An investigation into the influence of cracks in bonded specimens is conducted. Photoelastic specimens containing a bondline are subjected to a constant displacement boundary condition created by bonded end grips. Specimens containing various crack orientations are analyzed to determine stress intensity factors at the induced crack tips. Specimens containing interface and sub-interface cracks were investigated. Two global geometries were used in this investigation, square and rectangular. The constant displacement boundary condition was induced on the specimen through dead weights hung from bonded aluminum end grips. Stress intensity factors were determined using photoelastic techniques. The stress intensity factors were examined to determine trends in the results as a function of changes in geometry. The effects of the induced boundary condition, the specimen geometry, and the bondline were investigated. The results from this investigation were compared to known solutions with a similar specimen geometry. These tests exhibited influences from the bondline, the boundary conditions, and the specimen geometry. The bondline tended to decrease the stress intensity factor for specimens with small crack lengths and tended to increase the stress intensity factor for specimens containing long crack lengths. As the crack length increased so too did the stress intensity factor. A reduction in the bondline to crack distance with sub-interface crack specimens caused a reduction in the stress intensity factor. A reduction in the global height of the specimen caused a reduction in the stress intensity factor also. The results from this investigation will aid in the understanding of the influence of interface and sub-interface cracks in bonded specimens. / Master of Science

Understanding failure mechanics of mechanical equipment is one of the most important aspects of structural and aerospace engineering. Crack growth being one of the major forms of failure in structural components has been studied for several decades to achieve greater reliability and guarantee higher safety standards. Conventional approaches using the finite element framework provides accurate solutions, yet they require extremely complicated numerical approaches or highly fine mesh densities which is computationally expensive and yet suffers from several numerical instabilities such as element entanglement or overly soften element behavior. The eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) is a relatively recent concept developed for modeling geometric discontinuities and singularities by introducing the addition of new terms to the classical shape functions in order to allow the finite element formulation to remain the same. XFEM does not require the necessity of computationally expensive numerical schemes such as active remeshing and allows for easier crack representation. In this work, verifies the validity of this new concept for quasi-static crack growth in tension with Abaqus' XFEM is employed. In the course of the work, the effect of various parameters that are involved in the modelling of the crack are parametrically analyzed. The load-displacement data and crack growth were used as the comparison criterion. It was found that XFEM is unable to accurately represent crack growth in the models in the elastic region without direct manipulation of the material properties. The crack growth in the plastic region is found to be affected by certain parameters allowing us to tailor the model to a small degree. This thesis attempts to provide a greater understanding into the parametric dependencies of XFEM crack growth. / Master of Science / Crack propagation is one of the major causes of failure in equipment in structural and aerospace engineering. The study of fracture and crack growth has been taking place for decades in an effort to increase quality of design and to ensure higher standards of safety. In the past, an accurate representation of crack growth within a specimen using conventional numerical analysis was computationally expensive. The eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) is a concept introduced that would reduce computational effort yet improving the fidelity of the analysis while allowing for easier representation of crack growth. This thesis, verifies the validity of XFEM in simulating crack growth in a specimen undergoing tension using a commercially available code, Abaqus. The various parameters involved in the modeling of this crack and their effects are studied. The study had shown that the inaccuracy of XFEM in its ability to model crack growth, however, it gives us some understanding into certain parameters that would allow us to tailor the model to better represent experimental data.

