Automatic 3D building reconstruction has been a hot research area; a task which has been done manually even up today. Automating the task of building reconstruction enables more applications where up to date information is of great importance. This thesis proposes a system to extract parametric buildings and trees from dense aerial stereo image data. The method developed for the tree identification and parameterization is a totally new approach which have yielded great results. The focus has been to extract the data in such a way that small flying platforms can use it for navigational purposes. The degree of simplification is therefor high. The building parameterization part starts with identifying roof faces by Region Growing random seeds in the digital surface model (DSM) until a coverage threshold is met.For each roof face a plane is fitted using a Least Square approach.The actual parameterization is started with calculating the intersection between the roof faces. Given the nature of 2.5D DSM data there is no possibility to perform wall fitting. Therefor all the walls will be constructed with a 2D line Hough transform of the border data of all the roof faces. The tree parameterization is done by searching for possible roof face topologies resembling the signature of a tree. For each possible tree topology a second degree polynomial surface is fitted to the DSM data covered by the faces in the topology. By looking at the parameters of the fitted polynomial it is then possible to determine if it is a tree or not. All the extraction steps were implemented and evaluated in Matlab, all algorithms have been described, discussed and  motivated in the thesis.

Thesis (MEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The lack of adequate housing becomes an increasing concern as the human population increases, which is not only restricted to Africa, but worldwide. With the world becoming more environmentally aware, the aim towards more sustainable development has become more essential. This results in alternative building technologies (ABT’s) being investigated to address the backlog in housing. This study investigates plastic materials as structural elements in low-income housing to address the housing backlog in a structurally stable, cost efficient and environmentally sustainable manner. The viable plastic materials that were identified are FFC (foam-fibre composite) and WPC (wood-plastic composite) as structural elements and EPS (expanded polystyrene) as a core infill panel. Material parameters were obtained experimentally which were used in a numerical analysis to validate the structural stability of a modular WPC housing unit. The experimental work includes a direct compression, direct tension, compressive creep and a four-point bending test for the WPC. With the sandwich panels a push-though shear and four-point bending test were done. The compressive strength of the EPS as well as a relative bond strength of the selected adhesives was also tested. Furthermore, a comparative study was conducted on the fire performance (fire rating), cost efficiency as well as the environmental sustainability of three housing units constructed of FFC, WPC and block and mortar, respectively. In terms of structural stability, a modular plastic housing unit was devised and validated by both experimental work and plastic material investigations which showed that WPC can be used for load-bearing walling (with EPS as core infill panel), roofing and flooring systems. From the comparative study, it was found that the fire rating of the block and mortar housing unit met the requirements of 20 and 30 minutes for the internal and external walls, respectively, prescribed by SANS 10400-T (2011). The fire rating of the block and mortar housing unit was met in terms of integrity, insulation and stability. The two modular plastic housing units, however, only met the fire rating in terms of integrity and insulation, but failed to meet the requirements in terms of stability. The approach used to determine the fire behaviour of a housing unit is not as accurate as the physical fire test, since assumptions are made in terms of the fire properties. However, the approach gives an indication of the fire performance of a housing unit. FFC and WPC are laminated with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which emits hydrochloride acid (HCl), when burning. Hydrochloride acid is a toxic gas. Thus, according to one of the minimum norms, stipulated by the NHBRC Home Building Manual and Agrément, an adequate housing unit should not emit harmful gasses. Although these regulations are not mandatory, in terms of this, WPC and FFC are not viable building materials for an adequate housing unit, especially when human behaviour and smoke control are considered. However, this aspect can be improved by adding additives to control, and in some cases prevent, smoke production. The comparative study also indicated that the cost efficiency of the FFC housing unit is comparable to that of the block and mortar