27 posts tagged with "docusaurus"

Innovative Dodecahedron Structural Node: Enhancing Truss Flexibility and Strength​

In this project, our objective was to design and fabricate a unique dodecahedron-shaped structural node to be utilized in a truss system. Trusses are vital components in structural engineering, consisting of interconnected struts that work collaboratively to evenly distribute loads, ensuring the stability and strength of the overall structure. Our innovative node boasted 12 pentagonal faces, and each truss strut was connected to the center of one of these faces using a single bolt. The bolt passed through a hole in the center of the strut's end cap and was securely fastened by screwing it into a threaded hole located at the center of the dodecahedron face.

Fabricated from sturdy steel, our node was expertly designed to withstand the forces transmitted through the truss. Its dodecahedron shape and the single-bolt connection for each strut granted an impressive level of flexibility and adaptability. The modularity of the design allowed for easy rearrangement or removal of the struts, a critical feature that significantly contributed to the overall truss system's versatility. The node became an essential element in the truss design, enabling swift modifications to meet changing needs and requirements.

Overall, the dodecahedron-shaped structural node we created proved to be an effective and efficient solution for joining multiple truss struts at a single point. Its paramount role in distributing loads evenly and maintaining the truss's stability and strength, combined with its modular design, ensured the structure's adaptability, making it a remarkable achievement in structural engineering.

Cyr Wheel Performances: A Custom Modular Circular Stage​

We were tasked with designing and building a circular stage for Cyr wheel performances. The stage needed to meet several requirements: it had to have a 6-meter diameter, be easily disassembled into pieces small enough to fit through a 2.6-meter-wide door, support the weight of performers, be quickly assembled by two people (with each panel weighing no more than 50kg), remain flat and level on rough terrain, and withstand the rough handling and moisture typically encountered in circus life.

To achieve these goals, we explored various designs for the circular stage and ultimately settled on a composite panel construction. Each panel was made with an XPS core sandwiched between two layers of extra durable fiberglass, coated with a non-slip surface. The material was shaped using a hot wire cutter with a rectangular profile, and the foam from the mating edges was removed, leaving only the outer fiberglass material. Aluminum extrusions were then pressed into the edges of the panels, providing protection, supporting the edges to prevent deflection, and creating slots for the removable leg structures that connected the panels together.

The leg structures were positioned at the intersection of three panels and consisted of three pieces of steel box section fitted within aluminum U channels, welded at 120-degree intervals to form a three-directional cross. A threaded tube was left at the intersection, into which a bolt or long grub screw with a foot plate on the bottom could be threaded. This allowed for easy adjustment of the legs from above through a small hole in the stage using an allen key bit on an impact driver. The quick and simple assembly process involved extending the legs until they touched the ground to level the stage. Inner steel box sections curved along the outer edges of the panels held the pieces together, and a large ratchet strap was used to wrap around the entire structure and compress the circle inward, pulling all the pieces together.

Overall, the design and construction of the circular stage were challenging yet rewarding. We successfully met all the client's requirements, creating a durable, stable, and easily assembled stage that could withstand the demands of circus performances.

Creating 3D Buildings from Mastermap with QGIS​

The Ordnance Survey Mastermap Topography Layer, Building Height Attribute (BHA), and Environment Agency LiDAR Digital Terrain Model (DTM) are valuable data sources that enable the creation of 3D models of buildings. By leveraging this data and utilizing the Qgis2ThreeJS plugin in QGIS, we can visualize the BHA data in 3D and generate detailed building models.

To begin, install the Qgis2ThreeJS plugin and load the BHA data, DTM data, and any other desired layers into the QGIS project. Utilizing the plugin, customize the styling of the BHA data and define the height attribute for extrusion, which results in a realistic 3D representation of the building. This 3D model can be saved as an HTML file and effortlessly viewed in a web browser.

The inclusion of the LiDAR DTM enhances the accuracy of the 3D model, and it can also be opened in Grasshopper, a visual programming language and environment within the Rhinoceros 3D CAD application. By incorporating the Ladybug plugin, this 3D model becomes a powerful tool for conducting in-depth climate analyses and generating interactive visualizations for environmentally-informed design, including sunlight studies.

Through this integrated approach, we can harness the potential of spatial data and advanced visualization tools to create sophisticated 3D models that facilitate informed decision-making in architectural and environmental design.

Provisioning Cisco Cloud Wireless Controller​

In this project, our aim was to successfully install and configure the Cisco Catalyst c9800-CL wireless controller using Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM). The c9800-CL is a powerful and flexible cloud-based wireless controller capable of managing both on-premises and cloud-based wireless networks. It belongs to the Cisco Catalyst 9800 series and offers a range of advanced features, such as wireless intrusion prevention, location services, and guest access.

