The very nature of the fire fighting environment makes thermal degradation of turnout gear inevitable. Standards that are currently in place to ensure that new gear performs adequately for the protection of the fire fighter do not provide a quantitative measure for assessing this gear once it is in service. When the performance of the gear is compromised due to degradation, it could put the fire fighter wearing the gear at unnecessary risk. A non-destructive test that indicates the end of the useable service of the garment would be a benefit to the fire service. Full scale fire tests were conducted to suggest a range of heat fluxes that turnout gear specimens should be subjected to in order to simulate degradation caused by in-field use of the gear. A series of destructive tests were conducted on exposed specimens. A number of non-destructive tests were performed on the same specimens. The results of destructive and non-destructive tests were compared. This research explored some options for non-destructive tests of turnout gear. Digital image analysis and colorimetry were both offered as possibilities for a diagnostic test of this gear. Correlations between destructive performance tests and the colour changes of the outer shell fabric could be used to develop non-destructive tests to evaluate every garment owned by a department. More work is required to improve these test methods, but the door has been opened to better testing for in-use gear, and ultimately to provide better protection for the fire fighters who use this clothing.

The very nature of the fire fighting environment makes thermal degradation of turnout gear inevitable. Standards that are currently in place to ensure that new gear performs adequately for the protection of the fire fighter do not provide a quantitative measure for assessing this gear once it is in service. When the performance of the gear is compromised due to degradation, it could put the fire fighter wearing the gear at unnecessary risk. A non-destructive test that indicates the end of the useable service of the garment would be a benefit to the fire service. Full scale fire tests were conducted to suggest a range of heat fluxes that turnout gear specimens should be subjected to in order to simulate degradation caused by in-field use of the gear. A series of destructive tests were conducted on exposed specimens. A number of non-destructive tests were performed on the same specimens. The results of destructive and non-destructive tests were compared. This research explored some options for non-destructive tests of turnout gear. Digital image analysis and colorimetry were both offered as possibilities for a diagnostic test of this gear. Correlations between destructive performance tests and the colour changes of the outer shell fabric could be used to develop non-destructive tests to evaluate every garment owned by a department. More work is required to improve these test methods, but the door has been opened to better testing for in-use gear, and ultimately to provide better protection for the fire fighters who use this clothing.

Being located in subtropical area, the weather in Taiwan is constantly hot and humid which imposes huge cooling load on buildings. Especially, the economic booms in Taiwan further boosted power demand, and worsened the power shortage situation. Dr. H.T. Lin and Dr. K.H. Yang had conducted systematic research since mid-1980s, which constructed a solid ground in this field in Taiwan. Among these results, the ENVLOAD index has become legal binding since 1997 while the PACS index is now under investigation. However, it is in short of analysis and full-scale experimental investigation on energy use of hotels in Taiwan. Therefore, the establishment of the EUI and DUI indexes in Taiwan is the goal of this study. A simplified calculation method has been established in analyzing the energy use and demand use of hotels in Taiwan, by normalizing experimental data from full-scale tests. The result can be drawn accurately based on a few terms, which are available from daily building operations such as occupancy, and is thus practically straightforward and easy to use. In addition, the accuracy was validated by experiments performed and data collected through information technology with Internet access in 4 different forms, which yielded successful results. It is anticipated that the calculation methodology developed in this study on EUI and DUI, and the experimental validation would provide a foundation for the establishment of hotel building energy codes in Taiwan in the future.

Many potential small wind turbine locations are near obstacles such as buildings and shelterbelts, which can have a significant, detrimental effect on the local wind climate. This thesis describes the creation of a new model which can predict the wind speed, turbulence intensity, and wind power density at any point in an obstacle’s region of influence, relative to unsheltered conditions. Artificial neural networks were used to learn the relationship between an obstacle’s characteristics and its effects on the local wind. The neural network was trained using measurements collected in the wakes of scale models exposed to a simulated atmospheric boundary layer in a wind tunnel. A field experiment was conducted to validate the wind tunnel measurements. Model predictions are most accurate in the far wake region. The estimated mean uncertainties associated with model predictions of velocity deficit, power density deficit, and turbulence intensity excess are 5.0%, 15%, and 12.8%, respectively. / Industrial collaborators: Weather INnovations Inc., Wenvor Technologies Inc. / Ontario Centre of Excellence for Energy

