A practical way to estimate the ship response in early design stage is investigated in this thesis. Focus has been put on the ship vertical bending moment and shear force in operation area. ISSC spectrum is used to indicate the sea state. Napa strip method is employed to derive the transfer function. The ship response is thus generated in frequency domain. The vertical bending moment and shear force along the ship are then calculated according to the critical wave case indicated from the response function. Based on the results, the validation of DNV-GL rule and IACS rule is discussed. In this case, the overestimation is discovered for the still water vertical bending moment and shear force. On the other hand, there is underestimation in wave vertical bending moment and shear force. The total vertical bending moment and shear force is reasonable. Since only static loads and total loads are required in the rules, the rules are judged as valid in the early design stage. The feasibility of Napa strip method has been commented and the Napa strip method is judged practical according to its accuracy and time consumption. For ship design, the wavelength and the wave steepness are the main parameters affecting the loads on hull. The block coefficient is crucial for the nonlinearity in hogging and sagging condition. More models, especially other types of ships are expected to be analysed for this topic in future study. Other methods, such as panel method could take into use in the future work. The probability of operation can be further developed based on this study.

The Expanded Program on Immunization Sampling Method (known simply as EPI sampling) is a two-stage sampling procedure originally intended for quick estimation of disease prevalence in large geographical regions. The method was developed in the 1970s and all the subsequent assessments of its performance have been conducted by simulation. In her master's thesis, Reyes (2016) studied in detail the second-stage sampling of the method by developing formulas for the exact calculation of the household inclusion probabilities when sectors are used to identify the initial household to generate the EPI samples. The inclusion probabilities were used in turn to obtain exact mean, bias, variance and mean square error of any estimator of disease prevalence in the population. Thus, no extensive simulations are required and the results are exact rather than just estimates. This thesis is an extension of Reyes' (2016) work. The extension is two-fold; (a) employing strips rather than sectors because they narrow the geographic area for field workers and to use strips to select the first household for the EPI sample at the secondary stage, and (b) carrying out an analysis on simulated population and sampling plans, using both stages of the EPI method. Analyzing the simulated populations showed that equal weight estimator that samples primary units with replacement with probability proportional to size (EW1) should be used when the target characteristic is thought to be spread randomly throughout the population, and the Horvitz-Thompson estimator that samples primary units systematically with replacement (HTSYS) should be used when the disease is believed to spread from a central location or through pocketing. Comparing the strip and sector sampling methods at the secondary stage using their effective areas leads to a comparative basis in which the inclusion probabilities are identical for both methods. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Motivated by the results concerning the regularity of solutions to the fractional Navier-Stokes system and questions about the influence of noise on the formation of singularities in hydrodynamic models, we have explored these two problems in the context of the fractional 1D Burgers equation. First, we performed highly accurate numerical computations to characterize the dependence of the blow-up time on the the fractional dissipation exponent in the supercritical regime. The problem was solved numerically using a pseudospectral method where integration in time was performed using a hybrid method combining the Crank-Nicolson and a three-step Runge-Kutta techniques. A highlight of this approach is automated resolution refinement. The blow-up time was estimated based on the time evolution of the enstrophy (H1 seminorm) and the width of the analyticity strip. The consistency of the obtained blow-up times was verified in the limiting cases. In the second part of the thesis we considered the fractional Burgers equation in the presence of suitably colored additive noise. This problem was solved using a stochastic Runge-Kutta method where the stochastic effects were approximated using a Monte-Carlo method. Statistic analysis of ensembles of stochastic solutions obtained for different noise magnitudes indicates that as the noise amplitude increases the distribution of blow-up times becomes non-Gaussian. In particular, while for increasing noise levels the mean blow-up time is reduced as compared to the deterministic case, solutions with increased existence time also become more likely. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No / In this paper, a new three-dimensional spline finite strip method (spline FSM) is introduced. This is done by combining the classical spline finite strip method [1] and the state space approach. According to the traditional spline FSM, a laminated plate is divided into strips. Within each strip, the spline FSM calls for the use of simple polynomials and a continuously differentiable spline function, respectively, in the transverse and in-plane directions. In the through-thickness direction, the state space method is used to compute the distribution of displacements and stresses. The combination of the in-plane spline FSM and the out-of-plane state space formulations results in a global state space equation that is solved numerically by the precise time step integration method [2,3]. Apart from obtaining a three-dimensional solution, the new method has a unique feature that the final algebra equation system is independent of the number of material layers of a laminate. The main aim of this work is to establish the new solution procedure and validate the method. To this end, the work reported in the paper focus on laminated plates with arbitrary boundary conditions. Thus, the spline FSM is more flexible than the FSM in imposing boundary conditions. Future development is expected to extend the solution to more practical applications. From the numerical validation included, it can be seen clearly that the newly developed method can provide accurate three dimensional solutions for laminated composites, particularly, with continuous transverse stress distributions across material interfaces. This is normally difficult to obtain if a traditional three dimensional finite element is used, where only continuity of displacements across material boundaries are guaranteed. Apart from the above new feature, the new three-dimensional formulation always ends up with a global matrix whose dimension depends only on the number of strips and knots that a plate has been divided into, and is completely independent of the number of material layers of the plate.

