<p>This thesis is written at WSP management and investigates the practice of pre-project planning and feasibility studies at Swedish construction companies, through the study of the ongoing feasibility study of the mall Sturegallerian in Stockholm, and through interviews with experienced project managers in the construction industry. There is currently a big span in the way Swedish construction companies plan the pre-project phase and the aim of this thesis is to present a more generic and standardized way that helps minimize project risks and maximize efficiency and profit.</p><p> </p><p>The result is a generic model which can be used in pre-project planning. The model describes the phases in the preproject planning process and the activities that span these phases. Is also describes the categories of professions that need to participate in the preproject planning group and which activities that each profession executes.</p><p> </p><p>The other result is a list of factors that need to be considered for a well performed pre-project phase, as found during the interviews. Among others the thesis stresses the importance of involving the client as a key participant in the process. The importance of testing the profitability of the idea is also being discussed. The interviews also indicated that the pre-project phase is not linear but rather transactional and that the original alternatives presented to the client lead to new client desires and requirements.</p>

This thesis is written at WSP management and investigates the practice of pre-project planning and feasibility studies at Swedish construction companies, through the study of the ongoing feasibility study of the mall Sturegallerian in Stockholm, and through interviews with experienced project managers in the construction industry. There is currently a big span in the way Swedish construction companies plan the pre-project phase and the aim of this thesis is to present a more generic and standardized way that helps minimize project risks and maximize efficiency and profit.   The result is a generic model which can be used in pre-project planning. The model describes the phases in the preproject planning process and the activities that span these phases. Is also describes the categories of professions that need to participate in the preproject planning group and which activities that each profession executes.   The other result is a list of factors that need to be considered for a well performed pre-project phase, as found during the interviews. Among others the thesis stresses the importance of involving the client as a key participant in the process. The importance of testing the profitability of the idea is also being discussed. The interviews also indicated that the pre-project phase is not linear but rather transactional and that the original alternatives presented to the client lead to new client desires and requirements.

In the United States, 40% of energy use was for electricity generation in 2011, but two thirds of the energy used to produce electricity was lost as heat. Combined heat and power systems are an energy technology that provides electrical and thermal energy at high efficiencies by utilizing excess heat from the process of electricity generation. This technology can offer a decentralized method of energy generation for urban regions which can provide a more reliable, resilient and efficient power supply, and has a lower impact on the environment compared to certain centralized electricity generation systems. In order for the use of combined heat and power systems to become more widespread and mainstream, studies must be performed which analyze their use in various conditions and applications. This work examines the use of a combined heat and power system with a microturbine as the prime mover in residential and commercial scenarios and analyzes the technical and economic feasibility of various system configurations. Energy models are developed for R1, R6 and 2-story office building scenarios using eQUEST, and these results give the electrical and thermal energy requirements for each building. Combined heat and power system models are then developed and presented for each scenario, and the building energy requirements and system component sizes available are considered in order to determine the optimal configurations for each system. The combined heat and power system models designed for each scenario are analyzed to find energy savings, water impacts, and emissions impacts of the system, and each model is examined for economic and environmental feasibility. The models created provide information on the most technically and economically efficient configurations of combined heat and power systems for each scenario examined. Data on system component sizing, system efficiencies, and environmental impacts of each system were determined, as well as how these scenarios compared to the use of traditional centralized energy systems. Combined heat and power has the potential to significantly improve the resiliency, reliability and efficiency of the current energy system in the U.S., and by studying and modeling its uses we more completely understand its function in a range of scenarios and can deploy the systems in a greater number of environments and applications.

The past few decades have witnessed a growing interest in the engineering communities to approach the handling of imperfect information from a quantitatively justifiable angle. In the aerospace engineering domain, the movement to develop creative avenues to nondeterministically solving engineering problems has emerged in the field of aerospace systems design. Inspired by statistical data modeling and numerical analysis techniques that used to be relatively foreign to the designers of aerospace systems, a variety of strategies leveraging upon the probabilistic treatment of uncertainty has been, and continue to be, reported. Although each method differs in the sequence in which probabilistic analysis and numerical optimization are performed, a common motif in all of them is the lack of any built-in provisions to compensate for infeasibilities that occur during optimization. Constraint violations are either strictly prohibited or striven to be held to an acceptable probability threshold, implying that most hitherto developed probabilistic design methods promote an avoid-failure approach to developing aerospace systems under uncertainty. It is the premise of this dissertation that such a dichotomous structure of addressing imperfections is hardly a realistic model of how product development unfolds in practice. From a time-phased view of engineering design, it is often observed that previously unknown parameters become known with the passing of each design milestone, and their effects on the system are realized. Should these impacts happen to be detrimental to critical system-level metrics, then a compensatory action is taken to remedy any unwanted deviations from the target or required bounds, rather than starting the process completely anew. Anecdotal accounts of numerous real-world design projects confirm that such remedial actions are commonly practiced means to ensure the successful fielding of aerospace systems. Therefore, formalizing the remedial aspect of engineering design into a new methodological capability would be the next logical step towards making uncertainty handling more pragmatic for this generation of engineers. In order to formulate a nondeterministic solution approach that capitalizes on the practice of compensatory design, this research introduces the notion of recourse. Within the context of engineering an aerospace system, recourse is defined as a set of corrective actions that can be implemented in stages later than the current design phase to keep critical system-level figures of merit within the desired target ranges, albeit at some penalty. The terminology is inspired by the concept of the same name in the field of statistical decision analysis, where it refers to an action taken by a decision maker to mitigate the unfavorable consequences caused by uncertainty realizations. Recourse programs also introduce the concept of stages to optimization formulations, and allow each stage to encompass as many sequences or events as determined necessary to solve the problem at hand. Together, these two major premises of classical stochastic programming provide a natural way to embody not only the remedial, but also the temporal and nondeterministic aspects of aerospace systems design. A two-part strategy, which partitions the design activities into stages, is proposed to model the bi-phasal nature of recourse. The first stage is defined as the time period in which an a priori design is identified before the exact values of the uncertain parameters are known. In contrast, the second stage is a period occurring some time after the first stage, when an a posteriori correction can be made to the first-stage design, should the realization of uncertainties impart infeasibilities. Penalizing costs are attached to the second-stage corrections to reflect the reality that getting it done right the first time is almost always less costly than fixing it after the fact. Consequently, the goal of the second stage becomes identifying an optimal solution with respect to the second-stage penalty, given the first-stage design, as well as a particular realization of the random parameters. This two-stage model is intended as an analogue of the traditional practice of monitoring and managing key Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) in aerospace systems development settings. Whenever an alarmingly significant discrepancy between the demonstrated and target TPM values is noted, it is generally the case that the most cost-effective recourse option is selected, given the available resources at the time, as well as scheduling and budget constraints. One obvious weakness of the two-stage strategy as presented above is its limited applicability as a forecasting tool. Not only cannot the second stage be invoked without a first-stage starting point, but also the second-stage solution differs from one specific outcome of uncertainties to another. On the contrary, what would be more valuable given the time-phased nature of engineering design is the capability to perform an anticipatory identification of an optimum that is also expected to incur the least costly recourse option in the future. It is argued that such a solution is in fact a more balanced alternative than robust, probabilistically maximized, or chance-constrained solutions, because it represents trading the design optimality in the present with the potential costs of future recourse. Therefore, it is further proposed that the original two-stage model be embedded inside a larger design loop, so that the realization of numerous recourse scenarios can be simulated for a given first-stage design. The repetitive procedure at the second stage is necessary for computing the expected cost of recourse, which is equivalent to its mathematical expectation as per the strong law of large numbers. The feedback loop then communicates this information to the aggregate-level optimizer, whose objective is to minimize the sum total of the first-stage metric and the expected cost of future corrective actions. The resulting stochastic solution is a design that is well-hedged against the uncertain consequences of later design phases, while at the same time being less conservative than a solution designed to more traditional deterministic standards. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, the recourse-based solution approach is presented as applied to a contemporary aerospace engineering problem of interest - the integration of fuel cell technology into uninhabited aerial systems. The creation of a simulation environment capable of designing three system alternatives based on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) technology and another three systems leveraging upon Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology is presented as the means to notionally emulate the development process of this revolutionary aeropropulsion method. Notable findings from the deterministic trade studies and algorithmic investigation include the incompatibility of the SOFC based architectures with the conceived maritime border patrol mission, as well as the thermodynamic scalability of the PEMFC based alternatives. It is the latter finding which justifies the usage of the more practical specific-parameter based approach in synthesizing the design results at the propulsion level into the overall aircraft sizing framework. The ensuing presentation on the stochastic portion of the implementation outlines how the selective applications of certain Design of Experiments, constrained optimization, Surrogate Modeling, and Monte Carlo sampling techniques enable the visualization of the objective function space. The particular formulations of the design stages, recourse, and uncertainties proposed in this research are shown to result in solutions that are well compromised between unfounded optimism and unwarranted conservatism. In all stochastic optimization cases, the Value of Stochastic Solution (VSS) proves to be an intuitively appealing measure of accounting for recourse-causing uncertainties in an aerospace systems design environment.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

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A investigação científica na área de tecnologia de produção florestal busca técnicas que aumentem a produção por unidade de área, com alta viabilidade econômica e com redução dos impactos ambientais. Quando se tratam de plantios florestais, são necessários estudos da produção de biomassa e seu teor de nutrientes, sendo estes dados parâmetros para planejar as implicações ambientais de diferentes intensidades de colheita florestal. Diante do exposto, o presente estudo buscou elucidar a produção e exportação de biomassa e nutrientes para duas espécies do gênero Eucalyptus (E. grandis e E. urophylla) cultivadas na região sudoeste do Paraná. Para isso, foi avaliado: o estoque de biomassa e nutrientes na árvore (madeira, casca, galhos e folhas) aos 60 meses de idade do povoamento; a taxa de exportação de nutrientes; o poder calorífico e viabilidade econômica. A biomassa e os maiores estoques de nutrientes do eucalipto encontram-se predominantemente alocados no fuste (madeira + casca). Os componentes da biomassa apresentaram composições químicas distintas, sendo geralmente maiores nas folhas e casca e menores nos componentes madeira e galhos. Quanto ao poder calorífico, a folha teve seu poder calorífico estatisticamente superior às demais frações avaliadas, seguidas dos galhos, madeira e casca. O teor de Carbono orgânico (C.O.) está diretamente ligado ao poder calorífico, sendo que quanto maior o mesmo na fração, maior o poder calorífico. A madeira apresentou os maiores valores de eficiência de utilização de nutrientes, algo bastante desejável e de grande interesse para a silvicultura. Nas folhas estão os menores valores de eficiência de utilização de nutrientes, com exceção do Ca e Mg que estão na casca, indicando a importância da manutenção destes componentes no solo após a colheita. A fração madeira apresenta apresenta a biomassa de menor custo considerando o custo de reposição dos nutrientes exportado. Por outro lado, a fração de folhas apresentou o maior custo de reposição NPK. / Scientific research in forest production technology area search techniques that increase production per unit area, with high economic viability and reducing environmental impacts. When dealing with forest plantations, studies are needed in the production of biomass and its nutrient content, and these are data parameters for planning the environmental implications of different intensities of forest harvesting. Given the above, this study aimed to elucidate the production and export of biomass and nutrients for two species of the genus Eucalyptus (E. grandis and E. urophylla) grown in the southwestern region of Parana. For this, it was evaluated: the stock of biomass and nutrients in eucalyptus (wood, bark, branches and leaves) at 60 months of age; the export rate of nutrients; the calorific value and economic viability. The biomass and the largest eucalyptus nutrient stocks are predominantly allocated to the stem (wood + bark). The components of biomass showed different chemical compositions, generally being higher in the leaves and bark and lower in wood and branches components. As for the calorific value, the leaves had its calorific value statistically superior than the other fractions, followed by branches, wood and bark. The organic carbon content (C.O.) is directly connected to the calorific value, and the calorific value increases as its content increase. The wood had the highest nutrient use efficiency values, something highly desirable and of great interest to forestry. The leaves showed smaller nutrient utilization efficiency values, with the exception of Ca and Mg that were smaller in the bark, indicating the importance of maintaining these components in the soil after harvest. The wood fraction presents the biomass lower cost when considering the replacement of nutrients exported by its biomass. On the other hand, the leaf fraction showed NPK higher cost of replacement.

A investigação científica na área de tecnologia de produção florestal busca técnicas que aumentem a produção por unidade de área, com alta viabilidade econômica e com redução dos impactos ambientais. Quando se tratam de plantios florestais, são necessários estudos da produção de biomassa e seu teor de nutrientes, sendo estes dados parâmetros para planejar as implicações ambientais de diferentes intensidades de colheita florestal. Diante do exposto, o presente estudo buscou elucidar a produção e exportação de biomassa e nutrientes para duas espécies do gênero Eucalyptus (E. grandis e E. urophylla) cultivadas na região sudoeste do Paraná. Para isso, foi avaliado: o estoque de biomassa e nutrientes na árvore (madeira, casca, galhos e folhas) aos 60 meses de idade do povoamento; a taxa de exportação de nutrientes; o poder calorífico e viabilidade econômica. A biomassa e os maiores estoques de nutrientes do eucalipto encontram-se predominantemente alocados no fuste (madeira + casca). Os componentes da biomassa apresentaram composições químicas distintas, sendo geralmente maiores nas folhas e casca e menores nos componentes madeira e galhos. Quanto ao poder calorífico, a folha teve seu poder calorífico estatisticamente superior às demais frações avaliadas, seguidas dos galhos, madeira e casca. O teor de Carbono orgânico (C.O.) está diretamente ligado ao poder calorífico, sendo que quanto maior o mesmo na fração, maior o poder calorífico. A madeira apresentou os maiores valores de eficiência de utilização de nutrientes, algo bastante desejável e de grande interesse para a silvicultura. Nas folhas estão os menores valores de eficiência de utilização de nutrientes, com exceção do Ca e Mg que estão na casca, indicando a importância da manutenção destes componentes no solo após a colheita. A fração madeira apresenta apresenta a biomassa de menor custo considerando o custo de reposição dos nutrientes exportado. Por outro lado, a fração de folhas apresentou o maior custo de reposição NPK. / Scientific research in forest production technology area search techniques that increase production per unit area, with high economic viability and reducing environmental impacts. When dealing with forest plantations, studies are needed in the production of biomass and its nutrient content, and these are data parameters for planning the environmental implications of different intensities of forest harvesting. Given the above, this study aimed to elucidate the production and export of biomass and nutrients for two species of the genus Eucalyptus (E. grandis and E. urophylla) grown in the southwestern region of Parana. For this, it was evaluated: the stock of biomass and nutrients in eucalyptus (wood, bark, branches and leaves) at 60 months of age; the export rate of nutrients; the calorific value and economic viability. The biomass and the largest eucalyptus nutrient stocks are predominantly allocated to the stem (wood + bark). The components of biomass showed different chemical compositions, generally being higher in the leaves and bark and lower in wood and branches components. As for the calorific value, the leaves had its calorific value statistically superior than the other fractions, followed by branches, wood and bark. The organic carbon content (C.O.) is directly connected to the calorific value, and the calorific value increases as its content increase. The wood had the highest nutrient use efficiency values, something highly desirable and of great interest to forestry. The leaves showed smaller nutrient utilization efficiency values, with the exception of Ca and Mg that were smaller in the bark, indicating the importance of maintaining these components in the soil after harvest. The wood fraction presents the biomass lower cost when considering the replacement of nutrients exported by its biomass. On the other hand, the leaf fraction showed NPK higher cost of replacement.

abstract: This dissertation explores the use of bench-scale batch microcosms in remedial design of contaminated aquifers, presents an alternative methodology for conducting such treatability studies, and - from technical, economical, and social perspectives - examines real-world application of this new technology. In situ bioremediation (ISB) is an effective remedial approach for many contaminated groundwater sites. However, site-specific variability necessitates the performance of small-scale treatability studies prior to full-scale implementation. The most common methodology is the batch microcosm, whose potential limitations and suitable technical alternatives are explored in this thesis. In a critical literature review, I discuss how continuous-flow conditions stimulate microbial attachment and biofilm formation, and identify unique microbiological phenomena largely absent in batch bottles, yet potentially relevant to contaminant fate. Following up on this theoretical evaluation, I experimentally produce pyrosequencing data and perform beta diversity analysis to demonstrate that batch and continuous-flow (column) microcosms foster distinctly different microbial communities. Next, I introduce the In Situ Microcosm Array (ISMA), which took approximately two years to design, develop, build and iteratively improve. The ISMA can be deployed down-hole in groundwater monitoring wells of contaminated aquifers for the purpose of autonomously conducting multiple parallel continuous-flow treatability experiments. The ISMA stores all sample generated in the course of each experiment, thereby preventing the release of chemicals into the environment. Detailed results are presented from an ISMA demonstration evaluating ISB for the treatment of hexavalent chromium and trichloroethene. In a technical and economical comparison to batch microcosms, I demonstrate the ISMA is both effective in informing remedial design decisions and cost-competitive. Finally, I report on a participatory technology assessment (pTA) workshop attended by diverse stakeholders of the Phoenix 52nd Street Superfund Site evaluating the ISMA's ability for addressing a real-world problem. In addition to receiving valuable feedback on perceived ISMA limitations, I conclude from the workshop that pTA can facilitate mutual learning even among entrenched stakeholders. In summary, my doctoral research (i) pinpointed limitations of current remedial design approaches, (ii) produced a novel alternative approach, and (iii) demonstrated the technical, economical and social value of this novel remedial design tool, i.e., the In Situ Microcosm Array technology. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Biological Design 2013

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