Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have a higher than normal O2 uptake (VO2) during walking. While various interventions are used to improve locomotion, little is known about their effect on the metabolic and cardiopulmonary cost of walking. We therefore assessed the effects of one popular intervention, hinged ankle foot orthoses (AFO), on cardiopulmonary and metabolic variables during 2 min of steady state treadmill walking at three speeds: 3 kph, comfortable walking speed (CWS) and fast walking speed (FWS). We also assessed the effect of these braces on comfortable and maximum ground walking speed and on gross motor abilities using the Gross Motor Function Measure. Ten children with spastic diplegic CP (9.01 years ± 2.10) who habitually used hinged AFO participated. Not all children could walk at all speeds on the treadmill however, and some cardiopulmonary and metabolic data on three children were missing due to equipment failure. We performed an ANOVA on data for children who walked at 3 kph and CWS (n=8 for heart rate (HR); n=9 for pulmonary ventilation and metabolic variables) and a t-test on data at FWS (n=9 for HR, n=8 for pulmonary ventilation and metabolic variables). When children wore AFO, absolute VO2 was reduced by 4.6% at 3 kph and by 4.1% at FWS, and absolute VO2 per metre walked by 4.6% and 4.4% at the same speeds, respectively. Adjusting VO2 for body mass, or for resting VO2 or calculating energy expenditure in kJ, revealed the same pattern. Pulmonary ventilation was lower with AFO on by 7.17%, but only at 3 kph. AFO did not affect gross motor abilities. Nor did it affect HR, or the respiratory exchange ratio at any speed, nor any physiologic variable at CWS. We suggest the lower O2 cost may reflect an increase in stability and a corresponding decrease in coactivation of lower limb antagonistic muscles. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The present thesis involves the study of introducing passive exit flexibility in a two dimensional starting jet. This is relevant to various biological flows like propulsion of aquatic creatures (jellyfish, squid etc.) and flow in the human heart. In the present study we introduce exit flexibility in two ways. The first method was by hinging rigid plates at the channel exit and the second was by attaching deformable flaps at the exit. In the hinged flaps cases, the experimental arrangement closely approximates the limiting case of a free-to-rotate rigid flap with negligible structural stiffness, damping and flap inertia; these limiting structural properties permitting the largest flap openings. In the deformable flaps cases, the flap’s stiffness (or its flexural rigidity EI) becomes an important parameter. In both cases, the initial condition was such that the flaps were parallel to the channel walls. With this, a piston was pushed in a controlled manner to form the starting jet. Using this arrangement, we start the flow and visualize the flap kinematics and make flow field measurements. A number of parameters were varied which include the piston speed, the flap length and the flap stiffness (in case of the deformable flaps). In the hinged rigid flaps cases, the typical motion of the flaps involves a rapid opening with flow initiation and a subsequent more gradual return to its initial position, which occurs while the piston is still moving. The initial opening of the flaps can be attributed to an excess pressure that develops in the channel when the flow starts, due to the acceleration that has to be imparted to the fluid slug between the flaps. In the case with flaps, additional pairs of vortices are formed because of the motion of the flaps and a complete redistribution of vorticity is observed. The length of the flaps is found to significantly affect flap kinematics when plotted using the conventional time scale L/d. However, with a newly defined time-scale based on the flap length (L/Lf ), we find a good collapse of all the measured flap motions irrespective of flap length and piston velocity for an impulsively started piston motion. The maximum opening angle in all these impulsive velocity program cases, irrespective of the flap length, is found to be close to 15 degrees. Even though the flap kinematics collapses well with L/Lf , there are differences in the distribution of the ejected vorticity even for the same L/Lf . In the deformable flap cases, the initial excess pressure in the flap region causes the flaps to bulge outwards. The size of the bulge grows in size, as well as moves outwards as the flow develops and the flaps open out to reach their maximum opening. Thereafter, the flaps start returning to their initial straight position and remain there as long as the piston is in motion. Once the piston stops, the flaps collapse inwards and the two flap tips touch each other. It was found that the flap’s flexural rigidity played an important role in the kinematics. We define a new time scale (t ) based on the flexural rigidity of the flaps (EI) and the flap length (Lf ). Using this new time scale, we find that the time taken to reach the maximum bulge (t* 0.03) and the time taken to reach the maximum opening (t* 0.1) were approximately similar across various flap stiffness and flap length cases. The motion of the flaps results in the formation of additional pairs of vortices. Interestingly, the total final circulation remains almost the same as that of a rigid exit case, for all the flap stiffness and flap lengths studied. However, the final fluid impulse (after all the fluid had come out of the flap region) was always higher in the flap cases as compared to the rigid exit case because of vorticity redistribution. The rate at which the impulse increases was also higher in most flap cases. The final impulse values were as large as 1.8 times the rigid exit case. Since the time rate of change of impulse is linked with force, the measurements suggest that introduction of flexible flaps at the exit could result in better propulsion performances for a system using starting jets. The work carried out in this thesis has shown that by attaching flexible flaps at the exit of an unsteady starting jet, dramatic changes can be made to the flow field. The coupled kinematics of the flaps with the flow dynamics led to desirable changes in the flow. Although the flaps introduced in this work are idealized and may not represent the kind of flexibility we encounter in biological systems, it gives us a better understanding of the importance of exit flexibility in these kinds of flows.

