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Effect of Process Parameters on Residual Stresses, Distortions, and Porosity in Selective Laser Melting of Maraging Steel 300
Get PDFPublished ArticleSelective laser melting (SLM) is one of the most well-known additive manufacturing
methods available for the fabrication of functional parts from metal powders. Although SLM is now
an established metal additive manufacturing technique, its widespread application in industry is
still hindered by inherent phenomena, one of which is high residual stresses. Some of the e ects of
residual stresses–such as warping and thermal stress-related cracking–cannot be corrected by post
processing. Therefore, establishing input process parameter combinations that result in the least
residual stress magnitudes and related distortions and/or cracking is critical. This paper presents the
influence of laser power, scanning speed, and layer thickness on residual stresses, distortions and
achievable density for maraging steel 300 steel parts in order to establish the most optimum input
parameter combinations. An analysis of the interdependence between process outcomes shows that
high residual stress magnitudes lead to high dimensional distortions in the finished parts, whilst
porous parts su er relatively lower residual stresses and associated distortions
Model For The Continuance Use Intention Of Mobile Learning Games
Get PDFPublished ArticleMobile educational applications encompass some of the most valuable learning tools that have ever
been developed. Games for learning are most effective when multiple sessions are involved. Previous
research on the use of educational games in mathematics education has focused primarily on the
learning potential of these games and has not adequately addressed the continuance use intention of
these games. The purpose of this paper is to provide a model for the continuance use intention of
mobile mathematical learning games. A mixed method research methodology was employed where
qualitative and quantitative data was gathered through surveys and interviews. Sixty children, aged 8
to 12, from selected schools in one of South Africa’s provinces, participated in the study. The results
indicated that a combination, balance and interplay of the various dimensions of enjoyment and
engagement (cognitive, affective and physical) in a mathematical mobile learning game influenced the
continuance use intention of learners. The resultant theoretical model could provide educators,
parents and educational game designers with an integrated approach that should allow them to
design and evaluate specific mathematical mobile learning games for motivational potential
A Hydrogeophysical Appraisals for Surficial Aquifer Potentials of Sedimentary Basin of SW Nigeria
Get PDFPublished ArticleThis study presents the use of geoelectrical method in assessing the surficial aquifer potentials of
the multi-layered sedimentary basin of South Western Nigeria. The 18 Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES)
covering the sedimentary basin was conducted using the schlumberger electrode array. Methodology and data
evaluation includes zoning the basin according to their geological formations and rock types. Field resistivity
data were inverted into one and two dimensions with IPI2Win Software. The inversion were done to obtain both
lateral and vertical layer distribution of beds in the vadose zone, depth to water levels, identification of
lithological types and thicknesses and presence of aquifers. Four to six lithological layers were delineated
general for the basin from the interpretation of the data inversions. Results showed that vadose sediment
compositions include porous sandstones, limestones, shales and topsoils. Transverse conductance from the
study correlated with the aquifer transmissivity which suggest possibility of good yield. This study has shown
the importance of surface resistivity in aquifer parameters and potentials estimations
Impact of Leachate from Northern Landfill Site in Bloemfontein on Water and Soil Quality: Implications for Water and Food Security
Get PDFPublished ArticleSolid waste management in developing cities is a threat to water and food security. The final
disposal option for solid wastes is usually landfill sites. Possible contaminants and their impact
on surface and groundwater, and soil quality, at the northern solid waste landfill in Bloemfontein
city, South Africa, was investigated. Soil samples were analysed for basic cations and heavy
metals. A one-point surface leachate, groundwater, and surface water samples were analysed for
physicochemical and microbiological parameters. Hydrochemical speciation models were developed
using these parameters to determine the influence of the leachate emanating from the landfill on
the quality of the water samples. Findings from the study showed that the low metal content in
the soil and water samples posed no immediate threat to food and water security. However, most
of the other parameters were above the permissible limit of South African National Standard 241
(SANS241) and World Health Organisation (WHO) for drinking water, and the Department of Water
A airsand Forestry (DWAF) specification for irrigation, an indication that the groundwater was unfit
for drinking, domestic and irrigation purposes. Metal concentrations in the soil also increased with
distance downslope of the landfill along drainage lines. The implementation of a circular economy in
Bloemfontein will translate to less pollution and enhance sustainable development
Destination South Africa: Analysis of Destination Awareness and Image by International Visitors
Get PDFPublished ArticleInternational tourism is vital to South Africa’s economy and tourism industry. It accounts for 48% of the country’s tourism volume and 3% of GDP. It is important to establish the image that international visitors have of South Africa to safeguard the performance efficacy of the country’s tourism industry. This study shows the efforts that South Africa have made to build a Nation Brand and describes the impact it’s had on the perceptions of international visitors. The study population was international visitors to South Africa. Questionnaires were used to interview departing passengers at OR Tambo International Airport. Results indicated that the overall attractiveness of South Africa was positive. A majority indicated that they will return to South Africa
A Multi-Dimensional Drought Risk Analysis in the Free State Drought-Hit Municipalities, South Africa
Get PDFPublished ArticleDrought causes about 78% of all natural disasters related deaths in Africa (Disaster Management Training
and Education Centre for Africa. Specifically in South Africa, rainfall climate is of great variability with
very wide fluctuations in seasonal rainfall deviations since 1960 giving a need for rainfall deficit assessment.
