Abstract: This paper concerns the study of sustainable construction materials applied on the "Health Post", a prototype for the primary health care situated in alienated areas of the world. It's suitable for social and climatic Sub-Saharan context; however, it could be moved in other countries of the world with similar urgent needs. The idea is to create a Health Post with local construction materials that have a low environmental impact and promote the local workforce allowing reuse of traditional building techniques lowering production costs and transport. The aim of Primary Health Care Centre is to be a flexible and expandable structure identifying a modular form that can be repeated several times to expand its existing functions. In this way it could be not only a health care centre but also a socio-cultural facility.
Abstract: Passive systems were born with the purpose of the
greatest exploitation of solar energy in cold climates and high
altitudes. They spread themselves until the 80-s all over the world
without any attention to the specific climate and the summer
behavior; this caused the deactivation of the systems due to a series
of problems connected to the summer overheating, the complex
management and the rising of the dust.
Until today the European regulation limits only the winter
consumptions without any attention to the summer behavior but, the
recent European EN 15251 underlines the relevance of the indoor
comfort, and the necessity of the analytic studies validation by
monitoring case studies.
In the porpose paper we demonstrate that the solar wall is an
efficient system both from thermal comfort and energy saving point
of view and it is the most suitable for our temperate climates because
it can be used as a passive cooling sistem too. In particular the paper
present an experimental and numerical analisys carried out on a case
study with nine different solar passive systems in Ancona, Italy.
We carried out a detailed study of the lodging provided by the
solar wall by the monitoring and the evaluation of the indoor
conditions.
Analyzing the monitored data, on the base of recognized models
of comfort (ISO, ASHRAE, Givoni-s BBCC), is emerged that the
solar wall has an optimal behavior in the middle seasons. In winter
phase this passive system gives more advantages in terms of energy
consumptions than the other systems, because it gives greater heat
gain and therefore smaller consumptions. In summer, when outside
air temperature return in the mean seasonal value, the indoor comfort
is optimal thanks to an efficient transversal ventilation activated from
the same wall.
Abstract: Earthquakes produce some of the most violent loading
situations that a structure can be subjected to and if a structure fails
under these loads then inevitably human life is put at risk. One of the
most common methods by which a structure fails under seismic
loading is at the connection of structural elements. The research
presented in this paper investigates the interlock systems as a novel
method for building structures. The main objective of this
experimental study wasto determine the dynamic characteristics and
the seismic behaviour of the proposed structures compared to
conventional structural systemsduring seismic motions. Results of
this study indicate that the interlock mechanism of the panels
influences the behaviour of lateral load-resisting systems of the
structures during earthquakes, contributing to better structural
flexibility and easier maintenance.
Abstract: The paper presents the results of research on trends in shaping of multifamily buildings in Poland on the example of Wrocław, after Polish accession to the European Union. The study is conducted within the research project: “Trends in creating of multifamily housing development since 2004, on the Wrocław study case" supported by Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education and will be completed in November 2011. The research involves multifamily buildings completed in the last decade, in term of fundamental urbanization factors such as: building-s coefficient area, useable area, green area (biologically active surface), intensity of building development, amount of dwellings, dwelling area, amount of parking places, numbers of floors, etc. The analysis of these indicators was conducted based on the date obtained in the study of approximately one hundred new housing units, completed in Wroclaw. The analysis attempts to formulate the main trends in creating of housing policy in Poland during the last 10 years in reference to local urban policy.
Abstract: In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in using daylight to save energy in buildings. In tropical regions, daylighting is always an energy saver. On the other hand, daylight provides visual comfort. According to standards, it shows that many criteria should be taken into consideration in order to have daylight utilization and visual comfort. The current standard in Malaysia, MS 1525 does not provide sufficient guideline. Hence, more research is needed on daylight performance. If architects do not consider daylight design, it not only causes inconvenience in working spaces but also causes more energy consumption as well as environmental pollution. This research had surveyed daylight performance in 5 selected office buildings from different area of Malaysian through experimental method. Several parameters of daylight quality such as daylight factor, surface luminance and surface luminance ratio were measured in different rooms in each building. The result of this research demonstrated that most of the buildings were not designed for daylight utilization. Therefore, it is very important that architects follow the daylight design recommendation to reduce consumption of electric power for artificial lighting while the sufficient quality of daylight is available.
