O objetivo principal deste trabalho é apresentar um modelo de análise probabilística do comportamento ao longo do tempo de estruturas de concreto. Para isso, é realizada a análise probabilística em conjunto com análise numérica. A análise numérica é realizada através de um programa computacional, baseado no método dos elementos finitos, que considera o comportamento não-linear e dependente do tempo dos materiais, assim como o processo evolutivo da construção. Para determinar o efeito das incertezas dos parâmetros é realizada uma análise probabilística, utilizando o método de amostragem por hipercubo latino. O modelo apresentado pode ser aplicado para a análise probabilística do comportamento ao longo do tempo das estruturas de concreto em geral. No entanto, foi aplicado na análise das flechas diferidas de lajes pré-moldadas formadas por vigotas com armação treliçada. Com esta análise, pôde-se propor um coeficiente multiplicador das flechas imediatas para a avaliação das flechas diferidas no tempo. O coeficiente multiplicador obtido para as lajes pré-moldadas formadas por vigotas com armação treliçada pode alcançar valores muito superiores ao fator 'alfa'f recomendado pela NBR 6118 (2003) para o caso de vigas de concreto armado. / The goal of this research is to present a probabilistic analysis model of the long-term behavior of concrete structures. For that, the probabilistic analysis is carried out together with numerical analysis. The numerical analysis is carried out using a software based on the finite element method that takes into account the nonlinear and time dependent behavior of the materials, as well as the evolutionary construction process. A probabilistic analysis is carried out in order to determine the effects of the uncertainties of the parameters, using latin hypercube sampling method. The presented model can be applied in the probabilistic analysis of the long-term behavior of concrete structures in general. However, it was applied in the analysis of the long-term deflections of precast slabs made by joist with lattice reinforcement. By this analysis, a multiplier coefficient of immediate deflections to evaluate long-term deflections could be proposed. The multiplier coefficient obtained for precast slabs made by joist with lattice reinforcement can reach values much higher than the factor 'alfa'f recommended by NBR 6118 (2003) for the case of reinforced concrete beams.

Este trabalho apresenta um procedimento para auxiliar na determinação da vida útil de pavimentos flexíveis através da determinação de tensões e deformações causadas pela solicitação de um eixo padrão na estrutura de pavimentos flexíveis utilizando Redes Neurais Artificiais. Para treinamento e validação das redes foram utilizadas bacias de deflexões hipotéticas geradas com o auxílio do programa ELSYM5, simulando o carregamento com falling weight deflectometer. Foram criados quatro conjuntos de bacias hipotéticas, dois para pavimentos de três camadas e dois para pavimentos de quatro camadas. As redes neurais artificiais foram treinadas e validadas utilizando-se o simulador EasyNN-plus, que utiliza redes multilayer perceptron com algoritmo de aprendizagem backpropagation. Os dados de entrada das redes são as espessuras das camadas do pavimento e a bacia de deflexão. Como saída, têm-se as tensões e deformações na face inferior do revestimento e no topo do subleito e os módulos de resiliência das camadas do pavimento. Foram determinadas retas de regressão, coeficientes de regressão e histogramas de erros entre os valores reais (ELSYM5) e os valores previstos (RNA). Os resultados obtidos pelas redes neurais artificiais apresentaram boa correlação com os valores reais, demonstrando a capacidade das redes neurais para auxiliar na determinação da vida útil de pavimentos flexíveis, ao estimar diretamente as tensões e deformações em pontos específicos da estrutura. / This paper presents a procedure to assist the evaluation of the remaining life of flexible pavements by means of the determination of stresses and strains caused by a standard load in flexible pavements structures using artificial neural networks. Hypothetical deflections basins, generated by the ELSYM5 program, simulating the load applied by a falling weight deflectometer, were used to train and to validate the networks. Four sets of hypothetical basins were created, two for pavements with three layers and two for pavements with four layers. The artificial neural networks were trained and validated using the EasyNN-plus simulator, which uses multilayer perceptron networks with back-propagation learning algorithm. The networks input data are the pavements layers thickness and the deflection basin. The networks outputs are the stresses and strains in the bottom of the asphalt layer and at the top of the subgrade and resilience modulus of the pavement layers. The results obtained by the artificial neural networks showed good correlation with the real values, demonstrating that neural networks have capacity to assist in the evaluation of the remaining life of flexible pavements, estimating directly the stresses and strains of specific points of the pavement structure.

