Estabilidade primária adequada em densidades ósseas de resistências variadas é um dos fatores importantes para o sucesso da osseointegração. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar comparativamente a estabilidade inicial de diferentes tipos de implantes, utilizando cilindros ósseos padronizados de origem suína, de alta e baixa densidades, em modelo in vitro, por meio de Análises Tri-dimensionais (microtomografia computadorizada); Torque de Inserção e Ensaio de Arrancamento. Os cilindros ósseos foram preparados a partir de osso suíno, retirados do côndilo mandibular ou da cabeça do fêmur, e separados em 2 grupos: Grupo A: cilindros removidos da cabeça do fêmur (alta densidade óssea), e Grupo B: cilindros removidos do côndilo mandibular (baixa densidade óssea). Previamente aos procedimentos experimentais os cilindros ósseos foram certificados por meio de análises de imagens 2D e 3D, para garantir a uniformidade intra-grupos e distinção entre-grupos dos espécimes. Após a certificação, foram feitas microtomografias computadorizadas dos cilindros ósseos, para análise tridimensional de imagens prévia à instalação dos implantes, avaliando os seguintes parâmetros: Densidade Óssea Tridimensional (DOT); Separação Trabecular (STB); Porcentagem de Poros Abertos (PPA); Porcentagem de Poros Fechados (PPF) e Porcentagem de Porosidade Total (PPT). Esses parâmetros foram avaliados em três níveis ósseos (N1 interno às roscas do implante a ser instalado; N2 adjacente ao final das roscas até 0,5 mm destas; N distante 0,5 mm a 1,5 mm do final das roscas). Depois disso, foram selecionados 20 implantes (Titaniumfix®) de dois modelos, divididos em 4 grupos, cada um com 05 implantes: Grupo 1 (G1): Implante e-Fix HE instalado em cilindro ósseo de alta densidade; Grupo 2 (G2): Implante e-Fix HE instalado em cilindro ósseo de baixa densidade; Grupo 3 (G3): Implante e-Fix HE Silver instalado em cilindro ósseo de alta densidade; Grupo 4 (G4) : Implante e-Fix HE Silver instalado em cilindro ósseo de baixa densidade. A instalação dos implantes seguiu o protocolo recomendado pelo fabricante, e durante o procedimento foi feita a medida do torque de inserção. Após a instalação dos implantes, todos os cilindros ósseos foram submetidos a nova análise tridimensional com os mesmos parâmetros e níveis ósseos previamente descritos, e ao ensaio de arrancamento. Os resultados das análises tridimensionais mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes intra grupos nas situações pré- e pós-implantes para G3 e G4, em todos os níveis e para todos os parâmetros tomográficos. Observou-se também no Nível 2 diferenças estatisticamente significantes intra grupos para todos os grupos e todos os parâmetros. No nível 3, foi observado um comprometimento nos valores dos parâmetros DOT e PPA, eststisticamente significante para G1, G3 e G4, e numericamente pronunciado no G2 (Teste de Friedman, p<0,05). Os ensaios biomecânicos mostraram que os implantes instalados no G3 (e-Fix HE Silver) tiveram maior torque de inserção e maior resistência ao arrancamento quando comparados ao mesmo tipo de implante instalado no G4 e aos implantes do modelo e-fix HE instalados no G2 (teste de Friedman, p<0,05). Concluiu-se que a metodologia apresentada gera cilindros ósseos padronizados de alta e baixa densidades, o formato dos implantes e-Fix Silver mostrou melhores resultados nos testes biomecânicos e a densidade óssea radiográfica e tomográfica correlacionou-se à estabilidade primária. / This study comparatively evaluated the primary stability of two different implants, placed in standardized porcine bone cylinders of high and low density, analyzing 3D images (computerized micro tomography - micro-CT), insertion torque and pullout strength test. Bone cylinders were prepared from porcine bone and separated into 2 groups: cylinders removed from femur head (high density bone - HDB), and cylinders removed from mandibular condyle (low density bone - LDB). The bone cylinders were previously certificated to guarantee intra-groups standardization and between groups discrimination. Then, 3D analysis evaluated the following tomographic parameters of bone cylinders: Tridimensional bone density (BV/TV), Trabecular Separation (Tb.Sp); Percentage of closed pores (POcl); Percentage of open pores (POop); Percentage of total porosity (POtot). These parameters were evaluated in 3 bone levels (L1 - bone volume internal to the threads; L2 - immediately adjacent to the end of threads until 0.5 mm; L3 - 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm distant to the end of threads). Twenty implants (TitaniumFix®) from two different models were divided in 4 groups (5 implants each): Group 1 (G1) - e-Fix HE implant placed in HDB cylinder; Group 2 (G2) - e-Fix HE implant placed in LDB cylinder; Group 3 (G3) - e-Fix HE Silver implant placed in HDB cylinder; Group 4 (G4) - e-Fix HE Silver implant placed in LDB cylinder. During implant placement the insertion torque was recorded. Following implant installation, bone cylinders were evaluated by micro-CT, as previously described. After that, pullout strength test was performed. The results of 3D analysis showed pre- and post-implants intra-groups statistically significant differences for G3 and G4, in all evaluation levels and for all tomographic parameters. The analysis of L3 showed a significant decrease from pre to post-implant situation in BV/TV and PO.op for G1, G3 and G4. Group 3 showed the higher values for insertion torque and pullout strength test (for all analysis, Friedman Test, p<0.05). It was concluded that this methodology can produce standardized bone cylinders of high and low bone density, e-Fix Silver implants showed better results in biomechanical assays, and different implant designs can promote diverse effects, modifying the bone structure .

Estabilidade primária adequada em densidades ósseas de resistências variadas é um dos fatores importantes para o sucesso da osseointegração. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar comparativamente a estabilidade inicial de diferentes tipos de implantes, utilizando cilindros ósseos padronizados de origem suína, de alta e baixa densidades, em modelo in vitro, por meio de Análises Tri-dimensionais (microtomografia computadorizada); Torque de Inserção e Ensaio de Arrancamento. Os cilindros ósseos foram preparados a partir de osso suíno, retirados do côndilo mandibular ou da cabeça do fêmur, e separados em 2 grupos: Grupo A: cilindros removidos da cabeça do fêmur (alta densidade óssea), e Grupo B: cilindros removidos do côndilo mandibular (baixa densidade óssea). Previamente aos procedimentos experimentais os cilindros ósseos foram certificados por meio de análises de imagens 2D e 3D, para garantir a uniformidade intra-grupos e distinção entre-grupos dos espécimes. Após a certificação, foram feitas microtomografias computadorizadas dos cilindros ósseos, para análise tridimensional de imagens prévia à instalação dos implantes, avaliando os seguintes parâmetros: Densidade Óssea Tridimensional (DOT); Separação Trabecular (STB); Porcentagem de Poros Abertos (PPA); Porcentagem de Poros Fechados (PPF) e Porcentagem de Porosidade Total (PPT). Esses parâmetros foram avaliados em três níveis ósseos (N1 interno às roscas do implante a ser instalado; N2 adjacente ao final das roscas até 0,5 mm destas; N distante 0,5 mm a 1,5 mm do final das roscas). Depois disso, foram selecionados 20 implantes (Titaniumfix®) de dois modelos, divididos em 4 grupos, cada um com 05 implantes: Grupo 1 (G1): Implante e-Fix HE instalado em cilindro ósseo de alta densidade; Grupo 2 (G2): Implante e-Fix HE instalado em cilindro ósseo de baixa densidade; Grupo 3 (G3): Implante e-Fix HE Silver instalado em cilindro ósseo de alta densidade; Grupo 