Title: Influence of crank arm length on change of muscle tone of musculus triceps surae Objectives: The aim of this thesis is to conclude the theoretical knowledge of this issue. The experiment is to uncover via the objective results, if the change of the crank arm length can influence the muscle tone of m.triceps surae and additionaly how much. Methods: The measurement for this thesis was processed at Charles University at the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports, measuring 8 volunteers. Via myotonometry, the biomechanic properties (stiffness and viscosity) of m.triceps surae were measured before and after the workout on a bicycle ergometer. These steps were repeated twice within a week with different crank arm length (170mm and 175mm). On the basis of the reaction of soft tissues on deformation from the tip of the myotonometer, the graphs are depicted, containing the hysteresis curve. We evaluate there two phenomenons - steepness and the content of the curves. They indicate biomechanic properties of soft tissues, resp. also the muscle tissue. Results: The measurements from the 1st and 2nd week were compared. The results of 8 probands show that cycling as a physical activity changes stiffness and viscosity of m. triceps surae and has therefore an influence on the muscle tone. Considering larger...

The objective of this work was to determine the influence of recovered fibres on the mechanical properties of board. Industrial board was provided by Fiskeby Board AB and laboratory board was made by using an isotropic sheet former. Board properties such as tensile strength, tensile stiffness, z-strength and bending stiffness were evaluated. Variation in the grammages of the middle and bottom layers of laboratory board was done and influence on the mechanical properties was studied. Each layer of multiply board was also tested separately at industrial board grammage and standard grammage. Results showed an increase in the tensile properties with the increase in the grammage of bottom layer, an increase in the z-strength of the board was also observed. Bending stiffness calculated by laminate theory also indicated an increase with the increase in the grammage of bottom layer. While testing of the separate layers showed an increase in the tensile properties of the layers with increasing the grammage while a decrease in z-strength was observed. Cracks occurred in the bottom layer of the multiply boards but an increase in the mechanical properties of board was observed. / Returfibrer är miljövänliga och ger ett försprång framför nyfiber på grund av låg kostnad. Det är dock allmänt känt att returfibrer inte uppvisar samma egenskaper som nyfibrer, i själva verket försämras fiberegenskaperna efter varje återvinningsprocess. Mekaniska egenskaper är mycket viktiga för kartongproducenter och därmed läggs en hel del energi på förbättringar utan kostsamma investeringar.   I detta examensarbete utvärderades mekaniska egenskaper för 4-skikts kartong såsom dragstyrka, dragstyvhet, böjstyvhet och z-styrka. Den industriella kartongen som användes kom från Fiskeby Board AB och laboratoriekartong tillverkades med en isotrop arkformer. Separata skikt formades och guskades därefter samman. Ytvikten av det mellersta och undre skiktet ändrades och effekten på kartongens egenskaper utvärderades. Varje lager testades också separat vid ytvikter representativt för den industriella kartongen samt vid standardiserade ytvikter. Styrkan i tjockleksriktningen utvärderades med z-styrka och Scott Bond. Böjstyvheten beräknades med hjälp av laminatteorin.   Skillnaderna i dragstyrka mellan kartong framställd i industrin och laboratorie var små, men dragstyvheten var lägre för laboratoriearken på grund av torktekniken. Skillnaderna i z-styrka var inte signifikanta, men baserat på trenden uppvisade laboratoriearken en lägre styrka på grund av ett lägre presstryck. Delamineringen i de testade proverna skedde i det undre skiktet och inga sprickor uppstod mellan skikten.   Genom ökning av ytvikten av de separata skikten ökade styrkeegenskaper såsom dragstyrka och Scott Bond medan z-styrkan minskade. Genom att minska ytvikten av det mellersta lagret och öka ytvikten av det nedre kunde en ökning av styrkeegenskaperna observeras. Ökningen av z-styrkan var inte signifikant men baserat på trenden kan en ökning förväntas. En betydande ökning av Scott Bond kunde dock ses. Böjstyvheten beräknad genom laminatteorin visade också på en ökning. Även om sprickor fortfarande förekommer i det undre skiktet efter ökning av ytvikten, kan förbättrade kartongegenskaper uppnås.

