<p>In many occupational tasks, environmental constraints limit how close a worker can place their body to a desired element of the task. Although this provides an obstacle when performing the task, workplace obstructions can often be used by a worker to externally support their body by means of bracing. The purpose of this thesis was to identify how a worker’s posture would differ when the task must be performed with a constrained reach, compared to having the option to externally support against the thighs. At 4 different task hand Locations, subjects performed 6 exertions, comprised of 2 Loads (27.5 N and 55 N) and 3 Directions (Up, Down, and Pull). Subjects were able to choose if bracing would be used when performing the first 24 trial exertions. After the choice conditions had been collected, trials were performed again with a forced brace or unbraced. The most important finding of this study was that participants were twice as likely to brace when performing a task with a far reach. In addition, average brace forces were approximately 117 N for Up and Pull exertions, and were nearly half that (67 N) for Down exertions. Participants would brace at a lower height at low versus high locations. Flexing the trunk forward and twisting the right shoulder forward, combined with a more flexed task arm and reduced shoulder rotation, allowed participants to adopt a posture where their shoulder was closer to the point of exertion during braced exertions, thereby increasing their functional arm length.</p> / Master of Science in Kinesiology

yes / The behaviour of seismic-resistant buildings relies heavily upon the inclusion of energy dissipating devices. For concentrically-braced frames, this function is accomplished by diagonal bracing members whose performance depends upon both cross-sectional properties and global slenderness. Traditionally preferred rectangular hollow sections are susceptible to local buckling, particularly in cold-formed tubes, owing to the residual stresses from manufacture. This paper explores the response of hollow and concrete-filled circular tubes under cyclic axial loading. The uniformity of the circular cross-section provides superior structural efficiency over rectangular sections and can be further optimised by the inclusion of concrete infill. A series of experiments was conducted on filled and hollow specimens to assess the merit of the composite section. Comparisons were drawn between hot-finished and cold-formed sections to establish the influence of fabrication on member performance. Two specimen lengths were utilised to assess the influence of non-dimensional slenderness. Parameters such as ductility, energy dissipation, tensile strength and compressive resistance are presented and compared with design codes and empirically derived predictions.

Nearly 27,000 vehicle occupants are killed annually in the United States, with passenger car and light truck occupants amassing 25,000 of these. Over 50% of passenger car and light truck occupant fatalities are due to frontal crashes. Although advancements in safety technology have reduced the number of fatalities and injuries, motor vehicle collisions are still a major issue in the United States. Continued development of computational models and biofidelic anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) necessitates benchmarking of current surrogates and further analysis of an occupant's biomechanical response in automobile collisions. This thesis presents data from low-speed frontal sled tests performed with human volunteers, a Hybrid III 50th percentile male ATD, and post mortem human surrogates (PMHSs). The first study sought to investigate the effects of muscle bracing by human volunteers. The second study sought to compare the responses of the relaxed and braced volunteers in the first study to those of the Hybrid III and PMHS subjects. Overall, these two studies provide novel biomechanical data that can be used to refine and validate computational models and ATDs used to assess injury risk in automotive collisions. The third study was focused on quantifying the ability for children to swing a sword-like toy. Over 200,000 toy-related injuries occur every year in the United States. Currently, data is unavailable with regard to sword-like toys. Incorporating the knowledge gained by this study will allow manufacturers to reduce the inherent risks associated with their products as well as market them to the correct target age groups. / Master of Science

The research summarized in this thesis is comprised of an experimental analysis of the mechanical behavior of a wood composite I-joist with different bracing configurations exposed dynamic walking loads. Three 16 in. deep GPI® 65 I-joists were simply supported and laid parallel to each other, while the bracing was attached to the top flange. Five different brace stiffnesses were used: zero stiffness (control), 1.2 lb/in., 8.5 lb/in., 14.0 lb/in. and infinitely stiff. Two different brace configurations were used: one-quarter of the span length (60 in.) and one third the span length (80 in.). The dynamic walking loads consisted of human test subjects attached to a safety platform walking across the I-joist at a designated pace. Experimental results for this research consisted of the I-joist's lateral accelerations, lateral displacements and twist. An Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used for the statistical analysis of the results and was performed for each measurement. The statistical analysis determined the effects of different bracing configurations, stiffnesses, measurement locations as well as test subjects' weight and occupation. Test results and observed trends are provided for all test configurations. Lateral displacement and twist experienced the same trend throughout the experiment: as brace stiffness increased, lateral displacement and twist decreased. This correlated with basic beam theory and bracing fundamentals. It should be noted that as the stiffness increased, the effect on lateral displacement and twist response decreased. However, the trend for lateral displacement and twist was not observed for the lateral accelerations. The 1.2 lb/in. brace stiffness had much larger lateral accelerations for the 60 in. brace configuration throughout the span and were also larger at the bracing point for the 80 in. brace configuration. This could have been due to the energy applied from the springs or a natural frequency of the I-joist system could have been reached during testing. However, the other four brace stiffnesses followed the same trend as the lateral displacements and twist. In addition, this research demonstrates a method for the measurement of lateral buckling due to worker loads. The mitigation of lateral buckling can use appropriate bracing systems. The measurements of the change in lateral buckling behavior can be used to develop safety devices and ultimately ensure the protection of construction workers. / Master of Science

