Prevailing propagation phenomena in certain areas play a vital role in deciding terrestrial wireless systems performance. Vertical refractivity profile below 1 km is a critical parameter for designing reliable systems; noting that there is a shortage of upper-air data worldwide. Anomalous phenomena may cause severe signal fading and interference beyond the horizon. The objectives of this thesis are to investigate dominant refractive conditions in the subtropical Arabian Gulf region, develop new approaches and empirical models for evaluating vertical refractivity profiles and relevant propagation parameters in the low troposphere, and to examine the impact of frequently experienced anomalous phenomena on terrestrial microwave links. Twenty-three years of meteorological measurements, from 1990 to 2013, are utilized using spatially separated surface stations and a single radiosonde in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Profiles of sea level, surface and upper refractivity components are statistically analysed. Three major atmospheric layers; namely 65 m, 100 m and 1 km above the ground are studied to analyse relevant propagation parameters such as sub-refraction, super-refraction, anomalous propagation probability parameter β0 and point refractivity gradient not exceeded for 1% of time. The effective earth radius factor k is investigated using a new weighted averaged approach. In addition, the seasonal structure of atmospheric ducting is dimensioned within 350 m layer above ground. Finally, microwave measurement campaign is conducted using multiple radio links operating in UAE using various frequency bands. The link budget simulations are compared with the signal strength measurements. Fading scenarios are studied against the observed anomalous conditions and several recommendations are concluded.

Este trabalho discutiu a relação entre o espaçamento inter-estrias , isto é, a taxa de propagação da trinca microscópica SL (local) e SP (projetada) e a taxa de propagação macroscópica , da/dN, obtido após o ensaio de propagação de trinca por fadiga. Corpos de prova compacto C(T) foram extraídos na orientação LT do centro de uma placa laminada de liga de alumínio SAE-AMS 7475 T7351 onde posteriormente foram realizados ensaios de fadiga sob carga ou &#916K constantes, à temperatura ambiente de acordo com a Norma ASTM-E647 (1993). Para o ensaio sob carga constante foram obtidos os dados do estágio II e III da curva da/dN vs. &#916K. Para o ensaio de fadiga sob &#916K constante, quatro níveis de &#916K foram utilizados com taxas de crescimento de trinca variando entre 0,15 à 2,4 &#956m/ciclo. Adicionalmente foram realizados ensaios de tenacidade à fratura, KIC nas direções LT e TL conforme a Norma ASTM-E1820 (1999). A análise fratográfica por microscopia eletrônica de varredura foi conduzida no ensaio de fadiga a &#916K constante para determinar os espaçamentos inter-estrias. As taxas de propagação macroscópica e microscópica foram comparadas e boas correlações foram obtidas para um intervalo entre 0,1 a 1,0 &#956m/ciclo. Através da técnica proposta por Berkovitz (1995), o espectro de carregamento foi estimado através da técnica de parametrização do fator K e os resultados foram comparados ao espectro de carregamento real imposto pela máquina de ensaio. Utilizando o espaçamento inter-estrias local, SL, e para valores de &#916K menores que 23 MPam 1/2 (região de Paris), a estimativa de carregamento exibiu um erro menor que 15%. As vidas estimadas em propagação fornecidas pelas taxas microscópicas de propagação de trinca foram comparadas à vida real de propagação obtida a partir da taxa de propagação de trinca macroscópica e o erro absoluto entre ambos os valores foi menor que 15,7 %. Estes resultados sugerem que a vida em fadiga e o espectro de carga podem ser adequadamente estimados utilizando o espaçamento inter-estrias local, SL. / This work discusses the relationship between striation spacing, i.e. the microscopic crack propagation rate, SL (local) e SP (projected), as measured in post-mortem fractographic inspection of fatigue fractured surfaces, and the macroscopic crack propagation rate, da/dN, as monitored during fatigue crack growth tests. Compact tensile specimens C(T) were extracted in LT orientation from the core of a laminated plate of a SAE-AMS 7475-T7351 Al alloy and subsequently fatigue tested either at constant load or at constant &#916K, at room temperature, according to ASTM-E647. For constant amplitude loading fatigue tests, da/dN- &#916K data points were obtained for Regions II and III of crack growth curve. For constant &#916K fatigue tests, four &#916K levels were selected to give crack growth rates typically ranging from 0.15 to 