Existing low-voltage networks may not accommodate high penetrations of low-carbon technologies. The topic of this thesis is unbalance, which if minimised can delay or avoid the constraining of these technologies or the replacing of still-useful network assets. Most of the discussion on unbalance, as seen in the standards and the literature, centres on the effects of voltage unbalance on consumer equipment. Its effects on the network are not equally reported. This thesis recognises fundamental differences between the consumer and network perspectives. It can inform distribution network operators on the interpretation of measurements taken on low-voltage networks and guide research on unbalance due to high penetrations of low-carbon technologies. Much of the work involved simulations of LV networks. Initially, existing 3 x 3 or 5 x 5 approaches to the forward-backward sweep method were thought suitable. After a review of these approaches however, there were doubts as to how accurately they accounted for the shared neutral-earth return path on which the out-of-balance current flows. This led to the derivation of a new 5 x 5 approach using only Kirchhoff s voltage (KVL) and current laws (KCL). Its results are validated thoroughly in the thesis. In addition to satisfying KVL and KCL, they match Matlab SimPowerSystems exactly and are in close agreement with measurements taken on a very unbalanced rural feeder. This thesis also investigates the mitigation of unbalance using the static balancer. This is a transformer with a single interconnected-star winding. It was used in 1930-1950s to correct unbalance. Contributions are made for its possible re-introduction as a retrofit option. They include a model for use in the forward-backward sweep method, validated by laboratory and field measurements, and the quantification of the static balancer s strengths and weaknesses as this can help identify when it should be used.

This study was initiated to quantify the effect of different degrees of irregularity on structures designed for earthquake using simplified analysis. The types of irregularity considered were: (a) Vertical Irregularity • Mass • Stiffness -Strength (b) Horizontal (Plan) Irregularity • Diaphragm Flexibility Simple models were used to allow many analyses to be conducted in a relatively short time. For vertical irregularity studies, simple shear-type structures were designed according to the New Zealand design Standard, NZS1170.5, firstly as regular structures, and then they were redesigned as irregular structures to the same target drift. Both regular and irregular structures were then subjected to a suite of records, and vertical irregularity effects evaluated from the difference in response. For the flexible diaphragm effect study, simple models of structures were developed with: (a) a rigid diaphragm assumption; and (b) a flexible diaphragm assumption. Flexible diaphragm effects were evaluated by conducting time-history analyses and comparing the responses of structures with rigid and flexible diaphragms. A mechanics based approach was developed to quantify flexible diaphragm effects, which was shown to produce consistent results with those from time-history analyses. Relationships between the degree of irregularity and the change in behaviour were developed. This information facilitates designers and plan checkers to rapidly evaluate the likely effect of irregularity on structures. It provides guidance as to: (a) when the effect of structural irregularity can be ignored, and (b) the change in demands for different degrees of structural irregularity. The relations developed also provide a rigorous technical basis for future regularity provisions in the NZS1170.5 and other world-wide seismic design codes.

