The Faculty of Engineering

West Indian Journal of Engineering

Latest Issue

Volume 34: Numbers 1 & 2 - January 2012

Contents

Editorial

The Contribution of the Petroleum Studies Programmes at the UWI to the Local Oil and Gas
Industry. - Richard A. Dawe, Raffie Hosein and Jill Marcelle de Silva. Abstract | View PDF

Transition Probability Matrices and Revealed Comparative Advantage Persistence in a Small
Oil-based Economy. - Damie Sinanan and Roger Hosein. Abstract | View PDF

Modelling and Control of a Water-based System of Multiple Mobile Robots for Unmanned
Rescue. - Md. Mosharrof Hossain Sarker and M. Osman Tokhi. Abstract | View PDF

Effects of High Interest Rate on Technology Implementation in Jamaica. - Maurice G. Fletcher. Abstract | View PDF

Analysing the Strength Parameters of Concrete Manufactured Using Natural and Recycled Guanapo Aggregates. - Abrahams Mwasha and Jason R.F. Lalla. Abstract | View PDF

An Investigation of Methanol-Coconut Oil Fuel Blends in Diesel Engines for Caribbean Power Generation Using Biodiesel as a Co-solvent. - Renique J. Murray, Sharaaz Hosein and Solange Kelly. Abstract | View PDF

A Hybrid Soft Regulating (Wind-FC-Diesel-Battery) Renewable Energy for Island/Village Utilisation Scheme. - Adel M. Sharaf and Adel A.A. El-Gammal. Abstract | View PDF

Design of an RFID-based Inventory Control and Management System: A Case Study. - Jacky S.L. Ting and Albert H.C. Tsang. Abstract | View PDF

Production and Age-Hardening Behaviour of SiC Reinforced Aluminium Composites
Developed by Modified Stir-Casting Technique. - Kenneth K. Alaneme and Ayotunde O. Aluko. View PDF

Abstract
The production quality and age-hardening behaviour of Al 6063/SiC particulate composites developed using borax additive and a two-step stir casting was investigated. This was aimed at establishing optimum processing and thermal ageing conditions required for the development of Al 6063/SiCp composites. Al 6063/SiCp composites containing 6, 9, and 12 volume percent of SiC were produced; and samples representative of each composition were subjected to age-hardening treatment at 180oC, 190oC, and 200oC for holding times ranging from 30 to 180 minutes. Micro-structural characterisation and density measurements were used as a basis of evaluating the porosity and general casting quality of the composites; while hardness measurements were used to study the age hardening behaviour. Experimental results show that Al 6063/SiCp composites having low porosity levels (≤ 1.6 % porosity) and a good uniform distribution of the SiC particulates in the matrix of the Al 6063 were produced. Compared with the monolithic alloys, the aging response of the 6 and 9 volume percent (vol.%) SiC composites were generally poor, while the 12vol.% SiC composites showed appreciable age-hardening response at temperatures of 180-190oC (at 200oC, the ageing response was poor). Also, the transformation sequence of the composites appeared to be different from that of the monolithic alloy judging from the nature of the hardness profiles.

Hierarchical Evidential Reasoning-based Assessments of New Product Development Strategies. - Kwai Sang Chin and Kit Fai Pun. Abstract | View PDF

Electrical Treeing Diagnostics – An Approach Combining Optical Measurements and
Partial Discharge Statistics. - S. Bahadoorsingh, S. Sambeharry, R. Balliram and C. Sharma. Abstract | View PDF

A Proposed Methodology for Surface Water Quality Management for Sustainable Ecotourism in the Caribbean. - Ken D. Thomas, Erlande Omisca, Joniqua A. Howard and Maya A. Trotz. Abstract | View PDF