The present research is conducted to investigate the structural behaviour of continuously supported deep beams made with SCC. A series of tests on eight reinforced two-span continuous deep beams made with SCC was performed. The main parameters investigated were the shear span-to-depth ratio, the amount and configuration of web reinforcement and the main longitudinal reinforcement ratio. All beams failed due to a major diagonal crack formed between the applied mid-span load and the intermediate support separating the beam into two blocks: the first one rotated around the end support leaving the rest of the beam fixed on the other two supports. The amount and configuration of web reinforcement had a major effect in controlling the shear capacity of SCC continuous deep beams. The shear provisions of the ACI 318M-11 reasonably predicted the load capacity of SCC continuous deep beams. The strut-and-tie model recommended by different design codes showed conservative results for all SCC continuous deep beams. The ACI Building Code (ACI 318M-11) predictions were more accurate than those of the EC2 and Canadian Code (CSA23.3-04). The proposed effectiveness factor equations for the strut-and-tie model showed accurate predictions compared to the experimental results. The different equations of the effectiveness factor used in upper-bound analysis can reasonably be applied to the prediction of the load capacity of continuously supported SCC deep beams although they were proposed for normal concrete (NC). The proposed three dimensional FE model accurately predicted the failure modes, the load capacity and the load-deflection response of the beams tested. / Higher Education Institute in the Libyan Government

No description available.

This dissertation aims to present a detailed analysis of the grid voltage disturbance in frequency domain for the current control design in the grid-tie inverter applications and to propose current control techniques in order to minimize its impact and maximize feasibility of the power conditioning system in distributed generations. Because the grid voltage is constantly changing, the inverter must be able to response to it. If the inverter is unable to respond properly, then the grid voltage power comes back to the system and damages the fuel cell power conditioning systems. A closed-loop dynamic model for the current control loop of the grid-tie inverter has been developed. The model explains the structure of the inverter admittance terms. The disturbance of the grid voltages has been analyzed in frequency domain. The admittance compensator has been proposed to prevent the grid voltage effect. The proposed lead-lag current control with admittance compensator transfers current properly without system failure. In order to get rid of the steady-state error of the feedback current, a proportional-resonant controller (PR) has been adopted. A PR control with admittance compensation provides great performance from zero power to full power operation. In addition, active and reactive power flow controller has been proposed based on the PR controller with admittance compensation. The proposed active and reactive power flow control scheme shows a wide range power flow control from pure leading power to pure lagging power. Finally, the proposed controller scheme has been verified its feasibility in three phase grid-tie inverter applications. First of all, a half-bridge grid-tie inverter has been designed with PR controller and admittance compensation. Then three individual grid-tie inverters has been combined and produced three phase current to the three phase grid in either balanced condition or unbalanced condition. The proposed control scheme can be applied not only single phase grid-tie inverter application, but also three phase grid-tie inverter application. This research can be applicable to the photovoltaic PCS as well. This technology makes renewable energy source more plausible for distributed generations. / Ph. D.

This thesis examines how female consumers’ self-esteem may impact an influencer’s ability to create a purchase through suggesting and testing a developed conceptual model. The Source credibility model, Similarity and Tie-strength were utilized as underlying theoretical frameworks. Five different independent variables were identified; Source- Attractiveness, Trustworthiness, Expertise, Similarity, and Tie-strength, which were evaluated in relation to the dependent variable; Purchase intention. Lastly, Self-esteem was introduced as a moderating variable. The goal with the conceptual model was to gain a deeper understanding of how a consumer’s self-esteem may affect their purchasing behavior, as well as which factors that may influence their purchase intention. A quantitative research method was used, and ten hypotheses were developed from the conceptual model.    To test the hypotheses and answer the research questions, a questionnaire was distributed with the use of snowball sampling. Overall, 1029 Swedish females who followed an influencer on a social media participated in the survey. It was stated in the results and the analysis that all five independent variables had a significant positive relation on the consumer’s purchase intention. However, data shows that a consumer’s self-esteem solely had a relation on two of the five independent variables; Trustworthiness & Tie-strength. Trustworthiness was found to have a negative relation to the purchase intention, while Tie-strength was found to have a positive relation. A content analysis was conducted in order to identify other factors that the participants in the survey felt had a significant impact on why they followed their favorite influencer. The result of the content analysis identified two more factors that may impact the ability of an influencer to create a purchase. These were the Entertainment value and the Core values of the influencer.