<div>Thin walled structures find wide applications in automotive industry as energy absorption devices. A great deal of research has been conducted to design thin walled structures, where the main objective is to reduce peak crushing forces and increase energy absorption capacity. With the advancement of computers and mathematics, it has been possible to develop 2D patterns which when folded turn into complex 3D structures. This technology can be used to develop patterns for getting structures with desired properties. </div><div>In this study, square origami tubes with folding pattern (Yoshimura pattern) is designed and studied extensively using numerical analysis. An accurate Finite Element Model (FEM) is developed to conduct the numerical analysis. A parametric study was conducted to study the influence of geometric parameters on the mechanical properties like peak crushing force, mean crushing force, load uniformity and maximum intrusion, when subjected to dynamic loading. </div><div>The results from this analysis are studied and various conclusions are drawn. It is found that, when the tube is folded with the pattern having specific dimension, the performance is enhanced significantly, with predictable and stable collapse. It is also found that the stiffness of the module varies with geometrical parameters. With a proper study it is possible to develop origami structures with functionally graded stiffness, the performance of which can be tuned as per requirement, hence, showing promising capabilities as an energy absorption device where progressive collapse from near to end impact end is desired.</div><div><br></div>

In 1994 there was an earthquake occurred in Northridge, California which caused damage in structures built with Steel Moment Frames (SMF) due to the brittle fractures in the beam and column connections. It has led to the major modifications and improvements in the connection detailing prior to the earthquake occurred in the Northbridge. These changes came up with better materials for welding and introduced the use of cover plate and Reduced Beam Section (RBS). RBS connections are the most widely used connection today and it allows the SMF systems to yield extensively and deform plastically by avoiding brittle fracturing at connections. The most important factors that affect the response along with the design of Steel Moment Frames (SMF) and Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connections are connection strength, stiffness, connection type, use of deep columns and phenomena associated with its instability, the strength of ductility of the column panel zone-beam instability.

Structural and mechanical properties of nucleic acids play a key role in a wide range of biological processes, as well as in the field of nucleic acid nanotechnology. The thesis presents results of several studies focused on modelling these properties. Extensive unrestrained atomic-resolution molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to investigate structural dynamics of nucleic acids, and to parametrize their mechanical models. The deformation energy is assumed to be a general quadratic function of suitably chosen internal coordinates. Two types of models are employed which differ in the level of coarse- graining. The first one is based on the description of conformation at the level of individual bases and the second, coarser one is used to study global bending and twisting flexibility. The models are applied to explain mechanical properties of A-tracts in the context of DNA looping and nucleosome positioning, to characterize twist-stretch cou- pled deformations in DNA and RNA, and to predict changes in the properties of damaged DNA that are likely to be relevant for damage recognition and repair. Besides that, we propose a general model of DNA allostery, applied to study the effect of minor groove binding of small ligands and the allosteric coupling between proteins mediated by the DNA. A careful...

O principal objetivo deste trabalho é calcular esforços e deslocamentos de estruturas tridimensionais de edifícios de andares múltiplos, sujeitos às ações verticais e laterais, considerando a rigidez transversal à flexão das lajes, em teoria de 2ª ordem. O elemento finito de placa adotado na discretização do pavimento, responsável pela consideração da rigidez transversal das lajes na análise do edifício é o DKT (Discrete Kirchhoff Theory). Para os pilares o equilíbrio de forças é verificado na sua posição deformada, ou como é conhecido da literatura técnica, análise em teoria de 2ª ordem, considerando a não linearidade geométrica. Para o cálculo dos esforços e deslocamentos na estrutura são aplicadas as técnicas de subestruturação em série e paralelo na matriz de rigidez global da estrutura. Elaborou-se um programa de computador para o processo de cálculo, utilizando a linguagem computacional Fortran Power Station 90 e pré e pós processadores em Visual Basic 4.0 para ambiente Windows. Finalmente são apresentados alguns exemplos para comprovar a validade do processo de cálculo utilizado / The main aim of this work is to calculate stresses and displacements of threedimensional structures of multistory buildings, subjected to vertical and lateral loads, considering the transverse bending stiffness of slabs, in second order theory. The plate finite element adopted in floor discretization, responsible for considering the bending stiffness contribution of slabs in the analysis of buildings, is the DKT (Discrete Kirchhoff Theory). For columns the forces equilibrium is verified for the columns in their deformed position, which is known in the technical literature as 2nd order analysis, considering the geometric non-linearity. The techniques of serial and parallel analysis of substructures are applied to the global stiffness matrix for the calculus of forces and displacements in the strucuture. A computer program was developed for the calculation process, using the computer language Fortran Power Station 90 and pre and post-processors in Visual Basic 4.0 for a Windows environment. Finally, some examples are presented to check the validity of the employed calculus process

