Browsing Faculty of Engineering and Technology by Title
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Rekha, A.; Raju, V.C.C. (University of Botswana, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: The stress-attention in cascade reliability has been studied when both stess and strength follow Rayleigh distribution. The expression for the relaibility R(n), for a system survive with the first (n-1) components failed and the n component active, is obtained R(n) is calculated numerically, for n=1,2,3 and 4, for different values of the parameter p and the attention factor k. It has been found that with lower attention factors in high degree of reliability can be attained. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/677 Files in this item: 1
Rekha_BJT_1999.pdf (887.1Kb) -
Kalabamu, F. (Elsevier http://www. doi:10.1016/j.habitatint.2003.09.005, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: The purpose of this essay is to identify gender contracts in self-help housing construction. Gender contracts have been defined as invisible power relationships that determine roles, responsibilities, privileges, status, sexuality and behaviour of men and women within households, communities, the market and the state. Gender contracts shape social, economic, political and sexual relationships in what people often refer to as ‘our culture’. Various gender contracts constitute a gender system (e.g. patriarchy or matriarchy) under which general rules, perceptions, hierarchies and privileges are formulated, refined and preserved. The paper notes that although the advent of colonialism and capitalism did not replace patriarchal structures in Botswana, they set in new political and production systems that upset the traditional power base and provided opportunities for women to challenge traditional gender contracts—notably the marriage contract that had hitherto been used to oppress women. The paper further notes that despite women having made inroads into male domains, there has surfaced new sites and forms of female subordination largely due to gendered inequalities in accessing and controlling contemporary critical resources (land, money, modern technical skills and formal employment) as well as continued male dominance of community and state structures. Taking Lobatse as a case study, the paper tries to identify gender contracts formed as a result of men’s takeover of construction activities which were traditionally undertaken by women in Botswana. It notes that besides dominating construction work, men control access to land, building skills, housing finance, and the entire self-help housing process in Lobatse, thereby forcing women into subordinate positions from which they have to bargain or negotiate new gender contracts. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/430 Files in this item: 1
Kalabamu_HI_2005.pdf (2.325Mb) -
Mosha, A.C. (Allen press, www.allenpress.com/ -, NaN, 1996)[more][less]
Abstract: In this paper we trace how Gaborone has grown from a very small village to the capital city of Botswana in a period of less than 30 years. Attention has been given to how careful design of master plan concepts has shaped the city and responded to the needs and aspirations of the residents. Through appropriate and enabling urban- development policies, standards and codes, a very amenable environment has been created. The city can boast of adequate and modern civic and commercial centers; modern functional infrastructure including water, electricity, roads and sewage systems; access to land for virtually all people; adequate housing provided by both the public and the private sectors and for the low income, the adoption of a very successful program of squatter upgrad- ing and self-help housing. Through careful management and development control practices, city growth has been contained quite well in spite of rapid development and the future of the city looks quite bright. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1061 Files in this item: 1
Mosha_AMBIO_1996.pdf (2.779Mb) -
Malumbela, G.; Alexander, M.; Moyo, P. (Elsevier http://www.linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0958946508000784, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper presents a discussion on a paper authored by Chung et al. [Chung L, Najm H, Balaguru P. Flexural behaviour of concrete slabs with corroded bars. Cement Concr Compos 2008;30:184-93]. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/426 Files in this item: 1
Malumbela_CCC_2008.pdf (146.7Kb) -
Ngowi, A.B.; Mselle, P.C. (MCB University Press http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/02632779810233511, November NaN, 1998)[more][less]
Abstract: By involving the beneficiaries of a facility such as housing or an irrigation scheme, at the various stages of the project, it is possible to build their capacity in relation to the facility, which may contribute to the sustainability of the project beyond the disbursement period. A study carried out in Botswana found that the intensity of community participation at the various stages of facility development is influenced by the complexity of the technology adopted and the willingness of the facility managers to involve the community from the early stages of the project. Based on these findings, this paper proposes a framework which may be followed to achieve this end. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/407 Files in this item: 1
Ngowi_Fac_1998.pdf (382.5Kb) -
Ngowi, A.B. (MCB University Press; Emerald Group Publishing Ltd; http://www.emeraldinsight.com/, NaN, 1997)[more][less]
Abstract: The design and construction of infrastructure facilities such as road network, water supply and sewage disposal in Botswana, have often been done in a top-bottom fashion where the government or local authority decides what is good for the community. While the design and construction of infrastructure facilities require technical knowledge, heavy equipment and proper supervision, their management hardly requires these resources to the same extent. This offers the beneficiaries of the facilities an opportunity to manage their day-to-day operations and maintenance. Reports on an approach adopted to engage the community in the management of local road network, water supply and sanitation in three major villages in Botswana. It analyses the method previously employed in managing these facilities and outlines the benefits which will accrue when this approach is fully operational. Concludes by underlining the fact that, for community-managed facilities to work, the people in the community need to participate in all the stages of the project (i.e. planning, design, construction and eventually maintenance). URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/257 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Ngowi, A.B. (MCB University Press. http//:www.emerald.library.com/ft, NaN, 2001)[more][less]
Abstract: The primary purpose of forming alliance in the construction industry is to pool together the resources of the participating partners in order to form a team that has a competitive advantage. Each partner in an alliance has its own competence and market share that do not necessarily fall under the alliance as common resources. Therefore, although the competitive advantage aimed at when forming an alliance is for common profits, each partner has a possibility of using it (the competitive advantage) for private profits (i.e. activities that do not fall under the alliance). Using a case study from Botswana, this paper argues that a construction alliances strives as long as the profits created by common activities are substantially higher that the ones that can be created by private activities. Once one of the partners in the alliance can create the competitive advantage in question on its own, it will opt out of the alliance through such mechanisms as withdrawing some of its key contributions to the alliance. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/344 Files in this item: 1
Ngowi_2001_JEIMngt.pdf (1.186Mb) -
Ngowi, A.B.; Iwisi, D.; Mushi, R. (Taylor and Francis Ltd. http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/09613218.asp, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: Traditionally, competitive advantage has been based upon large-scale production and accumulation of large quantities of physical and financial assets. Large financially capable firms, particularly Multi-national Corporations (MNCs) and large construction firms create competitive advantages and sustain them through the use of such defence mechanisms as entry barriers and other competition-impeding features of industry structure. Small firms in developing countries, especially in Africa can hardly mobilize financial resources to match the MNCs and the large construction firms, nor can they employ similar defence mechanisms due to their lack of global reach.Using the construction industry in Botswana, the paper reports on a pilot study that investigated the factors that are crucial to creating constantly changing competitive advantage in the context of low financial resources. It concludes by emphasizing that firms operating in low financial contexts should create dynamic competitive advantages instead of imitating the strategies used by large financially capable firms. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/264 Files in this item: 1
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Bolaane, B. (July 2, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Public participation is considered the touchstone for the success of recycling schemes. In recognition of this, the trend in recycling policy and legislation is geared towards promoting people centred approaches in recycling with public education as the main driver towards increasing public participation. Most of the time, these initiatives do not take into consideration the perceptions and attitudes of the key stakeholders of municipal officials and the public towards waste recycling schemes. These perceptions and attitudes appear equivocal. This paper highlights the potential constraints to promoting people centred approaches in recycling and recommends some strategies that could mitigate them. The paper is based on a case of Gaborone and used household and key-informant interviews. The study found that, even though municipal officials in Gaborone are aware of the potential benefits of recycling, they appear not to embrace waste management reforms such as municipally organised recycling schemes amid their limited knowledge in organising such schemes. In addition, the study found that even though the public are aware of recycling, this does not necessarily translate into participation in recycling initiatives. Other factors such as limited economic direct economic incentives and absence of ‘visible’ recycling centres were found to limit participation in recycling initiatives. Further, the public are biased towards separating materials for recycling that have known markets and are of significant financial value. The paper concludes that while public education is important to raise awareness and enhance public participation in recycling, in Gaborone, such education must be complemented by direct incentives targeted to the participating public. To this end, the paper proposes a multi-stakeholder approach to recycling initiatives that involve NGOs, households, the private and public sectors to mitigate some of the above constraints. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/141 Files in this item: 2
