From articles found in publications of the past five to ten years, it appears that in many industries the actual image of purchasing does not coincide with its textbook image, which is that of being one of the most important functions within the company. Therefore, it is the purpose of this study to show that in Virginia manufacturing firms, the actual image of purchasing is different from the one presented in textbooks. Several hypotheses are developed and tested in this study. The general hypothesis states that the image of purchasing in Virginia manufacturing firms does not coincide with its textbook image of being one of the most highly recognized and important management functions, equal in status with sales and production. Many books, articles, related studies, and surveys were reviewed for pertinent data. In addition, two questionnaires were developed. One was used to survey VPl students in the fields of Business Administration and Engineering to acquire information about their knowledge and opinions of the purchasing field. The second one was used to survey 250 manufacturing firms in the State of Virginia concerning the purchasing functions. A return of 41.6 percent was experienced, and of these, 40 companies were classified as large businesses and 62 classified as small businesses on the basis of the number of employees. In investigating the purchasing image, the data from the questionnaires were compiled and presented in the following categories: location in the organizational structure, responsibilities, salaries, recognition, position status, career advancement, sources of purchasing personnel, personal characteristics, and educational background. Data from books and articles reviews in this study were combined with the questionnaire results in order to present a more complete analysis of the purchasing image. Based on the findings of the study, the general hypothesis stated above was rejected. It was concluded that progress had been made in developing the image of purchasing in Virginia manufacturing firms, but additional efforts are required to make the actual image of purchasing coincide with the theoretical image. Most of the other hypotheses were accepted based on the findings and the lack of contradictory evidence. Several recommendations were made which should be of assistance in improving this image. These recommendations were directed toward company management for use in their role of improving the purchasing image. / Master of Science

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:09:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2919741 bytes, checksum: e2646db8015a4181da35e3ee2b1a0e33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This dissertation is included in area of reuse of solid wastes in paving, with objective to use recycled concrete aggregates and pellet in asphaltic surface course. The aim of the research was to analyze the technical feasibility of asphalt mixtures made with recycled concrete aggregates and pellet, in partial replacement of natural aggregates of the conventional asphalt mix, from tests of physical characterization of aggregates and mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures. The materials used were crushed stone 19 mm, crushed stone 12 mm, crusher dust, recycled concrete aggregate, pellet and 50/70 pen asphalt cement, these materials were obtained from companies in the state of Paraíba. For natural aggregates were performed grading, Los Angeles abrasion, absorption and density. For recycled concrete aggregates were made grading and specific density, and for pellet was carried out grading. One conventional asphaltic mixture were produced containing natural aggregates (crushed stone 19, crushed stone 12, crusher dust) and 50/70 pen asphalt cement, and five asphaltic mixtures were made with partial replacements of crusher dust for recycled concrete aggregates and pellet, in proportions: i) 25% of recycled concrete aggregates; ii) 2% of pellet; iii) 4% of pellet; iv) 23% of recycled concrete aggregates with 2% of pellet, and v) 21% of recycled concrete aggregates with 4% of pellet. The C grading envelope was used and chosen according to DNIT ES 031/2006. The mixtures were performed by the Marshall mix design. The mechanical tests performed were Marshall stability, tensile strength by diametric compression, resilient modulus and Lottman test. The hot asphalt mix containing 75% of natural aggregates, 23% of recycled concrete aggregates and 2% of pellet showed greatest number of parameters in accordance with the technical standards, as a result the best technical viability / Esta dissertação está inserida na problemática de reaproveitamento de resíduos sólidos na pavimentação, buscando o emprego de agregados de resíduos de concreto e pelete em revestimentos asfálticos. O objetivo da pesquisa foi analisar a viabilidade técnica de misturas asfálticas feitas com agregados de resíduos de concreto e pelete, em substituição parcial aos agregados naturais de mistura asfáltica convencional tipo CBUQ, a partir de ensaios de caracterização física dos agregados e de desempenho mecânico das misturas asfálticas. Os materiais empregados foram brita 19, brita 12, pó de pedra, agregados de resíduos de concreto, pelete e CAP 50/70, obtidos de empresas do Estado da Paraíba. Para os agregados naturais foram realizados a granulometria, abrasão Los Angeles, absorção e densidade. Para os agregados de resíduos de concreto foram realizados os ensaios de granulometria e massa específica, e para o pelete foi realizada a granulometria. Seis misturas asfálticas