With the growth in pipeline installations all over the world, there is a great demand for highly productive and robust welding systems. Mechanised pipe welding has been developed over the last 50 years and the present focus is towards development of automated pipeline welding systems. Pipeline welding automation is aimed at reducing costs and improving the installation quality. To attain fully automated pipe welding systems there is a need to rely on sensors and controls systems to mimic human like capabilities, such as visual inspection, in real time. The key aim of this work is to develop and evaluate methods of automatic assessment of weld bead shape and quality during narrow gap GMAW of transmission pipelines. This implies that the measured bead profile will be assessed to determine whether the bead shape will cause defects when the subsequent pass is deposited. Different approaches have been used to conquer the challenge that is emulating human reasoning, all with different objectives in mind. In spite of extensive literature research performed, very little information was found concerning the real time determination and assessment of bead shape quality and none of it was reported to be applied successfully to the pipeline industry. Despite the continuous development of laboratory laser vision systems commercial ones have been on the market for decades, some specifically developed for the welding application. Laser vision sensor systems provide surface profile information, and are the only sensors which can satisfactorily measure bead profile on a narrow groove. In order to be able to use them to automatically assess weld bead shape and quality, a deep understanding of their characteristics and limitations needs to be achieved. Once that knowledge was attained it was then applied to determine the best sensor configuration for this purpose. After that the development of human like judgment algorithms were developed to accomplish the aim that was set. Empirical rules were obtained from an experienced welder regarding the acceptability of bead shapes and were then applied in the developed system with good results. To scientifically evaluate and determine the rules to use in this system, further experiments would be required. The output of the system developed showed very accurate, reliable and consistent results that were true to the external measurements and comparisons performed. The developed system has numerous applications in the pipeline industry and it could easily be implemented on commercial systems.

The outcome of this practicum is the design of an "engineered landscape" that can anticipate, reveal and compensate for disturbances brought on by the Energy East Pipeline on local ecologies and communities.This practicum makes an argument for the increased consideration of qualitative values in contemporary landscape mitigation practice. The increased focus on qualitative values in landscape mitigation combined with the provision of facilities and landscapes necessary to build knowledge, skills and resources will result in landscapes and spaces that facilitate the empowerment of communities as stewards of the environment in the face of globalized industrialization and decreased federal/provincial funding. / February 2016

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has attributed great importance to the development of cooperation with Russia. This thesis, first, evaluates the main developments in NATO - Russian relations since 1991. Although Moscow and the Alliance established a NATO - Russia Council (NRC) and asserted the initiation of a qualitatively new relationship, Russia still needs to fulfill some requirements for catching up the Western standards. Russia's external relations and political, economic and security factors internal to Russia will determine the future of the relationship. This thesis examines Russia's political development and transformation of its economic system, and establishes the problems in its political and economic systems. It also examines Russia's problematic external relations in the region, and their impact on the NATO - Russian relationship. It looks into Russia's National Security Concept, explores regional conflicts such as Chechnya and Georgia, and the U.S. - NATO presence in Central Asia. Then, it examines the oil and natural gas transportation problems created by the Russian monopoly, and evaluates Russian technology transfers to Iran, particularly in the nuclear sector. Consequently, it evaluates the internal and external interactions mentioned above and offers conclusions about the prospects for security and stability in Europe. / Lieutenant, Turkish Navy

Natural Hazards are a risk to buried gas pipeline infrastructure, but these risks are difficult to assess and quantify. This can often lead to the risks not being properly identified by pipeline owners. The risk to pipelines within landslide areas are particularly difficult to assess given the complex nature of landslide movements and the soil-pipeline interaction mechanisms imposing loads on a pipeline. This thesis research examines the relationship between ground movements and strains/stresses in buried pipelines through field measured ground movements and in-situ measured pipe strains/stresses. The pipe stresses and strains are then used to estimate probability of pipeline failure and risk based on RBDA limit states approaches. Within Manitoba Hydro’s pipeline network, three at-risk landslide areas (riverbank and deep river valleys) were selected for detailed studies. A field investigation and monitoring program was undertaken to assess possible sources of load and stresses on pipelines. Soil, ground, and pipe instrumentation were installed at the sites and monitored over a four year period. Monitoring results identified soil near the pipeline does not freeze, and ground movements at valley sites are slow moving (<50 mm/year) landslides. The monitoring results also showed pipe stresses and behaviour were affected by backfilling, changes in river levels, thermal affects, soil-pipe relaxation, and ground movements. Pipe push tests were conducted in conjunction with FEM modelling to examine pipe adhesion and to possible explain the pipe behaviour observed. Several ultimate and serviceability limit states pipe failure modes were assessed using the measured pipe stresses. Statistical analysis was undertaken to calculate the probability of pipeline failure for the various limit states failure modes and compared against limit states targets for several scenarios (backfill loads, initial stress-state of the pipeline, other pipelines within Manitoba Hydro network). Overall, the probability of failure estimates were generally insignificant or low due to a postulated soil-pipe relaxation mechanism which is causing a repeated release in longitudinal pipe stresses as the landslide continues to accumulate ongoing ground movements. Three mechanisms are presented and discussed. The statistical analysis indicate pipelines within Manitoba Hydro’s network may exceed limit states targets for yielding and local buckling depending on the loading scenario and the class of the pipeline within the landslide area. The outcome of the research was used to develop a risk managements system to examine geotechnical hazards within Manitoba Hydro’s pipeline network. Specifically, risks associated with ground movements along natural slopes and at river crossings are examined within the system. / October 2016

