Na presente tese é resolvida a equação de difusão de nêutrons estacionária, bem como problemas de cinética, em geometria unidimensional cartesiana multi-região considerando o modelo de multigrupos de energia. Um dos objetivos e inovação neste trabalho é a obtenção de uma solução aproximada com estimativa de erro, controle de precisão e na forma de uma expressão analítica. Com esse tipo de solução não há a necessidade de recorrer a esquemas de interpolação, geralmente necessários em caso de discretizações do domínio. O fluxo de nêutrons é expandido em uma série de Taylor cujos coeficientes são encontrados utilizando a equação diferencial e as condições de contorno e interface. O domínio é dividido em várias células, cujo tamanho e o grau do polinômio são ajustáveis de acordo com a precisão requerida. Para resolver o problema de autovalor é utilizado o método da potência. A metodologia é aplicada em um benchmark que consiste na solução da equação de difusão como condição inicial e na solução de problemas de cinética para diferentes transientes. Os resultados são comparados com sucesso com resultados da literatura. A convergência da série é garantida pela aplicação de um raciocínio baseado no critério de Lipschitz para funções contínuas. Cabe ressaltar que a solução obtida, em conjunto com a análise da convergência, mostra a solidez e a precisão dessa metodologia. / In the present dissertation the one-dimensional neutron diffusion equation for stationary and kinetic problems in a multi-layer slab has been solved considering the multi-group energy model. One of the objectives and innovation in this work is to obtain an approximate solution with error estimation, accuracy control and in the form of an analytical expression. With this solution there is no need for interpolation schemes, which are usually needed in case of discretization of the domain. The neutron flux is expanded in a Taylor series whose coefficients are found using the differential equation and the boundary and interface conditions. The domain is divided into several layers, whose size and the polynomial order can be adjusted according to the required accuracy. To solve the eigenvalue problem the conventional power method has been used. The methodology is applied in a benchmark problem consisting of the solution of the diffusion equation as an initial condition and solving kinetic problems for different transients. The results are compared successfully with the ones in the literature. The convergence of the series is guaranteed by applying a criterion based on the Lipschitz criterion for continuous functions. Note that the solution obtained, together with the convergence analysis, shows the robustness and accuracy of this methodology.

Na presente tese é resolvida a equação de difusão de nêutrons estacionária, bem como problemas de cinética, em geometria unidimensional cartesiana multi-região considerando o modelo de multigrupos de energia. Um dos objetivos e inovação neste trabalho é a obtenção de uma solução aproximada com estimativa de erro, controle de precisão e na forma de uma expressão analítica. Com esse tipo de solução não há a necessidade de recorrer a esquemas de interpolação, geralmente necessários em caso de discretizações do domínio. O fluxo de nêutrons é expandido em uma série de Taylor cujos coeficientes são encontrados utilizando a equação diferencial e as condições de contorno e interface. O domínio é dividido em várias células, cujo tamanho e o grau do polinômio são ajustáveis de acordo com a precisão requerida. Para resolver o problema de autovalor é utilizado o método da potência. A metodologia é aplicada em um benchmark que consiste na solução da equação de difusão como condição inicial e na solução de problemas de cinética para diferentes transientes. Os resultados são comparados com sucesso com resultados da literatura. A convergência da série é garantida pela aplicação de um raciocínio baseado no critério de Lipschitz para funções contínuas. Cabe ressaltar que a solução obtida, em conjunto com a análise da convergência, mostra a solidez e a precisão dessa metodologia. / In the present dissertation the one-dimensional neutron diffusion equation for stationary and kinetic problems in a multi-layer slab has been solved considering the multi-group energy model. One of the objectives and innovation in this work is to obtain an approximate solution with error estimation, accuracy control and in the form of an analytical expression. With this solution there is no need for interpolation schemes, which are usually needed in case of discretization of the domain. The neutron flux is expanded in a Taylor series whose coefficients are found using the differential equation and the boundary and interface conditions. The domain is divided into several layers, whose size and the polynomial order can be adjusted according to the required accuracy. To solve the eigenvalue problem the conventional power method has been used. The methodology is applied in a benchmark problem consisting of the solution of the diffusion equation as an initial condition and solving kinetic problems for different transients. The results are compared successfully with the ones in the literature. The convergence of the series is guaranteed by applying a criterion based on the Lipschitz criterion for continuous functions. Note that the solution obtained, together with the convergence analysis, shows the robustness and accuracy of this methodology.

