The East Vaal area of the South African Post Office is faced with a high rate of teller absenteeism, which has been observed to be as high as 15 per cent. This adds to the cost of providing quality service to the company’s customers. The objectives of this study are to determine the factors that lead to the high rate of absenteeism in the East Vaal area and to make recommendations to the area management that could improve the attendance behaviour of the tellers in the area. To achieve these objectives, 51 questionnaires were prepared and handed out to the tellers with absenteeism rates of more than three percent in the East Vaal area to be completed. Face-to-face interviews with both the tellers and their branch managers were conducted. Absenteeism records and Employee Assistance Programme reports were also studied to collect more data. The findings highlighted lack of rewards for employees who reported for work regularly; employee illness; no recognition for good work performance; tellers receiving insufficient remuneration for their work; poor working conditions; and poor management style as the main reasons for the tellers taking unscheduled leave of absence. Based on the key findings, the main recommendations were that appropriate mechanisms for acknowledging and rewarding good work performance and attendance behaviour should be in place; a sick-leave pool system accessible to tellers should be introduced; establishment of performance evaluation and rewards for tellers; and introducing management practices which lead to a more open expression of opinion and participatory problem-solving / Business Management / Thesis (M.Tech. (Business Management))

The research presented in this dissertation presents a methodology to experimentally predict and simulate the mechanical behavior of polymers under high strain rate deformation. Specifically, the interplay between the effects of temperature and strain rate on polymer behavior is examined and then used as a tool to help recreate the high rate mechanical response of several different polymers: ranging from rubbers to amorphous polymers to composites. Multiple literature reviews are conducted and presented in this thesis, e.g. experimental mechanics test methods, high rate behavior, time-temperature equivalence, constitutive modeling, and temperature measurement methods. In accordance with mechanical theory, an experimental and analytical protocol in rate- and temperature- dependence was applied to a range of PVC materials ranging in plasticizer contents. Further to this, these PVC materials were modeled with a rubbery model describing the network stress seen in polymer behavior, and an amorphous polymer model to describe PVC low to high rate responses to deformation. This modeling develops insights in the adiabatic nature of high rate response. Time-temperature equivalence, and the temperature rise during adiabatic deformation, are studied and exploited in order to implement a proposed experimental method which simulates the high rate deformation of polymeric materials. The development of an experimental methodology to simulate and predict high rate behavior is presented, applied, and expanded to a range of materials: amorphous polymers (e.g. PVC 20wt% plasticizer, PMMA, PC) and composites (e.g. polymer bonded explosive simulant). The work also presents and highlights the fact that micro to nano-scale imaging may be used in parallel with the simulation method in order to better understand high rate behavior. Furthermore, in result of the studies conducted in this body of work, several novel techniques were developed, or improved upon, and applied to the current research (e.g. additions to time-temperature equivalence, temperature measurement methods at high, moderate, and low strain rates, and a method for measuring the high rate behavior of soft materials).

