O uso de sistemas de faceamento flexíveis com malhas metálicas é uma alternativa viável ao uso do concreto projetado como faceamento em sistemas de solo grampeado. Vários modelos de malhas são empregados hoje para este uso, sendo classificados pela resistência à tração no sentido longitudinal. Mesmo que relevante, segundo Cala et al., (2012), somente este dado é insuficiente para o correto dimensionamento destas soluções. A presente pesquisa busca identificar quais os parâmetros de resistência são necessários para o dimensionamento de um faceamento em malha metálica. Para tanto foram avaliadas duas metodologias desenvolvidas especificamente para as malhas aplicadas junto com a solução de solo grampeado, os métodos Ruvolum e Macro1. Foram então desenvolvidos equipamentos, similares aos utilizados por Roduner (2011) e Cala et al. (2012), para caracterizar 4 diferentes modelos de malhas, avaliando a resistência das mesmas frente aos esforços considerados nos modelos de cálculo investigados, tração e o cisalhamento no contato malha/grampo. Deste modo, foram utilizados resultados de ensaios em escala real com a simulação de um talude em solo tratado com as 4 malhas, para a validação dos métodos de dimensionamento, e para investigar quais os parâmetros de resistência da malha são mais importantes. Como resultado foram determinadas as resistências das malhas avaliadas, sendo a de tração no sentido longitudinal entre 50 e 140 kN, e a resistência no contato malha/grampo, que variou entre 10 e 30 kN. Por fim foi realizada uma análise paramétrica com o método Ruvolum a fim de verificar a influência na variação da coesão, espessura instável e ângulo de atrito, dados nem sempre bem definidos em projeto. Os resultados mostram, como era esperado, a grande sensibilidade da variação nos resultados frente aos efeitos da coesão, sendo então recomendado, como em qualquer análise de estabilidade cautela no uso deste parâmetro. A análise destes resultados permite concluir que o método mais adequado para modelar um talude em solo grampeado com face em tela foi o Ruvolum, com previsões que se aproximaram das medições reais dos ensaios de campo. / The use of flexible facing systems with steel meshes is a viable alternative to the use of shotcrete as facing in soil nailing systems. Currently several different models meshes are being used today for this purpose, being classified only by the tensile strength in the longitudinal direction of the mesh. Even though this parameter is quite relevant, alone it cannot be used to design the flexible facing systems. So this research aims to identify which steel mesh strength parameters are really needed for the correct dimensioning of such solutions. In order to do so two calculation methodologies, specially developed for steel meshes design, were investigated. The design models are called Ruvolum and Macro1 Equipments were developed, similar to those presented in Cala et al. (2012), to investigate four different models of mesh, in order to find the strength parameters presented on the studied calculation models, being than tensile and shear. Thus, to validate the investigated design methodologies, field tests results were compared to the models predictions. As product of the research it was possible to determine the tensile strength of the 4 meshes models, being then ranging from 50 and 140 kN. Also it was possible to define the shear resistance in the nail head/mesh contact, which ranges from 10 to 30 kN. The last step of the research was a parametric analysis, performed with the Ruvolum method to evaluate the influence on the variation of cohesion, unstable thickness and friction angle in the predictions, since this data aren’t always available in ordinary projects. These analysis have showed that the most influent parameter is cohesion, one that is very hard to determine. Also it was found by the results analysis that the appropriate calculation model to simulate a slope stabilized with soil nail and steel meshes facing is the Ruvolum, due the closeness of the predictions to the real field data.

Track stiffness is the one of the most critical parameters of the track structure. Its evaluation is important to assess track quality, component performance, localised faults and optimise maintenance periods and activities. Keeping the track stiffness within acceptable range of values is connected with keeping the railway network in a satisfactorily performing condition, allowing thereby upgrade of its capacity (speed, load, intensity). Current railway standards are changing to define loading and stiffness requirements for improved ballasted and ballastless performance under high speed train traffic. In recent years various techniques have been used to measure track deflection which have been also used to validate numerical models to assess various problems within the railway network. Based on recent introduction of the Video Gauge for its application in the civil engineering industry this project provides the proof of effective applicability of this DIC (Digital image correlation) tool for the accurate assessment of track deflection and the calculation of track stiffness through its effective applicability in various track conditions for assessing the stiffness of various track forms including track irregularities where abrupt change in track stiffness occur such as transition zones and rail joints. Attention is given in validation of numerical modelling of the response of insulated rail joints under the passage of wheel load within the goal to improve track performance adjacent to rail joints and contribute to the sponsoring company s product offering. This project shows a means of improving the rail joint behaviour by using external structural reinforcement, and this is presented through numerical modelling validated by laboratory and field measurements. The structural response of insulated rail joints (IRJs) under the wheel vertical load passage is presented to enhance industry understanding of the effect of critical factors of IRJ response for various IRJ types that was served as a parametric FE model template for commercial studies for product optimisation.

