Este trabalho apresenta uma análise crítica da metodologia usada no PRODIST 2010, e propostas alternativas para a fixação de metas e tarifas em função da qualidade do serviço. Todas as análises se sustentam em estudos estatísticos dos dados de interrupções nos anos 2007 e 2008 de 6 empresas distribuidoras de energia com diferentes características de DEC, FEC, número de usuários e número de conjuntos. A primeira proposta chamada de Tarifa Única Meta Única (TAMU) propõe a mesma meta de qualidade do serviço para todos os usuários de um mesmo nível de tensão. Na proposta se fixou como critério geral que 10% dos usuários pior atendidos de um nível de tensão devem ser ressarcidos por má qualidade do serviço. Para alcançar esse objetivo as metas dos níveis de tensão de cada empresa foram fixadas a partir dos seus histogramas de frequência acumulada dos indicadores individuais dos usuários. Esse procedimento garante que a percentagem de usuários ressarcidos seja igual em todos os níveis de tensão das empresas. Os resultados obtidos no cálculo da multa média por usuário ressarcido conservam uma coerência justa com a piora dos indicadores coletivos (isto não acontece no PRODIST), onde as concessionárias que apresentaram os piores desempenhos pagariam uma multa média maior por usuário. A segunda proposta descreve uma metodologia de tarifas diferenciadas por descontos (TARDIF). Nessa metodologia os DIC dos usuários de um mesmo nível de tensão foram classificados em 5 intervalos múltiplos de sua média coletiva (DEC). Os últimos 3 intervalos de classificação correspondem aos usuários que tiveram a pior qualidade do serviço no ano. Para esses usuários foram definidos descontos tarifários que compensariam os prejuízos no seguinte ano. Nos resultados obtidos, as multas médias dos usuários ressarcidos conservam a relação com a média de atendimento e com a dispersão dos dados, sendo o último o critério mais dominante. / This work presents a review of the methodology used in PRODIST 2010, and alternative proposals for setting targets and rates depending on quality of service (QoS). All analysis are supported in statistical interruption data studies of 6 electricity distribution companies (EDC) between 2007 and 2008 with different characteristics of DEC, FEC, number of users and sets. The first proposal called Single Rate - Single Goal (TAMU in Portuguese) proposes the same goal of QoS to all same voltage level users. This proposal sets as a general criterion that 10% of users with worst voltage level attendance must be compensated for getting poor QoS. In order to achieve this goal, the top voltage levels of each company were determined from its cumulative frequency histograms of the user individual indicators value. This procedure guarantees the same percentage of users compensated in all EDC voltage levels. The results obtained by calculating the average penalty per user refunded maintain a fairly consistent with deterioration of collective indicators values (this does not happen in PRODIST 2010), where EDC with worst performances will pay a higher average penalty per user. The second proposal describes a different discount rate methodology (TARDIF in Portuguese). In this methodology, the DIC of users with same voltage level were classified into five intervals of its collective average (DEC). The last three classification intervals correspond to users who have had the worst QoS in the year. For these users were defined discount rates that would compensate the losses next year. In the obtained results, the average penalties of refunded users maintain the relationship between the average attendance and the data scattering, being the last one the most dominant criterion.

The Finite Element Method is a powerful and widespread tool for the structural analysis of flexible pipes and umbilicals. However, it is unfeasible to represent in detail all layers and components of a flexible pipe or umbilical cable in a Finite Element (FE) model, since the calculation time would be unrealistic. Moreover, consistent numerical analysis requires support from experimental results. In this context, this thesis presents numerical and experimental research options, as well as the development of new strategies for the design of FE models of flexible pipes and umbilicals. Using the commercial FE software ABAQUS, the text highlights the development of innovative techniques to represent helical layers, as well as the concept of a two-dimensional FE analysis, supported by analytical formulation. Complementing the numerical approaches, pioneer experimental techniques herein developed are presented, based on optical instrumentation through a Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system. An unconventional use of the DIC system enables the development of an experimental methodology to study umbilicals under crushing loads. / Na análise estrutural de tubos flexíveis e cabos umbilicais, o Método de Elementos Finitos se destaca como uma ferramenta poderosa e bastante difundida. Contudo, é inviável representar em modelos baseados em Elementos Finitos (EF) um tubo flexível ou um cabo umbilical com toda sua riqueza de detalhes, pois os tempos de cálculo seriam irreais. Além disso, análises numéricas consistentes precisam de respaldo de resultados experimentais. Neste contexto, esta tese apresenta linhas de pesquisa numérica e experimental. O desenvolvimento de novas estratégias para a concepção de modelos em EF de tubos flexíveis e cabos umbilicais é apresentado. Utilizando o software comercial ABAQUS, destacam-se técnicas inovadoras para representação das camadas helicoidais, bem como a obtenção de modelos EF bidimensionais, amparados por formulação analítica. Complementando as abordagens numéricas, técnicas pioneiras de análise experimental são apresentadas, baseando-se em instrumentação óptica com sistema de correlação digital de imagens. Utilizado de forma não convencional, o monitoramento óptico permite o desenvolvimento de metodologia experimental para estudo de cabos umbilicais sob carregamentos de crushing.

