format:
electronic
1 online resource (viii, 100 pages)

abstract:
Vegetation recovery on abandoned road segments of Highway 16 in northwestern British Columbia were examined across a climate gradient. The time since road abandonment ranged from 16 to 57 years on sites sampled. Plant cover on asphalt roads was compared with that found on gravel road shoulders using paired t-tests. Plant cover by growth form was further evaluated in response to climate and other environmental predictor variables using multiple regression ‘best fit’ models. Plant community ordination analysis using nonmetric multidimensional scaling was conducted to describe patterns across study sites in species space along environmental gradients. Key drivers of current plant community composition include time since road abandonment, road substrate type, and several different annual
climate variables. The best predictor of vascular plant cover and total plant cover was time since road abandonment, but plant community composition was strongly driven by the coastto-interior climate gradient. Non-vascular cover was more abundant on asphalt roads compared to gravel substrates. Woody plant cover was greatest on gravel shoulders compared to gravel or asphalt road centers. Exotic plant cover was negatively correlated with mean annual relative humidity. Plant diversity and species richness were not driven by the climate gradient but instead reflected more site-specific environmental variables. Primary succession on abandoned roads in this study area may be constrained by continued anthropogenic disturbance post-abandonment.


title: Improving the energy and time resolution of the DRAGON array

type: Text thesis

contributor: University of Northern British Columbia (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
1 online resource (xxvii, 141 pages)

abstract: no abstract available


title: The future of archaeology: Towards a meaningful community-based archaeology

format:
electronic
1 online resource (24 pages)

subject:
Community archaeology
Archaeology--Social aspects
Cultural property--Case studies
CC77.C66 W54 2019

abstract: Archaeology and archaeological theory are currently largely in the era of post-processualism. This has been significant as it has changed the ways that archaeologists interact with communities who are stakeholders in community-based archaeological research. However, not all archaeological research has followed suit and in many countries the archaeology still practiced does not include or benefit the local communities. I argue that moving into the future, archaeology must adopt a community-based approach as a mandatory practice in all situations. Community-based archaeology is relatively new in many parts of the world and thus its meaning is still ambiguous. How can we, as archaeologists, do better for the communities we work with and create long-lasting meaningful relationships with them? Community-based archaeology can mean many things and its breadth is part of what makes it so useful, but I argue that it must include meaningful engagement with the source community which leads to a form of heritage-building and empowerment.


title: No shots, no problem: The anti-vaccination movement on social media

format:
electronic
1 online resource (25 pages)

subject:
Vaccine hesitancy
Vaccines
Anti-vaccination movement
Social media--Influence
RA638 .D83 2021

abstract: Vaccine-hesitancy and vaccine rejection are huge problems facing global public health today. Diseases which were once considered to be virtually eliminated due to widespread vaccination are returning with a vengeance, as cases of measles, mumps and chickenpox pop up and spread throughout Europe and North America. As herd immunity diminishes, deadly infectious diseases spread more easily among vulnerable human hosts. This is all due to the growing trend of purposefully forgoing routine vaccinations. Anti-vaccine communities have been steadily growing online for years, and now wield a potent influence on social media. Widespread access to social media increases the ease with which misinformation about vaccines can spread and reach new audiences across the globe. In this paper, I will be seeking to answer the question: what is the anti-vaccine movement and how does this movement interact with social media? I will also examine what role identity plays in attracting new believers to the anti-vaccine community, if any.


title: Finland: Identities on the periphery

format:
electronic
1 online resource (32 pages)

subject:
Group identity--social aspects--Finland
Anthropological linguistics--Finland
Swedish language--Finland
Finnish language
P35.5.F5 V67 2021

abstract: The troubled histories of nations are built from the bones of a million damaged children. But what about the nations and children who are stuck in the periphery between troubled and happy, between damaged and healthy? These are the settings that anthropology can thrive in: nations that have both suffered and benefited from colonialism, oppressed groups discriminating against others, and other ambiguous cultural dynamics. In this paper, I want to focus on Finland as a specific nation that serves as a good example of how collective trauma and ambiguous histories can be contested. These contestations are most commonly expressed through minute inequalities between the two main cultural groups in Finland: Finnish and Swedish-speaking Finns. Modern inequalities between different cultural and linguistic groups in and around Finland are expressed through stereotypes and expressions of identity. These stereotypes and identities are often mixed with ambivalent feelings, especially in regard to Finns' relationship with Sweden: the state and people, both historically and in the present. These relationships are based on the hegemonic and non-hegemonic views that Finnish speakers, Fennoswedes, and Swedes hold of each other. Hegemonically, quiet admiration and casual disapproval are common, hence the ambiguity. Non-hegemonically, extreme emotions and fixations are commonly perceived as strange and distasteful; everything must be just right, or lagom in Swedish. In this paper, I focus the discussion on Finnish issues of cultural and linguistic identity while keeping their relationship with the Swedish state and people in mind. Hence, my goal is to answer these questions: How has discrimination shaped Finnish identities? Has it shaped Finnish-speaking versus Swedish-speaking Finnish identities differently? How does a collective memory of oppression affect Finnish peoples' perceptions of others? However, what I ultimately want to answer is what is the source of Finland’s ambiguous historical identity: were Finns victims of ethnic discrimination or is this a narrative produced by historical revisionism?


title: How plastic is our plastic culture? Reducing our consumption of single-use plastics

format:
electronic
1 online resources (30 pages)

subject:
Plastics--Sociological aspects
Plastics industry and trade
Political ecology
Plastics--Social aspects
Plastics--Consumption (Economic)
Plastic scrap
TD798 .G36 2019

abstract: Our deep attachment to plastics exists within a complex set of relationships between manufacturers, consumers, markets, and environmental forces. In this paper, I question the reasons behind these relationships and seek to discover why we have become so attached to plastics, and why it is so hard to break this attachment. The effects of plastics extend far beyond the issue of litter, but relate to our construction of identity and our sense of social justice. In this paper, I will argue that plastic is reflective of who we are, and also reflective of the global inequalities we have created and is thus an important social justice issue. I will employ the theory of political ecology to analyze the consumption of single-use plastics within industrialized countries and to untangle these complex relationships. This theory will highlight the influence of finance and power and help to unravel the role of industry and institutions in the seemingly agential decisions we make as consumers. I will then discuss why the plastics problem is so pressing, and why we need to change our culture of single-use plastics. The issue of single-use plastics has widespread global effects, and thus solving the plastics problem is a matter of social justice. I will then apply a political ecological framework to argue that single-use plastics are an integral part of consumer culture, and lie at the core of our identity as a society. Finally, I will turn to the question of how and if our plastic culture is capable of changing.


title: Consultation in the Alberta oil sands: Clashing Indigenous and settler world views

format:
electronic
1 online resource (26 pages)

subject: Oil sands--Alberta

subject: Oil sands industry--Law and legislation--Alberta

subject: Environmental policy--Canada

subject: Indigenous peoples

subject: Traditional ecological knowledge

subject: Ontology--Political aspects--Alberta

subject: HD9574.C23 S36 2021

abstract: Indigenous calls for sovereignty, recognition of ancestral claims, and territorial rights are topics that are becoming increasingly relevant in Canada, particularly as industry continues to put pressure on provincial and federal governments to develop on Indigenous people’s traditional territory. Through the aggressive push for development and extraction of natural resources, two very different ontological perspectives1 of the land are coming into contact, often with the result that projects are delayed and/or brought to the courts, as well as arguably sabotaging efforts of collaboration and reconciliation in other areas of social and political life (Boyd and Lorefice 2018:573). Indeed, the settler-colonial ontological perspective of the land that believes that “any natural resource not used [is] wasted” (Davis 2018:145) conflicts with many First Nations’ traditional systems of stewardship and sustainability (Turner and Jones 2000). As such, a critical space that is worthy of examination is the consultation process because the duty to consult is legally mandated and is one of the few spaces in which the two “ways of knowing” the land come into contact. Accordingly, the research questions which guided my analysis include an examination of how the different ontological perspectives come into conflict when they make contact within the consultation process and what is required for meaningful consultations to take place that accommodate both ontological perspectives. Finding a way to identify and provide solutions to issues of land is of particular importance to contemporary society, as both Indigenous and settler-colonial people draw important connections between the land and their distinct identity and heritage, and neither are going to cede quietly to the other. Further, the need for cooperation is vital in a world where issues of land will become increasingly relevant because of climate change and scarcity of natural resources. In this way anthropology is demonstrably contributing to social issues in society, as the discipline that cultivates the ability to accommodate for, and critically examine, numerous and conflicting worldviews.


