Concrete-filled tubular (CFT) columns have been widely adopted in building structures owing to their superior structural performance, such as enhanced load bearing capacity, compared to hollow tubes. Circular, square and rectangular hollow sections are most commonly used in the past few decades. Elliptical hollow section (EHS) available recently is regarded as a new cross-section for the CFT columns due to its attractive appearance, optional orientation either on major axis or minor axis and improved structural efficiency. The state of the research in terms of elliptical columns, tubular joints between EHSs and connections with CFT columns, etc., are reviewed in this thesis, showing a lack of investigations on EHSs, especially on beam to elliptical column connections which are essential in framed structures. The structural behaviour of elliptical column to I-beam connections under bending is studied in this thesis to fill the research gap. Overall ten specimens with various joint assemblies were tested to failure to highlight the benefits of adopting concrete infill and stiffeners in the columns. A three-dimensional finite element model developed by using ABAQUS software is presented and verified against obtained experimental results, which shows acceptable accuracy and reliability in predicting failure modes of the connections and their moment capacities. Parametric studies were performed to access the main parameters that affecting the bending behaviour of the connections. A simple hand calculation method in terms of ultimate moment capacity is proposed according to experiments conducted for connections with concrete-filled columns.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men in Europe and the USA. Some prostate tumours are regarded as stiffer than the surrounding normal tissue, and therefore it is of interest to be able to reliably measure prostate tissue stiffness. The methods presently used to detect prostate cancer are inexact, and new techniques are needed. In this licentiate thesis resonance sensor technology, with its ability to measure tissue stiffness, was applied to normal and cancerous prostate tissue. A piezoelectric transducer element in a feedback system can be set to vibrate at its resonance frequency. When the sensor element contacts an object a change in the resonance frequency is observed, and this feature has been utilized in sensor systems to describe physical properties of different objects. For medical applications it has been used to measure stiffness variations due to various pathophysiological conditions. An impression-controlled resonance sensor system was used to quantify stiffness in human prostate tissue in vitro using a combination of frequency change and force measurements. Measurements on prostate tissue showed statistically significant (p < 0.001) and reproducible differences between normal healthy tissue and tumour tissue when using a multivariate parameter analysis. Measured stiffness varied in both the normal tissue and tumour tissue group. One source of variation was assumed to be related to differences in tissue composition. Other sources of error could be uneven surfaces, different levels of dehydration of the prostates, and actual differences between patients. The prostate specimens were also subjected to morphometric measurements, and the sensor parameter was compared with the morphology of the tissue with linear regression. In the probe impression interval 0.5–1.7 mm, the maximum coefficient of determination was R2 ≥ 0.60 (p < 0.05, n = 75). An increase in the proportion of prostate stones (corpora amylacea), stroma, or cancer in relation to healthy glandular tissue increased the measured stiffness. Cancer and stroma had the greatest effect on the measured stiffness. The deeper the sensor was pressed, the greater, i.e., deeper, volume it sensed. It is concluded that prostate cancer increases the measured stiffness as compared with healthy glandular tissue, but areas with predominantly stroma or many stones could be more difficult to differentiate from cancer. Furthermore, the results of this study indicated that the resonance sensor could be used to detect stiffness variations in human prostate tissue in vitro, and especially due to prostate cancer. This is promising for the development of a future diagnostic tool for prostate cancer.

