This dissertation develops computational models to address outstanding problems in the domain of expectation-related cognitive processes and their neuroimaging markers in functional MRI or EEG. The new models reveal a way to unite diverse phenomena within a common framework focused on dynamic neural encoding shifts, which can arise from robust interactive effects of M-currents and chloride currents in pyramidal neurons. By specifying efficient, biologically realistic circuits that achieve predictive coding (e.g., Friston, 2005), these models bridge among neuronal biophysics, systems neuroscience, and theories of cognition. Chapter one surveys data types and neural processes to be examined, and outlines the Dynamically Labeled Predictive Coding (DLPC) framework developed during the research. Chapter two models hippocampal prediction and mismatch, using the DLPC framework. Chapter three presents extensions to the model that allow its application for modeling neocortical EEG genesis. Simulations of this extended model illustrate how dynamic encoding shifts can produce Mismatch Negativity (MMN) phenomena, including pharmacological effects on MMN reported for humans or animals. Chapters four and five describe new modeling studies of possible neural bases for alpha-induced information suppression, a phenomenon associated with active ignoring of stimuli. Two models explore the hypothesis that in simple rate-based circuits, information suppression might be a robust effect of neural saturation states arising near peaks of resonant alpha oscillations. A new proposal is also introduced for how the basal ganglia may control onset and offset of alpha-induced information suppression. Although these rate models could reproduce many experimental findings, they fell short of reproducing a key electrophysiological finding: phase-dependent reduction in spiking activity correlated with power in the alpha frequency band. Therefore, chapter five also specifies how a DLPC model, adapted from the neocortical model developed in chapter three, can provide an expectation-based model of alpha-induced information suppression that exhibits phase-dependent spike reduction during alpha-band oscillations. The model thus can explain experimental findings that were not reproduced by the rate models. The final chapter summarizes main theses, results, and basic research implications, then suggests future directions, including expanded models of neocortical mismatch, applications to artificial neural networks, and the introduction of reward circuitry.

The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of students when exposed to complementary activities of computational modeling in the learning of Physics and Mathematics taken integrated, using the software Modellus. The difficulties of changing record (algebraic, numeric, graphic and animation), in the work with contents of Kinematics and Functions were the subjects chosen. The study involved first-year students of high school from Agrotécnica Federal de Satuba School - AL and was held in the second half of 2008. For research was adopted a quasi-experimental design, consisting of an experimental group of 18 students who were submitted to computational modeling activities exploratory and of creation for an interval of two weeks (five meetings of two sessions of 50 minutes each) and by a control group of eighteen other students. The results show that there was a statistically significant improvement in the students performance in the experimental group when compared to students in the control group exposed only to the traditional method of teaching. The results of qualitative analysis suggest that many students achieved significant learning. Our observations suggest that the interactions between students and computer activities became a motivating factor in learning. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de investigar o desempenho de estudantes quando expostos a atividades complementares de modelagem computacional na aprendizagem de conteúdos de Física e de Matemática tomados de forma integracionista, utilizando o software Modellus. As dificuldades de mudança de registro (algébrico, numérico, gráfico e animações), no trabalho com conteúdos de Cinemática e de Funções foram os assuntos escolhidos. O estudo envolveu estudantes do primeiro ano do Ensino Médio da Escola Agrotécnica Federal de Satuba AL e foi realizado no segundo semestre de 2008. Para a pesquisa adotou-se um delineamento quase-experimental, formado por um grupo experimental de 18 estudantes que foram submetidos a atividades de modelagem computacionais exploratórias e de criação durante um intervalo de duas semanas (cinco encontros de duas aulas de 50 min cada) e por um grupo controle formado por dezoito outros alunos. Os resultados quantitativos mostram que houve melhorias estatisticamente significativas no desempenho dos alunos do grupo experimental, quando comparado aos alunos do grupo controle, expostos apenas ao método tradicional de ensino. Os resultados da analise qualitativa sugere que muitos alunos atingiram uma aprendizagem significativa. Nossas observações sugerem que a interações entre os alunos e as atividades computacionais, tornaram-se um elemento motivador na aprendizagem.

