Throughout their careers the Impressionists demonstrated a strong, but rarely examined, interest for decoration. A careful examination of both archival material and well-known artworks produced between 1870 and 1895 shows that Pissarro, Degas, Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, Morisot and Caillebotte never ceased to explore the values of decoration and the decorative. Set in the context of the Third Republic’s passion for monumental decoration and deep interest in the decorative arts, the Impressionists’ experiments range from ceilings to ceramic tiles, and from never achieved projects to ambitious realisations (although none remain in their original location). One painter among those surveyed also engaged with theoretical thinking: Renoir wrote for the press and drew up the drafts of a Grammar mainly focused on the decorative arts. Along with a number of artworks explicitly designated as decorative that were predominantly exhibited at the Impressionist shows, the Impressionists further produced more than twenty decorative ensembles made for the interiors of amateurs who then became patrons. Renoir, who started his career as a painter on porcelain, worked in the 1870s for the Parisian homes of a Romanian aristocrat, prince Bibesco, and of a leading publisher, Georges Charpentier, but also for the country house of Paul Berard. Monet, in a similar fashion, painted for the department store magnate Ernest Hoschedé in his property of Montgeron. Initially publicised by the painters in the 1870s, the decade on which this thesis focuses, the Impressionists’ decorative works were subsequently undertaken more quietly though continuously. Morisot painted a chimney trumeau for her own salon, to which Monet gave a pendant (they were eventually used as overdoor panels). Monet and Renoir also painted door-panels for Durand-Ruel. None of these later schemes were actually promoted towards a wide public, showing how the Impressionists’ commitment to painting decorations went from a strategic (and partly commercial) vision to embody a deeper reflection on the essence of painting and its relation to the wall – a reflection that the larger dissertation submitted to the Université de Bourgogne embraces. The critics’ attention, however, went the opposite way. It grew from a relative but highly meaningful disinterest to making the decorative key to their approach at the turn of the century, but in all situations, mocking or praising, their comments shed a crucial light on the Impressionist’s enterprises and their relations to the society’s concerns. An analysis of the Impressionists’ decorative experiments and their critical reception encourages, as this thesis aims to demonstrate, a reconsideration of our vision of Impressionism, for its development drew much more from the decorative than has so far been discussed.

In this study, the basic absorption and scattering characteristics of acoustic scatterers, specifically Schroeder Diffusers, are investigated. Schroeder Diffusers are one of the most widely used acoustic scatterers in which the scattering phenomenon is predictable due to the geometry of the diffuser, based on a particular mathematical sequence. It is shown that it is possible to increase the amount of absorption by modifying the diffuser structure by means of adding perforated panels into the wells or narrowing diffuser wells. In room acoustics applications, diffusers are conventionally mounted to a wall or ceiling assumed to be rigid enough such that sound wave cannot penetrate through. This thesis proposes a new modification on these diffusers where the diffuser is not backed by a rigid surface / it is hung over a space instead. To construct such a configuration, diffuser wells are terminated with micro-perforated panels (MPP). Inclusion of MPP introduces additional losses / hence, higher absorption can be achieved. However, the most significant absorption in this configuration is achieved below the first resonance frequency of the panel-air space system due to the existence of non-rigid backing. This thesis aims to model the absorption and scattering mechanisms enabled with the non-rigid backing by improving a previously introduced mathematical model.

Structures and material combinations, tailored for multiple purposes, are within the reach of vehicle manufacturers. Besides reducing the environmental impact of the transportation sector these multi-functional structures can reduce costs, such as development, manufacturing and maintenance, and at the same time offer improved comfort to the passengers. This thesis sets out to develop multi-functional design algorithms and evaluate concepts for future composite high speed train car bodies with the objective of optimising the amount of mass needed to fulfil all functions of the structure. In a first step complete composite car bodies were developed, optimised and evaluated based on global stiffness requirements and load cases. The knowledge gained in this step was used as requirements for the strength and stiffness of panels during the continued development of the multi-functional optimisation which, besides strength and stiffness, later also considers sound transmission, thermal insulation, geometric restrictions, manufacturability and fire safety. To be able to include fire safety in the analysis, a method for simulating the high temperature response of layered composite structures was needed, and developed. Significant weight reductions are proven when utilising carbon fibre in the load carrying structure of the vehicle, on component level as high as 60%. Structures can be made significantly thinner when using the algorithms developed in this thesis and wall thickness is reduced by 5-6 cm. Analysis carried out and extensive literature surveys also suggest significant cost savings in manufacturing, maintenance and use-phase, even thou the raw material cost can be significantly higher as compared to the conventional steel or aluminium alternatives. Results from drive cycle simulations showed that the benefit, with respect to reduced energy consumption, is in the range of 0.5-0.8% per reduced weight percentage, comparable to both automotive and air applications. The algorithms and methods established in this thesis can be directly applied for the development and analysis of future high speed train car bodies. / <p>QC 20130521</p>

