Purpose: Hearing loss is a common problem worldwide, and there is an ever- increasing need for more audiologists to be trained. Unfortunately, audiology students cannot always get the clinical experience they need during training. Virtual reality involving computer-based simulation of real-life training experiences is one way of compensating for this. While there are several virtual audiometers available for student use, few of these include the vital case history component. This study sought to develop an interactive virtual patient that includes this component, and to objectively measure the effect of training with this software on student performance. Method: Development of the Patient Simulator Program (PSP) took place in two phases – Phase One involved development of audiometric information and a brief case history summary for 25 patient cases, and Phase Two involved development of comprehensive case histories for these and identification of triggering phrases and keywords for eliciting each piece of information from the virtual patient. Twelve first year audiology students were recruited from the University of Canterbury and divided into matched groups based on their pre-test scores. An alternating treatment design across groups was used to evaluate participants on their verbal and written accuracy, experience, confidence, and efficiency scores on case history tasks. Results: A significant difference was found in verbal accuracy scores between groups at the mid-way assessment point (following simulator training), but not for written accuracy. Differences between groups were not significant at all assessment points for efficiency and experience measures. Confidence gains were greater for the second group to train with the simulator than the first, while performance gains were greater for the first group. Conclusion: These findings support the evidence that simulation training can enhance student’s skills, and provide the first objective evidence for the benefits of training for case history tasks with an interactive virtual patient. While the effect size was small, these findings are a promising springboard for future research into this area. While the PSP is not adequate to replace real clinical encounters, it has potential as an adjunct to the current training program.

Column-supported geosynthetic-reinforced embankments have great potential for application in soft ground conditions when there is a need to accelerate construction and/or protect adjacent facilities from the settlement that would otherwise be induced by the new embankment load. The columns in column-supported embankments can be driven piles, vibro-concrete columns, deep-mixing-method columns, stone columns, or any other suitable type of column. A bridging layer consisting of several feet of sand or sand and gravel is also used to help transfer the embankment load to the columns. Geosynthetic reinforcement is often employed in bridging layers to enhance load transfer to the columns and increase the spacing between columns. Several methods have been developed to calculate the load on the geosynthetic reinforcement, but the calculated loads differ by over an order of magnitude in some cases, and there is not agreement on which method is correct. In this research, a new method was developed for calculating the load on the geosynthetic reinforcement. The new method employs one of the existing mechanistically-based approaches, and combines it with consideration of the stiffnesses of the embankment, geosynthetic, column, and subgrade soil. The new method was verified against the results of a large numerical parameter study, for which the numerical procedures themselves were verified against closed-form solutions for membranes, pilot-scale experiments, and instrumented field case histories. The results of the numerical analyses and the new calculation procedure indicate that the net vertical load on the portion of the geosynthetic reinforcement between columns increases with increasing clear spacing between columns and increasing geosynthetic stiffness. The net vertical load on the geosynthetic decreases with increasing stiffness and strength of the foundation and embankment soils and with increasing elevation of the geosynthetic above the top of the columns or pile caps. A key finding of the research is that, if the subgrade support is good, geosynthetic reinforcement does not have a significant effect on system performance. The new calculation procedure is implemented in an easy-to-use spreadsheet, and recommendations for designing geosynthetic-reinforced bridging layers are provided. / Ph. D.

