Patterns & Variations: Designerly Explorations in Architectural Composition and Perception

How can we better understand and explain the phenomena of architectural composition and perception? The aim of this research is to systematically and imaginatively (re)consider the conditions of architectural composition, whilst doing justice to the operational and the aesthetic issues of design. The ambition is to contribute towards generating...

A theoretical basis for salinity intrusion in estuaries

Saltwater intrusion is a crucial issue in estuaries. The spread of salinity is described by the dispersion coefficient. A purely empirical equation which links the effective tidal average dispersion to the freshwater discharge was developed by Van der Burgh [1972]. Combining it with the salt balance equation, Savenije [1986] derived a one...

Multivariate Methods for Coastal and Offshore Risks

This thesis investigates how selected multivariate probabilistic methods can be adapted for risk analysis and decision making in coastal and offshore environments. In particular, the thesis makes a contribution to decision support tools for risk reduction efforts in coastal environments and to statistical simulation methods for wave conditions....

Teaching and learning science through design activities: A revision of design-based learning

Interactive evolutionary concept exploration in preliminary ship design

Preliminary ship design (or early stage design in US terminology) is the very first step in designing a new ship. In this stage ship designers attempt to find an affordable balance of the future owner's (customer or operator) ambitions and operational needs. This balance is then translated into more tangible design requirements. However, the...

Fatigue resistance of welded joints in aluminium high-speed craft: A total stress concept

Crew transfers, surveillance duties and {security, rescue, interception} operations at sea typically require high-speed craft. Aluminium is quite often selected as hull structure material because of its weight save potential in comparison to steel. The fatigue strength, however, may become a point of concern because of the decreased Young’s...

Connecting Knowledge Domains: An Approach to Concept Learning in Primary Science and Technology Education

In order to understand our dependency on technology and the possible loss of control that comes with it, it is necessary for people to understand the nature of technology as well as its roots in science. Learning basic science and technology concepts should be a part of primary education since it gives children the first understanding of the...

Towards the LIVING envelope: Biomimetics for building envelope adaptation

Several biomimetic design strategies are available for various applications, though the research on biomimetics as a design tool in architecture is still challenging. This is due to a lack of systematic design tools required for identifying relevant organisms, or natural systems, and abstracting the corresponding generic principles for...

The Sustainable Office. An exploration of the potential for factor 20 environmental improvement of office accommodation

Sustainable development is the goal of a balance between economy and the environment, whilst establishing a better spread prosperity across the world. In order to make this possible, the environmental load of our commodities needs to be reduced by a factor of 20. This factor 20 can also be translated to the office market. The PhD research...