This study develops a reliable intelligent non-destructive evaluation (NDE) expert system for carbon-carbon (C/C) composites based on thermography, ultrasonic, computed tomography and post processing by means of fuzzy expert system technique. Data features and NDE expert knowledge are seamlessly combined in the intelligent system to provide the best possible diagnosis of the potential defects and problems. As a result, this research help ensure C/C composites' integrity and reliability. Four types of orthotropic aerospace composite material groups, which include 2-D pitched based commercial aircraft disc brakes and asmolds, 3-D PAN based C/C composites, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) panels, were tested. Based on the performance testing results of thermography, air-coupled ultrasonic, and x-ray computed tomography, the testing data pattern corresponding to feature and quantification of defects were found. This NDE knowledge databases were transformed to fuzzy logic expert system models. The models succeefully classified and indicated the defect's size and distribution and the intelligent systems perform NDE better than human operators. These fuzzy expert systems not only eliminate human errors in defect detection but also function as NDE experts. In addition, fuzzy expert systems improve the defect detection by incorporating fuzzy expert rules to remove noises and to measure defect size more accurately. In the future, the expert system model could be continuously updated and modified to quantify the size and distribution of defects. The systems developed here can be adapted and applied to build an intelligent NDE expert system for better quality control as well as automatic defect and porosity detection in C/C composite production process.

La connaissance du comportement de composites sous un état de contraintes multi-axial reste un enjeu majeur pour l’optimisation du dimensionnement des structures. La machine de fatigue bi-axiale présente au LGP permet de générer un état de contrainte bi-axial par l’utilisation d’éprouvettes cruciformes. La conception des éprouvettes reste un enjeu majeur pour les chercheurs pour répondre aux problèmes spécifiques liés aux matériaux composites. Un nouveau type d’éprouvette cruciforme en composite sera conçu en lien avec les problématiques liées au procédé d’infusion de résine liquide (LRI). Il sera ensuite fabriqué avec ce procédé et utilisé pour caractériser le comportement de composites en fatigue bi-axiale. Le suivi des essais sera réalisé en utilisant simultanément un système de corrélation d’images numériques et un système de thermographie infrarouge. La corrélation d’images est une technique optique de mesure de champs qui permet d’obtenir la cartographie des déplacements sur la totalité de la surface de l’éprouvette testée. La thermographie infrarouge permet d’avoir accès à la cartographie de température sur cette surface. Une corrélation entre les données provenant des deux systèmes sera effectuée pour tenter de remonter aux mécanismes d’endommagement des composites lors d’une sollicitation en fatigue bi-axiale. Une corrélation entre des données uni-axiales et bi-axiales sera effectuée. / Knowledge of the behavior of composite materials under multi-axial stress state remains a major objective for structure sizing and optimization. The bi-axial fatigue machine owned by the LGP allows generating a bi-axial stress state, using cruciform specimens. The design of such specimens is a real challenge for researchers to face the specific problems linked to composite materials. A new kind of cruciform specimen will be designed specifically for composite materials manufactured using the liquid resin infusion (LRI) process. It will be manufactured with this process and used to characterize the behavior of composite materials under bi-axial loading. The monitoring of the experiments will be achieved using simultaneously digital image correlation (DIC) to measure the displacements and infrared thermography to measure the temperature variations. DIC is a full field measuring technique which allows obtaining the full cartography of the displacements all over the surface of the specimen. Infrared thermography is also a full field measuring technique used to obtain the cartography of temperature on the whole surface of the specimen. A correlation between the data obtained with both systems will be attempted to identify the damage mechanisms of composites under bi-axial fatigue. A correlation between uni-axial and bi-axial data will also be attempted.