In this thesis, the optimum design algorithm is presented for reinforced concrete special moment frames. The objective function is considered as the total cost of reinforced concrete frame which includes the cost of concrete, formwork and reinforcing steel bars. The cost of any component is inclusive of material, fabrication and labor. The design variables in beams are selected as the width and the depth of beams in each span, the diameter and the number of longitudinal reinforcement bars along the span and supports. In columns the width and the depth of the column section, the number and the diameter of bars in x and y directions are selected as design variables. The column section database is prepared which includes the width and height of column section, the diameter and the number of reinforcing bars in the column section is constructed. This database is used by the design algorithm to select appropriate sections for the columns of the frame under consideration. The design constraints are implemented from ACI 318-05 which covers the flexural and shear strength, serviceability, the minimum and maximum steel percentage for flexural and shear reinforcement, the spacing requirements for the reinforcing bars and the upper and lower bound requirements for the concrete sections. The optimum design problem formulated according to ACI 318-05 provisions with the design variables mentioned above turns out to be a combinatorial optimization problem. The solution of the design problem is obtained by using the harmony search algorithm (HS) which is one of the recent additions to meta-heuristic optimization techniques which are widely used in obtaining the solution of combinatorial optimization problems. The HS algorithm is quite simple and has few parameters to initialize and consists of simple steps which make it easy to implement. Number of design examples is presented to demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the optimum design algorithm developed.

Le chargement/déchargement des conteneurs et leurs stockages provisoires dans le port est la plus importante et complexe tâche dans les terminaux portuaires. Elle est fortement liée au routage des grues de quai et son coût augmente considérablement surtout en absence d’une gestion efficace du terminal. Dans ce travail, nous étudions le problème de stockage des conteneurs (PSC). Il appartient à la catégorie des problèmes NP-difficiles et NP-complets. PSC consiste à déterminer un plan d’arrangement des conteneurs destinés à l’import et à l’export dans le port qui minimise les remaniements ultérieurs lors de leur transfert vers le bateau, camion ou train. En effet, le temps d'attente des camions des clients, le temps de transfert des grues de quai et le temps nécessaire au chargement/déchargement du navire sont avantageusement réduits. PSC est généralement étudié en considérant un seul type de conteneur. Cependant, plusieurs types de conteneurs sont utilisés dans les ports maritimes (dry, réfrigérés, toit ouvert,...). En outre, le problème de stockage de conteneurs peut être traité de façon statique ou dynamique (date d’arrivée et de départ des conteneurs incertains).L’objectif de cette thèse est de résoudre le PSC statique et le PSC dynamique pour un seul et plusieurs types de conteneurs en utilisant deux métaheuristiques : l’algorithme génétique, la recherche harmoniquePour vérifier la performance de chacune des approches proposées, une étude comparative des résultats générés par chaque méthode ainsi que celle de l’algorithme LIFO est établie / The loading and unloading of containers and their temporary storage in the container terminal are the most important and complex operation in seaport terminals. It is highly inter-related with the routing of yard crane and truck and their costs increased significantly especially without an efficient terminal management. To improve this process, an efficiency decision for the container storage space allocation must be taken.In this thesis, we studied the container storage problem (CSP). It falls into the category of NP hard and NP complete problems. CSP consists on finding the most suitable storage location for incoming containers that minimizes rehandling operations of containers during their transfer to the ship, truck or train. In fact, the wait time of customer trucks, the transfer time of yard crane and the Ship turnaround time are advantageously reduced.Generally, this problem is studied considering a single container type. However, this does not stand the problem under its real-life statement as there are multiple container types that should be considered, (refrigerated, open side, empty, dry, open top and tank). Often, containers arrive at the port dynamically over time and have an uncertain departure date (ship delayed, a ship down, delayed arrival of customer trucks…). Indeed, CSP must be studied in dynamic aspectThe objective of this thesis is to study Static CSP for a single and various container type and dynamic CSP for ONE and several container types and to propose solutions for each of them. Genetic algorithm and Harmony Search algorithm are used to solve these problems and we compare the results of each approach with the LIFO algorithm

