According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), about 100 million rock anchors were installed in the USA mining industry during 1999 (Dolinar, 2000). The rock bolt usage in US coal mining industry fell from 85 million in the year 1988 to 68 million by 2005 (Tadolini, 2006), and is assumed to be close to that number of rock anchors consumed currently since, the tonnage from underground is almost the same. Most underground coal mines have conditions such as moisture in the atmosphere, ground water with different chemical contents that are conducive for corrosion of rock anchors and ancillaries (such as plates), and the effects of this on the performance of the anchors had been researched in the US to an extent from the past research at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). In addition to the general corrosion like pitting and crevice, stress corrosion adds to the process a potentially serious threat and results in material failure underground due to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) yet the effects are not fully understood in the USA. The results of this research therefore will have a positive and direct effect on rock related safety. During this research project in situ specific tests were conducted with bolts to try and determine the corrosion potential in a specific coal-mining region. The coal mining areas were divided into three regions and were named as East, Mid-West and West respectively. To enhance the value/importance of the field data collected from the mines, a metal mine and a salt mine (two non-coal mines) were included in the plan and the data analysis proved that the methodology developed for determining the corrosion potential underground is applicable to any underground mines. The Insitu studies include water samples collection and analysis and open circuit potential (OCP/Eoc) testing and analysis. Open Circuit Potential (OCP) data were recorded to estimate probability of active corrosion. Hypothetically, probability of active corrosion is lower if the actual OCP of roof bolts in the mine is less than the characteristic OCP of the steel grade, and vice versa. The effects of certain factors such as the roof condition, reference distance (distance between bolt and reference electrode) on the open circuit potential data during the measurements were studied to ensure its impact on the corrosion potential determination technique developed. The findings from this research helps standardize the corrosion potential determination methodology. The preliminary study of stress corrosion cracking of the subject test sample (Grade 60 rebar roof bolt) was conducted in this research work. The experimental study invloves testing a complete roof bolt in the mine simulated environment. The mine simulated environment in the test cell consists of the roof strata material collected from the mine site with continuous flow of water at slower and varaible flow rate (0 to 3 ml/minute) with pH in the range of 7.5 to 9.0. The results showed that stress corrosion could be very serious problem when it comes to long term mining applications. The stress corrosion test cell developed and tested was proved to be significant in conducting the long term stress corrosion tests. The strength results of the Grade 60 rebar roof bolt tested had a significant strength loss after 3 months of testing in the stress corrosion cell. Hence, more SCC studies are deemed necessary to evaluate the seriousness of the problem and if possible eliminate it.

Prédire l’évolution de la perméabilité avec la fissuration constitue un objectif primordial afin d’évaluer les conséquences d’un chargement mécanique sur la durabilité et l’étanchéité des structures. À l’issu de ce travail, un modèle d’évolution du tenseur de perméabilité est proposé. Ce modèle, qui est intégré dans le cadre de la poromécanique et de la théorie de l’endommagement,permet de prédire l’évolution anisotrope du tenseur de perméabilité en fonction de la fissuration. L’originalité de ce travail réside dans la prise en compte des ouvertures de fissure et des tailles anisotropes de l’élément fini durant la construction du tenseur de perméabilité. Ceci permet au débit total d’être indépendant du choix du maillage. Ce modèle est ensuite utilisé pour simuler le débit de fuite dans un tirant en béton armé ainsi que le creusement et la consolidation poroviscoplastique d’une galerie souterraine destinée au stockage profond de déchets radioactifs. Pour cette dernière application, la prise en compte de l’anisotropie induite par la fissuration sur le tenseur de Biot est considérée via une loi issue de l’homogénéisation. Les résultats fournis par ce modèle sont confrontés aux mesures expérimentales in situ. / Cracking in structures significantly affects their durability, water transfer and ultimately their safety. This structural disorder provides a preferential path for the penetration of fluids and contributes significantly to the deterioration of structures. This work provides a macroscopic model intended to predict the change of permeability with respect to cracking. The proposed development is implemented within an orthotropic damage model. It assumes an initially isotropic permeability tensor which becomes anisotropic with damage. The objectivity of the hydraulic response with respect to the finite element mesh is ensured by considering the crack localization problem when building the permeability tensor. The model was used to simulate the flow rate through a reinforced concrete element subjected to tensile loading, as well as to simulate the excavation and the poro-visco-plastic consolidation of an underground gallery designed to store radioactive waste. For the latter application, the induced anisotropy of Biot’s tensor was taken into account using the results provided by the homogenization theory. The simulation results were compared with experimental measurements.

Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar a resistência ao trincamento, bem como princípio de propagação de trincas e previsão vida de fadiga de misturas asfálticas empregando o ensaio de flexão em amostra semicircular com fenda (semi-circular bending test – SCB), estático e dinâmico, respectivamente. As trincas que surgem nos revestimentos asfálticos revelam-se como um dos grandes danos que afetam diretamente a serventia e qualidade das estruturas de pavimentos flexíveis. Considerando que a reabilitação dos pavimentos fissurados é geralmente onerosa, revela-se um grande desafio aos engenheiros projetistas dimensionar misturas asfálticas a quente que apresentem resistência suficiente capaz de evitar tanto a deformação permanente, quanto o trincamento por fadiga. Sendo assim, a primeira etapa desta pesquisa analisa três misturas asfálticas, dosadas pelo método Superpave: uma com cimento asfáltico de petróleo CAP 50/70, outra com asfalto modificado por polímero AMP 60/85 e a terceira com asfalto borracha AB8. Os resultados indicam para a maior rigidez da mistura com asfalto modificado, que também apresentou maior vida de fadiga. Os corpos de prova com CAP 50/70 e AB8 apresentaram-se dúcteis e com menor velocidade de propagação das microtrincas. A segunda parte deste trabalho apresenta os resultados dos ensaios conduzidos em amostras com asfalto convencional no teor de projeto (TP) e com 0,5% a mais de ligante asfáltico (TP+0,5%), simulando a camada rich-bottom, amplamente utilizada em projetos de pavimentos perpétuos. Quando comparada a mistura no teor ótimo, aquela com maior quantidade de ligante garante uma mistura mais flexível, pois requer maiores deslocamentos para que se atinja o número de ciclos necessários ao desenvolvimento do trincamento e à ruptura. / This study aims to analyze the cracking resistance, as well as the principle of cracking propagation and prediction of fatigue life in hot mix asphalt (HMA) by means of the semi-circular bending test (SCB), static and dynamic, respectively. Pavement surface cracking is one of the major distress mechanisms that affect the serviceability and quality of flexible pavement structures. Considering that the rehabilitation of a damaged pavement is generaly costly, it becomes a challenge for the engineers to design HMA that endures both rutting and fatigue cracking. Therefore, the first part of this research investigates the cracking resistance and fatigue life of three asphalt concrete mixes, designed by the Superpave method: one with standard binder pen50/70, a polymer modified PMB60/85 (softening point/elastic recuperation) and a third mix with asphalt-rubber binder type AB8. The results indicated to the PMB60/85 mixture stiffness that also presented longer fatigue life. The samples with binder pen50/70 e AB8 demonstrated more ductility, with less microcracks propagation speed. The second part of this work presents the results of tests conducted on standard binder pen50/70 specimens at the design asphalt binder content and with a binder additional of 0,5%, representing the rich-bottom layer, widely used in perpetual pavement structures. The +0,5% asphalt content mix provided a more flexible mixture when compared to the mix at design binder content, because required higher displacements to reach the number of cycles to the development of cracking and failure.

