Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 209-216).

Th.--Sci. écon.--Paris--EHESS, 1992.

Th.--Sci. écon.--Paris--EHESS, 1992. / Bibliogr. p. 873-909.

Diss.--Philosophische Fakultät I--Universität Zürich, 1988. / Bibliogr. p. 167-169. Résumés en français et en anglais.

Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2005 / Having simple structure and high sensitivity, micro accelerometer is a type of popular transducer used to measure the acceleration in a great variety of conditions. The bridge-type micro accelerometer is a typical micro accelerometer and has many types. As one of research project of Kentron in South Africa, the thesis presented here analyzes the bridge-type capacitive nticro accelerometer (BTCMA) and the bridge-type micro accelerometer with two piezoelectric thin films read-out (BTPMA). In this thesis, the similar structures are used on BTCMA and BTPMA For proving the fundamental mode of the structure can measure acceleration and utilizing the structural and electric characteristic to avoid the effect of higher modes, the program CoventorWare for nticro-electric-mechanical system (MEMS) design and analysis is used here to analyze the modes of these two structures, The two group piezoelectric thin films of BTPMA can be connected in serial or parallel configurations. Integrating piezoelectric effect method, strength method and energy method, the analytical analysis of these two configurations has been done with particular emphasis on the elastic characteristics of the thin films. The analytical formulas of transducer, sensitivity, resonance frequency, noise, quality factor, ntinimum detectable signal and maximum detectable range are obtained. According to the comparison results between these two configurations, the charge output in parallel configuration is a little more than that in serial configuration and the sensitivity in serial configuration is much higher than that in parallel configuration. Finally, a calculation of certain practical nticro accelerometer size is used to prove the above conclusions. On the base of capacitance theory, strength method and energy method, the analytical analysis of the BTCMA has been done in this thesis.

Thesis (MTech (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / Delays are frequent and recurring in construction projects, mostly in developing countries. Several factors pertaining to modes of operation in the local construction industry contribute to construction delays. Contractual claims are integral and an important feature of construction project's life. Often times, delay-related contractual claims in construction projects is a controversial issue that often leads to disputes and conflicts between contractual parties due to its ambiguity and complexity. Literature have shown over the last decade a range of problems that have consistently resulted in construction delay and significant costs to all contractual parties due to contractual claims in almost all types of construction projects. Therefore, to achieve more time efficiency on construction projects, comprehensive studies on common problems resulting in routine delays due to contractual claims is essential. Such studies need to pinpoint the most relevant causes of delay that have to be monitored carefully in order to avoid the construction delays. Thus, this study adopted a quantitative research method. Closed ended and open ended questions were designed in the quantitative instrument for the quantitative survey. Descriptive and Principal Component Analysis was employed for data analysis to develop an operational framework for evaluating delay related claims in the South African construction industry. Findings from the analysis of data revealed several factors through which, when appropriately evaluated will reduce the incidence of contractual claim to minimum if not completely eliminated in construction project. The study has found that delay-related claims are increasingly emerging and have become the most common and costly problem in construction projects which not only deny the client timely access to the completed facility but disrupt the overall performance of the building project. This study also concludes that the contractual claims that often lead to dispute during execution of building projects are; Change order claim, Variation order claim, Cost and expense claims and Dayworks claim. Therefore, evaluation of these claims must be given careful assessment during the construction phase of a building project to forestall its attendant consequence on project performance. Inconsistencies in the operational dealings with contractual claims in the South African construction industry showed that; release of payment emanating from claims, quality of management and design coordination, nonavailability of specified materials and change in micro economic policy are the most significant in evaluation factors which must be considered in evaluation of accurate and undisputed contractual claims. This study also affirmed that the three principal components that lead to claim and dispute when combined explained 49% of the total variance. Also, it was concluded that arbitration is most appropriate for dispute due to; shortage of materials, claims in fluctuation of the materials price, physical environmental consideration, and conflict of interest among the project team. Litigation is most appropriate to resolve dispute due to access to the construction site. While mediation is most suitable for dispute due to; inability of the client to understand design, the choice of the procurement process, delay in release of payment emanating from claims, lack of prompt delivery of materials by the suppliers, interference with utility lines and extreme weather condition. Lastly, Negotiation is most suitable for dispute arisen from constructability of the design and non-availability of specified materials.

Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2005. / Due to an increasing in industrial micromation need in recent years, the use of micro accelerometers has been highly increased. Consecutively, this has promoted research activities in this field; capacitive accelerometers also have got high concern at large. As a research project of the Kentron in South Africa, this thesis deals with a theoretical model for a one-dimensional micro capacitive accelerometer with U-shape cantilever beam. The properties of the small angle tilted-plate capacitor have been analyzed; the capacitance equation and electrostatic force equation of this kind capacitor have been derived. The sensing element of this accelerometer consists of an inertial mass connected with two cantilever beams. The vibration modes analysis to the sensing element was accomplished by using CoventorWare2004's MemMech module, the result indicates that the main vibration mode can cause the capacitance change observably and the effect of the other modes to the capacitance can be ignored, which satisfied the purpose of the design. In the process of deriving the linearizing acceleration equation, the angle of the inertial mass caused by the deformation of the U-shape cantilever beam was taken into account as well as the electrostatic force between the two electrodes, thus the more precise acceleration linear equation was obtained. The sensitivity equation was derived through the acceleration linear equation, the relationship between the main parameters of the system and the sensitivity has been analyzed. The differential structure of this micro capacitive accelerometer was also analyzed; the linearizing acceleration equation and sensitivity equation of this kind structure were derived, it has been proven that the sensitivity of this structure is twice than the normal structure approximately. The maximum detectable signal was obtained in terms of the fracture strength of the cantilever beam and the maximum displacement of the inertial mass. The minimum detectable signal was obtained in terms of the thermal noise analysis. In the process of the dynamic analysis, the forced vibration produced by the sinusoidal periodic force and sinusoidal periodic moment was analyzed and the transient capacitance equation was derived, this proved the system has good dynamic character in theory. The system was simulated and analyzed by using CoventorWare2004's Saber module. The initial capacitance analysis indicates the relationship between the voltage and the initial capacitance, the result is close to the analytic model. The resonance frequencies analysis indicates that the main dimensions of the sensing element can determine the resonance frequencies and each vibration mode's sequence, the initial dimensions of the sensing element was proved reasonable by analyzing. Sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo analysis indicate the effect of the sensing element's normal manufacturing tolerance to the system's frequency is small. Impact of plate curvature analysis indicates the effect of the inertial mass's deformation caused by the surface stress to the capacitance is small. Transient analysis obtained the system's transient displacement curve of six directions and transient capacitance curve in normal terms; this proved the system has good dynamic character in the simulating environment.

M. Tech. / Relative to other industries in South Africa and construction industries worldwide, the South African construction process generates a disproportionate number of fatalities, injuries and disease, the direct and indirect cost of which contribute to the cost of construction. Serious accidents and injuries resulting in personal injury and wrongful death occur with alarming frequency at construction sites in the U.K. The majority of accidents are not caused by careless workers but rather by failure to control. According to the Health and Safety Executive report published in 1988 out of the 90% of all construction accidents leading to death 70% could have been prevented by positive management actions and interventiion. Clients influence construction health and safety performance. Architects and design engineers often disavow responsibility for health and safety issues associated with the construction of their work. Arguably, this denial will only change if clients insist that construction health and safety is addressed on their projects. Health and safety begins with the attitude that accidents are preventable and that requirements for healthy and safe work practices must be followed. Health and safety should not be left solely under the control of the workers if injuries are to be curtailed or diminished, because the health and safety environment consists of many factors over which workers have little or no control. An underlying belief is that the majority of accidents are not caused by careless workers but by failure in controls. Although the best site management of health and safety cannot prevent all accidents, entities other than those actually performing the work do have an important role to play in enforcing proper safety standard measures : It is possible to prevent accidents from occurring. Success in health and safety has a great deal to do with people, especially those who will be responsible for ensuring that the project will be delivered safely. There is some evidence that the importance of health and safety is being realised by clients. Costs associated with worker injuries and fatalities are borne ultimately by the client and insisting that health and safety be included in design and construction considerations will prevent the occurrence of injuries and ultimately reduce the construction costs. Clients mostly set health and safety culture during the construction phase. Health and safety prequalification criteria to design approval post the design phase that shows that clients would prefer their involvement to be in specific phases. Clients do not realise that they can make significant contributions to improve health and safety performance during the early stages of a project. Clients who have to pay for construction work do not make specific cost provision for construction safety. Clients need to afford health and safety the same status as other project parameters. It is widely accepted that contractors should bear the responsibility for health and safety during the construction phase. The study found that clients regarded the construction and maintenance phases as the most important to address health and safety. Again clients do not realise the significance of placing health and safety importance in the initial phases of a project.

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Electromechanical Engineering