Engineering Commons^™

Sediment Transport On The River Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland, Laurence Lomasney

Theses

This thesis analyses sediment transport on the River Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland. Bedload transport and suspended sediment transport were monitored on the River Bandon over an extended period to determine rates of transport over varying flow conditions. A literature review of sediment properties (individual and bulk sediment), sediment transport, and numerical modelling was undertaken. A manual field sampling programme was undertaken at different locations on the River Bandon to collect bed sediment and suspended sediment for laboratory testing. This data, and data collected using an automatic water sampler and bed sediment traps also, was used to determine baseline conditions for …

Control Of Energy Storage Utilisation For A Building Integrated Microgrid Using Multi-Objective Metaheuristic Optimisation Methods, Quang An Phan

Theses

The aim of this thesis was to develop and analyse optimisation strategies for commercial buildings with integrated microgrids, in order to find optimal trade-offs between maximising profitability and facilitating renewable energy from the national power grid. The continued proliferation of microgrids, as well as the increase in electricity produced by renewable energy sources on the Irish national grid has necessitated the requirement for these strategies. Models to simulate the performance of a photovoltaic system, wind turbine and battery bank were developed and validated. The most suitable optimisation algorithm to generate an optimal charge/discharge rate schedule for a battery bank was …

Thermal Envelope Analysis Of Local Authority Low Rise Housing Based On Stock Aggregation Theory Using A Remote Feature Extraction Technique., James Pittam

Theses

Understanding the buildings thermal envelope is paramount to analysing existing problems which facilitate cold bridging and low surface temperatures. As no detailed housing stock database is in existence in Ireland which describes the geometrical configuration of the existing housing stock, and to create one would be a major challenge, this research set out to develop a high speed remote cataloguing and geometrical data extraction methodology to build such a database. Replacing traditional measurement methods with a remote method allows for the rapid extraction of fagade information. A remote surveying process is proposed named, the Virtual Survey Method, for the classification …

A Technical And Economic Appraisal Of Insulation Retrofits, Niamh O'Brien

Theses

The main aim of this literature review is to further develop the project brief and to examine what research has previously been undertaken in the field of thermal conductivity and retrofitting insulation. The basis of this project is to determine the effect of moisture in domestic cavity walls on the effectiveness of retrofitted insulation. The research began by highlighting the reasoning behind the need for insulation within domestic dwellings within Ireland and the guiding legislation in place in relation to this. Carrying on from this, the current methods used to retrofit insulation were examined, along with the types of insulation …

A Technical And Economic Appraisal Of Insulation Retrofits, Niamh O'Brien

Theses

The main aim of this literature review is to further develop the project brief and to examine what research has previously been undertaken in the field of thermal conductivity and retrofitting insulation. The basis of this project is to determine the effect of moisture in domestic cavity walls on the effectiveness of retrofitted insulation. The research began by highlighting the reasoning behind the need for insulation within domestic dwellings within Ireland and the guiding legislation in place in relation to this. Carrying on from this, the current methods used to retrofit insulation were examined, along with the types of insulation …

Reinforced Concrete Deterioration Of A 100 Year Old Structure In A Marine Environment, Ross O'Donovan

Theses

The current study investigates the deterioration of a 100 year old bridge located in a harsh marine environment. Constructed in 1908 - 1909 the Mizen Head Footbridge was one of the oldest reinforced concrete bridges in Ireland. The demolition of the bridge in 2009 provided a unique opportunity to examine its service life and to extract samples for analysis and investigation. A review of the construction of the bridge, and its maintenance history are presented, with a view to analysing their influence on the behaviour of the concrete.

Reinforcement corrosion due to chloride attack was identified. A focused study indicates …

Effects Of Openings On The Analysis And Design Of Precast Prestressed Hollow Core Slabs, Eoghan Lodge

Theses

Precast prestressed hollow core floors are a widely used structural element which offers increased speed of construction, reduced self-weight and many other advantages. Due to the relatively low span-to-depth ratio and the speed of construction hollow core slabs are utilised in a large number of commercial buildings. In order to carry the services to the upper floors an opening must be made within the prestressed slab. Cutting an opening in a prestressed slab has significant effects on the structural behaviour of the slab and can considerably reduce the ultimate capacity of the slab.

This paper outlines the limited available guidance …

Effects Of Cyclic Loading On Offshore Foundation Systems, Shane Browne

Theses

A brief description of the various offshore foundation systems currently available is provided in this report, including the advantages and disadvantages for each system and water depth in which they can be used. These foundation types include floating structures, jacket structures, gravity base structures and the monopile foundation, on which this research specifically focuses.

