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In racing, it is useful to analyze vehicle performance and driving strategies to achieve the best result possible in competitions. This is often done by simulations and test driving. In this thesis optimal control is used to examine how a racing car should be driven to minimize the lap time. This is achieved by calculating the optimal racing line at various tracks. The tracks can have arbitrary layout and consist of corners with non-constant radius. The road can have variable width. A four wheel vehicle model with lateral and longitudinal weight transfer is used. To increase the performance of the optimization algorithm, a set of additional techniques are used. The most important one is to divide tracks into smaller overlapping segments and find the optimal line for each segment independently. This turned out to be useful when the track is long. The optimal racing line is found for various tracks and cars. The solutions have several similarities to real driving techniques. The result is presented as driving instructions in Racer, a car simulator.

No description available.

No description available.

An inverted wing with various endplate configurations was investigated at two different angles of incidence. A moving ground was designed and constructed for use in the UNSW T1 wind tunnel. The test cases were investigated in ground effect using the moving ground. Measurements and observations were obtained using laser sheet flow visualisation and laser doppler anemometry. Computational fluid dynamics models of the test cases were run to gain further understanding of the flow field generated when using inverted wings with endplates. The computational fluid dynamics models correlated well to the experimental results.

Grinding set-up in America's Cup sailing provides the power behind tacking and gybing, where the yacht crosses the wind to change direction. Grinding is also used for trimming the sails, which changes the angle on which the yacht is headed. This study provided a descriptive biomechanical overview of grinding on an America's Cup class yacht, and experimentally evaluated the influence of technique instruction on backward grinding performance. Inter-subject differences in body position (technique) throughout the grinding cycle, the ability to alter grinding technique within an eight-day technique intervention period, and the effect of technique on grinding performance as determined by power output were assessed. The quasi-experimental design, in which each of eleven Team New Zealand America's Cup grinders served as their own control, assessed four trials of backward grinding at baseline and post-biomechanical technique intervention testing sessions. Each trial was a maximal effort performed against a high load (250 W) and sustained over a period of eight seconds. Sagittal plane video was used to analyse joint kinematics (elbow, shoulder, trunk, hip, knee, ankle angles and joint centre positions) and to calculate the centre of body mass relative to the grinder pedestal. Height, weight, and limb lengths were obtained from each grinder using the ISAK protocol. Current backward grinding technique employed by the majority of grinders did not optimally use biomechanical principles. Recommendations for improvement were specific to each individual but focused on lowering trunk position and distancing the trunk from the grinding pedestal. Real-time visual feedback was provided to the grinder operators with the main focus being the position of their hip joint (viewed in the sagittal plane), and lowering the shoulder to be vertically level with the apex of the grinding handle cycle. During the intervention the grinders were given added correctional instruction relating to their body position according to perceived technique requirements. Recommendations were based on biomechanical principles regarding body position, and how body position could be altered to optimise the contribution of body weight and force production by the muscles of the upper limb in order to improve the torque applied to the handles. Altering grinding technique according to biomechanical principles produced 4.7% (p = 0.012) greater power during five seconds of grinding performance. Muscular strength, when measured using a 1RM bench pull (116.4 ± 9.8 to 117.3 ± 10.3), was unaffected by the intervention program, thus not contributing to the increased power output observed during grinding. Moderate changes to body position were observed after the eight-day intervention. Forward lean of the trunk decreased from 25° to 17° (p = 0.028) due to a lower hipy position (-0.09 m to -0.16 m below hub, p = 0.019). The more vertical trunk alignment resulted in the shoulderx position being further from the hub (0.33 m to 0.41 m, p = 0.013), producing a greater line of pull due to a more efficient shoulder vector angle (47° to 36°, p = 0.009). Variability (standard deviation and confidence intervals) decreased in all but four kinematic measures (which exhibited no change) indicating improved consistency in grinding technique. Regression analysis indicated