Yes / This paper provides results of a comprehensive investigation into the use of waste carpet fibres for reinforcement of clay soil slopes. The interaction between laboratory scale model slopes made of fibre reinforced clay soil and surface strip footing load was examined. Results for the influence of two variables namely fibre content and distance between the footing edge and the crest of the slope are presented and discussed. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was employed to study the deformation of the slope under the surface loading. The front side of the tank was made of a thick Perspex glass to facilitate taking accurate images during the loading stage. To study the stress induced in the slope under footing pressure, excess pore-water pressure and total stress increase were measured at predetermined locations within the slope. The results showed that fibre reinforcement increased the bearing resistance of the model slope significantly. For instance, inclusion of 5% waste carpet fibre increased the bearing pressure by 145% at 10% settlement ratio. / The post-print of this article will be released for public view when the version of record has been published by ASCE.

Land use issues have dramatically changed the timber supply outlook for our nation's forest products industry. Since demand for wood products shows no sign of abating, alternative products must be developed. Bamboo is a very promising alternative raw material for the manufacture of structural composite products. It is fast growing, economical, renewable and abundant throughout the world. Bamboo has physical and mechanical properties that are comparable to many commercial timber species, and thus, may easily be processed using existing technology from the wood-based composites industry. Bamboo can be cultivated in the U.S., and thus has the potential to relieve some of the harvesting pressure from our nation's forestlands. However, the use of specific bamboo species for structural composite products will require a thorough investigation of the material as well as its interaction with other components. Thus, the primary objective of this dissertation is to determine the properties of Calcutta bamboo and its interaction with adhesives. The properties investigated were relative density, dimensional stability, equilibrium moisture content, bending strength and stiffness, tensile strength, pH, buffer capacity, wettability and the adhesive penetration. In addition to this, a prototype bamboo parallel strip lumber (BPSL) was manufactured and tested for its physical and mechanical properties. The relationships among the properties of Calcutta bamboo and the prototype bamboo composite were also investigated. As the result of these investigations, it is concluded that Calcutta bamboo is technically a suitable raw material for structural composite products. This result may also be applicable for the utilization of other bamboo species, thus aiding companies in decisions regarding investment in bamboo plantations and manufacturing facilities in the U.S, Malaysia and other parts of the world. The primary benefits from this research may be the development of new products to serve growing markets, and thereby relieving some of the pressure to harvest forestlands. / Ph. D.

The present state of forestry post mining land uses has prompted concern among researchers, landowners, and the public. Surface mines reclaimed to forests under the provision of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) may not achieve site productivity levels required by the law. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many pre-law reforested mined sites are growing productive forests. The purpose of this study was to characterize these forests and the mine soils in which they are growing, and use them to benchmark forest development on mined land. Using 14 mined and 8 non-mined sites in the midwestern and eastern coalfields research to address the following objectives was undertaken: (i) characterize the development, composition, and diversity of woody species on pre-SMCRA, forested surface mined land; (ii) estimate forest and site productivity on surface mined land and determine the soil and site properties most influencing forest growth; (iii) estimate projected rotation-age timber product value; (iv) quantify current carbon sequestration pools associated with the developing woody plant biomass, the forest floor, and developing soil medium; (v) compare the diversity, forest and site productivity, commercial value, and carbon capture of reclaimed mined sites to that of regional non-mined forest systems. Species richness between non-mined and mined sites was about the same within each region with 14 to 15 tree species in the canopy. Canopy richness of eastern mined sites was less than that on midwestern mined sites (12 species compared to 17 species, respectively). Species richness of the understory and woody ground layer were similar between sites planted to pines versus hardwoods. White pine (Pinus strobus) monocultures, planted on many sites in the eastern region, caused species unevenness throughout all forest strata. Midwestern mined sites and eastern sites planted to hardwoods closely approximated non-mined sites in commercial species composition. Planted species represented the majority of canopy layer dominance and abundance (82% relative dominance and 56% relative abundance). Site productivity between non-mined sites and 12 of the 14 mined sites was similar. Regression analysis identified the five most influential soil properties affecting site quality, which included soil profile base saturation, total coarse fragments, total available water, C horizon total porosity, and soil profile electrical conductivity. These five properties explained 52 % of the variation in tree growth. Forest productivity of these mined sites was equal to or greater than that of non-mined forests, ranging between 3.3 m3ha-1yr-1 and 12.1 m3ha-1yr-1. Management activities such as planting pine and valuable hardwood species increased the stumpage value of forests on reclaimed mine sites. Rotation-age stumpage values on mined study sites ranged between $3,064 ha-1 and $19,528 ha-1 and were commonly greater than stumpage values on non-mined reference sites. After 20 to 55 years, total site carbon levels on mined study sites averaged 217 Mg ha-1, while total carbon amounts on natural sites averaged 285 Mg ha-1. The amounts of carbon captured within the plant biomass and litter layer were the same on mined and natural sites. However, the soil carbon content of mined sites averaged 39 % lower than natural soils. The amount of carbon captured across mined sites was largely a function of forest stand age. Pre-SMCRA forests growing on mined sites with productivity levels similar to non-mined sites are capable of developing forest attributes comparable to or greater than those found on non-mined land within a period of 60 years, the length of a commercial hardwood rotation. These mature forests can serve as benchmarks for forest development on mined lands being reclaimed under current state and federal regulations. / Master of Science

Elastic Buckling Simplified Methods for Structural Members with Edge-Stiffened Holes: Presently, the current design methods available to engineers to predict the strength of cold-formed steel members with edge-stiffened holes remains largely unaddressed in the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members (NAS). Research was conducted to explore and develop a further understanding of the effects of stiffened edge holes on the elastic buckling parameters for local, distortional, and global buckling. Elastic buckling parameter studies have been conducted on a suite of cold-formed members including recently developed DeltaSTUDs manufactured by Steelform Building Products, Inc. and a series of common Steel Stud Manufacturers Association (SSMA) members. Furthermore, a suite of simplified methods for determining elastic buckling parameters used to predict capacity with the Direct Strength Method (DSM) for members with edge stiffened holes were developed and validated. The elastic buckling studies are used to validate the simplified methods presented in this thesis. All simplified methods are further validated with thin shell finite element eigen-buckling parameter studies where the edge-stiffened holes are explicitly modeled. Purlin Distortional Buckling Strength Under Gravity Loading: Laterally braced cold-formed steel beams generally fail due to local and/or distortional buckling in combination with yielding. For many members, distortional buckling is the dominant buckling mode and is addressed in the current North American Specification for the Design of Cold-formed Steel Structural Members. The current main code equation, AISI C3.1.4-10 for calculating the available distortional buckling stress was derived experimentally based on a series of four-point bending tests at John Hopkins University. Where this provides a good basis for determining capacity, in most loading conditions purlins are subjected to a downward uniform loading that provides additional resistance to distortional buckling in the top flange beyond the resistance of the steel roofing panel. This research describes an experimental study to explore and quantify the difference in distortional buckling flexural capacity of metal building Z-purlins treated as isolated components and Z-purlins loaded with a constant pressure applied to metal roof panels. A series of three different types of tests have been developed to quantify the system effect provided by the metal roof panels as well as downward pressure on distortional buckling. Results are also extended to validate the Direct Strength Method when predicting flexural capacity of purlins in a roof system. / Master of Science

