Cette thèse présente un modèle thermique et électrique de paroi photovoltaïque (PV) intégrée ou semi-intégrée au bâtiment. La particularité du modèle est le transfert de chaleur entre le panneau et le bâtiment, décrit de telle manière que leurs modèles respectifs soient totalement couplés. Ceci a l'avantage de permettre la prédiction de l'impact de l'installation PV sur le champ de température du bâtiment et donc sur le confort thermique associé. Le but de l'étude est de mettre en évidence l'impact des panneaux PV en termes d'isolation thermique ou de protection solaire pour le bâtiment et la résultante en termes de gain énergétique. De plus, une séquence expérimentale a été menée à l'île de La Réunion, où le climat est tropical et humide, avec un rayonnement solaire important. Dans de telles conditions, il est important de minimiser la sollicitation thermique à travers l'enveloppe du bâtiment, en particulier la toiture. Le modèle est intégré à un code de simulation thermique du bâtiment (ISOLAB) et peut prédire l'impact des panneaux PV installés selon différentes configurations, mais aussi le productible photovoltaïque de l'installation. Finalement, l'étude expérimentale est utilisée pour fournir des éléments de validation du modèle numérique et une analyse de sensibilité est lancée pour mettre en évidence les paramètres les plus influents du modèle. Il a été démontré que les paramètres radiatifs du panneau PV ont un impact important sur le champ de température du bâtiment et que leur détermination doit être faite correctement. Les résultats de cette analyse sont ensuite utilisés pour optimiser le modèle thermique à l'aide du logiciel d'optimisation GenOpt. / This thesis presents a thermal and electrical modelling of PV walls integrated to buildings. The particularity of this model is that the heat transfer that occurs through the panel to the building is described so that both building and PV thermal modelling are fully coupled. This has the advantage of allowing the prediction of the impact of PV installation on the building temperature field and also the comfort inside it. The aim of this study is to show the impact of the PV panels in terms of level of insulation or solar protection for the building. Moreover, the study has been conducted in La Reunion Island, where the climate is tropical and humid, with a strong solar radiation. In such conditions, it is important to minimise the thermal load through the roof of the building. The thermal model is integrated in a building simulation code and is able to predict the thermal impact of PV panels installed on buildings in several configurations and also their production of electricity. Finally, the experimental study is used to give elements of validation for the numerical model and a sensitivity analysis has been run to put in evidence the governing parameters. It has been shown that the radiative properties of the PV panel have a great impact on the temperature field of the tested building and the determination of these parameters has to be taken with care. Results of sensitivity analysis are used to optimize the PV thermal model using the GenOpt optimization program.

This work studies various properties of polymer layers and hybrid layers containing inorganic nanoparticles. MEH-PPV and Polythiophene films are characterized by different experimental techniques. Dark J-V characteristics were measured at different temperatures and the mobility of holes was evaluated in a few cases. Photovoltage spectra are used for a determination of the exciton diffusion length and the SPV method is discussed. The influence of the inorganic nanoparticles CdS and ZnO incorporated into the polymer layers is studied by various experimental methods and the applications of these layers in the inorganic-organic hybrid solar cells are discussed. The inorganic nanoparticle size distributions are obtained by several experimental techniques and the results correspond with the assumptions.

