This study presents the results of a modeling effort to explore the role that sustainable roofing technologies play in impacting the rooftop energy balance, and the resultant net sensible heat flux into the urban atmosphere with a focus on the summertime urban heat island. The model has been validated using data from a field experiment. Roofing technologies explored include control dark membrane roof, a highly reflective (cool) roof, a vegetated green roof, and photovoltaic panels elevated above various base roofs. Energy balance models were developed, validated with experimental measurements, and then used to estimate sensible fluxes in cities located in six climate zones across the US. To evaluate the impact on urban air temperatures, a mesoscale meteorological model was used. Sensible flux profiles calculated using a surface energy balance were used as inputs to the mesoscale model. Results for a 2-day period in Portland, OR are analyzed. Average findings indicate that the black roof and black roof with PV have the highest peak daily sensible flux to the environment, ranging from 331 to 405 W/m2. The addition of PV panels to a black roof had a negligible effect on the peak flux, but decreased the total flux by an average of 11%. Replacing a black roof with a white or green roof resulted in a substantial decrease in the total sensible flux. Results indicate that if a black membrane roof is replaced by a PV covered white or a PV covered green roof the corresponding reduction in total sensible flux is on the order of 50%. Mesoscale modeling results indicate peak daytime temperature reduction of approximately 1°C for both white and green roofs. However, there is a nighttime penalty on the order of 0.75°C for the green roof case, which has been attributed to the additional thermal storage of a green roof. Findings also reveal that the addition of PV panels to a roof has a nighttime cooling effect. This is most pronounced on a white roof, with magnitudes of 1°C. The methodology developed for this analysis provides a foundation for evaluating the relative impacts of roof design choices on the urban climate and should prove useful in guiding urban heat island mitigation efforts.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

Research report is submitted in partial fulfilment to the requirement of the degree of Master of Science (Building) in the field of Property Development and Management, to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Construction Economics and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, 2016 / The purpose of this study was to explore the type of office spaces in South Africa together with the presence of generational and cultural/ethnic differences in employee’s perception in the office environment on particular aspects. The research was carried out as a single case study of an office using private consultancy firm, located in Johannesburg, South Africa. Questionnaires were sent out to employees based in various segments within the firm. The study showed that the leading office typology is open plan/group office spaces as opposed to all other office configurations within the firm, such as private/cellular offices. The case study highlights the trade-off between collaboration and privacy in the primary office typology, open plan office spaces. The findings demonstrated that no significant differences exist between the different generations’ and cultures’ ability to conduct activities which are influenced by personal and interpersonal aspects of the office spaces. Furthermore, findings illustrated that no generational and cultural differences exist in the environmental, personal and design aspects of the office space. Lastly, findings showed that generational and cultural differences do exist in group cohesion and intension to stay. The main limitation of research is the small sample size which may have resulted in an untrue reflection in the generalisation of the population. The paper’s findings add to the cultural and ethnic differences experienced in open plan offices on personal/interpersonal, environmental and design aspects. Further studies need to explore the possible theoretical links between the workspace, group cohesion, intension to stay and productivity for South African office using firms. Keywords: generational differences, cultural/ethnic difference, employees’ experiences, collaboration, privacy, team work / MT2017

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Problem Statement: From a sustainability point of view, hospitals offer their services without taking into consideration their impact on the environment, the interplay between various sectors, key elements of sustainable development and interconnectedness. This study represents an attempt to design a “virtual” green hospital facility that does more with fewer resources. Aims and Objectives: Contribute towards achieving sustainable and better quality healthcare services. To generate evidence and increase our understanding of the sustainability of hospital resource flows. Design a “virtual” green hospital. Research Method: The research approach consists of a comprehensive literature review, mixed with substantiated field research and interviews. The literature review provided an understanding, recommendations and interventions for the virtual project. These can be used to promote greater sustainability through WCRC’s healthcare system, energy efficiency and green hospital buildings. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect the qualitative data. The interpretive technique was used to analyse the collected data. Consumption statistics of electricity, water and waste were used to collect the quantitative data. It was analysed using the green building rating tool. The rating tool awards points according to incorporated measures, and arrives at a total score after appropriate weighting. The green building rating tool was used to establish the rating of WCRC as it stands and what it could ideally be as a retrofit? The data was presented as demographic information in tables, charts and graphs, drawn from the collected data. Findings: The findings that emerged suggest that: a) green hospital buildings promote greater sustainability than the current modern healthcare hospital buildings at WCRC and retrofitting would promote greater sustainability; b) the majority of WCRC’s current healthcare provision is done in the conventional ‘business as usual approach’; c) the greatest weaknesses of the hospital is its heavy dependence (95% average) on nonrenewable energy sources of fuel, electricity and water; d) procurement isn’t focused in the bio-region; e) sustainability isn’t viewed as the cornerstone to influence policy; and f) the flow of resources gets conducted through socio-economic systems. Conclusion: The current design of the hospital needs to be retrofitted into a green building, which will promote greater sustainability. A higher rated green star building for WCRC would promote greater sustainability. Healthcare provision is done in the conventional ‘business as usual approach’. Therefore the healthcare system faces threats in the immediate future, which include the impact of climate change, over dependency on fossil fuels and increasing urban sprawl. A virtual green hospital is designed to reduce the overall impact of its built environment on human health and the natural environment by: • Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources; • Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity; • Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation. Recommendations: In this sustainability criterion, a paradigm shift is required for WCRC hospital to go green and become sustainable. At a local scale WCRC needs to green the current hospital building by retrofitting. WCRC needs to energy switch from nonrenewables to sustainable renewable resources. Bioregional consumption and procurement needs to be practiced whilst establishing a local health movement to engage suppliers and focus on sustainability. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Probleem stelling: Gesien van volhoubaarheids oogpunt, bied hospitale dienste aan sonder om te besin oor die impak op die omgeweing, die tussenspel tussen verskeie sektore, sleautel elemente van volhoubare ontwikkeling en die onderlinge aanknopings. Hierdie studie verteenwoordig ‘n poging om ‘n skyn groen hospitaal te ontwerp wat meer kan doen met minder hulpbronne. Oogmerk en Doelstellings: Om ‘n bydrae te lewer om ‘n volhoubare en beter kwaliteit gesondheidsdiens te bereik. Om bewyse te genereer en begrip aangaande die volhoubaarheid van hospitaal bronne vloei to verhoog/ Ontwerp van ‘n “skyn” groen hospitaal. Ondersoek Metode: Die benadering in die ondersoek bestaan uit ‘n omvattende literatuurstudie met ondersteunbare veld ondersoeke en onderhoude. Die literatuurstudie voorsien in die begrip, aanbevelings en tussentredes vir die skyn projek. Dit kan gebruik word om groter volhoubaarheid van die WKRS se gesondheidsisteem, energie effektiwiteit en groen hospitale te bevorder. Kwalitatiewe data was ingewin met behulp van onderhoude en vraelyste. Interpretasie was die tegniek wat gebruik was om data te analiseer. Verbruikstatistiek van elektrisiteit, water en afval was gebruik on kwantitatiewe data te kollekteer. Die analise daarvan was gedoen deur die gebruik van die groen gebou graderingsinstrument. Die graderingsinstrument ken punte toe volgens opgeneemde maatreëls en bepaal die finale gradering na gepaste afwegings. Die instrument was gebruik om die gradering van WKRS te bepaal soos dit is en wat die ideale terugbou sou wees. Die data word in tabelle en grafieke voorgelê soos wat dit verkry was van die gekollekteerde data. Bevindinge: Die bevindinge wat na vore gekom het dui aan dat: Groen hospitaal geboue bevorder groter volhoubaarheid dan die huidige moderne hospitaal geboue van WKRS en terugbouing sal groter volhoubaarheid bevorder. Die meerderheid van gesondheidsdiensvoorsiening deur WKRS geskied volgense die konvensionele benadering van “besigheid soos normal” Die grootste swakheid van die hospitaal is die swaar afhanklikheid van die hospitaal op nie-hernubare energie (95%) soos brandstof, elektrisiteit en water, Verkryging is nie gefokus op die bio-streek nie, Volhoubaarheid word nie beskou as die hoeksteen om belied te beinvloed nie en Die vloei van hulpbronne word herlei deur sosio-ekonomies sisteme. Sluiting: Die huidige ontwerp van die hospitaal moet terugverbou word na ‘n groen gebou wat groter volhoubaarheid sal bevorder. ‘n Hoër groenster bougradering vir WKRS sal groter volhoubaarheid bevorder. Voorsiening van gesondheidsdienste volgens die “besigheid soos normaal” benadering veroorsaak dat die gesondheids-sisteem bedreigiongs in die gesig staar soos die impak van klimaatsverandering, oorafhanklikheid van fosiel energie en verhoodge stadspreiding. Aanbevelings: Volgens die kriteria is ‘n paradigma verskuiwing nodig by WKRS om groen en volhoubaar te raak. Op ‘n plaaslike skaal is dit nodig vir WKRS om die huidige hospitaal terug te bou om groen te raak. Dit is nodig om energie veranderings te ondergaan van nie hernubare tot volhoubare, hernubare energie bronne. Die Biostreek verbruiking en verkryging moet gepraktiseer word terwyl plaaslike gesondheidsbewegings gevestig word om te onderhandel met verskaffers en te fokus op volhoubaarheid.