Assessment of post-liquefaction residual strength is needed for the development of empirically-based, predictive correlations for earthquake engineering design. Previous practice commonly assigned negligible strengths to liquefied materials for engineering analysis, producing overly-conservative designs. Increasingly available case history data, and improved analytical tools have allowed for more accurate and less overly-conservative estimation of soil residual strength, improving empirical predictive models. This study provides a new case history to the limited suite of (approximately 30) liquefaction failure case histories available for post-liquefaction in-situ strength predictive correlations. This case history documents the Las Palmas gold mine tailings dam failure, resulting from seismic-induced liquefaction during the moment magnitude 8.8 February 27, 2010 Maule, Chile earthquake; the sixth largest since 1900. Forensic analysis provides reasonably well-constrained values of 1) back-calculated representative post-liquefaction residual strength, 2) representative penetration resistance, and 3) representative vertical effective stress along the suspected liquefied failure surface. This study employs the incremental momentum method to incorporate momentum effects of a moving soil mass. The incremental momentum method requires a series of cross sections animating the geometry of failure progression from initiation to termination, converging on the observed final geometry. Using interpreted soil strength characteristics, an iterative procedure approximates the back-calculated value of post-liquefaction residual strength. Findings of this case history plot well with existing empirical deterministic regression charts and are in general agreement with previous, related efforts. Results yield representative, well-constrained values of: 1) post-liquefaction residual strength ≈ 173 psf, 2) penetration resistance of N1,60,CS ≈ 5 and N1,60 ≈ 2.5, and 3) vertical effective stress ≈ 4,300 lb/ft2, or ≈ 2.0 atm.

On December 22nd, 2003, the Mw=6.5 San Simeon earthquake occurred 12 kilometers east of San Simeon, California, causing damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure throughout the central coast. The community of Oceano, 80 kilometers southeast of the epicenter, experienced damage to foundations, roads, and utilities due to liquefaction and lateral spreading. The unique geologic environment in Oceano caused a local amplification of ground motions, liquefaction, and lateral spreading. This study entailed developing ten liquefaction case histories from Oceano during the 2003 San Simeon earthquake. Four of the ten case histories are liquefaction cases and six are non-liquefaction cases, with Cyclic Stress Ratio (CSR) ranging from 0.17 to 0.43 and average corrected cone tip resistance (qc1) ranging from 2.67 to 23.53 kN/m^2. Subsurface data used to represent the geologic conditions in each case history included CPT soundings provided by the United States Geological Survey (Holzer et al., 2004). Ground motion data used to represent the earthquake conditions in each case history included the nearest relatively free field ground motion recordings from the SLO Rec Center Seismic Monitoring Station provided by the PEER strong motion center (PEER Ground Motions Database, 2003). CPT soundings were grouped together to develop representative case histories, allowing for averaging of parameters. The stratum with the single highest potential for liquefaction was selected and used as the ‘critical layer’ in each case history. To accurately represent the ground motion felt by each critical layer, a site response model was used to calculate average shear stress, which was used to calculate Cyclic Stress Ratio. The site response model was built using DEEPSOIL V6.1 with measured seismic shear wave velocities. Velocities were measured using passive geophysical methods in conjunction with Spatial Autocorrelation (SPAC) methods to process the data into shear wave velocity profiles. Measured velocities ranged from approximately 117 to 469 meters per second at depths ranging from 0 to 50 meters below the ground and were normally dispersive.