L'avancée de la technologie des PRF a suscité l'intérêt de l'introduction de nouvelles fibres, comme la fibre de basalte, qui a un potentiel d'offrir une solution efficace, lorsqu’utilisée dans les structures en béton, soit sur la résistance à la corrosion, la durabilité et la rentabilité. En outre, les codes et les guides disponibles, ne fournissent pas de recommandations pour l'utilisation de barres en PRFB puisque les recherches passées dans ce domaine sont limitées. Donc, des travaux de recherche sont nécessaires pour caractériser et comprendre le comportement des barres de PRFB dans les éléments en béton armé. En conséquence, les objectifs principaux sont d'évaluer les caractéristiques à court et long terme des barres de PRFB nouvellement développées, ainsi que d'évaluer les performances structurales de ces nouvelles barres comme renforcement interne dans les poutres et les dalles de pont et d'introduire ce nouveau renforcement dans les codes et les guides de dimensionnement. Les tests expérimentaux ont été faits en trois parties. La première partie porte sur le développement de trois nouvelles barres et tendons en PRFB pour déterminer leurs propriétés physiques et mécaniques. Les performances à long terme et de durabilité ont été réalisées en conditionnant les barres de PRFB dans une solution alcaline simulant les conditions humides dans le béton pour déterminer la compatibilité comme renforcement interne dans les éléments en béton. Par la suite, les propriétés ont été déterminées et comparées avec des spécimens non conditionnés (référence). La seconde partie a porté sur sept dalles de pont en béton armé grandeur réelle avec les bords restreints, simulant les tabliers de pont les plus utilisés en Amérique du Nord, pour évaluer la performance des dalles renforcées de PRFB et d'acier. Les dalles mesurent 3000 mm de long × 2500 mm de large × 200 mm d'épaisseur. Les dalles ont été testées jusqu'à la rupture sous une charge concentrée au centre de celles-ci simulant l'empreinte d'une roue d'un camion. Les capacités en poinçonnement sont prédites en utilisant les exigences réglementaires disponibles, et sont comparées aux résultats expérimentaux. La troisième partie de cette étude portait sur les essais de 14 poutres en béton de 3100 mm de long × 200 mm de large × 300 mm de profond pour examiner le comportement en flexion et les performances en service des barres de PRFB avec deux états de surfaces: fini sablé et crénelé. Les poutres ont été testées en flexion en quatre points avec une portée libre de 2700 mm jusqu'à la rupture. Les résultats sont introduits et discutés en terme : du comportement de la fissuration, des flèches, de la capacité en flexion et des modes de ruptures. De plus, le coefficient d'adhérence (kb) des barres de PRFB est déterminé et comparé avec les recommandations des codes et guides actuels. Les résultats sont introduits et discutés en terme : du comportement de la fissuration, des flèches, de la capacité en flexion et des modes de ruptures. De plus, le coefficient d'adhérence des barres de PRFB est déterminé et comparé avec les recommandations des codes et guides actuels. Les résultats de l'étude concluent sur la viables pour la production des barres de PRFB pour respecter les exigences des codes actuelles. Également, les résultats d'essai indiquent que les barres de PRFB ont de bonnes propriétés mécaniques et peuvent être placées dans la même catégorie que les barres de PRFV, soit grade III. De plus, le comportement des poutres et des dalles de pont renforcées de