The thesis aimed to analyse the acute neuromuscular (NM) response during and following maximum strength and power training methods. The primary aim of study one was to establish the reliability of biomechanical and surface electromyographic (sEMG) measurements during barbell squat exercise. This would enable the subsequent studies to precisely assess muscle activity and mechanical power during barbell resistance exercise sessions. Nine male well-trained subjects performed squat exercise on three separate trial days. Each trial comprised one set of squat at 50, 75 and 100% of 3RM load. Synchronous recordings of knee joint kinematics from a flexible electrogoniometer, barbell displacement from a single linear position transducer and quadriceps sEMG amplitude were made. The mean maximum knee angle during squat was recorded at each load, and the overall inter-trial coefficient of variation (CV) was 5.5%. Mean concentric repetition power was processed from displacement data and derived into force and velocity values. The overall inter-trial CV for mean power was found to be 8.4%. The raw sEMG signal was processed into root mean square (RMS) amplitude and normalised to values taken from pre-trial knee extension maximum voluntary contractions (MVC). RMS amplitude was processed for the whole concentric phase and a 200 ms time interval at a knee angle of 70°, which matched the knee angle used during MVC. Inter-trial CV for RMS amplitude from the concentric phase and 70° knee angle were 7.2% and 16.4% respectively. There were no differences in RMS amplitude, maximum knee angle or mean power across trial days. It was concluded there was acceptable reliability for all three measurements (CV < 10%), if RMS amplitude was processed from the concentric phase. Based upon the measurement reliability, the analysis system was considered suitable for monitoring power and sEMG during barbell exercise. The second study aimed to establish the reliability of muscle fibre conduction velocity (MFCV) measurements during barbell squat. This was of interest, as MFCV may provide useful information of NM recruitment and fatigue processes during resistance exercise. The study was also used as a preliminary investigation of MFCV response, in comparison to RMS amplitude, to increasing fatigue and load during squat exercise. Nine well-trained male subjects performed a series of exercises on two separate trial days. Each trial comprised isometric knee extensions at 50, 75 and 100% of MVC force, followed by barbell squats at 50, 75 and 100% of 3RM, and then a maximal bout of squat jumps at 50% 3RM load, performed until failure. sEMG measurements were recorded from a four-electrode array, secured upon the vastus lateralis. Normalised RMS amplitude was processed as above, and MFCV was processed from the inter-electrode distance and time delay between two double differentiated and correlated signals, using bespoke software. The overall value of MFCV during squat was 5.8 m.s-1. The inter-trial CV for MFCV was 9.6% during squat and 12.1% during squat jump. Based upon acceptable reliability of 10%, MFCV measurements from barbell squats were considered reliable. As expected, MFCV significantly increased with each knee extension force level (4.7 ± 1.4, 5.6 ± 1.5 and 6.2 ± 1.8 m.s-1) (p<0.01), along with RMS amplitude (p<0.0001). No differences in MFCV were found between squat loads, whilst RMS amplitude significantly increased with load (p<0.0001). Power (1920 ± 143 versus 1407 ± 254 W) and MFCV (5.7 ± 1.4 versus 4.6 ± 1.0 m.s-1) significant decreased (p<0.001) from the start to the end of the squat jump trial, with RMS amplitude unchanged. Therefore, MFCV altered with increasing fatigue, but not load, during dynamic squat exercise. It was concluded that MFCV provides useful and reliable data for acute fatigue investigations of barbell resistance exercise, in addition to sEMG amplitude measures. The following three investigations compared NM responses during and following maximum strength and power type resistance exercise sessions with different exercises, loads and movement speeds. The sessions were designed to represent elite athlete training practices, to help inform the optimisation of resistance exercise programmes. The first of these studies aimed to compare NM response to a typical maximum strength session performed with barbell squat or deadlift exercise. The purpose was to assess if technical differences between the exercises, influenced the acute NM response. Nine elite trained weightlifters performed the trial sessions of five sets of five repetitions on separate days. Normalised RMS amplitude, MFCV and power was continually measured during exercise repetitions, using the methods established above. NM function was assessed pre- and post- sessions using MVC force, central activation ratio (CAR) from superimposed stimulation during MVC, and jump performance (CMJ). The exercises were performed with subjectively matched load levels, corresponding to active muscle RPE = 17 (Borg scale), and also with controlled lifting speed. However, the squat load was lowered and raised upon the lifter’s back, whilst deadlift load was grasped in the hands, raised from the floor and then dropped. Repetition mean power was unchanged within and across sets of both sessions. Repetition RMS amplitude significantly increased (p<0.001) within sets of squat and deadlift, whilst a significant interaction between sessions and set (p<0.001) demonstrated RMS increased more during squat. Furthermore, a significant reduction in repetition MFCV was found within sets of squat (p = 0.034), but not deadlift. This suggests that motor unit activation increased during both exercises, as a response to the task of maintaining power during repetitions of whole body lifting. However, acute fatigue within squat sets led to additional increased activation as a NM compensation strategy. No pre- versus post- session differences were found for MVC, CAR or CMJ; suggesting minimal change in NM function occurred following five sets of maximum strength type resistance exercise, in well-trained subjects. The primary aim of the second study was to compare NM response and 24-hour recovery following barbell exercise maximum strength and power type sessions. The purpose was to specifically establish the degree and nature of NM response, as previous findings were unclear and barbell exercise sessions of this type have not been compared. 10 elite sprint athletes performed sessions comprising squat, split squat and push press, with four sets x repetitions per exercise. The maximum strength session exercises involved loads corresponding to active muscle RPE = 17 (Borg scale) and metronome controlled movements. The power session exercises used 30% of the maximum strength barbell load, performed as fast as possible. Repetition sEMG and power was monitored throughout each session, as above. NM function was assessed, pre-, post- and 24-hour post- each session, using the same tests as above. However, evoked peak twitch force (Pt) was also included to the pre- and post- assessments. Overall, the maximum strength session involved greater total work (p = 0.008), but lower mean power during exercise repetitions (p<0.001) in comparison to the power session. MVC and Pt force values both significantly decreased (p<0.05) pre- versus post- both sessions. However, MVC reduced more following maximum strength session (p<0.01). CAR and CMJ were unchanged post-both sessions and no differences were found between pre and 24-hour post session NM tests. The decreased Pt but not CAR findings, suggest peripheral fatigue explains the reduced force generation capacity following maximum strength and power sessions, contrary to previous resistance exercise session findings. Up to 24-hours may be required to recover force generation capacity following this volume of resistance exercise.

