Heat

New line of invented, convection, kerosene space heaters Due to high energy prices In the ass, the units were expected to do well The target market was aimed at low Income consumers who had electric heating systems – especially In the east Also would be used by those consumers who had their heat shut off

1. Is this heater a socially useful product? Should it be produced at all? Yes, based on the incremental benefits of existing heating mechanisms, the space heater is a socially useful product. More cost efficient, enabled heat to be focused where needed eliminating unnecessary waste In rooms where heat wasn’t needed, and could enable certain demographics to have heat where they otherwise wouldn’t (due to high energy prices).
2. Under what legal standards will consumer In rules be dealt with? Liability lawsuits were probable should there be injuries or adverse health consequences. Strict liability in tort would in all likelihood be the applicable liability standard, so the company could be held liable even if an injury were due to reasonable misuse by a consumer.
3. Total costs would include the cost of liability insurance, legal and court costs, and the time of management required by the cases. Insurance costs could be reduced by adding safety features.
4. What framework should the company use to make decisions about which product safety features to add? Given that framework, which particular product safety features should they add? The company should weigh the costs of the bare bones option of the space heater. From here determine the costs and benefits of adding subsequent safety features while incorporating the likelihood of harmful effects based on the data that they have. Electric spark ignition should clearly be incorporated given that it reduced the likelihood of death by an estimated 50%.
5. Should the company offer a line of products with various safety features/price combinations from which customers can choose? How should the product be priced? There should be one consistent, standard safety level that the company should strive o achieve.

By implementing different safety levels, the company runs a large risk of legal risk of future penalties and the final price should have an optimal balance between cost of parts and labor vs. future liability.

1. What were the underlying cases of the spill?
2. Evaluate the political and economic logic of the $20 billion fund from both President Obama and BSP point of view.
3. Should the U. S. Government change the way that it regulates this industry? Implement policies that minimize risk

In today”s busy world, many people get so caught up in their own ambience that they overlook all the other things out there. Some people seem treat their surroundings as if it were their own “little world”, creating tunnel vision to the array of the actual real world and all the things that occur in it. Pamela Zoline addresses this and many other issues in the short story, “The Heat Death of the Universe”. This piece reports the abstract, somewhat crazy thoughts, of the world from an ordinary housewife to the reader.

At first, these thoughts appear to be coming from a severely confused and mentally unstable person, with no point what so ever. Contrary to the evidence stated in the text, “Sarah Boyle is a vivacious and intelligent young wife… proud of her growing family which keeps her busy and happy around the house” (192), the reader can see that the main character, Sarah Boyle, is quite unsatisfied with her place in life. This unhappiness stems from a wasted education, causing the apathetic housewife to resort to ceaseless contemplation, which shapes the life she has created for herself and the home she is trapped in.

The fact that Sarah Boyle was well-educated is pointed out clearly in the first few paragraphs, “Sarah Boyle is a vivacious and intelligent young wife and mother, educated at a fine Eastern college” (192). This fact can be also be easily deduced by the reader after observing the knowledge Sarah presents and the vocabulary she exhibits, such as “ONTOLOGY: That branch of metaphysics which concerns itself with the problems of the nature of existence or being” (191) and “ENTROPY: A quantity introduced in the first place to facilitate the calculations, and to give clear expressions to the results of thermodynamics” (193).

Clearly, such words are not ones that would be regarded as common knowledge or everyday conversation topics. The terms used by Sarah throughout the story lead the reader to regard her as some type of advanced science major. In addition to the vocabulary usage, the manner in which her mind functions and the habits she displays also guides the reader to the same assumption. Sarah demonstrates scientific thinking methods constantly; always making lists, noticing irrelevant and abstract things, counting and lettering objects, constantly pondering ideas and concerned with factual matters.

Sometimes she numbers or letters the things in a room… there are 819 separate moveable objects in the living room… she is passionately fond of children”s dictionaries, encyclopedias, ABCs and all reference books” (193). Combining all these facts, statements, and observations the reader deduces Sarah Boyle as a scientifically educated, intelligent woman: Which leads to the question, why is Sarah a housewife? This thought seems to reoccurringly pass though Sarah”s mind as well.

The mannerisms that Sarah Boyle displays evident the fact that she is unhappy with her position in life as a housewife; she feels that her education is worthless here, causing her to feel unchallenged and bored, which only leads to endless contemplation in the world she has chosen. The largest indicators of Sarah”s unhappiness are the notes that she leaves throughout the house, such as “Many young wives fell trapped. It is a contemporary sociological phenomenon” and “Help, Help, Help, Help, Help” (193).

In addition to these notes, rarely does Sarah ever talk about her family; which is highly contrary to the expectations of the common housewife. When she does refer to her family, the statements are quite short, uncaring, and undescriptive. “Today is the birthday of one of the children” (192). Speaking of her family life, never does she mention a husband. Sarah only makes remarks of a questionable nature about her children, she doesn”t seem to display the motherly love or compassion one would expect; in fact, several places in the short story, the comment is made that “Sarah Boyle is never quite sure how many children she has” (196).

This comment leaves the reader confused and, in addition to the numerous derogatory and confusing references made to children throughout the story, causes the reader to think that she doesn”t care for her children at all. Looking at some of the statements she makes, this is quite possible. In one situation she conceives the idea that a cereal may cause cancer, “Perhaps something is terrible wrong with the cereal… Perhaps it causes a special, cruel Cancer in little children… she imagines in her mind”s eye the headlines… ” (192).

Irregardless of this idea, she excessively feeds the children the cereal “great yellow heaps of it” (192) and even goes out to the store to buy more “shopping in the supermarket… a box of Sugar Frosted Flakes”. These facts combine to produce the result that she does not care if her children get cancer. Also, Sarah feels that “housework is never completed” (197), resulting in a never-ending task, that eventually drives her insane. All evidence in mind, it becomes clear that she is unhappy as a housewife, causing her to constantly create crazy ideas with her unapplied education, driving herself into an unstable mental state.

With no appropriate way to apply the education Sarah has received, she resorts to using it in the only place she has as an option, her home. She starts to devise a parallel between her house and the universe. She falls back on her education and implements the theory of entropy and the “heat death of the Universe” into her own homemaking skills.

According to these theories combined, “The total ENTROPY of the Universe therefore is increasing, tending towards a maximum, corresponding to complete disorder of the particles in it… he Universe constitutes a thermodynamically closed system, and if this were true it would mean that a time just finally come when the Universe “unwinds” itself, no energy being available for use” (200). Sarah applies this theory in her housekeeping techniques, thinking that the more organized she is, the less disorder she creates. Therefore, she is not contributing to entropy in her own Universe, her house. Keeping entropy at a constant therefore would not contribute to the “heat death of the Universe”.

Evidently, this abstract thinking is indicating some mental problems. At the end of the short story, Sarah displays a mental breakdown, combining all the unexplainable ideas that float though her mind in a physical and mental explosion. Throughout this short story, Pamela Zoline effectively addresses many relevant issues in today”s society. Through a common housewife, Sarah Boyle, the reader can observe the daily trauma and feeling of worthlessness that one may experience at what it can result in.

ANSYS Fluent is technology package for computational fluid kineticss which enables mathematical modeling of the physical theoretical account. It can be used to analyze fluid flow, heat transportation and a broad scope of other industrial application jobs by executing “numerical experiments” ( computing machine simulations ) in a “virtual flow laboratory” . The package is extensively used throughout the universe. It can be used for new construct mold, every bit good as the betterment of bing 1s. One advantage of the package is that it is able to work out complex 3-D jobs where the physical forces and flow features are sometimes impossible to mensurate ; accordingly provide speedy, efficient, more accurate and dependable consequences.

As mentioned before, this methodological analysis is based on using the physical theoretical account to a scaly geometry that represents the existent theoretical account system. Subsequently, all surfaces and volumes of the sphere are meshed. The full mesh is exported to ANSYS Fluent for the numerical solution of Navier-Stokes equation. Followed by the model been delegating to the boundary conditions necessary for the stuff and thermic belongingss. The theoretical account re-produces the existent atmospheric conditions that the system is subjected to during the clip that is simulated.

Project’s efficiency is improved for undertakings by analyzing little alterations in parametric quantities and CFD expends less clip than building a existent paradigm and proving. One of the chief purposes of CFD simulation is to analyse the existent thermic behaviours of the proposed system with fewer resources in less clip.

In this undertaking, the CFD package bundle of ANSYS FLUENT version 15.0 is selected as the computational package for imitating the physical theoretical account. This is because it is the package widely used by research workers internationally in the country of thermic wall research and besides suggested by the supervisor ( ANSYS UK Ltd, 2012 ) . The computational theoretical account is developed based on a proposed physical life infinite theoretical account in Sydney with a H2O wall system.

3.2.1 Heat Balance and Governing Equations

Heat balance:

The H2O wall theoretical account set up is based on the heat balance method where the temperature fluctuation for H2O is tantamount for both paradigm and theoretical account. There are a few premises made for this method:

• The H2O is well-mixed ab initio at a unvarying surface temperature
• Heat flux moving on the surface is changeless
• Diffuse radiating surface
• The thermic energy radiated on wall surface is transferred to H2O, with no heat loss to environing walls.

Regulating equations:

The heat transportation and air flow in this theoretical account is chiefly governed by partial non-linear differential equations, which stand foring the preservation of mass ( continuity ) , impulse and energy ( heat ) . These equations are so solved numerically based on the project’s geometry, boundary scenes and runing conditions. In this undertaking, the preservation equations for laminar flow are described below with concise account on each.

• Conservation of mass ( besides known as continuity equation ) : this equation ensures that the mass is conserved when fluid is in gesture. Equation ( 1 ) below is a general signifier of the continuity equation.

( 1 )

• Conservation of impulse: the equation is shown below as Equation ( 2 ) .This equation rises from using Newton’s 2nd jurisprudence to the fluid gesture, where the rate of alteration of impulse peers the amount of the forces. The entire impulse of a system remains changeless.

( 2 )

• Conservation of energy: this equation refers to the first jurisprudence of thermodynamics, where the rate of alteration of energy of a fluid partial is equal to the rate of heat add-on plus the rate of work done. In other words, for this undertaking the energy equation histories for the heat act on the undertaking. There are many ways of showing the energy equation, one signifier is as shown in Equation ( 3 )

( 3 )

3.2.2 Geometry and Boundary Conditions

Geometry:

The conventional diagram of the analysis theoretical account considered in this paper is illustrated in Figure3-2, modeled with ANSYS Fluent. The theoretical account is developed from an false physical paradigm by ignoring the structural characteristics. In order to simplify the job, the geometry of this system is specified as planar and constructed on the X, Y plane. The theoretical account geometry is scaled down to 200mm*200mm in general infinite with a thermic storage wall and two gaps as air recess and mercantile establishment ( shown in ruddy ) . All wall thicknesses are neglected in this state of affairs, which indicates the walls have zero heat conductivity opposition. There are three chief parts in this theoretical account: the air channel ( A ) , inactive solar wall ( B ) and indoor life infinite ( C ) , besides illustrated in Figure 3-2.

The thermic wall is set as 30mm*100mm. The intermediate infinite between the thermic wall and the glazing or the canal breadth is set for 20mm and the stuff to construction the thermic storage wall is H2O.

Boundary Conditionss:

The lone un-insulated surface is the interface between the thermic wall and the air channel. The other beds are insulated to either increase the thermic opposition or prevent to heat from reassigning into the internal infinite. Note that the heat flux is originally designed to move on the exterior H2O wall surface ( the surface between A and B on Figure 3-2 ) , where this surface is besides an interface between H2O and air. But mistakes occur if this interface is subjected to external heat beginning when operating in ANSYS FLUENT 15.0 bundle. Thus that in this survey, all interior wall surfaces including the roof and floor are set to be adiabatic ( under nothing heat flux ) while the thermic wall interior surface ( No. 19 on Figure 3-2 ) is capable to heat flux calculated based on the Sydney part historical informations shown in Appendix A ( Bom.gov.au, 2014 ) . However, the value of solar heat flux is non changeless during a twenty-four hours, and at this phase our cognition is non sufficient to execute a simulating based on the world parabolic behaviour of heat flux. The heat flux moving on the H2O wall for this undertaking is assumed as changeless. It is about impossible to make an accurate grading based on all fluid flow factors, to fulfill this, the H2O temperature will lift above 100EsC. To simplify the undertaking, the values are so scaled down to fulfill the theoretical account scenes by keep the same addition temperature addition rate in H2O wall. The grading computation is described below.

Initially the standard temperature for the H2O wall and theoretical account room was set the same as 300K ( 26.85EsC ) . The air temperature at recess and mercantile establishment were besides assumed changeless and tantamount to the room air temperature to simplify the undertaking. By making this, heat flux is ensured as the lone force that initiates the full system.

Other than the computational recess and mercantile establishment, the remainder of the surface boundaries are stationary walls under no-slip conditions. Resistance to flux due to friction along the surfaces is assumed negligible.

3.2.3 Imitating Parameters ( Dimensional Analysis )

From the published literature, many different parametric quantities can impact the public presentation of the H2O wall public presentation for air airing intent. As shown on Figure 3-3, there are many variables that can be investigated to optimise the H2O wall system public presentation such as wall tallness ( H ) , width ( B ) , intermediate infinite interval ( D ) and the heat flux strength moving on H2O wall surface.