4 (G4) : Implante e-Fix HE Silver instalado em cilindro ósseo de baixa densidade. A instalação dos implantes seguiu o protocolo recomendado pelo fabricante, e durante o procedimento foi feita a medida do torque de inserção. Após a instalação dos implantes, todos os cilindros ósseos foram submetidos a nova análise tridimensional com os mesmos parâmetros e níveis ósseos previamente descritos, e ao ensaio de arrancamento. Os resultados das análises tridimensionais mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes intra grupos nas situações pré- e pós-implantes para G3 e G4, em todos os níveis e para todos os parâmetros tomográficos. Observou-se também no Nível 2 diferenças estatisticamente significantes intra grupos para todos os grupos e todos os parâmetros. No nível 3, foi observado um comprometimento nos valores dos parâmetros DOT e PPA, eststisticamente significante para G1, G3 e G4, e numericamente pronunciado no G2 (Teste de Friedman, p<0,05). Os ensaios biomecânicos mostraram que os implantes instalados no G3 (e-Fix HE Silver) tiveram maior torque de inserção e maior resistência ao arrancamento quando comparados ao mesmo tipo de implante instalado no G4 e aos implantes do modelo e-fix HE instalados no G2 (teste de Friedman, p<0,05). Concluiu-se que a metodologia apresentada gera cilindros ósseos padronizados de alta e baixa densidades, o formato dos implantes e-Fix Silver mostrou melhores resultados nos testes biomecânicos e a densidade óssea radiográfica e tomográfica correlacionou-se à estabilidade primária. / This study comparatively evaluated the primary stability of two different implants, placed in standardized porcine bone cylinders of high and low density, analyzing 3D images (computerized micro tomography - micro-CT), insertion torque and pullout strength test. Bone cylinders were prepared from porcine bone and separated into 2 groups: cylinders removed from femur head (high density bone - HDB), and cylinders removed from mandibular condyle (low density bone - LDB). The bone cylinders were previously certificated to guarantee intra-groups standardization and between groups discrimination. Then, 3D analysis evaluated the following tomographic parameters of bone cylinders: Tridimensional bone density (BV/TV), Trabecular Separation (Tb.Sp); Percentage of closed pores (POcl); Percentage of open pores (POop); Percentage of total porosity (POtot). These parameters were evaluated in 3 bone levels (L1 - bone volume internal to the threads; L2 - immediately adjacent to the end of threads until 0.5 mm; L3 - 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm distant to the end of threads). Twenty implants (TitaniumFix®) from two different models were divided in 4 groups (5 implants each): Group 1 (G1) - e-Fix HE implant placed in HDB cylinder; Group 2 (G2) - e-Fix HE implant placed in LDB cylinder; Group 3 (G3) - e-Fix HE Silver implant placed in HDB cylinder; Group 4 (G4) - e-Fix HE Silver implant placed in LDB cylinder. During implant placement the insertion torque was recorded. Following implant installation, bone cylinders were evaluated by micro-CT, as previously described. After that, pullout strength test was performed. The results of 3D analysis showed pre- and post-implants intra-groups statistically significant differences for G3 and G4, in all evaluation levels and for all tomographic parameters. The analysis of L3 showed a significant decrease from pre to post-implant situation in BV/TV and PO.op for G1, G3 and G4. Group 3 showed the higher values for insertion torque and pullout strength test (for all analysis, Friedman Test, p<0.05). It was concluded that this methodology can produce standardized bone cylinders of high and low bone density, e-Fix Silver implants showed better results in biomechanical assays, and different implant designs can promote diverse effects, modifying the bone structure .

