The development of an optimised rotor software design tool to improve performance of small horizontal axis wind turbines
- Authors: Newey, Kerryn Brett
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Wind turbines -- Design , Wind power , Turbines -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009431 , Wind turbines -- Design , Wind power , Turbines -- Design
- Description: Horizontal axis wind turbines are by far the most common and well understood forms of wind turbine. Typically a large amount of research and development has been invested in the technology of large scale wind turbines. Unfortunately, development of small machines (rotor diameter smaller than 10 metres) has not been as forthcoming. The advantages of small turbines are that they are accessible to the individual consumer and they are a very attractive project for the home builder. The disadvantage of small turbines is that due to the negative influence of economies of scale, they tend to be costly in relation to their power output and suffer from a long-term return on investment. Furthermore, trends in the wind industry have shown that smaller machines tend to be relatively simple devices that have been developed with very little research and development. As a result, small turbines can be inefficient, unreliable and expensive to maintain. In many cases rotor design is less than optimal, with very little blade refinement. This is especially critical for small rotors due to low Reynolds Number operation. Further exacerbating the problem is that the rotors are typically not well matched to the generator. In many cases the machines are not suited to the wind speed range in which they are designed to operate, reducing the financial viability due to poor performance. It is envisaged that by applying optimising techniques and automating some of the design complexities into a software design tool, more cost-effective and viable machines can be developed that will deliver improved performance and therefore become more financially viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Newey, Kerryn Brett
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Wind turbines -- Design , Wind power , Turbines -- Design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009431 , Wind turbines -- Design , Wind power , Turbines -- Design
- Description: Horizontal axis wind turbines are by far the most common and well understood forms of wind turbine. Typically a large amount of research and development has been invested in the technology of large scale wind turbines. Unfortunately, development of small machines (rotor diameter smaller than 10 metres) has not been as forthcoming. The advantages of small turbines are that they are accessible to the individual consumer and they are a very attractive project for the home builder. The disadvantage of small turbines is that due to the negative influence of economies of scale, they tend to be costly in relation to their power output and suffer from a long-term return on investment. Furthermore, trends in the wind industry have shown that smaller machines tend to be relatively simple devices that have been developed with very little research and development. As a result, small turbines can be inefficient, unreliable and expensive to maintain. In many cases rotor design is less than optimal, with very little blade refinement. This is especially critical for small rotors due to low Reynolds Number operation. Further exacerbating the problem is that the rotors are typically not well matched to the generator. In many cases the machines are not suited to the wind speed range in which they are designed to operate, reducing the financial viability due to poor performance. It is envisaged that by applying optimising techniques and automating some of the design complexities into a software design tool, more cost-effective and viable machines can be developed that will deliver improved performance and therefore become more financially viable.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Modular electric automatic guided vehicle suspension-drive unit
- Macfarlane, Alexander Blair Stuart, Van Niekerk, Theo
- Authors: Macfarlane, Alexander Blair Stuart , Van Niekerk, Theo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Autonomous vehicles , Sustainable design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8220 , vital:25968
- Description: This report discusses the design, development, elevation and creation of a modular omni-directional suspension-drive train unit for use on 1000 kg automatic guided vehicle. The system included a semi-active suspension oleo strut system that can vary its dampening and ride height. The drive train system is capable of omni-directional motion through the use of separately driven mechanum wheels power by a 48 volt DC system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Macfarlane, Alexander Blair Stuart , Van Niekerk, Theo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Autonomous vehicles , Sustainable design
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8220 , vital:25968
- Description: This report discusses the design, development, elevation and creation of a modular omni-directional suspension-drive train unit for use on 1000 kg automatic guided vehicle. The system included a semi-active suspension oleo strut system that can vary its dampening and ride height. The drive train system is capable of omni-directional motion through the use of separately driven mechanum wheels power by a 48 volt DC system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Establishing the benefits of implementing an I.T. project management office in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area
- Martin, Michael Ronald Charles
- Authors: Martin, Michael Ronald Charles
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Project management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Computer network resources , Information technology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9266 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/558 , Project management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Computer network resources , Information technology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Management
- Description: The well-known concept of a Project Manager managing an I.T. project in relative isolation is no longer a viable option for organisations that are running numerous projects simultaneously. Due to the enormous costs and risks involved in many of these projects, there needs to be a means to ensure success. This has led to the establishment of the concept of a Project Management Office (PMO). An autonomous business unit that is responsible for managing all projects within an organisation. The need for a Project Management Office (PMO) to effectively manage multiple projects is becoming more and more accepted worldwide. The benefits of a PMO are well documented, but whether these benefits will apply to organisations within the NMM area needed to be investigated. A detailed analysis of the benefits of Project Management and in particular a PMO, have been investigated by means of a literature study. An investigation into the effectiveness of PMO’s in South Africa in general, was conducted by means of a survey targeted at a group of I.T. Project Managers located in all the major centres. A further survey was conducted among local I.T. managers to determine their current level of success and their expectations for the future. When reviewing the expectations of local I.T. management against the performance of Project Managers that are currently operating within PMOs, it is clear that organisations within the NMM area are in need of PMO’s and would certainly benefit from their establishment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Martin, Michael Ronald Charles
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Project management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Computer network resources , Information technology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9266 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/558 , Project management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Computer network resources , Information technology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Management
- Description: The well-known concept of a Project Manager managing an I.T. project in relative isolation is no longer a viable option for organisations that are running numerous projects simultaneously. Due to the enormous costs and risks involved in many of these projects, there needs to be a means to ensure success. This has led to the establishment of the concept of a Project Management Office (PMO). An autonomous business unit that is responsible for managing all projects within an organisation. The need for a Project Management Office (PMO) to effectively manage multiple projects is becoming more and more accepted worldwide. The benefits of a PMO are well documented, but whether these benefits will apply to organisations within the NMM area needed to be investigated. A detailed analysis of the benefits of Project Management and in particular a PMO, have been investigated by means of a literature study. An investigation into the effectiveness of PMO’s in South Africa in general, was conducted by means of a survey targeted at a group of I.T. Project Managers located in all the major centres. A further survey was conducted among local I.T. managers to determine their current level of success and their expectations for the future. When reviewing the expectations of local I.T. management against the performance of Project Managers that are currently operating within PMOs, it is clear that organisations within the NMM area are in need of PMO’s and would certainly benefit from their establishment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Guidelines for the successful integration of ICT in schools in Cameroon
- Authors: Nangue, Calvain Raoul
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Education -- Data processing , Computers and children -- Cameroon
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9756 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1311 , Education -- Data processing , Computers and children -- Cameroon
- Description: ICT integration in secondary schools in Sub-Saharan Africa is still at an early stage and already faces several setbacks that may undermine the various initiatives undertaken by governments and the private sector to promote the use of computers in schools. Based on literature and other research, this may be attributed to the fact that no guidelines for proper ICT adoption in secondary schools exist; and furthermore, most integration cases were done haphazardly with no systematic approach based on the existing frameworks or tailored towards the real context in the schools concerned. The present study aimed to provide guidelines for the successful integration of ICT into schools in Cameroon. A review of some existing frameworks for ICT integrations in schools, as well as the innovative pathways that some developing countries have taken to ensure the successful integration of ICT into schools were explored through a literature review, revealing the trends and challenges of ICT integration in schools in Sub-Saharan Africa. The current status of ICT in schools in Cameroon being at an introductory stage was established from the available literature. This led to the use of a single case study from the Western Region of Cameroon, where four secondary schools were selected from the most advanced schools in terms of ICT integration. Participants consisting of principals, ICT co-ordinators, teachers, and students were interviewed, in order to establish the current status of ICT in each school, as well as those factors affecting or promoting the adoption of ICT. Teachers’ and students’ surveys, as well as existing documentation were used to triangulate the data gathered from interviews with school principals and ICT co-ordinators. Data were descriptively analysed – and the findings revealed that ICT is at the introductory stage of integration in the Fluck’s Model of ICT development in schools. At school level, the lack of infrastructure and an ICT adoption plan were found to be the key opposing factors to ICT integration, whereas several enablers were identified, such as the positive attitude of teachers towards ICT, the existence of a minimum recurring budget for ICT adoption through parents’ funding, as well as the continually decreasing cost of ICT infrastructure in the market. Based on the findings and experiences from successfully proven projects, a set of guidelines were derived for schools’ decision-makers. It is critical to put in place a well-structured policy for ICT in the school and to recognise all the ICT-related costs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Nangue, Calvain Raoul
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Education -- Data processing , Computers and children -- Cameroon
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9756 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1311 , Education -- Data processing , Computers and children -- Cameroon