bolaane _constraints.pdf (119.4Kb)license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Ssegawa, J.K. (University of Botswana, http://www.ub.bw, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: By the turn of the century, Botswana will be 34 years old as an independent nation. Reflecting on the past, is a background of tremendous achievements from a socio-economic development perspective. The achievements could not have been possible if it was not for the contribution. The construction industry’s (CI) contribution to socio-economic development may be viewed from many areas, among them, creating employment, wealth and demand for manufactured goods, infrastructure and producing factors of production (e.g. office space, factory shells, roads, etc) for other sectors. However, the relationship between the general economy and the CI has not been established explicitly despite numerous studies. Using Botswana’s CI and the economy, some of the paradigms proposed in previous studies revisited. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/843 Files in this item: 1
Ssegawa_BJT_1999.pdf (1.185Mb) -
Ssegawa, J.K. (University of Botswana http://www.ub.bw, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: By the turn of the century,Botswana will be 34 years old as an independent nation. Reflecting on the past, is a background of tremedous achievements from a socio-economic development perspective.The achievement could not have been possible if it was not for the contribution from the various sectors of the economy, such as mining, agriculture, manufacturing and of course, construction. The construction industry's (CI) contribution to socio-economic development may be viewed from many areas, among them, creating employment, wealth and demand for manufactured goods, infrastructure and producing factors of production(e.g. office space, factory shells, roads, etc.) for other sectors. However, the relationship between the general economy and the CI has not been established explicitly despite the numerous studies. Using Botswana's CI and the economy, some of the paradigms proposed in previous studies revisited. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/706 Files in this item: 1
Ssegawa_BJT_1999.pdf (1.950Mb) -
Oladiran, M. T. (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=13, August NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper presents the results of an investigation to determine the level of continuing professional development (CPD) for engineers in developing countries. Questionnaires were administered randomly to engineers of different specialties. It was found that CPD for engineers in developing countries seems neglected. Experience and state of the art in the profession are, thus, not usually acquired in an organized fashion. Nevertheless, many of these engineers would support the introduction of continuing professional development at all levels of their careers. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/666 Files in this item: 1
Oladiran_IEEETE_1999.pdf (763.3Kb) -
Uziak, J.; Gizejowski, M. (University of Botswana, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: A new design developed by the authors that gives an opportunity to account for the interaction of different modes of buckling is presented.Eurocode 3 model is used as the reference model, an equivalent geometric imperfection comprising of an initial bow being equal to the length divided by 500 is used.The model is based on the design criterion referred to the individual chord components. It allows to avoid the application of complicated procedure based on an explicitly given imperfection parameter. It is achieved by a treatment of a chord local buckling mode between lacing connections in the same way as the plate buckling of chord sectional elements.The buckling design of the compound number can therefore be carried out in the same wayas for a single element provided that the stiffness of lacing members is properly taken care of. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/610 Files in this item: 1
Uziak_BJT_2009.pdf (1.086Mb) -
Moalosi, R.; Popovic, V.; Hickling-Hudson, A.R. (Springer http://www.springerlink.com/index/4p70461149163718.pdf, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: There is little in-depth research that can assist designers to use culture as a catalyst for designing innovative products within Botswana’s context. The concept of culture and design are intertwined, thus modifications stemming from cultural evolution both reflect and determine developments in design. The paper discusses an experimental design approach conducted at the University of Botswana and participants challenge was to transform and encode socio-cultural factors into product design features. The paper concludes by discussing a model which has shown one way concerning how to consciously specify, analyse and integrate socio-cultural factors in the design process. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/528 Files in this item: 1
Moalosi_IJTD_2010.pdf (1.365Mb) -
