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The Spirit In The Law Podcast: Testing The Democratization And Audience Behavior Of New Media Broadcasting, Scott Lin Lunt Mar 2007

The Spirit In The Law Podcast: Testing The Democratization And Audience Behavior Of New Media Broadcasting, Scott Lin Lunt

Theses and Dissertations

This project summary presents the details of a podcast project conducted from April to December of 2006. The project consisted of the creation of a new Internet-based audio interview show entitled Spirit In The Law. The interviews were delivered to listeners who requested the shows via the Internet, and were available to a targeted audience of law students in the United States and abroad. The show featured interviews with 20 notable attorneys and professionals who answered questions regarding spiritual values in their professional practice. The project was informed by two theoretical frameworks: New Media theory and Situational Theory of Publics. …

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Forecasting Demand For Civilian Pilots: A Cost Savings Approach To Managing Air Force Pilot Resources, Justin W. Collup Mar 2007

Forecasting Demand For Civilian Pilots: A Cost Savings Approach To Managing Air Force Pilot Resources, Justin W. Collup

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to create a model that could potentially predict demand for military trained pilots in the airline industry. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer the research question addressing whether or not military trained pilots are currently more in demand or less in demand. The research questions were answered through a comprehensive literature review, collection of data relevant to airline industry growth, and regression analysis. The Aviation Continuation Pay Bonus, offered to all eligible Air Force aviators, has risen from $12,000/year to its current value of $25,000/year. With shrinking budgets, and ever increasing costs of war, …

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Work-Home Conflict: A Study Of The Impact Of Role Conflict On U.S. Air Force Company Grade Officer Turnover Intentions, Gavain M. Mcdonald Mar 2007

Work-Home Conflict: A Study Of The Impact Of Role Conflict On U.S. Air Force Company Grade Officer Turnover Intentions, Gavain M. Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force is currently undertaking one of the largest manpower transformations since its creation in 1947 through a program entitled Force Shaping. By separating 40,000 active duty members, to include 8,000 Company Grade Officers (CGOs), the Air Force intends to balance the skills of its personnel to meet the requirements of the Global War on Terror. Given these increasing operational commitments, issues impacting personnel retention decisions within a leaner force should command our attention. As personnel resources decrease and operational requirements increase, the likelihood of military members experiencing conflicts between work and home life may also increase. As such, …

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A Qualitative Study Of Selected Quality Knowledge And Practices In Guangdong Province, China, Tyler R. Thomas Mar 2007

A Qualitative Study Of Selected Quality Knowledge And Practices In Guangdong Province, China, Tyler R. Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

The manufacturing industry has become very competitive in today's global market environment. Many US companies are faced with the choice of keeping their manufacturing domestic or looking to low cost off-shore countries to take advantage of the labor costs differences. To gain an understanding of the state of manufacturing in China, a major focus in the manufacturing world today, this thesis was undertaken. This thesis presents the findings of research conducted in Guangdong Province, China in June - July, 2005. This research addressed customer focus, leadership and general manufacturing and quality knowledge and practices of small, medium and large sized …

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Semi Autonomous Vehicle Intelligence: Real Time Target Tracking For Vision Guided Autonomous Vehicles, Jonathan D. Anderson Mar 2007

Semi Autonomous Vehicle Intelligence: Real Time Target Tracking For Vision Guided Autonomous Vehicles, Jonathan D. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned vehicles (UVs) are seeing more widespread use in military, scientific, and civil sectors in recent years. These UVs range from unmanned air and ground vehicles to surface and underwater vehicles. Each of these different UVs has its own inherent strengths and weaknesses, from payload to freedom of movement. Research in this field is growing primarily because of the National Defense Act of 2001 mandating that one-third of all military vehicles be unmanned by 2015. Research using small UVs, in particular, is a growing because small UVs can go places that may be too dangerous for humans. Because of the …

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Investigation Into Nanocomposites For Applications In Lightning Strike Protection, Matthew S. Bond, James A. Rodriguez, Hieut T. Nguyen Mar 2007

Investigation Into Nanocomposites For Applications In Lightning Strike Protection, Matthew S. Bond, James A. Rodriguez, Hieut T. Nguyen

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force is continually researching ways to reduce costs associated with aircraft maintenance and improve operational safety. This study focuses on creating a systems engineering process to develop an Integrated Structural Health Monitoring System (ISHMS). The overarching process was then applied to design a conceptual ISHMS for a real-world scenario involving the F-15. Sensor selection, integration and testing were explored in detail using frequency response methods to detect structural damage. Testing was accomplished using a simplified structural specimen with Monitoring & Evaluation Technology Integration System (METIS) disk nodes attached at various locations. Two different METIS disk operation …