Time-series power flow simulations are consecutive power flow calculations on each time step of a set of load and generation profiles that represent the time horizon under which a network needs to be analyzed. These simulations are one of the fundamental tools to carry out cost-benefit analyses of grid planing and operation strategies in the presence of distributed energy resources, unfortunately, their execution time is quite substantial. In the specific case of cost-benefit analyses the execution time of time-series power flow simulations can easily become excessive, as typical time horizons are in the order of a year and different scenarios need to be compared, which results in time-series simulations that require a rather large number of individual power flow calculations. It is often the case that only a set of aggregated simulation outputs is required for assessing grid operation costs, examples of which are total network losses, power exchange through MV/LV substation transformers, and total power provision from PV generators. Exploring alternatives to running time-series power flow simulations with complete input data that can produce approximations of the required results with a level of accuracy that is suitable for cost-benefit analyses but that require less time to compute can thus be beneficial. This thesis explores and compares different methods for shortening time-series power flow simulations based on reducing the amount of input data and thus the required number of individual power flow calculations, and focuses its attention on two of them: one consists in reducing the time resolution of the input profiles through downsampling while the other consists in finding similar time steps in the input profiles through vector quantization and simulating them only once. The results show that considerable execution time reductions and sufficiently accurate results can be obtained with both methods, but vector quantization requires much less data to produce the same level of accuracy as downsampling. Vector quantization delivers a far superior trade-off between data reduction, time savings, and accuracy when the simulations consider voltage control or when more than one simulation with the same input data is required, as in such cases the data reduction process can be carried out only once. One disadvantage of this method is that it does not reproduce peak values in the result profiles with accuracy, which is due to the way downsampling disregards certain time steps in the input profiles and to the averaging effect vector quantization has on the them. This disadvantage makes the simulations shortened through these methods less precise, for example, for detecting voltage violations.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The Computer Aided Prototyping System (CAPS) and the Prototype System Description Language (PSDL) represent a pioneering effort in the field of software development. The implementation of CAPS will enable software engineers to automatically validate design specifications and functional requirements early in the design of a software system through the development and execution of a prototype of the system under construction. Execution of the prototype is controlled by an Execution Support System (ESS) within the framework of CAPS. One of the critical elements of the ESS is the Static Scheduler which extracts critical timing constraints and precedence information about operators from the PSDL source that describes the prototype. The Static Scheduler then uses this information to determine whether a feasible schedule can be built, and if it can, constructs the schedule for operator execution within the prototype. / http://archive.org/details/staticschedulerf00marl / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

This thesis considered the design of new and improved foldcore sandwich panels suitable for high-performance energy absorption applications. This was achieved by utilising origami geometry design techniques to alter foldcore structures such that they possessed different mechanical behaviours and failure modes. The major findings of this thesis were in three areas as follows. First, a modified planar foldcore geometry was developed by introducing sub-folds into a standard foldcore pattern. The new geometry, deemed the indented foldcore, successfully triggered a high-order failure mode known as a travelling hinge line failure mode. This was found to have a much higher energy absorption than the plate buckling failure mode seen in an unmodified foldcore structure. A comprehensive numerical, theoretical, and experimental analysis was conducted on the indented core, which included the development of a new foldcore prototyping method that utilised 3D printed moulds. It was shown that compared to available commercial honeycomb cores, the indented foldcore had an improved uniformity of energy absorption, but weaker overall peak and crushing stresses. Second, rigid origami design principles were used to develop extended foldcore geometries. New parametrisations were presented for three patterns, to complete a set of Miura-derivative geometries termed first-level derivatives. The first-level derivative parametrisations were then combined to create complex, piecewise geometries, with compatible faceted sandwich face geometry also developed. Finally, a method to generate rigid-foldable, curved-crease geometry from Miura-derivative straight-crease geometry was presented. All geometry was validated with physical prototypes and was compiled into a MATLAB Toolbox. Third, the performance of these extended foldcore geometries under impact loadings was investigated. An investigation of curved-crease foldcores showed that they were stronger than straight-crease foldcores, and at certain configurations can potentially match the strength, energy-absorption under quasi-static impact loads, and out-of-plane stiffness of a honeycomb core. A brief investigation of foldcores under low-velocity impact loadings showed that curved-crease foldcores, unlike straight-crease foldcores, strengthened under dynamic loadings, however not to the same extent as honeycomb. Finally, an investigation of single-curved foldcore sandwich shells was conducted. It was seen that foldcore shells could not match the energy-absorption capability of an over-expanded honeycomb shell, but certain core types did exhibit other attributes that might be exploitable with future research, including superior initial strength and superior uniformity of response.