Suite à un défaut de contrôle de la réaction nucléaire, un accident d’insertion de réactivité (RIA) peut survenir dans une centrale. Un pic de puissance se produit alors dans certains crayons de combustible, suffisamment important pour entraîner l’ébullition en film du réfrigérant qui les entoure. Ceci provoque la chute du refroidissement des crayons et donc une rapide et importante augmentation de la température de la gaine qui les entoure. L’évaluation du risque de rupture de la gaine est un sujet d’étude de l’Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire. Ces échanges de chaleur transitoires ne sont toujours pas compris et modélisés. Pour comprendre ces phénomènes, une boucle expérimentale a été construite à l’Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse. Du HFE7000 circule de bas en haut dans une section d’essais verticale de géométrie semi-annulaire. Le demi-cylindre intérieur est une feuille de métal chauffée par effet Joule. Sa température est mesurée par une caméra infrarouge, couplée avec une caméra rapide pour la visualisation de l’écoulement. La courbe d’ébullition entière est étudiée en régimes stationnaire et transitoire : convection, déclenchement de l’ébullition, ébullition nucléée, passage en film, ébullition en film et remouillage. Les régimes stationnaires sont bien modélisés par des corrélations de la littérature. Différents modèles sont proposés pour représenter les transferts de chaleur transitoires : l’évolution de la convection et de l’ébullition nucléée se font de manière auto similaire pendant un palier de puissance. Ce constat permet de modéliser des évolutions plus compliquées telles des rampes de température. Le modèle de Hsu instationnaire prédit bien le déclenchement de l’ébullition. Pour des créneaux de puissance, le passage en film se fait à une température constante et le flux critique augmente avec la puissance, tandis que pour des rampes de puissance la température augmente mais le flux critique diminue avec l’augmentation de la puissance. Quand la paroi est chauffée, les flux de chaleur en ébullition en film sont beaucoup plus importants qu’en stationnaire mais ce régime est encore mal compris. Le refroidissement en ébullition en film et le remouillage sont bien caractérisés par un modèle à deux fluides. / A failure in the control system of the power of a nuclear reactor can lead to a Reactivity Initiated Accident in a nuclear power plant. Then, a power peak occurs in some fuel rods, high enough to lead to the coolant film boiling. It leads to an important increase of the temperature of the rod. The possible risk of the clad’s failure is a matter of interest for the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire. The transient boiling heat transfer is not yet understood and modelled. An experimental set-up has been built at the Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse (IMFT). Subcooled HFE-7000 flows vertically upward in a semi annulus test section. The inner half cylinder simulates the clad and is made of a stainless steel foil, heated by Joule effect. Its temperature is measured by an infrared camera, coupled with a high speed camera for the visualization of the flow topology. The whole boiling curve is studied in steady state and transient regimes: convection, onset of boiling, nucleate boiling, criticial heat flux, film boiling and rewetting. The steady state heat transfers are well modelled by literature correlations. Models are suggested for the transient heat flux: the convection and nucleate boiling evolutions are self-similar during a power step. This observation allows to model more complex evolutions, as temperature ramps. The transient Hsu model well represents the onset of nucleate boiling. When the intensity of the power step increases, the film boiling begins at the same temperature but with an increasing heat flux. For power ramps, the critical heat flux decreases while the corresponding temperature increases with the heating rate. When the wall is heated, the film boiling heat transfer is higher than in steady state but it is not understood. A two-fluid model well simulates the cooling film boiling and the rewetting.

Ce travail de thèse est consacré à l’étude de la dissipation mécanique produite par des alliages à mémoire de forme Cu-Zn-Al lors d'un chargement mécanique cyclique, ainsi qu'à l’influence de la composition chimique sur cette grandeur. Divers alliages ont été élaborés dans ce but, chacun présentant une faible variation de composition par rapport à l’autre. Une procédure expérimentale originale a été mise au point pour mesurer cette dissipation mécanique car elle se traduit par une source de chaleur très inférieure à celles dues à d’autres phénomènes comme la chaleur latente de changement de phase ou le couplage thermoélastique. Les éprouvettes ont ainsi été soumises à divers essais cycliques à température ambiante constante alors qu’une caméra infrarouge filmait les champs thermiques sur leur surface. Ces films thermiques ont ensuite été traités pour en extraire cette dissipation mécanique. Divers niveaux de dissipation