Sand ramps are widespread but understudied landforms which have the potential to provide detailed palaeoenvironmental information in dryland regions. This thesis investigates the utility of sand ramps as late Quaternary palaeoenvironmental archives by addressing two research questions: (1) What are the main controls on sand ramp formation in southern Africa? (2) What does the sand ramp record tell us about late Quaternary palaeoenvironments in southern Africa? The distribution of sand ramps in southern Africa was surveyed using Google Earth™ and 75 features were identified in southern Namibia. Ten of these sand ramps, and an additional feature from South Africa, were studied in the field. Sediments and morphology were mapped and a total of 64 OSL dates, 96 sediment samples, 10 heavy mineral assemblages and OSL sensitivity data from 8 samples were examined. The distribution of sand ramps suggests formation is dependent on (1) sediment supply, (2) accommodation space, (3) persistent unidirectional wind and (4) a variable semi-arid to arid climate. Chronologies and sediment analyses indicate individual sand ramp accumulation is locally controlled by sediment supply modulated by the availability, and nature, of the accommodation space. Comparison between the Namibian and South African sand ramps suggests considerable regional variation in the factors controlling sediment supply. The Namibian sand ramps show an affinity to local ephemeral river channels. Periods of dated sand ramp activity in multiple features are interpreted as periods of increased regional fluvial activity. Significant activity occurred at ~21-12 ka (with peaks at 21-18.5 ka and 14.5-12 ka), ~8.5-7.5 ka and ~2 ka. Some activity is also indicated at 85-65 ka and 45-35 ka. These results correspond well to regional records. Overall, this study demonstrates that sand ramps can provide palaeoclimatic information on both the local and regional scale but only if a number of caveats are taken into consideration.

This thesis project has been carried out in the Bachelors of engineering program, Innovation, Production and Logistics at Mälardalen University in the spring of 2018. The assigning company is GKN Driveline in Köping. In the company's efforts to develop its value base, it has been agreed that the employees' work environment is one of their most important values. This has led to the desire to create good ergonomic conditions in their production, which in turn has raised questions about what good ergonomics can actually result in, as substantial investments may be required to create these conditions. As a result of that, this project with the object of finding and proving whether there is a correlation between ergonomics and sickness absence, aswell as ergonomics and quality outcomes, emerged. The study consists of a case study that contains data collections made through observations, interviews and vast amounts of secondary data. In order to answer the study's purpose of finding a possible correlation, mathematical models have been used. The models used include correlation calculations, linear regression and scatter plots, all of which have been critical to clarify and calculate collected data. In order to carry out the calculations, the authors have had to produce measurement values that in this study consist of three variables, those are statistics of sickness absence, ergonomics and quality data. The sickness absence statistics have been obtained from the company, and by contact with the human resource department and other personnel who have knowledge in the field, the data could be analyzed. Using the ergonomic tool RAMP, developed by researchers at the Royal Institute of Technology, the ergonomics of selected departments within the company have been analyzed, and data on ergonomics could be obtained. In the use and assessment of the analyzes made by the data obtained through the use of the ergonomic tool, an ergonomist from the occupational health services has been involved in ensuring that the assessments have been properly performed. The quality data included in the study have two different parts, one for manufacturing and one for the assembly lines. In manufacturing, rejects are used to support quality monitoring while the assembly lines are using the first time through method. Our studies indicate that there is a correlation between ergonomics and sickness absence. Regarding the calculations between ergonomics and quality outcomes, a correlation model couldn’t be used as the company measures these parameters in different ways. Even though the conclusion of this study is that there are indications