Breathers and thermal relaxation in Fermi-Pasta-Ulam arrays

Breather stability and longevity in thermally relaxing nonlinear arrays depend sensitively on their interactions with other excitations. We review numerical results for the relaxation of breathers in Fermi¿Pasta¿Ulam arrays, with a specific focus on the different relaxation channels and their dependence on the interparticle interactions, dimensionality, initial condition, and system parameters

Integration of Bridge Damage Detection Concepts and Components (3 volumes), TR-636, 2013

This work is divided into three volumes: Volume I: Strain-Based Damage Detection; Volume II: Acceleration-Based Damage Detection; Volume III: Wireless Bridge Monitoring Hardware. Volume I: In this work, a previously-developed structural health monitoring (SHM) system was advanced toward a ready-for-implementation system. Improvements were made with respect to automated data reduction/analysis, data acquisition hardware, sensor types, and communication network architecture. The statistical damage-detection tool, control-chart-based damage-detection methodologies, were further investigated and advanced. For the validation of the damage-detection approaches, strain data were obtained from a sacrificial specimen attached to the previously-utilized US 30 Bridge over the South Skunk River (in Ames, Iowa), which had simulated damage,. To provide for an enhanced ability to detect changes in the behavior of the structural system, various control chart rules were evaluated. False indications and true indications were studied to compare the damage detection ability in regard to each methodology and each control chart rule. An autonomous software program called Bridge Engineering Center Assessment Software (BECAS) was developed to control all aspects of the damage detection processes. BECAS requires no user intervention after initial configuration and training. Volume II: In this work, a previously developed structural health monitoring (SHM) system was advanced toward a ready-for-implementation system. Improvements were made with respect to automated data reduction/analysis, data acquisition hardware, sensor types, and communication network architecture. The objective of this part of the project was to validate/integrate a vibration-based damage-detection algorithm with the strain-based methodology formulated by the Iowa State University Bridge Engineering Center. This report volume (Volume II) presents the use of vibration-based damage-detection approaches as local methods to quantify damage at critical areas in structures. Acceleration data were collected and analyzed to evaluate the relationships between sensors and with changes in environmental conditions. A sacrificial specimen was investigated to verify the damage-detection capabilities and this volume presents a transmissibility concept and damage-detection algorithm that show potential to sense local changes in the dynamic stiffness between points across a joint of a real structure. The validation and integration of the vibration-based and strain-based damage-detection methodologies will add significant value to Iowa’s current and future bridge maintenance, planning, and management Volume III: In this work, a previously developed structural health monitoring (SHM) system was advanced toward a ready-for-implementation system. Improvements were made with respect to automated data reduction/analysis, data acquisition hardware, sensor types, and communication network architecture. This report volume (Volume III) summarizes the energy harvesting techniques and prototype development for a bridge monitoring system that uses wireless sensors. The wireless sensor nodes are used to collect strain measurements at critical locations on a bridge. The bridge monitoring hardware system consists of a base station and multiple self-powered wireless sensor nodes. The base station is responsible for the synchronization of data sampling on all nodes and data aggregation. Each wireless sensor node include a sensing element, a processing and wireless communication module, and an energy harvesting module. The hardware prototype for a wireless bridge monitoring system was developed and tested on the US 30 Bridge over the South Skunk River in Ames, Iowa. The functions and performance of the developed system, including strain data, energy harvesting capacity, and wireless transmission quality, were studied and are covered in this volume.

