The environmental impact of frame materials : an assessment of the embodied impacts for building frames in the UK construction industry.

There are many important environmental issues involved in the construction and use of buildings which are either undergoing or require further research. The lack of detailed embodied energy assessments models has been identified and limits possible environmental analysis. This study examines the current state of research into the environmental impact of frame materials, assesses the quality and range of data available, sets up a new framework for evaluation of materials and uses several example structures to assess the environmental impact This has been achieved by, firstly, studying the environment related literature available concerning the frame of the building, separate from other considerations, to provide a clear understanding of the processes involved. Second, data is extracted from the literature and processed to provide a homogenous approach and level field from which frame analysis can take place. Gaps in the available data are identified. Third, the identified gaps are filled using data derived from sources ranging from manufacturers' literature to direct analysis of on site activities. Fourth, a model has been created to assess the environmental impact of the building frame. The factors assessed within the remit of environmental impact are: embodied energy, embodied CO2 and transportation hours. The embodied energy includes the primary energy for all raw materials, transportation, office overheads and contractor operations. These are calculated from the winning of raw materials, through manufacture, to demolition and recycling. Embodied CO2 encompasses the same range of data, but with respect to the CO2 transportation hours estimate the time spend on the road by vehicles involved in the embodied energy and CO2 calculations. Finally data from several buildings has been used, to evaluated the environmental merits of each with respect to each other and to other buildings for which calculations have been performed. Conclusions have been draw and. further work suggested

Nature, cattle thieves and various other midnight robbers: Images of people, place and landscape in Damaraland, Namibia

This thesis is a study of the social-economy of pastoralism in Damaraland, a former homeland of Namibia. It focuses on communal livestock farmers and their families, their strategies for coping with drought, poverty and a legacy of political oppression. By combining ethnographic, historical and ecological research methods the author achieves a multi-faceted view of pastoral practice in relation to land tenure, environmental change, political history and rural development. As part of a wider critique relating to past ethnographic representations of Namibians, the author presents a collection of over 200 photographs made by sixteen individual 'informants' from his central fieldwork area of Okombahe. These photographs form the basis for a discussion of identity, social relations, mobility, reciprocity, poverty and politics in rural Damaraland as well as theoretical considerations pertaining to visual representation generally. This ethnographic material is contextualized by exploring the historical experience of the inhabitants of Okombahe in relation regional economic, social and political processes. In order to survive in this unpredictable arid environment, communal livestock farmers, practice an opportunistic strategy of coping with drought based on flexible property relations. This thesis researches the impact which pastoral practice and communal settlement has had on this environment. The history of vegetation change in the vicinity of communal settlements in Damaraland is explored using a combination of methodologies including matched ground and aerial photography. The author concludes that this research validates recently revised theories pertaining to dryland ecology which posit that such environments are highly resilient: vegetation change associated with communal land use in Damaraland has come about primarily as a result of long term climatic fluctuations rather than because of unsustainable exploitation by communal farmers. This is shown to have important implications for contemporary development policy

Energy: A continuing bibliography with indexes

This bibliography lists 1546 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system from April 1, 1981 through June 30, 1981

Obiter Dicta

"Stitched together over five years of journaling, Obiter Dicta is a commonplace book of freewheeling explorations representing the transcription of a dozen notebooks, since painstakingly reimagined for publication. Organized after Theodor Adorno’s Minima Moralia, this unschooled exercise in aesthetic thought—gleefully dilettantish, oftentimes dangerously close to the epigrammatic—interrogates an array of subject matter (although inescapably circling back to the curiously resemblant histories of Western visual art and instrumental music) through the lens of drive-by speculation. Erick Verran’s approach to philosophical inquiry follows the brute-force literary technique of Jacques Derrida to exhaustively favor the material grammar of a signifier over hand-me-down meaning, juxtaposing outer semblances with their buried systems and our etched-in-stone intuitions about color and illusion, shape and value, with lessons stolen from seemingly unrelatable disciplines. Interlarded with extracts of Ludwig Wittgenstein but also Wallace Stevens, Cormac McCarthy as well as Roland Barthes, this cache of incidental remarks eschews what’s granular for the biggest picture available, leaving below the hyper-specialized fields of academia for a bird’s-eye view of their crop circles. Obiter Dicta is an unapologetic experiment in intellectual dot-connecting that challenges much long-standing wisdom about everything from illuminated manuscripts to Minecraft and the evolution of European music with lyrical brevity; that is, before jumping to the next topic.

