A monitoring and control system for an accelerated weather test chamber
- Authors: Harvey, Luke Gareth
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Materials -- Deterioration -- Testing , Motor vehicles -- Testing Motor vehicles -- Automatic control Intelligent control systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40360 , vital:36152
- Description: In the Automotive Sector, weathering tests of components are of paramount importance. The most critical components to the overall comfort and durability of a vehicle are the interior components and thus is important to guarantee the quality of these components. The interior components are generally made of plastic, fabric, leather and various painted components. These components are prone to fading, cracking and distortion which is caused by natural factors such as solar radiation, temperature and moisture. This is known as natural weathering. Over the years many weathering tests have been carried out on automotive components to address critical issues during the design process. Many of these tests are simulated in chambers to mimic real life cycles. Although these accelerated tests provide somewhat accurate results in much shorter periods, natural weathering is still essential as it is uncontrolled and unpredictable. This dissertation looks at the method of a metallic chamber used to carry out weathering tests on automotive components and to simulate the conditions inside a vehicle. It addresses the current state and improvement: accurate tracking, intelligent fuzzy logic control and cloud-based monitoring. Currently weather testing chambers are stationery, which does not allow for maximum exposer to solar radiation. Therefore, a system was designed to allow the weather testing chamber to track the azimuth and elevation of the sun to increase the solar radiation on the components tested, a GPS will achieve this. Currently systems lack remote monitoring. A further shortcoming is the lack of controlling the temperature and humidity inside the chamber for sufficient tests. The use of a fuzzy logic controller was implemented to achieve this. The fuzzy logic was compared to other types of logic controllers. To further IoT integration, two main control devices were used, these control devices were two Arduino Mega’s. One Arduino Mega was used for the intelligent fuzzy logic control and the second for solar tracking. The weathering system and controllers were powered by using solar power. The fuzzy logic controller was tested while tracking the sun and then not tracking the sun. The results obtained were compared and it was seen that the fuzzy logic performed very well in both instances, however, the test with tracking the sun performed better. A second test was performed. The second test was similar to the previously mentioned test, but the fuzzy logic had a set point control. It was concluded that both tests performed as expected as the fuzzy logic controlled the temperature and humidity at the given setpoint, but during the solar tracking test the fuzzy logic control performed the best. The fuzzy logic worked well in general use as well as set point control, both for tracking and non-tracking. The tracking performed better than the non-tracking.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Harvey, Luke Gareth
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Materials -- Deterioration -- Testing , Motor vehicles -- Testing Motor vehicles -- Automatic control Intelligent control systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40360 , vital:36152
- Description: In the Automotive Sector, weathering tests of components are of paramount importance. The most critical components to the overall comfort and durability of a vehicle are the interior components and thus is important to guarantee the quality of these components. The interior components are generally made of plastic, fabric, leather and various painted components. These components are prone to fading, cracking and distortion which is caused by natural factors such as solar radiation, temperature and moisture. This is known as natural weathering. Over the years many weathering tests have been carried out on automotive components to address critical issues during the design process. Many of these tests are simulated in chambers to mimic real life cycles. Although these accelerated tests provide somewhat accurate results in much shorter periods, natural weathering is still essential as it is uncontrolled and unpredictable. This dissertation looks at the method of a metallic chamber used to carry out weathering tests on automotive components and to simulate the conditions inside a vehicle. It addresses the current state and improvement: accurate tracking, intelligent fuzzy logic control and cloud-based monitoring. Currently weather testing chambers are stationery, which does not allow for maximum exposer to solar radiation. Therefore, a system was designed to allow the weather testing chamber to track the azimuth and elevation of the sun to increase the solar radiation on the components tested, a GPS will achieve this. Currently systems lack remote monitoring. A further shortcoming is the lack of controlling the temperature and humidity inside the chamber for sufficient tests. The use of a fuzzy logic controller was implemented to achieve this. The fuzzy logic was compared to other types of logic controllers. To further IoT integration, two main control devices were used, these control devices were two Arduino Mega’s. One Arduino Mega was used for the intelligent fuzzy logic control and the second for solar tracking. The weathering system and controllers were powered by using solar power. The fuzzy logic controller was tested while tracking the sun and then not tracking the sun. The results obtained were compared and it was seen that the fuzzy logic performed very well in both instances, however, the test with tracking the sun performed better. A second test was performed. The second test was similar to the previously mentioned test, but the fuzzy logic had a set point control. It was concluded that both tests performed as expected as the fuzzy logic controlled the temperature and humidity at the given setpoint, but during the solar tracking test the fuzzy logic control performed the best. The fuzzy logic worked well in general use as well as set point control, both for tracking and non-tracking. The tracking performed better than the non-tracking.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The financial impact on the Nelson Mandela University as a result of excluding international students from the university funding model
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Janine Ingrid
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Finance , Student aid -- South Africa Students, Foreign -- Rating of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23613 , vital:30587