that there is correlation between ergonomics and sickness absence, further studies with more measurement values are required to prove this. / Detta examensarbete är utfört inom högskoleingenjörsprogrammet Innovation, Produktion och Logistik på Mälardalens högskola under vårterminen 2018. Uppdragsgivare är GKN Driveline i Köping. I företagets arbete med att ta fram sin värdegrund har det enats om att medarbetarnas arbetsmiljö är en av deras viktigaste värderingar. Detta har lett till att företaget vill satsa på att skapa goda ergonomiska förutsättningar inom produktionen vilket i sin tur har väckt frågeställningar om vad god ergonomi faktiskt kan resultera i då det kan komma att krävas avsevärda investeringar för att skapa dessa förutsättningar. Det har medfört att detta uppdrag som går ut på att finna och bevisa eventuellt samband mellan ergonomi och sjukfrånvaro samt ergonomi och kvalitetsutfall utformats. Studien består av en fallstudie som innehåller datainsamlingar som är gjorda genom observationer, intervjuer och litteraturstudier samt varit bestående av stora delar av sekundär data och korrelationsberäkningar. För att besvara studiens syfte att finna ett eventuellt samband har matematiska modeller använts. De modeller som använts innefattar korrelationsberäkningar, linjär regression och spridningsdiagram som alla har varit kritiska för att tydliggöra och beräkna insamlad data. För att utföra beräkningarna har författarna behövt ta fram mätvärden som i denna studie består av statistik på sjukfrånvaro, ergonomi och kvalitetsdata. Sjukfrånvarostatistiken har erhållits från företaget, och genom kontakt med personal-avdelningen och annan personal som har kunskap inom området har datan kunnat analyseras. Genom användning av ergonomiverktyget RAMP som är framtaget av forskare på Kungliga tekniska högskolan har ergonomin på utvalda avdelningar inom företaget analyserats varpå data på ergonomin kunnat erhållas. I användningen och bedömningen av de analyser som görs av den data som erhållits genom användandet av ergonomiverktyget har en ergonom från företagshälsovården varit deltagande för säkerställa att bedömningarna blivit korrekt utförda. Den data på kvalitetsutfall som studien innefattar har två olika delar, en för tillverkningen och en för monteringen. På tillverkningen används kassationer som stöd för uppföljning av kvalité medan monteringen använder metoden first time through. Våra studier indikerar att samband finns mellan ergonomi och sjukfrånvaro. Gällande samband mellan ergonomi och kvalitetsutfall kan vi inte ställa upp korrelationsmodeller då företaget mäter dessa parametrar på olika sätt. Slutsatsen av denna studie är att det finns indikationer på att samband råder mellan ergonomi och sjukfrånvaro finns, men ytterligare studier med fler mätvärden krävs för att kunna bevisa detta.

Esta dissertação está baseada no trabalho desenvolvido para adequar a usina de Conceição 1 (da Vale S.A.) para o processamento de itabiritos compactos e semi compactos, situada em Itabira-MG. Até 2014, a usina de Conceição 1 foi alimentada com hematitas e itabiritos friáveis e produzia cerca de 22 Mt/ano. Com o consumo progressivo das reservas de minérios friáveis, tornou-se necessário que a usina processasse minérios mais competentes e com menor teor de Fe: itabiritos compactos e semi compactos (40%Fe). Até então, este material era considerado estéril, uma vez que os circuitos de beneficiamento não possuíam capacidade para transformá-lo em concentrados, tendo em vista às exigências de mercado. Portanto, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o processo de ramp-up para aumentar a capacidade de alimentação da planta para 34 Mt/ano. O dimensionamento dos equipamentos, desenho dos circuitos, bem como as premissas adotadas durante o projeto de adequação serão apresentados neste estudo. Comparando a curvas de ramp-up prevista à praticada, notou-se que houve perdas mássicas consideráveis. Dentre os principais fatores responsáveis, está a grande quantidade de materiais compactos alimentados à usina com granulometria e, talvez, dureza maior do que poderia ser previsto. Os teores de ferro na alimentação da flotação e a qualidade dos concentrados (sínter feed e pellet feed) mostraram-se um pouco abaixo, também, do previsto, porém satisfatórios A estratégia de divisão por fases teve forte impacto positivo, evitando perdas maiores, pois reduziu o número de dias de parada consideravelmente. O desenvolvimento do projeto, denominado FRAGCOM (fragmentação e cominuição), pode ter ajudado a revelar as soluções para os problemas encontrados: este visou a obter melhorias no processo