Biomechanics of stair descent in older adults

Negotiating stairs is one of the most difficult activities of daily living faced by older adults. Many researchers have studied the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal demands of stair ascent but there is little research on the biomechanics of stair descent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanics of stair descent in older adults

Development of a biomechanically validated turf testing rig

The aim of this study was to develop an artificial turf testing rig that applied biomechanically validated vertical, shear and torque loads to the surface. Results of initial testing on 3rd generation artificial turf and natural grass soccer pitches are presented

Investigations of boundary layer phenomena using a new method or observation

This thesis is a study of the boundary layer on a flat plate, using a new method of observation. The boundary layer, and in particular, the laminar region, has been examined using a new device, which takes the form of a small vane. This vane is freely hinged and suspended at its leading edge, lies vertically in the xz plane, and its dimensions are of the same order as the wavelengths of the disturbances, to which it is expected to respond. Such an instrument responds only to v fluctuations of velocity and is uninfluenced by those of u and w.The ultimate aim of the research programme is to use the vane in the transition and turbulent regions, and attempt to obtain information on the formation of turbulence. Before the vane can be put in the turbulent region, however, its own performance has to be ascertained, by investigating relatively well known phenomena in the laminar region, and this forms the subject of the thesis

Developing a computer aided design tool for inclusive design

The purpose of this study was to investigate age-related changes in the performance of a range of movement tasks for integration into a computer aided design (CAD) tool for use in inclusive design

Considering the impact of situation-specific motivations and constraints in the design of naturally ventilated and hybrid buildings

A simple logical model of the interaction between a building and its occupants is presented based on the principle that if free to do so, people will adjust their posture, clothing or available building controls (windows, blinds, doors, fans, and thermostats) with the aim of achieving or restoring comfort and reducing discomfort. These adjustments are related to building design in two ways: first the freedom to adjust depends on the availability and ease-of-use of control options; second the use of controls affects building comfort and energy performance. Hence it is essential that these interactions are considered in the design process. The model captures occupant use of controls in response to thermal stimuli (too warm, too cold etc.) and non-thermal stimuli (e.g. desire for fresh air). The situation-specific motivations and constraints on control use are represented through trigger temperatures at which control actions occur, motivations are included as negative constraints and incorporated into a single constraint value describing the specifics of each situation. The values of constraints are quantified for a range of existing buildings in Europe and Pakistan. The integration of the model within a design flow is proposed and the impact of different levels of constraints demonstrated. It is proposed that to minimise energy use and maximise comfort in naturally ventilated and hybrid buildings the designer should take the following steps: 1. Provide unconstrained low energy adaptive control options where possible, 2. Avoid problems with indoor air quality which provide motivations for excessive ventilation rates, 3. Incorporate situation-specific adaptive behaviour of occupants in design simulations, 4. Analyse the robustness of designs against variations in patterns of use and climate, and 5. Incorporate appropriate comfort standards into the operational building controls (e.g. BEMS)