- Description: The higher education sector in South Africa (SA) is currently facing financial constraints due to the admission of an increasing number of students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2015, students started protesting, demanding free higher education (OECD, 2017). In addition, the unstable political situation and declining economic conditions prevailing in the country also contributes to increased financial pressure on the higher education sector. Despite these conditions, it is important for higher education institutions (HEIs) in SA to respond decisively and efficiently without sacrificing their obligation to the neighbouring countries and their international duty as set forth in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocol (Mello, 2013). The South African government subsidies are an important source of income for universities. The SA government subsidises the international students at the same rate as the South African students (Cilliers, 2017). According to Cilliers (2017), no funding policy is currently available, which excludes the international students from the block grant. The research for this study was guided by the question whether the exclusion of international students’ subsidies from the SA government university funding model could have an adverse financial impact on the Nelson Mandela University. This study was conducted by means of the collection and analysis of secondary quantitative data. The SA government subsidies for the international students enrolled at the Nelson Mandela University for the period 2009 to 2015 were calculated in order to answer the research question. It was concluded that if the international students were excluded from the SA government subsidies, the financial impact on the Nelson Mandela University could be approximately R64,5 million in the 2017 academic year. The outcome of this study is to enable the policymakers, government officials and university administrators to realise the financial impact on the universities if the international students were excluded from the SA government subsidies. Although this study focused on the Nelson Mandela University, the impact of the exclusion of the international students from the SA government university funding model would be significant and negative for the universities, international offices, international students and the plans to internationalise teaching, learning and research at the South African universities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Janine Ingrid
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Finance , Student aid -- South Africa Students, Foreign -- Rating of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23613 , vital:30587
- Description: The higher education sector in South Africa (SA) is currently facing financial constraints due to the admission of an increasing number of students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2015, students started protesting, demanding free higher education (OECD, 2017). In addition, the unstable political situation and declining economic conditions prevailing in the country also contributes to increased financial pressure on the higher education sector. Despite these conditions, it is important for higher education institutions (HEIs) in SA to respond decisively and efficiently without sacrificing their obligation to the neighbouring countries and their international duty as set forth in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocol (Mello, 2013). The South African government subsidies are an important source of income for universities. The SA government subsidises the international students at the same rate as the South African students (Cilliers, 2017). According to Cilliers (2017), no funding policy is currently available, which excludes the international students from the block grant. The research for this study was guided by the question whether the exclusion of international students’ subsidies from the SA government university funding model could have an adverse financial impact on the Nelson Mandela University. This study was conducted by means of the collection and analysis of secondary quantitative data. The SA government subsidies for the international students enrolled at the Nelson Mandela University for the period 2009 to 2015 were calculated in order to answer the research question. It was concluded that if the international students were excluded from the SA government subsidies, the financial impact on the Nelson Mandela University could be approximately R64,5 million in the 2017 academic year. The outcome of this study is to enable the policymakers, government officials and university administrators to realise the financial impact on the universities if the international students were excluded from the SA government subsidies. Although this study focused on the Nelson Mandela University, the impact of the exclusion of the international students from the SA government university funding model would be significant and negative for the universities, international offices, international students and the plans to internationalise teaching, learning and research at the South African universities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Influences on productivity of construction projects with particular reference to core labour, unskilled labour and leadership style of managers
- Authors: Mathura, Gonasagree Sindy
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unskilled labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Construction workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6851 , vital:21154
- Description: Construction productivity is an interesting phenomenon which was an initial study into time and motion. However this remains a vital part of the construction industry today as it takes into consideration cost-savings, a precise timeous delivery of projects and the correct usage of materials. This phenomenon itself is a huge challenge to many companies in South Africa. The construction industry in South Africa is seen as a tool to alleviate the increasing unemployment and poverty levels. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has made statements to decrease the unemployment rate and due to these promises, the imposition of the use of local unskilled labour from the local communities has become the norm on the majority of construction projects. This formed the basis of the Expanded Public Works Programme. This initiative has indeed shown a huge success but the programme lacks long-term support. The majority of these workers are taken on short-term projects and thereafter the workers are returned to the unemployment pool. The workers are also aware of the short-term projects and therefore there is a lack of motivation which inevitably affects the productivity on any construction site. This study looks at the challenges faced by contractor's in the Eastern Cape and analyses the effects of the use of unskilled labour from the local community. Questionnaires were completed as a measurement instrument to determine the motivation, leadership style and the communication levels among the unskilled, core and the managers on construction projects. The productivity achievements of the unskilled labour and the core labour will be measured and compared and the findings are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mathura, Gonasagree Sindy