2.4 &#956m/cycle. Additionally, KIC fracture toughness tests were performed in both LT and TL directions, according to ASTM E1820. SEM fractographic analysis was conducted on constant &#916K fatigue specimens, in order to determine striation spacing created during the fatigue test. Macro- and microscopic crack growth rates were compared and good correlation have been obtained for data within the range from 0,1 to 1,0 &#956m/ciclo. Using the technique proposed by Berkovitz, loading history was estimated by the K-factor parametrization and the results were compared to the true loading spectrum imposed by the testing machine. Using the local striation spacing SL and for &#916K values lower than 23 MPam 1/2 (Paris region), the estimated loading exhibits an error less than 15%. Propagation life estimated by local striation spacing (microscopic crack growth rate) was compared to the true propagation life obtained from macroscopic crack growth rate values and the absolute difference between them was less than 15,7%. These results suggest that both life and loading history can be adequately estimated using the local SL striation spacing values.

This thesis deals with the problem of estimating the velocity of a mobile station (MS)in a mobile communication system using the instantaneous frequency (IF) of the received signal at the MS antenna. This estimate is essential for satisfactory handover performance, effective dynamic channel assignment, and optimisation of adaptive multiple access wireless receivers. Conventional methods for estimating the MS velocity are based either on the statistics of the envelope or quadrature components of the received signal. In chapter 4 of the thesis, we show that their performance deteriorates in the presence of shadowing. Other velocity estimators have also been proposed which require prior estimation of the channel or the average received power. These are generally difficult to obtain due to the non-stationary nature of the received signal. An appropriate window which depends on the unknown MS velocity must first be applied in order to accurately estimate the required quantities. Using the statistics of the IF of the received signal at the MS antenna given in chapter 3, new velocity estimators are proposed in chapter 4 of this thesis. The proposed estimators are based on the moments, zero-crossing rate, and covariance of the received IF. Since the IF of the received signal is not affected by any amplitude distortion, the proposed IF-based estimators are robust to shadowing and propagation path-loss. The estimators for the MS velocity in a macro- and micro-cellular system are presented separately. A macro-cell system can be considered as a special case of a micro-cell in which there is no line-of-sight component at the receiver antenna. It follows that those estimators which are derived for micro-cells can be used in a macro-cell as well. In chapter 4, we analyse the performance of the proposed velocity estimators in the presence of additive noise, non-isotropic scattering, and shadowing. We also prove analytically that the proposed velocity estimators outperform the existing methods in the presence of shadowing and additive noise. The proposed IF-based estimators need prior estimation of both the IF of the received signal and Ricean K-factor. The IF estimation in a typical wireless environment, can be considered as a special case of a general problem of IF estimation in the presence of multiplicative and additive noise. In chapter 5, we show that current time-frequency approaches to this problem which are based on the peak of a time-frequency distribution (TFD) of the signal, fail because of the special shape of the power spectral density of the multiplicative noise in a wireless environment. To overcome this drawback, the use of the first-order moment of a TFD is studied in chapter 5. Theoretical analysis and simulations show that the IF estimator based on the first-order moment of a TFD exhibits negligible bias when the signal-to-additive noise ratio is more than 10 dB. The Ricean K-factor is not only necessary for velocity estimation in micro-cells, but also is a measure of the severity of fading and a good indicator of the channel quality. Two new methods for estimating the Ricean K-factor based on the first two moments of the envelope of the received signal, are proposed in chapter 6. Performance analysis presented in chapter 6, prove that the proposed K estimators are robust to non-isotropic scattering. Theoretical analysis and simulations which are presented in chapters 4 and 7 of this thesis, prove that the proposed velocity and K estimators outperform existing estimators in the presence of shadowing and additive noise.