Abstract: Development of intelligent assembly cell conception includes new solution kind of how to create structures of automated and flexible assembly system. The current trend of the final product quality increasing is affected by time analysis of the entire manufacturing process. The primary requirement of manufacturing is to produce as many products as soon as possible, at the lowest possible cost, but of course with the highest quality. Such requirements may be satisfied only if all the elements entering and affecting the production cycle are in a fully functional condition. These elements consist of sensory equipment and intelligent control elements that are essential for building intelligent manufacturing systems. Intelligent behavior of the system as the control system will repose on monitoring of important parameters of the system in the real time. Intelligent manufacturing system itself should be a system that can flexibly respond to changes in entering and exiting the process in interaction with the surroundings.
Abstract: From the beginning of creation, human being has ever
fought against the ecosystem by changes has made in environment.
The most environmental changes on the nature have been done after
starting the concentrated life in the same region. Dams are one of the
most important buildings in water resources and transferring. These
buildings have been made from old times without access to
hydrological, hydraulically, hydro mechanical information. Dams
have positive and negative effects on environment. Constructing a
dam relatively causes equal ecological consequences. According to
different criteria, environmental effects of dams can lead short term
and long term damages. These effects may influence on the situation
and treatment of meteorology, biology, culture, ancient works, etc
and severely causes to change and complicate it. So considering
importance of positive effects of dam construction, it is necessary to
minimize negative environmental effects of dams to achieve a stable
development. In this article the considered effects and their solutions
in influencing on assessment of destructive environmental effects of
dams construction have been surveyed and presented.
Abstract: In this paper a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM)
fuel cell power system including burner, steam reformer, heat
exchanger and water heater has been considered to meet the
electrical, heating, cooling and domestic hot water loads of
residential building which in Tehran. The system uses natural gas as
fuel and works in CHP mode. Design and operating conditions of a
PEM fuel cell system is considered in this study. The energy
requirements of residential building and the number of fuel cell
stacks to meet them have been estimated. The method involved
exergy analysis and entropy generation thorough the months of the
year. Results show that all the energy needs of the building can be
met with 12 fuel cell stacks at a nominal capacity of 8.5 kW. Exergy
analysis of the CHP system shows that the increase in the ambient air
temperature from 1oC to 40oC, will have an increase of entropy
generation by 5.73%.Maximum entropy generates for 15 hour in 15th
of June and 15th of July is estimated to amount at 12624 (kW/K).
Entropy generation of this system through a year is estimated to
amount to 1004.54 GJ/k.year.
Abstract: This paper describes the development of a WLAN
propagation model, using Spectral Analyzer measurements. The
signal is generated by two Access Points (APs) on the base floor at
the administrative Communication School of ESPOL building. In
general, users do not have a Q&S reference about a wireless network;
however, this depends on the level signal as a function of frequency,
distance and other path conditions between receiver and transmitter.
Then, power density of the signal decrease as it propagates through
space and data transfer rate is affected. This document evaluates and
implements empirical mathematical formulation for the
characterization of WLAN radio wave propagation on two aisles of
the building base floor.
Abstract: Recently, the health of retired National Football
League players, particularly lineman has been investigated. A number of studies have reported increased cardiometabolic risk, premature ardiovascular disease and incidence of type 2 diabetes. Rugby union players have somatotypes very similar
to National Football league players which suggest that rugby players may have similar health risks. The International Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival (GORF) provided a
unique opportunity to investigate the demographics of veteran rugby players. METHODOLOGIES: A cross-sectional, observational study was completed using an online web-based
questionnaire that consisted of medical history and
physiological measures. Data analysis was completed using a one sample t-test (50yrs) and Chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 216 veteran rugby competitors
(response rate = 6.8%) representing 10 countries, aged 35-72 yrs (mean 51.2, S.D. ±8.0), participated in the online survey. As a group, the incidence of current smokers was low at 8.8%
(avg 72.4 cigs/wk) whilst the percentage consuming alcohol
was high (93.1% (avg 11.2 drinks/wk). Competitors reported
the following top six chronic diseases/disorders; hypertension
(18.6%), arthritis (OA/RA, 11.5%), asthma (9.3%),
hyperlipidemia (8.2%), diabetes (all types, 7.5%) and gout (6%), there were significant differences between groups with
regard to cancer (all types) and migraines. When compared to
the Australian general population (Australian Bureau of Statistics data, n=18,000), GORF competitors had a
Climstein Mike, Walsh Joe (corresponding author) and Burke Stephen
School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, 25A Barker Road,
Strathfield, Sydney, NSW, 2016, Australia (e-mail:
[email protected], [email protected],
[email protected]).
John Best is with Orthosports, 160 Belmore Rd., Randwick, Sydney,NSW
2031, Australia (e-mail: [email protected]).
Heazlewood, Ian Timothy is with School of Environmental and Life
Sciences, Faculty Education, Health and Science, Charles Darwin University,
Precinct Yellow Building 2, Charles Darwin University, NT 0909, Australia
(e-mail: [email protected]).