Within recent years, Crack analysis in adhesive layers has become a topic of interest for many researchers. A common model which is used incorporates a 3-region elasticity problem consisting of only 2 materials, the adhesive layer bounded by 2 layers of a stiffer elastic substrate. Cracks have been experimentally observed to propagate in straight paths as well as wavy paths within the adhesive layer and even at its boundaries. A theoretical model based on work done by Fleck, Hutchinson, and Suo (1991) is used to study crack path selection. Complex stress potential functions are employed to develop a symbolic derivation. The method of distributed dislocations is utilized to represent the crack. A series of Chebyshev polynomials to approximate the unknown dislocations. The resulting integral equations are solved through the collocation method and the series coefficients are recovered. Several numerical packages, Mathcad 5.0+ and Mathematica 2.2.1, were used to study the computational aspects of the problem. The focus of the research was to develop efficient modular software packages to be run on a standard PC system. Several numerical techniques were utilized to reduce computational time and control the numerical accuracy of the problem. Some of these techniques included a "numerical freeze" algorithm, Fast Fourier Transform techniques, Gaussian inversion, Gaussian quadrature and Romberg quadrature. The numerically sensitive regions were identified. Finally, recommendations for future work and possible solutions to handle the numerically sensitive regions were presented. / Master of Science

La consommation de crack serait en augmentation au Canada. On observe entre autres ce changement chez les usagers de drogues du centre-ville de Montréal. On ne connaît pas très bien l'ampleur du phénomène chez les jeunes de la rue, qui sont très vulnérables aux conséquences de l'usage de substances psychoactives (SPA). Cette forme de cocaïne serait associée à divers comportements à risque d'infections transmissibles sexuellement et par le sang (ITSS). Cela pourrait donc avoir un impact majeur sur le fardeau de morbidité et de mortalité que supportent déjà les jeunes de la rue. Par ailleurs, on ignore quels sont les facteurs de risque d'une première consommation de crack chez ces jeunes. Objectifs. (1) Estimer la prévalence à vie et récente de la consommation de crack chez les jeunes de la rue de Montréal; (2) Estimer le taux d'incidence de la consommation de crack chez les jeunes de la rue de Montréal; (3) Évaluer la présence d'association entre l'usage de crack et certaines conduites à risque d'ITSS concomitantes; (4) Identifier les facteurs de risque liés à la première consommation de crack chez ces jeunes. Méthode. Des analyses secondaires ont été réalisées à partir de données collectées lors d'une étude de cohorte portant sur l'incidence du virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) et de l'hépatite C chez les jeunes de la rue de Montréal. De juillet 2001 à décembre 2005, des jeunes âgés de 14 à 23 ans (n=858) ont été vus en entrevue aux six mois. Le questionnaire administré portait sur les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, les comportements sexuels et de consommation de drogues. On a estimé la prévalence d'usage du crack à partir des données collectées à l'entrée dans l'étude. Le taux d'incidence a été estimé pour (a) l'ensemble des jeunes qui n'avaient jamais consommé de crack au recrutement et parmi eux, pour (b) ceux qui avaient prisé de la cocaïne auparavant. On a évalué l'association entre l'usage de crack et certaines conduites concomitantes de consommation de SPA et sexuelles par régression logistique multiple. Les facteurs de risque d'initiation au crack ont été déterminés par régression de Cox multivariée. Résultats. La prévalence d'usage de crack à vie était de 66,6% intervalle de confiance à 95% [63,4-69,8] ; celle d'usage récent était de 38,0% [34,7-41,3]. Les taux d'incidence d'usage du crack étaient de (a) 136,6/1000 personnes-années (p-a) [104,5-175,5]) et de (b) 205,8/1000 p-a [150,2-275,3]. Après ajustement, les jeunes de la rue consommant du crack étaient plus à risque de manifester les conduites sexuelles suivantes: se prostituer, avoir plus de deux partenaires sexuels et avoir un partenaire sexuel à risque (ayant le VIH, étant un homme ou une femme qui se prostitue, étant un homme ayant des relations homosexuelles). Ils étaient aussi plus à risque d'avoir bu de l'alcool dans le dernier mois, de s'être injecté des drogues et d'avoir consommé plus d'une SPA. Le nombre de types de drogues consommés dans les six mois précédant l'entrevue augmentait le risque de s'initier au crack (ratio de risque ajusté (RRA)=1,84 [1,55-2,18]), alors que le fait d'avoir un parent ayant une consommation problématique de substances diminuait ce risque (RRA=0,48 [0,26-0,89]). Les facteurs de risque étaient identiques chez les jeunes qui avaient prisé de la cocaïne auparavant. Conclusion. L'usage de crack est répandu chez les jeunes de la rue de Montréal et l'initiation est très fréquente. Les jeunes en consommant ont davantage de conduites à risque et s'exposent davantage au VIH et à l'hépatite C. Il est difficile pour l'instant d'identifier les jeunes plus à risque de s'initier au crack. Il serait important d'approfondir le phénomène d'initiation si l'on souhaite développer des mesures préventives ciblées et efficaces pour ces jeunes.