Adherence to oral anticancer treatment: focus on quality of execution during continuous schema of treatment

Background and objective: Oral anti-cancer treatments have expanded rapidly over the last years. While taking oral tablets at home ensures a better quality of life, it also exposes patients to the risk of sub-optimal adherence. The objective of this study is to assess how well ambulatory cancer patients execute their prescribed dosing regimen while they are engaged with continuous anti-cancer treatments. Design: This is an on-going longitudinal study. Consecutive patients starting an oral treatment are proposed to enter the study by the oncologist. Then they are referred to the pharmacy, where their oral anticancer treatment is dispensed in a Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMSTM), which records date and time of each opening of the drug container. Electronically compiled dosing history data from the MEMS are summarized and used as feedback during semistructured interviews with the pharmacist, which are dedicated to prevention and management of side effects. Interviews are scheduled before each medical visit. Report of the interview is available to the oncologist via an on-line secured portal. Setting: Seamless care approach between a Multidisciplinary Oncology Center and the Pharmacy of an Ambulatory Care and Community Medicine Department. Main outcome measures: For each patient, the comparison between the electronically compiled dosing history and the prescribed regimen was summarized using a daily binary indicator indicating whether yes or no the patient has taken the medication as prescribed. Results: Study started in March 2008. Among 22 eligible patients, 19 were included (11 men, median age 63 years old) and 3 (14%) refused to participate. 15 patients were prescribed a QD regimen, 3 patients a BID and 1 patient switched from QD to BID during follow-up. Median follow up was 182 days (IQR 72-252). Early discontinuation happened in four patients: side effects (n = 1), psychiatric reasons (n = 1), cancer progression (n = 1) and death (n = 1). On average, the daily number of medications was taken as prescribed in 99% of the follow-up days. Conclusions: Execution of the prescribed dosing regimens was almost perfect during the first 6 months. Maintaining this high degree of regimen execution and persistence over time might however be challenging in this population and need therefore to be confirmed in larger and longer follow-up cohort studies.

Patterns of Adherence to Raltegravir-Based Regimens and the Risk of Virological Failure Among HIV-Infected Patients: The RALTECAPS Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:: Adherence patterns and their influence on virologic outcome are well characterized for protease inhibitor (PI)- and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimens. We aimed to determine how patterns of adherence to raltegravir influence the risk of virological failure. We conducted a prospective multicenter cohort following 81 HIV-infected antiretroviral-naive or experienced subjects receiving or starting twice-a-day raltegravir-based antiretroviral therapy. Their adherence patterns were monitored using the Medication Events Monitoring System. During follow-up (188 days, ±77), 12 (15%) of 81 subjects experienced virological failure. Longer treatment interruption [adjusted odds ratio per 24-hour increase: 2.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 6.9; P < 0.02] and average adherence (odds ratio per 5% increase: 0.68; 95% confidence interval: 0.46 to 1.00, P < 0.05) were both independently associated with virological failure controlling for prior duration of viral suppression. Timely interdose intervals and high levels of adherence to raltegravir are both necessary to control HIV replication.

Investigation of Field Corrosion Performance and Bond/Development Length of Galvanized Reinforcing Steel, TR-666, 2014

In reinforced concrete systems, ensuring that a good bond between the concrete and the embedded reinforcing steel is critical to long-term structural performance. Without good bond between the two, the system simply cannot behave as intended. The bond strength of reinforcing bars is a complex interaction between localized deformations, chemical adhesion, and other factors. Coating of reinforcing bars, although sometimes debated, has been commonly found to be an effective way to delay the initiation of corrosion in reinforced concrete systems. For many years, the standard practice has been to coat reinforcing steel with an epoxy coating, which provides a barrier between the steel and the corrosive elements of water, air, and chloride ions. Recently, there has been an industry-led effort to use galvanizing to provide the protective barrier commonly provided by traditional epoxy coatings. However, as with any new structural product, questions exist regarding both the structural performance and corrosion resistance of the system. In the fall of 2013, Buchanan County, Iowa constructed a demonstration bridge in which the steel girders and all internal reinforcing steel were galvanized. The work completed in this project sought to understand the structural performance of galvanized reinforcing steel as compared to epoxy-coated steel and to initiate a long-term corrosion monitoring program. This work consisted of a series of controlled laboratory tests and the installation of a corrosion monitoring system that can be observed for years in the future. The results of this work indicate there is no appreciable difference between the bond strength of epoxy-coated reinforcing steel and galvanized reinforcing steel. Although some differences were observed, no notable difference in either peak load, slip, or failure mode could be identified. Additionally, a long-term monitoring system was installed in this Buchanan County bridge and, to date, no corrosion activity has been identified.