This thesis addresses the issues surrounding the application of the finite element method to analyse composite structure repairs with an emphasis on aircraft applications. A comprehensive literature survey has been carried out for this purpose and the results are presented. A preliminary study and a comparative study of different modelling approaches have been completed. These studies aim to explore and identify the problems in modelling repairso n simplec ompositep anelsw ith speciala ttention given to adhesivem odelling. Three modelling approaches have been considered: Siener's model which is an extension of the traditional plane strain 2D model used for adhesively bonded joints, Bait's model which is a promising new approach and a full 3D model. These studies have shown that these methods are complementary providing a different insight into bonded repairs. They have also highlighted the need for a new modelling approach which will provide an overall view of bonded repairs. Improved modelling approachesh ave been developedf or externallyb onded patch and flush repairs. These models enable the study of adhesive failure as well as composite adherendf ailures.T hesea pproachesh aveb eena ppliedt o real repairs and the predicted results compared to experimental data. Four case studies have been conducted: external bonded patch repairs to composite plates, a scarf joint for bonded repairs, a flat panel repaired with a scarfed patch and a repaired curved panel. These case studies have shown that bonded repairs to composite structures can be analyseds uccessfullyu sing PC-basedc ommercialf inite elementc odes.

A análise da formação e crescimento de fissuras em peças de concreto armado permanece como uma das principais dificuldades no campo da engenharia estrutural. Considerando que as fissuras têm uma influência muito grande no comportamento estrutural global, estudos para prever e controlar a fissuração do concreto são de essencial importância. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um modelo numérico do tipo incorporado para representar as fissuras em peças de concreto armado submetidas aos esforços de flexão e corte, ou seja, um modelo que seja capaz de simular, além das fissuras perpendiculares ao eixo da peça, fissuras inclinadas. Os modelos de fissura incorporada se baseiam no conceito de descontinuidades incorporadas dentro de elementos finitos padrões. No modelo empregado neste trabalho, a fissura é representada através de uma descontinuidade no campo interno de deslocamentos do elemento. O modelo incorporado implementado é uma continuação do trabalho desenvolvido por d’Avila, que baseou-se no modelo de Dvorkin Cuitiño e Gioia que, por sua vez, não inclui a contribuição da armadura no equilíbrio interno de forças do elemento. A interação entre as barras de aço e o concreto é simulada através um modelo de transferência de tensão por aderência entre os dois materiais, conforme Russo, Zingone e Romano e FIB - Bulletin 10. Para representar o comportamento do concreto intacto, utiliza-se o modelo constitutivo de Ottosen. Já para representar as barras de aço da armadura, emprega-se o modelo incorporado desenvolvido por Elwi e Hrudey, que permite uma disposição arbitrária das barras de aço no interior dos elementos de concreto. O modelo constitutivo adotado para a armadura é do tipo elasto-plástico com endurecimento. Foi possível simular a fissuração em flexão e corte em vigas de concreto armado com boa correlação com resultados experimentais. Tais situações não poderiam ser analisadas pelo modelo básico sem as modificações propostas nesta dissertação. / The analysis of the formation and growth of cracks in reinforced concrete members remains as one of the main difficulties in the field of structural engineering. Considering that the crack has a considerable influence in the global structural behavior, studies to predict and to control concrete cracking are of essential importance. The aim of this work is to present a numerical model of the embedded type to represent the cracks in reinforced concrete members under bending and shearing efforts, i. e. , a model that is capable to simulate not only cracks that are perpendicular to the axle of the members but also inclined cracks. The embedded crack models are based on the concept of incorporated discontinuities inside of standard finite elements. In the model used in this work, the crack is represented by a discontinuity in the internal field of the element displacements. The embedded model proposed is a continuation of the work developed by d’Avila, which is based on the model of Dvorkin, Cuitiño e Gioia, that does not consider the inclusion of the reinforced contribution in the internal force equilibrium of the element. A bond stress-transfer approach is used to include this reinforcement contribution. To represent the behavior of the uncracked concrete, the Ottosen constitutive model was used. The embedded model presented by Elwi and Hrudey was employed to represent the reinforcement bars, that allows an arbitrary disposal of the bars of steel inside of the concrete elements. The constitutive model adopted for reinforcement is elasto-plastic with hardening. It was possible to simulate the cracking in bending and shearing in reinforced concrete beams with good agreement with experimental results. These cases could not be analyzed by the basi model without the present proposed modifications.

