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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

Eniko T. Enikov and Geon S. Seo

This paper describes the development and the numerical analysis of an electrochemical model for the analysis of a novel polymer/metal composite actuator. A general continuum model…

72

Abstract

This paper describes the development and the numerical analysis of an electrochemical model for the analysis of a novel polymer/metal composite actuator. A general continuum model describing the transport and deformation processes of these actuators is briefly presented, along with a detailed description of the simulation scheme used to predict deformation, current, and mass transport. The predictions of the model are compared with experimental data, indicating a significant role of water transport in the large‐scale deformation. Comparison of the simulations and experimental data showed good agreement confirming the central role of water transport in the deformation process. For the sake of completeness the fabrication process and testing apparatus are also described.

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Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

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Article
Publication date: 23 June 2014

Gilbert Ahamer

The purpose of this paper is to inquire about the applicability of the concept of granularity to the necessity of future research or – as often called in the European Union �…

218

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inquire about the applicability of the concept of granularity to the necessity of future research or – as often called in the European Union – forward looking (FL). After theoretical deliberation, it uses a planned world-wide information system as a case study for applying the notion of granularity regarding economic sectors, time steps, geographic regions and correlations for energy, water, land use and several other drivers of global change.

Design/methodology/approach

A planet-wide information system might optimally include areas such as human development indicators, water demand and supply and deforestation issues. A short literature analysis on “granularity” shows this concept to have a highly culturally determined and constructivist nature.

Findings

The spatial, temporal and sectoral granularity of data presentation strongly impacts conclusions and considerations while looking forward. Hence, granularity issues are of key importance for the question of which megatrends are ultimately discerned as most relevant.

Practical implications

These findings may impact the regular report on global megatrends authored by the European Environment Agency, as well as world-wide energy and emission scenarios and technological foresight, such as the “Global Change Data Base” as a next step of research.

Social implications

In future research, the step from purely quantitative perceptions towards structural perceptions, pattern recognition and understanding of system transitions might be facilitated. The FL statements of larger companies might be diversified, enlarged in scope and use deeper structural understanding.

Originality/value

Earlier databases tend to have been focused on one or several single disciplines; the present approach, however, attempts transdisciplinarity and a multiparadigmatic approach.

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Article
Publication date: 30 September 2014

Kabir Bala, Shehu Ahmad Bustani and Baba Shehu Waziri

The purpose of this study was develop a computer-based cost prediction model for institutional building projects in Nigeria through the use of artificial neural network (ANN…

494

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was develop a computer-based cost prediction model for institutional building projects in Nigeria through the use of artificial neural network (ANN) technique. The back-propagation network learns by example and provides good prediction to novel cases.

Design/methodology/approach

The input variables were derived from related works with modification and advices from professionals through a field survey. Two hundred and sixty completed project data were used for training and development of the ANN model. Back-propagation algorithm using the gradient descent delta learning rule with a learning coefficient of 0.4 was used. The input layer of the model comprised of nine variables; building height, compactness of building, construction duration, external wall area, gross floor area, number of floors, proportion of opening on external walls, location index and time index.

Findings

Several multi-layer perceptron networks were developed with varying architecture from which the network 9-7-5-1 was selected. The performance of the model over the validation sample revealed that the model has a mean absolute per cent error of 5.4 per cent and average error of prediction of −2.5 per cent over the sample. The ANN model was considered to be effective for construction cost prediction.

Research limitations/implications

The model may not be suitable for other building types because of the uniqueness of such facility even though significant difference is not anticipated for buildings such as commercial and residential. The models were evaluated based on the prediction errors; other means of evaluation were not used.

Originality/value

The study thus provides a simple, yet effective means of predicting construction costs of institutional building projects in Nigeria using an ANN model.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

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Book part
Publication date: 15 March 2013

Nam-Hwa Kang

Purpose – The purpose of the research was to examine the process of new teacher evaluation policy development in South Korea, in order to gain insight into how a controversial…

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of the research was to examine the process of new teacher evaluation policy development in South Korea, in order to gain insight into how a controversial policy could be established in education. Research questions were about the process of the policy development, political actors involved and their influences, and the meaning of teacher evaluation in the newly established teacher evaluation policy.Methodology – The study uses a qualitative and descriptive-analytical process from a hermeneutics perspective that views policy as text to be interpreted. This perspective allows policy to be connected to a larger social context through interpretations of text. The main data sources included policy documents, statements by various organizations, research reports, and public media artifacts produced between 2000 and 2012. For data analysis, constant comparison and content analysis methods were used.Findings – The findings show that the process of developing a teacher evaluation system demonstrated an unsuccessful attempt to apply the Habermasian notion of discursive democracy. Relevant stakeholders were invited to deliberate on the reform, but official meetings ended prematurely without consensus. In the end, the government proceeded without full support of any stakeholders. During the deliberation process, teacher organizations and parent groups demonstrated conflicting perspectives on teacher work and the new evaluation system only partially accommodated both perspectives. The effectiveness of the new evaluation system remains to be researched.Value – The policy development process and the evaluation system shown in this study should inform similar efforts in other contexts.

Details

Teacher Reforms Around the World: Implementations and Outcomes
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-654-5

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