This diploma thesis deals with the design of a steel structure of a multi-storey building in the locality of Opava. The proposal is developed in two variant solutions. Variant 1 has ground plan dimensions of 37,5 m x 37,5 m and a height of 47 m. The variant 2 has ground plan dimensions of 45 m x 45 m and a height of 49,5 m. The modular size of the fields is 7,5 m x 7,5 m. The main supporting structure is made steel columns and beams, ceiling construction with composite steel and concrete joinst and roofing of arched laminated timber. The stability of the structure is ensured by vertical and roof bracings.

Title: Current approaches in conservative treatment of scoliosis - literature review Objective: The goal of this diploma thesis is evaluate the most efective current within a combination of a bracing with exercises therapy. Next goal is to summarize matters of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis disease, especially outline of clinical picture, causes and predisposition for origin these deformity and last but not least options in conservative treatment. Methodics: This diploma thesis is processed as literature review from available literary resources. First part of thesis contains all of theoretical bases and knowledge about adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Second part has a decriptive-analytical charakter and contains analysis of studies, which was used a bracing supplemented by exercises treatment. Results: Established criteria after finish of review fulfill only nine studies, which interest about efectivness of treatment by bracing in pacient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Because the way of studies and their very low number of studies, is not possible to evaluate results of studies and conclusively interpret, which one is the most effective access. Nevertheless in all of this studies was demonstrated higher efficancy by therapy with probands undergoing a bracing along with active exercise...

O núcleo resistente, considerado um dos principais elementos componentes dos sistemas estruturais de edifícios de andares múltiplos, quando associado ao sistema de contraventamento, consegue conferir à estrutura um razoável acréscimo de rigidez. O núcleo é ainda o único elemento estrutural capaz de resistir isoladamente a todos os esforços atuantes na estrutura de um edifício, contribuindo na determinação mais precisa dos seus deslocamentos. Baseado nestes fatores, acredita-se que as diferentes modelagens, adotadas para o núcleo, proporcionarão diferentes resultados para a mesma estrutura de contraventamento. Este trabalho tem como principal objetivo analisar a influência que estas modelagens exercem na estrutura de contraventamento. Inicialmente, são apresentadas algumas das modelagens mais utilizadas para o núcleo. Com estas modelagens foram processadas algumas estruturas, e os diversos resultados obtidos utilizados no processo comparativo. Para o processamento foram consideradas análises em teoria de primeira e segunda ordem e, para as fundações, vinculação rígida. Não serão consideradas as deformações por esforço cortante nos elementos. / Resistant cores, are considered one of the principal elements of the structural systems of multistory buildings. When associated to the bracing structure, it gives to the structure a reasonable stiffness increment. The core is still the only structural element capable to resist separately all the efforts in the structure of a building, contributing to a more accurate determination of its displacements. Based on these factors, it is believed that different modeling adopted for the cores will provide different results for the same bracing structure. The main aim of this work is to analyze the influence that these modeling exerts on the bracing structure. First, some of the most used core modeling were presented. Then some structures were processed, using these modeling. The several obtained results were compared. For all the analysis it was considered the first and second order theory and rigid connections for the foundations. Shear deformation were not considered in the elements.

Este trabalho trata de detalhes de modelagem de estruturas de contraventamento de edifícios de concreto armado. Inicialmente são discutidos esquemas de modelagem para núcleos de rigidez. São comparados resultados obtidos através de três procedimentos distintos, com diferentes graus de simplicidade e eficiência. É também avaliada a contribuição de vigas secundárias, vigas que não estão conectadas diretamente em pilares, na estrutura de contraventamento. Para tanto são apresentados alguns arranjos onde a consideração das referidas vigas muda significativamente os resultados obtidos e a modelagem de uma estrutura completa de edifício com e sem as referidas vigas secundárias. Por fim, são apresentados um gerador de estruturas de contraventamento e um pós-processador gráfico para visualização da estrutura gerada e dos resultados obtidos, sejam esforços ou deslocamentos. / This work deals with some modelling details of bracing structures for reinforced concrete buildings. lnitially, modelling schemes of structural cores are discussed. Results obtained by three different procedures, with distinct levels of simplicity and efficacy, are compared. The work also shows the contribution of secondary beams, ones that are not directly connected to columns, to the stiffness of bracing structures. Some schemes, in which the consideration of those beams changes expressively the obtained results, and the complete modelling of a building structure, with and without secondary beams, are presented. Finally, the work also introduces a generator of bracing structures and a pos-processor, that permit the visualisation of the obtained results: internal efforts and displacements.