No description available.

Esta pesquisa estuda o comportamento de blocos de concreto armado sobre duas estacas com cálice totalmente embutido, utilizado na ligação pilar-fundação de estruturas de concreto pré-moldado. Particularmente, foi avaliado o efeito que a viga de travamento provoca no bloco quando apoiada nas paredes laterais do cálice. Foi desenvolvida análise numérica tridimensional utilizando programa baseado no método dos elementos finitos (MEF), na qual foi considerada a não-linearidade física dos materiais. Para avaliação do programa adotado, realizou-se análise comparativa de resultados experimentais e numéricos obtidos por meio de outro programa. Nos blocos estudados variou-se a espessura e o tipo de conformação das paredes do cálice, o ângulo de inclinação da biela e a intensidade das ações na viga de travamento. Os resultados indicam que a presença da viga de travamento não altera de modo significativo o comportamento do bloco, e que a parede do cálice é capaz de transferir a força proveniente da viga em direção às estacas de modo eficaz. Por meio das tensões nas barras da armadura principal, foi possível obter a força no tirante e o ângulo de inclinação da biela antes da ruína dos modelos. Constatou-se que os ângulos apresentaram maior inclinação do que as utilizadas no dimensionamento, que por sua vez foi feito baseado nos modelos de bielas e tirantes. / The present research studies the behavior of two pile caps reinforced concrete with embedded socked used in connections of pre-cast concrete structures. It was particularly evaluated the effect provoked by the locking beam on the pile-caps when supported by the socket lateral walls. Three-dimensional numerical analyses using software based on finite element method (FEM) were developed considering the nonlinear physical behavior of the material. To evaluate the adopted software, a comparative analysis was made using numerical and experimental results obtained from other software. In the pile caps studied, it was noticed a variation in the wall thickness, socket interface, strut angle inclination and action on beam. The results show that the presence of beam does not change significantly the pile caps behavior and that the socket wall is able to transfer effectively the force from the beam to the pile caps. By the tensions on the bars of longitudinal reinforcement, it was possible to obtain the force on the tie and the strut angle inclination before the collapse of models. It was found that the angles present more inclinations than those used in the design, which was made based on strut and tie model.

A racionalização e a industrialização da construção civil têm promovido o sistema construtivo baseado em elementos de concretos pré-moldados. O comportamento das ligações entre os elementos pré-moldados constitui uma das principais preocupações dos projetistas, sendo as ligações entre a superestrutura e as fundações determinantes na estabilidade e na distribuição de esforços solicitantes da estrutura. O comportamento de blocos sobre estacas com ligações para pilares pré-moldados possui particularidades em razão do diferente mecanismo de transferência de forças do pilar para o bloco mediante a ligação. Neste trabalho é estudado o comportamento de blocos de fundação apoiados sobre quatro estacas com cálice totalmente embutido para ligação com pilar pré-moldado. O estudo baseou-se em análise numérica não-linear de modelos tridimensionais considerando a fissuração do concreto, a presença de armadura e a interface de ligação. O comportamento de blocos com pilares submetidos à força vertical centrada e excêntrica foi descrito em termos de força última, panorama de fissuração, fluxo de tensões principais e tensões nas armaduras do bloco. Os resultados indicam a ocorrência de transferência de esforços do pilar para a fundação a partir das paredes do cálice de interface lisa, entretanto com intensidade insuficiente para a formação de bielas de compressão, e o risco da ocorrência de punção em blocos onde os pilares são ligados por cálices de paredes lisas. / The rationalization and the industrialization of the civil constructions have stimulated the construction process based on precast elements. One of the main designer\'s worries is about the behavior of the joints between precast elements, and the joints between superstructure and the foundations which are determinant in the construction stability and behavior of elements. In reason of the mechanism of transference of the forces from column to pile-cap by socket connections, the behavior of pile-caps with joints for precast columns has some specificity. The behavior of four-pile caps with embedded socket for precast columns joints is studied in this research. The study is based in nonlinear numerical analysis of three dimensional models considering the cracking in concrete, the reinforcement and the joint interface. The behavior of pile caps under centered and eccentric vertical force is described by ultimate force, cracking patterns, principal stresses flow and reinforcements strains. The results suggests that occurs the transfer of forces from column to the pile cap in the socket walls with smooth interface, however the intensity is not enough to form the struts, and the risk of development of punching shear in pile caps which columns are connected by smooth interface socket walls.