PRFB est similaire que pour un renforcement en PRFV et PRFC et les exigences réglementaires sont applicables pour les barres de PRFB. / Abstract: The advances in fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) technology have spurred interest in introducing new fibers, such as basalt FRP (BFRP), which has the potential to offer an efficient solution when implemented in concrete structure, such as corrosion resistant, durable and cost-effective. Furthermore, the available design codes and guides do not provide any recommendations for the use of BFRP bars since fundamental studies and relevant applications are still limited. Therefore, investigations are needed to characterize and understand the behavior of BFRP bars in concrete members. Consequently, the main objectives of this experimental investigation are to evaluate the short- and long-term characteristics of newly developed BFRP bars, as well as evaluate the structural performance of these new bars as internal reinforcement for concrete beams and bridge-deck slabs to introduce these new reinforcing bars to the design codes and guides. The experimental tests were completed through three parts. The first part was conducted on three newly developed BFRP bars and tendons to investigate their physical and mechanical properties. Durability and long-term performance were assessed by conditioning the BFRP bars in an alkaline solution simulating the moist concrete environment to determine their suitability as internal reinforcement for concrete elements. Thereafter, the properties were assessed and compared with the unconditioned (reference) values. The second part of this study was conducted on seven full-scale edge-restrained concrete bridge-deck slabs simulating actual slab-on-girder bridge-deck that is commonly used in North America to evaluate the performance of concrete bridge-deck slabs reinforced with BFRP and steel bars. The deck slabs measured 3000 mm long × 2500 mm wide × 200 mm deep. The slabs were tested up to failure under single concentrated load acting on the center of each slab simulating the footprint of sustained truck wheel load. The punching shear capacities were predicted using the available provisions, and compared with the experimental results. The third part of this study included testing of fourteen concrete beams of 3100 mm long × 200 mm wide × 300 mm deep to investigate the flexural behavior and serviceability performance of sand-coated and ribbed BFRP bars in concrete beams. The beams were tested under four-point bending over a clear span of 2700 mm until failure. The results are introduced and discussed in terms of cracking behavior, deflection, flexure capacity, and failure modes. In addition, the bond-dependent coefficient (kb) of the BFRP bars was determined and compared with the recommendations of the current FRP design codes and guides. The findings of this study concluded the feasibility of producing BFRP bars meet the requirements of the current FRP standards. Also, the test results revealed that the BFRP bars had good mechanical behavior and could be placed in the same category as grade II and grade III GFRP bars. Moreover, the behavior of the concrete bridge-deck slabs and beams reinforced with BFRP bars was quite similar to the counterparts reinforced with glass- and carbon-FRP bars and the available FRP provisions are applicable for BFRP bars. The beam test results yielded an average bond-dependent coefficient (kb) of 0.76±0.03 and 0.83±0.03 for the sand-coated and ribbed BFRP bars, respectively.

