Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:51:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:10:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Um dos principais mecanismos de falha que causam riscos de fratura a reatores de água pressurizada é a corrosão sob tensão de ligas metálicas em água do circuito primário (CSTAP). É causada por uma combinação das tensões de tração, meio ambiente em temperatura e microestruturas metalúrgicas susceptíveis. Ela pode ocorrer, dentre outros locais, nos bocais do mecanismo de acionamento das barras de controle. Essa fratura pode causar acidentes que comprometem a segurança nuclear através do bloqueio das barras de controle e vazamentos de água do circuito primário reduzindo a confiabilidade e a vida útil do reator. O objetivo desta Tese de Doutorado é o estudo de modelos e uma proposta de modelagem para fraturas por corrosão sob tensão em liga 75Ni15Cr9Fe (liga 600), em água de circuito primário de reator de água pressurizada nesses bocais. São superpostos modelos eletroquímicos e de mecânica da fratura e validados com dados obtidos em experimentos e na literatura. Na parte experimental foram utilizados resultados obtidos pelo CDTN no equipamento recém-instalado de ensaio por taxa de deformação lenta. Na literatura está proposto um diagrama que exprime a condição termodinâmica de ocorrerem diversos modos de CSTAP na liga 600: partiu-se de diagramas de potencial x pH (diagramas de Pourbaix), para a liga 600 imersa em água primária à alta temperatura (3000C a 3500C). Sobre ele, determinaram-se os submodos de corrosão, a partir de dados experimentais. Em seguida acrescentou-se uma dimensão adicional ao diagrama, correlacionando uma variável a que se denominou fração de resistência à corrosão sob tensão. No entanto, é possível acrescentar-se outras variáveis que exprimem a cinética de iniciação e/ou crescimento de trinca, provenientes de outras modelagens de CSTAP. A contribuição original deste trabalho se insere nessa fase: partindo-se de uma condição de ensaio de potencial versus pH, foram iniciadas as modelagens de um modelo empírico-comparativo, um semi-empírico-probabilístico, um de tempo de iniciação e um de taxa de deformação, a partir dos ensaios experimentais e superpostas a essa condição. Esses exprimem respectivamente a susceptibilidade à CSTAP, o tempo de falha, e nos dois últimos o tempo de iniciação de falha por corrosão sob tensão. Os resultados foram comparados com os da literatura e se mostraram coerentes. Através desse trabalho, obteve-se uma metodologia de modelagem a partir de dados experimentais. / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

O objetivo deste trabalho é controlar a incidência de fissuras em fibrocimentos aplicando o conceito de materiais com gradação funcional através da protensão química gerada pela aplicação de silicato de sódio alcalino entre as camadas dos fibrocimentos. Atualmente é bastante comum os fibrocimentos apresentarem fissuras ao longo das bordas devido aos gradientes de umidade gerados durante a estocagem das pilhas de telhas no pátio das indústrias. O potencial da protensão química foi avaliado através da porosidade total, da quantificação das fases hidratadas, da retração por secagem e do desempenho mecânico. A aplicação de silicato de sódio alcalino no ligante CPII F provocou retração por secagem 1,5 vezes maior que a referência aos 91 dias. O módulo de ruptura (MOR) não sofreu alteração, mas o limite de proporcionalidade da matriz (LOP) aumentou em torno de 95%. O módulo de elasticidade dinâmico foi 13 % maior. O aumento da retração por secagem e o ganho de desempenho mecânico apontam o potencial da protensão química para o controle da fissuração em fibrocimentos produzidos pelo processo Hatschek. / The objective of this work is controlling the incidence of cracks in fiber cement, using the concept of functionally graded materials through the chemical prestressing, generated by application of alkaline sodium silicate among fiber cement layers. Currently, its very common the fiber cements present cracks along the edges due to moisture gradients, caused during storage of piles of tiles in the courtyard of the industry. The chemical prestressing potential was evaluated through of the total porosity, the quantification of hydrate phases, the drying shrinkage and the mechanical performance. The application of alkaline sodium silicate in the cement CPII F caused drying shrinkage 1,5 times greater than the reference to 91 days. The modulus of rupture (MOR) didnt suffer change, but the proportional limit of matrix (LOP) increased by around 95%. The dynamic modulus of elasticity was 13% higher. The increase of drying shrinkage and the mechanical performance gain indicate the chemical prestressing potential to control the cracking in fiber cement produced by the process Hatschek.