Thesis (M.E.)--University of Canterbury, 2008. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references. Also available via the World Wide Web.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Luleå : Luleå tekn. univ., 2000. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

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The current impetus for alternative energy sources is increasing the demand for solar energy technologies in Florida – the Sunshine State. Florida’s energy production from solar, thermal or photovoltaic sources accounts for only 0.005% of the state total energy generation. The existing types of technologies, methods of installation, and mounting locations for solar panels vary significantly, and are consequently affected by wind loads in different ways. The fact that Florida is frequently under hurricane risk and the lack of information related with design wind loads on solar panels result in a limited use of solar panels for generating energy in the “Sunshine State” Florida. By using Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel testing techniques, the present study evaluates the effects of wind on solar panels, and provides explicit and reliable information on design wind loads in the form of pressure coefficient value. The study considered two different types of solar panel arrangements, (1) isolated solar panel and (2) arrays, and two different mounting locations, (1) ground mounted and (2) roof mounted. Detailed wind load information was produced as part of this study for isolated and arrayed solar panels. Two main conclusions from this study are the following:(1) for isolated solar panel with high slopes the wind load for wind angle of attack (AoA) perpendicular to the main axis exhibited the largest wind loads; (2) for arrays, while the outer rows and column were subjected to high wind loads for AoA perpendicular to the main axis, the interior solar panels were subjected to higher loads for oblique AoA.

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Master of Science / Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science / Kimberly W. Kramer / This report offers a parametric study analyzing the vertical reinforcement for slender reinforced concrete walls (tilt-up panels) subject to 90 miles per hour (mph), 110 mph, 130 mph, and 150 mph three-second gust wind speeds. Wall panel heights of 32 feet (ft) and 40 ft are considered for one-story warehouse structures. First, solid tilt-up panels serve as the base design used in the comparison process. Next, square openings of 4 ft, 8 ft, 12 ft, and 16 ft centered in the wall panel, are analyzed. A total of 32 tilt-up panel designs are conducted, establishing the most economical design by the least amount of reinforcement and concrete used. In addition to lateral wind pressures, the gravity loads acting on the load bearing tilt-up panel are dead load, roof live load, and snow load. All loads for this report are determined based on a typical 24 ft by 24 ft bay. The procedure to design the tilt-up panels is the Alternative Design of Slender Walls outlined in the American Concrete Institute standard ACI 318-08 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary Section 14.8 In general, an increase in panel height, lateral wind pressure, and/or panel openings, requires an increase in reinforcement to meet strength and serviceability. Typical vertical reinforcement in tilt-up panels is #4, #5, and #6 size reinforcement bars. A double-mat reinforcement scheme is utilized when the section requires an increase in reinforcement provided by use of a single-layer of reinforcement. A thicker tilt-up panel may be needed to ensure tension-controlled behavior. Panel thicknesses of 7.25 inches (in), 9.25 in, and 11.25 in are considered in design.

Master of Science / Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science / Sutton F. Stephens / Conventional wood framing, also known as stick framing, has been around for hundreds of years. It is an easy, effective method for building new houses and small commercial projects. However, it may no longer the best option for new construction. The development of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) began over 70 years ago at the United States Forest Products Laboratory in Wisconsin. Scientists believed that plywood sheathing alone could provide adequate strength to support the loads a structure encounters. Over the years, SIPs have evolved to what they are today: a rigid insulation foam core sandwiched between two skins, often made of oriented strand boards (OSB). Compared to stick framing, SIPs are faster to erect in the field and also provide more strength to resist most loads; they are better with axial and transverse loads. Stick framing can be built more robust to resist in-plane shear loads. The quality of the material of SIPs also means better quality construction. The insulating values SIPs provide are far superior to that of fiberglass insulation used in stick framing, saving money for the owner as well as energy from natural resources. Not only do they provide better thermal protection, but they are also better for the environment because of manufacturing processes and construction practices. When it comes to other issues such as fire, smoke, termites, and ventilation, SIPs are no worse than stick framing. SIPs follow the same steps for construction used in stick framing with, perhaps a little more care needed to insure proper ventilation. SIPs have proven themselves in the laboratory and in the real world. SIPs should be considered more often as an option, replacing stick framing for the major structure elements and insulation for new buildings.

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Top Choice (n = 48) and Select (n = 48) paired bone-in ribeye rolls, bone-in strip loins, and boneless top sirloin butts were assigned randomly to one of two aging treatments (dry or wet) and aged 14, 21, 28 or 35 days. Sensory and Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) evaluation was conducted to determine palatability characteristics. WBS values and consumer ratings showed wet-aged ribeye steaks to be more tender than their dry-aged counterparts. WBS values for ribeye and top sirloin steaks decreased with increased aging time. Consumer ratings for tenderness like increased with increased aging time for beef steaks from all three subprimals. No significant differences were found for consumer evaluation of top sirloin steaks. Top Choice ribeye and top loin steaks received higher consumer ratings for overall like and juiciness attributes when compared to Select steaks. Cutting tests were performed at the end of each aging period to determine retail yields and processing times. Retail cutting tests showed dry-aged subprimals had lower total saleable yield percentages and increased processing times compared to wet-aged subprimals. Cooler shrink and gross cut loss percentages increased with increased aging time for both Top Choice and Select subprimals.