by Lingham (2004). In addition, we interviewed members of the teams in order to clarify and assure our quantitative results. Findings Based on the findings, we propose that Kaizen teams should practice both Continuous (CI) and Process Improvements (PI) in their projects. We also propose that Kaizen teams should not be teams skilled only at developing better improvement processes (both CI and PI) for the organization but that such teams should also be skilled at engaging in team development using both CI and PI processes internally-a Kaizen within Kaizen teams approach. Research limitations. Its based in one case study. However, it is working paper and the research project still is developing. Practical Implications (if possible). Serve as a guide to practitioners (Public managers) who desire to understand how their Kaizen teams involves both internal (conversational spaces) and external (methodology) perspectives that would contribute to both team and organizational effectiveness. In this paper, we focus on the Internal Processes (both CI and PI) using the TLI as an effective method for Kaizen teams to engage in the Kaizen process. Originality/value. This study is one of the first to look at team's performance using Team Learning and Development Inventory in Spain's public sector. It is also the first to mention about the relationship of the team's performance and the implementation of process improvement methodologies in Spain local government environment.

Seismic response estimation of steel buildings with deep columns and PMRF

Alfredo Reyes-Salazar,Manuel E. Soto-López,José R. Gaxiola-Camacho,Edén Bojórquez,Arturo Lopez-Barraza 국제구조공학회 2014 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.17 No.4

The responses of steel buildings with perimeter moment resisting frames (PMRF) with medium size columns (W14) are estimated and compared with those of buildings with deep columns (W27), which are selected according to two criteria: equivalent resistance and equivalent weight. It is shown that buildings with W27 columns have no problems of lateral torsional, local or shear buckling in panel zone. Whether the response is larger for W14 or W27 columns, depends on the level of deformation, the response parameter and the structural modeling under consideration. Modeling buildings as two-dimensional structures result in an overestimation of the response. For multiple response parameters, the W14 columns produce larger responses for elastic behavior. The axial load on columns may be significantly larger for the buildings with W14 columns. The interstory displacements are always larger for W14 columns, particularly for equivalent weight and plane models, implying that using deep columns helps to reduce interstory displacements. This is particularly important for tall buildings where the design is usually controlled by the drift limit state. The interstory shears in interior gravity frames (GF) are significantly reduced when deep columns are used. This helps to counteract the no conservative effect that results in design practice, when lateral seismic loads are not considered in GF of steel buildings with PMRF. Thus, the behavior of steel buildings with deep columns, in general, may be superior to that of buildings with medium columns, using less weight and representing, therefore, a lower cost.

Effect of modeling assumptions on the seismic behavior of steel buildings with perimeter moment frames

Alfredo Reyes-Salazar,Manuel Ernesto Soto-López,Eden Bojórquez-Mora,Arturo López-Barraza 국제구조공학회 2012 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.41 No.2

Several issues regarding the structural idealization of steel buildings with perimeter moment resisting steel frames (MRSFs) and interior gravity frames (GFs) are studied. Results indicate that the contribution of GFs to the lateral structural resistance may be significant. The contribution increases when the stiffness of the connection of the GFs is considered and is larger for inelastic than for elastic behavior. The interstory shears generally increase when the connections stiffness is taken into account. Resultant stresses at some base columns of MRSFs also increase in some cases but to a lesser degree. For columns of the GFs, however, the increment is significant. Results also indicate that modeling the building as planes frames may result in larger interstory shears and displacements and resultant stresses than those obtained from the more realistic 3-D formulation. These differences may be much larger when semi-rigid (SR) connections are considered. The conservativism is more for resultant stresses. The differences observed in the behaviour of each structural representation are mainly due to a) the elements that contribute to strength and stiffness and b) the dynamics characteristics of each structural representation. It is concluded that, if the structural system under consideration is used, the three-dimensional model should be used in seismic analysis, the GFs should be considered as part of the lateral resistance system, and the stiffness of the connections should be included in the design of the GFs. Otherwise, the capacity of gravity frames may be overestimated while that of MRSFs may be underestimated.

Effect of modeling assumptions on the seismic behavior of steel buildings with perimeter moment frames

Reyes-Salazar, Alfredo,Soto-Lopez, Manuel Ernesto,Bojorquez-Mora, Eden,Lopez-Barraza, Arturo Techno-Press 2012 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.41 No.2

Several issues regarding the structural idealization of steel buildings with perimeter moment resisting steel frames (MRSFs) and interior gravity frames (GFs) are studied. Results indicate that the contribution of GFs to the lateral structural resistance may be significant. The contribution increases when the stiffness of the connection of the GFs is considered and is larger for inelastic than for elastic behavior. The interstory shears generally increase when the connections stiffness is taken into account. Resultant stresses at some base columns of MRSFs also increase in some cases but to a lesser degree. For columns of the GFs, however, the increment is significant. Results also indicate that modeling the building as planes frames may result in larger interstory shears and displacements and resultant stresses than those obtained from the more realistic 3-D formulation. These differences may be much larger when semi-rigid (SR) connections are considered. The conservativism is more for resultant stresses. The differences observed in the behaviour of each structural representation are mainly due to a) the elements that contribute to strength and stiffness and b) the dynamics characteristics of each structural representation. It is concluded that, if the structural system under consideration is used, the three-dimensional model should be used in seismic analysis, the GFs should be considered as part of the lateral resistance system, and the stiffness of the connections should be included in the design of the GFs. Otherwise, the capacity of gravity frames may be overestimated while that of MRSFs may be underestimated.

Control of peak floor accelerations of buildings under wind loads using tuned mass damper

Juan Acosta,Edén Bojórquez,Juan Bojórquez,Alfredo Reyes-Salazar,Omar Payán,Manuel Barraza,Juan Serrano 국제구조공학회 2022 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.81 No.1

Due to the frequency and magnitude of some loads produced by gusts of turbulent wind, building floors can develop lateral displacements and significant accelerations which can produce strong inertial forces on structural, non-structural elements and occupants. A device that can help to reduce the floor accelerations is the well-known Tuned Mass Damper (TMD); however, nowadays there is no enough information about its capacity in order to dissipate energy of turbulent wind loads. For this reason, in this paper different buildings with and without TMD are modeled and dynamically analyzed under simulated wind loads in order to study the reduction of peak floor accelerations. The results indicate that peak floor accelerations can be reduced up to 40% when TMD are incorporated in the buildings, which demonstrated that the Tuned Mass Damper is an efficient device to reduce the wind effects on tall buildings.