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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

A multiple viewpoint modular design methodology

Smith, Joanne Stuart January 2002 (has links)
Engineering Design Re-use refers to the utilisation of any knowledge gained from the design activity to support future design. As such, Engineering Design Re-use approaches are concerned with the support, exploration and enhancement of design knowledge prior, during and after a design activity. Modular Design is a product structuring principle whereby products are developed with distinct modules for rapid product development, efficient upgrades, and possible re-use (of the physical modules). The benefits of Modular Design centre of a greater capacity for structuring component parts to better manage the relation between market requirements and the designed product. This work explores the capabilities of Modular Design principles to provide improved support for the Engineering Design Reuse concept. The Modular Design principle is extended to structure not only the artefact's components but also their associated knowledge, to support, explore and enhance the knowledge genera ted during the evolution of the design process. A novel modular design approach, termed a Multi-Viewpoint Modular Design Methodology, is developed to address identified requirements including; support for evolutionary design knowledge, exploration and identification of inherent modularity and maintenance of the modular solution. The overall concept of the Methodology is to support the designer in evolving a modular artefact whilst utilising the principles of modularity to structure the artefact knowledge to enhance its potential applicability for re-use, the concept is termed knowledge modularity. Based on the results of a state of the art review deficiencies of existing approaches are identified including; insufficient support of evolutionary design knowledge, insufficiencies in the modelling, exploration, identification and representation of knowledge modularity, limitations in the module identification process. Declarative and procedural knowledge is developed to define a novel Modular Design Methodology to address these deficiencies. As such, the Methodology presents a formalised approach to support the modelling, optimisation and identification of modularity, both within and across viewpoints (function, working principle and structure) of the product structure, and evolutionary design knowledge. The core phenomena of a knowledge module is formalised in terms of the knowledge of design concepts and their dependencies. The formalism supports the identification of inherent modularity. An alternative model, termed the Modular Structure Matrix is developed as part of the Methodology to represent this inherent modularity. In addition, the Methodology has been developed, through a 12-month industrial residency, to address the requirements of practising designers. The Methodology is applied throughout a design activity to formalise and represent (in a matrix formalism) knowledge of the concepts embodied by a design artefact. The resulting model provides the basis to determine and represent interdependency knowledge between design concepts. The modelled concept and dependency knowledge can be utilised to support a modular analysis of the product structure both within and across design viewpoints. An optimisation and module identification mechanism can then be applied to the model and, based on the dependency data, identify inherent modularity within individual viewpoints of the product structure. Further, a mapping methodology has been developed to support the maintenance of the modular solution, and its associated artefact knowledge, across multiple viewpoints of design. The new methodology can be applied in a cyclic and iterative manner to support modularisation of the artefact design knowledge through the evolution of the design. A computational implementation has been developed to aid the evaluation of the Methodology. The functionality ofthe Methodology has been illustrated through two literature based case studies and two industrial implementation evaluations. An implementation and evaluation methodology was formalised through the rationalisation of the activities carried out during the first, and further utilised as the basis to support the second, industrial implementation. The two literature based studies evaluate the functionality of the methodologies optimisation and module identification mechanisms. These evaluations result in the identification of modular hierarchies that were not evident in the findings of the original publications. In addition, both industrial implementations result in the identification of potential improvements in the design. The evaluations illustrate the functionality of the Methodology in identifying and maintaining modularity, structuring design knowledge, supporting decision-making, learning, and improving design understanding. In addition, the evaluators outlined further potential Methodology application fields such as team design, manufacturing design and technology life-cycle management. Further the strengths and weaknesses of the Methodology, the computational implementation, and the research methodology utilised to facilitate the work presented in this thesis, are discussed. Finally, future work required to enhance the capabilities of the Multi- Viewpoint MD methodology and the functionality of the computational implementation have been identified, including; the development of more advanced modular clustering criterions, the introduction of constraints and constraint management, and the development of module costing mechanisms/metrics.
2

