Abstract:
ABSTRACT
This thesis describes the use of heuristics and cost models based on the
queueing theory to determine effective crew size for maintenance operations. The
model was applied to mechanical maintenance workshop, Federal University of
Technology, Akure, due to the fact that it has characteristics of external maintenance
system. A computer software in "QBASIC"was.developed to solve the model. The
results obtained from this approach showed that, the use of heuristics generated
effective crew size of one (a seven-man crew), while that of maintenance cost model
was two, given a difference of 50%. Also by using deterministic cost model 1.5 sees.
was used to process the results, while the time used to process the results in
stochastic cost model depends on maximum simulation time MCT, but for heuristic
it was just 0.5 second. The results revealed the advantage of using heuristic over
complex equations of maintenance cost models. Therefore, to achieve higher
response rate, the jobshop should operate on two crews. Although, management
can decide to operate on one crew (as prescribed by heuristic) if other maintenance
strategic decisions are in her favour than any other jobshops in the environment.
Finally, the results generated by both deterministic and stochastic cost models
showed that both are equally likely to describe the maintenance jobshop under
study.
