Volume: 8
Number: 1
June 2010

To see an article directly, click its Title. To see abstract, click its [Abstract] link.

• An Investigation of Wind Power Utilization for Irrigation in Bangladesh
  M. N. Bagum, A. K. M. Masud, M. Q. Islam and C. A. A. Rashed
  Abstract PDF
  An Investigation of Wind Power Utilization for Irrigation in Bangladesh
  M. N. Bagum, A. K. M. Masud, M. Q. Islam and C. A. A. Rashed

  Abstract

  In Bangladesh, farmers need adequate supply of irrigation water at right time and in sufficient quantities for maximum agricultural production. In the year 2007, only 60.01% of total cultivated areas were irrigated by different mechanized equipments. Numbers of benefited farmer through mechanized equipment were reduced by 1.01% from the year 2006 to 2007 due to increased price of oil, fuel and scarcity of electricity. In the wake of the increasing world energy crisis, which mostly affected the least developed countries, the interest in alternative energy resources has been increased considerably. In this regard, Wind as a source of energy can hold good prospect for an underdeveloped country like Bangladesh. In this paper, a statistical analysis of Wind characteristics and investigation of feasibility of Wind energy to drive a hand-pump have been carried out. Weibull probability density functions of the locations are calculated in the light of observed data and Weibull shape parameter and scale parameter are also calculated. The main objective is to find out Wind energy potential for irrigation purposes.
• Study of the Effect of Cutting Conditions on Micro- Hardness in Dry Machining of Hardened Steel En31 with CBN Cutting tool – by ANN Technique
  M.V.R.D.Prasad and G.Ranga Janardhana
  Abstract PDF
  Study of the Effect of Cutting Conditions on Micro- Hardness in Dry Machining of Hardened Steel En31 with CBN Cutting tool – by ANN Technique
  M.V.R.D.Prasad and G.Ranga Janardhana

  Abstract

  Dry machining is a machining process without coolant and it has become more popular as a finishing process. The purpose of this paper is to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the relation between cutting data and micro hardness during dry turning with CBN cutting tool in En31 hardened steel. The experiments were planned as per L27 orthogonal array with three levels defined for each of the factors in order to develop the knowledge base for Artificial Neural Network (ANN) training and validation. By using ANN sensitivity analysis carried out and how the input parameters speed, feed rate and depth of cut influenced on micro hardness discussed in this present paper.
• The Role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the Development of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Cameroon
  Che Kum Clement
  Abstract PDF
  The Role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the Development of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Cameroon
  Che Kum Clement

  Abstract

  This study, a survey research, was designed and carried out to determine the role that technical and vocational education could play towards the development of small and medium sized industries in Cameroon. A population of 133 respondents, comprising 85 technical and vocational education and training educators and 48 proprietors of small and medium sized industries constituted the subjects of the survey. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The research instrument for data collection was a 24 item questionnaire which was face validated by three technical experts. The research questions were analyzed using mean score and standard deviation. The analysis was tested using the t-test at 0.05 significant levels. The findings showed that among other things, skills development through technical and vocational education and training is needed for the development of small and medium sized enterprises in Cameroon.
• Assessing Cyclone Wind Hazard in Coastal Regions of Bangladesh
  Shakila Kayum, Kazi Nusrat Jahan and Syed Rokanuzzaman
  Abstract PDF
  Assessing Cyclone Wind Hazard in Coastal Regions of Bangladesh
  Shakila Kayum, Kazi Nusrat Jahan and Syed Rokanuzzaman

  Abstract

  One of the most dangerous Cyclone basins of the world located in the Bay of Bengal and the population most affected lives in coastal regions of Bangladesh. Bangladesh often suffers from many climate induced disasters such as flood, drought, Cyclone etc. among which the Cyclone is the most catastrophic one. The coastal morphology of Bangladesh influences the impact of Cyclone hazards on the area. Especially in the south-western area, Cyclone hazards increase the vulnerability of the coastal dwellers and slow down the process of social and economic development. This includes districts like Chittagong, Noakhali, Khulna, Patuakhali and Barisal where the Cyclones strike most in Bangladesh. Cyclone continues to pose a dangerous threat to the coastal populations of Bangladesh, despite improvements in the disaster control procedures. After 1,38,000 persons died in the April 1991 Cyclones, a rapid epidemiological assessment was carried out to determine factors associated with Cyclone-related mortality and to identify prevention strategies. The present study was aimed at exploring the probability of Cyclone occurrence in Bangladesh coast along with the probable wind speed through the possible utilization of GIS. This study was oriented toward wind hazard assessment of the Cyclones that make landfall in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. For these purposes, a digital map of coastal areas is overlaid with a grid of approximately 5 km in size and a wind field model is used to estimate maximum sustained wind speed in each cell. Finally Cyclone vulnerable zones are identified and coastal districts are compared based on the parameters that are responsible for Cyclone risk and coping capacity of the people that eventually give the picture of Cyclone vulnerability in the coastal area of Bangladesh. It is hoped that this study will contribute in taking proper disaster planning efforts in Bangladesh especially in the mitigation phase for the reduction of damage from the Cyclone hazard.