This research project investigates the viability of using renewable energy sources and passive solar design in Saskatchewan, with its harsh climate, abundant energy resources, and absence of financial incentives for residential renewable energy systems. <p>An experimental Ready-To-Move (RTM) house, using passive solar design and stand-alone solar and wind power with gas generator backup, was designed and built and has been tested for a one year period from January to December, 2006.<p>The design methodology was based on well established design procedures for passive solar homes and renewable energy systems that are documented in the literature. A data collection system was used to record solar and wind charging currents, and battery status and temperature data was recorded on a daily basis. Average household loads were estimated from this data. <p>For 2006, the power generation of the solar array was 990 kWh, which was better than the expected output of 927 kWh. However, the wind generator produced only 475 kWh, which was substantially less the expected output of 1430 kWh. Average wind speeds were lower than the normal for 2006 and power production was less than the manufacturers projections for the specified wind speeds. Financial analysis showed that the lack of incentives and net metering made an off-grid system economically feasible only in remote locations where the cost of grid connection is over $20,000.

This research project investigates the viability of using renewable energy sources and passive solar design in Saskatchewan, with its harsh climate, abundant energy resources, and absence of financial incentives for residential renewable energy systems. <p>An experimental Ready-To-Move (RTM) house, using passive solar design and stand-alone solar and wind power with gas generator backup, was designed and built and has been tested for a one year period from January to December, 2006.<p>The design methodology was based on well established design procedures for passive solar homes and renewable energy systems that are documented in the literature. A data collection system was used to record solar and wind charging currents, and battery status and temperature data was recorded on a daily basis. Average household loads were estimated from this data. <p>For 2006, the power generation of the solar array was 990 kWh, which was better than the expected output of 927 kWh. However, the wind generator produced only 475 kWh, which was substantially less the expected output of 1430 kWh. Average wind speeds were lower than the normal for 2006 and power production was less than the manufacturers projections for the specified wind speeds. Financial analysis showed that the lack of incentives and net metering made an off-grid system economically feasible only in remote locations where the cost of grid connection is over $20,000.

The primary obstacle to continued downscaling of charge-based electronic devices in accordance with Moore's law is the excessive energy dissipation that takes place in the device during switching of bits. Unlike charge-based devices, spin-based devices are switched by flipping spins without moving charge in space. Although some energy is still dissipated in flipping spins, it can be considerably less than the energy associated with current flow in charge-based devices. Unfortunately, this advantage will be squandered if the method adopted to switch the spin is so energy-inefficient that the energy dissipated in the switching circuit far exceeds the energy dissipated inside the system. Regrettably, this is often the case, e.g., switching spins with a magnetic field or with spin-transfer-torque mechanism. In this dissertation, it is shown theoretically that the magnetization of two-phase multiferroic single-domain nanomagnets can be switched very energy-efficiently, more so than any device currently extant, leading possibly to new magnetic logic and memory systems which might be an important contributor to Beyond-Moore's-Law technology. A multiferroic composite structure consists of a layer of piezoelectric material in intimate contact with a magnetostrictive layer. When a tiny voltage of few millivolts is applied across the structure, it generates strain in the piezoelectric layer and the strain is transferred to the magnetostrictive nanomagnet. This strain generates magnetostrictive anisotropy in the nanomagnet and thus rotates its direction of magnetization, resulting in magnetization reversal or 'bit-flip'. It is shown after detailed analysis that full 180 degree switching of magnetization can occur in the "symmetric" potential landscape of the magnetostrictive nanomagnet, even in the presence of room-temperature thermal fluctuations, which differs from the general perception on binary switching. With proper choice of materials, the energy dissipated in the bit-flip can be made as low as one attoJoule at room-temperature. Also, sub-nanosecond switching delay can be achieved so that the device is adequately fast for general-purpose computing. The above idea, explored in this dissertation, has the potential to produce an extremely low-power, yet high-density and high-speed, non-volatile magnetic logic and memory system. Such processors would be well suited for embedded applications, e.g., implantable medical devices that could run on energy harvested from the patient's body motion.