foram realizadas, sendo uma mistura de referência com os agregados naturais (brita 19, brita 12 e pó de pedra) e CAP 50/70; as demais misturas foram feitas com substituições parciais do pó de pedra pelos agregados de resíduos de concreto e pelete, nas proporções: i) 25% de agregados de resíduos de concreto; ii) 2% de pelete; iii) 4% de pelete; iv) 23% de agregados de resíduos de concreto com 2% de pelete, e v) 21% de agregados de resíduos de concreto com 4% de pelete. A faixa granulométrica utilizada foi a faixa C, que foi escolhida com base na norma DNIT 031/2006 ES. As dosagens realizadas foram por meio do método Marshall. Os ensaios mecânicos realizados foram estabilidade Marshall, resistência à tração por compressão diametral, módulo de resiliência e o ensaio Lottman. A mistura asfáltica tipo CBUQ com 75% de agregados naturais, 23% de agregados de resíduos de concreto e 2% de pelete se apresentou com maior número de parâmetros em conformidade com as normas técnicas, o que evidenciou sua maior viabilidade técnica em relação às demais misturas asfálticas modificadas

DIPLOMA THESIS IN THEIR THEORETICAL PART ARE FOCUSE , USE LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATES FOR THE PRODUCE OF VERY LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE, FOCUSES PRIMARILY ON FOAM GLASS AGGREGATES. THERE ARE ALSO MENTIONED OTHERS LIGHTWEIGHT AGREGATES, WHICH WE ARE USE FOR PRODUCE O VERY LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE. THEN THERE ARE RISKS UNITED WITH VERY LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE. IN THE PRACTICAL PART IS THE PROPERTY ANALLYSIS OF FOAM GLASS AGGREGATES, DESIGN RECIPE VERY LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE AND MONITORED MECHANICAL A THERMAL PROPERTIES OF THESE CONCRETE.

A pesquisa teve como objetivo principal avaliar a incorporação de agregados reciclados de concreto em blocos estruturais de concreto para três classes de resistência (4,5 MPa, 8,0 MPa e 12,0 MPa). O estudo foi desenvolvido basicamente em quatro etapas. A primeira etapa consistiu na análise das propriedades físicas de agregados miúdos e graúdos reciclados de concreto originários de uma fábrica de pré-moldados. Na segunda etapa, foram analisadas as propriedades físicas e mecânicas de corpos-de-prova cilíndricos produzidos com concreto de consistência seca utilizando-se dois tipos de agregados reciclados previamente avaliados. O objetivo foi definir um intervalo de correlação entre a resistência à compressão de corpos-de-prova e blocos, verificar preliminarmente a influência dos agregados reciclados sobre as propriedades físicas e mecânicas e determinar os traços para a próxima etapa. Para a terceira etapa, foi avaliada a viabilidade técnica da produção de blocos com agregados reciclados através da análise de propriedades físicas e mecânicas, sendo também avaliada a viabilidade econômica pela proposição de algumas alternativas para reciclagem. De maneira geral, independentemente do grupo de resistência avaliado, todas as unidades com agregados graúdos reciclados cumpriram os requisitos estabelecidos; já para o estudo econômico, todas as hipóteses atestaram a viabilidade da produção de unidades com agregados reciclados com custos de produção e comercialização inferiores aos das unidades comumente produzidas. Finalmente, a quarta etapa, consistiu na avaliação da retração por secagem em miniparedes, resistência à compressão e módulo de deformação de elementos (prismas e miniparedes) produzidos com as unidades da etapa anterior. Em função dos resultados obtidos, pode-se afirmar que apenas a propriedade de retração por secagem foi afetada pelas unidades com agregados reciclados; nesse caso, a redução da distância entre juntas de controle foi considerada uma medida suficiente para minimizar os efeitos da retração por secagem. / The main goal of the present research project was the evaluation of recycled concrete aggregates incorporation in structural concrete blocks of three different levels of compressive strength (4,5 MPa, 8,0 MPa and 12,0 MPa). The study was developed in four stages. The first stage analyzed the physical properties of fine and coarse concrete aggregates derived from a precast concrete plant. In the second stage, physical and mechanical properties of dry consistency concrete cylindrical specimens were analyzed using two types of recycled aggregates. The aim was to define a correlation interval between the compressive strength of cylindrical specimens and concrete blocks, verify the influence of recycled aggregates on the physical and mechanical properties, and determine the better compositions to be used in the next stage. The third stage involved the technical viability of producing concrete blocks, and also the economic viability of some recycling alternatives. As a whole, independently of the strength class, the recycled coarse aggregate blocks fulfilled the required specifications; additionally the economic hypotheses confirmed the viability of producing recycled aggregate units with both production and market costs lower than those of the conventional units. Finally, the fourth stage dealt with the drying shrinkage of mini-walls, the compressive strength and the elasticity modulus of elements (prisms and mini-walls) built with units defined in the former stage. Based on the obtained results, the study showed that only the drying shrinkage property was affected by the recycled aggregates units; the reduction of the distance between two adjacent control joints was an adequate procedure to minimize the effects of the drying shrinkage in this case.