O dimensionamento de Regiões D (regiões em que não é aplicável a Hipótese de Bernoulli), embora amplamente estudado e discutido, é um tópico ainda em desenvolvimento e com normatização relativamente escassa. Os métodos mais comumente empregados são o Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF) e o Método de Bielas e Tirantes (MBT). A dissertação expõe a base teórica e a metodologia dos dois métodos no dimensionamento de estruturas de concreto armado ao Estado Limite Último e aborda a utilização da otimização, em especial da otimização topológica, na definição dos modelos para o MBT. Metodologias para a aplicação dos dois métodos são propostas e aplicadas a exemplos práticos de Regiões D com recomendações normativas específicas para seu dimensionamento (consolo e viga parede biapoiada) e também a uma viga parede de geometria complexa, os resultados através de diferentes técnicas de dimensionamento são comparados e discutidos, assim como a utilização da otimização como meio de obtenção de modelos. / The design of D-Regions (Regions where the Bernoulli hypothesis is not valid), although widely studied and discussed, is a topic still under development and with relatively little standardization, especially in Brazil. The most commonly used methods are the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Strut-And-Tie Method (STM). The theoretical basis and methodology of both methods in the design of reinforced concrete structures are presented as well as the use of optimization, especially topology optimization, in the definition of STM models. Procedures are proposed for both methods and applied to practical examples of D-Regions with specific recommendations for its design (Corbel and Deep Beam) as well as a deep beam with complex geometry, the results using the different design methods are compared and discussed as well as the use of optimization as a means of obtaining STM models.

Um aspecto importante relacionado à operação de sistemas de distribuição é o referente à segurança nas ações de restabelecimento pós-perturbações, em manobras emergenciais e programadas, onde necessite de transferência de cargas entre alimentadores aéreos primários de uma mesma subestação ou para uma subestação adjacente, de forma segura e confiável. Devem-se observar os requisitos de carregamento, tensão a nível sistêmico, proteção, entre outros. Atualmente as decisões e tomadas de ações referentes às manobras necessárias para os remanejamentos de cargas são de competência dos operadores que atuam nas salas de controle de operações e, em muitos casos, respaldadas somente na experiência de cada operador, acumulada ao longo do tempo. Este trabalho visa o estudo dos fenômenos físicos envolvidos em situações que coloquem alimentadores aéreos primários de distribuição em paralelo ou mesmo quando se forme uma configuração em anel fechado. Estas manobras podem ser executadas através de alimentadores e transformadores distintos, de mesma potência ou de potências diferentes, estabelecendo diretrizes e respaldando os operadores das salas de controle em situações de emergência, urgência ou programadas no sistema aéreo de distribuição. O objetivo principal é oferecer informações técnicas, possibilitando as tomadas de decisões mais adequadas na coordenação de manobras no sistema aéreo de distribuição, em tempo real. Cada uma delas tem condições que se pode considerar como a mais adequada para a execução dos procedimentos estabelecidos, porém sem os principais subsídios técnicos. Desta forma, algumas variáveis como tensão mínima, limites de carregamento de equipamentos, ângulo de fase dos transformadores, restrições operativas do sistema e de consumidores, devem ser aplicadas em tempo real para a tomada de decisão por parte dos operadores do sistema elétrico. / An important aspect related to the distribution systems operation concerns the safety required in the post-disturbances restorement actions or in the emergency and scheduled maneuvers, which involve the need for load transfer between primary overhead feeders of a same sub-station or for an adjacent sub-station, in a safe and reliable way, complying with the loading requirements, voltage at systemic level and protection, among others. Currently the decisions and taking actions related to the necessary maneuvers to carry out the load transfers are responsibility of the operators who work in the operations control rooms, and in many cases, only endorsed by each operator´s own experience, gathered along the time. This paper aims at the study of the involved physical phenomena in situations that place distribution primary overhead feeders in parallel or even when a configuration in closed ring is formed, via distinct transformers and feeders of same or different powers, establishing guidelines and endorsing the control rooms operators in emergency, urgency or scheduled situations in the distribution overhead system. The main objective is to provide technical information, enabling more adequate taking decisions in the distribution overhead system maneuvers coordination, in real time. Each of them has conditions that can be considered the most adequate to carry out the established procedures, however without the main technical information. Thus, some variables such as minimum voltage, equipment loading limits, transformers´ phase angle, the operational restrictions of the system and customers must be applied in real time for the taking decision by the electrical system operators.