O presente trabalho teve como objetivos estudar a potencialidade da FAD associada à oxidação química e comparar com a sedimentação também conjugada à oxidação química, em escala de laboratório, além de avaliar a eficiência de uma unidade piloto de FAD lamelar de alta taxa com escoamento horizontal no tratamento de água contendo ferro, manganês e matéria orgânica em concentrações acima dos padrões de potabilidade. Nos ensaios de flotação em escala de laboratório, entre os valores de dosagem de coagulante (cloreto férrico) investigados (na faixa de 15 a 35 mg/L) - o valor de 30 mg/L associado ao pH em torno de 6,2 e à aplicação de 2,7 mg/L de cloro, na forma de hipoclorito de sódio - apresentou os melhores resultados de remoção de cor, turbidez, ferro e manganês. No caso da sedimentação, também em escala de laboratório, dentre os valores de dosagem de coagulante investigados (30 e 45 mg/L), foi o valor de 30 mg/L associado a valor de pH em torno de 8,5 e à aplicação de 2,7 mg/L de cloro, que forneceu os melhores resultados de remoção de turbidez, ferro e manganês. A comparação entre a clarificação por FAD e por sedimentação da água de estudo, consideradas as melhores condições de coagulação e de floculação, mostrou que a flotação apresentou resultados de remoção de turbidez, cor aparente e ferro muito superiores aos obtidos nos ensaios de sedimentação. A unidade piloto de FAD lamelar de alta taxa com escoamento horizontal apresentou elevada eficiência de clarificação da água de estudo após prévia adequação das condições de oxidação química, coagulação e floculação, em escala de laboratório. Essa unidade foi capaz de operar, com excelente desempenho, com taxas de até 39 m/h, desde que fossem fornecidos 4,3 g de ar/m3 de água e tempo de floculação de 20 minutos. Finalmente, após o estudo e adequação das condições de coagulação, floculação e flotação por ar dissolvido, ) o efluente do flotador foi filtrado em unidade de filtração rápida descendente com leito de areia tendo apresentado residuais de turbidez em torno de 0,40 uT, cor aparente menor que 2 uC, ferro em torno de 0,10 mg/L e manganês a 0,02 mg/L, tanto para o efluente com taxa de flotação de 13 m/h quanto para 39 m/h, após 4 horas de filtração. Isto confirma a utilização, com elevada eficiência, da unidade piloto lamelar de alta taxa e escoamento horizontal com taxas de até 39 m/h, como pré-clarificação da água de estudo. / The aim of this research was to study and compare the potentiality of DAF and sedimentation processes associated with chemical oxidation, using lab scale (batch) as well as to assess the efficiency of a high-rate dissolved air flotation piloto unit with horizontal flow followed by a rapid sand bed filtration system, in the treatment of water with high concentration of iron, manganese and humic substances. For the essays in lab scale, among the values of coagulant dosage investigated (ferric chloride, in the range of 15-35 mg/L), the dosage of 30 mg/L associated to a pH value around 6.2 and oxidant dosage 2.7 mg/L of chlorine, in the form of sodium hypochlorite, presented the best results, in terms of color, turbidity, iron and manganese removal. For the sedimentation essays, also performed in lab scale, among the values of coagulant dosage investigated (30-45 mg/L), the dosage of 30 mg/L associated to 2.7 mg/L of chlorine supplied the best removal results for turbidity, iron and manganese. The comparison between dissolved air flotation and sedimentation clarification in lab scale, when the best conditions of coagulation and flocculation were carried out to both processes, showed that the results for flotation were highly better than the results obtained by sedimentation, in terms of turbidity, color and iron removal. The high-rate DAF pilot unit with horizontal flow showed high clarification efficiency after previous adaptation of the conditions of chemical oxidation, coagulation and flocculation, as investigated at the lab essays. The unit operated with excellent performance using high rates up to 39 m/h, since it was supplied 4.3 g of air/m3 of water and flocculation time of 20 minutes. The sand bed unit of rapid filtration showed high performance in removal of turbidity (around 0.40 uT), color (< 2 uC), iron (around 0.10 mg/L) and manganese (0.02 mg/L), with 4 hours of filtration, when rates from 13 to 39 m/h were used in the high-rate DAF pilot unit. This fact confirms that the use of the high-rate DAF pilot unit with rates up to 39 m/h is feasible with high efficiency as a pre-clarification to the water evaluated.

The East Vaal area of the South African Post Office is faced with a high rate of teller absenteeism, which has been observed to be as high as 15 per cent. This adds to the cost of providing quality service to the company’s customers. The objectives of this study are to determine the factors that lead to the high rate of absenteeism in the East Vaal area and to make recommendations to the area management that could improve the attendance behaviour of the tellers in the area. To achieve these objectives, 51 questionnaires were prepared and handed out to the tellers with absenteeism rates of more than three percent in the East Vaal area to be completed. Face-to-face interviews with both the tellers and their branch managers were conducted. Absenteeism records and Employee Assistance Programme reports were also studied to collect more data. The findings highlighted lack of rewards for employees who reported for work regularly; employee illness; no recognition for good work performance; tellers receiving insufficient remuneration for their work; poor working conditions; and poor management style as the main reasons for the tellers taking unscheduled leave of absence. Based on the key findings, the main recommendations were that appropriate mechanisms for acknowledging and rewarding good work performance and attendance behaviour should be in place; a sick-leave pool system accessible to tellers should be introduced; establishment of performance evaluation and rewards for tellers; and introducing management practices which lead to a more open expression of opinion and participatory problem-solving / Business Management / Thesis (M.Tech. (Business Management))