L’objectif principal de cette recherche est l’étude du dommage des bâtiments en maçonnerie subissant des tassements différentiels. Cette contribution, en s’appuyant sur la modélisation numérique, les méthodes analytiques et sur l’expérimentation, vise à une meilleure compréhension du comportement des structures en maçonnerie. Ce problème trouve diverses applications en ingénierie avec par exemple les maisons situées dans des zones de creusement de tunnels, ou des zones subissant des affaissements de terrains. L’étude bibliographique met en évidence la diversité des méthodes permettant de catégoriser le dommage des bâtiments subissant des tassements. La cohérence de ces méthodes est étudiée. En particulier, le travail porte sur l’étude de l’influence des propriétés mécaniques des bâtiments sur les valeurs seuils proposées pour catégoriser le dommage. Une étude de sensibilité est mise en œuvre afin de proposer des intervalles de seuils dépendant des propriétés des bâtiments. Cette incertitude est alors formalisée par le développement de courbes de fragilité permettant de quantifier en terme de probabilité la sévérité du dommage pour différents types de bâtiments. En addition, la rigidité des bâtiments subissant des mouvements de terrains est un paramètre important pour étudier les phénomènes d’interaction sol-structure et évaluer les tassements différentiels transmis par le terrain aux structures. L’évolution de cette rigidité en fonction du dommage associé aux tassements n’est pas étudiée dans la littérature. Une méthodologie d’étude de la variation de la rigidité des bâtiments en maçonnerie en fonction du tassement transmis a été développée au moyen de modélisations numérique (logiciel UDEC). Des formulations analytiques sont alors proposées pour relier la réduction de la rigidité des bâtiments en fonction du tassement subis et de leurs propriétés. Une procédure expérimentale est mise en place afin de valider la méthodologique numérique. En conclusion, les deux principales contributions de cette thèse sont 1) une amélioration de l’évaluation du dommage des bâtiments en fonction de leurs propriétés, au moyen des courbes de fragilité et 2) le développement d’une méthodologie numérique permettant d’évaluer l’évolution de la rigidité des bâtiments en maçonnerie en fonction du tassement qu’ils subissent et en fonction de leurs propriétés / The main purpose of this research is the assessment of the damage of masonry buildings undergoing differential settlements. This contribution, which is based on numerical modeling, analytical methods and experimentation, aims for a better understanding of the behavior of masonry structures. The treated issue may be applied in different engineering fields, as for example the case of buildings located in tunneling areas or in areas suffering land subsidence. The bibliography survey presents a diversity of methods to categorize the damage of buildings undergoing settlement. This variety of methods, parameters and thresholds used to qualify the severity of the damage, prompted us to study the consistency of these methods, and the effect of the properties of masonry buildings - undergoing ground movements - on proposed threshold values. A sensitivity analysis on building properties is implemented in order to propose thresholds values intervals that depend on buildings properties. This uncertainty is then taken into account with the development of fragility curves that aim quantifying the damage in terms of probability according to a typology of buildings. In addition, the stiffness of buildings undergoing ground movements plays a very important role in studying the phenomenon of soil-structure interaction. However, the evolution of the stiffness of the damaged building due to settlements is not investigated in the literature. Numerical modeling (UDEC) is used to develop a methodology for the study of the stiffness variation of masonry buildings in relation to he settlement suffered by the structure. Analytical formulations are proposed to relate the reduction of the stiffness of the buildings with regard to the suffered settlement, and depending on the buildings properties. Some experimental tests are performed to validate the numerical methodology. Finally, the two mains results are 1) improvement in the assessment of buildings damage with the drawn of fragility curves and 2) the numerical methodology to formulate the changes in the stiffness of masonry buildings according to the suffered settlement, and according to their properties

Downstream regulatory antagonist modulator (DREAM) is a calcium sensing protein that co-assembles with KV4 potassium channels to regulate ion currents as well as with DNA in the nucleus, where it regulates gene expression. The interaction of DREAM with A-type KV4 channels and DNA has been shown to regulate neuronal signaling, pain sensing, and memory retention. The role of DREAM in modulation of pain, onset of Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiac pacemaking has set this protein as a novel therapeutic target. Moreover, previous results have shown a Ca2+ dependent interaction between DREAM and KV4/DNA involving surface contacts at the N-terminus of DREAM. However, the mechanisms by which Ca2+ binding at the C-terminus of DREAM induces structural changes at the C- and N-terminus remain unknown. Here, we present the use of biophysics and biochemistry techniques in order to map the interactions of DREAM and numerous small synthetic ligands as well as KV channels. We further demonstrate that a highly conserved network of aromatic residues spanning the C- and N-terminus domains control protein dynamics and the pathways of signal transduction on DREAM. Using molecular dynamics simulations, site directed mutagenesis, and fluorescence spectroscopy we provide strong evidence in support of a highly dynamic mechanism of signal transduction and regulation. A set of aromatic amino acids including Trp169, Phe171, Tyr174, Phe218, Phe235, Phe219, and Phe252 are identified to form a dynamic network involved in propagation of Ca2+ induced structural changes. These amino acids form a hydrophobic network connecting the N- and C-terminus domains of DREAM and are well conserved in other neuronal calcium sensors. In addition, we show evidence in support of a mechanism in which Ca2+ signals are propagated towards the N-terminus and ultimately lead to the rearrangement of the inactive EF-hand 1. The observed structural motions provide a novel mechanism involved in control of the calcium dependent KV4 and DNA binding. Altogether, we provide the first mechanism of intramolecular and intermolecular signal transduction in a Ca2+ binding protein of the neuronal calcium sensor family.

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo principal a realização de estudos laboratoriais, de campo e numéricos, buscando viabilizar duas misturas de concreto permeável que foram utilizadas na construção de duas calçadas experimentais localizadas no campus da USP em São Paulo. Nas pistas experimentais foi realizado o acompanhamento da capacidade permeável ao longo do tempo, além da avaliação das suas respostas estruturais frente à aplicação de carregamentos dinâmicos por meio de equipamento FWD, considerando a variação do teor de umidade no interior das estruturas. Por fim, foram realizadas retroanálises com uso de diferentes softwares procurando entender qual das camadas da estrutura apresenta maior vulnerabilidade estrutural frente à presença de volumes excessivos de água. Os resultados da etapa laboratorial indicaram que há uma sensibilidade muito grande no comportamento das misturas em função do teor de aditivo superplastificante, uma vez que houve segregação severa da pasta de cimento no fundo dos corpos de prova quando esse teor ultrapassou determinado limite. Os resultados dos ensaios de taxa de infiltração em campo possibilitaram a proposição um modelo empírico para estimativa do desempenho da capacidade hidráulica para calçadas em concreto permeável executadas na região de São Paulo. Os resultados dos levantamentos deflectométricos e das retroanálises indicaram variação considerável na capacidade de suporte do conjunto base+subleito entre as calçadas, além de evidenciar considerável perda da capacidade de suporte dessas estruturas quanto submetidas à presença de elevados volumes de água no seu interior. Palavras chave: concreto permeável, calçada, pavimento, taxa de infiltração, levantamento deflectométrico, análise estrutural, retroanálise. / The main goal of this research was to carry out laboratorial, field and numerical studies with the purpose of defining two feasible pervious concrete mixtures to be used as the surface layer of two experimental sidewalks in the campus of the University of São Paulo. The permeability capacity of the sidewalks was monitored along time, as well as its structural responses in terms of deflections due to application of FWD dynamic loadings, assessing how the structural behavior was impacted by the presence of high volumes of water into the permeable structure. A backcalculation procedure was used in order to assess the elastic behavior of the structure layers, as well as find out which layer of the structure is the most vulnerable in terms of mechanical behavior under the presence of excessive volumes of water. The results in the laboratory indicates that pervious concrete mixtures are considerable sensitives to the amount of superplasticizer additive, since a severe mortar segregation was observed on the bottom of the specimens casted using some of the mixtures produced. The results of infiltration tests in field made it possible to develop an empirical model capable of estimating the hydraulic performance of pervious concrete permeable sidewalks in São Paulo region. The results of the deflection measurements and the backcalculations indicated a considerable variation on the bearing capacity of the infrastructure (base+subgrade) between the two sidewalks. In addition, it is evident the loss of bearing capacity of the structure under the presence of excessive amount of water into the sidewalk.

