L’objectif de cette thèse est d’étudier l’influence du contexte sur le comportement alimentaire ; le contexte incluant les variables environnementales et celles issues du consommateur. A cette fin, une méthode d’immersion à l’aide d’éléments physiques a été utilisée. Cette méthode consiste à évoquer une situation réaliste à partir de quelques éléments de mobilier dans un laboratoire. Des bars immersifs ont ainsi été créés selon le concept de « boire un verre dans un bar ». Cinq études ont été mises en place pour étudier le contexte. L’originalité de l’approche théorique est de ne pas considérer l’aliment comme une variable contextuelle mais comme étant le centre de la relation entre le consommateur et l’environnement.D’un point de vue méthodologique, les résultats montrent que les bars immersifs sont un outil flexible favorisant l’évocation d’une situation réaliste tout en permettant d’étudier à la fois les effets de l’intégration d’un ensemble de variables contextuelles et le poids relatif des variables les unes par rapport aux autres. D’un point de vue théorique, les résultats soulignent que lorsque l’ensemble des variables contextuelles présentes interagissent pour définir ce que nous avons appelé un « moment de consommation ». Lorsqu’un produit se trouve dans ce « moment de consommation », l’expérience qu’en a le consommateur est modulée par des influences contextuelles affectives, sémantiques et perceptives.Cette thèse conclut que l’acte de consommation alimentaire est le reflet de l’expérience qu’ont les consommateurs d’un produit au « moment de consommation ». Plus que simplement comprendre la relation entre le consommateur et le produit, il faut maintenant comprendre cette relation comme étant au centre d’interactions complexes avec le contexte / The overall aim of the present thesis is to study contextual influences on food behaviour (including variables coming from the environment and from the consumer). To this purpose, an immersive method using a space with physical elements was used, in order to evoke a realistic situation within a laboratory setting. Here, the method consisted in designing an immersive bar evoking the situation of “having a drink in a bar”. Two variants of the bar were created and five studies were implemented in these spaces to study how context influences food choices and evaluation. Our approach consisted in taking the product as central in the link between the consumer and the environment and not as a contextual variable itself.From a methodological point of view, the results show that immersive bars are a flexible tool evoking a realistic situation. They can be used to study the effects of an integrated set of contextual factors and to determine the relative weight of each of these factors. From a theoretical point of view, the results underscore that in a specific situation, contextual variables are interacting together to create what we called a “moment of consumption”. When a product is consumed in such a “moment of consumption”, consumers’ product experience is modulated by perceptive, affective and semantic contextual influences.This work concludes that the act of food consumption reflects consumers’ product experience in a “moment of consumption”. Understanding the link between consumer and product cannot be done by appealing only to these two terms but needs to be explained as part of a complex set of contextual interactions

This diploma thesis focuses on suitable innovation of musical instrument marimba. The chosen problem has been verified by three optoins: new bars, new resonators, virtual registers. The work provides an analysis of the whole issue with verification of some samples and their inclusion or exclusion for further use in the research.

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This thesis has investigated the application of CFRP and GFRP bars as longitudinal reinforcement for continuously supported concrete beams. Two series of simply and continuously supported CFRP and GFRP reinforced concrete beams were tested in flexure. In addition, a continuously supported steel reinforced concrete beam was tested for comparison purposes. The FRP reinforced concrete continuous beams were reinforced in a way to accomplish three possible reinforcement combinations at the top and bottom layers of such continuous beams. The experimental results revealed that over-reinforcing the bottom layer of either the simply or continuously supported FRP beams is a key factor in controlling the width and propagation of cracks, enhancing the load capacity, and reducing the deflection of such beams. However, continuous concrete beams reinforced with CFRP bars exhibited a remarkable wide crack over the middle support that significantly influenced their behaviour. The ACI 440.1R-06 equations have been validated against experimental results of beams tested. Comparisons between experimental results and those obtained from simplified methods proposed by the ACI 440 Committee show that ACI 440.1R-06 equations can reasonably predict the load capacity and deflection of the simply and continuously supported GFRP reinforced concrete beams tested. However, The potential capabilities of these equations for predicting the load capacity and deflection of continuous CFRP reinforced concrete beams have, however, been adversely affected by the de-bonding of top CFRP bars from concrete. An analytical technique, which presents an iterative procedure based on satisfying force equilibrium and deformation compatibility conditions, has been introduced in this research. This technique developed a computer program to investigate flexural behaviour in particular the flexural strength and deflection of simple and continuously supported FRP reinforced concrete beams. The analytical modelling program has been compared against different prediction methods, namely ACI 440, the bilinear method, mean moment inertia method and Benmokrane's method. This comparison revealed the reliability of this programme in producing more enhanced results in predicting the behaviour of the FRP reinforced beams more than the above stated methods.

The thesis aims to build a business plan for the project of a unique devices Decibar. The first part is theoretical and describes various forms and structures of business plans. The second part is the actual business plan. It includes description of business opportunity, product description, market analysis, marketing strategy, financial plan, SWOT analysis and potential risks. Result of this work is to assess the feasibility of the business plan

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Johannesburg, 2017 / Many reinforced concrete (RC) structures in inland environment deteriorate early due to carbonation-induced corrosion of their reinforcement. In some cases, the deterioration is visible within a few years of construction in the form of cover concrete cracking. This is widely accepted as one of the limit state indicators in defining the end of functional service life for existing RC structures undergoing corrosion. Many of the currently available service life prediction models are incapable of providing realistic service life estimates of RC structures beyond the corrosion initiation stage. Therefore, the need to incorporate the corrosion initiation and propagation stages in a comprehensive durability prediction approach has been receiving much research attention. In this research, empirical models were developed for predicting carbonation rate and the amount of steel radius loss required to initiate a first visible crack in concretes exposed to Johannesburg environment. The experimental data for the models were obtained from investigations of carbonation-induced reinforcement corrosion, which were explored in three phases; (i) concrete early-age durability and strength characteristics (ii) carbonation rate of different concrete mixes exposed to the natural inland environment (iii) amount of steel radius loss required to initiate the first visible crack on the pre-carbonated cover concretes exposed to an unsheltered environment. The experimental variables for the earlyage durability and strength tests were; water/binder ratio (w/b) and binder type; w/b, binder type, initial moist curing duration and exposure conditions are the experimental variables for the carbonation rate test. Cover depth, reinforcement diameter, binder type and w/b variables were considered for the corrosion cracking test. The results showed that an improvement in concrete quality (binder type, w/b ratio and extending the initial moist curing duration) and increment in cover thickness improved the durability of the RC structures exposed to the natural inland environment. Based on the trends in the observed experimental results, models to predict carbonation rate and the amount of steel radius loss required to initiate cover cracking in concrete were developed. The proposed models’ predictions are more closer to the measured values and compared well with the predictions of some previous models which indicate their respective predictive applications. They provide a general basis for durability analysis of RC structures in inland environment and can serve as basis for condition assessment of existing structures in the inland environment. Engineers can appreciate the consequences of design options on the service life of RC structures, while owners of RC structures can have information about how long their RC structures may last before any repair is envisaged / XL2018