Hot mix asphalt (HMA) is a composite material that exhibits a nonlinear response that is dependent on temperature, type of loading and strain level. The properties of HMA are highly influenced by the type and amount of the constituents used and also depend on its internal structure. In such a material the variable effects of the compaction process assume a central importance in determining material performance. It is generally accepted that the theoretical knowledge about material behavior during compaction is limited and it is therefore hard to predict and manage (the effect of) a compaction process. This work makes an attempt to address such a specific need by developing a continuum model that can be adapted for simulating the compaction of hot mix asphalt (HMA) using the notion of multiple natural configurations. A thermodynamic framework is employed to study the non-linear dissipative response associated with HMA by specifying the forms for the stored energy and the rate of dissipation function for the material; a viscoelastic compressible fluid model is developed using this framework to model the compaction of hot mix asphalt. It is further anticipated that the present work will aid in the development of better constitutive models capable of capturing the mechanics of processes like compaction both in the laboratory and in the field. The continuum model developed was implemented in the finite element method, which was employed to setup a simulation environment for hot mix asphalt compaction. The finite element method was used for simulating compaction in the laboratory and in various field compaction projects.

O uso de sistemas de faceamento flexíveis com malhas metálicas é uma alternativa viável ao uso do concreto projetado como faceamento em sistemas de solo grampeado. Vários modelos de malhas são empregados hoje para este uso, sendo classificados pela resistência à tração no sentido longitudinal. Mesmo que relevante, segundo Cala et al., (2012), somente este dado é insuficiente para o correto dimensionamento destas soluções. A presente pesquisa busca identificar quais os parâmetros de resistência são necessários para o dimensionamento de um faceamento em malha metálica. Para tanto foram avaliadas duas metodologias desenvolvidas especificamente para as malhas aplicadas junto com a solução de solo grampeado, os métodos Ruvolum e Macro1. Foram então desenvolvidos equipamentos, similares aos utilizados por Roduner (2011) e Cala et al. (2012), para caracterizar 4 diferentes modelos de malhas, avaliando a resistência das mesmas frente aos esforços considerados nos modelos de cálculo investigados, tração e o cisalhamento no contato malha/grampo. Deste modo, foram utilizados resultados de ensaios em escala real com a simulação de um talude em solo tratado com as 4 malhas, para a validação dos métodos de dimensionamento, e para investigar quais os parâmetros de resistência da malha são mais importantes. Como resultado foram determinadas as resistências das malhas avaliadas, sendo a de tração no sentido longitudinal entre 50 e 140 kN, e a resistência no contato malha/grampo, que variou entre 10 e 30 kN. Por fim foi realizada uma análise paramétrica com o método Ruvolum a fim de verificar a influência na variação da coesão, espessura instável e ângulo de atrito, dados nem sempre bem definidos em projeto. Os resultados mostram, como era esperado, a grande sensibilidade da variação nos resultados frente aos efeitos da coesão, sendo então recomendado, como em qualquer análise de estabilidade cautela no uso deste parâmetro. A análise destes resultados permite concluir que o método mais adequado para modelar um talude em solo grampeado com face em tela foi o Ruvolum, com previsões que se aproximaram das medições reais dos ensaios de campo. / The use of flexible facing systems with steel meshes is a viable alternative to the use of shotcrete as facing in soil nailing systems. Currently several different models meshes are being used today for this purpose, being classified only by the tensile strength in the longitudinal direction of the mesh. Even though this parameter is quite relevant, alone it cannot be used to design the flexible facing systems. So this research aims to identify which steel mesh strength parameters are really needed for the correct dimensioning of such solutions. In order to do so two calculation methodologies, specially developed for steel meshes design, were investigated. The design models are called Ruvolum and Macro1 Equipments were developed, similar to those presented in Cala et al. (2012), to investigate four different models of mesh, in order to find the strength parameters presented on the studied calculation models, being than tensile and shear. Thus, to validate the investigated design methodologies, field tests results were compared to the models predictions. As product of the research it was possible to determine the tensile strength of the 4 meshes models, being then ranging from 50 and 140 kN. Also it was possible to define the shear resistance in the nail head/mesh contact, which ranges from 10 to 30 kN. The last step of the research was a parametric analysis, performed with the Ruvolum method to evaluate the influence on the variation of cohesion, unstable thickness and friction angle in the predictions, since this data aren’t always available in ordinary projects. These analysis have showed that the most influent parameter is cohesion, one that is very hard to determine. Also it was found by the results analysis that the appropriate calculation model to simulate a slope stabilized with soil nail and steel meshes facing is the Ruvolum, due the closeness of the predictions to the real field data.

