No description available.

No description available.

Simulation has been used extensively for addressing probabilistic uncertainty in range estimating for construction projects. However, subjective and linguistically expressed information results in added non-probabilistic uncertainty in construction management. Fuzzy logic has been used successfully for representing such uncertainties in construction projects. In practice, an approach that can handle both random and fuzzy uncertainties in a risk assessment model is necessary. In this thesis, first, a Fuzzy Monte Carlo Simulation (FMCS) framework is proposed for risk analysis of construction projects. To verify the feasibility of the FMCS framework and demonstrate its main features, a cost range estimating template is developed and employed to estimate the cost of a highway overpass project. Second, a hybrid framework that considers both fuzzy and probabilistic uncertainty for discrete event simulation of construction projects is suggested. The application of the proposed framework is discussed using a real case study of a pipe spool fabrication shop. / Construction Engineering and Management

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Studies on communities of small mammals (rodents and marsupials) show different patterns on both selection and use of space in relation to diet, age, and seasonality, among others. To evaluate these standards, spool-and-line technique can provide information about the movement, vertical stratification and the use of shelters and nests by animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usage area and selection of microhabitat by Gracilinanus agilis (Didelphimorphia) and Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus (Rodentia) in Monumento Natural Grota do Angico (MNGA), between the cities of Canindé de São Francisco and Poço Redondo, both in Sergipe state. The study was conducted by using Sherman traps to capture the animals, and spool-and-line technique to characterize the movement of these animals in two areas of shrub caatinga vegetation of MNGA, between December/2014 and September/2015. For each individual, data were obtained on the daily home range (AUD), tortuosity of the movement (TORT), index of vertical use (VU) and ground use (%SOLO). The sample for microhabitat selection and availability was performed with ground and canopy cover data and vertical foliar obstruction only to dry period. We evaluated 44 routes (27 G. agilis and 17 W. pyrrhorhinus) representing 2451.42 m of traced line. No differences were found in the movement variables between the dry and rainy seasons for both species (p> 0.0919). Males and females of G. agilis and W. pyrrhorhinus also did not show difference for these variables (p> 0.0643). Comparing the two species, the only difference was on the vertical use (p = 0.0050). Only W. pyrrhorhinus females showed microhabitat selection during daily movement (p <0.0001). Regarding the daily home range (AUD), G. agilis presented, in general, a larger area than W. pyrrhorhinus. Low values of tortuosity (TORT) could be associated with the low population density of these species in the area. The difference in the vertical use (VU) was expected since G. agilis is reported as a scansorial species while W. pyrrhorhinus is preferably arboreal. In general, the absence of habitat selection by sampled environmental variables suggests that G. agilis and W. pyrrhorhinus may be performing this selection on the mesohabitat scale. / Estudos sobre comunidades de pequenos mamíferos (roedores e marsupiais) demonstram diferentes padrões na utilização e seleção do espaço em relação à dieta, idade e sazonalidade, entre outros. Para avaliar estes padrões, a utilização de carretéis de rastreamento pode fornecer informações sobre a movimentação, estratificação vertical e o uso de abrigos e ninhos pelos animais. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a área de uso e seleção de microhabitat por Gracilinanus agilis (Didelphimorphia) e Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus (Rodentia) no Monumento Natural Grota do Angico (MNGA), entre os municípios de Canindé de São Francisco e Poço Redondo em Sergipe. O estudo foi conduzido através da utilização de armadilhas Sherman, para a captura dos indivíduos, e de carretéis de rastreamento para a caracterização do movimento desses animais em duas áreas de caatinga arbustiva arbórea do MNGA entre dezembro/2014 e setembro/2015. Foram obtidos dados sobre a área de uso diário (AUD), tortuosidade do movimento (TORT), uso do estrato vertical (VU) e uso do solo (%SOLO) para cada indivíduo. A amostragem da seleção e disponibilidade de microhabitat foi realizada com dados de cobertura do solo e de copa e obstrução foliar vertical apenas para a seca. Foram avaliados 44 trajetos (27 de G. agilis e 17 de W. pyrrhorhinus), totalizando 2.451,42 m de linha rastreada. Não foram encontradas diferenças nas variáveis de movimento entre as estações seca e chuvosa para as duas espécies (p>0,0919). Machos e fêmeas de G. agilis e de W. pyrrhorhinus também não apresentaram diferenciação nessas variáveis (p>0,0643). Comparando-se as duas espécies, houve diferença apenas no uso do estrato vertical (p=0,0050). Apenas as fêmeas de W. pyrrhorhinus evidenciaram selecionar o microhabitat durante o movimento diário (p<0,0001). Em relação ao tamanho da área de uso (AUD), G. agilis apresentou, no geral, uma área maior que W. pyrrhorhinus. Baixos valores de tortuosidade (TORT) encontrados podem ser associados à baixa densidade populacional dessas espécies na área. A diferença na utilização do estrato vertical (VU) era esperada, uma vez que G. agilis é reportado como uma espécie escansorial enquanto W. pyrrhorhinus é preferencialmente arborícola. A ausência, no geral, de seleção do habitat pelas variáveis ambientais amostradas sugere que G. agilis e W. pyrrhorhinus podem estar realizando essa seleção na escala de mesohabitat.

The contribution compares results of Large Eddy Simulations of the cavitating flow in a model oil hydraulic spool valve using an Euler-Euler and a one-way coupled Euler- Lagrange model. The impact of the choice of the empirical constants in the Kunz cavitation model is demonstrated. Provided these are chosen appropriately the approach can yield reasonable agreement with the corresponding experiment. The one-way Euler-Lagrange model yields less agreement. It is demonstrated that this is due to the lack of realistic volumetric coupling, rarely accounted for in this type of method. First results of such an algorithm are presented featuring substantially more realism.

In this paper numerical flow calculations with respect to the annular gaps with added radial grooves normaly used on the spools of directional control valves were carried out. The impact of various annular gap geometries and radial grooves during variable pressure conditions, and while using different hydraulic fluids, on the flows through annular gaps were investigated for different flow regimes. Samples with different geometries and numbers of radial groves on the spool of the directional control valve were also made for the purpose of carrying out flow measurements. The two different hydraulic fluids that were used in the numerical simulations and for the flow measurements were a hydraulic mineral oil and tap water. The results of the numerical calculations for the different models of the radial grooves with axially symmetric geometries show their impact on the internal leakage with respect to three different regimes of flow. The results of the numerical calculations based on the use of a hydraulic oil show a trend that was established by the experimental investigation.