"Thermal infrared (IR) imaging systems are widely used in medical, industrial, and defense applications. IR imaging systems utilize a lens to focus IR radiation onto a focal plane array (FPA) of IR detectors, which transduce the IR radiation from the scene into signals that can be further processed. In conventional IR imaging systems, electronic readout integrated circuitry (ROIC) is used to read out the information from the FPA, and computer signal processing allows for an IR image to be displayed on an electronic screen. However, the ROIC decreases the thermal isolation and sensitivity of the IR detectors in the FPA, and the computer processing and electronic display increase the cost, weight, and complexity of the IR imaging system. This thesis focuses on the development of an IR direct viewing system that does not require any ROIC, computer signal processing, or electronic display. This is accomplished through the use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) uncooled IR imaging detectors, which consist of arrays of bimaterial thermomechanical cantilever structures that tilt as a function of IR radiation from a scene. Other members of the WPI-ME/CHSLT group have previously shown that an interferometric optical readout mechanism based on digital holography and computer processing can eliminate the need for ROIC and be used to measure the nanometer scale tilt of the structures in a MEMS-based IR imaging system that was found to have a responsivity of 1.5 nm/K. However, these previously demonstrated results required significant computer processing and an electronic display. The hypothesis of the current work is that an optomechanical readout mechanism can be used to realize an IR direct viewer without the use of ROIC, computer signal processing, or an electronic display. Three optical readout mechanisms were identified for transducing the nanometer scale deformations of the MEMS structures in the FPA into a directly observable visible light image. Two of these, one using live holography and the other using Nomarski differential interference contrast (DIC), were based on interferometry, while the third, using reflectometry, was based on geometrical optics. The identified optical readout mechanisms were analytically evaluated based on the performance and perception of the human vision system (HVS), and preliminary experimental results were obtained using optical setups constructed for all three readout mechanisms. Based on the analytical and experimental investigations, reflectometry was selected as the most suitable readout mechanism for a direct viewer. A visible light camera was used with custom software to determine a temperature sensitivity of 137 mK for the reflectometry readout, and thermal images of scenes at human body temperature were demonstrated using limited computer processing. A false color, direct view, live IR imaging system was then demonstrated based on a two color reflectometry readout and the output was characterized with respect to the color differentiation sensitivity of the HVS. The system temperature sensitivity, based on the theoretical color differentiation sensitivity of a human observer, was found to be on the order of 10 K across a measuring range of roughly 400 °C, and objects with a temperature as low as approximately 150 °C were distinguishable. The advantages and limitations of the developed IR imaging system are identified and recommendations for further developments and future work are provided."

