| 1. |
- Arun Chaudhari, Ojas, et al.
(author)
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A Practical Construction Technique to Enhance the Performance of Rock Bolts in Tunnels
- 2021
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In: Proc of ICTC 2021.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Swedish tunnel construction, a critical issue that has been repeatedly acknowledged is corrosion and, consequently, failure of the rock bolts in rock support systems. The defective installation of rock bolts results in the formation of cavities in the cement mortar that is regularly used to fill the area under the dome plates. These voids allow for water-ingress to the rock bolt assembly, which results in corrosion of rock bolt components and eventually failure. In addition, the current installation technique consists of several manual steps with intense labor works that are usually done in uncomfortable and exhausting conditions, e.g., under the roof of the tunnels. Such intense tasks also lead to a considerable waste of materials and execution errors. Moreover, adequate quality control of the execution is hardly possible with the current technique. To overcome these issues, a nonshrinking/ expansive cement-based mortar filled in the paper packaging has been developed in this study which properly fills the area under the dome plates without or with the least remaining cavities, ultimately that diminishes the potential of corrosion. This article summarizes the development process and the experimental evaluation of this technique for the installation of rock bolts. In the development process, the cementitious mortar was first developed using specific cement and shrinkage reducing/expansive additives. The mechanical and flow properties of the mortar were then evaluated using compressive strength, density, and slump flow measurement methods. In addition, isothermal calorimetry and shrinkage/expansion measurements were used to elucidate the hydration and durability attributes of the mortar. After obtaining the desired properties in both fresh and hardened conditions, the developed dry mortar was filled in specific permeable paper packaging and then submerged in water bath for specific intervals before the installation. The tests were enhanced progressively by optimizing different parameters such as shape and size of the packaging, characteristics of the paper used, immersion time in water and even some minor characteristics of the mortar. Finally, the developed prototype was tested in a lab-scale rock bolt assembly with various angles to analyze the efficiency of the method in real life scenario. The results showed that the new technique improves the performance of the rock bolts by reducing the material wastage, improving environmental performance, facilitating and accelerating the labor works, and finally enhancing the durability of the whole system. Accordingly, this approach provides an efficient alternative for the traditional way of tunnel bolt installation with considerable advantages for the Swedish tunneling industry.
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| 2. |
- Forsman, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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Participative development of packages in the food industry – evaluation of ergonomics and productivity by objective measurements
- 2012
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In: Work. - : IOS Press. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 41, s. 1751-1755
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rationalizations generally have a negative effect on health and known risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. These effects may be reduced by paying attention to modifiers as worker participation and a resonant management style. In this study a participatory approach was used in the food industry in order to improve ergonomics and productivity. The food industry shows a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, and repetitive manual work occurs extensively. Prototypes of new packaging solutions were developed in three cases, and compared in a simulated production to the existing production system through direct measurements of working postures and muscle activity, ratings of physical load, and general productivity data. Measured and rated ergonomic exposures showed that workload was significantly lower for the prototypes, in all three cases. In two cases, the number of handling operations included in the packaging operations were greatly reduced with the prototype package, as were production costs. The impact on disorders of the obtained load reductions is difficult to assess, but we believe that in “critical” situations like this, even small improvements may have an effect. This study shows that workloads during manual handling of packages as well as production costs can be reduced by applying participative development of packages.
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| 3. |
- Forsman, Mikael, Professor, et al.
(author)
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Participative development of packages in the food industry–evaluation of ergonomics and productivity by objective measurements
- 2012
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In: Work. - : IOS Press. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 4141 Suppl 1, s. 1751-1755
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rationalizations generally have a negative effect on health and known risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. These effects may be reduced by paying attention to modifiers as worker participation and a resonant management style. In this study a participatory approach was used in the food industry in order to improve ergonomics and productivity. The food industry shows a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, and repetitive manual work occurs extensively. Prototypes of new packaging solutions were developed in three cases, and compared in a simulated production to the existing production system through direct measurements of working postures and muscle activity, ratings of physical load, and general productivity data. Measured and rated ergonomic exposures showed that workload was significantly lower for the prototypes, in all three cases. In two cases, the number of handling operations included in the packaging operations were greatly reduced with the prototype package, as were production costs. The impact on disorders of the obtained load reductions is difficult to assess, but we believe that in "critical" situations like this, even small improvements may have an effect. This study shows that workloads during manual handling of packages as well as production costs can be reduced by applying participative development of packages.
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| 4. |
- Kihlstedt, Annika, et al.
(author)
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Material identity in a packaging context
- 2014
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Package design includes a number of considerations ranging from protecting the content to conveying the brand image. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding on how Swedish consumes perceive product packaging attributes, with a special emphasis on in which way packaging material (carton, paper plastic), and structural design (folding carton, paper bag, standing pouch and plastic bag), have an emotional impact on consumers' evaluation of the product and packaging. Assessing the appearance and effectiveness of a packaging system is often confounded by branding, why it is important to separate the brand influence from the attributes of the packaging system. Thus, in the experimental part, packaging prototypes of different structural design and materials were manufactured in order to present commercial cereal brands in different types of packaging. The research involved a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, comprising (i) focus groups on cereal (muesli) packaging; (ii) a mock-up study of four muesli packaging types: transparent plastic bag, carton box, paper bag, and a resalable stand-up plastic pouch; and (iii) a questionnaire on environmental attitudes to packaging materials. Fourteen respondents participated in the focus groups and 20 in the mock-up study. Result show that the paper bag and the carton box were perceived to be the most environmentally friendly packaging material. Heavy ink usage on paper bags and carton boxes can however raise concern regarding the environmental impact. Introducing functionality and good print quality can cause preferences to divert to an alternative packaging material. In the mock-up study the standing pouch was the most liked package type regardless of brands. Functional reasons (protect, re-closable etc.) and appearance reasons (nice print, nice colours) was claimed for giving this package high ratings.