In order to remain competitive in the marketplace, all motor vehicle manufacturers face difficult decisions with regard to balancing cost vs. feature. That is to say that the manufacturer must balance the cost of the product to the customer to remain competitive whilst offering appropriate technology and standard features required by that customer. All motor manufacturers are therefore under pressure to keep costs of nonfeature items to a minimum. One of the cost reductions items prevalent on most vehicles is the deletion of the structural member that attaches the rear bumper, known as the bumper beam (RBB), which is researched in this Thesis. This generates average vehicle savings of $20 and, as this is invisible to the customer, should enable the manufacturers to realise a significant saving or allow this revenue to be spent on additional feature without loss of vehicle function. However, in nearly all cases, deletion of the rear bumper beam has the effect of degrading the steering responses of the vehicle by 1 to 1½ rating points (out of 10), which is contrary to the premise of cost reductions; which is to ensure that vehicle function is unaffected. Initial analysis of vehicles with deleted rear bumper beams cannot show an objective measurable difference in any vehicle behaviours with or without the beam fitted, and hence CAE studies using ADAMS models cannot verify the effects of the bumper beam. It was necessary to employ unconventional modelling and testing methods such as rigid body, flexible body model techniques as well as experimental studies included driving robots and expert driver appraisals. The research demonstrated that vehicle modelling methods currently used, cannot establish or predict the complete vehicle ride and handling status. A total vehicle model approach should be used without separating the body CAE model and vehicle dynamics ADAMS model into separate entities. Furthermore, it was concluded that the determination to the effects of body hysteresis rather than pure stiffness is of crucial importance and that the steering attribute could be maintained with the deletion of the RBB analytically.

A capacidade de manter a estabilidade e integridade durante o tempo de exposição às forças destrutivas do intemperismo é um dos aspectos mais importantes da estabilização de solos em projetos de pavimentos. Esta dissertação apresenta resultados de um estudo laboratorial sobre o comportamento mecânico de um solo dispersivo estabilizado com cal. O solo estudado é um solo sedimentar de sedimentos quaternários pertencente à denominada região ocidental do Paraguai. O solo dispersivo se caracteriza por apresentar teores significativos de sódio e por apresentar erosão hídrica acelerada. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a durabilidade de misturas de Solo-Cal submetidos a ciclos de molhagem e secagem. A resistência à compressão simples e resistência à vácuo saturação também foram examinadas para avaliar o desempenho de misturas de Solo-Cal. Medição da velocidade de pulso de ultra-som foi realizado como teste não destrutivo para monitorizar a rigidez das misturas. Os efeitos do tempo de cura, das características de compactação e do teor de cal, foram avaliados. Finalmente, desde um enfoque ambiental através da ferramenta de avaliação do ciclo de vida (ACV) foram avaliadas todas as misturas em função aos impactos ambientais potenciais gerados na construção de 1 m³ de subbase de Solo-Cal. Verificou-se que a durabilidade, a rigidez e a resistência de solos estabilizados com cal aumentam com o tempo de cura, com a energia de compactação e com o aumento do teor de cal. Além disso, a dispersibilidade intermediaria (ND4) que o solo apresentava em seu estado natural, muda para não dispersivo (ND1) com a adição de 2% de cal. Em conclusão ressalta-se que a mistura SC3-5 apresenta um melhor comportamento mecânico comparável com a mistura SC3-7, mas, com um menor impacto potencial gerado. / The ability to retain stability and integrity during the exposure time to the destructive forces of weathering is one of the most important aspects of soil stabilization in pavements design. This thesis presents the results of a laboratory study of the mechanical behavior of a dispersive soil stabilized with lime. The studied soil is a sedimentary soil of the quaternary sediments belonging to the so called western region of Paraguay. The dispersive soil is characterized by having significant levels of sodium and accelerated erosion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the durability of soil-lime mixtures subjected to wetting and drying cycles. Resistance to simple compression and resistance to vacuum saturation were also examined to assess the performance of soil-lime mixtures. Measurement of the ultrasonic pulse velocity was performed as non-destructive testing for monitoring the stiffness of the blends. The effects of curing time, the compression characteristics and lime content, were evaluated. Finally, all mixtures were evaluated from an environmental viewpoint by the life cycle assessment (LCA). All mixtures were evaluated according to the environmental impact in the construction of 1 m³ of Soil-Lime. It was found that durability, rigidity and resistance of soil stabilized with lime increases with cure time, with the energy of compaction and with increased lime content. Moreover, the dispersibility intermediate (ND4) showed that the soil in its natural state, changes to nondispersive (ND1) with the addition of 2% lime. In conclusion it is emphasized that the SC3-5 mixture has a better mechanical behavior comparable to SC3-7 mix, but with less potential impact generated.

La mégacaryopoïèse regroupe l’ensemble des processus de différenciation et de maturation des mégacaryocytes (MKs) dans le but de produire des plaquettes capables d’arrêter les saignements. Or ces mécanismes sont mal connus. Afin de mieux les comprendre, nous avons mimé l’environnement médullaire in vitro, en 3D à l’aide d’un hydrogel de rigidité comparable à celle de la moelle osseuse. Dans cette étude nous avons: i) caractérisé le comportement physique de l’hydrogel de méthylcellulose et mis au point la culture de progéniteurs mégacaryocytaires dans ce système, ii) montré la capacité du MK à ressentir les contraintes physiques de son environnement, ainsi que, iii) l’impact de ces contraintes sur la maturation des MKs et la génération des proplaquettes, et enfin, iv) mis en évidence l’existence d’une réponse cellulaire des MKs à la rigidité. Les MKs sont « mécanosensibles », c’est-à-dire capables de ressentir les modifications physiques de leur environnement et de s’y adapter. L’activation de voies de mécanotransduction (dont MKL1) et la réorganisation du cytosquelette en réponse aux contraintes physiques extracellulaires favorisent la maturation des MKs, en termes de ploïdie, d’ultrastructure et in fine de génération de proplaquettes. / Megakaryopoiesis is the process of differentiation and maturation of megakaryocytes (MKs) in the aim to produce platelets able to prevent hemorrhages. These mechanisms are not well known. To better understand the process of platelet formation, we mimicked the medullar microenvironment in vitro, in 3D using hydrogel of stiffness comparable to the bone marrow. In this study we: i) characterized the physical properties of the hydrogel and design the culture of hematopoietic progenitors in this system, ii) showed the MKs ability to feel the physical constraints of their environment, then iii) showed the impact of these constraints on the MK maturation and proplatelet generation, and finally iv) highlighted the MK response to stiffness. MKs are “mecanosensitives”, being able to feel and to adapt to the physicals modifications of the environment. The activation of mechanotransduction pathways (including MKL1) and the cytoskeleton reorganization in response to extracellular physical constraints improves MK maturation, in terms of ploïdy, ultrastructure and ultimately proplatelet generation.

This thesis presents a novel compliant mechanism with adjustable force output. The force comes from the bending of a rectangular cross section beam within the mechanism. By rotating this beam with a stepper motor, the force output of the mechanism changes. A model was made to simulate this mechanism, and a prototype was made based off of this data. A test apparatus was constructed around this mechanism, and a series of tests were performed. These tests adjusted parameters such as beam rotation speed and weight in order to characterize the system. Adjustments were made based on this information and the mechanism was refined. The results suggest the following. The speed has a negligible effect on the behavior of the system, while the weight, length of top link r3, and position of bottom stop have a significant effect. Also, there is a large, consistent amount of hysteresis in the system. This is likely caused by the beam storing torsion or friction from the slider.