I vissa takstolskonstruktioner kan det ibland uppstå stora tryckkrafter i diagonala reglar. I Sverige löser man oftast detta med hjälp av stagning tvärs diagonalen för att hindra utböjning i veka riktningen. Ibland när det är svårt att på plats trä in strävor på grund av utrymmesbrist och dylikt kan man spika eller skruva på en regel för att på så sätt förstärka den diagonala strävan. Detta examensarbete har undersökt två olika förstärkningsalternativ, rektangulärt- och T-tvärsnitt, med hjälp av reglar med dimension 45x95 mm2 vilka skruvas respektive spikas ihop. Detta har gjorts laborativt genom att trycka provkroppar i en provningsram och undersöka hur mycket den axiala kapaciteten ökar med förstärkning. De två olika förstärkningslösningarna bygger på att man på plats kan förstärka strävor med enkla medel. Testbitarna har levererats till Växjö universitet och är av oklassat virke. Provbitarnas E-modul har undersökts för att på teoretisk väg undersöka hur stor axialkraftskapacitet den primära strävan har utan förstärkning. Provkroppar tillverkades och konditionerades i klimatrum, med temperaturen 20°C och 65 % RF, i ca tre veckor före provtryckning. De laborativa värdena visar att den axiella kapaciteten ökar med 1,9 – 2,7 ggr för de rektangulära tvärsnitten och 2,5 – 4,0 ggr för T-tvärsnitten. Förstärkningsfaktorn är beroende av längd, förstärkningsalternativ och sammanfogning. Förstärkningseffektiviteten är högst för de längre strävorna. / In wooden roof trusses there sometimes may occur buckling in compressed web members. In most cases in Sweden this is solved by bracing between two webs to prevent buckling of the minor axis. Sometimes it is hard to brace between webs because of lack of space. Then it is possible to nail or screw a side member on the compressed web to increase the capacity. This diploma work has examined two different ways of bracing, rectangular cross section and T-bracing, with webs 45x95 mm2. Experimental tests have been made on compression webs and examine the bracing efficiency. It is important that the bracing alternatives are easy to use with simple tools. Ungraded lumber were delivered to Växjö University. The Youngs modulus of the test pieces has been examined so the critical buckling load of the main member without bracing could be calculated theoretically. The lumber was conditioned to equilibrium moisture content of approximately 12 percent in a room maintained at 65 percent relative humidity and 20°C in three weeks before testing the critical buckling load. The experimental results show that the critical buckling load increases with a factor of 1,9 – 2,7 for the rectangular cross sections and with a factor of 2,5 – 4,0 for the T-bracing. The bracing efficiency is dependent on length, bracing alternative and type of connectors.. The bracing efficiency increases for longer webs.

The major concern in the design of the multi-storey buildings is the structure to have enough lateral stability to resist wind forces. There are different ways to limit the lateral drift. First method is to use unbraced frame with moment-resisting connections. Second one is to use braced frames with moment-resisting connections. Third one is to use pin-jointed connections instead of moment-resisting one and using bracings. Finally braced frame with both moment-resisting and pin-jointed connections is a solution. There are lots of bracing models and the designer should choose the appropriate one. This thesis investigates optimal lateral bracing systems in steel structures. The method selects appropriate sections for beams, columns and bracings, from a given steel section set, and obtains a design with least weight. After obtaining the best designs in case of weight, cost analysis of all structures are carried out so that the most economical model is found. For this purpose evolution strategies optimization method is used which is a member of the evolutionary algorithms search techniques. First optimum design of steel frames is introduced in the thesis. Then evolution strategies technique is explained. This is followed by some information about design loads and bracing systems are given. It is continued by the cost analysis of the models. Finally numerical examples are presented. Optimum designs of three different structures, comprising twelve different bracing models, are carried out. The calculations are carried out by a computer program (OPTSTEEL) which is recently developed to achieve size optimization design of skeletal structures.