Pavement Management Performance Modeling: Evaluating the Existing PCI Equations, RB14-013 2014

The work described in this report documents the activities performed for the evaluation, development, and enhancement of the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) pavement condition information as part of their pavement management system operation. The study covers all of the Iowa DOT’s interstate and primary National Highway System (NHS) and non-NHS system. A new pavement condition rating system that provides a consistent, unified approach in rating pavements in Iowa is being proposed. The proposed 100-scale system is based on five individual indices derived from specific distress data and pavement properties, and an overall pavement condition index, PCI-2, that combines individual indices using weighting factors. The different indices cover cracking, ride, rutting, faulting, and friction. The Cracking Index is formed by combining cracking data (transverse, longitudinal, wheel-path, and alligator cracking indices). Ride, rutting, and faulting indices utilize the International Roughness Index (IRI), rut depth, and fault height, respectively.

Optimization of Snow Drifting Mitigation and Control Methods for Iowa Conditions Part II, TR-626, 2015

Blowing and drifting of snow is a major concern for transportation efficiency and road safety in regions where their development is common. One common way to mitigate snow drift on roadways is to install plastic snow fences. Correct design of snow fences is critical for road safety and maintaining the roads open during winter in the US Midwest and other states affected by large snow events during the winter season and to maintain costs related to accumulation of snow on the roads and repair of roads to minimum levels. Of critical importance for road safety is the protection against snow drifting in regions with narrow rights of way, where standard fences cannot be deployed at the recommended distance from the road. Designing snow fences requires sound engineering judgment and a thorough evaluation of the potential for snow blowing and drifting at the construction site. The evaluation includes site-specific design parameters typically obtained with semi-empirical relations characterizing the local transport conditions. Among the critical parameters involved in fence design and assessment of their post-construction efficiency is the quantification of the snow accumulation at fence sites. The present study proposes a joint experimental and numerical approach to monitor snow deposits around snow fences, quantitatively estimate snow deposits in the field, asses the efficiency and improve the design of snow fences. Snow deposit profiles were mapped using GPS based real-time kinematic surveys (RTK) conducted at the monitored field site during and after snow storms. The monitored site allowed testing different snow fence designs under close to identical conditions over four winter seasons. The study also discusses the detailed monitoring system and analysis of weather forecast and meteorological conditions at the monitored sites. A main goal of the present study was to assess the performance of lightweight plastic snow fences with a lower porosity than the typical 50% porosity used in standard designs of such fences. The field data collected during the first winter was used to identify the best design for snow fences with a porosity of 50%. Flow fields obtained from numerical simulations showed that the fence design that worked the best during the first winter induced the formation of an elongated area of small velocity magnitude close to the ground. This information was used to identify other candidates for optimum design of fences with a lower porosity. Two of the designs with a fence porosity of 30% that were found to perform well based on results of numerical simulations were tested in the field during the second winter along with the best performing design for fences with a porosity of 50%. Field data showed that the length of the snow deposit away from the fence was reduced by about 30% for the two proposed lower-porosity (30%) fence designs compared to the best design identified for fences with a porosity of 50%. Moreover, one of the lower-porosity designs tested in the field showed no significant snow deposition within the bottom gap region beneath the fence. Thus, a major outcome of this study is to recommend using plastic snow fences with a porosity of 30%. It is expected that this lower-porosity design will continue to work well for even more severe snow events or for successive snow events occurring during the same winter. The approach advocated in the present study allowed making general recommendations for optimizing the design of lower-porosity plastic snow fences. This approach can be extended to improve the design of other types of snow fences. Some preliminary work for living snow fences is also discussed. Another major contribution of this study is to propose, develop protocols and test a novel technique based on close range photogrammetry (CRP) to quantify the snow deposits trapped snow fences. As image data can be acquired continuously, the time evolution of the volume of snow retained by a snow fence during a storm or during a whole winter season can, in principle, be obtained. Moreover, CRP is a non-intrusive method that eliminates the need to perform man-made measurements during the storms, which are difficult and sometimes dangerous to perform. Presently, there is lots of empiricism in the design of snow fences due to lack of data on fence storage capacity on how snow deposits change with the fence design and snow storm characteristics and in the estimation of the main parameters used by the state DOTs to design snow fences at a given site. The availability of such information from CRP measurements should provide critical data for the evaluation of the performance of a certain snow fence design that is tested by the IDOT. As part of the present study, the novel CRP method is tested at several sites. The present study also discusses some attempts and preliminary work to determine the snow relocation coefficient which is one of the main variables that has to be estimated by IDOT engineers when using the standard snow fence design software (Snow Drift Profiler, Tabler, 2006). Our analysis showed that standard empirical formulas did not produce reasonable values when applied at the Iowa test sites monitored as part of the present study and that simple methods to estimate this variable are not reliable. The present study makes recommendations for the development of a new methodology based on Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry that can directly measure the snow drift fluxes and the amount of snow relocated by the fence.

