This Thesis is concerned with the concept of grounding of 110/22 kV transformer station. The aim of the Thesis is to create a ground network for grounding a specified outdoor substation. This 110 kV outdoor substation is formed according to H-scheme and encircles a wide area. In additon to this, an earth potential has to be distributed as equally as possible within the whole area of the substation. The most convenient alternative from the point of view of effective grounding and distribution of potential is a grid network. Therefore, the grid network is the means of grounding which I have chosen as a solution for this issue. In this solution, flat conductor network cables are used to cover the whole substation, with ground rods placed at the points of intersection. Parts of appliance can be then connected to this existing network, thus creating several parallel channels which provide grounding with low resistance. The network is made of common steel zinc-coated stip, size 30 x 4 mm. When proposing a concept of grounding and adjustment of ground electrodes, we have to take account of grounding requirements, stated according to ČSN standards. The proposed earthing system was created in appropriate size in order to meet all these grounding requirements. These requirements are also mentioned and described in a theoretical part of the Thesis. Second part of the Thesis consists of proposed concept of the grounding itself, together with calculated parameters. The grounding has to be carried out according to both safety regulations and electrical appliance requirements. The issue of grounding substations of power system is resolved by the ČSN standards 33 3201 (“Elektrické instalace nad AC 1kV”), 33 2000-4-41 (“Elektrická zařízení – Ochrana před úrazem elektrickým proudem”) and 33 2000-5-54 (“Elektrická zařízení – Výběr a stavba elektrických zařízení – Uzemnění a ochranné vodiče”) and by the PNE company standards 33 0000-4 (“Příklady výpočtů uzemňovacích soustav v distribuční a přenosové soustavě dodavatele elektřiny”) and 33 0000-1 (“Ochrana před úrazem elektrickým proudem v distribuční soustavě dodavatele elektřiny”). These standards apply to creating a concept of grounding and grounding of new, reconstructed or expanded electrical substations of power system.

This work deals with the analysis of reinforced concrete structures according to the currently valid standard EN 1992-1-1 (EC 2) compared with the analysis according to the American standard ACI 318-08. Static solution includes an assessment of slab in local supports, calculation of columns and footings according to 1st critical state for both standards. The slab is also assessed according to the 2st critical state according to EC 2.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden Schichten des Hochtemperatursupraleiters YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) untersucht, die epitaktisch mittels gepulster Laserabscheidung auf texturierten metallischen Templaten abgeschieden wurden. Dabei kamen ionenstrahltexturiertes ABAD-YSZ-Band und walztexturiertes NiW-Band zum Einsatz. Für Anwendungen solcher sogenannten Bandleiter ist die Fähigkeit zum Transport möglichst hoher kritischer Ströme Ic essentiell. Dies kann durch das Wachstum möglichst dicker Schichten, eine Verbesserung der Flussschlauchverankerung (Pinning), sowie die Reduzierung der durch Korngrenzen verursachten Stromlimitierung erreicht werden. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit wurden strukturelle und supraleitende Eigenschaften in bis zu 5 µm dicken YBCO-Schichten auf ABAD-YSZ-Band untersucht. Dazu wurden neben nicht-fremdphasendotierten (undotierten) YBCO-Schichten auch BaHfO3- und BaY(NbTa)O6-dotierte YBCO-Schichten herangezogen. Die Untersuchungen erfolgten mittels Röntgenbeugungs-methoden (XRD), Rasterelektronen- und Rasterkraftmikroskopie (REM, AFM), sowie resistiver und induktiver Methoden zur Bestimmung der Sprungtemperatur Tc und der kritischen Stromdichte Jc. Schichtdickenabhängige Messungen konnten u. a. zeigen, dass Ic in undotierten YBCO-Schichten bei einer Dicke oberhalb von 2,8 µm nicht weiter anstieg, während Ic in den dotierten Schichten bis zu einer Dicke von 5 µm nicht limitiert war. Darüber hinaus konnte in temperatur- und feldabhängigen Jc-Messungen ein verbessertes Pinningverhalten bei tiefen Temperaturen und in hohen äußeren Magnetfeldern gefunden werden. Mit Hilfe von transmissionselektronenmikroskopischen Untersuchungen (TEM) und Messungen der Jc-Anisotropie wurde zusätzlich ein Strukturschema herausgearbeitet, das eine Verknüpfung von Herstellungsparametern, Mikrostruktur und Pinningeigenschaften ermöglicht. Der zweite Teil befasste sich mit der Analyse der Mikrostruktur und der lokalen Textur von undotierten YBCO-Schichten auf ABAD-YSZ- und NiW-Band. Die lokale Textur wurde dabei mittels Rückstreuelektronenbeugung (EBSD) aufgelöst. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit orts-aufgelösten Magnetisierungsmessungen (Raster-Hall-Sonden-Mikroskopie) korreliert, mit denen der lokale Stromfluss untersucht werden kann. Auf beiden Templaten zeigte sich eine granulare Struktur, die durch gegeneinander verkippte bzw. verdrehte YBCO-Körner gekennzeichnet war. Während die granulare Struktur auf ABAD-YSZ-Band durch hauptsächlich in-plane missorientierte YBCO-Bereiche mit einem Durchmesser < 1 µm charakterisiert war, konnten auf NiW-Band hauptsächlich out-of-plane missorientierte Bereiche mit einer typischen Größe von 20-50 µm nachgewiesen werden. Auf NiW-Band hing die YBCO-Mikrostruktur und die Schärfe der lokalen Textur von der individuellen out-of-plane Missorientierung des darunter-liegenden NiW-Korns ab, was auf eine bereits im unbeschichteten NiW-Band vorhandene Facettierung zurückgeführt werden konnte. Zu deren Beschreibung wurde ein Facettenmodel entwickelt, das durch TEM-Untersuchungen bestätigt werden konnte. Abschließend wurde auf einkristallinen Substraten und auf ABAD-YSZ-Band ein homogener Stromfluss nachgewiesen, während die supraleitenden Eigenschaften in YBCO-Schichten auf NiW-Band von der lokalen Mikrostruktur und Textur bestimmt wurden. Damit konnte gezeigt werden, dass die globalen Eigenschaften der Bandleiter vom Zusammenspiel eines über Korngrenzen miteinander verbundenen Ensembles von Körnern mit individuellen Eigenschaften bestimmt werden.