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:36:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Eduardo Nocera.pdf: 12755331 bytes, checksum: 08a19b90827b2e4f2954b2f799e3d18d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-09-19 / MAHLE / Piston rings are metal parts which, when installed on the pistons in the cylinders of the engine, become circular with variable pressure and self-expansive, providing a movable seal between the combustion chamber and the crankcase. These components are subjected to intense functional demand, being asked to submit a low wear rate and maintain their structural and functional integrity under high temperatures and pressures. Due to these requirements, the technique is known of providing up-to-face contact with coatings or surface treatments to improve wear. Currently the majority of applications in the compression rings are martensitic stainless steels. These rings have their tribological properties improved by gas nitriding treatment which gives the steel surface intermediate properties between metallic and ceramic materials with high resistance to adhesive wear, as well as to wear by abrasion. This technology has been applied since the 90s with great success and high market penetration. With demand growing for reducing emissions was introduced in the market the Otto cycle engines with bifuel, better known as Flex engines. The principle of operation of these engines is the use of gasoline and ethanol at any mixing. The compression ratio of the piston is optimized for gasoline and not optimized for ethanol, since the latter does not have limitations to the phenomenon of detonation and this fact makes it occurs more Ethanol injection into the combustion chamber providing an improper fuel does not wash burnt in the cylinder wall. The result was the creation of a different tribological system in the area of operation of the rings where the nitrided layer began to suffer a detachment. This study aimed to find a solution for this detachment, where the nitride layer was changed. The modification consisted in decreasing the precipitation of carbides in the grain boundaries through migration carbon more to the core of the ring making it more robust to cracks and less susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement. Was created two nitriding stages, one richer in nitrogen which provides the wear resistance required for applying and the second stage causes the carbon to become more concentrated in the core hindering the generation of cracks and, consequently, the detachment. There was a decrease in the hardness of the nitrided layer without deteriorating the wear resistance, creating a unique solution and extending the life of this technology. / Os Anéis de Pistão são peças de metal que, quando instaladas nos pistões dentro dos cilindros dos motores, tornam-se circulares com pressão variável e auto-expansivas, proporcionando uma vedação móvel entre a câmara de combustão e o carter do motor. Estes componentes são submetidos à intensa demanda funcional, sendo solicitados a apresentarem uma baixa taxa de desgaste e a manterem sua integridade estrutural e funcional sob temperaturas e pressões elevadas. Em função destas exigências, é conhecida a técnica de prover-se a face de contato com o cilindro destes componentes revestimentos ou tratamentos de superfície para melhorar a resistência ao desgaste. Atualmente grande parte das aplicações nos anéis de compressão são em aços inoxidáveis martensíticos. Estes anéis têm suas propriedades tribológicas melhoradas pelo tratamento de nitretação gasosa o qual confere ao aço propriedades superficiais intermediárias entre os materiais metálicos e cerâmicos, com alta resistência ao desgaste adesivo, assim como ao desgaste por abrasão. Esta tecnologia vem sendo aplicada desde os anos 90 com absoluto sucesso e alta penetração de mercado. Com a demanda por redução de emissões crescendo foi introduzido no mercado os motores de ciclo Otto bicombustíveis, mais conhecidos como motores flex. O princípio de funcionamento destes motores é a utilização de gasolina e etanol em qualquer mistura. A taxa de compressão do Pistão é otimizada para gasolina e não otimizada para o Etanol, pois este último não possui limitações para o fenômeno de detonação e este fato faz com que ocorra mais injeção de Etanol na câmara de combustão proporcionando uma indevida lavagem de combustível não queimado na parede do cilindro. A consequência foi a criação de um tribo sistema diferente na região de funcionamento dos Anéis onde a camada nitretada começou a sofrer um destacamento. Este trabalho visou buscar uma solução para este destacamento, onde a camada nitretada foi alterada. A alteração consistiu em diminuir a precipitação de carbonetos nas fronteiras dos grãos através da migração do carbono para o núcleo do anel deixando-o mais robusto à nucleação de trincas e menos susceptível a fragilização por hidrogênio. Foram criados dois estágios de nitretação, sendo o primeiro estágio mais rico em nitrogênio o qual confere ao anel a resistência ao desgaste necessária para a aplicação, e o segundo estágio faz com que o carbono fique mais concentrado no núcleo. O problema de destacamento foi resolvido onde houve uma diminuição na dureza da camada nitretada sem a deterioração da resistência ao desgaste do anel, criando uma solução única e estendendo a vida desta tecnologia sem aumento de custos.