Black gold : the cultures & practices of record collecting

This thesis considers the positioning and re­‐positioning of vinyl records and those that collect them. It does so in the context of vinyl’s decline as the primary carrier of music. It is constructed within a theoretical framework of material culture and broader cultural studies. It draws on qualitative data collected through a standard survey from 344 record collectors in 21 countries. The data is discussed and presented in theoretically conceptualised chapters. I consider vinyl as a physical artefact, as ‘thing’ and contrary to historical and contemporary engagement with music as ephemeral, as experience. I discuss vinyl in terms of eras; of both disc manufacture and what I have termed three eras of collecting. I argue that the economic and cultural trajectories of vinyl lead to differing states of desirability along these journeys. Vinyl is then positioned as a collectable object, contrary to established collecting theory, drawing on the varying states of desirability. Notions of the past are considered in relation to vinyl’s historical position as primary carrier during the ‘golden era’ of popular music. The differing patterns of nostalgia are discussed in relation to how they enable record collectors access to the pasts of popular musics and defines markers of collecting that allow identiIication of differing nostalgias. I argue that the sensory nature of the vinyl experience, how these objects are positioned as markers of collectors’ taste, contribute to attitudes regarding condition through the idea of patina. This taste and accompanying practices are further discussed as contribution to the social aspects of collecting, to status, shared cultures and knowledges. The practices of collectors are varied and complex but with common focal points and issues. Collectors value the physical engagement with vinyl, the large artwork and the attentive, prolonged ‘slow’ engagement with the format. Nostalgic practices of record collectors vary dependent on their length of engagement with the culture as well as their age. Collectors’ experience of vinyl as either the primary or as a marginal deliverer of music also contributes to differences in practice. These markers impact on their attitudes to condition of second hand records and the trace of previous ownership. This work crosses between, and contributes to, discourses of material culture, cultural theory, and poses challenges to established ideas of collecting

Bureau of Mines publications and articles, 1992-1993 (with subject and author index)

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) was established in the public interest to conclude inquiries and scientific and technologic investigations on mining and the preparation, treatment, and utilization of mineral substances; to promote health and safety in the mineral industries; to conserve material resources and prevent their waste; to further economic development; to increaseee efficiency in the mining, metallurgical, quarrying, and other mineral industries; and to inquire into the economic conditions affecting those industries. The organic act of the Bureau, as amended by Congress and approved February 25, 1913, made it the province and duty of the U.S. Bureau of Mines to "disseminate information concerning these subjects in such manner as will best carry out the purposes of this Act."In accordance with this directive, USBM reports the findings of its research and investigations in its own series of publications and also in articles that appear in scientific, technical, and trade journals; in proceedings of conventions and seminars; in reference books; and in other non-USBM publications. The number of these reports, the wide range of subjects they cover, and the variety of mediums in which they appear make this kind of list both necessary and valuable.This edition describes reports and articles published during calendar years 1992 and 1993. It supplements the 50-year list of Bureau publications from July 1, 1910, to January 1, 19602 ; and these 5-year lists of publications and articles: from January 1, 1965, to December 31, 1969 from January 1, 1970, to December 31, 1974, from January 1, 1975, to December 31, 197 , from January 1, 1980, to December 31,1984, and from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1989.ISBN 0-16-045065-

Investigations into glass additive manufacturing by selective laser melting and directed energy deposition