Accurate prediction of performance is an important aspect of modern sailing yacht design and provides a competitive advantage on the racecourse and in the marketplace. Although wind tunnel testing of yacht sails is a common tool for obtaining input data for Velocity Prediction Programs, its results have not been validated against aerodynamic full-scale measurements as quality full-scale data is rare. Wind tunnel measurements are conducted at the Twisted Flow Wind Tunnel of The University of Auckland and are compared to the full-scale aerodynamic force measurements from the Berlin Sail-Force-Dynamometer. To realise this comparison wind tunnel techniques and aerodynamic force models for yacht sails are enhanced; this in turn also improves the accuracy of Velocity Prediction Programs. Force and surface pressure measurements were conducted demonstrating that the interaction of the hull/deck with the sails has a significant effect on the side force and the force perpendicular to the deck plane, and that this should be considered in aerodynamic analysis of sails and the performance prediction of yachts. The first Real-Time Velocity Prediction Program for wind tunnel testing has been developed and implemented as an additional module of FRIENDSHIP-Equilibrium. Model sails can now be trimmed based on the full-scale performance of the yacht, and at the correct heel angle, which makes the trimming process in the wind tunnel much more similar to the real life situation. Improved aerodynamic force models have been developed from realistically depowered sail trims obtained with the Real-Time Velocity Prediction Program. An empirical model that describes the force and moment changes due to depowering in detail has been developed and implemented. The standard semi-empirical trim parameter model, which expresses depowering in a more generic way, has been enhanced based on aerodynamic principles and validated against the wind tunnel results. Utilising the enhanced wind tunnel techniques and aerodynamic force models, a generally good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the full-scale data is achieved. Remaining challenges associated with full-scale and wind tunnel tests are however also highlighted and, based on this work alone, a conclusive judgement that scaling effects are negligible cannot be made. / Whole document restricted, but available by request, use the feedback form to request access. / IPENZ Craven Scholarship; The University of Auckland Yacht Research Unit Scholarship; The University of Auckland Graduate Research Fund

Accurate prediction of performance is an important aspect of modern sailing yacht design and provides a competitive advantage on the racecourse and in the marketplace. Although wind tunnel testing of yacht sails is a common tool for obtaining input data for Velocity Prediction Programs, its results have not been validated against aerodynamic full-scale measurements as quality full-scale data is rare. Wind tunnel measurements are conducted at the Twisted Flow Wind Tunnel of The University of Auckland and are compared to the full-scale aerodynamic force measurements from the Berlin Sail-Force-Dynamometer. To realise this comparison wind tunnel techniques and aerodynamic force models for yacht sails are enhanced; this in turn also improves the accuracy of Velocity Prediction Programs. Force and surface pressure measurements were conducted demonstrating that the interaction of the hull/deck with the sails has a significant effect on the side force and the force perpendicular to the deck plane, and that this should be considered in aerodynamic analysis of sails and the performance prediction of yachts. The first Real-Time Velocity Prediction Program for wind tunnel testing has been developed and implemented as an additional module of FRIENDSHIP-Equilibrium. Model sails can now be trimmed based on the full-scale performance of the yacht, and at the correct heel angle, which makes the trimming process in the wind tunnel much more similar to the real life situation. Improved aerodynamic force models have been developed from realistically depowered sail trims obtained with the Real-Time Velocity Prediction Program. An empirical model that describes the force and moment changes due to depowering in detail has been developed and implemented. The standard semi-empirical trim parameter model, which expresses depowering in a more generic way, has been enhanced based on aerodynamic principles and validated against the wind tunnel results. Utilising the enhanced wind tunnel techniques and aerodynamic force models, a generally good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the full-scale data is achieved. Remaining challenges associated with full-scale and wind tunnel tests are however also highlighted and, based on this work alone, a conclusive judgement that scaling effects are negligible cannot be made. / Whole document restricted, but available by request, use the feedback form to request access. / IPENZ Craven Scholarship; The University of Auckland Yacht Research Unit Scholarship; The University of Auckland Graduate Research Fund