title: Becoming queer in Canada: Sexual orientation/gender identity (SOGI) refugee identities and the Canadian immigration apparatus

subject: Refugees--Government policy--Canada

subject: Gay immigrants--Canada

subject: Canada--Emigration and immigration--Social aspects

subject: Canada--Emigration and immigration--Government policy

subject: Sexual minorities--Canada

subject: Sexual orientation

subject: Gender identity

subject: Refugees--Canada

subject: JV7233 .D46 2021

abstract:
The ongoing global refugee crisis has been, and continues to be, one of the most pressing humanitarian issues facing the world today. The global trends of destabilization, conflict, and persecution
that have been fueling this crisis show no signs of stopping. Clearly, the issues that must be considered are too numerous to cover exhaustively in a single paper. Refugee and migration studies is a vast and complex topic with many specializations and subfields. Thus, for the sake of feasibility and actually generating meaningful information, it seems necessary to focus specifically on both a category of asylum seekers and a country to which they are applying. By doing so, the goal of this paper will be to participate in a more nuanced, and therefore more personal, exploration of a specific set of issues within a
specific refugee intake apparatus that may then potentially be used to explore how current immigration systems may be improved. Therefore, this paper shall focus specifically on the experience of SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) asylum seekers, perhaps more commonly known outside of legal documents as LGBTQ+, as they navigate the Canadian refugee intake apparatus.


title: The influence of AFO design on walking speed, gait symmetry, comfort and stability of hemiplegic subjects

type: Thesis Text

contributor: Raschke, Silvia (Silvia Raschke (Silvia_Raschke)) (author)

subject:
Orthopedic braces
Cerebrovascular disease
Patients

abstract: "This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Prosthetics and Orthotics".

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Published.


title: A A species, distribution and abundance study of freshwater mussels of Richmond County, Nova Scotia

type: Text Dissertation/thesis

contributor: British Columbia Institute of Technology (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
36 pages
electronic

rights: Copyright held by BCIT and authors. All rights reserved. Permission to publish, copy or otherwise use this material must be obtained from the BCIT Library.

subject: Fish, Wildlife & Recreation Program (FWR)

subject: FWR student report

abstract: Report written by Nicole Sampson. The purpose of this project was to assess the species, distribution and relative abundance of freshwater mussels, their habitat preferences and host fish species within the study area. This study took place from July - September 1999, within Richmond County, Nova Scotia (NS).Submitted to Gary Rosberg May 2000.


title: Development and evaluation of an interface pressure transducer for biomedical applications

contributor: Paris, Nancy (Nancy Paris (Nancy_Paris)) (author)

subject: Mechanical Engineering

abstract: The measurement of the interface pressure between a biomedical device and part of the human body is useful to aid in the design or improve the performance and safety of such devices. Therefore, a need exists for a transducer to measure interface pressure in these applications. The development and evaluation of an interface pressure transducer was the main goal of this research. Surgical retraction, surgical tourniquets and mammography were selected as demonstration applications for the developed transducer. These target applications were selected because they represented a wide spectrum of device and tissue characteristics and properties, and were in common use. A review of the available clinical, commercial and engineering literature identified a wide range of transducers and transducer technologies used for interface pressure measurement. The transducers included pneumatic/hydraulic, fibre-optic, strain based, capacitive and micromachined technologies. No standard method of measuring interface pressure was described and, in many cases, investigators cautioned against comparing-interface pressure measurements obtained using different measurement systems. From this review and an examination of the biomedical applications mentioned, the design criteria and optimal design specifications for an interface pressure transducer were defined. To gain a better understanding of the mechanical response of the interface between a device, transducer, and tissue to an applied loading, a preliminary finite element model was developed and studied. The model demonstrated the potential for shear stresses to develop between the transducer and interface materials. Furthermore a calibration system which simulated interface conditions was developed to evaluate both existing and developed transducers for use as interface pressure transducers. This evaluation demonstrated the lack of a transducer whose output was independent of the compliance of the interface materials. As well, an essential characteristic was identified for an effective interface pressure transducer that could be used in several applications where the interface material compliance was different. Based on the knowledge gained from the finite element analysis and existing transducer evaluation results, a novel interface pressure transducer was developed and evaluated both in the calibration system and via demonstration applications of surgical retraction and tourniquets. Under laboratory conditions in the calibration system, the transducer met many of the desired design specifications. The transducer was tested in the lab under both pneumatic and nonpneumatic tourniquet cuffs. The transducer worked well under the pneumatic cuff but required ] further development for use under the non-pneumatic cuff. The transducer was also integrated into a surgical retractor and evaluated in five clinical trials. It met many of the desired specifications for this application.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Published.


title: Purification and characterization of a selective growth regulator for human myelopoietic progenitor cells

contributor: Shellard, Joan (Joan Shellard (Joan_Shellard)) (author)

subject: Microbiology

abstract: A monoclonal antibody, named CAMAL-1, was raised previously in our laboratory to a common antigen of acute myeloid leukemia (CAMAL), and was shown to be highly specific in its recognition of cells from patients with acute (AML) or chronic (CML) myelogenous leukemia. CAMAL was also reported to be prognostic of disease, in that patients whose numbers of CAMAL-1 reactive cells were high, or rose over time, had poorer prognoses and shorter survival times than patients whose CAMAL values were low or decreased. This correlation between CAMAL and disease prognosis led to the discovery that CAMAL-1immunoaffinity-purified leukemic cellular lysates contained a selective growth inhibitory activity for normal myeloid progenitor cells, since the growth of CML progenitors was not inhibited. The work described in this thesis focused primarily on the purification and characterization of the myelopoietic activity present in the CAMAL preparations, and its relationship to the leukemic marker (CAMAL). Initial purifications involved CAMAL-1immunoaffinity chromatography of leukemic cellular lysates, followed by FPLC molecular size fractionation and/or preparative SDS-PAGE. The myelopoietic activity was located within a30-35 kDa molecular weight fraction (P30), and the P30 fraction was consistently found to be selective in its inhibition of normal myeloid progenitors, since the growth of CML progenitors was not inhibited but was, in fact, stimulated. Antibodies were raised to P30 and used in the subsequent purification and characterization of the myelopoietic activity. Amino acid sequence analysis of the N-terminus and P30 tryptic peptides strongly suggested that P30 belonged to the serine protease family of enzymes, and the results obtained from protease assays indicated thatP30 preparations did possess enzyme activity. Prior to the completion of P30 molecular cloning experiments, however, the cDNA sequence for azurocidin/CAP37 was reported, and its predicted amino acid sequence was found to be identical to those obtained from the P30 protein samples. Azurocidin is a proteolytically inactive serine protease homologue, normally present in neutrophilic granules. Purifiedazurocidin did not possess inhibitory activity in normal progenitor cell assays; therefore, in order to isolate the biologic activity from azurocidin and other potentially contaminating proteins, P30 preparations were fractionated by reverse phase HPLC. The rpHPLC profiles were found to be similar to those reported for neutrophilic granules; however, the myelopoietica ctivity was obtained in a single rpHPLC fraction that aligned with the front portion of the azurocidin protein peak. Two dimensional isoelectric focusing/SDS-PAGE analysis of the biologically active rpHPLC fraction confirmed that it contained azurocidin, and no additional protein species were detected. Only the earlier eluting azurocidin rpHPLC fraction mediated the myelopoietic activity, and this fraction was also enriched in the higher molecular weight isoforms of azurocidin. Therefore, it appeared that a variably glycosylated isoform of azurocidin was mediating the biologic effects on myeloid progenitor cells, and because azurocidin obtained from normal neutrophils did not possess the myelopoietic activity, we speculate that the bioactive isoform of azurocidin is present in relatively higher amounts and/or is uniquely synthesized by leukemic cells.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Published.


title: Getting serious about sustainability: exploring the potential for one-planet living in Vancouver

contributor: Moore, Jennie (Jennie Moore (Jennie_Moore)) (author)

rights: © Jennie Lynn Moore, 2013. Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International.

subject: Planning

abstract: One-planet living represents the per capita share of global ecosystem services that each person on Earth could use were humanity to live equitably within ecological carrying capacity. My research uses ecological footprint analysis to explore the potential for the City of Vancouver to achieve one-planet living. Specifically, I examine what reductions in per capita ecological footprint would be necessary, what policies or changes to management practices are available to the City to facilitate those reductions, and what one-planet living might “look like” if those policies and changes to urban management practices were implemented. I use 2006 data to conduct an integrated urban metabolism and ecological footprint assessment for the City in order to establish a baseline from which to estimate the necessary reductions in material and energy consumption. I develop lifestyle archetypes of societies living at a one-planet ecological footprint (both real and hypothetical) to inform estimates on how changes in diet, buildings, consumables and waste, transportation and water could achieve one-planet living in Vancouver. I also draw on examples from the international sustainable cities literature and interviews with City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver staff and elected representatives to develop policy proposals for reducing Vancouver’s ecological footprint. Getting to one-planet living in Vancouver requires at least a 58% reduction in the per capita ecological footprint with the greatest contributions coming from reducing food waste, red meat consumption, and virtually eliminating personal motor vehicle use (shifting instead to an 86% walk, cycle and transit mode share which the City already achieves in its Downtown). The City has and can continue to influence individual and corporate choices through zoning and permitting. However, citizens would have to accept lifestyle changes pertaining to food and personal consumption to achieve the one-planet living goal. Involvement by senior governments in reducing the ecological footprint is also required. It remains to be seen whether Vancouverites, or any population accustomed to modern consumer lifestyles, will voluntarily accept and implement the changes necessary to achieve equitable sustainability as articulated by one-planet living.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Published.


