Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston University

The facility layout design problem is concerned with determining the arrangement and configuration of facilities, which optimizes a prescribed objective such as profit, cost, or distance, and which satisfies various prescribed constraints pertaining to available resources. In industry, facility layout design problems arise in manufacturing, in warehousing, and in various assignment type situations. The solution of these problems impacts on the viability of the industry. For example, material-handling costs which can comprise between 30 and 75% of the total manufacturing costs, can be reduced by using the optimization methods associated with the facility layout design. In the service industries, facility layout design problems arise in the location of emergency facilities (such as ambulance, fire stations) and in the allocation of space. The solution of these location problems impacts on the well being of the community. Mathematically, the facility layout problem has been modelled as: a quadratic assignment problem, a quadratic set covering problem, a linear integer programming problem, a mixed integer programming problem, and a graph theoretic problem. The problem has been shown to be NP-complete. This computational difficulty has led researchers to consider suboptimal solutions generated by heuristic approaches. There are a number of heuristic procedures that have been proposed for solving the facility layout design problem, including Simulated Annealing, Tabu Search, Expert Systems, and Graph Theoretic Algorithms. The most successful heuristic approaches are based on graph theoretic concepts. In this thesis we focus our study on constructive graph theoretic based heuristics for determining an optimal arrangement and configuration of facilities with the objective of maximizing the total benefit. / We are particularly interested in constructive heuristics, which can produce a maximum-weighted planar graph as a final solution. Our contribution is the development, implementation, and testing of three new algorithms. Computational results, based on 4200 randomly (uniform and normal distribution) generated problems, demonstrate the value of our methods. We also present the performance of each algorithm when various initial solutions are applied. Chapter 1 provides the background of the facility layout design, including the notation, terminology and general concepts as well as a summary of the thesis. Chapter 2 provides a comprehensive survey of the facility layout design problem. This includes models and methods of solution based on exact algorithms (including the branch and bound method and the cutting plane method), as well as heuristic algorithms. We detail the main constructive graph theoretic based heuristics in the literature: the Deltahedron Method, the Green-Al Hakim Algorithm, the Leung’s Constructive Heuristic, the Kim-Kim Algorithm, the Wheel Expansion Method, TESSA and the String Processing Algorithm. We also briefly discuss the non-graph theoretic heuristics including simulated annealing, tabu search, and expert systems. In Chapter 3 we present three new graph theoretic based heuristics. These heuristics are constructive and the solution is built up, starting with an initial layout of four facilities, by an insertion process. Our algorithms have two important features. Firstly, they allow for previously chosen edges to be removed at each insertion step. Secondly, they do not restrict the type of maximal planar graph produced. Computational results and a comparative analysis of the main graph theoretic based heuristics are provided. The analysis is based on 4200 randomly generated test problems (from uniform and normal distribution). / The test problems consist of 30 data sets with the number of facilities ranging from 5 to 100 in increments of 5. Chapter 4 is devoted to the performance of graph theoretic based heuristics when different types of initial solutions are applied. Examples show that the final solution is sensitive to the initial solution. Computational results indicate that for most algorithms, the best type of initial solution is the selection of four facilities which yield the best objective function value contribution. However, this does not always coincide with that proposed in the original description of the algorithms. We conclude this thesis by discussing some future research that can be carried out on the facility layout design problem, particularly in graph theoretic based heuristics.

Thesis (M.U.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 63).

Thesis (M.A. in interior design)--Washington State University, December 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Jan. 28, 2010). "Department of Interior Design." Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-69).

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Special report study entitled: Media technologies in buildings. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes special report study entitled: Psychology for the architecture : perception of space and behavioural pattern. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.U.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references.

This dissertation examines the music subculture in Hong Kong using the two music venues for band performance, Warehouse and Hidden Agenda, as a starting point. It analyzes the relation between space and subculture through looking at the three levels of space for the music subculture: the physical space, the social space, and the cultural space. The physical spaces of Warehouse and Hidden Agenda are examples of appropriated space. By examining the appropriated spaces, it also reflects upon the problems faced by the two venues. The social space uncovers the alternative set of social relations under the music subculture, which transcends the boundary between the producer and the consumer. The affective power of rock music also helps to produce a differential space during band shows. The cultural space is made up by the alternative or even oppositional lifestyles, aesthetics and values of the music subculture. In recent years, the cultural space of the music subculture is becoming less exclusive and forms a third space between the mainstream and the independent, which widens the cultural space of the mainstream popular music in Hong Kong. Through the different levels of space for the music subculture, this dissertation explores the possibilities to seek alternatives and make a difference under the domination of the capitalist culture. / published_or_final_version / Literary and Cultural Studies / Master / Master of Arts

Hong Kong, together with other major cities, has faced severe traffic congestion problem. A wide range of transport management measures have been implemented to tackle such problem. Among these measures, Park-and-Ride facilities have been adopted to curb the number of cars entering urban area, thereby alleviating the problem of traffic congestion. Park-and-Wide facilities have a long history in US and UK, but it was until the 1980s that the first Park-and-Ride facility was introduced in Hong Kong. In other cities, studies on the use of Park-and-Ride facilities have been conducted to understand the characteristics of users and their trips, together with identification of important factors affecting the use of Park-and-Ride facilities. However, few studies of this kind are available in Hong Kong. The last study in early 2000s solely focused in the pilot scheme in Sheung Shui. To fill this research gap, Sai Kung District will be selected as the case study area so as to enrich the understanding of the users and the trips using Park-and-Ride facilities geographically. Questionnaire survey, together with conditional logit model, will be utilized to analyze the data in a qualitative and quantitative manner. Findings could cast some light on existing characteristics of the users and their trips, as well as some recommendations on future provision of Park-and-Ride facilities. / published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Design / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

Decommissioning and abandonment is a relevant issue in the petroleum industry because of the complex operations involved and the results after the decision has been made. Several factors could lead to abandoning wells and decommissioning platforms, among others hurricanes, production decline, economic limit, etc. Decommissioning and abandonment operations have a great impact in the revenue stream which is either lost or temporarily deferred depending on the situation. Every year between 100-150 platforms are decommissioned and approximately 620 wells are abandoned in the Gulf of Mexico. A case-by-case scenario should be revised on an annual basis and all the possible options to be considered and submitted to the Government. This thesis presents an overview of the topic and an analysis on when decommissioning and abandoning alternatives are recommended for the optimization of the economical resources. / text