Foram estudadas as propriedades de fadiga em dois grupos de soldas de alta resistência e baixa liga com diferentes composições microestruturais. As soldas do grupo A apresentaram microestruturas compostas de ferrita acicular, ferrita alotriomórfica e ferrita de Widmanstätten, com limite de escoamento de aproximadamente 460 MPa, enquanto que as soldas do grupo B apresentaram microestruturas compostas de martensita de baixo carbono, bainita e ferrita acicular, com limite de escoamento de aproximadamente 850 MPa. A partir do ensaio de trincas longas, foi obtida a taxa de crescimento por ciclos de carregamento, da/dN, de da/dN=1,18·10-12·DeltaK2,91 e da/dN=1,34·10-11·DeltaK2,64, respectivamente para as soldas dos grupos A e B. Como pode ser observado a partir destas equações, a taxa de crescimento foi mais alta para o grupo B. Da análise do fechamento da trinca pode ser concluído que o principal fator determinante de uma menor taxa de propagação para as soldas do grupo A foi a plasticidade desenvolvida pela estrutura. Dos ensaios de trincas curtas foi observado que no caso das soldas do grupo A, uma vez nucleada a trinca, esta se propagava até o colapso do corpo de prova. Para as soldas do grupo B foi observado que não bastava a existência de uma trinca para que esta se propagasse até a fratura total do corpo de prova e que o fator controlador foi a granulomentria associada a uma determinada composição microestrutural. / The fatigue properties of two groups of high strength low alloy steel weld metals with different microstructural composition were studied. Weld metals from group A presented microstructures composed of acicular ferrite, Widmanstätten ferrite and allotriomorphic ferrite, with yield strength of 460 MPa. Weld metals from group B exhibited a microstructural composition of low carbon martensite, bainite and acicular ferrite, with a yield strength of 850 MPa. The fatigue crack growth per cycle of loading, da/dN, for weld metals from groups A and B is obtained from the relationships, da/dN=1,18·10-12·DeltaK2,91 and da/dN=1,34·10-11·DeltaK2,64, respectively. As can be seen from these equations, the crack growth rate was higher for group B. From the crack growth closure analysis, it may be concluded that the lower crack growth rate obtained for weld metals from group A was mainly due to the higher crack tip plasticity developed in this type of microstructure. From the short crack fatigue tests, it was observed for weld metals from group A, that once a crack was nucleated, it propagated until the testpiece plastic collapsed. For weld metals from group B, it was observed that the existence of a crack was not sufficient to cause the complete testpiece failure, and the association of the grain size with the local microstructure was the main factor controlling the failure process.

A adição de diferentes substâncias (adulterantes e diluentes) no crack (freebase) é um fenômeno bem conhecido no mercado ilícito. Os adulterantes podem interagir com a cocaína e determinar novas e desconhecidas síndromes tóxicas influindo no estado clínico das intoxicações, especialmente em casos em que houve modificação das vias de administração. No Brasil a análise de adulterantes, contaminantes e/ou diluentes adicionados ao crack não constitui rotina nos laboratórios oficiais. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho pretendeu a caracterização de um grupo de amostras de crack que fornecerá informações na investigação sobre o narcotráfico, no estudo da morbi-letalidade, bem como na toxicovigilância. O método utilizado neste trabalho foi realizado com a técnica de cromatografia gasosa acoplada a detector em ionização de chamas CG-DIC. Os resultados obtidos nas análises de amostras provenientes de apreensões realizadas na região metropolitana de São Paulo num período de 20 meses, no período de março de 2008 a novembro de 2009, mostraram que 9,16% das amostras continham lidocaína, benzocaína e cafeína como adulterantes e 14,57% continham outros adulterantes totalizando 23,73%. O percentual em teor médio de cocaína presentes nas amostras de crack foi de 71,3%. Adicionalmente foram avaliadas as propriedades organolépticas. O resultado das análises das amostras estudadas mostrou maior teor de cocaína em relação à cocaína comercializada na forma de sal (cloridrato ou sulfato) comercializado como \"droga de rua\" no Estado de São Paulo. Ainda, os interferentes e adulterantes encontrados nas amostras estudadas permitem a inferência do importante problema de saúde pública advindos do uso dessa droga. / The addition of different substances (contaminants and fillers) in the crack (freebase) is a well known phenomenon in the illicit market. The contaminants can interact with cocaine and identify new and unknown toxic syndromes influencing the clinical state of intoxication, especially in cases where there was a modification of the routes. In Brazil, the analysis of adulterants, contaminants and / or extenders added to the crack is not routine in official laboratories. In this context, this work aims to characterize a sample group of crack that provides information on an investigation into drug trafficking in the study of morbidity and mortality, as well as toxicological. The method used in this study utilized the technique of gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector GC-FID. The analysis results of samples from seizures made in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo in a period of 20 months, from March 2008 to November 2009 showed that 9.16% of the samples contained lidocaine, benzocaine, and caffeine as adulterants and 14.57% contained other adulterants totaling 23.73%. The average content in percentage of cocaine present in the samples of crack was 71.3%. Additionally, we evaluated the organoleptic properties of the row samples. The results of analysis of the samples tested showed higher levels of cocaine in the cocaine sold in the form of salt (hydrochloride or sulfate) marketed as \"street drug\" in the State of São Paulo. Still, the interferences and adulterants found in the samples studied allow the inference of important public health problem arising from the use of this drug.

