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Factoring of water pressure for retaining walls in accordance with Eurocode 7
No full textThe purpose of this thesis is to assess the various methods of factoring water pressure that acts against a retaining wall, in accordance with Eurocode 7. Within the thesis, a general overview of the procedure and theory for the design of a retaining wall is investigated. This overview gives a better understanding of how and where factoring water pressure is involved in the design of retaining wall. Through a vast amount of research, the problems of factoring water pressure in accordance with Eurocode 7 became apparent. A review of the literature highlighted some of the methods available for factoring water pressure and how they are interpreted in other European countries. The clauses from Eurocode 7 are also investigated as this is where the problem of the various interpretations originates from. By producing my own calculations and analysing the effects of the various methods for factoring water pressure on the design of a retaining wall, I established my own data. The data produced from the calculations helped me in my search for the choice of one method for factoring water pressure. It is from the research carried out and the calculations provide that allowed me to make a recommendation for the most reasonable and efficient method for factoring water pressure acting against a retaining wall in accordance with Eurocode 7
Retrofit procedures and behavioural modifications in domestic dwellings pre 1997
No full textUnder the 1990 Building Regulations and defined within The Technical Guidance Documents Part L- Conservation of Fuel and Energy- Dwellings (1997), energy conservation and minimum requirements of measures to conserve energy are set out comprehensively. Reprinted in 2011 this document requires domestic dwellings to comply with a high standard of energy conservation. However prior to 2011 the targets and requirements werent so high due to a distinct lack of technology and thus domestic dwellings constructed prior to 2011 needed only to comply with Part L of 1997. While these standards are not as high as 2011 they still present a reasonable target for energy conservation. Irelands construction industry, particularly with regard to domestic construction, did not start from 1990. In fact most domestic properties in Ireland were constructed prior to any energy regulations, indeed before the 1990s Building Regulations, and therefore thoughts of conserving energy were of minimal concern. Given the current state of the economy in Ireland, and the growing scarcity of finance, homeowners are far more conscious of the money they spend and are less likely to dip into savings. As the home is likely to be the largest investment any person is involved with, is the only option for pre-1997 homeowners that of upgrading the fabric of their building through financially onerous retrofitting measures? With huge emphasis being placed on money saving procedures both by homeowners and the Nation there is need for particular concern within the residential sector as the largest user of energy and thus this sector represents the largest potential for savings providing energy saving procedures are implemented efficiently and effectively
Assessing against IEC 80001-1
No full textMedical devices are designed and produced subject to various standards. These standards are recognized by the regulatory authorities within the region in which they are going to be marketed. Traditionally medical devices were placed on a proprietary network; however emergent technology is increasingly seeing medical devices being included on to the general hospital IT network. The incorporation of a medical device into an IT network can introduce risks which can impact the safety, effectiveness & security of the medical device. 80001-1: Application of Risk Management for IT networks incorporating Medical Devices addresses the risk that healthcare can be compromised when a medical device is incorporated into an IT network. In order to address these risks, an assessment of the network against IEC 80001-1 must be performed. To perform an assessment which is compliant with ISO/IEC 15504-2 of an IT network against IEC 80001-1, a process assessment model is required. This paper examines how a process assessment model could be developed to assess against IEC 80001-1
The Significance of Requirements in Medical Device Software Development
Get PDFSoftware to be used in or as a medical device is subject to user requirements. However, unlike unregulated software, medical device software must meet both the user’s requirements and the requirements of the regulatory body of the region into which the software will be marketed. Regulatory requirements are fixed and can be planned for; unfortunately, the same is not true with user requirements. As many medical device software development organisations are following traditional sequential Software Development Life Cycles (SDLC), they are experiencing difficulties accommodating changes in requirements once development has begun. Agile methods and practices offer the ability to overcome the challenges associated with following a sequential SDLC. Whilst the regulatory requirements are fixed, this paper presents these requirements and shows how they appear to mandate the use of a sequential SDLC. This paper also explains how agile methods and practices can be successfully adopted in the development of medical device software without hindering the process of achieving regulatory approval
The Lost Chief
Get PDFA review article of Pauric Travers & Donal McCartney (eds) Parnell Reconsidered (2014) UCD Press
Viability of photovoltaics in Ireland
No full textAs fossil fuels are being used at a rate in which they will become more difficult and expensive to extract in the future, alternative sources of energy must be explored, and so renewable technologies are playing a much more important role in Ireland and the world as a whole as an alternative energy resource. This dissertation provides an overview of the Viability of Photovoltaics in Ireland. It will explain the background of the use of renewable technologies, the history of photovoltaics and their development over the years, the different components, technologies, types and installation options available in Ireland, and the potential costs of such a system, with the main aim to determine whether photovoltaics are a viable renewable energy option for use in Ireland
Energy efficiency of residential historic buildings
No full textThis dissertation addresses the increasing need for our historic buildings to meet the energy efficiency and thermal comfort requirements of modern living, while maintaining their historical and architectural significance. The first stage was general literature review to identify the key legislation and guidelines pertaining to architectural conservation and energy efficiency. Following that, an in-depth critical examination of the thermal performance of historic building was undertaken. Once a clear understanding was achieved, a systematic investigation of potential measures, appropriate for historic buildings was carried out. On completion of the literature review section, the next stage was to put the knowledge attained into practice. A case study was carried out, where a historic building was selected and surveyed. A BER assessment was carried out ascertain the buildings energy rating, the knowledge acquired from the literature review was employed to provide appropriate measures for upgrading. A new BER assessment was carried out to indicate the effect of the proposed measures, the results highlighted a substantial improvement of the building's energy efficiency. The primary findings of the dissertation show that a historic building can significantly reduce its energy efficiency through a comprehensive understanding of the building and the selection of appropriate methods and materials. The dissertation also recognises that there is still further scope for investigation, with the use of in-situ u-value monitoring, air pressure testing and a more in-depth examination of building services, (including renewable services); likely to further increase the potential energy efficiency of historic buildings
Challenges experienced by Medical Device Software Development Organizations while following a Plan-Driven Software Development Life Cycle
Get PDFMedical device software organisations face challenges not faced by generic software devel-opment organisations. These challenges include the adherence to regulatory controls. Regula-tory bodies require medical device software organisations to provide objective evidence that the software they are developing is safe and reliable. To produce this, regulatory bodies re-quire a number of deliverables which must be achieved. However, they do not dictate which Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) must be followed in order to achieve these delivera-bles. Despite not dictating which SDLC must be followed when developing medical device software, organisations typically develop their software in accordance with a Plan-Driven soft-ware development lifecycle. By conducting semi structured interviews with seven medical device software organisations, we gained a deeper insight into how the challenges experienced impact on the development of medical device software. The interviews also attempted to learn from the participants how they believe the challenges experienced can be overcome. The aim of this paper is to explain the methodology used to perform interviews with medical device software organisations and to present these interviews
