Doctoral

The Characterisation and Numerical Modelling of Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foams for Use in Custom Wheelchair Seating

Conor Briody — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 01:40:52 PST

Viscoelastic polyurethane foam is widely used in wheelchair cushions as it offers good pressure relieving capabilities. However, the behaviour of this material is largely un-quantified, by comparison with conventional elastomeric materials.
Consequently, in many cases, inadequate cushioning is provided to wheelchair
users with complex seating requirements. This thesis characterises and
numerically models viscoelastic polyurethane foam.
Temperature-dependent static compression and simple shear test procedures are conducted on a range of viscoelastic polyurethane foams and selected results are utilised to identify Ogden Hyperfoam material model parameters. Time-dependent creep and stress relaxation test procedures are conducted and test results are used in conjunction with Time-Temperature-Superposition (TTS), William-Landel- Ferry (WLF) and Arrhenius theories to generate long-term predictions of material behaviour. Appropriate spring-dashpot models are utilised to model predicted long-term viscoelastic performance. Thermal conductivity parameters are obtained using Glicksman’s theoretical model. The accuracy of predictions obtained using TTS and WLF theories has been proven. Validation has also been achieved for the temperature-dependent Hyperfoam, long-term viscoelastic and thermal conductivity parameters.
The range of fully validated material model parameters were utilised to simulate
the in-service seating behaviour of polyurethane foam. Simulation results were
relatively compared and analysed with respect to relevant pressure ulcer risk
factors. From analyses of the FE simulations, results lend support to findings from clinical trials particularly with respect to the relationship between shear and direct pressure in wheelchair seating. Other FE results disagree with accepted seat prescription timings used in current clinical practises.

Increasing Effectiveness of Public Private Partnerships in the Irish Construction Industry

Louis Gunnigan — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 04:27:38 PST

By 2003 the first Irish Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects had reached the operational stage. Media reports were emerging of significant differences in the effectiveness of these projects.

This research set out to find a means by which effectiveness of PPPs could be increased and to develop a model that would assist PPP practitioners with this task in the future. Through a literature review, the Irish PPP process was mapped, the changes encountered in the introduction of PPP were investigated and a conceptual model – based on a traditional process model - was proposed. The model was tested by examining the outcomes of two projects and assessing the effect of participant attitudes on these outcomes. The projects were analysed in terms of Risk, Value and Innovation, and three propositions were offered:

• there were differences in project outcomes;

• there were differences in the attitudes of the project participants;

• the attitudes influenced the outcomes.

Using a combination of research methods, the data were gathered and analysed. The first two propositions were proven for Risk and Value but not for Innovation. In addressing the third proposition, a pattern matching exercise was undertaken and a number of findings were reached. These findings were further tested to establish their validity, credibility and reliability.

The results showed that specific elements of participant attitudes were found to affect some of the project outcomes and that these had a significant effect on the overall success of the project. The findings showed that PPP conducted as outlined by the conceptual model would not maximise effectiveness. The model was revised so that it commenced with analysis of the desired outcomes and proceeded by working back through the PPP process to define the inputs necessary for success. Using this information, the model was refined, making it ready for use by future PPP practitioners.

Workplace Futures: A Case Study of an Adaptive Scenarios Approach to Establish Strategies for Tomorrow’s Workplace