Este trabalho discutiu a relação entre o espaçamento inter-estrias , isto é, a taxa de propagação da trinca microscópica SL (local) e SP (projetada) e a taxa de propagação macroscópica , da/dN, obtido após o ensaio de propagação de trinca por fadiga. Corpos de prova compacto C(T) foram extraídos na orientação LT do centro de uma placa laminada de liga de alumínio SAE-AMS 7475 T7351 onde posteriormente foram realizados ensaios de fadiga sob carga ou &#916K constantes, à temperatura ambiente de acordo com a Norma ASTM-E647 (1993). Para o ensaio sob carga constante foram obtidos os dados do estágio II e III da curva da/dN vs. &#916K. Para o ensaio de fadiga sob &#916K constante, quatro níveis de &#916K foram utilizados com taxas de crescimento de trinca variando entre 0,15 à 2,4 &#956m/ciclo. Adicionalmente foram realizados ensaios de tenacidade à fratura, KIC nas direções LT e TL conforme a Norma ASTM-E1820 (1999). A análise fratográfica por microscopia eletrônica de varredura foi conduzida no ensaio de fadiga a &#916K constante para determinar os espaçamentos inter-estrias. As taxas de propagação macroscópica e microscópica foram comparadas e boas correlações foram obtidas para um intervalo entre 0,1 a 1,0 &#956m/ciclo. Através da técnica proposta por Berkovitz (1995), o espectro de carregamento foi estimado através da técnica de parametrização do fator K e os resultados foram comparados ao espectro de carregamento real imposto pela máquina de ensaio. Utilizando o espaçamento inter-estrias local, SL, e para valores de &#916K menores que 23 MPam 1/2 (região de Paris), a estimativa de carregamento exibiu um erro menor que 15%. As vidas estimadas em propagação fornecidas pelas taxas microscópicas de propagação de trinca foram comparadas à vida real de propagação obtida a partir da taxa de propagação de trinca macroscópica e o erro absoluto entre ambos os valores foi menor que 15,7 %. Estes resultados sugerem que a vida em fadiga e o espectro de carga podem ser adequadamente estimados utilizando o espaçamento inter-estrias local, SL. / This work discusses the relationship between striation spacing, i.e. the microscopic crack propagation rate, SL (local) e SP (projected), as measured in post-mortem fractographic inspection of fatigue fractured surfaces, and the macroscopic crack propagation rate, da/dN, as monitored during fatigue crack growth tests. Compact tensile specimens C(T) were extracted in LT orientation from the core of a laminated plate of a SAE-AMS 7475-T7351 Al alloy and subsequently fatigue tested either at constant load or at constant &#916K, at room temperature, according to ASTM-E647. For constant amplitude loading fatigue tests, da/dN- &#916K data points were obtained for Regions II and III of crack growth curve. For constant &#916K fatigue tests, four &#916K levels were selected to give crack growth rates typically ranging from 0.15 to 2.4 &#956m/cycle. Additionally, KIC fracture toughness tests were performed in both LT and TL directions, according to ASTM E1820. SEM fractographic analysis was conducted on constant &#916K fatigue specimens, in order to determine striation spacing created during the fatigue test. Macro- and microscopic crack growth rates were compared and good correlation have been obtained for data within the range from 0,1 to 1,0 &#956m/ciclo. Using the technique proposed by Berkovitz, loading history was estimated by the K-factor parametrization and the results were compared to the true loading spectrum imposed by the testing machine. Using the local striation spacing SL and for &#916K values lower than 23 MPam 1/2 (Paris region), the estimated loading exhibits an error less than 15%. Propagation life estimated by local striation spacing (microscopic crack growth rate) was compared to the true propagation life obtained from macroscopic crack growth rate values and the absolute difference between them was less than 15,7%. These results suggest that both life and loading history can be adequately estimated using the local SL striation spacing values.

