Otimização de forma aplicando B-splines sob critério integral de tensões

This work proposes a computational methodology to solve problems of optimization in structural design. The application develops, implements and integrates methods for structural analysis, geometric modeling, design sensitivity analysis and optimization. So, the optimum design problem is particularized for plane stress case, with the objective to minimize the structural mass subject to a stress criterion. Notice that, these constraints must be evaluated at a series of discrete points, whose distribution should be dense enough in order to minimize the chance of any significant constraint violation between specified points. Therefore, the local stress constraints are transformed into a global stress measure reducing the computational cost in deriving the optimal shape design. The problem is approximated by Finite Element Method using Lagrangian triangular elements with six nodes, and use a automatic mesh generation with a mesh quality criterion of geometric element. The geometric modeling, i.e., the contour is defined by parametric curves of type B-splines, these curves hold suitable characteristics to implement the Shape Optimization Method, that uses the key points like design variables to determine the solution of minimum problem. A reliable tool for design sensitivity analysis is a prerequisite for performing interactive structural design, synthesis and optimization. General expressions for design sensitivity analysis are derived with respect to key points of B-splines. The method of design sensitivity analysis used is the adjoin approach and the analytical method. The formulation of the optimization problem applies the Augmented Lagrangian Method, which convert an optimization problem constrained problem in an unconstrained. The solution of the Augmented Lagrangian function is achieved by determining the analysis of sensitivity. Therefore, the optimization problem reduces to the solution of a sequence of problems with lateral limits constraints, which is solved by the Memoryless Quasi-Newton Method It is demonstrated by several examples that this new approach of analytical design sensitivity analysis of integrated shape design optimization with a global stress criterion purpose is computationally efficient

Estudo da transformada rápida wavelet e sua conexão com banco de filtros

In this work we presented an exhibition of the mathematical theory of orthogonal compact support wavelets in the context of multiresoluction analysis. These are particularly attractive wavelets because they lead to a stable and very efficient algorithm, that is Fast Transform Wavelet (FWT). One of our objectives is to develop efficient algorithms for calculating the coefficients wavelet (FWT) through the pyramid algorithm of Mallat and to discuss his connection with filters Banks. We also studied the concept of multiresoluction analysis, that is the context in that wavelets can be understood and built naturally, taking an important step in the change from the Mathematical universe (Continuous Domain) for the Universe of the representation (Discret Domain)

Métodos numéricos para resolução de equações diferenciais ordinárias lineares baseados em interpolação por spline

In this work we have elaborated a spline-based method of solution of inicial value problems involving ordinary differential equations, with emphasis on linear equations. The method can be seen as an alternative for the traditional solvers such as Runge-Kutta, and avoids root calculations in the linear time invariant case. The method is then applied on a central problem of control theory, namely, the step response problem for linear EDOs with possibly varying coefficients, where root calculations do not apply. We have implemented an efficient algorithm which uses exclusively matrix-vector operations. The working interval (till the settling time) was determined through a calculation of the least stable mode using a modified power method. Several variants of the method have been compared by simulation. For general linear problems with fine grid, the proposed method compares favorably with the Euler method. In the time invariant case, where the alternative is root calculation, we have indications that the proposed method is competitive for equations of sifficiently high order.

A marker-and-cell approach to free surface 2-D multiphase flows

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Modelo numérico do terreno obtido por diferentes métodos em cartas planialtimétricas

The digital elevation model is important to determine the slope and land use capability, therefore, a proposal of methodology for acquisition of elevation data contemplating an efficient algorithm to generate a slope map was developed. Thus, it was aimed to obtain and evaluate a digital elevation model without the vetorization of the contours on planialtimetric charts. The area for acquisition of elevation data was Sao Manuel, SP. The data were collected by two methods: level contour vetorization and the gathering of elevation points on the level contour with maximum elevation points. The elevation data were analyzed by geostatistical techniques. Inspite of wide difference in the number of collected points between two methods, the variograms were adjusted to the exponential model and showed a range of approximately 1500 m, which does not justify the wide difficulty in vetorization of the planialtimetric charts, once the data points collected in the area were appropriately distributed, they represented rightly the terrain surface.

