http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/62483 2026-10-10T06:08:37Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/62493 Title: Enhancing Ergonomics in Automotive Cylinder Head Manual Lapping: Workstation Assessment and Design Authors: Joshi, Mangesh; Deshpande, Vishwas Abstract: Human factors play a vibrant part in advancing health and yield at factories. In the last 20 years, ergonomic practitioners have given importance to reshaping the workroom. Indian businesses have also initiated reshaping their workroom to avoid several Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) and grievances. In this background, the project has been carried out in an automotive reconditioning workshop located in Nagpur and Pune. The ergonomic risk associated with WMSD was recognized by a comprehensive questionnaire, which was received from 18 experienced workers engaged in cylinder head Manual lapping activity. It was found that virtually all lapping workers were continuously suffering from some kind of WMSD. Based on the anthropometric data of 50 percentile Indian males, ergonomic evaluation, reshaping the existing workplace, and evaluation of a new workstation were carried out in CATIA-V5 software. To check the correction of the design, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) for both existing as well as proposed lapping workstations was performed. This study shows that improving workstations with a structured improvement framework approach decreases the disparity between man and machine and makes the workplace comfortable for work. Page(s): 915-924 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/62492 Title: Influence of Textile Layer Positioning on Flexural Strength- An Insight towards Field Casting of Textile Reinforced Concrete Authors: Shankar; Gopinath Abstract: As advancements in the construction industry demand fresh applications of thin-walled structures, Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) holds significant potential in the field and is yet to be explored thoroughly. The present experimental research investigates the effect of the position of the textile layer across the cross-section of TRC, which is a significant aspect while field casting of TRC products. The investigation is carried out for two different volume fractions initially, with two layers of textile placed in three distinct textile layer positions by performing 4-Point Bending (4PB) tests. The three types are, providing two layers at the bottom tension zone (2B), providing two layers at the center of the cross-section (2M), and providing one layer at the top compression zone and one at the bottom tension zone (1T1B). The study also attempts to arrive at a standardized analytical method to calculate the flexural capacity of cross-sections with different textile layer positions. From the experiment and analytical results, it was evident that the 2B type arrangement yielded approximately around 20% more capacity than 2M and around 50% more than 1T1B arrangements. This study also explores the pattern in the flexural capacity of the TRC section with the above three-layer positions, varying different volume fractions. The relationship between the volume fraction and flexural capacity and the influence of both volume fraction and textile position in cross-section on the flexural capacity is also explored. It is observed that the percentage difference in flexural capacity between 1T1B and 2B is relatively uniform for all volume fractions considered whereas the difference between 2M and 2B decreases till a volume fraction of 0.85% after which the difference staggers around an average value of 28.8%. The study establishes an advantageous layer positioning system across the cross-section, thereby increasing the capacity of the cross-section. Consequently, besides optimizing the utilization of the cross-section, this approach can directly lead to the most economical thickness for all applications involving the flexural strength of TRC. Page(s): 925-931 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/62491 Title: Go-Kashth: A Pioneering Approach for Alternate Fuel in Crematoriums Authors: Saxena, Yogendra Kumar; Verma, Ranu Chouksey; Jagan, P Abstract: Cremation is an irretrievable part of Indian culture especially Hinduism contributing to increasingly vexatious issue of environment pollution and cutting of millions of trees every year. However, there are hardly a few studies seeking to converse about and initiate solutions in this subject to provide a better approach to lives of people. The aim of this study was to develop an innovative approach for preparing cow dung logs named as Go-Kashth and use as an alternate fuel in crematoriums in place of fire wood. For the study a new model of service called ‘The Go-Kashth Bhopal model’ was developed accompanied with collection of essential information from crematorium organizers and cow-shed managers through composed questionnaires. The comparative study of parameters of combustion and emission characteristics for Go-Kashth & fire wood has reinforced its use as energy resource in cremation. The emission concentration of air pollutants-PM, SO2 and NOX were reduced by 30.5%, 44.8% and 13% respectively for Go-Kashth than that observed for fire wood. Thus, through stipulation, speculation and demand, mutually with analytical studies an alternate solution for crematoriums is presented conjuring with identification of possible improvements thereon. Also, the study opens scope for further studies for its application as an alternate fuel for industrial boilers and designing of Air Pollution Control Device for Crematoriums. Page(s): 932-937 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/62490 Title: Ergonomic Evaluation of Different Working Posture and Handle Designs of Mason Trowel during Wall Plastering Work based on Shoulder and Arm Muscle Activity Authors: Kumar, R. Naveen; Venkatachalam, S.; Shankar, S.; Nithyaprakash, R.; Elavarasan, A. J.; Krishnashankar, E.; Dharmadurai, K.; Srinivasan, T V; Prakash, C. Abstract: This study aims to identify the impact of the three ergonomically designed mason trowel handles at two working postures on the arm and shoulder muscles activation through experimental and subjective analysis. Prolonged usage, poor ergonomic design of trowels, and working at awkward postures results in Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD) among workers performing wall plastering task. Three mason trowels with different handle shapes were designed by modifying existing mason trowels and developed with 3D printing technology. Twelve student volunteers took part in this experimental study and simulated the wall plastering work at two commonly adopted working postures. Muscle activation and fatigue characteristics of five muscles on the arms and shoulder region were studied using Electromyography sensor (sEMG) sensors. Borg’s CR-10 scale was employed to carry out the subjective analysis to find mean discomfort among the models. The results revealed that handle shape and working position have an influence on the shoulder muscle engagement and less effect on the arm muscles. Subjective analysis results revealed that Model B and Model C were rated with higher preference by the participants. Results have revealed that shoulder muscle is activated more and subjected high muscle fatigue while performing wall plastering tasks. Also, circular-shaped handles with varying cross sections and curved shape handles were rated as highly compared to wall plastering work. Findings from this study can be used for studying the relationship between mason trowel designs and working posture with muscle activation. Page(s): 938-946 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z