Le procédé de soudage par friction malaxage (FSW) entraîne, d’une manière générale, une importante chute de dureté à travers le joint soudé. Dans le but de concevoir des structures aéronautiques soudées par FSW en fatigue, il est nécessaire de connaître l’impact de cette chute de dureté dans le comportement mécanique global de la soudure. Dans ces travaux, l’alliage d’aluminium à durcissement structural 2198-T8 est considéré. Une chaîne de calcul de durée de vie en fatigue d’une structure soudée par FSW est mise en place. Elle intègre un couplage de calculs et d’expériences grâce auxquels le comportement mécanique de la structure est modélisé. Dans un premier temps, le gradient de comportement mécanique de la soudure est étudié. Des essais mécaniques de traction et cycliques sont réalisés à température ambiante. La méthode de corrélation d’images numériques (DIC) est utilisée dans le but de mesurer les champs de déplacements localement dans et au voisinage du joint soudé. À partir des résultats expérimentaux, les paramètres mécaniques d’un modèle de comportement sont identifiés à partir d’un élément de volume, zone par zone à travers le joint soudé. En parallèle, une quantification des précipités durcissants T1 (Al2CuLi) est menée dans différentes zones du joint soudé à l’aide d’un Microscope Electronique en Transmission (MET). Un lien entre l’évolution de la microstructure à travers la soudure et l’évolution des paramètres mécaniques est recherché. Le modèle de comportement mécanique est utilisé sur des calculs de structure utilisant la méthode des éléments finis pour simuler le joint soudé. En parallèle, des essais de fatigue sont réalisés sur des éprouvettes uniaxiales et cruciformes soumises à des chargements uniaxiaux et multiaxiaux. À l’aide des simulations du gradient de comportement mécanique du joint soudé ainsi que des résultats mesurés en fatigue, les paramètres d’un modèle d’endommagement sont identifiés. Ce modèle est utilisé pour prédire les durées de vie en fatigue et les zones d’amorçages de fissure pour une structure soudée soumise à des chargements multiaxiaux. / The Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process generally induces a critical hardness decrease inside the welded joint. To design aeronautical structure welded by FSW in fatigue, it is then necessary to know the impact of this hardness drop on the constitutive behaviour of the junction. In this study, the hardening structural aluminium alloy 2198-T8 is considered.A fatigue lifetime assessment loop of a welded structure is implemented. It integrates a calculations and experiments coupling which is used to model the structure’s mechanical behaviour. The gradient mechanical behaviour of the weldment is initially studied.Monotonic and cyclic mechanical tests are carried out to room temperature. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is used to measure local displacement fields around the junction. Based on this experimental data, mechanical parameters for a constitutive model are identified on a volume element, zone by zone across the welded joint. In parallel, a quantification of the T1 (Al2CuLi) strengthening precipitates is realized in different region of the joint with a Transmission Electron Microscope. A connection between the microstructure evolution and the mechanical parameters is researched. The gradient mechanical behaviour of the joint is assessed on a 3D structure by Finite Element Analysis. Furthermore, fatigue tests are carried out on uniaxial and multiaxial loadings welded specimen. Thanks to the mechanical behaviour model and the fatigue lifetime measured, a damage model is used to predict the fatigue lifetime and the crack initiation zone for a welded structure which is subjected to higher multiaxial loads.

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise crítica da metodologia usada no PRODIST 2010, e propostas alternativas para a fixação de metas e tarifas em função da qualidade do serviço. Todas as análises se sustentam em estudos estatísticos dos dados de interrupções nos anos 2007 e 2008 de 6 empresas distribuidoras de energia com diferentes características de DEC, FEC, número de usuários e número de conjuntos. A primeira proposta chamada de Tarifa Única Meta Única (TAMU) propõe a mesma meta de qualidade do serviço para todos os usuários de um mesmo nível de tensão. Na proposta se fixou como critério geral que 10% dos usuários pior atendidos de um nível de tensão devem ser ressarcidos por má qualidade do serviço. Para alcançar esse objetivo as metas dos níveis de tensão de cada empresa foram fixadas a partir dos seus histogramas de frequência acumulada dos indicadores individuais dos usuários. Esse procedimento garante que a percentagem de usuários ressarcidos seja igual em todos os níveis de tensão das empresas. Os resultados obtidos no cálculo da multa média por usuário ressarcido conservam uma coerência justa com a piora dos indicadores coletivos (isto não acontece no PRODIST), onde as concessionárias que apresentaram os piores desempenhos pagariam uma multa média maior por usuário. A segunda proposta descreve uma metodologia de tarifas diferenciadas por descontos (TARDIF). Nessa metodologia os DIC dos usuários de um mesmo nível de tensão foram classificados em 5 intervalos múltiplos de sua média coletiva (DEC). Os últimos 3 intervalos de classificação correspondem aos usuários que tiveram a pior qualidade do serviço no ano. Para esses usuários foram definidos descontos tarifários que compensariam os prejuízos no seguinte ano. Nos resultados obtidos, as multas médias dos usuários ressarcidos conservam a relação com a média de atendimento e com a dispersão dos dados, sendo o último o critério mais dominante. / This work presents a review of the methodology used in PRODIST 2010, and alternative proposals for setting targets and rates depending on quality of service (QoS). All analysis are supported in statistical interruption data studies of 6 electricity distribution companies (EDC) between 2007 and 2008 with different characteristics of DEC, FEC, number of users and sets. The first proposal called Single Rate - Single Goal (TAMU in Portuguese) proposes the same goal of QoS to all same voltage level users. This proposal sets as a general criterion that 10% of users with worst voltage level attendance must be compensated for getting poor QoS. In order to achieve this goal, the top voltage levels of each company were determined from its cumulative frequency histograms of the user individual indicators value. This procedure guarantees the same percentage of users compensated in all EDC voltage levels. The results obtained by calculating the average penalty per user refunded maintain a fairly consistent with deterioration of collective indicators values (this does not happen in PRODIST 2010), where EDC with worst performances will pay a higher average penalty per user. The second proposal describes a different discount rate methodology (TARDIF in Portuguese). In this methodology, the DIC of users with same voltage level were classified into five intervals of its collective average (DEC). The last three classification intervals correspond to users who have had the worst QoS in the year. For these users were defined discount rates that would compensate the losses next year. In the obtained results, the average penalties of refunded users maintain the relationship between the average attendance and the data scattering, being the last one the most dominant criterion.