title: What's stopping sustainability?: examining the barriers to implementation of clouds of change

rights: © Jennie Lynn Moore, 1994. For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.

subject: Planning

abstract: Despite understanding the need to become sustainable, and knowing some of the actions required to reach this end, barriers exist that prevent individuals, and society, from adopting actions that support sustainability. To understand what some of these barriers are, the case of Vancouver's attempt to implement the 1990 Clouds of Change recommendations has been analysed. Councillors, civic staff, Task Force on Atmospheric Change members and citizens who participated in the Task Force's public participation process were asked to identify what they perceived as the barriers to action-taking by the City to implement the recommendations. Fifty-eight people were interviewed. The barriers identified fell within three categories: Perceptual/Behavioural, Institutional/Structural and Economic/Financial. Analysis reveals how the barriers functioned, which ones were perceived as causing the greatest impediment to implementation of the recommendations, what conditions facilitated implementation of some recommendations, and suggestions regarding how some barriers may be overcome in the future. The six most commonly cited barriers were: lack of understanding about the issues, perceived lack of empowerment, competing issues, inadequate funds, fear of losing constituent support and limitation of jurisdiction. Other important barriers were: differences in perception, inappropriate structure of government (vertical), weak linkages among the policies of civic and senior levels of government and weak communication linkages between government and its constituents. Many of the barriers identified contributed to a low degree of civic participation in the City. Suggestions for improving government effectiveness, in terms of its ability to implement the Clouds of Change recommendations focussed on ways of improving civic participation among citizens. Suggestions regarding the amendment of government structures and decision-making processes are also presented.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Published.


title: The tyranny of chronological age

contributor: Wainwright, Kevin (Kevin Wainwright (Kevin_Wainwright)) (author)

rights: © 2007. All rights reserved. No reproduction or citation without permission.

subject:
Age
Relative age effect

abstract: This paper presents an analysis of a phenomenon known as "The Relative Age" effect. When assessing the innate ability (or talent) of individual children who are grouped into age cohorts, systematic errors occur due to differences in biological maturity. A structural model of a multi-period progression through levels (or grades) that employs screening and selection is developed. Through a series of simulations, impact of the relative age on the of selection process is analyzed.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Draft published.


title: The effects of global climate change on carbonation induced corrosion of reinforced concrete structures

contributor: Talukdar, Sudip (Sudip Talukdar (Sudip_Talukdar)) (author)

rights: © Sudip Talukdar, 2013. Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

subject: Civil engineering

abstract: There is nearly unanimous consensus amongst scientists that increasing greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2 generated by human activity, are affecting the Earth‘s climate. Climate change has the potential to overwhelm existing capacities, as well as durability of concrete infrastructure. Carbonation of concrete occurs due to a reaction between atmospheric CO2 and the hydrated phases of  concrete, leading to a drop in its pH and the depassivation of embedded rebar. Therefore, increases in carbonation rates of reinforced concrete structures are expected as a result of increased temperatures and CO2 concentrations, with the enhanced risk of carbonation induced corrosion likely affecting the longevity of our concrete infrastructure. This thesis considered the potential consequences of  global climate change on our concrete infrastructure, with the objective being to determine if there is an increased risk of deterioration due to carbonation induced corrosion. A unique numerical model was developed to determine carbonation rates in structures, and verified through experimental tests. The model was applied to a numbers of cities in locations throughout the world to determine where structures were most vulnerable. Additionally, a number  of other laboratory experiments were carried out to supplement the numerical model and provide insights as to how carbonation progress can be monitored within a structure. Using the model developed, and inputting forecasts for increases in future atmospheric CO2 concentrations and weather conditions, it was shown that for medium quality, non-pozzolonic concrete  in geographic areas where carbonation induced corrosion is a concern, global climate change will affect its progress in our concrete infrastructure. We will see much higher ultimate carbonation depths in the long term. The use of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, and structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques could be invaluable in monitoring the progress of carbonation in a structure, but the data generated by the methods and techniques used must be analyzed carefully before making any conclusions. For the NDT methods and carbonation pH sensors which were evaluated in this study, it was found that ambient test conditions had a major impact on results.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Published.


title: Strengthening of timber beams using externally-bonded sprayed fibre reinforced polymers

rights: © Sudip Talukdar, 2008. Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

subject: Timber FRP Retrofit Rehabilitation Beams Adhesives

abstract: The use of Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) has grown in popularity in the construction industry. FRP has proven useful in the retrofit of various types of structural elements. It may be used for the strengthening of beams, the seismic upgrade of walls panels, as well as the jacketing of columns to provide confinement. There exist several methods of FRP application for the case of structural retrofits. These include the application of pre-prepared FRP mats, or application of FRP via the wet lay-up process. However, a new technique developed at the University of British Columbia allows for the application of FRP in the form of a spray. Externally bonded Sprayed FRP (SFRP) is known to increase strength and energy absorption capacity of a retrofitted member as well as, or better than, FRP sheets. However, tests have primarily been carried out on concrete members only. An area of interest, into which not much research has been conducted, is the application of SFRP to timber. Timber bridges are extensively used in many parts of the world. Often due to remoteness and practical constraints, it is impossible to apply FRP sheets to retrofit these bridges. SFRP would be a much easier method of FRP application. This study looked at the application of SFRP to Douglas Fir (D.Fir) Beam specimens subjected to 3-Point Flexural Loading only. The specimens were treated with either a water based (Borocol) or oil borne (Creosote) antifungal preservative prior to being sprayed with FRP. Different combinations of adhesives/bonding agents including Hydroxymethylated Resorcinol and Polymeric Isocyanates were used to try to develop a strong bond. When considering using only chemical adhesives to obtain a proper bond between the two constituents of the composite, use of HMR is recommended for timber which is untreated or has been treated with a water borne preservative such as Borocol, while a pMDI adhesive such as AtPrime 2 is recommended for timber treated with an oil borne preservative such as Creosote. For Non Creosoted beams, adhesives did not generate as significant of a strength gain. For Creosoted beams, adhesives may be sufficient to generate significant strength gain when SFRP is applied to a beam. Considering that most structures in use would probably have been treated with a preservative similar to Creosote, in practice, AtPrime 2 or some other some sort of pMDI would probably be the adhesive of choice. Based on the results of the study, it is possible to say that the application of SFRP to retrofit/rehabilitate timber structures shows considerable promise. If a decent bond is achieved between the composite constituents, it is possible to substantially increase the ultimate flexural strength of the member, as well as drastically increase its ductility and energy absorption capacity. It is recommended that further tests be carried out using different types of loading schemes, geometrical configurations of SFRP, other types of anchorage, and development of a proper analytical model before the method is adopted for widespread use.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Published.


title: Evaluation of educational-software and paper-based resources for teaching logical-thinking skills to grade six and seven students

contributor: Open University Malaysia Faculty of Education and Languages (Degree grantor)

contributor: Open University Malaysia Faculty of Education and Languages (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
381 pages
electronic
381 pages

rights: © Peter J. Fenrich, 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Instructional systems
Qualitative research
Quantitative research
Logic

abstract: Guided by the objectives of investigating whether there were any differences between the effectiveness of the paper-based materials and educational software in teaching logical-thinking skills and transferring those skills to new problems and determining the efficacy of the paper-based materials and educational software in teaching logical-thinking skills and transferring those skills to new problems, a mixed-method research approach was used. A qualitative assessment was conducted to ascertain the appropriateness of the materials and a quantitative assessment was done using a pre-test, post-test, experimental design to assess the effectiveness of the materials in teaching logical-thinking skills. Based on the qualitative analysis, after the initial materials were modified through the information gained from the pilot students and changes were put in as suggested by the reviewers through their iterative reviews of the materials, it was determined that the reviewers considered that the events of instruction addressed in this intervention (gaining attention, informing the learner of the learning outcome, presenting the material, providing learning guidance, eliciting the performance, providing feedback, assessing performance, and enhancing retention and transfer) provided the attributes needed to effectively teach the logical-thinking skills of classification, analogical reasoning, sequencing, patterning, and deductive reasoning. For the quantitative analysis, one-way ANOVAs were performed to compare an experimental group learning from educational software (32 students), an experimental group learning from paper-based materials (32 students), and a control group (32 students). Given significance was found between the groups, Tukey HSD Post Hoc Tests were done. For each test, the subjects taught through educational software and those taught through paper-based materials scored significantly higher in logical-thinking ability than the control group, except for the subskills of patterning and deductive reasoning for the subjects learning through educational software, and the skill of deductive reasoning for the subjects learning through paper-based materials. For the transfer learning scores, the subjects learning through paper-based materials scored significantly higher than the control group. There were no significant differences between subjects taught through paper-based materials and those taught through educational software on any test. Based on paired samples t-test results, the subjects learning from educational software and those learning from paper-based materials had significant percentage gains on all of their pre-test to post-test scores, except the subjects learning through paper-based materials showed no significant gains on the sequencing and deductive-reasoning skills.