In this thesis different mechanical properties for shotcrete (sprayed concrete) such as compression strength, bond strength, bending tensile strength, elastic modulus, free and restrained shrinkage as a function of its age was investigated. One of the main issues was to investigate the difference between ordinary cast concrete and shotcrete. Reliable material data for young and hardening shotcrete is scarce which in the past have made such comparisons difficult. Also, less accurate data representative for cast concrete has often been used in numerical modelling and design analyses. The focus of the project has particularly been on the properties bond strength and restrained shrinkage for which two new testing methods has been developed and evaluated. Microstructural studies have also been performed as a complement to the bond strength testing. The bond to rock is one of the most important properties for shotcrete used as rock reinforcement. During the very first time after spraying the physical properties and the bond to the rock depend on the set accelerator and the micro structure that is formed. The investigation of early age bond strength of shotcrete is of great importance both from a production perspective and a safety perspective. The newly developed method was tested and evaluated and proved that it can be used for bond strength testing already from a couple of hours after shotcreting. The bond, or adhesion, depends on several factors such as texture of the rock, the type of accelerator, application technique, etc. In this work the development of the microstructure in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and strength of the bond was investigated. The results show that the bond strength is related to the hydration process, i.e. the strength gain of the shotcrete. The early development of the ITZ was here studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) making it possible to observe changes over time, before and after proper cement hydration. Restrained shrinkage cracking of shotcrete, especially in the case of shotcrete sprayed on soft drains that are parts of a tunnel lining not continuously bonded to the rock, can be detrimental for the sustainability of an infrastructure tunnel system. Maintenance and repair costs can be high over time. It is shown that the developed test method realistically captures the behaviour of shotcrete drains on hard rock in situ. The method can be used in the evaluation of different technical solutions for avoiding or minimizing shrinkage cracks in shotcreted soft drains. It can also be used to assess the performance of shotcrete fully bonded to a rock surface, with respect to the ability to prevent cracking or to distribute possible shrinkage damage into several fine cracks instead of one wide. / <p>QC 20140526</p>

Top screw pullout is a significant problem in anterior scoliosis correction, with rates of 5-15% reported in the literature. The Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Brisbane currently has a series of 125 patients with scoliosis treated by thoracoscopic anterior fusion, instrumentation and correction between April 2000 and August 2007. In this series 11 top screws are known to have pulled out (a rate of 8.8%), with six occurring in the first week, and all within 6 weeks, suggesting that the problem is one of excessive static force rather than fatigue. This thesis describes a biomechanical investigation into the mechanics of vertebral body screw pullout in anterior scoliosis surgical constructs. Previous biomechanical studies of vertebral body screws have evaluated their resistance to either straight pullout or cephalo-caudad compression forces, however the aim of this study was to assess screw resistance to more realistic loading conditions, namely pullout of initially angled screws, and pullout where the motion path is an arc rather than a straight axial pullout, as would be expected in a single rod anterior construct. The first series of experiments involved straight and angled pullout tests using synthetic bone. In the angled tests, both locked and free-to-pivot configurations were tested. The second series of experiments tested the effect of cephalo-caudad pre-compression (the actual deformity correction step performed during surgery) on subsequent axial pullout strength. A third series of experiments performed arc pullouts using synthetic bone, and the final series of experiments tested the pullout resistance of a newly proposed screw position configuration against the standard screw positioning using ovine lumbar vertebrae. Synthetic bone testing revealed that for initially angled pullout, resistance is greatest as the screw angle approaches 0 (ie a direct axial pullout). Cephalo-caudad pre-compression reduced subsequent pullout strength for cases where a staple was not used under the screw head, but if a staple was used the pre-compression did not decrease pullout force significantly. Arc pullout resistance was greatest when the screw was angled at 10 cephalad, and the mean pullout strength for the proposed screw configuration using ovine lumbar vertebrae (1864N) was almost double that of the standard screw positioning (993N). The clinical implication of this study is that top screw pullout resistance can be maximised by placing the top screw as close as possible to the top endplate and the bottom screw as close as possible to the bottom endplate, although this will have detrimental effects on the pullout of the second screw should the top screw pull out. Screw angulation is a less important factor but any angulation should be in a cephalad direction and around 10º in magnitude. The experimental results also suggest that the use of a staple may play a role in preventing cephalo-caudad pre-compression forces from reducing screw resistance to subsequent pullout forces.