Esta tese apresenta um estudo de caso de colapso dos solos que ocorreu durante e após o enchimento do reservatório da UHE Três Irmãos. A construção desta barragem e o subseqüente enchimento do reservatório elevaram significativamente o lençol freático, causando colapso do solo em algumas áreas. Muitos trabalhos de campo e de laboratório foram realizados para determinar o potencial de risco associado às edificações existentes no local. A elevação do lençol freático foi monitorada especialmente para o estudo de recalques de edificações. Esta pesquisa trata do estudo deste caso histórico, recuperando informações existentes e executando ensaios adicionais com sucção controlada para caracterizar o comportamento não saturado do solo. O conjunto de dados obtidos foi usado para modelar recalques reais de edificações monitoradas, considerando o Modelo Básico de Barcelona, BBM, (Alonso et al., 1990) como o modelo constitutivo mecânico do solo e o programa de elementos finitos Code_Bright. A tese apresenta a definição dos parâmetros constitutivos do solo, a calibração dos modelos, análises de sensibilidade do modelo adotado, mostrando que os resultados modelados se ajustaram satisfatoriamente aos valores de recalques medidos no campo. A partir dos resultados obtidos numericamente, constatou-se que as deformações por colapso aumentam com a redução da sucção sem saturar o solo e que os maiores colapsos são observados quando o solo é gradualmente submergido. Como a profundidade de influência da carga de fundação é muito baixa comparada à espessura da camada colapsível, muitas das deformações por colapso são resultados do peso-próprio do solo, durante o equilíbrio sob as condições hidrodinâmicas transiente e final. / This thesis presents a case history of soil collapse that took place during and after reservoir filling of Três Irmãos dam in Brazil. The construction of this dam and subsequent reservoir filling has raised the local groundwater table up to 20 m, causing soil collapse that affected many buildings. Many field and laboratory tests were conducted to determine potential risk and damage of existing buildings. The groundwater rise was monitored in some points of the region and the most susceptible buildings were also monitored specially for settlements. This work deals with the study of this case history of soil collapse, recovering existing information and performing additional suction controlled soil tests to characterize the non saturated soil behavior. This set of data was used to model the collapse settlement, considering the Barcelona Basic Model, BBM, (Alonso et al. 1990) as the soil constitutive model and the Code_Bright finite element program and, finally numerical results were compared with field ones. The thesis addresses soil parameters definition from laboratory and field tests, model calibration, sensibility analysis of the adopted model and it shows that the modeled results nicely fitted the measured values of collapse settlements. Amongst the many qualitative and quantitative findings, it is shown that collapse deformation arises from suction variation without saturating the soil and that the largest collapse rate is observed when the soil is gradually submerged. As the depth of influence of foundation load is very low compared to collapsible layer thickness, much of collapse deformation is the result of soil self weight, during equilibrium under the transient and final hydrodynamics condition.

Hana Jurásková, Žák se sluchovým postižením na druhém stupni ZŠ ABSTRACT In my thesis, I will deal with hearing disabilities and his difficulties in the education and education of an integrated second-degree pupil of an ordinary elementary school. Next, I will deal with the compensatory aids for the pupil with hearing impairment and the possibilities of his education. The research survey is oriented qualitatively. The research survey evaluates the methods and the forms of teaching at secondary school the pupils with hearing impairment from their subjective point of view as well as from the point of view of their class teachers and compares them with the results of teaching these pupils. My thesis proposes the methods and the forms of teaching based on in-depth analysis which are appropriate of the case studies. KEYWORDS hearing impairment, integration, methods, case history, secondary school, pupil

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O presente trabalho procura contribuir para o estudo da influência de escavações nos recalques superficiais de construções vizinhas, tema este de grande interesse em regiões urbanas, com grande concentração de construções. Apresenta-se uma análise detalhada dos principais métodos empíricos disponíveis na literatura para a previsão dos recalques deflagrados por escavações vizinhas. Detalham-se alguns aspectos de uma ferramenta numérica utilizada, bem como sua validação à análise de escavações escoradas pela aplicação do MEF. Um caso de obra bem documentado em pesquisas anteriores é selecionado para uma análise que procura confrontar os resultados da previsão procedida pelos métodos empíricos, pelo método numérico, com os resultados experimentais. A presente pesquisa mostrou que o método empírico de Hsieh e Ou (1998) foi o que revelou uma melhor capacidade de previsão do comportamento observado no caso de obra analisado, tanto na avaliação do recalque máximo como na obtenção do perfil de recalques superficiais