The use of additive manufacturing (AM) has grown exponentially in recent years and has many advantages, including feasibility, over other conventional processes in many current applications. The use of a second process, for example, machining, improves the surface finish and in this case, the use of two processes is known as hybrid manufacturing. Heat treatments are often performed on parts generated by the AM process, mainly to relieve the residual stresses generated, but for some materials, this can decrease the pitting corrosion resistance of the parts. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of hybrid manufacturing (AM + machining) on residual stresses and pitting resistance corrosion, which can bring advantages to piece properties without the use of heat treatment. 316L stainless steel parts are generated by direct laser metal sintering (DLMS), with subsequent milling using a complete factorial planning for the design of the experiments. The cutting speed, feed rate, cutting depth, use of the cutting fluid and laser power in the DLMS process are all varied. Residual stresses are measured by X-ray diffraction and the blind hole method, with polarization curves raised by a potentiostat. The results show that it is possible to reduce the residual surface stresses in the parts, even for compressive stresses, and to improve the pitting corrosion resistance, when compared to the part without milling, depending on the cutting parameters used.

Dielectric nanocomposite elastomers based on poly(styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene) (SEBS) and SEBS-grafted-maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) with barium titanate (BT) suitable for electroactive applications were successfully manufactured by using two corotating twin extrusion systems. The main purpose of the work was to investigate the thermal, mechanical, dielectric, and morphological effects of additives on SEBS and SEBS-g-MA to widen their applications for electroactive applications using fast and more cost-effective simple production process. The morphological characterization showed a good and bad dispersion of BT into SEBS-g-MA and SEBS with 34.9% and −3% dielectric permittivity change in SEBS-g-MA and SEBS upon addition of 10 wt% BT. In addition, dielectric permittivity change, thermal change (enthalpy relaxation and thermal transitions), and mechanical (Young’s modulus, hysteresis loss under multiple stress cycles, storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan δ) properties of elastomers were found to be a function of additive concentration, compatibility and interaction between elastomers and additive type, orientation of additives, and reinforcing factors of additives in elastomers. A simple and effective modeling technique was used to demonstrate the effects of dielectric properties on nanocomposites due to poor dispersion of additives.

Tapered Fiber Optic Sensors (TFOS) are typically interrogated using an Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA) or a spectrometer. As a result, multiple TFOS with similar operating wavelengths cannot be interrogated simultaneously. This paper is an extension to the previously published work on “Interrogation of Fiber Bragg Grating Arrays by Illumination using a Low Coherence Interferogram” [1]. In this paper, the ability of the system to simultaneously interrogate multiple TFOS in a single interferometric scan is demonstrated. Varying concentrations of glucose solutions were used to determine the system's sensing capability. Of the two TFOS used, the one with the larger FSR was found to yield a linear resolution of ~ 2.96e-3ΔRad/1000ppm and the other sensor with a smaller FSR yielded a linear resolution of ~ 5.23e-3ΔRad/1000ppm.

This study investigates the effect of supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (scCO(2)) assisted extrusion on the thermal, mechanical, electrical, and morphological properties of microphase separated Poly(styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene) [SEBS] triblock at various critical pressures. Thermal degradation analysis reveals 50 degrees C enhancement in thermal stability of SEBS when extruded with scCO(2) compared to SEBS extruded without scCO(2). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) show improved phase separation due to the breakdown of domain size between the hard and soft block and damping losses represented by tan delta. It was found that SEBS processed with scCO(2) has low elastic modulus because of foaming as well as restructuring of hard phase around the soft component. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) shows the interaction of scCO(2) in aromatic phenyl rings of S-rich domain in SEBS. Dielectric spectroscopy analysis also confirms scCO(2) results in the difference in relaxation of soft and hard blocks within triblock.

Interrogation of multiplexed arrays of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors is generally limited on several fronts, for example, the number of sensors in an array can be restricted by the bandwidth of illuminating source, and simultaneous interrogation of all of the sensors in an array can be limited depending on the technology adopted. Interferometric interrogation overcomes the simultaneous interrogation problem through the Fellgett advantage, but conventional interferometric systems cannot easily interrogate multiple arrays. The work described in this paper implements an interferometric interrogation scheme for fiber optic sensors based on the filtering of a high coherence interferogram from a low coherence interference pattern generated by a scan of an optical path difference in a two beam interferometer illuminated with a broadband source. This filtering technique can address multiple arrays of FBG sensors in a single scan while simultaneously addressing all of the sensors in the individual arrays. Experimental data yielded a system resolution of ~9.03pm/ 0 C and ~9.23pm/ 0 C for two gratings for short delay scans of ~13mm.