Winter roads, built from compacted snow and I or ice, are common throughout the circumpolar North. They are considered effective and economical means of providing seasonal access into permafrost terrain while minimizing the potential for environmental damage. The purpose of this study is an appraisal of long-term environmental impacts of winter roads by comparative assessment of terrain morphology, microclimate, permafrost, soils, and vegetation, on winter road right-of-ways and in adjacent undisturbed control areas.

Capes / Diante da crescente ocupação dos ambientes urbanos e das demandas por infraestrutura, a ocupação do espaço subterrâneo mostra-se uma opção. Para este fim, os túneis são a principal alternativa, seja para a implantação de redes de utilidades, para transporte rodoviário, para transporte metroviário ou para sistemas de saneamento. Contudo, não se observam estudos de alternativas para a escolha do método construtivo ideal, aquele que seja mais adequado a cada contexto que se apresenta. Assim, a escolha do método construtivo de um túnel, dada a diversidade e complexidade de fatores envolvidos, tem se amparado na experiência adquirida pelos envolvidos com a obra ou em aspectos subjetivos e escusos, podendo ocasionar ora túneis mais onerosos do que deveriam ser, ora túneis de integridade estrutural e funcional comprometida. Neste contexto, o presente estudo apresenta um panorama geral a respeito dos túneis, aspectos qualitativos de estruturas e geotecnia a eles relacionados, os métodos construtivos mais consagrados, as variáveis que possuem interferência direta nos diversos métodos construtivos, os custos técnicos, sociais e ambientais de túneis e o estado da arte no processo decisório para este tipo de empreendimento. Traz como resultado uma sistemática simplificada para escolha do método construtivo, baseada em critérios objetivos e norteada pelo contexto em que a obra se encontra e por seu custo total. O trabalho busca contribuir, assim, com a racionalização da concepção, do projeto e da construção de túneis. / Given the increasing occupation of urban environments and the demands for infrastructure, the use of underground space seems to be an option. For this purpose, tunnels are the main alternative, either for utilities, for road transport, for subway, or for sanitation. However, no studies are observed about comparison of alternatives aiming the choose of the right tunneling method, one that is most appropriate in each context it presents. Thus, the choice of tunneling method, given the diversity and complexity of factors involved, has been done with majority support of the experience gained by those involved with the work or subjective and vain aspects, causing either tunnels more expensive than they should be or tunnels which structural and functional integrity are impaired. In this context, this study presents an overview about the tunnels, geotechnical and structural qualitative aspects related to them, the most established construction methods, variables that have direct interference in the various construction methods, technical costs, social costs and environmental costs involved with tunnels and the state of the art about decision making for this type of venture. As a result, this research gives a systematic and simplified way of choosing the tunneling method, based on objective criteria and guided by the context in which the work is and the total cost. The work seeks to contribute as well, with the rationalization of design and construction of tunnels.