abstract: Logical thinking

abstract: Instructional design

abstract: Qualitative analysis

abstract: Quantitative analysis


title: Emotional design: an investigation into designers' perceptions of incorporating emotions in software

type: Thesis/Dissertation Text

contributor: Gutica, Mirela (Mirela Gutica (Mirela_Gutica)) (author)

subject:
Educational software
HCI
Usability
Affective computing
Emotional design
User modeling
Mixed research methods

abstract: In my teaching and software development practice, I realized that most applications with human-computer interaction do not respond to usersâ emotional needs. The dualism of reason and emotion as two fairly opposite entities that dominated Western philosophy was also reflected in software design. Computing was originally intended to provide applications for military and industrial activities and was primarily associated with cognition and rationality. Today, more and more computer applications interact with users in very complex and sophisticated ways. In human-computer interaction, attention is given to issues of usability and user modeling, but techniques to emotionally engage users or respond to their emotional needs have not been fully developed, even as specialists like Klein, Norman and Picard argued that machines that recognize and express emotions respond better and more appropriately to user interaction (Picard, 1997; Picard & Klein, 2002; Norman, 2004). This study investigated emotion from designersâ perspectives and tentatively concludes that there is little awareness and involvement in emotional design in the IT community. By contrast, participants in this study (36 IT specialists from various fields) strongly supported the idea of emotional design and confirmed the need for methodologies and theoretical models to research emotional design. Based on a review of theory, surveys and interviews, I identified a set of themes for heuristics of emotional design and recommended future research directions. Attention was given to consequences; participants in this study raised issues of manipulation, ethical responsibilities of designers, and the need for regulations, and recommended that emotional design should carry standard ethical guidelines for games and any other applications. The research design utilized a mixed QUAN-qual methodological model proposed by Creswell (2003) and Gay, Mills, and Airasian (2006), which was modified to equally emphasize both quantitative and qualitative stages. An instrument in the form of a questionnaire was designed, tested and piloted in this study and will be improved and used in future research.

abstract: Published.

abstract: Peer reviewed

abstract: Thesis/Dissertation


title: Investigating the effect of salinity, elevation, redox potential, and geese herbivory on planting success in a Pacific Northwest salt marsh

contributor: British Columbia Institute of Technology School of Construction and Environment (Degree granting institution)

contributor: Simon Fraser University Faculty of Environment (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
71 pages

rights: © Derek Fiddler, 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Salt marsh ecology
Fraser River (B.C.)
Restoration ecology

abstract: The MacKay Creek Estuary, is a severely altered estuarine ecosystem located within an active international port in Vancouver, British Columbia. Several elevated salt marsh terraces were constructed as part of a larger restoration project within the MacKay Creek Estuary. Site visits conducted in 2018 revealed 75% of the terrace surface area failed to establish salt marsh vegetation. Significant difference in soil pore-water salinity, oxidation reduction (redox) potential and tidal elevation were found between vegetated and unvegetated portions of the terraces. Additionally, exclusion from Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) herbivory increased total percent cover and colonization of the adjacent unvegetated area. The combination of soil parameters and herbivory, as well as potential interactions between factors may be responsible for the lack of vegetation progression within the constructed salt marsh terraces at MacKay Creek Estuary.

abstract: restoration

abstract: salt marsh

abstract: redox potential

abstract: pore-water salinity

abstract: MacKay Creek

abstract: Fraser River

abstract: estuary

abstract: Canada geese


title: Mapping floodplain fish habitat in the heart of the Fraser River and restoration options for impacted attributes on selected large mid-channel islands

publisher: British Columbia Institute of Technology

format:
electronic
96 pages

rights: © Lori Susan Bartsch, 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Fish habitat
Chinook salmon
Fraser River (B.C.)
White sturgeon

abstract: The purpose of this project is to develop an ecological restoration plan for degraded habitats on mid-channel islands in the lower Fraser River. The study focuses on Herrling, Carey, and Strawberry islands, large mid-channel islands located in the gravel reach between Mission and Hope, British Columbia. These islands are known to be critical off-channel rearing habitat for many fish species including the threatened White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and interior and lower Fraser watershed Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) populations. These islands are also home to many riparian plant and animal species. The flood-pulse concept (FPC) states that seasonal fluctuations in water levels for streams such as the Fraser River contribute substantially to the ecological function of the floodplain ecosystem where this phenomenon occurs. This often results in improved growth and survival rates for fish species that rely on a laterally-moving littoral zone of inundation. This phenomenon is thought by many to be the key to a properly functioning ecosystem in the lower Fraser River. Using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the Fraser River between Hope and Mission, British Columbia, freshet flows (high water elevations) are presented to define the spatial extent of over-bank watering of Strawberry, Carey and Herrling islands. This over-bank watering provides lateral connectivity to floodplain islands. Based on extensive sampling in other studies, this lateral movement results in the creation of high-quality juvenile fish rearing habitat. A restoration plan is presented for those areas of Strawberry, Carey and Herrling islands degraded by recent land clearing for agriculture where they overlap sections defined as fish habitat from the spatial analysis.

abstract: gravel reach

abstract: mid-channel islands

abstract: floodplain fish habitat

abstract: flood pulse concept

abstract: juvenile Chinook Salmon

abstract: lower Fraser River

abstract: White Sturgeon


title: Groundwater elevation and chemistry at Camosun Bog, British Columbia, and implications for bog restoration

contributor: British Columbia Institute of Technology School of Construction and the Environment (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
64 pages

rights: © Andrea Le, 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Bog
Groundwater
Restoration ecology

abstract: A bog is a type of wetland with a high water table, acidic soil and is nutrient poor. Camosun Bog is the oldest bog in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, and remained undisturbed until development of the surrounding residential neighborhood caused changes to its groundwater conditions, threatening its current persistence. The goal of this study is to provide an updated examination of Camosun Bog’s groundwater conditions and to discuss relevant bog restoration measures. Groundwater elevation and chemistry (pH, conductivity, nitrogen and phosphorus) were monitored for several months in 2019. Results indicate that current groundwater elevations are lower in Camosun Bog than they were thirty years ago, especially in the north and northeast regions. Locations in the north and center parts of the open bog experienced groundwater nitrogen enrichment and higher pH, indicating that raising the water table should be the main goal of restoration for Camosun Bog.


title: A climate adaptation plan: Identifying thermal refugia for salmonids in the Tsolum River

format:
electronic
179 pages

rights: © All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject: Groundwater

abstract: Stream temperatures in the Pacific Northwest are increasing due to climate change, resulting in thermal stress for salmonids. Groundwater is a cooler source of water into streams, providing thermal refugia. The goal of this Applied Research Project was to identify groundwater input areas in the Tsolum River, using temperature loggers to trace the thermal signal of groundwater. A total of 28 water temperature loggers and 2 air temperature loggers were deployed within the watershed in the summer of 2019. Results showed that 12 sites may be influenced by groundwater input. Restoration/management actions such as riparian planting, gravel bar live staking, and restrictions on groundwater withdrawal are recommended to decrease stream temperatures. This study demonstrated that temperature loggers can be deployed within streams to identify areas of groundwater input. The identification of thermal refugia within the Tsolum River and other salmonid-bearing streams will help to protect salmonids from climate change impacts.

abstract: climate adaptation

abstract: thermal refugia

abstract: Tsolum River

abstract: groundwater


title: Ecological restoration of the Little Qualicum River Estuary: Analysis of short-term sediment deposition

format:
electronic
61 pages

rights: © Emma Cummings, 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Carex lyngbyei
Canada goose
Sediment

abstract:
Restoration of the Little Qualicum River Estuary has focused on re-establishing the Carex lyngbyei channel edge vegetation lost to grubbing by the overabundant resident Canada goose population. Short-term sediment deposition rates were measured using weekly deployments of sediment traps between June and July 2019 to investigate how restoration is facilitating sediment retention to rebuild the marsh platform.
Deposition rates varied between 6.82-107.88 g/m2/week with traps deployed on the denuded mud flat areas collecting more sediments than inside the older exclosures. It had been expected that the exclosures with a greater density of sedges would retain more sediment. Spatial variation may be attributed to differences in sampling elevations. Restoring C. lyngbyei may not increase localized sediment deposition directly but does protect the continued supply of organic input from the seasonal senescence of C. lyngbyei. The organic input from aboveground biomass may have a larger contribution to marsh accretion than allochthonous sediments.