Instrumentation of Paver Vibrators, MLR-95-10, 1999

Premature deterioration of Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavements led to investigations for causes of the concrete failures. Evidence of parallel longitudinal cracks in deteriorating pavements, with crack spacings similar to paver vibrator spacings, made it clear that the vibrators were related to the cause for deterioration. After a number of field trips observing paving operations and measuring vibrator frequencies, it soon became clear that the paver vibrators were, in many cases, not running in compliance with the Iowa DOT specification. The specified frequency was from 5000 to 8000 revolutions per minute (rpm). The pavers visited did not have a monitoring system to give a continuous frequency readout for any of it's vibrators. Occasionally, during a paving operation, frequency readings were taken on some vibrators with a hand held tachometer. However, that degree of monitoring was found to be far from providing the quality of information and control necessary to maintain compliance to the Iowa DOT specification. A paver vibrator monitoring system, which would operate continuously while paving and cover all vibrators, was determined to be essential. The output must be visible to the paver operator and inspector at all times.

Development of pharmaceutical care services in nursing homes: practice and research in a Swiss canton.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the implementation process and economic impact of a new pharmaceutical care service provided since 2002 by pharmacists in Swiss nursing homes. SETTING: The setting was 42 nursing homes located in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland under the responsibility of 22 pharmacists. METHOD: We developed different facilitators, such as a monitoring system, a coaching program, and a research project, to help pharmacists change their practice and to improve implementation of this new service. We evaluated the implementation rate of the service delivered in nursing homes. We assessed the economic impact of the service since its start in 2002 using statistical evaluation (Chow test) with retrospective analysis of the annual drug costs per resident over an 8-year period (1998-2005). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The description of the facilitators and their implications in implementation of the service; the economic impact of the service since its start in 2002. RESULTS: In 2005, after a 4-year implementation period supported by the introduction of facilitators of practice change, all 42 nursing homes (2,214 residents) had implemented the pharmaceutical care service. The annual drug costs per resident decreased by about 16.4% between 2002 and 2005; this change proved to be highly significant. The performance of the pharmacists continuously improved using a specific coaching program including an annual expert comparative report, working groups, interdisciplinary continuing education symposia, and individual feedback. This research project also determined priorities to develop practice guidelines to prevent drug-related problems in nursing homes, especially in relation to the use of psychotropic drugs. CONCLUSION: The pharmaceutical care service was fully and successfully implemented in Fribourg's nursing homes within a period of 4 years. These findings highlight the importance of facilitators designed to assist pharmacists in the implementation of practice changes. The economic impact was confirmed on a large scale, and priorities for clinical and pharmacoeconomic research were identified in order to continue to improve the quality of integrated care for the elderly.