Within the context of the contribution that urban infill development makes to urban wholeness, this thesis examines three specific sites in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. The thesis tests the impact upon these sites of certain environmental design theories and principles developed primarily during the twentieth century. Subsequently, it examines what effect the infilling of these sites has upon the urban wholeness of the surrounding city. / Master of Science

[pt] A preocupação ambiental do ponto de visto hídrico tem sido abordada com alto grau de importância nos últimos anos. No Brasil, o Estado do Rio de Janeiro (ERJ) possuí legislação estadual própria que permite aplicar limites de Faixas Marginais de Proteção inferiores à área mínima prevista no Código Florestal Brasileiro, contanto que se trate de uma área urbana consolidada (Decreto número 42.356/2010). Nesse sentido o trecho 2 do rio Piabanha, inserido no município de Petrópolis, foi escolhido como palco para identificar e quantificar as mudanças legais e paisagísticas que legislação ambiental promoveu ao longo do tempo. Por meio de Geoprocessamento e Sensoriamento Remoto foi possível identificar as mudanças de padrão de Uso e Cobertura das áreas que integram as Faixas Marginais de Proteção do rio Piabanha/RJ (trecho 2) ao longo de três marcos temporais (2006/2009, 2015, 2021). O resultado aponta, em 2021, a área da FMP (103,9 hectares) apresentou 52,7 por cento de seu total equivalente à classe de construção, foram exploradas estatísticas quanto à mudança paisagística das classes de uso e cobertura entre o período inicial de 2006/2009 e o período final 2021. Foram apontados aspectos naturais da dinâmica de erosão e deposição do rio que influenciam diretamente na legislação ambiental modificando parâmetros da própria delimitação das Faixas Marginais de Proteção. Por fim é gerada uma discussão de meios e estratégias que podem corroborar com a abordagem do poder público e privado em relação à área protegida permanente do município de Petrópolis. / [en] From a governmental point of view, discussions involving preservation areas in regions close to watercourses began by Emperor Dom Pedro II in the Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro city, created in 1861, aimed at reversing results from deforestation and coffee plantations in Tijuca s Massif (CARVALHO, 2007). This fact supports that even before the creation of specific legislation focused on the environmental agenda, there was already an understanding by Brazilian and Portuguese managers about the role of native vegetation in maintaining water resources, especially at their origin - the springs or so called eyes of water . After the turn of the century, another related legislative fact was promulgated, Decree No. 4,421 of December 28, 1921 (BRAZIL, Decree No. 4,421), which did not specifically mention Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR), but wrote on protected areas in general, as a guarantee of balance, purity and abundance of water resources. Futher ahead, in 1934, the next historical milestone in which the Brazilian government presided over by President Getúlio Vargas drafted the first Forest Code (IPEA, 2016). The main objective of this document was limited to the management, restriction and punishment of interventions on water bodies, and in 1965 this code was edited in detail through Law 4,771/65 (BRASIL, 1965), which defined the surroundings of rivers and their springs as permanent preservation areas. In June 2000, the National System of Conservation Units was created through Law No. 9,985, where a complement to the objectives linked to the preservation of water courses was discussed, and at that moment the legislation began to establish more clearly rights and duties to be followed by municipalities and states and, along with this, protection tools, guidelines for the use of different ecosystems, rules for controlling activities and criteria for determining different categories of Conservation Units (BRAZIL, 2000). 9 Further on, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, environmental legislation gained another highlight in its timeline, this time in 2010, where State Decree 42.356 was promulgated (RIO DE JANEIRO, 2010), defining RAPR parameters for areas bordering rivers, lakes and lagoons due to the existence of a consolidated urban area. This decree is seen with spotlight and close attention by this dissertation.