title: Social capital and regional social infrastructure investment: Evidence from New Zealand

authors: Roskruge, Matthew James

subjects: social capital

abstract: In this article, we link unique data on local social infrastructure expenditure with microlevel individual survey data of self-reported social capital measures of trust and participation in community activities. We use both probit and tobit models to estimate the impact of social infrastructure expenditure on social capital formation. Our results imply that the links between social capital, demographic characteristics, human capital, geography, and public social infrastructure investment are rather more subtle and complex than much of the literature implies. While we find evidence in support of many of the hypothesized relationships discussed in the social capital literature, our results also suggest that the impact of public social infrastructure investment is affected by both selection effects and free rider processes.

text: Social capital and regional social infrastructure investment: Evidence from New Zealand In this article, we link unique data on local social infrastructure expenditure with microlevel individual survey data of self-reported social capital measures of trust and participation in community activities. We use both probit and tobit models to estimate the impact of social infrastructure expenditure on social capital formation. Our results imply that the links between social capital, demographic characteristics, human capital, geography, and public social infrastructure investment are rather more subtle and complex than much of the literature implies. While we find evidence in support of many of the hypothesized relationships discussed in the social capital literature, our results also suggest that the impact of public social infrastructure investment is affected by both selection effects and free rider processes.

year: 2012

title: Investigation on shear behaviour and design for aluminium alloy with circular edge stiffened holes with shear span ratio 1

authors: Manoj, Esther Mariya

subjects: cold-formed aluminium

abstract: Cold-formed aluminium (CFA) structural members are increasingly being adopted in engineering applications due to their favourable strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, recyclability, and long-term durability in harsh environments. A promising application lies in lightweight framing systems, where circular service holes in the web accommodate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) installations. However, such openings significantly reduce shear capacity, leading to premature buckling and distortion.
This study investigates the shear behaviour of CFA channel sections with unstiffened and edge-stiffened circular web holes through nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis, validated against experimental results from the literature. The FE models demonstrated strong predictive capability, with mean FEA-to-test ratios of 1.02 for aluminium and 1.07 for cold-formed steel, and low coefficients of variation (<0.06). A comprehensive parametric study is done by simulations evaluated the effects of hole size, stiffener length, section depth, thickness (2.0- 3.5 mm), and alloy grade (H36 and H38). The results showed that unstiffened holes reduced shear capacity by up to 60% (at dw/d1-0.6), while edge stiffeners effectively regained 15-40% of the lost strength. Increasing thickness from 2.0 to 3.5 mm more than doubled shear capacity,and the H38 alloy consistently outperformed H36 due to its higher yield strength.
Comparisons with international design standards ([AISI 2016], [AS/NZS 2018], and [ADM 2015]) revealed that current provisions are conservative for plain webs but underestimate the strengthening contribution of edge stiffeners. To address these shortcomings, new design equations based on a modified Direct Strength Method (DSM) were proposed, incorporating shear reduction factors and elastic buckling coefficients tailored for aluminium members with web perforations. The findings contribute to safer and more efficient design of cold-formed aluminium systems, supporting the integration of perforated channels in modern construction practice.

text: Investigation on shear behaviour and design for aluminium alloy with circular edge stiffened holes with shear span ratio 1 Cold-formed aluminium (CFA) structural members are increasingly being adopted in engineering applications due to their favourable strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, recyclability, and long-term durability in harsh environments. A promising application lies in lightweight framing systems, where circular service holes in the web accommodate mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) installations. However, such openings significantly reduce shear capacity, leading to premature buckling and distortion.
This study investigates the shear behaviour of CFA channel sections with unstiffened and edge-stiffened circular web holes through nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis, validated against experimental results from the literature. The FE models demonstrated strong predictive capability, with mean FEA-to-test ratios of 1.02 for aluminium and 1.07 for cold-formed steel, and low coefficients of variation (<0.06). A comprehensive parametric study is done by simulations evaluated the effects of hole size, stiffener length, section depth, thickness (2.0- 3.5 mm), and alloy grade (H36 and H38). The results showed that unstiffened holes reduced shear capacity by up to 60% (at dw/d1-0.6), while edge stiffeners effectively regained 15-40% of the lost strength. Increasing thickness from 2.0 to 3.5 mm more than doubled shear capacity,and the H38 alloy consistently outperformed H36 due to its higher yield strength.
Comparisons with international design standards ([AISI 2016], [AS/NZS 2018], and [ADM 2015]) revealed that current provisions are conservative for plain webs but underestimate the strengthening contribution of edge stiffeners. To address these shortcomings, new design equations based on a modified Direct Strength Method (DSM) were proposed, incorporating shear reduction factors and elastic buckling coefficients tailored for aluminium members with web perforations. The findings contribute to safer and more efficient design of cold-formed aluminium systems, supporting the integration of perforated channels in modern construction practice.

year: 2025

title: Stemming the colonial environmental tide

authors: Joseph, Robert

subjects: human activities

abstract: Stemming the colonial environmental tide supports an Aotearoa New Zealand context that fundamentally acknowledges mātauranga and tikanga Māori law and shared co-governance and concurrent jurisdiction through 7 Aotearoa New Zealand EBM principles.

text: Stemming the colonial environmental tide Stemming the colonial environmental tide supports an Aotearoa New Zealand context that fundamentally acknowledges mātauranga and tikanga Māori law and shared co-governance and concurrent jurisdiction through 7 Aotearoa New Zealand EBM principles.

year: 2022-05