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Modeling In Situ Bioremediation Of Perchlorate-Contaminated Groundwater, Roland E. Secody Mar 2007

Modeling In Situ Bioremediation Of Perchlorate-Contaminated Groundwater, Roland E. Secody

Theses and Dissertations

Perchlorate-contaminated groundwater is a significant problem for the Department of Defense and the United States Air Force. An innovative technology was recently developed which uses dual-screened treatment wells to mix an electron donor into perchlorate-contaminated groundwater in order to effect in situ bioremediation of the perchlorate by indigenous perchlorate reducing bacteria without the need to extract the contaminated water from the subsurface. In this study, a model that simulates operation of the technology is calibrated and validated using 761 days of observational data obtained from a field-scale technology evaluation project. A genetic algorithm was used with the first 113 days …

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Decision Analysis With Value Focused Thinking As A Methodology To Select Building For Deconstruction, Erika E. Maiorano Mar 2007

Decision Analysis With Value Focused Thinking As A Methodology To Select Building For Deconstruction, Erika E. Maiorano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to examine the reuse and recycling of building materials on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There are a variety of conflicting factors concerning the removal of a building and the model quantitatively evaluates alternatives with respect to the decision maker’s values. The research questions were addressed with both a comprehensive literature review as well as the implementation of the value focused thinking methodology. The model found that the temporary living facilities are the alternatives that achieve the highest value. The result of this research effort was a value model that aids decision makers in identifying …

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Biofiltration As A Viable Alternative For Air Pollution Control At Department Of Defense Surface Coating Facilities, David M. Hudock Mar 2007

Biofiltration As A Viable Alternative For Air Pollution Control At Department Of Defense Surface Coating Facilities, David M. Hudock

Theses and Dissertations

Surface coating operations at aircraft depot facilities are common throughout the Department of Defense (DoD). During paint application processes at Navy and Marine Corps Fleet Readiness Centers (FRCs), spray paints emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) known to have harmful effects on human health and the environment. FRC East at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, does not control the emissions of VOCs from any of its paint booths. The purpose of this research is to determine if FRC East and its surrounding area can benefit both economically and environmentally from a biofiltration system for air pollution control (APC) rather than …

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Strategic Planning To Conduct Joint Force Network Operations: A Content Analysis Of Netops Organizations Strategic Plans, Antonio J. Scurlock Mar 2007

Strategic Planning To Conduct Joint Force Network Operations: A Content Analysis Of Netops Organizations Strategic Plans, Antonio J. Scurlock

Theses and Dissertations

Within the Joint Force Network Operations (NETOPS) environment, war fighters will treat net-centric adversaries and global information grid defense-in-depth situations as complex, adaptive enclaves that are the product of the dynamic interactions between connected entities and processes. Because of net centricity, no entity or process of the enclave can be considered in isolation; no singular engagement methodology will accurately capture the enclave’s complexity, and an alignment of Department of Defense Combatant Commanders, Services, and Agencies (CC/S/A) strategic planning is pivotal. To achieve and maintain information dominance, Joint Network Operations (NETOPS) organizations need to be strategically aligned. Strategic alignment allows organizations …

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Internal Versus External For Small Weapons Systems, Joseph S. Elkins Mar 2007

Internal Versus External For Small Weapons Systems, Joseph S. Elkins

Theses and Dissertations

The acquisition method used to gain access to new technologies can heavily influence whether our war fighters have the required tools to fight increasing and constantly shifting global threats (Kessler and others, 2000). The purpose of this study was to investigate the process and results of internal laboratory development, testing and fielding of small weapons systems as compared to traditionally acquired systems which encourage customer pull and contractor development. This research provides insight into how Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) personnel choose an acquisition method, retain personnel capability, and maximize product capability. This study consolidates the opinions of subject matter …

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Comparative Analysis Of A High Bypass Turbofan Using A Pulsed Detonation Combustor, Ionio Q. Andrus Mar 2007

Comparative Analysis Of A High Bypass Turbofan Using A Pulsed Detonation Combustor, Ionio Q. Andrus

Theses and Dissertations

It has been proposed that the implementation of a pulsed detonation combustor in a high-bypass turbofan engine would result in an engine that is both more efficient and more reliable. The validity of the performance claims are evaluated based on a comparison between the baseline and hybrid turbofans. The hybrid pulsed detonation engine was modeled in the Numerical Propulsion Simulation System (NPSS) and shares a common architecture with the baseline turbofan model, except that the combustor of the baseline engine is replaced with a pulsed detonation combustor. Detonation effects are calculated using a closed form solution of the Chapman-Jouguet Mach …