- Description: ICT integration in secondary schools in Sub-Saharan Africa is still at an early stage and already faces several setbacks that may undermine the various initiatives undertaken by governments and the private sector to promote the use of computers in schools. Based on literature and other research, this may be attributed to the fact that no guidelines for proper ICT adoption in secondary schools exist; and furthermore, most integration cases were done haphazardly with no systematic approach based on the existing frameworks or tailored towards the real context in the schools concerned. The present study aimed to provide guidelines for the successful integration of ICT into schools in Cameroon. A review of some existing frameworks for ICT integrations in schools, as well as the innovative pathways that some developing countries have taken to ensure the successful integration of ICT into schools were explored through a literature review, revealing the trends and challenges of ICT integration in schools in Sub-Saharan Africa. The current status of ICT in schools in Cameroon being at an introductory stage was established from the available literature. This led to the use of a single case study from the Western Region of Cameroon, where four secondary schools were selected from the most advanced schools in terms of ICT integration. Participants consisting of principals, ICT co-ordinators, teachers, and students were interviewed, in order to establish the current status of ICT in each school, as well as those factors affecting or promoting the adoption of ICT. Teachers’ and students’ surveys, as well as existing documentation were used to triangulate the data gathered from interviews with school principals and ICT co-ordinators. Data were descriptively analysed – and the findings revealed that ICT is at the introductory stage of integration in the Fluck’s Model of ICT development in schools. At school level, the lack of infrastructure and an ICT adoption plan were found to be the key opposing factors to ICT integration, whereas several enablers were identified, such as the positive attitude of teachers towards ICT, the existence of a minimum recurring budget for ICT adoption through parents’ funding, as well as the continually decreasing cost of ICT infrastructure in the market. Based on the findings and experiences from successfully proven projects, a set of guidelines were derived for schools’ decision-makers. It is critical to put in place a well-structured policy for ICT in the school and to recognise all the ICT-related costs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Information communication and technology in Port Elizabeth secondary schools : exploring the digital divide
- Authors: Adebisi, Adeolu Abiodun
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Educational innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9770 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/914 , Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Educational innovations
- Description: The primary goal of the research is to investigate the extent of ICT adoption in secondary schools within the larger Port Elizabeth area. In order to demonstrate the current status, two geographical areas within that area namely privileged and less privileged areas will be selected and surveyed. The main objective of this research study is to survey the access to ICT services by learners and teachers living and working in less privileged communities compared with that of learners and teachers in the more privileged communities of Port Elizabeth. At present all the schools in these communities are funded by the same provincial government, but the extent of the digital divide is not known. This research will investigate the factors that lead to the inequalities in the access to ICT among secondary school learners and teachers. This research has the following sub goals and objectives: 1. To identify the factors that impact on the status of access to ICT services; 2. To determine which socio-economic factors contribute to the status of access to ICT services in the specific areas; 3. To determine the status of access to ICT services in specific communities within the larger Port Elizabeth area; 4. To determine whether the level of access differs between secondary schools and the homes of teachers and learners in the identified areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Adebisi, Adeolu Abiodun
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Educational innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9770 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/914 , Information technology -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Educational technology -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa , Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa , Educational innovations
- Description: The primary goal of the research is to investigate the extent of ICT adoption in secondary schools within the larger Port Elizabeth area. In order to demonstrate the current status, two geographical areas within that area namely privileged and less privileged areas will be selected and surveyed. The main objective of this research study is to survey the access to ICT services by learners and teachers living and working in less privileged communities compared with that of learners and teachers in the more privileged communities of Port Elizabeth. At present all the schools in these communities are funded by the same provincial government, but the extent of the digital divide is not known. This research will investigate the factors that lead to the inequalities in the access to ICT among secondary school learners and teachers. This research has the following sub goals and objectives: 1. To identify the factors that impact on the status of access to ICT services; 2. To determine which socio-economic factors contribute to the status of access to ICT services in the specific areas; 3. To determine the status of access to ICT services in specific communities within the larger Port Elizabeth area; 4. To determine whether the level of access differs between secondary schools and the homes of teachers and learners in the identified areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Business problems facing potential emerging contractors in CIDB grades 5 to 7
- Pretorius, Albertus Johannes Hendrik
- Authors: Pretorius, Albertus Johannes Hendrik
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Building trades , Project management , Construction industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3459 , vital:20432
- Description: Considering the vital part which the construction industry plays in the economy of South Africa, as well as the objectives of the reconstruction and development thereof, the failure of contractors, despite all the interventions to identify and eradicate the root of the problem, is a matter of great concern. In November 2000, the Construction Industry Development Board Act (2000) was promulgated which led to the inception of the cidb with a mandate to implement an integrated strategy for the reconstruction, growth and development of the construction industry. The matter of contractor development has been widely studied and investigated since the inception of the cidb in 2000. However, the purpose of this study was to focus on the business problems faced by Grade 5 to 7 CE / GB Potential Emerging Contractors, with regard to construction organisations that make the move from small to medium businesses. The intention was to contribute to the successful transition from small to medium businesses by means of structured initiatives. In order to achieve this, a new business strategy must be adopted. It was therefore necessary to extensively consider the surface and core competencies required for making the transition. Liquidity problems that the transition entails were explored, as well as contractor misconceptions with regard to contractor development. In the course of the study, unethical practices and entitlement issues experienced in the built environment and the effect of this on contractor success were explored. The study aimed to recommend a structured framework for co-ordination between assistance, mentorship, contractor needs, client departments, cidb NCDP best practice guidelines and the most important of all, self-empowerment. This study further endeavoured to find possible solutions regarding the assistance requirements, as well as self-empowering objectives for emerging contractors taking the challenging step from small to medium business and by implication, becoming sustainable contractor enterprises in Grades 6 to 8. Political imperatives need to be weighed against the high unemployment rate. The Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) indicates that there are not enough sustainable contracting opportunities to allocate to Contractor Development Programmes (CDPs). This is aggravated by the tendency that too many hopeful aspirant entrepreneurs, lacking construction surface and core competencies, are seeing the built environment as an easy industry to enter. Just less than 50% of cidb registered contractors exited the register of active contractors during the last ten years ending 2nd quarter 2015. 45% exited during the last five years. This indicates that there is a serious sustainability problem in the built environment. Considering the GFCF contractor opportunities there are too many cidb registered contractors. However, enterprise failure is not only an Emerging Contractor (EC) problem, but occurs across the board. A dangerous notion that the large national construction firms should no longer qualify for public contracts can have disastrous implications for an already embattled industry. Large national firms are the trend setters in the built environment, which coach the much needed construction surface and core competencies. If upgrading is the measure of success the current CDP statistics do not confirm that the strategic objectives of the National Contractor Development Programme (NCDP) are being achieved. All contractors, including black owned contractors, are faring substantially better than their EC counterparts participating in CDPs. Upgrading should carry less weight and sustainability and high performance should become the focus. A serious lack of construction surface and core competencies was identified. If contractor development is the objective the structure of the cidb grading system should be reviewed. It is recommended that the broad CDP hierarchical structure should streamlined and partly privatised to focus on the core strategic objective of contractor development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Pretorius, Albertus Johannes Hendrik
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Building trades , Project management , Construction industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3459 , vital:20432
- Description: Considering the vital part which the construction industry plays in the economy of South Africa, as well as the objectives of the reconstruction and development thereof, the failure of contractors, despite all the interventions to identify and eradicate the root of the problem, is a matter of great concern. In November 2000, the Construction Industry Development Board Act (2000) was promulgated which led to the inception of the cidb with a mandate to implement an integrated strategy for the reconstruction, growth and development of the construction industry. The matter of contractor development has been widely studied and investigated since the inception of the cidb in 2000. However, the purpose of this study was to focus on the business problems faced by Grade 5 to 7 CE / GB Potential Emerging Contractors, with regard to construction organisations that make the move from small to medium businesses. The intention was to contribute to the successful transition from small to medium businesses by means of structured initiatives. In order to achieve this, a new business strategy must be adopted. It was therefore necessary to extensively consider the surface and core competencies required for making the transition. Liquidity problems that the transition entails were explored, as well as contractor misconceptions with regard to contractor development. In the course of the study, unethical practices and entitlement issues experienced in the built environment and the effect of this on contractor success were explored. The study aimed to recommend a structured framework for co-ordination between assistance, mentorship, contractor needs, client departments, cidb NCDP best practice guidelines and the most important of all, self-empowerment. This study further endeavoured to find possible solutions regarding the assistance requirements, as well as self-empowering objectives for emerging contractors taking the challenging step from small to medium business and by implication, becoming sustainable contractor enterprises in Grades 6 to 8. Political imperatives need to be weighed against the high unemployment rate. The Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) indicates that there are not enough sustainable contracting opportunities to allocate to Contractor Development Programmes (CDPs). This is aggravated by the tendency that too many hopeful aspirant entrepreneurs, lacking construction surface and core competencies, are seeing the built environment as an easy industry to enter. Just less than 50% of cidb registered contractors exited the register of active contractors during the last ten years ending 2nd quarter 2015. 45% exited during the last five years. This indicates that there is a serious sustainability problem in the built environment. Considering the GFCF contractor opportunities there are too many cidb registered contractors. However, enterprise failure is not only an Emerging Contractor (EC) problem, but occurs across the board. A dangerous notion that the large national construction firms should no longer qualify for public contracts can have disastrous implications for an already embattled industry. Large national firms are the trend setters in the built environment, which coach the much needed construction surface and core competencies. If upgrading is the measure of success the current CDP statistics do not confirm that the strategic objectives of the National Contractor Development Programme (NCDP) are being achieved. All contractors, including black owned contractors, are faring substantially better than their EC counterparts participating in CDPs. Upgrading should carry less weight and sustainability and high performance should become the focus. A serious lack of construction surface and core competencies was identified. If contractor development is the objective the structure of the cidb grading system should be reviewed. It is recommended that the broad CDP hierarchical structure should streamlined and partly privatised to focus on the core strategic objective of contractor development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Guidelines for the design of a mobile phone application for deaf people