During the past few years, in comparison to traditional riveted structures, integral metallic skin stringer structures have played more and more important roles in aircraft design due to the fact they are economical and also have the ability to reduce weight. Their wide application in aircraft, especially large integral structures is limited because of the fact that they have shortcomings in damage tolerance performance. Hence, calculating the crack growth lives and improving the damage tolerance performance of integral structures by selecting appropriate materials or choosing rational structures is a critical work. Therefore the purpose of this thesis is to find effective analysis methods of integral metallic skin-stringer panels for the use in engineering. Cont/d.

Mindre än en timmes solsken på vår planet innehåller mer energi än hela världens energiförbrukning på ett helt år. Ett vanligt villatak i Sverige tar på ett år emot flera gånger mer energi än vad dess behov är. Potentialen för solenergi är mycket stor. Samtidigt använder samhället idag stora mängder energi och det mesta av energin kommer från icke-förnyelsebara källor. Sverige har visserligen en hög andel förnyelsebar energi jämfört med andra länder men ändå är mer än hälften av energin som vi använder icke förnyelsebar. Syftet med den här rapporten är att utveckla ett mer hållbart samhälle genom att använda solenergi. Målet har varit att undersöka hur solenergi används i nybyggda villor och hur användningen av solenergi kan öka. Tre huvudfrågor har utarbetats för att kunna nå målet. Hur används solenergi idag? Hur kan användningen av solenergi öka i nyproducerade villor? Hur ser användningen av solceller ut i ett internationellt perspektiv? Dessa frågor besvaras i den här rapporten med hjälp av litteraturstudier och intervjuer. En genomgång av ett stort antal rapporter och böcker om solenergi som skrivits under de senaste fem åren har gjorts. Uppgifter ifrån småhustillverkare och leverantörer har inhämtats genom intervjuer både personliga möten och via telefon. Resultatet visar att solenergi är en hållbar lösning för framtiden men den används i liten utsträckning idag. I Sverige finns det idag 30 000 småhus som har solfångare och mindre än 900st installationer med solceller. Småhustillverkare erbjuder nästan aldrig någon form av solenergi till sina hus och menar också att efterfrågan är dålig. För att kunna öka användningen av solenergi i nyproducerade villor krävs information, statlig styrning och anpassade lösningar. Marknadsföring, nettodebitering, bidrag ifrån staten, hårdare energikrav, dyrare elpriser samt lösningar som är estetiska, driftsäkra och praktiska är också förslag som framkommer i rapporten. Internationellt pågår det en mycket stor ökning av andelen solceller. Vissa länder har uppnått att el ifrån solceller har lägre eller samma pris som konventionella källor till el. I Danmark ökade installationer av solceller från 11MW till 327MW under 2012. Under 2012 installerades det totalt 100 000 MW solceller i hela världen. / Less than one hour's sunshine on our planet contains more energy than the whole world's energy consumption in one year. A common roof for residential dwellings in Sweden receives several times more energy in one year than what its needs are. The potential for solar energy is huge. At the same time the society today uses large amounts of energy and most of the energy comes from non-renewable sources. Sweden does have a high percentage of renewable energy compared to other countries but more than half of the energy we use are non-renewable. The purpose of this report is to obtain a more sustainable society by using solar energy. The goal has been to investigate how solar energy is used in the newly built small houses and how the use of solar energy can increase. Three main issues have been developed in order to achieve the purpose. How is the use of solar energy today? How can solar energy increase in newly constructed homes? How is the use of solar cells in to an international perspective? These questions have been answered in this report using literature reviews and interviews. A review of numerous reports and books on solar energy in the last five years has been done. Data from small houses manufacturers and suppliers have been obtained by interviewing both in personal meetings and by phone. The results show that solar power is a viable solution for the future, but it is used to a small extent today. In Sweden, there are 30,000 single-family homes that have solar panels and less than 900 installations with solar cells. Small houses manufacturers offer almost never any kind of solar energy into their houses and they also says that demand is poor. In order to increase the use of solar energy in small houses, information, government control, and customized solutions are all needs. Marketing, net metering, grants from the state, tougher energy requirements, higher electricity prices, and solutions that are aesthetic, reliable, and practical are also possibilities presented in the report. Internationally, it is a very large increase in the proportion of solar cells. Some countries have reached that electricity from solar cells is lower or the same price as conventional electricity sources. In Denmark, installations of solar cells increased from 11MW to 327MW in 2012. In 2012 it was installed 100,000 MW solar cells worldwide.

