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The effect of extending four cements with limestone with addition of super-plasticisers on the hydration reaction of SCC cement paste
No full textThesis (MTech (Civil Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The addition of certain fillers and additives in conventional concrete is imperative for improving its rheological properties. The effect of additives, namely limestone (LS) and superplasticisers (SP), on the hydration kinetics of self-compacting concrete (SCC) was investigated on cement paste scale. These additives interact mostly with cement paste, since aggregates are considered to be inert materials. An understanding of the effect of these additives on the hydration kinetics of cement paste is paramount to the design of an SCC with excellent properties.
Four CEM I 52.5N Portland cements from one supplier but produced at different factories, LS and two types of SP, were used in this research. The hydration kinetics were evaluated by monitoring the elastic modulus growth of the cement pastes. Different coefficients of the self-acceleration kinetics equation – the self-acceleration constant, characteristic time and real time of hydration – were used to establish the effect of different concentrations of SP with and without the optimum concentration of limestone (30%) on the hydration kinetics of cement pastes. As far as can be ascertained, this is the first time the rheokinetic model has been used to describe the initial hydration of SCC paste
Universal design in automobiles : an investigation into simulators for differently abled drivers
No full textThesis (MTech (Industrial Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Simulators are used for many different purposes, among them physical rehabilitation and the training of differently abled learner-drivers. In South Africa, however, the extent of the latter type of simulators is limited to paraplegic learner-drivers only. The reason is that locally sourcing the necessary equipment to adapt commercial simulators for the training of differently abled learner-drivers presents a problem.
The concept of Universal Design stipulates that as many individuals as possible should be able to use a particular product. Consequently, a simulator for differently abled learner-drivers should accommodate as many such persons as possible. However, applying Universal Design in the area of design researched for the present dissertation adds further complexity due to the unique nature of the physical limitations experienced by individuals. A differently abled driver puts an extreme constraint on the design of a product - and becomes a limiting user. Nevertheless, this dissertation adopts a Universal Design approach to investigate the possibility of designing such a simulator in South Africa, as well as its viability. A limiting user was included in the research to represent the bigger differently abled community. Field research was carried out by implementing a Participatory Design process. Furthermore, a team was selected according to a Meta-Design mind-set, including professionals from engineering, clinical psychology and occupational therapy. The leader and researcher was an industrial designer
Comparative strategies for efficient control and storage of renewable energy in a microgrid
No full textThesis (MTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Power fluctuations in a microgrid are caused by disturbances due to the connection and disconnection of Distributed Generators (DG’s), as well as the irregular input of the sun and wind renewable energy.
Renewable penetration such as the sun, wind and tidal energy causes intermittency which directly affects the input and resultant output power of a microgrid. Control systems have to be implemented on three different levels to ensure the stability and reliability of the power supplied to the load.
This can be achieved by implementing the following: 1) Primary control with mechanical valves and actuators to translate feedback signals through droop control.
2) Secondary control with power electronics to facilitate maximum power point tracking, phase lock loops and switch mode inverters to manipulate the electrical signals to a desired set points including PID control. 3) Tertiary control with software program management to monitor the power flow as well as to evaluate congregated logic and implement decision making. Energy storage systems like super capacitors can compensate for power imbalance by providing excess stored energy to the microgrid for short periods of time. The added advantage of capacitor banks is that it can facilitate power factor correction where inductive loads like rotating motors form large part of the total load. Battery banks can compensate for energy shortage for longer periods of time. The duration of the compensation can be determined by the size, topology and the type of batteries used.
The objectives of this study is to improve the unstable power output responses of a renewable energy microgrid by designing and analysing control strategies intended at power wavering compensation which also includes energy storage. Sub control systems is created and simulated in Matlab/Simulink for analytical comparative observations. Results of the simulated model are discussed and recommendations are given for future works
Synthesis of a high performance surfactant for application in alkaline-surfactant-polymer flooding in extreme reservoirs
No full textThesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Due to the rising cost involve with bringing new fields on stream, of producing residual crude from matured fields, and the significant enhancement in oil recovery provided when compared to conventional water-flooding, increasing attention is being given to chemical flooding technologies. This is particular of interest in mature fields that had previously undergone water flooding. These methods entail injecting chemicals such as surfactant, alkali, and polymer often in mixture into reservoirs to improve oil recovery. In this study a sulfonated surfactant was produced from cheap waste vegetable oils and its performance was assessed in terms of thermal stability at reservoir conditions, adsorption on different reservoir materials, gas chromatography characterization and a limited interfacial tension measurement to evaluate its ability to improve the recovery of crude oil. Waste vegetable oils have great potential as a sustainable and low cost feedstock as well as its low toxicity
Linguistic identity and social cohesion in three Western Cape schools
No full textThesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Language is foundational to issues of belonging in contemporary South Africa. The
country’s colonial and apartheid history facilitated the differential development and
privileging of particular languages alongside the project of racial capitalism
(Alexander, 1989). Educational arrangements were affected by these developments
because of how black South Africans were economically and socially limited by
rudimentary exposure to the primary languages of access (English and Afrikaans).