A dimensional analysis is performed to show the structural and mechanical parametric quantities that may impact the system public presentation. Buckingham theorem is the method used for dimensional analysis. First of wholly, a certain figure, “n” , of relevant dimensional physical variables are determined for this undertaking. These variables are inter-related and can be expressed via a functional relationship as shown in Equation 4, where Q stands for the mean volume flow rate at the mercantile establishment.

( 4 )

Followed by examine these parametric quantities and happen out the figure of cardinal dimensions, named “k” . Finally, by choosing “k” figure of reiterating variables, the staying ( n-k ) variables can organize ( n-k ) sets ofgroups. The elaborate working out is described in Appendix B. The solution indicates that for this undertaking analysis, there are n=16 variables, k=4 cardinal dimensions which form 12groups. Thesegroups are dimensionless groups that will impact the system public presentation. Consequently, The Buckingham Theorem consequence indicates that Q is a map of a set of dimensionless groups, which are shown below.
( 5 )

Due to constraint in clip and CFD cognition restriction at the current phase, in this survey, two factorsheat fluxstrengthandH2O wall thicknesshave been chosen as the simulating parametric quantities, therefore that the undertaking aims to analyze their effects on the system.

Solar heat flux strength is one of the most widely research parametric quantity and besides the most conclusive. Research workers find that air velocity and temperature within the solar channel of the thermal wall system increases with increasing solar heat flux strength ( Budea, 2014 )

The 2nd parametric quantity is the H2O wall thickness ( breadth ) . Presently, research workers return assorted reappraisals on the influence of H2O wall’s tallness, but besides to observe that the tallness parametric quantity is non easy to command due to realistic structural limitations. Meanwhile, there has been really limited reappraisal on the effects H2O wall thickness parametric quantity by past research workers. Comparing to the H2O wall tallness, the thickness is considered as a comparatively easy parametric quantity to command. The above grounds explain why H2O wall thickness is selected as the 2nd simulating parametric quantity to analyze for this undertaking.

3.2.4: Operating Condition

Solution Methods:

As the air flow is driven by convection in the air chamber, the system is running under force per unit area based attack. When simulating, the force per unit area field is extracted by work outing a force per unit area rectification equation which is obtained by pull stringsing the preservation of mass and impulse equations of the speed field ( Arc.vt.edu, 2014 ) . Since the government equations are non-linear, the solution procedure involves work outing the regulating equations repeatedly till the solution converges.

In this theoretical account, the perkiness consequence of air is modeled under the Boussinesq estimate. This is because the phenomenon in the solar channel is natural convection under alterations in air temperature. This estimate is used to account for the denseness fluctuation. Thus the computational theoretical account considers denseness to be changeless except for the perkiness term in the impulse equation.

Operating Parameters:

As discussed before, the two parametric quantities interested are heat flux strength and H2O wall thickness. For the heat flux strength, the scaly upper limit summer heat flux is 112; where the minimal winter 55.7. Two other heat flux strengths are chosen for comparing. The values are taken mediate the upper limit and lower limit based on tantamount increase. Therefore, the concluding four values selected for this undertaking are 55.7, 74.593.2and 112.

When analyzing the H2O wall thickness affects, the heat flux is set independent with a value of 89.2, which is the mean annual value calculated. Then the breadths selected for the H2O wall are 25mm, 30mm and 35 millimeter to compare public presentation of natural air airing of the undertaking theoretical account.

3.2.5 Convergence Criteria and Meshing

Convergence Standards

This theoretical account uses 2^neodymiumorder truth ( high declaration ) for the sing variables such as temperature and speed. All remainders are scaled and the convergence standard is said as reached when the default absolute value of the remainders are belowHowever it is of import to observe that a good initial conjecture by and large lead to a high scaled residuary and therefore the convergence standards can non be achieved. Hence after corroborating the solution conditions, a mesh independence trial is required to be performed to guarantee the solution is besides independent of the mesh. This is besides an extra critical standard to guarantee the consequences are dependable.

Finite volume method

The solution method employed in ANSYS FLUENT is known as the finite volume method under full-coupled convergent thinker. Full-coupled means that the system usually converges in less loop, but with each loop takes longer. This method operates as follows:

First of wholly, the theoretical account sphere is discretized, through the usage of mesh, into a finite set of control volumes. Next, the three regulating equations discussed before ( preservation of mass, impulse and energy ) are integrated over each single control volume to make algebraic equations for the terra incognitas. Followed by all the equations developed all being solved to give updated consequences of the dependent variables. Consequently, an approximative value of each dependant variable at any points on the sphere can be obtained.

Mesh Independency Test

A all right mesh reduces the elaboration of mistakes during the extension of the solution. However, by bettering the truth of the simulation consequences through refinement mesh, the clip devouring for computational analysis is increased correspondingly. As a consequence, a mesh independence trial was performed to guarantee the appropriate mesh is used for this system. More specifically, this means that the mesh chosen is capable of bring forthing a comparatively accurate consequence but less clip devouring. Without executing the mesh independency trial, the solutions will hold a high opportunity of changing with the polish of mesh and this clearly is non acceptable for the undertaking. The polish procedure is repeated with incrementally reduced alternations in consequence until a solution that is independent of mesh is generated.

The overall theoretical account sphere is foremost divided into 100*100 computational cells, and so traveling to 200*200, 400*400 cells for the mesh independence trial. The spheres near to interfaces were set with smaller grid spacing ( or finer mesh ) , the interior infinite set with larger grid spacing ( or courser mesh ) to better the truth. Two parametric quantities set as proctors are area-weighted mean temperature of the H2O wall and the mean volume flow rate at the mercantile establishment. There is no specific standard for the per centum difference between two back-to-back sets, but it is required to be moderately bantam to guarantee that no important effects take topographic point on the system when mesh alterations.

The differences between the sets of consequences are analyzed in per centum by sing 400*400 engagement as mention. The consequences are besides expressed in x-y chart for better ocular comparing. The elaborate informations for mesh trial including the ocular comparing figures is shown in Appendix C. A comparing of consequences is shown in Table 3-2 below.

By analyzing the consequences, it is observed that the differences between the 200*200 and 400*400 mesh are zero and less than 0.01 % for temperature and volume flow rate proctors severally. Therefore, it is believed that the 200*200 grid system has sensible imitating clip ingestion and can obtain good truth consequences for the undertaking. The mesh form is presented in Figure3-4. The observation gives the assurance that the fake solution is considered as independent of its grid.

How weather effect your mood? Weather can have more than a little impact on your mood. Researchers in Germany branched out beyond just sunny and cloudy and looked at temperature, wind, sunlight, rain and snow, air pressure, and how long the days were. The study was led by Jaap Denissen of Humboldt University in Berlin. The study had 1,233 participants, all living in Germany at the time. Most of the participants were women, the average age was 28, with ages pning from 13 to 68 years old.

Study participants were first given a personality test that measured extraversion, neuroticism, how open one is to experiences, and how agreeable and conscientious they are. Then, participants were given a daily online diary and asked to respond to a questionnaire that measured tiredness and positive and negative mood. Examples of positive mood included feeling “active,” “alert,” “attentive,” “excited. ” Examples of negative mood included feeling “irritable,” “scared,” “upset,” “guilty. ” Tiredness was measured by terms such as “sluggish,” “sleepy,” and “drowsy. The researchers found that when it’s sunny outside you’re in a more alert, happy, focused mood than when it’s raining, cloudy, snowing, and cold. Wind, temperature, and sunlight were found to have a negative effect on your mood. The researchers said that sunlight played a role in how tired people said they were. Also, Sunlight had a mitigating effect on whether people reported they were tired on days when it rained. Being out in the sun boosts our mood, improves sleep, and promotes vitamin D production.

Some people get better sleep when they were exposed to the sun during the day. A type of depression called seasonal affective disorder affects some people during the winter when they don’t get enough sunlight. Psychiatrists often recommend that depressed individuals go outside in the sun for 30 minutes per day because experts now believe that sunlight has widespread mood-elevating effects, possibly because the “happy” hormone serotonin increases when nights are short and days are long.

When the day starts getting darker earlier more people have less time to enjoy any of the day because they are at school or work. so then they become depressed because they are getting home from work and school and its either cloudy out by the time they get out or its already dark out . Also experts said shorter day’s equal shorter sun/daylight which is why some people do become depressed and tired. Some people have less effect on their mood from weather which are identified those people who love winter and enjoy the colder weather and everything about the season.

When it’s really hot outside or in a certain location it can cause you to get heat stress. Heat stress is the amount of stress a worker faces in a hot work area: temperature, humidity, radiant heat (such as from the sun or a furnace) and wind speed. Individuals with high blood pressure or some heart conditions and people who take diuretics (water pills) may be more sensitive to heat exposure and may have a higher chance of getting heat stress.

Rain and cloudy skies also plays a role in effecting your mood. Frijns and his colleagues also identified a group of so-called “Summer Haters,” who were less happy and more fearful and angry when the temperature and the percentage of sunshine were higher and happier and less fearful and angry with more hours of precipitation. Also identified a group called “Rain Haters” was also identified. As implied by the name, this group felt angrier and less happy on days with more precipitation.

Some people say that they like sunny, warm day’s better than rainy cold days because when its sunny outside your able to be more active and also are able to go out and enjoy the sunny warm weather but other people say they like rainy cold days better because you get to relax inside, watch movies, spend more time with family, and be more focused on school or work other than putting your work off and going outside and enjoy your day. Researches said more college student tend to go to school doing the fall because they are more focused and pass more classes because theyaren’tputting off their work to enjoy a nice sunny warm day.

Researches said that during the spring and summer people are more in shape and exercise than during the fall and winter. This is because during the spring and summer people are more motivated to go for a walk or run because the suns out and its warm out. Most people don’t like going out in the rain or cold. so that makes them unmotivated to be active and get exercise. Also most people tend to stay in during the fall and winter because it’s warm and dry inside rather than being outside in the cold and rain.

Researches said that people tend to gain more weight during the winter and fall months because they are inside watching movies and eating rather than going outside and being active. People also get depressed during the fall and winter because of cold , rain , and cloudy skies and when most people are depressed they usually eat more to make them feel better which also make them gain weight. Researchers said there are several ways you can prevent the weather to affect your mood negatively. Some prevention is when you are indoors don’t have the lights dimmed turn then all the way on so it’s brighter in your house.

You can also watch a movie cuddled up on your couch or bed and have a good dinner. Don’t just sit around and do nothing that makes you bored and depressed. Get up and do something like clean, make food, or go out. There is a diagnosis called “seasonal moodiness. ” Seasonal moodiness is a sickness then affects 1 of 4 people. Its gloominess caused by Mother Nature and it usually starts in late October, and then ends in April when spring begins. When this becomes more servers (having seasonal moodiness for 2 consecutive years) it usually becomes diagnosed as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Doctors take this very seriously, and there is treatment. Doctors believe it stems from “sensitivity to the lack of sunlight that results from winter’s “shorter” days and disrupts our circadian rhythm, or internal body clock. “- WebMD. SAD is caused by the brain working overtime to produce melatonin (because of the lack of sunlight). Melatonin regulates your body clock, sleep patterns and a hormone that’s been linked to depression. So in this way, yes weather can affect our moods. Although it is an illness, it’s caused to weather and weather change.

The Problem – Its Background

Our environment today is experiencing a lot of superfluous phenomena like floods, earthquakes and other incidents and pollution is the root of all of these incidents. Serving the environment would be a big help to Mother Earth. The researchers decided to make junk into a new and useful thing that may be used by students and that may be a progress in our economy. Plastic is one of our society’s main problems for it is hard to decompose; it takes years to decompose a single plastic bag.

Plastics are one of the reasons why we experience flood for the reason that they block the water that passes the inland waterway that makes the water level go up rather making it go down. Plastic can be useful but it is also harmful to our environment. Using plastics correctly would be a great help. The principle is quite simple; there is a strong electric current in a thin resistive wire. The wire under the effect of current and heat cut easily and cleanly Styrofoam, much better than with a knife or a cutter, particularly for large pieces.

Styrofoam is also a plastic and it is a light, expanded polystyrene plastic. Styrofoam is a very versatile material used in many hobby applications ranging from remote-control airplanes to home remodeling. Like other plastics it takes years to decompose Styrofoam, a reason why we should use it efficiently and correctly. Styrofoam is an important part of the modern economy. It’s a very versatile product, used for cups, plates, and even some interior decorating items.

Another very popular use is that of packing material. Packing Styrofoam comes in either loose form, or as “peanuts. As consumers, we use this product every day. However, it has many other uses besides those for household decorating or shipping. Styrofoam has a very low melting temperature that is why the researchers decided to melt the Styrofoam rather than cutting it. It can also be used to cut plastic or synthetic foam.

A guitar string has a number of frequencies at which it will naturally vibrate. These natural frequencies are known as the harmonics of the guitar string. Guitar string can be made of Bronze Wound the most common guitar string, the Phosphor Bronze Wound is a bronze string with phosphor added to he alloy, Silk & Steel is a special design string where the unwrapped strings are plain steel and the wrapped strings have a thin steel core surrounded by many nylon filaments and then wrapped with silver plated brass windings, Nickel Plated a string consists of nickel plated steel wraps around a steel core, Pure Nickel a string consists of nickel wraps around a steel core. Due to the pure nickel content and Stainless Steel is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10. 5 or 11% chromium content by mass.