Esta dissertação apresenta os resultados e análises do monitoramento de um recapeamento asfáltico executado com camada intermediária de geotêxtil. A pista experimental vem sendo solicitada desde 1999, em uma pesquisa que se encontra na sua terceira fase, atingindo 1.103.885 ciclos de carga de 100 kN aplicados. Nessa última fase de estudo o tráfego foi aplicado entre Setembro de 2008 e Fevereiro de 2009, totalizando 121.685 ciclos de carga de eixo de 100 kN. A pista foi dividida em três regiões, sendo empregado em duas delas geotêxteis impregnados com asfalto. Durante o período de estudo foram monitorados parâmetros de resposta estrutural, através de medidas de deflexões e bacias defletométricas, parâmetros de comportamento, através de medidas de deformações permanentes e mapeamento de trincas, e por fim parâmetros ambientais, através das medidas de temperatura do ar e precipitações. Foram também aplicados modelos de previsão de desempenho para o caso de reflexões de trincas. O monitoramento do trincamento na pista mostrou que as regiões com geotêxtil tiveram melhor desempenho quando comparadas à região sem camada intermediária. O comprimento de trincas no final do estudo foi de 764 cm na região sem camada intermediária, 328 cm na região com geotêxtil G150 e 554 cm na região com geotêxtil G150 TF. Foram extraídos corpos de prova da pista, sobre algumas trincas, de modo a se visualizar o modo de desenvolvimento do trincamento, e também para buscar se identificar onde ocorreu trincamento por reflexão. Não foi possível extrair CPs de todas as trincas face a proximidade das mesmas e das dimensões da sonda rotativa, porém do material retirado observou-se ocorrência de trincamento por reflexão, trincamento por fadiga e também trincamento conhecido como top-down cracking (TDC). Os resultados evidenciam que a inclusão de geotêxteis como camada de absorção de tensões aumenta significativamente a vida de recapeamentos asfálticos executados sobre pavimentos trincados. / This dissertation presents the results of the monitoring and analysis of an overlay executed with intermediate geotextile layer. The experimental track has been requested since 1999, in a research that is in its third phase, reaching 1.103.885 cycles of 100 kN axle load applied. In this last phase of the study, the traffic was applied between September 2008 and February 2009, totaling 121.685 cycles of 100 kN axle load. The track is divided into three regions, two of them uses geotextiles impregnated with asphalt. During the study period were monitored parameters of structural response, by means of deflections and basins, parameters of behavior, by means of permanent deformation and mapping of cracks, and finally environmental parameters, through the measures of air temperature and rainfall. Models were also applied to predict the performance of the overlay. The monitoring of cracking showed that regions with geotextile had improved performance when compared to the region without intermediate layer. The length of cracks at the end of the study was 764 cm in the region without intermediate layer, 328 cm in the region with geotextile G150 and 554 cm in the region with geotextile G150 TF. Samples were extracted from the track to see how the cracking was developed and also to identify where there was reflective cracking. On the material removed was observed occurrence of reflective cracking, fatigue cracking and also top-down cracking (TDC). The results show that geotextiles increases the life of concrete asphaltic overlays.