O presente trabalho teve como objetivos estudar a potencialidade da FAD associada à oxidação química e comparar com a sedimentação também conjugada à oxidação química, em escala de laboratório, além de avaliar a eficiência de uma unidade piloto de FAD lamelar de alta taxa com escoamento horizontal no tratamento de água contendo ferro, manganês e matéria orgânica em concentrações acima dos padrões de potabilidade. Nos ensaios de flotação em escala de laboratório, entre os valores de dosagem de coagulante (cloreto férrico) investigados (na faixa de 15 a 35 mg/L) - o valor de 30 mg/L associado ao pH em torno de 6,2 e à aplicação de 2,7 mg/L de cloro, na forma de hipoclorito de sódio - apresentou os melhores resultados de remoção de cor, turbidez, ferro e manganês. No caso da sedimentação, também em escala de laboratório, dentre os valores de dosagem de coagulante investigados (30 e 45 mg/L), foi o valor de 30 mg/L associado a valor de pH em torno de 8,5 e à aplicação de 2,7 mg/L de cloro, que forneceu os melhores resultados de remoção de turbidez, ferro e manganês. A comparação entre a clarificação por FAD e por sedimentação da água de estudo, consideradas as melhores condições de coagulação e de floculação, mostrou que a flotação apresentou resultados de remoção de turbidez, cor aparente e ferro muito superiores aos obtidos nos ensaios de sedimentação. A unidade piloto de FAD lamelar de alta taxa com escoamento horizontal apresentou elevada eficiência de clarificação da água de estudo após prévia adequação das condições de oxidação química, coagulação e floculação, em escala de laboratório. Essa unidade foi capaz de operar, com excelente desempenho, com taxas de até 39 m/h, desde que fossem fornecidos 4,3 g de ar/m3 de água e tempo de floculação de 20 minutos. Finalmente, após o estudo e adequação das condições de coagulação, floculação e flotação por ar dissolvido, ) o efluente do flotador foi filtrado em unidade de filtração rápida descendente com leito de areia tendo apresentado residuais de turbidez em torno de 0,40 uT, cor aparente menor que 2 uC, ferro em torno de 0,10 mg/L e manganês a 0,02 mg/L, tanto para o efluente com taxa de flotação de 13 m/h quanto para 39 m/h, após 4 horas de filtração. Isto confirma a utilização, com elevada eficiência, da unidade piloto lamelar de alta taxa e escoamento horizontal com taxas de até 39 m/h, como pré-clarificação da água de estudo. / The aim of this research was to study and compare the potentiality of DAF and sedimentation processes associated with chemical oxidation, using lab scale (batch) as well as to assess the efficiency of a high-rate dissolved air flotation piloto unit with horizontal flow followed by a rapid sand bed filtration system, in the treatment of water with high concentration of iron, manganese and humic substances. For the essays in lab scale, among the values of coagulant dosage investigated (ferric chloride, in the range of 15-35 mg/L), the dosage of 30 mg/L associated to a pH value around 6.2 and oxidant dosage 2.7 mg/L of chlorine, in the form of sodium hypochlorite, presented the best results, in terms of color, turbidity, iron and manganese removal. For the sedimentation essays, also performed in lab scale, among the values of coagulant dosage investigated (30-45 mg/L), the dosage of 30 mg/L associated to 2.7 mg/L of chlorine supplied the best removal results for turbidity, iron and manganese. The comparison between dissolved air flotation and sedimentation clarification in lab scale, when the best conditions of coagulation and flocculation were carried out to both processes, showed that the results for flotation were highly better than the results obtained by sedimentation, in terms of turbidity, color and iron removal. The high-rate DAF pilot unit with horizontal flow showed high clarification efficiency after previous adaptation of the conditions of chemical oxidation, coagulation and flocculation, as investigated at the lab essays. The unit operated with excellent performance using high rates up to 39 m/h, since it was supplied 4.3 g of air/m3 of water and flocculation time of 20 minutes. The sand bed unit of rapid filtration showed high performance in removal of turbidity (around 0.40 uT), color (< 2 uC), iron (around 0.10 mg/L) and manganese (0.02 mg/L), with 4 hours of filtration, when rates from 13 to 39 m/h were used in the high-rate DAF pilot unit. This fact confirms that the use of the high-rate DAF pilot unit with rates up to 39 m/h is feasible with high efficiency as a pre-clarification to the water evaluated.