the best predictors for high-load backward grinding performance were COMx position relative to the grinding pedestal and maximal strength. Changes in COMx position explained 40% (p = 0.166) of the variation in grinding performance, while maximal strength showed a relationship of 0.23% (p = 0.144) increase in performance per kilogram of bench pull 1RM. A one standard deviation difference in maximal strength altered the effect of COMx position by 0.26% per centimetre (p = 0.008). Weaker predictive factors were body weight, standing height, and pull angle, while brachial index did not appear to have any substantial influence on backward grinding performance. For future research greater subject numbers should enable more conclusive findings, especially in terms of the technique mechanisms and their relative levels of influence on performance.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar como ocorreu o processo histórico da prática do automobilismo de rua em Porto Alegre, no período de 1926 a 1956. A pesquisa foi sustentada em fontes impressas e orais, bem como na apresentação de fotografias disponibilizadas pelo acervo do Museu Brasileiro do Automobilismo, localizado na cidade de Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o automobilismo de rua contribuiu para construir uma representação de modernidade, a partir do cenário esportivo, delineado em Porto Alegre. Esta prática teve seu início em meados da década de 1920, registrando a realização de um grande número de provas automobilísticas, na década de 1930, com a criação da segunda equipe de competição do Brasil, a Escuderia Galgos Brancos. Os gaúchos sofreram influência, nos traçados das provas e nos modelos de carro – as carreteras - dos países vizinhos Uruguai e Argentina, não só técnico, mas de pilotagem. No período de 1950, o Rio Grande do Sul torna-se polo do automobilismo nacional, com o maior número de provas realizadas e destaque para os pilotos gaúchos nas provas automobilísticas. O automobilismo estimulou a indústria nacional automobilística e de autopeças, estabelecendo em seus regulamentos a obrigatoriedade dos competidores usarem, em seus carros, componentes de fabricação nacional. Por fim, evidenciou-se que, no período estudado, o automobilismo estava inserido no imaginário dos gaúchos como uma prática de modernidade, paixão e vitórias dos ases do volante. / This study aims to identify how the historical process of street racing took place in Porto Alegre, from l926 to l956. The research is supported in printed and oral sources as well as in the display of photographs provided by the Brazilian Automotive Museum, located in the city of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, a southern state of Brazil. The results achieved demonstrate that street racing has contributed to build a representation of modernity departing from the sports setting outlined in Porto Alegre. This practice began in the mid-l920 decade and, in the 1930 decade, a large number of motor racing was recorded due to the creation of a second competition team in Brazil, the White Greyhounds racing cars owners pool – Escuderia Galgos Brancos. The so-called gaúchos – people from the southern state of Brazil – have been influenced on competition layout and car models – carreteras – by Uruguai and Argentina, neighboring countries, not only in technical, but also in piloting aspects. In the 1950 decade, Rio Grande do Sul became the main center of Brazilian motor sport because it was the state where the largest number of car competitions took place and also because of the oustandingly performances of the southern pilots in them. Car racing has stimulated the national motoring and auto parts industry by establishing in its regulation a basic requisite: the competitors had to use components, manufactured in Brazil, in their cars. Finally it became evident that during the period that has been studied car racing was inserted into the imagination of the gaúchos as a practice of modernity, passion and victories of the the steering wheel aces.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar como ocorreu o processo histórico da prática do automobilismo de rua em Porto Alegre, no período de 1926 a 1956. A pesquisa foi sustentada em fontes impressas e orais, bem como na apresentação de fotografias disponibilizadas pelo acervo do Museu Brasileiro do Automobilismo, localizado na cidade de Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que o automobilismo de rua contribuiu para construir uma representação de modernidade, a partir do cenário esportivo, delineado em Porto Alegre. Esta prática teve seu início em meados da década de 1920, registrando a realização de um grande número de provas automobilísticas, na década de 1930, com a criação da segunda equipe de competição do Brasil, a Escuderia Galgos Brancos. Os gaúchos sofreram influência, nos traçados das provas e nos modelos de carro – as carreteras - dos países vizinhos Uruguai e Argentina, não só técnico, mas de pilotagem. No período de 1950, o Rio Grande do Sul torna-se polo do automobilismo nacional, com o maior número de provas realizadas e destaque