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Labor productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Unskilled labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Construction workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6851 , vital:21154
- Description: Construction productivity is an interesting phenomenon which was an initial study into time and motion. However this remains a vital part of the construction industry today as it takes into consideration cost-savings, a precise timeous delivery of projects and the correct usage of materials. This phenomenon itself is a huge challenge to many companies in South Africa. The construction industry in South Africa is seen as a tool to alleviate the increasing unemployment and poverty levels. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has made statements to decrease the unemployment rate and due to these promises, the imposition of the use of local unskilled labour from the local communities has become the norm on the majority of construction projects. This formed the basis of the Expanded Public Works Programme. This initiative has indeed shown a huge success but the programme lacks long-term support. The majority of these workers are taken on short-term projects and thereafter the workers are returned to the unemployment pool. The workers are also aware of the short-term projects and therefore there is a lack of motivation which inevitably affects the productivity on any construction site. This study looks at the challenges faced by contractor's in the Eastern Cape and analyses the effects of the use of unskilled labour from the local community. Questionnaires were completed as a measurement instrument to determine the motivation, leadership style and the communication levels among the unskilled, core and the managers on construction projects. The productivity achievements of the unskilled labour and the core labour will be measured and compared and the findings are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The feasibility of the Uitenhage provincial hospital private initiative
- Authors: Cherry, Jacqueline Helen
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Public health administration -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Health care reform -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Feasibility studies -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Hospital care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1508 , Public health administration -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Health care reform -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Feasibility studies -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Hospital care
- Description: The South African Health Care environment is in state of reform. Government strategy and change in legislation have been the catalyst for the development of new business models in South Africa. This report deals with the feasibility of a proposed model which is to be implemented by the Eastern Cape Department of Health at the Provincial Hospital in Uitenhage. The fundamental challenge in South Africa is the shortage of resources to support the health care industry from a public perspective. The point of departure for this research was to understand the complexity of this industry and investigate models that have evolved in South Africa and internationally. The literature research covers funding mechanisms from both a public and private perspective and takes into account the role the government plays in providing equitable health care for all. The literature provided the foundation to develop the model which is to be piloted at the hospital in Uitenhage. In terms of the research objective, a single case study methodology approach was conducted. Triangulation technique was used to gain insight from different perspectives and to test the model for validity. The core of this research focuses on the viability of the proposed model and the integration of this into the government health reform plan. The research revealed that in comparison to the existing PPP models in South Africa, this model is feasible. As a result of the analysis and the development of the proposed model, the research is concluded by offering suggestions for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Cherry, Jacqueline Helen
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Public health administration -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Health care reform -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Feasibility studies -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Hospital care
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1508 , Public health administration -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Health care reform -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Feasibility studies -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Hospital care
- Description: The South African Health Care environment is in state of reform. Government strategy and change in legislation have been the catalyst for the development of new business models in South Africa. This report deals with the feasibility of a proposed model which is to be implemented by the Eastern Cape Department of Health at the Provincial Hospital in Uitenhage. The fundamental challenge in South Africa is the shortage of resources to support the health care industry from a public perspective. The point of departure for this research was to understand the complexity of this industry and investigate models that have evolved in South Africa and internationally. The literature research covers funding mechanisms from both a public and private perspective and takes into account the role the government plays in providing equitable health care for all. The literature provided the foundation to develop the model which is to be piloted at the hospital in Uitenhage. In terms of the research objective, a single case study methodology approach was conducted. Triangulation technique was used to gain insight from different perspectives and to test the model for validity. The core of this research focuses on the viability of the proposed model and the integration of this into the government health reform plan. The research revealed that in comparison to the existing PPP models in South Africa, this model is feasible. As a result of the analysis and the development of the proposed model, the research is concluded by offering suggestions for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
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