Este trabalho apresenta estudos referentes à rigidez de pilares em análises de segunda ordem. É discutida a questão dos parâmetros necessários para definir o comportamento reológico de peças de concreto armado e também são expostos os fenômenos de instabilidade das estruturas. Para o fornecimento de dados de rigidez para análises não-lineares, utilizam-se relações momento-normal-rigidez secante. Para isto, através da linearização das relações momento-curvatura, são construídos ábacos de curvas de interação, acopladas a valores de rigidez secante adimensionais, para seções retangulares, circulares e vazadas. Com a finalidade de demonstrar a aplicabilidade, apresentam-se exemplos de utilização desses ábacos para dimensionamento e verificação de pilares. Nestes exemplos a não-linearidade geométrica é considerada através do processo P-delta ou pelos processos simplificados como o do Pilar-Padrão e do Pilar-Padrão Melhorado, de acordo com a Norma Brasileira NBR 6118:2003. A não-linearidade física é considerada pelos ábacos de curvas de interação momento-normal-rigidez secante adimensionais ou pela expressão aproximada da rigidez secante. Além disso, são expostos métodos simplificados de cálculo adotados pelo boletim 16 da FIB e pelo Eurocode-2 para consideração da não-linearidade e comparados com a Norma Brasileira. / This work presents studies about the stiffness of columns in second order analysis. It is discussed the issue about the necessary parameters to define the rheological behavior of reinforced concrete pieces and it is also exposed the occurrences of structure instability. It is used relations of secant normal-stiffness-moment for the specification of stiffness data used in non-linear analysis. In this case, through the linearity of curvature-moment relations, curvature interaction diagrams are formed and incorporated to secant not dimensional stiffness values for rectangular, circular and hollow sections. With the objective to demonstrate its application, it is presented examples of use for the diagrams in column design and verification. In these examples the geometrical non-linearity is considered through the P-delta process or through the simplified processes like the Standard-Column and the Improved-Standard-Column, in accordance with the Brazilian Standard NBR 6118:2003. The physical non-linearity is considered through the diagrams of secant normal-stiffness-moment interactions or through the approximate identification of secant stiffness. In addition, it is shown the simplified calculation methods used by FIB Journal 16 and by Eurocode-2 for consideration of the non-linearity and comparison with the Brazilian Standard.