Este trabalho discutiu o estudo da inferência de carregamento e a reconstrução fratográfica da taxa de propagação da trinca por fadiga em histórias de vôos simulados do tipo Twist, mini-Twist, Falstaff e mini-Falstaff. O material estudado foi uma liga de alumínio de grau aeronáutico SAE-AMS 7475 T7351 na qual foram obtidas as propriedades mecânicas a partir dos ensaios de tração e dureza, análise química, metalográfica. Foram realizados ensaios de amplitude constante de carregamento em corpos de prova com geometria tipo C(T) extraídos de um bloco e ensaios de amplitude variável em corpos de prova com geometria tipo M(T) extraídos de uma placa. Corpos de prova do tipo C(T) foram extraídos da orientação L-T e T-L, à temperatura ambiente com diferentes espessuras para a realização de ensaios de propagação de trinca por fadiga (da/dN vs. &#916K) com distintos valores de razão de carregamento,R (0,1;0,3; 0,5; 0,7 e 0,8) de acordo com a norma ASTM-E647 (1993). Foram realizados dois tipos de ensaios de fadiga com amplitude constante de carregamento. Primeiro, o ensaio com &#916P constante para obtenção dos dados dos estágios II e III das curvas da/dN vs. &#916K para distintos valores de R e, posteriormente, o ensaio com &#916K constante e R crescente para ser utilizado no estudo da inferência de carregamento de amplitude constante a partir da relação entre a morfologia da estria, H/s e a razão de carregamento R. Adicionalmente foram realizados ensaios de tenacidade à fratura, nas direções L-T e T-L, conforme a norma ASTME1820 (1999). As taxas de propagação macroscópica e microscópica foram comparadas e boas correlações foram obtidas para um intervalo entre 0,1 a 1,0 &#956m/ciclo, mesmo com distintos R. Através da técnica proposta por Berkovitz (1995), o espectro de carregamento foi estimado para distintos valores de R, através da técnica de parametrização do fator K e os resultados foram comparados ao espectro de carregamento real imposto pela máquina de ensaio. Após os ensaios de amplitude constante de carregamento foram realizados ensaios de amplitude variável com a aplicação em corpos de prova M(T) de espectros de vôos simulados padronizados pela NLR do tipo Twist e Falstaff e seus vôos reduzidos, mini-Twist e mini- Falstaff, em uma máquina servohidráulica de ensaios dinâmicos. A partir destes ensaios notou-se que suprimir os vôos com os carregamentos menos severos influencia muito a vida da propagação da trinca de fadiga, quando vôos simulados do tipo Twist e mini-Twist, fato este não observado para o Falstaff e mini-Falstaff. Foi possível observar também o efeito da aceleração e desaceleração da trinca por fadiga observando os gráficos de d2a/dvôo vs. a obtidos dos ensaios de amplitude variável. Foi realizado um estudo da superfície de fratura do CP05 por meio da técnica fractográfica do reconhecimento de blocos marcadores sendo possível mostrar uma satisfatória reconstituição da taxa de propagação da trinca por fadiga de vôo simulado do tipo Falstaff por meio de medidas das marcações na superfície de fratura dos vôos mais severos, realizadas em imagens obtidas por MEV. / The loading inference and the fractographic reconstruction of fatigue crack propagation rate in simulated flight stories, as Twist, mini-Twist, Falstaff and mini-Falstaff were investigated in this work. The studied material was an aluminum alloy SAE-AMS 7475 T7351. Tensile and hardness tests were carried out in order to determine mechanical properties, as well as chemical and microstructure analysis of the material. C(T) specimens were extracted from a block of material for constant amplitude load testing and M(T) specimens were extracted from a plate and were tested in variable amplitude loading. The curves (da/dN vs. &#916K) for