Ruth Saurin — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 04:18:07 PST

Workplace change and innovation will become critical to the organisation’s future in a dynamic, knowledge-based economy and society. As such, anticipating and managing future change is fast becoming a vital dimension underpinning the successful transition – to new work styles, patterns and locations; yet traditional workplace planning methods are rather limited in their ability to fulfil this task. This research, therefore, examines how the potential application of Futures Studies, and more specifically the Prospective
Through Scenarios process, can address this issue in order for the workplace to be actively sustained to stay effective for the organisation in the long-term.Using a case study methodology, this research: explores the changing context and nature of the workplace from past and present perspectives and scans the potential changes of the future workplace; reflects the need to create conditions for excellence, promote innovation and manage risk at the workplace provision level; examines how the future is constructed in workplace planning; appraises the future studies field and employs a scenario planning approach in a real world context to establish strategies for tomorrow’s workplace. To achieve these objectives, a combination of research methods
are employed, namely documentary review, semi-structured in-depth interviews, horizon scanning, strategic conversations, futures workshops, illustration, and web forum discussions. The results of the case study gives rise to the development of a futures framework for
workplace planning, based on the Prospective Through Scenarios process, designed to assist property and facilities professionals in: anticipating future user demand requirements as well as what cannot be expected; understanding the complexities of the workplace environment; and, developing a mechanism for communication and collaboration between stakeholders in the workplace provision process. Ultimately, this
research enables the creation of a new transformative mindset, based on awareness, responsibility, creativity and knowledge development, in order to change how the physical environment of work adds value for organisations

An Assessment of the Vulnerablity of Coastal Stone Monuments in Ireland

Jason Bolton (Thesis) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 05:43:05 PST

The overall aim of this research is to explore, evaluate, compare and contrast the vulnerability to physical decay and deterioration of archaeological and architectural stone monuments located along the Irish coast, with those found in unpolluted inland environments. The usefulness of the coast and rivers for the exploitation of natural resources, trade and communications has resulted in the historic development of towns, villages, individual buildings, monuments, structures and complexes along the coastlines of the world. The legacy of Irish archaeological monuments and historic buildings built in stone and found in close proximity to the coast ranges from the earliest tombs and ritual complexes to the wealth of medieval towns, fortifications and ecclesiastical settlements, through to the increasing diversity of post-medieval and 20th century cultural heritage, much of which has been constructed in stone. The coast is a dynamic system, an interface between land and sea where rapid change can have devastating effects on historic buildings and monuments. Damage to stone monuments can encompass submergence of entire sites, to undermining and physical damage of structures at the waters edge, to severe decay of historic stone surfaces: an area which has been the focus of significant academic interest and research elsewhere in Europe. Over the course of this research, over 300 monuments were evaluated. These are located underwater, in the inter-tidal zone, and along the coasts of counties Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway, Sligo and Donegal. Comparable buildings from unpolluted inland environments were examined in counties Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Carlow, Laois, Wexford and Donegal, with a single case study taken from an urban context. The monuments were evaluated using a specially developed methodology designed to be relevant to the assessment of any stone building or monument, of any period of construction, and of any stone type. The methodological approach is based on an ever-increasing focus on the central research question: firstly by examining the vulnerability of the coastline of the area; then of the shoreline immediately adjacent to the monument; followed by an assessment of the building; leading to identification of the key areas of vulnerability; and ultimately leading to detailed field and laboratorybased analyses (petrography, ion chromatography, SEM, XRD, XRF) of stone surfaces, deposits and decay forms. The results of these analyses and assessments were considered to determine any variations between the types and severities of decay found to monuments in coastal and unpolluted inland environments. The research identifies the key decay mechanisms leading to the destruction of coastal archaeological monuments at High Level (coastal erosion, flooding and collapse) and Lower Level (stone decay). The research shows that Irish stone monuments do not show comparable levels of weathering to their counterparts on the European Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, contrasting with norms of severe weathering found in coastal locations elsewhere in Europe. The research concludes by critically evaluating the findings, and recommends a best practice methodological approach for the evaluation and conservation of coastal stone monuments.

