Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is often used as a replacement of virgin aggregate in road foundations (base course), embankments, hot-mix asphalt, and Portland cement concrete. However, the use of RCA in exfiltration drainage systems, such as French drains, is currently prohibited in many states of the U.S. The French drain system collects water runoff from the road pavement and transfers to slotted pipes underground and then filters through coarse aggregate and geotextile. The primary concerns with using RCA as a drainage media are the fines content and the precipitation of calcium carbonate to cause a reducing in filter fabric permittivity. Additional concerns include the potential for rehydration of RCA fines. The performance of RCA as drainage material has not been evaluated by many researchers and the limited information limits its use. A literature review has been conducted on the available information related to RCA as drainage material. A survey was issued to the Departments of Transportation across the nation in regards to using RCA particularly in French drains. Some state highway agencies have reported the use of RCA as base course; however, no state reports the use of RCA in exfiltration drainage systems. This thesis describes the investigations on the performance of RCA as backfill material in French drains. RCA was tested for its physical properties including, specific gravity, unit weight, percent voids, absorption, and abrasion resistance. RCA cleaning/washing methods were also applied to evaluate the fines removal processes. The potential for RCA rehydration was iv evaluated by means of heat of hydration, pH, compressive strength, and setting time. The permeability of RCA was tested using the No. 4 gradation. Long term permeability testing was conducted to evaluate the tendency for geotextile clogging from RCA fines. Calcium carbonate precipitation was also evaluated and a procedure to accelerate the precipitation process was developed. The results show that RCA has a high abrasion value, that is, it is very susceptible to break down from abrasion during aggregate handling such as transportation, stockpiling, or placing. The most effective cleaning method was found to be pressure washing with agitation. RCA has not demonstrated the tendency to rehydrate and harden when mixed with water. The permeability test results show that the No. 4 gradation does not restrict the flow of water; the flow rate is highly dependent on the hydraulic system itself, however excessive fines can cause large reductions in permeability over time. It has been determined that No. 4 gradation of RCA can provide a suitable drainage media providing the RCA is properly treated before its use.

ABSTRACT Comparative study of established test methods for aggregate strength and durabilityof Archean rocks from Botswana In the current situation, river sand is used for building of roads and as raw material forconcrete in Botswana. River sand is a finite resource and important to preserve as itacts as natural water purification, groundwater aquifer and protection against soil erosion.Mining of bedrock may be a good alternative to replace the river sand with crushed rock(aggregates) in concrete and as road materials.The main purpose of this thesis was to determine if the rock grain size can be usedas a parameter to indicate durability and rock strength. It was also of interest to find outif the grain size correlates with established technical analysis and strength test methods.This knowledge can be used as a prospecting tool when searching for new quarry sites inthe future.In this master’s thesis, rock samples from the Gaborone granite complex have beenanalysed to examine how established test methods and the mineral grain size correspondswith the rock strength. By comparing technical properties (Los Angeles (LA) value ,aggregate crushing value (ACV), aggregate impact value (AIV) and 10 percent fines aggregatecrushing test (10 % FACT)) with quantitative analysis (mineral grain size andmineral grain size distribution), it is possible to determine the mineral grain size correspondenceto rock strength. Generally the result show that more fine-grained granitesshow better technical properties than more coarse-grained granites. The calculated meangrain size show weak negative correlation to ACV value, and a positive correlation to LA-, AIV- and 10 % FACT values. Best correlation can be seen between mean grain size andLA values (R2= 0.61) and AIV values (R2= 0.58). Low mean grain size tend to give bettertechnical properties in form of lower LA- and AIV values. The cumulative distributioncurve show that a high concentration of very fine material or fine material tend to contributeto a lower LA value. The results indicate that equigranular rocks with low meangrain size contributes to good technical properties, but when it comes to uneven grainedrock more factors must be taken into account to estimate technical properties.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Kyle Riding / Some limestone coarse aggregate in concrete pavement can break down under repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Application of rock salt may increase the severity of exposure conditions because of trace compounds, such as calcium sulfate, in rock salt. Subsequently, limestone aggregate in concrete was subjected to freeze-thaw cycling in two methods: salt-treating the aggregate before batching concrete, and half-immersing concrete specimens in rock salt solution during freeze-thaw cycling. Concrete and saw-cut limestone specimens were also subjected to wet-dry cycles in varying salt solutions to examine the influence of trace compounds in rock salt. Freeze-thaw test results indicate that the test methods used were not severe enough to determine if a limestone aggregate was durable or not. The wet-dry testing was also not severe enough to determine the effects of trace compounds in salt solution.