This thesis on Low Impact Development (LID) Practices provides design guidelines and principles for three important LID practices: green roofs, rainwater harvesting and bioswales. The most important component of the thesis is the qualitative analysis of various case studies based on the LID objectives drawn from the literature review for each LID practice. Through the course of my research, I found that there was no one single source which provided information on the design guidelines accompanied by case examples which could help the designer with built examples where the LID practices have been executed. Therefore, developing this thesis document which provided all this information started as my masters thesis project. The document is designed to be used by people with a variety of expertise like landscape architects, landscape contractors, engineers and clients. The manual is organized into five chapters. The manual details the process of stormwater management and then gradually leads to the evolution of Low Impact Development Practices and detailing out three important LID practices: green roofs, rainwater harvesting, vegetated swales and briefly about infiltration systems. The LID principles outlined in this manual were developed over the last few years to address runoff issues associated with the new residential, commercial and industrial suburban developments. Information to develop this manual has been drawn from numerous sources like the Low Impact Design Strategies developed by the Prince George's County, Maryland, US EPA, Low Impact Development urban design tools and numerous other research papers. It is my hope that the manual will provide adequate information to its users by not only providing design guidelines but also provide built examples through the case studies. / Master of Landscape Architecture

Student Number : 9709225V - MSc project report - School of Construction Economics and Management - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / This research was conducted in order to highlight the misconception that there may be a single answer to the challenges of energy efficient design; a “single elixir that will be the answer to all problems” (Holm, 1996). Existing literature pertaining to energy efficient design principles was analysed and tested against a well known example of Southern African energy efficient building practice; the Botswana Technology Centre (BOTEC). BOTEC was selected as the case study for this investigation because it was designed to be a living exhibition of energy efficient design and as such a manual or ‘elixir’ for alternate design. BOTEC was analysed on site, personal interviews were held with the architect and a questionnaire was circulated to the users of the building in order to observe whether the principles used at the BOTEC building are appropriate and represent the “single elixir, the answer to all problems,” with regard to energy efficient design (Holm, 1996). Although BOTEC appears to perform well, interviews with the users of the BOTEC building suggest that the building does not perform well in winter at all. Interviews with the architectural consultant who worked on the BOTEC building expose a simple oversight in design which leads to ‘this building’s underperformance in winter’. In concurrence with Holm therefore, this report ultimately shows that there are no perfect solutions to energy efficient design and by applying a once successful solution without taking cognisance of specific climatic and geological differences, the building will not function correctly.