This study argues that this history is what currently influences the movement of black
South Africans into the schools they were historically excluded from in former
coloured, Indian and white areas, and further that this movement is also encouraged
by the promise of greater access to and development in the English language
(Fataar, 2015). It suggests that the persisting status of English as lingua franca
across state, educational and cultural communications and products requires
teaching that is sensitive to the historical relationship of the language to the
underdevelopment and undervaluation of local linguistic forms. Moreover, the subject
English and its embedded values and norms (included in the compulsory texts and
textbook) is a critical area of enquiry for thinking through issues of social cohesion
and belonging. Through case studies of three Cape Town teachers, this study
argues that a range of influences affect how language and meaning are constructed
in English classrooms, and that learners experience these influences to their own
identities in different and often conflicting ways
Simulation of a multi-stage forming process to investigate failure in the formed part
No full textThesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The purpose of this study is the optimisation of the stamping analysis process in order to investigate the possible reasons for the part failure. (Altan & Vasquez, 2000) have conducted similar research to optimise a forming process. However, they focussed on dies for a forging process and in this study, we are looking at cold forming and this study is also different in that we are trying to reduce the number of stages while maintaining the formability. Formability is based on the dimensional conformance of the final part with additional criteria being the thinning, appearance of wrinkling, dynamic effects leading to the localisation of strain, cracking and residual stress. A numerical modelling procedure that is close enough to the real process is used to investigate the effects of changes in the frictional contact that would correspond to lubrication and also the effect of adding draw beads to the forming tools to change the frictional contact. We also investigated the effect of using a different material in terms of meeting the design requirements.
Experimental results for comparison are available for certain of the stamping processes investigated that were tested in pre-production. The finite element simulation is used to account for all residual thinning, stress and strain of the multi-stage forming process to ensure optimum thickness changes of the sheet at each stage. The variations of material and manufacturing parameters are established to accurately predict the behaviour of this specific forming process. The material model required to meet physical experiments is deduced from the results of standard tensile tests and fitted to the Hill’s 48 Law for Work Hardening. The commercial packages Ls-Dyna with Dynaform and Pam-Stamp software are used for the simulation to produce 2 results for comparison
A business framework for enterprise development and venture creation in Libreville, Gabon
No full textThesis (MTech (Entrepreneurship))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, [2016].The purpose of this study is to develop a business framework for enterprise development
and venture creation in Libreville, Gabon. The question that guides this research is: How are
hotels and restaurants created and developed in Libreville, Gabon?
The level of poverty and the unemployment rate have pushed many people to become
creative in finding a way to generate income. The resultant entrepreneurial activity is a key
element in the potential economic growth of the country.
The Gabonese Government took the initiative to promote SMEs by providing the necessary
economic environment. However, from a financial perspective it appears that the majority of
entrepreneurs are using their own capital to finance their business during the start-up and
developing phases. The limited access to finance remains a major issue for entrepreneurs in
both developed and developing countries. It is an ongoing challenge for them to acquire
financial support from the available financial institutions.
In order to make this study effective, a quantitative approach was followed. A selfadministered
survey questionnaire was distributed to seventy owners and managers of
hotels and restaurants.
The findings show that the key elements which lead to the failure of SMMEs are; the limited
access to finance to start up a new business, the lack of funds to maintain operating
expenses during the start-up stage, the low return on investment and the mismanagement
and poor understanding of the financial cycle of a start-up.
Therefore this study proposes a business framework for venture creation and development
so that entrepreneurs in Libreville will become educated in the correct procedures to
successfully manage and grow their businesses, which will have a positive effect on the
economy as more businesses become self-sustainable. SMMEs are regarded as an
important means of addressing unemployment and poverty and boosting the economy of the
country
The effect of a peer education programme on peer educators of the HIV/AIDS unit of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
No full textThesis (MTech (Environmental Health and Occupational Studies))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016Currently, the world faces many challenges such as a food shortages, fossil fuel depletion, floods, earthquakes, recession, wars, and climate change. It also faces diseases such as Human Immune Deficiency Virus /Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome /Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis (HIV/AIDS /STI and TB). This study focused on HIV/AIDS/STI and TB, and the impact of changes in sexual behaviours of student peer educators as a result of peer education programmes offered by the HIV/AIDS Unit at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Although young people today have a better understanding of risky sexual behaviours, HIV remains a health problem among the youth in South Africa. HIV/AIDS is a disease that affects all sectors of the population- rich and poor, young and adult, educated and uneducated. Tertiary institutions are places where many young female and male students live independently, unsupervised by their parents or guardians, in either private accommodation or student residences. Under these circumstances it may be expected that some students will explore and experience intimacy in their relationships. Hence, universities could play a vital role in shaping students’ attitudes and behaviours towards relationships, safer practices, and respect for others.
Given the current absence of a cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS, peer education should appear as an important tool in HIV prevention strategy. It draws on several well-known behavioural theories and many researchers view peer education as an effective behavioural change strategy.
A formal structured Peer Education Programme was initiated and implemented at the HIV/AIDS Unit at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) since 2004. This initiative was in line with one of the twelve strategic objectives of the HIV/AIDS Unit at the CPUT. This study therefore, aimed to assess the reflexive effect that the Peer Education Programme had on student peer educators who volunteer their services at the HIV/AIDS Unit at CPUT. It further attempted to assess the effect of the Peer Education Programme on changes in sexual behaviours that could occur amongst student peer educators. The purpose of this programme was to explore peer educators who were based in the HIV/AIDS Unit applying their acquired knowledge and skills; so that they may become role models for their peers by practising what they taught, and not taught what they proposed to practice. The study furthermore, forms on how effective the Peer Education Programme of CPUT’s HIV/AIDS Unit is in changing sexual behaviours of the student peer educators
Monitoring extracellular enzyme activities and microbial population numbers during composting of winery solid waste
No full textThesis (MTech (Horticulture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Waste management in winery and distillery industries faces numerous disposal challenges as large volumes of both liquid and solid waste by-products are generated yearly during cellar practices. Composting has been suggested a feasible option to beneficiate solid organic waste. This incentivized the quest for efficient composting protocols to be put in place. The objective of this study was to experiment with different composting strategies for spent winery solid waste. Compost materials consisting of chopped pruning grape stalks, skins, seed and spent wine filter material consisting of a mixture of organic and inorganic expend ingredients were mixed in compost heaps. The filter material component varied (in percentage) among five treatments: T1 (40%) lined, T2 (20%) lined, T3 (0%) lined, T4 (40%) grinded material, lined and T5 (40%) unlined.
Composting was allowed to proceed in open air over 12 months, from autumn to summer. Indicators such as temperature, moisture, enzyme activities, microbial counts, pH, and C/N ratio, were recorded. Generally, season (df =3, 16, P < 0.05) had significant effects (df =1, 3, P < 0.05) on heap temperature and moisture in all treatments. Similarly, microorganisms (actinobacteria and heterotrophs) varied significantly in all treatments in response to seasonal change (df = 3, 16; P < 0.05). Enzyme activities fluctuated in accordance with seasonal factors and compost maturity stages, with phosphatases, esterases, amino-peptidases, proteases and glycosyl-hydrolases being most prominent. Compared to treatments T2 and T3, compost treatments with higher percentage waste filter materials (T1, T4 and T5) had higher N (16100-21300 mg/kg), P (1500-2300 mg/kg), K (19800-28200 mg/kg), neutral pH, and lower C/N ratios (13:1-10:1), which were also comparable with commercially produced composts. Filter materials therefore, appears to be a vital ingredient for composting of winery solid waste
Redesign of core business processes of the national building regulations of South Africa
No full textTheses (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.This paper describes the redesigning processes of the National Building Regulations of South Africa. These processes are administered by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977 (The Act). The application of the business processes and the Building Control Officers from various local authorities nation-wide who enforce the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 103 of 1977 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) with particular reference to implementation of core regulatory business processes within the building industry in Southern Africa. The investigation was largely motivated by the high number of injuries, deaths and/or human lives affected adversely and reported due to collapsing and defective buildings. These disasters occurred at various Local Authorities, in private residential homes, government-owned buildings, abandoned and commercial buildings, such as shopping malls, have been investigated and reported by the Building Regulator, i.e. the NRCS in collaboration with the Department of Labour’s Commission of Enquiry between the years 2012 and 2014. The reports show that in those sectors of building, the local authorities’ Building Control Officers, as the legislated enforcers of the Building Regulations (with the oversight role played by the NRCS), experienced the highest levels of non-compliance by various parties who are affected by the Building Regulations, i.e. building owners or their legal representatives, built-environment professional practitioners and builders. This study applies the interpretive approach underpinned by qualitative methodology where interviews were used to collect data from building owners, prospective building owners, building occupants, built-environment practitioners, Local Authorities’ building control officers and The Regulator of the National Building Regulations. The empirical findings revealed that there is a critical need for business process review and strategy shifts that advance objectivity and benefits to compliance, visibility and awareness of regulatory process, the highlights of possible endangerment of human life due to non-compliance, the outlining of sanctions for failure to comply, and stakeholder liaison. The output is a re-module of business processes that will enforce and maintain compliance of the building regulations of South Africa