Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T13:57:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LiaCM_DISSERT_ate_92.pdf: 4577928 bytes, checksum: 525c39cdfe373d6970611ea51723e8c8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-05-09 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / This research approaches the issue of accessibility in informal settlements, seeking for the challenges and limits defined by informal urban settings, about the application of accessibility parameters. Take the empirical universe as the Conjunto Santa Terezinha, located in Fortaleza- Ce. Initially, the study presents a reflection about the housing issue in Brazil and the informal settlementes in view of the Right to the City. In this sense, the main references are, the works of Suzanne Pasternak (2008), Nabil Bonduki (1998) and Erminia Maricato (1996-97), among others. Follows with the discussion of the concepts and classifications of this type of settlement, making a content analysis of legislation and regulations relating to accessibility and proposed the discussion of the accessible route as the right strategy for the city. In another step, the methodology of 'walking together' created by Dischinger (2000) was applied in a passage previously chosen, which the researcher follows the disabled person during the journey through city making records like photos and video. The comments and perceptions are compared to the spatial analysis of urban morphology, made from the method of Del Rio (1990) and Panerai (2006), and the parameters of NBR 9050. Knowledge of the area is enriched by the methodology of the production of space made by Henri Lefebvre in his book 'The production of space' (1974) with these categories: space conceived, perceived and lived. Another key reference of this author it s the book 'The Right to the City' (991), which allowed in-depth reflections on the social function of town. In conclusion, the study finds that to guarantee a minimum access conditions in informal sittlements it?s necessary to know the specifics of their morphology, their relations and urban practices in view of the visitability- experiencebility, describing it as complementary concepts / A presente pesquisa aborda o tema da acessibilidade em assentamentos informais, buscando identificar desafios e limites definidos por configura??es urbanas informais ? aplica??o de par?metros de acessibilidade. Toma como universo emp?rico o Conjunto Santa Terezinha, situado em Fortaleza-Ce. Inicialmente o estudo apresenta uma reflex?o sobre a quest?o habitacional no Brasil e a produ??o do espa?o informal na perspectiva do Direito ? Cidade. Nesse sentido, s?o refer?ncias principais os trabalhos de Suzana Pasternak (2008), Nabil Bonduki (1998) e Erm?nia Maricato (1996-97), entre outros. Segue com o debate acerca dos conceitos e classifica??es desse tipo de assentamento, fazendo uma an?lise do conte?do da legisla??o e normativa referente ? acessibilidade e prop?e a discuss?o da rota acess?vel como estrat?gia para o direito ? cidade. Em outra etapa, foi aplicada a metodologia do passeio acompanhado criado por Dischinger (2000) num trecho previamente escolhido, no qual a pesquisadora acompanha a pessoa com defici?ncia durante o percurso urbano e o registra atrav?s de fotos e v?deo. Os coment?rios e percep??es s?o comparados ? an?lise espacial da morfologia urbana, feita a partir da metodologia de Del Rio (1990) e Panerai (2006), e aos par?metros da NBR 9050. O conhecimento da ?rea ? enriquecido pela metodologia de an?lise da produ??o do espa?o feita atrav?s da metodologia de Henri Lefebvre em seu livro A produ??o do espa?o (1974) nas categorias: espa?o concebido, percebido, e vivido. Outra refer?ncia fundamental desse autor ? o livro O Direito ? Cidade (991), que possibilitou o aprofundamento das reflex?es sobre a fun??o social da cidade. Concluindo, o estudo constata que para garantir um m?nimo de condi??es de acesso em ?reas informais ? necess?rio conhecer as especificidades de sua morfologia, de suas rela??es e pr?ticas urbanas na perspectiva da visitabilidade-vivenciabilidade, entendidos como conceitos complementares

Sustainable growth and development in a society requires energy supply that is efficient, affordable, readily available and, in the long term, sustainable without causing negative societal impacts, such as environmental pollution and its attendant consequences. In this respect, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells offer a promising alternative to existing conventional fossil fuel sources for transport and stationary applications due to its high efficiency, low-temperature operation, high power density, fast start-up and its portability for mobile applications. However, to fully harness the potential of PEM fuel cells, there is a need for improvement in the operational performance, durability and reliability during usage. There is also a need to reduce the cost of production to achieve commercialisation and thus compete with existing energy sources. The present study has therefore focused on developing novel approaches aimed at improving output performance for this class of fuel cell. In this study, an innovative combined numerical computation and optimisation techniques, which could serve as alternative to the laborious and time-consuming trial-and-error approach to fuel cell design, is presented. In this novel approach, the limitation to the optimal design of a fuel cell was overcome by the search algorithm (Dynamic-Q) which is robust at finding optimal design parameters. The methodology involves integrating the computational fluid dynamics equations with a gradient-based optimiser (Dynamic-Q) which uses the successive objective and constraint function approximations to obtain the optimum design parameters. Specifically, using this methodology, we optimised the PEM fuel cell internal structures, such as the gas channels, gas diffusion layer (GDL) - relative thickness and porosity - and reactant gas transport, with the aim of maximising the net power output. Thermal-cooling modelling technique was also conducted to maximise the system performance at elevated working temperatures. The study started with a steady-state three-dimensional computational model to study the performance of a single channel proton exchange membrane fuel cell under varying operating conditions and combined effect of these operating conditions was also investigated. From the results, temperature, gas diffusion layer porosity, cathode gas mass flow rate and species flow orientation significantly affect the performance of the fuel cell. The effect of the operating and design parameters on PEM fuel cell performance is also more dominant at low operating cell voltages than at higher operating fuel cell voltages. In addition, this study establishes the need to match the PEM fuel cell parameters such as porosity, species reactant mass flow rates and fuel gas channels geometry in the system design for maximum power output. This study also presents a novel design, using pin fins, to enhance the performance of the PEM fuel cell through optimised reactant gas transport at a reduced pumping power requirement for the reactant gases. The results obtained indicated that the flow Reynolds number had a significant effect on the flow field and the diffusion of the reactant gas through the GDL medium. In addition, an enhanced fuel cell performance was achieved using pin fins in a fuel cell gas channel, which ensured high performance and low fuel channel pressure drop of the fuel cell system. It should be noted that this study is the first attempt at enhancing the oxygen mass transfer through the PEM fuel cell GDL at reduced pressure drop, using pin fin. Finally, the impact of cooling channel geometric configuration (in combination with stoichiometry ratio, relative humidity and coolant Reynolds number) on effective thermal heat transfer and performance in the fuel cell system was investigated. This is with a view to determine effective thermal management designs for this class of fuel cell. Numerical results shows that operating parameters such as stoichiometry ratio, relative humidity and cooling channel aspect ratio have significant effect on fuel cell performance, primarily by determining the level of membrane dehydration of the PEM fuel cell. The result showed the possibility of operating a PEM fuel cell beyond the critical temperature ( 80„aC), using the combined optimised stoichiometry ratio, relative humidity and cooling channel geometry without the need for special temperature resistant materials for the PEM fuel cell which are very expensive. In summary, the results from this study demonstrate the potential of optimisation technique in improving PEM fuel cell design. Overall, this study will add to the knowledge base needed to produce generic design information for fuel cell systems, which can be applied to better designs of fuel cell stacks. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal direcionar a tomada de decisões para a escolha dos diferentes parâmetros que envolvem o alinhamento horizontal e vertical do projeto geométrico ferroviário de trens de alta velocidade (TAV) e de longo percurso, bem como descrever conceitos teóricos para parâmetros de segurança e conforto, baseados em normas internacionais. A pesquisa se desenvolve através de consultas em revistas especializadas, artigos, publicações, normas técnicas e livros. Pela escassez de dados em língua nacional e material bibliográfico desatualizado, as pesquisas se concentram essencialmente em material internacional. Apesar do Brasil ser um dos países em desenvolvimento com maior ascensão no cenário global, tem apresentado, nas últimas décadas, sérios problemas de infra-estrutura devido a uma distribuição desequilibrada na área de transportes, com altíssima concentração no modo rodoviário, com aeroportos e rodovias operando acima da capacidade satisfatória, além de um leque limitado de alternativas de transporte. Devido à falta de investimentos no setor ferroviário, grande parte da malha ferroviária brasileira tornou-se inoperante ou até mesmo inexistente, resultando numa enorme diminuição da mão de obra qualificada e formação acadêmica nesse ramo. Como conseqüência, os estudos relacionados ao projeto ferroviário também foram afetados diretamente. Nesse contexto, é importante que se resgate normas, publicações, especificações técnicas e experiências adotadas em outros países com sólidas tradições ferroviárias, de modo a incorporar em nossa formação acadêmica tais conceitos, como é um dos objetivos dessa dissertação. / This dissertation has as main objective to guide in taking decisions for the selection of different parameters which involve the horizontal and vertical railway geometric design of high speed (HST) and long distance trains as well as theoretical concepts for describing security parameters and comfort, based on international standards. The research is developed through consultations in specialized magazines, articles, publications, standards and technical books. Due to the scarcity of data in the national language and outdated library materials, the research focuses primarily on international material. Although Brazil is a developing country with one of the highest rises in the global scene, the country has faced in recent decades serious infrastructure problems due to an uneven distribution in the area of transport, with high concentration in the road, and airports and roads operating above satisfactory capacity, resulted by a limited range of transportation alternatives. Due to the lack of investment in the railway sector, much of the Brazilian railway system became inoperative or even nonexistent, resulting in a tremendous decrease of skilled labor and academic training in this field. As a result, studies related to the railway project have also been directly impacted. In this context, it is important to rescue standards, publications, experiences and technical specifications adopted in other countries with strong tradition in railways in order to incorporate these concepts into our academic formation, which is one of the purposes of this dissertation.