O uso de sistemas de faceamento flexíveis com malhas metálicas é uma alternativa viável ao uso do concreto projetado como faceamento em sistemas de solo grampeado. Vários modelos de malhas são empregados hoje para este uso, sendo classificados pela resistência à tração no sentido longitudinal. Mesmo que relevante, segundo Cala et al., (2012), somente este dado é insuficiente para o correto dimensionamento destas soluções. A presente pesquisa busca identificar quais os parâmetros de resistência são necessários para o dimensionamento de um faceamento em malha metálica. Para tanto foram avaliadas duas metodologias desenvolvidas especificamente para as malhas aplicadas junto com a solução de solo grampeado, os métodos Ruvolum e Macro1. Foram então desenvolvidos equipamentos, similares aos utilizados por Roduner (2011) e Cala et al. (2012), para caracterizar 4 diferentes modelos de malhas, avaliando a resistência das mesmas frente aos esforços considerados nos modelos de cálculo investigados, tração e o cisalhamento no contato malha/grampo. Deste modo, foram utilizados resultados de ensaios em escala real com a simulação de um talude em solo tratado com as 4 malhas, para a validação dos métodos de dimensionamento, e para investigar quais os parâmetros de resistência da malha são mais importantes. Como resultado foram determinadas as resistências das malhas avaliadas, sendo a de tração no sentido longitudinal entre 50 e 140 kN, e a resistência no contato malha/grampo, que variou entre 10 e 30 kN. Por fim foi realizada uma análise paramétrica com o método Ruvolum a fim de verificar a influência na variação da coesão, espessura instável e ângulo de atrito, dados nem sempre bem definidos em projeto. Os resultados mostram, como era esperado, a grande sensibilidade da variação nos resultados frente aos efeitos da coesão, sendo então recomendado, como em qualquer análise de estabilidade cautela no uso deste parâmetro. A análise destes resultados permite concluir que o método mais adequado para modelar um talude em solo grampeado com face em tela foi o Ruvolum, com previsões que se aproximaram das medições reais dos ensaios de campo. / The use of flexible facing systems with steel meshes is a viable alternative to the use of shotcrete as facing in soil nailing systems. Currently several different models meshes are being used today for this purpose, being classified only by the tensile strength in the longitudinal direction of the mesh. Even though this parameter is quite relevant, alone it cannot be used to design the flexible facing systems. So this research aims to identify which steel mesh strength parameters are really needed for the correct dimensioning of such solutions. In order to do so two calculation methodologies, specially developed for steel meshes design, were investigated. The design models are called Ruvolum and Macro1 Equipments were developed, similar to those presented in Cala et al. (2012), to investigate four different models of mesh, in order to find the strength parameters presented on the studied calculation models, being than tensile and shear. Thus, to validate the investigated design methodologies, field tests results were compared to the models predictions. As product of the research it was possible to determine the tensile strength of the 4 meshes models, being then ranging from 50 and 140 kN. Also it was possible to define the shear resistance in the nail head/mesh contact, which ranges from 10 to 30 kN. The last step of the research was a parametric analysis, performed with the Ruvolum method to evaluate the influence on the variation of cohesion, unstable thickness and friction angle in the predictions, since this data aren’t always available in ordinary projects. These analysis have showed that the most influent parameter is cohesion, one that is very hard to determine. Also it was found by the results analysis that the appropriate calculation model to simulate a slope stabilized with soil nail and steel meshes facing is the Ruvolum, due the closeness of the predictions to the real field data.