Border detection in digital images: An approach by fuzzy numbers

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new approach for edge detection in gray shaded images. The proposed approach is based on the fuzzy number theory. The idea is to deal with the uncertainties concerning the gray shades making up the image, and thus calculate the appropriateness of the pixels in relation to an homogeneous region around them. The pixels not belonging to the region are then classified as border pixels. The results have shown that the technique is simple, computationally efficient and with good results when compared with both the traditional border detectors and the fuzzy edge detectors. © 2007 IEEE.

Evolutionary heuristic to determine future land use

In the spatial electric load forecasting, the future land use determination is one of the most important tasks, and one of the most difficult, because of the stochastic nature of the city growth. This paper proposes a fast and efficient algorithm to find out the future land use for the vacant land in the utility service area, using ideas from knowledge extraction and evolutionary algorithms. The methodology was implemented into a full simulation software for spatial electric load forecasting, showing a high rate of success when the results are compared to information gathered from specialists. The importance of this methodology lies in the reduced set of data needed to perform the task and the simplicity for implementation, which is a great plus for most of the electric utilities without specialized tools for this planning activity. © 2008 IEEE.

Edge detection in digital images using fuzzy numbers

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new approach for edge detection in grey shaded images. The proposed approach is based on the fuzzy number theory. The idea is to deal with the uncertainties concerning the grey shades making up the image and, thus, calculate the appropriateness of the pixels in relation to a homogeneous region around them. The pixels not belonging to the region are then classified as border pixels. The results have shown that the technique is simple, computationally efficient and with good results when compared with both the traditional border detectors and the fuzzy edge detectors. Copyright © 2009, Inderscience Publishers.

Controle ativo de vibrações em estruturas espaciais tipo treliças usando controladores IMSC

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Tomografia eletromagnética para caracterização de reservatórios de hidrocarbonetos

Na produção de petróleo é importante o monitoramento dos parâmetros do reservatório (permeabilidade, porosidade, saturação, pressão, etc) para o seu posterior gerenciamento. A variação dos parâmetros dinâmicos do reservatório induz variações na dinâmica do fluxo no reservatório, como por exemplo, perdas na pressão, dificultando o processo de extração do óleo. A injeção de fluidos aumenta a energia interna do reservatório e incrementa a pressão, estimulando o movimento do óleo em direção aos poços de extração. A tomografia eletromagnética poço-a-poço pode se tomar em uma técnica bastante eficaz no monitoramento dos processos de injeção, considerando-se o fato de ser altamente detectável a percolação de fluidos condutivos através das rochas. Esta tese apresenta o resultado de um algoritmo de tomografia eletromagnética bastante eficaz aplicado a dados sintéticos. O esquema de imageamento assume uma simetria cilíndrica em torno de uma fonte constituída por um dipolo magnético. Durante o processo de imageamento foram usados 21 transmissores e 21 receptores distribuídos em dois poços distanciados de 100 metros. O problema direto foi resolvido pelo método dos elementos finitos aplicado à equação de Helmhotz do campo elétrico secundário. O algoritmo resultante é válido para qualquer situação, não estando sujeito às restrições impostas aos algoritmos baseados nas aproximações de Born e Rytov. Por isso, pode ser aplicado eficientemente em qualquer situação, como em meios com contrastes de condutividade elétrica variando de 2 a 100, freqüências de 0.1 a 1000.0 kHz e heterogeneidades de qualquer dimensão. O problema inverso foi resolvido por intermédio do algoritmo de Marquardt estabilizado. A solução é obtida iterativamente. Os dados invertidos, com ruído Gaussiano aditivo, são as componentes em fase e em quadratura do campo magnético vertical. Sem o uso de vínculos o problema é totalmente instável, resultando em imagens completamente borradas. Duas categorias de vínculos foram usadas: vínculos relativos, do tipo suavidade, e vínculos absolutos. Os resultados obtidos mostram a eficiência desses dois tipos de vínculos através de imagens nítidas de alta resolução. Os tomogramas mostram que a resolução é melhor na direção vertical do que na horizontal e que é também função da freqüência. A posição e a atitude da heterogeneidade é bem recuperada. Ficou também demonstrado que a baixa resolução horizontal pode ser atenuada ou até mesmo eliminada por intermédio dos vínculos.

Uma abordagem híbrida e semiautomática para estimativa de regiões cobertas por nuvens e sombras em imagens de satélite: análise e avaliação

Os principais objetivos deste trabalho são propor um algoritmo eficiente e o mais automático possível para estimar o que está coberto por regiões de nuvens e sombras em imagens de satélite; e um índice de confiabilidade, que seja aplicado previamente à imagem, visando medir a viabilidade da estimação das regiões cobertas pelos componentes atmosféricos usando tal algoritmo. A motivação vem dos problemas causados por esses elementos, entre eles: dificultam a identificação de objetos de imagem, prejudicam o monitoramento urbano e ambiental, e desfavorecem etapas cruciais do processamento digital de imagens para extrair informações ao usuário, como segmentação e classificação. Através de uma abordagem híbrida, é proposto um método para decompor regiões usando um filtro passa-baixas não-linear de mediana, a fim de mapear as regiões de estrutura (homogêneas), como vegetação, e de textura (heterogêneas), como áreas urbanas, na imagem. Nessas áreas, foram aplicados os métodos de restauração Inpainting por suavização baseado em Transformada Cosseno Discreta (DCT), e Síntese de Textura baseada em modelos, respectivamente. É importante salientar que as técnicas foram modificadas para serem capazes de trabalhar com imagens de características peculiares que são obtidas por meio de sensores de satélite, como por exemplo, as grandes dimensões e a alta variação espectral. Já o índice de confiabilidade, tem como objetivo analisar a imagem que contém as interferências atmosféricas e daí estimar o quão confiável será a redefinição com base no percentual de cobertura de nuvens sobre as regiões de textura e estrutura. Tal índice é composto pela combinação do resultado de algoritmos supervisionados e não-supervisionados envolvendo 3 métricas: Exatidão Global Média (EGM), Medida De Similaridade Estrutural (SSIM) e Confiança Média Dos Pixels (CM). Finalmente, verificou-se a eficácia destas metodologias através de uma avaliação quantitativa (proporcionada pelo índice) e qualitativa (pelas imagens resultantes do processamento), mostrando ser possível a aplicação das técnicas para solucionar os problemas que motivaram a realização deste trabalho.

Estimation of croplands using indicator kriging and fuzzy classification

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Group Rekeying Schemes for Secure Group Communication in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks are promising solutions for many applications. However, wireless sensor nodes suffer from many constraints such as low computation capability, small memory, limited energy resources, and so on. Grouping is an important technique to localize computation and reduce communication overhead in wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we use grouping to refer to the process of combining a set of sensor nodes with similar properties. We propose two centralized group rekeying (CGK) schemes for secure group communication in sensor networks. The lifetime of a group is divided into three phases, i.e., group formation, group maintenance, and group dissolution. We demonstrate how to set up the group and establish the group key in each phase. Our analysis shows that the proposed two schemes are computationally efficient and secure.

A marker-and-cell approach to free surface 2-D multiphase flows

This work describes a methodology to simulate free surface incompressible multiphase flows. This novel methodology allows the simulation of multiphase flows with an arbitrary number of phases, each of them having different densities and viscosities. Surface and interfacial tension effects are also included. The numerical technique is based on the GENSMAC front-tracking method. The velocity field is computed using a finite-difference discretization of a modification of the NavierStokes equations. These equations together with the continuity equation are solved for the two-dimensional multiphase flows, with different densities and viscosities in the different phases. The governing equations are solved on a regular Eulerian grid, and a Lagrangian mesh is employed to track free surfaces and interfaces. The method is validated by comparing numerical with analytic results for a number of simple problems; it was also employed to simulate complex problems for which no analytic solutions are available. The method presented in this paper has been shown to be robust and computationally efficient. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Modeling random corrosion processes via polynomial chaos expansion

Polynomial Chaos Expansion (PCE) is widely recognized as a flexible tool to represent different types of random variables/processes. However, applications to real, experimental data are still limited. In this article, PCE is used to represent the random time-evolution of metal corrosion growth in marine environments. The PCE coefficients are determined in order to represent data of 45 corrosion coupons tested by Jeffrey and Melchers (2001) at Taylors Beach, Australia. Accuracy of the representation and possibilities for model extrapolation are considered in the study. Results show that reasonably accurate smooth representations of the corrosion process can be obtained. The representation is not better because a smooth model is used to represent non-smooth corrosion data. Random corrosion leads to time-variant reliability problems, due to resistance degradation over time. Time variant reliability problems are not trivial to solve, especially under random process loading. Two example problems are solved herein, showing how the developed PCE representations can be employed in reliability analysis of structures subject to marine corrosion. Monte Carlo Simulation is used to solve the resulting time-variant reliability problems. However, an accurate and more computationally efficient solution is also presented.