Extracting Physical and Environmental Information of Irish Roads Using Airborne and Mobile Sensors

Salman Mumtaz (Thesis) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 07:38:39 PDT

Airborne sensors including LiDAR and digital cameras are now used extensively for capturing topographical information as these are often more economical and efficient as compared to the traditional photogrammetric and land surveying techniques. Data captured using airborne sensors can be used to extract 3D information important for, inter alia, city modelling, land use classification and urban planning. According to the EU noise directive (2002/49/EC), the National Road Authority (NRA) in Ireland is responsible for generating noise models for all roads which are used by more than 8,000 vehicles per day. Accordingly, the NRA has to cover approximately 4,000 km of road, 500m on each side. These noise models have to be updated every 5 years. Important inputs to noise model are digital terrain model (DTM), 3D building data, road width, road centre line, ground surface type and noise barriers. The objective of this research was to extract these objects and topographical information using nationally available datasets acquired from the Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI). The OSI uses ALS50-II LiDAR and ADS40 digital sensors for capturing ground information. Both sensors rely on direct georeferencing, minimizing the need for ground control points. Before exploiting the complementary nature of both datasets for information extraction, their planimetric and vertical accuracies were evaluated using independent ground control points. A new method was also developed for registration in case of any mismatch. DSMs from LiDAR and aerial images were used to find common points to determine the parameters of 2D conformal transformation. The developed method was also evaluated by the EuroSDR in a project which involved a number of partners. These measures were taken to ensure that the inputs to the noise model were of acceptable accuracy as recommended in the report (Assessment of Exposure to Noise, 2006) by the European Working Group. A combination of image classification techniques was used to extract information by the fusion of LiDAR and aerial images. The developed method has two phases, viz. object classification and object reconstruction. Buildings and vegetation were classified based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and a normalized digital surface model (nDSM). Holes in building segments were filled by object-oriented multiresolution segmentation. Vegetation that remained amongst buildings was classified using cues obtained from LiDAR. The short comings there in were overcome by developing an additional classification cue using multiple returns. The building extents were extracted and assigned a single height value generated from LiDAR nDSM. The extracted height was verified against the ground truth data acquired using terrestrial survey techniques. Vegetation was further classified into three categories, viz. trees, hedges and tree clusters based on shape parameter (for hedges) and distance from neighbouring trees (for clusters). The ground was classified into three surface types i.e. roads and parking area, exposed surface and grass. This was done using LiDAR intensity, NDVI and nDSM. Mobile Laser Scanning (MLS) data was used to extract walls and purpose built noise barriers, since these objects were not extractable from the available airborne sensor data. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to filter points belonging to such objects. A line was then fitted to these points using robust least square fitting. The developed object extraction method was tested objectively in two independent areas namely the Test Area-1 and the Test Area-2. The results were thoroughly investigated by three different accuracy assessment methods using the OSI vector data. The acceptance of any developed method for commercial applications requires completeness and correctness values of 85% and 70% respectively. Accuracy measures obtained using the developed method of object extraction recommend its applicability for noise modelling

Energy-Related Carbon Emissions in Ireland: Scenarios to 2020

Tadhg O'Mahony (Thesis) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:35:03 PDT

The consumption of energy and related carbon emissions are a development challenge requiring analysis and policy insights. Current analysis of future change in Ireland relies on quantitative point forecasts within which accuracy is difficult to achieve. A scenario analysis approach has often been applied with the longer term but is also useful on shorter time-scales. This research applied a combination of decomposition analysis and scenario analysis to identify and analyse the driving forces of change in Ireland historically from 1990-2007 and in the future to 2020. The historical decomposition used the LMDI I technique and was further quantified to 2020 using an integrated qualitative and quantitative scenario approach to explore plausible alternative developments. The historical analysis gives insights at macro and sectoral level to attribute change to a range of structural, scale and intensity effects. The macro decomposition was based on an extended Kaya identity while the sectoral offers deeper insights including a detailed representation of transport. Since 1990 energy intensity improved substantially in the macro decomposition, but the sectoral decomposition shows considerable heterogeneity. The four scenarios show divergence in emissions trajectories based on alternative development paths. This presents in absolute emission totals but also in sectoral contribution. Change arises not only in technological and economic drivers but also through drivers such as governance and society that underpin the evolution of the alternative scenarios.

Smart Growth: From Rhetoric to Reality in Irish Urban Planning 1997-2007

Dorothy Stewart (Thesis) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:35:03 PDT

This research examines ‘Smart Growth’, a planning and governance concept with an alternative philosophical and methodological approach towards urban planning. The concept calls for greater integration between the economic, environmental and social aspects of planning and development. The principles of smart growth must be viewed as long-term objectives that take into account the well being of both present and future generations. Current planning policy and strategy in Ireland implicitly if not explicitly supports the concept of smart growth. The principal research question asks: Within the context of Irish planning policy and strategy: how can Ireland move from rhetoric to reality in the delivery of more smart growth development? Allied to this is how the long-term goals of smart growth can be reconciled with the short-term political goals of present-day systems of governance. The main aims of the research were to gain a clear understanding of the forces of influence in planning and development processes, how those processes have evolved over time, the important role of theory and how globalisation has shaped an increasingly complex and uncertain society. A multi-method approach was adopted to include quantitative and qualitative data. Key outcomes from the research include: (i) urban development scenarios for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) in 2025, (ii) an Irish smart growth toolkit to facilitate the implementation of policy and strategy and (iii) a candidate list of indicators to monitor, track and evaluate progress towards more sustainable urban development. Evidence indicates that policy and strategy supports the principles of smart growth as a means to more even and environmentally responsible development, more so in theory than in practice. The need for a GDA regional authority which emerged as a theme throughout the study has been mooted at government level but not realised. This thesis demonstrates that sustainable solutions are possible. In addition, evidence presented suggests that there now exists sophisticated planning legislation that can be used as the This research examines ‘Smart Growth’, a planning and governance concept with an alternative philosophical and methodological approach towards urban planning. The concept calls for greater integration between the economic, environmental and social aspects of planning and development. The principles of smart growth must be viewed as long-term objectives that take into account the well being of both present and future generations. Current planning policy and strategy in Ireland implicitly if not explicitly supports the concept of smart growth. The principal research question asks: Within the context of Irish planning policy and strategy: how can Ireland move from rhetoric to reality in the delivery of more smart growth development? Allied to this is how the long-term goals of smart growth can be reconciled with the short-term political goals of present-day systems of governance. The main aims of the research were to gain a clear understanding of the forces of influence in planning and development processes, how those processes have evolved over time, the important role of theory and how globalisation has shaped an increasingly complex and uncertain society. A multi-method approach was adopted to include quantitative and qualitative data. Key outcomes from the research include: (i) urban development scenarios for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) in 2025, (ii) an Irish smart growth toolkit to facilitate the implementation of policy and strategy and (iii) a candidate list of indicators to monitor, track and evaluate progress towards more sustainable urban development. Evidence indicates that policy and strategy supports the principles of smart growth as a means to more even and environmentally responsible development, more so in theory than in practice. The need for a GDA regional authority which emerged as a theme throughout the study has been mooted at government level but not realised. This thesis demonstrates that sustainable solutions are possible. In addition, evidence presented suggests that there now exists sophisticated planning legislation that can be used as the vehicle to effect implementation of policy and strategy in Ireland now and in the future alongside governance structures that are more conducive to participatory democracy.

The Greater Dublin Area: Ireland's Potential City-State of the Early 21st. Century

Brian Hughes (Thesis) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:35:02 PDT