Capes / Diante da crescente ocupação dos ambientes urbanos e das demandas por infraestrutura, a ocupação do espaço subterrâneo mostra-se uma opção. Para este fim, os túneis são a principal alternativa, seja para a implantação de redes de utilidades, para transporte rodoviário, para transporte metroviário ou para sistemas de saneamento. Contudo, não se observam estudos de alternativas para a escolha do método construtivo ideal, aquele que seja mais adequado a cada contexto que se apresenta. Assim, a escolha do método construtivo de um túnel, dada a diversidade e complexidade de fatores envolvidos, tem se amparado na experiência adquirida pelos envolvidos com a obra ou em aspectos subjetivos e escusos, podendo ocasionar ora túneis mais onerosos do que deveriam ser, ora túneis de integridade estrutural e funcional comprometida. Neste contexto, o presente estudo apresenta um panorama geral a respeito dos túneis, aspectos qualitativos de estruturas e geotecnia a eles relacionados, os métodos construtivos mais consagrados, as variáveis que possuem interferência direta nos diversos métodos construtivos, os custos técnicos, sociais e ambientais de túneis e o estado da arte no processo decisório para este tipo de empreendimento. Traz como resultado uma sistemática simplificada para escolha do método construtivo, baseada em critérios objetivos e norteada pelo contexto em que a obra se encontra e por seu custo total. O trabalho busca contribuir, assim, com a racionalização da concepção, do projeto e da construção de túneis. / Given the increasing occupation of urban environments and the demands for infrastructure, the use of underground space seems to be an option. For this purpose, tunnels are the main alternative, either for utilities, for road transport, for subway, or for sanitation. However, no studies are observed about comparison of alternatives aiming the choose of the right tunneling method, one that is most appropriate in each context it presents. Thus, the choice of tunneling method, given the diversity and complexity of factors involved, has been done with majority support of the experience gained by those involved with the work or subjective and vain aspects, causing either tunnels more expensive than they should be or tunnels which structural and functional integrity are impaired. In this context, this study presents an overview about the tunnels, geotechnical and structural qualitative aspects related to them, the most established construction methods, variables that have direct interference in the various construction methods, technical costs, social costs and environmental costs involved with tunnels and the state of the art about decision making for this type of venture. As a result, this research gives a systematic and simplified way of choosing the tunneling method, based on objective criteria and guided by the context in which the work is and the total cost. The work seeks to contribute as well, with the rationalization of design and construction of tunnels.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:28:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1080452 bytes, checksum: db6124f7a0ffaa0cda654d1352db934e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-03 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Most studies dealing with the issue of managing architectural and engineering have as its object of study the project management and private works of architecture. The public sector, such as academic institutions, have an important role in construction, but it is rarely analyzed in the work area. With the expansion of their campi, it has been observed most of the projects developed in the IFES have been outsourced. One reason for this is the fact that institutions often do not have a project team trained, prepared and structured enough to answer the demands of project. Moreover, it is observed that the units trying to develop their projects have had recurring management problems that embrace throughout the design process to work. It is associated with the increasing demand of the construction supply chain to adopt methodologies for the development of sustainable buildings. In view of the above facts, the objective of this research is to identify the factors conditions and procedures for proposing a model for the structuring of a Project Management Office (PMO) driven to sustainable projects in IFES. For this, we attempted to through a literature review and survey of multiple mini‐cases basis for the proposal of three reference models for the structure and operation of PMO. As a main result, it is concluded that the adoption of a systemic vision and understanding of the building design process from product life cycle are essential for the development of such projects. / A maioria dos trabalhos que tratam da questão da gestão de projetos de arquitetura e engenharia tem como objeto de estudo a gestão de projetos e obras de arquitetura privadas. O setor público, como por exemplo, as instituições universitárias, tem importante papel na construção civil, mas raramente é analisada pelos trabalhos na área. Com a expansão dos seus campi, tem‐se observado que a maioria do projetos de AEC desenvolvidos nas IFES tem sido terceirizados. Uma das razões para isso é o fato de que essas instituições muitas vezes não possuem uma equipe de projetos treinada e preparada, e com estrutura suficiente para atender as demandas de projetos. Além disso, observa‐ se que as unidades que tentam desenvolver seus projetos têm tido problemas recorrentes de gestão, que perpassam por todo o processo de projeto até a obra. Associa‐se a isso ainda, a crescente demanda da cadeia produtiva da construção em adotar metodologias para o desenvolvimento de construções sustentáveis. Em virtude dos fatos mencionados, o objetivo da presente pesquisa é identificar os fatores, requisitos e procedimentos para propor um modelo para a estruturação de um Escritório de Gerenciamento de Projetos (EGP) direcionado a projetos de AEC sustentáveis em IFES. Para isso, buscou‐se através de pesquisa bibliográfica e de levantamentos de múltiplos minicasos embasamento para a proposição de três modelos referenciais para a estruturação e operação do EGP. Como principal resultado, conclui‐se que a adoção da visão sistêmica e do entendimento do processo de projeto de edificações a partir do ciclo de vida do produto são essenciais para o desenvolvimento de projetos dessa natureza.