constant-amplitude loading were obtained from fatigue crack propagation tests performed in L-T and T-L directions in C(T) specimens for R (0.1; 0.3; 0.5; 0.7 and 0.8), at room temperature, according to ASTM-E647 (1993). Two different constant loading fatigue tests were performed. At constant &#916P and distinct values of R for obtaining data of stages II and III of da/dN - &#916K curves; and at constant &#916K and increasing the R ratio to be used in the inference of constant amplitude loading in the relation of H/s striation morphology (obtained from fractographic images) and the loading ratio, R. Additionally, fracture toughness tests were executed in T-L and L-T directions, according to ASTM-E1820 (1999). The macroscopic and microscopic fatigue crack propagations were compared and good correlation was obtained for the range 0.1-1.0 &#956m/cycle, for all R values. By using the K factor parametrization method, Berkovitz (1995), the loading spectrum was estimated for the distinct R-values and the results were compared to the actual spectrum imposed by the test machine. Variable amplitude tests were performed in M(T) specimens by applying simulating flight spectra normalized by NLR, as Twist, mini-Twist, Falstaff and mini-Falstaff, in a servohydraulic test machine MTS, in which a Flextest GT controller was coupled. The suppression of less severe loading flights showed a great influence in fatigue crack propagation life, in simulated flight tests Twist and mini-Twist, but not in Falstaff and mini-Falstaff. The acceleration and slowing down of fatigue crack were observed in the d2a/dflight - a curve obtained from variable loading tests. The fractured surfaces of some samples were examined by the fractographic technique of blocking marks recognition. A good reconstitution of fatigue crack propagation rate of a simulated flight like Falstaff was obtained by the measurements of marks in the fracture surfaces of the more severe flights, in MEV images.

Σκοπός της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι η μελέτη και ο προσδιορισμός, θεωρητικός και πειραματικός, του συντελεστή Κ της Rician κατανομής σε ένα κανάλι στα 2.4 GHz. Η κατανομή Rice χρησιμοποιείται για την περιγραφή του πλάτους του λαμβανόμενου σήματος σε ένα κανάλι μετάδοσης με ισχυρή επίδραση οπτικής επαφής (Line-of-Sight) μεταξύ κεραίας πομπού και δέκτη. Ο συντελεστής Κ Rice εκφράζει τον λόγο της συνεισφοράς της ισχύος της απευθείας συνιστώσας του σήματος ως προς την συνολική λαμβανόμενη ισχύ λόγω φαινομένων διάχυσης. Χρησιμοποιείται για τον χαρακτηρισμό του καναλιού καθώς και τον υπολογισμό του BER (bit-error-ratio) και της πλέον σημαντικής παραμέτρου των τηλεπικοινωνιών SNR (Signal-to-Noise-Ratio), δηλαδή του λόγου σήματος προς θόρυβο. Στο 1ο κεφάλαιο αναλύονται και περιγράφονται μερικές από τις σημαντικότερες τεχνολογίες ασυρμάτων δικτύων, από την πρώτη στιγμή της εμφάνισής τους (δίκτυα 1ης και 2ης γενιάς) έως τα πιο σύγχρονα δίκτυα 3ης και 4ης γενιάς, και παρουσιάζονται οι ζώνες συχνοτήτων που καταλαμβάνουν αυτές οι τεχνολογίες στο διαθέσιμο ηλεκτρομαγνητικό φάσμα. Στο 2ο κεφάλαιο μελετώνται οι 3 βασικότεροι μηχανισμοί διάδοσης του ηλεκτρομαγνητικού κύματος μέσα σε ένα ασύρματο κανάλι (ανάκλαση, περίθλαση, σκέδαση), περιγράφονται οι τύποι των απωλειών που υφίσταται ένα σήμα κατά την μετάδοση του και τα φαινόμενα των διαλείψεων, που παρατηρούνται πολύ έντονα σε ένα κινητό και μεταβαλλόμενο περιβάλλον διάδοσης. Στο 3ο κεφάλαιο γίνεται περιγραφή του μοντέλου ηλεκτρομαγνητικής μετάδοσης κατά Rice, δηλαδή όταν η απευθείας συνιστώσα του σήματος είναι η ισχυρότερη διαδρομή που ακολουθεί το εκπεμπόμενο σήμα κατά την πορεία του μέχρι τον δέκτη (LoS). Αναλύεται η σημαντικότερη παράμετρος αυτού του τύπου μετάδοσης, δηλαδή ο συντελεστής Κ, και