La maintenance des ouvrages en matériaux cimentaires fissurés a un coût économique et environnemental considérable, les méthodes de traitement actuelles étant polluantes et d’une efficacité limitée à long terme. La biocicatrisation, reposant sur la formation d’un dépôt de carbonate de calcium d’origine bactérienne au sein des fissures du matériau, est une alternative durable et écologique aux résines synthétiques. Cette thèse a pour objectif de créer une méthode de biocicatrisation de fissures d’ouvertures comprises entre 150 et 500 μm, en optimisant sa mise en oeuvre pour une utilisation commerciale. Cette méthode repose sur l’injection de bactéries dans les fissures, par le biais d’un milieu épaissi favorisant la précipitation de CaCO3 biosourcé. Pour ce faire, ce travail de thèse repose sur trois axes. Dans un premier temps, le milieu épaissi est créé puis ses propriétés rhéologiques sont optimisées à l’aide de mesures rhéologiques et d’essais d’injection dans des éprouvettes de mortier fissurées. Dans un deuxième temps, l’effet de l’épaississement du milieu sur la croissance de B. pseudofirmus et sur la bioproduction de carbonate de calcium est évalué. Enfin, des essais de biocicatrisation sont conduits en conditions contrôlées et en milieu extérieur sur des matériaux fissurés afin de vérifier le potentiel de cette méthode à différentes échelles allant de l'éprouvette de mortier à la dalle de béton. Les essais réalisés ont permis de formuler une suspension thixotropique et rhéofluidifiante en combinant deux épaississants, le Welan et l’Attagel. Cette suspension peut être injectée efficacement et sans drainage dans des fissures de 150 à 800 μm d’ouverture. L’ajout d’épaississants n’a pas d’impact sur la croissance de B. pseudofirmus et augmente la production de carbonate de calcium par les bactéries. Les essais de biocicatrisation ont démontré que l’utilisation de milieu épaissi contribue durablement au colmatage des fissures en formant un film solide lors de son séchage, et constitue un support au sein duquel les bactéries peuvent réaliser le processus de biocicatrisation malgré les fortes contraintes imposées par une utilisation in situ. A l’issue du traitement de biocicatrisation, la production de CaCO3 au sein des fissures par la souche bactérienne d’étude, B. pseudofirmus, a pu être démontrée par des observations microscopiques (MEB). Les essais menés au cours de ce projet ont permis de mettre au point une méthode de biocicatrisation ayant un potentiel pour une utilisation commerciale, se démarquant par sa facilité d’emploi et le cumul entre colmatage abiotique et biologique. / Abstract : Maintenance of cracked cementitious materials comes at a high environmental and economic cost, as current reparation technologies are polluting and lack long-term durability. Bio-healing, which relies on the clogging of cracks with bacterial calcium carbonate, is a durable and environmentfriendly alternative to synthetic resins. Indeed, calcium carbonate, calcite in particular, is a long-lasting material, and bacterial activity does not require the use of any toxic chemicals. Based on a previous study proving the bio-healing potential of the bacteria Bacillus pseudofirmus under controlled conditions, this project aims to design a bio-healing method allowing to repair cracks from 150 to 500 µm wide and fitting commercial use. This method relies on the injection of bacteria in cracks, using a thickened medium which enhances CaCO3 bioproduction. To achieve this goal, the work was organized according to three phases. The first phase is to create and characterize the thickened medium through rheological measurements and injection tests in cracked mortars. For the second phase, the effect of the thickened medium on bacterial growth and bioproduction of CaCO3 is assessed through growth experiments. For the third phase, bio-healing tests are performed in a controlled environment and outdoors on cracked materials in order to confirm the potential of this method for commercial use, for lab and pilot scales. During the rheological experiments, we created a thixotropic and shear-thinning suspension using two thickeners in combination, Welan and Attagel. This suspension can be efficiently injected into 150 and 800 µm wide cracks without post-injection drainage. Adding thickeners does not alter bacterial growth, and increases CaCO3 bioproduction. Biocicatrisation tests revealed that the use of a thickened suspension contributes to sealing of cracks as it dries to form a solid film inside the cracks, and embed the bacteria so they could precipitate significant amounts of CaCO3 despite the constraints of in situ conditions. At the end of the bio-healing treatment, the strain B. pseudofirmus has been proven to precipitate CaCO3 through SEM observations. The experiments which have been performed during this PhD led to the creation of a bio-healing method which holds a true potential for commercial use, as it is particularly easy to use and combines biotic and abiotic sealing of the cracks.