Esta tese contempla o desenvolvimento de uma prensa para conformação biaxial superplástica com sistema de controle in situ e real time de pressão e de temperatura, como também um módulo de monitoramento de deformação através da técnica de correlação digital de imagem. A referida prensa é capaz de atingir durante a conformação ótimas condições superplásticas através da instrumentação e do controle dedicado dos parâmetros que caracterizam o processo de conformação fluidoestática biaxial, pressão, temperatura e taxa de deformação. São seis os principais temas abordados e desenvolvidos nessa tese: (a) técnicas, métodos e requisitos da superplasticidade da liga de titânio Ti6Al4V; (b) concepção e construção da prensa que atenda aos requisitos do projeto; (c) instrumentação do ferramental; (d) implementação do sistema de controle; (e) definição e aplicação de metodologia de ensaio superplástico para conformação fluidoestática biaxial e (f) fabricação da peça modelo. A aplicação e desenvolvimento do sistema de controle em expansão fluidoestática biaxial envolve desde a escolha das condições de conformação, determinação do ciclo de pressão, implementação de controles dedicados que atendam aos requisitos de conformação até os métodos de determinação dos coeficientes de interesse (m, n e K). Com tal instrumentação é possível determinar os coeficientes a partir de ensaios biaxiais, ao invés de simplesmente utilizar os coeficientes de ensaios de tração uniaxiais. Realizou-se um ensaio superplástico fluidoestático biaxial de chapas de liga de Ti6AL4V controlado em torno de sua condição ótima. Em suma sobre o controle, o sistema de controle térmico minimiza o intervalo de tempo de estabilização da temperatura, sem sobressinal, reduzindo o tempo de exposição do material superplástico a altas temperaturas; o sistema de controle de pressão aplica um ciclo de pressurização que é responsável por realizar a conformação de forma que resulte em uma taxa de deformação específica que represente a condição de maior índice de sensibilidade a taxa de deformação, assim se caracteriza como ponto ótimo do processo. Os principais resultados são o Ferramental instrumentado e controlado para realização de conformação superplástica em atmosfera controlada e os sistemas de controle de temperatura, pressão e deformação, validados e testados de forma integrada em ensaios de conformação superplástica / This thesis contemplates the full development of a superplastic biaxial forming Press which contains an in situ and real time pressure and temperature control systems, as well as a deformation monitoring module that applies digital image correlation technique. The Press can achieve optimum superplastic forming conditions supported by dedicated instrumentation and control of the parameters that characterize the superplastic forming process; these parameters are pressure, temperature and strain rate. Six main topics are discussed: (a) techniques, methods and Ti6Al4V alloy superplastic requirements; (b) design and construction of the press that meets the project requirements; (c) Press instrumentation; (d) control system implementation; (e) definition and implementation of a new superplastic test methodology for bulge test and (f) a part model manufacturing. The application and development of the control system in biaxial forming process involves the selection of forming conditions, pressure cycle determination, implementation of dedicated controls that meet the forming requirements, besides methods for calculating important coefficients (m, n K). With the referred instrumentation, it is possible to determine these coefficients from biaxial tests, rather than simply using the uniaxial tensile tests coefficients. A Ti6Al4V alloy fluid static superplastic biaxial test was conducted, controlled around its optimum condition. Summarizing the control system, the thermal control system minimizes the stabilization temperature time, avoiding temperature overshooting, reducing the material time exposure at superplastic temperatures. The pressure control system applies a pressurization cycle, responsible for conducting the forming process, to achieve a specific strain rate. This represents the condition of maximum strain rate sensitivity, thus characterized as optimal process point. The main results are the instrumented and controlled superplastic biaxial forming Press efficient to conduct superplastic forming in a controlled atmosphere, and temperature, pressure and deformation control systems validated and tested in an integrated Superplastic forming tests.