abstract: Theories of interval timing have largely focused on accounting for the aggregate properties of behavior engendered by periodic reinforcement, such as sigmoidal psychophysical functions and their scalar property. Many theories of timing also stipulate that timing and motivation are inseparable processes. Such a claim is challenged by fluctuations in and out of states of schedule control, making it unclear whether motivation directly affects states related to timing. The present paper seeks to advance our understanding of timing performance by analyzing and comparing the distribution of latencies and inter-response times (IRTs) of rats in two fixed-interval (FI) schedules of food reinforcement (FI 30-s and FI 90-s), and in two levels of food deprivation. Computational modeling revealed that each component was well described by mixture probability distributions embodying two-state Markov chains. Analysis of these models revealed that only a subset of latencies are sensitive to the periodicity of reinforcement, and pre-feeding only reduces the size of this subset. The distribution of IRTs suggests that behavior in FI schedules is organized in bouts that lengthen and ramp up in frequency with proximity to reinforcement. Pre-feeding slowed down the lengthening of bouts and increased the time between bouts. When concatenated, these models adequately reproduced sigmoidal FI response functions. These findings suggest that behavior in FI fluctuates in and out of schedule control; an account of such fluctuation suggests that timing and motivation are dissociable components of FI performance. These mixture-distribution models also provide novel insights on the motivational, associative, and timing processes expressed in FI performance, which need to be accounted for by causal theories of interval timing. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2015

abstract: Soft Poly-Limb (SPL) is a pneumatically driven, wearable, soft continuum robotic arm designed to aid humans with medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy, paraplegia, cervical spondylotic myelopathy, perform activities of daily living. To support user's tasks, the SPL acts as an additional limb extending from the human body which can be controlled to perform safe and compliant mobile manipulation in three-dimensional space. The SPL is inspired by invertebrate limbs, such as the elephant trunk and the arms of the octopus. In this work, various geometrical and physical parameters of the SPL are identified, and behavior of the actuators that comprise it are studied by varying their parameters through novel quasi-static computational models. As a result, this study provides a set of engineering design rules to create soft actuators for continuum soft robotic arms by understanding how varying parameters affect the actuator's motion as a function of the input pressure. A prototype of the SPL is fabricated to analyze the accuracy of these computational models by performing linear expansion, bending and arbitrary pose tests. Furthermore, combinations of the parameters based on the application of the SPL are determined to affect the weight, payload capacity, and stiffness of the arm. Experimental results demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed computational models and help in understanding the behavior of soft compliant actuators. Finally, based on the set functional requirements for the assistance of impaired users, results show the effectiveness of the SPL in performing tasks for activities of daily living. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Mechanical Engineering 2018

abstract: This dissertation investigates the long-term consequences of human land-use practices in general, and in early agricultural villages in specific. This pioneering case study investigates the "collapse" of the Early (Pre-Pottery) Neolithic lifeway, which was a major transformational event marked by significant changes in settlement patterns, material culture, and social markers. To move beyond traditional narratives of cultural collapse, I employ a Complex Adaptive Systems approach to this research, and combine agent-based computer simulations of Neolithic land-use with dynamic and spatially-explicit GIS-based environmental models to conduct experiments into long-term trajectories of different potential Neolithic socio-environmental systems. My analysis outlines how the Early Neolithic "collapse" was likely instigated by a non-linear sequence of events, and that it would have been impossible for Neolithic peoples to recognize the long-term outcome of their actions. The experiment-based simulation approach shows that, starting from the same initial conditions, complex combinations of feedback amplification, stochasticity, responses to internal and external stimuli, and the accumulation of incremental changes to the socio-natural landscape, can lead to widely divergent outcomes over time. Thus, rather than being an inevitable consequence of specific Neolithic land-use choices, the "catastrophic" transformation at the end of the Early Neolithic was an emergent property of the Early Neolithic socio-natural system itself, and thus likely not an easily predictable event. In this way, my work uses the technique of simulation modeling to connect CAS theory with the archaeological and geoarchaeological record to help better understand the causes and consequences of socio-ecological transformation at a regional scale. The research is broadly applicable to other archaeological cases of resilience and collapse, and is truly interdisciplinary in that it draws on fields such as geomorphology, computer science, and agronomy in addition to archaeology. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Anthropology 2013