Exploring the implementation of a medication adherence programme by community pharmacists: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Medication adherence has been identified as an important factor for clinical success. Twenty-four Swiss community pharmacists participated in the implementation of an adherence support programme for patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidemia. The programme combined tailored consultations with patients about medication taking (expected at an average of one intervention per month) and the delivery of each drug in an electronic monitoring system (MEMS6?). OBJECTIVE: To explore pharmacists' perceptions and experiences with implementation of the medication adherence programme and to clarify why only seven patients were enrolled in total. SETTING: Community pharmacies in French-speaking Switzerland. METHOD: Individual in-depth interviews were audio-recorded, with 20 of the pharmacists who participated in the adherence programme. These were transcribed verbatim, coded and thematically analysed. Process quality was ensured by using an audit trail detailing the development of codes and themes; furthermore, each step in the coding and analysis was verified by a second, experienced qualitative researcher. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Community pharmacists' experiences and perceptions of the determining factors influencing the implementation of the adherence programme. RESULTS: Four major barriers were identified: (1) poor communication with patients resulting in insufficient promotion of the programme; (2) insufficient collaboration with physicians; (3) difficulty in integrating the programme into pharmacy organisation; and (4) insufficient pharmacist motivation. This was related to the remuneration perceived as insufficient and to the absence of clear strategic thinking about the pharmacist position in the health care system. One major facilitator of the programme's implementation was pre-existing collaboration with physicians. CONCLUSION: A wide range of barriers was identified. The implementation of medication adherence programmes in Swiss community pharmacies would benefit from an extended training aimed at developing communication and change management skills. Individualised onsite support addressing relevant barriers would also be necessary throughout the implementation process.

Paperitehdasintegraatin tuorevesien käsittely kloorikaasun korvaavalla menetelmällä

Työn tarkoitus on löytää paperitehdasintegraatin tuorevesien käsittelyyn kloorikaasun korvaava desinfiointimenetelmä Stora Enso Publication Papers Oy Ltd.:n Anjalan tehtailla. Tehtaalla on ympäristöluvassaan velvoite selvittää mahdollisuudet tuoreveden desinfiointiin käytettävän kaasumaisen kloorin korvaamiseen hypokloriitilla. Kloorikaasun käyttö tehtaalla on työturvallisuusriski, ja jäännösklooripitoisuuksien hallittavuus kloorikaasua käytettäessä on heikko. Työssä tutkittava vesijae on kemiallisesti puhdistettu vesi. Koeajossa käytettävät kemikaalit ovat 10 % natriumhypokloriitti (NaOCl) ja kantaja-aine eli bromikloori- di-metyyli-hydantoiini (BCDMH). Tuloksista voidaan päätellä, että NaOCl:lla ja NaOCl:lla yhdessä BCDMH:n kanssa saavutetaan veden käyttökohteessa korkeammat aktiivisen kloorin jäännöspitoisuudet kuin kloorikaasulla. NaOCl:n ja kaksikomponenttisysteemin käyttökustannukset ovat kuitenkin yli kuusinkertaiset kloorikaasuun verrattuna. NaOCl annosteltuna yhteen pisteeseen olisi vaivattomin menetelmä kloorikaasun korvaamiseen. NaOCl:n annostelulla kahteen pisteeseen voitaisiin saavuttaa korkeampia jäännöspitoisuuksia kuin yhden pisteen annostelulla, mutta menetelmä vaatii lisätutkimuksia. Kaksikomponenttisysteemillä saavutetaan korkeimmat aktiivisen kloorin jäännöspitoisuudet, mutta sen seurantamenetelmien luotettavuudesta tulee varmistua ennen menetelmän käyttöönottoa. Korroosion ehkäisyn ja työturvallisuuden kannalta sekä NaOCl että NaOCl yhdessä BCDMH:n kanssa ovat turvallisempia vaihtoehtoja kuin kaasukloori.