The researchers decided to make a research/experiment that would help the environment by maximizing the use of their resources and by making recycled materials useful. Another reason why the researchers chose this experiment was so that they may help provide new business opportunities in the industry of Styrofoam carving/modeling. Statement of the Problem The researchers aimed to study if it is possible to make Styrofoam cutter made of guitar sting and other recycled materials. Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:

• What are the materials that can be used in making a Styrofoam cutter?
• Does the product function properly?
• How will the finished product made or guitar string and other recyclable materials be effective in terms of being a Styrofoam cutter :
• Quality and effectiveness
• What would be the advantages and disadvantages of the product over the other cutting materials?
• How could this product make a change in the society?

Statement of Hypotheses Sub – Problems| Null hypotheses| Alternative hypotheses

• Would the materials be eco friendly?
• The materials that are needed are harmful to our environment.
• The materials needed are recyclable materials and Eco friendly.
• Would the experiment be functional?
• It would not bring any help and it would be just a waste of time.
• The experiment would serve it’s propose why it is done.
• Would the researcher accomplish the experiment?
• It won’t work for the researcher lacks experience and knowledge.
• The experiment will work for the researchers persevere a lot and guidance of the researchers reviews.
• Would the researcher meet all the needed requirements? |
• It would be hard for the researchers to find some of the materials and tools needed to make the machine.
• The researcher will make ways to continue the experiment and finish the product with a good quality.
• 5. Would the experiment provide innovation in our technology?
• The experiment will not be an innovative one.
• The experiment will provide a new technological development.
• Would the experiment be a successful one?
• The researchers would fail in their experiment for the product would not work.
• The researchers would succeed in creating their product as a useful material for cutting Styrofoam.

Scope and Limitation

This study is limited in making an effective Styrofoam cutter made of guitar and other recycled materials that can be found at home. Guitar string will be the main material used in making the Styrofoam cutter. This study must be conducted within ten (10) months period. This study is limited on how far the researcher can go. This study aimed to provide a new innovation in the industry of Styrofoam carving. This study would look for ways to make waste into a useful object that will be a help in improving our quality of life, which can help in making life easier and in making things go faster.

It is an innovation, an improvement and the researchers chose this topic to help improve life and not to make people lazy. It is just on how the users utilize the machine. Significance of the Study This study aimed to produce a Styrofoam cutter made of guitar strings and other recycled materials. This study would provide a great innovation in the industry of Styrofoam craving. It would help in cutting, craving and shaping Styrofoam in a faster and easier way. It can also help in preventing too much waste from carving Styrofoam for this machine can cut Styrofoam efficiently.

This study would provide another development in our municipality for it can help in providing employment for housewives or skilled craftsmen for extra income, for this machine could be done at home and with recycled materials. This machine can create simple craft that can be traded to other country. That can promote our economy and our country.

Definition of Terms

1. Carving foam – is a foam product which is designed to be worked by carving. A wide variety of foams can be used for carving, including urethane foam, expended polystyrene foam and polyusocyanurate foam.

2. Conductor – is a material which contains movable electric charges. In metallic conductors such as copper or aluminum, the movable charged particles are electrons.

3. Decomposition – is the process by which organic material is broken down into simpler forms of matter. The process is essential for recycling the finite matter that occupies physical space in the biome. The science which studies decomposition is generally referred to as taphonomy from the Greek word taphos, meaning tomb.

4. Dimmers – devices used to vary the brightness of a light. By decreasing or increasing the RMS voltage. Although variable-voltage devices are used for various purposes, the term dimmer is generally reserved for those intended to control resistive incandescent, halogen and more recently compact fluorescent lighting.

5. Environmentally friendly – is also known as  eco-friendly, nature friendly, and green are terms used to refer to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies claimed to inflict minimal or no harm on the environment.

6. Fuse – a type of low resistance resistor that acts as a sacrificial to provide over current protection, of either the load or source circuit. It’s essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when too much current flows, which interrupts the circuit in which it is connected.

7. Guitar – a plucked string instrument usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with either nylon or steel strings. Some modern guitars are made of polycarbonate materials.

8. Heat transfer – is a discipline of thermal engineering that concerns the generation, use, conversion, and exchange of thermal energy and heat between physical systems. Heat transfer is classified into various mechanisms, such as heat conduction, convection, thermal radiation, and transfer of energy by phase changes.

9. Hotwire foam cutter – is a tool used to cut polystyrene foam and similar materials. The device consists of a thin, taut metal wire, often made of nichrome or stainless steel, or a thicker wire preformed into a desired shape, which is heated via electrical resistance to approximately 200°C. As the wire is passed through the material to be cut, the heat from the wire vaporizes the material just in advance of contact.

10. Lead – an electrical connection consisting of a length of wire or soldering pad that comes from a device. Leads are used for physical support, to transfer power, to probe circuits, and to transmit information.

11. Plastic – are typically organic polymers of high molecular mass, but they often contain other substances. They are usually synthetic, most commonly derived from petrochemicals, but many are partially natural. Plastic materials are any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids that are moldable.

12. Polystyrene – also known as Thermocole. It is an aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is manufactured from petroleum by the chemical industry. It is also a thermoplastic substance, which is in solid state at room temperature, but flows if heated above its glass transition temperature of about 100 °C, and becomes solid again when cooled. Pure solid polystyrene is a colorless, hard plastic with limited flexibility. It can be cast into molds with fine detail.

13. String – is the vibrating element that produces sound in string instruments, such as the guitar, harp, piano, and members of the violin family. Strings are lengths of a flexible material kept under tension so that they may vibrate freely, but controllably.

14. Styrofoam – a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company for closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam currently made for thermal insulation and craft applications. In 1941, researchers in Dow’s Chemical Physics Lab found a way to make foamed polystyrene. Led by Ray McIntire, they “rediscovered” a method first discovered by Swedish inventor Carl Georg Munters. Dow acquired exclusive rights to use Munters’ patents and found ways to make large quantities of extruded polystyrene as closed cell foam that resists moisture.

15. Switch – is an electrical component that can break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another.

16. Temperature – is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses the common notions of hot and cold.

17. Transformer – a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors—the transformer’s coils.

18. Vinyl Polymer – are a group of polymers derived from vinyl monomers. Their backbone is an extended alkane chain, made by polymerizing an alkenes group (C=C) into a chain (.. -C-C-C-C-.. )

19. Voltage – the difference in electric potential between two points — or the difference in electric potential energy per unit charge between two points. A voltage may represent either a source of energy, or it may represent lost or stored energy.

20. Wire – is a single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of metal. Wires are used to bear mechanical loads and to carry electricity and telecommunications signals.

Wire is commonly formed by drawing the metal through a hole in a die or draw plate.

Chapter II Review of Related Literature and Studies

In Chapter I, the researchers were trying to find the problem, looking for more sources about it and trying to find ways to solve the stated problem. In this Chapter, the researchers find sources for their research. The researchers found some related information about hot wires or Styrofoam cutters that will be their guide for the research. Foreign There are many ways of cutting Styrofoam and the researcher has chosen use guitar string or hotwires.

Hotwire cutters can be used in cutting any hard plastic or Vinyl polymer and it also has many uses for it is not just for cutting but also for shaping, molding, craving and even for commercial uses. And according to a website hot wire cutter are defined as: Hot wire cutters are used for cutting polystyrene foam types of Styrofoam, or upholstery foam into a variety of shapes and sizes for a wide variety of commercial and happy application. Hotwire foam cutters are usually made of metals. Metals are known for being a good conductor of heat and electricity and that is why it can be a good aterial to be used in making a hot wire foam cutter. Hot-wire foam cutter is a tool used to cut polystyrene foam and similar materials. The device consists of a thin, taut metal wire, often made of nichrome or stainless steel, or a thicker wire preformed into a desired shape, which is heated via electrical resistance to approximately 200°C. As the wire is passed through the material to be cut, the heat from the wire vaporizes the material just in advance of contact. The researchers chose guitar string as the main substance in creating a foam cutter made out of recycled materials.

A usual guitar string is made of steel which makes it a heat conducting metal; a factor why the researchers chose it for it fits to be the special wire in this apparatus. Moreover, guitar strings are also cheap; resource oriented, and can be found at home. These are the reasons why the researchers picked steel guitar string as the special wire. Metals are much better thermal conductors than non-metals because the same mobile electrons which participate in the electrical conduction also take part in the transfer of heat.

Hot wire cutters can create a simple Styrofoam in different useful crafts. It can make cash out of junks. It is used by different professionals like Architects, artists, designers, and many more. It can also provide occupation or source of income. It can promote our country’s economy. Local Our countrymen are well known as skilled craftsmen and very creative people; as the saying goes, Filipinos can make junk as useful things. So, the researchers decided to help our countrymen by creating a Styrofoam cutter made of recycled materials.

It can lessen the waste in carving Styrofoam. Styrofoam is made of plastic that can damage our environment; a reason why some organizations recommended to stop using Styrofoam for commercial uses. It is said that Styrofoam is just an additional waste problem for our country. It was said in a new article: It shouldn’t take much convincing to Say NO to Styrofoam, but there’s so much of it! We are almost as addicted to Styrofoam as we are to oil. And majority of the Styrofoam made ends up in the landfill.

The answer to this problem is the proper usage of Styrofoam and having the ight equipment in cutting Styrofoam to lessen the waste or mistakes that can be done. Lastly, caring and having full responsibility of our environment. Man draws almost endless benefits from great gifts of technology like styrene. What it calls for in return is simple: proper use and responsible disposal. With the current waste segregation scheme implemented by the local government, it falls to consumers to play their part in ensuring that their various garbage, particularly polystyrene and plastic, are segregated and undergo the proper recycling process, acquiring yet a whole new range of useful by-products.

Review of Related Studies Foreign A flexible automated foam cutting system M. Jouaneh, A. Hammad and P. Datseris Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, U. S. A. Abstract: Direct cutting of foam has the advantage of greater flexibility and reduced lead time over molding. This paper discusses the design and development of a flexible automated system for foam cutting that utilizes hot-wire cutters. The cutters are moved through the use of a five-axis gantry-type robot system equipped with a tool turret.

A method for modeling the cut geometry, based on representing the three-dimensional cut shape as a combination of basic geometrical block shapes, is presented. This method gives the system flexibility to handle different work piece geometries. A technique for generating the required cutting paths from the modeled geometry is also shown. The developed methodology was applied for the cutting of automotive seat cushions. The results show that the automated system significantly reduces the cutting time and produces cuts of improved quality. ttp://www. sciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/S0890695596000223 Plastic Foam Cutting Mechanics for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Purposes by: Hadley Brooks Abstract: Development of foam cutting machines for rapid prototyping and manufacturing purposes began shortly after the first additive manufacturing machines became commercialized in the late 1980s. Increased computer power, the development and adoption of CAD/CAM software and rising demand for customization has caused the rapid prototyping industry to grow swiftly in recent decades.

While conventional rapid prototyping technologies are continuing to improve in speed and accuracy the ability to produce large (> 1mA? ) prototypes, moulds or parts it is still expensive, time consuming and often impossible. Foam cutting rapid prototyping and manufacturing machines are ideally suited to fulfill this niche because of their high speed, large working volumes and inexpensive working materials. Few foam cutting rapid prototyping machines have been commercialized to-date leaving significant opportunities for research and development in this area.

Thermal plastic foam cutting is the material removal process most commonly used in foam cutting rapid prototyping to shape or sculpt the plastic foam into desired shapes and sizes. The process is achieved by introducing a heat source (generally a wire or ribbon) which alters the physical properties of the plastic foam and allows low cutting forces to be achieved. In thermal plastic foam cutting the heat source is generated via Joule (electrical) heating. This study investigates the plastic foam cutting process using experimental cutting trials and finite element analysis.

The first part of this thesis presents an introduction to conventional foam cutting machines and rapid prototyping machines. It is suggested that a market opportunity lies out of reach of both of these groups of machines. By combining attributes from each, foam cutting rapid prototyping machines can be developed to fill the gap. The second part of this thesis introduces the state-of-the-art in foam cutting rapid prototyping and investigates previous research into plastic foam cutting mechanics. The third part of this thesis describes cutting trials used to determine important factors which influence plastic foam cutting.

Collectively over 800 individual cutting tests were made. The cutting trials included two main material sets, expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene, three different wire diameters, two hot-ribbon configurations and a wide range of feed rates and power inputs. For each cut the cutting force, wire temperature and kerfs width was measured as well as observations of the surface texture. The data was then analyzed and empirical relationships were identified. An excel spreadsheet is established which allows the calculation of important outcomes, such as kerf width, based on chosen inputs.

Quantitative measurements of the surface roughness and form, of cuts made with hot-tools, will not be addressed in this thesis. This body of work is currently under investigation by a colleague within the FAST group. The fourth part of this thesis describes the formation of a nonlinear transient two-dimensional heat transfer finite element model, which is developed for plastic foam cutting simulations. The conclusion is that the cutting trials contributed to a better understanding of plastic foam cutting mechanics.

A new parameter was identified called the mass specific effective heat input, which is a function of the foam material and the cutting tool, it allows the prediction of cutting conditions with given cutting parameters and hence provides the necessary relationships needed for adaptive automated foam sculpting. Simulation results were validated by comparison with experimental data and provide a strong base for further developments including optimization processes with adaptive control for kerf width (cut error) minimization.