Kettunen Jyrki Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Jan-Magnus
Janssonin aukio 1, FI-00550, Helsinki, Finland (e-mail:
[email protected]).
Adams Kent is with California State University Monterey Bay, Kinesiology Department, 100 Campus Center, Seaside, CA., 93955, USA (email: [email protected]).
DeBeliso Mark is with Department of Physical Education and Human
Performance, Southern Utah University, 351 West University Blvd, Cedar
City, Utah, USA (e-mail: [email protected]).
significantly lower incidence of anxiety (p
Abstract: The main issue discussed is on the role of education system in the process of nation building as a means in uniting different community ethnics which later on, hoped to shape the future ethnic relation of this country. It is generally known that political socialization experienced by each ethnic community has given birth to a vernacular education system, separated along the ethnic line. Every community shapes their own education system based on their respective mother tongue language, however all are based on the same curriculum. As a result the role of education as a uniting force is not significantly effective. Historically, it has been shown that government efforts to unite the country education system under the wing of national education system (national school) is not that successful since every community (Chinese) will defend the existence of their community education system because they want to spur their mother tongue language. The clash between national education system and vernacular education system is the root cause of stalemate in the ethnic relation in Malaysia and it always becomes a flash point when the issue is raised. The question now is what is the best solution to enhance the national education system in multiethnic Malaysia?
Abstract: Accurate and comprehensive thermodynamic properties of pure and mixture of refrigerants are in demand by both producers and users of these materials. Information about thermodynamic properties is important initially to qualify potential candidates for working fluids in refrigeration machinery. From practical point of view, Refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures are widely used as working fluids in many industrial applications, such as refrigerators, heat pumps, and power plants The present work is devoted to evaluating seven cubic equations of state (EOS) in predicting gas and liquid phase volumetric properties of nine ozone-safe refrigerants both in super and sub-critical regions. The evaluations, in sub-critical region, show that TWU and PR EOS are capable of predicting PVT properties of refrigerants R32 within 2%, R22, R134a, R152a and R143a within 1% and R123, R124, R125, TWU and PR EOS's, from literature data are 0.5% for R22, R32, R152a, R143a, and R125, 1% for R123, R134a, and R141b, and 2% for R124. Moreover, SRK EOS predicts PVT properties of R22, R125, and R123 to within aforementioned errors. The remaining EOS's predicts volumetric properties of this class of fluids with higher errors than those above mentioned which are at most 8%.In general, the results are in favor of the preference of TWU and PR EOS over other remaining EOS's in predicting densities of all mentioned refrigerants in both super and sub critical regions. Typically, this refrigerant is known to offer advantages such as ozone depleting potential equal to zero, Global warming potential equal to 140, and no toxic.
Abstract: This study examined the underlying dimensions of
brand equity in the chocolate industry. For this purpose, researchers
developed a model to identify which factors are influential in
building brand equity. The second purpose was to assess brand
loyalty and brand images mediating effect between brand attitude,
brand personality, brand association with brand equity. The study
employed structural equation modeling to investigate the causal
relationships between the dimensions of brand equity and brand
equity itself. It specifically measured the way in which consumers’
perceptions of the dimensions of brand equity affected the overall
brand equity evaluations. Data were collected from a sample of
consumers of chocolate industry in Iran. The results of this empirical
study indicate that brand loyalty and brand image are important
components of brand equity in this industry. Moreover, the role of
brand loyalty and brand image as mediating factors in the intention of
brand equity are supported. The principal contribution of the present
research is that it provides empirical evidence of the
multidimensionality of consumer based brand equity, supporting
Aaker´s and Keller´s conceptualization of brand equity. The present
research also enriched brand equity building by incorporating the
brand personality and brand image, as recommended by previous
researchers. Moreover, creating the brand equity index in chocolate
industry of Iran particularly is novel.
Abstract: To explore pipelines is one of various bio-mimetic
robot applications. The robot may work in common buildings such as
between ceilings and ducts, in addition to complicated and massive
pipeline systems of large industrial plants. The bio-mimetic robot finds
any troubled area or malfunction and then reports its data. Importantly,
it can not only prepare for but also react to any abnormal routes in the
pipeline. The pipeline monitoring tasks require special types of mobile
robots. For an effective movement along a pipeline, the movement of
the robot will be similar to that of insects or crawling animals. During
its movement along the pipelines, a pipeline monitoring robot has an
important task of finding the shapes of the approaching path on the
pipes. In this paper we propose an effective solution to the pipeline
pattern recognition, based on the fuzzy classification rules for the
measured IR distance data.