com a distância à face da escavação. A aplicação da modelagem numérica ao caso de obra selecionado confirmou as observações ressaltadas por alguns autores, revelando sua capacidade de reproduzir de forma bastante satisfatória os deslocamentos horizontais da parede, porém apresentando um resultado menos aproximado na previsão dos recalques superficiais. / The present thesis aims at contributing to the study of the influence of excavations on settlements of nearby structures. This is a theme of major interest in urban areas where a concentration of tall buildings is very common. A detailed analysis of the main available empirical methods is presented dealing with the settlement prediction caused by nearby excavations. Some aspects of the numerical tools employed in the analysis are also detailed. The validation of the numerical analysis is made through a comparison of its results for a strutted excavation with the results of the same application using a well estabilished method, adopted in design, based on plastic equilibrium equations. A case history extensively documented in previous research was chosen for a comparative analysis confronting the prediction of ground surface settlement during excavation based on empirical methods and also by means of the numerical approach. The results are then compared with the experimental data. The present research has shown that the empirical method proposed by Hsieh and Ou (1998) best reproduced the experimental behavior. Not only has the method been able to predict the maximum settlement but it has also shown ability to predict the ground settlement profile. The numerical analysis of the selected case history confirmed the observations of some authors that the finite element analysis is able to predict horizontal displacements of the excavation wall but less accurately predict ground surface settlements.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O presente trabalho procura contribuir para o estudo da influência de escavações nos recalques superficiais de construções vizinhas, tema este de grande interesse em regiões urbanas, com grande concentração de construções. Apresenta-se uma análise detalhada dos principais métodos empíricos disponíveis na literatura para a previsão dos recalques deflagrados por escavações vizinhas. Detalham-se alguns aspectos de uma ferramenta numérica utilizada, bem como sua validação à análise de escavações escoradas pela aplicação do MEF. Um caso de obra bem documentado em pesquisas anteriores é selecionado para uma análise que procura confrontar os resultados da previsão procedida pelos métodos empíricos, pelo método numérico, com os resultados experimentais. A presente pesquisa mostrou que o método empírico de Hsieh e Ou (1998) foi o que revelou uma melhor capacidade de previsão do comportamento observado no caso de obra analisado, tanto na avaliação do recalque máximo como na obtenção do perfil de recalques superficiais com a distância à face da escavação. A aplicação da modelagem numérica ao caso de obra selecionado confirmou as observações ressaltadas por alguns autores, revelando sua capacidade de reproduzir de forma bastante satisfatória os deslocamentos horizontais da parede, porém apresentando um resultado menos aproximado na previsão dos recalques superficiais. / The present thesis aims at contributing to the study of the influence of excavations on settlements of nearby structures. This is a theme of major interest in urban areas where a concentration of tall buildings is very common. A detailed analysis of the main available empirical methods is presented dealing with the settlement prediction caused by nearby excavations. Some aspects of the numerical tools employed in the analysis are also detailed. The validation of the numerical analysis is made through a comparison of its results for a strutted excavation with the results of the same application using a well estabilished method, adopted in design, based on plastic equilibrium equations. A case history extensively documented in previous research was chosen for a comparative analysis confronting the prediction of ground surface settlement during excavation based on empirical methods and also by means of the numerical approach. The results are then compared with the experimental data. The present research has shown that the empirical method proposed by Hsieh and Ou (1998) best reproduced the experimental behavior. Not only has the method been able to predict the maximum settlement but it has also shown ability to predict the ground settlement profile. The numerical analysis of the selected case history confirmed the observations of some authors that the finite element analysis is able to predict horizontal displacements of the excavation wall but less accurately predict ground surface settlements.