This study has added considerably to the pool of knowledge for foam cutting with a hot-tool. In general, much of the work reported herein has not been previously published. This work provides the most advanced study of foam sculpting work available to date. http://ir. canterbury. ac. nz/bitstream/10092/4291/3/Thesis_fulltext. pdf. txt Cutting apparatus for plastic foam solids or the like Abstract: A cutting apparatus for plastic foam solids or the like which comprises a cutting wire system having a plurality of cutting wires attached ubstantially perpendicularly between two substantially parallel supporting rods spaced from each other so that a piece of plastic foam solid to be cut can be passed through the cutting wires between the supporting rods, and an oscillating drive engaged with the supporting rods so as to oscillate rotatably the supporting rods in opposing rotational directions and therefore to oscillate the wires to and fro lengthwise. The cutting wires are spaced from each other in either of two cutting wire positions lengthwise along the supporting rods.

The cutting wires are attached eccentrically to the outer periphery of the supporting rods, each of the cutting wires which are each in a different one of the cutting wire positions lying in planes parallel to the supporting rods and each of the cutting wires in the same cutting wire position lying in the same plane. Each of the cutting wires in the different cutting wire positions is guided to and attached to opposite outer peripheral sides of each of the supporting rods so that the planes formed by the cutting wires of each of the different cutting wire positions cross each other at an acute angle.

Preferably the cutting wires are heat able electrically and attached to the supporting rods by way of coil springs. http://www. patentstorm. us/patents/4608893. html A study on the influence of the sloped cutting angle on kerfwidth and part quality in the hotwire cutting of EPS foam for the VLM-Srapid prototyping process Abstract: The VLM-S rapid prototyping process employs hotwire cutting of an EPS foam sheet using a four-axis synchronized automatic hotwire cutter. The dimensional accuracy and the quality of the cut part are highly dependent on cutting parameters such as effective heat input, and cutting angle, etc.

The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of cutting angle on the kerfs width and the part quality in hotwire cutting of EPS foam for the case of the sloped cutting including single-sloped cutting with one cutting angle and generally sloped cutting with two cutting angles. Experiments are carried out to obtain the relationship between kerfwidth and effective heat input for each cutting angle, and to find the relationship between the melted area and the cutting angle for each effective heat input.

In order to investigate the influence of cutting angle on temperature distribution in EPS foam, transient heat transfer analysis using the sloped heat flux model and the conformed mesh structure is carried out. Through comparison of the results of the experiment and the transient heat transfer analysis, it has been shown that the sloped heat flux with an elliptical cross-section and the conformed mesh structure are needed to estimate the three-dimensional temperature distribution in the EPS foam in the sloped hotwire cutting. http://www. ciencedirect. com/science/article/pii/S0890695503001706 Polymer–cement composite based on recycled expanded polystyrene foam waste Abstract: A new polymer–cement composite based on a recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) resin has been developed as an effective method for EPS foam wastes management. The liquefied polymer is prepared by dissolving the foam waste in acetone, then in toluene at the ratio 113:2:1 per volume, respectively. The composite is made by incorporating the resulting resin into cement-paste at selected water: cement ratios.

At the end of defined curing periods, the physical, mechanical, and thermal characterizations of the obtained composite were evaluated under variable factors e. g. , Acetone: toluene ratio, water: cement ratio (w/c), curing periods. Compressive strength, apparent porosity, bulk density, and specific gravity were determined for the composite under the various stated conditions. FT-IR, XRD, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed for the hard blocks to study the effect of the added recycled EPS resin on the microstructure of the end products.

Based on the data so far obtained it can be concluded that the candidate dissolution process of EPS foam wastes is an easily environmental friendly technique that allows afterward using the resultant resin for producing an added value, low cost, promising market competitive, and multipurpose light weight cement composite. http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10. 1002/pc. 21171/abstract Short-hot-wire method for the measurement of total hemispherical emissivity of a fine fibre Seiji Fujiwara, Xing Zhang, Motoo Fujii Received 20 December 1999 Abstract:

A new short-hot-wire method for the measurement of total hemispherical emissivity of a fine fibre is proposed. This method uses two short hot wires and is based on the analytical solution of one-dimensional steady-state heat conduction along the hot wires and fibre. Two hot wires are arranged parallel to each other. Both the hot wires are supplied with a constant direct current to generate heat and maintain the same average temperature. A test fibre bridges the wires and its ends are attached to the centre position of each hot wire to form an H-type probe.

By the use of this two hot wires technique, the total heat transmitted from the hot wires to the fibre is completely radiated from the fibre to the surroundings under vacuum conditions. Therefore, the average temperature rise of the hot wire depends on the emissivity of a fibre. The steady-state heat conduction for the H-type probe is analytically solved to obtain the accurate relationship between the temperature rise of the hot wires and the fibre emissivity. Based on this relationship, the emissivity of the fibre can be estimated when the average temperature and the heat rate of the hot wires with known thermal properties are measured.

The theoretical analysis has confirmed that the present method can obtain emissivity in the range of 0. 1 – 1. 0 within an error of ±1% for the fibre with its diameter around 10 ? m. http://www. perceptionweb. com/abstract. cgi? id=htwu375 Synthesis: Styrofoam is of the most used polymer product. It is often used in architecture, carving and alike. There are many ways to cut Styrofoam, like using blades or cutter, also by the help of laser and also by using hot wires. There are many ways to create a Styrofoam cutter or better known as hot wire. And it is also sold in the market.

A hot wire is not only for Styrofoam but it can also use for cutting plastics and other polymer substance. For heat can divide polymer materials better than blades. Heating metals/wires can create a physical or chemical change to an object or it can also make a new product. While the electricity that would run in the wire would be the source of heat of the heated wire. Hot wire is a process of heating metals or wire in order to burn or cut an object. Using hot wire as an instrument of cutting may be complex but faster and more accurate than using blades.

Styrofoam is a polymer product that takes time to decay. It is said in that the ratio of toluene is 113:2:1 per volume. It takes time of a small piece of Styrofoam to decay, a reason that Styrofoam should be used properly and should not be wasted. Styrofoam is one of pollutant that affects our environment a lot. Local Hot-wire parallel technique: A new method for simultaneous determination of thermal properties of polymers Abstract: The hot-wire parallel technique standardized for determining the thermal conductivity of ceramic materials was employed in the determination of the thermal properties of polymers.

For these materials, additional care must be taken considering the low melting point of polymers, when compared with that for ceramic materials. Samples can be prepared either in the shape of bricks or in the shape of half-cylinders. The thermal conductivity and the specific heat were simultaneously determined from the same experimental thermal transient, and the thermal diffusivity is derived from these properties. Five different polymers with different structures at room temperature were selected, and measurements were carried out from room temperature to approximately the maximum service operating temperature.

A nonlinear least-squares fitting method was employed in the calculations, so that all the experimental points obtained are considered in the thermal properties’ calculations. The apparatus used in this work is fully automatic. The reproducibility is very good with respect to the thermal conductivity, even with a defective experimental arrangement with respect to the theoretical model. However, deviations from the theoretical model have a severe influence on the specific heat values and, consequently, on the thermal diffusivity.

Experimental results were compared with those available in the literature, showing the applicability of this technique for the determination of thermal properties of polymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1779–1786, 2002 http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10. 1002/app. 10681/abstract Abstract: The hot-wire calibration method as proposed by Cimbala and Park (1990) has been showen to be accurate within a temperature range of 20–45°C. This is a significant extension of the range used by Cimbala and Park (27. 5– 34. 5°C). The accuracy of the calibration is not affected by the ambient temperature.

The calibration curve obtained seems to hold over a long period of time, thus reducing the need for frequent calibrations. Due to contamination the accuracy eventually decreases and the probe has to be re-calibrated. http://www. springerlink. com/content/r774213w086k2572/ Paper, Rice Hull and Polystyrene Foam Blocks John Gil E. Jimena, Jonathan Lloyd N. Lunsayan, Franco C. Flores Abstract: Nowadays, people in the construction industry here in the Philippines and abroad can always attest to the rising prices of the construction commodities in the market, not to mention the equally increasing cost of labor.

This economic scenario is indeed an offshoot of the worsening global crisis that both highly developed and developing countries are experiencing. http://ejournals. ph/index. php? journal=CUEJ Synthesis: Styrofoam as we know can affect our environment. We cannot just let our environment ruined by these styrofoam,m the styrofoam cutter decreases the damage in our environment, the right temperature should be followed because if the wire is not that hot, it cannot cut styrofoam. Safety measure should always be guided when doing the experiment.

Hot-wire can cut easily because it has more heat produces than the other. It will be seen because of the styrofoam, sometimes if the styrofoam does not cut then the wires are not that hot to cut a styrofoam. Observe proper room temperature when doing the experiment is needed. Hot wires used when it needs to cut a certain material. Chapter III Methods of Research and Procedures In the previous chapters the researchers had gathered data for the experimentation that the researchers are about to conduct. The researchers looked for references for the experimentation.

And in this chapter the researchers are going to conduct the experiment. It is putting all the researcher’s ideas and collected information into application. Method of the Study In this research the researchers used experimental research for them to obtain the target output. Experimental Research is used to identify the dependent and independent variable and to know it’s relationship to each other, to see the result of the study if it will succeed or not and to test the hypotheses which is used for basis of investigation.

Also in this chapter, it involves the creation or invention of products and also, the creation of new ideas that may help the people who would encounter this kind of studies for the innovation of the country for the future. This study was intended to discover the effectiveness of styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials. Materials and Methods In conducting this experiment, the researchers created a homemade styrofoam cutter made of some recyclable materials and use guitar string as its main material. Since the experiment is made of recyclable materials, materials should come from junks and other old stuffs.

The researchers only bought a single-pole dimmer switch from Ace Hardware. And all of the other materials came from some recycled stuffs like the guitars string number 1 from an old broken guitar, a 12 feet 16 gauge used extension cord, some old plywood came from excess ones, old or broken CD cases, an old 25 volt 2 amp transformer, an assembled length of two conductor electrical wires with a regular plug on the end, some excess metal wires shaped as rings, wooden rod and the tools needed to create the product. The materials do not need to be expensive nor classy.

The materials have to be in good quality and durable so that the experiment work properly and be successful. With all the materials needed for the experiment the researchers started making the product. The researchers first made the frame of the styrofoam cutter. The researchers drew an arc on the plywood to serve as the frame of the styrofoam cutter. The frame should be stable and durable for long use. The researches put two machine screw nuts in the both end of the frame, these machine screw nuts would serve as the conductor of electricity and heat that comes from the wire.

The machine screw nuts should not be small and not too tall for it can cause burns and other injury when touch. The next procedure was to attach the wires that carry the 25 Volts current to the cutting wire by the help of two machine screws as its terminal posts. Save the plug and outlets for future projects, if you like. Strip the insulation off the last inch of one end of one wire of the cord and insert a machine screw in the top of the right side of the frame. The next thing to do is to attach the guitar string as the hot wire. Make a loop by feeding the other end through this metal rings.

Hook the loop over one terminal. The guitar string should not touch the frame and also the wires for it can burn but remember to keep it close to the nuts. And finally the researchers connected the dimmer switch and the transformer by the use of electric tapes. This will create an outlet and a wire that is connected to the guitar string. Finally the researchers enclosed the transformer in a box made of recycled materials to make the product more creative, presentable and be eco-friendly. Statistical Treatment of Data The all the gathered data were subjected to the following formulas: Frequency Distribution

Frequency Distribution is an arrangement of the values that one or more variables take in a sample. It is used for identifying a specific proportion of the population. It is the number of times of occurrence of a variable. This statistical method is used by the researcher for calculating gather data. It can also show the rate percent of each value included in the set of questions. The scale is used in calculating gathered materials from the questionnaires. This is the formula being use: Wherein: P = percentage f = frequency n = number of samples Weighted Mean

Weighted mean is also called as weighted average. It means finding the middle or the average where instead of each of the data points contributing equally to the final average, some data points contribute more than others. It was tallied for verbal interpretation of data. Verbal Interpretation| Weighted Mean| Strongly Agree | 3. 31 – 4. 00| Agree | 2. 30 – 3. 30| Disagree | 1. 90 – 2. 29| Strongly Disagree| 1. 00 – 1. 89| Flowchart Chapter IV Analysis, Presentation and Interpretation of Data The pervious chapters are all about knowing the problem to be answered.

Looking for facts that may help the researchers answer the problem to be solved. In this chapter, the researchers would be analyzing, presenting and interpreting all the gathered data in this research. The questionnaires made by the researcher would provide answers for the said study. This would serve as the researchers’ medium in data gathering the researchers. This study was composed of 40 respondents selected randomly. Presentation is the practice of showing the gathered information or data and explaining the content of a topic to be discussed. It is the method used to organize and store data or information.

Analysis is the process of breaking or subdividing complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding and better comprehension of it. It is where data are being evaluated and examined under the critical investigation of the study. And lastly, interpretation of data is giving meaning of an act. It is putting donation on the gathered data. It is the process of explaining and elaborating all of the data gathered. Table 1 The Materials that can be Used in Making a Styrofoam Cutter Items| Frequency| Percentage| Blade/Knife| 3| 1. 92%| Wire| 29| 18. 47%| Fire| 0| 0%|

Guitar string| 25| 15. 93%| Transformer| 16| 10. 19%| Dimmer| 11| 7%| Switch| 20| 12. 74%| Metal rods| 15| 9. 55%| Needle| 2| 1. 27%| Plug| 20| 12. 74%| Cable wire| 13| 8. 28%| Laser| 3| 1. 91%| Total:| 157| 100%| It can be deduced from Table 1 the materials that can be used in making a styrofoam cutter. One point ninety-two percent (1. 92%) said that blade or knife is needed in making a styrofoam cutter. While eighteen point forty-seven percent (18. 47%) said that wires are needed in making a styrofoam cutter. Nut zero percent (0%) said that fire is needed in making a styrofoam cutter.