Nos sistemas de revestimento de fundo de aterros sanitários e pilhas de rejeito de mineração, é comum utilizar geotêxtil não-tecido para a proteção ao puncionamento da geomembrana por objetos pontiagudos como a brita. Neste trabalho, realiza-se um estudo experimental a fim de avaliar a superfície deformada de geomembrana de PEAD, com 2 mm de espessura, em camada de proteção sujeita a carregamentos de 600 kPa e 1800 kPa ao longo de 100 h, com o objetivo de simular danos mecânico de operação. Para a leitura da superfície deformada da geomembrana utilizou-se um lençol de chumbo localizado sob a geomembrana e as suas deformações foram estimadas a partir de uma máquina de leitura por coordenadas, com grid de 4 mm. Além deste, foi estimada a superfície deformada da geomembrana para o grid de 1 mm, com a aplicação do método de interpolação chamado de triangulação. Ainda foram utilizados extensômetros elétricos para estimar deformações pontuais na geomembrana. A fim de prevenir o puncionamento da geomembrana e limitar a sua deformação, utilizou-se como camada de proteção quatro geotêxteis não tecidos do tipo PP com massa por unidade de área variando entre 550 e 1300 g/m2, e uma camada de 10 cm de argila. Para a carga de 600 kPa, todas as camadas de proteção foram eficientes para evitar o puncionamento da geomembrana e limitar a sua deformação em 6%. Na carga de 1800 kPa, para proteção de geotêxtil, as configurações duplas tiveram melhor desempenho com valores de deformações menores que 6%, e a camada de 10 cm de argila foi ainda mais eficaz. Por fim, o trabalho mostrou que a superfície deformada decorrente do tipo de proteção adotado também é influenciada pelo grau de compactação do solo, o tipo de brita, a carga aplicada e as propriedades físicas do elemento de proteção. / In landfill backfill systems and mining tailings piles, it is common to use nonwoven geotextiles to protect geomembrane punctures by sharp objects such as gravel. In this work, an experimental study was carried out to evaluate the deformed HDPE geomembrane surface, with a thickness of 2 mm, under a protective layer subjected to loads of 600 kPa and 1800 kPa over 100 h, with the objective of Simulate mechanical damage of operation. To read the deformed surface of the geomembrane was used a sheet of lead located under the geomembrane and its deformations were estimated from a machine of reading by coordinates, with grid of 4 mm. Also, the deformed surface of the geomembrane was estimated for the grid of 1 mm, with the application of the interpolation method called triangulation. Electrical extensometers were also used to estimate point deformations in the geomembrane. In order to prevent the puncture of the geomembrane and to limit its deformation, four non-woven PP-type geotextiles with a mass per unit area ranging from 550 to 1300 g/m2 and a layer of 10 cm of clay. At the load of 600 kPa, all the layers of protection were efficient to avoid the puncture of the geomembrane and to limit its deformation in 6%. In the vertical load of 1800 kPa, for geotextile protection, the double configurations had better performance with deformation values lower than 6%, and the 10 cm layer of clay was even more effective. Finally, the work showed that the deformed surface resulting from the type of protection adopted is also influenced by the degree of soil compaction, the type of gravel, the applied load and the physical properties of the protection element.