correspondant à divers niveaux d’irréversibilité mécanique ont ainsi été mis en évidence. / The study deals with the mechanical dissipation in Cu-Zn-Al shape memory alloys subjected to cyclic mechanical loading, as well as with the influence of the chemical composition on this dissipation. Various alloys were prepared for this purpose, each of them featuring a slight change with respect to the others. An original procedure has been proposed to measure mechanical dissipation because it is very low compared to other heat sources such as latent heat or thermoelastic coupling. The specimens have been subjected to cyclic tests at constant ambient temperature while an infrared camera grabbed the thermal images. These thermal maps have been then processed to extract mechanical dissipation. Various levels have been found, corresponding to various levels of mechanical irreversibilities.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:41:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:08:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Submitted by DIEGO ARMANDO ROJAS MEZA null (diegoarmandorojasm@gmail.com) on 2018-02-02T16:28:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Diego_Armando_Rojas_Meza.pdf: 1507307 bytes, checksum: 95c2def5146b2e8e7721d4aceb355535 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Karina Gimenes Fernandes null (karinagi@fcav.unesp.br) on 2018-02-02T16:39:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 rojasmeza_da_me_jabo.pdf: 1445609 bytes, checksum: 4fce9efaacf407abe5de5c80efc66848 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-02T16:39:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 rojasmeza_da_me_jabo.pdf: 1445609 bytes, checksum: 4fce9efaacf407abe5de5c80efc66848 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-28 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Alimentos ricos em ácidos graxos são utilizados na espécie ovina substituindo alimentos convencionais como soja e milho, e visam aumentar a eficiência no uso da energia por parte dos animais sem afetar negativamente os parâmetros de fermentação ruminal. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o consumo, parâmetros ruminais e produção de calor pela ingestão de alimento em carneiros Santa Inês confinados, recebendo tratamentos sem e com inclusão de 2 e 4% de farinha de algas marinhas Schizochytrium sp. em substituição ao grão de milho moído, assim como a digestibilidade e produção de gases in vitro das dietas. Foram utilizados 6 carneiros castrados com 55,6 ± 5,2 kg de peso corporal, providos de cânula ruminal e alojados em baias individuais. O delineamento experimental foi o quadrado latino duplo 3 x 3, tendo as dietas relação volumoso:concentrado 40:60, em que os tratamentos foram: controle D0, sem inclusão de farinha de algas marinhas; D2 e D4 contendo 2 e 4% de farinha de algas marinhas na matéria seca respectivamente, em substituição ao grão de milho moído. Cada período experimental teve duração de 21 dias com 14 dias de adaptação aos tratamentos e 7 dias de coleta. Os dados foram analisados por intermédio do Software R (versão 3.2.2), sendo as comparações das médias feitas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. A inclusão de farinha de algas marinhas nos teores 2 e 4% não afetou a produção de gases avaliada pela técnica in vitro (P>0,05) e a produção de calor avaliada por termografia infravermelha (P>0,05), quando comparadas com o tratamento controle. Os tratamentos avaliados foram semelhantes quanto à digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca, dos nutrientes e parâmetros ruminais (pH e ácidos graxos de cadeia curta), e só diferiram (P<0,05) na digestibilidade da fibra em detergente neutro, carboidratos não fibrosos e na concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal no liquido ruminal. Houve diferencia significativa (P<0,05) no consumo da matéria seca (1,14 para 0,86 kg/d), e dos nutrientes matéria orgânica (1,07 para 0,80 kg/d), carboidratos totais (0,86 para 0,64 kg/d), fibra em detergente neutro (0,38 para 0,31 kg/d), carboidratos não fibrosos (0,48 para 0,33 kg/d), proteína bruta (0,156 para 0,114 kg/d) e energia bruta (4,69 para 4,36 Mcal) entre os tratamentos D0 e D4 respectivamente. A inclusão da farinha de algas marinhas Schizochytrium sp. na dieta, em substituição ao grão de milho moído, não comprometeu os parâmetros ruminais e a produção de calor por ingestão de alimento, tampouco a produção de gases in vitro. Recomenda-se a utilização de farinha de algas marinhas na alimentação de carneiros Santa Inês confinados sob condições tropicais no teor de 2% sem afetar o consumo e digestibilidade in vitro das dietas. Trabalhos para avaliar desempenho, características da carcaça e da carne são necessários. / Foods rich in fatty acids has been used in replacement of conventional foods in sheep such as soybeans and corn, in order to increase efficiency energy in animals, without affecting ruminal fermentation parameters. This trial aimed to evaluate intake, ruminal parameters and heat production by feed intake in confined Santa Inês