- Authors: Yeratziotis, George
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems -- Design and construction , Deaf -- Means of communication
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9750 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007925 , Mobile communication systems -- Design and construction , Deaf -- Means of communication
- Description: Deaf people in South Africa are no longer a minority group and their needs regarding communication and interaction must therefore be taken into consideration. This demographic does not communicate and interact in the same way as hearing people, which means that any existing usability or accessibility guidelines do not apply. As a result, Deaf people do not have access to information in the same way that a hearing person does. Providing proper access to Information and Communications Technology services, which meet their particular needs, will help the hearing impaired to better integrate into society. The importance of demolishing the communication barrier between the hearing and the hearing impaired is very important. Many people assume that sign language is somehow based on oral language. However, this is not the case. Sign languages are natural visual-spatial languages, and form a contrast with spoken languages which are auditory-vocal based. Acknowledging this fact in 2008, the South African Sign Language Policy Implementation Conference together with several governmental bodies suggested that South African Sign Language should become recognized as the 12th official language of South Africa. Due to the fact that cell phone technology continues to evolve, it will remain a tool of communication upon which Deaf people heavily rely on. The cell phone fulfils a basic need for everyone, but especially for the Deaf demographic as they rely on the short message system to communicate. Deaf people are currently faced with a lack of appropriate mobile phone applications, which would allow them to communicate with hearing as well as deaf people. The primary objective of this research was therefore to make mobile technology equally accessible meaning usable to members of the Deaf demographic. The focus of the research was to investigate the communication barrier and a range of variables that can influence the deaf user’s experience. Topics such as user interface design, usability and interaction were investigated. The outcome of this research was to propose a set of guidelines that, when applied to the design of a website or to phone application accessibility, would ensure communication and interaction from a deaf user. The proposed set of guidelines was then applied to the design of the high fidelity prototype of a mobile phone application. The specific application is a messaging phone application that allows deaf users to communicate with other deaf and hearing users via short message system. A mobile phone application that allows Deaf people to send and receive messages based on the sign language alphabet. The application was named Signchat. Purpose of this was to visibly display how the guidelines were implemented in Signchat. While Signchat’s main purpose is to accommodate the needs of Deaf people, it is also a learning tool and an application that bridges the gap by allowing deaf and hearing users to communicate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Yeratziotis, George
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems -- Design and construction , Deaf -- Means of communication
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9750 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007925 , Mobile communication systems -- Design and construction , Deaf -- Means of communication
- Description: Deaf people in South Africa are no longer a minority group and their needs regarding communication and interaction must therefore be taken into consideration. This demographic does not communicate and interact in the same way as hearing people, which means that any existing usability or accessibility guidelines do not apply. As a result, Deaf people do not have access to information in the same way that a hearing person does. Providing proper access to Information and Communications Technology services, which meet their particular needs, will help the hearing impaired to better integrate into society. The importance of demolishing the communication barrier between the hearing and the hearing impaired is very important. Many people assume that sign language is somehow based on oral language. However, this is not the case. Sign languages are natural visual-spatial languages, and form a contrast with spoken languages which are auditory-vocal based. Acknowledging this fact in 2008, the South African Sign Language Policy Implementation Conference together with several governmental bodies suggested that South African Sign Language should become recognized as the 12th official language of South Africa. Due to the fact that cell phone technology continues to evolve, it will remain a tool of communication upon which Deaf people heavily rely on. The cell phone fulfils a basic need for everyone, but especially for the Deaf demographic as they rely on the short message system to communicate. Deaf people are currently faced with a lack of appropriate mobile phone applications, which would allow them to communicate with hearing as well as deaf people. The primary objective of this research was therefore to make mobile technology equally accessible meaning usable to members of the Deaf demographic. The focus of the research was to investigate the communication barrier and a range of variables that can influence the deaf user’s experience. Topics such as user interface design, usability and interaction were investigated. The outcome of this research was to propose a set of guidelines that, when applied to the design of a website or to phone application accessibility, would ensure communication and interaction from a deaf user. The proposed set of guidelines was then applied to the design of the high fidelity prototype of a mobile phone application. The specific application is a messaging phone application that allows deaf users to communicate with other deaf and hearing users via short message system. A mobile phone application that allows Deaf people to send and receive messages based on the sign language alphabet. The application was named Signchat. Purpose of this was to visibly display how the guidelines were implemented in Signchat. While Signchat’s main purpose is to accommodate the needs of Deaf people, it is also a learning tool and an application that bridges the gap by allowing deaf and hearing users to communicate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An investigation into user interface factors impacting on user experience: Pastel accounting case study
- Authors: Mashapa, Job
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Accounting -- Data processing , Accounting -- Computer programs , Small business -- South Africa -- Computer network resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1184 , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Accounting -- Data processing , Accounting -- Computer programs , Small business -- South Africa -- Computer network resources
- Description: The purpose of this research is to propose metrics to evaluate the user interface factors that impact on the user experience of Software Accounting Applications (SAAs) used to support the accounting business activities in Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) operating in developing countries. The research commences by outlining the conceptual background that introduces the study. In the introductory chapter, the problems together with the objectives that motivate the significance of the study are presented. In the same chapter, the overall research focus and how each of the research questions are treated to accomplish the intended goals are defined. In Chapter 2, the typical accounting business activities for SMMEs operating in developing countries are investigated. Findings from the preliminary survey revealed that Pastel accounting is the commonly used SMME accounting application used in developing countries. Inventory management, cash book processing, preparation of financial statements, customer and supplier documents processing are revealed as the most prevalent SMME accounting activities. This chapter highlights the problems that inhibit the implementation and the delivery of full benefits of using these SAAs. After indentifying the SAA problems, user experience aspects of the SAA are addressed in Chapter 3. User experience (UX) is defined and existing UX evaluation criteria are discussed. The findings form the basis for choosing the applicable criteria for evaluating the User Interface (UI) factors impacting on the UX of Pastel accounting. The proposed user experience evaluation metrics are described in Chapter 4. A discussion on how the metrics are implemented and what UI aspect they measure is presented. The research design and methodology followed is discussed in Chapter 5. The chapter outlines the possible research philosophy, strategy, methods and data collecting methods. A choice is made about the appropriate approach to answer the stated research questions to satisfy the intended overall research objective. A phenomenologist, qualitative inductive approach is adopted in the study. A contextual inquiry case-study strategy is chosen as applicable to this research. Data is collected using expert reviews, user observation and subjective questionnaires. After the choice of the research techniques, the case study results are presented and analysed in Chapter 6. It is found that Pastel UI is attractive and the users are happy with the visual design of the application. The major factors that impact on Pastel accounting are its lack of 4 feedback and its complexity which makes it difficult for first time users to use the application and the paucity of the help function. After the observed findings, the conclusions and recommendations of the research are presented in Chapter 7. It has been concluded that Pastel accounting UI fails to captivate a positive user experience for first-time users; the users do not find the expected help from the Help function and are often left wondering about the status of the system and the outcome of their actions on a task. Recommendations on how designers would make Pastel user interface more helpful, easy to use, and provide adequate feedback are presented in Chapter 7.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mashapa, Job
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Accounting -- Data processing , Accounting -- Computer programs , Small business -- South Africa -- Computer network resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1184 , User interfaces (Computer systems) -- South Africa , Accounting -- Data processing , Accounting -- Computer programs , Small business -- South Africa -- Computer network resources