Neste estudo foram investigados os efeitos da inalação crônica de cocaína crack na espermatogênese de camundongos púberes e maduros. Camundongos Balb/c machos de duas diferentes idades, jovem e adulta (n=20), foram expostos à fumaça de 5g de cocaína crack em uma câmara de inalação, 5 dias por semana, durante 2 meses. Animais controle (n=10) foram mantidos em biotério durante o período de experimentação. Análises morfométricas quantitativas de cortes histológicos de testículos foram feitas em microscopia óptica. A qualidade da espermatogênese foi avaliada durante a fase VII de maturação do epitélio seminífero, através da quantificação dos tipos celulares normais e degenerados presentes nos espaços intra e intertubular (células germinativas, células de Sertoli e células de Leydig). As diferenças foram consideradas significativas quando p<0,05. O número de túbulos seminíferos em fase VII por testículo mostrou significante redução (p=0,023) em animais jovens expostos. Houve redução significativa observada no número de células de Sertoli (p=0,000) e espermátides alongadas (p=0,005) de animais jovens expostos. A degeneração celular é aumentada em todos os grupos expostos, com maior severidade no grupo jovem (p=0,000). A inalação de fumaça de cocaína crack induz a alterações na espermatogênese, sendo sua toxicidade maior em animais jovens expostos durante a fase de maturação gonadal . Estes achados são de interesse na saúde pública e mais investigações devem ser feitas focando efeitos similares em homens. / In the present study, the effects of chronic inhalation of crack cocaine on the spermatogenesis of pubertal and mature mice were investigated. Balb/c mice of two different ages, young and adult (n=20), were exposed to the smoke of 5g of crack in an inhalation chamber for 5 days a week during 2 months. Correspondents control animals (n=10) were kept in animal house during experimentation. Morphological quantitative analyses of testis were made in optical microscope. The spermatogenesis was evaluated during phase VII of maturation of the seminiferous epithelium. The number of spermatogenesis cell types (germ cells and Sertoli cells), the germ cell degenerations and the intertubular Leydig cells population was scored. Differences were considered significant when p<0.05. The number of tubular phase VII per testis showed significant (p= 0,023) reduction in young exposed animals. Significant reductions (p=0,000) were observed in Sertoli cells and spermatids elongated (p=0,005) in young intoxicated animals. Apoptosis is also increased in all intoxicated groups being more severe in young groups (p=0,000). Inhalation of crack cocaine smoke induced spermatogenesis disruption of chronic exposed mice. Crack toxicity was more severe in pubertal mice when sexual gonad undergoes maturation. We think that our findings should be of public health concern and that further investigations focusing similar effects on human males are warranted.

Introdução: Na atualidade, o uso abusivo de drogas vem tomando dimensões preocupantes, configurando um importante problema de saúde pública. Dentre os aspectos responsáveis pelo agravamento da situação está o surgimento de novas substâncias, as quais vêm alterando as práticas de uso e potencializando seus danos. Dentre elas o derivado da pasta de coca, denominado popularmente de crack, destaca-se pelos prejuízos à saúde dos usuários e devido à associação crescente entre sua utilização e a prática de atos violentos e degradantes, especialmente difundida pelos meios de comunicação. Objetivos: Descrever os circuitos, compreender comportamentos, práticas e significados relacionados ao consumo de crack entre freqüentadores de locais de alta concentração de usuários e vendedores desta droga instalados na região central de duas capitais brasileiras: São Paulo/SP e Porto Alegre/RS. Metodologia: Foi realizado um estudo etnográfico, com observação participante e registro em diário de campo. Resultados: Nos resultados foram descritos os circuitos percorridos pelos usuários, concentrados em partes específicas da região central das duas cidades: Bairro da Luz/SP e nas imediações do Loteamento Santa Terezinha em Porto Alegre/RS, assim como suas dinâmicas, nas quais a concentração de pessoas em situação de rua e suas atividades rotineiras, principalmente em suas interrelações com representantes do poder público, como a polícia e instituições de assistência social, ganham destaque. O cotidiano desses locais caracteriza-se por relações tensas e freqüentes conflitos entre os diferentes atores participantes dos circuitos Pelas características dos contextos de pesquisa, a grande maioria dos usuários apresentava um padrão de uso compulsivo de drogas, especialmente de crack, no qual o auto-cuidado ou quaisquer outras atividades eram secundarizadas frente ao consumo frenético da droga. Apesar disto, identificou-se sujeitos que não apresentavam este padrão de uso, empregando diversas estratégias de autocontrole na administração da droga e também de sobrevivência. Conclusão: Aponta-se a importância de observar elementos como a história da região pesquisada, políticas públicas, questões econômicas e ausência de investimentos sociais e em saúde pública para a compreensão da instalação e permanência dos circuitos pesquisados. Sugere-se que o alto grau de degradação daquelas regiões não seria decorrência apenas das pessoas e atividades exercidas no local, mas principalmente do processo urbano que gerou tal quadro social. Além disso, aponta-se para uma estreita relação entre o contexto sócio-histórico-cultural dos sujeitos e seu padrão de uso de crack, indicando a existência de diferenças internas ao grupo estudado que caracterizam usuários com um mínimo de organização estrutural e ética daqueles para os quais a obtenção e consumo do crack adquire primazia frente às demais atividades e relações de seu cotidiano / Introduction: In current days, drug abuse has been acquiring alarming dimensions, configuring an important problem of public health. Among the factors which are responsible for the worsening of the situation is the appearance of new substances which have been altering the practices of use and potentiating its damages. Among these is the product of cocaine paste, popularly called crack, which characterizes by the harm to the users health and a growing association between its use and the practice of violent and degrading acts, which has been given a lot of attention by the media. Objectives: To describe the circuits, understand the behaviors, the practices and the meanings related to crack consumption among goers of places of high concentration of users and sellers of this drug, in the downtown area of two Brazilian capitals: São Paulo/SP and Porto Alegre/RS. Methodology: A qualitative-ethnographic study was undertaken, with participant observation and register in field journal, having these as a basis for data analysis. Results: In the results, the circuits taken by the users concentrated in specific parts of the central area of both cities were described: Bairro da Luz, in São Paulo, and the region between Rodovia Castelo Branco, Avenida Farrapos and Loteamento Santa Terezinha in Porto Alegre/RS. And also its dynamics: the concentration of people living in the street and their routine activities, specially their relations with state representatives (such as the police and social assistance institutions) are highlighted. The everyday routine of these places is characterized by tense relations and frequent conflicts among the different actors in interaction. According to the research context, most users presented a pattern of compulsive use, in which self-care or any other activities were in second place in relation to the frenetic drug use. However, some subjects who didnt present this use or dependency pattern were identified, employing several strategies of self-control in the use of the drug and also regarding survival. Conclusion: We point to the importance of observing factors such as the history of the researched region, public policies, economic issues, and the absence of social and public health investments for the understanding of the appearance and permanence of the researched circuits. We suggest that the high degree of degradation of those regions wouldnt be a consequence only of the people and activities performed in the place, but mostly, of the urban process that generated such social frame. We also point to a strict relation between the socio-cultural-historical context of the subjects and their crack consumption pattern, indicating the existence of internal differences in the studied group, which distinguishes users with a minimal degree of structural and ethical organization from those for whom the obtaining and consumption of crack acquires priority regarding any other activities or relations of their daily life

O crack, uma droga de abuso constituída principalmente por cocaína, continua sendo um grande problema social e de saúde pública. Apesar de vários estudos em modelos animais com outras formas de cocaína, raros são os relatos sobre os efeitos da exposição pulmonar ao crack em roedores, devido à dificuldade de realizar a exposição dos mesmos à droga, o que seria de grande valia, uma vez que eliminaria variáveis encontradas em usuários, como o uso de outras drogas. Assim, o propósito do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos tóxicos, imunotóxicos e ainda, alterações comportamentais de ratos Wistar machos expostos ao crack pela via pulmonar. Inicialmente, foram realizadas determinações de cocaína nas pedras de crack utilizadas e também, a quantidade de crack e tempo de exposição dos animais para obtenção de níveis séricos de cocaína semelhantes àqueles encontrados na literatura, e os dados obtidos foram de: 67% de cocaína no crack e a queima de 250 mg de crack, com exposição dos animais por 10 minutos acarretou em níveis plasmáticos próximos de 170 ng/mL de cocaína. Assim, em cada experimento foram utilizados 30 ratos divididos em 3 grupos iguais, um controle, um experimental e um grupo pair-fed, já que a cocaína promove efeitos anorexígenos que poderiam interferir nas avaliações comportamentais e imunológicas aqui estudadas, e que foram expostos ou