No description available.

Die Wirkung nichtmetallischer Einschlüsse auf das temperatur- und beanspruchungsratenabhängige Festigkeits-, Verformungs- und Zähigkeitsverhalten des Stahls G42CrMo4 wird erforscht. Die im Rahmen des SFB 920 entwickelten Filter mit funktionalisierter Oberfläche dienten der Reinigung einer vorher bewusst verunreinigten Stahlschmelze. Diese Stähle werden mit kommerziell verfügbaren Stählen verglichen. Das Festigkeits- und Verformungsverhalten wird durch bekannte Modelle beschrieben, um das Zähigkeitsverhalten zu analysieren. Die Messung der bei schlagartiger Beanspruchung und tiefer Temperatur geringeren Zähigkeit erfolgt durch methodisch weiter- und neuentwickelte Versuchsaufbauten. Die geringere Zähigkeit der Stähle, die im Rahmen des SFB 920 hergestellt wurden, wird auf den höheren Einschlussanteil zurückgeführt. Das Zähigkeitsverhalten wird durch ein neues Modell beschrieben, das die fraktographisch ermittelte Einschlussverteilung einbezieht.

Structure-property quantification of an A36 steel alloy was the focus of this study in order to calibrate and validate a plasticity-damage model. The microstructural parameters included grain size, particle size, particle number density, particle nearest neighbor distances, and percent of ferrite and pearlite. The mechanical property data focused on stress-strain behavior under different applied strain rates (0.001/s, 0.1/s, and 1000/s), different temperatures (293 K and 573 K), and different stress states (compression, tension, and torsion). Notch tension tests were also conducted to validate the plasticity-damage model. Also, failure of an A36 I-beam was examined in cyclic loads, and the crack growth rates were quantified in terms of fatigue striation data. Dynamic strain aging was observed in the stress-strain behavior giving rise to an important point that there exists a critical temperature for such behavior.

No description available.

Lithium-ion batteries have transformed energy storage and technological applications. They stand poised to convert transportation from combustion to electric engines. The discharge/charge rate is a key parameter that determines battery power output and recharge time; typically, operation is on the timescale of hours but reducing this would improve existing applications and open up new possibilities. Conventionally, the rate at which a battery can operate has been improved by synthetic strategies to decrease the solid-state diffusion length of lithium ions by decreasing particle sizes down to the nanoscale. In this work, a different approach is taken toward next-generation high-power and fast charging lithium-ion battery electrode materials. The phenomenon of high-rate charge storage without nanostructuring is discovered in niobium oxide and the mechanism is explained in the context of the structure–property relationships of Nb2O5. Three polymorphs, T-Nb2O5, B-Nb2O5, and H-Nb2O5, take bronze-like, rutile-like, and crystallographic shear structures, respectively. The bronze and crystallographic shear compounds, with unique electrochemical properties, can be described as ordered, anion-deficient nonstoichiometric defect structures derived from ReO3. The lessons learned in niobia serve as a platform to identify other compounds with related structural motifs that apparently facilitate high-rate lithium insertion and extraction. This leads to the synthesis, characterisation, and electrochemical evaluation of the even more complicated composition–structure–property relationships in ternary TiO2–Nb2O5 and Nb2O5–WO3 phases. Advanced structural characterisation including multinuclear solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, density functional theory, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, operando high-rate X-ray diffraction, and neutron diffraction is conducted throughout to understand the evolution of local and long-range atomic structure and changes in electronic states.