This thesis chronicles my experiences with developing a panelized wall system for use by Habitat for Humanity and with testing that system in the design and construction of a house. Presented as a series of narratives, it follows the progress of the project from August 2003 to December 2005. Described is my motivation to test my theories through design and construction, the applicability of prefabrication to Habitat for Humanity’s use of unskilled volunteer labour, the incorporation of panelization into the design of a house for the Waterloo Region affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, the prefabrication of preclad wood framed wall panels for this house by students at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, the erection of these wall panels on-site, and the completion of the house to a weathertight state. The thesis concludes with discussions of the understanding I gained through my experiences, the necessity for further development and testing of the panelized wall system, and the future use of prefabrication by Habitat for Humanity.

This report focuses on addressing the electricity shortfall in Pakistan with the help of renewable resources. At present, the country is facing a shortfall of almost 7,000 megawatts (MW) which is affecting every walk of life and causing almost 1.5 to 2% GDP loss on annual basis. Previous research done on this subject reveals that electricity demand has always remained high then the total generation capacity of Pakistan. Similarly, it has been pointed out that the country is not taking maximum benefit from its available hydro, solar and wind resources. This leads us to the basic purpose of this research which is to have an exploratory understanding of the strategies adopted by India, China, Brazil and Spain for electricity generation in a green fashion and how can these strategies be implemented  in Pakistan. Case study has been adopted as methodology for this purpose. This research work also discusses the factors contributing in the lack of promotion of renewable energy resources in Pakistan and provide detailed analyses of positive changes these projects can bring in lives of masses in Pakistan. The sustainable management of surface water resource in the country has been discussed in particular as the country faced worst floods in its history during years 2010 &amp; 2011. It will result in enhancing the surface water storage ability of Pakistan which will significantly reduce our dependence on underground water reserves and will directly increase our electricity generation capacity through hydro dams. Similarly, sustainable forest management has been discussed at length as it will not only ensure environmental sustainability but will also result in increase availability of biomass. Not to mention the fact that wood biomass is much cheaper then conventional source of electricity generation provided it is obtained through sustainable forest management. Finally, if all the green strategies discussed in this research work will be implemented, it will increase the overall electricity generation capacity of Pakistan up to 9% respectively.

This thesis chronicles my experiences with developing a panelized wall system for use by Habitat for Humanity and with testing that system in the design and construction of a house. Presented as a series of narratives, it follows the progress of the project from August 2003 to December 2005. Described is my motivation to test my theories through design and construction, the applicability of prefabrication to Habitat for Humanity’s use of unskilled volunteer labour, the incorporation of panelization into the design of a house for the Waterloo Region affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, the prefabrication of preclad wood framed wall panels for this house by students at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, the erection of these wall panels on-site, and the completion of the house to a weathertight state. The thesis concludes with discussions of the understanding I gained through my experiences, the necessity for further development and testing of the panelized wall system, and the future use of prefabrication by Habitat for Humanity.

The current paper presents a study conducted at CERN, Switzerland, to investigate visitors' and tour guides' use and appreciation of existing panels at visit itinerary points. The results were used to develop a set of recommendations for constructing optimal panels to assist the guides' explanation.

Throughout the United States accelerated bridge construction is becoming increasingly popular to meet growing transportation demands while keeping construction time and costs to a minimum. This research focuses on eliminating the need to form full-depth concrete bridge deck overhangs, accelerating the construction of concrete bridge decks, by using full-depth precast prestressed concrete deck panels. Full-depth precast overhang panels in combination with cast-in-place (CIP) reinforced concrete are experimentally and analytically investigated to assess the structural performance. Experimental loaddeformation behavior for factored AASHTO LRFD design load limits is examined followed by the collapse capacity of the panel-to-panel seam that exists in the system. Adequate strength and stiffness of the proposed full-depth panels deem the design safe for implementation for the Rock Creek Bridge in Fort Worth, Texas. New failure theories are derived for interior and exterior bridge deck spans as present code-based predictions provide poor estimates of the ultimate capacity. A compound shear-flexure failure occurs at interior bays between the CIP topping and stay-in-place (SIP) panel. Overhang failure loads are characterized as a mixed failure of flexure on the loaded panel and shear at the panel-to-panel seam. Based on these results design recommendations are presented to optimize the reinforcing steel layout used in concrete bridge decks.