Componentes e equipamentos utilizados na indústria petroquímica estão suscetíveis a presença de descontinuidades e, por esta razão, diversas pesquisas são desenvolvidas com o intuito de aprimorar e criar novos métodos para evitar, remediar ou controlar estas, de forma a não causarem um dano à integridade estrutural. Neste trabalho é avaliado um conjunto de trincas induzidas pelo hidrogênio (TIH), através do método de elementos finitos, com a finalidade de verificar o fenômeno de união das suas extremidades formando uma trinca contínua do tipo SWC (Stepwise Cracking). Também se verifica a influência do conjunto de trincas à integridade da estrutura com base na metodologia Fitness for Service (FFS) através do uso dos diagramas de avaliação de falhas (FAD – Failure Assessment Diagram) indicados pelas normas API-579 / ASME FFS-1 e BS 7910 além do procedimento CEGB-R6. Os resultados mostram que o efeito de interação entre as extremidades é intenso quando estas se encontram próximas umas das outras, confirmando assim a tendência de união das fissuras. Também se constata que o fenômeno é fortemente influenciado pela pressão interna presente nas TIH, esta causada pela presença de hidrogênio. Em relação à aceitabilidade das descontinuidades, é observado que os resultados da avaliação são influenciados pela maneira como a descontinuidade é caracterizada. / Components and equipments of the petrochemical industry are susceptible to the presence of flaws and, for this reason, several studies are developed aiming to improve and create new methods to avoid, remedy and control these flaws in order they will not cause any integrity damage. In this work a cluster of Hydrogen Induced Crack (HIC) is assessed, using the finite element method, with the goal to verify the union phenomena in their tips forming a Stepwise Cracking (SWC) flaw. Also is verified the influence of the cluster to the integrity of the structure based on the Fitness for Service methodology, using the Failure Assessment Diagrams indicated by the Standards API-579 / ASME FFS-1 and BS 7910, also the CEGBR6 procedure. The results show that the interaction effect among the tip of the cracks is considerably intense when they are near to each other, confirming the tendency of union among them. Also this phenomenon is strongly influenced by the internal pressure in the HIC, caused by the presence of atomic Hydrogen diffused in the structure. In relation to the flaw assessment, it is observed that results are strongly influenced on how the flaw is characterized.

Esta dissertação apresenta uma avaliação da eficiência de um recapeamento constituído por mistura de asfalto-borracha (processo via-úmida), no retardamento de reflexão de trincas, através da técnica de ensaios acelerados. Para a realização do estudo foi construído um pavimento experimental com camada final de terraplenagem de argila arenosa de comportamento laterítico (50 cm), base de brita graduada (30 cm), camada de concreto asfáltico trincado (4 cm) e camada de recapeamento em asfalto-borracha (5 cm). O simulador de tráfego DAER/UFRGS aplicou aproximadamente 513.000 ciclos de carga de eixo de 100 kN. Ao longo do experimento o desempenho do pavimento foi acompanhado, com ênfase no surgimento de trincas. A evolução da condição estrutural do pavimento foi monitorada através das medidas de deflexões e dados de instrumentação (tensões e deformações). O registro da evolução da condição funcional do pavimento foi feito através do levantamento de afundamento de trilha de roda, e macro e micro textura. Com a finalidade de comparar o desempenho do recapeamento em asfalto-borracha com os de outros recapeamentos convencionais previamente ensaiados, desenvolveu-se um procedimento para correção de temperaturas. Constatou-se que o emprego de asfalto-borracha retardou em cinco vezes o surgimento de trincas. Assim, o nível de severidade do trincamento igual a 100 cm/m2 ocorreu no recapeamento em asfalto-borracha após 340.000 solicitações (100 kN), enquanto no recapeamento em asfalto convencional tal nível de severidade foi registrado com somente 66.000 solicitações da mesma carga de eixo. Globalmente, o recapeamento em asfalto-borracha conferiu ao pavimento melhores condições funcionais e estruturais, se comparado com um recapeamento convencional da mesma espessura, executado sobre um pavimento com níveis de degradação similares. / This research discusses the efficiency of asphalt-rubber overlays in cracks reflection delaying, based in APT data. In order to carry the study, a test section was built over a lateritic sandy clay subgrade. The pavement included a 30 cm thick granular base, a 4 cm thick cracked asphalt concrete and 5 cm thick asphalt-rubber overlay. A linear traffic simulator applied nearly 513,000 cycles of 100-kN axle load. During trafficking the pavement performance was followed, emphasis being given to cracking. The pavement structural condition was monitored by deflection measurements and instrumentation (stress and strain) data. Rut depths and pavement texture were measured as part of the functional evaluation. In order to compare the performance of the focused asphalt-rubber to those of conventional asphalt concrete overlays previously tested, a procedure to correct testing temperatures was developed. It was found out that cracks appeared in the asphalt-rubber overlay nearly 5 times later than in the AC conventional one. The same cracking severity index of 100 cm/m2 that occurred after 340,000 loading cycles in the asphalt-rubber overlay, was computed after just 66,000 cycles in the conventional AC overlay. All in all, the asphalt-rubber overlay provided the pavement better functional and structural conditions, than a conventional AC overlay with identical thickness would.