A estabilidade primária dos implantes odontológicos é determinante para a osseointegração e depende dos fatores qualidade, quantidade óssea e tipo de implante. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência do formato de implantes convencionais e modificados e do tipo de substrato na estabilidade primária por meio da correlação de ensaios de desempenho e frequência de ressonância e análise microestrutural. No estudo foram utilizados 54 implantes Neodent®: 27 cilíndricos, sendo 9 hexágono externo (Titamax Ti Cortical - 4,0 mm x 11 mm), 9 hexágono interno (Titamax II Plus - 3,75 mm x 11 mm) e 9 cone morse (Titamax CM - 4,0 mm x 11 mm); e 27 implantes cônicos de 4,3 mm x 10 mm, sendo 9 hexágono externo (Alvim Ti), 9 hexágono interno (Alvim II Plus) e 9 cone morse (Alvim CM). Os implantes foram inseridos em osso artificial da marca Nacional® nas densidades de 15, 20 e 40 PCF e osso de costela suína. Para os ensaios de desempenho foi quantificado o torque de inserção com um torquímetro digital e a força máxima de arrancamento utilizando uma Máquina Universal de Ensaios. Para avaliar a frequência de ressonância foi utilizado o aparelho Ostell® e para a análise morfológica um Microscópio Eletrônico de Varredura, sob aumentos de 40 e 100 vezes. Após a realização dos ensaios com os implantes convencionais, os modelos Alvim CM e Titamax Ti Cortical (n=9) tiveram sua morfologia externa alterada com a prolongação dos chanfros desde o terço apical até o nível da plataforma protética e foram submetidos aos mesmos testes propostos para os parafusos originais. Verificada a normalidade dos dados utilizou-se o teste de análise de variância ANOVA, comparação de médias Tukey (&alpha;=5%) e correlação de Pearson. Para os implantes convencionais, o Alvim CM apresentou maior média em todos os ensaios realizados, sendo estatisticamente diferente dos implantes cilíndricos quando analisado o torque de inserção no osso (73,33 N.cm) e força de arrancamento na poliuretana de 40 PCF (910,36 N) e osso (553,79 N). Os implantes Titamax II Plus tiveram as menores médias, diferente estatisticamente dos cônicos quando analisado o torque de inserção (22,22 N.cm) e frequência de ressonância no osso (72,83 ISQ) e força de arrancamento na poliuretana de 40 PCF (61,97 N) e osso (86,40 N). A análise dos ensaios de desempenho e frequência de ressonância apresentou correlação moderada de acordo com o p de Pearson (0,30 a 0,70) e a comparação entre as fotomicrografias não mostrou alteração morfológica dos implantes. A modificação realizada no parafuso Alvim CM proporcionou um aumento significativo no torque de inserção (p=0,000), diminuição das médias de arrancamento (p=0,000) e manteve semelhança com as médias de frequência de ressonância (p=0,169) quando comparado ao implante convencional. O Titamax Ti modificado aumentou significativamente o torque de inserção (p=0,043) e provocou diminuição significativa para a frequência de ressonância (p=0,002) e ensaio de arrancamento (p=0,000). Conclui-se que o formato dos implantes interfere na estabilidade primária, sendo os implantes cônicos indutores de maior estabilidade. A análise de correlação das metodologias empregadas demonstrou a associação positiva das mesmas para complementação da análise da estabilidade primária / The primary stability of dental implants is critical for osseointegration and depends on factors quality, bone quantity and type of implant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of conventional and modified implants and the type of substrate shape on primary stability through the correlation of performance tests and frequency of resonance and microstructural analysis. In the study 54 Neodent® implants were used: 27 cylindrical, 9 hexagonal (Titamax Ti Cortical - 4.0 mm x 11 mm), 9 internal hexagon (Titamax II Plus - 3.75 mm x 11 mm) and 9 morse taper (Titamax CM - 4.0 mm x 11 mm); and 27 tapered implants of 4.3 mm x 10 mm and 9 external hexagon (Alvim Ti), 9 internal hexagon (Alvim II Plus) and 9 morse taper (Alvim CM). The implants were inserted into artificial bone of National ® brand at densities of 15, 20 and 40 PCF and pork rib bone. For testing the performance was quantified insertion torque with a digital torque meter and the maximum pullout strength using a universal testing machine. To evaluate the resonance frequency was used Ostell ® device and the morphological parsing an Scanning Electron Microscope under increases of 40 and 100 times. After the tests with conventional implants, models CM Alvim and Titamax Cortical Ti (n=9) had their external morphology changed with the prolongation of the bevels from the apical to the level of prosthetic platform and underwent the same tests proposed for the original screws. Checked for normality of the data used in the test of ANOVA, Tukey comparison (&alpha;=5%) and Pearson correlation. For conventional implants, the CM Alvim showed higher average in all tests, with