[EN] Bridges, as an important component of infrastructure, are expected to meet all the requirements for a modern society. Traditionally, the primary aim in bridge design has been to achieve the lowest cost while guaranteeing the structural efficiency. However, concerns regarding building a more sustainable future have change the priorities of society. Ecological and durable structures are increasingly demanded. Under these premises, heuristic optimization methods provide an effective alternative to structural designs based on experience. The emergence of new materials, structural designs and sustainable criteria motivate the need to create a methodology for the automatic and accurate design of a real post-tensioned concrete bridge that considers all these aspects. For the first time, this thesis studies the efficient design of post-tensioned concrete box-girder road bridges from a sustainable point of view. This research integrates environmental, safety and durability criteria into the optimum design of the bridge. The methodology proposed provides multiple trade-off solutions that hardly increase the cost and achieve improved safety and durability. Likewise, this approach quantifies the sustainable criteria in economic terms, and evaluates the effect of these criteria on the best values of the variables. In this context, a multi-objective optimization is formulated to provide multiple trade-off and high-performing solutions that balance economic, ecologic and societal goals. An optimization design program selects the best geometry, concrete type, reinforcement and post-tensioning steel that meet the objectives selected. A three-span continuous box-girder road bridge located in a coastal region is selected for a case study. This approach provides vital knowledge about this type of bridge in the sustainable context. The life-cycle perspective has been included through a lifetime performance evaluation that models the bridge deterioration process due to chloride-induced corrosion. The economic, environmental and societal impacts of maintenance actions required to extend the service life are examined. Therefore, the proposed goals for an efficient design have been switch from initial stage to life-cycle consideration. Faced with the large computational time of multi-objective optimization and finite-element analysis, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are integrated in the proposed methodology. ANNs are trained to predict the structural response based on the design variables, without the need to analyze the bridge response. The multi-objective optimization problem results in a set of trade-off solutions characterized by the presence of conflicting objectives. The final selection of preferred solutions is simplified by a decision-making technique. A rational technique converts a verbal pairwise comparison between criteria with a degree of uncertainty into numerical values that guarantee the consistency of judgments. This thesis gives a guide for the sustainable design of concrete structures. The use of the proposed approach leads to designs with lower life-cycle cost and emissions compared to general design approaches. Both bridge safety and durability can be improved with a little cost increment by choosing the correct design variables. In addition, this methodology is applicable to any type of structure and material. / [ES] Los puentes, como parte importante de una infraestructura, se espera que reúnan todos los requisitos de una sociedad moderna. Tradicionalmente, el objetivo principal en el diseño de puentes ha sido lograr el menor coste mientras se garantiza la eficiencia estructural. Sin embargo, la preocupación por construir un futuro más sostenible ha provocado un cambio en las prioridades de la sociedad. Estructuras más ecológicas y duraderas son cada vez más demandadas. Bajo estas premisas, los métodos de optimización heurística proporcionan una alternativa eficaz a los diseños estructurales basados en la experiencia. La aparición de nuevos materiales, diseños estructurales y criterios sostenibles motivan la necesidad de crear una metodología para el diseño automático y preciso de un puente real de hormigón postesado que considere todos estos aspectos. Por primera vez, esta tesis estudia el diseño eficiente de puentes de hormigón postesado con sección en cajón desde un punto de vista sostenible. Esta investigación integra criterios ambientales, de seguridad estructural y durabilidad en el diseño óptimo del puente. La metodología propuesta proporciona múltiples soluciones que apenas encarecen el coste y mejoran la seguridad y durabilidad. Al mismo tiempo, se cuantifica el enfoque sostenible en términos económicos, y se evalúa el efecto que tienen dichos criterios en el valor óptimo de las variables. En este contexto, se formula una optimización multiobjetivo que proporciona soluciones eficientes y de compromiso entre los criterios económicos, ecológicos y sociales. Un programa de optimización del diseño selecciona la mejor combinación de geometría, tipo de hormigón, armadura y postesado que cumpla con los objetivos seleccionados. Se ha escogido como caso de estudio un puente continuo en cajón de tres vanos situado en la costa. Este método proporciona un mayor conocimiento sobre esta tipología de puentes desde un punto de vista sostenible. Se ha estudiado el ciclo de vida a través de la evaluación del deterioro estructural del puente debido al ataque por cloruros. Se examina el impacto económico, ambiental y social que produce el mantenimiento necesario para extender la vida útil del puente. Por lo tanto, los objetivos propuestos para un diseño eficiente han sido trasladados desde la etapa inicial hasta la consideración del ciclo de vida. Para solucionar el problema del elevado tiempo de cálculo debido a la optimización multiobjetivo y el análisis por elementos finitos, se han integrado redes neuronales en la metodología propuesta. Las redes neuronales son entrenadas para predecir la respuesta estructural a partir de las variables de diseño, sin la necesidad de analizar el puente. El problema de optimización multiobjetivo se traduce en un conjunto de soluciones de compromiso que representan objetivos contrapuestos. La selección final de las soluciones preferidas se simplifica mediante una técnica de toma de decisiones. Una técnica estructurada convierte los juicios basados en comparaciones por pares de elementos con un grado de incertidumbre en valores numéricos que garantizan la consistencia de dichos juicios. Esta tesis proporciona una guía que extiende y mejora las recomendaciones sobre el diseño de estructuras de hormigón dentro del contexto de desarrollo sostenible. El uso de la metodología propuesta lleva a diseños con menor coste y emisiones del ciclo de vida, comparado con diseños que siguen metodologías generales. Los resultados demuestran que mediante una correcta elección del valor de las variables se puede mejorar la seguridad y durabilidad del puente con un pequeño incremento del coste. Además, esta metodología es aplicable a cualquier tipo de estructura y material. / [CA] Els ponts, com a part important d'una infraestructura, s'espera que reunisquen tots els requisits d'una societat moderna. Tradicionalment, l'objectiu principal en el disseny de ponts ha sigut aconseguir el menor cost mentres es garantix l'eficiència estructural. No obstant això, la preocupació per construir un futur més sostenible ha provocat un canvi en les prioritats de la societat. Estructures més ecològiques i durables són cada vegada més demandades. Davall estes premisses, els mètodes d'optimització heurística proporcionen una alternativa eficaç als dissenys estructurals basats en l'experiència. L'aparició de nous materials, dissenys estructurals i criteris sostenibles motiven la necessitat de crear una metodologia per al disseny automàtic i precís d'un pont real de formigó posttesat que considere tots estos aspectos. Per primera vegada, esta tesi estudia el disseny eficient de ponts de formigó posttesat amb secció en calaix des d'un punt de vista sostenible. Esta investigació integra criteris ambientals, de seguretat estructural i durabilitat en el disseny òptim del pont. La metodologia proposada proporciona múltiples solucions que a penes encarixen el cost i milloren la seguretat i durabilitat. Al mateix temps, es quantifica l'enfocament sostenible en termes econòmics, i s'avalua l'efecte que tenen els dits criteris en el valor òptim de les variables. En este context, es formula una optimització multiobjetivo que proporciona solucions eficients i de compromís entre els criteris econòmics, ecològics i socials. Un programa d'optimització del disseny selecciona la millor geometria, tipus de formigó, armadura i posttesat que complisquen amb els objectius seleccionats. S'ha triat com a cas d'estudi un pont continu en calaix de tres vans situat en la costa. Este mètode proporciona un major coneixement sobre esta tipologia de ponts des d'un punt de vista sostenible. S'ha estudiat el cicle de vida a través de l'avaluació del deteriorament estructural del pont a causa de l'atac per clorurs. S'examina l'impacte econòmic, ambiental i social que produïx el manteniment necessari per a estendre la vida útil del pont. Per tant, els objectius proposats per a un disseny eficient han sigut traslladats des de l'etapa inicial fins a la consideració del cicle de vida. Per a solucionar el problema de l'elevat temps de càlcul degut a l'optimització multiobjetivo i l'anàlisi per elements finits, s'han integrat xarxes neuronals en la metodologia proposada. Les xarxes neuronals són entrenades per a predir la resposta estructural a partir de les variables de disseny, sense la necessitat d'analitzar el pont. El problema d'optimització multiobjetivo es traduïx en un conjunt de solucions de compromís que representen objectius contraposats. La selecció final de les solucions preferides se simplifica per mitjà d'una tècnica de presa de decisions. Una tècnica estructurada convertix els juís basats en comparacions per parells d'elements amb un grau d'incertesa en valors numèrics que garantixen la consistència dels dits juís. Esta tesi proporciona una guia que estén i millora les recomanacions sobre el disseny d'estructures de formigó dins del context de desenrotllament sostenible. L'ús de la metodologia proposada porta a dissenys amb menor cost i emissions del cicle de vida, comparat amb dissenys que seguixen metodologies generals. Els resultats demostren que per mitjà d'una correcta elecció del valor de les variables es pot millorar la seguretat i durabilitat del pont amb un xicotet increment del cost. A més, esta metodologia és aplicable a qualsevol tipus d'estructura i material. / García Segura, T. (2016). Efficient design of post-tensioned concrete box-girder road bridges based on sustainable multi-objective criteria [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/73147