para os pilotos gaúchos nas provas automobilísticas. O automobilismo estimulou a indústria nacional automobilística e de autopeças, estabelecendo em seus regulamentos a obrigatoriedade dos competidores usarem, em seus carros, componentes de fabricação nacional. Por fim, evidenciou-se que, no período estudado, o automobilismo estava inserido no imaginário dos gaúchos como uma prática de modernidade, paixão e vitórias dos ases do volante. / This study aims to identify how the historical process of street racing took place in Porto Alegre, from l926 to l956. The research is supported in printed and oral sources as well as in the display of photographs provided by the Brazilian Automotive Museum, located in the city of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, a southern state of Brazil. The results achieved demonstrate that street racing has contributed to build a representation of modernity departing from the sports setting outlined in Porto Alegre. This practice began in the mid-l920 decade and, in the 1930 decade, a large number of motor racing was recorded due to the creation of a second competition team in Brazil, the White Greyhounds racing cars owners pool – Escuderia Galgos Brancos. The so-called gaúchos – people from the southern state of Brazil – have been influenced on competition layout and car models – carreteras – by Uruguai and Argentina, neighboring countries, not only in technical, but also in piloting aspects. In the 1950 decade, Rio Grande do Sul became the main center of Brazilian motor sport because it was the state where the largest number of car competitions took place and also because of the oustandingly performances of the southern pilots in them. Car racing has stimulated the national motoring and auto parts industry by establishing in its regulation a basic requisite: the competitors had to use components, manufactured in Brazil, in their cars. Finally it became evident that during the period that has been studied car racing was inserted into the imagination of the gaúchos as a practice of modernity, passion and victories of the the steering wheel aces.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-07-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:15:07Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 correa_mjm_me_botfmvz.pdf: 131073 bytes, checksum: 54a5e9f6a434f7fd5e5a2f070f90d399 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O objetivo deste estudo foi de estimar os parâmetros genéticos para características de desempenho em corridas de cavalos Quarto de Milha, no Brasil. Os dados fornecidos pelo Jockey Club de Sorocaba, envolveram três hipódromos brasileiros, entre os anos de 1994 a 2003, com 13.914 informações para tempo e 8.968 para o índice de velocidade (IV), distribuídos em 2817 e 2521 páreos, respectivamente. Os componentes de variância foram estimados pelo programa MTGSAM, em modelo animal, a análise considerou como efeitos aleatórios de animal e ambiente permanente, e os efeitos fixos de sexo, idade e páreo. As herdabilidades para o tempo e IV, para as quatro distâncias estudadas (301, 320, 365 e 402 metros) variaram, respectivamente, de 0,15 a 0,41 e 0,14 a 0,19 ao passo que as repetibilidades foram de 0,36 a 0,68 (tempo) e 0,28 a 0,42 (IV), as correlações genéticas de 0,62 a 0,97 (tempo) e 0,33 a 0,73 (IV). / The aim of this study was estimate genetic parameters for performance traits of Quarter Horses racing. The data were provide by Jockey Club of Sorocaba, with observations in three Brazilian's racing tracks, at the years ranged from 1994 to 2003, with 13,914 racing information for time and 8,968 for speed index (SI), in 2,817 and 2,521 races, respectively. The variance components were estimated by the program MTGSAM, by animal model, were consider randomly effects animal and permanent environment, as fixed effects sex, age and track. Heritability for time and SI, for all distances (301, 320, 365 and 402 meters) ranged, respectively, from 0.15 to 0.41 and 0.14 to 0.19, for repeatability were found values between, 0.36 to 0.68 (time) and 0.28 to 0.42 (SI). The genetic correlations were from 0.62 a 0.97 (time) and 0.33 to 0.73 (SI).

Artificiella neurala nätverk (ANN) kan användas för att lära och efterlikna olika beteenden. I det här projektet används ANN för att kontrollera en bil i en simulatormiljö genom att lära upp nätverken med mänskliga exempel. Syftet med projektet är att ta reda på vilken kombination av parametrar det är som gör att en bil kan kontrolleras av ANN med ett bra resultat. Detta undersöks genom att skapa åtta olika artificiella förare som representerar olika kombinationer av parametrar och sedan jämföra förarnas beteende och resultat för att se vilken förare som klarar sig bäst. På så vis är det sedan möjligt att härleda vilken kombination av parametrar som är den bästa för att kontrollera en bil med ANN. Resultaten från experimenten visar att den bästa kombinationen av parametrar för att styra en artificiell bilförare med ANN är högnivåinput, högnivåoutput och en delad nätverksarkitektur. Framtida arbeten innefattar bland annat hybrider av kombinationer.