Inhabiting the ruin

Hart, Juliette Mary 25 November 2011 (has links)
This dissertation addresses the loss of definition of public spaces within the urban enviroments due, in large part, to increased privatisation. Using the Baixa of the city of Maputo, Mozambique as its laboratory, the alienated amd abandoned spaces within the urban fabric which result in these voids will be explored. Critical theory relating to the manner in which we appropriate and define sapces within our urban enviroment will be explored as this dissertation seeks to establish a connection between the architectural realm and its surrounding public landscape. An architecture which explores the reconnection of place to space will be saught through the investigation f the series of thresholds that occur between the two. Specifically, this exploration will be through the lens of the adaptive re-use of a historically significant landmark within the urban core and its ability to be re-integrated into a contemporary urban landscape. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Architecture / unrestricted
3

Sensory architecture : beyond appearances

Theart, Catharina M C 16 July 2010 (has links)
“We shape our buildings: thereafter they shape us.” (Churchill 1940, cited in McLuhan 1995, p.62) In the same manner; we have shaped our cities, and accordingly they have shaped our lifestyles into bustling hubs of activity. Networks of roads and trails direct movement with dense high rise structures defining space. The Interior Architect enters this complex scene to become part of a duet rather than a solo, working within existing structural skins and initiating harmony between the desired new and the existing. The aim is to restore a “sense of place” within the existing city fabric through processes of restoration, renovation, preservation and adaptive re-use, extending a building’s lifetime, while preserving its history and character. The objective of this thesis is to propose a way of improving the experience of the public domain within the inner city of Pretoria. A series of communal spaces is proposed that will provide essential public amenities within the city. These interventions guide experience via the senses. The partially abandoned Transvaal Provincial Administration (TPA) building is selected as study area. The intervention is proposed to enable the building to realise a new era in its lifetime by acknowledging it and celebrating it as a modern icon within Pretoria’s Central Business District (CBD) while, at the same time, helping it to shed itself of its negative political association. This is proposed through the adaptive re-use of the structure to accommodate various functions including a conference facility and a new home for Pretoria’s Art Association. / Dissertation (MInt(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Architecture / unrestricted
4

‘The halfway house’ - temporary housing and production facility for parolees in Pretoria West

Janse van Rensburg, Gerhard 22 November 2011 (has links)
Considering the permanent nature of the built environment, this dissertation investigates an alternative approach towards static architecture. Allowing the building’s users the ability to alter and determine their own environments due to ever evolving social needs. This architectural approach is thereafter metaphorically condensed to formulate a programme between isolation (prison) and freedom (society), where parolees are temporarily housed and given the opportunity to implement the production skills that were developed in prison. Allowing these parolees a second chance for redemption and the opportunity to ‘give back to society’ through the production process of recyclable waste into new sustainable products. The architectural concept should be understood in various different time scales over which the building changes, thus designing for disassembly by utilising a modular and kit-of-parts approach. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Architecture / unrestricted
5

Fiasco - From Religious Sanctuary to Art and Culture Complex

McKnight, Julian Ethan 21 June 2022 (has links)
Near the end of a building's lifecycle, many times when the building is no longer deemed useful, decisions are made whether to wait out a new tenant for the structure or to destroy it to make way for new construction. If the latter, while the building waits, its materials are left to the elements to decay away through natural weathering over time. To give these environments new life would not only reinvigorate the surrounding area with a renewed purpose, but is also a much more sustainable process of construction than simply demolishing and creating whole new structures. To be able to capitalize on the structure, material, and identifying characteristics of an existing building is the goal of a well performed adaptive re-use project. This project outlines steps and the process in which an architect should complete as they go through the phases of construction for this process. The steps that I developed to complete this process are Observation, Preservation, Renovation, and Activation. Through the completion of this process a respectful interchange of ideas, character, and structure is shared between the old and new. The host of this process of adaptive re-use is a Catholic school located in Pittsburgh PA, originally built in 1875. Over its long history it has seen many changes and additions to its original construction but has since been abandoned for over ten years. This thesis takes this building and explains the process of re use for taking this abandoned Catholic school and creating an artist residency and community complex. / Master of Architecture / As the defining edge of human expansion raises our population to a critical point, to house and provide for this continuous growth requires the construction of spaces to grow with it at a comparable rate. As newer spaces get created, older spaces become emptied to hopefully be filled by another entity. Brand new buildings, as exciting as the notion can be, will continuously become less prevalent in the world of architectural design as our method of conservation and architectural preservation gets better to match this rise in density. This thesis outlines the process one should complete when renovating or adding onto an existing structure. The host of this study is a catholic school from 1875 that is being adapted and re-used to become an artist residency and cultural art space.
6

Performance analysis and capacity assignment optimisation of wireless cells with re-use partitioning

Kouvatsos, Demetres D., Awan, Irfan U., Al-Begain, Khalid, Tantos, Sotiris January 2002 (has links)
This paper presents a novel and efficient analytic framework for the performance analysis and capacity-assignment optimisation of a wireless GSM cell employing the Re-Use Partitioning (RUP) policy. RUP splits hierarchically the available bandwidth into multiple layers of frequencies and allows tighter frequency re-use in order to achieve a higher network capacity. In this context, a queueing network model (QNM) of a wireless cell is proposed consisting of a hierarchical layer configuration which is decomposed into individual GE/GE/c/c loss systems each of which is analysed in isolation via a more general maximum entropy (ME) state probability solution, subject to appropriate GE-type flow formulae and mean value constraints. Moreover, a new performance optimisation index is proposed as the weighted average non-blocking probability of traffic over all frequency layers. For illustration purposes, the proposed index is utilised to formulate and solve two capacity-assignment optimisation problems. Numerical examples are included to validate the relative accuracy of the analytic GE-type performance metrics against simulation and assess the optimal re-use partitioning policy of the available bandwidth.
7

Fixing the Box

Elliott, John William 04 October 2017 (has links)
My Thesis addresses one of the staples of suburban American development for the past half century, the ubiquitous Big Box store in the strip mall shopping centers and the acres of surface parking lots built around them. With thousands of these stores built, many are being abandoned by their tenants who are relocating to new locations, following market demand and other factors. While current methods of re-using these buildings exist, they're inefficient and require huge amounts of time and money to redevelop effectively. This leads many to simply be demolished and create thousands of tons of debris for our landfills and wastes the embedded energy they have. Looking closely at a local shopping center going through a massive redevelopment process that will take years if not decades to complete, I propose an alternative method of developing the site in a shorter time frame. This method applies new construction techniques in modular building to facilitate a fundamental shift in what the site provides to the public. Transitioning from a retail only destination that requires a car to access and use into a fully walkable and engaging neighborhood with retail, residential, and commercial uses all contributing to the balance for its residents and visitors. All of this development acknowledges the fact that the success of this community will spur more development, and allows for that future growth. The dis-assembly of the modular constructs allows them to move and develop another shopping center else ware to continue improving our communities. / Master of Architecture / This Thesis looks at the thousands of abandoned retail “Big Box” stores across our country, and proposes a method of using these existing structures for new and better uses. By employing ideas about interior space usage, property life cycle development, and constructability from off-site manufacturing I propose a development that quickly delivers a walkable and engaging community that can build on its success in the future.
8

Treatment of shale gas wastewater in the Marcellus : a comparative analysis

Yisa, Junaid Ololade 18 November 2014 (has links)
This analysis focused primarily on three main treatment methods which were re-use, recycle, and disposal wells. The re-use treatment option is when wastewater is mixed with source water in order to meet fracturing water requirements. With this option, the hope is that the wastewater for re-use will require little or no treatment at all. The second treatment option is the recycle option. This option provides high quality water for re-use or discharge to the environment using a recycling technology. The credibility of this option is heavily dependent on its ability to recycle almost all of the wastewater with little or none left for disposal or treatment. The third option is well disposal. This entails disposing all of the wastewater into a deep formation. The software used for building the model is called @Risk. The model’s costs were estimates from recent research to capture the risks and uncertainties associated with wastewater disposal. The model revealed that re-use option remains the most cost effective treatment method to reduce overall water management cost in the Marcellus. The re-use option is most viable when a hydraulic fracturing schedule is continuous (no significant storage requirement) and infrastructure is available to transport wastewater from one fracturing operation to the other. The recycle option is the second most viable disposal option. This option is most effective when the hydraulic fracturing schedule is staggered in both time and distance because distilled water from recycling facilities can be easily discharged into the environment or stored. The most unfavorable option for wastewater management at the Marcellus is the well disposal option due to the high cost of trucking wastewater to disposal wells in neighboring states or counties. It also requires the highest usage of fresh water. A well disposal option can be favorable at the onset of a hydraulic fracturing schedule when there are low levels of infrastructure, hydraulic fracturing programs are not continuous or localized in proximity, and the volume of wastewater does not exceed the capacity for injection. In this case, disposal wells can be more favorable than recycle or re-use if they are in close proximity to drilling sites. / text
9

