Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The study set out to investigate siding and translanguaged siding as an under-researched student-to-student communication which happen parallel to teaching. Lemke (1990) defines siding as student-to-student talk while the teacher is teaching, and Antia (2017) defines ‘translanguaged siding’ as student-to-student talk in a language or combination of languages that is different from the LoLT. In this way, siding encapsulates ‘translanguaged siding’.

A nationwide mail survey of professional home builders, remodelers, and siding contractors was undertaken to develop a better understanding of professional end users and the patterns of competition in the residential siding market. Perceptual mapping and determinant attribute analysis are demonstrated to have strategic applications in the forest products industry. Four-hundred and twelve respondents provided information related to activities involving siding, product use, and distribution. Product-markets were explored using siding preferences, which were measured for single-family homes in six home price categories. Perceptions of siding materials were used to evaluate the threat that non-wood materials pose to solid wood, hardboard, and plywood sidings. Respondents rated seven siding materials on eleven attributes. Perceptual maps were constructed using multiple discriminant analysis, and preferences were used to locate ideal points. Negative perceptions of all wood products exist in terms of weather resistance and maintenance. Solid wood holds a niche in appearance/status, and remains competitive against brick because of brick's application cost. While solid wood siding remains relatively free from substitution threats, vinyl's threat would increase if repositioned to enhance its appearance/status. Vinyl poses a considerable threat to hardboard and plywood. Hardboard's lack of competitive advantage and position relative to vinyl makes it particularly vunerable to vinyl substitution. Comparisons of users and non-users of each product are made, and general guidelines of using the perceptual map for positioning, promotion, and new product strategies are given. / Master of Science

Plastics have become a universal material for use in a myriad of commercial and consumer products. One such product, exterior siding, is the focus of this project. Although siding products were originally made from wood, vinyl siding, which offered superior performance, was introduced in the 1950’s. More recently, polypropylene (PP) siding has been introduced; PP provides a stronger product, which allows for deeper patterns and better edge detailing. PP siding, compared to traditional wood siding, doesn’t warp, crack, or degrade as easily with extended exposure to the elements, and is cheaper to maintain. However, even plastic siding must be coated. The requirements of a coating for siding are good adhesion, durability, and a suitable appearance. However, polypropylene, like many plastics, has a low surface energy, making wetting and coating adhesion difficult. One of the many ways to increase the surface energy of polypropylene, thus increasing wettability and adhesion, is plasma treatment. The primary focus of this project was to study how plasma treatment improved adhesion of a water-reducible coating. This coating represented a product used in commercial siding. The surface tension of the panels was increased from ~30 dynes/cm to 60+ dynes/cm with plasma treatment. This increased the adhesion of the coating to the polypropylene panel from virtually no adhesion to almost perfect adhesion. Adhesion was tested according to ASTM D3359, the crosscut adhesion test. Pull-off adhesion testing (ASTM D4541-09) was also conducted, using a Deflesko PosiTest AT-A automatic adhesion tester. The average force needed to remove a dolly from a plasma treated panel was 233 ± 47 psi (1,605 ± 325 kPa), compared to 92 ± 26 psi (634 ± 179 kPa) for non-treated and corona treated panels. The sponsor of the project provided Cal Poly with 16 different compositions of polypropylene containing different amounts of UV stabilizers, adhesion promoters, and lubricants. The effect of substrate composition on coating adhesion and performance was measured. Crosscut adhesion testing results revealed all polypropylene compositions improved from virtually no adhesion to perfect adhesion after plasma treatment. Pull-off adhesion testing revealed the adhesion force of all compositions improved from less than 100 psi to greater than 200 psi. One polypropylene composition, Category 16, resulted in unusually high pull-off forces. This composition was investigated using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and FT-IR spectroscopy. XPS was used to examine the surface composition between non-treated and plasma treated PP panels. It was observed that plasma treatment provides a larger amount of oxygen species and nitrogen when compared to untreated panels. The category 16 panels did not reveal any significant surface differences compared to the category 7 panels (which represented the standard production material). FT-IR spectroscopy of the category 16 panels also showed no unusual characteristics. The secondary focus of this project was to study the durability of coated, plasma treated polypropylene siding. Accelerated weathering testing was conducted on 12 of the 16 different compositions of polypropylene. Changes in gloss and the LAB colorspace of coated, plasma treated polypropylene panels of different compositions, upon exposure to long-term weathering conditions, were monitored via ASTM G53 using a Q-Panel lab product QUV/se weathering tester. After 2400 hours, all PP compositions tested shared negligible changes in color, but the gloss of each category panel showed a steady increase. An approach to improve durability of siding is to apply a clearcoat over already coated PP panels. This approach was tested in a limited manner by adding a clearcoat to coated, plasma treated polypropylene panels. These panels were then exposed to a variety of common, household cleaning agents using a modified double rub test (ASTM D4752 and ASTM D5402). The samples with a clearcoat showed improved cleaning agent resistance compared to samples without the clearcoat.

Presently, there exists a large number of historic houses that have had their walls insulated with loose-fill cellulose and can now be studied 10, 20 or 30 years after they were insulated. The wood siding of these houses can be evaluated for types of paint failure and compared to comparable historic houses that have not had their sidewalls insulated. A methodology for defining common paint failure types, their presence and possibly their severity was designed. A methodology for the selecting of historic houses with both insulated and uninsulated walls was also designed. A visual documentation process was carried out, results compiled and analyzed in order to determine if a difference could be observed between the types of paint failures on the insulated versus the uninsulated historic houses. In addition this study looked at the most common sources for moisture intrusion into a wall cavity, how this moisture moves, and how little the role of vapor diffusion plays in the wetting of the wall cavity. / Moisture and paint failure -- Understanding moisture movement in buildings -- How frame walls get wet -- How insulation might affect how frame walls get wet and how they dry -- Strategies for controlling moisture -- Other causes of exterior paint failure unrelated to moisture within the wall -- Field work -- Types of paint failure -- Case study houses -- Summary and conclusion. / Department of Architecture

Main goal of the diploma thesis was to create an architectural study of the Ponava Centre, Brno, Královo Pole. This compound includes the set of buildings, which together set up valuable public space filled with different functions (cultural centre, gallery, restaurant, café, music club, housing, leasable units, family centre and roofed public space). The thesis was preceded by elaboration on the urban concept which defined the problems of this compound and determined the placement of proposed objects. The area is located in city of Brno, in Královo Pole district, cadastral of Ponava local authority, between the streets Střední and Staňkova.

Thesis elaborates project documentation for new residential building in Prague 8 - Karlín. The building has five floors without a basement. In 1.NP are located collective garages for cars, garage - parking for bicycles and motorcycles, a cellar for residential units and the main entrances to the building. 2.NP - 5.NP is reserved for housing. The apartment building has three types of units with different layout arrangement - 2 + kk, 3 + kk, 4 + kk and one unit for persons with disabilities. Each apartment has its own entrance to the balcony. Inputs to the roof are placed above the 5th floor Foundations are designed as footings under reinforced concrete columns with a combination of the base plate. The building is in 1.NP reinforced concrete combined with brick infills. 2.NP - 5.NP is brick. The roof is designed flat.

The objective of this thesis is to create the documentation for building construction.Designed building is a sports center, which is used for playing tennis. The project is located in the cadastral Holostřevy, a small village near the town of Plzen. Construction will be visible from the highway D5, which is widely used by German, Austrian and Czech drivers and her attendance and payback will be more effectiv. And the architectural appearance shoud be also contribute. Project documentation has been prepared in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards. The building is functionally, operationally and structurally divided into two parts. The first part is called "zázemí" (background). It is the skeleton construction of reinforced concrete with cross reinforced the plate. Packing construction is only between the base and the ceiling and itsn't supporting. In the "zázemí" there are dressing rooms, sanitary facilities, but also a café. The second part is a "hala" (hall). It only serves to playing tennis. The supporting construction is a lamellar wood trusses and central column in "zázemí" supporting it. It is interesting that on the 2nd floor which serves as a grandstand, are formed two parts, one of which serves as an auditorium for interior court and the other as an auditorium for exterior court.

The goal of this thesis was to design the reconstruction of the railway station Svitavy. The line speed was rised from the current value to 160 km·h-1. New platforms were designed, therefore the railway substructure and the drainage were adjusted accordingly. Also, the effective length of the main tracks was extended to 740 m.