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Em Fortaleza, a utilizaÃÃo de lajes nervuradas de concreto armado em edifÃcios de mÃltiplos pavimentos à bem difundida, sendo essas edificaÃÃes destinadas as mais diversas finalidades, como academias, supermercados, estacionamentos e unidades residenciais. Esse tipo de laje surgiu como uma alternativa para se vencer grandes vÃos e reduzir o peso prÃprio das estruturas. Assim como as estruturas evoluÃram, o comportamento das pessoas tambÃm foi se adaptando Ãs modernidades. Hoje em dia à muito comum equipamentos de ginÃstica portÃteis residenciais, como bicicletas ergomÃtricas, pequenas camas elÃsticas, entre outros. à notÃrio que tambÃm ocorreu uma disseminaÃÃo de academias de ginÃstica em Shopping Centers, em pequenos centros comerciais e atà em edifÃcios residenciais. AlÃm do mais, nÃo à sà a atividade aerÃbica que pode gerar vibraÃÃes em lajes. Outras atividades tambÃm podem, tais como uma simples reuniÃo entre amigos para assistir a uma partida de futebol, crianÃas brincando, entre outros. O problema à que essas vibraÃÃes podem causar incÃmodo nas pessoas, dÃvidas a respeito da seguranÃa da estrutura, desplacamento de pisos e atÃ, dependendo da intensidade das vibraÃÃes, risco de colapso. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho à analisar o comportamento dinÃmico de lajes nervuradas de concreto armado quando submetidas a aÃÃes humanas rÃtmicas. Para tal, sÃo realizados estudos paramÃtricos, utilizando o programa computacional SAP 2000 â v.14 (CSI, 2008). As lajes sÃo modeladas por elementos finitos sÃlidos tridimensionais, a fim de obter naturalmente a excentricidade entre os elementos estruturais (mesa, nervura e viga de bordo). Os resultados sÃo comparados entre si e com a anÃlise estÃtica destas lajes utilizando as cargas propostas por norma. AlÃm disso, as respostas dinÃmicas sÃo comparadas a padrÃes normativos fornecidos pela NBR 6118 (ABNT, 2003) no que se refere Ãs frequÃncias naturais e a padrÃes internacionais no tocante ao conforto humano. As anÃlises revelam que as lajes estÃo sujeitas a elevados picos de aceleraÃÃo e velocidade.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Great works of infrastructure such as hydroelectric plants require, in it building, large concrete volumes classified as mass concrete structures. These works of power generation are strategic and fundamental for the development of a nation. However, during construction and throughout its life they may have pathological manifestations that compromise its stability. One of the most common problems in this type of structure is cracking caused by heat generated due to the exothermic reaction of cement hydration. Therefore, we had to analyze the thermal behavior of concrete, concrete with similar consistency and resistance like the concrete utilized in construction dam, and analyze how the type of cement utilized and its contents affects these parameters. In addition, we studied the evolution of compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity as the cement hydrates. Finally, we compared the thermal performance of concretes produced with the results obtained from a commercial software. To carry out the experiment, concrete blocks were produced of 1,5m with cements CP II E 32 RS and CP IV 32 with consumption 241,2 kg/m and 330,0 kg/m for thermal analysis, besides cylindrical specimens for the remaining analyzes. The results showed that the thermal behavior of concrete has a small dependence on the type of cement, however the cement content affects too much this behavior, and the cement CP IV 32 showed higher thermal variations. It was also observed that the development of compressive strength is strongly dependent on the cement content, but it has low dependency on the type of cement. Computer modeling presented satisfactory results when it was compared to results of the thermal evolution blocks. / As grandes obras de infraestrutura como as centrais hidroelÃtricas requerem na sua construÃÃo grandes volumes de concreto, sendo classificadas como estruturas de concreto massa. Essas obras de geraÃÃo de energia sÃo estratÃgicas e fundamentais para o desenvolvimento de uma naÃÃo. Entretanto, durante sua construÃÃo e ao longo de sua vida Ãtil estas podem apresentar manifestaÃÃes patolÃgicas que comprometem sua estabilidade. Um dos problemas mais comuns nesse tipo de estrutura à a fissuraÃÃo causada pela energia tÃrmica gerada devido à reaÃÃo exotÃrmica de hidrataÃÃo do cimento. Diante disso, buscou-se analisar como se dà o comportamento tÃrmico de concretos utilizados para a construÃÃo de corpo de barragem, alÃm de analisar como o tipo de cimento utilizado e o seu teor afetam a variaÃÃo de temperatura da massa de concreto e os problemas causados por essa variaÃÃo. Buscou-se ainda analisar a evoluÃÃo da resistÃncia à compressÃo e do mÃdulo de elasticidade dinÃmico à medida que o cimento se hidratava. Por fim, comparou-se o comportamento tÃrmico dos concretos produzidos com os resultados obtidos por meio de um software comercial. Para a realizaÃÃo da parte experimental produziu-se blocos de concretos de 1,5 metros cÃbicos com cimentos CP II-E 32 RS e CP IV 32 com consumo de 241,2 kg/m e 330,0 kg/m para anÃlise tÃrmica, alÃm da moldagem de corpos de prova cilÃndricos para as demais anÃlises. Os resultados apontaram que o comportamento tÃrmico do concreto apresenta uma pequena dependÃncia do tipo de cimento. Entretanto, o teor de cimento afeta fortemente esse comportamento, sendo o cimento CP IV 32 o que apresentou maiores variaÃÃes tÃrmicas. Observou-se tambÃm que a evoluÃÃo da resistÃncia à compressÃo à fortemente dependente da quantidade de cimento, mas apresenta baixa dependÃncia do tipo de cimento. A modelagem computacional apresentou resultados satisfatÃrios quando comparado aos resultados da evoluÃÃo tÃrmica dos blocos produzidos.