- Description: The purpose of this research is to propose metrics to evaluate the user interface factors that impact on the user experience of Software Accounting Applications (SAAs) used to support the accounting business activities in Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) operating in developing countries. The research commences by outlining the conceptual background that introduces the study. In the introductory chapter, the problems together with the objectives that motivate the significance of the study are presented. In the same chapter, the overall research focus and how each of the research questions are treated to accomplish the intended goals are defined. In Chapter 2, the typical accounting business activities for SMMEs operating in developing countries are investigated. Findings from the preliminary survey revealed that Pastel accounting is the commonly used SMME accounting application used in developing countries. Inventory management, cash book processing, preparation of financial statements, customer and supplier documents processing are revealed as the most prevalent SMME accounting activities. This chapter highlights the problems that inhibit the implementation and the delivery of full benefits of using these SAAs. After indentifying the SAA problems, user experience aspects of the SAA are addressed in Chapter 3. User experience (UX) is defined and existing UX evaluation criteria are discussed. The findings form the basis for choosing the applicable criteria for evaluating the User Interface (UI) factors impacting on the UX of Pastel accounting. The proposed user experience evaluation metrics are described in Chapter 4. A discussion on how the metrics are implemented and what UI aspect they measure is presented. The research design and methodology followed is discussed in Chapter 5. The chapter outlines the possible research philosophy, strategy, methods and data collecting methods. A choice is made about the appropriate approach to answer the stated research questions to satisfy the intended overall research objective. A phenomenologist, qualitative inductive approach is adopted in the study. A contextual inquiry case-study strategy is chosen as applicable to this research. Data is collected using expert reviews, user observation and subjective questionnaires. After the choice of the research techniques, the case study results are presented and analysed in Chapter 6. It is found that Pastel UI is attractive and the users are happy with the visual design of the application. The major factors that impact on Pastel accounting are its lack of 4 feedback and its complexity which makes it difficult for first time users to use the application and the paucity of the help function. After the observed findings, the conclusions and recommendations of the research are presented in Chapter 7. It has been concluded that Pastel accounting UI fails to captivate a positive user experience for first-time users; the users do not find the expected help from the Help function and are often left wondering about the status of the system and the outcome of their actions on a task. Recommendations on how designers would make Pastel user interface more helpful, easy to use, and provide adequate feedback are presented in Chapter 7.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Ultra-high precision machining of contact lens polymers
- Authors: Olufayo, Oluwole Ayodeji
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Contact lenses , Polymers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3001 , vital:20385
- Description: Contact lens manufacture requires a high level of accuracy and surface integrity in the range of a few nanometres. Amidst numerous optical manufacturing techniques, single-point diamond turning is widely employed in the making of contact lenses due to its capability of producing optical surfaces of complex shapes and nanometric accuracy. For process optimisation, it is ideal to assess the effects of various conditions and also establish their relationships with the surface finish. Presently, there is little information available on the performance of single point diamond turning when machining contact lens polymers. Therefore, the research work undertaken herewith is aimed at testing known facts in contact lens diamond turning and investigating the performance of ultra-high precision manufacturing of contact lens polymers. Experimental tests were conducted on Roflufocon E, which is a commercially available contact lens polymer and on Precitech Nanoform Ultra-grind 250 precision machining. Tests were performed at varying cutting feeds, speed and depth of cut. Initial experimental tests investigated the influence of process factors affecting surface finish in the UHPM of lenses. The acquired data were statistically analysed using Response Surface Method (RSM) to create a model of the process. Subsequently, a model which uses Runge-Kutta’s fourth order non-linear finite series scheme was developed and adapted to deduce the force occurring at the tool tip. These forces were also statistically analysed and modelled to also predict the effects process factors have on cutting force. Further experimental tests were aimed at establishing the presence of the triboelectric wear phenomena occurring during polymer machining and identifying the most influential process factors. Results indicate that feed rate is a significant factor in the generation of high optical surface quality. In addition, the depth of cut was identified as a significant factor in the generation of low surface roughness in lenses. The influence some of these process factors had was notably linked to triboelectric effects. This tribological effect was generated from the continuous rubbing action of magnetised chips on the cutting tool. This further stresses the presence of high static charging during cutting. Moderately humid cutting conditions presented an adequate means for static charge control and displayed improved surface finishes. In all experimental tests, the feed rate was identified as the most significant factor within the range of cutting parameters employed. Hence, the results validated the fact that feed rate had a high influence in polymer machining. The work also established the relationship on how surface roughness of an optical lens responded to monitoring signals and parameters such as force, feed, speed and depth of cut during machining and it generated models for prediction of surface finishes and appropriate selection of parameters. Furthermore, the study provides a molecular simulation analysis for validating observed conditions occurring at the nanometric scale in polymer machining. This is novel in molecular polymer modelling. The outcome of this research has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge and has provided basic information in the area of precision manufacturing of optical components of high surface integrity such as contact lenses. The application of the research findings presented here cuts across various fields such as medicine, semi-conductors, aerospace, defence, telecom, lasers, instrumentation and life sciences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Olufayo, Oluwole Ayodeji
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Contact lenses , Polymers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3001 , vital:20385
- Description: Contact lens manufacture requires a high level of accuracy and surface integrity in the range of a few nanometres. Amidst numerous optical manufacturing techniques, single-point diamond turning is widely employed in the making of contact lenses due to its capability of producing optical surfaces of complex shapes and nanometric accuracy. For process optimisation, it is ideal to assess the effects of various conditions and also establish their relationships with the surface finish. Presently, there is little information available on the performance of single point diamond turning when machining contact lens polymers. Therefore, the research work undertaken herewith is aimed at testing known facts in contact lens diamond turning and investigating the performance of ultra-high precision manufacturing of contact lens polymers. Experimental tests were conducted on Roflufocon E, which is a commercially available contact lens polymer and on Precitech Nanoform Ultra-grind 250 precision machining. Tests were performed at varying cutting feeds, speed and depth of cut. Initial experimental tests investigated the influence of process factors affecting surface finish in the UHPM of lenses. The acquired data were statistically analysed using Response Surface Method (RSM) to create a model of the process. Subsequently, a model which uses Runge-Kutta’s fourth order non-linear finite series scheme was developed and adapted to deduce the force occurring at the tool tip. These forces were also statistically analysed and modelled to also predict the effects process factors have on cutting force. Further experimental tests were aimed at establishing the presence of the triboelectric wear phenomena occurring during polymer machining and identifying the most influential process factors. Results indicate that feed rate is a significant factor in the generation of high optical surface quality. In addition, the depth of cut was identified as a significant factor in the generation of low surface roughness in lenses. The influence some of these process factors had was notably linked to triboelectric effects. This tribological effect was generated from the continuous rubbing action of magnetised chips on the cutting tool. This further stresses the presence of high static charging during cutting. Moderately humid cutting conditions presented an adequate means for static charge control and displayed improved surface finishes. In all experimental tests, the feed rate was identified as the most significant factor within the range of cutting parameters employed. Hence, the results validated the fact that feed rate had a high influence in polymer machining. The work also established the relationship on how surface roughness of an optical lens responded to monitoring signals and parameters such as force, feed, speed and depth of cut during machining and it generated models for prediction of surface finishes and appropriate selection of parameters. Furthermore, the study provides a molecular simulation analysis for validating observed conditions occurring at the nanometric scale in polymer machining. This is novel in molecular polymer modelling. The outcome of this research has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge and has provided basic information in the area of precision manufacturing of optical components of high surface integrity such as contact lenses. The application of the research findings presented here cuts across various fields such as medicine, semi-conductors, aerospace, defence, telecom, lasers, instrumentation and life sciences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Home ownership in the gap-housing market in South Africa
- Authors: Ludidi, Daniel Dumisa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Home ownership -- South Africa Housing -- South Africa , Bond market -- South Africa Real estate investment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18299 , vital:28616
- Description: The access to adequate housing is a constitutional right, in terms of Section 26 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. Access to housing in South Africa is still an ideal and not a reality. The increase in housing prices reduces affordability, which creates a barrier to the housing market for South Africans to fully participate. The South African housing market is divided, based on the affordability of households, with a gap within the property market. The gap-housing market is a market, which does not receive a government subsidy; and furthermore, it does not qualify for bond finance by the private financial institutions. The gap-housing market includes households that earn between R3,500 to R15,000 per month for residential properties valued between R116,703 to R483,481. The problem is a lack of supply in the gap-housing market to meet the demand; and this is also affected by the poor performance of the subsidy-housing market. The gap-housing market is not traded adequately, due to a lack of supply caused by stricter lending criteria from the banks. The study was conducted by means of reviewing the related literature and by an empirical study. A survey was conducted using the quantitative approach through a distribution of research questionnaires to different organizations within the judgement sample population. The objective of the study is to review the gap-housing market and to make recommendations. The descriptive survey was conducted among specialists that are participating in the South African housing market. The findings of the study suggest that there is a relationship between incentive and participation, as well as a relationship between participation – with access, supply and trading in the gap-housing market. This study will contribute to the South African housing market body of knowledge – by addressing the problem of a gap within the housing market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ludidi, Daniel Dumisa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Home ownership -- South Africa Housing -- South Africa , Bond market -- South Africa Real estate investment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18299 , vital:28616
