Welcome to Research Commons

Research Commons is the University of Waikato's open access research repository, housing research publications and theses produced by the University's staff and students.

Communities in Research Commons

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Recent Submissions

The crack location index for crack detection of a beam
(The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME), 2024) Mochida, Yusuke; Sun, Tao
This study introduces a new index to be used for crack detection on a beam like structure. Our recent numerical modelling found sudden shifts in structural natural frequencies as a body with rotary inertia roving on a structure’s surface passes a crack. Theoretically, this phenomenon made it possible to locate the crack by observing the abrupt frequency change from the curve of natural frequency versus mass location. In practice, the mass is located at discrete positions thus the curve of natural frequency is not continuous. This led to the consideration of Δ𝑓 and Δ(Δ𝑓), where Δ𝑓 is the natural frequency change when the mass is located in two adjacent positions and Δ(Δ𝑓) is the change of Δ𝑓. The plots of Δ𝑓 or Δ(Δ𝑓) against mass location show peaks at the crack location and they could be highlighted. However, further study shows that the plots of Δ𝑓 or Δ(Δ𝑓) sometimes give false peaks, which makes it challenging to pinpoint the crack location This study aims to introduce a more robust index than Δ(Δ𝑓) that can suppress some of the false peaks, and hence the resulting curve can be more suitable for crack detection. We name it the crack location index. The crack location index was devised based on the participation of modal data in the expressions of natural frequency of a beam carrying a roving mass with rotary inertia and its derivative. They were demonstrated to be good candidates for locating the crack. The crack location index was applied to a numerical example of beam with a crack, and the crack location was pinpointed. It was shown that there were fewer false peaks in the curve of the crack location index than that of Δ(Δ𝑓).
Transformative leadership, regional solidarity, and the role of universities in a changing world
(University of Canterbury, 2026) Radclyffe, Charles JT; Vakaoti, Patrick; Rakuita, Tui; Levy, Benjamin; Nanau, Gordon Leau; Kalavite, Telesia; Faatoese, Allamanda; Schaaf, Michelle; Cornejo, Moira Fortin
At the University of Otago’s Annual Pacific Lecture for 2025, Solomon Islands National University Vice Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau, delivered a bold address about the importance of regional solidarity and cooperation, leadership centred on service and dignity, sustainable development for and by Pacific peoples, and recognising the vital role universities play in shaping these. These themes were then deliberated during a subsequent Public Panel. Here, we collate and present individual responses from the panellists. This is followed by a reflective discussion about the growing number of national universities and the changing socio-economic and political landscape of tertiary education in Oceania. Echoing Aqorau’s message of self-belief and finding strength in regional solidarity, we encourage Pacific university leaders and educators to strive for excellence by benchmarking first from within, and to work together to meet the growing educational and increasingly complex developmental needs of the Blue Pacific Continent.
Māori perspectives on development of an eDNA reference library: Summary for MfE Molecular Library of Groundwater Fauna project
(Te Kotahi Research Institute, University of Waikato, 2024-05-02) Sterling, Rogena; Hudson, Maui; Liggins, Libby
The use of eDNA as a biodiversity monitoring tool is becoming an increasingly viable option for Councils and communities however its effectiveness is dependent on access to high quality reference libraries. Over the past 12 months a range of discussions and consultations were held on the topic of eDNA and DNA reference libraries as part of the MfE Molecular Library of Groundwater Fauna project and the Te Huinga Ira Taketake o Aotearoa National DNA Reference Library Project1. Across the range of activities Māori views and perspectives on eDNA and DNA Reference Libraries including issues associated with its development and governance into the future. This report focuses on the consultation and online engagement sessions and identifies the key messages coming out of these sessions.
Māori perspectives on digital trade
(Te Kotahi Research Institute, University of Waikato, 2025-12) Lucas, Danielle
Māori have engaged in trade for generations, both domestically and internationally (Mika 2014, Spiller et al 2025). As a way to access resources and build or strengthen relationships, trade allowed Māori in the North Island to access pounamu from the South Island and now allows those around the world to experience Whakatōhea mussels, Tai Tokerau mānuka honey and Tohu wines (Tohu Wines 2021, Open Ocean Whakatōhea mussels 2021, Tai Tokerau Honey 2025). With Māori authorities and businesses exporting a combined $1,350 million worth of goods in 20233, Māori international trade is becoming increasingly important to both the national and Māori economies. However, the way we trade, and what we are trading, are rapidly changing. Advances in technology, from improved refrigeration and transportation to the creation of the internet, are expanding flows of trade in goods, services, capital, labour and now data. This new form of trade, in digital assets and on digital channels has “…fundamentally altered the production and consumption of goods and services worldwide over the past two decades (OECD 2023 page 1).” As a growing part of the national economy, Māori are increasingly engaging in digital trade, from utilising online platforms and QR codes for product identification to creating and exporting applications. As Whaanga et al (2015) state, Māori have a long history of “…adopting new technologies, but also of innovating and developing technologies that suit their specific needs and allow for the expression of their culture and identity.” As digital trade grows, it is important that Māori communities can participate in and protect against digital trade. Therefore, this scoping report looks at Māori perspectives on digital trade. Although there is currently limited focus placed in this area4, the rapidly developing nature of digital trade means it is one of increasing importance to Māori communities. This report provides a basis to explore digital trade. Firstly, it discusses definitions for digital trade, taking time to explore the growing divergence between 1) digitally traded goods and services, and 2) trade in digital assets and services. The next section highlights the policy impacts of these diverse forms of digital trade (compared to traditional or non-digital trade) and how these forms of trade may cause unique considerations for Māori communities, providing some of the limited evidence available on this. This analysis highlights the tensions between the desire for Māori organisations to take part in the economic and social benefits of digital trade while ensuring that Māori rights and interests are not lost during the growth of digital trade. In conclusion this report lists further areas where Māori perspectives on either trade or the technology sector are offered, which may help shed light on Māori perspectives of digital trade. Noting that there is a large number of adjacent reports to this area, the report recommends there is more specific and intentional research (such as a survey) on Māori perspectives on trade in digital trade to ensure these perspectives can be incorporated into trade policy.
Indigenous perspectives on digital trade
(Te Kotahi Research Insitute, University of Waikato, 2026) Cordes, Ashley; Sane, Sudhanshu
As Indigenous peoples, histories and practices of trading are held within our bodies, written in laws, archives, and treaties, and ultimately mediate relationships with land, communities, and technologies. The rapid and widespread adoption of networked communication in our Digital Age, and simultaneous financial uncertainty, have contributed to the creation and adaptation of new conditions of exchange. Digitality offers Indigenous peoples unique opportunities to trade across long distances while building economies on sovereign terms. In contrast to other forms of trade, digital trading is by nature highly reliant upon the Internet and its underlying infrastructures. These include transmission media: high-speed fiber optic cables; wireless spectrum; networking equipment: routers, switches, cell towers, satellite ground stations; end devices: laptops, phones, servers; and the core network software: the Internet protocol stack. Digital ledger systems (e.g., blockchain), digital wallets, encryption for secure transactions, security, machine learning/artificial intelligence (AI), and compliance protocols are particularly critical to the future of digital trading.