Ces travaux de recherche portent sur le développement d’un procédé permettant de mélanger, directement en sortie de polycondensation, du polyamide fondu avec d’autres polymères immiscibles en tant qu’additifs. Ce procédé se distingue ainsi des méthodes d’élaboration conventionnelles pour lesquelles une fusion préalable des polymères est nécessaire. L’étude concerne le mélange de polymères de viscosités très différentes (polyamide 66 et polyéthylène glycol) et le mélange de polymères de viscosités similaires (polyamide 66 et copolymère d’éthylène propylène, en présence ou non d’un agent d’interface : polypropylène greffé par de l’anhydride maléique).Une première partie de ce travail a consisté à caractériser la dispersion de ces mélanges élaborés selon des procédés conventionnels. Ce travail a conduit à développer un modèle reliant la taille de la phase dispersée aux principaux paramètres opératoires de chaque procédé, pour le cas rarement recensé dans la littérature, des mélanges de polymères de viscosités très différentes.La seconde partie a été consacrée à la conception et à la réalisation d’une installation constituée d’un pilote de polycondensation équipé, en sortie de réacteurs, d’un dispositif de mélange reposant sur la technologie des mélangeurs statiques. Son fonctionnement a ensuite été éprouvé pour les deux mélanges considérés, grâce des expériences qui ont permis d’analyser l’influence de différentes conditions opératoires sur la morphologie des mélanges générés. La comparaison des résultats obtenus à ceux issus des procédés conventionnels, a alors permis de préciser les performances et les limites du procédé développé dans cette étude / The aim of this work is to develop a process, which enables to blend polyamide in molten state with others polymers, directly at the outlet of a polycondensation reactor. Contrary to currently industrial processes, no remelting stage is needed in this one. The study has been carried out with polyamide 66 / polyethylene glycol blends (products with very different viscosities) and with polyamide 66 / ethylene propylene blends (products with similar viscosities), with or without polypropylene-graft-maleic-anhydride as interfacial agent. The first part of this work deals with the characterization of the dispersions obtained for these blends when their elaborations are carried out using conventional processes. Only few studies are available on blends, which exhibit a large difference between components viscosity. This work led us to develop a model to correlate, in this case, the dispersed phase size to the main operating conditions of each processes.The second part is dedicated to the design and the realization of an experimental installation, which is composed of polycondensation plant equipped, at the outlet of reactors, with a blending device based on static mixers technology. Its operation has been tested and experiments have been carried out in order to study the influence of the different processing parameters on blends morphology. The comparison of the results with those previously obtained using conventional processes allowed then to precise the performances and the limits of the process developed in this study

The subject of the thesis is a research focused on the part of dynamic spatial memory. In the research there have been made simple scenarios, which were carried out by a selected group of four year old children. Objective of the work is to determine the extent of dynamic spatial memory in the sample of four year old children on the basis of obtained theoretical knowledge. Furthermore, to determine the quality of dynamic spatial memory in four year old children and find extent of remembering instructions (mixed communication). Based on the research findings to contribute to the improvement of professional competence kindergarten teachers working in the field of cognitive processes, without which mathematical thinking could not be developed properly. The expected outcome of the thesis is the preparation of documents designated for kindergarten teachers, which would provide them with an instructive view of examined issue. The content of work is also notification of possible cause dissonance theory and resulting analyses and proposals of corrective measures that belong to kindergarten teacher competence.