nÃo hà / O entendimento de como ocorre o transporte de solutos em Ãguas subterrÃneas à fundamental para o correto gerenciamento deste recurso cada vez mais sujeito a pressÃes antrÃpicas. Para a modelagem deste processo, um parÃmetro fundamental à o coeficiente de dispersÃo hidrodinÃmica, cujo componente mais importante, em meio poroso, à a dispersividade longitudinal (αL). A determinaÃÃo de αL ocorre normalmente atravÃs de experimentos com aplicaÃÃo restrita Ãs Ãreas de interesse e resultados normalmente imprecisos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal calibrar αL em aquÃferos atravÃs do MÃtodo Iterativo do Gradiente de ConcentraÃÃo (MIGC) elaborado a partir de uma adaptaÃÃo da metodologia proposta para o MÃtodo Iterativo do Gradiente HidrÃulico (MIGH). O processo se inicia a partir da simulaÃÃo hidrodinÃmica, posteriormente sÃo inseridas concentraÃÃes obtidas em campo ou hipotÃticas no modelo de simulaÃÃo de transporte de solutos. Em seguida à gerada uma matriz de concentraÃÃes que servirà de base para o processo iterativo do MIGC. Foram estruturados dois modelos, um denominado modelo observado ou fixo, no qual as concentraÃÃes de campo sÃo fixadas e outro modelo denominado de calculado ou nÃo fixo. Ao longo do processo de calibraÃÃo sÃo geradas matrizes de concentraÃÃes que permitem calcular os gradientes espaciais de concentraÃÃo nos modelos fixo e nÃo fixo. A mÃdia dos Ãngulos entre os gradientes de concentraÃÃes observados e calculados e o erro mÃdio quadrÃtico sÃo os critÃrios de convergÃncia para aferir o processo de calibraÃÃo. Nas cinco modelagens apresentadas, os resultados para estes dois critÃrios indicam a eficiÃncia do mÃtodo de calibraÃÃo. Seguindo a metodologia clÃssica de calibraÃÃo de parÃmetros, no MIGC as iteraÃÃes continuam enquanto os valores mÃnimos para os referidos critÃrios nÃo forem atingidos e ocorre, por conseguinte, a alteraÃÃo dos valores da dispersividade longitudinal entre as iteraÃÃes. Este mecanismo à baseado na razÃo entre os gradientes de concentraÃÃes observados e calculados em cada uma das cÃlulas do modelo. Os resultados foram obtidos a partir do uso de concentraÃÃes de nitrato em dois exemplos hipotÃticos com graus de complexidade diferenciados e um caso real aplicado na regiÃo do municÃpio do Crato, inserido na Bacia Sedimentar do Araripe, situada no sul do estado do CearÃ, Brasil. Para os casos estudados houve uma convergÃncia expressiva das mÃdias dos Ãngulos formados entre os gradientes de concentraÃÃo observados e calculados e do erro mÃdio quadrÃtico das concentraÃÃes, obtendo-se, como resultado final, uma matriz com a maioria dos valores de αL prÃximos aos determinados inicialmente. O MIGC se apresenta como um mÃtodo prÃtico e rÃpido para a calibraÃÃo da dispersividade longitudinal. Sugere-se o desenvolvimento de um programa computacional que automatize o MIGC para que o mesmo seja otimizado em situaÃÃes mais complexas. / The understanding of how the transport of solutes in ground water occurs is critical to the proper management of this resource increasingly subjected to thropogenic pressures. In order to model this process, a key parameter is the coefficient of hydrodynamic dispersion, whose most important component in porous environments is the longitudinal dispersivity (αL). The determination of αL usually takes place through experiments restricted to areas of interest and with often inaccurate results. Numerical methods are also used in order to attain parameter estimation. This study aimed mainly at calibrating αL in aquifers through the Iterative Method of the Gradient of Concentration (IMGC) derived from an adaptation of the methodology proposed for the Iterative Method of Hydraulic Gradient (IMHG). The process starts from the hydrodynamic simulation. Later, concentrations obtained from fields or in a hypothetic way are inserted using the model of simulation of solute transportation. Then, a matrix of concentrations is generated, which will work as the basis for the iterative process of IMGC. Two models were structured: one called observed or fixed model in which the concentration field is fixed and another model named calculated or not fixed. Throughout the calibration process arrays of concentrations are generated and used for calculating the spatial concentration of gradients in fixed and not fixed models. The average angle between the gradients of observed and calculated concentrations and the mean squared error are the convergence criteria to assess the calibration