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de avaliar a influência das propriedades elásticas da interface bloco-argamassa no comportamento elástico global de paredes de alvenaria. Por ser um material heterogêneo, as propriedades mecânicas da alvenaria são influenciadas pelas propriedades dos seus diferentes componentes, bloco e argamassa, e pela ligação entre eles. As juntas de argamassa constituem planos de fraqueza, desta forma, características como rigidez, direção e o estado de tensão podem influenciar consideravelmente o comportamento global e consequentemente os parâmetros de projeto. O trabalho foi composto por duas etapas, uma experimental e outra numérica. Na etapa experimental um extenso programa de ensaios foi realizado buscando avaliar as propriedades elásticas normais e tangenciais as juntas de argamassa. Nesta etapa também é apresentado um conjunto de procedimentos que possibilita a caracterização dos componentes da alvenaria de forma não destrutiva. Um estudo paramétrico foi realizado na parte numérica, permitindo identificar quais propriedades da interface exercem mais efeito sobre o comportamento elástico da alvenaria. Também foi avaliado como a heterogeneidade da alvenaria pode afetar a distribuição de ações horizontais ao longo de uma edificação. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a interface bloco-argamassa exerce influência significativa sobre o comportamento elástico da alvenaria, entretanto esta relação depende da razão altura/largura da parede estudada. A distribuição das ações horizontais demonstrou ser bastante afetada pela deformação por cisalhamento, no entanto a consideração da interface não resultou em contribuição significativa. / This work aims to evaluate the influence of the elastic properties of unit - mortar interface in the global elastic behavior of masonry panels. As a heterogeneous material, the mechanical properties of masonry are influenced by the properties of its different components, unit, mortar, and the bond between them. The mortar joints are weakness planes, thus features like stiffness, direction and state of stress can greatly influence the global behavior and the design parameters. The study was composed of an experimental and numerical analysis. In experimental analysis an extensive test program was conducted with focus on normal and tangential elastic properties of the unit-mortar interface. In this part of the work a set of procedures that enable the characterization of the masonry components nondestructively is also presented. A parametric study was conducted in the numerical analysis, allowing the identification of which properties of the interface have a greater effect on the elastic behavior of masonry. The effect of the heterogeneity of the masonry in the distribution of lateral loads in a building was also evaluated. Results indicated that the block-mortar interface has a significant influence on the elastic behavior of masonry; however this relationship depends on the ratio aspect of the panel. The distribution of lateral loads was greatly affected by shear deformation; however the consideration of the interface resulted in no significant contribution.

This doctoral dissertation documents price-setting behavior in Brazil using a unique dataset of store-level price quotes collected by the Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas (FIPE) to construct the Consumer Price Index (CPI-FIPE) from 1989 to 2007. The dataset is extensive in terms of time (222 months), inflation variability (from hyperinflation to monthly deflation), and basket of goods and services (almost 11 million price quotes on 8,294 brands). The first chapter documents new evidence on the frequency and absolute size of price changes during the sample period. I find evidence of marked differences between hyperinflation (1989-1993) and low inflation (1995-2007) periods. During hyperinflation, the frequency and magnitude of price movements are remarkably higher. Once Plano Real took place, both statistics immediately shifted to a much lower and stable level, as did inflation. Price increases are more frequent during hyperinflation, although a small share of prices (mostly food items) drops every month. During low inflation, price decreases are almost as likely as price increases. I also document heterogeneities across different classifications of products. The second chapter investigates the relationship between inflation and relative price variability (RPV). The intramarket RPV significantly increases with the rate of inflation, but I find marked differences between the two inflationary scenarios. During hyperinflation, the relationship is roughly 70% of the magnitude of the relationship during low inflation. Higher levels of inflation are associated with higher degrees of inflation variability, yet the link is somewhat looser during the hyperinflation period. The impact of deflation (in absolute terms) is smaller than the impact of positive inflation during hyperinflation, yet stronger during low inflation. Finally, the third chapter documents the importance of Plano Real on consumers\' search costs. I estimate a nonsequential search model for homogeneous goods to structurally retrieve search costs using price data on 15 different brands of goods and services. The empirical strategy consists of using the Plano Real as a structural breakpoint in the data. I estimate the model splitting the data into before (January 1993 to June 1994) and after (August 1994 to December 1995) the plan, and I find evidence on first-order stochastic dominance of the search cost distribution of the former into the latter; that is, search costs are higher during hyperinflation. I also document evidence of the effect of the plan on shrinking price-cost margins. When searching is less costly, stores lose market power. / Esta tese de doutorado documenta comportamentos de fixação de preços no Brasil através de uma base de dados única de cotações ao nível da loja coletadas pela Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas (FIPE) para a construção do Índice de Preços ao Consumidor (IPC-FIPE) de 1989 a 2007. Minha base de dados é extensa em tempo (222 meses), variabilidade da inflação (de hiperinflação à deflação mensal) e cesta de bens e serviços (quase 11 milhões de cotações sobre 8.294 marcas). O primeiro capítulo documenta novas evidências sobre a frequência e o tamanho absoluto das mudanças de preços durante o período da amostra. Eu encontro diferenças marcantes entre os períodos de hiperinflação (1989-1993) e baixa inflação (1995-2007). Durante a hiperinflação, a frequência e a magnitude dos movimentos de preços são notavelmente maiores. Após o Plano Real, ambas as estatísticas imediatamente mudam para um nível significativamente mais baixo e estável, seguindo o movimento da inflação. Aumentos de preços são mais frequentes durante a hiperinflação, embora uma pequena parcela de preços (principalmente de alimentos) ainda se reduza a cada mês. Sob inflação baixa, reduções de preços são quase tão prováveis quanto aumentos de preços. Eu também documento heterogeneidades presentes em diferentes classificações de produtos. O segundo capítulo investiga a relação entre inflação e variabilidade de preços relativos (VPR). A VPR intra-mercado aumenta significativamente com a taxa de inflação, mas eu encontro diferenças marcantes entre os dois cenários inflacionários. Durante a hiperinflação, a relação é aproximadamente 70\\% menor do que a estimada sob inflação mais baixa. Níveis mais altos de inflação estão associados à maior variabilidade desta, mas a ligação é um pouco mais fraca durante o período de hiperinflação. O impacto de uma deflação (em termos absolutos) é menor do que o impacto de um aumento de preço durante a hiperinflação, porém mais forte durante níveis mais baixos de inflação. Finalmente, o terceiro capítulo documenta a importância do Plano Real sobre os custos de busca (search costs}) dos consumidores. Eu estimo um modelo de busca não sequencial por bens homogêneos para recuperar estruturalmente os custos de busca dos consumidores utilizando dados de preços sobre 15 marcas diferentes de bens e serviços. A estratégia empírica consiste em usar o Plano Real como um ponto de quebra estrutural nos dados. Eu estimo o modelo dividindo os dados entre antes (de janeiro de 1993 a junho de 1994) e depois (de agosto de 1994 a dezembro de 1995) do plano e encontro evidências de dominância estocástica de primeira ordem da distribuição do custo de busca do primeiro sobre o segundo período, ou seja, os custos de busca são maiores durante a hiperinflação. Eu também encontro evidências do efeito do plano na redução da margem de preço (markup) das empresas. Quando buscar preços é menos custoso, firmas perdem poder de mercado.