abstract: sediment deposition

abstract: Carex lyngbyei

abstract: estuary

abstract: restoration

abstract: Canada goose


title: Sturgeon Bank marsh recession: A preliminary investigation into the use of large woody debris as a tool for restoring a degraded foreshore marsh

contributor: Simon Fraser University Faculty of the Environment (Degree granting institution)

rights: © John D. MacDonald, 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Restoration ecology
Large woody debris

abstract: Large woody debris removal has been ongoing in the Fraser River Delta since the late 1800’s. I investigated how offshore winds and the absence of large wood may have contributed to the recession of the Sturgeon Bank Marsh. I suggest large wood increases marshland resilience and promotes new marsh establishment by attenuating wave energy, decreasing sediment mobilization, deterring herbivory, and promoting the establishment of vegetated islands from which the marsh can expand. I analyzed historical wind data for patterns in offshore wind duration and installed several pieces of large wood onto the tidal flats of the Sturgeon Bank. I developed a technique for anchoring wood in the intertidal and give my recommendations for further development. Finally, I conclude the recession of the Sturgeon Bank Marsh was the result of multiple interacting stressors and coin the term keystone structural element to describe the function of large wood within a foreshore marsh.

abstract: large woody debris

abstract: keystone structural element

abstract: marsh recession

abstract: ecological restoration

abstract: wave sheltering

abstract: coastal marsh


title: Restoration of an urban creek water quality using sand and biochar filtration galleries

format:
electronic
108 pages

rights: © Samira Jalizi Sedghiani, 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Biochar
Naphthalene
Stormwater management, Urban
Heavy metals
PAH

abstract: Stormwater runoff from parking lots often contains a variety of elements and compounds in different forms and concentrations that may pose risks to biota in receiving aquatic systems. Heavy metals including copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of particular concern in such runoff due to their prevalence, toxicity to aquatic organisms and persistence in the environment. The ability of a commercially available biochar to remove pollutants of concern through column treatments was assessed in this research. Factors including the pollutant’s concentration, total organic carbon (TOC), pH, and biochar particle size were considered. The biochar used in this study showed a significant heavy metals and PAH removal ability compared to sand, qualifying it as a potential substitute for sand in urban structural best management practices. Maximum percentage removal using biochar followed the order of naphthalene (NAP) > Zn > Cu. Regarding Cu and Zn removal, small biochar exhibited higher removal efficiency compared to medium biochar. In terms of NAP removal, both small and medium biochar exceeded sand with a five-fold percentage removal. However, biochar of different particle sizes had the same removal percentage.

abstract: infiltration swale

abstract: biochar

abstract: parking lot stormwater

abstract: naphthalene

abstract: stormwater management

abstract: heavy metals

abstract: PAH


title: A restoration strategy to avert the projected ecological, social and economic risks of Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park, British Columbia

contributor: British Columbia Institute of Technology Applied and Natural Sciences (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
92 pages
electronic

subject:
Restoration ecology
Saltmarsh restoration

abstract: The coastal saltmarsh that once made up Lost Lagoon was isolated into a freshwater impoundment to enable the construction of the Stanley Park Causeway in 1916. Water chemistry, water nutrients, and subsurface sediment were collected in August to October 2017, and it was concluded that Lost Lagoon is experiencing, low DO (average 6 mg/L), high salinity (0.9 ppt), high nutrient loading (TP 0.1 mg/L and TN 0.9 mg/L) and has elevated heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn). A general biotic inventory was conducted and results indicated a lack of native species diversity and presence of invasive species, for both flora and fauna. Projected future conditions concluded that Lost Lagoon is prone to stratification and higher temperatures, which is expected to further water impairment including, increases in NH3 and toxic algae blooms. To mitigate this trajectory, a systematic restoration plan was developed to reintroduce tidal flushing into Lost Lagoon from Coal Harbour’s western basin, thereby restoring the degraded ecosystem into a diverse coastal saltmarsh. Hydrogemorphology and flow rates were estimated and as a result a 1.3-m wide water channel was recommended. A planting and long-term monitoring plan that will aid in revitalization of a coastal saltmarsh was developed, alongside a preliminary project budget and schedule. The project feasibility and public response were discussed as constraints, with emphasis on furthering this proposed restoration plan with professional engineering, and First Nations and public consultation.

abstract: ecological projections

abstract: restoration

abstract: urban wetland

abstract: saltmarsh

abstract: intertidal ecosystems


title: A historical marsh vegetation composition comparison between five Fraser River foreshore marshes

format:
electronic
98 pages

rights: © Janelle Bode, 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Salt marsh ecology
Salinity
Elevation
Fraser River (B.C.)

abstract: A full composition study of some key Fraser River foreshore marshes, Boundary Bay, Brunswick Point, Westham Island, Lulu Island, and Sea Island, had not been done in several decades, during which a large-scale marsh recession event occurred at two of the marshes. The vegetation composition is measured in this study with relation to soil water, soil pore water salinity, and elevation. The results in this study show a shift in the vegetation composition in some areas of the Lulu Island marsh, with the other marshes remaining relatively similar to historical data. The plant species’ tolerance to soil water, soil salinity, and elevation vary in each marsh, illustrating the need for individualized restoration plans for each marsh. Conserving and restoring these marshes is critical in light of the many changes in the Fraser River delta, including sea level rise, increased geese populations, altered sediment regimes, and urbanization.

abstract: Fraser River

abstract: brackish marsh

abstract: salt marsh

abstract: vegetation composition

abstract: salinity

abstract: elevation


title: Marsh resiliency strategies in the face of sea-level rise: Pilot project opportunities for Fraser River delta tidal marshes

format:
electronic
79 pages

rights: © Alexander Caldicott, 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Restoration ecology
Fraser River (B.C.)

abstract: Coastal wetlands are naturally resilient to changing sea levels; however, as rates of sea-level rise increase, the interaction between changing sea-level and ongoing human impacts will be a major driver in future coastal tidal marsh stability. My goal is to provide decision makers with recommendations to increase the resilience of the Fraser River delta front tidal marsh communities over the twenty-first century. I conducted a literature review to (1) examine the current knowledge base regarding effects of sea-level rise on tidal marshes and (2) identify current ecosystem-based adaptation strategies for increasing tidal marsh resilience to sea-level rise. Based on this review, recommendations are made for strategies that could be used to increase tidal marsh resilience in the Fraser River delta. Recommendations include (1) initiating delta-wide marsh accretion modeling to assess tidal marsh vulnerability under possible sea-level rise scenarios and (2) implementing sediment augmentation pilot projects for both direct (e.g., layered sediment lifts) and indirect (e.g., mud motor) sediment augmentation strategies to test ecosystem based adaptive management strategies as part of an adaptive management framework.


title: Effects of logging-induced sediment loading on Chinook salmon rearing habitat in Tranquil Estuary, BC and implications for estuary restoration

contributor: British Columbia Institute of Technology School of Ecological Restoration (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
83 pages

rights: © Christine Spice, 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Chinook salmon
Salt marsh ecology
Estuary restoration
Logging
Sediment

abstract:
Research on estuaries has increased in recent years, however, the effects of logging on estuaries and the effects of estuary habitat loss on Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Pacific northwest is limited. To address habitat loss associated with logging, I used an extensive aerial photo record for Tranquil Creek estuary and an unlogged control to analyze changes in salt marsh area, elevation and volume, supplemented with a grain size distribution analysis.
While I failed to find evidence of a difference between a logged and an unlogged estuary, some negative trends in salt marsh area and elevation observed over the observational period were indicative of changes that are unfavorable for juvenile Chinook salmon. Analytical methods presented here to assess changes in two remote coastal estuaries has contributed to the current knowledge on the effects of logging on estuarine ecosystems in coastal BC and provide tools for innovative estuary habitat restoration.

abstract: aerial photograph analysis

abstract: salt marsh

abstract: estuary restoration

abstract: logging

abstract: sediment


title: Restoration options for Nicomekl River anadromous salmonids – Elgin Road Bridge Sea Dam

format:
electronic
72 pages

rights: © John-Christopher Taft, 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Salmonids
Riparian restoration

abstract: The Nicomekl River flows through historic Katzie First Nation territory in Surrey, British Columbia. The river provides salmon the linkage between their upland spawning and rearing grounds and the Pacific Ocean where they mature. Anthropogenic development has reduced habitat connectivity along the river, denuded the banks of vegetation, removed instream complexity, constrained the channel, regulated flow, and altered the water chemistry. A tidally controlled 7-gate sea dam is the source of the critical connectivity bottleneck on the river. It impairs free longitudinal migrations of adult and juvenile salmonids and increases adult and juvenile predation. Through literature review and site assessment, this study suggests a suite of restoration treatments to restore connectivity and site-based habitat attributes to the Nicomekl River. The study then considers management options in light of climate change, sea level rise, and how to generate public involvement to support the proposed treatments. The study concludes that urban stream restoration faces challenges as it must find a balance between the environmental and social needs of the Nicomekl River beyond simply repairing ecosystem damage and degradation.

