This thesis was prompted by the belief that local residential streets could be better used and serviced if a common underground structure were provided for all utilities. Such a structure could not only get wiring underground, a desirable aim in itself, but also gather all of the utilities together in a narrow portion of the street. This would free the remainder of the street from the restrictions imposed by the utilities, and allow designers to create more interesting and pleasant environments. It was further believed that such structures might be feasible if the designing and servicing of local streets were considered comprehensively. These beliefs have been investigated by formulating and testing the general hypotheses that installing utilities in specially designed underground structures in local residential streets would: a) permit better use and design of such streets than is possible by current servicing practices; b) be feasible (from functional, physical, social, staging, administrative, political, financial, and economic points of view) if comprehensively designed. The scope of this investigation has been limited to future local streets in single-family residential districts of Metropolitan Vancouver for these reasons. Future streets would allow maximum flexibility in design and savings in servicing costs by proposed practices. Local streets generally have simpler and smaller-sized facilities which are most widely spread. Single-family residential districts are and will be the largest land use and hence, have the most increase in streets. Metropolitan Vancouver has been studied because of its proximity and familiarity to the investigator and its variety of servicing practices. Street use is the use made of streets including such ones as playing not currently facilitated. The 'servicement' is that part of the physical environment created by property service facilities in the streets. Property services are those public services providing service to property as distinct from people. Current practice is the ways of designing and installing facilities followed at the present time. The term 'better' in the first hypothesis is interpreted in terms of elements of the public interest. These include public health, safety, convenience, amenity, welfare, and economy. Criteria of feasibility have been established for the evaluation of the proposed practices. These include functional, physical, social staging, administrative, political, functional, and economic feasibility. They are essentially different ways of looking at a complex problem. [ ... ] / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6585. Adviser: Marcelo H. Garcia. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-143) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Bibliography: pages 293-308. / The provision of local authority services in many metropolitan areas is complicated by the problem of ill-fitting functions and areas. This is particularly so in respect of engineering services. In the thesis, criteria of efficiency and effectiveness, finance, and community participation are selected for use in an analysis of the situation. The thesis critically examines alternative organisational forms for the provision of local authority services, particularly engineering services. These alternatives are assessed against a blend of the three criteria.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Actionl'I' is a project undertaken by a consortium consisting of CSIR, Simeka Management Consulting, University of Pretoria and the University of Stellenbosch for the Innovation Fund of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in South Africa. Their objective is to create a basic specification for seletected information exchange that is compatible with all levels of government. The comparison between existing information systems at municipal level and ActionIT specifications will be investigated for the purpose of exposing shortcomings on both sides. Appropriate features of existing information systems will be identified for the purpose of enhancing the ActionIT specifications. The ActionIT project is presently in its user requirement and conceptual model definition phase, and this thesis aims to assist in providing information that may be helpful infuture developments. The study undertaken in this thesis requires the application of analytical theory and a working knowledge of information systems and databases in order to: 1. Research existing information systems and relevant engineering data at local municipal authorities. Also important will be the gathering of information regarding systems currently in use, and the format in which information is stored and utilised at municipalities. 2. Do an adequate analysis of the contents of recorded information. This information will establish background knowledge on the operations of local authorities and a clearer understanding of information systems. 3. Evaluate to what degree existing information systems comply with ActionIT specifications. This will be the main focus of this thesis. Thus the focus of this thesis is to record (provide an overview oj) activities in a municipal environment and the interaction with the environment on information system level where standards provided by ActionIT as an Open Decision Support Framework can be of value. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ActionIT is in projek wat deur ActionIT konsortium bestaande uit die WNNR, Simeka Management Consulting, Universiteit van Pretoria en die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, onderneem is vir die Innovasie Vonds van die departement van Kuns, Kultuur, Wetenskap en Tegnologie van Suid-Afrika. Hul mikpunt is om in spesifikasie vir informasie sisteme te onwikkel, wat met alle vlakke van regering kan skakel. Die vergelyking tussen die bestaande informasie sisteme op munisipale vlak en ActionIT spesifikasies salondersoek word vir die doelom tekortkominge aan beide kante uit te wys. Vir die verbetering van ActionIT spesifikasies moet aanvaarbare eienskappe van bestaande informasie sisteme geindentifiseer word. Die ActionIT projek is tans in die gebruikers vereiste en konseptueIe model definisie fase, en die tesis is gemik daarop om 'n bydrae te lewer tot die bevordering van informasie wat mag help in toekomstige ontwikkeling. Die werk onderneem in die tesis vereis in teoretiese kennis van informasie sisteme en databasise om: 1. in Ondersoek in die bestaande informasie sisteem en relefante ingenieurs data van in plaaslike munisipaliteit te doen. Die insameling van informasie oor die huidige sisteme in gebruik, die formaat waarin die informasie gestoor en gebruik word is ook belangrik. 2. in Analise van die inhoud van die waargenome informasie te doen. Die informasie sal agtergrond kennis gee oor die werking van plaaslike munisipale owerheid en in beter insig in informasie sisteme gee. 3. in Evaluasie van die verband tussen die bestaande informasie sisteme en ActionIT spesifikasies te doen. Dit is die hoof fokus punt van die tesis. Dus die doel van die tesis is om in oorsig te gee oor die aktiviteite in in munisipale omgewing en die interaksie met die omgewing op informasie sisteem vlak. Waar standaarde wat deur ActionIT voorgeskryf word as in "Open Decision Support Framework" van belang kan wees.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Design Build is rapidly becoming one of the most commonly used project delivery methods in the construction industry. The United States Corp of Engineers (USACE) has started implementing its own version of Design Build with the introduction of Military Transformation in April 2005. Per the Department of the Army (2008) Military Transformation is a term employed by the Corps to implement the use of alternate project delivery method as a means of achieving best value. The United States Air Force (AF) and the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) are expected to establish a target of 75% of all future Military Construction Projects (MILCONs) executed when using the Design Build method. The use of this delivery method results in significant changes to the relationships between the various parties associated with facility project delivery compared to the traditional Design Bid Build method. AFRC construction project procedures and requirements must also change.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 97-99).

Separation of dissolved metals from aqueous solutions using liquid membrane technology is highly advantageous owing to the degree of separation achieved, efficiency and application potential. In the present investigation four types of liquid membranes - bulk liquid membrane (BLM), emulsion liquid membrane (ELM), electrostatic pseudo liquid membrane (ESPLIM) and unified liquid membrane (ULM) have been extensively studied, for their application in extraction and concentration of dissolved metals from effluents. Experiments were conducted with various metal systems to optimize both system and process conditions and to find out the effect of various parameters on the performance of the process. Different mass transport models were proposed for each type, taking diffusional and kinetic resistances into account. Models were extended for simultaneous extraction systems and were verified by different metal-carrier experiments. Good agreement was found between the concentration profiles obtained from the models and the experimental data, thereby establishing the validity of models for all the four types of liquid membranes. The stirred cell employed in BLM process eliminates emulsification and demulsification processes. It also provides simultaneous contact of the organic liquid membrane phase with aqueous feed and strip phases. Overall rate expressions for extraction and stripping in BLM are based on an assumed kinetic mechanism to explain the process qualitatively. It was found that the magnitude^ of diffusional and kinetic resistances determines the overall mass transfer coefficient. The relative magnitude of mass transfer coefficient, reaction rate constants and equilibrium constants enables to visualize the controlling regime of the process. The problem of low flux rate due to high diffusion resistances, inefficient operation and exorbitant costs encountered in bulk and supported liquid membranes (SLM) are overcome in an ELM. In the ELM process, an emulsion of organic membrane phase and aqueous inner phase, is dispersed in the continuous aqueous feed phase. This gives a highly selective and ultra thin liquid film generating a large mass transfer area for separation. Experimental results on membrane instability and emulsion swelling indicate that volumetric leakage rate depends linearly on the stirring speed and that the nature of surfactant does not have any appreciable effect on emulsion swelling. A general permeation model was developed taking into account the external