de desmonte e, consequentemente, na cominuição. Os resultados analisados de alguns testes deste projeto mostraram que, na britagem, a usina atingiu maiores taxas de produtividade nesta ocasião. Dado que a britagem é o primeiro circuito de processamento (um gargalo), isto é um fator relevante. Para estes testes foi utilizada uma razão de carga maior no desmonte. Com esta e outras melhorias, uma maior quantidade de material compacto pôde ser processado. Por fim, os resultados mostraram que a falta de aderência da curva de produção prevista com respeito à praticada, deveu-se entre outros fatores, à maior dificuldade de alimentação do circuito de moagem, impactado pelo baixo rendimento operacional da britagem. / This dissertation is based on the work developed to adapt the plant of Conceição 1 (Vale S.A.) to the processing of compact and semicompact itabirites, located in Itabira-MG, southeastern Brazil. Conceição 1 plant was fed with friable hematite and itabirite and produced 22 Mt/year) until 2014. With the progressive consumption of friable ore reserves, it became necessary to process more competent and lower grade ores: compact and semicompact itabirites. Until then, this material was considered waste, since the beneficiation circuits did not have the capacity to transform it into concentrates, especially regarding market requirements. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to analyze the ramp up process in order to fed 34Mt/year. The adopted strategies and their impacts on ramp up process to achieve the production rate were analyzed. Equipment scaling, circuit design, as well as, premises and tests, which were performed during the adaptation project, are presented in this study. Comparing the planned ramp-up curve to the implemented curve, it was noted considerable mass losses. The amount of compacts that fed the plant with particle size and perhaps hardness greater than could be predicted is among main responsible factors The content of Fe in the feed of the flotation and the quality of the concentrates (sinter feed and pellet feed) was a little lower than was expected, but satisfactory. The phasing strategy had a strong positive impact, avoiding greater losses, as it considerably reduced the number of shutdown days. The development of the FRAGCOM (fragmentation and comminution) project may have helped to reveal solutions to the encountered problems: this project aimed to improve the blasting process and, consequently, the comminution. The results of some tests of this project showed that the crushing achieved higher productivity rates at that time. Since crushing is the first processing circuit (a bottleneck), this is a relevant factor. For these tests, a higher blasting load ratio was used. With this and other improvements, a greater amount of compact material could be processed. Finally, the results suggested that the mass losses occurred greater difficulty in feeding the grinding circuit, impacted by the low operational efficiency of the crushing.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-09-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:54:26Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 santos_tess_me_rcla.pdf: 2702964 bytes, checksum: 9279e9adefca2e18bc08fb0bc96b8d4a (MD5) / O limite norte da Nappe de Passos, sudoeste de Minas Gerais, é marcado por um sistema de rampa lateral denominado de Rampa Lateral de Capitólio. Essa rampa põe em contato os denominados Domínios Interno (DI) e Externo (DE) da Faixa Brasília Meridional. Através do estudo detalhado das estruturas presentes nessa situação, é proposto um modelo para evolução dessa rampa, explicando como a estruturação vertical que marca o DE, transiciona para a estruturação subhorizontal encontrada no DI, ambas com direção NW-SE. O contato entre esses domínios é balizado por um cavalgamento tardio (D3) que oblitera os registros iniciais do desenvolvimento da rampa lateral, caracterizada por um plano íngreme (D2). A parte oculta dessa história envolveu modelos complexos de deformação, em que, através da rotação do eixo de vorticidade transicionamos de uma Zona de Cisalhamento Monoclínica do tipo Y vertical para uma horizontal, respectivamente na posição de rampa e patamar da nappe. Os resultados obtidos através da análise da deformação mostram que a intensidade de deformação relacionada à fase D2 aumenta em direção ao contato DE/DI. A baixa intensidade da deformação D2 no DI, próximo ao contato com DE confirma o caráter tardio (D3) deste empurrão, que posiciona as rochas do DI encobrindo a rampa lateral original da Nappe de Passos. / The northern edge of Passos Nappe, southwest of Minas Gerais state, is marked by a lateral ramp system called Capitólio Lateral Ramp. This ramp is the contact of the Internal (DI) and External (DE) domains of the Southeastern segment of the Brasilia Fold Belt. A detailed study of these structures permits to consider a model for the evolution of this ramp, as the vertical structures, which marks DE, changing to sub-horizontal structures verified in DI, both with direction NW-SE. The contact between these domains is distinguished by a later thrust (D3) which obliterates the initial registers of the development of the lateral ramp, a steep plane (D2). The covered portion of this history involved complex deformation models, where by rotation of the vorticity axis is possible to see a transition of a vertical to horizontal Y-Moniclinic Shear Zone, respectively in the ramp and flat of the nappe. The strain analyses show that the intensity of D2 related strain increase in direction to the contact DE/DI. The low D2 strain of the DI near the DE contact confirms the later character of the D3 thrust, that overprint the original lateral ramp of Passos Nappe.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:29:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5151.pdf: 1870077 bytes, checksum: b3c048db3e8a66812c70cd6bd0b65bf6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-23 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / This work is a math lesson on the triangle trigonometric ratios, using analysis of access ramps for people with special needs mobility. The mathematical content designed to be taught in grade 8/9 years of elementary school, according to the teaching experience of a teacher who devised and applied that lesson, there used to be presented to students in a way that justified the understanding it. This observation led to the idealization of a classroom where students participate in an active construction of knowledge and context. Students were led to reflect on the inclusion of people with special needs in today's society and to examine the access ramps of the school they attend, comparing your measurements with the Brazilian standard ABNT governing accessibility in buildings and structures. From the analysis of these ramps have been developing activities in order to build the concept of sine, cosine and tangent in rightangled triangle and attach to these concepts, meanings. They are extremely interested throughout the development of the work, which was completed fulfilling the objectives / Esse trabalho trata de uma aula de matemática sobre as razões trigonométricas no triângulo retângulo, através de análise de rampas de acesso para pessoas com necessidades especiais de locomoção. O conteúdo matemático planejado para ser ensinado na 8ª série/ 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental, de acordo com a experiência docente da professora que idealizou e aplicou a referida aula, não costumava ser apresentado aos alunos de forma que os motivassem a compreendêlo. Essa observação motivou a idealização de uma aula onde os alunos participassem de forma ativa da construção e contextualização do conhecimento. Os alunos foram levados a refletir sobre a inclusão de pessoas com necessidades especiais na sociedade atual e a analisarem as rampas de acesso da escola que frequentam, comparando suas medidas com a norma brasileira da ABNT que regulamenta a acessibilidade em prédios e construções. A partir da análise dessas rampas, foram desenvolvendo atividades com a finalidade de construírem o conceito de seno, cosseno e tangente no triângulo retângulo e atribuírem a estes conceitos, significados. Mostraram-se muito interessados durante todo o desenvolvimento do trabalho, o qual foi concluído cumprindo os objetivos propostos.

La thèse présente les résultats de recherche sur une méthode de contrôle distribué et coordonné pour la régulation des accès autoroutiers. Le trafic autoroutier est représenté par le modèle Cell Transmission Model (CTM). L'objectif de contrôle principal est de d'obtenir une distribution uniforme de la densité des véhicules sur des portions d'autoroute. Équilibrer la densité est un nouvel objectif de trafic qui peut potentiellement réduire le nombre et l'intensité des accélérations et décélérations et peut par conséquent permettre des voyages plus sécurisés et confortables tout en diminuant la consommation de carburant et les émissions de polluants. En outre, cet objectif prend en compte les paramètres de trafic standards tels que le Temps de Trajet Total et la Distance Totale Parcourue. Une architecture modulaire distribuée est proposée pour le contrôleur. Cela permet de déterminer les décisions optimales à prendre en utilisant uniquement des informations d'état locales et en provenance des contrôleurs voisins.La contribution débute par l'analyse d'ensembles d'équilibre de CTM. L'objectif de cette étude est d'obtenir les conditions qui assurent l'existence et l'unicité des états stationnaire qui sont équilibrées. Dans l'ensemble des états stationnaire, nous sommes intéressés à la sélection du point qui maximise la Distance Totale Parcourue. Sont discutés ensuite les aspects de la mise en œuvre et les limites de la méthode proposée. Enfin, plusieurs études de cas sont présentées appuyant les résultats d'analyse et examinant l'efficacité de la méthode proposée.La majeure partie de la thèse vise à concevoir un dispositif de commande optimale pour équilibrer la densité du trafic routier. L'optimisation est réalisée de manière répartie. En utilisant les propriétés de contrôlabilité, l'ensemble des sous-systèmes devant être contrôlés par des feux aux rampes d'accès sont identifiés. Le problème d'optimisation est alors formulé comme de Nash du jeu dans un environnement non coopératif. Le jeu est résolu en le décomposant en une série de jeux à deux joueurs hiérarchiques et compétitifs. Le processus d'optimisation emploie des canaux de communication qui correspond à la structure de commutation de l'interconnexion de système. L'approche alternative pour équilibrer emploie la théorie des systèmes multi-agents. Chacun des contrôleurs est pourvu d'une structure à rétroaction assurant que les états au sein de son sous-système atteignent des valeurs communes par l'évaluation de protocoles de consensus. Dans ces structures, un problème de contrôle optimal minimisant le Temps de Trajet Total est formulé. Le contrôleur distribué fondé sur le jeu de Nash est validé grâce des simulations microscopiques Aimsun. Le scénario de test comprend des données de trafic provenant de la rocade sud de Grenoble. / The thesis presents the results of research on distributed and coordinated control method for freeway ramp metering. The freeway traffic is represented by the Cell-Transmission Model. The primary control objective is to provide a uniform distribution of vehicle densities over freeway links. Density balancing is a new traffic objective which can potentially reduce the number and intensity of acceleration and deceleration events and therefore, it can make a travel more safety and comfortable while decreasing fuel consumption and emissions. In addition, the objective takes into account standard traffic metrics like Total Travel Distance and Total Travel Spent. For the controller, a distributed modular architecture is assumed. It enables to compute the optimal decisions by using only local state information and some supplementary information arriving from the neighbouring controllers.The contributing part begins with the analysis on equilibrium sets of the Cell-Transmission Model. The goal of this study is to derive the conditions that assure the existence and the uniqueness of the balanced equilibrium states. The next step is to find a set of inputs such that the resulting equilibrium state is balanced. In the set of balanced equilibria, we are interested in the selection of the point that maximizes the Total Travel Distance. In the sequel, the implementation aspects and limitations of the proposed method are discussed. Finally, several case studies are presented to support the analysis results and to examine the effectiveness of the proposed method.The major part of the thesis aims on a design of an optimal controller for balancing the traffic density. The optimization is performed in a distributed manner. By using controllability properties, the set of subsystems to be controlled by local ramp meters are identified. The optimization problem is then formulated as a non-cooperative Nash game. The game is solved by decomposing it into a set of two-players hierarchical and competitive games. The process of optimization employs the communication channels matching the switching structure of system interconnectivity. The alternative approach of balancing employs the theory of multi-agent systems. Each of the controllers is provided with a feedback structure assuring that the states within its local subsystem achieve common values by evaluating consensus protocols. Under these structures, an optimal control problem to minimize the Total Travel Spent is formulated. The distributed controller based on the Nash game is validated via Aimsun micro-simulations. The testing scenario involves the traffic data collected from the south ring of Grenoble.