Master of Science / Civil Engineering / Mustaque A. Hossain / Approximately 89% of 11,000 miles of Kansas roads are surfaced with asphalt. Hundreds of thousands of tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) are produced annually in the United States, including in Kansas. This bulk volume of RAP must be economically managed in order to achieve environmental friendliness. Recycling of RAP conserves natural resources and reduces landfill usage. However, many agencies have reported that increased RAP content produces drier hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures than virgin mixtures that are susceptible to premature cracking. In this research, laboratory-produced Superpave HMA mixtures containing increased percentages (20, 30, and 40%) of RAP materials from three RAP sources (Shilling Construction Co., Konza Co., and the Kansas Department of Transportation’s project, US 73) were studied for cracking performance. Mix designs were produced using Superpave design criteria for 12.5-mm nominal maximum aggregate size mixture. The static and repetitive Semicircular Bending (SCB) test, the Texas Overlay Tester test, the dynamic modulus test, and Viscoelastic Continuum Damage (VECD) tests were performed on laboratory-prepared samples. In general, cracking performance decreased with increased RAP content. The RAP from the US 73 project performed most consistently compared to other two sources of RAPs. Test results were analyzed using two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), proving that mixtures containing 4.5% to 4.9% binder performed the best against cracking. The RAP source was found to have more effect on cracking propensity than RAP content. Mixtures with RAP content up to 40% performed satisfactorily. Tukey’s pairwise comparison method was used to compare results from all tests; VECD was determined to be the most appropriate test to evaluate cracking propensity of HMA mixtures.

abstract: This research examines several critical aspects of the so-called "film induced cleavage" model of stress corrosion cracking using silver-gold alloys as the parent-phase material. The model hypothesizes that the corrosion generates a brittle nanoporous film, which subsequently fractures forming a high-speed crack that is injected into the uncorroded parent-phase alloy. This high speed crack owing to its kinetic energy can penetrate beyond the corroded layer into the parent phase and thus effectively reducing strength of the parent phase. Silver-gold alloys provide an ideal system to study this effect, as hydrogen effect can be ruled out on thermodynamic basis. During corrosion of the silver-gold alloy, the less noble metal i.e. silver is removed from the system leaving behind a nanoporous gold (NPG) layer. In the case of polycrystalline material, this corrosion process proceeds deeper along the grain boundary than the matrix grain. All of the cracks with apparent penetration beyond the corroded (dealloyed) layer are intergranular. Our aim was to study the crack penetration depth along the grain boundary to ascertain whether the penetration occurs past the grain-boundary dealloyed depth. EDS and imaging in high-resolution aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) have been used to evaluate the grain boundary corrosion depth. The mechanical properties of monolithic NPG are also studied. The motivation behind this is two-fold. The crack injection depth depends on the speed of the crack formed in the nanoporous layer, which in turn depends on the mechanical properties of the NPG. Also NPG has potential applications in actuation, sensing and catalysis. The measured value of the Young's modulus of NPG with 40 nm ligament size and 28% density was ~ 2.5 GPa and the Poisson's ratio was ~ 0.20. The fracture stress was observed to be ~ 11-13 MPa. There was no significant change observed between these mechanical properties on oxidation of NPG at 1.4 V. The fracture toughness value for the NPG was ~ 10 J/m2. Also dynamic fracture tests showed that the NPG is capable of supporting crack velocities ~ 100 - 180 m/s. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Materials Science and Engineering 2014