/library/oar/handle/123456789/132916 2025-12-28T12:12:12Z 2025-12-28T12:12:12Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/141994 2025-12-05T10:39:20Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Autistic involvement in enhancing accessibility in archaeological sites Abstract: In recent years, several heritage sites from museums to archaeological sites have begun to implement accessible measures to make them more accessible to disabled people, in line with legislation and international conventions. However, the people that are meant to directly benefit from accessible measures are not often consulted on the design and implementation. The scope of the present study is to investigate what accessibility in archaeological sites would look like from the autistic perspective. A qualitative approach was used to carry out this research. The researcher recruited autistic participants and walked with them around two archaeological sites to assess the features, aspects and experience that are accessible to them as autistic individuals in an unstructured interview. The sites chosen were Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park and Għar Dalam. The participants identified several barriers that prevented them from enjoying their experience while walking around the sites. Ħaġar Qim had more barriers than Għar Dalam according to the participants’ responses. These responses were then analysed using thematic analysis. The issues raised included direction and wayfinding, the sensory environment, the participants’ willingness to engage with the site, the shortcomings of accessibility for other people with disabilities as well as recommendations to improve the accessibility at both sites. Each theme is discussed within the context of each site. This research demonstrated the potential for including autistic voices in the discourse of accessibility to cultural heritage. The participants have also suggested solutions to improve accessibility to archaeological sites not just for them but for other disabled people who can benefit from accessible measures, such as reducing noise levels, inputting more tactile and interactive exhibits to explore, better signage and wayfinding, and providing more information that can be easily accessible before visiting the site. Description: M.A.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/141206 2025-11-13T07:42:46Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Foundations of a convent city : the genesis and early transformations of Valletta’s urban development between 1566-1576 Description: Ph.D.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/133433 2025-03-27T07:11:51Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Ventilation service details and construction methods adopted in British military structures in Malta between 1864 and 1943 Abstract: For the majority of the British period in Malta, ventilation and climate control was achieved almost exclusively through passive methods. This was especially critical in high occupancy military buildings such as barracks and quarters. However, many of these methods fell out of use with the widespread adoption of electrical air conditioning and mechanical ventilation. This study examines the passive ventilation systems used in the British Period (19th to early 20th Century). The research focused on military accommodation and recreation facilities as these buildings are intended for high occupancy and feature ventilation systems which can be considered typical for the time of their construction. The research was conducted through archival research at the National Archives of Malta and the Public Works Department for drawings. Site visits were made to Mtarfa Barracks, St. Andrews Barracks, Fort Campbell, and St. Nicholas Married Quarters Cospicua. These structures were selected because both the structures and the drawings have survived to the present day. Fort Ricasoli was not accessible for site visits, however the wealth of material presented in the drawings provided ample information. No drawings could be located for Lintorn Barracks, Floriana, however the opportunity presented itself to visit it during its renovation which was invaluable to observe the internals of some systems. Additional references were made to the reports of the Royal Commission for Improving the Sanitary Condition of Barracks and Hospitals (1861 and 1863) as these define the regulations for ventilation systems in military structures built in the period as well as the reasoning and justification for each ventilation feature. All the sites examined were constructed after 1863. Supporting these reports are also additional documents from medical and sanitation specialists of the middle of the 19th Century, such as Nightingale, Farr and Guy, who pioneered sanitary improvements and drove public pressure to implement the improvements in the context of military accommodation. The passive ventilation systems identified in this study are technically practical, and able to support a good level of ventilation. For most part they are still viable for use in the modern context. Description: M. Arch.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/133044 2025-03-11T09:28:57Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Exploitation of biomaterials in construction : keratin feather fibres in cement-based materials Abstract: Utilising chicken feathers in concrete materials has been attracting the attention of researchers due to the environmental benefits of reducing waste from the poultry industry, where large volumes of waste are generated with every slaughter. Local poultry processors produce over 7×104 metric tonnes of waste each month, and the keratin rich feather fibres, together with other waste, are incinerated at a waste processing plant. The process of extracting fibres was studied from start to finish, where the fibre would have been disposed of as a by-product of poultry for food consumption. The inclusion of feathers as fibre reinforcement in concrete was found to have different effects on the fresh, early-stage, and hardened properties of concrete, depending on fibre length and percentage volume fraction. An experimental investigation assessed the fresh properties of concrete with added fibres, focusing on workability, self-compacting characteristics, and rheology, with note that fibre incorporation reduced workability and self-compacting properties. Early-stage characteristics were examined in a controlled environment, revealing that fibres delayed and narrowed plastic shrinkage cracks. Restraining concrete ring tests and Kraai mortar test panels showed that fibre-reinforced specimens did not crack during the test. Fibres also affected the concrete's density and ultrasonic pulse velocity, and improved the compressive strength, ductility, and tensile splitting strength. However, the inclusion of fibres negatively affected the overall flexural strength and toughness. Improvements in durability were evaluated through vacuum saturation porosity and chloride ion penetration testing. Therefore, this research confirmed the potential for the exploitation of waste feather fibres as reinforcement in concrete, supporting circularity in the agricultural and construction sectors. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z