Fifteen point ninety-three percent (15. 93%) said that guitar strings are needed in making a Styrofoam cutter. Ten point nineteen percent (10. 19%) said that transformer is needed in making a Styrofoam cutter. Seven percent (7%) said that dimmer is needed in making a styrofoam cutter. Twelve point seventy-four percent (12. 74%) said that switch is needed in making a Styrofoam cutter. Nine point fifty-five (9. 55%) percent said that metal rods are needed in making a Styrofoam cutter. One point twenty-seven percent (1. 27%) said that needle is needed in making a Styrofoam cutter.

Graph 1 shows the possible materials to be used in making a Styrofoam cutter. Most or majority of the respondents chose wires, guitar string, switch and plug as the materials needed in making a Styrofoam cutter. Those materials are some of the materials used by the researchers in making the Styrofoam cutter. Table 2 Functionality of a Styrofoam Cutter Made of Guitar String and Recycled Materials Items| Frequency| Percentage| Yes| 37| 92. 5%| No| 3| 7. 5%| Total:| 40| 100| It can be deduced from Table 2 how functional the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials.

It can be inferred that 37 out of 40 responds or ninety-two point five percent (92. 5%) believe that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and recycled materials is functional. While 3 out of 40 respondents or seven point five percent (7. 5%) do not believe that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and recycled materials is functional. Graph 2 shows how functional the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials. Majority or most of the respondents agree that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials is functional and working properly.

Table 3 The Quality of the Styrofoam Cutter Made of Guitar String and Recycled Materials Items| SA| A| D| SD| WM| VI| 1. The product can create quality output. | 15| 22| 3| 0| 3. 3| SA| 2. The product is presentable to the eye. | 6| 28| 10| 11| 3. 45| SA| 3. The product will last long. | 7| 16| 15| 1| 2. 67| A| 4. The product proves that expense and quality could co-exist. | 10| 19| 10| 1| 2. 95| A| 5. The product needs careful handling. | 29| 11| 0| 0| 3. 72| SA| It can be deduced from Table 3 the quality of the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials.

It can be inferred from the table that the respondents strongly agree that the product can create quality outputs with the weighted mean of 3. 3. Moreover, they also strongly agree that the product is presentable to the eye and the product needs careful handling with a computed weighted mean of 3. 45, and 3. 72 respectively. Furthermore they agree that the product will last long and proves that expense and quality could co-exist with a computed weighted mean of 2. 67 and 2. 95 respectively. Graph 3 shows the quality of the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials.

Majority of the respondents agreed that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials is in good quality. Table 4 The Effectiveness of the Styrofoam Cutter made of Guitar String and Recycled Materials. Items| SA| A| D| SD| WM| VI| 1. The product can function effectively. | 13| 22| 4| 1| 3. 17| SA| 2. The product can cut with less waste. | 10| 18| 12| 0| 2. 95| A| 3. The product can do better than man power. | 9| 20| 8| 2| 2. 85| A| 4. The product can cut better than blades. | 9| 26| 4| 1| 3. 07| SA| 5. The product does not create the shapes that are complex. | 9| 21| 8| 2| 2. 2| A| It can be deduced from Table 4 the effectiveness of the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials. It can be inferred from the table that the respondents strongly agree that the product can function effectively with the weighted mean of 3. 17. Moreover, they also strongly agree that the product can cut well than blades with a computed weighted mean of 3. 07. Furthermore they agree that the product can cut with less waste, can do better than man power and can create the shapes that are complex with a computed weighted mean of 2. 95, 2. 85 and 2. 92 respectively.

Graph 4 shows the effectiveness of the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials. Majority of the respondents agreed that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials is effective in cutting Styrofoam. Table 5 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Styrofoam Cutter Made of Guitar String and Other Recycled Materials Items| SA| A| D| SD| WM| VI| 1. The product can be used significantly. | 9| 26| 4| 1| 3. 07| SA| 2. It is expensive. | 7| 14| 13| 6| 2. 55| A| 3. The product can easily cut Styrofoam. | 11| 23| 4| 2| 3. 07| SA| 4. It makes work faster. | 9| 21| 10| 0| 2. 7| A| 5. It is eco-friendly for it is recycled. | 10| 25| 2| 3| 3. 05| SA| 6. It can easily be used without the help of manuals. | 10| 22| 7| 1| 3. 02| SA| 7. It gives hard time cutting small pieces of Styrofoam. | 8| 18| 10| 4| 2. 75| A| 8. It takes a lot of time heating the wire. | 10| 22| 8| 0| 3. 05| SA| 9. The product is capable of accurate cutting of Styrofoam. | 9| 27| 3| 1| 3. 1| SA| 10. It helps in creating less waste in cutting Styrofoam. | 15| 21| 2| 2| 3. 22| SA| It can be deduced from Table 5 the advantages and disadvantages of using Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials.

It can be inferred from the table above that the respondents strongly agree that the product can be used significantly with the computed weighted mean of 3. 07. Moreover, they also strongly agree that the product can easily cut Styrofoam, eco-friendly for it is a recycled one, can easily be used without the help of manuals, takes a lot of time heating the wire, capable of accurate cutting of Styrofoam and helps in creating less waste in cutting Styrofoam with the computed weighted mean of 3. 07, 3. 05, 3. 02, 3. 05, 3. 1 and 3. 22 respectively.

Furthermore, they agree that the product is expensive, makes work faster and gives hard time cutting small pieces of Styrofoam with the computed weighted mean of 2. 55, 2. 97 and 2. 75 respectively. Graph 5 shows the advantages and disadvantages of using Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials. The respondents showed that the product has disadvantages and advantages when it comes to its function and effectiveness. It is also showed that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials has more advantages than disadvantages. Table 6

The Possible Changes in the Society with the Use of Styrofoam Cutter Made of Guitar String and Other Recycled Materials Items| SA| A| D| SD| WM| VI| 1. It would be a big change in our craftsmen. | 8| 24| 7| 1| 2. 97| A| 2. It can lift our exports of Styrofoam crafts. | 5| 27| 7| 1| 2. 9| A| 3. It can replace men in their works. | 8| 15| 15| 2| 2. 72| A| 4. It could cause economic growth. | 12| 20| 8| 0| 3. 1| SA| 5. It can be made at home. | 15| 22| 2| 1| 3. 27| SA| It can be deduced from Table 6 the possible changes in the society with the use of Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials.

It can be inferred from the table that the respondents agree that the product would be a big change in our craftsmen with the computed weighted mean of 2. 97. Moreover, they also agree that the product can lift our export of Styrofoam crafts and the product can replace men in their works with a computed weighted mean of 2. 9 and 2. 72 respectively. Furthermore, they strongly agree that the product could cause economic growth and that the product can be made at home with a computer weighted mean of 3. 1 and 3. 27 respectively.

Graph 6 shows the possible changes in the society with the use of the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials. Majority of the respondents strongly agree that the product can possibly change the society. Chapter V Summary, Conclusion, Recommendation In this chapter, Chapter 5 the result of all the gathered data would be discussed. This chapter contains the summary, the conclusion and the recommendation for the future researchers and for the readers. This chapter is based from the gathered information from the analysis and interpretation of data and also from the previous chapters. Summary of the Finding

This study focused on the Effectiveness of Styrofoam Cutter Made of Guitar String and Other Recycled Materials. The investigative method was implemented in order to determine relevant and up to date study. In this study forty respondents which came from random High School students of Cavite School of Life – Bacoor Campus, were chosen to partake in this study through expedience sampling technique. After demonstrating the product, questionnaires were handed over to the respondents for data gathering for the study. Based on the gathered data from the selected respondents the following are found relevant in the study:

1. What are the materials that can be used in making a Styrofoam cutter? According to the data gathered from the respondents and presented in table 1 and graph 1 that wire with 18. 47%, guitar string 15. 93%, switch with 12. 74% and plug with 12. 74% are some of the common materials used and needed in making an effective Styrofoam cutter. And according to the respondents that fire, blade/knife, needle and laser are some materials not needed in making a Styrofoam cutter.
2.  Does the product function properly? According to the data gathered from the respondents and presented in table 2 and graph 2 that 92. % of the respondents said that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials is functioning well and it does not malfunction. While 7. 5% of the respondents said that the product does not function well or did not pass their standard when it comes to being functional.
3. How will the finished product made of guitar string and other recyclable materials be effective in terms: a. Quality; and According to the gathered information presented in table 3 and graph 3 that the product can create outputs that are creative and in good quality.

The product was also presentable to the eye and it does not look like trash. The product seems to be durable and can last long. The negative thing about the product was it needs to be handled with care and it also proves that expense and quality can co-exist. b. effectiveness? According to the gathered information presented in table 4 and graph 4 the product can function efficiently and can cut well than blades. The product can also cut with less waste and it could also do better than output made by man. The negative thing about the product is it cannot create the shapes that are complex.

4.What would be the advantages and disadvantages of the product over the other cutting materials? According to the gathered information presented in table 5 and graph 5 the advantages of a Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials are: the product can be used significantly, can easily cut styrofoam, makes work faster, is eco-friendly for it is made of recycled materials, can easily be used without the help of manuals, is capable of accurate cutting of Styrofoam and lastly it helps in creating less waste in cutting Styrofoam compared to using blades. And also according to the gathered data the disadvantages of the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials are: that the product gives hard time cutting small pieces of Styrofoam and takes a lot of time heating the wire.

5. How could this product make a change in the society? According to the gathered information presented in table 6 and graph 6 that the product can make different changes in the society. The product could cause economic growth for our country and it can be made at home.

The product can also be a big change in our craftsmen, can also lift our exports of Styrofoam crafts and can replace men in their works. Conclusions After summarizing the result of the study the researchers came up with the following conclusions based on the authenticity and cooperativeness of high school students of Cavite School of Life – Bacoor Campus, as the respondents in answering the questions.

1. There are many materials that can be used in this experiment. But in this study the researchers found out the top five materials that can be used in this experiment. Top choice was wire which was used as the connection between the source of electricity and the output. The second top choice was guitar string which was used by the researchers as their hotwire. The third top choice was plug and switch. The fourth choice was transformer which was used as the source of electricity. And lastly, the fifth choice was metal rods that can also serve as hotwires.

2. Malfunctioning is one of the product number one problem. Good thing the product in this experiment did not malfunction and function efficiently.

In this study the researchers found out that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials was functioning well and can do its work properly.

3. 1. In every product quality is always checked. In this study the researchers found out that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials can provide outputs that are of good quality. The product is also presentable to the eyes. This product proves that expense and quality could co-exist which means that there are cheap product that can give good quality than expensive one.

They could be reliable and durable with almost the lower range of price.

4. 2. Effectiveness of a product should always be observed. The researchers found out that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials is better than blades when it comes to cutting or craving Styrofoam. The good thing in this product is it creates less waste when cutting Styrofoam and it can also do better than cutting or carving manually. But the product also has its limitations for it is not that good in cutting or craving complex shapes.

4. Every product has its weakness and strength. The researchers found out that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials has different advantages and disadvantages. It is also said to be time consuming when heating the guitar string. The said disadvantages do not hinder the product to perform well. The research also found out the advantages of using a Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials that it is capable of accurate cutting of Styrofoam than other cutting instrument. It is also eco-friendly and easy to use for it is just a simple machine.

The product can also make work faster and easier.

5. The researchers found out that the Styrofoam cutter made of guitar string and other recycled materials can make a big change in our society and for our society. It can develop the way our craftsman cut or crave Styrofoam. And it could also improve our product and our economy.

Recommendation

• 1. The researchers recommend that Styrofoam should be used properly and not be wasted.
• 2. The researchers recommend that the product should be improved to solve the products disadvantages.
• 3. The researchers recommend that having innovation of Styrofoam cutter will make it more effective to be used and function in the best way it could.
• 4. The researchers recommend that this product should open the eyes of the people to be eco-friendly.
• 5. The researchers recommend that the readers should appreciate recycled things and make usable stuffs from trash or old materials.
• 6. The researchers recommend that the use of Styrofoam cutter made of guitar strings and recycled materials could make a difference and can provide economic growth.

1. [ 1 ]. http://cooking-ez. com/page. php? id=27
2. [ 2 ]. http://cooking-ez. com/page. php? id=27
3. [3].http://hotwirefoamcutterinfo. com/Hot_Wire_Foam_Cutter_Info/Introduction. html
4. [4]. http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Hot-wire_foam_cutter
5. [ 5 ]. http://hyperphysics. phy-astr. gsu. edu/hbase/thermo/thercond. html
6. [ 6 ]. Philippines Star Climate Change Survival Tip 3: Say NO to Styrofoam
7. [ 7 ]. http://www. philstar. com/Article. aspx? articleId=694303

The objective of this laboratory experiment is to investigate the radiation laws (Lambert’s Distance, Cosine Law and Stefan-Boltzmann Law) using thermal and optical radiation.

This experiment was carried out with the assistance of the Thermal Radiation Apparatus which consists of a heat source (that provides the heat for the verification of the Stefan-Boltzmann Law), a thermopile (that assists in detecting the temperature), a luxmeter (that assists in measuring the luminous intensity for the verification of Lambert’s Distance & Cosine Law), absorption plates that detect any radiance incident upon them, a swivelling light source (that assists in provides luminous radiation for the verification of Lambert’s Cosine Law) and finally measuring amplifier that detects he amount of irradiance incident upon the measuring plates and provides an electronic output in the form of a reading.