- Description: The access to adequate housing is a constitutional right, in terms of Section 26 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. Access to housing in South Africa is still an ideal and not a reality. The increase in housing prices reduces affordability, which creates a barrier to the housing market for South Africans to fully participate. The South African housing market is divided, based on the affordability of households, with a gap within the property market. The gap-housing market is a market, which does not receive a government subsidy; and furthermore, it does not qualify for bond finance by the private financial institutions. The gap-housing market includes households that earn between R3,500 to R15,000 per month for residential properties valued between R116,703 to R483,481. The problem is a lack of supply in the gap-housing market to meet the demand; and this is also affected by the poor performance of the subsidy-housing market. The gap-housing market is not traded adequately, due to a lack of supply caused by stricter lending criteria from the banks. The study was conducted by means of reviewing the related literature and by an empirical study. A survey was conducted using the quantitative approach through a distribution of research questionnaires to different organizations within the judgement sample population. The objective of the study is to review the gap-housing market and to make recommendations. The descriptive survey was conducted among specialists that are participating in the South African housing market. The findings of the study suggest that there is a relationship between incentive and participation, as well as a relationship between participation – with access, supply and trading in the gap-housing market. This study will contribute to the South African housing market body of knowledge – by addressing the problem of a gap within the housing market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Concrete work decision analysis in Bloemfontein
- Authors: Mollo, Lesiba George
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Concrete construction -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein -- Decision making Concrete construction industry -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein -- Decision making , Construction projects -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein Building -- Estimates -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19190 , vital:28783
- Description: The purpose of this study was to evolve how to reduce the manifestation of poor decisions that always produce defects and rework. The purpose of the study is predicated on the fact that good decision-making is a fundamental element of improved project delivery in the construction industry. Such decisions determine the accomplishment of performance parameters in each project. However, suboptimal performance, which is pervasive in the construction industry, is often linked to team decisions. To remedy decision-making pitfalls, the concept of Choosing by Advantages (CBA) is promoted by lean construction researchers. CBA is a decision-making system that assists project parties in deciding a course of action among competing alternatives. Case study research design was used for this project to discover the decision-making process adopted by project teams. The results from the study achieved through cross-case analysis shows that concrete defects and rework is often caused by the project team’s decision-making process, which is influenced by the members of the project team because of lack of experience, poor working conditions, and lack of education. The results also show that the decision-making mechanism of the project teams is influenced by the construction method, specification, cost, quality and time. The outcome of the project team’s decision-making process when choosing a concrete type often causes the concrete defects and rework, which can be eliminated through the application of CBA when choosing a concrete type. The application of CBA when choosing concrete type from two alternatives, ready mixed concrete and site batched concrete is driven by the project team. It was discovered from all three cases that ready-mixed concrete had a better score than site-batched concrete when using CBA to compare these two alternatives. The results show that ready-mixed concrete had less chances of causing concrete defects and rework when used or applied per the correct specifications or methods which are detailed in the engineering drawings of the structure. The study proposes that the project team should adopt CBA to improve their decision-making process on site especially when working with concrete.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mollo, Lesiba George
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Concrete construction -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein -- Decision making Concrete construction industry -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein -- Decision making , Construction projects -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein Building -- Estimates -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19190 , vital:28783
- Description: The purpose of this study was to evolve how to reduce the manifestation of poor decisions that always produce defects and rework. The purpose of the study is predicated on the fact that good decision-making is a fundamental element of improved project delivery in the construction industry. Such decisions determine the accomplishment of performance parameters in each project. However, suboptimal performance, which is pervasive in the construction industry, is often linked to team decisions. To remedy decision-making pitfalls, the concept of Choosing by Advantages (CBA) is promoted by lean construction researchers. CBA is a decision-making system that assists project parties in deciding a course of action among competing alternatives. Case study research design was used for this project to discover the decision-making process adopted by project teams. The results from the study achieved through cross-case analysis shows that concrete defects and rework is often caused by the project team’s decision-making process, which is influenced by the members of the project team because of lack of experience, poor working conditions, and lack of education. The results also show that the decision-making mechanism of the project teams is influenced by the construction method, specification, cost, quality and time. The outcome of the project team’s decision-making process when choosing a concrete type often causes the concrete defects and rework, which can be eliminated through the application of CBA when choosing a concrete type. The application of CBA when choosing concrete type from two alternatives, ready mixed concrete and site batched concrete is driven by the project team. It was discovered from all three cases that ready-mixed concrete had a better score than site-batched concrete when using CBA to compare these two alternatives. The results show that ready-mixed concrete had less chances of causing concrete defects and rework when used or applied per the correct specifications or methods which are detailed in the engineering drawings of the structure. The study proposes that the project team should adopt CBA to improve their decision-making process on site especially when working with concrete.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A social networking approach to security awareness in end-user cyber-driven financial transactions
- Authors: Maharaj, Rahul
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48824 , vital:41144
- Description: Cyberspace, including the internet and associated technologies have become critical to social users in their day to day lives. Social users have grown to become reliant on cyberspace and associated cyber services. As such, a culture of users becoming dependent on cyberspace has formed. This cyberculture need to ensure that they can make use of cyberspace and associated cyber services in a safe and secure manner. This is particularly true for those social users involved in cyberdriven financial transactions. Therefore, the aim of this research study is to report on research undertaken, to assist said users by providing them with an alternative educational approach to cyber security, education, awareness and training.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maharaj, Rahul
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48824 , vital:41144
- Description: Cyberspace, including the internet and associated technologies have become critical to social users in their day to day lives. Social users have grown to become reliant on cyberspace and associated cyber services. As such, a culture of users becoming dependent on cyberspace has formed. This cyberculture need to ensure that they can make use of cyberspace and associated cyber services in a safe and secure manner. This is particularly true for those social users involved in cyberdriven financial transactions. Therefore, the aim of this research study is to report on research undertaken, to assist said users by providing them with an alternative educational approach to cyber security, education, awareness and training.
- Full Text:
Developing an e-health framework through electronic healthcare readiness assessment
- Authors: Coleman, Alfred
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Health -- Computer network resources , Medical care -- South Africa -- Computer network resources , Public health -- South Africa -- Computer network resources , Internet in medicine -- South Africa , Medical informatics -- South Africa , Telecommunication in medicine -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9729 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1519 , Health -- Computer network resources , Medical care -- South Africa -- Computer network resources , Public health -- South Africa -- Computer network resources , Internet in medicine -- South Africa , Medical informatics -- South Africa , Telecommunication in medicine -- South Africa
- Description: The major socio-economic development challenges facing most African countries include economic diversification, poverty, unemployment, diseases and the unsustainable use of natural resources. The challenge of quality healthcare provisioning is compounded by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Sub Saharan Africa. However, there is a great potential in using electronic healthcare (e-health) as one of the supportive systems within the healthcare sector to address these pressing challenges facing healthcare systems in developing countries, including solving inequalities in healthcare delivery between rural and urban hospitals/clinics. The purpose of this study was to compile a Provincial E-health Framework (PEHF) based on the feedback from electronic healthcare readiness assessments conducted in selected rural and urban hospitals/clinics in the North West Province in South Africa. The e-healthcare readiness assessment was conducted in the light of effective use of ICT in patient healthcare record system, consultation among healthcare professionals, prescription of medication, referral of patients and training of healthcare professionals in ICT usage. The study was divided into two phases which were phases 1 and 2 and a qualitative design supported by a case study approach was used. Data were collected using different techniques to enhance triangulation of data. The techniques included group interviews, qualitative questionnaires, photographs, document analysis and expert opinions. The outcome of the assessment led to the compilation of the PEHF which was based on Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). SOA was chosen to integrate the hospitals/clinics‟ ICT infrastructure yet allowing each hospital/clinic the autonomy to control its own ICT environment. To assist hospitals/clinics integrate their ICT resources, this research study proposed an Infrastructure Network Architecture which clustered hospitals/clinics to share common ICT infrastructure instead of duplicating these resources. Furthermore, processes of the e-health services (e-patient health IV record system, e-consultation system, e-prescription system, e-referral system and e-training system) were provided to assist in the implementation of the PEHF. Finally, a set of guidelines were provided by the research study to aid the implementation of the PEHF.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Coleman, Alfred
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Health -- Computer network resources , Medical care -- South Africa -- Computer network resources , Public health -- South Africa -- Computer network resources , Internet in medicine -- South Africa , Medical informatics -- South Africa , Telecommunication in medicine -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9729 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1519 , Health -- Computer network resources , Medical care -- South Africa -- Computer network resources , Public health -- South Africa -- Computer network resources , Internet in medicine -- South Africa , Medical informatics -- South Africa , Telecommunication in medicine -- South Africa