Currently, the maintenance and repair of civil engineering infrastructures (especially bridges and highways) have become increasingly important, as these structures age and deteriorate. Interface between two different mixes or strengths of concrete also appear in large concrete structures involving mass concreting such as dams, nuclear containment vessels, cooling towers etc., since joints between successive lifts are inevitable. These joints and interfaces are potential sites for crack formation, leading to weakening of mechanical strength and subsequent failure. In case of a bi-material interface, the stress singularities are oscillatory in nature and the fracture behavior of a concrete-concrete bi-material interface is much more complicated. A comprehensive experimental work has been undertaken for characterization of the behavior of different concrete-concrete interfaces under static and fatigue loading. The effect of specimen size on the concrete-concrete interfaces is studied and the non-linear fracture parameters such as fracture energy, mode I fracture toughness, critical crack tip opening displacement, critical crack length, length of process zone, brittleness number, size of process zone, crack growth resistance curve and tension softening diagram. These parameters are required for modeling the concrete-concrete interfaces in non-linear finite element analysis. Presently, the advanced non-destructive techniques namely acoustic emission, digital image correlation and micro-indentation have great capabilities to characterize the fracture behavior. The damage in plain concrete and concrete interface specimens is characterized both qualitatively and quantitatively using acoustic emission technique by measuring the width of fracture process zone and width of damage zones. The DIC technique is used to obtain the fracture parameters such as mode I and mode II fracture toughness and critical energy release rate. The micro-mechanical properties are obtained by performing depth-sensing micro-indentation tests on the concrete-concrete interfaces. Civil engineering structures such as long-span bridges, offshore structures, airport pavements and gravity dams are frequently subjected to variable-amplitude cyclic loadings in actual conditions. Hence, in order to understand the fracture behaviour under fatigue loading, the fatigue crack growth in plain concrete and concrete-concrete interface is also studied using the acoustic emission technique. An attempt is made to apply the Paris’ law, which is applicable to mechanical behaviour of metals, for acoustic emission count data. All these studies show that, as the difference in the compressive strength of concrete on either side of the interface increases, the load carrying capacity decreases and the fracture parameters indicate the increase in the brittleness of the specimens. It is concluded that the repair concrete should be selected in such a way that its elastic properties are as those of the parent concrete.

Unproductive lakes are one of few natural landscape compartments with net release of carbon to the atmosphere. Lakes also generally decrease the net terrestrial carbon uptake, since most of the CO2 production in unproductive lakes are derived from organic carbon produced on land (e.g. in forests). High latitude lakes are predicted to be particularly affected by the global climate change. The carbon cycling in these lakes and their role in the landscape are therefore important to study. In this thesis, carbon turnover processes were studied in two lakes above the arctic circle (Lake Diktar-Erik and Lake Merasjärvi) in year 2004 and 2005. Both lakes were net heterotrophic, with large variations in CO2 concentrations both on shorter (30min) and longer (24h) time-scales. The pelagic habitat supported a major part of the net production of CO2, with larger dynamics in the CO2 production than the sediments. The CO2 variations of the surface water were related to respiration of allochthonous organic carbon, and were affected by the concentration and quality of the DOC, as well as the whole lake water temperatures, and vertical water movements. The emission of CO2 from Lake Merasjärvi was measured with the eddy covariance tech­nique. The results showed that the gas transfer rate during moderate winds were higher than expected, causing the two most commonly used models to underestimate the long term fluxes of CO2 from the lake. Taken together, the results of the thesis show that the studied lakes contributed to bring terrestrial organic carbon back into the atmosphere, driven by a substantial internal CO2 production based on mineralization of allochthonous organic carbon. Major results are that the eddy covariance technique indicated that commonly used models tend to underestimate the net release rate of CO2 from lakes to the atmosphere, and that the lake CO2 dynamics can be the results of interactions between biogeochemical and physical processes in the lake water.

Bioequivalence determines if two drugs are alike. The three kinds of bioequivalence are Average, Population, and Individual Bioequivalence. These Bioequivalence criteria can be evaluated using aggregate and disaggregate methods. Considerable work assessing bioequivalence in a frequentist method exists, but the advantages of Bayesian methods for Bioequivalence have been recently explored. Variance parameters are essential to any of theses existing Bayesian Bioequivalence metrics. Usually, the prior distributions for model parameters use either informative priors or vague priors. The Bioequivalence inference may be sensitive to the prior distribution on the variances. Recently, there have been questions about the routine use of inverse gamma priors for variance parameters. In this paper we examine the effect that changing the prior distribution of the variance parameters has on Bayesian models for assessing Bioequivalence and the carry-over effect. We explore our method with some real data sets from the FDA.

名古屋大学年代測定総合研究センターシンポジウム報告