L'objectif de ce travail est de prédire les évolutions microstructurales se produisant dans le tantale pur lors d'un traitement thermique en fonction de son état microstructural initial. La restauration, la recristallisation et la croissance de grains sont décrites à l'aide d'un modèle en champ moyen qui nécessite une description adéquate de la microstructure, en termes de distributions de tailles de grains et de densités de dislocations équivalentes. La densité de dislocation équivalente moyenne peut être évaluée par une simple mesure de dureté Vickers. L'établissement de la relation dureté-densité de dislocations nécessite l'utilisation d'une loi de comportement basée sur la densité de dislocations équivalente. Les évolutions microstructurales au cours d'un traitement thermique ont été observées et les paramètres pilotant ces phénomènes ont été identifiés à l'aide d'essais originaux comme l'observation in situ de la recristallisation ou l'utilisation d'essais à gradient de déformation pour déterminer le seuil de densité de dislocations équivalente pour déclencher la recristallisation. Des essais plus classiques ont permis d'obtenir des cinétiques de recristallisation dans la gamme 1000°C-1100°C pour différentes microstructures initiales. Les simulations des différents traitements thermiques à l'aide du modèle à champ moyen rendent bien compte des évolutions microstructurales en termes de fraction recristallisée et de taille des grains recristallisés pour des microstructures faiblement déformées ou fortement déformées et fragmentées, en utilisant une description adéquate du type de microstructure initiale. Le modèle devra en revanche être adapté pour traiter le cas de microstructures intermédiaires, en enrichissant non seulement la description de la microstructure initiale mais également celle de l'étape de germination des grains recristallisés. Il deviendra alors capable de prédire les évolutions de microstructures pour tout type de microstructure initiale de tantale. / This study aims at predicting the microstructural evolution of pure tantalum during annealing according the initial microstructural state. Static recovery and discontinuous recrystallization as well as grain growth are described using a mean-field model requiring an appropriate description of the microstructure, using both equivalent dislocation densities and grain sizes distributions. The average equivalent dislocation density can be assessed from Vickers microhardness measurements. The calibration of such a relation between microhardness and dislocation density involves the use of a dislocation density-based constitutive law. Microstructural evolutions during annealing have been observed and control parameters of these phenomena have been determined using original tests such as in situ observation of the recrystallization process or the use of strain gradient samples to assess the critical dislocation density for the onset of recrystallization. More classical tests have been carried out to get recrystallization kinetics in the range 1000-1100°C for different initial microstructures. Simulations of annealing using the mean-field model adapted for tantalum match the experimental evolution of both recrystallized fraction and recrystallized grain size, in either weakly deformed or severely deformed and fragmented microstructures. On the other hand, the model needs to be further adapted for intermediate microstructures, with both a more elaborate description of the initial microstructure and of the nucleation stage of the recrystallized grains. It will then be suitable to predict evolutions of any initial tantalum microstructure during annealing.

Title: The effect of Warm Up Protocols on Explosive Power Performance in Track and Field Objectives: The main aim of this thesis was to compare three types of warm up protocols and their effects on explosive power performance. Methods: This thesis tested 43 students of UK FTVS, who visited Athletic Conditioning lessons. The group consisted of 28 men (height 183,2+-/5,6 cm) and 15 women (166,3 +-/5,7 cm) aged 20-23 years. There was six measuring sessions separated by a week off. They performed a 800 m aerobic warm up mean run, followed by one of three types of warm-up protocols (static, dynamic, balance). Each of the warm-up protocol was performed two times in the opposite order. The experiment examined the explosive power of lower limbs and upper body/limbs. Performance score were recorded from vertical jump, a ball throw, and medicine ball front throw. Results: The thesis did not confirm any of the hypotheses. It was found that the active static stretching had a positive medium effect on medicine ball front throw by Cohen scale effect size compared to the active dynamic and the active balance warm-up protocol. Other tests did not prove any significant changes, positive or negative, of any warm up protocols. Keywords: Dynamic warm-up, Static warm-up, Balance warm- up, Testing, Explosive Power

In this paper we present novel analytic and finite element solutions to 1-D straight rods made of Ramberg-Osgood and Hollomon type materials. These material models are studied because they are a more accurate representation of the material properties of certain metals used often in manufacturing than the simpler composite linear types of stress/strain models. Here, various types of loads are considered and solutions are compared against some linear models. It is shown that the nonlinear models do have manageable solutions, which produce important differences in the results - attributes which suggest that these models should take a more prominent place in engineering analysis.