- Description: The major socio-economic development challenges facing most African countries include economic diversification, poverty, unemployment, diseases and the unsustainable use of natural resources. The challenge of quality healthcare provisioning is compounded by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Sub Saharan Africa. However, there is a great potential in using electronic healthcare (e-health) as one of the supportive systems within the healthcare sector to address these pressing challenges facing healthcare systems in developing countries, including solving inequalities in healthcare delivery between rural and urban hospitals/clinics. The purpose of this study was to compile a Provincial E-health Framework (PEHF) based on the feedback from electronic healthcare readiness assessments conducted in selected rural and urban hospitals/clinics in the North West Province in South Africa. The e-healthcare readiness assessment was conducted in the light of effective use of ICT in patient healthcare record system, consultation among healthcare professionals, prescription of medication, referral of patients and training of healthcare professionals in ICT usage. The study was divided into two phases which were phases 1 and 2 and a qualitative design supported by a case study approach was used. Data were collected using different techniques to enhance triangulation of data. The techniques included group interviews, qualitative questionnaires, photographs, document analysis and expert opinions. The outcome of the assessment led to the compilation of the PEHF which was based on Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). SOA was chosen to integrate the hospitals/clinics‟ ICT infrastructure yet allowing each hospital/clinic the autonomy to control its own ICT environment. To assist hospitals/clinics integrate their ICT resources, this research study proposed an Infrastructure Network Architecture which clustered hospitals/clinics to share common ICT infrastructure instead of duplicating these resources. Furthermore, processes of the e-health services (e-patient health IV record system, e-consultation system, e-prescription system, e-referral system and e-training system) were provided to assist in the implementation of the PEHF. Finally, a set of guidelines were provided by the research study to aid the implementation of the PEHF.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Modelling and intelligent control of vehicle climatronic systems
- Sun, Jie
- Authors: Sun, Jie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Air conditioning , Automobiles -- Motors -- Cooling systems , Automobiles -- Heating and ventilation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1118 , Automobiles -- Air conditioning , Automobiles -- Motors -- Cooling systems , Automobiles -- Heating and ventilation
- Description: The modelling and control method of a vehicle climatronic system, based on MATLAB/SIMULINK, is presented. In order to achieve high modelling accuracy, a developed simulation model library is introduced. The modelling approach is described and the developed models are validated with some of experimental data obtained. The models are nonlinear, independent of fluid type and based on thermo-dynamic principles. Analysis of the cooling circuit modelling and empirical real-time control models are created by using Fuzzy logic controller and Stateflow. Both of control input and output are implemented essentially at original vehicle CAN-Bus system. Feasible digital automatic control strategy basic to fuzzy theory, hardware and software solution are given. The simulation experiment is achieved with the Hardware-in-Loop technology. This control methodology is easily operated and worth applying for any further studies or methods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Sun, Jie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Air conditioning , Automobiles -- Motors -- Cooling systems , Automobiles -- Heating and ventilation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1118 , Automobiles -- Air conditioning , Automobiles -- Motors -- Cooling systems , Automobiles -- Heating and ventilation
- Description: The modelling and control method of a vehicle climatronic system, based on MATLAB/SIMULINK, is presented. In order to achieve high modelling accuracy, a developed simulation model library is introduced. The modelling approach is described and the developed models are validated with some of experimental data obtained. The models are nonlinear, independent of fluid type and based on thermo-dynamic principles. Analysis of the cooling circuit modelling and empirical real-time control models are created by using Fuzzy logic controller and Stateflow. Both of control input and output are implemented essentially at original vehicle CAN-Bus system. Feasible digital automatic control strategy basic to fuzzy theory, hardware and software solution are given. The simulation experiment is achieved with the Hardware-in-Loop technology. This control methodology is easily operated and worth applying for any further studies or methods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A multi-stakeholder approach to productivity improvement in the South African construction industry
- Authors: Adebowale, Oluseyi Julius
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Labor productivity , Construction industry -- Labor productivity Construction industry -- South Africa Construction industry -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19597 , vital:28902
- Description: As poor productivity in construction continues to constitute a setback to projects’ success in different countries of the world, the situation in South African construction is no exception. Poor productivity on construction projects and its detrimental impact on project objectives have continually resonated for decades. As a result, several strategies, interventions, and measures that aimed at improving productivity in the construction sector have been proposed. Nevertheless, the phenomenon importunately creates a major challenge on construction projects, and by extension, the construction industry especially in developing countries. Even when construction management literature acknowledged the commonalities in productivity influences, the practice of addressing construction productivity influences as separate entities has gained much relevance over the years. Taking into perspective, the multidisciplinary and complexity inherent in construction, a systemic approach to addressing construction productivity influences is fast becoming essential. This study addressed productivity-influencing factors by considering factors that are related to rework, shortage of construction resources, constructability, political, socio-economic, working environment, welfare conditions, disputes, planning and training. Consequently, the interdependencies of the most significant productivity-influencing factors in South African construction was developed in the form of a qualitative model. The study adopts the underlying assumptions of the quantitative approach, but also accepts some qualitative data. With regards to the subject of enquiry, the paradigm of the research is positivism which consists of realists’ ontological prescriptions and objectivists’ epistemological prescriptions. Site engineers, site managers, and site supervisors working for cidb registered contractors in four South African provinces constitute the sample stratum. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 was used to analyse the data gathered from these project participants; both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise and describe the data obtained, while inferential statistics in the form of analysis of variance, T-test, and Tukey post hoc test were adopted. The study reported the most significant factors which negatively influence productivity on South African construction projects as inadequate workers’ skills, defective workmanship, the practice of awarding contracts to lowest bidders, political activities resulting in industrial action, inadequate contractors’ experience in project planning, payment delays by contractors, and corruption. Furthermore, it was found that contractors largely share similar perceptions regarding the factors that constrain productivity growth in South African construction. The approximate level of labour, material, and plant productivity on South African construction projects is 50.4%, 72.9%, and 62.0% respectively, while the approximate multifactor productivity was estimated as 61.8%. The study concluded that productivity has a considerable relationship with time and cost and a less potent relationship with quality. Based on the research findings, contractors’, consultants’, clients’ and government qualitative intervention models were proposed while recommendations towards improving South African construction productivity were made. The study recommended the reinvention of the apprentice training system to develop skills in construction, the involvement of stakeholders in improving workers’ skills, improved collaboration between the construction industry and higher institutions of learning regarding curricula development, adequate supervision of construction activities to mitigate the propagation of rework on construction projects, character in leadership, and integrity of project stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Adebowale, Oluseyi Julius
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Labor productivity , Construction industry -- Labor productivity Construction industry -- South Africa Construction industry -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19597 , vital:28902
- Description: As poor productivity in construction continues to constitute a setback to projects’ success in different countries of the world, the situation in South African construction is no exception. Poor productivity on construction projects and its detrimental impact on project objectives have continually resonated for decades. As a result, several strategies, interventions, and measures that aimed at improving productivity in the construction sector have been proposed. Nevertheless, the phenomenon importunately creates a major challenge on construction projects, and by extension, the construction industry especially in developing countries. Even when construction management literature acknowledged the commonalities in productivity influences, the practice of addressing construction productivity influences as separate entities has gained much relevance over the years. Taking into perspective, the multidisciplinary and complexity inherent in construction, a systemic approach to addressing construction productivity influences is fast becoming essential. This study addressed productivity-influencing factors by considering factors that are related to rework, shortage of construction resources, constructability, political, socio-economic, working environment, welfare conditions, disputes, planning and training. Consequently, the interdependencies of the most significant productivity-influencing factors in South African construction was developed in the form of a qualitative model. The study adopts the underlying assumptions of the quantitative approach, but also accepts some qualitative data. With regards to the subject of enquiry, the paradigm of the research is positivism which consists of realists’ ontological prescriptions and objectivists’ epistemological prescriptions. Site engineers, site managers, and site supervisors working for cidb registered contractors in four South African provinces constitute the sample stratum. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 was used to analyse the data gathered from these project participants; both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise and describe the data obtained, while inferential statistics in the form of analysis of variance, T-test, and Tukey post hoc test were adopted. The study reported the most significant factors which negatively influence productivity on South African construction projects as inadequate workers’ skills, defective workmanship, the practice of awarding contracts to lowest bidders, political activities resulting in industrial action, inadequate contractors’ experience in project planning, payment delays by contractors, and corruption. Furthermore, it was found that contractors largely share similar perceptions regarding the factors that constrain productivity growth in South African construction. The approximate level of labour, material, and plant productivity on South African construction projects is 50.4%, 72.9%, and 62.0% respectively, while the approximate multifactor productivity was estimated as 61.8%. The study concluded that productivity has a considerable relationship with time and cost and a less potent relationship with quality. Based on the research findings, contractors’, consultants’, clients’ and government qualitative intervention models were proposed while recommendations towards improving South African construction productivity were made. The study recommended the reinvention of the apprentice training system to develop skills in construction, the involvement of stakeholders in improving workers’ skills, improved collaboration between the construction industry and higher institutions of learning regarding curricula development, adequate supervision of construction activities to mitigate the propagation of rework on construction projects, character in leadership, and integrity of project stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The effects of poor programme management coordination on the delivery of health infrastructure projects: a case of the Northern Cape
- Authors: Mabona, Lesetja Godley
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Health facilities -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Hospital buildings -- Maintenance and repair
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8165 , vital:25341