Orientador: Luiz Sérgio Amarante Simões / Banca: Cláudio de Morrisson Valeriano / Banca: Norberto Moraes / Anexo 4 mapas / Resumo: O limite norte da Nappe de Passos, sudoeste de Minas Gerais, é marcado por um sistema de rampa lateral denominado de Rampa Lateral de Capitólio. Essa rampa põe em contato os denominados Domínios Interno (DI) e Externo (DE) da Faixa Brasília Meridional. Através do estudo detalhado das estruturas presentes nessa situação, é proposto um modelo para evolução dessa rampa, explicando como a estruturação vertical que marca o DE, transiciona para a estruturação subhorizontal encontrada no DI, ambas com direção NW-SE. O contato entre esses domínios é balizado por um cavalgamento tardio (D3) que oblitera os registros iniciais do desenvolvimento da rampa lateral, caracterizada por um plano íngreme (D2). A parte oculta dessa história envolveu modelos complexos de deformação, em que, através da rotação do eixo de vorticidade transicionamos de uma Zona de Cisalhamento Monoclínica do tipo Y vertical para uma horizontal, respectivamente na posição de rampa e patamar da nappe. Os resultados obtidos através da análise da deformação mostram que a intensidade de deformação relacionada à fase D2 aumenta em direção ao contato DE/DI. A baixa intensidade da deformação D2 no DI, próximo ao contato com DE confirma o caráter tardio (D3) deste empurrão, que posiciona as rochas do DI encobrindo a rampa lateral original da Nappe de Passos. / Abstract: The northern edge of Passos Nappe, southwest of Minas Gerais state, is marked by a lateral ramp system called Capitólio Lateral Ramp. This ramp is the contact of the Internal (DI) and External (DE) domains of the Southeastern segment of the Brasilia Fold Belt. A detailed study of these structures permits to consider a model for the evolution of this ramp, as the vertical structures, which marks DE, changing to sub-horizontal structures verified in DI, both with direction NW-SE. The contact between these domains is distinguished by a later thrust (D3) which obliterates the initial registers of the development of the lateral ramp, a steep plane (D2). The covered portion of this history involved complex deformation models, where by rotation of the vorticity axis is possible to see a transition of a vertical to horizontal Y-Moniclinic Shear Zone, respectively in the ramp and flat of the nappe. The strain analyses show that the intensity of D2 related strain increase in direction to the contact DE/DI. The low D2 strain of the DI near the DE contact confirms the later character of the D3 thrust, that overprint the original lateral ramp of Passos Nappe. / Mestre

Esta dissertação está baseada no trabalho desenvolvido para adequar a usina de Conceição 1 (da Vale S.A.) para o processamento de itabiritos compactos e semi compactos, situada em Itabira-MG. Até 2014, a usina de Conceição 1 foi alimentada com hematitas e itabiritos friáveis e produzia cerca de 22 Mt/ano. Com o consumo progressivo das reservas de minérios friáveis, tornou-se necessário que a usina processasse minérios mais competentes e com menor teor de Fe: itabiritos compactos e semi compactos (40%Fe). Até então, este material era considerado estéril, uma vez que os circuitos de beneficiamento não possuíam capacidade para transformá-lo em concentrados, tendo em vista às exigências de mercado. Portanto, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o processo de ramp-up para aumentar a capacidade de alimentação da planta para 34 Mt/ano. O dimensionamento dos equipamentos, desenho dos circuitos, bem como as premissas adotadas durante o projeto de adequação serão apresentados neste estudo. Comparando a curvas de ramp-up prevista à praticada, notou-se que houve perdas mássicas consideráveis. Dentre os principais fatores responsáveis, está a grande quantidade de materiais compactos alimentados à usina com granulometria e, talvez, dureza maior do que poderia ser previsto. Os teores de ferro na alimentação da flotação e a qualidade dos concentrados (sínter feed e pellet feed) mostraram-se um pouco abaixo, também, do previsto, porém satisfatórios A estratégia de divisão por fases teve forte impacto positivo, evitando perdas maiores, pois reduziu o número de dias de parada consideravelmente. O desenvolvimento do projeto, denominado FRAGCOM (fragmentação e cominuição), pode ter ajudado a revelar as soluções para os problemas encontrados: este visou a obter melhorias no processo de desmonte e, consequentemente, na cominuição. Os resultados analisados de alguns testes deste projeto mostraram que, na britagem, a usina atingiu maiores taxas de produtividade nesta ocasião. Dado que a britagem é o primeiro circuito de processamento (um gargalo), isto é um fator relevante. Para estes testes foi utilizada uma razão de carga maior no desmonte. Com esta e outras melhorias, uma maior quantidade de material compacto pôde ser processado. Por fim, os resultados mostraram que a falta de aderência da curva de produção prevista com respeito à praticada, deveu-se entre outros fatores, à maior dificuldade de alimentação do circuito de moagem, impactado pelo baixo rendimento operacional da britagem. / This dissertation is based on the work developed to adapt the plant of Conceição 1 (Vale S.A.) to the processing of compact and semicompact itabirites, located in Itabira-MG, southeastern Brazil. Conceição 1 plant was fed with friable hematite and itabirite and produced 22 Mt/year) until 2014. With the progressive consumption of friable ore reserves, it became necessary to process more competent and lower grade ores: compact and semicompact itabirites. Until then, this material was considered waste, since the beneficiation circuits did not have the capacity to transform it into concentrates, especially regarding market requirements. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to analyze the ramp up process in order to fed 34Mt/year. The adopted strategies and their impacts on ramp up process to achieve the production rate were analyzed. Equipment scaling, circuit design, as well as, premises and tests, which were performed during the adaptation project, are presented in this study. Comparing the planned ramp-up curve to the implemented curve, it was noted considerable mass losses. The amount of compacts that fed the plant with particle size and perhaps hardness greater than could be predicted is among main responsible factors The content of Fe in the feed of the flotation and the quality of the concentrates (sinter feed and pellet feed) was a little lower than was expected, but satisfactory. The phasing strategy had a strong positive impact, avoiding greater losses, as it considerably reduced the number of shutdown days. The development of the FRAGCOM (fragmentation and comminution) project may have helped to reveal solutions to the encountered problems: this project aimed to improve the blasting process and, consequently, the comminution. The results of some tests of this project showed that the crushing achieved higher productivity rates at that time. Since crushing is the first processing circuit (a bottleneck), this is a relevant factor. For these tests, a higher blasting load ratio was used. With this and other improvements, a greater amount of compact material could be processed. Finally, the results suggested that the mass losses occurred greater difficulty in feeding the grinding circuit, impacted by the low operational efficiency of the crushing.

Bangkok is a city where the congestion levels have been a major problem for many years. In 2017, Bangkok was rated the most congested city in Asia, and the second most congested in the world. According to The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), on-ramp merging is one of the most critical problem that causes congestion on the urban expressways. EXAT have evaluated several merging control strategies through microscopic traffic simulation to find suitable strategies for implementation in real life. However, their simulation studies were all based on the assumption that all motorists strictly follow the traffic rules. This is not the actual case in Bangkok, where the drivers ignore both solid lines and striped areas, as well as utilize the shoulder lane on a regular basis. The aim of this thesis is to investigate if it is possible to include this complex driving behavior in existing microscopic simulation models. A second objective is to identify merging control strategies that can reduce the occurrence and the effects of this driving behavior in order to increase the throughput at an on-ramp area on Sirat Expressway. A model was built in VISSIM and calibrated based on data collected from video recordings. In the study, parameters that are significant for the driving behavior modeling, as well as the difficulties that arise from performing a realistic calibration of the model using video observations and model-specific constraints, are identified. From the video recordings it was discovered that the main problem causing the congestion was a result of the mainline traffic who traversed to the on-ramp. Two merging control strategies were suggested to address this problem: the installment of a center barrier, and successive merging areas. The results confirmed that both actions can improve the traffic situation in terms of reducing the individual travel time. Installing a center barrier was the most efficient option and reduced the travel time by 16.58 % on the mainline and 63.24 % at the on-ramp.

Shock boundary layer interactions (SBLI) is an undesirable event occurring in high-speed air-breathing propulsion system that stimulates boundary layer separation due to adverse pressure gradients and consequently lead to ow distortion and pressure loss in the intake section. Therefore it is essential to apply ow control mechanisms to prevent this phenomenon. This study involves a novel ow control device called micro-ramp, which is a part of the micro-vortex generator family that has shown great potential in solving the adverse phenomenon. The term micro refers to the height of the device, which is smaller than the boundary layer thickness, δ. It is important to highlight the two main novelties of this investigation. Firstly, it is the first micro-ramp study conducted in the hypersonic ow regime (Mach 5) since most of the previous micro-ramp studies were only performed in subsonic, transonic and supersonic flows. Another novelty is the various experimental techniques that were used in single study for example schlieren photography, oil-dot and oil- ow visualisation and conventional pressure transducers. In addition, advanced ow diagnostic tools such as infrared thermography, pressure sensitive paints (PSP) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) were also employed. T