ABSTRACT The purpose of this work is to implement an on-line control system able to adjust the production in real time applying a simulation model with algorithmic optimization and data transfer for a programmable logic controller. The Solver tool of the Excel software was integrated into a simulation software used to find the optimal dosing of input aggregates in a Hot Mix Asphalt process. Tests were carried out in different scenarios; the results demonstrated that the proposed control was effective, leading to a possible improvement in the quality of the product, enabling it to be kept within the specifications desired for most of the time. Besides, the proposed solution appeared to be simple and accessible for small companies as it applies the Excel software and a free and open-source discrete event simulation software.

ABSTRACT This work analyzed different logistics structures under a sustainable perspective. It wasdeveloped a discrete event simulation model associated with optimization algorithm to evaluate the best combinations of the model. Besides, the comparison between the simulation optimization and a multicriteria method was performed. The simulation software Ururau, in which a model with optimization algorithm allowed testing different variables, was applied in order to find the best answer to the issue. Results showed that a connection of direct proportionality between variables of transport time, greenhouse gas emissions and lead time can happen. It was also checked that the solution returned by the simulation optimization was similar to the multicriteria method in most of the tests. The ones that differed were due to smallmathematical precisions between the methods.

ABSTRACT This work evaluates the results of different distribution functions of ships arrivals in the simulation of an iron ore export terminal under implementation. The system adopted for the analysis applied a real case designed for installation of a Brazilian company terminal. The analysis was carried out by a discrete event simulation model. Variations of up to 566% in predicting demurrage paid to ships are detected. A database with 2,518 arrivals of ships demonstrates that, unlike recommendations of the traditional literature, the Pearson 6 function is the one that better represents the distribution to a shipping terminal of iron ore than the Exponential, Erlang and Weibull functions.

ABSTRACT This work aims to demonstrate the use of a mechanism to be applied in the development of the discrete-event simulation models that perform decision operations through the implementation of an artificial neural network. Actions that involve complex operations performed by a human agent in a process, for example, are often modeled in simplified form with the usual mechanisms of simulation software. Therefore, it was chosen a traffic system controlled by a traffic officer with a flow of vehicles and pedestrians to demonstrate the proposed solution. From a module built in simulation software itself, it was possible to connect the algorithm for intelligent decision to the simulation model. The results showed that the model elaborated responded as expected when it was submitted to actions, which required different decisions to maintain the operation of the system with changes in the flow of people and vehicles.

The synthesis mechanism associated with the formation of carbonado type polycrystalline diamond has been analyzed. This analysis was performed by computer simulation of the field of temperature developed at the moment of graphite transformation into polycrystalline diamond. It was found that during the synthesis of this carbonado diamond, a strong non-steady thermal condition occurs, leading to changes in the thermodynamic equilibrium. As a consequence, a region comprising non-transformed graphite and carbonado with different characteristics is established. An experimental comparison was carried out between the carbonado hardness profile and the field of temperatures. The results show that the higher the temperature attained at local points inside the high-pressure chamber, the higher the hardness of the diamond. The simulation and experimental results indicated that concurrent mechanisms are acting during the carbonado synthesis.

The properties and structural characteristics of polycrystalline diamonds synthesized at high pressure and high temperature are strongly influenced by the distribution of temperature inside the reaction chamber. This distribution cannot be directly measured during the graphite to diamond transformation. In this work a mathematical model associated with a computational analysis was developed to simulate the chamber, point to point, temperature distribution throughout the synthesis process. The simulation results obtained are in agreement with experimental data found in the literature. Moreover, it was possible to explain the restriction that exists regarding the use of graphites with different densities.