Accurate prediction of performance is an important aspect of modern sailing yacht design and provides a competitive advantage on the racecourse and in the marketplace. Although wind tunnel testing of yacht sails is a common tool for obtaining input data for Velocity Prediction Programs, its results have not been validated against aerodynamic full-scale measurements as quality full-scale data is rare. Wind tunnel measurements are conducted at the Twisted Flow Wind Tunnel of The University of Auckland and are compared to the full-scale aerodynamic force measurements from the Berlin Sail-Force-Dynamometer. To realise this comparison wind tunnel techniques and aerodynamic force models for yacht sails are enhanced; this in turn also improves the accuracy of Velocity Prediction Programs. Force and surface pressure measurements were conducted demonstrating that the interaction of the hull/deck with the sails has a significant effect on the side force and the force perpendicular to the deck plane, and that this should be considered in aerodynamic analysis of sails and the performance prediction of yachts. The first Real-Time Velocity Prediction Program for wind tunnel testing has been developed and implemented as an additional module of FRIENDSHIP-Equilibrium. Model sails can now be trimmed based on the full-scale performance of the yacht, and at the correct heel angle, which makes the trimming process in the wind tunnel much more similar to the real life situation. Improved aerodynamic force models have been developed from realistically depowered sail trims obtained with the Real-Time Velocity Prediction Program. An empirical model that describes the force and moment changes due to depowering in detail has been developed and implemented. The standard semi-empirical trim parameter model, which expresses depowering in a more generic way, has been enhanced based on aerodynamic principles and validated against the wind tunnel results. Utilising the enhanced wind tunnel techniques and aerodynamic force models, a generally good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the full-scale data is achieved. Remaining challenges associated with full-scale and wind tunnel tests are however also highlighted and, based on this work alone, a conclusive judgement that scaling effects are negligible cannot be made. / Whole document restricted, but available by request, use the feedback form to request access. / IPENZ Craven Scholarship; The University of Auckland Yacht Research Unit Scholarship; The University of Auckland Graduate Research Fund

Accurate prediction of performance is an important aspect of modern sailing yacht design and provides a competitive advantage on the racecourse and in the marketplace. Although wind tunnel testing of yacht sails is a common tool for obtaining input data for Velocity Prediction Programs, its results have not been validated against aerodynamic full-scale measurements as quality full-scale data is rare. Wind tunnel measurements are conducted at the Twisted Flow Wind Tunnel of The University of Auckland and are compared to the full-scale aerodynamic force measurements from the Berlin Sail-Force-Dynamometer. To realise this comparison wind tunnel techniques and aerodynamic force models for yacht sails are enhanced; this in turn also improves the accuracy of Velocity Prediction Programs. Force and surface pressure measurements were conducted demonstrating that the interaction of the hull/deck with the sails has a significant effect on the side force and the force perpendicular to the deck plane, and that this should be considered in aerodynamic analysis of sails and the performance prediction of yachts. The first Real-Time Velocity Prediction Program for wind tunnel testing has been developed and implemented as an additional module of FRIENDSHIP-Equilibrium. Model sails can now be trimmed based on the full-scale performance of the yacht, and at the correct heel angle, which makes the trimming process in the wind tunnel much more similar to the real life situation. Improved aerodynamic force models have been developed from realistically depowered sail trims obtained with the Real-Time Velocity Prediction Program. An empirical model that describes the force and moment changes due to depowering in detail has been developed and implemented. The standard semi-empirical trim parameter model, which expresses depowering in a more generic way, has been enhanced based on aerodynamic principles and validated against the wind tunnel results. Utilising the enhanced wind tunnel techniques and aerodynamic force models, a generally good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the full-scale data is achieved. Remaining challenges associated with full-scale and wind tunnel tests are however also highlighted and, based on this work alone, a conclusive judgement that scaling effects are negligible cannot be made. / Whole document restricted, but available by request, use the feedback form to request access. / IPENZ Craven Scholarship; The University of Auckland Yacht Research Unit Scholarship; The University of Auckland Graduate Research Fund