[EN] This work has been developed within the framework of the Tourism Research Group of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. The main objective is to provide a model for a systematic analysis of the key elements that intervene in the process of determination of the Recreational Carrying Capacity for public use zones in Protected Areas. The proposed tool was deployed in the following cases study: Font Roja Natural Park (Ibi and Alcoi, in Alicante), Columbretes Islands Natural Reserve (in Castellón) and Albufera Natural Park (in Valencia). Considering the high volume of variables that take place in the determination and further management of the Recreational Carrying Capacity, it becomes highly difficult to elaborate a world-wide methodology. Nevertheless, this Thesis brings a general pattern applicable to practically every case with the necessary adaptations. On the other hand, this thesis arises the importance of considering the social aspects in the determination of the Recreational Carrying Capacity. In this sense, new concepts as psychological comfort of the users and visitors satisfaction are incorporated into the analysis with equal consideration as the ecological ones. It is also suggested that Recreational Carrying Capacity must be taken into account on the drawing up of the Protected Area Master Plans as a preventive tool for avoiding tourist impacts and guarantee users’ satisfaction. / [ES] Teniendo como marco de trabajo el desarrollado en el seno del Grupo de Investigación Aplicada al Turismo de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, la presente Tesis Doctoral tiene como objetivo principal aportar una sistemática orientada al análisis de los factores clave que intervienen en el proceso de determinación de la capacidad de carga recreativa para las áreas de uso público de los espacios protegidos. La herramienta de trabajo propuesta, se probó en tres casos de estudio: Parque Natural de la Font Roja (Ibi y Alcoi, Alicante), la Reserva Natural de las Islas Columbretes (Castellón) y el Parque Natural de l’Albufera de Valencia (Valencia). Considerando el volumen elevado de variables que intervienen en la determinación y posterior gestión de la capacidad de carga, es difícil elaborar una metodología de aplicación universal. En el presente trabajo se plantea, sin embargo, un esquema aplicable a todos los casos con las consiguientes adaptaciones que cada uno requiera. Por otro lado, se plantea la importancia de considerar los aspectos sociales en la determinación de la capacidad de carga de un sistema, sugiriéndose su incorporación, junto con los aspectos ecológicos tradicionalmente contemplados para el estudio de espacios protegidos y el diseño posterior de los correspondientes planes de gestión. En este sentido, se incorporan conceptos nuevos relacionados con la herramienta planteada como es el caso del confort psicológico de los usuarios y la satisfacción de los visitantes. / [CA] Tenint com a marc de treball el desenvolupat el sinus del Grup d’Investigació Aplicada al Turisme de la Universitat Politècnica de València, la present Tesi Doctoral té com objectiu principal aportar una sistemàtica orientada a l’anàlisi dels factors clau que intervenen al procés de determinació de la capacitat de càrrega recreativa per a les àrees d’ús públic dels espais protegits. L’eina de treball proposada, es va assajar amb tres casos d’estudi: Parc Natural de la Font Roja (Ibi i Alcoi, Alacant), la Reserva Natural de les Illes Columbretes (Castelló) i el Parc Natural de l’Albufera de València (València). Considerant l’elevat volum de variables que intervenen a la determinació i posterior gestió de la capacitat de càrrega, és difícil elaborar una metodologia d’aplicació universal. Al present treball es planteja un esquema aplicable a tots els casos amb les escaients adaptacions que cadascun requereix. D’altra banda, el planteja la importància de considerar els aspectes socials a la determinació de la capacitat de càrrega d’un sistema, suggerint-se la seva incorporació, junt amb aspectes ecològics tradicionalment considerats per a l’estudi d’espais protegits i el disseny posterior dels corresponents plans de gestió. En aquest sentit, s’incorporen nous conceptes relacionats amb l’eina plantejada com és el cas del confort psicològic dels usuaris i la satisfacció dels visitants. / Morant González, M. (2007). Desarrollo de un modelo para la determinación de la capacidad de carga recreativa y su aplicación a espacios naturales protegidos de la Comunidad Valenciana [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/131738