A pesquisa teve como objetivo principal avaliar a incorporação de agregados reciclados de concreto em blocos estruturais de concreto para três classes de resistência (4,5 MPa, 8,0 MPa e 12,0 MPa). O estudo foi desenvolvido basicamente em quatro etapas. A primeira etapa consistiu na análise das propriedades físicas de agregados miúdos e graúdos reciclados de concreto originários de uma fábrica de pré-moldados. Na segunda etapa, foram analisadas as propriedades físicas e mecânicas de corpos-de-prova cilíndricos produzidos com concreto de consistência seca utilizando-se dois tipos de agregados reciclados previamente avaliados. O objetivo foi definir um intervalo de correlação entre a resistência à compressão de corpos-de-prova e blocos, verificar preliminarmente a influência dos agregados reciclados sobre as propriedades físicas e mecânicas e determinar os traços para a próxima etapa. Para a terceira etapa, foi avaliada a viabilidade técnica da produção de blocos com agregados reciclados através da análise de propriedades físicas e mecânicas, sendo também avaliada a viabilidade econômica pela proposição de algumas alternativas para reciclagem. De maneira geral, independentemente do grupo de resistência avaliado, todas as unidades com agregados graúdos reciclados cumpriram os requisitos estabelecidos; já para o estudo econômico, todas as hipóteses atestaram a viabilidade da produção de unidades com agregados reciclados com custos de produção e comercialização inferiores aos das unidades comumente produzidas. Finalmente, a quarta etapa, consistiu na avaliação da retração por secagem em miniparedes, resistência à compressão e módulo de deformação de elementos (prismas e miniparedes) produzidos com as unidades da etapa anterior. Em função dos resultados obtidos, pode-se afirmar que apenas a propriedade de retração por secagem foi afetada pelas unidades com agregados reciclados; nesse caso, a redução da distância entre juntas de controle foi considerada uma medida suficiente para minimizar os efeitos da retração por secagem. / The main goal of the present research project was the evaluation of recycled concrete aggregates incorporation in structural concrete blocks of three different levels of compressive strength (4,5 MPa, 8,0 MPa and 12,0 MPa). The study was developed in four stages. The first stage analyzed the physical properties of fine and coarse concrete aggregates derived from a precast concrete plant. In the second stage, physical and mechanical properties of dry consistency concrete cylindrical specimens were analyzed using two types of recycled aggregates. The aim was to define a correlation interval between the compressive strength of cylindrical specimens and concrete blocks, verify the influence of recycled aggregates on the physical and mechanical properties, and determine the better compositions to be used in the next stage. The third stage involved the technical viability of producing concrete blocks, and also the economic viability of some recycling alternatives. As a whole, independently of the strength class, the recycled coarse aggregate blocks fulfilled the required specifications; additionally the economic hypotheses confirmed the viability of producing recycled aggregate units with both production and market costs lower than those of the conventional units. Finally, the fourth stage dealt with the drying shrinkage of mini-walls, the compressive strength and the elasticity modulus of elements (prisms and mini-walls) built with units defined in the former stage. Based on the obtained results, the study showed that only the drying shrinkage property was affected by the recycled aggregates units; the reduction of the distance between two adjacent control joints was an adequate procedure to minimize the effects of the drying shrinkage in this case.