Esta pesquisa discorre a respeito do comportamento estrutural de blocos de concreto armado sobre cinco estacas, dispostas nos vértices de um trapézio, e sobre seis estacas, com o arranjo retangular, considerado pilar com força centrada. Foram estudados diversos métodos analíticos para o dimensionamento dos blocos, no intuito de avaliar a compatibilidade entre o comportamento dos blocos e as hipóteses de cada método. Foi desenvolvida análise numérica tridimensional utilizando programa baseado no método dos elementos finitos. Nos blocos estudados variou-se a deformabilidade do solo de apoio das estacas, por meio de molas elásticas, a seção transversal do pilar, considerando pilar quadrado e pilar retangular, as alturas dos blocos sobre estacas e a resistência do concreto. A configuração do fluxo de tensões, vista em perspectiva, indicou a formação de bielas comprimidas discretas ligando o pilar ao topo das estacas. Observou-se que quanto mais deformável for o solo, mais uniformes são as distribuições das reações entre as estacas e das tensões de tração nas barras das armaduras principais. Verificou-se que as configurações das bielas mudaram conforme se alterou a seção transversal do pilar, indicando a importância de se considerar esse aspecto no dimensionamento analítico dos blocos. A altura influenciou de maneira significativa na rigidez e na resistência dos blocos. No entanto, os blocos com grandes alturas não apresentaram bom comportamento estrutural e os blocos com pequenas alturas não indicaram boa distribuição das reações nas estacas, com as tensões de tração se concentrando entre as barras das armaduras entre as estacas mais próximas do pilar. Observou-se que o aumento da resistência do concreto acarretou no aumento da resistência dos blocos, porém não influenciou na rigidez de modo significativo. Os métodos analíticos que se baseiam nas verificações das resistências a momento fletor e à força cortante não foram compatíveis com o fluxo de tensões obtido, que por sua vez indicou melhor compatibilidade com o método de bielas e tirantes. Por fim, foi possível verificar a aplicabilidade de um método analítico, já existente, que emprega conceitos do método de bielas e tirantes, é simples e de fácil utilização para o dimensionamento de blocos sobre cinco e seis estacas. Esse método considera a altura dos blocos por meio do ângulo de inclinação das bielas, a variação da seção transversal do pilar e diferentes arranjos para as estacas. / This research treats about the structural behavior of reinforced concrete pile caps with five piles arranged at the trapezium vertices and with six piles in rectangular arrangement, considering centered load at column. Several analytical methods were studied for pile caps design in order to assess the compatibility between the pile caps behavior and assumptions of each method. A three-dimensional numerical analysis was developed using program based on finite element method. In pile caps studied, the deformability of soil of support piles were varied, through elastic springs, the column cross section, considering square and rectangular column, the pile caps height and the concrete resistances. The flow stress configuration, visualized in perspective, indicated the formation of discrete compressed struts connecting the column base to the piles top. It was observed that the more deformable is the soil, better uniforms are the reactions distribution between the piles and tensile stresses in the main reinforcement bars. It was found that the struts settings changed with the variation of the cross section column, indicating the importance of this variable in the analytical pile caps design. The height of the pile caps significantly affects the stiffness and strength. However, the higher pile caps did not show good structural behavior and the smaller pile cap indicated poor reactions distribution in piles, with tensile stresses concentrated among the bars reinforcement between the piles closest to the column. It was observed that the increasing in the concrete strength resulted in a higher pile caps resistance, but did not influence the stiffness significantly. The analytical methods, which are based on the resistance verification of bending moment and shear force, are not compatible with the tension flow obtained, which indicated better compatibility with the strut and tie method. Finally, it was possible to verify the applicability of a well known analytical method which uses concepts of strut and tie method, which is simple and easy to apply for five and six pile caps. This method considers the height by means of the inclination angle of struts, the column cross section variation and different piles arrangements.