title: Numerical and experimental study on non-destructive measuring method of axial load and natural frequency of rails

authors: Sun, Yulu

subjects: Railroad tracks -- Dynamics -- Measurement

abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate a simple, non-destructive method for monitoring the natural frequencies of the railway tracks subjected to the axial loads. In this study, two kinds of methods are used to obtain the relationship of the axial loads and the natural frequencies. One is the numerical method, and another one is the laboratory experimental method. For the numerical studies, two different numerical analysis methods are used, namely the Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis, and the Rayleigh-Ritz method analysis. The laboratory method has two different equipment to collect signals, one is an accelerometer and the other is a microphone sensor. They both are processed by using the dynamic analysis instrument.
In order to simply and comprehensively verify the practicality, we consider three simply supported beams, which can be considered as a simplified model of the railway track, with different materials and cross-sections. Through the numerical studies, the critical loads and the natural frequencies of the beams are calculated by using the two methods. The results obtained by using the finite element method show a good agreement with the results obtained by the Rayleigh-Ritz method. Through the experiments, it is proved that the laboratory methods can be used to find the natural frequencies of the beams subjected to the axial loads.
The methods used in this study could be put into practical use to simulate and detect the axial load and natural frequency of the railway tracks. With further research, the methods would contribute to development of non-destructive testing methods for the railway tracks.

text: Numerical and experimental study on non-destructive measuring method of axial load and natural frequency of rails The purpose of this study is to investigate a simple, non-destructive method for monitoring the natural frequencies of the railway tracks subjected to the axial loads. In this study, two kinds of methods are used to obtain the relationship of the axial loads and the natural frequencies. One is the numerical method, and another one is the laboratory experimental method. For the numerical studies, two different numerical analysis methods are used, namely the Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis, and the Rayleigh-Ritz method analysis. The laboratory method has two different equipment to collect signals, one is an accelerometer and the other is a microphone sensor. They both are processed by using the dynamic analysis instrument.
In order to simply and comprehensively verify the practicality, we consider three simply supported beams, which can be considered as a simplified model of the railway track, with different materials and cross-sections. Through the numerical studies, the critical loads and the natural frequencies of the beams are calculated by using the two methods. The results obtained by using the finite element method show a good agreement with the results obtained by the Rayleigh-Ritz method. Through the experiments, it is proved that the laboratory methods can be used to find the natural frequencies of the beams subjected to the axial loads.
The methods used in this study could be put into practical use to simulate and detect the axial load and natural frequency of the railway tracks. With further research, the methods would contribute to development of non-destructive testing methods for the railway tracks.

year: 2021

title: Behind the Ink NZ: Tattoos in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Link to a Process of Self-Healing

authors: Membery, Brent

subjects: Tattoos

abstract: This study aimed to examine the reasons why individuals in Aotearoa New Zealand tattoo their bodies and analyse the mechanism by which tattoo acts as a method of coping, self-healing and self-transformation for these individuals. Further this study aimed to investigate how tattoo allows individuals to re-write and transform their meaning of traumatic and/or stressful events into stories of empowerment, strength and survival. While tattoo has been explored for meaning and function in Aotearoa New Zealand, there was seen to be no empirically grounded research looking into how tattoo might serve as a therapeutic tool. 
	The study examined 427 survey respondents and eight interviewees across Aotearoa New Zealand. The participants ranged in age from 18 to 65-years-old and varied across multiple ethnicities. 
	This study combined quantitative and qualitative data collection methods in a two-phase project. Data collection phase one involved 427 participants respond to an online survey. This establised a baseline for cross-comparison of attitudes, backgrounds and life experiences. Data collection phase two involved eight semi-structured interviews to explore individual experiences and uncover the relationship between their tattoos and how it had helped them to cope/heal in some way. To analyse these interviews, thematic analysis was combined with phenomenological analysis.   
	The findings from this study suggest that there are multiple reasons (expression of self, aesthetic aspects, identity, passage of rights, remembrance/tributes and personal healing among others) why individuals chose to engage in the art form of tattooing. Findings also suggest that tattoo, directly relating to the mind/body continuum of stress/trauma can serve as a mechanism to enable individuals to re-script stressful/traumatic events, reinforce identity and self-acceptance, acknowledge past difficulties and turn them into positives and increase inner motivations and positive thinking which was seen to initiate healing and recovery. This suggests that tattoo serves as a powerful mechanism to aid in personal transformation, but also challenge previous meanings associated with the art form of tattoo.

