2-D strength prediction of single-row multi-bolted joints woven fabric kenaf composites

Implementation of multi-bolts arrangements in structures connections are commonplace in steel design to allow for joint efficiency and stronger connections. Woven fabric kenaf fibers are potentially used as reinforcement in composite materials due to excellent specific strength, renewability and less hazardous during handling as compared to commercial fibers. A two-dimensional Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) framework of single-row multi-bolted joints has been developed to study the stress distribution and predict the joint bearing stress at failure. Stress distribution among adjacent bolts were compared along the hole boundary and net-tension plane, suggesting net-tension failure occurred at end-bolt. The predicted bearing strength from finite element modelling are validated against experimental framework. The testing series under investigated consists of four datasets from single-row 2 bolts and 3 bolts single-lap joints. Current study showed that the XFEM models demonstrated good agreements with the experimental results

Acting on behalf of the concept

This paper discusses how drama process and techniques are providing alternative approaches to product concept generation. An investigation that used drama techniques for concept generation sessions observed that there appears to be an implicit response among designers to investigate functionality before, or instead of form. However, it was proposed that through practice the approach of ‘concept-acting’ would provide support for the designer’s kinaesthetic needs for touch, feel and positional experience. It was also observed that whilst an increasing number of people in the US are actively embracing this type of approach, through a variety of techniques, UK designers appear somewhat more sceptical of the value of drama to their design processes

Designing Gender Inclusivity and Equality

In consideration of the labels and definitions of gender identities, and the differences in experience of stasis or fluidity of gender, this paper describes a role for design in the political activities of gender diversity inclusion and equality as a facilitator of open-minded debate and decision-making. The process of design in ‘enabling the improvement of qualities of life’, can positively transform the way we see, think and behave, and so, not only can it enable creation of products and services to support inclusive practices, it can also be socially innovative in developing new models and policies for inclusion and equality. One particular model is the Gender Cube, which enables individuals to dimensionally define and consider their gender identity rather than seek to fit to a category, labelled by society, with its incumbent expectations. With consideration of both personal and social constructs of gender, experienced alone at home and socially in our cities, it is argued here that inclusion cannot be seen as simply an attitude of ‘not excluding’, but must actively develop coherence in both perspective and behaviour through mindful acceptance, integration and equality. The limitations of an androcentric, male dominant, binary model, and associated behaviours are discussed, including the need for a more balanced and credible engagement in supporting the design of gender inclusivity, for equality to be achieved for the expressions of the full range of gender identities

Enhancing the potential of design conferences

A study of six international design conferences was carried out in 2002, to review opportunities for improving inter and intra-disciplinary knowledge dissemination. A metacognitive perspective (Flavell, 1979) was adopted for the consideration of individual differences and their affect upon delivery and reception of information. A participative observational method was used by the investigator, as a presenter and audience member at all six conferences. This investigation reviewed conference organisation, venue facilities, presentation format, delivery, and audience comments. The investigator’s presentations were all delivered using the same format, which aimed to facilitate ease of contextualisation and retention of information. It was concluded that there are a number of quality improvements that can be adopted in the short and mediumterm, by organisers, presenters and audience members

Modelling complexity of gender as an agent of change

Social inclusion continues to develop as a key issue in responsible design practices. To date, we have witnessed change in the development of inclusivity for the aged, and the physically and mentally challenged, but little more than exploration by certain minorities has been achieved concerning gender diversity and fluidity. A key reason for this is cultural complexity, in terms of differences in social constructs, and conflicts with personal constructs, but there is a perceived need for change, towards more inclusive perceptions and behaviours. The commonly held ‘binary’ model may have appeared to offer society a natural method of controlling complexity, by reducing mental effort involved in social decision-making. However, in terms of innovation, the use of such stereotyping may be seen as acting against originality and individualism, certainly not encouraging of positive change and diversity. The traditions attached to the binary model permeate our language, constraining our perceptions and thinking. To present an alternative perspective, this project developed a more inclusive model of gender to recognize diversity and fluidity, while maintaining a level of simplicity to ensure effective comprehension and application. This paper’s presentation of the ‘Gender Fluidity Cube’, seeks to describe the context for a more inclusive view of gender, sex and sexuality, as three dimensions which enable inclusion of any individual or group within its volume. Through a more indepth study this dimensional model may offer creative opportunities to a number of professions including design, marketing and education, as a stepping-stone ‘population’ model, to inform more effective ‘causal’ models for systems thinking

Stress distribution of secondary bending in single-lap bolted joints with dissimilar joining plates and plate types

Single-lap joints are an important class of bolted joint in the aerospace and civil engineering sectors. This type of joint is preferred as it can reduce weight and hence help to optimize fuel efficiency. However, bolted single-lap joints exhibit secondary bending due to eccentricity of the applied loads. Flexural of plates during tensile loading alters the contact regions in the single-lap joint significantly, resulting in more non-linear behaviour and a stress gradient across the plate thickness. 3-D bolted single-lap joint were modelled in ABAQUS CAE incorporating the effect of the bolt tension from application of a tightening torque. Current 3-D model used elastic properties based on smeared-out properties, the effect of joint construction is considered further by examining the stress in a composite-composite joint and comparing with a composite-steel joint. In a related investigation the effect of varying composite thickness in the composite-steel joints is also studied

Private Clubs and Employment Discrimination: Does Federal Law Apply?

This Note examines the general history and function of Title VII and section 1981 of the civil rights law. The author discusses the problems inherent in defining an organization as a private club, for purposes of employment non-discrimination efforts. The Note examines statutory construction and legislative history, as well as case law to assess arguments as to whether Title VII impliedly amends section 1981 with respect to the private club exemption. The author argues that membership discrimination cases in the case law differ radically from employment discrimination cases, which address entirely different sets of rights. The argument concludes therefore that courts should consider Title VII and section 1981 as two separate remedies. Finally, the author recommends that because nothing in the legislative history supports the private club exemption and because club members\u27 right to freedom of association does not extend to their relationships with club employees, Congress should repeal that part of Title VII that provides such an exemption

Service Design Against Organised Crime

This paper proposes benefits of using service design against organised crime. As a vehicle to this discussion, the focus is an anti-child-trafficking project at Northumbria University in the UK, involving its multidisciplinary Northumbria Crime Prevention Network. The last 10 years have shown increasing evidence of people trafficking, internationally (DoS, 2010), generally for the purposes of illegal labour and/or sex. A significant fraction of those who are trafficked are children. The majority of these children are in their mid-teens, but some are as young as five years old. The C4 persona-based critical design process, (Hilton, 2008), is proposed to strategically enable a service design approach to counter organised crime, by first developing the required criminal personas in order to use their competitive perspectives in critical review of the preventative initiatives. Opportunities from such a service design approach, to child trafficking for example would include new means of: interruption or redirection of child trafficking services so that these children end up in legitimate care; also the proposition of considering new opportunities and improvements in child trafficking service routes and processes as a means of second guessing how and where Recruiters, Transporters, and Exploiters, (Van Dijck, 2005), might next be found operating, and then through border and security agencies successfully countered