Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The goal of this article is to present the formulation of the optimization problem of truss structures with geometric nonlinearity under dynamic loads and provide examples of this problem. The formulated optimization problem aims to determine the cross-sectional area of the bars that minimizes the weight of the structure, imposing constraints on nodal displacements and axial stresses. To solve this problem, computational routines were developed in MATLAB® using Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP), the algorithm of which is available on MATLAB’s Optimization ToolboxTM. The nonlinear finite space truss element is described by an updated Lagrangian formulation. The geometric nonlinear dynamic analysis performed combines the Newmark method with Newton-Raphson iterations. It was validated by a comparison with solutions available in literature and with solutions generated by the ANSYS® software. Optimization examples of trusses under different dynamic loading were studied considering their geometric nonlinearity. The results indicate a significant reduction in structure weight for both undamped and damped cases.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The application of geoelectric methods, such as induced polarization (IP), the electrical resistivity and the self-potential (SP), presents an important indirect study methodology in several areas of geology, such as mining, geotechnics and environmental geology. The present study deals with the results of the application of the self-potential method (SP) in small earth dams in the cities of Cordeirópolis and Ipeúna, both in the state of São Paulo. Studies of the Engineering of Dams intensified at the end of century XX, due to alarming number of dam disruptions. In Brazil, small dams are still the majority, around 90% of the total. This article presents results of surveys of the self-potential in two small dams, analyzing the flow of fluids, heat or ions inside the dams, as well as possible areas of percolation or water saturation. Three lines of 78 meters each were made with a spacing of 2 meters between the electrodes in the Cordeirópolis dam, and three lines of 122 meters each, spaced 2 meters between the electrodes in the Ipeúna dam. In both collections, the potential technique (or fixed base) was used. The collected data was worked on 2D maps of self-potential, which allowed to identify the zones with greater and smaller values of potential difference, preferential flow of the subsurface fluids in the areas, and possible problems in the structure of the dam (seepage paths), which could affect the physical integrity of the structure.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This article presents a method for service life prediction of concrete structures. The proposed method aims to estimate the performance of a concrete structure through its permeability to carbon dioxide penetration, in order to verify its accordance to Brazilian standards. This case study is based on an inspection made in an educational building in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Through carbon dioxide penetration, non-destructive and partial destructive tests, an estimated service life design for the concrete structure was elaborated. These tests were carried out in the parking lot because there is a greater vulnerability of the structure in terms of concentration of vehicles and lack of finishing, such as mortars or paints. The tests carried out showed that the selected concrete pieces were carbonated from 2.9 to 4.4 mm deep, a situation whose prognosis suggests a superior performance in accordance with the parameters set in ABNT NBR 15575:2013.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Beryl is usually found in granite-pegmatite systems. The addition of chromophore elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe) into the crystalline structure favors color changes in beryl and thus generates some of the world’s expensive gems such as emerald, morganite, heliodor and aquamarine. The Massangana polyphasic batholith is a well-known cassiterite, wolframite and gems deposit in the Rondônia state. These metals and blue-gems (topaz and aquamarine) are located in feldspar-rich pegmatite granite bodies. The aquamarine crystals show color ranging from light- to medium-blue and display concentric growth zones. Electron-probe microanalyses revealed that the Fe is the main chromophore element, occupying the octahedral Al-site, while Na had an important role in the charge balance, inserted in the channel sites together with H2O. The irregular supply of Fe and Na during the nucleation and growth of aquamarine was the main cause for the color change. A fluid inclusion study indicated that the aquamarine growth under an aqueous fluid system (H2O-NaCl), with low salinity, low density and total homogenization temperature between 243º-315º C, is compatible with final temperatures in the pegmatite pocket zone.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Furnas is a small and not well-known copper sulfide deposit in the northern Carajás mineral province (Pará State, Brazil). Mineralogical and geochemical studies were performed on three weathered samples in order to verify the presence of copper in the lateritic minerals. According to these Cu-bearing minerals (malachite, e.g.), the weathered ore can be exploited. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses have shown that the copper is mainly associated to cryptomelane and to clay minerals and, although goethite composes from 40 to 50% of the samples (weight %), less than 0.1% of the total Cu is associated to it. Based on the results, the weathering sequence could be established; the alteration processes were responsible for the dissolution of the copper primary sulfides; the Cu released by these sulfides is, afterwards, incorporated in biotites and vermiculites, following the gneiss schistosity. Afterwards, the biotites altered to an interstratified 10-14 Å (biotite-smectite-vermiculite) and subsequently to an Al-Fe-Cu smectite (nontronite); finally, smectite was altered to kaolinite and the Cu was leached.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract In this study, a red ceramic was developed with the addition of sand residue from deburring and finishing processing of cast iron molds, replacing a variable fraction of the clay. The formulated masses were shaped by pressing and firing at different temperatures (850, 900 and 1000 ºC) at a heating rate of 180 ºC/h and 2-hour level. The bodies were characterized for their density prior to firing, and after firing, for mechanical strength, linear retraction, water absorption and porosity. From these results, tests were carried out with the purpose of evaluating the possible release of pollutants from the ceramic pieces produced by leaching tests according to Brazilian standards. The use of smelting sand residue, a low plasticity component, has been shown to be feasible with a few adjustments in the processing parameters and environmentally safe, as demonstrated by the experimental results.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The pelletizing process agglomerates ore fines previously considered as tailings and makes its application possible in the form of pellets. During the process, the pellets are subjected to various compressive forces and temperature changes, which cause ruptures in their surface. These ruptures (cracks) impair the performance of the pellets in the reduction furnaces and affect their strength. In addition to cracking, the formation of clusters inside the furnaces is also a problem for the reduction process because they compromise the flow of gases inside the furnaces. This bonding phenomenon occurs from the formation of iron bridges between pellets subjected to high temperatures. This problem can be minimized by coating the pellets with a mixture of magnesium oxides that inhibits bridging. The present study considered the importance of characterizing cracks and coating on the pellet surface and developed methodologies for the acquisition, processing and digital analysis of images acquired with a stereoscope. Adjustable sample holders were developed which made it possible to cover most of the surface area of the spherical object avoiding overlapping of analysis regions. The crack analysis routine used semantic segmentation and provided attributes such as mean thickness, area fraction and length. The coating analysis routine used color threshold segmentation and measured the fraction of the area occupied by the coating in the samples. The use of the sample holders was essential for the success of the acquisition procedure. The analysis routines were robust for different samples.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract In order to improve steel quality, it is necessary to increase the cleanliness of the liquid steel; that is, to reduce the number and size of the inclusions in the liquid steel, as well as to control their chemical composition. For this purpose, processes (with different operating costs) are used, such as the bubbling of inert gas in the steel ladle and its treatment in the vacuum degasser RH. This article deals with inclusion removal through an argon purging process and RH treatment, and provides a comparison of their effectiveness using industrial data and a mathematical model. The inclusion count shows a strong exponential decay for RH treated heats with chemical heating, as expected. The same behavior is not seen for RH treated heats without chemical heating as well as an argon purging process. It is suggested that in the later cases, there could exist competition between inclusion removal and inclusion generation from sources, such as refractory-slag-metal interaction and open eye atmosphere metal interaction. It has been concluded that the RH and the argon purging processes are both able to reduce the amount of inclusions. However, the bubbling process would require a much smaller gas flow rate to avoid open eye formation.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Real non-spherical particles can be modeled using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) with sphere clusters, superquadrics, or polyhedral particles. However, in applications involving a considerable number of particles, the analysis can become impracticable. The goal of this study is to demonstrate how well spherical particles can reproduce the flow of differently shaped particles. In this analysis, four dry particles are employed with different shapes and sphericity: spherical particles and three non-spherical particles, constituted by a combination of three spherical particles. For each non-spherical particle ensemble, the respective angles of repose were determined with DEM simulations using a simple virtual flow box experiment. Next, the flow of spherical particles through the flow box was calibrated to reach the same angle of repose for each non-spherical particle ensemble by tuning friction coefficients. A comparison of the computational time of the simulations for each non-spherical particle and their spherical representation is presented and discussed. The results show that using spherical particles in DEM simulations reduces the computational processing time in relation to the use of irregular forms in the simulations by approximately 80%.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The performance of commercial explosives is an important subject in rock blast ing modeling and simulation. As a result of its non-ideal behavior, these explosives usu ally react below their ideal detonation velocity. In these cases, the multi-dimensional effects, heterogeneities and confinement conditions become important for properly quantifying the detonation state. In this sense, an engineering approach to model two-dimensional steady non-ideal detonations for cylindrical stick explosives is used to quantify the expected detonation velocity for given reaction rate parameters and con finement conditions. Founded on an ellipsoidal shock shape approach (ESSA), the pro posed model combines the quasi-one-dimensional theory for the axial solution with the unconfined sonic post-flow conditions at the edge of the explosive. A mechanistic confinement approach is coupled with the ESSA model to estimate the effect of the inert confiner on the detonation flow. Finally, the proposed model is used to estimate the expected detonation velocity of two typical commercial explosives in a number of different confinement conditions.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Small and medium-sized mining represent an important part of a country's min eral economy. These companies, although substantial and numerous, have low invest ment potential in their development through new technologies. One of the problems small and medium mining companies face is the ore hauling production monitoring. This operation alone can constitute as much as 60% of the mining operating cost, due to intense fuel and tires consumption, and represents more than a half of the greenhouse gas emission in a quarry. Aiming at this problem, this article purposes to answer the following question: Is it possible to monitor the production of the ore hauling in small mining with a low-cost system? The results showed that yes, it is pos sible, using off-the-shelf solutions, regular office software and low use of labor. The results were validated in a quarry located in the State of São Paulo, where a US$ 490 system presented consistent results, improvements in fuel consumption and benefits to the environment.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) is a prominent activity in the extractive industry: considering only gold, it produces about 20% of the world market supply. Despite this fact, ASM is generally associated with the negative aspects of its environ mental impact, and operational research is generally neglected. This article empha sizes the peculiarity of the drilling and blasting systems of small underground mines in selected South American Countries. Such Countries, while having large mineral deposits and well recognized large-scale mining activities, at the same time still pres ent on their territory ASM activities that are archaic, highly inefficient and dangerous for the safety of its operators. This article documents drilling and blasting activities from gold mining in Ecuador and Chile. First, described are the outdated and often non-rational techniques employed by miners, to provide a general framework of the current methods. Then, shown is what can be improved and how the current methods can be modified. Finally, some field applications and the comparisons of the results ob tained are presented. One case shows how blast pull efficiency can be increased from 82% to 98% by changing non-rational applications of explosive products to rational, scientific-based employment. Another case shows how, by rationalizing blast designs, drilling and blasting costs can be reduced by 9% per month, the advance by blasting increased by 29% and the pull efficiency increased from 70% to 90%. Finally, it is concluded that examples of application show how operational improvements are eas ily applicable in the field, relying only on tools and resources of artisanal mining, but combining solid engineering bases with confidence-gain and respect for the experience of the miners.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Underground mining is a set of methods that allows the extraction of ore in depth, ensuring sustainability and economic viability. One of the problems that arise in underground mine operations is open stope stability. The method for assessing stabil ity of open stopes is the stability graph proposed by Mathews et al. (1981). It is possible to estimate and provide information about this stability and assist in the decision mak ing about its viability. With the data obtained from 35 open stopes from a Zinc mine, the present study aims to use artificial intelligence techniques, specifically artificial neural networks, to process the data and classify the open stopes according to the sta bility regions of the graph. As a result, the applied methodology presented good asser tiveness for the classification of two classes, stable and unstable open stopes, resulting in a global probability success of 82% overall hit probability and 18% apparent error rate. For the classification into three classes, adding the transitional open stopes, the internal validation presented a global probability success of 91% and apparent error rate of 9%. In external validation, the network evaluation measures presented values of global probability success of 42% and apparent error rate of 58%.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract A study was carried out to investigate the combined effect of released ions in the pulp by pH regulator and mineral surface on dolomite flotation. The tests were carried out using a dolomite sample in a bench flotation cell with automatic froth remover. Zeta potential measurements, solution conductivity and FTIR analysis were done to support the interpretation of the results. The main reagents used for pH adjustment in the alkaline range (calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and sodium carbonate) were compared using amine or sodium oleate as collector. Dolomite is a sparingly soluble-type calcium mineral (as calcite, apatite, fluorite and scheelite), releasing differ ent amounts of calcium and magnesium ions in the pulp. Amine adsorbs mainly by a chemical complexation mechanism between the molecular specie RNH2 with calcium and magnesium ions present on the dolomite surface. In this system calcium hydroxide must be used because in addition to adjusting the pH it is a calcium ion supplier, thus increasing the collector adsorption. In turn, in the dolomite flotation with oleate, the pH must be regulated with soda ash that precipitates Ca2+ and Mg2+ as carbonate al lowing for higher adsorption of the collector.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Herein, three-dimensional analyses of large strain consolidation applied to tail ings disposal in mining pits is studied. The main goal is to estimate filling time and, ac cordingly, the capacity of the pit. Other useful results, such as dry density profiles and water pore pressure generation are also obtained. Two different slimes from the iron ore beneficiation are considered: a low plastic silt-clay material, and a 10 times more permeable silt-like soil. The consolidation constitutive relationships were obtained by performing HCT tests (Hydraulic Consolidation Test). The analyses were carried out using an algorithm that produces approximate solutions of the three-dimensional anal ysis using the computer program CONDES0. Two types of analyses were performed limiting the exact solution, one called upper bound and the other, lower bound. For purposes of this study, sensitivity analyses were also performed, including "instanta neous" consolidation, double drainage, and varying tailings production. Simulations of the co-disposal of the two different slimes were also addressed, where simultaneous rising and sharing of the tailings during reservoir occupation were sought by trial and error. In addition, prediction of the deposit surface profile in the long-term run was included. It was obtained from the filling of the pit with the Slime 01 for the lower bound 1054 days and for the upper bound, 1219 days. By comparing the slimes, Slime 02 offers the greater capacity. In the scenario of co-disposition, Slime 01 occupies 43% of the area and Slime 02, 57% of the area of the pit. Having already analyzed scenarios with constant and variable production of Slime 01 a greater capacity of the pit was ob tained for a constant production. Finally, there is a small difference in the pit capacity when the analyses are made considering the impermeable base and the permeable base.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Mudflow is often associated with seismic activities. The present study applied a seismic based detection of the surface waves generated by the mudflow of Brumadinho dam collapse using records of Brazilian Seismographic Network. The signal envelope and time-frequency spectrograms of the mudflow signals were used in the analysis. As a result, the mudflow signals were successfully detected from the data recorded at a nearby seismic station. The findings of this study provide a good basis for future research to develop a flood early warning system based on cost-effective, remote and contentious seismic monitoring approaches.