Elastomer seals are used in a variety of industries that require flow isolation. The characterization of the behavior of these seals remains largely unexplored and hence, this study is focused on simulating and validating the axial-compressive behavior of an annular rubber seal constrained concentrically in a pipe. The elastomer material composing the seal, was experimentally characterized for its mechanical, frictional, and viscoelastic properties and modelled using models developed by Yeoh, Thirion, and Prony respectively. A 2D axisymmetric finite-element model was developed using ANSYS 16 and used alongside the material models to simulate an axial load versus displacement curve, a contact pressure distribution, and a pipe hoop strain gradient. The results for quasi-static loading and viscoelastic effects agreed within 7% and 18% of the experimental results, respectively. It was observed that pipe geometry, rubber chemistry, frictional properties, and viscoelastic effects have significant effect on the compressive behavior of the seal. / October 2016

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

[pt] Neste trabalho é realizado um estudo da estabilidade de dutos enterrados submetidos a cargas térmicas. As cargas térmicas são devidas ao aquecimento do fluido com o objetivo de facilitar o transporte dos óleos que são escoados nos dutos. O duto expande devido a estas cargas térmicas. Como o duto está restringido em suas extremidades e devido à expansão são causadas forças axiais de compressão no duto. Para a análise destes dutos submetidos à variação da carga térmica foram utilizados modelos teóricos e numéricos para o problema de flambagem vertical e lateral, considerando o duto perfeito e com imperfeição. Os modelos numéricos foram desenvolvidos utilizando o programa ABAQUS. Para estes modelos numéricos o duto foi considerado como uma viga e a o solo como elementos de interface e elementos de mola. Foi desenvolvido também um modelo de viga-casca onde parte do duto é modelada como uma casca cilíndirca para permitir a análise de enrugamento e da deformação da seção transversal. São realizados estudos paramétricos numéricos para investigar o efeito do recobrimento do duto da forma e amplitude da imperfeição e da rigidez do solo na temperatura crítica de flambagem do duto. / [en] In this work a study of the stability of buried pipelines subjected to thermal loads is developed. The thermal loads are due to the heated fluid that flows through the pipe. Fluid heating is for ease of oil transportation. The pipe expands due to the thermal loading. Axial forces are developed in the pipe due to the expansion since the pipe is restricted on its ends. The analysis of pipes subject to thermal loadas were carried out with use of theoretical and numerical methods for upheaval and snaking buckling problems considering perfect pipes and pipes with imperfection. The numerical models were developed with the support of the ABAQUS software. The pipe was modeled as a beam and the soil is represented by interface elements and alternatively by spring elements. A beam-shell model was also developed where part of the pipe was modeled as a shell to allow a wrinkling analysis. Parametric studies were also carried out to investigate the effects of the soil stiffness, shape and amplitude or the imperfection and internal pressure on the critical temperature of the pipe.

[pt] Neste trabalho, o Método dos Elementos Finitos é aplicado na análise eletromagnética de estruturas coaxiais circularmente simétricas excitadas pelo modo TEM. A representação do campo magnético é feita através da associação de funções base polinomiais de diferentes ordens a grades que possuem elementos triangulares ou retangulares. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo comparativo entre as diversas possibilidades de associações função base e elemento, considerando o tempo de processamento computacional e a precisão exigida na simulação. A técnica é aplicada na análise de dispositivos de acoplamento entre diferentes guias coaxiais usualmente empregados em antenas de banda larga. Para validar os resultados do algoritmo, os resultados obtidos nas diversas etapas são comparados com aqueles obtidos via Método de Casamento de Modos. Além disto, a técnica é empregada para avaliar a possibilidade de utilização de dispositivos de inspeção de tubulação que utiliza uma onda TEM de alta freqüência. A onda TEM é excitada no interior da tubulação de forma que variações em suas paredes, nas condições de contorno dos campos, produzam alterações nas características de propagação, que serão detectadas e associadas às anomalias de suas paredes internas. Estes dispositivos de inspeção são empregados na indústria de petróleo e gás. / [en] In this work, the Method of Finite Element is applied in the electromagnetic analysis of circularly symmetrical coaxial structures excited by TEM mode. The representation of the magnetic field is made through the association of polynomial basis functions of different orders associated in the grids made of triangular or rectangular elements. This work presents a comparative study between different possibilities of association between basis functions and element, considering the computational time and the accuracy yielded by the simulation. The technique is applied in the electromagnetic analysis of coupling devices used to connect different coaxial waveguides operating at microwave frequencies. To validate the algorithm developed in this work, the MEF results are compared with those obtained by employing Method of Mode Matching (MMM). Moreover, the technique is also employed to evaluate the possibility of use of TEM wave highfrequency for inspection of metallic pipelines. The TEM wave is excited inside cylindrical metallic pipes and anomalies in the metallic walls are associated to the changes in the propagation characteristics. These inspection devices are intensively used in the industry of oil and gas.