não à fumaça resultante de 250 mg de crack, por 10 minutos, duas vezes ao dia, durante 28 dias. Ao final do período experimental, os animais foram submetidos à eutanásia para realização de avaliações bíoquimicas, hematológicas, histopatológicas, análise de órgãos-linfóides, avaliação das respostas imune inata (inflamatória), humoral e a avaliação da reação de hipersensibilidade do tipo IV. Ainda, ao longo do período experimental, estes mesmos animais foram avaliados quanto a possíveis alterações comportamentais e para tal foram utilizados 3 métodos distintos: avaliação cognitiva em labirinto em T, avaliação geral do comportamento em campo aberto e ainda, a avaliação de preferência ou aversão ao odor da droga. A exposição ao crack não resultou em alterações que caracterizem toxicidade em parâmetros clínicos, bioquímicos, hematológicos e histopatológicos; não foram observadas alterações com significado clínico nas avaliações do peso relativo, celularidade, morfometria de órgãos linfoides e fenotipagem de linfócitos esplênicos de ratos expostos à droga. Não houve efeitos imunomodulatórios nas avaliações do burst oxidativo e fagocitose de macrófagos peritoneais e de neutrófilos circulantes, assim como nas avaliações da produção de anticorpos T-dependentes e na reação de hipersensibilidade do tipo IV. Quanto às avaliações comportamentais, os animais expostos à droga apresentaram aumento da atividade locomotora, e uma maior preferência ao odor característico do crack, aparentemente sem prejuízo cognitivo. Em conclusão, a exposição de ratos 2 vezes ao dia, por 28 dias ao crack não promoveu alterações imunotóxicas; por outro lado, comportamentos clássicos da exposição à cocaína foram observados nos animais expostos, evidenciando que o modelo aqui utilizado será de grande utilidade para outros estudos que envolvam drogas de abuso, como possíveis estratégias terapêuticas e o melhor entendimento da toxicocinética de drogas utilizadas pela via pulmonar / Crack cocaine, a drug of abuse that consists mainly of cocaine, remains as a major social and public health problem. Although several studies in animal models with other forms of cocaine, there are few scientific reports on the effects of pulmonary exposure to crack in rodents, this is due to the difficulty of performing their exposure, which would be of great value, since would eliminate variables observed in users, such as the use of other drugs. Initially, the concentration of cocaine in crack samples, as the amount of crack and time of exposure of the animals to obtain serum levels of cocaine similar to those found in the literature were determined, and the data obtained were: 67% of cocaine in crack, and 250 mg of crack, exposing the animals for 10 minutes resulted in plasma levels close to 170 ng/mL of cocaine. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects, immunotoxic and behavioral changes of male Wistar rats exposed to crack cocaine. Thus, in each experiment were used 30 rats divided into three groups, one control, one experimental and one pair-fed, since it is known that cocaine promotes anorexic effects that may interfere with behavioral and immunological assessments that will be studied here, and who were exposed or not to the burning of 250 mg of crack, for 10 minutes, twice daily for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized to perform biochemical evaluation, hematological, histopathological, analysis of lymphoid organs, evaluation of innate immune responses (inflammatory), humoral and the assessment of the type IV hypersensitivity reaction. Still, throughout the experimental period, these same animals were evaluated for possible behavioral changes and were used three different methods: cognitive assessment in T-maze, overall assessment on open field behavior and the evaluation of preference or aversion to the odor of the drug. Exposure to crack cocaine, did not result in changes that characterize toxicity in clinical, biochemical, hematological and histopathological parameters; were not observed clinically meaningful changes in the relative weight ratings, cellularity, morphology of lymphoid organs and phenotyping of splenic lymphocytes from rats exposed to the drug. There was no immunomodulatory effect in the evaluations of oxidative burst and phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages and in circulating neutrophils, and the assessments of the production of T-dependent antibodies and the type IV hypersensitivity reaction. With regard to behavioral assessments, the animals exposed to the drug showed increased locomotor activity, and greater preference to the characteristic odor of crack cocaine, apparently without cognitive impairment. In conclusion, in the exposure model to crack cocaine used here, immunotoxic changes were not evident; by contrast, classic behavior of cocaine exposure were observed in the animals exposed, indicating that the model used herein will be useful for the study of other parameters involving drugs of abuse, in evaluation of therapeutic strategies and a better understanding of drugs toxicokinetics used by the pulmonary route