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The use of thixotropic materials in the treatment of rising damp
No full textThe focus of this research is in the area of building defects specifically the treatment of rising damp using a relatively new method which is ready to use thixotropic injection creams. This dissertation examines whether this chemical treatment for rising damp is effective or is the installation of a traditional damp proof course the only effective method of treatment. The research approach adopted in this dissertation includes a survey questionnaire of those in industry and carrying out an experiment to see what conditions are necessary for the success of this method of treatment. The findings from the questionnaire indicated that the treatment is successful in brick work walls, unsuccessful in random rubble and stone walls and it was inconclusive as to whether it is successful in block work walls. The main conclusions drawn from the experiment were that the treatment can be successful in brickwork given the correct moisture content of the substrate. The treatment was found to be unsuccessful in concrete block work which seems to be due to the lower porosity of blocks as both the bricks and blocks were treated in the same manner. It was also found that the moisture content of the substrate to be treated affects the success of treatment. This dissertation concludes that more investigation is required into these injection creams to identify the conditions necessary for them to be successful in the treatment of rising damp
Viability of rainwater harvesting in commercial circumstances
No full textThe objective is to establish the viability of a rainwater harvesting system in commercial circumstances. We am all aware of the importance of water in the world and in our lives. Water is a resource that no human, animal or plant can survive without. The author will investigate the history behind rainwater harvesting, the components of a rainwater harvesting system, and the systems available. The rational is to establish how complex or simple the systems are and where have they been used in the past. The author will investigate the current water rates for non-domestic buildings, to establish how effective rainwater harvesting can be financially
Risk Management of Medical IT Networks: An ISO/IEC 15504 Compliant Approach to Assessment against IEC 80001-1
No full textThe incorporation of a medical device into an IT network can introduce risks that may not have been addressed during the design and manufacture of the device. IEC 80001-1 is a lifecycle risk management standard which was developed to address these risks. This paper presents research which has been performed to date which has led to the development of a Process Reference Model (PRM) and Process Assessment Model (PAM) which can be used by Healthcare Delivery Organisations to assess themselves against IEC 80001-1. This paper also presents future work in this area which includes the development of an assessment method for IEC 80001-1 and the validation of the PRM, PAM and assessment method
Medical device standards' requirements for traceability during the software development lifecycle and implementation of a traceability assessment model
Get PDFSoftware systems are becoming increasingly complex. Within safety critical domains such as medical device software, this increasing complexity is placing growing demands on manufacturers who must ensure their software not only meets functional requirements but is also safe and reliable. However, the Food and Drugs Administration who regulate medical device software in the United States report a significant increase in recalls between years 2003 and 2012 and have cited software difficulties as one of the frequent causes of recalls. Furthermore a recent analysis of traceability documentation submitted to the Administration has revealed that the traceability data was incomplete, incorrect, and conflicting in many cases. This is problematic as traceability plays an important role in the development of safe and reliable software. In this paper we present the validation, through industry trial, of a traceability assessment and implementation framework which we have developed to assist medical device organizations implement traceability in an efficient and regulatory compliant manner. Our findings show that implementation of the framework within two organizations improved their traceability process and that both organizations found the framework to be both useful and usable
Lidar survey in the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site
Get PDFThe ‘Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend in the Boyne’ (usually known as Brú na Bóinne) is one of only two current UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Republic of Ireland and arguably its best known archaeological landscape, which contains the great Neolithic mounds of Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange. This chapter outlines what is known of the area and discusses analysis of lidar coverage of approx. 90 km2 acquired in 2006 to better inform management of the WHS and to further research in this important landscape. Detailed analysis of this dataset using multiple visualisation techniques (standard analytical hillshade; multi-direction hillshade; Sky View Factor; Local Relief Modelling) was undertaken in 2010–11, revealing a range of new features of potential archaeological interest, including apparent route ways, hollow-ways, embanked enclosures and quarries, as well as providing significant new detail to some already well-known monuments. The applicability of these techniques in this landscape of subtle relief and low earthen banks, is critiqued below. Selected areas, including two previously unrecorded large enclosures (> 100 m in diameter) were targeted through geophysical survey, corroborating and enhancing the lidar-based picture. The use of viewshed analysis is explored, highlighting the importance of tomb visibility against views from the tombs, demonstrating that a Neolithic boat traveller’s first view of the ritual landscape is likely to have been of Newgrange, while all three great tombs would only have been visible from the very apex of the Bend. Finally, while lidar data have provided a wealth of new information regarding the landscape of Brú na Bóinne attention is also drawn to significant recent discoveries which exhibit no topographic expression
Experience gained in applying IEC 80001-1 principles to a medical IT network supporting a clinical information system.
