Performance-based structural fire design and testing of structures

Fire incident in buildings is common in Hong Kong and this could lead to heavy casualties due to its high population density, so the fire safety design of the framed structure is an important research topic. This paper describes a computer tool for determination of capacity of structural safety against various fire scenarios and the well-accepted second-order direct plastic analysis is adopted for simulation of material yielding and buckling. A computer method is developed to predict structural behaviour of bare steel framed structures at elevated temperatures but the work can be applied to structures made of other materials. These effects of thermal expansion and material degradation due to heating are required to be considered in order to capture the actual behavior of the structure under fire. Degradation of material strength with increasing temperature is included by a set of temperature-stress-strain curves according to BS5950 Part 8 mainly, which implicitly allows for creep deformation. Several numerical and experimental verifications of framed structures are presented and compared against solutions by other researchers. The proposed method allows us to adopt the truly performance-based structural fire analysis and design with significant saving in cost and time.

Preparation and characterization of composites from starch with sugarcane bagasse nanofibres

This paper reports on the results of using unbleached sugar cane bagasse nanofibres (average diameter 26.5 nm; aspect ratio 247 assuming a dry fibre density of 1,500 kg/m3) to improve the physico-chemical properties of starch-based films. The addition of bagasse nanofibres (2.5 to 20 wt%) to modified potato starch (i.e. soluble starch) reduced the moisture uptake by up to 17 % at 58 % relative humidity. The film’s tensile strength and Young’s modulus increased by up to 100 % (3.1 to 6.2 MPa) and 300 % (66.3 to 198.3 MPa) respectively with 10 and 20 wt% fibre addition. However, the strain at yield dropped by 50 % for the film containing 10 wt% fibre. Models for composite materials were used to account for the strong interactions between the nanofibres and the starch matrix. The storage and loss moduli as well as the glass transition temperature (Tg) obtained from dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, were increased with the starch-nanofibre films indicating decreased starch chain mobility due to the interacting effect of the nanofibres. Evidence of the existence of strong interactions between the starch matrix and the nanofibres was revealed from detailed Fourier transform infra-red and scanning electron microscopic evaluation.

'Look and feel' computer copyright in the United States and Australia (part 2)

Australian law similar to that of United States -- Australian law requires copyright must subsist in plaintiff's material and defendent's work must infringe plaintiff's copyright to find defendent liable for illegal copying -- subsistence -- infringement -- two cases that touch on 'look and feel' issue -- passing-off -- look and feel of computer program deserves protection

'Look and feel' computer copyright in the United States and Australia (part 1)

United States copyright law -- two streams of computer copyright cases form basis for 'look and feel' litigation, literary work stream and audiovisual work stream -- literary work stream focuses on structure -- audiovisual work steam addresses appearance -- case studies

Revolving kaleidoscope : site-specificity and the part object in contemporary installation art

This practice-led research project explores the possibilities for restaging and reconfiguring contemporary art installations in multiple and different locations. By exploring ideas and art that demonstrate a kaleidoscopic approach to creative practice, this project examines how analysing artists' particular processes can achieve new understandings and experiences of installation art. This project achieves this through reflection on, and analysis of creative works made throughout the research, and a critical examination of contemporary art practices.

Base-induced decomposition of alkyl hydroperoxides in the gas phase. Part 3. Kinetics and dynamics in HO-+CH3OOH, C2H5OOH, and tert-C4H9OOH reactions

The E-CO(2) elimination reactions of alkyl hydroperoxides proceed via abstraction of an (x-hydrogen by a base: X- + (RRHCOOH)-R-1-H-2 -> HX + (RRC)-R-1-C-2=O + HO-. Efficiencies and product distributions for the reactions of the hydroxide anion with methyl, ethyl, and tert-butyl hydroperoxides are studied in the gas phase. On the basis of experiments using three isotopic analogues, HO- + CH3OOH, HO- + CD3OOH, and H18O- + CH3OOH. the overall intrinsic reaction efficiency is determined to be 80% or greater. The E(CO)2 decomposition is facile for these methylperoxide reactions, and predominates over competing proton transfer at the hydroperoxide moiety. The CH3CH2OOH reaction displays a similar E(CO)2 reactivity, whereas proton transfer and the formation of HOO- are the exclusive pathways observed for (CH3)(3)COOH, which has no (x-hydrogen. All results are consistent with the E-CO(2) mechanism, transition state structure, and reaction energy diagrams calculated using the hybrid density functional B3LYP approach. Isotope labeling for HO- + CH3OOH also reveals some interaction between H2O and HO- within the E(CO)2 product complex [H2O center dot center dot center dot CH2=O center dot center dot center dot HO-]. There is little evidence, however. for the formation of the most exothermic products H2O + CH2(OH)O-, which would arise from nuclephilic condensation of CH2=O and HO-. The results suggest that the product dynamics are not totally statistical but are rather direct after the E-CO(2) transition state. The larger HO- + CH3CH2OOH system displays more statistical behavior during complex dissociation.