abstract: riparian restoration

abstract: salmonids

abstract: migration bottlenecks: connectivity


title: Restoration of the upper Salmon River watershed: projected effects of diversion removal on salmonid abundance

format:
electronic
89 pages

rights: © Shane Byrne, 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Salmon River (Vancouver Island, B.C.)
coho salmon
steelhead trout
ecological restoration
Dam removal

abstract: The Salmon River, located within the Laich-kwil-tach First Nations’ traditional territory on Vancouver Island, supports a diverse community of anadromous and resident salmonids despite having cumulative effects from historical resource development (Burt 2010a). Currently, BC Hydro’s diversion dam and transfer canal on the Salmon River provides water for hydroelectric power production in Campbell River, but restricts the upstream and downstream movement of native salmonids (Anderson 2009, BC Hydro 2012). This report addresses removing the Salmon River diversion and providing coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and steelhead trout (O. mykiss) unrestricted access into the upper Salmon River watershed. This restoration project will mitigate projected effects of climate change on freshwater life stages of the Salmon River salmonids by addressing increasing stream temperatures and seasonal low flows. Completing this restoration project is the first step in recovering the salmonid productivity of the upper Salmon River.

abstract: salmonid productivity

abstract: Salmon River

abstract: coho salmon

abstract: steelhead trout

abstract: ecological restoration

abstract: dam removal


title: Restoring hydrological connectivity in the Guichon Creek watershed through wetland creation

format:
electronic
62 pages

rights: © Janice Kwo, 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission of the author.

subject:
Restoration ecology
Urban watersheds

abstract:
Urbanization of areas alters the natural hydrology of the land through the creation of impervious surfaces, removal of vegetation, and construction of storm sewer systems. These alterations impact physical processes and the biological communities of our waterways through the introduction of pollutants, creation of uncharacteristic hydrological regimes, and habitat loss and fragmentation. Integration of natural areas in our built environments will mitigate some of these effects and reduce the degradation of streams in urbanized watersheds.
Guichon Creek flows through an urbanized environment, which includes the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Burnaby campus. A tributary flows into Guichon Creek at the south end of campus and the majority of its flow is from a stormwater sewer which receives runoff from the residential area east of campus. The tributary is approximately 150 metres and runs between a community garden and a small gravel parking lot before entering Guichon Creek.
This project proposes restoration of a 2,000 m2 parcel of land between Guichon Creek and the tributary. Restoration activities involve removal of an existing parking lot, management of invasive hybrid Japanese knotweed (Fallopia x bohemica) and Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), creation of an off channel wetland, and addition of natural in-stream structures to the tributary. Wetlands provide important hydrological and ecological functions that will contribute to the restoration efforts on Guichon Creek. This wetland will improve hydrological functions of the Guichon Creek floodplain through increased groundwater infiltration, creation of a storage area, and pollutant filtration. Improving these functions is also an important component of making stream ecosystems more resilient to climate change. The wetland will also provide ecological benefits such as improved water quality and creation of amphibian habitat. This project focuses on the creation of habitat for northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora) and the Pacific chorus frog (Psuedacris regilla).
Another important component of restoration in an urban environment is creating a connection between people and the environment. Restoration of this space provides opportunities for public involvement and environmental education and awareness. This creates a forum to discuss the effects of urbanization on streams and show people where the runoff from their neighbourhood ends up. Forming that connection between people and their environment is an important step to creating interest and involvement in environmental issues.


identifier: u2: School of Construction and the Environment

title: Comparing soil nematode composition in bluebunch wheatgrass P. spicata root to the occurrence of invasive plants C. stoebe and L. dalmatica

rights: © Oliver Denny, 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Invasive plants
Bluebunch wheatgrass
Indicators (Biology)
Restoration ecology

abstract: The viability of native bunchgrass ecosystems throughout the PPxh BEC subzone and in Kenna Cartwright Park (KCP) in Kamloops B.C. are under threat by invasive plants. Once established, invasive plants are difficult to eradicate and can predominate the landscape. I collected soil samples from a relatively undisturbed bunchgrass reference site composed of native bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), and I collected soil samples from a bunchgrass site occupied by the invasive plants, spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) and dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), to compare the soil nematode communities. My results reveal differences in the community-level biodiversity and abundance of soil nematodes between sites. The Maturity Index and the Plant Parasitic Index indicate that the native bunchgrass site had a “Structured” soil food web and that the site occupied by invasive plants had a “Basal” soil food web. My results indicate soil nematodes are useful as bioindicators of soil properties and these data provide useful criteria to help prioritize sites for ecological restoration.

abstract: Nematology

abstract: Invasive plants

abstract: Pseudoroegneria spicata

abstract: Biological indicators

abstract: Ecological restoration


title: Plant facilitation effects as a potential restoration tool in riparian ecosystems in Southwestern British Columbia

contributor: Cohen-Fernandez, Anayansi (thesis advisor)

format:
electronic
95 pages
electronic

rights: © Keith MacCallum, 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Restoration ecology
Riparian forests
Endemic plants
Symphoricarpos albus
Salmonberry

abstract: This study began to investigate potential facilitative effects among shrub species in riparian ecosystems in southwestern British Columbia. I ran two concurrent studies. Six plots for each of four treatments were established at the Coquitlam River Wildlife Management Area. The first two treatments compared the survival, growth, flowering, and herbivory rates of planted twinberry seedlings in plots where the shrub layer was removed to plots where it was not. The other two treatments compared the survival, growth, leaf loss, flowering and herbivory rates of snowberry plants in plots where the salmonberry upper shrub layer was removed to those where it was not. No significant differences between the measured parameters in any of the treatments were found. These results are discussed in the context of the riparian forest ecosystem and current facilitation theory. The results are then used to inform an ecological restoration plan for the Suwa’lkh School Forest.

abstract: Facilitation

abstract: Riparian forests

abstract: Native vegetation

abstract: Symphoricarpos albus

abstract: Lonicera involucrate

abstract: Rubus spectabilis

abstract: Ecological restoration


title: Phytoremediation of contaminated soils: the effects of soil salinity on the phytoremediation rate of polyaromatic hydrocarbons by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

format:
electronic
53 pages
electronic
53 pages

rights: © Timothy Bientjes, 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject: Phytoremediation Bioremediation Alfalfa Salt

abstract: Phytoremediation poses an ecologically friendly and cost-effective alternative to other remediation methods such as chemical or thermal treatment. However, in contaminated sites such as retired oil wells and brine spills, it is common to have a co-contamination of salt and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The co-contamination of salt and PAHs may decrease the rate and effectiveness of bioremediation. Here we investigated the effect soil salinity has on the rate of phytoremediation, plant survivability and biomass. A 90-day greenhouse study was performed, growing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in soils treated with varying salt (NaCl) concentrations in the presence of pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene. No significant differences were observed in the presence or absence of PAHs. Salt treatments has significant affects on plant biomass, nodulation, and successful germination.

abstract: Bioremediation

abstract: Polyaromatic hydrocarbons

abstract: Alfalfa

abstract: Salt

abstract: Phytoremediation


title: Investigating regeneration in a raised ombrotrophic bog after peat extraction

format:
electronic
101 pages
electronic
101 pages

rights: © Kathryn Wiese, 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject: Restoration ecology

abstract: Burns Bog is a raised ombrotrophic bog in Delta, British Columbia and faced with myriad disturbances. This study is focused on the impact and restoration of peat extraction by the Atkins-Durbrow Hydropeat method. Depth to water table, relative abundance and distribution of vegetation, and the degree of peat decomposition at consistent-depth intervals were investigated to elucidate the status of passive and active ecological restoration in three fields previously harvested for peat approximately one decade apart and compared to a fourth unharvested field. Summary statistics, Redundancy Analysis, and regression were used to compare restoration status and trends in hydrology, vegetation composition, and peat accumulation. A lag period between cessation of harvest and implementation of restoration, coupled with rapid anthropogenic climate change, serve as impediments to restoration here. Intervention in the form of improved rainfall retention, assisted recolonization, and the introduction of nurse species are recommended to improve bog function and resiliency.