rams, receiving treatments without and with inclusion of 2 and 4% of marine algae Schizochytrium sp. meal, replacing ground corn grain, as well as in vitro digestibility and gas production. Six castrated rams with 55.6 ± 5.2 kg of body weight, provided with ruminal cannula, were confined in individual pens. The experimental design was double Latin square 3x3, where diets had a roughage:concentrate ratio of 40:60, in which the treatments were: control D0, without marine algae meal inclusion; D2 and D4 containing 2 and 4% marine algae meal in dry matter respectively, replacing ground corn grain. Each experimental period had duration of 21 days, with 14 days of adaptation to treatments and 7 days of collection. The data were analyzed using R Software version 3.2.2 and comparison between treatments means made with Tukey test at 5% of significance. The inclusion of marine algae meal at levels of 2 and 4% did not affect total gas production evaluated by the in vitro technique (P>0.05) and heat production evaluated by the infrared thermography technique (P>0.05), when compared to control treatment. The treatments evaluated were similar in terms of in vitro digestibility of dry matter, nutrients and ruminal fermentation parameters (pH and short chain fatty acids), they only differed (P<0.05) in neutral detergent fiber, non-fibrous carbohydrates digestibility and ammonia nitrogen concentration in ruminal liquor. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) for dry matter intake (1.14 to 0.86 kg/d), organic matter (1.07 to 0.80 kg/d), total carbohydrates (0.86 to 0.64 kg/d), neutral detergent fiber (0.38 to 0.31 kg/d), non-fibrous carbohydrates (0.48 to 0.33 kg/d), crude protein (0.156 to 0.114 kg/d) and crude energy (4.69 to 4.36 Mcal) between treatments D0 and D4 respectively. The inclusion of marine algae Schizochytrium sp. meal in the diet, replacing the ground corn grain, did not affect the ruminal parameters and the heat production by food ingestion, like the in vitro gas production. It is recommended the use of marine algae meal in feed of Santa Inês sheep confined under tropical conditions at 2% content without affecting dry matter intake and in vitro digestibility of diets. Researches to evaluate performance, carcass and meat characteristics are necessary. / FAPESP: 2016/01159-1

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigo Arenhart.pdf: 2788456 bytes, checksum: 2f4d879f3cf7674dd8b385ac9b12a1a2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The present research is based on the results of the surgeries of tenorraphy, which have been improved due to the association between strong and not voluminous sutures and physiotherapic protocols, which preconize the early active motion (EAM) to the postoperative period. This research s purpose was to evaluate the evolution of the healing process among the different types of tenorraphies in rabbits that underwent early active motion (EAM). The sample was constituted of 36 New Zealand rabbits, divided in 3 groups of 12, in accordance with the 3 different types of suture (Brazil 4 strands; Indian 4 strands; and Tsai 6 strands). All rabbits had the right rear paw operated, immobilized with plaster cast and underwent deambulation (EAM) inside the confinement cage since the immediate postoperative procedure. On the 15th day and on the 30th day from the postoperative period the thermographic and histological analysis were performed, and it was noticed that the three different tenorraphy techniques presented similar behavior at the same periods of surgical repairs (on the 15th and 30th days), only differing themselves between these. The histological study, qualitatively, revealed that the behavior of the healing process of the tendon that underwent EAM referred an adequate quality, where the collagen fibers presented a more exuberant thickening, being able to offer greater resistance to traction for the repaired tendon. The temperatures (ºC) showed statistically significant differences on the 15th day and on the 30th day in relation to the contralateral limb (control) and the repaired one, suggesting that the EAM may be gradually increased on the 30th day approximately. It was concluded that the adequate quality of the cicatricial tissue of the three different sutures can be attributed to the minimization of the vascular damage in the middle of the tendon, which not only offered a uniform blood circulation but also a uniform reparative metabolism, and that the Infrared Thermography, capable of capturing the thermal differences offered by microcirculation, is an instrument of great value when evaluating and monitoring the evolution of the healing process of tendons in vivo, and could be applied during the application of rehabilitation protocols of flexor tendons in the hand. / A presente pesquisa se fundamentou nos resultados das cirurgias de Tenorrafia que têm melhorado devido à associação de suturas fortes e não volumosas a protocolos fisioterápicos que preconizam a Mobilização Ativa Precoce (MAP) ao pós-operatório. O objetivo desta foi avaliar a evolução do processo cicatricial