China has become one of the world’s economic engines. One major driving force is the rapid urbanization. Such fast development results in resource and energy depletion, pollution and environmental deterioration. The government has recently endorsed green buildings and urged ministries to work out a national action plan. It is predicted that green building will be the next big thing in China. But before importing any foreign green technology and green designs, is there something to be learned from the Chinese ancestors? In the long history of China, the Chinese have always employed a system of construction with the influences of geography, climate, culture, philosophy, economy and politics deeply rooted in China, making the Chinese traditional architecture distinct. Embedded in the formation of the city, siheyuan 四合院, the courtyard house in Beijing was one exceptional dwelling example that inherited the quintessence of the thousand years of building experiences and knowledge of the ancestors. This traditional urban type not only celebrated the rich and unique cultural heritage of China, it also played an important role in maximizing the natural forces to create a pleasant and comfortable environment for living. Population growth, political and economic reforms over time however have drastically changed the fate of this historical heritage. Especially under the pressure of the fast development and economic boom after the introduction of the Open Door Policy in 1978, the traditional courtyards were the first to be demolished due to the lack of modern facilities and the inability to accommodate the growing population. They were often replaced by apartment blocks and high-rise towers – imported types based on planning regulations developed in the West, outside the cultural and environmental milieu of Beijing. As a result, the city is now filled with many energy intensive buildings that eat away both the “city’s essence” and the valuable natural resources. With the current policy and ambition of China, the teardown courtyard sites within the old city wall that are still waiting for development offer the potential to address the remediation and reinterpretation of the traditional typology in a contemporary city. The thesis investigates the essences of the traditional courtyard house and explores the way to apply such qualities to the design of a new courtyard typology in contemporary Beijing. The proposal anticipates a holistic approach on both environmental, social, cultural and economic level, so as to carry out preservation that manifests in experience rather than physical restoration, and to create a project that is truly sustainable.

