[pt] O objetivo deste trabalho é o de estudar propriedades geométricas de curvas poligonais genéricas. Inicialmente abordamos resultados clássicos para curvas quanto à sua curvatura total no caso discreto e discutimos aqueles pertinentes a nós poligonais. Também é feito o estudo do Grafo de Maxwel para poligonais. No caso, temos uma interessante relação entre a natureza do grafo quanto ao seu número de componentes e à condição de a poligonal ser ou não convexa. / [en] The aim of this work is to study geometrical properties of generic polygonal lines. We begin with some classical results for curves with respect to total curvature, in the discrete case, and discuss results related to polygonal knots. Maxwell graphs are also considered for polygonal lines: We study the relation between the number of components of the graph and the convexity of the polygonal line.

<p dir="ltr">In composites manufacturing, predicting the shape change in parts is vital for making sure part dimensions are properly compensated. Different factors in the manufacturing process, such as the temperature change throughout a thermoset cure cycle, can influence shape change. The compensation process becomes more difficult for geometries with double curvature, as interactions between the two radii of curvature can reduce the effectiveness of applying methodologies for single curvature geometries. Additionally, using finite element analysis (FEA) to predict shape change can be costly and time-consuming depending on part geometry.</p><p dir="ltr">This thesis studies an approach for predicting the shape change of a symmetric thermoset laminate with a double-curved L-angle section in its geometry. Specifically, the conservation of Gaussian curvature is applied to predict shape change. The geometry studied in this thesis can be broken down and analyzed as a segment of a torus, which is attached on one end by a cylinder and on the other end by a curved flange. Varying the length of the cylinder and flange sections, the effectiveness of Gauss’s theorem is determined for the different part geometries, with developed formulas compared against finite element simulations and experimental measurements.</p><p dir="ltr">By approximating torus segments with certain geometric criteria as cylinders, linear elasticity equations for a cylinder undergoing free thermal strain can be solved and the change in the larger arc length in the double-curved geometry is predicted after deformation. The integral form of Gauss’ theorem is then applied to determine the deformed angle of the larger arc, from which geometric relations can be applied to extract the deformed radius. Abaqus is used first to study the torus segment on its own, and then to see the effects of the cylinder and flange segments on the overall geometry. Experimental measurements are also used as a comparison.</p><p dir="ltr">Generally, the formula derived using Gauss’ theorem predicts shape change very well for the torus segment on its own. When cylinder and flange segments are included in the geometry, an empirical correction factor can be introduced to account for geometrically induced stiffening effects. Future developments and next steps in this research are discussed.</p>

[pt] Neste trabalho estudamos a teoria clássica das superfícies mínimas em R3, focando na representação de Enneper-Weierstrass e suas consequências. São exibidos vários exemplos, incluindo as superfícies de Jorge-Meeks e de Jorge-Xavier. Também mostramos princípios do máximo para superfícies mínimas e várias aplicações como, por exemplo, o teorema do semi-espaço. Em seguida, nos concentramos na teoria das superfícies mínimas completas de curvatura total finita e, com esta, podemos analisar o desenvolvimento assintótico de fins mínimos completos mergulhados de curvatura total finita. Por fim, a dissertação culmina com o teorema de Schoen, que afirma que as únicas superfícies mínimas completas, conexas, de curvatura total finita e apenas dois fins - ambos mergulhados - são um par de planos e o catenoide. / [en] In this work we study the classical theory of minimal surfaces in R3, with special focus on the Enneper-Weierstrass representation and its consequences. We exhibit many examples, including the Jorge-Meeks and Jorge-Xavier surfaces. We also show maximum principles for minimal surfaces and many applications as, for instance, the half-space theorem. Afterwards, we focus on the theory of complete minimal surfaces with finite total curvature, with which we can analyse the asymptotic development of complete minimal embedded ends with finite total curvature. This dissertation culminates with the Schoen s theorem, which states that the only complete, connected minimal surfaces with finite total curvature and exactly two ends - both embedded - are a pair of planes or a catenoid.

The main goal of this dissertation is to present some results on minimal hypersurfaces in the Euclidean space related to the stability operator. Initially, we will present the demonstrations of the formulas of first and second variations of area and also the demonstration of the Simons inequality. These results (which are basic results of the theory) will be used later. Next we will present the proof of the do Carmo-Peng s theorem showing that a complete stable minimal hypersurface immersed in the Euclidean space with finite L2 norm of the second fundamental form is a hyperplane. We will include in this dissertation a similar result with the L3 norm of the second fundamental form. This last result was proved by Li-Wei in the case where the hypersurface has dimension 3, but we note that proof applies to 3&#8804;n&#8804;7. We will conclude by presenting some results on non-stable minimal hypersurfaces in R^3 due to Fischer-Colbrie and Lopez-Ros. In particular, we will show that the catenoid and Enneper s surface are the only minimal complete orientable surfaces with index equal to one. / O objetivo principal desta dissertação é apresentar alguns resultados importantes sobre hipersuperfícies mínimas no espaço Euclidiano relacionados com o operador de estabilidade. Inicialmente, apresentaremos as demonstrações das fórmulas da primeira e da segunda variações da área bem como a demonstração da desigualdade de Simons. Estes resultados, que são básicos da teoria, serão usados posteriormente. Em seguida, apresentaremos a demonstração do teorema de do Carmo-Peng, o qual assegura que uma hipersuperfície mínima completa estável imersa no espaço Euclidiano com a norma L2 da segunda forma fundamental finita é um hiperplano. Incluiremos na dissertação um resultado análogo com a norma L3 da segunda forma fundamental. Este último resultado foi provado por Li-Wei no caso em que a hipersuperfície tem dimensão 3, mas notamos que a demonstração se aplica para 3&#8804;n&#8804;7. Concluiremos apresentando alguns resultados sobre hipersuperfícies mínimas não estáveis no R^3 obtido por Fischer-Colbrie e López-Ros. Em particular, mostraremos que o catenóide e a superfície de Enneper são as únicas superfícies mínimas completas e orientadas com índice igual a um.