statistically different when analyzed cylindrical implant insertion torque on bone (73.33 N.cm) and pullout strength in polyurethane 40 PCF (910.36 N) and bone (553.79 N). Implants Titamax II Plus had the lowest average, statistically different when analyzed the tapered insertion torque (22.22 N.cm) and resonance frequency in bone (72.83 ISQ) and pullout strength in 40 PCF polyurethane (61.97 N) and bone (86.40 N). The analysis of the performance tests and had moderate resonance frequency correlation according op Pearson (0.30 to 0.70) and comparing the photomicrographs showed no morphological alteration of the implants. The modification made to the screw Alvim CM provided a significant increase in insertion torque (p=0.000), decrease of average pullout (p=0.000) and remained similar to the average resonance frequency (p=0.169) when compared to the implant conventional. The Titamax Ti modified significantly increased insertion torque (p=0.043) and caused a significant decrease in the resonance frequency (p=0.002) and pullout test (p=0.000). It is concluded that the shape of the implants interfere with the primary stability, with the inductors tapered implants stability. Correlation analysis of the methodologies used showed a possible association of these for further analysis of primary stability

Grande percentagem do território brasileiro é coberta por solos finos (% passando peneira # 200 > 50%), geralmente de origem tropical, que poderiam ser classificados como solos de baixa capacidade de drenagem. Estes solos não atendem às recomendações técnicas para solos de aterro de estruturas reforçadas, conforme exigido pela AASHTO e BS 8006. Neste trabalho foi avaliado experimentalmente um dos parâmetros mais importantes de projeto de Terra Armada, que condiciona o mecanismo de transferência de carga, o coeficiente de atrito aparente solo-fita metálica (f*). Foi avaliada a influência das características dos solos para as classes de solos estabelecidas pela NBR 9286/86 para o caso de fitas metálicas, e, dos critérios que sustentam o uso de fitas poliméricas, sob diversas tensões verticais atuantes nas fitas, simulando o efeito da profundidade. As informações foram obtidas através de ensaios de arrancamento de fitas metálicas e poliméricas realizados em laboratório e depois comparadas aos resultados teóricos da norma e àqueles preconizados para o uso de fitas poliméricas. Os ensaios realizados com as fitas em solo não convencional 1 e em areia mal graduada, mostraram que para profundidades equivalentes a tensões verticais até 50 kPa, os dois tipos de inclusões possuem valores de coeficiente de interação com o solo maiores que a unidade, isso tornaria razoável o seu uso sob o ponto de vista deste parâmetro e nas condições da realização dos ensaios, quando comparado com a norma, e com os critérios que sustentam o uso das fitas poliméricas em técnica de solo armado. No entanto, para maiores profundidades, a interação apresenta uma tendência de diminuição. O solo não convencional 2 valores da interação muito baixos. Foram instalados strain gages ao longo do comprimento das fitas para monitoramento dos esforços no maciço. Nota-se que esforços elevados ocorreram nas regiões mais próximas do ponto de aplicação da força de arrancamento. / A large percentage of Brazil\'s territory is covered with fine tropical soil (50% passing #200) which can be classified as soils with low drainage capacity. These soils do not meet the technical recommendations for backfill of reinforced soil structures by AASHTO and BS 8006. This paper presents the result of an experimental evaluation of one of the most important design parameters of mechanically stabilized earth with concrete wall facing. The apparent friction coefficient of soil-steel strips and soil-polymeric strips is the project parameter. Also was evaluated the influence of soil characteristics for soil types listed by the NBR 9286/86 for metal strips and for the criteria that support the use of polymeric strips. The evaluation included the application of different vertical stresses on the strips simulating the effect of depth. The information obtained from pullout tests performed in laboratory was compared to the standard theoretical values and design values for polymeric strips. Tests performed on strips in nonconventional soil (1) and poorly graded sand showed that at depths equivalent to vertical stresses up to 50 kPa the two types of inclusions have coefficients of interaction greater than unity, which appears reasonable. Therefore, such soils can be used as backfill soils in the conditions tested and at equal or lesser stress levels. Nonconventional soil (2) showed low value of the friction coefficient. The strain gages installed along the length of the strips recorded the distribution of tensile stress in pull-out tests. Higher tensile stress was recorded by the gages nearest the point of application of the pull-out force.

An electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process of micro-quartz (MQ) powder is applied to carbon fibers (CFs) with the aim to enhance their interfacial bond to cementitious matrices and to investigate its influence on the microstructural and mechanical properties of the CFs itself. The electrophoretic mobility of the MQ particles with negative charge in aqueous media was confirmed by potential sweep experiments and zeta-potential measurements. High amounts of MQ were successfully deposited onto the fiber surface, as proven by scanning electron microscopy. Single-fiber tension tests and thermogravimetric analysis showed that EPD treatment had little impact on the tensile properties and thermal stability of the modified fibers. However, storing the CFs in cement pore solution impaired temperature stability of untreated and modified fibers. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy reveal specific changes of CF's microstructure upon EPD treatment and immersion in pore solution. Single-fiber pullout tests showed that the pullout resistance of MQ-modified CFs was enhanced, relative to untreated CFs. This augmentation can be explained by an enhanced interlocking mechanisms between CF and matrix due to the deposited quartz particles on the CF surface.

No description available.

Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) has become a popular alternative to using traditional construction techniques in new bridge construction and existing bridge deck replacement because of the reduction of time spent in field activities. A key feature of bridges built using ABC techniques is the extensive use of prefabricated components. Prefabricated components are joined in the field using small volume closure pours involving high performance materials (steel and concrete) to ensure adequate transfer of forces between components. To date, the materials developed for closure pours have been based on proprietary components, so a need has arisen for development of mixes that use generic components. The goal of this research was to create a method to develop concrete mixtures that are designed using generic constituents and that satisfy performance requirements of accelerated bridge construction closure pours in New England, primarily high early strength and long-term durability. Two concrete mixtures were developed with a primary goal of reaching high-early strength while maintaining constructability. The secondary goal of the concrete mixtures was to be durable; therefore, measures were taken during the development of the concrete mixture to generate a mixture that also had durable properties.

When subjected to a combination of moment and shear force, a reinforced concrete (RC) beam with either little or no transverse reinforcement can fail in shear before reaching its full flexural strength. This type of failure is sudden in nature and usually disastrous because it does not give sufficient warning prior to collapse. To prevent this type of shear failure, reinforced concrete beams are traditionally reinforced with stirrups. However, the use of stirrups is not always cost effective since it increases labor costs, and can make casting concrete difficult in situations where closely-spaced stirrups are required. The use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) could be considered as a potential alternative to the use of traditional shear reinforcement. Concrete is very weak and brittle in tension, SFRC transforms this behaviour and improves the diagonal tension capacity of concrete and thus can result in significant enhancements in shear capacity. However, one of the drawbacks associated with SFRC is that the addition of fibers to a regular concrete mix can cause problems in workability. The use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is an innovative solution to this problem and can result in improved workability when fibers are added to the mix. The thesis presents the experimental results from tests on twelve slender self-consolidating fiber reinforced concrete (SCFRC) beams tested under four-point loading. The results demonstrate the combined use of SCC and steel fibers can improve the shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams, enhance crack control and can promote flexural ductility. Despite extensive research, there is a lack of accurate and reliable design guidelines for the use of SFRC in beams. This study presents a rational model which can accurately predict the shear resistance of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams. The thesis also proposes a safe and reliable equation which can be used for the shear design of SFRC beams.