This project accomplished two correlated goals of designing a new rotor blade to be used with the Cal Poly Wind Power Research Center, as well as defining the methodology required for the aerodynamic analysis of an optimized blade, the procedure required for generation of an accurate CAD model for the new blade geometry, and structural integrity verification procedure for the new blade via finite element analysis under several operating scenarios. The new rotor blades were designed to perform at peak efficiency at a much lower wind speed than the current CPWPRC rotor blades and incorporated a FEA verification process which was not performed on the earlier rotor blade design. Since the wind characteristics relative to the location of the CPWPRC are essentially unchanging the most viable option, in regards to generating power for longer periods of time, is to redesign the HAWT rotor to capture more of the wind energy available. To achieve this, the swept area of the rotor was increased, suitable airfoils were utilized, and the new rotor blades were optimized to maximize their performance under the CPWPRC location’s wind conditions. With an increased magnitude of wind energy being captured the aerodynamic loading on the rotor blades simultaneously increased which necessitated a structural analysis step to be implemented, both with classical hand calculations and with the assistance of an adequate FEA program, to ensure the new rotor blades did not fail under normal or extreme wind conditions. With the completion of this project the new rotor blade designed and analyzed in this report may be finalized and refined in order to be incorporated into the CPWPRC system in the future or the methodology defined throughout this project may be used to design an entirely different aerodynamically optimized rotor blade, including a CAD model and FEA structural integrity verification, as well.

A Rolling Dynamic Deflectometer (RDD) is a nondestructive testing device for determining continuous deflection profiles of pavements. Unlike discrete testing methods, the RDD performs continuous measurements. The ability to perform continuous measurements makes the RDD a powerful screening/evaluation tool for quickly characterizing large sections of pavement, with little danger of missing critical pavement features. RDD testing applications have involved pavement forensic investigations, delineations of areas to be repaired, selection of rehabilitation treatments, measurements of relative improvements due to the rehabilitation, and monitoring of changes with time (trafficking and environmental loading). However, the speed of RDD testing with the current rolling sensors is between 1 and 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/hr). Improvements in testing speed and data analysis procedures would increase its usefulness in project-level studies as well as permit its used in some pavement network-level studies. A three-part study was carried out to further improve the RDD. The first part involved the development of speed-improved rolling sensors (referred as the third-generation rolling sensor). Key benefits of this new rolling sensor are: (1) increased testing speed up to 5 mph (8.0 km/hr), and (2) reduced level of rolling noise during RDD measurements. With this rolling sensor, the RDD can collect more deflection measurements at a speed of 3 to 5 mph (4.8 to 8.0 km/hr). Field trials using the first- and third-generation rolling sensors on both flexible and rigid pavements were performed to evaluate the performance of the third-generation rolling sensor. The second part of this study involved enhancements to the RDD data analysis procedure. An alternative data analysis method was developed for the third-generation rolling sensor. This new analysis method produces results at higher speeds that are comparable to the existing analysis method used for testing at 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/hr). Key benefits of this analysis method that were not previously available are: (1) distance-based deflection profiles (report RDD deflections based on a selected distance interval), (2) improved-spatial resolution without sacrificing the filtering performance, and (3) analysis of the rolling noise characteristics and signal-to-noise and distortion ratios better characterize the deflection profiles and their accuracy. The third part of this study involved investigating the effects of parameters affecting RDD deflection measurements which include: (1) force level and operating frequency, (2) in-situ sensor calibration, (3) load-displacement curve, and (4) pavement temperature variations. These parameters need to be considered in testing and data analysis procedures of the RDD because small errors from these parameters can adversely influence calculations of the RDD deflections. Criteria are presented for selecting the best operating parameters for testing. / text

We discuss two-sample problems and the implementation of a new two-sample data analysis procedure. The proposed procedure is based on the concepts of mid-distribution, design of score functions, components, comparison distribution, comparison density and exponential model. Assume that we have a random sample X1, . . . ,Xm from a continuous distribution F(y) = P(Xi y), i = 1, . . . ,m and a random sample Y1, . . . ,Yn from a continuous distribution G(y) = P(Yi y), i = 1, . . . ,n. Also assume independence of the two samples. The two-sample problem tests homogeneity of two samples and formally can be stated as H0 : F = G. To solve the two-sample problem, a number of tests have been proposed by statisticians in various contexts. Two typical tests are the two-sample t?test and the Wilcoxon's rank sum test. However, since they are testing differences in locations, they do not extract more information from the data as well as a test of the homogeneity of the distribution functions. Even though the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test statistic or Anderson-Darling tests can be used for the test of H0 : F = G, those statistics give no indication of the actual relation of F to G when H0 : F = G is rejected. Our goal is to learn why it was rejected. Our approach gives an answer using graphical tools which is a main property of our approach. Our approach is functional in the sense that the parameters to be estimated are probability density functions. Compared with other statistical tools for two-sample problems such as the t-test or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, density estimation makes us understand the data more fully, which is essential in data analysis. Our approach to density estimation works with small sample sizes, too. Also our methodology makes almost no assumptions on two continuous distributions F and G. In that sense, our approach is nonparametric. Our approach gives graphical elements in two-sample problem where exist not many graphical elements typically. Furthermore, our procedure will help researchers to make a conclusion as to why two populations are different when H0 is rejected and to give an explanation to describe the relation between F and G in a graphical way.