process. In the five models presented in this research, the results for these two criteria indicate the efficiency of the calibration method. Following the classical methodology of parameter calibration in the IMGC iterations continue as the minimum values for these criteria are not attained, therefore, the change of the longitudinal dispersivity varies among iterations. This mechanism is based on the ratio between the observed and calculated gradients of concentrations at each model cells. The results were obtained from the use of nitrate concentrations at two hypothetical samples with different degrees of complexity and also with a real case applied int he municipality of Crato, inserted in the Sedimentary Basin region of Araripe. For the cases analyzed in this study, there was a significant decay of the average angle formed between the gradients of observed and calculated concentration and the mean squared error of concentrations, obtaining as a result, a matrix with αL values close to those initially stipulated. IMGC presents itself as a practical method. It is suggested the development of a computer program that automates IMGC so that it is better used in more complex situation.

A definição adequada da lâmina para lixiviação de sais e recuperação de solos salinos depende da qualidade dos resultados obtidos por meio das diversas equações disponíveis para esse fim. Sabendo disso, objetivou-se, com este trabalho: a) avaliar a eficiência de equações empíricas utilizadas para determinar a lâmina de água necessária à recuperação de solos salinos, bem como, b) a caracterização da mobilidade e distribuição do íon sódio em colunas de solo usando dados experimentais e simulados no modelo computacional MIDI. O estudo constou de etapas experimentais e de simulação e foi conduzido nas dependências do Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas da Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\" - ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba - SP. O experimento em casa de vegetação consistiu na aplicação de três lâminas de lixiviação para lavagem e recuperação de dois materiais de solos, armazenados em 36 colunas. Anteriormente, cada solo foi artificialmente salinizado, por meio da aplicação de cloreto de sódio, elevando-se a condutividade elétrica da solução do solo para valores aproximados de 3,0 e 6,0 dS m-1. Assim, os tratamentos, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, corresponderam a um fatorial de 3 x 2 x 2, decorrente das combinações de três lâminas de lixiviação com dois tipos de solo e dois níveis de salinidade. As lâminas, calculadas a partir do volume de poros de cada solo, foram aplicadas por meio de um sistema de irrigação (gotejamento) a uma vazão de 8 L h-1. Após a aplicação das lâminas, a solução do solo de cada coluna foi extraída e levada ao laboratório para se determinar a condutividade elétrica e concentração de sódio. Nesta etapa foram avaliadas as alterações nas características químicas do solo, em resposta à aplicação das lâminas. Em seguida, equações empíricas foram utilizadas para estimar as concentrações de sais remanescentes na solução do solo, em função das lâminas de lixiviação aplicadas; enquanto que o modelo MIDI foi empregado para simular a distribuição do sódio no perfil do solo. Os cenários teóricos gerados a partir do uso das equações e do modelo MIDI foram comparados com os resultados experimentais, observados nos ensaios com as colunas de solos instaladas na casa de vegetação. As concentrações de sódio e, consequentemente, os valores de condutividade elétrica da solução do solo reduziram de maneira inversamente proporcional com a aplicação das lâminas de lixiviação; sendo os melhores resultados observados no solo arenoso, em função da maior mobilidade do sódio neste material. De maneira geral, as equações testadas foram mais eficientes no solo arenoso e, dentre elas, a proposta de Cordeiro (2001) foi a que apresentou respostas mais coerentes com os resultados obtidos experimentalmente. / The method to properly determine salt leaching water depth and recovery of saline soils depends on the quality of the results obtained by various equations available for this purpose. The objectives of this research were: a) to evaluate the efficiency of empirical equations used to determine the water depth required for saline soils reclamation and b) to characterize the mobility and distribution of sodium in soil columns using experimental and simulated data via the MIDI model. The