Dublin’s superior population and employment growth, its scale size and unique urban agglomerative momentum will result in it emerging as Ireland’s ‘city state’ by mid-tolate 21st century. The hypothesis states that by then, the GDA is expected to be approaching half of the State’s population. The pivotal research question addressed is: can the GDA long-term differential population growth to that of the RoS area result in a 50% convergence of their respective populations and if so, when might this occur? The thesis develops the Hughes Years Matrix of Convergence ‘HYMOC’1 mathematical model, which represents this author’s spreadsheet matrix time indicator in years, to such convergence. This includes varying population parameters of differential exponential compound annual growth rates, from scenarios of demographic-specific start-points: ones which can accommodate select assumptions as to the GDA and RoS population sizes. From published CSO 2006 census data on town size, specifically it is the evidence of an emerging Dublin’s urban plateau, one that is swelling the growth of Ireland’s largest residentially-dominated towns. In combination with the capital’s emerging polycentric super-suburbs, together, they are creating an urban base that is unmatched in scale anywhere else in the State. Should this long-term demographic trend continue, it is likely that the GDA will consolidate its current signs of developing as Ireland’s citystate. That analogy, together with the range of mainly demographic tables, case studies and supporting data, are drawn together by way of synthesis, conclusions and recommendations for consideration by strategy planners and policy-makers. The thesis concludes that in the absence of a political will to recognise cities or to provide Statewide city-focused governance mechanisms, Dublin will continue to develop as a highly monocentric settlement – particularly for employment, and its imperious, primate growth de facto, will emerge as Ireland’s city-state of the 21st century.

From Corporate Social Responsibility to Corporate Responsible Behaviour: a Futures Approach: Proposing a New Conceptual and Operational Framework to Foster Responsibility within the Commercial Property Industry

Gillian O'Brien (Thesis) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:33:35 PST

This research examines corporate responsible behaviour (CRB) and the role of Futures Studies, as both a philosophy and a critical research methodology in fostering a culture of responsibility within the commercial property industry in the UK. More specific objectives are to critically evaluate CRB and its role in business; to explore the potential role, effects and implications of futures in the development of CRB policy and practice; to propose an integrative conceptual and operational framework for guiding the commercial property industry in formulating systematic, executable CRB policies and practices; and to build a set of propositions that may influence the development of CRB policies and strategies for the commercial property industry in the UK. Using a predominantly qualitative methodological approach, based on a multi-method design, the research addresses both the conceptual and operative challenges that arise when CRB is addressed in the context of commercial property. The research is divided into two phases: the first (Phase A) consisting of documentary review, environmental scanning, survey questionnaire, in-depth semi-structured interviews; the second (Phase B) involving collaboration on two separate but related futures projects to test the application of futures thinking and techniques in developing CRB policy and practice in the commercial property industry. The second phase, using the Prospective Through Scenarios Approach, consisted of environmental scanning, futures workshops, survey questionnaires and strategic conversations. Ultimately both phases of the research gave rise to several practice-oriented propositions, designed to guide and influence the commercial property profession and related stakeholders in the development of CRB policy and practice, and as such is one of the key outputs of the research. The second major output of the research is the development of a holistic futuresoriented framework for CRB engagement, designed to assist companies in creating a new corporate mindset, based on values and knowledge development, in order to foster CRB as a manifestation of and contribution towards corporate sustainability.

Incorporating Spatial Data and GIS to Improve SEA of Land use Plans: Opportunities and Limitations: Case Studies in the Republic of Ireland

Ainhoa Gonzalez del Campo (Thesis) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:24:02 PST

This research aimed at establishing whether spatial data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can contribute to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). To achieve this, an integrated GISEA approach was developed and applied to a number of spatial planning SEAs in the Republic of Ireland. The practical applicability of the approach was examined, evaluating the potential benefits derived from using spatial data and GIS in SEA and assessing the potential barriers to an effective GIS use. The implementation of the SEA Directive incorporated a new dimension into plan-making by calling for the assessment of potential environmental effects that may derive from implementing a plan. The intrinsic spatial nature of land use plans poses specific requirements on the tools and assessment methods used. GIS – with their capacity to visually display and spatially assess information- have the potential to support SEA processes. Moreover, GIS tools can tackle the spatio-temporal dimensions that conventional assessment methods (e.g. matrices and checklists) fail to address. To explore the validity of these arguments, GISEA was applied to seven Irish development plans. These were supported by interviews with the planners and technicians involved, and through review of published SEA environmental reports. The case studies demonstrated that GIS can provide the mappable aspects of SEA; they facilitate the process by enhancing understanding of environmental and planning considerations, and improving the accuracy of assessments. These observations concur with published literature on the predicted benefits of applying GIS at various environmental assessment levels. Nevertheless, the results revealed that framework and procedural difficulties remain (e.g. institutional arrangements and technical data issues). These are more apparent at higher planning tiers and in certain SEA stages such as public participation. The contribution of GIS largely depends on scope for spatial information, availability and quality of relevant datasets, and willingness of involved organisations to facilitate data provision and disclosure. Therefore, formulation of spatially-specific land use plans and improved data accessibility and quality can contribute to an effective GIS use in SEA. Further research and practice are required to disclose the full potential of GISEA, but the work-placement aspect of this research has already had a direct impact on the level of GIS use in Irish SEA practice.