entre os diferentes tipos de tenorrafias em coelhos submetidos à Mobilização Ativa Precoce (MAP). A amostra se constituiu de 36 coelhos da raça New Zeland, divididos em 3 grupos de 12, de acordo com os 3 diferentes tipos de sutura (Brasil 4 passadas; Indiana 4 passadas; e Tsai 6 passadas). Todos os coelhos tiveram a pata traseira direita operada, imobilizada com gesso e submetidos à marcha livre (MAP) dentro da gaiola de confinamento desde o pós-operatório imediato. No 15º dia e 30º dia do pós-operatório foram realizadas as análises Termográficas e Histológicas, e observou-se que as três diferentes técnicas de tenorrafia apresentaram comportamentos semelhantes nos mesmos tempos de reparo cirúrgico (15º e 30 º dia), apenas diferenciando-se entre estes. O estudo histológico, qualitativamente, demonstrou que o comportamento da cicatrização do tendão submetido à MAP referiu uma qualidade adequada, onde as fibras de colágeno apresentaram um espessamento mais exuberante, podendo oferecer maior resistência à tração ao tendão reparado. As temperaturas (ºC) se mostraram com diferenças estatisticamente significativas em relação ao membro contralateral (controle) e o reparado no 15º e 30 º dia, sugerindo que a MAP pode ser aumentada gradualmente ao redor do 30 º dia. Conclui-se que a adequada qualidade do tecido cicatricial das três diferentes suturas, pode ser atribuída à minimização do dano vascular no centro do tendão, que ofereceu uma circulação sanguínea e um metabolismo reparador uniforme, e que a termografia infravermelha computadorizada, capaz de captar as diferenças térmicas oferecidas pela microcirculação, é um instrumento de grande valia na avaliação e monitoramento da evolução do processo de cicatrização de tendões in vivo, podendo ser utilizada durante a aplicação de protocolos de reabilitação de tendões flexores da mão.

In order to successfully compete against the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity, one of the challenges in the photovoltaic (PV) business currently in focus is on the asset management of large PV plants, in which developing control techniques to prognosticate and evaluate the future energy performance will be essential. Infrared thermography inspections can give meaningful support to assess the quality and performance of PV modules. However, the implementation of a cost-effective method to scan and check huge PV plants represents different challenges, such as the cost and time of detecting PV module defects with their classification and exact localization within the solar plant. In this context, it has recently been investigated the potential of a new innovative technology in the PV plants monitoring operations by using drones. The main purpose of this work is to establish a scientific basis for the interpretation of thermographic images taken by drones, in particular, regarding the influence of thermographic irregularities which will negatively influence the performance of PV plants. The drone is employed to monitor PV modules conditions by using special thermography sensors mounted on it in order to scan images. The captured images are then automatically sent to a technical office database for the image processing software. This special software receives, stores and analyses the captured images to detect the specific defect on the PV modules. Then, all information is processed and reported to the final decision-making team to decide about the best solution for the particular degraded PV module, in relation with the requirements from the operation and maintenance (O&amp;M) services. In this particularly study project of the inspected PV plant situated in the UK, which has been carried out by trained personnel at Quintas Energy (QE), the majority of identified faults, which influence the PV module performance (especially the power output significantly), are on a sub-panel level, either individual cells or uneven hot spots. There are also some modules with bypass diode faults as well as a string fault was detected. Such faults must be repaired by the PV module manufacturer, in relation to the manufacturer’s warranties, without any cost at all since the PV modules are indeed still in warranty. It has been concluded that, in comparison with traditional manned systems by using hand-held cameras, the main functionality of using drones is the early fault diagnosis which could reduce corrective maintenance activities, since defects are easily and quickly identified and, then, repaired. This fact could reduce defects to become more serious and, thus, more difficult to be repaired, along with their correspondent production losses and costs. QE has learned by making mistakes during this project study and gained experience of this unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) technology. Currently, they are in the process of improving this technique and will continue to implement it to all their PV plants since the efficiency of PV systems can be significantly improved by appropriate use of O&amp;M instruments and benefit from innovative monitoring tools, such as the unmanned aerial technology.