The main aim of this study was to classify and describe the plant communities in the home range of white rhinoceros in order to understand the animal seasonal foraging ecology. To provide a detailed habitat description, forty sample plots were stratified randomly. A TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, was carried out on the Viewpoint section of the reserve. Ten plant communities, grouped into five major community types, were identified. The veld condition and ecological carrying capacity in these communities were measured, stating an abundance of food on long grass while the short grass equal the number of short grass feeders. A number of behavioural aspects such as activity data, home range utilization and dietary usage were examined. Statistical methods such as the Spearman rank-order correlation, Wilcoxon sign test and Student T-test were used on rhino data. The difference in usage of the home range during wet and dry seasons was insignificant. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc. (Environmental Management)

Social sustainability provides a meaningful approach for industry practitioners wishing to establish a platform to engage communities within enterprise development. It can be said that sustainability requires much more than environmental and fiscal achievements and, with an increased awareness of issues such as equity and power sharing, more corporates are incorporating their strategies in line with social responsibility values. This study therefore takes a closer look at how the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company, integrates this important concept of social sustainability in its business practices. The tourism industry has in fact grown to such an extent that global economists estimate the progress of international growth at between three and six percent annually. However, this growth can only be measured when businesses take social responsibility factors into consideration. According to the UNWTO (2011, p 1) UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, opened the Fourth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries stating that the majority of: “…least developed countries (LDCs) are rich in resources. All have young and vibrant populations. These men and women need decent jobs, education, training, so they can make the most of their country’s assets - minerals and other commodities, farmland, rich stores of biodiversity and tourism potential”. This study therefore focuses on current and future issues pertaining to socially sustainable tourism at the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition, it presents solutions for reducing the negative impacts of tourism, whilst at the same time embracing the benefits of tourism for the area and its local communities. The outcome of the study found that the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company added little value to social responsibility objectives. The company has made a significant effort in marketing their product through the mass media. However, there is an overall corporate responsibility barrier. Much still needs to be done to ensure accountability for social responsibility issues, not just within this particular company, but also throughout the tourism industry. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Although it offers a wide variety of interesting properties such as fire resistance or durability, stainless steel has been used in limited amount in structures. It is a known fact that the design rules don't properly account for the additional benefits of stainless steel properties and are largely based on the specifications for carbon steel. Indeed, a number of similarities exist between stainless steel and ordinary carbon steel but there is sufficient differences to afford a specific treatment in design standards. And since stainless steel is an expensive material, it is important to accurately predict the resistance of structural members. The present research work is dedicated to the study of cold-formed stainless steel profiles. It actually follows the life of a stainless steel construction element and falls on three fundamental topics: the material behavior, the through-thickness residual stress distribution and mechanical enhancement due to the cold-forming process and, last, the strength of concentrically compressed thin-walled columns. Firstly, several constitutive models are characterized such as Teodosiu-Hu's micro-structural based hardening model, capable of predicting the behavior of the studied stainless steel grade submitted to biaxial loading causing plastic strain. This model accounts for the nonlinear hardening behavior, the anisotropy, the Bauschinger effect and more complex behavior such as the observed work-hardening stagnation under reversed deformation at large strains. For this purpose, a collection of tests is carried out including multiaxial tests such as tensile-shear tests and successive simple shear tests and plane-strain tests. Secondly, the effects of the forming process on the mechanical properties are studied. To begin with, on the basis of the constitutive models developed previously, an analytical method that calculates the biaxial residual stress distribution in the walls and in the corners of cold-formed profiles is established. Based on the conclusions drawn from this theoretical analysis, a new formula for the evaluation of the actual mechanical properties is established. This formula is not restricted to a single alloy or type of cross-section. Current design standards are then used to calculate the strength of lipped-channel section columns failing by combined distortional and overall flexural-torsional buckling and the results are compared to tests. Indeed, full-scale tests on cold-formed stainless steel lipped channel section columns were achieved in the Structures Laboratory of the University of Liège. And, once verified against the test results, finite element models were used to generate additional results when necessary. The author then presents a new Direct Strength Method taking into account this phenomenon. Finally, a wide amount of reference results are gathered from the literature, without limiting oneself to any kind of cross-section or stainless steel grade. This database is used to propose an improved formulation for the design of stainless steel thin-walled section columns failing by distortion, local or combination of local and overall buckling in the low slenderness range.