παρουσιάζονται διάφορες μέθοδοι προσδιορισμού του τόσο θεωρητικά όσο και πειραματικά. Στο 4ο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα των πειραματικών μας μετρήσεων σε διάφορες τοπολογίες μετάδοσης με LoS για ένα δίκτυο Wi-Fi, δηλαδή για συχνότητα λειτουργίας στα 2.4 GHz. Για κάθε τοπολογία, περιγράφεται πλήρως το περιβάλλον μετάδοσης καθώς και ολόκληρη η διαδικασία εκπόνησης των μετρήσεων (μετρητικά όργανα, απαραίτητο λογισμικό, τυχόν προσεγγίσεις κτλ.). Τέλος, στο 5ο και τελευταίο κεφάλαιο, παρουσιάζεται μια μέθοδος υπολογισμού του συντελεστή Κ μέσω των μετρήσεων και με τη βοήθεια του μοντέλου ελευθέρου χώρου, που χρησιμοποιείται για τον υπολογισμό των συνολικών απωλειών διαδρομής του σήματος. Τα αποτελέσματα των υπολογισμών χρησιμοποιήθηκαν, με την βοήθεια του Matlab, για την κατασκευή της CDF των τιμών του Κ αλλά και της γραφικής παράστασης της μεταβολής του Κ συναρτήσει της απόστασης. Οι εμπειρικές CDF συγκριθήκαν και προσεγγιστήκαν με γνωστές θεωρητικές CDF, και η συνάρτηση της μεταβολής του Κ με την απόσταση προσεγγίστηκε με όρους Goodness of Fit με την βοήθεια της γενικής μορφής γνωστών συναρτήσεων. Κλείνοντας, στην τελευταία παράγραφο της εργασίας αφήνεται περιθώριο και δίνεται τροφή για μελλοντική εργασία πάνω στην μελέτη και τον προσδιορισμό του συντελεστή Κ της Rice τόσο για εσωτερικούς όσο και για εξωτερικούς χώρους. / The main purpose of this thesis, is the analysis and estimation , theoretical and empirical, of the Rician K factor for a wireless channel at 2.4 GHz. The Rician power density function is used to describe the amplitude of the received signal when there is a strong LOS component. The Rician K factor expresses the ratio of the power component due to LOS signal propagation and the received signal power due to diffuse components (reflection, scattering, diffraction etc.). It is commonly used for the channel's characterization and the estimation of BER (bit error rate) and SNR (signal to noise ratio), a very important parameter for telecommunications. In the 1st chapter, some of the most important wireless systems are described, since their very first appearance (1G & 2G networks) until the latest 3rd and 4rth generation systems. We also present the current frequency bands and how they are spread at the given electromagnetic spectrum. In the 2nd chapter, the 3 basic propagation mechanisms (reflection, scattering, diffraction) are studied. In addition, we describe all types of signal attenuation within a wireless channel and the fading phenomena that are so commonly seen in mobile and continuously changing propagation environments. In the 3rd chapter, the Rician model of electromagnetic propagation, where LOS is the strongest path of signal components, is analyzed. The most important parameter of this propagation type, the Rician K factor, is also studied. Therefore, various methods of theoretical and empirical estimation of the K factor are presented. In the 4rth chapter, we include the results of our measurements in various LOS propagation topologies for a Wi-Fi system at 2.4 GHz. For each measurement topology, the propagation environment as well as the entire measurement procedure, are thoroughly described. Lastly, in the 5th and final chapter, a K factor estimation method based on the empirical set of data and the Free Space Model, used for the average path loss calculation, is presented. The results of our measurements via the help of the Matlab software were used in order to plot the CDF of K values as well as the K values versus d (distance) curve. Using curve fitting methods, the empirical CDFs and plots were compared to theoretical ones in terms of Goodness of Fit. In the closing section, possible future research in the aforementioned fields is proposed.

