A shake table test of typical mediterranean reinforced concrete structures

This research investigates the ultimate earthquake resistance of typical RC moment resisting frames designed accordingly to current standards, in terms of ultimate energy absorption/dissipation capacity. Shake table test of a 2/5 scale model, under several intensities of ground motion, are carried out. The loading effect of the earthquake is expressed as the total energy that the quake inputs to the structure, and the seismic resistance is interpreted as the amount of energy that the structure dissipates in terms of cumulative inelastic strain energy.

Induced shock loads during the separation of the Ariane 5 VEB structure

Tests used to simulate the separation of the lower stage of the Ariane Vehicle Equipment Bay (VEB) were carried out on a flat full scale model. Theoretical studies carried out prior to testing are described. Three different mathematical methods, finite element, component element, and wave propagation, were used. Comparison of the predicted theoretical results with the actual test results is planned.

Pressure measurements of the detachment bubble on the Bolund Island

Pressure measurements on the surface of a 1:230 scale model of Bolund Island are presented. The model is smooth and no boundary layer generation has been considered since the experiment is designed as the simplest possible reference case. Measurement have been taken for a range of Reynolds numbers based on the average undisturbed wind speed U? and the maximum height of the island, h [1.7×104 , 8.5×104], and for a range of wind directions. Four minutes time series of pressure in more than 400 points have been acquired and analysed to obtain the spatial distribution of both the time average and the variance of the pressure signal. The horizontal extension of the detachment bubble for the different Reynolds numbers and wind directions is identified by isobars and curves of constant value of pressure variance. The applicability of this technique for evaluating the horizontal topology of high turbulence regions associated to detachment bubbles after escarpments in potential wind farm sites is analysed. The results obtained shows that the behaviour of the mean pressure coefficient, Cp, the std. pressure coefficient, C?p, and the skewness of the pressure, Sp can be used to study the bubble over the island to a certain extent. This experiment is part of the set of different analysis on the Bolund test case that is being undertaken within WAUDIT project by the different scientific groups.

Estudio del módulo icrp del sistema jrodos de ayuda a la toma de decisiones en emergencias nucleares y radiológicas

Este proyecto se basa en el sistema JRodos de ayuda a la toma de decisiones en tiempo real en caso de emergencias nucleares y radiológicas. Tras una breve descripción del mismo, se presentan los modelos de cálculo que utiliza el sistema y la organización modular en la que se estructura el programa. Concretamente este documento se centra en un módulo desarrollado recientemente denominado ICRP y caracterizado por tener en cuenta todas las vías de exposición a la contaminación radiológica, incluida la vía de la ingestión que no se había tenido en cuenta en los módulos previos. Este modelo nuevo utiliza resultados obtenidos a partir de la cadena de escala local LSMC como datos de entrada, por lo que se lleva a cabo una descripción detalla del funcionamiento y de la ejecución tanto del módulo ICRP como de la cadena previa LSMC. Finalmente, se ejecuta un ejercicio ICRP usando los datos meteorológicos y de término fuentes reales que se utilizaron en el simulacro CURIEX 2013 realizado en el mes de noviembre de 2013 en la Central Nuclear de Almaraz. Se presenta paso a paso la ejecución de este ejercicio y posteriormente se analizan y explican los resultados obtenidos acompañados de elementos visuales proporcionados por el programa. This project is based on the real time online decision support system for nuclear emergency management called JRodos. After a brief description of it, the calculation models used by the system and its modular organization are presented. In particular, this paper focuses on a newly developed module named ICRP. This module is characterized by the consideration of the fact that all terrestrial exposure pathways, including ingestion, which has not been considered in previous modules. This new model uses the results obtained in a previous local scale model chain called LSMC as input. In this document a detailed description of the operation and implementation of both the ICRP module and its previous LSMC chain is presented. To conclude, an ICRP exercise is performed with real meteorological and source term data used in the simulation exercise CURIEX 2013 carried out in the Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant in November 2013. A stepwise realization of this exercise is presented and subsequently the results are deeply explained and analyzed supplemented with illustrations provided by the program.

A Spectral Analysis of LDA Turbulent Flow Measurements in a Ship Air Wake

Helicopters are one of the most important tactical elements in maritime operations. The necessity for an improvement in the conditions in which the landing and take-off operations are carried out leads to the study of the flow that separates from the ship?s superstructure over the flight deck. To investigate this flow a series of wind tunnel experiments have been performed by testing a sub-scale model of a generic frigate. Measurements of the flow?s velocity have been taken by means of Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) in five points that simulate the last path of the landing trajectory. The data obtained in these experiments is manipulated in a frequency analysis where the corresponding spectra are calculated. Onboard measurements from an actual full scale frigate are analyzed and compared with the wind tunnel results. Conclusions obtained consist of a series of illustrative values of turbulent energy frequency ranges which can be valuable for any study in this field. The comparison shows a clear similarity between both experiments, reasserting the wind tunnel measurements and its reliability.

Selected topics in the Hydrodynamics of floating offshore wind turbines: heave damping and second order surge motions

La Energía eléctrica producida mediante tecnología eólica flotante es uno de los recursos más prometedores para reducir la dependencia de energía proveniente de combustibles fósiles. Esta tecnología es de especial interés en países como España, donde la plataforma continental es estrecha y existen pocas áreas para el desarrollo de estructuras fijas. Entre los diferentes conceptos flotantes, esta tesis se ha ocupado de la tipología semisumergible. Estas plataformas pueden experimentar movimientos resonantes en largada y arfada. En largada, dado que el periodo de resonancia es largo estos puede ser inducidos por efectos de segundo orden de deriva lenta que pueden tener una influencia muy significativa en las cargas en los fondeos. En arfada las fuerzas de primer orden pueden inducir grandes movimientos y por tanto la correcta determinación del amortiguamiento es esencial para la analizar la operatividad de la plataforma. Esta tesis ha investigado estos dos efectos, para ello se ha usado como caso base el diseño de una plataforma desarrollada en el proyecto Europeo Hiprwind. La plataforma se compone de 3 columnas cilíndricas unidas mediante montantes estructurales horizontales y diagonales, Los cilindros proporcionan flotabilidad y momentos adrizante. A la base de cada columna se le ha añadido un gran “Heave Plate” o placa de cierre. El diseño es similar a otros diseños previos (Windfloat). Se ha fabricado un modelo a escala de una de las columnas para el estudio detallado del amortiguamiento mediante oscilaciones forzadas. Las dimensiones del modelo (1m diámetro en la placa de cierre) lo hacen, de los conocidos por el candidato, el mayor para el que se han publicado datos. El diseño del cilindro se ha realizado de tal manera que permite la fijación de placas de cierre planas o con refuerzo, ambos modelos se han fabricado y analizado. El modelo con refuerzos es una reproducción exacta del diseño a escala real incluyendo detalles distintivos del mismo, siendo el más importante la placa vertical perimetral. Los ensayos de oscilaciones forzadas se han realizado para un rango de frecuencias, tanto para el disco plano como el reforzado. Se han medido las fuerzas durante los ensayos y se han calculado los coeficientes de amortiguamiento y de masa añadida. Estos coeficientes son necesarios para el cálculo del fondeo mediante simulaciones en el dominio del tiempo. Los coeficientes calculados se han comparado con la literatura existente, con cálculos potenciales y por ultimo con cálculos CFD. Para disponer de información relevante para el diseño estructural de la plataforma se han medido y analizado experimentalmente las presiones en la parte superior e inferior de cada placa de cierre. Para la correcta estimación numérica de las fuerzas de deriva lenta en la plataforma se ha realizado una campaña experimental que incluye ensayos con modelo cautivo de la plataforma completa en olas bicromaticas. Pese a que estos experimentos no reproducen un escenario de oleaje realista, los mismos permiten una verificación del modelo numérico mediante la comparación de fuerzas medidas en el modelo físico y el numérico. Como resultados de esta tesis podemos enumerar las siguientes conclusiones. 1. El amortiguamiento y la masa añadida muestran una pequeña dependencia con la frecuencia pero una gran dependencia con la amplitud del movimiento. siendo coherente con investigaciones existentes. 