I detta examensarbete undersöks limträbalkars styrka och styvhet och hur dessa parametrar ändrar sig när balkarna förstärks med plåt. En litteraturstudie har genomförts för att ta reda på vad som gjorts tidigare vid diverse förstärkningsförsök av limträbalkar. Limträbalkar har högre hållfasthet än vanligt konstruktionsvirke. Vid dimensionering i bruksgränstillståndet gäller en viss maximal nedböjning som beror av balkens spännvidd. En förstärkning med stål, som har högre hållfasthetsegenskaper, kan innebära att man kan klara av kraven med ett mindre tvärsnitt. Även balkens styvhet skulle kunna höjas, vilket i så fall leder till att balkens egenfrekvens höjs. I denna studie undersöks tre olika stålförstärkningar av limträbalkar. Plåtarna limmas fast på balkarna med hjälp av konstruktionslim. Dessa läggs sen på två upplag där en punktlast belastar mitt på balken och trycker tills brott uppstår. De olika förstärkningarna visar på en kraftökning mellan 23,9-30,7 % och en styvhetsökning mellan 13,2-37,6 %. Med en annan typ av stål, med högre hållfasthet, hade ökningarna antagligen kunnat vara ännu större. / In this master thesis the strength and stiffness of glulam beams is being investigated and how these parameters change when you reinforce the beams with steel. A literature review has been conducted to establish what’s been done in this area previously, regarding reinforcements of glulam beams. Glulam beams got a greater solidity compared to regular construction timber. When dimensioning beams, a certain maximum deflection is allowed, that depends on the beam's span. A reinforcement with steel, that has higher strength properties, can mean that you can handle the requirements with a smaller cross section. Even the stiffness of the beam could be raised, which in turn causes the beam's frequency to be raised. In this particular study three different types of steel reinforcement has been investigated. The steel plates were glued together with the glulam beams. The beams were placed upon heaps and a point load stressed the beam at the center until the beam fractured. The reinforced beam showed an increase in strength between 23,9-30,7 % and an increase in stiffness between 13,2-37,6 %. With a different type of steel, with higher solidity, the increases would probably been greater.