The master's thesis deals with the steel structures in building industry. The aim of this paper is to propose and statically evaluate the load-bearing steel structure of railway station in Vsetín. After solving the construction load by the roof cladding and external cladding, it follows by an assessment of individual elements of construction, including an assessment of their joints. From a static perspective, the roof structure consists of two diagonal arches which are joined into each other in the top and two longitudinals frames. The entire structure is designed with an emphasis on freedom of internal layout independent of the load-bearing structure.

В данной работе рассматриваются проблемы, связанные с моделированием навесных вентилируемых фасадов и оптимизацией работы с ними в среде Autodesk Revit. Данная работа проведена с целью предложения решения по сокращению трудовых и временных затрат проектирования модульных навесных фасадных систем. Результатом работы является написание инструкции по моделированию НФС по модульной схеме и оценка эффективности проектирования с учетом оптимизации процессов проектирования модульных НФС. / This paper discusses the problems associated with modeling hinged ventilated facades and optimizing work with them in the Autodesk Revit environment. This work was carried out in order to propose a solution to reduce the labor and time costs of designing modular hinged facade systems. The result of the work is the writing of instructions for modeling HFS according to a modular scheme and evaluating the effectiveness of design, taking into account the optimization of the design processes of modular HFS.

В данной работе рассматриваются проблемы, связанные с моделированием навесных вентилируемых фасадов и автоматизацией работы с ними в среде Autodesk Revit. Данная работа проведена с целью разработки скрипта для автоматизации расстановки фасонных элементов навесных вентилируемых фасадов. Для достижения цели были поставлены следующие задачи: рассмотреть степень изученности навесных фасадных систем в ТИМ, описать методику моделирования навесных фасадных систем по классической схеме, создать семейства откосов и отлива, написать скрипт и проверить его работоспособность. Результатом работы является Dynamo-скрипт, размещающий фасонные элементы, позволяющий уменьшить трудозатраты проектировщиков. / This paper discusses the problems associated with the modeling of hinged ventilated facades and automation of work with them in the Autodesk Revit environment. This work was carried out in order to develop a script for automating the placement of shaped elements of hinged ventilated facades. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were set: to consider the degree of knowledge of hinged facade systems in TIM, describe the methodology for modeling hinged facade systems according to the classical scheme, create families of slopes and low tide, write a script and check its operability. The result of the work is a Dynamo script that places shaped elements, which reduces the labor costs of designers.

The aim of this thesis is a complex design of the spotting press with a nominal force of 500 kN, which is intended for mating of the both halves of pressing tool for the automotive industry. The press ram is fitted with a hydraulic mechanism which allows the upper clamping board to be tilted in range of 0° -180° and removed from the working space of the press along a profile track. The lower clamping board is a part of moving bolster, which is equipped with a mechanism for lifting and centring. The concept of motion screws is used to drive the ram. Motion screws are mounted in a multiple-part frame and driven by servomotors. The thesis contains background research of the issue, solutions of the main design nodes of the press including calculations, detailed 3D model of the device and partial drawing documentation.

The aim of this thesis is a complex design of the spotting press with a nominal force of 500 kN, which is intended for mating of the both halves of pressing tool for the automotive industry. The press ram is fitted with a hydraulic mechanism which allows the upper clamping board to be tilted in range of 0° -180° and removed from the working space of the press along a profile track. The lower clamping board is a part of moving bolster, which is equipped with a mechanism for lifting and centring. The concept of motion screws is used to drive the ram. Motion screws are mounted in a multiple-part frame and driven by servomotors. The thesis contains background research of the issue, solutions of the main design nodes of the press including calculations, detailed 3D model of the device and partial drawing documentation.

The goal of this diploma thesis is designed and reviewed the roof of the timber construction of sports structure, the span is 50 m and the length is 90 m. The design of the structure is located in Ústí nad Orlicí. The shape of the hall is arc sector. The structure is designed from glue laminated timber, solid timber and steel load bearing elements. The main load bearing elements are truss girders, which static function as two hinged arch. The stability of the girders is ensured by purlins, transverse stiffeners and longitudinal stiffeners. The stiffeners are situated in five fields. Front sides are made by girts and truss columns.

The theme of the master’s thesis is to design wooden roof structure three-aisled building in Brno. The proposal is developed up according to standards ČSN EN. The thesis solves the static effect of the wooden structure, design of parts, and materials design. Plan dimensions are 51x14m, maximal height is 11,9m. The structure is designed for ultimate limit states and serviceability. The supporting structure is designed as solid wooden arched trusses frames's connection to the wooden pole. The thesis solve also details and solution design.

The content of the master’s thesis is a design and evaluation of the timber construction of roofed footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists across the river Bělá in Jeseník in two different options of structure. The final version is solve in detail. It is a bridge with a span of 32 m and width of 4 m. The supporting structure is made of two two-hinged arch of glued laminated timber with lower deck and steel suspender. The bridge deck consists of two main girders, cross beams and stringers. Roof is from arches, roof beams, steel columns and cross beams. The stability of the whole construction is provided with horizontal longitudinal bracing in the plane of the deck and in the plane of the roof. The calculations are processed according to Czech technical norms ČSN EN.