Glass is a desirable material for many industrial applications, offering unique properties such as transparency, chemical durability, and high thermal resistance. Current production of complex glass shapes is typically achieved through the use of moulds. Customisation of glass geometries therefore often increases the production cost of bespoke glass pieces. Additive Manufacturing methods are capable of fabricating complex geometries at efficient cost for small production volumes, making customisation cost-effective. The opportunities that AM presents for glass manufacturing could be exploited for a number of applications, including fabrication of customised microfluidic devices, and bespoke décor for high value glass packaging. The potential applications for additively manufactured glass parts have driven research and industry to face the associated challenges, such as thermal stresses from high temperature gradients causing parts to crack or fracture, high transmittance in the near infrared (NIR) range reducing laser absorption at certain wavelengths, and porosities and cracking compromising transparency. In this thesis, research into glass processing by two AM techniques is presented: Selective Laser Melting (SLM), and powder-fed Directed Energy Deposition (DED). Investigations were carried out to define suitable processing parameters for SLM and DED of a common glass composition, soda lime silica. Investigations evaluated the effect of laser parameters and processing set ups on glass processing. For SLM, soda lime silica was processed onto two substrates: soda lime silica glass and alumina. Different geometries were fabricated, including single walls, cubes, hollow cylinders, lattices, and text structures. Channel structures were fabricated to demonstrate the potential for customised glass continuous flow reactor (CFR) production by SLM. For on-glass processing, adhesion of parts to substrates was inspected, highlighting the impact of SLM processing on crack formation in glass substrates for the first time. The effect of substrate heating on glass SLM was also investigated, showing promising results on transparency and porosity in glass SLM. For applications requiring removal of parts from substrates, alumina discs provided suitable adhesion to glass powders during processing, and easy removal of parts post process. Energy densities between 80-110 J/mm3 are recommended for processing 3D structures on alumina substrates, and for on-glass processing energy densities above 28 J/mm2 were found necessary to achieve glass consolidation. Novel glass processing by a powder-fed DED method is presented in this work, demonstrating customisation of glass bottle packaging. Process maps are presented for powder-fed DED of soda lime silica glass onto glass substrates for the first time, evaluating the effect of laser power and scan speed on glass powder consolidation and substrate cracking. Suitable processing parameters were identified, with cracking found to associate with laser power, and consolidation of glass correlating with energy density. Parameters of laser power below 115 W and energy density above 11 J/mm2 are recommended. Challenges including the transmission of laser energy through transparent feedstocks and substrates and delivery of glass powder through nozzle systems were evaluated and overcome. Darkened base plates are recommended below transparent substrates to reduce laser reflection, and a single layer of cellophane tape was used to improve glass melting and adhesion to substrates by acting as a heat source during processing. Also highlighted in this research was the flowability of glass powder feedstocks for AM methods, and the effect of flowability on forming homogenous powder beds for SLM and achieving consistent powder delivery for DED. A case study on glass powder spheroidisation is presented, comparing methods of altering angular glass powder morphologies for improved flowability. Flame spheroidisation and plasma spheroidisation are presented as promising techniques for improving flowability of glass materials for AM, and their limitations are evaluated. The work done during the course of this PhD contributes to understanding of glass processing by SLM and through powder-fed DED, demonstrating the potential for glass processing by these AM methods. Recommendations are made for future work to further develop these methods of glass processing, with the hopes of establishing AM as a valid technique for forming customised, complex geometries for high value applications

Investigations into glass additive manufacturing by selective laser melting and directed energy deposition