Este trabalho discutiu o estudo da inferência de carregamento e a reconstrução fratográfica da taxa de propagação da trinca por fadiga em histórias de vôos simulados do tipo Twist, mini-Twist, Falstaff e mini-Falstaff. O material estudado foi uma liga de alumínio de grau aeronáutico SAE-AMS 7475 T7351 na qual foram obtidas as propriedades mecânicas a partir dos ensaios de tração e dureza, análise química, metalográfica. Foram realizados ensaios de amplitude constante de carregamento em corpos de prova com geometria tipo C(T) extraídos de um bloco e ensaios de amplitude variável em corpos de prova com geometria tipo M(T) extraídos de uma placa. Corpos de prova do tipo C(T) foram extraídos da orientação L-T e T-L, à temperatura ambiente com diferentes espessuras para a realização de ensaios de propagação de trinca por fadiga (da/dN vs. &#916K) com distintos valores de razão de carregamento,R (0,1;0,3; 0,5; 0,7 e 0,8) de acordo com a norma ASTM-E647 (1993). Foram realizados dois tipos de ensaios de fadiga com amplitude constante de carregamento. Primeiro, o ensaio com &#916P constante para obtenção dos dados dos estágios II e III das curvas da/dN vs. &#916K para distintos valores de R e, posteriormente, o ensaio com &#916K constante e R crescente para ser utilizado no estudo da inferência de carregamento de amplitude constante a partir da relação entre a morfologia da estria, H/s e a razão de carregamento R. Adicionalmente foram realizados ensaios de tenacidade à fratura, nas direções L-T e T-L, conforme a norma ASTME1820 (1999). As taxas de propagação macroscópica e microscópica foram comparadas e boas correlações foram obtidas para um intervalo entre 0,1 a 1,0 &#956m/ciclo, mesmo com distintos R. Através da técnica proposta por Berkovitz (1995), o espectro de carregamento foi estimado para distintos valores de R, através da técnica de parametrização do fator K e os resultados foram comparados ao espectro de carregamento real imposto pela máquina de ensaio. Após os ensaios de amplitude constante de carregamento foram realizados ensaios de amplitude variável com a aplicação em corpos de prova M(T) de espectros de vôos simulados padronizados pela NLR do tipo Twist e Falstaff e seus vôos reduzidos, mini-Twist e mini- Falstaff, em uma máquina servohidráulica de ensaios dinâmicos. A partir destes ensaios notou-se que suprimir os vôos com os carregamentos menos severos influencia muito a vida da propagação da trinca de fadiga, quando vôos simulados do tipo Twist e mini-Twist, fato este não observado para o Falstaff e mini-Falstaff. Foi possível observar também o efeito da aceleração e desaceleração da trinca por fadiga observando os gráficos de d2a/dvôo vs. a obtidos dos ensaios de amplitude variável. Foi realizado um estudo da superfície de fratura do CP05 por meio da técnica fractográfica do reconhecimento de blocos marcadores sendo possível mostrar uma satisfatória reconstituição da taxa de propagação da trinca por fadiga de vôo simulado do tipo Falstaff por meio de medidas das marcações na superfície de fratura dos vôos mais severos, realizadas em imagens obtidas por MEV. / The loading inference and the fractographic reconstruction of fatigue crack propagation rate in simulated flight stories, as Twist, mini-Twist, Falstaff and mini-Falstaff were investigated in this work. The studied material was an aluminum alloy SAE-AMS 7475 T7351. Tensile and hardness tests were carried out in order to determine mechanical properties, as well as chemical and microstructure analysis of the material. C(T) specimens were extracted from a block of material for constant amplitude load testing and M(T) specimens were extracted from a plate and were tested in variable amplitude loading. The curves (da/dN vs. &#916K) for constant-amplitude loading were obtained from fatigue crack propagation tests performed in L-T and T-L directions in C(T) specimens for R (0.1; 0.3; 0.5; 0.7 and 0.8), at room temperature, according to ASTM-E647 (1993). Two different constant loading fatigue tests were performed. At constant &#916P and distinct values of R for obtaining data of stages II and III of da/dN - &#916K curves; and at constant &#916K and increasing the R ratio to be used in the inference of constant