- Description: The Northern Cape Department of Health (NCDoH) experiences sub-optimal programme management coordination in the delivery of health facilities. This research study aimed to determine how programme management coordination amongst the provincial office of the NCDoH, district office and the hospital that did undergo revitalisation through the Hospital Revitalisation Programme (HRP) could be improved. In order to explore the research problem the concepts of construction management and operations management were studied from which factors that impact positively and negatively on programme management coordination were extracted. A rationalist philosophical approach and subjectivist epistemology were utilised. The empirical enquiry was conducted through the case study method to obtain in-depth context of the case. The empirical evidence was obtained through a research interview guide utilising the purposive sampling strategy. The research initiated the sampling procedure by targeting the most relevant managers to the research study in the three units of analysis. A snowball approach evolved for the identification of other managers deemed relevant for purposes of this research. The thesis obtained opinions on the subject matter from managers who participated or were supposed to participate in the implementation of the delivery objectives of the administrative programmes in the NCDoH together with the objectives of the HRP. The research revealed that poor programme management coordination in the NCDoH as a result of internal competition and silo functions which prevent synergy from programme management plan development up to implementation. Furthermore, the complete building infrastructure only attains the objectives of construction management but the building infrastructure are not a complete justification for benefit realisation without the integration of operations management. The NCDoH cannot declare a successful programme management practices if it fails to realise the benefits that require integration of infrastructure and services. It is recommended that in order to attain effective programme management and realise the benefits of strategic objectives there should be a cross-functional approach from executive management which should trickle-down to the lowest level of administration. This research has developed a framework that can be useful in the integration of construction and operations management whereby infrastructure and operational services have to be delivered simultaneously in the field of programme management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mabona, Lesetja Godley
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Health facilities -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Hospital buildings -- Maintenance and repair
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8165 , vital:25341
- Description: The Northern Cape Department of Health (NCDoH) experiences sub-optimal programme management coordination in the delivery of health facilities. This research study aimed to determine how programme management coordination amongst the provincial office of the NCDoH, district office and the hospital that did undergo revitalisation through the Hospital Revitalisation Programme (HRP) could be improved. In order to explore the research problem the concepts of construction management and operations management were studied from which factors that impact positively and negatively on programme management coordination were extracted. A rationalist philosophical approach and subjectivist epistemology were utilised. The empirical enquiry was conducted through the case study method to obtain in-depth context of the case. The empirical evidence was obtained through a research interview guide utilising the purposive sampling strategy. The research initiated the sampling procedure by targeting the most relevant managers to the research study in the three units of analysis. A snowball approach evolved for the identification of other managers deemed relevant for purposes of this research. The thesis obtained opinions on the subject matter from managers who participated or were supposed to participate in the implementation of the delivery objectives of the administrative programmes in the NCDoH together with the objectives of the HRP. The research revealed that poor programme management coordination in the NCDoH as a result of internal competition and silo functions which prevent synergy from programme management plan development up to implementation. Furthermore, the complete building infrastructure only attains the objectives of construction management but the building infrastructure are not a complete justification for benefit realisation without the integration of operations management. The NCDoH cannot declare a successful programme management practices if it fails to realise the benefits that require integration of infrastructure and services. It is recommended that in order to attain effective programme management and realise the benefits of strategic objectives there should be a cross-functional approach from executive management which should trickle-down to the lowest level of administration. This research has developed a framework that can be useful in the integration of construction and operations management whereby infrastructure and operational services have to be delivered simultaneously in the field of programme management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Intelligent automotive thermal comfort control
- Authors: Kranz, Jürgen
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Heating and ventilation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9645 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1435 , Automobiles -- Heating and ventilation
- Description: Mobility has become a substantial part in our society. Since we spend a lot of our available time on the road, we expect the automotive environment to provide similar comfort levels than residential buildings. Within this context, this research thesis especially focuses on automotive thermal comfort control. The automotive cabin is a very special environment, which is characterized by extreme inhomogeneity and overall transient behavior. Thermal comfort is a very vague and a very subjective term, which depends on physiological and psychological variables. Theories for thermal comfort in transient environments have not been fully established yet and researchers are still busy with its investigation. At present, automotive industry relies on extensive thermal comfort models, manikins and powerful simulation tools to assess and control thermal comfort. This thesis studies the application of artificial intelligence and proposes a blackbox approach which aims for extracting thermal comfort knowledge directly from human's interaction with the HVAC controls. This methodology avoids the use of human physiological and psychological thermal comfort models and does not require any a-priori knowledge. A novel comfort acquisition tool has been developed and has been integrated into a research vehicle in order to gather the required data for system learning. Data has been collected during spring, autumn and summer conditions in Southern Africa. Methods of data mining have been applied and an intelligent implementation using artificial neural networks has been proposed. The achieved results are promising and allow for about 87 perecent correct classification. It is concluded that methods of artificial intelligence perform well and are far superior compared to conventional approaches. These methods can be used as a powerful tool for the development process of vehicle air-conditioning controls and have great potential for time and cost reduction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Kranz, Jürgen
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Heating and ventilation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9645 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1435 , Automobiles -- Heating and ventilation
- Description: Mobility has become a substantial part in our society. Since we spend a lot of our available time on the road, we expect the automotive environment to provide similar comfort levels than residential buildings. Within this context, this research thesis especially focuses on automotive thermal comfort control. The automotive cabin is a very special environment, which is characterized by extreme inhomogeneity and overall transient behavior. Thermal comfort is a very vague and a very subjective term, which depends on physiological and psychological variables. Theories for thermal comfort in transient environments have not been fully established yet and researchers are still busy with its investigation. At present, automotive industry relies on extensive thermal comfort models, manikins and powerful simulation tools to assess and control thermal comfort. This thesis studies the application of artificial intelligence and proposes a blackbox approach which aims for extracting thermal comfort knowledge directly from human's interaction with the HVAC controls. This methodology avoids the use of human physiological and psychological thermal comfort models and does not require any a-priori knowledge. A novel comfort acquisition tool has been developed and has been integrated into a research vehicle in order to gather the required data for system learning. Data has been collected during spring, autumn and summer conditions in Southern Africa. Methods of data mining have been applied and an intelligent implementation using artificial neural networks has been proposed. The achieved results are promising and allow for about 87 perecent correct classification. It is concluded that methods of artificial intelligence perform well and are far superior compared to conventional approaches. These methods can be used as a powerful tool for the development process of vehicle air-conditioning controls and have great potential for time and cost reduction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A framework for the integration of mobile technology into adventure sport for the purpose of increasing participant safety
- Authors: Mills, Craig John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems , Health promotion -- Technological innovations Sports -- Technological innovations Cell phones -- Health aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32099 , vital:31958
- Description: The sporting industry has seen incredible advancements with the use of information technology. Technology is used in the sporting industry for training, coaching and even as a deciding factor of a game result. There are certain sports which require individuals to venture into isolated environments, these sports have been termed adventure or extreme sports. Due to the extreme environmental factors that can occur with adventure sport, it is possible for an individual to experience an emergency situation. Emergency situations can occur at any time, and this is especially true in adventure sport. Adventure sport such as ocean and river kayaking require individuals to venture into isolated environments, where if an emergency situation occurs could result in an individual left stranded waiting for emergency rescue. Adventure sport participants and Event Organizers are aware of the dangers associated with this type of adventure sport, but there is currently no requirement to have a mobile technology device present during kayaking events. The main purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the current use of mobile technology in adventure sport in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. To accomplish this two literature reviews were conducted which identi_ed information on the two main themes which are adventure sport and mobile technology. To produce information from the ocean and river kayaking community an online questionnaire was distributed to several kayaking clubs in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This dissertation also presents a framework that proposes the use of mobile technology hardware and software by participants and event organisers in an attempt to increase the safety of events in this form of adventure sport. It is hoped that the framework for using mobile technology to increase the safety of adventure sport proposed in this research, may provide clear guidance for the achievement of a safer sporting experience for the participants of ocean and river kayaking.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mills, Craig John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems , Health promotion -- Technological innovations Sports -- Technological innovations Cell phones -- Health aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32099 , vital:31958