Ce travail concerne l’étude et la réalisation de dispositifs hyperfréquences coplanaires de type composite main droite/gauche (CRLH). Dans la première partie du mémoire, l’état de l’art des structures CRLH et leur aspect théorique sont présentés. La deuxième partie concerne la modélisation circuit et la conception de la cellule CRLH de base. Un modèle circuit a été développé à partir des modèles existants. Un résonateur d’ordre zéro (ZOR en anglais) à couplage capacitif a été fabriqué et les résultats expérimentaux nous ont permis de valider le modèle théorique. Une réduction de 80% de la taille du résonateur a été observée par rapport au résonateur demi-longueur d’onde à la même fréquence du travail. Une ligne de transmission à deux bandes de propagation a été réalisée par la mise en cascade de cinq cellules CRLH de base. La troisième partie est vouée à l’utilisation des couches magnétiques dans les structures CRLH pour réaliser des dispositifs hyperfréquences accordables. L’agilité en fréquence du ZOR a été confirmée expérimentalement. Nous avons aussi proposé un modèle théorique simple de la cellule CRLH réalisée sur un substrat de YIG. Les résultats expérimentaux de la ligne CRLH à ferrite et pour différentes valeurs du champ magnétique appliqué sont présentés et comparés au modèle théorique et aux simulations 3D / This work deals with the study and the fabrication of microwave devices based on the Coplanar Composite Right/Left Handed (CPW CRLH) structures. In the first part, we introduce the CRLH theory. In the second part, circuit modelization and the design of the CPW CRLH unit cell are presented. A coplanar zeroth-order resonator has been numerically studied, realized and verified experimentally. The resonator we have proposed allows a reduction of 80% of its size compared to the conventional half-wave length resonator at 6GHz. Based on the unit cell, a CRLH TL with five elementary cells has been realized. The third part is devoted to the use of magnetic layers in CRLH structures to realise tunable microwave devices. The frequency agility of the ZOR was experimentally confirmed. We also developed a theoretical model of the CRLH unit cell with a YIG substrate. The experimental results of the CRLH line with ferrite and for different values of applied magnetic field are presented and compared with the theoretical model and 3D simulations

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Allen M. Featherstone / Small scale broiler and layer production constitutes a significant part of the poultry industry in Zambia. However, the contribution of small scale enterprises to broiler production is more pronounced than layers with statistics showing 60 and 30 percent for broilers and layers, respectively. This study was carried out for the purpose of determining the economic profitability of both broiler and layer enterprises and also to evaluate their degree of attractiveness for investment. The thesis used the Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return methods to determine the economic profitability for both broiler and layer enterprises. The data used in the analyses were obtained direct from the market and additional data were extracted from the Cost of Doing Business Manual 2012, a publication of the Zambian Development Agency. Additionally, the study used a capital investment of US $50,000 for each enterprise, 25 percent opportunity cost of capital and an economic life of five years. The data were used in estimating the enterprise budgets for both broiler and layer enterprises from which income statements were generated. The enterprise budget for broiler production estimated revenue from the sale of live broiler chickens at a wholesale price while the layer enterprise budget estimated its revenue from the sale of eggs and culled hens. The sale prices used were US $5 per broiler chicken, US $3.60 per tray of eggs and US $2 per culled hen as obtaining on the market at the time. In addition, production was estimated at 60,000 broilers and 30,000 trays of eggs from 3,000 layers annually. The cost of constructing brooder houses and purchase of production equipment were the major cost components for the two enterprise budget estimates. The estimates indicated that these two cost components amounted to US $27,090 and US $21,095 for boiler and layer enterprises respectively. The other cost component was production cost and it includes the cost of labor, feed, day old chicks, marketing, vaccines, transportation, electricity, debeakers, heaters, stationery, etc. The cost of feed constituted about 65 percent of total production cost for layer enterprises and about 60 percent for broiler enterprises. The total production cost as a percentage of revenue was estimated at 80 percent and 70 percent for broiler and layer enterprises, respectively. The analyses were completed under three alternative scenarios that included optimistic, expected and pessimistic scenarios. The analyses across all scenarios show that both broiler and layer enterprises are economically viable for investment though the broiler enterprise is more economically profitable than the layer enterprise. They both show positive NPVs and IRRs in excess of the 25 percent opportunity cost of capital used in the analysis. The analysis for broiler enterprise showed a NPV of US $178,242 for the optimistic scenario, US $122,742 for the expected scenario and US $30,550 for the pessimistic scenario. Results obtained from layer enterprise analysis showed NPVs of US $72,388, US $49,260 and US $11,186 for the optimistic, expected and pessimistic scenarios, respectively. Consistent with the decision rules of the NPV and IRR methods, both enterprises were found to be economically viable for investment. On a comparative basis though, the small scale broiler enterprise was found to be more attractive for investment than the small scale layer enterprise as indicated by the results of the NPVs and IRRs. The lucrative nature of the broiler enterprise and easy of management could be used as possible explanation to the current investment trends seen in the Zambian poultry industry.