Abstract: Structural redundancy is an interesting point in
seismic design of structures. Initially, the structural redundancy is
described as indeterminate degree of a system. Although many definitions are presented for redundancy in structures, recently the
definition of structural redundancy has been related to the configuration of structural system and the number of lateral load
transferring directions in the structure. The steel frames with infill walls are general systems in the constructing of usual residential buildings in some countries. It is
obviously declared that the performance of structures will be affected by adding masonry infill walls. In order to investigate the effect of
infill walls on the redundancy of the steel frame which constructed
with masonry walls, the components of redundancy including redundancy variation index, redundancy strength index and
redundancy response modification factor were extracted for the
frames with masonry infills. Several steel frames with typical storey number and various numbers of bays were designed and considered.
The redundancy of frames with and without infill walls was evaluated by proposed method. The results showed the presence of infill causes increase of redundancy.
Abstract: Current trends in manufacturing are characterized by
production broadening, innovation cycle shortening, and the products
having a new shape, material and functions. The production strategy
focused on time needed change from the traditional functional
production structure to flexible manufacturing cells and lines.
Production by automated manufacturing system (AMS) is one of the
most important manufacturing philosophies in the last years. The
main goals of the project we are involved in lies on building a
laboratory in which will be located a flexible manufacturing system
consisting of at least two production machines with NC control
(milling machines, lathe). These machines will be linked to a
transport system and they will be served by industrial robots. Within
this flexible manufacturing system a station for the quality control
consisting of a camera system and rack warehouse will be also
located. The design, analysis and improvement of this manufacturing
system, specially with a special focus on the communication among
devices constitute the main aims of this paper. The key determining
factors for the manufacturing system design are: the product, the
production volume, the used machines, the disposable manpower, the
disposable infrastructure and the legislative frame for the specific
cases.
Abstract: This paper provides some thoughts about the lack of
attentiveness of building commissioning in the construction industry
and the lack of handling in project commissioning as an integral part
of the project life-cycle. Many have perceived commissioning as the
problem solving process of a project, rather than the start up of the
equipment, or the handing over of the project to the client. Therefore,
there is a lack of proper attention in the planning of commissioning
as a vital part of the project life-cycle. This review paper aims to
highlight the benefits of building commissioning and to propose the
lacking of knowledge gap on building commissioning. Finally, this
paper hopes to propose the shift of focus on this matter in future
research.
Abstract: Studies on the distribution of traffic demands have
been proceeding by providing traffic information for reducing
greenhouse gases and reinforcing the road's competitiveness in the
transport section, however, since it is preferentially required the
extensive studies on the driver's behavior changing routes and its
influence factors, this study has been developed a discriminant model
for changing routes considering driving conditions including traffic
conditions of roads and driver's preferences for information media. It
is divided into three groups depending on driving conditions in group
classification with the CART analysis, which is statistically
meaningful. And the extent that driving conditions and preferred
media affect a route change is examined through a discriminant
analysis, and it is developed a discriminant model equation to predict a
route change. As a result of building the discriminant model equation,
it is shown that driving conditions affect a route change much more,
the entire discriminant hit ratio is derived as 64.2%, and this
discriminant equation shows high discriminant ability more than a
certain degree.
Abstract: Green buildings have been commonly cited to be more
expensive than conventional buildings. However, limited research
has been conducted to clearly identify elements that contribute to this
cost differential. The construction cost of buildings can be typically
divided into “hard" costs and “soft" cost elements. Using a review
analysis of existing literature, the study identified six main elements
in green buildings that contribute to the general cost elements that are
“soft" in nature. The six elements found are insurance, developer-s
experience, design cost, certification, commissioning and energy
modeling. Out of the six elements, most literatures have highlighted
the increase in design cost for green design as compared to
conventional design due to additional architectural and engineering
costs, eco-charettes, extra design time, and the further need for a
green consultant. The study concluded that these elements of soft cost
contribute to the green premium or cost differential of green
buildings.
Abstract: This paper looks into areas not covered by prominent
Agent-Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) methodologies.
Extensive paper review led to the identification of two issues, first
most of these methodologies almost neglect semantic web and
ontology. Second, as expected, each one has its strength and
weakness and may focus on some phases of the development
lifecycle but not all of the phases. The work presented here builds
extensions to a highly regarded AOSE methodology (MaSE) in order
to cover the areas that this methodology does not concentrate on. The
extensions include introducing an ontology stage for semantic
representation and integrating early requirement specification from a
methodology which mainly focuses on that. The integration involved
developing transformation rules (with the necessary handling of nonmatching
notions) between the two sets of representations and
building the software which automates the transformation. The
application of this integration on a case study is also presented in the
paper. The main flow of MaSE stages was changed to smoothly
accommodate the new additions.