study consisted of experimental and simulated steps and was carried out at the Department of Biosystems Engineering (\"Luiz de Queiroz\" College of Agriculture - ESALQ/USP), in Piracicaba, SP. The greenhouse experiment began by applying three leaching water depth for washing and reclaiming two soil types stored in 36 columns. Previously each soil sample was artificially salinized by applying sodium chloride, increasing electrical conductivity (EC) in the soil solution to approximate values of 3.0 and 6.0 dS m-1. Thus, the treatments in random block design, with three replications, corresponded to a factorial 3 x 2 x 2, arisen from the combinations of three water depth with two soils types and two levels of salinity. The water depth was calculated based on the pore volume of each soil type, were applied by drip irrigation system at a flow rate of 8 L h-1. After the water depth application, the soil solution of each column was extracted and taken to the laboratory to determine the EC and sodium concentration. The changes in soil chemical properties in response to application of the water depths were then evaluated. Empirical equations were used to estimate the remaining sodium concentrations in the soil solution according to the applied water depth; while the MIDI model was used to simulate the sodium ion distribution in the soil profile. The theoretical scenarios generated from the use of the equations along with the MIDI model were compared with the experimental results observed in tests with soil columns installed in the greenhouse. The sodium concentrations and the values of EC in the soil solution were reduced inversely proportional to the application of leaching water depth. The best results were observed in sandy soil, owing to the greater mobility of sodium in this material. In general, the equations tested in sandy soil were more efficient and, among them, the one proposed by Cordeiro (2001) was the most accurate when compared to results obtained experimentally.

Orientador: Janito Vaqueiro Ferreira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T19:22:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cro_NelsonPradoRodrigues_M.pdf: 2904462 bytes, checksum: 1e944d316e2e4ec4ca0a4e8ba01ae4a2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Este trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de um modelo de simulação computacional para motores de combustão interna com ignição por centelha que inclui o processo de combustão com duração finita, a transferência de calor instantânea entre o fluído operante e as paredes dos cilindros e os processos de admissão e de escape. O modelo de simulação desenvolvido realiza os cálculos de propriedades termodinâmicas de cada uma das substâncias envolvidas no processo a cada instante discretizado do ciclo termodinâmico do motor a partir de dados de entrada relacionados ao motor e ao regime de operação que se deseja avaliar. O algoritmo tem por resultado os perfis de temperatura e pressão instantâneas dos gases no interior dos cilindros em função do ângulo do eixo de manivelas e o diagrama da pressão instantânea pelo volume instantâneo no intervalo de um ciclo do motor. O algoritmo também contempla campos para inserção de dados relativos a determinados parâmetros de projeto de motor que permitem a avaliação da influência da variação dos referidos parâmetros nas características de desempenho do motor simulado / Abstract: This work describes the development of a computational simulation model for internal combustion engines with spark ignition which includes the combustion process with finite duration, the instantaneous heat transfer between the working fluid and the cylinder walls and the intake and exhaust processes. The simulation model developed calculates the thermodynamic properties of each element involved in the process at every discretized instant of the engine cycle using as input the data related to the engine and to its intended operating regime. The simulation model has as a result the instantaneous temperature and pressure profiles inside of the cylinder as a function of the crankshaft angle and the diagram of instantaneous pressure by instantaneous volume in the range of one cycle. The algorithm also includes a variation range of certain parameters of the engine project to evaluate the influence of each one of these parameters in its performance characteristics / Mestrado / Mecanica dos Sólidos e Projeto Mecanico / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica