People frequently have problems making multiple devices work together. In this thesis, I use the Research‐through‐Design approach to understand the issues and propose solutions. Through an iterative series of investigations, the problems people have with the connection of multiple devices has been examined, including usability issues, difficulties with the sequential connection procedure, and difficulties performing an action. I found non‐expert users to have difficulties with interpreting and evaluating the devices’ interaction status regarding the sequence of the connection procedure. When an evaluation problem occurs, they have problems dealing with the required sequence or diagnosing the error in their interactions. The problem understanding was examined from additional cases. The comprehension of the problems allowed me to generate design implications and propose a design solution. I proposed two implications with which to solve the stated problem. I suggested helping users evaluate device interaction and reduce unnecessary user interactions. A design framework was suggested as a solution by providing diagrammatic representations of system interaction and signals revealing device status. I then assessed the suggested solutions using paper prototypes, and demonstrated their effectiveness. The improved interfaces helped users evaluate device connection status so they may determine how to proceed with sequential interaction. With the Research‐through‐Design approach constructing knowledge by integrating theories and hypothesis, I found the feature of user‐multiple device interaction in which a user is required to manage the interaction between the devices. A single device cannot aid the user interaction. In the dissertation, I proposed a desirable state of user interaction, which is achieved by two devices revealing connection states together so that a user can earn a useful system image.

The effectiveness of using commercial polyethylene flashing and stainless-steel mesh in CLT wall systems as the termite barriers were evaluated in a short-term field test. American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) E21's visual ratings ranged from 10 to 9 in the specimens showing little damage when no physical barriers were used. Termites were able to crawl beyond the physical barriers in few specimens showing the necessity of further research on height and installation method of physical barriers. On the second part, the effect of decay caused due to Postia placenta, a brown-rot fungus, on the structural performance of hold-down brackets connected to CLT walls was evaluated using monotonic and cyclic loadings. An increase in moisture content reduced the strength of the connection system but increased the initial stiffness. Decay caused delamination of CLT laminate perpendicular to the grain, a different failure pattern, compared to the wet control and dry control specimens.

Prefabricerade sandwichelement kommer att produceras till Linnéskolan i Älmhult av Torps Byggelement AB. Ett sandwichelement består av två lager betong (fasad och bärande skikt) med isolering mellan de två skikten. Dessa sandwichelement hade till en början förankringssystemet Thermopin tillverkade av B.T. Innovation, men på grund av produktion- och leveransproblem så ersattes detta förankringssystem mot Isolink som tillverkas av Schöck. Isolink och Thermopin är två förankringssystem tillverkade av glasfiberarmerade plaststänger (GFRP). Sandwichelementen som kommer att användas i Linnéskolan använder sig av isoleringen Kooltherm tillverkad av Kingspan. I detta arbete jämförs förankringssystemens bärförmågor i form av utdragskapacitet. Beräkningar för kapacitet mot vidhäftningsbrott, utdragsbrott och brott i stångmaterial görs för de båda systemen. Utöver detta testas även bärförmågan i form av utdragskapacitet för isolering Kooltherm. 12 testprover, som tillverkades och levererades av Torps Byggelement AB, utsätts för utdragslaster till brott uppstod. Endast de förankringssystem som bär vinkelrät mot skikten testades. De 12 testproverna var uppdelade på följande vis: Fyra tester med Thermopin, fyra tester med Isolink samt fyra tester med endast isoleringen Kooltherm. De testprover med Isolink-systemet gav ett utdragsbrott vid 18.9 kN. Thermopin gav ett spjälkningsbrott vid 14.9 kN. Kooltherm gav brott i isoleringen vid 1.3 kN. Då Isolink fick ett vidhäftningsbrott är det viktigt med en god vidhäftning mellan förankringssystemet och omkringliggande betong. Vibrering av betongen i flera steg vid användning av Isolink kan därför anses vara viktig. Thermopin fick ett spjälkningsbrott då tillverkarens minsta avstånd till kant inte uppfylldes med testproverna. Det går med stor sannolikhet att säga att Thermopin inte hade fått ett utdragsbrott även om minsta avstånd till kant uppfylldes, mest troligt är att ett konbrott hade uppstått. / Prefabricated sandwich elements will be produced to Linnéskolan in Älmhult by Torps Byggelement AB. A sandwich element is built up by two layers of concrete (facade- and load bearing layer) with insulation separating the two layers. These sandwich elements were intended to have the anchors Thermopin produced by B.T. Innovation but due to delivery problems, this connection system was replaced with Isolink made by Schöck. Isolink and Thermopin are two anchors consisting of glass fiber reinforced plastic bars (GFRP). The sandwich elements that will be used in Linnéskolan will have the insulation Kooltherm made by Kingspan. This work is comparing the two connection systems in load bearing capacity by pull-out load tests. Calculations for pull-out failure, concrete failure and anchor failure were done for both of the connection systems. The load bearing capacity was also to be checked for the Kooltherm insulation by pull-out load tests. 12 test specimens were manufactured and delivered by Torps Byggelement AB. Only the anchors perpendicular to the concrete layers were tested. The 12 test specimens were divided as follows: four tests with Thermopin, four tests with Isolink and four tests without a connection system with only the Kooltherm insulation. The test specimens with Isolink gave a pull-out load at 18.9 kN. Thermopin gave a splitting failure at 14.9 kN. Kooltherm insulation gave a failure in the insulation at 1.3 kN. Due to Isolink getting a pull-out load failure, it is important that the bond between the anchor and the surrounding concrete is strong. Compacting of the concrete in multiple steps when using the Isolink-system can be considered important. The test specimens with the Thermopin-system got a splitting failure due to the manufacturers requirement on minimum edge distance not being achieved in the test specimens. It is proper to state that it is very unlikely that a pull-out failure would occur in the Thermopin test specimens even if the minimum edge distance was achieved. Most likely a concrete-cone failure would have occurred.