El objetivo de esta tesis es estudiar el efecto del enriquecimiento por materia orgánica producida por el cultivo de peces en el mar y por los vertidos de petróleo en el medio marino. Este trabajo intenta explicar las consecuencias ecológicas de los impactos generados por este tipo de contaminación, y en diseñar de test de toxicidad para evaluar la contaminación en el sur de las costas europeas. Específicamente, en relación con el impacto de la acuicultura, los estudios de recuperación durante la Apertura de peces bentónicos de reducción de piscicultura marina, el papel de la depredación en el sistema bentónico dispersión de los residuos y los vínculos horizontales y verticales con un impacto bentónico. / The aim of this thesis is to study the effect of organic matter enrichment produced by marinefinfish farming and oil spills on the marine environment. This work is focused on elucidating theecological consequences of the impact generated by this type of pollution, and on designingtoxictity tests to evaluate pollution for southern European coasts. Specifically, related with aquaculture impact, it studies benthic recovery during open sea fish farming abatement, the role of predation in the benthic system and links horizontal and vertical waste dispersion with benthic impact.

From the Proceedings of the 1977 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 15-16, 1977, Las Vegas, Nevada / Increased nutritional and economic demands for agricultural products have dictated the need for greater and more efficient use of western grass forage. Vegetation manipulation is the quickest and most economical means of increasing forage. However , the hydrologic effects must be taken into consideration before embarking on a large scale vegetation manipulated program. This study discusses the hydrologic and erosion changes measured from a 110-acre semiarid watershed which was converted from brush to grass by root plowing and seeding. Significant changes were observed in rainfall-runoff relationships as average summer runoff was considerably in excess of predictions. Sediment yield also varied, and both of these results were tied to the change in vegetative cover and post conversion rainfall conditions.

Social sustainability provides a meaningful approach for industry practitioners wishing to establish a platform to engage communities within enterprise development. It can be said that sustainability requires much more than environmental and fiscal achievements and, with an increased awareness of issues such as equity and power sharing, more corporates are incorporating their strategies in line with social responsibility values. This study therefore takes a closer look at how the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company, integrates this important concept of social sustainability in its business practices. The tourism industry has in fact grown to such an extent that global economists estimate the progress of international growth at between three and six percent annually. However, this growth can only be measured when businesses take social responsibility factors into consideration. According to the UNWTO (2011, p 1) UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, opened the Fourth UN Conference on Least Developed Countries stating that the majority of: “…least developed countries (LDCs) are rich in resources. All have young and vibrant populations. These men and women need decent jobs, education, training, so they can make the most of their country’s assets - minerals and other commodities, farmland, rich stores of biodiversity and tourism potential”. This study therefore focuses on current and future issues pertaining to socially sustainable tourism at the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition, it presents solutions for reducing the negative impacts of tourism, whilst at the same time embracing the benefits of tourism for the area and its local communities. The outcome of the study found that the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company added little value to social responsibility objectives. The company has made a significant effort in marketing their product through the mass media. However, there is an overall corporate responsibility barrier. Much still needs to be done to ensure accountability for social responsibility issues, not just within this particular company, but also throughout the tourism industry. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)