Musica Stellarum is an original composition for full symphony orchestra. It seeks to evoke the life of a star from its birth in a gaseous nebula to its death as a massive supernova using musical parallels. The chemical processes involved in stellar nucleosynthesis are represented through an exploration of TC relationships. Lighter elements are represented by smaller pitch class sets and as they combine together through processes such as inversion and transposition, larger, "heavier" sets are created. Elements of Sonata Form and a strong structural emphasis on Golden Section (GS) relationships are also major features of Musica Stellarum. Section and phrase length are determined by GS measurements of time. This piece also uses delayed aggregate completion to build tension. Inspired by a theory by astrophysicist Dr. Adam Burrows, who argued that supernovae could be triggered by sound waves resonating at approximately F4, the F above middle C is used to complete the aggregate at the climax of the piece.

近年來，許多專家學者廣泛探討偵測稀有疾病的發生率或稱為叢集上的空間或空間對時間的統計方法及模型。這些方法大部分都是處理個別資料或是只能偵測接近圓形的叢集。在這篇論文中，根據Choynowski在1959年所探討的方法，我們進一步提出針對整體資料去偵測非圓形叢集的方法，並且會將此方法與Nagarwalla’s Spatial Scan Statistic做比較。同時，我們會呈現模擬結果中的型一、型二誤差來衡量此方法的可行性。另外，我們也會將此方法實際應用到台灣的癌症死亡資料做探討。 / In recent years, many statistical methods have been proposed for detecting excesses of rare diseases, i.e., clusters, in space or in space-time. Most of these methods deal with case-event or individual-level data and can only detect clusters with shape close to circles. In this study, adapting Choynowski's (1959) idea, a simulation-based approach is proposed to detect non-circular clusters with aggregate or group-level data. The proposed cluster detection method will be used to compare with a frequently used method: Nagarwalla’s Spatial Scan Statistic. Computer simulation is used to illustrate the validity, with respect to Type-I and Type-II errors, of the proposed approach. In addition, the cancer mortality data in Taiwan area are also used as a demonstration of the proposed test.

Statistical models are necessary to quantify and understand the risk from natural hazards. A statistical framework is developed here to investigate the e ect of dependence between the frequency and intensity of natural hazards on the aggregate risk. The aggregate risk of a natural hazard is de ned as the sum of the intensities for all events within a season. This framework is applied to a database of extra tropical cyclone tracks from the NCEP-NCAR reanalysis for the October to March extended winters between 1950 and 2003. Large positive correlation is found between cyclone counts and the local mean vorticity over the exit regions of the North Atlantic and North Paci c storm tracks. The aggregate risk is shown to be sensitive to this dependence, especially over Scandinavia. Falsely assuming independence between the frequency and intensity results in large biases in the variance of the aggregate risk. Possible causes for the dependence are investigated by regressing winter cyclone counts and local mean vorticity on teleconnection indices with Poisson and linear models. The indices for the Scandinavian pattern, North Atlantic Oscillation and East Atlantic Pattern are able to account for most of the observed positive correlation over the North Atlantic. The sensitivity of extremes of the aggregate risk distribution to the inclusion of clustering, with and without frequency intensity dependence, is investigated using Cantelli bounds and a copula simulation approach. The inclusion of dependence is shown to be necessary to model the clustering of extreme events. The implication of these ndings for the insurance sector is investigated using the loss component of a catastrophe model. A mixture model approach provides a simple and e ective way to incorporate frequency-intensity dependence into the loss model. Including levels of correlation and overdispersion comparable to that observed in the reanalysis data results in an average increase of over 30% in the 200 year return level for the aggregate loss.

My dissertation project investigates Paul Feyerabend's later work, focusing on his epistemological and ontological positions. This thesis analyzes Feyerabend's later pluralistic philosophy and his view of historicity of knowledge from examples of the interpretation of the transition from archaic pre-rational epistemological framework to Greek and Western rationalism. The first part outlines Feyerabend's philosophical development along with his continuously changing philosophical views and offers an account of Feyerabend's critical reception among the philosophical community. The second part focuses on Feyerabend's interpretation of archaic Greek thought. Feyerabend presents a pre-rational epistemological framework in his concept of "paratactic aggregate." Feyerabend's idea is based on an analysis of late geometric figurative art and on development of Snell's linguistic research in the scope of Homeric psychology. Feyerabend highlights this original archaic worldview and explains the rise of rationality in classical Greek philosophy and culture primarily as the result of a complex idiosyncratic socio-historical process and not as progress in the development of man's reasoning. The purpose of this part of my thesis is to demonstrate how Snell's and Feyerabend's interpretation of this archaic...

The reuse of crushed aggregates for producing structural concrete is a major concern especially when it comes to its strength and durability. This study evaluated recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) for its strength and durability under simulated environmental degradation in the form of wetting-drying (W-D) cycles. The study consisted of two phases, each involving the determination of the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity using the conventional method and also a nondestructive ultrasonic pulse velocity method (Pundit Lab). Phase 1 involved 7-day curing followed by 30 W-D cycles, while Phase 2 included 28-day cured samples subjected to 15 W-D cycles. It was found that RAC specimens subjected to W-D cycles had minimal degradation in strength, making the use of RAC in construction very promising. Results from Pundit Lab compared reasonably well with conventional test results, showing promise as a nondestructive tool for the evaluation of RAC properties. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

A maioria dos processos de fabricação de um produto geram resíduos. Quando não se dispõem de uma tecnologia para o seu reaproveitamento, certamente este material será depositado na natureza e poderá ocasionar inúmeros problemas ambientais. Este trabalho trata da reutilização dos resíduos de concreto como agregado, para dosagens de concreto estrutural. Na maioria das vezes, os agregados provenientes de resíduos são considerados materiais de baixa qualidade, isso ocorre pelo desconhecimento de suas propriedades e da tecnologia para seu emprego. Fazendo uma pesquisa bibliográfica, teórica e experimental, o objetivo deste estudo foi de uma maneira informativa, contribuir para o entendimento do material, caracterizando algumas propriedades do agregado e do concreto reciclado. / Most of making process of a product produces residue. When there isn\'t a technology to use it again, certainly this material will be deposited in nature and it can bring about countless environmental problems. This work presents the reuse of concrete residues as aggregate, for dosage of structural concrete. Most of times, the aggregates provenient from the residues are considered low quality materials, it occurs due to the lack of knowledge of its properties and technology for its use. Doing a bibliographical, theorical and experimental research, the objective of this study was, on an informative way, to contribute for understanding of the material, characterizing some properties of aggregate and the recycled concrete.

Fluid-tight obturation of the root canal space is an important requirement for successful root canal treatment. Gutta percha, used as a core material in combination with different sealers, is the most commonly used root filling material and is considered the gold standard. However, it does not possess all the properties of the ideal obturation material. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a cement material based on calcium silicates (CSC). It sets by hydration, provides excellent sealing ability, is biocompatible/bioactive and has performed successfully in different clinical applications. The use of MTA as an orthograde obturation material has been proposed. However, MTA is difficult to handle and very little is known about the most appropriate technique to ensure good compaction within the shaped root canal. This research aims to investigate the performance of MTA when used as an orthograde obturation material. The effect of different times of ultrasonic activation of unset material on the incidence of voids in root canals was investigated. Manual compaction of MTA using hand pluggers without ultrasonic activation resulted in minimal void formation. Ultrasonic activation resulted in significantly higher incidence of voids. The removal of the smear layer prior to obturation with MTA resulted in a significantly reduced push-out bond strength between the MTA and radicular dentine. The apical sealing ability of MTA orthograde filling was assessed in comparison with gutta percha and sealer using a dye leakage model. It was concluded that MTA provides a better apical seal against dye penetration over a 30-day observation period. The ability of MTA to reinforce the remaining root structure in comparison with gutta percha and sealer was investigated. MTA significantly increased the resistance to vertical root fracture after one month of storage in synthetic tissue fluid. The radiopacity of MTA together with new calcium silicate cements was assessed and it was concluded that MTA was more radiopaque than gutta percha but less radiopaque than AH-plus sealer. The use of MTA as an orthograde obturation material has shown some potential of enhanced clinical performance in comparison with gutta percha and sealer in terms of sealing ability and bioactivity. However, there are certain disadvantages for obturation with this category of materials in its present form. It is important to point out that MTA is still in its early stages of development. With further improvements to its physical properties, MTA can present a valuable option for obturation of the root canal space.