This work presents a case study on pathological manifestations characterized by cracks with wide widths, occurring with significant incidences and intensities in the superstructure of reinforced concrete, as well as in the walls of the building of the Audience of the Center of Education of the Federal University of Saint Maria, University Campus, Saint Maria, RS. In the development of this research the manifestations are analyzed in its symptoms, mechanisms, causes, origins and consequences, resulting in the achieving of a diagnosis for the problem. From this diagnosis suggestions are proposed for applicable therapeutically solutions. For verifications of the states service limits, evaluating the intensities of the deformations and the solicitant efforts that may act in the structural elements of the construction and, by consequence, in its walls, the superstructure of reinforced concrete was analyzed by finite elements. For this purpose the computational program SAP2000 Advanced 11.0.02 is used, considering compatible load situations with the use of the construction, emphasizing the actions of origin in the thermal variations. A diagnosis based on the comparative interaction between the achieved results and the incident pathologies was obtained. The analysis results for finite elements meet inserted to the body of this work, serving as mathematical parameters of good precision in the determination of the operating mechanisms, as well as in the evaluations of the origins and pertinent causes. / Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de caso sobre manifestações patológicas caracterizadas por fissuração com aberturas excessivas, ocorrendo com incidências e intensidades relevantes, tanto na superestrutura de concreto armado como nas alvenarias do prédio do Auditório do Centro de Educação da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus Universitário, Santa Maria, RS. No desenvolvimento desta pesquisa são analisadas as manifestações no tocante aos seus sintomas, mecanismos, causas, origens e conseqüências, resultando na formação de um diagnóstico para o problema. A partir deste diagnóstico estão propostas sugestões para medidas terapêuticas aplicáveis. Para verificações dos estados limites de serviço, avaliando-se as intensidades das deformações e dos esforços solicitantes a que estão sujeitos os elementos estruturais da edificação e, por conseqüência, as suas alvenarias, submeteu-se sua superestrutura de concreto armado a análises estruturais por elementos finitos. Para tal é utilizado o programa computacional SAP2000 Advanced 11.0.01, levando-se em consideração situações de carregamentos compatíveis com o uso da edificação, destacando-se entre estas as ações de origem nas variações térmicas. Conseguiu-se assim um diagnóstico baseado na interação comparativa entre os resultados obtidos e as patologias incidentes. Os resultados das análises por elementos finitos encontram-se inseridos ao corpo deste trabalho, servindo como parâmetros matemáticos de boa precisão na determinação dos mecanismos atuantes, como também nas avaliações das origens e causas a eles pertinentes.

Thermal stresses can arise in glass used in architectonic realisations in buildings as a result of solar irradiation:  that is, sunlight.  The magnitude of these thermal stresses depends on the temperature conditions in the glass in terms of the temperature differences between warm and cold areas.  The work described here has verified the existence and distribution of thermal stresses in glass, both theoretically and experimentally, in a load-bearing element made of glass and wood, when exposed to incident solar radiation and various degrees of shading.  The finite element method was used in order to simulate the temperature distribution in the glass, together with the resulting associated thermal stresses.  Parts of these model results were then compared with results and data from experimental investigations in a solar simulator.  The experimental trials were carried out on a plain glass sheet and on a wood-framed glass sheet.  This frame assembly saw the glass fitted in a wooden frame such that its edge was flush with the edges of the frame and therefore freely exposed to the surroundings.  Two different grades of glass were analysed in the theoretical modelling and used in the experimental solar exposure:  a clear glass, with a low absorption coefficient, and a tinted glass having a relatively high absorption coefficient.  The experimental part of the work included two different finishes to the glass edge:  as-cut, with no further attention, and cut and smoothed.  The results from the finite element method calculations agree relatively well with the experimental results.  When simulating the temperature values and distributions, the value of the coefficient of heat transfer is an important factor in determining the results.  The coefficient can be given either a constant value, taken from a standard, or a calculated value that varies depending on the surface temperature and ambient temperature at every instant.  For the clear glass with a low coefficient of absorption, the calculated temperatures did not differ significantly depending on which method had been used to provide a value for the coefficient of heat transfer.  However, for the glass with a high coefficient of absorption, and when exposed to high solar intensity, a calculated value of coefficient of heat transfer should be used in order to arrive at relevant values of surface temperatures and stresses.  Thermal tensile stresses have more effect on the total stress level than have stresses arising from typical in-service vertical loads.