Lambert’s Distance Law states the as the separation distance between the point source of radiation and the detector plates is increased, the irradiance detected will decrease. This law was proved to be precise since the irradiance and the distance have a negative slope of -1.584 on Figure #1.

Lambert’s Cosine Law, which constitutes that the radiant intensity, I, of the radiation emitted by a flat source is same from any direction but the irradiance, E, decreases with the increase of cosine of the angle of incidence. This law was also proved to be accurate as it can be seen from Table #2 that as the angle of incidence increased, the irradiance decreased.

The Stefan-Boltzmann Law was also verified. It was observed that the irradiance of a blackbody was proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature.

The main source error in the lab experiment was that the laboratory room was not completely dark and caused the measuring plates to detect ambient light radiation and giving untrue readings.

PROCEDURE

The procedure outlaid in the lab manual was followed to precision. The procedure steps were carried out in a safe manner for Lambert’s Distance Law, Lambert’s Cosine Law and Stefan-Boltzmann Law. [2]

RESULTS

Lambert’s Distance Law:

Please refer to Table #1, Figure #1 and Figure #2 in Appendix A – Tables and Figures for the Results of the experiment conducted to observe Lambert’s Distance Law.

Lambert’s Cosine Law:

Please refer to Table #2, Table #3, Figure #3 and Figure #4 in Appendix A – Tables and Figures for the Results of the experiment conducted to observe Lambert’s Cosine Law.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law:

Please refer to Table #4, Table #5 and Figure #5 in Appendix A – Tables and Figures for the Results of the experiment conducted to observe Stefan-Boltzmann Law.

DISCUSSION

Lambert’s Distance Law:

Theoretically it is believed that Lambert’s Distance Law correlates to the fact that the irradiance of the radiation emitted perpendicularly towards a surface from a point source is inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating the illuminated surface and the source. [2] From the experiment it was observed that as the distance between the illuminated surface and the source of radiation increased, the irradiance decreased; as an individual can notice that at a separation distance of 100 mm the irradiance was observed to be 1069 W/m2 and at the separation distance of 800 mm the irradiance reduced to a 126 W/m2. From Figure #1 (Lambert’s Distance Law plotted on a Log-Log scale) and Figure #2 (Lambert’s Distance Law plotted on a normal scale), it can be discerned that the irradiance diminishes as the separation distance between the source of radiation and the illumination surface increases.

Lambert’s Cosine Law:

Lambert’s Cosine Law states that the radiant intensity, I, emitted by a flat source is the same from any direction, however the irradiance, E, decreases with the cosine of the angle of direction. [2] This law essentially dictates that the direction of illuminance is irrelevant since the radiance from the surface at any angle is exactly the same to the human eye; this happens due to the fact that as the angle of direction of the rays increases relative to the normal (0� – angle of direction), the area of incidence for the radiation decreases. Another theoretical observation that can be made from the law stated above is that the maximum irradiance will occur at the angle of zero degrees.

It can be perceived from Figure #3, in which the relationship between angle and light intensity on blackbody in a radian measure is shown, the blue circles represent the angle from the center of the unit circle that correspond to the respective normalized illuminance value. From Table #2 it can be noted that as the angle of incidence is increased the illuminance decreases; this corroborates Lambert’s Cosine Law even further.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law:

This law situates that the total irradiance of a blackbody radiator is proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature. [1] This can be stated mathematically, as , where ? is the Boltzmann constant with a value of 5.67*10-8 W/m2*K4; although this law applies solely to blackbodies. From Figure #4 it can observed that a linear relationship develops between the temperature and the irradiance, with a positive slope of 2078.1; when the temperature climbs the measuring amplifier detects a higher amount of irradiance.

The theoretical irradiance values were calculated, since the only variable parameters in the equation for the irradiance are the temperatures that are detected. From Table #5 it can be discerned that the theoretical values had a percent error of approximately 76% when compared to the experimental values. This is a very high percent error and can be explained by that fact that not all of the radiation emitted by the source reaches the measuring plates and the majority of the radiation is lost to the environment.

Errors:

The main source error in the lab experiment was confronted during the second part of the lab; during which the Cosine Law was being detected. This room needs to be completely dark and only the radiance from the source must reach the measuring plates so as to provide the most accurate results. This was not achieved as the room was not completely dark and ambient radiation was allowed to be incident upon the measuring plates causing an error.

Experimental errors were caused due to the measuring ruler for the distances of separation and the error in the readings for the irradiance.

Another source of error may be that all sources of radiance during the lab experiment were assumed to be point sources; this is untrue as radiance was incident upon the measuring plates from reflection off the surfaces present in the laboratory room.

CONCLUSION

From the laboratory experiment conducted the Lambert’s Distance Law was proved to be true as it was observed that an inversely proportional relationship developed between the distance and the irradiance detected by the measuring amplifier. Similarly, the Cosine Law was also proved to be correct, as an inversely proportional relationship was also detected between the angle of incidence and the illuminance measured. The last law to be confirmed was the Stefan-Boltzmann Law, which was observed when the total irradiance of the blackbody radiator was proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature.

Overall a firm understanding of Lambert’s Distance & Cosine Laws and Stefan-Boltzmann Law and radiation transfer were gained.

There is an incontestable relevancy between thermic environment in out-of-door public infinites and their degree of usage. Since climatic conditions straight affect the usage and activities of out-of-door infinites, they should be taken into history when planing public infinites. The out-of-door infinites design particularly in urban countries is really critical in Southern Europe due their drawn-out usage during summertime where the urban heat island phenomenon is present.

This paper presents the consequences of out-of-door infinites field studies conducted in four different urban unfastened infinites in Crete. Physical on site measurings were conducted and a questionnaire study was used in order to measure the thermic comfort of visitants. With the proposed method, a strong connexion between microclimate on out-of-door comfort conditions and the usage of unfastened infinite is revealed. The field studies besides reveal assorted issues sing adaptability of users to the out-of-door environment, proposing that a strictly physiological attack is unequal in qualifying thermic comfort conditions in out-of-door infinites, therefore stressing the demand for look intoing different ways to quantify comfort conditions out-of-doorss. Thermal indices like CP ( Cooling power ) , PMV ( Predicted Mean Vote ) , PET ( Psysiological Equivalent Temperature ) and SET ( Standard Effective Temperature ) are used to measure the appraisal of urban microclimate. Study findings besides elucidate design of out-of-door public infinites in hot and humid parts.

Keywords: Outdoor thermic comfort ; microclimatic monitoring ; field studies ; sustainable design

Introduction

There is strong public involvement in the quality of unfastened urban infinites and it is acknowledged that they can lend to the quality of life within metropoliss, or perversely heighten isolation and societal exclusion [ 1,2 ] . The major factor that determines the quality of the unfastened urban infinites is the clime conditions that occur in the micro graduated table environment [ 3 ] . Humidity degrees, particularly in hot climes and coastal parts [ 4,5 ] the mean beaming temperature every bit good as the cold air supply within the urban infinite affect the wellness [ 6 ] and good being of the citizens therefore the development of the whole metropolis country in several ways, affect on touristry [ 7,8 ] , affect on the local market, affect on the abodes [ 9 ] . Particularly in islands this relationship is more apparent because the bulk of the unfastened infinite is in the signifier of a big cardinal square in the metropolis centre [ 10 ] ; in this manner every intercession to the unfastened infinite may hold obvious good consequences in the sustainability of the whole urban system [ 11 ] . Understanding the profusion of microclimatic features in out-of-door infinites, and the comfort deductions for the people utilizing them can help urban “ adjustment ” and find the basic factors of sustainable design [ 12 ] . This realisation, in bend, has given rise to increased research on the subject in the last few old ages [ 13-15 ] .The initial findings of the current research survey seek to accomplish a better apprehension of the profusion of microclimatic features in out-of-door urban infinites in islands and the comfort deductions for the people utilizing them [ 16 ] .

One of the cardinal issues in human comfort is the human biometeorology. Due to the fact that air temperature is non the lone relevant variable, more than 100 simple thermic indices most of them two parametric quantity indices have been developed in the last 150 old ages to depict the complex conditions of heat exchange between the human organic structure and its thermic environment. Some good indices include the Standard Predictive Index of Human Response attack [ 17 ] , and Out_SET* [ 18 ] which is based on Gagge ‘s work. Blazejczyk ( 1994 ) [ 19 ] presented the man-environment heat exchange theoretical account MENEX, and the extended work by Horikoshi et Al. ( 1995, 1997 ) [ 20 ] resulted in a Thermal Environmental Index. With Gagge`s et Al. ( 1986 ) [ 17 ] betterment in the description of latent heat fluxes by the debut of PMV* , Fanger ‘s ( 1970 ) [ 21 ] attack can besides be considered among the advanced heat budget theoretical accounts. This attack is by and large the footing for the operational thermic assessment process Klima-Michel-model [ 22,23 ] of the Deutscher Wetterdienst with the result “ sensed temperature, PT ” [ 24 ] that considers a certain grade of version by assorted vesture.

In this context, microclimatic conditions have begun being viewed as built-in to the success of an unfastened infinite as they determine critical parametric quantities for the usage of out-of-door infinites in the urban environment. Responses to microclimate may be unconscious, but they frequently result in the different a of unfastened infinite in different climatic conditions [ 25,26 ] .

This paper goes farther, analyzing the manner microclimatic conditions, such as air temperature, solar radiation, comparative humidness and air current velocity and way, in relation with psychological factors affect the usage of urban unfastened infinites in a Mediterranean island clime, concentrating on the studies carried out in four different metropoliss in Crete, Greece [ 27 ] . The purpose of the paper is to supply the basic regulations which can be used for a sustainable design of unfastened urban infinites in every type of Mediterranean island. These regulations include:

Categorization based on the hierarchy of the clime parametric quantities in order to cipher their part to the overall comfort degrees

Determination of the comfort degrees of every microclimate parametric quantity harmonizing to the replies given both in winter and in summer clip

Determination of the basic human parametric quantities that affect the comfort degrees

Divide harmonizing to the usage of the four squares harmonizing to the consequences and suggestions for good intercessions of future designs

This research given the former research workers experience attempts to implement the findings into a peculiar type of clime, the Mediterranean clime. Through this manner the basic indices can be validated and if possible recalculated in a different graduated table that is constructed by existent ballots and existent informations. No theoretical account can be decently implemented to any specific status if there is non any sort of accommodation to the basic features of every individual instance.

2. Method

In order to analyze the assortment of the several urban climes within Crete all the four sites that were selected have different features sing their flora, their location and their usage. The first 1 is within the historical centre of Chania, on the coastal zone, the 2nd one is between the shopping centre and the port in Rethymnon and it is surrounded by high traffic route, the 3rd one is in the shopping centre of Heraklion and several public edifices are located around it and the 4th is located on a mountain country near Heraklion called Archanes. In each of the four metropoliss take parting in the undertaking two instance surveies, one in the winter ( February 2009 ) and one in the summer ( July 2009 ) , were conducted from 10 am to 4 autopsy. Each site was monitored for a representative twenty-four hours each season ; the clime conditions of the yearss of the study were afterwards compared to the average climatic conditions at every metropolis for this season so as to corroborate the effectivity of the informations measured ( fig. 1 ) . The field studies involved elaborate microclimatic monitoring with the usage of a portable mini-weather station, with detectors conforming to ISO 7726 [ 28 ] , while people were studied in their natural environment through structured interviews and observations, to measure the comfort conditions in a graduated table of five degrees from really bad ( -2 ) to really good ( +2 ) their experience and their perceptual experience of the environment.

Particular attention was taken to choose the interviewees in a mode representative of the different age groups and sexes present and the forms of usage of the different countries ( fig. 2 ) 2 ( how many interviews, male- female- age groups ) . This paper focuses on issues related to the usage of infinite, as opposed to people ‘s rating of the comfort conditions. Peoples were studied in their natural environment, while issues impacting the usage of infinite ( forms of usage, groups of people utilizing the infinite, penchants within the country, etc. ) were besides investigated.

2.1. Case surveies description

The four sites considered in this survey [ 27 ] , viz. are:

Talo square in Chania ( fig. 3 )

Talo is a seaboard square which delimits the terminal of the old Venetian Harbor metropolis of Chania. Displays a particular involvement to tourers as it is located within the touristic country and is besides close residential country. Access to the square is accomplished through the coastal prosaic path from the port or the way that runs to the South. The square interior has no shops or java installations.

The unknown Soldier square in Rethymnon ( fig. 3 )

The square of the Unknown Soldier is at the terminal of the port of Rethymnon in a consolidation hub of the coastal route to the chief roads of the metropolis. Around the square, the route runs with increased traffic and lodging around the coffeehouse and stores.

The Liberty Square in Heraklion ( fig. 3 )

Liberty Square is located in shopping centre of Heraklion and around it passes roads with high traffic. With the latest renovation slate, the minimalist attack gave a different design of the square the land was covered with marble while merely some of the trees ( eucalyptus ) were retained. Today, Liberty Square is a cardinal meeting point and amusement centre of citizens in Heraklion.

Central square of Archanes ( Heraklion ) ( fig. 3 )

Archanes is declared a traditional colony and of important architectural and urban involvement. The reinforced environment of the small town during the last 15 ( 15 ) old ages is protected through a comprehensive plan of reclamation. Particular accent is given to the regeneration of the cardinal square of the municipality under Archanes, which together with nearby diversion utilizations ( stores, coffeehouse, eating houses ) compute a topographic point of remainder, drama and relaxation for occupants and attracts several visitants.