To begin, we installed virtualization software and enabled the libvirtd service on our system. This allowed us to create and manage virtual machines using KVM. We then created a network bridge using the brctl command, enabling communication between the virtual machine and the host system.

With the necessary infrastructure in place, we used the virt-install command to install the c9800-CL on a new virtual machine. During the installation process, we specified several options, such as the connection to the virtualization server, the operating system variant, the architecture of the virtual machine, and the CPU type.

Once the virtual machine was set up and the c9800-CL was installed, we provided a script to configure the controller. This script contained a series of steps necessary to properly set up the c9800-CL. These steps included setting the hostname, creating a user account, configuring the Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, creating a VLAN, setting up static routes, shutting down and re-enabling the radio frequencies, and setting the country code. We also configured the virtual wireless LAN controller (VWLC) and set the DNS and NTP servers to ensure proper network connectivity and synchronization.

Finally, we demonstrated how to access the GUI of the c9800-CL at the specified IP address and walked through the zero-day configuration steps to set up a wireless network. By following these steps, users can easily configure the c9800-CL to meet the specific needs of their wireless network.

Improving Wireless Connectivity using ArcGIS​

To achieve this goal, our team implemented a robust wireless network across the show grounds and utilized ArcGIS to create a comprehensive heat map. This heat map was generated by collecting geolocated signal strength readings from smartphones all over the site. The data was then analyzed and visualized in ArcGIS, revealing areas with weak signal strength or wireless black spots.

To further enhance our understanding of the network's performance, we overlayed the heat map on a georeferenced site map. This site map showcased the precise locations of wireless access points, cable routes, and network switch points. This integration of data helped us identify potential network issues and make informed decisions to optimize connectivity for the staff and trader areas.

Thanks to this meticulous planning and deployment, the wireless network operated flawlessly. It played a pivotal role in ensuring smooth operations during the event, meeting the connectivity needs of staff and traders alike. We take pride in our contribution to the event's success and in supporting the seamless communication and operations.

Efficient Network Hardware Asset Management at a Festival​

This festival was a massive event with sprawling arenas and fields covering 3km. The deployment of the network infrastructure was a complex undertaking to ensure seamless connectivity across the site. To achieve this, network cabinets were strategically set up in each arena, interconnected with miles of fiber optic cables. These cabinets were further linked to multiple bonded ADSL connections, providing a robust and reliable internet connection.

To extend connectivity within each arena, smaller network switches were positioned within 100 meters of the cabinets. Areas beyond this range were connected using wireless point-to-point links, mounted on poles attached to the sides of tents or beamed across the arena from wireless sectors mounted on cherry pickers. At distant locations, wireless point-to-point receivers were attached to the sides of tents to capture these signals.

Besides the network infrastructure, a comprehensive CCTV system was crucial for ensuring attendee safety. To achieve this, each arena was equipped with at least one cherry picker, hosting a pan-tilt-zoom CCTV camera. Additional cameras were installed on scaffolding poles, gateway arches, and stage sides. WiFi was also provided in the crew and camping areas, while temporary offices were equipped with WiFi and VoIP phones for efficient internal and external communication.

To facilitate the deployment and management of the network, we employed various tools and resources. For instance, we utilized QGIS's 'Align Raster' tool to georeference a high-definition site map image, which was then uploaded to Mapbox to create a basic Leaflet.js web map. This web map utilized the host phone's geolocation to position markers, aiding in identifying the exact location of tents requiring connectivity. We also utilized the 'Map Marker' app on Android to rapidly locate and deploy network devices.

After the event, the map proved invaluable in locating and retrieving all equipment. This was especially helpful as the staff members responsible for investigating faults or retrieving hardware were often different from those who deployed them, making it challenging to locate devices without an updated map showing their precise locations and connections. By utilizing this map, we efficiently traced faults in the network and ensured that all equipment was accounted for. Overall, the deployment and management of the network at the Isle of Wight Festival was a successful and intricate endeavor, contributing to the smooth operation of the event.

Real-Time Map of a Festival Network - Monitoring Status and Coverage​

Our web application provides users with access to live network device data and the ability to update device locations. When a device's location needs recording, users simply input the device's MAC address into the app. The app checks the MAC address against a list of available device MAC addresses in the database to ensure authenticity. If the MAC address is verified, it is marked as "deployed," and the user's phone coordinates (from the update) are added to the latitude and longitude columns. In case of an incorrect MAC address or one not matching any device in the database, the user is notified and prompted to enter a different MAC address.