The monotonic lateral loading of the monopile structure is also examined and the reasons why monotonic testing is required are highlighted, along with the potential analysis that can be generated to improve the design of the monopile foundation. A review of previous test programmes for monopiles …

A Study Of Creep And Shrinkage In Concrete With A Consideration Of Its Effects On Curved Post-Tensioned Concrete Bridges, William O'Sullivan

Theses

The first objective of the project was to explore the differences between Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS) cement. The use of GGBS cement concrete is increasing in industry due to the environmental and durability benefits it gives compared with OPC concrete. Data on the creep properties of GGBS cement concrete is limited compared with the data that is available for OPC concrete. Laboratory testing was undertaken to determine the different effects of creep on OPC concrete and GGBS concrete.

The second project objective was to research the effects of creep on post - tensioned curved …

The Structural Performance Of Timber Connections, Daniel Coleman

Theses

This thesis sets out to assess the behaviour of mechanically fastened timber-to-timber connections. The design aspects of timber connections are described in detail, with particular emphasis on nailed connections. The effects of inherent variations in timber properties on joint behaviour are also described.

The two types of connections considered were:

■ Corbel (cantilever);

■ Splice.

For each connection type, different nail configurations, nail diameters and shaft lengths were used. Testing undertaken was conducted to investigate the influence of a number of nail configurations on a connection’s initial stiffness. The test results, presented using moment- rotation curves are also used to …

Optimisation Of Cold-Formed Steel Purlin Cross-Sections, Matt Clifford

Theses

The subject of buckling of steel members is introduced and the critical nature of local buckling in slender members is highlighted.

The main thrust of work this semester is an investigation into the following buckling modes:

Flexural buckling;

Lateral torsional buckling;

Torsional buckling;

Shear buckling;

Web buckling;

Distortional buckling;

Local buckling.

This investigation has three main components:

1. Review of theory, books and appropriate published work;

2. Investigation into the relevant parts of Eurocode 3;

3. Finite element analysis using the LUSAS FE program to illustrate the various buckling modes.

Finally, the areas to be covered in the Realisation Stage …

Behaviour Of Unbonded Post- Tensioned Segmental Box Girders With Dry Joints, Michael Matson

Theses

The primary objective of this thesis is to examine the capacity of shear keys used in dry jointed precast post-tensioned segmental box girder bridge construction. The use of dry joints, in lieu of the more traditional glued joints, is becoming more popular in climatically suitable countries. The time and cost savings achieved using this construction form arc significant, due to the economies of scale involved.

The shear capacity of dry jointed keys is calculated using a number of available formulae. However, in previously published papers, significant differences have been noted in the results obtained from these formulae, deeming further investigation …

Rubble-Mound Structure Design In The Coastal Environment, Jack Murphy

Theses

The main aims of this thesis were to investigate the main aspects of the design and implementation of rubble-mound structures as a form of shoreline stabilisation and coastal defence. An emphasis has been placed on the Irish context of how these structures have been implemented in the past. The intention was that this work would improve the understanding of the use of these structures for future projects both in Ireland and internationally.

This work required a literature review which investigated the general aspects of rubble-mound structures, the coastal environment, and the theory of designing the structures’ layout, cross-section and impact …

Structural Behaviour And Analysis Of A Steel-Concrete Balcony Bracket, Sean Carroll

Theses

For commonly used moment connections, such as the various types of beam to column endplates, a large amount of information in relation to testing data and suggested design methods exist. Engineers can use this information to safely design such connections. When developing new and unique types of connections however, usually no prior testing information is available to engineers due to the unique design. At the present time, the most effective method of designing and developing any structural element or connection is through testing. Testing and detailed analysis of the results gives factual information on the behaviour of the structure, which …

The Behaviour Of Long-Span Reinforced Concrete Beams Under Various Loading Conditions., Ciaran O'Leary

Theses

The relative ease of design and construction of simple reinforced concrete beams provides an attractive option for structural engineering designers. However, where longer spans are involved it is more likely that prestressed concrete or possibly some form of steel beams will be preferred.

The primary cause of failure of longer span reinforced concrete beams is likely to be bending. However, the excessive deflection that might be associated with such beams must also be considered. When designing these beams, structural engineers make considerable use of span/effective depth ratios to select trial sections and check deflection limits. Such ratios are provided in …