Following a drought disaster declaration in some provinces of South Africa, the water and sanitation minister
of South Africa, Nomvula Mokonyane signed a memorandum of understanding with the Danish government
in combating the challenges of water in South Africa. For better and effective resources allocation mobilization,
a risk assessment is vital, therefore this study aimed at assessing drought risk for all municipalities in the
Free State drought-hit. Data was collected from Statistics South Africa in quantifying vulnerability. A Patnaik
and Narain Method was used in computing the composite vulnerability index. In order to calculate risk
level, hazard assessment done by the author was adopted, where each municipality’s severity value was
computed. Drought hazard analysis was computed from four input parameters namely; precipitation,
temperature, wind speed and relative humidity. The results showed the drought risk highest in the northern
and eastern parts of Free State province indicating that it is actually imperative that emergency responses
consider these parts before any other part of the province. The northern and eastern parts of this province
is where most farms are located
Explaining Social Entrepreneurial Intentions among College Students in Zimbabwe
Get PDFPublished ArticleWhile definitional clarity of social entrepreneurship as constituting
a semblance of economic engagements that straddle entrepreneurial
studies, social innovation and not for profit ventures had
been established, the antecedents of such entrepreneurship are
only beginning to emerge. This study tests moral obligation,
empathy, self-efficacy and social support as main determinants of
social entrepreneurial intentions in the depressed economy of
Zimbabwe, where the pursuit of economic gains at a personal
level is anticipated to thrive. The study employed the Mair and
Naboa model, a quantitative approach, and survey design to
explore the influence of the aforementioned antecedents on the
social entrepreneurial intentions of a sample of 284 vocational
training college students. Results suggest that only empathy,
self-efficacy and social support had statistically significant relationships
with social entrepreneurial intentions. Notably, social
support had a negative predictive relationship with social entrepreneurial
intentions. The outcome of the study partially validates
the Mair and Naboa model
‘Musiconomy’: A Framework for the Socio-Economic Development of a Rural South African Context
Get PDFPublished ArticleLocal or regional socio-economic development is a buzzword that has gained prominence in recent times.