L'érosion hydrique constitue un phénomène complexe très répandu en contexte méditerranéen du fait d'une combinaison de facteurs souvent défavorables. Elle constitue une menace pour les potentialités en eau et en sol de ces régions. Si les facteurs déterminants de l'érosion hydrique sont aujourd'hui bien identifiés, la hiérarchie des processus en jeu en fonction des échelles d'espace et de temps est encore très mal connue. Les sols vertiques, qui occupent des surfaces importantes dans la région Méditerranéenne, apportent un degré supplémentaire de complexité du fait de la forte dynamique structurale de ces sols. Dans ce contexte, cette étude cherche à mieux appréhender la variabilité spatio-temporelle des processus et facteurs affectant les transferts latéraux d’eau et de sédiments dans un bassin versant agricole dominés par les vertisols. Pour cela, 7 années de mesures (2005-2012) des ruissellements et transferts de matières en suspension au sein du bassin versant de Kamech (ORE OMERE, 263 ha, Cap Bon, Tunis) ont été analysées au niveau de 4 stations hydrologiques: 1/ l'exutoire d'une parcelle (1,32 ha) ; 2/ l'exutoire d'une ravine (0,17 ha) alimentée par une parcelle de 1,20 ha ; 3/ l'exutoire du versant (15,2 ha) intégrant les deux stations précédentes, et 4/ la station de l’oued (175 ha) située dans le drain principal alimentant la retenue de Kamech. L’analyse des données a permis de mettre en évidence le rôle majeur des fentes de retrait sur la dynamique saisonnière des flux hydro-sédimentaires avec comme résultat un décalage entre le pic de flux de sédiments observé entre octobre et décembre et le pic de flux de ruissellement observé entre décembre et mars, et ce quel que soit l’échelle spatiale considérée. Les données expérimentales ont également permis de mettre en évidence une légère augmentation du ruissellement moyen annuel avec l’accroissement de l’échelle spatiale avec 95 mm/an pour la parcelle, 105 mm/an pour la ravine et 120 mm/an pour le versant. Cette augmentation peut s'expliquer par l'apparition de petites surfaces moins infiltrantes lorsque l'on passe de la parcelle aux autres stations. Les différences de taux d'érosion moyens annuels observées entre les échelles spatiales ont pu être été expliquées par un simple modèle linéaire combinant un taux unique d'érosion des surfaces cultivées (17 t ha-1 an-1) et un taux unique d'érosion ravinaire (80 t ha-1 an-1), pondérés par les surfaces respectives de ces deux éléments. La technique de traçage des sources de sédiments mise en place sur des sédiments prélevés au cours de quelques crues au niveau des différentes stations a permis de montrer que la contribution des processus responsables du transfert de sédiments était relativement stable au cours de l'année. L’application de la fonction de production de Morel-Seytoux a permis de reproduire les hydrogrammes mesurés à la parcelle pour la plupart des crues, indépendamment de la présence ou non des fentes de retrait. Par contre l’évolution des deux paramètres de ce modèle (conductivité hydraulique à saturation et facteur de stockage et de succion) en fonction de la présence des fentes de retrait, de l’état de surface du sol et du degré d’humidité reste à modéliser. Ce travail permet de conclure que le bassin versant de Kamech est caractérisé par une très forte connectivité hydro-sédimentaire, que les processus d’érosion diffuse y prédominent et que les actions de lutte anti-érosive doivent être ciblées avant tout au niveau des parcelles agricoles avec une attention particulière pour la période d’octobre à décembre. Ce travail a également permis de mettre en évidence le rôle déterminant des fentes de retrait sur la dynamique hydro-sédimentaire des bassins sur sol vertique et la nécessité de poursuivre l’étude de leur impact pour des fins de modélisation et d’aide à la gestion de ces milieux. / As one of the major types of land degradation, soil erosion by water induced large-scale environmental deterioration and declines in land productivity, especially in the Mediterranean area. If water erosion factors are now well known, the complex hierarchy of erosion processes over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales still needs to be studied. Shrink–swell soils that are widespread under Mediterranean climate, imply additional changes in terms of hydrological and erosive responses in relation to the changing soil water conditions. In this context, this study aims to better understand the processes and factors affecting the lateral transfers of water and sediments in an agricultural catchment dominated by vertisols under a range of spatial and temporal scales. A detailed monitoring investigation was conducted in the Kamech catchment (ORE OMERE, Tunisia) that includes continuous runoff and suspended sediment load measurement between 2005 and 2012 at the outlet of a four hydrological gauging stations: 1/ a plot (1.32 