China has become one of the world’s economic engines. One major driving force is the rapid urbanization. Such fast development results in resource and energy depletion, pollution and environmental deterioration. The government has recently endorsed green buildings and urged ministries to work out a national action plan. It is predicted that green building will be the next big thing in China. But before importing any foreign green technology and green designs, is there something to be learned from the Chinese ancestors? In the long history of China, the Chinese have always employed a system of construction with the influences of geography, climate, culture, philosophy, economy and politics deeply rooted in China, making the Chinese traditional architecture distinct. Embedded in the formation of the city, siheyuan 四合院, the courtyard house in Beijing was one exceptional dwelling example that inherited the quintessence of the thousand years of building experiences and knowledge of the ancestors. This traditional urban type not only celebrated the rich and unique cultural heritage of China, it also played an important role in maximizing the natural forces to create a pleasant and comfortable environment for living. Population growth, political and economic reforms over time however have drastically changed the fate of this historical heritage. Especially under the pressure of the fast development and economic boom after the introduction of the Open Door Policy in 1978, the traditional courtyards were the first to be demolished due to the lack of modern facilities and the inability to accommodate the growing population. They were often replaced by apartment blocks and high-rise towers – imported types based on planning regulations developed in the West, outside the cultural and environmental milieu of Beijing. As a result, the city is now filled with many energy intensive buildings that eat away both the “city’s essence” and the valuable natural resources. With the current policy and ambition of China, the teardown courtyard sites within the old city wall that are still waiting for development offer the potential to address the remediation and reinterpretation of the traditional typology in a contemporary city. The thesis investigates the essences of the traditional courtyard house and explores the way to apply such qualities to the design of a new courtyard typology in contemporary Beijing. The proposal anticipates a holistic approach on both environmental, social, cultural and economic level, so as to carry out preservation that manifests in experience rather than physical restoration, and to create a project that is truly sustainable.

Master of Architecture / Department of Architecture / Gary J. Coates / Buildings account for a large part of total U.S. energy consumption and generate far more greenhouse gas emissions than any other sector of the economy. The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate how buildings can be designed in a way that helps to mitigate global environmental problems, while resolving local urban design, architecture and social issues. This purpose was achieved by designing a zero-energy garage apartment for a site located along an alley in Manhattan, Kansas. The methodology for the design was to: identify a client; define project goals and design criteria; determine solar and geothermal renewable energy system requirements; design the garage apartment by employing energy efficient strategies relating to bioregional design and passive solar design; identify eco-friendly materials obtainable within a 500-mile radius of the site; and identify energy-efficient construction methods. The energy performance of the garage apartment was constantly monitored using eQUEST and Energy-10 simulation softwares. Operational definitions: Garage apartment- a building behind the main building[superscript]1, which is part of the same plot as the main building. It is also called a 'backhouse', 'granny flat' or a 'rear house'. Zero-energy house- for this thesis, a grid connected self-standing zero-energy house, which results in zero utility bills throughout the year.

This work presents a new energy saving technique for modern digital designs. We propose Time Interleaved Multi-Rail (TIMR) - a method for providing two dynamic supply rails to a circuit. This technique uses the first supply rail to mask the transition delay while changing the voltage of the second rail. We examine the design of TIMR as well as the implementation and considerations. We propose a number of control schemes that range from traditional DVFS to "race to sleep". This thesis also shows simulations of the technique using a existing voltage regulator in order to find the time and energy overhead of implementing the design. We find a 100μs switching time delay and 118μJ energy overhead associated with changing the voltage rail. This work concludes with comparisons to current energy saving techniques. / Graduation date: 2012