The drainage behaviour of sports pitches is not well understood nor has performance been measured in the past. Within planning authorities there is a perceived contribution of pitch water discharge to local flood risk; whereby all the rainfall surface runoff is rapidly channelled through the drainage system to the pitch outfall. However, empirical evidence from industry suggested that this may not be a realistic assumption from observations of low drainage volumes yielded from pitch drainage systems. Furthermore, discharge constraints imposed have in many cases resulted in grossly over-designed off-line drainage attenuation systems for new sports developments through lack of understanding. In contrast, sports pitches indeed have the potential to enhance the attenuation performance of the subsoils and provide localised effective management of surface water runoff, and a significant storage volume if designed appropriately The findings in this thesis confirm that pitch bases demonstrate the key functions that are in fact reflected in the design requirements of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS). This PhD research project was conducted to investigate and document the performance of common pitch construction and drainage systems to better characterise the key drainage mechanisms that occur and control the flow of surface rain water through the pitch to the discharge outfall. The project developed a triangulated approach to the investigations, comprising: field measurements of climate and discharge behaviour at a range of artificial and natural turf pitches in England; laboratory physical model testing of pitch component hydraulics; and predictive mathematical modelling of how a pitch system may be expected to perform hydraulically based on key material and system drainage principles. The field monitoring systems were developed as part of the research, as was bespoke laboratory physical simulation of a pitch construction. It was found that very variable yields (% out versus % in) of water were detected from the monitored field sites. The values varied across a range of < 1 to 88%, with the natural turf providing higher yields in general. The antecedent weather patterns did not show a clear relationship with yield as might have been expected. However, it was not always possible to retrieve detailed information on the subsoil conditions or hydraulic capability reducing the conclusiveness of the discharge flow measurements. The scaled laboratory testing of pitch materials established the importance and magnitude of barriers to percolation of surface water through the layers of the pitch constructions, in particular artificial pitch profiles. It was found that a significant proportion of the total rainfall head was required to instigate percolation of surface water through the carpet and into the pitch i.e. breakthrough head. In addition, several constituent pitch materials exhibited water retention characteristics that reduced that rate of free percolation of surface water through the pitch profile. The net impact is to reduce the net available head of water to further drive flow through the layers to the pipe network drainage system. A conceptual hydraulic model, developed from the literature, was further developed into a simple numerical model. The model was informed by parameters determined from the laboratory measurements and key groundwater drainage flow theory to attempt to replicate a pitch drainage system. It was envisaged that the models would be validated by the field data, although this proved challenging as a result of the field data variability and the multivariate nature of the influences on flows measured. A key finding of the modelling was further establishing the likely head of water generated at the interfaces between the bottom of the granular sub-base and the pipe collection drainage system beneath. This resulted in limited pipe infiltration and low total flows to the outfall, further corroborating the project field results and the anecdotal observations from practitioners. The combined unique data sets provide a refined model for sports pitch drainage to both reinforce understanding and inform practical design and operation.

[pt] Os solos moles geram preocupações nos projetos de engenharia devido à sua alta compressibilidade e baixa resistência. Estes tipos de solos têm sido alvo de pesquisas, especialmente no litoral brasileiro, necessitando de contínuas investigações para sua melhor compreensão. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho apresenta a caracterização de um depósito de argila mole em Guaratiba, zona oeste do município do Rio de Janeiro. As amostras foram coletadas de uma área onde seria realizada a Missa da Jornada Mundial da Juventude – JMJ de 2013, denominada Campus Fidei. Para caracterização do depósito foram realizados ensaios de campo e laboratório, a saber, SPT, CPTu, Vane Test, adensamento edométrico convencional e ensaios triaxiais drenados e não drenados, além dos ensaios de caracterização físico-química, imprescindíveis para solos moles. Os resultados obtidos possibilitaram a obtenção de propriedades consideradas fundamentais para entendimento do comportamento desses solos, tais como, resistência ao cisalhamento não drenada, razão de sobreadensamento dos depósitos e coeficientes de adensamento. Os parâmetros geotécnicos obtidos mostraram-se concordantes com os valores encontrados na literatura no que tange aos solos moles da região. / [en] Soft ground generates concerns in engineering projects due to its high compressibility and low strength. These types of soils have been the subject of research in soil mechanics, especially on the Brazilian coast, requiring continuous investigations for better understand its behavior. In this context, this work presents the characterization of a soft clay deposit in Guaratiba, west of Rio de Janeiro city. Samples were collected from an area where it would celebrate the Mass of World Youth Day – WYD, called Campus Fidei. The characterization involved field and laboratory tests: SPT, CPTu, Vane test, conventional density and drained and undrained triaxial tests, in addition to the physical-chemical characterization. The results enabled the determination of some properties considered fundamentals to understanding the behavior of these soils, such as undrained shear strength, over consolidation ratio of deposits and consolidation coefficients. The found geotechnical parameters are consistent with the literature values with respect to the soft soils of the region.