ha), 2/ a gully (0.17 ha) in which drains a 1.20 ha plot; 3/ a micro-catchment (15.2 ha) integrating the two previous stations and 4/ the oued station (175 ha) located in the main drain just upstream the Kamech reservoir. Data analysis showed that topsoil cracks appeared to seriously affect the seasonal dynamics of water and sediment delivery whatever the considered spatial scale. A similar time lag in the seasonality between water and sediments delivery was observed: although the runoff rates were globally low during the presence of topsoil cracks in autumn, most sediment transport occurred during this period because of very high sediment concentrations. Mean annual runoff proved to slightly increase with the scale area with 95 mm/year for the plot, 105 mm/ year for the gully and 120mm/year for the micro-catchment station. Increase of area with low infiltration capacity when moving from plot to micro-catchment has been identified as a major explanation of this increase. A simple linear model combining a single rate of topsoil erosion (17 t ha-1 yr-1) and a single rate of gully erosion (80 t ha-1 yr-1) -weighted by their respective surface area- has successfully reproduced the differences observed in the mean annual erosion rates between the spatial scales. The sediment fingerprinting method applied on sediments collected during four flood events at the different stations showed that the apportionment of the processes responsible for the transfer of sediments was relatively stable during the year. The application of the Morel-Seytoux infiltration model has allowed reproducing runoff measured at the parcel outlet for most of the events, whatever the presence of cracks or not. However, the evolution of the two parameters in this model (the saturated hydraulic conductivity and the storage-suction factor) as a function of the presence of the cracks, of the soil surface conditions and of the degree of humidity still need to be modelled. This work allows concluding that the Kamech catchment is characterized by a very high hydro-sedimentary connectivity and a predominance of topsoil erosion processes and that the implementation of erosion control measures should incentivize farming conservation practices focusing especially on the autumn period. This work also highlights the crucial role of the cracks on the catchment runoff and sediment dynamics in Mediterranean vertisol context and the need to better understand and model both the runoff and soil erosion processes associated with cracking soils environment.

Wood cutting properties for the chains of chainsaw is measured in the lab by analyzing the force, torque, consumed power and other aspects of the chain as it cuts through the wood log. One of the essential properties of the chains is the cutting efficiency which is the measured cutting surface per the power used for cutting per the time unit. These data are not available beforehand and therefore, cutting efficiency cannot be measured before performing the cut. Cutting efficiency is related to the relativehardness of the wood which means that it is affected by the existence of knots (hardstructure areas) and cracks (no material areas). The actual situation is that all the cuts with knots and cracks are eliminated and just the clean cuts are used, therefore estimating the relative wood hardness by identifying the knots and cracks beforehand can significantly help to automate the process of testing the chain properties, saving time and material and give a better understanding of cutting wood logs to improve chains quality.Many studies have been done to develop methods to analyze and measure different features of an end face. This thesis work is carried out to evaluate a machinelearning model to detect knots and cracks on end faces and to understand their impact on the average cutting efficiency. Mask R-CNN is widely used for instance segmentation and in this thesis work, Mask R-CNN is evaluated to detect and segment knots and cracks on an end face. Methods are also developed to estimatepith’s vertical position from the wood image and generate average cutting efficiency graph based on knot’s and crack’s percentage at each vertical position of wood image.

The thesis deals with the design and assessment of all supporting parts of a cast-in-place reinforced concrete sewage tank in a wastewater treatment plant. The thesis includes a technical report, static analysis, drawing documentations, construction process and visualization. The drawing documentation consists of shape and reinforcement drawings of supporting parts.

The thesis deals with design and assessment of all supporting parts of cast-in-place reinforced concrete tank. The thesis includes a technical report, static analysis, drawing documentations, construction proces and visualization. The drawing documentation consists of shape and reinforcement drawings of supporting parts.