Mudanças causadas pela industrialização dos canteiros de obra geram incompatibilidades executivas entre sistemas conflitantes e ininterrupção de controles com significativa variabilidade, tal como o uso do fio de prumo para controle geométrico das estruturas de concreto, responsável por acúmulo de erros com reflexo no consumo de matérias e no aumento de defeitos em revestimentos de fachada. Como alternativa, este trabalho busca colaborar com a ampliação do uso das técnicas não destrutivas no controle preventivo e corretivo das edificações em substituição aos tradicionais ensaios destrutivos, tornando o processo mais simples e confiável, além de proporcionar uma recuperação mais rápida e econômica. Para isso, analisou - através de um estudo de caso - a aplicação da tecnologia de escaneamento 3D laser para mapear a planicidade superficial da fachada de um edifício e, de forma inédita, para quantificar o volume de argamassa por intermédio da análise dos modelos 3D gerados por softwares de mercado; e através das etapas experimentais de laboratório, campo e in situ, analisou o potencial da termografia infravermelha na identificação e no mapeamento de fissuras e descolamentos ocultos nos revestimentos de argamassa e cerâmico, aplicando abordagens de aquecimento ativa ou passiva e resfriamento natural ou forçado. Os resultados do escaneamento mostraram a viabilidade da técnica como solução para identificar com precisão as áreas críticas da fachada sobre a estrutura de concreto periférica e alvenaria e, a partir da volumetria, calcular o impacto financeiro associado às sobrespessuras de argamassa nas áreas críticas comparativamente a reduções de espessura após tratamento dessas áreas. Por fim, a termografia identificou quanto à forma, tamanho e posição os defeitos de fissura e descolamento estudados, identificou influências intrínsecas ao processo de uso da tecnologia in situ e uso de recursos do equipamento para melhor visualização dos defeitos. / Changes caused by industrialization of construction sites generate executive incompatibilities between conflicting systems and uninterrupted controls with significant variability, such as the use of a plumb line for geometric control of concrete structures, responsible for error buildup with reflection in the consumption of materials and the increase of defects on facade coatings. Alternatively, this work seeks to collaborate with the expanded use of non-destructive techniques in preventive and corrective control of buildings to replace the traditional destructive testing, making the most simple and reliable process, in addition to providing a faster and economic recovery. For this analyzed by a case study the application of 3D laser scanning technology to map the surface flatness of the facade of a building, and unprecedentedly to quantify the amount of mortar through the analysis of 3D models generated by software market; and through the experimental stages of laboratory, field and in site, examined the potential of infrared thermography in the identification and mapping of hidden cracks and detachments in mortar coatings and ceramic tile, applying active or passive heating and natural cooling or forced cooling. The results of the scan showed the technical viability as a solution to accurately identify the critical areas of the facade on the peripheral concrete structure and masonry and from the volumes, calculate the financial impact associated with extra thick grout in critical areas compared the thickness reductions after treatment of these areas. Finally, thermography identified as the shape, size and position the cleft defects and detachment studied, identified influences the use of technology in situ and use of equipment resources to better visualization of defects.

O controle ambiental nas instalações pecuárias é um fator importante a ser levado em consideração para promover o bem-estar e otimizar a produção animal. Como o clima brasileiro é predominantemente tropical, sistemas de resfriamento são essenciais em instalações pecuárias em todo o país. Diferentes sistemas de resfriamento estão disponíveis no mercado brasileiro e, apesar de possuírem o mesmo objetivo, de atenuar a temperatura dentro do galpão, podem ser percebidos pelos animais de modos diferentes. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi avaliar a percepção de suínos através de sua preferência em relação a diferentes sistemas de resfriamento do ambiente em uma câmara de preferência ambiental. Esta avaliação foi feita por meio do teste de preferência, que consiste em fornecer alternativas entre diferentes situações ou recursos, para que os animais transmitam suas respostas. Para tanto, foi utilizada uma câmara de preferência ambiental composta por quatro compartimentos interligados entre si por uma área neutra. Cada compartimento teve seu ambiente controlado independentemente, podendo assim fornecer, quatro diferentes tipos de sistemas de resfriamento: nebulização associada à ventilação forçada, ventilação forçada, aspersão e aspersão associada a ventilação forçada. Nesse estudo de preferência, dois grupos principais de suínos foram utilizados: os suínos-teste e os suínos-companhia. Os suínos-teste foram os animais com livre acesso aos distintos compartimentos da câmara e os suínos-companhia, por sua vez, ficaram confinados em seus respectivos sistemas. Para caracterização do ambiente no interior e no exterior da câmara, foram utilizados