Deployed devices are dynamically displayed on a real-time map, enabling users to easily view and locate them. Clicking on a device reveals detailed information such as device type, MAC address, IP address, and more. Additionally, users can select a device for deletion, updating the corresponding value in the "deployment status" column to "false" and removing latitude and longitude position data from the database.

For app testing and debugging purposes, we designed a BASH script to generate synthetic data. This script produces a CSV file with random MAC addresses, asset tags, device models, and locations, facilitating easy testing by uploading the data to the database. By using this script, we simulated various scenarios to ensure the app's functionality before deploying it in a live environment.

#!/bin/bash

# Generate 100 random devices
for i in {1..100}
do
  # Generate a random MAC address
  mac=$(c=0; until [ $c -eq "6" ]; do printf ":%02X" $(( $RANDOM % 256 )); let c=c+1; done | sed s/://)

  # Generate a random asset number
  asset=$(( $RANDOM % 9999 + 1000 ))

  # Choose a random location from the locations.txt file
  location=$(shuf -n 1 locations.txt)

  # Choose a random model from the models.txt file
  model=$(shuf -n 1 models.txt)

  # Output the device information to a CSV file
  echo "$asset, $mac, $model, $location"
done > devices.csv

Enhancing Wildlife Connectivity Through Data Queries for Rewilding​

The concept of rewilding involves the restoration of natural habitats in areas affected by human activity. One effective method to identify suitable locations for rewilding is by searching for topographic areas characterized by natural environments. This can be accomplished using a SQL query to find rows in a database table where the "descriptivegroup" column contains the value "Natural Environment." The "descriptivegroup" column likely holds descriptive tags or categories for each topographic area.

The results obtained from this data query can be invaluable for planning and conservation efforts, as they help identify potential areas well-suited for rewilding. These areas can serve as vital wildlife corridors, facilitating the movement of wildlife through urban landscapes and promoting biodiversity. By prioritizing these areas for restoration and rewilding, we can significantly improve the connectivity of natural habitats in urban regions, thereby fostering the health and balance of these ecosystems.

Optimizing Wireless Connectivity at a Festival - A Heatmap Analysis​

During the Festival, our team strategically deployed access points to offer WiFi connectivity to event attendees. To ensure widespread and dependable coverage, each access point was connected to a sector on an adjacent building via a point-to-point wireless link. In addition to this, we established dual Internet connections for each access point, combining an ADSL line and a temporary satellite on the roof to provide redundancy and seamless connectivity.

To evaluate the performance of the access points and identify any areas with weak signal strength or wireless black spots, we conducted a thorough geolocated signal strength analysis using an Android app. The collected data points were organized in Excel and then imported into ArcGIS, where we generated a comprehensive heat map. This heat map was superimposed on the site plan, offering a visual representation of signal strength throughout the festival grounds.

Through careful analysis of the data, we successfully pinpointed areas with weaker signals or potential black spots. Armed with this valuable insight, we took proactive measures to enhance coverage in these areas, ensuring that festival attendees could seamlessly access the WiFi network throughout the entire event. The combination of point-to-point wireless links, ADSL lines, and temporary satellite connections allowed us to deliver a reliable and robust Internet experience to all festival-goers, catering to their connectivity needs in a dynamic and redundant manner.

Visualizing AONB Permitted Development Zones with QGIS: Streamlining Site Analysis​

Site analysis for building development often involves navigating a maze of zoning laws and regulatory constraints, especially in areas designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Using Geographic Information System (GIS) software like QGIS can significantly simplify this complex task.

To begin the site analysis, we import polygons of topographic features from OS MasterMap into QGIS. Using the buffer tool, we generate zones around these polygons, effectively illustrating areas permitted for development under various regulations.

In AONB locations, for instance, there are specific rules concerning the placement of outbuildings. Such buildings must be situated within 20 meters of the main dwelling house if their floor area exceeds 10m^2. To visualize this, we generate a 20-meter buffer zone around the polygon representing the main dwelling house, thus identifying areas where outbuildings can be compliantly placed.

Furthermore, if the proposed outbuilding is within 2 meters of the property boundary, its maximum allowable height is capped at 2.4 meters. To pinpoint these constraints, we use the buffer tool to create a zone around the property boundary. The area where these zones intersect defines the permissible development space for an outbuilding. This overlap allows for construction of outbuildings with a pitched roof up to 4 meters tall (eaves height of 2.5 meters) or a flat roof up to 3 meters tall.

By leveraging the capabilities of QGIS, we can efficiently and precisely identify ideal locations for building development. This technology not only streamlines the site analysis process but also enables us to make well-informed decisions, ensuring that each project is both compliant with relevant regulations and optimized for its specific environment.