In Archanes a important portion of the execution of development planning has won a big figure of differentiations. The square is surrounded by the chief route of the municipality and following to it there are several eating houses and java houses.

2.2. Environmental monitoring

The field studies were scheduled to take topographic point twice within a twelvemonth, to acquire the seasonal fluctuation ( summer, winter ) , which affects the usage of infinite. The informations measured were air temperature, solar radiation, air current, comparative humidness and sound degree in dB. For the conditions microclimatic information measurings a figure of portable detectors were used. They were put in the center of every square ( Hobo weather station ) in relation with extra equipment that can easy be transported around in the exact topographic point of the interview ( Frederiksen manus pyranometer, Mastech sound flat metre ) . The measurings of the station were scheduled to salvage informations every five proceedingss whereas the informations that were collected in the exact topographic point of the interview were approximately every 15 proceedingss, depending on the clip between the two interviews. For the proof of the microclimatic conditions, the nearby conditions station was used to compare the informations monitored with the informations measured in every square. All the detectors were carefully selected to conform to the ISO 7726 ( ISO 1998 ) .

2.3. Human monitoring-questionnaire

Peoples were studied in their natural environment, to measure their perceptual experience of the thermal, aglow and acoustic environment. The interview took topographic point in the exact topographic point where they sat or stood within the square. Issues impacting the usage of infinite ( forms of usage, groups of people utilizing the infinite, penchants within the country, etc. ) were besides investigated in a questionnaire compiled for the survey. The interviewees were describing their rating of different microclimatic parametric quantities either on a 5 or 3 point graduated table, every bit good as their appraisal of their overall comfort province.

A questionnaire was designed in order to roll up the people ‘s perceptual experience of comfort a figure of other inquiries were asked to give inside informations about the topic and his/her perceptual experience of the physical environment. The consequences were collected on a standard signifier, which gives inside informations of the signifier of the inquiries outside the basic comfort and penchant graduated tables. A portable conditions station was constructed in order to mensurate ground-based meteoric conditions at the clip of the interview. The questionnaires will include information on:

A A. OBSERVATIONS

– Apparel

– Consumption of cold drinks

– Kinetic Status ( at remainder or in gesture )

– Residence clip in the square

B ) QUESTIONS standards for comfort in the heat, air current, Sun, wet, acoustic environment

C ) Psychological standards

– Naturalness of the country ( naturalness )

– Expectations ( based on proposed alterations pictured )

– Experience ( feelings from their stay in the square )

– Reasons of visiting and utilizing ( free pick )

– Aestheticss of the country

The measurings were conducted on four squares twice a twelvemonth, one in winter ( February 2009 ) and a summer ( July 2009 ) , 200 answered questionnaires, 100 each clip and about 25 in each square. This figure of responses is minimally sufficient to carry on valid and dependable decisions and was pre- calculated by statistics trials. The choice of the specific day of the months of the measurings was done following observations of the general clime of every metropolis all the month so as the climatic informations would be realistic of the microclimatic environment of the square the twenty-four hours of the measuring ( fig. 1 ) .

4. Consequences

4.1 Microclimatic informations A¶

A sum-up of climatic informations for the different interview times, in different Cretan metropoliss appears in table 1 ( mean temperature ( A°C ) , comparative humidness ( % ) , velocity ( m/s ) and wind way, solar radiation strength ( W/m2 ) ) for the different squares. Weather consequences have been obtained as described from the portable conditions station detectors that were installed in each interview country, every bit good as from the portable measurement instruments ( thermometer, pyranometer, decibel metre ) in order to enter the comfort conditions in point precisely where the replies were given.

Overall, the climatic informations recorded on the interview countries are in conformity with the records from the nearby conditions station for all metropoliss and seasons, any differences are chiefly attributed to the being of urban terrain and flora. Similarly, there are great differences in air current velocity which are chiefly due to difference in altitude measuring. The consequences of the portable conditions station were obtained from a degree of 2.00 m above the land surface of the square, and in the country there were obstructions or flora which surely affect the result consequences, while the location of the conditions station of each metropolis was clearly higher, and its topographic point has been carefully studied so as non to be any barriers. The definition of tallness and arrangement of the station precisely in the center of every square without taking into history the flora or any obstructions that may do different conditions, was deliberately made for the complete recording of conditions in each square in order to accomplish the existent conditions informations that affect the comfort conditions examined.

4.2 Human population informations

The analysis of the human population answered the inquiries will give certain grounds about the type of people who use every square and besides their site-specific features which are important for the farther survey.

Fig. 2 shows the frequence of usage of each square and provides a clear image of the penchant of occupants and visitants to the country. In fig. 3 appears the program of the square coloured from ruddy to yellow harmonizing to the figure of questionnaires that were conducted in that point. It reveals the basic paths and the most preferable sitting countries of the visitants.

From the replies to the inquiries “ how frequently do you see the country ” and “ do you populate or work in the vicinity ” can be assumed that in Chania, Rethymnon and Heraklion, the per centum of local occupants is bigger than those who visited the site a minimal per hebdomad significance that some people do non take the site for day-to-day or hebdomadal usage even if they live or work nearby. Unlike in Archanes is observed the rearward consequence ; many visitants use really frequently the square. This consequence may nevertheless non be really representative of the square, bearing in head the fact that Archanes is a nearby finish from Heraklion and questionnaires were made in Sunday where many people visit the eating houses and coffeehouse that are around the square.

4.3 Comfort Data

Before any farther measure, a more descriptive analysis of the answers of the respondents about the comfort conditions is necessary. The inquiries related to thermic comfort, irritation from the Sun, air current, humidness, and acoustic comfort. All responses were analyzed in five or three point graduated table and the possible responses range from “ really small ” ( -2 ) to “ highly ” ( 2 ) . The index ASV ( Actual Sensation Vote ) is a consequence of all the responses together with a drumhead inquiry, “ Are you comfy? ” this gives a clear image of comfort conditions in each square [ 13,27 ] . Before any farther analysis it is of import to specify which of these parametric quantities is considered the most important for the feeling of comfort harmonizing to the interviewees. The replies to the inquiry “ ‘what do you see most of import when you chose a topographic point to sit in a square? ” appears in fig. 4. This inquiry can be really helpful when designing because it is possible to modulate all facets of the comfort every bit good as the standardization of the factors impacting the comfort so it can give a clear image of which parametric quantity largely affects the comfort conditions ( temperature, sunlight, acoustic environment ) . The consequences from this inquiry are that sunlight has the greatest per centum of replies in all the squares, so the Sun control is an of import factor which influences the comfort ballot and is decisive for the viability of the square. It should besides be noted that the other two factors, viz. temperature and the acoustic environment in all the squares have about the same rate, is hence equal of import for the sustainability of the square.

Figures 5a and 5b show the responses to thermal comfort ( heat ) , severally in summer and winter and table 2 shows the mean temperature prevailing in the squares when the ballot of comfort was positive ( All right ) . Talo square in Chania has the highest per centum of thermic comfort ( All right ballot ) both in summer ( 37 % ) with mean air temperature 27.7 A°C and in winter ( 73.1 % ) with mean air temperature 15.4 A°C. In Rethymnon the per centums of utmost ballots ( excessively small, excessively much ) both in summer and winter appear increased even though the air temperature both in summer ( 26.1A°C ) and in winter ( 16.3A°C ) appears between the comfort degrees harmonizing to the ISO 7730. This phenomenon is chiefly due to the deficiency of flora that could protect the walkers from the radiation from the Sun combined with high brooding stuffs that maximized it in the summer and the deficiency of any sort of protection from the temperature, the rain or the humidness within the square in the winter that made the dwellers experiencing uncomfortable while utilizing the infinite. The replies about the comfort from the Sun irritation are shown in fig. 6. By and large in winter the measurings of the Sun radiation were from 350 W/m2 to 550 W/m2 whereas in the summer the radiation increased significantly from 850 W/m2 to 950 W/m2. In winter all squares have a good response rate ( OK ) . On the reverse in the summer the ( OK ) replies about the comfort are increased in Chania ( 44.4 % ) and Archanes ( 91.3 % ) while the mean solar radiation, as it was measured from the conditions station, does non change so much in relation to the other two squares ( Rethymnon and Heraklion ) ( table 2 ) . These responses were determined largely by the land stuff every bit good as the naturalness of the topographic point. Both the squares in Archanes and in Chania have big countries of tall trees and flora and as a consequence, the sum of the standard radiation measured was limited ( non more than 500 W/m2 as measured the portable pyranometer ) unlike the other two squares where the brooding stuffs on the land multiplied the standard solar radiation ( about 700 – 950 W/m2 as measured by the portable pyranometer ) .

As appears on the figs 7a, 7b, which show the per centum of responses for comfort from the air current, the air current ballots are strongly influenced by air current velocity instead than by other factors that influence largely solar and thermic comfort. In all squares both in summer and winter there was no measuring of air current velocity above the 2 m/s, for that ground the most of the responses giver were favourable to the small air current that existed.

The comparative humidness ( fig. 8 ) was measured really high in both winter and summer in all parts, realistic phenomenon if we take into history the Mediterranean clime of the island. The replies about the humidness were non tantamount to the RH measured, merely in Archanes where the sum of the humidness particularly in winter was really big the people were able to quantify their uncomfortableness due to the humidness degrees.

Finally fig. 9 presents the responses of comfort for the acoustic environment. The responses to “ hush ” and “ really quiet ” can non be considered negative and on the charts were included in the ballot “ All right ” . It is clear that Chania has the largest per centum of positive acoustic comfort responses in both winter and summer, even if the sound degree does non vary much from part to part. The important difference of the Talo square is the sea, which produces adequate noise ( the dB metre near the sea measured noise about 60 dubnium ) but besides absorbs most negative traffic noise.

4.5 Evidence of adaptation

The context of thermic comfort adaptivity involves all the procedures which people go through to better the tantrum between the environment and their demands. Three different classs can be identified: physical, physiological and psychological [ 29 ] .

Physical version is related with the alterations a individual makes, in order to set oneself to the environment, or change the environment to his demands. In this context two different sorts of version were identified, reactive and synergistic. In the former the lone alterations happening are personal, such as changing one ‘s vesture degrees, place, etc. , whereas in the latter, people interact, doing alterations to the environment in order to better their comfort conditions, opening a window, opening a sunshade, etc [ 29 ] .

In the squares of the survey the fluctuation of vesture was rather intense both in winter and in summer, as the temperature rises the sum of vesture ( as defined by ISO 7730 ) is reduced. The fluctuation of vesture in winter is non affected from the air temperature ; all squares have the same degrees of vesture, which is about 0.85.

A Another factor that is perceived as active natural adaptability is the usage of cold or hot drinks or nutrient. The more the temperature increased the more people drank cold drinks which increase their comfort degree. As it has been studied [ 13 ] , the ingestion of cold drinks reduces the energy generated during the metamorphosis about 10 % .

Physiological version or physiological acclimatisation implies alterations in the physiological responses ensuing from repeated exposure to a stimulation, taking to a gradual reduced strain from such exposure, therefore non of cardinal importance in this context. [ 29 ]

( three ) Psychological adaptation is related with the hypothesis that different people perceive the environment in a different manner, and it is argued that human response to a physical stimulation is non merely a map of its magnitude, but besides depends on the ‘information ‘ that people have for a peculiar state of affairs. Psychological factors are hence act uponing the thermic perceptual experience of a infinite and the alterations happening in it. [ 29 ]

1 ) The naturalness of the site seems that people appear to digest broad alterations of the physical environment, provided they are produced of course. The importance of the construct of naturalness in each square is obvious sing the responses to the inquiry “ what do you like more of the square? ” . In all the squares over 60 % of people, said “ flora ” or “ H2O surface ” while far fewer respondents answered “ stuffs ” or “ design equipment ” or “ the surrounding edifices ” . This phenomenon reinforces the premise that physical elements are the cardinal sustainability of a square.

2 ) The outlooks, which is what the environment should be like, instead than what it really is greatly influence people ‘s perceptual experiences. In out-of-door infinites this relates to the frequent answer people gave ”it ‘s All right for this clip of twelvemonth ” , ”for this clip of twelvemonth I would prefer it warmer ” , or ”it ‘s winter it ‘s meant to be cold ” . Except from the outlooks of the clime parametric quantities in the fig. 10 appear the outlooks of the site. Each interviewee was given a image of four squares, one with big countries of low grass and seting without any design equipment ( fig. 10, no1 ) , one with tall trees, walking countries and design equipment like benches ( fig. 10, no 4 ) , one more covered by concrete and with more design equipment, paving streets, visible radiations and a fewer flora ( fig. 10, no 3 ) and one where the flora lacks wholly wholly covered with concrete and cover stuffs with more commercial utilizations ( fig.10, no 2 ) . The inquiry was “ Which of the undermentioned squares would wish to be near to your place and which near to your workplace? ” . As shown in figure 10, for the residential country, about all responses were for the first two squares which had flora, the summer is preferred the 1 with the tall trees ( 54.0 % ) , while in winter the 1 with the grass ( 68.4 % ) . In contrast with the replies about the square near the workplace where, most of the people chose the other two squares merely in summer. Particularly for the square with no flora at all, the penchant rate is 17.3 % in winter and 32 % in summer. Taking these replies into history we can reason that the outlook of the design and flora of every square depends in a great degree on the location and the nearby utilizations of the metropolis country.