Context: The Brazil's ‘Ciência sem Fronteiras’ (CsF) initiative has led to a phenomenal number of students from universities in Brazil experiencing engineering education in different parts of the world. Ireland has been very successful on a per capita basis of attracting CsF students with over 3,443 attending typically for a full academic year in the period 2013–2015. Purpose: While there are many benefits of the CsF initiative to all stakeholders, there are some important issues that have emerged. These include the direct relevance and usefulness of the engineering education experience gained while abroad. Credits gained in Ireland through the European Credits Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) are not necessarily recognised as part of the students' home degree programme in Brazil. This paper seeks to identify why this is the case and to propose some potential actions to enhance the mutual recognition of engineering education activities. Approach: The associated accreditation of engineering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and routes to achieving legally recognised professional competence in Ireland and Brazil require some analysis and reflection. This paper outlines the current approaches to engineering education in both countries for degree and masters programmes, i.e. Bologna Cycles 1 and 2. It includes the alternative views on ‘inputs’ such as the appropriate number of contact hours, and ‘outputs’, such as the identification and attainment of learning outcomes and competences. Outcomes: The paper provides greater clarity on the similarities and differences between engineering education programmes in the two countries. The different roles that the governments and the relevant professional registration bodies take in directing the higher education institutions' engineering education programmes are also contrasted. Conclusions: The paper concludes with recommendations to facilitate improved mutual understanding and recognition between Ireland and Brazil in the context of facilitating global professional engineering practice.

Nano-structured dielectric thermoplastic elastomers (DTEs) such as poly(styrene-co-ethylene-co-butylene-styrene) [SEBS] and poly(styrene-co-ethylene-co-butylene-styrene) -grafted-maleic anhydride[SEBS-g-MA] triblock co-polymers have been shown to have superior mechanical performances relative to conventional dielectric elastomers such as silicones because of their morphology; which comprises of continuous hard and soft block copolymers and physical cross-linking between same.However, historically their use in capacitive energy harvesting and sensing applications has been constrained by their relatively low dielectric permittivity.In this work, novel method for increasing the dielectric permittivity of DTE's while maintaining their mechanical performance by using electrically active modifiers was evaluated.Preliminary results showed a 110% and 99% increase in the dielectric permittivity, and a 787% and 300% increase in the storage modulus, of SEBS and SEBS-g-MA respectively upon addition of 10% carbon black.The storage modulus will be decreased if the materials are pre-strained.These results also indicate that relative changes in the electrical properties of polymer-additive composites is polymer-additive compatibility dependent (i.e.1.20% decrease in the dielectric permittivity of SEBS and a 32.72% increase in the dielectric permittivity of SEBS-g-MA was observed upon addition of 10% BaTiO 3 ).

This paper focuses on a joint academia-industry Building Information Modeling (BIM) partnership in Ireland. The partnership was based on €3 million design and build project that was developed via a tender process in late 2012 using 'traditional' technology (including 2D CAD). The successful tender was led by Clancy Construction and their team gave the tender information to Waterford Institute of Technology for a student BIM project to be completed in the second semester of the 2012/13 academic year (January to May). The students were a mix of Architectural Technology, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying. As part of their scheduled semester modules they developed a BIM model of the proposed building. The industry partners continued to develop the 'real' design and build project in parallel with the student BIM project. At the end of the semester a full presentation by the students of their project was made to the design and build team. The paper reviews the general context of BIM in AEC Education and the associated role of academia-industry partnerships. An overview of both the industry design and build project and the student BIM project is also included and the associated lessons learned are identified. The paper concludes with an overview of the 2013/14 BIM related plans at Waterford Institute of Technology, including the extension to the academia-industry partnership agreement for everyone's benefit.

The main aim of this paper is to develop the early case for a new Competence Centre dedicated to industry led research in the Irish construction industry. It incorporates the results of a survey carried out by the Construction IT Aliance (CITA) and also identifies similiar centres carrying out industry led research around the world. Results from the survey show a clear support for the establishment of such a centre in Ireland and, in particular, a strong interest in Building Information Modelling (BIM) as a immediate priority research area. BIM is having a profound effect worldwide on the construction industry. The development and adoption of BIM technologies is in parallel with other major changes relating to project procurement approaches, such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and the general sustainability agenda. Although slow to take off in Ireland to-date, BIM is becoming extremely relevant in other countries, with over 50% adoption in the United States and an average of 36% in Europe. The authors argue that a government funded Competence Centre will facilitate the Irish construction industry in re-establishing itself, domestically and internationally as a competitive entity.

Hai Chen Tan, Chimay Anumba, Patricia Carrillo, Dino Bouchlaghem, John Kamara and Chika Udeaja, Wiley‐Blackwell, Chichester, 2010, 195 pp., ISBN 978 1 4051 9889 9, £75.00 The definition, generation...

Despite the benefits which knowledge management (KM) can bring to construction organisations there appears to be a lack of understanding in relation to both knowledge and its management in practice. In the context of Irish construction, both Engineers Ireland (EI), and the Construction Information Technology Alliance (CITA) have identified KM as important to the future competitiveness of the industry. The findings of interviews with senior management from ten of the leading Irish construction organisations are presented, having been selected as they are perceived to possess the most advanced organisational processes. Three ontological dimensions were explored; individual, project and organisational, with a view to identifying current approaches to managing knowledge. The findings confirm that these organisations lack a proper understanding of KM, yet recognise the need for a more structured, coherent approach. The paper proposes the establishment of a strategic framework to improve the understanding of KM within the leading organisations, through a collaborative approach between academia, industry, EI and CITA. A central feature of this framework will be the development of a KM model which will be evaluated by participating organisations for its practicality.

The need for a more formal approach to managing knowledge in construction is well recognised by both academia and industry. Despite this a gap exists between the theory and practice of knowledge management requiring further development and testing of models with industry. The study of knowledge within an organisational setting is complex and fraught with many difficulties requiring careful consideration of ontological and epistemological issues. The grounded theory methodology has become popular in conducting management research, although its integrity has been questioned due to divisions between its originators and loose adoption by some researchers. Therefore novice researchers need to clearly state the grounded theory school to which they subscribe, and remain true to the procedures throughout. Using Strauss and Corbin's version of grounded theory, this paper presents emerging categories from interviews with ten senior managers from the leading Irish construction organisations. This forms the first phase of a doctoral study which aims to develop a knowledge management model for these organisations. Initial findings suggest that the need for knowledge management is well recognised by industry although uncertainty exists about how to implement such an initiative. Some of the emerging categories include: continuing professional development, supportive learning environment, other organisational initiatives and the realities of the business. While this research is very much a work in progress, the rationale for selecting grounded theory and the challenges faced in using such an approach will be reflected on from the perspective of a novice researcher. Consideration will be given to the practical application of grounded theory such as selection of participants, data collection, coding, memoing and the use of specialist software. The next phase of the research shall also be discussed with reference to theoretical sampling and the further development of a model of knowledge management.

The need for the development and testing of models for knowledge management (KM) in construction organisations is now well recognised. As part of a doctoral study seeking to develop a model of KM through grounded theory, an in-depth case study of a leading Irish construction organisation was conducted. Based on theoretical sampling from the first phase of the research, the case study sought to identify and evaluate current and potential approaches to managing knowledge at individual, project and organisational levels. This consisted of a combination of interviews and surveys with a broad spectrum of management and professional staff, including a director, project managers, quantity surveyors, foremen and engineers. It was found that the company are committed to the provision of life-long learning opportunities for all staff through comprehensive continuing professional development (CPD) activities, such as mentoring, training and education. They have also implemented a lessons learned database as part of a KM initiative, which has not been as successful as initially anticipated. The dissemination of lessons learned through the database has been augmented by the use of in-house CPD seminars given by the organisation’s staff. The use of both technology and face-to-face interaction has improved the lessons learned process, particularly in aligning individual learning with that of the organisation. The paper concludes by considering the potential for aligning CPD activities with KM, making recommendations for the next phase of research and more specifically for construction organisations attempting to learn from experience. Such an approach could lead to improving the professional skills of individual staff, whilst contributing to improvements in organisational performance.

In recent years, a key growth area for Ireland’s leading building contractor Sisk has been the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical devices sector. Much of the company’s work in this area involves the construction of highly complex cleanroom facilities which are typically delivered through the management contracting route. This allows Sisk’s knowledge and experience to be utilised in the early stages of design development, leading to time and cost savings for clients. Recognising the need to manage knowledge in a more formal manner within Sisk’s Pharma division, an action research approach was adopted. Based on a collaborative approach between the researcher and the practitioner, action research is geared towards solving real problems and generating new knowledge. It involves a cyclical process whereby the application of findings and an evaluation of their impact on practice become part of a cycle of research. The first phase of the research involved developing a formal approach for sharing knowledge across projects within the Pharma division. This was achieved through a three-stage approach. Firstly each member of the Pharma division’s management team was individually interviewed to identify key issues related to cleanroom construction, management contracting and knowledge management. Once the results were collated and analysed, a focus group session was conducted with a view to collectively sharing knowledge of cleanrooms between the interview participants. Finally, the focus group was evaluated through a questionnaire, seeking to assess the feasibility for future knowledge-sharing activities. It was concluded that such an approach to knowledge sharing has potential for greater use within the Pharma division and the wider Sisk organisation. A number of recommendations are made relating to the improved delivery of cleanroom projects and the next phase of the action research identified.

As part of an on-going doctoral study, a constructivist approach to grounded theory is being used to develop an integrated model of knowledge management (KM) for the leading Irish construction organisations. Using multiple data collection methods; employees in a number of these organisations have participated, from recent graduates through to senior managers. While the need to effectively manage knowledge within large construction organisations is well recognised, a gap exists between the theory of KM and its implementation in practice. This paper considers the research in terms of its philosophical position, the use of grounded theory and the research methods utilised, from theoretical and practical perspectives. Progress in the study thus far is presented and future directions considered in achieving theoretical saturation and a well developed model. It is anticipated that the study will contribute to the field of construction management where further empirical research into KM is required. Much previous research in the area of KM in construction has focussed solely on technological, cultural or strategic issues in the development of KM models. The developed integrated model will form the basis of education and guidance resources on KM for the leading Irish construction organisations. As a traditional and pragmatic industry, the rationale for using grounded theory is provided from the viewpoint that it requires researchers to focus upon developing theory which produces explanations that are recognisable to the subjects of the research. In order to ensure the credibility of the developed model, it will be evaluated by industry as part of a pilot KM education programme, with further refinement if necessary.

There is a debate concerning the appropriate extent, content and delivery of IT education for AEC pro-grammes. The aim of the research work described in this paper was to generate information to assist the debate, spe-cifically in Ireland, but the results and conclusions may also be of relevance to other countries. A survey of the relevant Heads of Academic Departments in the Universities and Institutes of Technology was carried out in June 2006 with a response rate of 89%. The context to this survey has been the relatively unique development of Ireland over the past ten years (population, economy, IT, construction industry, and higher education) in comparison to other European coun-tries. The recent implementation of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and its relationship with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) for lifelong learning is also an important contextual issue for this research. The survey results include the range of specific software training on the AEC programmes, as well as the extent of in-clusion of basic IT training, understanding how computers work, understanding and writing computer programmes, consideration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the use of Learning Management Systems (LMS). A further interesting feature of the survey has been the identification of the record number of students on higher education AEC programmes in Ireland.

Considered to-be one of the most dynamic and complex industrial environments construction is a project-based industry which is recognised as being poor at learning on a consistent basis, improving performance and is notoriously slow in adapting to progressive change. Traditionally labour-intensive organisations employing a full workforce of tradesmen and labourers, large main contractors have generally moved away from being a 'building company' towards directly employing a core professional and management team to lead teams of outsourced contractors. Two separate organisations; Engineers Ireland (EI), the country's leading professional body and the Construction Information Technology Alliance (CITA) a research partnership between industry and academia have identified KM as important to the future competitiveness of the Irish construction industry. An in-depth case study of a leading Irish construction organisation has been conducted in order to identify and evaluate current and potential approaches to managing knowledge at individual, project and organisational levels. This consisted of a combination of interviews and surveys with a broad spectrum of management and professional staff, including a director, project managers, quantity surveyors, foremen and engineers. It was found that the company are committed to the provision of life-long learning opportunities for all staff through comprehensive continuing professional development (CPD) activities, which are accredited by EI. To fulfil the KM requirement for accreditation, a lessons learned database was implemented but has not been successful as initially anticipated. The lack of a working definition of knowledge within the organisation and awareness of the importance and potential advantages of KM reflects a casual approach, and indicates the need for further exploration of knowledge and KM-related issues. The potential for aligning individual learning with wider organisational KIN objectives also merits further investigation.