design. The modular WPC housing unit has a cost which is substantially greater than that of the FFC as well as the block and mortar housing units. The modular plastic housing units, FFC as well as WPC, typically utilise unskilled labour to construct a housing unit, which can lead to the socioeconomic conditions of a community being improved by means of job creation. Due to the relative ease of construction of a modular plastic housing unit as well as a construction period of approximately three days, the demand for housing can be reached at a more rapid pace than by using conventional methods. In terms of the environmental sustainability, the plastic materials showed less negative environmental impacts as well as improved energy efficiency compared to the block and mortar unit. / AFRIKKANSE OPSOMMING: Die tekort aan voldoende behuising raak ʼn kommerwekkende probleem in die huidige samelewing soos die wêreld populasie aan hou toeneem, waar hierdie probleem nie net tot Afrika beperk is nie. Soos die wêreld meer omgewingsbewus raak, word daar gestrewe na meer volhoubare ontwikkeling in die boubedryf wat aanleiding gee tot die ontwikkeling van alternatiewe bou tegnologieë (ABT’e) om die behuisingsagterstand op te los. Plastiese materiale word ondersoek vir hul gebruik as strukturele elemente in lae-inkomste behuising om die behuisingsagterstand in ʼn struktureel stabiele-, koste effektiewe- en omgewingsvolhoubare manier op te los. Geskikte plastiese materiale is geïdentifiseer as SVS (skuim-vesel samestelling) en HPS (hout-plastiek samestelling) vir gebruik as strukturele elemente en uitgesette polistireen is gebruik as ʼn invul paneel. Materiële eienskappe was eksperimenteel bepaal, wat in ʼn numeriese analise gebruik was om die strukturele stabiliteit van ʼn modulêre HPS behuisingseenheid te verifieer. Die eksperimentele werk sluit ʼn direkte druk, direkte trek, druk kruip en ʼn vier-punt buig toets in, wat uitgevoer is met HPS. Vir die saamgestelde paneel was daar ʼn druk-deur skuif en ʼn vier-punt buig toets gedoen. ʼn Druk toets met die uitgesette polistireen en ʼn relatiewe verband sterkte vir die geselekteerde gomme was ook getoets. Verder, is ʼn vergelykende studie gedoen op die vuur uitvoering (vuurbestand waardering), koste effektiwiteit en die omgewingsvolhoubaarheid van ʼn SVS-, HPS- en blok-en-mortel behuisingseenheid. ’n Ontwerp is bepaal en geverifieer deur beide eksperimentele werk en analitiese ondersoeke, wat gewys het dat HPS gebruik kan word as ʼn lasdraende muurpaneel (met uitgesette polistireen invul), so wel as ʼn dak- en vloer sisteem. Daar is gevind, vanaf die vergelykende studie, dat die vuur uitvoering van die blok-en-mortel behuisingseenheid voldoen aan die vereiste van 20 en 30 minute onderskeidelik vir die interne en eksterne mure, soos voorgeskryf deur die SANS 10400-T (2011). Die vuur waardering van die blok-en-mortel behuisingseenheid het in terme van integriteit, insolasie en stabiliteit voldoen. Die twee modulêre plastiek behuisingseenhede het erger aan die vuur waardering slegs in trems van integriteit en insolasie voldoen. Hul het misluk in die voldoening in terme van stabiliteit. Die benadering wat gebruik was om die vuur gedrag van ʼn behuisingseenheid te bepaal, is nie so akkuraat soos ʼn fisiese vuur toets nie. Dit is omdat vir die benadering aannames in terme van die vuur eienskappe gemaak is. Die benadering gee egter ʼn indikasie van die vuur uitvoering van ʼn behuisingseenheid. SVS en HPS is gelamineer met PVC (poliviniel chloried) wat hidrochloried suur (HCl) afgee wanneer dit brand. Hidrochloried suur is ʼn giftige gas. Volgens een van die minimum norms, gestipuleer deur die NHBRC Home Building Manual en Agrément, moet ʼn voldoende behuisingseenheid nie giftige gasse afgee nie. Al is die regulasies nie verpligtend nie, in terme hiervan, is SVS en HPS nie ʼn uitvoerbare boumateriaal vir ʼn voldoende behuisingseenheid nie, veral wanneer menslike gedrag en rook beheer aangespreek word nie. Nietemin, die aspek kan verbeter word deur die byvoeging van bymiddels om die rook produsering te verminder en in sommige omstandighede te voorkom. Die vergelykende studie het ook gewys, dat die koste effektiwiteit van die SVS-behuisingseenheid vergelykbaar is met die van ʼn blok-en-mortel behuisingseenheid. Die HPS-behuisingseenheid se koste is aansienlik hoër as die van SVS-en die blok-en-mortel behuisingseenheid. Die modulêre plastiese, SVS en HPS, behuisingseenheid maak tipies gebruik van ongeskoolde werkers om die behuisingseenhuid op te rug, wat tot ʼn verbetering in die sosio-ekonomiese toestande in ʼn gemeenskap kan lei, deur dat dit werk skep. Aangesien die modulêre plastiese behuisingseenheid met relatiewe gemak en in ongeveer drie dae opgerig kan word, kan die aanvraag tot behuising vinniger bereik word, as wanner die konvensionele boumetodes gebruik word. In terme van omgewingsvolhoubaarheid, het die plastiese materiale minder negatiewe omgewingsimpakte en is meer energie-doeltreffend in vergelyking met die blok-en-mortel onwerp.