A coccidiose aviária é uma doença entérica causada por protozoários parasitas do gênero Eimeria. Visando uma maior compreensão dos mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na regulação do ciclo de vida dos parasitas, foram geradas 15.000 seqüências expressas (ORESTES) para cada uma das três espécies mais importantes: E. tenella, E. maxima e E. acervulina. O presente trabalho consistiu no desenvolvimento de componentes de anotação automática de seqüências para o sistema EGene, plataforma previamente desenvolvida pelo nosso grupo (Durham et al. Bioinformatics 21: 2812-2813, 2005) para a construção de processamentos encadeados (pipelines). Estes componentes foram utilizados para a construção de pipelines de anotação automática de seqüências-consenso obtidas a partir da montagem dos ORESTES de Eimeria spp. A anotação consistiu na identificação dos genes e atribuição da função dos respectivos produtos protéicos, baseando-se em um conjunto de evidências. As seqüências também foram classificadas e quantificadas utilizando-se um vocabulário controlado de termos de ontologia gênica (GO). / Avian coccidiosis is an enteric disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria. Aiming at obtaining a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the life cycle of the parasites, our group generated 15,000 expressed sequences (ORESTES) for each one of the three most important species: E. tenella, E. maxima and E. acervulina. In the present work, we report the development of a set of components for the automated sequence annotation through EGene, a platform for pipeline construction previously described by our group (Durham et al. Bioinformatics 21: 2812-2813, 2005). These components were used to construct pipelines for the automated annotation of assembled sequences of ORESTES of Eimeria spp. The annotation process consisted in the identification of genes and the corresponding protein function based on a set of evidences. The sequences were also mapped and quantified using a controlled vocabulary of gene ontology (GO) terms.

Atualmente existem diferentes definições para o conceito de fragilidade ambiental, o que dificulta sua aplicação e a comparação entre os resultados de diferentes métodos. Este trabalho realiza uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática a cerca desse conceito e adota a definição considerada mais adequada. Com base na definição adotada foi proposto e aplicado um método para avaliar a fragilidade ambiental de uma área de estudo. Esse método utiliza pesos para ponderar os diferentes atributos (meio físico, biótico e socioeconômico) envolvidos na análise de fragilidade ambiental, que são definidos com a aplicação do Processo de Análise Hierárquica (AHP). O método proposto também se fundamenta na utilização de um programa de Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG) para a estruturação da base de dados, a realização das análises espaciais e a ponderação dos mapas necessários. A área de estudo corresponde a um setor do oleoduto São Paulo &#8211; Brasília (OSBRA), com extensão de 18,5 km e largura de 2 km (área total de 83,99 km²) e utilizou-se uma base cartográfica digital na escala 1:10.000. Foram realizadas vistorias de campo para levantar pontos de observação de superfície e para coletar amostras de solo. Realizaram-se ensaios geotécnicos, químicos e mineralógicos com as amostras coletadas. A aplicação do método consistiu na geração de mapas de suscetibilidade intermediários, que combinados geraram o mapa de fragilidade ambiental. Foi importante a utilização do método AHP, pois ele reduz a subjetividade das ponderações qualitativas realizadas. Os resultados obtidos esclarecem a definição do conceito de fragilidade ambiental, além de mostrar a importância da seleção e ponderação dos atributos utilizados no método. O mapa final gerado também permitiu avaliar a sensibilidade do método e seu potencial de aplicação prática. / Currently there are different definitions to the concept of environmental fragility; it complicates its application and makes difficult to compare between different methods. This work addresses the main definitions to this concept and adopts the one considered the most proper. Based in the adopted definition it was proposed a method to evaluate the environmental fragility of a study area. This method applies weights to the different attributes (physical, biotic and socioeconomic) related to the environmental fragility analysis, which are assigned using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The method also uses Geographic Information System (GIS) software to structure the database, to conduct the spatial analysis and to assign weights to the maps. The study area is a sector of the São Paulo &#8211; Brasília oil pipeline (OSBRA), covering 18.5 km length and 2 km wide (total area of 83,99 km²) and it was used a digital cartographic map at the scale of 1:10,000. Field trips were made to obtain surface observation points and to collect soil samples. Geological and geotechnical tests, mineralogical tests and chemistry analysis were conducted with the soil samples. The method application consists in generating intermediates susceptibility maps, that were combined to generate the environmental fragility map. It was important to use the AHP method, because it reduces the subjectivity of the qualitative weight assignment. The obtained results elucidate the environmental fragility concept and show the importance of the selection and weight assignment of the attributes used in the method. Moreover, the final map provided to evaluate the method sensitivity and its potential of practical application.