3 ) The perceived control as people who have a high grade of control over a beginning of uncomfortableness, digest broad fluctuations, are less irritated by it, and the negative emotional responses are greatly reduced. Fig. 11 shows the responses of the ground why people visited the square in relation with the responses of comfort ballot “ All right ” while the reply was given in natural temperatures harmonizing to the ISO [ 28 ] between 19A°C – 25A°C or non natural. . It presents the figure of people that although they were non in “ natural ” temperatures answered that they are comfy and the figure of people who were in conditions of comfort and answered that they truly feel comfy in combination with the grounds that everyone visited the square.

The replies for the usage of every square are categorized in:

– Topographic points advantages: is near the shopping centre, it is quiet, for the sea )

– Consumption: I need a bench to eat my sandwich ; I want to sit to do a call, to hold a java

– Leisure: I like to loosen up here, my kids dramas with others

– For a interruption: it is near my work so I can take my interruption at that place, interruption from shopping

– For personal grounds: I have an assignment, one look for person ( friend, comparative ) that uses frequently the topographic point

– For work: the cab topographic point is here, I promote coffin nails, refreshments

– crossing through: I am merely go throughing through

Apparently people who are in the infinite for assorted grounds are cognizant that it was their ain pick to expose themselves to these conditions, and when they wish can go forth, going more tolerant to the thermic environment. However, people who were at that place to run into person did non hold the option of go forthing when they wished to make so. The expiration of their exposure to the thermic conditions was dependent on external factors, in this instance the reaching of the other individual, which was doing hurt, doing them less tolerant to the environment. This issue of free pick becomes of premier importance in out-of-door infinites, where existent control over the microclimate is minimum, perceived control holding the biggest weighting.

4 ) Exposure clip as exposure to discomfort is non viewed negatively if the person anticipates that it is ephemeral. For the squares this survey verified the fig. 11 which is apparent that people who answered that visited the square to hold a interruption ( likely abruptly ) or said they merely do a walk had really high ballots of tolerance to “ non natural ” conditions.

5 ) Environmental stimulation is an issue of primary importance in external infinites, where the environment nowadayss few thermic restraints, this being an of import plus of such countries and one of the grounds that people use these infinites. Environmental stimulation is likely the chief ground for the bulk of people to sit out-of-doorss. It is besides non surprising that for the inquiry about the significance of out-of-door infinite the bulk of responses were “ natural topographic point of relaxation and composure ” and every other response was associated once more with the naturalness of the country but was concentrated more on the utilizations that need to be placed ( topographic point to socialise, resort area and athleticss country ) . From this statement, can be assumed the degree of importance that environment and flora has on the usage and viability of the unfastened urban infinite. It is hence important to heighten every mean in order to do the topographic point more natural so that every sort of uncomfortableness can be ignored.

6 ) Aesthetic and functional standards, of the country and how pleasant it is when remaining in it is straight related to the sense of comfort. The aesthetic standards may be subjective but sometimes a big proportion of people who use it agree in some specific aesthetic or functional points about characteristics and design parametric quantities that are non normally accepted and cut down the livability of the square. Those elements of each square of the survey that are non delighting to the general populace can be easy predicted with the inquiry “ what you do n’t wish about the square ” , so as to take them earnestly into history for any effort to redesign the square. Harmonizing to these replies in Chania 49.0 % of respondents said they do non like the parking country which is installed around the memorial, in Rethymnon 36.2 % pointed out the deficiency of flora and 38.3 % the design of the square reply which partially involves excessively the deficiency of flora, in Heraklion 61.4 % said the design of the square particularly indicated the design of the visible radiations and benches, and in Archanes the bulk of people wanted many more utilizations within the square and non around it.

All these factors significantly affect the distribution of ballots in each square, so the right design requires taking into history the per centum of ballots affected by these factors.

5. Discussion

Consequences from the analysis of all factors associating to soothe in assorted squares led us to some general decisions that allow any design to be executable and moreover affect the viability of the corresponding square. Each single square had good comfort ballots in specific parametric quantities ( Chania on the heat, Archanes in the Sun, etc. ) and non so good in others ( Rethymnon in the Sun, etc. ) . To build a general theoretical account that can be applied all over the island a basic rate of all consequences is indispensable and a standardization of all the instance surveies over the same graduated table [ 30 ] .

5.1 Ranking of the study unfastened topographic points

Before any farther measure it is necessary the computation of some bioclimatic indexs of the out-of-door environment. The most of these indexs are defined by the European Union ( ISO 7730 ) and are important for the survey of comfort conditions in each square, severally [ 31,32 ] .

Primary, the chilling power ( CP ) index was introduced to measure the out-of-door conditions [ 33 ] , defined as:

CP= ( 0.421+0.087*u ) * ( 36.5-T ) mcal /m2 /s

Where: U: is the air current speed in m/s

Thymine: dry bulb temperature ( oC )

In table 3 appears the general degree for the index CP as used for the appraisal of bioclimatic conditions in the out-of-door environment. Fig. 12 shows the index of CP, as calculated from climatic informations measured when each questionnaire was taken, in relation with the corresponding degree of comfort which the index determines from the tabular array 3. Besides from the tabular array 3 and fig. 12 it is obvious that harmonizing to the index CP the comfort conditions in all the squares both in summer and in winter are non appropriate. In summer all questionnaires are answered with the index CP in the ruddy zone which indicated that the microclimatic conditions were “ excessively hot ” except in Rethymnon where the CP value is tolerable. Besides in winter the CP values in Chania and Rethymnon are in the ruddy zone every bit good, intending “ excessively cold ” , whereas Iraklion and Archanes have better but non the best values.

As shown the index CP evaluates comfort merely with the climatic conditions and without taking into history the responses of comfort. The ISO 7730 defines thermic conditions of out-of-door environment in which the chance of a negative ballot is minimized. The index “ Predicted Mean Vote – PMV ” and the index “ Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied ” are based on ISO 7730 and are taking into history the climatic parametric quantities in concurrence with the relevant factors impacting the thermic esthesis of each respondent ( vesture, metabolic rate, feeding or imbibing ) [ 34 ] . With PMV and PPD we can obtain replies to the inquiries: is the thermic comfort in a topographic point non hone, how far from perfect is it? Or within what bounds should we keep temperature and humidness to enable sensible thermic comfort? The PMV-index predicts the average value of the subjective evaluations of a group of people in a given environment [ 35 ] . The PMV graduated table is a 15 -point thermal-sensation graduated table runing from -7 ( excessively cold ) to +7 ( excessively hot ) , where 0 represents the thermally impersonal esthesis. Even when the PMV-index is 0, there will still be some persons who are dissatisfied with the temperature degree, irrespective of the fact that they are all dressed likewise and have the same degree of activity – comfort rating differs a small from individual to individual.

We can cipher the PMV values with the expression [ 34 ] :

PMV = ( 0.303*e-0.036*M + 0.028 ) * [ M-W ) -H-Ec-Cres- Eres ]

M= Metabolic rate. The rate of transmutation of chemical energy into heat

and mechanical work by aerophilic and anaerobiotic activities within the organic structure

[ W/m2 ]

W= Effective mechanical power [ W/m2 ]

I-= Dry Heat Loss. Heat loss from the organic structure surface through convection,

radiation and conductivity [ W/m2 ]

I•c=Evaporative heat exchange at the tegument, when the individual experiences a

esthesis of thermic neutrality. [ W/m2 ]

Cres= Respiratory convective heat exchange [ W/m2 ]

I•res= Respiratory evaporative heat exchange [ W/m2 ]

Harmonizing to the PMV index ( fig. 13b ) , there is a strong difference between the two seasons. In winter the index values are close to 0, so for this factor it can be assumed that the comfort conditions are near to the ideal. On the other manus during the summertime the mean PMV index value is about 3 ( fig. 13b ) , figure non even in the acceptable bounds of the European graduated table ( table 3 ) .

In figs 13 a, b we can see that overall, the existent esthesis ballot ( ASV ) is at higher degrees than indicated by the bing mathematical theoretical account of the computation of the predicted average ballot ( PMV ) . Throughout the twelvemonth the comfort degrees are near 90 % ( -1, 0, 1 ) , and merely 6 % of people feel discomfort “ really hot ” ( +2 ) in summer and 4 % feel uncomfortableness “ really cold ” ( -2 ) in winter. That great difference between the predicted mean ballots and the existent ballots can be explained by the deficiency of the questionnaire to find in greater item the ballot of comfort but merely in a 5 point graduated table without decimals and besides the psychological parametric quantities as analyzed above which affect in a great per centum the comfort ballot. It should be observed that a big proportion of responses runing between -2 to -1 and 1 to 2 severally, those degrees do non match to full comfort, but in equivocal state of affairss, approximately 30 % of people could alter easy their ballot.

Common microclimatic informations with the PMV ( Predicted Mean Vote ) require two other indexes: PET ( Physiologically Equivalent Temperature ) and SET ( Standard Effective Temperature ) [ 36 ] . All those thermic indices are good documented and include of import meteoric and thermo-physiological parametric quantities so as to specify the entire comfort [ 37 ] . The graduated table that are measured is in oC but the parametric quantities required in the theoretical account are both climatic ( air temperature, humidness, radiation environment, wind velocity and way ) but besides physical features of every interviewee ( age, sex, weight, tallness, apparels, metamorphosis rate ) [ 38 ] .

A full application of these thermic indices on the energy balance of the human organic structure gives elaborate information about the consequence of the thermic environment on every homo. For the computation of PET and SET it is used the Rayman theoretical account designed by Matzarakis [ 6,8,38 ] for every individual interview. The consequences of average values of these computations appear in fig. 14 where, harmonizing to the tabular array 3, the mean PET value during summer is on the “ excessively hot ” group whereas the mean PET value during winter is on the “ comfort ” group. The same applies besides to the SET values with a little difference in the summer.

All these indexes reveal demand the same decision which can non be ignored in every design attempt of unfastened urban infinites in Crete. The job of uncomfortableness in the metropolis environments takes topographic point about 90 % during the summertime. Although the occupants are accustomed to the Mediterranean climatic conditions, the environment of the metropolis is instead unsuitable for them to experience comfort.

6. Decisions and recommendations

This survey was implemented in four squares in Crete, two seasons a twelvemonth ( winter, summer ) . The yearss of the measurings were carefully selected after meteoric rating of the conditions parametric quantities with the aid of specialised conditions prognosis so as to stand for the typical conditions conditions of the season so as to avoid any unusual values which could drive to false decisions. The survey is based on supervising weather informations in each square in concurrence with replying a sum of 200 questionnaires on the agreeableness of people utilizing them.

The survey is based on the hypothesis that the comfort conditions in each square comes as a consequence of the interaction of all the microclimatic parametric quantities together. Particularly for Crete it is assumed that air temperature and solar radiation are the most critical factors for accomplishing comfort and humidness and weave velocity affect the comfort ballot merely when temperature conditions are non natural. The portion of people who feel comfy during the interview in Crete is approximately 67 % , which is smaller than the consequences from RUROS which shows over 75 % yearly. This requires the distinction of the islands and the building of a skilled comfort theoretical account so that any signifier of intercession into the island unfastened infinite can hold a positive consequence on the viability of the metropolis. It is deserving detecting that all squares in the survey have been redesigned over the last three old ages, so can be assumed that the design solutions were made without any survey of the comfort conditions predominating in them. This fact can hike the basic intent of this survey as it is obvious that every effort of planing unfastened urban infinite can take into history the site specifications, the people wonts and the local conditions parametric quantities in order to guarantee that it will go a unrecorded unfastened topographic point of societal interaction.

As assumed from the consequences in some squares ( Rethymnon ) , several negative ballots ( -2, +2 ) were within the bounds of comfort. Large function for this phenomenon plays every signifier of adaptation: physical, physiological and psychological. The vesture degrees, which straight affect human metamorphosis, can impact mostly the thermic esthesis. Even the ISO 7730 incorporates both the vesture and metamorphosis in the theoretical theoretical account for comfort ( PMV ) . Other indexes like PET and SET have taken these factors into history but they do n’t reflect in great conformity the ballot for comfort of the interviews.

Important function in the sense of comfort besides play the naturalness of the country, outlooks, perceived control, exposure clip, aesthetics and functionality of the site and close utilizations. All these factors significantly affect the experience of infinite of every interviewee. The physical environment and psychological version is argued to be complementary instead than contradictory, and consideration of this dichotomy could increase the usage of the metropolis ‘s unfastened infinites, beef uping societal interaction between citizens by leting chances for such interaction to take topographic point.

This paper identified the climatic factors which affect the most of the responses of comfort and their interaction, field studies besides reveal assorted issues sing version of users to the out-of-door environment, proposing that a strictly physiological attack is unequal in qualifying thermic comfort conditions in out-of-door infinites, therefore stressing the demand for look intoing different ways to quantify comfort conditions out-of-doorss.

In order to reason with a basic theoretical account of comfort which could foretell the comfort ballot of the users with taking into history the parametric quantities that is concluded that affect the most the ballots, it is indispensable a reorientation of the basic thermal indexes and a more specialised theoretical account that takes into history the particular characteristics of the Mediterranean clime. For the effectivity of this theoretical account, farther measurings are needed every bit good as a specialised analysis of full representation of climatic behaviour of each square. This would help the design of insular metropoliss through the design of out-of-door infinites and finally the usage of these infinites, by leting for different activities to be carried out and societal interaction to take topographic point, giving life back to the island unfastened infinites. Ultimately, such systematic cognition can lend to the sustainable development of island communities of the hereafter.