The central argument in this thesis is that the workplace environment has an impact upon users and that perceptions of the environment are related to overall satisfaction with the workplace, stimulation and perceived productivity. In addition, it is proposed that changing the environment can influence users’ perceptions and stimulation levels. To test this argument a methodology was developed to allow the collection of both objective and subjective data relating to a range of aspects of the workplace environment. A questionnaire was developed to test users’ attitudes towards aspects of the workplace environment including the internal climate, spatial layout, interior design and workplace features. These user perceptions were analysed in relation to corresponding objective measures of these workplace aspects. Data was collected in 16 workplaces and analysed to determine the relationship between user perceptions and objective measurements of the workplace and establish how these were related to overall satisfaction, stimulation and perceived productivity. The results revealed that users were satisfied with the more quantitative aspects of the workplace: internal climate and spatial layout, but were not satisfied with the qualitative aspects of the workplace: decoration, furniture, personal control and choice, window provision and break areas. All aspects of the workplace were significantly correlated with satisfaction with the workplace and stimulation. There was also an effect on perceived productivity. The findings of the workplace evaluations were tested to determine whether changing the environment in the afternoon could affect stimulation. The results revealed some evidence of a positive impact upon stimulation levels through variation of the workplace environment. Implications for the design of future workplaces and further research in light of the findings are discussed.

The ecological design considerations are focusing on the built environment and the living process of the building. It considering the environment impact in designing building, and integrating ecological responsive design methods. While the traditional Chinese building shared the same design philosophy. Our ancestors are really concerning the connection between their living space with the broader environment, not only in the time they occupying the building, but also when they construct and demolish it. They use the word "harmony" to describe this relationship with the environment, and consider it as the high-quality pursuit of life. Wooden building has been a major building type in China for thousands of years, however, over 40 thousand traditional Chinese building has been demolished in the past 30 years, most of them are wooden buildings. Since the steel, concrete and other emerging materials has become the major materials for the modern building, wooden building seems to step down from the stage of history. Not until in recent years, wooden building come into people’s view again, it’s increasingly appeared in all over the world and take part in a major role in mordent architecture. Since the wood is a sustainable and renewable building material, and a good carbon sink, it is more environmental friendly than steel, concrete or some other building materials. The wooden building has a great potential to discover its ecological benefits and as a carrier of traditional Chinese culture. In seeking the development of wood as a building material, and the future of sustainable buildings, I integrate the theory with practice that human population is growing rapidly, the high-rise wooden building might be a best solution for this quest. I expect to explore the application of wood in high rise building’s envelope and structure, integrate the wood with other material to expand its performance, emotionally and reality connect the traditional Chinese culture and people’s memory of the land to the present day.

Construction of buildings and their alterations Abstract This master's thesis is concerned with the analysis of the primary regulation of realization of structures and their alternations, which is a part of the public construction law. The topic of this thesis is up-to-date because of adoption of the second major amendment to the Building Act. The proclaimed goal of this amendment is a simplification and an acceleration of the processes and procedures. The main goal of this thesis is to identify problems associated with the current legal regulation of realization of general structures and their alternations, which, in selected cases, is followed by the effort to find their solution de lege ferenda. The secondary goal of this thesis is a critique of the second major amendment to the Building Act from 2017 and the identification of what problems it has brought including the assessment of whether is actually fulfilling its stated goal. The master's thesis is composed of six chapters. Chapter one deals with the sources of law and the fragmentation of implementing statues. Chapter two analyzes the basic concept of structure as well as other basic concepts related to the topic of this thesis. Chapter three contains an analysis of the organisation of building offices, selected issues related to the performance of...

Green design is now a ubiquitous term in the profession of architecture, yet the energy performance of buildings in real-world conditions is poorly documented. A large number of buildings use substantially more energy than is predicted during design, and one possible explanation is that designers do not adequately understand the impact of thermal bridging through insulation on the energy use of a building. This study proposes a methodology that uses the parametric design program Grasshopper to quantitatively analyze infrared images for the degree of thermal bridging in a wall assembly. The end result is a user-friendly tool that architects can use to study the relative energy performance of their buildings in the field, giving them an increased understanding of the energy efficiency of their designs. Case studies of various details show a ten to fifty-five percent reduction in the effective R-value of the overall wall assemblies due to thermal bridging. / 10000-01-01

by Ko Wing-Yee Rebecca, Ng Tat-leung George. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Bibliography: leaves 84-85.

<p>The forecast control for the heating system tries to maintain the buildings’ indoor</p><p>temperature at a desired level, by using technical building characteristics, data on its</p><p>mode of operation, data on the building location and meteorological parameters. By</p><p>forecasting the conditions of the building and calculating the free energies (solar radiation</p><p>and internal heat generation) it is possible to know the amount of additional heat that</p><p>should be supplied to the building every moment, avoiding heat surpluses or deficits.</p><p>By applying the theory developed by Roger Taesler to buildings 92911 and</p><p>92917 placed in Sandvik AB, it is seen that if the desired temperature was 21ºC it would</p><p>be possible to save a 16.3% of energy, 15518 SEK/year, and that the payback time for the</p><p>installation of such a system is 3 years.</p><p>Other efficiency measures as changing the ventilation schedule or installing a</p><p>heat exchanger are also discussed in the present report.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Current water shortages in the United States and Texas are expected to only worsen so that by 2050, approximately 40% of both U.S. and Texas residents will live in areas of water scarcity (U.S. House Committee, 2003; Texas Water Development Board, 2003). In response to these grim projections, both lawmakers and environmentalists are calling for conservation measures so that future shortages or costly new supply initiatives are avoided. One area where substantial consumption decreases could be made is the municipal sector, which is projected to account for 35% of all water consumed in Texas by 2050 (Texas Water Development Board, 2002). Both organizations and voluntary programs have been established to reduce water consumption in this area. One of the largest and most innovative programs in the state is the Austin Green Building Program (AGBP). It was the first program of its kind in the U.S. that rates new homes and remodels in regards to five categories related to sustainability: energy efficiency, water efficiency, materials efficiency, health and safety and community (City of Austin, 2001). This research identified the factors (weather, home size, lot size, appraised value, and existence of a pool) that effect water consumption for residences qualifying as "Austin Green Homes", and identified those green features or designs that had the greatest effect on water consumption, that were most commonly included, and the reasons why contractors incorporated them. Non-green features such as temperature, rainfall, home and lot size, appraised value and a pool seemed to have the greatest impact on water consumption, from an analysis of R2 values, albeit a positive relation for each variable. When green features were investigated, findings showed that different features were effective in reducing water consumption for different builders and in many cases, water-conserving features actually led to increased use. Finally, results showed that large builders incorporated fewer water-related green features in their homes and achieved lower star ratings in general than small green builders.