Adaptive Reuse of Surface Parking Lots for Winter-City Streetscape Improvement: A Case Study of Saskatoon, SK

2013 October 1900 (has links)
In winter-cities such as Saskatoon there exists a significant potential to improve cold-weather walking conditions for most pedestrians. To realize the walkability potential of a winter-city downtown, by necessity automobile traffic must be reduced. However, when surface parking lots are permitted to operate in abundance, isolated and uncoordinated, and detached from overall planning and transportation policy, automobile traffic reduction downtown cannot be efficiently achieved. In many winter-cities, Saskatoon included, downtown parking lots in fact are oversupplied. Vital space for housing, employment and public space is thereby reduced and pedestrian winter exposure to wind chill and sidewalk ice is increased by breaks in the urban fabric. Systematic conversion of surface parking lots into mixed use would not only enhance incentives to walk, but simultaneously would reduce the incentive to drive. The question thus arises whether and how can we screen a large number of surface parking lots for a limited number of candidate-sites that could be earmarked for infill redevelopment. A screening methodology that prioritizes potential parking lot sites ought to account for a wide range of criteria that address urban design, development-potential, proximity, and microclimate. In a case study of parking lots in downtown Saskatoon, a screening methodology has yielded one priority site out of an inventory of twenty-four sites. Integrated within public transit policy the proposed methodology has generic applicability to downtown areas elsewhere, and can advance the goal of safety and higher residential density downtown.
10

Service knowledge capture and re-use to support product design

Doultsinou, Athanasia January 2010 (has links)
A significant change is taking place in manufacturing company strategies around the globe. With new monitoring and service methods, new opportunities of product use and service provision emerge. The manufacturing companies once focused on mere product manufacture, now have started to provide ‘systemic solutions’, i.e. products combined with service packages, which are often referred to as Product-Service Systems (PSS). Currently, there is not a well-established feedback mechanism between service and design. The aim of this research is to develop a methodology to capture, represent, and re-use service knowledge to support product design. For the accomplishment of this aim an extensive literature review of the related themes to the research area took place. It was found that the feedback from service to design is fundamental for the enhancement of product performance; however, the existing literature in this area is not adequate. The industrial investigation led to the realisation that there is not an established mechanism in place to show how service knowledge (SK) can be used by designers. An in- depth investigation took place with the collaboration of, in total, four UK manufacturing companies. The author studied both the conceptual and detailed design, focusing on the design requirements (DR) and the design/service features (DF/SF) respectively. The first step was the capture of SK and its representation using Protégé software. Following this, at the conceptual design stage, SK can be re-used through the DR-SK tool. The two main purposes of the tool are the knowledge retrieval by designers, and the identification of gaps in SK. At the detailed design stage, designers can access SK through the DF-SK tool, and the developed knowledge templates. The SKaD framework was created, as a result of the amalgamation among the SKaD methodology, the knowledge templates, and the tools developed to link SK and DR, SF, and DF. Conclusively, the framework was applied on case studies within the pump manufacturing and aerospace industries, and its purpose (to aid designers accessing and re-using SK) was validated by experts within the collaborating organisations. As a result of this research’s findings, the service personnel can capture SK in a structured manner, which can then be re- used by product designers at both the conceptual and detailed design stage.

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