Securing medical devices Part A : what’s available for endotracheal tubes?

Oral endotracheal tubes (ETTs) and nasogastric tubes (NGT) are common devices used in adult intensive care and numerous options exist for safe and comfortable securement of these devices. The aim of this project was to identify the available range of ETT and NGT securement devices in Australia as a resource for clinicians seeking to explore options for tube stabilisation. This article reports part A of this project: ETT securement options. Part B will report NGT device fixation options. Securing ETTs to ensure a patent airway with minimal ETT movement, promotion of patient comfort and absence of adverse events such as ETT dislodgement, unplanned extubation and device-related injury1, are essential critical care nursing actions. The ETT requires a fixation method that is robust yet does not traumatise or injure the mucosal tissues of the mouth and soft tissue of the lips.2,3 Choice of a securement apparatus is often determined by product availability in our units or hospitals but is also driven by evidence-based practice and clinician preference. Trying to put this information together can be difficult and time-consuming for the bedside clinician...

Securing medical devices Part B : what’s available for nasogastric tubes?

This article is the second part of a two-part series examining securement options for commonly used therapeutic devices in the adult intensive care unit. Part A focused on endotracheal device securement.1 This article addresses nasogastric tube (NGT) securement options and with the aim of identifying the available range of NGT securement devices in Australia as a resource for clinicians seeking to explore options for tube stabilisation. Nasogastric feeding or gastric decompression tubes are commonly inserted via the nostril/nares. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) 2011 position statement on mucosal pressure injuries, highlighted that mucosal tissues are vulnerable to pressure from devices.2 Securing of these devices sometimes leads to pressure-related injury to the internal mucosa due to difficulty visualising the mucosa and failure to reposition the nasogastric tube to relieve the pressure in a particular area.3 The nasal orifice is much smaller than the oral cavity and regular tube position changes are vital to minimise the risk of mucosal damage and ulcer development.

Practice and Procedure - Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002 - whether "urgent need" under s43 to start proceeding notwithstanding non-compliance with chapter 2 part 1

In Lamb v State of Queensland [2003] QDC 003 McGill DCJ considered an application under s43 of the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002. That provision permits the court to give a claimant leave to start a proceeding notwithstanding non-compliance with part 1 of chapter two of the Act, "if the court is satisfied there is an urgent need to start the proceeding."

The Workcover Queensland Act: exploring injured workers payout options : Part 1

The article provides an overview of the provisions of Chapter 5 of the Workcover Queensland Act 1996 (Access to damages), and of the matters which, consequent on these provisions, practitioners must evaluate when advising an injured worker contemplating the commencement of a common law action for damages.

The Workcover Queensland Act 1996 : new procedures for common law claims [Part 2]

This article explains the new pre-court procedures and additional procedures designed to foster settlement of claims introduced by the Workcover Queensland Act 1996, and the implication of the new provisions for practitioners.

Outback institutions : an application of the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework to four case studies in Australia’s Outback -- Part 4 : Incentives for community participation and land use decisions in Etheridge Shire, Queensland

Natural resource management planning in the Northern Gulf region of Queensland is concerned with ‘how [natural assets] and community aspirations can be protected and enhanced to provide the Northern Gulf community with the economic, social and environmental means to meet the continuing growth of the region in an ecological and economically sustainable way’ (McDonald & Dawson 2004). In the Etheridge Shire, located in the tropical savanna of the Northern Gulf region, two of the activities that influence the balance between economic growth and long-term sustainable development are: 1. the land-use decisions people in the Shire make with regards to their own enterprises. 2. their decisions to engage in civically-minded activities aimed at improving conditions in the region. Land-use decision and engagement in community development activities were chosen for detailed analysis because they are activities for which policies can be devised to improve economic and sustainable development outcomes. Changing the formal and informal rules that guide and govern these two different kinds of decisions that people can make in the Etheridge Shire – the decision to improve one’s own situation and the decision to improve the situation for others in the community – may expand the set of available options for people in the Shire to achieve their goals and aspirations. Identifying appropriate and effective changes in rules requires, first, an understanding of the ‘action arena’, in this case comprised of a diversity of ‘participants’ from both within and outside the Etheridge Shire, and secondly knowledge of ‘action situations’ (land-use decisions and engagement in community development activities) in which stakeholders are involved and/or have a stake. These discussions are presented in sections 4.1.1.1 and 4.1.1.2.