No full textIEC 80001-1:2010 [1] recognises that medical devices are incorporated into IT-networks to achieve desirable benefits1. The standard defines the roles, responsibilities and activities that are necessary for the risk management of IT-networks incorporating medical devices to address safety, effectiveness and data and system security. It applies throughout the life cycle of IT-networks incorporating medical devices and applies to responsible organizations, medical device manufacturers and providers of other information technology. IEC 80001-1:2010 draws on processes set out in ISO 14971:2007 [2] intended to be used by equipment manufacturers to identify hazards associated with medical devices. It also draws on ISO/IEC 20000-1:2011 [3] which specifies the requirements for an IT service provider to meet when implementing an IT service management system
Implementation of traceability best practices within the medical device domain.
Get PDFRequirements validation, compliance verification and impact analysis are important activities that are performed during the software development lifecycle. Traceability of requirements through the software development lifecycle (SDLC) is essential in the development of safety critical software. Organisations such as the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Aviation Authority in the United States require traceability as part of their approval process. However, despite its criticality there is extensive digression in the practices and usefulness of traceability across development projects. Many projects’ traceability efforts are simply focused on satisfying regulations and do not leverage the many benefits of traceability. Traceability, if fully implemented is an important tool for managing system development and there are a number of published best practices to help companies with this implementation. By means of a literature review we record a list of the commonly accepted best practices for traceability implementation. Furthermore, through interviews with two medical device companies we report that a number of these practices are unfamiliar to these companies and why an even greater number of these practices are not applied
Scordatura in the Irish Traditional Fiddle Music of Longford and South Leitrim
No full textScordatura, a system of tuning a stringed instrument, is not often considered in the study of Irish traditional music. In this article, I explore evidence of the use of scordatura amongst fiddlers in a local tradition in the area of Longford and South Leitrim. In particular I draw upon the music collection of Fr. John Quinn and my own experience as a fiddle player who has learned to play in this tradition and place
Perfomance of reinforced concrete (RC) beam strengthened in shear using inclined stirrups
No full textShear failures in concrete structures are very hazardous. These failures can rarely be predicted and often happen explosively. For decades, tests have been done to study this phenomenon, in order to try to solve the riddle that shear is. Researchers have become more knowledgeable about shear and what the most important influences are. This project aims to experimentally investigate shear behaviour of RC beam strengthened in shear with an inclined stirrup (45˚, 60˚, 75˚) and comparing the results. The study also aims to compare the Euro code's shear formula with test results. Furthermore, I was also interested in studying the orientation of diagonal shear cracks and its most important influences. A total of six beams were cast, each with different types of shear reinforcement. They were over-reinforced in bending to make sure it fails in shear during the test. First beam was designed with conventional vertical shear reinforcement and second one without shear reinforcement. Three beams were reinforced in shear with an inclined stirrup at an angle of 45˚, 60˚and 75˚ respectively. The last beam was made with shear stirrups inclined at 45˚, 60˚ and 75˚in order to find the most effective technique of shear reinforcement in beam. My findings were that the Eurocode (EC-2: 2004) gives a safe estimation on shear failure of beam. In the shear test, beams with inclined shear reinforcement performed much better than vertical one. In case of beam without shear reinforcement, shear resistance was provided by concrete in compression zone and doweling action of longitudinal steel bars
A comparative study of high voltage overhead lines and high voltage underground cables
No full textCurrently in Ireland, in line with directions from the EU Heads of State and Governments there is a €4 Billion plan set out to update the electrical transmission system across the country by increasing the existing network by about 20%. It is proposed that this electrical infrastructural upgrade is to be carried out by incorporating new lengths of high voltage overhead lines into the existing network. However since these plans were made aware to the public there has been out-pouring of controversy and concerns towards the proposals. Considerable concerns towards perceived health effects, environmental issues and property devaluation are all of considerable discussions. Many people who advocate that the high voltage electricity cables should be laid underground and not overhead and also claim that an underground alternative is economically feasible. The primary aim of this dissertation is to compare and contrast the concerns and issues associated with the installation of high voltage overhead lines and high voltage underground cables and by doing so identify if there is any justification in the people’s queries and concerns. This dissertation was compiled from an extensive review of evidence statements, research reports, views of the installer and of the organisations who oppose the proposals along with reviews of independent comparative studies. This paper finds that a potential exists that an underground alternative may be a safer option than its overhead equivalent. It also outlines the extensive costs of constructing and running both systems and establishes that the costs associated with underground systems could be as much as five times more that the overhead option