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal direcionar a tomada de decisões para a escolha dos diferentes parâmetros que envolvem o alinhamento horizontal e vertical do projeto geométrico ferroviário de trens de alta velocidade (TAV) e de longo percurso, bem como descrever conceitos teóricos para parâmetros de segurança e conforto, baseados em normas internacionais. A pesquisa se desenvolve através de consultas em revistas especializadas, artigos, publicações, normas técnicas e livros. Pela escassez de dados em língua nacional e material bibliográfico desatualizado, as pesquisas se concentram essencialmente em material internacional. Apesar do Brasil ser um dos países em desenvolvimento com maior ascensão no cenário global, tem apresentado, nas últimas décadas, sérios problemas de infra-estrutura devido a uma distribuição desequilibrada na área de transportes, com altíssima concentração no modo rodoviário, com aeroportos e rodovias operando acima da capacidade satisfatória, além de um leque limitado de alternativas de transporte. Devido à falta de investimentos no setor ferroviário, grande parte da malha ferroviária brasileira tornou-se inoperante ou até mesmo inexistente, resultando numa enorme diminuição da mão de obra qualificada e formação acadêmica nesse ramo. Como conseqüência, os estudos relacionados ao projeto ferroviário também foram afetados diretamente. Nesse contexto, é importante que se resgate normas, publicações, especificações técnicas e experiências adotadas em outros países com sólidas tradições ferroviárias, de modo a incorporar em nossa formação acadêmica tais conceitos, como é um dos objetivos dessa dissertação. / This dissertation has as main objective to guide in taking decisions for the selection of different parameters which involve the horizontal and vertical railway geometric design of high speed (HST) and long distance trains as well as theoretical concepts for describing security parameters and comfort, based on international standards. The research is developed through consultations in specialized magazines, articles, publications, standards and technical books. Due to the scarcity of data in the national language and outdated library materials, the research focuses primarily on international material. Although Brazil is a developing country with one of the highest rises in the global scene, the country has faced in recent decades serious infrastructure problems due to an uneven distribution in the area of transport, with high concentration in the road, and airports and roads operating above satisfactory capacity, resulted by a limited range of transportation alternatives. Due to the lack of investment in the railway sector, much of the Brazilian railway system became inoperative or even nonexistent, resulting in a tremendous decrease of skilled labor and academic training in this field. As a result, studies related to the railway project have also been directly impacted. In this context, it is important to rescue standards, publications, experiences and technical specifications adopted in other countries with strong tradition in railways in order to incorporate these concepts into our academic formation, which is one of the purposes of this dissertation.

The brushed DC motor is a source of electromagnetic emission that may cause interference. The main issues with brushed DC motor are arcing, which occurs between the brushes and commutator, and inrush current. It is possible to decrease the electromagnetic emissions by addressing the source (brushed dc motor) and the installation. The source may be addressed by using filters in the form of X2Y-capacitors on the terminals or ferrites on the cables. The installation does not produce any emission, but it is possible to lower its contribution. This is done by altering the installation like changing the placement of cables and provide good coupling. An effective way of decreasing inrush currents is by using negative-thermal-coefficient (NTC) thermistors. Another measure to improve the EMC properties of the brushed DC motor is to design the motor so that it can trap EM emissions. Some of these parameters are motor house material, end-cap material, vent holes or slots on motor housing, placement of power terminals, crimping tabs and motor enclosure.

Aim of the proper track design is build track, which enable smooth run of the vehicle as much as is possible complying with the safety rules and reasonable level of comfort for passengers. However, this track has to be maintainable and the vehicle shouldn’t face unacceptable amount of wear. On the other hand it is clear that it is impossible to build ideal (straight) track because of many environmental and morphological conditions. So the rules for track designing have to be set carefully in order to produce a good track design which meets the conditions mentioned above. The principles for track designing are evaluated with using the results of track test running dynamic behavior of the vehicles in this study. These tests were made for couple vehicles on several track sections. The influence of design parameters on the dynamic behavior are evaluated based on these results. That’s defining one of the basic part interactions between vehicle and track. Evaluation of the quality of track geometry in service has the same or may be higher importance. Limit values as defined in standard ČSN 73 6360-2 was set partially in consideration results of scientific studies, but partially in consideration of as common practice. So that part of this work is verification of the influence of tolerance in each parameter and their combinations in order to allow reasonable establishment of their limit values for track maintenance and for preventing of train derailment.

The main focus of the Master thesis is the analysis of design parameters for observation triangles of vehicles, pedestrian and cyclists of the ČSN 73 6110 standard. The thesis consists of two main chapters, which are Problem analysis and Major analysis. The first chapter sheds light on some of the most commonly used technical terms on issues related to this work. The second chapter presents evaluation and possible adjustments and optimizations that can result to improved observation conditions in selected areas. The conclusion summarizes the knowledge achieved during processing the thesis.