Afin de répondre au besoin de la société actuelle qui utilise toujours plus de moyens de transport et de dispositifs portables, les modes de production, de conversion et de stockage de l'énergie, sont en train de connaître de véritables mutations. Afin de créer des systèmes capables de générer une énergie maîtrisée et renouvelable, les nanosciences et nanotechnologies sont des domaines de premier plan. Le travail présenté dans ce manuscrit décrit la fabrication de structures, de taille nanométrique, organisées à grande échelle. La fonctionnalisation se fait par synthèse de films ou de particules par ALD. Des systèmes MIM sont synthétisés sur des structures ordonnées d'alumine poreuse. Les matériaux déposés en couches minces sont TiN, Al2O3 et HfO2. L'objectif est de fabriquer des nano-condensateurs à hautes performances pouvant être utilisés pour des applications de stockage de données, de mémoire ou pour le stockage d'énergie dans des petits dispositifs comme la technologie RFID.Dans une deuxième partie, des catalyseurs métalliques Pd/Ni sont déposés sur des membranes d'alumine pour l'électro-oxydation de l'acide formique. De la même manière, des nano-tubes de TiO2 fabriqués par oxydation anodique sont fonctionnalisés par des nano-particules de Pd pour l'électrooxydation de l'éthanol. Ces deux études systèmes peuvent conduire à leur utilisation comme catalyseurs au niveau de l'anode des piles à combustible liquide à combustion directe. Enfin, la dernière partie de ce travail consiste au dépôt par voie électrochimique de Cu2O, sur des nano-tubes de TiO2 qui servent de support. La jonction p/n ainsi fabriquée pourra servir pour la photo-conversion de l'énergie solaire. / In order to meet the growing needs in today's society that requests more transportation and portable devices, energy production, conversion and storage systems are now experiencing real changes. To fabricate systems able to generate a controlled and renewable energy, nanoscience and nanotechnology are leading research fields. The work presented in this manuscript describes the fabrication of nanosized, large-scale organized structures. These nanostructures have been functionalized through film and particle synthesis using a chemical vapor deposition method: the Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD).Thus, metal/insulator/metal (MIM) systems are fabricated on highly-ordered high-aspect ratio porous alumina. The materials that have been deposited are TiN, Al2O3 and HfO2. The aim is to produce high performance nanocapacitors that can be used for data storage (DRAM) application or for energy storage in small devices such as RFID.In a second part, metallic catalysts such as Pd/Ni have been deposited on alumina membranes for formic acid electro-oxidation. Similarly, TiO2 nanotubes have been fabricated by anodic oxidation and they have been functionalized with Pd nanoparticles for ethanol electro-oxidation. Both studied systems can be used as anode catalysts in direct liquid fuel cells.Finally, the last part of this work has consisted in the study of Cu2O, as a p-type semiconductor, that has been electrochemically deposited onto TiO2 nanotubes (n-type semiconductor). The resulting p/n junction can be interesting for solar energy photoconversion.

A avicultura brasileira assumiu nos últimos anos importante papel dentro do PIB nacional, e a produção de ovos dentro do setor vem tomando cada vez maior importância. No decorrer dos últimos anos vários avanços foram observados no que se refere ao melhoramento genético de poedeiras comerciais, no sentido de maiores produtividade e longevidade. Ambos parâmetros podem ser afetados pela atuação de radicais livres e nutrição adequada. Embora o organismo vivo apresente mecanismos fisiológicos que visam diminuir os danos causados por radicais livres, a suplementação destes pode promover benefícios, desde a reprodução da ave até o desempenho produtivo de poedeiras oriundas de matrizes suplementadas com substâncias antioxidantes, dentre elas a cantaxantina. Recentemente vários estudos têm sido feitos para a nutrição adequada das aves com utilização adequada de aminoácidos, energia, fontes minerais, enzimas, etc., para que atinjam o máximo potencial produtivo. Porém, os níveis vitamínicos têm sido pouco estudados, e normalmente com foco em frangos de corte e/ou níveis mínimos a serem trabalhados para que o animal não entre em deficiência, trabalhos com níveis vitamínicos visando produtividade máxima em poedeiras comerciais não foram encontrados na literatura pesquisada. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar poedeiras comerciais modernas, da linhagem Hisex Brown, em duas situações: origem de matrizes suplementadas com cantaxantina e 25 hidroxicolecalciferol, e níveis vitamínicos altos contra níveis vitamínicos praticados comercialmente. O experimento foi inteiramente casualizado e ocorreu nas dependências da granja experimental da USP de Pirassununga. As aves foram alojadas com 1 dia de idade e mantidas até as 70 semanas, passando pelas fases de cria, recria e produção, em que tiveram os parâmetros zootécnicos observados e comparados. Como resultados, observou-se no trabalho quanto à suplementação das matrizes: melhor peso corporal aos 35 dias, e daí até o final da recria (p<0,05), não apresentando maiores consumos de ração em relação ao grupo controle. Na fase de produção observou-se melhor peso dos ovos e espessura da casca para o grupo tratado e maior resistência da casca para o grupo controle (p<0,05). Quanto aos níveis vitamínicos observou-se: vantagem em peso aos 35 dias, o que não se observou às 17 semanas, e observou-se menor conversão alimentar no grupo controle. Durante a fase de produção, o grupo tratado apresentou resultados melhores em peso de ovos e resistência da casca (p<0,05) / Brazilian poultry has been taken an important part on brazilian economy on the past few years, and the egg production has been taken an important part on brazilian poultry. During the last years, several improvements has been done on the way of better production and longer lifetime of the layers. Both parameters are influenced by free radicals action and the correct use of nutrition. Although life animals have system to avoid damages caused by free radicals, suplementation with antioxidants can bring them benefits, since the reproduction of the breeder, until the production of the layer provided from light breeders suplemented, one of these substances is cantaxantin. Recently, studies have been conduced to determine the appropriate levels of aminoacids, energy, minerals, enzymes, etc., everything to permit the animal, the maximum production. However, vitamin levels haven´t been studied that much, and normally, the goal of theses studies are broilers and/or the minimum necessary to don´t let animals be deficient. This study had the goal to evaluate layers of Hisex Brown lineage, on two situations: the suplementation of the light breeder with cantaxantin and 25 hidroxicolecalciferol, and optimum vitamin nutrition against the ones comercially used. The experiment was entirely randomized designed, and occurred on the experimental houses of USP of Pirrasununga. The day old pullet were housed and maintained there for 70th weeks old, going throw rearing and production period, on which had its parameteres evaluated. As the results, on the work with breeders suplementation better body weight at 35 days old, and than until the end of rearing period (p<0,05), without higher feed consumption then control group. On the production period it was observed higher egg weight and thickness of the shell (p<0,05) for the suplemented breeder group, but better shell resistance for the control group. For the work wtih optimum vitamin nutrition results it was observed improvement of body weight at 35 days old (p<0,05) on the OVN group, but it was not observed until the end of rearing period. During the production time it was not observed any improvement but the weight and resistance of eggs on OVN group (p<0,05)

Tendo em conta os constantes problemas que apresentasse com os processos de corrosão, o presente trabalho de pesquisa tem como foco principal a alteração nas propriedades de superfície das ligas de alumínio empregadas nas aeronaves, AA2024 e AA7075, utilizando mono e bicamadas baseadas de octadecil-trimetóxi-silano (ODTMS) + poli(anilina-co-3-aminobenzoico/PAni3ABA) a fim de encontrar melhores condições para a redução da corrosão puntiformes. Posteriormente, avalia-se as características protetoras dos filmes através de testes de corrosão, como potencial de circuito aberto, curvas de polarização anódica e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica visando a caracterização do comportamento eletroquímico das amostras. Também foram realizadas análises de microscopia óptica para verificar a eficiência de proteção contra a corrosão dos revestimentos propostos antes e após os ensaios de corrosão. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que as camadas utilizadas melhoram a resistência contra a corrosão na seguinte ordem: PAni3ABA > ODTMS + PAni3ABA > ODTMS, sendo a primeira a que apresentou os melhores resultados como maiores deslocamentos do Ecorr para valores mais positivos, diminuição da icorr e menor número de pontos de corrosão após a realização das curvas de polarização. Além de testes de aderência para os filmes também foram efetuadas caracterizações das ligas por MEV. / Taking into account the constant problems that presents with corrosion processes, this research work has focused primarily on the change in surface properties of aluminum alloys used in aircraft, AA2024 and AA7075, with mono and bilayers using as a base octadecyl trimethoxy silane (ODTMS) + poly (aniline-co-3-aminobenzoic / PAni3ABA) to find optimum conditions for reducing corrosion punctiform. Later, it evaluates the protective features of the films through corrosion tests such as open circuit potential, anodic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in order to characterize the electrochemical behavior of the samples. They were also carried out optical microscopy analysis to verify the efficiency of protection against corrosion of the coatings proposed before and after corrosion testing. The results obtained show that the layers used improve corrosion resistance in the following order: PAni3ABA> ODTMS + PAni3ABA> ODTMS, the first being the one that presented the best results as larger shifts towards more positive values, reduced and fewer corrosion points after performing the polarization curves. In addition to compliance tests for the films were also made characterizations of alloys by SEM.