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Parameter Importance Of An Analytical Model For Transport In The Vadose Zone, Tanner Hans Bushnell Mar 2007

Parameter Importance Of An Analytical Model For Transport In The Vadose Zone, Tanner Hans Bushnell

Theses and Dissertations

The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) has established a three tier risk-based corrective action (RBCA) program for cleaning up petroleum release sites, which is supported by the Environmental Protection Agency. RBCA programs make the cleanup of spill sites more efficient by requiring additional site information only when a more accurate risk assessment is needed. For spill sites that do not pass the first tier general assessment, a Tier 2 evaluation involving site specific information and screening level models to assess the potential risk must be conducted. Screening level models generally require site specific input parameters. To increase efficiency …

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Damage Detection Using Lamb Waves For Structural Health Monitoring, Jeffrey S. Crider Ii Mar 2007

Damage Detection Using Lamb Waves For Structural Health Monitoring, Jeffrey S. Crider Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Nondestructive structural health monitoring (SHM) is an evolving technology being developed for monitoring air and space systems. The information gathered on a system's structural integrity through SHM detection methods may result in reduced costly maintenance inspections, enhanced safety, and system failure predictions. This study evaluates Lamb wave approaches used to detect simulated cracks in laboratory experiments on thin plates to detect more realistic damage in a test article representing the complex geometry of an existing aircraft bulkhead. We take a "hot-spot" monitoring approach, where we monitor an area of the structure known to fail. In our experiment, we evaluated the …

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Portable Diode Pumped Femtosecond Laser, David A. Jones Mar 2007

Portable Diode Pumped Femtosecond Laser, David A. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the work to make ultrashort pulsed lasers smaller and more economical. While sharing many of the basic properties of normal beam optics there are some specific properties in both creating and exploiting those pulses that must be understood. The discussion will focus on mode locking as the primary way of producing ultrashort pulses. Particular attention will be paid to intracavity group velocity dispersion and how to correct it inside the cavity. The discussion then turns to the basis of our work including initial cavity design and component selection with focus on the specific crystals used in the …

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Development Of A Screening Model For Design And Costing Of An Innovative Tailored Granular Activated Carbon Technology To Treat Perchlorate-Contaminated Water, William C. Powell Mar 2007

Development Of A Screening Model For Design And Costing Of An Innovative Tailored Granular Activated Carbon Technology To Treat Perchlorate-Contaminated Water, William C. Powell

Theses and Dissertations

Perchlorate contamination of drinking water is a problem that has recently gained national attention. The purpose of this research was to develop a tool to predict the cost and performance of tailored granular activated carbon (T-GAC), an innovative technology to treat perchlorate-contaminated water. The ability to predict cost and performance is essential to promote transfer and commercialization of innovative technologies. This study investigated how data obtained from small-scale laboratory tests could be applied to predict cost and performance of a full-scale T-GAC system to treat perchlorate-contaminated water. A technology model was developed using GAC design principles and using a multi-component …

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Optical Tracking For Relative Positioning In Automated Aerial Refueling, James H. Spencer Mar 2007

Optical Tracking For Relative Positioning In Automated Aerial Refueling, James H. Spencer

Theses and Dissertations

An algorithm is designed to extract features from video of an air refueling tanker for use in determining the precise relative position of a receiver aircraft. The algorithm is based on receiving a known estimate of the tanker aircraft's position and attitude. The algorithm then uses a known feature model of the tanker to predict the location of those features on a video frame. A corner detector is used to extract features from the video. The measured corners are then associated with known features and tracked from frame to frame. For each frame, the associated features are used to calculate …

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The Effects Of Orthophosphate As A Copper Corrosion Control Inhibitor In High Alkalinity Drinking Water Systems, Stephen Grace Mar 2007

The Effects Of Orthophosphate As A Copper Corrosion Control Inhibitor In High Alkalinity Drinking Water Systems, Stephen Grace

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate orthophosphate as a corrosion inhibitor for copper pipe in a high-alkalinity drinking water system. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer three research questions regarding the impact of orthophosphate treatment, the nature of the mechanism by which orthophosphate controls copper corrosion, and the value of equilibrium modeling in predicting orthophosphate’s effects. The research questions were answered through a comprehensive literature review and experimental methodology integrating laboratory jar tests, water sampling and analysis from a field investigation, qualitative solids analysis, and equilibrium model application. This study analyzed field data obtained over the course of …

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The Effect Of Birth Order On Infant Injury, Heather L. Van Duker Mar 2007

The Effect Of Birth Order On Infant Injury, Heather L. Van Duker

Theses and Dissertations

Pediatric injury is both common and expensive. Finding ways to prevent pediatric injury is a major public health concern. Many studies have investigated various aspects of pediatric injury, and some suggest that birth order may be an important risk factor for pediatric injury. This study further examined the relationship of birth order with pediatric injury, specifically studying the association of birth order with emergency department-attended infant injury while adjusting for other important family and individual covariates. Data for analysis included Utah birth certificate, death certificate, and hospital emergency department datasets, which were probabilistically linked to obtain complete demographic and injury …

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Hope For The Fatherless?: A Grounded Interpretive Approach, Anna Manja Larcher Mar 2007

Hope For The Fatherless?: A Grounded Interpretive Approach, Anna Manja Larcher

Theses and Dissertations

Psychology's literature regarding fatherlessness is not only grim, mainly pointing out the negative consequences of fatherlessness, but it also does not provide much specific information about fatherless individuals' experiences. A pilot study revealed that fatherless individuals do not always suffer from the loss of their father and that they also have the ability to overcome the negative consequences commonly associated with father loss. The research questions for this study presented themselves naturally after reviewing the literature and after considering the results of my pilot study, namely, “What do fatherless individuals actually experience in being fatherless, and what is the nature …

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The Net Effects Of Social Network Density And Organizational Citizenship Behavior On Group Performance, Clifford M. Theony Mar 2007

The Net Effects Of Social Network Density And Organizational Citizenship Behavior On Group Performance, Clifford M. Theony

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB), social network density, and group performance. Social networks have recently become a key area of interest for researchers in the study of management in organizations. OCB has, likewise, seen a considerable amount of attention in research literature as a direct and indirect contributor to group performance. This field study, conducted at a military training course, attempted to explore the possible net effects of network density and citizenship behaviors on group performance. Longitudinal social network data was used to examine whether there was a relationship between …

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Use Of Thrust Vectors In Support Of The Cybercraft Initiative, Michael Stevens Mar 2007

Use Of Thrust Vectors In Support Of The Cybercraft Initiative, Michael Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

The CyberCraft Initiative is designing a framework for command and control of future Air Force Cyber-weapon systems, that autonomously operate and defend the Air Force networks and information systems to provide Cyberspace Superiority in support of the defense of the United States. The fundamental research question of the CyberCraft Initiative is "What is required for a commander to trust a CyberCraft to autonomously defend military information systems?" The Trust Vector model is one method of integrating trust into the CyberCraft fleet. Trust Vectors define trust and distrust between agents based on three components; current and historical data, intrinsic knowledge of …

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Use Of Two-Way Time Transfer Measurements To Improve Geostationary Satellite Navigation, Benjamin G. Dainty Mar 2007

Use Of Two-Way Time Transfer Measurements To Improve Geostationary Satellite Navigation, Benjamin G. Dainty

Theses and Dissertations

An emerging use of GPS is to provide accurate navigation information for satellites in orbit. The GPS satellites are designed to provide service to terrestrial users, so the antenna array points directly towards the Earth and uses a narrow primary beamwidth. Because GEO altitudes are well above the GPS constellation, the Earth occludes most of the GPS signals to the satellite. Decreased satellite visibility is debilitating, as GPS navigation requires at least four visible satellites to determine position. To assist with the visibility problem, the receiver can look at the GPS satellite transmit antenna side lobes, but this does not …

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Multi-Dimensional Range Querying Using A Modification Of The Skip Graph, Gregory J. Brault Mar 2007

Multi-Dimensional Range Querying Using A Modification Of The Skip Graph, Gregory J. Brault

Theses and Dissertations

Skip graphs are an application layer-based distributed routing data structure that can be used in a sensor network to facilitate user queries of data collected by the sensor nodes. This research investigates the impact of a proposed modification to the skip graph proposed by Aspnes and Shah. Nodes contained in a standard skip graph are sorted by their key value into successively smaller groups based on random membership vectors computed locally at each node. The proposed modification inverts the node key and membership vector roles, where group membership is computed deterministically and node keys are computed randomly. Both skip graph …

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Graphical And Bayesian Analysis Of Unbalanced Patient Management Data, Emily Stewart Righter Mar 2007

Graphical And Bayesian Analysis Of Unbalanced Patient Management Data, Emily Stewart Righter

Theses and Dissertations

The International Normalizing Ratio (INR) measures the speed at which blood clots. Healthy people have an INR of about one. Some people are at greater risk of blood clots and their physician prescribes a target INR range, generally 2-3. The farther a patient is above or below their prescribed range, the more dangerous their situation. A variety of point-of-care (POC) devices has been developed to monitor patients. The purpose of this research was to develop innovative graphics to help describe a highly unbalanced dataset and to carry out Bayesian analyses to determine which of five devices best manages patients. An …

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Diffusion Of Innovation: Factors Promoting Interest In Solar Photovoltaic Generation Systems Within Air Force Installations, Daniel Diaz Jr. Mar 2007

Diffusion Of Innovation: Factors Promoting Interest In Solar Photovoltaic Generation Systems Within Air Force Installations, Daniel Diaz Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify factors which promote interest in solar photovoltaic generation systems for facility use within the United States Air Force. The construct model was developed based on past literature on Diffusion of Innovation Theory. The model comprised of measures defined as motivation, knowledge, experience, and familiarity as well as contextual variables. These measures were then used to determine whether any significant association existed between the measures and the overall dependent variable, interest. A phone interview was conducted on Air Force energy managers located within the continental U.S. The methods of correlation and regression analysis …

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Demonstration Of Clean Particle Seeding For Particle Image Velocimetry In A Closed Circuit Supersonic Wind Tunnel, Charles M. Mcniel Mar 2007

Demonstration Of Clean Particle Seeding For Particle Image Velocimetry In A Closed Circuit Supersonic Wind Tunnel, Charles M. Mcniel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine whether solid carbon dioxide (CO2) particles might provide a satisfactory, and cleaner, alternative to traditional seed material for Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) for use in a closed circuit supersonic wind tunnel. The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) closed circuit pressure-vacuum supersonic wind tunnel was utilized, which achieves a nominal Mach number of Mach 2.9 in a 2.5 inch by 2.5 inch square test section. CO2 was dispensed into the flow as a liquid from a standard compressed gas liquid tank through two different injector styles at two injection …

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Lamb Wave Propagation In Varying Thermal Environments, Jennifer P. Andrews Mar 2007

Lamb Wave Propagation In Varying Thermal Environments, Jennifer P. Andrews

Theses and Dissertations

During flight, launch, and reentry, external surfaces on aerospace vehicles undergo extreme thermo-acoustic loads resulting in structural degradation. Structural health monitoring techniques are being devised to evaluate the health of these structures by locating and quantifying structural damage during and after flight. One such technique uses Lamb wave propagation to assess damage on the surface and through the thickness of thin materials. The objective of this study was to assess the sensitivity of piezo-generated Lamb wave propagation to isothermal and thermal gradient environments using both theoretical and experimental methods. Experimental isothermal tests were conducted over a temperature range of 0-225 …

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Effects Of Prior Aging At Elevated Temperature In Air And In Argon Environments On Creep Response Of Pmr-15 Neat Resin, Joseph L. Broeckert Mar 2007

Effects Of Prior Aging At Elevated Temperature In Air And In Argon Environments On Creep Response Of Pmr-15 Neat Resin, Joseph L. Broeckert

Theses and Dissertations

Creep behavior of PMR-15 neat resin, a polyimide thermoset polymer, aged in air or argon gaseous environments at 288 °C for up to 1000 h was evaluated. Creep tests were performed at 288 C at creep stress levels of 20 and 10 MPa. Creep periods of at least 25 h in duration were followed by recovery at zero stress. Weight loss and growth of the oxidation layer were also monitored and correlated with aging time. The aging time in both air and argon environments had a strong influence on the creep and recovery response of PMR-15 neat resin. Samples aged …

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The Costs Of Not Using Green Design In The Usaf: Would Using Green Building Design Have Resulted In Life Cycle Cost Savings?, John Kimball Osborne Mar 2007

The Costs Of Not Using Green Design In The Usaf: Would Using Green Building Design Have Resulted In Life Cycle Cost Savings?, John Kimball Osborne

Theses and Dissertations

This study’s purpose is to determine if using green building design would have resulted in life cycle costs savings for the United States Air Force. Green designs are those that employ steps to mitigate the impacts facilities have on the environment by using resources more efficiently than conventional design. The prevailing ranking system for green design in the United States is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system which evaluates facilities on certain characteristics, assigning point values that translate to non-certified, certified, silver, gold, or platinum ratings. The author attempts here to show how previous studies indicated …

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