Pavement foundations for major roads in the UK were historically designed on an empirical basis, related to a single design chart, restricting the incorporation of superior performing materials or materials for which the empirical data sets were not available. The adoption of performance based specifications was promoted as they are perceived to 'open up' the use of alternative materials (including 'local' sources of primary materials) or techniques, and allow for the incorporation of superior performance into the overall pavement design. Parallel developments to the performance based design of pavement foundations (allowing for superior performance) and in situ testing required the support of laboratory based performance tests. These laboratory based tests were required to determine material performance parameters (elastic modulus and resistance to permanent deformation) for both unbound and hydraulically bound pavement foundation materials. A review of the available laboratory apparatus indicated that they were either; unrealistic (and hence unable to provide the required material performance parameters), or overly complex and more suited to fundamental research. Therefore, the requirement for developmental research work was identified. The research reported herein details the development, manufacture and initial evaluation of simplified laboratory apparatus (the Springbox for unbound materials and static stiffness test for hydraulically bound mixtures) designed to produce the performance parameters of elastic modulus and relative resistance to permanent deformation for pavement foundation materials. The equipment and test procedure evaluation was undertaken across a range of materials, giving initial guidance on likely in situ performance. The innovative laboratory apparatus and materials guidance (including the potential to use recycled and secondary aggregates) was incorporated into key Highways Agency specification and guidance documents, which in turn influence construction practice outside of motorways and major trunk roads. This research concludes by outlining a number of recommendations for continued development and evaluation, including feeding back data sets from long term in situ performance testing for subsequent refinement of assumptions.

Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2016-01-06T14:43:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3084404 bytes, checksum: a557c23387b1239e1ed610d310cf09ee (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-06T14:43:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3084404 bytes, checksum: a557c23387b1239e1ed610d310cf09ee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-31 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / This study aimed to analyze environmental, chemical and mineralogical parameters of Recycled Aggregates (RA), classified as Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA), generated at the Plant for Improvement of Construction Solid Waste (USIBEN), in João Pessoa / PB, as well as some Natural Aggregates (NA). Environmental analyses were performed, through solubilization and leaching tests, as well as the characterization of its chemical and mineralogical composition by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses, and infrared spectrometry. In Step I, for the solubilized extract, the aggregates Gravel 12 RA, Gravel 25 RA, Fine Aggregate RA, Gravel 12 NA and Stone Dust NA had values above the limits set out in Annex G of the standard ABNT NBR Nº 10004/2004 for some chemical parameters, such as sulfate (250 mg / L), iron (0.30 mg / L) and aluminum (0.20 mg / L). This study also investigated the presence of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Al, Cu, Fe, Ni, Se, Zn), and, in accordance with the aforementioned standard, Gravel 12 RA exceeded the allowable limit for Cadmium. According to these results, the aggregates mentioned above changed their classification from Class II B – Inert – to Class II A – Non-Inert. In Step II, only four aggregates were selected to continue the study: Sand NA and RA; Gravel 12 NA and RA. The pH behavior of the aggregates chosen was investigated, and all of them suffered decay, stabilizing at alkaline pH (pH> 7). The chemical and mineralogical analyses (XRF, XRD, DTA / TG and IV) revealed the presence of quartz (SiO2) in the four samples, being the greater quantity in the NA ones. It was confirmed that the RA samples had compounds also found in mortar and concrete, such as calcium carbonate (CaCO3), alumina (Al2O3), iron oxide (Fe2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO) and cement hydration products, such as portlandite [Ca(OH)2] and plaster [CaSO42H2O]. It was concluded that the RA studied are viable for several uses, in relation to environmental, chemical and mineralogical analyses, since most compounds found in them are also part of NA used daily in civil construction. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar os parâmetros ambientais, químicos e mineralógicos de Agregados Reciclados (AR), classificados como Agregado Reciclado de Concreto (ARC), gerados na Usina de Beneficiamento de Resíduos Sólidos da Construção Civil (USIBEN) em João Pessoa/PB, como também alguns Agregados Naturais (AN). Foi realizada análise ambiental, através de ensaios de lixiviação e solubilização, bem como a caracterização da sua composição química e mineralógica, por fluorescência de raios X, difração de raios X, análise térmica diferencial e termogravimétrica e espectrometria de infravermelho. Na Etapa I, para o extrato solubilizado, os agregados brita 12 AR, brita 25 AR, agregado miúdo AR, brita 12 AN e pó de pedra AN apresentaram valores superiores ao limite definido no anexo G da ABNT NBR Nº 10004/2004 para alguns parâmetros químicos como sulfato (250 mg/L), ferro (0,30 mg/L) e alumínio (0,20 mg/L). Também investigou-se a presença de metais pesados (As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Al, Cu, Fe, Ni, Se, Zn) e de acordo com a referida norma, a brita 12 AR ultrapassou o limite permitido para o metal cádmio. De acordo com esses resultados, os agregados supracitados mudam sua classificação de Classe II B - Inertes, para Classe II A - não Inertes. Na Etapa II foram definidos apenas 4 agregados para continuidade: areia AN e AR; brita 12 AN e AR. Investigou-se o comportamento do pH dos 4 agregados e todos tiveram decaimento, estabilizando-se em pH alcalino (pH > 7). Para as análises químicas e mineralógicas (FRX, DRX, DTA/TG e IV) observou-se a presença de quartzo (SiO2) nas 4 amostras sendo em maior quantidade nos AN. Para as amostras AR foram comprovadas a presença de compostos presentes em argamassa e concreto, como carbonato de cálcio (CaCO3), alumina (Al2O3), óxido de ferro (Fe2O3), óxido de magnésio (MgO) e produtos da hidratação do cimento, como a portlandita [Ca(OH)2] e gesso [CaSO42H2O]. Portanto os AR estudados são viáveis em relação a análise ambiental, química e mineralógica, para diversas utilizações, pois a maioria dos compostos encontrados neles também fazem parte dos AN, usados diariamente na construção civil.