abstract: Atkins-Durbrow Hydropeat method

abstract: Ditch blocking

abstract: Ecological restoration

abstract: Peat extraction

abstract: Raised ombrotrophic bog

abstract: Burns Bog


title: Identifying temporal trends and mechanisms for successful reforestation on former agricultural land: a case study in Norfolk County, Ontario

format:
electronic
43 pages
electronic
43 pages

rights: © Luke Ridgway, 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject: Soils Reforestation Agriculture

abstract: This study investigates the outcomes of restoration efforts completed on retired agricultural land in Southwest Ontario. Sites acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada were planted to kickstart succession to native deciduous forests, but the results of the plantings are mixed. Analysis of soil conditions indicated that low levels of soil organic carbon were correlated to low water content and high density unfavourable for plant growth. Analysis of remotely sensed imagery was done to assess and compare vegetation cover to reference conditions at Walpole Island First Nation. Analysis revealed that successful restoration was dependent on multiple soil characteristics, but conditions correlated to higher total organic carbon favoured greater vegetation cover. Remote sensing data revealed that succession towards tree canopy development was accelerated compared to passive restoration, and a shaded understory was established approximately 8-12 years following restoration. Future work can expand on succession and the effects of other restoration treatments.

abstract: Soil

abstract: Reforestation

abstract: NDVI

abstract: Agriculture

abstract: Restoration

abstract: Secondary succession


title: A meta-analysis of North Shore streams: maximizing the effect of installed rain gardens through strategic placement

contributor: British Columbia Institute of Technology Ecological Restoration Program (Degree granting institution)

contributor: Simon Fraser University Ecological Restoration Program (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
50 pages
electronic

rights: © Caitlin Pierzchalski, 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Rain gardens
Rain gardens--British Columbia

abstract: A meta-analysis using pre-existing data was done for streams in the North Shore of Vancouver, British Columbia. Parameters considered were chemical concentrations from stormwater input including: heavy metals concentrations (Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb)) and nutrient concentrations (Nitrate (N03-) and Orthophosphate (P04 3-))_ Chronic toxicity guideline exceedance based on the British Columbia Approved Water Quality Guidelines was found in all 94% of stream systems for Cu and 44% of stream systems for Zn. Heavy metal concentrations were found to be positively correlated with percent impervious surface cover in the watershed, with the strength of the correlation being metal-dependent. Three sites within the study had the highest levels of both Cu and Zn. These watersheds (Upper Keith Creek, Maplewood Creek, and Mackay Creek) were prioritized for rain garden installation. Rain garden building specifications to remediate for Zn and Cu were recommended and included addition of mulch layer, minimum depth of topsoil (30 cm), and vegetating with plants with high potential for biofiltration and/or phytoremediation.

abstract: Impervious surface cover

abstract: Stormwater

abstract: Rain garden

abstract: Green infrastructure

abstract: Heavy metal analysis


title: Hygrothermal propertied of building materials at different temperatures and relative humidities

format:
electronic
407 pages
electronic

rights: © Youness Yousefi, 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject: Hygrothermoelasticity

abstract:
This research project investigated and measured a set of hygrothermal characteristics of several building materials commonly used across the North America. This study examined the behavior of building materials under various climate conditions other than what is proposed by the standards. Improving available standard test methods by using state-of-the-art equipment, enabled me to measure thermal conductivity, sorption isotherms, water vapor permeability and water absorption coefficient of tested materials under nine different combinations of temperatures from
iv
3°C to 45°C and relative humidities from 50% to 90%. The results clearly present dependency of material properties on varying temperature and relative humidity. For example, thermal conductivity, vapor permeability and water absorption coefficients of all tested materials increased with respect to temperature, while the sorption isotherms of all materials decreased when temperature rose. The obtained results from this research can be utilized in Heat, Air and Moisture (HAM) modeling to improve effective and realistic analysis hygrothermal and energy performance of whole buildings.


title: Hygrothermal performance of super-insulated double-stud wood frame wall assemblies: an experimental study

contributor: British Columbia Institute of Technology Building Science (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
300 pages
electronic

subject:
Building, Wooden
Moisture

abstract:
In cold climates, much of wood-frame building enclosure durability failures and indoor air quality issues stem mainly from excessive moisture within enclosure components and these issues are more pronounced in buildings with higher levels of thermal insulation, with frequent mold and fungal growth complications. Nevertheless, buildings have been increasing their insulation levels (and this trend is expected to continue) due to climate change, depleting natural resources, ever-rising energy prices and growing expectation for occupants’ comfort and health. Incorporation of insulation materials with higher moisture storage and buffering capacities and also employing vapour retarders that can let walls dry out to both interior and exterior spaces are potential solutions. While the hygrothermal behaviour of these insulation materials have been extensively tested in material labs and computer modeling projects, their actual performance in different climatic zones demands more field experimental studies.
In this study, a field experiment was designed to assess hygrothermal behaviors of five highly insulated test wall panels under Marine climatic zone of, Burnaby, British Columbia. Full size wall panel specimens of ‘double-stud’ wood-frame were instrumented with moisture and temperature sensors and filled with Dense Cellulose Insulation (DCI) and Low-Density Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation (LD SPFI) under different vapour control layer scenarios of 4-mil Polyethylene film, Smart Vapour Retarder (SVR), and none. All test panels were exposed to the 4 controlled indoor and the actual outdoor climates and their hygrothermal response was recorded and analysed from 01 Sept 2016 to 31 May 2017.
The experimental results suggested DCI is a proper insulation material provided that it is equipped with a dedicated interior vapour barrier. The results also suggested while both DCI had LD SPF had acceptable moisture behaviour; DCI had slightly better performance than LD SPF. As for vapour control strategies, Smart Vapour Retarder (SVR) did not show an obvious advantage over 4-mil Polyethylene film and in some cases was slightly outperformed by polyethylene hygrothermally. As a general comment, the exterior sheathing board, plywood had the highest moisture activity and all other components, mainly the exterior and interior studs and plates remained in safe moisture ranges throughout the test period.

abstract: Insulation

abstract: Dense Cellulose Insulation

abstract: Hygrothermal performance


title: Assessment of natural ventilation using whole building simulation methodological framework

format:
electronic
199 pages
electronic
199 pages

rights: © Frederico Martins de Barros, 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author

subject:
Natural ventilation
Sustainable buildings

abstract:
Natural ventilation is a passive alternative to provide both indoor air quality and thermal comfort for the building’s occupants with low energy use. But at the same time, it is challenging for the building designers to implement natural ventilation strategies due to its complexity and highly dynamic behaviour, especially when it is compared with the mechanically ventilated buildings. Nevertheless, the use of naturally ventilated buildings is increasing along with the use of passive strategies, but depending on the complexity of the project, the designer still use rules of thumb for the implementation of natural ventilation strategies instead of a more comprehensive simulation-based approach.
In theory, whole building simulation models (WBSM) are becoming viable tools to support natural ventilation design, particularly in the early stages of the project where the impacts of measures to implement a natural ventilation strategy are magnified. However, the only “evidence” of such level of support comes from individual case-study projects. Nevertheless, there is a lack of validation through measurement of the effectiveness of natural ventilation design in real buildings. This research will shed light into the “inner-workings” of natural ventilation models in WBSM to answer fundamental questions such as the following: How is wind data processed? How are envelope openings characterized? How are internal openings modelled? When and how is air buoyancy modelled in spaces? How are the coupled thermal and fluid mass transfers modelled to reflect the dynamic thermal responses of constructions and airflows?
Therefore, a methodological framework is developed in order to provide the necessary knowledge for natural ventilation assessment. This framework is based on simulation (WBSM) and field testing. The proposed framework is tested in an existing landmark building in Vancouver. A WBSM of that building is developed, calibrated, and used to analyze how different factors that compose an integrated natural ventilation strategy (like the building shape, window shading, thermal mass, indoor spaces functionality and connectivity, and local climate) influence the thermal comfort of its occupants.