data-loggers para coleta das variáveis: temperatura ambiental, umidade relativa, temperatura de globo negro e ponto de orvalho; para determinação dos índices de conforto térmico: índice de temperatura de globo e umidade e entalpia. Também foi coletada a velocidade do ar com anemômetro digital. Foram verificadas medidas fisiológicas: frequência respiratória e temperatura de superfície corporal na região da nuca no horário das 14 horas. Para analisar o desempenho dos animais foi avaliado ganho de peso diário e conversão alimentar, além das medidas in vivo de espessura de toucinho, rendimento de carne magra e profundidade da área do lombo. Para avaliação do teste de preferência foram considerados dias que caracterizassem condições climáticas em que os sistemas de resfriamento estivessem em operação. Para isto vídeos coletaram e registraram as imagens e estas foram analisadas automaticamente e interpretadas como preferência por (ou rejeição de) certos ambientes através de frequência e tempo do suíno-teste em cada um dos ambientes. A câmara conseguiu atender os valores recomendados para o índice de temperatura de globo e umidade, temperatura ambiental e umidade relativa ao longo dos períodos do dia, os valores obtidos para entalpia estiveram acima do recomendado na literatura. Porém o desempenho da câmara foi satisfatório, uma vez que as medidas fisiológicas de frequência respiratória e temperatura superficial, e as variáveis de desempenho indicaram que os animais estavam em conforto térmico e obtiveram medidas de espessura de toucinho, rendimento de carne magra e profundidade da área do lombo característicos para a categoria. Em relação à preferência dos suínos-teste, observou-se a maior frequência de permanência nos sistemas de aspersão (40%) e aspersão associada à ventilação forçada (34,7%). Assim os resultados obtidos validaram o uso da câmara de preferência ambiental para experimentação com suínos a fim de verificar sua preferência em relação a diferentes ambientes térmicos com diferentes sistemas de resfriamento. / Environmental control in livestock buildings is an important factor to be taken into account to promote the welfare and optimize the animal production. As the Brazilian climate is predominantly tropical, cooling systems are essential in animal facilities across the country. Different cooling systems are available in the Brazilian market and, despite having the same goal, to mitigate the temperature inside the shed, they can be perceived by the animals in different ways. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of pigs through their preference in relation to the different environment of the cooling systems in an environmental preference chamber. This assessment was made by the preference test, which is to provide alternatives between different situations or resources, so that the animals transmit their responses. An environmental preference chamber was used, and consisted of four compartments connected to each other by a neutral area. Each compartment has its environmental conditions controlled independently, and may thus provide four different types of cooling system: nebulizer associated to forced ventilation, forced ventilation, sprinkler and sprinkler associated to forced ventilation. In this preference study, two main groups of pigs were used: the test-pigs and companion-pigs. The test-pigs were the animals with free access to the chamber and companion-pigs, in turn, were confined in their respective systems. To characterize the environment inside and outside the chamber, data-loggers were used to collect the variables: ambient temperature, relative humidity, black globe temperature and dew point; to determine the levels of index thermal comfort: globe temperature and humidity index and enthalpy. The air speed with digital anemometer also was collected. Physiological measures were also registered: respiratory rate and body surface temperature in the neck region in the schedule at 2pm. Daily gain and feed conversion were evaluated to analyze the performance of the animals in addition to the measures in vivo backfat thickness, lean yield and depth of loin area. The preference test considered days that characterize climatic conditions in which the cooling systems were in operation. The video images were collected and recorded and they were automatically analyzed and interpreted as a preference (or rejection) of certain environments through the frequency and time that test-pig in each environment. The environmental preference chamber conditions attended the recommended values for globe temperature and humidity index, ambient temperature and relative humidity over the periods of the day, and the values obtained for enthalpy were slightly above the recommended literature. The chamber performance was satisfactory since the physiological measures respiratory rate and body surface temperature and the performance variables indicated that the animals were in thermal comfort and obtained backfat thickness, lean yield and depth of loin area measures, characteristic for the category. Regarding the preference of the test-pigs, the highest frequency was observed in sprinkler (40%) and sprinkler associated to forced ventilation (34,7%) systems. Thus the results validated the use of the environmental preference chamber for experimentation with pigs in order to verify their perception to different thermal environments with different cooling systems.