2. Las medidas con la placa de cierre reforzada con cierre vertical en el borde, muestra un amortiguamiento significativamente menor comparada con la placa plana. Esto implica que para ensayos de canal es necesario incluir estos detalles en el modelo. 3. La masa añadida no muestra grandes variaciones comparando placa plana y placa con refuerzos. 4. Un coeficiente de amortiguamiento del 6% del crítico se puede considerar conservador para el cálculo en el dominio de la frecuencia. Este amortiguamiento es equivalente a un coeficiente de “drag” de 4 en elementos de Morison cuadráticos en las placas de cierre usadas en simulaciones en el dominio del tiempo. 5. Se han encontrado discrepancias en algunos valores de masa añadida y amortiguamiento de la placa plana al comparar con datos publicados. Se han propuesto algunas explicaciones basadas en las diferencias en la relación de espesores, en la distancia a la superficie libre y también relacionadas con efectos de escala. 6. La presión en la placa con refuerzos son similares a las de la placa plana, excepto en la zona del borde donde la placa con refuerzo vertical induce una gran diferencias de presiones entre la cara superior e inferior. 7. La máxima diferencia de presión escala coherentemente con la fuerza equivalente a la aceleración de la masa añadida distribuida sobre la placa. 8. Las masas añadidas calculadas con el código potencial (WADAM) no son suficientemente precisas, Este software no contempla el modelado de placas de pequeño espesor con dipolos, la poca precisión de los resultados aumenta la importancia de este tipo de elementos al realizar simulaciones con códigos potenciales para este tipo de plataformas que incluyen elementos de poco espesor. 9. Respecto al código CFD (Ansys CFX) la precisión de los cálculos es razonable para la placa plana, esta precisión disminuye para la placa con refuerzo vertical en el borde, como era de esperar dado la mayor complejidad del flujo. 10. Respecto al segundo orden, los resultados, en general, muestran que, aunque la tendencia en las fuerzas de segundo orden se captura bien con los códigos numéricos, se observan algunas reducciones en comparación con los datos experimentales. Las diferencias entre simulaciones y datos experimentales son mayores al usar la aproximación de Newman, que usa únicamente resultados de primer orden para el cálculo de las fuerzas de deriva media. 11. Es importante remarcar que las tendencias observadas en los resultados con modelo fijo cambiarn cuando el modelo este libre, el impacto que los errores en las estimaciones de fuerzas segundo orden tienen en el sistema de fondeo dependen de las condiciones ambientales que imponen las cargas ultimas en dichas líneas. En cualquier caso los resultados que se han obtenido en esta investigación confirman que es necesaria y deseable una detallada investigación de los métodos usados en la estimación de las fuerzas no lineales en las turbinas flotantes para que pueda servir de guía en futuros diseños de estos sistemas. Finalmente, el candidato espera que esta investigación pueda beneficiar a la industria eólica offshore en mejorar el diseño hidrodinámico del concepto semisumergible. ABSTRACT Electrical power obtained from floating offshore wind turbines is one of the promising resources which can reduce the fossil fuel energy consumption and cover worldwide energy demands. The concept is the most competitive in countries, such as Spain, where the continental shelf is narrow and does not provide space for fixed structures. Among the different floating structures concepts, this thesis has dealt with the semisubmersible one. Platforms of this kind may experience resonant motions both in surge and heave directions. In surge, since the platform natural period is long, such resonance can be excited with second order slow drift forces and may have substantial influence on mooring loads. In heave, first order forces can induce significant motion, whose damping is a crucial factor for the platform downtime. These two topics have been investigated in this thesis. To this aim, a design developed during HiPRWind EU project, has been selected as reference case study. The platform is composed of three cylindrical legs, linked together by a set of structural braces. The cylinders provide buoyancy and restoring forces and moments. Large circular heave plates have been attached to their bases. The design is similar to other documented in literature (e.g. Windfloat), which implies outcomes could have a general value. A large scale model of one of the legs has been built in order to study heave damping through forced oscillations. The final dimensions of the specimen (one meter diameter discs) make it, to the candidate’s knowledge, the largest for which data has been published. The model design allows for the fitting of either a plain solid heave plate or a flapped reinforced one; both have been built. The latter is a model scale reproduction of the prototype heave plate and includes some distinctive features, the most important being the inclusion of a vertical flap on its perimeter. The forced oscillation tests have been conducted for a range of frequencies and amplitudes, with both the solid plain model and the vertical flap one. Forces have been measured, from which added mass and damping coefficients have been obtained. These are necessary to accurately compute time-domain simulations of mooring design. The coefficients have been compared with literature, and potential flow and CFD predictions. In order to provide information for the structural design of the platform, pressure measurements on the top and bottom side of the heave discs have been recorded and pressure differences analyzed. In addition, in order to conduct a detailed investigation on the numerical estimations of the slow-drift forces of the HiPRWind platform, an experimental campaign involving captive (fixed) model tests of a model of the whole platform in bichromatic waves has been carried out. Although not reproducing the more realistic scenario, these tests allowed a preliminary verification of the numerical model based directly on the forces measured on the structure. The following outcomes can be enumerated: 1. Damping and added mass coefficients show, on one hand, a small dependence with frequency and, on the other hand, a large dependence with the motion amplitude, which is coherent with previously published research. 2. Measurements with the prototype plate, equipped with the vertical flap, show that damping drops significantly when comparing this to the plain one. This implies that, for tank tests of the whole floater and turbine, the prototype plate, equipped with the flap, should be incorporated to the model. 3. Added mass values do not suffer large alterations when comparing the plain plate and the one equipped with a vertical flap. 4. A conservative damping coefficient equal to 6% of the critical damping can be considered adequate for the prototype heave plate for frequency domain analysis. A corresponding drag coefficient equal to 4.0 can be used in time domain simulations to define Morison elements. 5. When comparing to published data, some discrepancies in added mass and damping coefficients for the solid plain plate have been found. Explanations have been suggested, focusing mainly on differences in thickness ratio and distance to the free surface, and eventual scale effects. 6. Pressures on the plate equipped with the vertical flap are similar in magnitude to those of the plain plate, even though substantial differences are present close to the edge, where the flap induces a larger pressure difference in the reinforced case. 7. The maximum pressure difference scales coherently with the force equivalent to the acceleration of the added mass, distributed over the disc surface. 8. Added mass coefficient values predicted with the potential solver (WADAM) are not accurate enough. The used solver does not contemplate modeling thin plates with doublets. The relatively low accuracy of the results highlights the importance of these elements when performing potential flow simulations of offshore platforms which include thin plates. 9. For the full CFD solver (Ansys CFX), the accuracy of the computations is found reasonable for the plain plate. Such accuracy diminishes for the disc equipped with a vertical flap, an expected result considering the greater complexity of the flow. 10. In regards to second order effects, in general, the results showed that, although the main trend in the behavior of the second-order forces is well captured by the numerical predictions, some under prediction of the experimental values is visible. The gap between experimental and numerical results is more pronounced when Newman’s approximation is considered, making use exclusively of the mean drift forces calculated in the first-order solution. 11. It should be observed that the trends observed in the fixed model test may change when the body is free to float, and the impact that eventual errors in the estimation of the second-order forces may have on the mooring system depends on the characteristics of the sea conditions that will ultimately impose the maximum loads on the mooring lines. Nevertheless, the preliminary results obtained in this research do confirm that a more detailed investigation of the methods adopted for the estimation of the nonlinear wave forces on the FOWT would be welcome and may provide some further guidance for the design of such systems. As a final remark, the candidate hopes this research can benefit the offshore wind industry in improving the hydrodynamic design of the semi-submersible concept.

Non prismatic folded roof structure

The design of a prestressed concrete roof is described. A special linear elastic analysis of non-prismatic folded structures has been applied. The obtained results have been compared to the results deducted from a small scale model test. Conclusions about the efficiency of these type of structures are shown.

Análisis comparativo y nuevas estimaciones de las tasas de rebase en obras marítimas en grandes profundidades

El rebase se define como el transporte de una cantidad importante de agua sobre la coronación de una estructura. Por tanto, es el fenómeno que, en general, determina la cota de coronación del dique dependiendo de la cantidad aceptable del mismo, a la vista de condicionantes funcionales y estructurales del dique. En general, la cantidad de rebase que puede tolerar un dique de abrigo desde el punto de vista de su integridad estructural es muy superior a la cantidad permisible desde el punto de vista de su funcionalidad. Por otro lado, el diseño de un dique con una probabilidad de rebase demasiado baja o nula conduciría a diseños incompatibles con consideraciones de otro tipo, como son las estéticas o las económicas. Existen distintas formas de estudiar el rebase producido por el oleaje sobre los espaldones de las obras marítimas. Las más habituales son los ensayos en modelo físico y las formulaciones empíricas o semi-empíricas. Las menos habituales son la instrumentación en prototipo, las redes neuronales y los modelos numéricos. Los ensayos en modelo físico son la herramienta más precisa y fiable para el estudio específico de cada caso, debido a la complejidad del proceso de rebase, con multitud de fenómenos físicos y parámetros involucrados. Los modelos físicos permiten conocer el comportamiento hidráulico y estructural del dique, identificando posibles fallos en el proyecto antes de su ejecución, evaluando diversas alternativas y todo esto con el consiguiente ahorro en costes de construcción mediante la aportación de mejoras al diseño inicial de la estructura. Sin embargo, presentan algunos inconvenientes derivados de los márgenes de error asociados a los ”efectos de escala y de modelo”. Las formulaciones empíricas o semi-empíricas presentan el inconveniente de que su uso está limitado por la aplicabilidad de las fórmulas, ya que éstas sólo son válidas para una casuística de condiciones ambientales y tipologías estructurales limitadas al rango de lo reproducido en los ensayos. El objetivo de la presente Tesis Doctoral es el contrate de las formulaciones desarrolladas por diferentes autores en materia de rebase en distintas tipologías de diques de abrigo. Para ello, se ha realizado en primer lugar la recopilación y el análisis de las formulaciones existentes para estimar la tasa de rebase sobre diques en talud y verticales. Posteriormente, se llevó a cabo el contraste de dichas formulaciones con los resultados obtenidos en una serie de ensayos realizados en el Centro de Estudios de Puertos y Costas. Para finalizar, se aplicó a los ensayos de diques en talud seleccionados la herramienta neuronal NN-OVERTOPPING2, desarrollada en el proyecto europeo de rebases CLASH (“Crest Level Assessment of Coastal Structures by Full Scale Monitoring, Neural Network Prediction and Hazard Analysis on Permissible Wave Overtopping”), contrastando de este modo la tasa de rebase obtenida en los ensayos con este otro método basado en la teoría de las redes neuronales. Posteriormente, se analizó la influencia del viento en el rebase. Para ello se han realizado una serie de ensayos en modelo físico a escala reducida, generando oleaje con y sin viento, sobre la sección vertical del Dique de Levante de Málaga. Finalmente, se presenta el análisis crítico del contraste de cada una de las formulaciones aplicadas a los ensayos seleccionados, que conduce a las conclusiones obtenidas en la presente Tesis Doctoral. Overtopping is defined as the volume of water surpassing the crest of a breakwater and reaching the sheltered area. This phenomenon determines the breakwater’s crest level, depending on the volume of water admissible at the rear because of the sheltered area’s functional and structural conditioning factors. The ways to assess overtopping processes range from those deemed to be most traditional, such as semi-empirical or empirical type equations and physical, reduced scale model tests, to others less usual such as the instrumentation of actual breakwaters (prototypes), artificial neural networks and numerical models. Determining overtopping in reduced scale physical model tests is simple but the values obtained are affected to a greater or lesser degree by the effects of a scale model-prototype such that it can only be considered as an approximation to what actually happens. Nevertheless, physical models are considered to be highly useful for estimating damage that may occur in the area sheltered by the breakwater. Therefore, although physical models present certain problems fundamentally deriving from scale effects, they are still the most accurate, reliable tool for the specific study of each case, especially when large sized models are adopted and wind is generated Empirical expressions obtained from laboratory tests have been developed for calculating the overtopping rate and, therefore, the formulas obtained obviously depend not only on environmental conditions – wave height, wave period and water level – but also on the model’s characteristics and are only applicable in a range of validity of the tests performed in each case. The purpose of this Thesis is to make a comparative analysis of methods for calculating overtopping rates developed by different authors for harbour breakwater overtopping. First, existing equations were compiled and analysed in order to estimate the overtopping rate on sloping and vertical breakwaters. These equations were then compared with the results obtained in a number of tests performed in the Centre for Port and Coastal Studies of the CEDEX. In addition, a neural network model developed in the European CLASH Project (“Crest Level Assessment of Coastal Structures by Full Scale Monitoring, Neural Network Prediction and Hazard Analysis on Permissible Wave Overtopping“) was also tested. Finally, the wind effects on overtopping are evaluated using tests performed with and without wind in the physical model of the Levante Breakwater (Málaga).

Proyecto y lugar en la arquitectura doméstica de Jørn Utzon

En medio de un bosque danés, de altos arboles que se mueven al fuerte viento nórdico bajo el débil sol de las latitudes altas, y cargado de unos cuantos tableros de madera que consiguió de una exposición ya terminada, realizó Utzon su maqueta a escala real de su primera casa familiar en Hellebæk (1950-52) a la edad de treinta y dos años. De la misma manera que el pintor William Turner necesitó atarse a lo alto de un mástil de un barco, para vivir en directo una de las muchas tormentas que tantas y tantas veces había pintado en sus cuadros, el joven Utzon consideró indispensable introducirse dentro de la maqueta de su propia casa antes de construirla, para valorar in situ las potencialidades de aquel proyecto en relación al lugar. La obra de Jørn Utzon (1918-2008) es una arquitectura expectante y atenta del lugar donde se ubica. Jørn Utzon es un arquitecto de origen nórdico, que descubre su verdadera idiosincrasia en la cultura mediterránea, cultura en la que reside durante casi la mitad de toda su vida. Esta tesis se ha centrado en analizar exhaustivamente la relación de su arquitectura doméstica con el lugar donde se halla. Aspecto tan citado en la bibliografía existente de su obra, aunque nunca desarrollado de manera exhaustiva. El objetivo del análisis ha sido intentar encontrar invariantes o patrones que pudieran subyacer en su obra residencial en relación a ese tema. Para dicho análisis, se ha tomado una muestra suficientemente amplia de veinte viviendas o conjuntos residenciales (entre ellas sus cuatro viviendas familiares proyectadas), repartidas por cinco países (Suecia, Dinamarca, Reino Unido, España y Nueva Gales del Sur), que constituyen la tercera parte de su obra doméstica y la mitad de su obra construida residencial, así como las citas explícitas del autor sobre este tema en su obra escrita, y los planos o croquis de su obra gráfica. Como metodología de trabajo se ha recurrido a la consulta de las fuentes primarias: viajando y conociendo in-situ las casas seleccionadas en Dinamarca, Suecia, España y Australia; viviendo un mes en una de las casas (Can Lis) gracias a una beca del Gobierno danés y la Utzon Foundation; y realizando entrevistas a las personas que más cerca estuvieron del arquitecto en su entorno familiar y profesional. Asimismo, también se ha publicado parte de su contenido en medios internacionales: 4th International Utzon Symposium (7/3/2013-9/3/2014) y la página web oficial de Can Lis dependiente de la Utzon Foundation (www.canlis.dk). Las doce invariantes encontradas en relación al proyecto y lugar en los proyectos seleccionados, han sido agrupadas en torno a tres grandes elementos sobre los que Utzon constantemente reflexiona en sus escritos propios: horizonte, sol y material autóctono. Elementos que tienen su origen en la influencia que la navegación tuvo en su vida, y en su carácter espiritual y austero en lo material. La historia de Utzon es la de un nórdico, de vocación navegante, que encuentra su lugar en la cultura mediterránea, rodeado entre piedras de Marés, mientras divisa en silencio el horizonte marino en el umbral entre luz y sombra. ABSTRACT In the middle of a Danish forest, with high trees which move with the Nordic wind under the weak sun of high latitudes, and with the help of some wooden canvases acquired from an already completed exhibition, Jørn Utzon built a real-scale model of his first family house in Hellebæk (1950-52) at the age of thirty-two. In the same way that William Turner needed to be tied up on the top of a boat flagpole in order to have a first-hand experience of one of the many storms that he had depicted in his paintings so many times before, the young Utzon thought it was crucial to go into the model of his own house before building it, to evaluate in situ the potential of that project in relation to the place. Utzon’s work is architecture interested in and attentive of the place where it is situated. Jørn Utzon (1918-2008) is an architect of Nordic origin who discovered his own idiosyncrasy in the Mediterranean culture, in which he resided for half of his live. This thesis has focused on an exhaustive analysis of the relation between his domestic architecture and the place where it is located. This issue has been often cited in the existing bibliography, although it has never been exhaustively developed. The analysis objective has been to attempt to find invariants and patterns that could exist in his domestic work in relation to this subject. For this analysis, a sufficiently large sample has been selected: twenty houses or housing complexes (among others his own four family houses), distributed in five countries (Sweden, Denmark, United Kingdom, Spain and New South Wales), which constitute the third part of his domestic work, and half of his residential constructed projects, as well as Utzon’s written texts about this theme, and the drawings and sketches of his graphic work. The methodology used was based on consultation of primary sources: travelling and examining in situ the selected houses in Denmark, Sweden, Spain and Australia; living for a month in one of the houses (Can Lis) thanks to a research grant from the Danish Government and the Utzon Foundation; and interviewing people from his closest family and professional circles. Furthermore, part of the thesis has been published in international media: 4th International Utzon Symposium (7/3/2013-9/3/2014) and on the official web site of Can Lis, an Utzon Foundation subsidiary(www.canlis.dk). The twelve invariants discovered in relation to the project and the location of the selected projects, have been grouped according to three elements which Utzon continuously reflects upon in his own writings: the horizon, the sun and autochthonous material. Elements which originate from the influence that navigation had in his life, and from his spiritual and austere character. The story of Utzon is that of a Nordic person, with the vocation of a navigator, who found his place in the Mediterranean culture, surrounded with Marés stones, while silently making out the sea horizon on the threshold between light and shadow.

A reliable and valid questionnaire was developed to measure computer vision syndrome at the workplace

Objectives: To design and validate a questionnaire to measure visual symptoms related to exposure to computers in the workplace. Study Design and Setting: Our computer vision syndrome questionnaire (CVS-Q) was based on a literature review and validated through discussion with experts and performance of a pretest, pilot test, and retest. Content validity was evaluated by occupational health, optometry, and ophthalmology experts. Rasch analysis was used in the psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire. Criterion validity was determined by calculating the sensitivity and specificity, receiver operator characteristic curve, and cutoff point. Testeretest repeatability was tested using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and concordance by Cohen’s kappa (k). Results: The CVS-Q was developed with wide consensus among experts and was well accepted by the target group. It assesses the frequency and intensity of 16 symptoms using a single rating scale (symptom severity) that fits the Rasch rating scale model well. The questionnaire has sensitivity and specificity over 70% and achieved good testeretest repeatability both for the scores obtained [ICC 5 0.802; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.673, 0.884] and CVS classification (k 5 0.612; 95% CI: 0.384, 0.839). Conclusion: The CVS-Q has acceptable psychometric properties, making it a valid and reliable tool to control the visual health of computer workers, and can potentially be used in clinical trials and outcome research.

Development and experimental evaluation of a steel tube vehicle impact attenuation system. Final report.

Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Wethersfield

Rear end structural crashworthiness of perimeter frame vehicles. Summary report. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Rear end structural crashworthiness of perimeter frame vehicles, design development and verification. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Rear end structural crashworthiness of unitized construction vehicles - summary report. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Research safety vehicle - phase II. Volume IIIb: subcontractor final reports.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.