http://hdl.handle.net/10204/681 2013-06-19T00:21:14Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6791 Title: Stress-In-Motion (SIM) system for capturing tri-axial tyre-road interaction in the contact patch Authors: De Beer, M; Fisher, C Abstract: A unique measuring system for the quantification of tri-axial (3-D) tyre contact force (or stress) distributions was designed, developed and used in several studies since 1994. The uniqueness of the system is defined by a textured measuring surface in order to represent a typical ‘‘textured’’ road surface. The system is referred to as the Stress-In-Motion (SIM) system. A single SIM measuring pad testing area comprises a total of 1020 supporting pins and a transverse array of 21 sensing elements, covering the entire tyre contact patch with in a single run. The SIM pad measuring system is modular in concept, allowing multiple SIM measuring pads to be used for e.g. wide base truck tyres, or a dual tyre configuration, or full axle measurements – using a quad SIM pad measuring system configuration. Tyre contact force (or stress) distributions are simultaneously captured in the three orthogonal directions X, Y and Z for a single, dual or full axle truck tyre configuration. Each of the sensing elements has a 9.7 mm diameter circular contact surface area ( 73.9 mm2) and is dimensionally optimised, allowing measurements in various tyre rolling conditions on a textured measuring surface. The textured surface induces some pre-conditioning of tyre– road contact properties, as it has small gaps around all supporting and measuring pins. The system is installed flush with the road surface, preferably on a rigid support base, and can be used for real tyre (or truck) rolling conditions. A single SIM measuring pad contains 63 strain measuring channels (3 21) for the sensing elements. Aspects such as SIM system design, sensing element calibration, system usage and outputs of specially developed software are illustrated. Several results of tri-axial road contact stress distributions are also presented. Description: Copyright: 2013 Elsevier. This is an ABSTRACT ONLY. The definitive version is published in Measurement, vol. 46(7), pp 2155-2173 2013-08-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6777 Title: Enabling physical teaching and learning environment for South African public schools Authors: Motsatsi, L Abstract: This presentation investigates the typology of learning environments that enable effective school teaching and learning. According to the National Education Policy Act (27/1996),research show that there is a direct link between the physical environment in which learners are taught, teaching occurs, as well as student learning outcomes. The policy emphasises the impact of poor learning environments as contributor to students' irregular attendance and dropping out of school, teachers' absenteeism and the teacher and student ability to engage in the in teaching and learning processes. Research on typical South African schools highlight that the school environment still does not provide a physical environment that enables effective implementation of core sector policies, such as progressive curricular, co-curricular activities and the level of quality, equity, efficiency, relevance and values. This is evident in the low academic performance of learners. A desk-top literature review of the environmental factors and design factors that impact on learning and teaching outcomes from international and national sources was followed. The conditions of learning and teaching environments play an important role in education, as they impact on learners' outcome and teaching ability. Design of learning institutions should be informed by users, stakeholders and communities in which the institutions are situated. The Indoor Environmental quality must optimise learning and promote sustainability. This research recommends that criteria for indoor environment quality be standardised for all public school, with consideration of other factors, such as location and climatic condition. A "one size fits all" approach is not encouraged in design, as socio-economic and climatic factors as well as stakeholder's involvement impact design. Description: CSIR Presentation excluding conference presentations 2012-04-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6776 Title: A union that flowed from water: "Water shortages, sanitation needs -- The unifier of Cape Town a century ago (1913)" Authors: Wall, K; Murray, T Abstract: A century ago, the eleven municipalities in the Cape Peninsula, of which the then Municipality of Cape Town was only one, set in motion a process towards a unification that was motivated almost entirely by the need for services reform. Supporters of reform argued that only in unification was there hope of addressing the backlog of and innovation required for service delivery. Indeed, the need for adequate water was by far the single most compelling reason for the institution of a unified municipality for the whole of the metropolitan area. Some of the small municipalities were dependent on boreholes and springs, and had made little provision for further growth. Other municipalities had explored options in the mountains across the Cape Flats, but none of them individually had the resources to embark on any of these schemes. In 1913 (next year, 100 years ago), all the municipalities of the then metropolitan area (with the exception of Wynberg) united, and additional areas were also incorporated. Thus the unified City Council of Cape Town inherited the water problems of each municipality, and was forced to take action. Construction work on the first post-union dam (Steenbras Dam) began in 1918 -- none too soon, because, before the dam was completed, water rationing had to be imposed. The need, a century ago, to address service delivery for a growing urban area, and in particular the requirement for assured water supply, led to citizen action, and thence to the institutional reform of local government. These events have parallels in our own time. Description: WISA 2012 Biennial Conference & Exhibition, Cape Town, 6-10 May 2012 2012-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6701 Title: O&M of services infrastructure by social franchising partnerships Authors: Wall, K; Bhagwan, J; Ive, O; Kirwan, F Abstract: South African research finds that social franchising partnerships could address many challenges in the operation and maintenance of water services infrastructure. Franchising trains those on-site, and also provides backup off-site skills. The concept is being piloted with considerable success in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Under the guidance and mentorship of a franchisor, trainee franchisees are taking care of the routine maintenance of the sanitation facilities at several hundred schools. Municipalities in the region have also taken interest, and are taking the first steps to adopt the concept where appropriate. Description: International Water Association (IWA) Conference, South Korea, September 2012 2012-09-01T00:00:00Z