The primary aim of adoption of the concept is to stimulate economic activity in a region or locality by creating
new jobs and improving living standards. There are several theoretical lenses through which the concept
can be viewed. The thesis statement for the current study is that in accordance with endogenous theory of
development, effective economic growth hence socio economic development of a region or locality is
possible through the use of its local resource. In this study, the focus is on musiconomy, where music is
seen as the local resource (fulcrum) of local or regional socio-economic development. The study was aimed
at developing an integrated framework that makes music a tool for socio-economic development in the
South African rural context, focussing specifically on the Northern Cape Province. The study was
exploratory descriptive, using qualitative methods for data collection and analysis. The major finding was
that although literature supports the notion that local music talent can enhance the socio-economic
emancipation of regions and musical talent abounds in the study area, this potential is not optimally
exploited to the economic benefit of the area. It is, therefore, possible to enhance the musiconomy of the
region through the proposed framework. The paper provides a novel framework that makes local musical
talent a tool for the socio-economic development in the rural South African context. Critics can point to the
apparent shortcomings inherent in case studies and qualitative studies. However, the study lays a solid
foundation for wider scale studies that incorporate quantitative approaches as well
A tool to assess the success of business intelligence implementation within Free State government departments : task technology fit perspective
Get PDFThesis (Masters in Information Technology) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2019This study employed an information systems (IS) framework development based on a case study. Data collected using a questionnaire was analysed using factor analysis technique to examine the effectiveness of the widely used Vulindela System (VS) – a business intelligence (BI) technology – in the public sector, with special focus on three service-delivery-oriented government departments, namely the Treasury, Health and CoGTA in the Free State Province, South Africa. Two principal component analysis (PCA) models were built to extract latent factors capturing the weakness and strength of the VS, with the first model assessing the internal consistency and adequacy of the survey questions to measure the VS as an observable construct, and the second model is estimated based on the 12-Task Technology Fit (TTF) evaluation theoretical framework proposed by Goodhue (1995). Firstly, the evidence from the survey reveals that sizeable number of main users (about 70%) of the VS perceived the system as a: user-friendly-web-based IT system, an easily accessible, problem-solving and flexible BI tool capable of executing analytical (financial) and decision-making related tasks, amongst others. The effectiveness of the System is, however, constrained by lack of technical-know-how among most users, for instance to extract and disseminate complex information produced by the system and limited technical support to resolve network issues. Secondly, the results of the PCA models confirm that the strength of VS as a decision-making BI tool can be ascribed to its ability to perform unstructured tasks, collate quality information, enhance total productivity, whereas the operational capacity and functionality of the system is hampered by the System’s inflexibility to be integrated with other IT systems, inability to facilitate new/non-routine/unstructured tasks. Finally, the results of the TTF-based PCA model show that the VS is mostly (in) directly influenced by its operational capacity and functionality features, and its shortcomings is attributable to the System’s incompatibility to meet user’s task profile and inflexibility to execute new task demanded. Based on these findings, the efficiency gain derived by the main users in the focal provincial departments is relatively low vis-à-vis the high cost of implementing the system. The functionality features of the existing VS technology need to be upgraded to allow, for instance, easy accessibility of reports/information with short turn-around time, performance of (un-)structured and non-routine tasks that meet the users’ task profiles. Despite significant inferences produced by the two-pronged quantitative analysis by making use of a small sample, however, the robustness of the inferred results and statistical power of the structural framework will significantly improve by using a larger sample size
An evaluation of the implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems in the office of the Premier, Free State provincial government
Get PDFThesis (Master of Public Management) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2019The study examines the current implementation challenges with respect to monitoring and evaluation systems in the Office of the Premier, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Directorate of the Free State Province. M&E systems are indispensable for ensuring the effective functioning of the spheres of government in such a way that policy objectives and effective service delivery are achieved. Since the inception of the Government Wide Monitoring and Evaluations System (GWM&ES) in 2007, provinces are at varying levels of institutionalizing M&E. M&E is an imperative tool for the Office of the Premier to achieve its objectives by providing strategic leadership and to coordinate provincial policy formulation and reviews, planning as well as overseeing effective service delivery. Furthermore, the Office of the Premier is mandated with monitoring the performance of the various departments and ensure that they achieve the government’s 12 priority outcomes as set out in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF). Lastly provincial governments are tasked with the monitoring of basic municipal services.
For the realization of the aim and objectives of this study, qualitative research methodology is adopted. A semi structured, and structured interview was utilized as a tool that contains the predetermined questions prepared to acquire insight, knowledge and application of the people who are involved and familiar with M&E systems, its implementation challenges as well as best practices that can be replicated across the various provinces.
The literature study is based extensive literature, legislation, policy documents, journal articles, books, conference papers, internet and government reports about, requirements, purpose, principles, objectives, components, and systems of monitoring and evaluation with specific reference to the introduction of the South African Government-Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System. Furthermore, the study investigated the role of the Offices of the Premier M&E Directorate concerning the effective implementation of M&E systems including the GWM&ES as well as identify current monitoring and evaluation processes, practices, challenges as well as best practices. An empirical study, by a process of semi-structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with selected public officials in the Office of the Premier, M&E Directorate and Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) of the Free State province. The study found that there is a lack of M&E culture within the Free State Provincial government (FSPG). The FSPG should clearly, establish a culture of M&E across all provincial government institutions