O presente trabalho investiga o desempenho de geotêxteis e de solos como elementos de proteção para geomembranas de polivinil clorado (PVC) e de polietileno de alta densidade (PEAD). Foram utilizadas geomembranas de PVC com espessuras de 1,0 e 2,0 mm e de PEAD com espessuras de 1,5 e 2,0 mm. Como camadas de proteção utilizaram-se geotêxteis não tecidos de poliéster (PET), com gramaturas de 130, 300, 400 e 600 g/\'M POT.2\', e de polipropileno (PP), com gramatura de 400 e 600 g/\'M POT.2\', além de uma areia de granulometria fina a média e uma areia argilosa típica da região Centro-Oeste do Estado de São Paulo. O estudo foi conduzido através da construção de um aterro experimental para simulação dos danos de instalação em campo e da realização de ensaios índice e de desempenho em laboratório. A eficiência dos materiais de proteção foi avaliada através da análise qualitativa e quantitativa das amostras de geomembranas danificadas. Os resultados dos ensaios de laboratório índice mostraram que a introdução do geotêxtil aumenta a resistência à punção da geomembrana, e que o acréscimo de resistência é função das características de resistência à tração do geotêxtil e da geomembrana. O maior incremento de resistência à punção foi observado na geomembrana com menor resistência à tração. Os resultados dos ensaios de campo mostraram que a introdução do elemento de proteção reduz os danos mecânicos apesar da alteração de algumas das propriedades físicas e de desempenho nas geomembranas. Da análise dos resultados, verificou-se que a eficiência dos geotêxteis no campo não é função de suas características de tração, conforme constatado nos ensaios índices. A análise também sugere que os danos mecânicos no campo foram mais intensos do que nos ensaios de desempenho em laboratório. / The performance of non-woven geotextiles and soils as protection elements of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes is studied. The materials used comprised PVC geomembranes of 1,0 and 2,0 mm thickness and HDPE geomembranes of 1,5 and 2,0 mm thickness while the protective layers were of non-woven polyester (PET) geotextiles with mass per unit area of 130, 300, 400 e 600 g/\'M POT.2\' and polypropylene (PP) with mass per unit area of 400 e 600 g/\'M POT.2\'. It was also used protective layers made of a fine to medium sand and a typical clayey sand of central area of the State of São Paulo. The study was based on an experimental landfill built to simulate the damage associated to construction procedures and on index and performance laboratory tests. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis of damaged geomembranes, the behavior of each protective element was evaluated. Index laboratory test results have shown that the geotextile is able to increase the geomembrane puncture strength and that the strength increase is related to the tensile strength of geotextile and geomembrane. For similar geotextiles, the larger increase in puncture strength was observed for the geomembrane that presented the lower tensile strength. Visual observation of field tests has shown that the introduction of protective layers reduces the mechanical damage; however some physical and performance properties of geomembrane have changed. It was also observed that the performance of geotextiles in the experimental landfill does not depend on the tensile strength, as observed in laboratory index tests. Test results also suggest that field damage associated to the landfill construction are more intense than that observed in laboratory tests such as the dynamic puncture test.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-06-08T12:14:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Laura Lucas Arrué.pdf: 2120713 bytes, checksum: 926a48a7372b52c5677d7c600e5cba6e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-08T12:14:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Laura Lucas Arrué.pdf: 2120713 bytes, checksum: 926a48a7372b52c5677d7c600e5cba6e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-30 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Este estudo tem como intuito problematizar os ambientes de (visualização, coleção e compartilhamento) arte online, mais especificamente websites, como interfaces culturais constituídas a partir de certas zonas de embate/conflito. Espaços estes como o Artsy, pensados como o resultado de diferentes camadas, espacializadas e temporalizadas e em convivência, promovem (da forma como estamos a tensionar) estas zonas de conflito. A nossa interface cultural é a partir daí construída. A reflexão de base trazida por Lev Manovich, acerca deste mesmo conceito, é o ponto de partida desta pesquisa, que busca alargar um pouco mais tal horizonte. A abertura do conceito é feita a medida