Como parte de um projeto de pesquisa e desenvolvimento (P&D) mais amplo, que está sendo desenvolvido pela Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos - USP e Companhia Paulista de Força Luz (CPFL), com previsão de conclusão para 2010, este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar os principais procedimentos para a realização da repotenciação de linhas de subtransmissão de 34,5 KV para 69 KV. Para atingir esse objetivo, é realizada inicialmente uma apreciação do estágio atual dos estudos sobre o tema, abordando inclusive outros métodos além daquele que será objeto específico desse estudo. Em seguida, discutem-se tópicos relevantes dos métodos apresentados de forma que, esse estudo, além de cumprir o já mencionado objetivo específico de apresentar soluções para aumentar a capacidade de transmissão de uma determinada linha, mantendo a sua faixa de servidão, indicará parâmetros válidos para a realização de outros projetos da mesma natureza. Sequencialmente são apresentadas as etapas desenvolvidas para a operacionalização da repotenciação de uma linha, a começar pela escolha da mais adequada, a seleção do método a ser utilizado, levando-se em consideração tanto a alteração do limite térmico da linha quanto à elevação de sua tensão operativa e os aspectos ambientais que envolvem a repotenciação. Finalmente, fazendo uso dos softwares ATP, através da interface gráfica ATPDraw (empregado para as XIV simulações de transitórios eletromagnéticos) e do Flux®, para as simulações dos campos elétricos em torno dos isoladores, realizou-se um conjunto de simulações computacionais pertinentes para um bom conhecimento do funcionamento da linha de subtransmissão a ser repotenciada na classe de interesse. Todas as etapas e as conclusões preliminares sobre o assunto delineado serão apresentadas neste documento. / As part of a wider research and development project, which is being developed between Escola de Engenharia de São Paulo USP and Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL), scheduled to be finished in 2010, this work aims to present the main procedures to perform a repowering on subtransmission lines from 34.5 KV to 69 KV. To achieve this purpose, an assessment of the current studies about the subject is carried out, including an approach of other methods besides the one which is going to be the specific object of this study. After this, relevant points about the main methods are discussed in such a way that this study, in addition to serve its specific purpose, that is to present solutions in order to increase the transmission capacity of a determined line, keeping its right-of-way, can also point out valuable parameters which can be used to develop other projects of similar nature. Sequentially, the steps followed to operationalize the line repowering are presented, starting with the choice of the most suitable line, the selection of the method to be used, and taking into consideration both the change in the line thermal limit and the elevation on its operating voltage and also the environmental aspects involving repowering. At last, making use of ATP software throughout ATPDraw graphical interface (which is used to simulate electromagnetic transients) and Flux®, that simulates electrical fields around insulators, it is carried out a set of computational XVI simulations which are relevant to a good knowledge of the line subtransmission running. All the steps and preliminary conclusions about the subject are going to be outlined on this document.

Como parte de um projeto de pesquisa e desenvolvimento (P&D) mais amplo, que está sendo desenvolvido pela Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos - USP e Companhia Paulista de Força Luz (CPFL), com previsão de conclusão para 2010, este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar os principais procedimentos para a realização da repotenciação de linhas de subtransmissão de 34,5 KV para 69 KV. Para atingir esse objetivo, é realizada inicialmente uma apreciação do estágio atual dos estudos sobre o tema, abordando inclusive outros métodos além daquele que será objeto específico desse estudo. Em seguida, discutem-se tópicos relevantes dos métodos apresentados de forma que, esse estudo, além de cumprir o já mencionado objetivo específico de apresentar soluções para aumentar a capacidade de transmissão de uma determinada linha, mantendo a sua faixa de servidão, indicará parâmetros válidos para a realização de outros projetos da mesma natureza. Sequencialmente são apresentadas as etapas desenvolvidas para a operacionalização da repotenciação de uma linha, a começar pela escolha da mais adequada, a seleção do método a ser utilizado, levando-se em consideração tanto a alteração do limite térmico da linha quanto à elevação de sua tensão operativa e os aspectos ambientais que envolvem a repotenciação. Finalmente, fazendo uso dos softwares ATP, através da interface gráfica ATPDraw (empregado para as XIV simulações de transitórios eletromagnéticos) e do Flux®, para as simulações dos campos elétricos em torno dos isoladores, realizou-se um conjunto de simulações computacionais pertinentes para um bom conhecimento do funcionamento da linha de subtransmissão a ser repotenciada na classe de interesse. Todas as etapas e as conclusões preliminares sobre o assunto delineado serão apresentadas neste documento. / As part of a wider research and development project, which is being developed between Escola de Engenharia de São Paulo USP and Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL), scheduled to be finished in 2010, this work aims to present the main procedures to perform a repowering on subtransmission lines from 34.5 KV to 69 KV. To achieve this purpose, an assessment of the current studies about the subject is carried out, including an approach of other methods besides the one which is going to be the specific object of this study. After this, relevant points about the main methods are discussed in such a way that this study, in addition to serve its specific purpose, that is to present solutions in order to increase the transmission capacity of a determined line, keeping its right-of-way, can also point out valuable parameters which can be used to develop other projects of similar nature. Sequentially, the steps followed to operationalize the line repowering are presented, starting with the choice of the most suitable line, the selection of the method to be used, and taking into consideration both the change in the line thermal limit and the elevation on its operating voltage and also the environmental aspects involving repowering. At last, making use of ATP software throughout ATPDraw graphical interface (which is used to simulate electromagnetic transients) and Flux®, that simulates electrical fields around insulators, it is carried out a set of computational XVI simulations which are relevant to a good knowledge of the line subtransmission running. All the steps and preliminary conclusions about the subject are going to be outlined on this document.