Les agrégats de molécules d'eau constituent une classe d'espèces chimiques importante du fait de leur rôle central dans de nombreux processus physico-chimiques et biologiques terrestres, en particulier, les processus atmosphériques. Leurs propriétés physiques et chimiques sont particulièrement sensibles aux effets de taille et aux effets de température, ce qui les rend particulièrement difficile à caractériser expérimentalement. Ainsi, mes travaux de thèse ont porté sur l'étude théorique des propriétés structurales, dynamiques et thermodynamiques ainsi que sur la réactivité de divers agrégats de molécules d'eau avec pour objectif de mettre en place des outils de modélisation adaptés, permettant une description plus fine de ces systèmes. Pour cela, nous avons utilisé des approches de dynamique moléculaire de type "parallel-tempering" qui ont été couplées avec des calculs d'énergie et de gradient réalisés par la méthode Self-Consistent-Charge Density-Functional based Tight-Binding (SCC-DFTB). Trois grands volets ont été abordés au cours de ces travaux. Dans la première partie, l'analyse détaillée des structures des agrégats d'eau (H2O)nSO24- et (H2O)nH2SO4 avec n=1-20 est présentée. Nous avons mis en évidence l'influence de la nature de l'impureté soufrée sur le réseau de liaisons hydrogène de ces agrégats. La deuxième partie de cette thèse porte sur l'étude de la transition de phase "solide-liquide" dans divers agrégats de molécules d'eau. En plus des agrégats soufrés évoqués ci-dessus, nous avons également étudié des agrégats d'eau protonés contenant de 19 à 23 molécules d'eau. Pour mieux comprendre le mécanisme de transition de phase, nous avons considéré divers changements structuraux associés à la transition tels que l'évolution des distributions d'angles intermoléculaires et l'évolution du nombre de cycles de molécules dans l'agrégat. Nous avons également caractérisé la transition de phase au travers d'indicateurs dynamiques tels que la fréquence de transfert du proton en excès. La dernière partie de cette thèse est consacrée à l'étude de l'influence de petits agrégats d'eau (allant de 1 à 10 molécules d'eau) sur la réaction de recombinaison entre l'atome H et la molécule CO. Cette réaction est la première étape de formation des molécules organiques oxygénées simples dans le milieu interstellaire. Elle présente donc un intérêt particulier. Grâce à l'analyse de dynamiques collisionnelles entre H et CO ainsi qu'au calcul de sections efficaces de réaction, nous avons montré que la présence des molécules d'eau joue un rôle important dans le processus de formation du radical HCO. / Water clusters constitute an important class of chemical species due to their central role in many physico-chemical and biological processes, in particular, atmospheric processes. Their physical and chemical properties are particularly sensitive to size and finite-temperature effects, which makes them particularly difficult to characterize experimentally. This thesis focused on the theoretical investigation of the structural, dynamical and thermodynamical properties as well as on the reactivity of various water clusters with the aim to implement appropriate modeling tools to enable a more detailed description of these systems. To do so, we used the paralleltempering molecular dynamics approach that was coupled with calculations of energies and gradients carried out by the Self-Consistent-Charge Density-Functional based Tight-Binding (SCC-DFTB) method.Three main areas were addressed during the work. In the first part, a detailed analysis of the structure of water clusters (H2O)nSO24- and (H2O)nH2SO4 with n=1-20 is performed. This study highlights the influence of the nature of the sulfur impurity on the hydrogen bond network of these species.The second part of this thesis focuses on the study of the "solid-liquid" phase transition in various water clusters. In addition to the sulfur-containing water clusters mentioned above, we also investigated protonated water clusters containing from 19 to 23 water molecules. To better understand the phase transition mechanism, we considered various structural changes associated with the transition, such as the evolution of the distributions of intermolecular angles and the evolution of the number of molecular rings in the cluster. We also characterized the phase transition through dynamical indicators such as the crossover frequency of the excess proton. The last part of this thesis is devoted to the study of the influence of small water clusters (from 1 to 10 water molecules) on the recombination reaction between the H atom and the CO molecule. This reaction is the first step in the formation of simple oxygenated organic molecules in the interstellar medium. It is therefore of particular interest. Due to the analysis of collisional dynamics between H and CO and the calculation of effective reaction cross sections we showed that the presence of water molecules plays an important role in the HCO radical formation.

Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / Charles W. Rice / The sequestration of atmospheric CO[subscript]2 into soil through no-till management is an economic and viable method for reducing greenhouse gases, but maintaining no-till practices are necessary to sequester C in the long-term. Our study focused on the effects of a single tillage operation on soil organic C and N and aggregation in no-till soils when no-till practices are immediately resumed after tillage. Three locations in western Kansas were selected that had been in continuous dryland no-till for at least 5 years – Wallace, Tribune, and Spearville. Tillage treatments were administered in 2004 and consisted of no-till (NT), disk plow (DP), sweep plow (SwP), and chisel plow (CP). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Soil samples were taken at 0-5, 5-15, and 15-30 cm depths. Composite samples were taken from each block prior to tillage and tested for whole soil organic C and N. Further soil samples were collected in spring 2005 at approximately nine months after tillage (MAT) and again in fall 2005 at approximately 12 MAT and tested for whole soil organic C and N and aggregate size distribution. Bulk density was measured for each plot and depth prior to sampling at 12 MAT. Twelve MAT samples were also tested for aggregate-associated C and N. The DP tillage had a greater C concentration than NT and CP when averaged over depth and time, but C mass did not vary between tillage systems. Changes in whole soil C and N over time varied by location, but the differences were similar between tillage treatments. Tillage treatments DP and SwP also had a greater mass of macroaggregate (250-1000 [Mu]m) associated C relative to CP (but not to NT) for Wallace in the surface 0-5 cm at 12 MAT. No other differences between tillages in aggregate-associated C were observed. A single tillage event did not have a significant impact on aggregate size distribution. The greatest amount of aggregate-associated C and N existed in the large microaggregate (53-250 µm) fraction. Changes in aggregate distribution or aggregate-associated C or N did not directly correlate to changes in whole soil C and N. We therefore conclude that a single tillage operation using these implements will not result in a measurable loss in sequestered C over time for dryland soils in a semi-arid climate such as western Kansas.

Recycling composite glass with different colours in order to be manufactured into new glass products is at present not economically viable. Therefore, the search for new issues other than stockpile areas or dumping sites could be a serious opportunity. To a certain extent, one of the possible solutions is to use the recycled glass in manufacturing cements and in the preparation of concrete mixtures. However, it is essential to manage the two main behaviours that the glass can have when used in cement-based materials: (1) the use of glass as coarse aggregates reveals harmful behaviour related to alkali-silica reaction; (2) on the other hand, it can result in useful behaviour related to pozzolanic reaction if used as fine particles. Furthermore, the significant alkali content should not be overlooked as their mass corresponds to about 13% of the total mass of the glass and as they may activate the alkali-silica reaction. An experimental programme was conducted to provide answers to the various questions raised about the use of glass in cement-based materials. The first part of this work was primarily devoted to the evaluation of the reactive potential of glass in mortars (alkali and pozzolanic reactions). At this stage, nine classes of glass particles ranging from 3[mu]m to 2.5 mm were considered. Then, fine glass particles were used in order to counteract the negative effect of some classes of coarse aggregates having revealed alkali-reactive behaviour. The second part of this work was performed to study the mechanisms that could explain the behaviours of fine and coarse particles in aqueous and concentrated environments. Different answers have been proposed to explain the observed behaviour in terms of grain sizes of glass.