Puhdastilojen suunnitteluprosessi ja teknisten järjestelmien validointi

Puhdastilojen suunnittelussa pyritään saamaan hallittu ja valvottu ilmanpuhtaus luokiteltuun tilaan.Luokittelu tapahtuu puhdastilastandardeilla, lisäksi lääkevalmisteita valmistettavassa tilassa GMP -säädösten mukaisin luokituksin. Puhdastilastandardi ISO 14644 käsittää seitsemän osaa, jossa on käsitelty puhdastilaa koskevia määräyksiä suunnittelusta käyttöön ja testaukseen. GMP-säädökset sisältävät yhdeksän kappaletta, joista kappale 3: 'Tilat ja laitteet' on keskeinen osa lääkeainevalmistuksen puhdastilasuunnittelua. Puhtaan ilman aikaansaamiseksi puhdastilaan merkittävimmät roolit ovat ilmanvaihdolla, puhdastilarakenteilla ja rakennusautomaatiolla. Ilma voidaan tuoda tilaan kolmella eri periaatteella. Ilmaa tuodaan tilaan yhdensuuntaisesti, turbulenttisesti tai sekavirtauksena HEPA -suodattimien kautta, joilla varmistetaan epäpuhtauksien korkea suodatusaste. Ilmapoistetaan rei'itettyjen, korotettujen lattioiden kautta tai tilan alaosassa olevien poistoilmasäleikköjen kautta, josta se johdetaan noin 75-90%:sti kierrätettynä takaisin tilaan. Lääketeollisuudessa rei'itettyjä, korotettuja lattioita eivoida käyttää kontaminaatiovaaran, vuoksi. Tilaan suunniteltuja olosuhteita ylläpidetään rakennusautomaation avulla ja monitorointijärjestelmällä valvotaan tilassa olevan ilman laatua. Kaikki GMP-luokituksen mukaiset puhdastilat tulee validoida. Validointiin kuuluu teknisten järjestelmien kvalifiointi ja koko prosessin validointi. Teknisten järjestel-mien kvalifiointi käsittää suunnitelmien tarkastuksen (DQ), asennus - ja käyttöönotto tarkastukset (IQ), toiminnan testauksen (OQ) ja suorituksen testauksen (PQ). Kvali-fiointi kuuluu yhtenä osa-alueena validointiin. Prosessin validointi on osa yrityksen laadunvarmistusta. Validoinnilla hankitaan dokumentoidut todisteet siitä, että tila tai prosessi todella täyttää annetut vaatimukset. Tässä työssä laadittiin esimerkinomainen kvalifiointisuunnitelma puhdastilan tekni-sille järjestelmille. Suunnitelma sisältää asennus- ja käyttöönoton mukaiset tarkastukset (IQ)ja toiminnan aikaiset testaukset (OQ).

Venttiilien kunnossapidon optimointi

Tässä työssä tarkastellaan venttiilien kunnossapitoa ja erityisesti niiden kunnonvalvontaa. Työssä on kerrottu perusteita venttiileiden kunnonvalvonnan suorittamiseksi, venttiili- ja toimilaitevikojen perussyistä ja niiden havaitsemisesta. Työn pääpaino on kuitenkin kunnonvalvontamenetelmissä ja niiden käytössä. Mittauksia venttiilivuodon havaitsemiseksi suoritettiin akustisen emission, ultraäänen ja lämpötilan pistemittauksen avulla. Venttiilien yleistä kuntoa määritettiin värähtelyn, venymäliuskojen ja laitoksella jo toimivan moottoritoimilaitteen virtamittauksen avulla. Työssä on annettu suuntaviivat tulosten tulkitsemiselle, mutta yksityiskohtainen ja tarkempi tulosten tulkinnan määrittäminen jätetään laitoksen henkilökunnasta sille henkilölle joka mittauksia tulee tekemään tai jonka työnkuvaan muuten kuuluu kyseisten tulosten tulkitseminen.