An Investigation of a GIS-based Methodology for the Sustainable, Participative Management of Walking Routes in Ireland

Helen Farrell (Thesis) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:23:00 PDT

This thesis has identified and tested a methodology for the sustainable planning, development, auditing and routing of Waymarked Ways (walking routes). In testing and comparing the methodology on two routes in Ireland, a range of results have been gathered. Findings suggest that the approach is appropriate and effective in managing waling routes in the context of the study and in including community participation in the management process. Two study sites with different landscapes and infrastructures and varying levels of attractiveness for walking were used during research, and they were found to be quite different in their route management procedures. The methodology employed landscape character assessments, CORINE land cover data and checklist surveys to investigate the landscape and physical conditions of the routes studied. Counts were conducted of route users, and user questionnaire surveys were conducted. Interviews with local stakeholders and focus group sessions using the GIS were conducted to assess local opinions and draw on local knowledge of the area and the walking route. The participative techniques tested for the research are offered as a means of improving route management at the local level, for improving communication between local and central management bodies and for exchanging information among all interested parties. The research recognised that community involvement is essential if walking routes are to be sustainable, and the relative lack of success and popularity of routes is believed to be influenced by a lack of interest at a local level, by the image of the area, as promoted to advertising and the media and by the landscapes that the routes pass through. Where possible, all data was stored and analysed in GIS. Main data sources were the Ordnance Survey Ireland discovery series maps, landscape character assessments, CORINE land cover layers, inventories of facilities, environmental and planning designations from the local authorities and from the heritage service and data acquired from focus group sessions, questionnaires and interviews.

Futures Thinking in City Planning Processes: the Case of Dublin

Elzbieta Krawczyk (Thesis) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:03:27 PDT

This research examines the scope for the application of future methodologies in urban planning processes. As contemporary cities undergo rapid changes resulting from technological and cultural transformations, expanding globalisation and new economic trends, the traditional ways in which cities were planned and managed become less effective, especially in times of accelerating change and growing complexities This research addresses an increasingly recognised need for a major shift in the way of thinking and acting about the future of cities, a shift from the traditional planning mind-set to a more imaginative, innovative and inclusive approach. The main aims of the study were to gain an understanding of how the future is created in the current city planning processes; what is the potential role of futures methodologies in these processes; and to develop a suitable futures methodology that would assist planners and decision-makers in changing their ways of thinking and acting about the future of cities. In order to achieve these aims an in-depth examination of the Futures Studies field and an extensive review of the theory underpinning the current planning approach towards the future was undertaken. Also, the way in which the future is constructed in existing planning processes in Dublin (the main case study city) was investigated, and planning initiatives employing futures methods in Dublin were reviewed. One of the main outcomes of the study was the adaptation of the Prospective methodology for use in urban planning processes. This was done in order to address the main problems and needs of current planning approach towards the future utilising the potential of futures methods. It is believed that the proposed methodology could assist communities in envisioning their desired future. It could also help planners and decision-makers in exploring future possibilities, understanding the complexities of urban environments and anticipating change and its consequences. The Prospective process could also be used as a platform for dialogue between communities and decision-makers and as a mechanism for collaboration amongst the stakeholders.