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| 5. |
- Nilsson, Birgitta, et al.
(author)
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Can producers of packaging contribute to improving the handling of packages for women working in the food industry?
- 2011
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In: 25th IAPRI Symposium.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Extensive manual handling is a risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the lower back and neck-shoulder regions (World Health Organization 2003). In the Swedish food industry, manual handling occurs mainly in production and in packing. The type and structure of packages is a probable determinant of the working conditions. In this research and development project, we investigated whether packages can be redesigned so that workloads during manual handling are reduced.The project included the following steps, implemented at three selected production lines different food industry companies:- Collection of production data and a description of all manual activities devoted to the handling of packages.- Direct measurements of working postures and muscle activity of the upper body, together with ratings of physical load using questionnaires.- Collection of general productivity data.- Group discussions with workers concerning the packaging characteristics supporting or obstructing easy handling; followed by suggestions for improvements.- Interviewing the next step in the value chain, e.g. bakers and shop replenishers, regarding suggestions for improvements to the selected packages.- Discussions with packaging producers regarding improvements to the selected packages.- Feed-back of results to the participating companies.The existing production systems and the manual handling activities observed there were compared to simulated production using prototypes of new packages. Measured and rated ergonomic exposures showed that workload was lower for the prototypes. In one company (N=9), muscular activity decreased by 10.1% (p<0.05). In the second company (N=4) postures were less inclined during work, and muscular activity declined by 43.6% . In the third company (N=8), wrist velocity decreased by 7% (p<0.05). In the two latter companies, the number of handling operations included in the packaging operations was greatly reduced with the prototype package. None of the new prototype solutions had negative effects on productivity.From these cases, we conclude that workloads during manual handling of packages can be reduced by modifying packages per se. We believe that considerations to the ergonomics effects of a particular package should be included in the planning, design and specifications of that package throughout its value chain.
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| 6. |
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| 8. |
- Olsmats, Carl, 1961-, et al.
(author)
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Perceptions of Sustainability and Functional Aspects on Liquid Carton Board Packaging Materials versus Competing Materials for Juice Applications in Sweden
- 2015
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In: Beverage packaging. - Basel : MDPI. - 2306-5710. ; 1, s. 194-203
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This research explores the downstream perceptions of liquid carton board versus competing materials in packaging applications for juice. The methodology used is focus groups. The context is sustainability and functional performance, and related potential implications for the beverage industry value chain. The purpose is to get a deeper insight and understanding of functionality in relation to juice beverage packaging. The results confirm that there is no optimal packaging for every juice product, but a multitude, depending on the distribution channel, retail outlet, customer preferences, and context of consumption. There are some general packaging preferences, but the main deciding criteria for purchase seem to be the product characteristics in terms of quality, taste, brand, price and shelf life. For marketing reasons, packaging has to be adopted to the product and its positioning, liquid carton board packaging seem to have some functional advantages in distribution and is considered as sustainable and functional among many consumers. Major drawbacks seem to be shape limitations, lack of transparency, and lack of a “premium look”. To improve packaging performance and avoid sub-optimization, actors in the beverage industry value chain need to be integrated in development processes.
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| 9. |
- Pousette, Sandra, et al.
(author)
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An extended method to measure overall consumer satisfaction with packaging.
- 2014
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In: Packaging technology & science. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0894-3214 .- 1099-1522. ; 27:9, s. 727-738
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There are several reasons why people find it troublesome to use and handle consumer packages. The European Committee for Standardization recently suggested a technical specification (TS) regarding packaging and ease of opening. The present study has expanded the procedure by including consumer satisfaction measurements in two steps and engaging panels comprising two separate age groups. The expanded method, which used six different packages as test objects, engaged 75 panellists, 40 in the older group (65–80 years) and 35 in the younger group (25–40 years). The expanded method not only included the same operations as described in the TS but also included panellists who graded each handling element separately on a 'smiley' scale, along with feedback for their grades and an overall judgement of the package handling.The grading feedback differed between the two groups. The younger panellists mainly noted issues that were not connected to openability, while older panellists noted openability as the most influential factor. Further analysis revealed that openability was also a key issue for the younger panellists, despite their claims to the contrary. Satisfaction was the most critical TS element for describing a package as being easy to open.
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| 10. |
- Salzmann-Erikson, Martin, et al.
(author)
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Keep calm and have a good night : nurses' strategies to promote inpatients' sleep in the hospital environment
- 2016
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - : Wiley. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 30:2, s. 356-364
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Patients in the hospital environment are suffering from disrupted sleep, which adversely affects their recovery process, health and well-being. The aim of this study was to explore nurses' experiences and their strategies to promote inpatients' sleep. An empirical qualitative design was applied. Eight nurses at a hospital in Sweden were purposefully selected to be included in semi-structured interviews. Burnard's method for inductively analysing interview transcripts was applied. The findings are presented in four categories: (i) prevention and planning as a sleep-promoting nursing strategy; (ii) adaptation of the environment as a sleep-promoting nursing strategy; (iii) use of drugs as a sleep-promoting nursing strategy; and (iv) caring conversation as a sleep-promoting nursing strategy. Using strategies to promote sleep is important as it affects the recovery of the patients. We argue for the use of simple strategies of sensory reduction as cost-effective sleep-promoting measures that also reduce the use of sedative drugs.
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