Kiinteistön palautetiedon analysointi

Diplomityö käsittelee kiinteistön palautetiedon analysointia. Tässä diplomityössä palautetiedolla tarkoitetaan kiinteistön talotekniikkaan liittyviä teknisiä ja inhimillisiä tietoja, joiden perusteella rakennuksen ja sen tekniikan toimivuudesta voidaan tehdä päätelmiä. Tiedot kerätään järjestelmistä mittauspisteiden kautta etävalvomoon, josta niitä voidaan tarkastella ja edelleen analysoida. Valvomosta saatavan tiedon rinnalle pyritään suunnitteluvaiheessa kokoamaan valvottavasta kohteesta laskennallisia energiankulutusmalleja. Myös kiinteistön asukkaat, rakennuksen ominaisuudet ja ympäristö muodostavat osan palautetiedosta. Kiinteistön palautetieto voidaankin jakaa tekniseen ja inhimilliseen tietoon, ja edelleen analysoinnin kannalta staattiseen tai dynaamiseen tietoon. Tässä diplomityössä selvitettiin palautetiedon keruuta etävalvomolla yhdistämällä tähän rakentamisen laadunvalvonnan työkaluja ja sumeaa logiikkaa. Työn käytännön osio koostuu kiinteistön ja siihen yhdistetyn etävalvomon välillä kulkevan tiedon käsittelystä, mittauspisteiden määrittämisestä ja tietojen analysoinnista. Työssä esitellään kolme esimerkkikohdetta Helsingin seudulta. Työssä laadittiin arviointimalli, joka sisältää kaiken kiinteistön palautetietoon liittyvän aineiston ja sen analysointitavat, sekä erityisesti uutena asiana myös sumeaa logiikkaa. Tiedon analysointi etenee oletusarvojen muodostamisesta, simuloinnin laatimisesta ja sen vertaamisesta todellisiin tietoihin ja edelleen näistä tehtäviin päätelmiin. Tavanomaisten teknisten tietojen lisäksi sumean logiikan avulla tuotiin esille poikkeamia selittäviä tekijöitä mm. kiinteistön asukkaiden ominaisuuksista.

Pienten päivittäistavarakauppojen energiatalouden parantaminen

Työn tavoitteena oli löytää keinoja, joiden avulla kylmälaite- ja ilmanvaihtojärjestelmien toimintaa voitaisiin kehittää ja myymälöiden energiataloutta parantaa. Johtopäätökset sekä jatkotoimenpide-ehdotukset tehtiin koekohteista saatujen mittaustulosten sekä laskennallisten tavoitekulutusten perusteella. Tutkimus koski alle 400 m2 päivittäistavarakauppoja, joita Suomessa oli vuoden 2002 lopussa 3 011 kappaletta. Tutkimuksessa koekohteina toimineet kaksi Siwa-myymälää kuuluvat yli 450 Suomessa toimivan Siwan myymäläketjuun. Koekohteista saatujen tutkimustulosten pohjalta energiansäästötoimenpiteitä voidaan kohdistaa myös muihin Siwa-myymälöihin, jolloin energiansäästöt kasvavat huomattaviksi. Koekohteissa kylmälaitteiden osuus sähköenergiankulutuksesta oli merkittävin. Lämmönkulutuksissa suurten erojen syynä olivat koekohteiden erilaiset lauhdelämmöntalteenottojärjestelmät. Tehokkaalla lauhdelämmön talteenotolla onkin suuri merkitys myymälöiden energiatalouteen. Tulevaisuudessa elektronisten ohjausjärjestelmien käyttö tulee lisääntymään pienissä päivittäistavarakaupoissa. Ohjausjärjestelmällä saavutettavia etuja ovat energiankulutuksen minimointi, lämpötilojen tarkempi säätö- ja valvonta, lämpötilojen rekisteröinti ja kaukovalvonta. Muita myymälän energiatalouden kannalta tärkeitä tekijöitä ovat lauhdelämmön talteenotto, määräajoin tapahtuvat laitehuollot, kylmäntarpeen minimointi, energiatehokkaiden kylmäkalusteiden käyttö sekä kylmäkalusteet huomioiva myymäläsuunnittelu.