Interiors are often dealing with the notion of front and back. Physically, with walls facing the occupant and concealing a “behind”, a backside, perhaps an adjacent room. But also, in organization; “in the back of the building” meaning the furthest away from the entrance or from the street, the public. There is also a variety of interiors that are backsides them self. Spaces that, in contrast to fronts or “primary” spaces not are intended to be shown perhaps because they are occupied by functions, or people that for some reason are desired to be hidden. The idea of a backside, though, whether considered good or bad, what belongs there and not, has shifted over time. I believe that this is a truly cultural issue, governed by social constructions that stabilize and become customs in the fabrication of interiors. In this project have I studied and reworked the information from a few domestic interiors. Through the methods of inverting and full-scale construction, have I investigated what a “backside of an interior” is, what it does and how the treatment of it has changed over time. In my studies, I have found that a contemporary apartment interior attempts to seamlessly exclude the “backside”, just like the parlours of a 100 years old bourgeoise palace. But in the contemporary apartment, it is because of praxis and standardization, and not because of what ideas govern the design. By building a full-scale part of an actual contemporary apartment - where I invert and reorganize the order of how it would have been costume - the praxis is brought to light and questioned.

Les outils d’évaluation des risques liés au transfert des polluants gazeux du sol vers les environnements intérieurs comportent de fortes incertitudes quant à la connaissance de certains paramètres et notamment ceux relatifs à l’interface sol-bâtiment : prise en compte des différentes typologies de soubassement, niveau de perméabilité des planchers bas. Ces incertitudes conduisent à une mauvaise estimation de l’impact de ces polluants gazeux sur la qualité d’air intérieur.Afin de contribuer à l’amélioration des modèles d’évaluation pour la gestion des risques vis-à-vis des pollutions gazeuses venant du sol, cette thèse présente dans une première partie, une méthodologie de développement de modèles analytiques adaptés à la prise en compte de différents soubassements, afin de mieux appréhender le transfert de polluants gazeux entre le sol et le bâtiment. Ces modèles ont été développés sur la base d’une analogie avec le transfert des flux de chaleur entre le sol et le bâtiment. Ils traitent, tout particulièrement, des transferts d’air convectifs au niveau de l’interface sol-bâtiment pour différentes typologies de soubassement. Parla suite, les modèles analytiques développés ont été intégrés dans un modèle aéraulique des bâtiments afin d’étudier l’impact des différentes typologies de soubassement sur l’entrée de polluants du sol et donc sur la qualité d’air intérieur résultante.En parallèle, des travaux expérimentaux ont été entrepris afin de compléter la connaissance actuelle relative à la perméabilité à l’air des bétons fissurés, pour laquelle un manque de données a été constaté. D’autre part, les débits d’air convectifs allant du sol vers le bâtiment ont également été quantifiés de façon expérimentale à l’aide de la maison expérimentale ‘MARIA’ dont dispose le CSTB. Ce type de quantification constitue une première base de données expérimentale.Enfin, une dernière partie de cette thèse traite de la réalisation d’un suivi expérimental annuel des performances d’un Système de Dépressurisation des Sols naturels, dans le but d’optimiser à terme les solutions de protection des bâtiments vis-à-vis des polluants gazeux du sol.. / Risk assessment tools related to transfers of gaseous pollutant from soil to indoor environments present large uncertainties relative to the knowledge of certain parameters, particularly those relating to the soil-building interface: considering the different basement typology, permeability level of floor. These uncertainties lead to an inaccurate evaluation of the impact of gaseous pollutants on indoor air quality.In order to contribute to the improvement of risk assessment models of gaseous pollutants from the soil, thiswork present in a fist part the development of analytical and numerical models. These models have been adapted to consider the different basement, in order to estimate the transfer of gaseous pollutants from the soil to the building. An analogy with heat transfer phenomena between soil and building is used to develop these models.They predict convective airflow transfers between soils and building, for different soil-building interface.There after, the analytical model has been incorporated into an airflow model. This model enables us to study the impact of different types of basement on the entry of pollutants from soil and the indoor air quality.Besides, experimental works have been made to complete the knowledge of concrete air permeability, because of a lack of data. Furthermore, the convective airflows from soil to building have been quantified experimentally.These airflows have been determined in the experimental house ‘MARIA’ installed in the CSTB. Suchquantification constitutes the first experimental database.Finally, the last part of this work shows a one-year follow-up study about the ability of natural SoilDepressurisation System. This study has been carried out to optimize the solutions of buildings protection from the soil gaseous pollutants.