Esta tese apresenta um estudo de caso de colapso dos solos que ocorreu durante e após o enchimento do reservatório da UHE Três Irmãos. A construção desta barragem e o subseqüente enchimento do reservatório elevaram significativamente o lençol freático, causando colapso do solo em algumas áreas. Muitos trabalhos de campo e de laboratório foram realizados para determinar o potencial de risco associado às edificações existentes no local. A elevação do lençol freático foi monitorada especialmente para o estudo de recalques de edificações. Esta pesquisa trata do estudo deste caso histórico, recuperando informações existentes e executando ensaios adicionais com sucção controlada para caracterizar o comportamento não saturado do solo. O conjunto de dados obtidos foi usado para modelar recalques reais de edificações monitoradas, considerando o Modelo Básico de Barcelona, BBM, (Alonso et al., 1990) como o modelo constitutivo mecânico do solo e o programa de elementos finitos Code_Bright. A tese apresenta a definição dos parâmetros constitutivos do solo, a calibração dos modelos, análises de sensibilidade do modelo adotado, mostrando que os resultados modelados se ajustaram satisfatoriamente aos valores de recalques medidos no campo. A partir dos resultados obtidos numericamente, constatou-se que as deformações por colapso aumentam com a redução da sucção sem saturar o solo e que os maiores colapsos são observados quando o solo é gradualmente submergido. Como a profundidade de influência da carga de fundação é muito baixa comparada à espessura da camada colapsível, muitas das deformações por colapso são resultados do peso-próprio do solo, durante o equilíbrio sob as condições hidrodinâmicas transiente e final. / This thesis presents a case history of soil collapse that took place during and after reservoir filling of Três Irmãos dam in Brazil. The construction of this dam and subsequent reservoir filling has raised the local groundwater table up to 20 m, causing soil collapse that affected many buildings. Many field and laboratory tests were conducted to determine potential risk and damage of existing buildings. The groundwater rise was monitored in some points of the region and the most susceptible buildings were also monitored specially for settlements. This work deals with the study of this case history of soil collapse, recovering existing information and performing additional suction controlled soil tests to characterize the non saturated soil behavior. This set of data was used to model the collapse settlement, considering the Barcelona Basic Model, BBM, (Alonso et al. 1990) as the soil constitutive model and the Code_Bright finite element program and, finally numerical results were compared with field ones. The thesis addresses soil parameters definition from laboratory and field tests, model calibration, sensibility analysis of the adopted model and it shows that the modeled results nicely fitted the measured values of collapse settlements. Amongst the many qualitative and quantitative findings, it is shown that collapse deformation arises from suction variation without saturating the soil and that the largest collapse rate is observed when the soil is gradually submerged. As the depth of influence of foundation load is very low compared to collapsible layer thickness, much of collapse deformation is the result of soil self weight, during equilibrium under the transient and final hydrodynamics condition.

La presente investigación es un estudio cualitativo con estudio de caso único que analiza un proceso terapéutico breve conducido según el diseño de ‘Psicoterapia breve a partir de la historia’. Este diseño, apoyándose en un trasfondo teórico psicoanalítico, parte de entrevistas iniciales evaluativas y de la elaboración de la historia personal del paciente para ir agregando intervenciones verbales que puedan generar un efecto terapéutico. La participante de la investigación fue una joven de veintidós años con una organización neurótica de personalidad y rasgos caracterológicos depresivos. El análisis comprendió los procedimientos y aspectos técnicos realizados como parte del diseño de intervención, el desenvolvimiento particular de la participante y los logros terapéuticos identificados. Los resultados mostraron que cada una de las actividades y pautas técnicas seguidas fueron idóneas para el desarrollo del proceso acorde al diseño, pudiendo conseguirse logros terapéuticos limitados pero significativos. Estos consistieron principalmente en un buen nivel de esclarecimiento y alivio sobre algunos aspectos del motivo de consulta de la participante, conseguido mediante la integración de una serie de contenidos propios de su historia personal, así como en la experiencia positiva y contenedora que representó para ella todo el proceso. / The next research is a qualitative design with case study which analyze a short-term therapeutic process conducted according to the model of ‘Short-term psychotherapy from the case history’. This model, using a psychoanalytic theoretical background, starts from evaluative interviews to the the elaboration of the history case of the patient, adding verbal interventions whom can generate therapeutic effects. The participant of the research was a twenty-two years old young woman with a neurotic personality organization and depressive characterological features. The analysis comprehended the procedure and technical aspects performed as part of the model of the intervention, the particular development of the participant and the therapeutic achievements identified. The results showed that each one of the activities and technical guidelines were suitable for the development of the process according to the model, and that limited but significant therapeutics achievements were made. These consisted basically in a good level of clarification and relief over some aspects of the reason for consultation of the participant, achieved by integrating a number of contents related to her personal history, as well as the positive and containing experience that the whole process represented for her.