Det blir allt vanligare att använda laminerat glas som ett konstruktionsmaterial. Men glas är ett känsligt och genomskinligt material som kan ge en obehaglig känsla om det spricker. Särskilt om det handlar sig om en glaskonstruktion som ska hålla en stor del av en byggnad. En glaskonstruktion bör upplevas trygg att vistas i. Idag är det svårt att ersätta bärande konstruktionsdelar med glas i Sverige  eftersom det inte finns några särskilda dimensioneringsregler för glas. I det här examensarbetet genomförs en undersökning om hur laminerat glas böjer sig när det utsätts för belastning och varierande temperaturer under en kort tid. Det studeras hur tjockleken på mellanskiktet påverkar spänningen samt skjuvstyvheten i glasen. För att få relevanta jämförelser studeras även beteendet hos en osprucken och en sprucken laminerad balk. Med hjälp av litteraturstudier och teoretiska beräkningar har beteendet hos laminerade glasbalkar med olika förutsättningar undersökts. Resultatet visar att belastningar som verkar på en laminerad balk under en kort tid leder till ett varierande beteende och deformationer beroende på temperatur, skjuvstyvhet och tjocklek hos laminatet. Det upptäcktes ett gränsvärde vid temperaturen 50 °C där en förändring sker i sambandet mellan laminatets tjocklek, temperatur och nedböjningen. Beteendet och deformationen hos en laminerad balk varierar också beroende på om balken är sprucken eller inte. / It is becoming increasingly common to use laminated glass as a construction material. But glass is a sensitive and translucent material that can give an unpleasant feeling if it cracks. Especially if it is a glass structure that will hold a large part of a building. A glass structure should be considered safe to stay in. Today, it is difficult to replace supporting structural parts with glass in Sweden due to the lack of design rules. In this thesis, a study is conducted on how laminated glass bends when exposed to mechanical loads and varying temperatures for a short time. It is studied how the thickness of the middle layer plays a role, how the tension and the shear stiffness vary in the glass. In order to obtain relevant comparisons, the behavior of an unbroken and a cracked laminated beam is also studied. With the help of literature studies and theoretical calculations, the behavior of laminated beams under different conditions was examined. The results show that loads that act on a laminated beam for a short time lead to varying behavior and deformations depending on temperature, shear stiffness and interlayer thickness. A limit value was detected at the temperature of 50 °C where a change in the relation between interlayer thickness, temperature and deformation occurs. The behavior and deformation of a laminated beam also varies whether the laminate is cracked or not cracked.

An analytical model for lateral deflection in cold-formed steel shear walls sheathed with steel is developed in this research. The model is based on the four factors: fastener displacement, steel sheet deformation, and hold-down deformation, which are from the effective strip concept and a complexity factor, which accounts for the additional influential factors not considered in the previous three terms. The model uses design equations based on the actual material and mechanical properties of the shear wall. Furthermore, the model accounts for aggressive and conservative designers by predicting deflection at different shear strength degrees.

This thesis concerns the technological processes of machining of thin-walled parts and the modification of said processes in dependence on the following interopera-tive measurement of the real dimensions of these parts. Within the theoretical part a research study of technological possibilities of measuring thin-walled parts and principles of probe programming are presented. In the main practical part of the the-sis a proposal of an experiment is described, which tests the individual technologi-cal steps and their influence on the quality of a prototype of the produced thin-walled part. Numerical (NC) codes are created using parametric programming, which are then used during the realization of the experiment itself. In the conclusi-on there are presented and discussed the results of measuring of the machined surfaces and the influence of correction paths, which should help to achieve a mo-re accurate production according to given dimensions. This experiment, however, has not met the expected results. That is why new procedures have been designed in order to create said paths, which can be used in a future realization of this expe-riment.

Tato práce se zabývá využitím distribucí neboli zobecněných funkcí k řešení nestacionárních okrajových problémů v mechanice kontinua. Nejprve je zavedena teorie distribucí a jejich definice jako spojitých lineárních funkcionálů na prostoru testovacích funkcí. Druhá část teoretické kapitoly představuje Laplaceovu integrální transformaci. Následující kapitola se věnuje řešení průhybu nosníků pod vlivem nespojitého časově proměnlivého zatížení. Jejím výsledkem je vytvoření obecného modelu řešení průhybových čar nosníků vužitím distribucí. Poslední kapitola se zabývá řešením nestacionárního proudění v trubicích spojených hydraulickými prvky.