Nosso grupo de pesquisa estuda ritmos circadianos em um roedor subterrâneo do gênero Ctenomys, o tuco-tuco. Nesta tese, apresentarei dados sobre sincronização fótica e não-fótica dos ritmos circadianos em tuco-tucos, e sobre sincronização não-fótica em camundongos. Investigamos a sincronização fótica em tuco-tucos por meio de uma abordagem conjunta de campo e laboratório. Inicialmente medimos o ciclo claro/escuro natural percebido por animais mantidos em áreas cercadas em campo, utilizando aparelhos light loggers que registraram continuamente o padrão temporal diário da exposição à luz. Em seguida, foi aplicado um modelo desse padrão de exposição à luz em laboratório, para testar o seu potencial como um sincronizador fótico dos ritmos circadianos dos tuco-tucos. O modelo consistiu em pulsos de luz aplicados uma vez por dia em diferentes momentos aleatórios. Apesar de carregar o mínimo de informação temporal, esse regime luminoso foi um sincronizador eficiente em muitos casos, tal como previsto anteriormente a partir de simulações computacionais de um oscilador matemático. Os resultados revelam que a sincronização de osciladores circadianos é ainda mais robusta do que se imaginava. Nosso segundo conjunto de experimentos avaliou a sincronização não-fótica em tuco-tucos, os quais são herbívoros, expostos a ciclos diários de disponibilidade de alimentos. Semelhante a outras espécies de roedores, tuco-tucos desenvolveram uma atividade antecipatória ao alimento, expressa diariamente antes da alimentação. Houve, no entanto, grande variabilidade inter-individual na expressão da atividade antecipatória, provavelmente relacionada com diferenças nas respostas metabólicas à restrição temporal do alimento. O trabalho final foi uma colaboração com o Dr. Shin Yamazaki, sobre sincronização não-fótica em camundongos do tipo selvagem e camundongos mutantes com ablação genética do relógio circadiano. Ciclos diários de alimentos palatáveis e de corrida em roda induziram ritmicidade autossustentada em camundongos mutantes arrítmicos, que não expressavam os genes Period, componentes importantes da maquinaria molecular que gera os ritmos circadianos nas células. Estes resultados sugerem a existência de novos osciladores circadianos que respondem a sinais diários de recompensa. Enquanto espécies modelo de laboratório, tais como o camundongo, podem trazer informações valiosas sobre os mecanismos fisiológicos, as espécies selvagens como o tuco-tuco podem nos dar pistas sobre o significado ecológico dos fenômenos circadianos / Our research group studies circadian rhythms in a subterranean rodent from the genus Ctenomys, the tuco-tuco. In this thesis, I will present data on photic and non-photic synchronization of circadian rhythms in tuco-tucos, as well as a study on non-photic synchronization in the laboratory mouse. Natural photic synchronization in tuco-tucos was verified with field and laboratory approaches. We initially measured the natural light/dark cycle experienced by tuco-tucos in semi natural field enclosures, by means of automatic light logger devices that continuously recorded the daily temporal pattern of light exposure. Next, a model of this light exposure pattern was applied to tuco-tucos in the laboratory, to test its potential as a photic synchronizer of the circadian rhythms. The model consisted of single light pulses applied once a day at varying random times. Despite the minimal timing information, this light regimen was a successful synchronizer in many instances, as predicted from previous computer simulations of a mathematical oscillator. These results revealed that the synchronization of circadian oscillators is even more robust than previously thought. Our second set of experiments evaluated the non-photic synchronization in the herbivorous tuco-tucos, by exposing animals to daily cycles of food availability. Similar to other rodent species, tuco-tucos in this protocol developed a circadian food anticipatory activity (FAA) right before the daily feeding time. However, there was great interindividual variability in FAA expression, likely related to differences in the metabolic responses to time-restricted feeding. The final work was a collaboration with Dr. Shin Yamazaki from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, regarding non-photic synchronization in wildtype and mutant mice with genetic disruption of the circadian clock. Daily cycles of palatable food and wheel running induced self-sustaining rhythmicity in arrhythmic mutant mice, which do not express the Period genes, key components of the molecular machinery responsible for circadian rhythm generation within the cells. These results suggest the existence of novel circadian oscillators responsive to daily rewarding signals. While model laboratory species such as the mouse can bring valuable information on physiological mechanisms, wild species like the tuco-tuco can give us insights into the ecological meaning of circadian phenomena