abstract: Natural ventilation

abstract: Thermal comfort

abstract: Adaptive model

abstract: Whole building simulation models (WBSM)


title: Experimental investigation of residential building heating and ventilation systems performance

format:
electronic
185 pages
electronic
185 pages

rights: © Alula Assefa Yadete, 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Air quality
Heating
Ventilation

abstract:
The building sector is one of the most dynamically evolving field with an expectation to provide comfortable, clean and healthy indoor environment with less energy consumption. This acceptable indoor condition is created with a combination of heating/cooling systems and ventilation strategies. There are various systems available, which can deliver heating/cooling as well as ventilation to a dwelling space. These systems involve different heat transfer mechanisms and ventilation strategies: as a result, their performance would be different. Accordingly, the performance of these systems would affect indoor conditions. The process of providing an acceptable indoor environment with minimized energy use can be challenging. In addition to that, there is also a keen interest to reduce the current trend of the building energy consumption as low as possible without affecting the required, comfortable indoor environment. Therefore, the requirement of comprehensive field research that studies and compares most of currently available space heating systems, as well as ventilation strategies, is highly vital to provide information about their actual and relative performance in a real scenario.
This research project conducts a field experiment that studies, heating systems, ventilation strategies, and ventilation flow rates. The first part is done by running two different heating systems at a time out of four heating systems (electrical baseboard heater, portable radiator heater, heat pump, and Radiant floor heating systems) in identical full-scale test building with similar ventilation strategy and similar ventilation flow rate. Whereas, the second group of experiments compare two ventilation strategies (mixed ventilation and underfloor ventilation) inside two test buildings with similar heating systems and ventilation flow rate. The third group of comparison compares three ventilation flow rates (15 cfm, 7.5 cfm, and 5 cfm) in the test buildings with similar heating systems and ventilation strategies.
Various indicators and indoor environmental elements are used to conduct the comparisons. In the first case where heating systems are compared, the thermal energy provide by the systems are used for comparison. In addition, the thermal comfort, local thermal discomfort, temperature distribution and RH distribution are used to assess and compare the indoor environment produced by the systems. Whereas, the ventilation strategies are compared using indoor environmental element (temperature, relative humidity, CO2, and air velocity) distributions. Finally, the comparison of ventilation flow rates is performed using contaminant removal effectiveness, indoor air quality number, and indoor environmental element distributions. The findings from the experiments indicate that all of the heating systems provide similar daily thermal energy between 10 kWh and 14 kWh based on the outdoor weather condition. In addition, all of the heating systems produce a thermally comfortable indoor environment for standing person. Whereas, the ventilation strategies comparison shows that mixed ventilation strategy performance is slightly better than an underfloor Ventilation strategy by creating marginally uniform CO2 and RH distribution. Moreover, the results of the ventilation flow rates comparison show that the temperature and air velocity distribution find similar while using all the three ventilation flow rates. But the higher ventilation flow rate removes relatively more RH and CO2 in comparison to the lower one. Accordingly, the higher ventilation flow rates depict higher contaminant removal rate and high indoor air quality number relative to lower ventilation flow rate.

abstract: Ventilation Effectiveness

abstract: Ventilation Flow Rate

abstract: Indoor Air Quality Number

abstract: Thermal Energy

abstract: Portable Radiator Heater


title: Field investigation of moisture buffering potential of gypsum board in a residential setting under varying operating conditions in a marine climate

format:
electronic
182 pages
electronic
182 pages

rights: © Shahrzad Pedram, 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Humidity
Drywall
Dwellings
Dwellings--Vancouver (B.C.)

abstract:
Indoor relative humidity is of critical importance to maintain at acceptable and stable levels for building occupants’ health and comfort, energy efficiency, and building envelope durability. The main factors that determine the indoor relative humidity levels in a building are ventilation rate and scheme, moisture sources and sinks, and moisture buffering effect of materials. As buildings enclosures are retrofitted for improvements in water shedding and energy performance, they are becoming more airtight. Such a retrofit measure without addressing increased ventilation needs will lead to significant building envelope and indoor air quality problems. In this thesis, this point is highlighted in a reference residential building, occupied by low-income, high occupancy residents.
        This research aims to determine the effect of moisture buffering of unfinished gypsum board as a passive means to regulate indoor humidity in a field experiment setting. Two identical test buildings exposed to real climatic loads are used to evaluate the moisture buffering effect of gypsum board for different simulated occupant densities and ventilation strategies. The effect of passive and active indoor moisture management measures are compared between 8 test cases. Implications on indoor air quality and ventilation heat loss are also discussed.
        The results show that moisture buffering is an effective means of passively regulating indoor relative humidity levels in Vancouver’s marine climate, when coupled with adequate ventilation as recommended by ASHRAE, even under high moisture loading. When working in tandem with adequate ventilation, moisture buffering helps to regulate changes in relative humidity levels by reducing humidity peaks. This in effect decreases dew point temperatures, and the likelihood of condensation and microbial growth.
        4 ventilation schemes are provided as active measures to manage indoor moisture coupled with moisture buffering in the field experiment. The results show competing benefits when it comes to managing indoor air quality, indoor humidity, and minimizing ventilation heat loss. Time-controlled ventilation is effective at maintaining relative humidity at acceptable levels for thermal comfort. Time-controlled ventilation also provides considerable savings in ventilation heat losses of 20% in comparison to constant ventilation. However, CO2 levels are exceeded beyond what is acceptable for good indoor air quality for 50% of the monitoring period. Conversely, demand-controlled ventilation schemes produce favourable indoor air quality based on CO2 levels, while compromising indoor humidity levels.


title: Assessment of natural ventilation design and efficacy in a net-zero energy house: a case study of the Harmony House

format:
electronic
165 pages
electronic
165 pages

rights: © James Ellis, 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Natural ventilation
Dwellings
Sustainable buildings

abstract: Achieving acceptable indoor environmental quality and thermal comfort in buildings can be difficult without relying on energy intensive mechanical equipment. When the climate conditions permit, natural ventilation could potentially help minimize the reliance on mechanically conditioned air; however, natural ventilation is rarely engineered. Houses are typically designed as fully enclosed climate systems in which the connection with the outdoor environment is rarely planned. Unlike in commercial or specialized buildings, houses are not designed with many energy conservation measures in mind. Reconnecting them with the outdoors has a great potential to increase thermal comfort and reduce reliance on mechanical systems. With such a connection to the dynamic weather conditions of the outdoors, it is difficult for architects to choose beneficial design elements to be included in the construction of their houses. Knowing which elements work and to what extent under particular conditions can potentially achieve increased thermal comfort using little or no energy. This research aims to offer a thorough assessment of a case study house and determine the effects of the design choices made by the architect of the house. This research may help architects know the risk factors affecting natural ventilation design in a systematic manner; and in doing so, enable quantifying the benefits of natural ventilation to meet the design goals of maintaining satisfactory indoor conditions without the use of air conditioning, particularly in the summer. A constructed net-zero case study house located in the Pacific marine climate of Canada was used to develop the proposed research. The house had been designed by an architect to rely solely on natural ventilation for cooling during the summer and much of the spring and fall. The house was instrumented and its indoor environment was monitored for a period of several months in 2014 to collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of design choices made, including the effect of a large atrium and the air flow characteristics of the windows intended by the architect to deliver most of the ventilation. Recorded data showed the house performed commendably and this was confirmed through evidence from the home owners. To aid in the understanding of the dynamics of the Harmony House, whole-building, multizone air flow network modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of the house was developed and calibrated with monitored data and testing. The models were used to assess the indoor air quality and further quantify the natural ventilation of the house, as well as test hypothetical situations that were once considered for the house. Simulations revealed some additional insight into the design choices that were implemented in the house and showed that further technologies intended to increase ventilation were unnecessary and some instead, reduced ventilation through the house.


identifier: u2: School of Construction and Environment

title: Field experiment on the effect of interior living walls on indoor environmental quality

format:
electronic
101 pages

rights: © Sepideh Daneshpanah, 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Indoor air quality
Architectural acoustics

abstract: Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) has multiple aspects such as: indoor air quality (IAQ), acoustics, thermal conditions, lighting, and ventilation. This research focuses on indoor air quality and acoustics and studies the effect of interior living walls on indoor air quality and acoustical characteristics of rooms through field monitoring and experiment. Previous laboratory studies have been carried out at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) on the effect of living walls on acoustics and indoor air quality. This study, examines the acoustical effect of living walls (background noise level, reverberation time, and speech articulation) as well as the effect of living walls on indoor air quality (Carbon Dioxide, Volatile Organic Compound, and endotoxin) through field measurements in the BC Hydro Theater at the Centre for Interactive Research in Sustainability (CIRS) at UBC. Existing predictive models are verified using field data, and are used to predict the effect of interior living walls on indoor air quality and acoustics in an adjoining lab.

abstract: Interior living walls


title: Experimental investigation of living architecture design tools to attenuate rooftop noise

contributor: Connelly, Maureen (Maureen_Connelly) (thesis advisor)

format:
electronic
152 pages

rights: © Jetvipa Kanjanakunchorn, 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

subject:
Sound
Rooftop architecture
Outdoor living spaces
City noise

abstract:
The aim of this research is to investigate the viability of designing urban rooftop soundscapes. The prerequisite is to reduce the sound propagation from road traffic by introducing living architectural rooftops with various components of sound attenuating technologies. The final goal is to turn unused rooftop space into a livable urban green space, where soundscape is balanced, and sound energy is reduced to the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The first part of this research is to identify the potential of living architectural technologies to attenuate noise from road traffic. More than 33 measurements are performed of living architecture design tools, such as green roofs, berms at edge, living wall barriers and overhangs, to investigate the behavior of sound attenuation in an anechoic chamber and in ODEON, a computer simulation software. The second part of this research is to use the findings on the proposed design tools for an architectural case study, a flat-roof five-storey building located on East Hastings Street. The use of a combination of green roof, berm, overhang, guard and living wall can reduced urban traffic noise from 70 dBA on the roof to 55 dBA, creating additional acoustically healthy habitable space in the urban environment.