- Description: The sporting industry has seen incredible advancements with the use of information technology. Technology is used in the sporting industry for training, coaching and even as a deciding factor of a game result. There are certain sports which require individuals to venture into isolated environments, these sports have been termed adventure or extreme sports. Due to the extreme environmental factors that can occur with adventure sport, it is possible for an individual to experience an emergency situation. Emergency situations can occur at any time, and this is especially true in adventure sport. Adventure sport such as ocean and river kayaking require individuals to venture into isolated environments, where if an emergency situation occurs could result in an individual left stranded waiting for emergency rescue. Adventure sport participants and Event Organizers are aware of the dangers associated with this type of adventure sport, but there is currently no requirement to have a mobile technology device present during kayaking events. The main purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the current use of mobile technology in adventure sport in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. To accomplish this two literature reviews were conducted which identi_ed information on the two main themes which are adventure sport and mobile technology. To produce information from the ocean and river kayaking community an online questionnaire was distributed to several kayaking clubs in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This dissertation also presents a framework that proposes the use of mobile technology hardware and software by participants and event organisers in an attempt to increase the safety of events in this form of adventure sport. It is hoped that the framework for using mobile technology to increase the safety of adventure sport proposed in this research, may provide clear guidance for the achievement of a safer sporting experience for the participants of ocean and river kayaking.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Mitigating risk through effective information technology operations in local governments : towards a best practice
- Authors: Kaselowski, Emile
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Information technology -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9779 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/776 , Information technology -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Data processing
- Description: Sound IT governance is becoming increasingly important for any public or private organisation. However, based on previous research, it can be argued that local municipalities in South Africa are seemingly struggling to implement sound IT governance practices. As a result, very few municipalities perform strategic IT planning and as many as 80percent of municipalities do not have a Master System Plan (MSP) in place, which is required by law. IT governance and corporate governance are lately viewed as one and no longer as two separate governance disciplines, because computer systems and electronic communication are more important now than ever for the survival of any organisation. Therefore, it is important for municipalities to streamline their efforts towards sound IT governance. There are limitations which are faced by municipalities that limit these efforts. Possibly the biggest contributing factor towards this current municipal IT governance predicament, among others, is the fact that there are very few, if any, guidelines and resources available to municipalities to aid them in implementing proper IT infrastructures, systems and governance procedures. To improve the current state of IT governance in municipalities, better guidelines and procedures are required. This dissertation presents an IT governance framework to meet this aforementioned requirement. It is tailored to the requirements of local municipalities and is based on the international best practice, the Control Objectives for Information and related Technologies (COBIT) and the ISO/IEC 17799 code of practice for information security management. This proposed framework takes into account the Municipal Systems Act (nr 32 of 2000), Municipal Structures Act (nr 117 of 1998) and annual municipal IT audit reports’ requirements. Research was conducted at a district and its underlying, local municipalities to determine the proper IT governance criteria for municipalities. Case studies were performed at the municipalities and consisted of performing literature studies on the available municipal legislation and annual, municipal IT audit reports, conducting COBIT gap analyses, an ISO 17799 analysis, conducting interviews and developing questionnaires and data capturing and presentation tools. The resultant, proposed IT governance framework, titled the IT strategic objective plan (IT-SOP), when implemented by a municipality, should provide a solid governance foundation on which to base its business processes on.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Kaselowski, Emile
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Information technology -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9779 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/776 , Information technology -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Data processing
- Description: Sound IT governance is becoming increasingly important for any public or private organisation. However, based on previous research, it can be argued that local municipalities in South Africa are seemingly struggling to implement sound IT governance practices. As a result, very few municipalities perform strategic IT planning and as many as 80percent of municipalities do not have a Master System Plan (MSP) in place, which is required by law. IT governance and corporate governance are lately viewed as one and no longer as two separate governance disciplines, because computer systems and electronic communication are more important now than ever for the survival of any organisation. Therefore, it is important for municipalities to streamline their efforts towards sound IT governance. There are limitations which are faced by municipalities that limit these efforts. Possibly the biggest contributing factor towards this current municipal IT governance predicament, among others, is the fact that there are very few, if any, guidelines and resources available to municipalities to aid them in implementing proper IT infrastructures, systems and governance procedures. To improve the current state of IT governance in municipalities, better guidelines and procedures are required. This dissertation presents an IT governance framework to meet this aforementioned requirement. It is tailored to the requirements of local municipalities and is based on the international best practice, the Control Objectives for Information and related Technologies (COBIT) and the ISO/IEC 17799 code of practice for information security management. This proposed framework takes into account the Municipal Systems Act (nr 32 of 2000), Municipal Structures Act (nr 117 of 1998) and annual municipal IT audit reports’ requirements. Research was conducted at a district and its underlying, local municipalities to determine the proper IT governance criteria for municipalities. Case studies were performed at the municipalities and consisted of performing literature studies on the available municipal legislation and annual, municipal IT audit reports, conducting COBIT gap analyses, an ISO 17799 analysis, conducting interviews and developing questionnaires and data capturing and presentation tools. The resultant, proposed IT governance framework, titled the IT strategic objective plan (IT-SOP), when implemented by a municipality, should provide a solid governance foundation on which to base its business processes on.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
The machinability of rapidly solidified aluminium alloy for optical mould inserts
- Authors: Otieno, Timothy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Aluminum alloys , Automobiles -- Materials Materials -- Mechanical properties
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23097 , vital:30415
- Description: Ultra-high precision machining is a material removing process under the nanotechnology regime whereby the highest dimensional accuracies are attained. Critical components for optical devices and optical measuring systems are mainly produced through ultra-high precision machining. Their mass production is usually implemented by utilising optical moulds. Aluminium alloys have proven to be advantageous and very commonly used in the photonics industry for moulds. This ever-increasing use and demand within optics have led to the development of newly modified grades of aluminium alloys produced by rapid solidification in the foundry process. The newer grades are characterised by finer microstructures and improved mechanical and physical properties. The main inconvenience in their usage currently lies in their very limited machining database. This research investigates the machinability of rapidly solidified aluminium, RSA 905, under varying cutting conditions in single point diamond turning. The machining parameters varied were cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut. The resulting surface roughness of the workpiece and wear of the diamond tool were measured at various intervals. Acoustic emissions and cutting force were also monitored during machining. The results were statistically analysed and accurate predictive models were developed. Generally, very low tool wear, within 3 to 5 μm, and very low surface roughness, within 3 to 8 nm, was obtained. Acoustic emissions recorded were in the range of 0.06 to 0.13 V and cutting forces were in the range of 0.08 to 0.94 N. The trends of the monitored acoustic emissions and cutting force showed to have a linked representation of the tool wear and surface roughness results. Contour maps were generated to identify zones where the cutting parameters produced the best results. In addition, a range of machining parameters were presented for optimum quality where surface roughness and tool wear can be minimised. As the machining is of a nanometric scale, a molecular dynamics approach was applied to investigate the underlying mechanisms at atom level. The nanomachining simulations were found to have a correlation to the actual machining results and microstructural nature of the alloy. This research proves that rapidly solidified aluminium is a superior alternative to traditional aluminium alloys and provides a good reference with room for flexibility that machinists can apply when using rapidly solidified aluminium alloys. Efficiency could be improved by reducing the required machining interruption through effective monitoring and performance could be improved by maintaining quality and extending tool life through parameter selection.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Otieno, Timothy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Aluminum alloys , Automobiles -- Materials Materials -- Mechanical properties
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23097 , vital:30415
- Description: Ultra-high precision machining is a material removing process under the nanotechnology regime whereby the highest dimensional accuracies are attained. Critical components for optical devices and optical measuring systems are mainly produced through ultra-high precision machining. Their mass production is usually implemented by utilising optical moulds. Aluminium alloys have proven to be advantageous and very commonly used in the photonics industry for moulds. This ever-increasing use and demand within optics have led to the development of newly modified grades of aluminium alloys produced by rapid solidification in the foundry process. The newer grades are characterised by finer microstructures and improved mechanical and physical properties. The main inconvenience in their usage currently lies in their very limited machining database. This research investigates the machinability of rapidly solidified aluminium, RSA 905, under varying cutting conditions in single point diamond turning. The machining parameters varied were cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut. The resulting surface roughness of the workpiece and wear of the diamond tool were measured at various intervals. Acoustic emissions and cutting force were also monitored during machining. The results were statistically analysed and accurate predictive models were developed. Generally, very low tool wear, within 3 to 5 μm, and very low surface roughness, within 3 to 8 nm, was obtained. Acoustic emissions recorded were in the range of 0.06 to 0.13 V and cutting forces were in the range of 0.08 to 0.94 N. The trends of the monitored acoustic emissions and cutting force showed to have a linked representation of the tool wear and surface roughness results. Contour maps were generated to identify zones where the cutting parameters produced the best results. In addition, a range of machining parameters were presented for optimum quality where surface roughness and tool wear can be minimised. As the machining is of a nanometric scale, a molecular dynamics approach was applied to investigate the underlying mechanisms at atom level. The nanomachining simulations were found to have a correlation to the actual machining results and microstructural nature of the alloy. This research proves that rapidly solidified aluminium is a superior alternative to traditional aluminium alloys and provides a good reference with room for flexibility that machinists can apply when using rapidly solidified aluminium alloys. Efficiency could be improved by reducing the required machining interruption through effective monitoring and performance could be improved by maintaining quality and extending tool life through parameter selection.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018