que exploramos um website de conteúdo artístico e o dissecamos no tempo e no espaço. Tomando estes dois momentos como duas camadas constituintes do objeto empírico, chegamos a uma terceira camada, esta como sendo o próprio choque das duas anteriores, aquilo que está entre elas. Desta forma, sempre a partir de uma fundamentação bergsoniana de trabalho, buscamos dissecar para cartografar. Este procedimento metodológico, que é arqueo-genealógico, dá a ver a conexão das camadas que estamos propondo, esta interface cultural que se realiza assim, na sua constituição. / This study aims to propose online domains of art visualization, collection and sharing as cultural composed of certain collision zones. Spaces such as Artsy website, thought as the result of different stratums, both in space and time coexisting, promoting (in the way we are tensioning) these conflict zones. Our cultural interface is built therefrom. The basis reflection brought by Lev Manovich about the same concept is the starting point of this research that looks for extending such horizon. The concept expansion is made as we explore an artistic content website and dissect it in space and time. Taking these two moments as layers of the empirical object, we arrive at a third one, that one as the shock of the two previous itself, what is between them. This way, always from a Henri Bergson’s foundation of work, we seek to dissect for mapping. This methodological procedure that is arche-genealogical shows the layers connection that we propose, this cultural interface that finds its nature in its constitution.

[pt] O presente estudo busca compreender os significados atribuídos por mulheres de camadas populares e médias ao chamado parto humanizado, que ganhou terreno no Brasil coma criação da Rede pela Humanização do Parto e do Nascimento (ReHuNa). O termo parto humanizado, de maneira geral, é compreendido como o parto em que a mulher tem suas escolhas e seus direitos respeitados. Na maioria das vezes, engloba a ideia de parto natural, expressão que denota o compromisso com um mínimo de intervenções médicas e farmacológicas possível. Os significados atribuídos aos termos, contudo, se aproximam e se distanciam, segundo o contexto em que são utilizados, o que ficou evidenciado nesse estudo por envolver dois campos: um curso de preparação para o parto na Zona Sul, coordenado por uma ativista e frequentado por mulheres de camadas médias, e uma casa da parto pública, considerada pela ReHuNa referência de humanização. Esta localiza-se na Zona Oeste e sua clientela é composta principalmente por mulheres de camadas populares. Os resultados sugerem que a proposta de parto é atualizada da maneira diferenciada pelos dois grupos. Enquanto no primeiro as entrevistas atribuem grande valor à desmedicalização e à experiência corporal, considerada enriquecedora do ponto de vista subjetivo, no segundo valoriza-se principalmente o tratamento dispensado pela equipe. Para ambas, contudo, a experiência parece ter um efeito positivo no que se refere à auto-estima, na medida em que, quando conseguem dar à luz da maneira proposta, passam a se perceber e a serem percebidas pelos demais como guerreiras ou supermulheres. / [en] This study aims to understand the meanings given by poor and midle class Brazilian women to the so called humanizes birth, which became popular in Brazil upon the foufation of a civil organization called Rede pela Humanização do Perto e do Nascimento (ReHuNa). According to activists, the expression humanized birth, in general, refers to situations in which women s rights and choices are taken in consideration at the time of birth. More frequently, howere, it refers also to the idea of a natural birth, an expression that means the commitment to minimal medical and pharmacological interventions. The meanings given to these expressions become respectively more and less approximated according to the context in which they are used. This became particularly evident in this research, since it involves two fieldworks: the first are prenatal preparation classes, mainly attended by middle income women, offered in the Southem Zone of Rio de Janeiro by an activist. The Second is public birth center that is considered a reference by the humanization movement. This birthcenter is situated in the Wesrem Zone and is mainly attended by low income womem. The Study s results suggest that the humanization birth approach has different meanings for women according to the socioeconomic group of which they are part. Middle class women give special importance to the reduction in pharmacological intervention and to the body experience, considered to provide a subjective growth. The poor women value specially the way in which they are treated by the nurses/midwives.