Batane, N.R.; Morrison, D.J.; Moosbrugger, J.C. (Elsevier, www.elsevier.com, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The axial–torsional cyclic deformation behavior of polycrystalline nickel was investigated by performing fully reversed plastic strain amplitude controlled fatigue experiments at effective plastic strain amplitudes ranging from 1×10−4 to 1×10−3. Experiments were accomplished under proportional and 90◦ out-of-phase nonproportional loading paths. Results indicate that loading path has very little effect on the cyclic response at the lower effective plastic strain amplitude. However, at the higher effective plastic strain amplitude, significant additional hardening is induced by the nonproportional loading path. Description: some symbols may not appear as in the original abstract. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/847 Files in this item: 1
Batane_MSE_2010.pdf (613.9Kb) -
Batane, N.R.; Morrison, D.J.; Moosbrugger, J.C. (Elsevier http://www.linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S135964620800064X, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Results are presented on the effects of biaxial straining on the cyclic stress–strain response of ultrafine grain nickel (grain size 260 nm) and conventional grain nickel (grain size 50 lm) over a range of effective plastic strain amplitudes from 1 10 4 to 1 10 3. Grain refinement causes an increase in saturation stress. For conventional grain nickel, non-proportional straining causes higher saturation stress than proportional straining; but the ultrafine grain material exhibits the opposite behavior. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/662 Files in this item: 1
Batane_SM_2008.pdf (586.5Kb) -
Yanev, K.M.; Obok Opok, A.; Litchev, A. (University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Maintenance of the proper power factor is a very important matter for the industry and for the economy of any country. A study of the power factor value for a number of industrial plants in Botswana shows that they operate at power factors lower that the optimal values. If a plant power factor is different from its optimal value, this will cause considerable loses in terms of investments for large power generation and supply equipment and in terms of heat dissipation from the supply lines and other equipment. To improve the power factor and keep it at an optimal value, there are a number of preventative measures, as well as corrective actions that could be implemented. The power factor of a plant changes, depending on the number of electrical units operating at a time. After a full analysis of the power factor issue and its optimal case, are automatic control is designed that may maintain the power factor of a plant within values close to optimal. Similar automatic power factor control system can be introduced for all industrial plants with unsatisfactory power factor throughout the country that can improve considerably the efficiency of power utilization. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1062 Files in this item: 1
Yanev_BJT_2004.pdf (1.049Mb) -
Oladiran, M.T.; Foster, J. (Trans Tech Publications http://www.scientific.net/AMR.62-64.551, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: A team of academics produced a Design Brief (DB) to assist architects design a scholarly physical environment for modern engineering education and research. The information gathered from external and internal sources was used to define important themes that the buildings should reflect and hence to arrive at a list of the required spaces. Critical internal and external reviews and budget constraints led to a series of successive refinements of the DB. A design competition was organised for all interested architects in the country to select the architect for the project and consolation prizes were awarded to second and third finalists. The planned development will provide 17900 m2 and 25200 m2 net usable space and estimated gross building area respectively. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/599 Files in this item: 1
Oladiran_AMR_2009.pdf (635.7Kb) -
Anderson, G.O. (IEEE http://www.saiee.org.za/publications/2008/sept/99-3-4.pdf, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: The paper gives detailed analyses to help determine the increase in production costs due to the transmission of reactive power. On the basis of that and with due consideration to the cost of VARS compensation equipment, a mathematical model is developed to determine an economically justified transmission distance for VARS in electric power systems. Standard voltages and line parameters are used for the computations. MATLAB computer programming is used to obtain the numerical results. The developed mathematical model and the numerical results could be useful to electric power systems engineers. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/414 Files in this item: 1
Anderson_SAIEE_2008.pdf (425.7Kb) -
Mwewa, W.L. (University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: The demand for adequate training of artisans and apprentices in the construction industry cannot be over emphasized in view of the rapid changes the industry is undergoing. Many of of these changes are continously taking place especially in the areas of utilization and maintainability of construction materials. The local vocational institutions should vigorously embark on reviewing the vocational education and training. This will result in the supply of cadres with acceptible quality of training in order to meet the challenges of the building industry. In spite of the ten years of involvement by the local vocational institutions in the training of artisans and apprentices there is still shortage of skilled manpower. The aim of the paper, therefore, is to assess the relevance of the vocational training programs and the trends of output of artisans and apprentices trained before and after the second construction boom from boom from 1986 to 1990 and 1992 to 1996. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/882 Files in this item: 1
Mwewa_BJT_1999.pdf (1.091Mb)