Cellular beams became increasingly popular as an efficient structural form in steel construction since their introduction. Their sophisticated design and profiling process provides greater flexibility in beam proportioning for strength, depth, size and location of circular holes. The purpose of manufacturing these beams is to increase overall beam depth, the moment of inertia and section modulus, which results in greater strength and rigidity. Cellular beams are used as primary or secondary floor beams in order to achieve long spans and service integration. They are also used as roof beams beyond the range of portal-frame construction, and are the perfect solution for curved roof applications, combining weight savings with a low-cost manufacturing process. The purpose of the current research is to study optimum design, ultimate load capacity under applied load and finite element analysis of non-composite cellular beams. The first part of the research program focuses on the optimum design of steel cellular beams using one of the stochastic search methods called &ldquo / harmony search algorithm&rdquo / . The minimum weight is taken as the design objective while the design constraints are implemented from the Steel Construction Institute. Design constraints include the displacement limitations, overall beam flexural capacity, beam shear capacity, overall beam buckling strength, web post flexure and buckling, vierendeel bending of upper and lower tees and local buckling of compression flange. The design methods adopted in this publication are consistent with BS5950. In the second part of the research, which is the experimental work, twelve non-composite cellular beams are tested to determine the ultimate load carrying capacities of these beams under using a hydraulic plug to apply point load. The tested cellular beam specimens have been designed by using harmony search algorithm. Finally, finite element analysis program is used to perform elastic buckling analysis and predict critical loads of all steel cellular beams. Finite element analysis results are then compared with experimental test results for each tested cellular beam.

Este trabalho tem seu foco na monitoração dos processos de usinagem das máquinas ferramentas sem a utilização de sensores dedicados à medição direta das grandezas mecânicas envolvidas no processo de usinagem em si. Assim sendo, optou-se por um método de medição indireta utilizando um estimador de potência e torque baseado nas grandezas elétricas na entrada de energia do motor de indução da máquina ferramenta. O núcleo central do trabalho consiste na medição de processos de usinagem utilizando um dinamômetro de alta precisão próprio para máquina ferramenta para obter os valores médios e os modos de vibração do processo máquina ferramenta-usinagem e fazer a confrontação com os mesmos dados obtidos pelo estimador de torque. A pesquisa realizada utilizou ferramentas clássicas de processamento de sinais, como é o caso da FFT, assim como duas poderosas ferramentas atuais, a transformada de wavelet (WT) e a transformada de Hilbert-Huang (HHT). Em adição foi utilizado um processo de otimização para a determinação dos parâmetros do motor de indução on-line baseado em uma metaheurística denominada busca de harmonia (Harmony Search HS) / This work focuses on monitoring the machining processes in machine tools without the use of dedicated transducers to directly measure mechanicals quantities of the machining process. The approached method used the option of measuring the power and torque through a estimator based in the electrical quantities in the input of the induction motor used by machine tool. The core of the work consists in the measuring the mechanical processes of machining using a high precision dynamometer specified to machine tool to get the average values of mechanical quantities and the vibration modes of the set machine tool-machining process, the objective is to compare the same data group got from dynamometer and estimator. The research data was based on classical analysis tool such as Fourier transform (FFT) and on modern powerful tools such as wavelet transforms (WT) and Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT). To refine the measuring process of average values of torque and power using the induction motor a method to estimates the motor parameters was added based on an optimization method named harmony search (HS).

Este trabalho tem seu foco na monitoração dos processos de usinagem das máquinas ferramentas sem a utilização de sensores dedicados à medição direta das grandezas mecânicas envolvidas no processo de usinagem em si. Assim sendo, optou-se por um método de medição indireta utilizando um estimador de potência e torque baseado nas grandezas elétricas na entrada de energia do motor de indução da máquina ferramenta. O núcleo central do trabalho consiste na medição de processos de usinagem utilizando um dinamômetro de alta precisão próprio para máquina ferramenta para obter os valores médios e os modos de vibração do processo máquina ferramenta-usinagem e fazer a confrontação com os mesmos dados obtidos pelo estimador de torque. A pesquisa realizada utilizou ferramentas clássicas de processamento de sinais, como é o caso da FFT, assim como duas poderosas ferramentas atuais, a transformada de wavelet (WT) e a transformada de Hilbert-Huang (HHT). Em adição foi utilizado um processo de otimização para a determinação dos parâmetros do motor de indução on-line baseado em uma metaheurística denominada busca de harmonia (Harmony Search HS) / This work focuses on monitoring the machining processes in machine tools without the use of dedicated transducers to directly measure mechanicals quantities of the machining process. The approached method used the option of measuring the power and torque through a estimator based in the electrical quantities in the input of the induction motor used by machine tool. The core of the work consists in the measuring the mechanical processes of machining using a high precision dynamometer specified to machine tool to get the average values of mechanical quantities and the vibration modes of the set machine tool-machining process, the objective is to compare the same data group got from dynamometer and estimator. The research data was based on classical analysis tool such as Fourier transform (FFT) and on modern powerful tools such as wavelet transforms (WT) and Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT). To refine the measuring process of average values of torque and power using the induction motor a method to estimates the motor parameters was added based on an optimization method named harmony search (HS).