mass transfer around the emulsion drop, diffusion in the drop, reaction at the aqueous-organic interface, leakage of the internal phase to the external phase due to membrane breakup and emulsion swelling due to osmotic pressure difference. Model equations with appropriate boundary conditions were numerically solved by orthogonal collocation technique for a set of model parameters obtained either from known correlations or from independent experiments. Comparison of the model predictions with experimental data from the batch permeation of chromium and other metals using carrier Alamine 336 or LIX 64N, shows that the model predictions are in very good agreement with the experimental findings. Further this model can be used to simulate the effects of various experimental conditions such as metal and hydrogen ion concentrations, carrier concentration, drop diameters, etc., for similar systems. Studies on ESPLIM were conducted with the aim of demonstrating the effectiveness of this new separation process and to develop a simple transport model for metal permeation. In the ESPLIM process, a high electrical field (3-5 kV A.C.) is used for phase dispersion. This system consists of a rectangular reactor filled with membrane solution divided into extraction and stripping cells by a centrally placed integrated type baffle which also acts as an electrode. Two more electrodes were placed in the extraction and stripping cells, where feed and strip phases are introduced from the top of the reactor. When high electrical field is applied across the electrodes, fine droplets of feed and strip are formed and are dispersed in extraction and stripping cells where simultaneous extraction and stripping occurs. The process can be viewed as simultaneous counter current extraction and stripping. The aqueous drops coalesce in the settlers at the bottom of the reactor and are removed continuously. Steady state mass transport model proposed for ESPLIM system accounts for the vertical counter-current extraction and stripping processes taking place in the extraction and stripping cells, together with the lateral transport process of the metal-complex and carrier across the two cells through the integrated baffle zone. The model equations were solved analytically to obtain concentration profiles as a function of the height of the reactor. The required parameters such as mass transfer coefficients, diffusion coefficients etc. were estimated using different correlations. Model predictions agreed remarkably well with the experimental data under various process conditions. From this investigation, it was found that ESPLIM is a simple, efficient and economical process and can be applied in a variety of situations. Based on a suitable combination of solvent extraction, dispersion and liquid membrane technique, a new type of separation system called " Unified Liquid Membrane " was developed. The ULM unit was designed and fabricated, and experiments were conducted to evaluate its performance. The ULM is basically derived from ESPLIM by changing the reactor, baffle design and dispersion technique. Aqueous feed and strip phases were atomized using compressed air through a fine nozzle and are dispersed on either side of an integrated baffle plate that divides the reactor into extraction and stripping cells. Tapering bottom of the reactor reduces the dead volume of the liquid in the settlers and the baffle plate remarkably reduces the leakage problem as well as the resistance through the baffle. Experiments were conducted using LIX 64N and Alamine 336 as carriers for copper and chromium and / or zinc. Mass transport model proposed considers both chemical and phase equilibria in extraction and stripping cells, vertical and lateral transport of carrier and complex across the extraction and stripping cells through the baffle zone. The model equations were solved using initial conditions at the top of the reactor, and equilibrium data for extraction and stripping cells. Effect of various experimental conditions and process parameters was simulated using this model and the model predictions are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The ULM system developed in this investigation overcomes the major limitations encountered with the other types of liquid membranes while retaining all the advantages of this technology. The problem of high mass transfer resistance from bulk phase to metal permeation as in the case of BLM was eliminated by good phase dispersion. Additional resistance to mass transport from solid membrane as in the case of SLM was removed by using an integrated baffle which also avoids problems of membrane instability, pore clogging and selectivity. The complex problems of emulsification and demulsification were completely eliminated making the system much simpler and efficient. Very good phase dispersion was obtained by atomization without the need for either stirring the whole system or application of high electrical field in the reactor. The membrane liquid within the integrated baffle elements allows easy transport of different species between extraction and stripping cells while completely preventing the mixing of the two aqueous phases. The problems of leakage, swelling and occlusion were avoided due to very short residence time of the aqueous drops in the reactor. It was found that the new ULM configuration is simple, elegant, highly efficient and superior to the other types of liquid membrane systems.