Nosso grupo de pesquisa estuda ritmos circadianos em um roedor subterrâneo do gênero Ctenomys, o tuco-tuco. Nesta tese, apresentarei dados sobre sincronização fótica e não-fótica dos ritmos circadianos em tuco-tucos, e sobre sincronização não-fótica em camundongos. Investigamos a sincronização fótica em tuco-tucos por meio de uma abordagem conjunta de campo e laboratório. Inicialmente medimos o ciclo claro/escuro natural percebido por animais mantidos em áreas cercadas em campo, utilizando aparelhos light loggers que registraram continuamente o padrão temporal diário da exposição à luz. Em seguida, foi aplicado um modelo desse padrão de exposição à luz em laboratório, para testar o seu potencial como um sincronizador fótico dos ritmos circadianos dos tuco-tucos. O modelo consistiu em pulsos de luz aplicados uma vez por dia em diferentes momentos aleatórios. Apesar de carregar o mínimo de informação temporal, esse regime luminoso foi um sincronizador eficiente em muitos casos, tal como previsto anteriormente a partir de simulações computacionais de um oscilador matemático. Os resultados revelam que a sincronização de osciladores circadianos é ainda mais robusta do que se imaginava. Nosso segundo conjunto de experimentos avaliou a sincronização não-fótica em tuco-tucos, os quais são herbívoros, expostos a ciclos diários de disponibilidade de alimentos. Semelhante a outras espécies de roedores, tuco-tucos desenvolveram uma atividade antecipatória ao alimento, expressa diariamente antes da alimentação. Houve, no entanto, grande variabilidade inter-individual na expressão da atividade antecipatória, provavelmente relacionada com diferenças nas respostas metabólicas à restrição temporal do alimento. O trabalho final foi uma colaboração com o Dr. Shin Yamazaki, sobre sincronização não-fótica em camundongos do tipo selvagem e camundongos mutantes com ablação genética do relógio circadiano. Ciclos diários de alimentos palatáveis e de corrida em roda induziram ritmicidade autossustentada em camundongos mutantes arrítmicos, que não expressavam os genes Period, componentes importantes da maquinaria molecular que gera os ritmos circadianos nas células. Estes resultados sugerem a existência de novos osciladores circadianos que respondem a sinais diários de recompensa. Enquanto espécies modelo de laboratório, tais como o camundongo, podem trazer informações valiosas sobre os mecanismos fisiológicos, as espécies selvagens como o tuco-tuco podem nos dar pistas sobre o significado ecológico dos fenômenos circadianos / Our research group studies circadian rhythms in a subterranean rodent from the genus Ctenomys, the tuco-tuco. In this thesis, I will present data on photic and non-photic synchronization of circadian rhythms in tuco-tucos, as well as a study on non-photic synchronization in the laboratory mouse. Natural photic synchronization in tuco-tucos was verified with field and laboratory approaches. We initially measured the natural light/dark cycle experienced by tuco-tucos in semi natural field enclosures, by means of automatic light logger devices that continuously recorded the daily temporal pattern of light exposure. Next, a model of this light exposure pattern was applied to tuco-tucos in the laboratory, to test its potential as a photic synchronizer of the circadian rhythms. The model consisted of single light pulses applied once a day at varying random times. Despite the minimal timing information, this light regimen was a successful synchronizer in many instances, as predicted from previous computer simulations of a mathematical oscillator. These results revealed that the synchronization of circadian oscillators is even more robust than previously thought. Our second set of experiments evaluated the non-photic synchronization in the herbivorous tuco-tucos, by exposing animals to daily cycles of food availability. Similar to other rodent species, tuco-tucos in this protocol developed a circadian food anticipatory activity (FAA) right before the daily feeding time. However, there was great interindividual variability in FAA expression, likely related to differences in the metabolic responses to time-restricted feeding. The final work was a collaboration with Dr. Shin Yamazaki from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, regarding non-photic synchronization in wildtype and mutant mice with genetic disruption of the circadian clock. Daily cycles of palatable food and wheel running induced self-sustaining rhythmicity in arrhythmic mutant mice, which do not express the Period genes, key components of the molecular machinery responsible for circadian rhythm generation within the cells. These results suggest the existence of novel circadian oscillators responsive to daily rewarding signals. While model laboratory species such as the mouse can bring valuable information on physiological mechanisms, wild species like the tuco-tuco can give us insights into the ecological meaning of circadian phenomena