Thesis (Ph. D.)--Northeastern University, 2008. / Title from title page (viewed May 8, 2009). Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Political Science. Includes bibliographical references (p. 416-437).

World and UK energy resources and use are reviewed and the role of energy conservation in energy policy identified. In considering various energy conservation measures, a distinction is made between energy intensive and non-intensive industries and also between direct and indirect uses of energy. Particular attention is given to the non-intensive user of energy. Energy use on one such industrial site has been studied to determine the most effective energy savL~g measures in the short term. Here it is estimated that over 65% of energy is consumed for indirect purposes, mainly for heating and lighting buildings. Emphasis is placed on energy auditing techniques and those energy saving measures requlIlng greater technical, economic and organisational resources to secure their implementation. Energy auditing techniques include the use of aerial thermography and snow formation surveys to detect heat losses. Qualitative and quantitative interpretations are carried out, but restricted mainly to evaluating building roof heat losses. From the energy auditing exercise, it is confirmed that the intermittent heating of buildings is the largest and most cost effective fuel saving measure. This was implemented on the site and a heat monitoring programme established to verify results. Industrial combined heat and power generation is investigated. A proposal for the site demonstrates that there are several obstacles to its successful implementation. By adopting an alternative financial rationale, a way of overcoming these obstacles is suggested. A useful by-product of the study is the classification of industrial sites according to the nature of industrial energy demand patterns. Finally, energy saving measures implemented on the site are quantlfied using comparative verification methods. Overall fuel savings of 13% are indicated. Cumulative savings in heating fuel amount to 26% over four years although heated area increased by approximately 25%.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 172-184)

This thesis examines what makes a building valuable enough to keep regardless of what happens within it or where it is. A generic vacant lot in Dartmouth, N.S., ensures that these qualities are derived primarily from the architecture rather than its site. By housing three very different building programs, an auto body shop, small school and church, the design is challenged to become resilient to significant change. The thesis draws on ideas of building permanency - polyvalencey and frame theory (Leupen), as well as adaptability - building layers and strategic over-dimensioning (Brand). Valuable permanency is achieved by creating a building that is both full of purpose and purposeless at the same time. Furposefully, it is achieved through the use and correct arrangement of common forms, spatial sizes, a diversity of spatial types, as well as a high degree of self-maintenance of climate and construction. The purposeless qualities of proportion, craft and light help give the building its enduring character.

Three innovative plastic building products have recently been introduced to the residential construction industry: plastic shingles, plastic lumbers, and plastic foam core sandwich panels. They are each described, compared to conventional practice, and evaluated for their potential for implementation. It is shown that designers and builders will have to rework their budgets, study safety factors, and invest time and effort into acquiring new skills, if they wish to fully benefit from these products. However, an incentive for such concessions, is the possible financial reward from successfully meeting demands for efficiency, durability, and environmental sensitivity in housing.

This research constructs the virtual environment of a multi-floor building and provides some navigation assistance to enhance the navigation experience of users in the virtual environment. Based on the 2D architectural floor plans and photographs of Engineering and Information Technology Complex (EITC), a virtual environment of the multi-floor building is created using visualization modeling. Geometric modeling, texture mapping, and lighting procedures are employed to increase the visual effect. Two navigation assistance functions, walking through and optimal path navigation guiding tour, developed in the virtual environment helps users navigating in the virtual environment. Walking through allows users to navigate freely to obtain the spatial and geographical information of the virtual environment. Optimal path navigation guiding tour function leads users moving from a specified start position to the destination position along the optimal path. An improved shortest path algorithm is used for calculating the optimal path.

This research constructs the virtual environment of a multi-floor building and provides some navigation assistance to enhance the navigation experience of users in the virtual environment. Based on the 2D architectural floor plans and photographs of Engineering and Information Technology Complex (EITC), a virtual environment of the multi-floor building is created using visualization modeling. Geometric modeling, texture mapping, and lighting procedures are employed to increase the visual effect. Two navigation assistance functions, walking through and optimal path navigation guiding tour, developed in the virtual environment helps users navigating in the virtual environment. Walking through allows users to navigate freely to obtain the spatial and geographical information of the virtual environment. Optimal path navigation guiding tour function leads users moving from a specified start position to the destination position along the optimal path. An improved shortest path algorithm is used for calculating the optimal path.

Thesis (MAppSc in Project Management) --University of South Australia, 1994

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-56). Also available via the Internet.