Sistemas de freio automotivos são frequentemente suscetíveis a gerarem ruídos de alta frequência como resultado de uma vibração autoexcitada. Este fenômeno é genericamente nominado squeal noise e constitui o tema de diversos estudos publicados com o intuito de identificar e descrever seu mecanismo de excitação e de propor alternativas para evitar sua ocorrência. Um ponto fundamental que ainda não foi completamente explorado sobre a geração de tal fenômeno constitui-se da relação entre as propriedades do material de fricção e a propensão à ocorrência de squeal noise. Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de um número adimensional obtido através de análise dimensional (teorema de Buckingham) capaz de relacionar a ocorrência de squeal noise as quatro principais propriedades dos compósitos de fricção: dureza, tamanho de partícula e concentração do abrasivo utilizado na formulação, além de sua compressibilidade. Resultados experimentais foram obtidos a partir de ensaios desenvolvidos com seis diferentes materiais de fricção nos quais a concentração ou dureza ou tamanho de partícula foi alterada de modo a oportunizar a identificação do impacto destas variáveis sobre a ocorrência de squeal noise. A ocorrência de ruídos foi verificada através da aplicação de um método de ensaio em dinamômetro inercial especialmente desenvolvido a um conjunto de amostras dos materiais de fricção moldados a pastilhas de freio e aplicados a um sistema de freio a disco convencional. Os resultados obtidos validaram o número adimensional proposto (índice de excitação 2) na medida em que foi possível estabelecer sua relação com a ocorrência de ruídos verificada experimentalmente através de uma equação logarítmica (R²=0,9). Foi estabelecida também uma relação entre o aumento do coeficiente de atrito, em função da redução da velocidade de escorregamento, e o aumento da ocorrência de squeals. Uma breve investigação a respeito da relevância da rigidez de contato sobre o comportamento vibroacústico do sistema de freio também é conduzida, tendo sido demonstrado que o aumento da magnitude desta propriedade reduz a ocorrência de ruídos do tipo squeal. / Automotive brake systems are very often susceptible to generate high frequency noise as a result of a self excited vibration. This phenomenon is generically nominated brake squeal noise and is the subject of many studies which intend to identify and describe its exciting mechanism and to propose counter measures to avoid its occurrence. One key subject yet to be explored about squeal noise generation is the relation between friction material properties and its occurrence propensity. This work presents the development of an adimentional number obtained by dimensional analysis (Buckingham theorem) capable to relate the squeal noise occurrence with four main properties from the friction composite: abrasive hardness, particle size and concentration and also its compressibility. Experimental results were obtained by testing six different friction material formulations, in which the concentration of abrasive or its hardness or its particle size was altered in order to explore the impact of these variables on the squeal noise occurrence. The noise generation was accessed by testing the friction materials molded to brake pads using a standard disc brake system in an inertial dynamometer under a specially developed test procedure. The obtained results validated the proposed adimentional number (excitation index 2) since was possible to establish a logarithmic equation (R²=0,9) relating it to the squeal noise occurrence verified on the conduced tests. It was also established a relation between the friction coefficient increase, as a function of the sliding speed reduction, with the increase on squeal noise occurrence. A brief investigation about the relevance of the contact stiffness to the vibroacustic behavior of the brake systems was developed, showing that higher values of this property can reduce the squeal noise generation.

A capacidade de manter a estabilidade e integridade durante o tempo de exposição às forças destrutivas do intemperismo é um dos aspectos mais importantes da estabilização de solos em projetos de pavimentos. Esta dissertação apresenta resultados de um estudo laboratorial sobre o comportamento mecânico de um solo dispersivo estabilizado com cal. O solo estudado é um solo sedimentar de sedimentos quaternários pertencente à denominada região ocidental do Paraguai. O solo dispersivo se caracteriza por apresentar teores significativos de sódio e por apresentar erosão hídrica acelerada. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a durabilidade de misturas de Solo-Cal submetidos a ciclos de molhagem e secagem. A resistência à compressão simples e resistência à vácuo saturação também foram examinadas para avaliar o desempenho de misturas de Solo-Cal. Medição da velocidade de pulso de ultra-som foi realizado como teste não destrutivo para monitorizar a rigidez das misturas. Os efeitos do tempo de cura, das características de compactação e do teor de cal, foram avaliados. Finalmente, desde um enfoque ambiental através da ferramenta de avaliação do ciclo de vida (ACV) foram avaliadas todas as misturas em função aos impactos ambientais potenciais gerados na construção de 1 m³ de subbase de Solo-Cal. Verificou-se que a durabilidade, a rigidez e a resistência de solos estabilizados com cal aumentam com o tempo de cura, com a energia de compactação e com o aumento do teor de cal. Além disso, a dispersibilidade intermediaria (ND4) que o solo apresentava em seu estado natural, muda para não dispersivo (ND1) com a adição de 2% de cal. Em conclusão ressalta-se que a mistura SC3-5 apresenta um melhor comportamento mecânico comparável com a mistura SC3-7, mas, com um menor impacto potencial gerado. / The ability to retain stability and integrity during the exposure time to the destructive forces of weathering is one of the most important aspects of soil stabilization in pavements design. This thesis presents the results of a laboratory study of the mechanical behavior of a dispersive soil stabilized with lime. The studied soil is a sedimentary soil of the quaternary sediments belonging to the so called western region of Paraguay. The dispersive soil is characterized by having significant levels of sodium and accelerated erosion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the durability of soil-lime mixtures subjected to wetting and drying cycles. Resistance to simple compression and resistance to vacuum saturation were also examined to assess the performance of soil-lime mixtures. Measurement of the ultrasonic pulse velocity was performed as non-destructive testing for monitoring the stiffness of the blends. The effects of curing time, the compression characteristics and lime content, were evaluated. Finally, all mixtures were evaluated from an environmental viewpoint by the life cycle assessment (LCA). All mixtures were evaluated according to the environmental impact in the construction of 1 m³ of Soil-Lime. It was found that durability, rigidity and resistance of soil stabilized with lime increases with cure time, with the energy of compaction and with increased lime content. Moreover, the dispersibility intermediate (ND4) showed that the soil in its natural state, changes to nondispersive (ND1) with the addition of 2% lime. In conclusion it is emphasized that the SC3-5 mixture has a better mechanical behavior comparable to SC3-7 mix, but with less potential impact generated.

Title: The effect of intensity of voluntary isometric contraction on rheological characteristics of skeletal muscle tissue in vivo, in situ Objectives: The main aim of this study is to determine the effect of intensity of isometric voluntary contraction of skeletal muscle on its viscoelastic characteristics. The work also aims to contribute to the verification of myotonometer as an objective diagnostic instrument and compares it to known methods for evaluation of muscle tone, or its partial characteristics. Methods: We used myotonometer - utility model 29456 for evaluation of changes of stiffness and viscous behavior of skeletal muscle in vivo, in situ in 20 healthy volunteers. The values were compared during 0%, 20%, 35% and 50% of maximal strength of isometric contraction of finger flexors, controlled by hand-held dynamometer. Results: We concluded that both stiffness and viscous behavior of skeletal muscle increases with higher intensity of isometric voluntary contraction. Keywords: myotonometer, skeletal muscle, viscous behavior, stiffness, muscle tone

It was not thought that there would be some major flaws in the design of widely used steel moment frames until the Northridge Earthquake hit the California on January 17, 1994. Until then, steel moment frames were practiced as the most ductile system and were used in buildings from few stories to skyscrapers. The heavy devastation from Northridge Earthquake was an alarm for all the people related to the design and construction of such structures and pushed everybody to act fast to find some possible solutions to such never-expected-problems. Following the earthquake, FEMA entered into a cooperative agreement with the SAC joint venture in order to get a transparent picture of the problems in the seismic performance of steel moment frames and to come up with suitable recommendations. The research was specifically done to address the following things: to inspect the earthquake-affected buildings in order to determine the damage incurred in the buildings, to find out ways to repair the damaged buildings and upgrade the performance of existing buildings, and to modify the design of new buildings in order to make them more reliable for seismic performance. Among the various new design suggestions, the Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connection has been one of the most efficient and reliable option for high ductility demands. The purpose of this research was to study the behavior of concrete slabs in the performance of steel moment frames with reduced beam sections based on ductility, strength and stiffness. The slab is an integral part of a building. It is always wiser to consider the slab in order to assess accurately the seismic behavior of a building under the earthquake loading. In this research, two sets of finite element models were analyzed. Each set had one bare steel moment frame and one concrete slab frame which acted as a composite section. The connections were designed using the AISC Seismic Design manual (AISC 2012). The finite element modeling was done using NISA DISPLAY-IV (NISA 2010). All the models, with and without the slab were analyzed under the same boundary conditions and loads. Both non-linear and linear analyses were performed. The results from non-linear analysis were used to compare the ductility and strength whereas linear analysis results were used to compare the stiffness between bare steel and composite frame models.