CIVE1251 - Research Methods - Assignment 2 – Library Task

Name: Student No:

Program: Your Supervisor:

Instructions
- Fill in Task 1 and 2 below. That is – describe the research and identify key words for the library search.
- This must be complete and submitted in Week 6 (Friday)

Tasks

1. Describe your research topic in 50-200 words.

Sustainable building is hot issue in world construction field during recent years. Curtain wall is a
important and indispensable role in green building. Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited
(HKGBC) is a non-profit organisation established in 2009 which strives to enhance the standards and
developments of sustainable buildings in Hong Kong. They are going to organize several seminar for
introducing curtain wall structure and energy saving effects.

Compared to the past, it is hard to find purely window design in new building. Almost new buildings are
installed curtain wall as external façade. It can clearly be seen curtain wall is mainstream of the external
façade . Therefore, we would like to investigate curtain wall system, structure and design suitable and
economic curtain wall system for modern building.

2. Identify the main aspects of your topic and list the keywords for each aspect. Make sure you include
synonyms, alternative terms, plurals, and acronyms where appropriate.
Curtain Wall
-Material
-Glass
-Aluminium
-Sealant
-Gasket
-Structure
-Mullion
-Transom
-Bracket
-Embed
-Remedial Case
-System
-Stick Wall System
-Unitized System
-Semi-unitize system
-Design Code
-For Wind Load
-Dead & Imposed Load
-Deflection Requirement
-Structural use of aluminium
-Structural use of glass

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3. Convert your list of keywords into a search statement using linking words (i.e. Boolean operators:
AND, OR, NOT).
RMIT Library Search

Figure 1. Search example

4. Name two Library databases that you will use to search for your topic.
Library Search (RMIT University)
GOOGLE SCHOLAR

5. Use these databases and the search strategy you devised in in Question 3 (above) to find 10 key
references from the last 10 years for your research topic. Create a reference list in MS-WORD in the
Harvard style for these references.
Example of a journal article in Harvard style:

1. Memari, A. M., 2013. Curtain Wall Systems : A Primer, American Society of Civil Engineers:
Reston.
2. Schittich, C., Staib, G., Balkow, D., Schuler, M., Sobek, W. , 2007. Glass Construction
Manual, 2nd ed, Institut für internationale Architektur-Dokumentation GmbH & Co. KG:
Munich.
3. O'regan, C., 2014. Structural Use of Glass in Buildings, 2nd ed, Institution of Structural
Engineers:,
4. Haldimann, M., Luible, A. & Overend, M., 2008. Structure Use of Glass,International
Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering:,
5. Ariosto, T. & Memari, A.M., 2013. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF
GLAZING SYSTEMS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, In Anumba,
C.J. & Memari, A.M.AEI 2013: Building Solutions for Architectural Engineering, American
Society of Civil Engineers: Reston, pp.409-418
6. Broto, C., 2008. Facades Selection and Details, Links International:,
7. Ali, M. & Armstrong, P., 2010. Sustainability and the tall building: Recent developments and
future trends, AIA ILLINOIS CENTRAL SYMPOSIUM:,
8. Memari, A.M., 2013. New developments in curtain wall and glazing system. In ASCE
Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice, American Society of Civil Engineers:
Reston, pp.194-209

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9. Richman, R.C. & Pressnail, K.D., 2009, A more sustainable curtain wall system: Analytical
modeling of the solar dynamic buffer zone (SDBZ) curtain wall. Building and Environment,
44(1) pp.1-10.
10. Varodompun, J. & Asavapitayanont, A., 2012, DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE
UTILIZATION OF TILTED FAÇADES TO ENHANCE BUILDING ENERGY
PERFORMANCE. Journal of Green Building , 7(1) pp.120-142

6. Select two articles from this list that have been cited (hint: check Scopus or Web of Science) and are
peer-reviewed (i.e. not in conference proceedings or magazine style publications). Copy and paste the
details of the 2 articles with the number of citations from the database.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF GLAZING SYSTEMS FOR
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

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New developments in curtain wall and glazing system

7. Select 5 journals from your bibliography and provide the Journal Impact Factor for each. (hint: use
Journal Citation reports)

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8. Provide a list of 2 prominent researchers in your field of interest. What are their citation counts and h-
index from Scopus and Web of Science (beware, they made be different!) Provide data (table or graph)
over last 10 years for 1 of them.
Memari, A. M.

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Richman, R.C.

9. Search the database, Dissertations and Theses Full Text (ProQuest) to find a thesis relevant to your
research topic. Give the bibliographic details for the thesis in the Harvard style.
Dumez, K. M., 2017. Analysis of Energy Efficient Curtain Wall Design Considerations in
Highrise Buildings, ProQuest: Ann Arbor.

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10. Plan a current awareness strategy to keep your research up-to-date, and to stay aware of
developments in your field. Find ideas at the Staying current with your research Library subject guide.
What will you do? List at least three different resources that you will use.
- Subscribe to prominent researchers' articles
- Follow the blog my supervisor follows
-Watch relevant journals (ie. Journal of Green Buildings & Building and

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