text: Behind the Ink NZ: Tattoos in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Link to a Process of Self-Healing This study aimed to examine the reasons why individuals in Aotearoa New Zealand tattoo their bodies and analyse the mechanism by which tattoo acts as a method of coping, self-healing and self-transformation for these individuals. Further this study aimed to investigate how tattoo allows individuals to re-write and transform their meaning of traumatic and/or stressful events into stories of empowerment, strength and survival. While tattoo has been explored for meaning and function in Aotearoa New Zealand, there was seen to be no empirically grounded research looking into how tattoo might serve as a therapeutic tool. 
	The study examined 427 survey respondents and eight interviewees across Aotearoa New Zealand. The participants ranged in age from 18 to 65-years-old and varied across multiple ethnicities. 
	This study combined quantitative and qualitative data collection methods in a two-phase project. Data collection phase one involved 427 participants respond to an online survey. This establised a baseline for cross-comparison of attitudes, backgrounds and life experiences. Data collection phase two involved eight semi-structured interviews to explore individual experiences and uncover the relationship between their tattoos and how it had helped them to cope/heal in some way. To analyse these interviews, thematic analysis was combined with phenomenological analysis.   
	The findings from this study suggest that there are multiple reasons (expression of self, aesthetic aspects, identity, passage of rights, remembrance/tributes and personal healing among others) why individuals chose to engage in the art form of tattooing. Findings also suggest that tattoo, directly relating to the mind/body continuum of stress/trauma can serve as a mechanism to enable individuals to re-script stressful/traumatic events, reinforce identity and self-acceptance, acknowledge past difficulties and turn them into positives and increase inner motivations and positive thinking which was seen to initiate healing and recovery. This suggests that tattoo serves as a powerful mechanism to aid in personal transformation, but also challenge previous meanings associated with the art form of tattoo.

year: 2015

title: Inside the Resource Management Act:  A Tainui Case Study

authors: Greensill, Angeline Ngahina

subjects: Maori

abstract: Under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 councils are required to promote the sustainable management of physical and natural resources within their respective areas.    In carrying out their duties, councils are obliged to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori with their culture, traditions, lands, waters and other taonga.  They are also required to have regard to kaitiakitanga, and to take into account the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi when making decisions.    
This thesis focuses on the RMA experiences of Tainui, a hapū in Whaingaroa. It sets out to prove that in the last 19 years, since the enactment of the RMA, Waikato councils have failed to honour these obligations to Tainui.  While the RMA specifically provides for Māori interests, in reality those interests are contested and eroded by decision makers who write and enforce rules which inequitably affect Māori relationships with land and other taonga. 
The thesis engages multiple theories and methodologies including Kaupapa Māori, critical theory, autobiography, and a longitudinal case study to expose personal experiences that   bring the realities of planning impacts on Tainui to life.    The fact that Tainui has successfully appealed several council decisions to the Environment Court indicates that councils are failing to meet their obligations as laid out in the legislation.

text: Inside the Resource Management Act:  A Tainui Case Study Under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 councils are required to promote the sustainable management of physical and natural resources within their respective areas.    In carrying out their duties, councils are obliged to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori with their culture, traditions, lands, waters and other taonga.  They are also required to have regard to kaitiakitanga, and to take into account the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi when making decisions.    
This thesis focuses on the RMA experiences of Tainui, a hapū in Whaingaroa. It sets out to prove that in the last 19 years, since the enactment of the RMA, Waikato councils have failed to honour these obligations to Tainui.  While the RMA specifically provides for Māori interests, in reality those interests are contested and eroded by decision makers who write and enforce rules which inequitably affect Māori relationships with land and other taonga. 
The thesis engages multiple theories and methodologies including Kaupapa Māori, critical theory, autobiography, and a longitudinal case study to expose personal experiences that   bring the realities of planning impacts on Tainui to life.    The fact that Tainui has successfully appealed several council decisions to the Environment Court indicates that councils are failing to meet their obligations as laid out in the legislation.

year: 2010