amplitude loading in the relation of H/s striation morphology (obtained from fractographic images) and the loading ratio, R. Additionally, fracture toughness tests were executed in T-L and L-T directions, according to ASTM-E1820 (1999). The macroscopic and microscopic fatigue crack propagations were compared and good correlation was obtained for the range 0.1-1.0 &#956m/cycle, for all R values. By using the K factor parametrization method, Berkovitz (1995), the loading spectrum was estimated for the distinct R-values and the results were compared to the actual spectrum imposed by the test machine. Variable amplitude tests were performed in M(T) specimens by applying simulating flight spectra normalized by NLR, as Twist, mini-Twist, Falstaff and mini-Falstaff, in a servohydraulic test machine MTS, in which a Flextest GT controller was coupled. The suppression of less severe loading flights showed a great influence in fatigue crack propagation life, in simulated flight tests Twist and mini-Twist, but not in Falstaff and mini-Falstaff. The acceleration and slowing down of fatigue crack were observed in the d2a/dflight - a curve obtained from variable loading tests. The fractured surfaces of some samples were examined by the fractographic technique of blocking marks recognition. A good reconstitution of fatigue crack propagation rate of a simulated flight like Falstaff was obtained by the measurements of marks in the fracture surfaces of the more severe flights, in MEV images.

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Gli aumenti di capitale iperdiluitivi causano rilevanti anomalie di mercato, soprattutto con riferimento ai diritti d’opzione, che sono spesso scambiati a un prezzo notevolmente inferiore rispetto al loro valore teorico. Come evidenziato nel Capitolo I, tali anomalie possono comportare un significativo annacquamento del valore dell’investimento, inducendo così gli azionisti a sottoscrivere le azioni offerte loro nonostante le prospettive reddituali dell’impresa avrebbero consigliato altrimenti (c.d. coazione a sottoscrivere). Al fine di trovare un adeguato equilibrio tra le esigenze di finanziamento dell’impresa e la necessità di tutelare adeguatamente gli investitori, l’ordinamento giuridico offre una pluralità di soluzioni. In quest’angolo visuale, il Capitolo II esamina il divieto di emettere nuove azioni al di sotto della parità contabile (art. 47, Direttiva (EU) 2017/1132) quale limite ex ante alla diluizione massima del valore della partecipazione azionaria, così di ridurre il rischio di comportamenti opportunistici. Similmente, nel Capitolo III si discute della funzione assolta in tali operazioni dalla responsabilità degli amministratori ex art. 2395 c.c. e ci si interroga se - nelle società quotate - l’illiquidità del mercato dei diritti di opzione costituisca un’ipotesi rilevante ai sensi dell'art. 2441, comma 5, c.c., così che tutte le nuove azioni debbano essere emesse al loro valore “reale” (co. 6). / In publicly traded companies, highly dilutive rights issues create market anomalies throughout the whole offer period, especially with respect to rights prices, which quote considerably below their fair value. As pointed out in Chapter I, these anomalies could cause severe losses to non-subscribing shareholders, inducing them to take part in the operation even if financial perspectives of the company would have suggested otherwise (= enforced subscription mechanism). In order to strike a proper balance of enabling companies to raise new capital while simultaneously protecting investors, company law provides an array of regulatory strategies. In this respect, Chapter II analyzes the prohibition on issuing new shares below par value (art. 47, Directive (EU) 2017/1132) as a means to limit the dilution that can be imposed on non-subscribing shareholders, thus hindering opportunistic behaviors. Similarly, Chapter III examines the function and the contents of managers’ liability to investors (art. 2395 Italian c.c.) and discusses whether, in these operations, the illiquidity of rights’ market can be regarded as a restriction of their pre-emption right, imposing that new shares are always issued at their “real” value (art. 2441, par. 5 - 6, Italian c.c.).