O amaranto é um pseudocereal de grande valor nutricional que apresenta quantidade de fibras e proteína superior aos cereais usualmente consumidos. Características como o aproveitamento integral da planta e a sua capacidade de adaptação ao solo despertaram o interesse dos pesquisadores em cultivá-lo no Brasil. Objetivo: Desenvolver um processo para obtenção de cereais matinais e barras de cereal à base de amaranto visando a máxima aceitação e mínima perda de nutrientes. Metodologia: O cereal matinal foi produzido em extrusora de rosca única com capacidade de produção semi-industrial e as barras de cereal de acordo com técnica dietética apropriada. A modelagem da produção dos cereais matinais foi realizada empregando-se a metodologia de superfície de resposta, as variáveis dependentes (resposta) escolhidas foram razão de expansão máxima (RE) e força de cisalhamento mínima (FC), as variáveis independentes foram umidade da amostra e temperatura da terceira zona de aquecimento da extrusora. Resultados: Após dois delineamentos compostos centrais verificou-se que a umidade da amostra não exerceu efeito significativo no produto final, dessa forma a variável independente de importância para o estudo foi a temperatura do processamento. O ponto ótimo para o cereal matinal desenvolvido com a farinha desengordurada foi 15% de umidade e 140º C na terceira zona de aquecimento. Foi elaborado um segundo cereal matinal com o grão integral e esse apresentou as mesmas características de expansão e textura do cereal com farinha desengordurada. Os provadores preferiram a amostra com farinha desengordurada, que obteve 72% de notas acima do ponto de corte pré-estabelecido (nota 7). Foram confeccionados dois tipos de barra de cereais, ambas com 70% de amaranto, uma apenas com amaranto estourado e outra com uma mistura de amaranto estourado e extrusado. O teor de fibra e proteína nas duas preparações foi superior ao de produtos similares sem amaranto. A barra de cereal somente com amaranto estourado foi preferida por 66% dos provadores, sendo que 77% atribuíram à mesma, notas superiores à de corte. Conclusão: A composição nutricional dos produtos desenvolvidos é superior aos similares confeccionados com outros cereais e ambos apresentaram alta aceitabilidade. / Amaranth is a pseudocereal of great nutritional value that exhibits amounts of fiber and protein higher than the usually consumed cereals. The agronomic characteristics and the possibility of utilization of the entire plant drew sufficient interest among plant breeders to produce this grain in Brazil. Objective: To develop amaranth-based breakfast cereals and cereal bars aimed at the maximal acceptance and minimal loss of nutrients. Methodology: The breakfast cereal was produced in a single screw extruder with semi-industrial capacity and the cereal bars in accordance with appropriate dietary technique. Results: After two central composite designs, it became evident that the independent variable of importance for the study was the temperature. It was observed that the moisture of the sample did not exert any significant effect in the final product within the range studied. Best results were obtained with 15% moisture and 140º C at the third zone. A breakfast cereal developed with the whole grain exhibited the same characteristics of expansion and texture of a product manufactured with the defatted flour. The sensory panel preferred the sample prepared with defatted flour, which obtained 72% of the grades above the pre-established cutting point 7. Two types of cereal bars, both containing 70% of amaranth, one with popped amaranth and another with a mixture of popped and extruded amaranth. The amount of protein and fiber was higher in these products when compared with similar formulations without amaranth. Cereal bars containing only the popped amaranth were preferred by 66% of the panel of whom 77% assigned grades equal to or higher than the cutting point. Conclusion: The nutritional value of the developed products is superior to the similars confectioned with other cereals and they had high acceptability.

Emendas por traspasse são criadas pela justaposição de barras de aço em um determinado comprimento, assegurando que elas se manterão em posição. Assim como em outros sistemas estruturais, a alvenaria estrutural de blocos de concreto utiliza barras de aço como reforço dos elementos quanto à resistência à tração, mais proeminentes em edifícios altos devido à ação dos ventos. As armaduras são projetadas para serem alocados no interior dos blocos, e a prática construtiva no Brasil é posicionar as armaduras de aço antes dos blocos serem assentados. Devido à essa prática, as paredes precisam ser construídas em pelo menos duas etapas, para considerar a altura limite imposta pela armadura posicionada ao operário na elevação dos blocos. Para aumentar a eficiência na elevação das paredes de alvenaria, hélices circulares são propostas como componentes de confinamento do graute que envolve a emenda, permitindo a elevação da parede em etapa única. A armadura é colocada dentro da seção transversal da espiral após a parede de alvenaria ser completamente elevada. O objetivo desta investigação é avaliar a eficiência da emenda por traspasse, com hélice circular atuando como componente do confinamento do graute que envolve a emenda. Quatro configurações de emenda distintas foram ensaiadas: a primeira, referência, foi justaposta e amarrada com arame; a segunda foi espaçada, porém sem a presença de um componente de confinamento; a terceira foi espaçada e continha uma hélice circular com passo de 3,5 cm; e a quarta foi espaçada e continha uma hélice circular com passo de 8,0 cm. Os ensaios permitiram concluir que a hélice de traspasse é um componente eficiente no confinamento das emendas por traspasse em alvenaria estrutural de blocos de concreto. Análises estatísticas dos resultados demonstram que emendas por a emenda com hélice circular de 3,5 cm não só é equivalente à emenda por referência do ponto de vista da resistência à tração, como também contribui para a redução de fissuras. / Lap slices are created by the overlapping of reinforcement bars over a specified length and reassuring that they stay in place. As with other structural systems, concrete block masonry uses reinforcing steel to carry the tensile loads which are more prominent on tall buildings due to the effect of wind. Reinforcing bars are designed to be placed inside block cells. The construction practice in Brazil is to place the reinforcing steel before the block units are laid. With this practice, walls need to be built in at least two lifts to account for the height limits imposed by the mason having to lift each block over the reinforcing bars. To increase the efficiency of wall construction, spirals are proposed as confinement components of the grout surrounding the lap splices, allowing a single-lift wall construction. The vertical reinforcement is then placed inside the cross-section of the spiral after the laying of blocks is complete. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the efficiency of lap splices with spirals as confinement components of grout. Four types of single-bar splice specimens were prepared during the test program consisting of: first, contact lap splices tied by steel lock wires; second, non-contact lap splices without any confinement components; third, non-contact lap splices with the surrounding grout confined by spirals with 35 mm pitch; fourth, non-contact lap splices with the surrounding grout confined by spirals with 80 mm pitch. The results of the experimental program show that spirals are efficient confinement components of non-contact lap splices in concrete block masonry. Statistical analysis of results demonstrate that non-contact lap splices confined by spirals with 35 mm pitch are not only equivalent with contact lap splices regarding their ultimate tensile resistance, but also contribute to the reduction of cracks.

Prevention of the corrosion of steel reinforcement embedded in concrete is a constant challenge in engineering. A study of concrete surface resistivity versus elevation of partially immersed reinforced concrete structures in a marine splash zone has been developed and correlations made between concrete quality and chloride diffusion, i.e., aggressive ion permeability. A conditioning procedure was developed in which the concrete moisture content is increased by direct contact with fresh water for several days. The electrical resistivity of concrete is known to be primarily a function of the degree of water saturation. Correlations between field obtained concrete surface resistivity values versus chloride diffusivity, and between normalized resistivity measured on cores obtained from the field versus chloride diffusivity has been established. The resistivity values were measured on structures with different concrete mixes and various ages. / by Andres M. Suarez-Solano. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

O presente trabalho consiste no aprimoramento de formulação do Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF) para barra geral laminada tridimensional pela consideração da cinemática de empenamento para seção qualquer. Desenvolve-se um código computacional para se solucionar o empenamento, considerando-se uma derivada do giro em relação ao eixo longitudinal de valor unitário, do problema de torção livre de Saint-Venant para uma seção transversal de geometria qualquer, homogênea e não-homogênea. Posteriormente o código desenvolvido é adaptado de forma a ser acoplado a um programa com formulação de barra geral tridimensional laminada, que segue a cinemática de Reissner-Timoshenko generalizada, enriquecendo-o com a consideração do empenamento. A primeira contribuição significativa do desenvolvimento do trabalho é a inclusão de geometrias quaisquer para a seção transversal, possibilitando, por exemplo, a consideração de núcleos estruturais mistos em edifícios, abertos e fechados por trechos. A segunda contribuição é referente à consideração de material laminado, possibilitando considerar núcleos estruturais de materiais compostos. Exemplos gerais são resolvidos para a verificação e validação da formulação proposta e implementada. / In the present work an improved finite element formulation for the analysis of three-dimensional laminated bars is presented. The improvement is made by introducing the warping mode into the previous model that follows a general Reissner-Timoshenko kinematics hypotesis. In order to do so, a two-dimensional code is developed, based on Saint Venant\'s torsion problem; to find the warping mode for any considered cross-section, including non-homogeneous material. Each warping mode is achieved for unitary rotation by unit of length. This warping mode is weighted by a new parameter, the intensity of warping, and then added to the Reissner-Timoshenko kinematics, resulting into the enhanced formulation. The existent computational code is modified accordingly to this new kinematics and tested regarding its capacity of reproducing analytical results for Saint-Venant torsion and Vlasov bending-torsion theories. Some results for laminated cross sections are also provided. It is worth stressing that the main contributions of this work are two. The first is the consideration of warping for general 3D bars with any cross section, i.e., not limited to thin-walled cross sections. The second is the consideration of laminated materials for any cross section.