Glass is a desirable material for many industrial applications, offering unique properties such as transparency, chemical durability, and high thermal resistance. Current production of complex glass shapes is typically achieved through the use of moulds. Customisation of glass geometries therefore often increases the production cost of bespoke glass pieces. Additive Manufacturing methods are capable of fabricating complex geometries at efficient cost for small production volumes, making customisation cost-effective. The opportunities that AM presents for glass manufacturing could be exploited for a number of applications, including fabrication of customised microfluidic devices, and bespoke décor for high value glass packaging. The potential applications for additively manufactured glass parts have driven research and industry to face the associated challenges, such as thermal stresses from high temperature gradients causing parts to crack or fracture, high transmittance in the near infrared (NIR) range reducing laser absorption at certain wavelengths, and porosities and cracking compromising transparency. In this thesis, research into glass processing by two AM techniques is presented: Selective Laser Melting (SLM), and powder-fed Directed Energy Deposition (DED). Investigations were carried out to define suitable processing parameters for SLM and DED of a common glass composition, soda lime silica. Investigations evaluated the effect of laser parameters and processing set ups on glass processing. For SLM, soda lime silica was processed onto two substrates: soda lime silica glass and alumina. Different geometries were fabricated, including single walls, cubes, hollow cylinders, lattices, and text structures. Channel structures were fabricated to demonstrate the potential for customised glass continuous flow reactor (CFR) production by SLM. For on-glass processing, adhesion of parts to substrates was inspected, highlighting the impact of SLM processing on crack formation in glass substrates for the first time. The effect of substrate heating on glass SLM was also investigated, showing promising results on transparency and porosity in glass SLM. For applications requiring removal of parts from substrates, alumina discs provided suitable adhesion to glass powders during processing, and easy removal of parts post process. Energy densities between 80-110 J/mm3 are recommended for processing 3D structures on alumina substrates, and for on-glass processing energy densities above 28 J/mm2 were found necessary to achieve glass consolidation. Novel glass processing by a powder-fed DED method is presented in this work, demonstrating customisation of glass bottle packaging. Process maps are presented for powder-fed DED of soda lime silica glass onto glass substrates for the first time, evaluating the effect of laser power and scan speed on glass powder consolidation and substrate cracking. Suitable processing parameters were identified, with cracking found to associate with laser power, and consolidation of glass correlating with energy density. Parameters of laser power below 115 W and energy density above 11 J/mm2 are recommended. Challenges including the transmission of laser energy through transparent feedstocks and substrates and delivery of glass powder through nozzle systems were evaluated and overcome. Darkened base plates are recommended below transparent substrates to reduce laser reflection, and a single layer of cellophane tape was used to improve glass melting and adhesion to substrates by acting as a heat source during processing. Also highlighted in this research was the flowability of glass powder feedstocks for AM methods, and the effect of flowability on forming homogenous powder beds for SLM and achieving consistent powder delivery for DED. A case study on glass powder spheroidisation is presented, comparing methods of altering angular glass powder morphologies for improved flowability. Flame spheroidisation and plasma spheroidisation are presented as promising techniques for improving flowability of glass materials for AM, and their limitations are evaluated. The work done during the course of this PhD contributes to understanding of glass processing by SLM and through powder-fed DED, demonstrating the potential for glass processing by these AM methods. Recommendations are made for future work to further develop these methods of glass processing, with the hopes of establishing AM as a valid technique for forming customised, complex geometries for high value applications

No one can kill the drought: Understanding complexity in the relationship between drought and conflict amongst pastoralists in northern Kenya

Climate-induced resource scarcity is currently cited as one of the most important drivers of human conflict, particularly in the developing world. It is predicted that in the coming years, rising global temperatures may increase aridity in a number of resource-poor regions, precipitating violence, as subsistence populations struggle to maintain livelihoods. East African pastoral communities have long adapted to unpredictable, adverse climatic conditions by modifying behaviours according to their environmental circumstance. A growing concern, however, is whether pastoralists can adapt to prolonged periods of drought, reduced rangeland productivity, and increased livelihood insecurity. A number of studies have argued that pastoralists may rely on violent livestock raids in order to recoup herd losses incurred during drought periods. This thesis investigates the apparent relationship between drought-induced resource scarcity and inter-ethnic conflict amongst three pastoral populations in northern Kenya. Through the analysis of ethnographic data and quantitative applications, this study examines the nature of the relationship between periods of increased drought and escalations in conflict episodes, testing if there is, indeed, a direct relationship between these two phenomena. Furthermore, it builds on the complexity of this relationship by identifying a number of intermediary causal and social effects that may interact and influence the nature of the resource scarcity – conflict relationship. Game theory and socio-ecological resilience models are used as explanatory frameworks, as a way of making sense of these ‘chaotic’ interactions. Ultimately, this thesis presents new theoretical perspectives in understanding resource-based conflicts, tests the adaptive ‘limits’ of subsistence populations, and examines the impact that conflict has on the resilience of pastoral communities