Continuous beams represent main structural elements in most reinforced concrete (RC) structures such as parking garages and overpass bridges. Deterioration of such structures due to corrosion of steel reinforcement is common in North America. To overcome the corrosion problems, the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars and stirrups becomes a viable alternative to steel reinforcement. However, to date, the shear behaviour of FRP-RC continuous beams has not been explored yet. As such, the objective of this study is to investigate the shear behaviour of such beams. In this study, twenty four full-scale continuous concrete beams were constructed and tested. The test beams had rectangular cross section with 200-mm width and a height of 300, 550 or 850 mm and were continuous over two equal spans. The main investigated parameters were concrete strength, type and ratio of longitudinal reinforcement, type and ratio of transverse reinforcement and beam effective depth. Moreover, a 3-D nonlinear finite element model (FEM) was constructed to simulate the behaviour of FRP-RC continuous beams. The model was verified against the experimental results and validated against test results from previous studies. Then, the verified/validated model was used to conduct a parametric study to investigate the effect of a wide range of the parameters on the shear behaviour of GFRP-RC beams. The experimental and FEM results showed that shear-critical GFRP-RC continuous beams exhibited moment redistribution. Also, it was observed that increasing the concrete strength and the longitudinal reinforcement ratio increased the shear strength significantly. Moreover, the presence of GFRP stirrups significantly enhanced the shear strength of the tested beams. Regarding the size effect, test results showed that there was adverse or no size effect on the shear strength of GFRP-RC continuous beams when they failed in the interior shear span while beams failed in the exterior shear span exhibited clear size effect. Furthermore, a comparison between the test results and the provisions of the available models and FRP standards and design guidelines in North America revealed that these design provisions can be safely applied to continuous beams. / February 2016

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

The brittleness of concrete has always been a safety and economic issue of great concern. The low tensile strength of concrete is the cause of its intrinsic brittle nature. This is critical considering the amount of concrete used for the construction of highways, buildings, and other facilities. The mechanical properties of concrete must be improved to provide upgraded construction. Crack resistant and durable concrete has always been a major goal for engineers. Many approaches have been tried to make concrete a better construction material. Fiber reinforcement is an approach which has been shown to improve the quality and durability of concrete. The focus of this research is to develop a mix design of fiber reinforced concrete and then test these materials for both compressive and tensile strength after casting into cubes. The effect of polyvinyl alcohol fibers on the mechanical properties of concrete was also studied. The impacts of moisture and the stress applied on the fibers were determined using Raman spectroscopy.

Preliminary normative standards are a tool clinical exercise specialists and health fitness instructors can use when interpreting muscular strength testing results. However, a challenge for professionals is evaluating an individual's one-repetition maximum (IRM) and relating that to others of the same age and gender, because there are no preliminary normative standards for 1RMs available when testing via free-weights and machines.This study conducted at Ball State University, Adult Physical Fitness Laboratory, examined results of muscular strength testing in order to obtain the normative muscular strength of adults. The purpose was to develop preliminary normative standards for strength of adults and to compare the 1RM weight an individual lifts between free-weights, Paramount, and Cybex machines. Seventy-nine healthy men and women between 18 and 79 years of age participated in the study. Subjects were tested on free weights, Paramount, and Cybex machines.Test results revealed preliminary normative standards for 1RM on free weights. Individuals were categorized in three age groups for the free-weight bench press and the Cybex (free-weight) Leg Press. The 18-23 year olds obtained a IRM mean (± Standard Deviation (SD)) of 200.6 + 32.8 lbs and 83.6 ± 18.5 lbs for men and women, respectively, for the free-weight bench press. The 43-59 year olds obtained a 1RM mean of 149.2 ± 41.8 lbs and 71.3 ± 8.6 lbs and the 60-79 year olds had a 1RM mean of 119.5 + 30.0 Ibs and 61.6 ± 15.6 lbs for men and women, respectively, for the free-weight bench press. The 18-23 year olds obtained a 1RM Cybex (free-weight) leg press mean of 484.9 + 58.0 lbs and 234.3 ± 67.5 lbs for men and women, respectively. The 43-59 year olds were able to obtain 1RM means of 444.4 + 84.9 lbs and 254.5 ± 51.7 lbs and the older subjects (60-79 years old) were able to obtain 1RM mean of 390.7 ± 98.6 lbs and 230.3 ± 76.6 lbs for men and women, respectively. Results were also documented in relative values by the amount of weight pushed divided by body weight for better comparison of individuals. Subjects generally lifted more weight on the Cybex (free-weight) leg press compared to the Cybex (machine) leg press. All subjects (N=79) had a mean and standard deviation of 294.9 + 87.7 lbs for the Cybex (machine) leg press (1RMs) and 343.4 ± 123.4 lbs on the Cybex (free-weight) leg press (1RMs). There was a significant difference between the Cybex (free-weight) leg press and the Cybex leg press (p<.001). The correlation for these two types of lifts was r=0.88. There was a significant difference between the free-weight bench press and the Paramount seated chest press (p<.001). The correlation for between the two types of lifts was r=0.93. / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Wet web paper cohesive properties behave in a similar way than tensile strength properties. The result was obtained using an unique apparatus developed by the IPST, which allows the cohesive strength determination for different wet web solids content. With the results a linear relation can be established between the cohesive strength index (obtained with the splitting apparatus) and the tensile strength index (obtained with the Instron). The splitting apparatus results can be used to calculate strain based on the work of Osterberg.

This thesis evaluates the use of High Strength Lightweight Concrete (HSLW) in bridge girders for the I-85 Ramp "B" Bridge crossing SR-34 in Cowetta County, Georgia. This bridge consisted of four spans; all girders were constructed using lightweight expanded slate aggregate. Spans 2 and 3 had a design strength of 10,000 psi, and span 2 was chosen for this research. The BT-54 girders were 107 ft 11½ inches in length. The prestressing strands used in these girders were 0.6 in diameter, grade 270, low relaxation strands. Material properties and member properties were tested. All 5 girders of span 2 were instrumented with vibrating wire strain gages at midspan, as well as with DEMEC inserts for transfer length measurements and with a deflection measurement system. Transfer length measurements found the transfer length of the girders to be 23% less than the values suggested by AASHTO and ACI equations. The deflection measurements showed 4.26 inches of camber at 56-days while the girders were stored at Standard Concrete Products. The camber measurements matched theoretical predictions within 5%. Mechanical property tests found the concrete to be within all design requirements. A stiffness, load test was performed on each of the 5 girders at Standard Concrete Products. The average stiffness value of 8.428 x 106 kip ft2 is recommend for use by GDOT engineers in designing the deck and road profile. This thesis discusses all short term findings from construction to the end of storage. A later report will address long term issues such as creep and shrinkage, as well as the performance of the girders as part of the bridge.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2009. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.)--The University of Michigan, 1986. / Also issued in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--The University of Michigan, 1986. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record.