Faubourgs de Bruxelles. Boulevards de Verviers. Quelle(s) réalité(s) ?Quelle(s) relation(s) ?<p>Pour les deux villes industrielles, le XIXe siècle a notamment été celui de l’expansion urbaine, au-delà des limites séculaires. Ce développement s’est matérialisé par des nouvelles voies de communication et des nouvelles bâtisses, dont les autorités publiques ont vu la nécessité de planifier l’organisation. Elles ont alors mis en place les moyens législatifs, humains et financiers pour maîtriser cette extension.<p>En partant de la fonction administrative appelée « inspecteur voyer des faubourgs de Bruxelles », une première partie de l’étude montre qu’à Bruxelles, capitale de la jeune Belgique, le service, le territoire, la mission de cet agent public, constituent une réelle particularité dans l’appareil administratif de la Province de Brabant. <p>En s’intéressant à l’évolution de cette fonction depuis son institution jusqu’à sa suppression, on découvre, non seulement un renforcement de cette originalité, mais on trouve aussi les rôle(s) et influence(s) qu’ont pu avoir les titulaires successifs. Parmi ceux-ci, il en est un qui a œuvré sur une longue période, de 1858 à 1904 :c’est Victor Besme. Il est bien connu des urbanistes comme auteur d’un plan d’ensemble qui a structuré le tissu urbain de la première couronne bruxelloise. Il est moins connu comme « électron libre » du « système voyer » qui s’est installé et confirmé dans la seconde moitié du XIXe siècle. Il est quasi inconnu comme ayant contribué à l’agrandissement de Verviers, à son « âge d’or ».<p>La notoriété acquise par l’inspecteur Besme à Bruxelles a conduit les autorités verviétoises à faire appel à ses services pour débloquer une situation devenue inextricable dans la cité lainière. En peu de temps, son analyse et le projet qu’il dépose font taire les dissensions et ouvrent la voie à la réalisation des rues d’un premier quartier, celui de l’Immobilière. Les relations qu’il noue à Verviers, la connaissance qu’il a des arcanes administratifs belges, permettent à Besme de déployer ses compétences également dans d’autres quartiers (Hanlet-Peltzer, Ile Adam) et de porter plusieurs casquettes, le plaçant parfois en équilibre entre la défense de l’intérêt général et celle de l’intérêt particulier, si pas de son intérêt personnel. C’est ainsi que le dossier des tramways verviétois fait en quelque sorte la synthèse de ces multiples postures.<p>Au final, on aura découvert deux villes différentes mais néanmoins comparables et même à rapprocher à certains égards, notamment pour ce qui est des préoccupations publiques de l’époque (assainissement, communication, extension). En examinant plus attentivement les éléments factuels, on aura appris à mieux connaître un homme multi-facettes, un « célèbre inconnu », dont l’itinéraire dans ces deux villes nous instruit sur la complexité qui se cache derrière des raccourcis. On aura aussi confirmé combien les mises en contexte, les liens et enchaînements, combien les particularités et les influences sont importants à étudier en urbanisme (et en architecture) car ils révèlent non seulement les lieux et les faits, mais font apparaître les systèmes, les structures et donnent un éclairage aux hommes qui les établissent, les occupent et les manœuvrent. / Doctorat en Art de bâtir et urbanisme / Une publication de la seconde partie de la thèse a été faite en 2016 par le Comité Scientifique d'Histoire de Verviers sous la référence suivante: D’HUART Th. Victor Besme et les extensions de Verviers sous Léopold II :genèse d’un patrimoine urbain, Comité scientifique d’histoire de Verviers (CSHV), Verviers, Mars 2016, 444p. / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished