In respect of autogenous and drying shrinkage and the effects of relaxation creep during the hydration cycle, roller compacted concrete in dams has to date been universally assumed to behave in the same manner as conventional mass concrete, despite notional evidence to the contrary on prototype dam structures, particularly in respect of high-paste RCC. While the results of laboratory materials testing and associated early behaviour analyses for RCC have been published, no conclusive example exists in the public domain whereby predicted behaviour is confirmed through measured behaviour on a comprehensively-instrumented prototype dam structure. In his PhD thesis, Quentin Shaw presents evidence to indicate that the early behaviour of RCC, and particularly high quality, high-paste RCC in dams, is quite different to that of CVC. Referring to instrumentation records from Wolwedans and Knellpoort dams in South Africa, Çine Dam in Turkey, Wadi Dayqah Dam in Oman and Changuinola 1 Dam in Panama, indications of less than expected shrinkage and stress relaxation creep during the hydration cycle in the constituent RCC are documented. Taking the comprehensively-instrumented and monitored Wolwedans Dam, the actual materials behaviour of the constituent RCC is evaluated through the replication of the prototype behaviour on a finite element model. Through this analysis, it is clearly demonstrated that the level of shrinkage and stress relaxation creep that would be traditionally assumed in RCC simply did not occur. In fact, the analyses suggested that no shrinkage, or creep was apparent. The reasons for the different behaviour of high-paste RCC compared to CVC are subsequently explored. With Wadi Dayqah Dam as the only example evaluated where some drying shrinkage and/or stress relaxation creep was obviously apparent, the evident susceptibility of this lean RCC mix, with a high w/c ratio, a high content of non-cementitious fines, natural gravel aggregates, a high aggregate water absorption and placement in a very dry environment, is noted. However, it is considered to be the combination of a strong aggregate skeletal structure developed through roller compaction and a low w/c ratio that results in a particularly resilience in high-paste RCC to early shrinkage and creep. It is also recognised that temperature and gravity effects in an arch dam structure will tend to limit, or even eliminate containment stresses in the critical load-carrying upper section and that this will reduce the risk and impact of stress relaxation creep. Consequently, a new understanding of the early behaviour of RCC in large dams is presented, suggesting that a high quality RCC mix in an arch dam can be designed for a cumulative shrinkage and stress relaxation creep under the hydration cycle of approximately 20 microstrain, compared with a more traditionally accepted value of between 125 and 200 microstrain. The implications of these findings on the design of large RCC dams are demonstrated to be significant, particularly in respect of RCC arch dams. In addition, suggestions are made for the requirements in respect of RCC mix design for negligible shrinkage and creep, while an approach to combine the use of field measurement with structural modelling to predict and demonstrate actual RCC behaviour is briefly discussed. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Civil Engineering / unrestricted

The objective of this study was to improve the operation of the classical semiautogenous and ball milling circuit also known as the SABC circuit. In order to achieve this goal, the challenges around this circuit were identified as the formation of critical sized material in a SAG mill. The size class considered for the critical sized material also known as pebbles was -100+23 mm. The attainable region (AR) method was used as an optimisation technique for the generated results using a computer simulation programme. MODSIM® demo version 3.6.22 is ore processing simulator that was used. The research was divided into two sections, the first being the variation of feed flow rate ranging from 50 – 150 tph and ore feed size ranging between 100 and 600 mm. The second section compared the variation of the operating parameters of the SAG mill, which were mill filling, ball filling, ball size and mill speed. The AR technique graphically presented the results which indicated the best operating conditions to minimise pebble formation. The effects of mill filling on a SAG mill indicate that a higher filling produces lower pebbles. Lower pebble generation also was observed at a higher ball filling. The influence of ball size indicated that the larger ball size was more effective in the reduction of pebbles. For mill speed the media displayed two common mode operations namely cascading at a low speed of 65% and cataracting at higher speed of 75%. The higher speed generated the least pebbles. / College of Engineering, Science and Technology / M. Tech. (Chemical Engineering)

Most of the high-grade ores have been depleted globally, thus the effective processing of the low-grade and complex ores require a comprehensive mineral characterization through the process mineralogy/ geometallurgical approaches. 30-70 % of the total energy consumption in mining comes from the comminution step in mineral processing. This study, is aimed to investigate how different mineral domains in Lappberget, Garpenberg affect the grinding energy and throughput of an autogenous grinding mill (AG) and how blending different mineralogical domains will have an effect on throughput. The results were obtained through automated mineralogy using a Zeiss Sigma 300 VP at the QANTMIN scanning electron microscope (SEM) laboratory (Luleå University of Technology) and an in-house grindability test developed by Boliden Mineral AB. There is approximately a multiple of three times differences in the amount of energy consumption and throughput between the hardest and softest mineralogical domains. This difference is attributed to mineral composition of the individual domains and mineral characteristics. Blending different samples indicate that a higher throughput can be achieved and one possible hypothesis is that the harder minerals act as grinding media.

Super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) has found a wide use in demanding applications such as offshore, chemical and petrochemical industries thanks to its excellent combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Welding of SDSS, however, is associated with the risk of precipitation of secondary phases and formation of excessive amounts of ferrite in the weld metal and heat affected zone. The present study was therefore aimed at gaining knowledge about the effect of multiple welding thermal cycles on the microstructure and possible sensitization to corrosion of welds in SDSS.Controlled and repeatable thermal cycles were produced by robotic welding. Oneto four autogenous TIG-remelting passes were applied on 2507 type SDSS plates using low or high heat inputs with pure argon as shielding gas. Thermal cycles were recorded using several thermocouples attached to the plates. Thermodynamic calculations and temperature field modelling were performed in order to understand the microstructural development and to predict the pitting corrosion resistance. Etching revealed the formation of different zones with characteristic microstructures: the fused weld zone (WZ) and the heat affected zone composed of the fusion boundary zone (FBZ), next to the fusion boundary, and further out Zone 1 (Z1) and Zone 2 (Z2). The WZ had a high content of ferrite and often nitrides which increased with increasing number of passes and decreasing heati nput. Nitrogen content of the WZ decreased from 0.28 wt.% to 0.17 wt.% after four passes of low heat input and to 0.10 wt.% after four passes of high heatinput. The FBZ was reheated to high peak temperatures (near melting point) and contained equiaxed ferrite grains with austenite and nitrides. Zone 1 was free from precipitates and the ferrite content was similar to that of the unaffected base material. Sigma phase precipitated only in zone 2, which was heated to peak temperatures in the range of approximately 828°C to 1028°C. The content of sigma phase increased with the number of passes and increasing heat input.  All locations, except Z1, were susceptible to local corrosion after multiplere heating. Thermodynamic calculations predicted that a post weld heat treatment could restore the corrosion resistance of the FBZ and Z2. However, the pitting resistance of the WZ cannot be improved significantly due to the nitrogen loss. Steady state and linear fitting approaches were therefore employed to predict nitrogen loss in autogenous TIG welding with argon as shielding gas. Two practical formulas were derived giving nitrogen loss as functions of initial nitrogen content and arc energy both predicting a larger loss for higher heat input and higher base material nitrogen content. A practical recommendation based on the present study is that it is beneficial to perform welding with a minimum number of passes even if this results in a higherheat input as multiple reheating strongly promotes formation of deleterious phases.

Streptococcus suis, l'une des principales bactéries pathogènes présentes chez les porcelets sevrés, est responsable d’importantes pertes économiques dans l'industrie porcine. Aujourd'hui, les vaccins autogènes composés de bactéries tuées (bactérines) sont principalement utilisés mais les études ayant mesuré leur effet chez les porcs sont rares et controversées. Cette étude a évalué la réponse immunitaire induite par ces vaccins sur le terrain en comparant la vaccination des truies (immunité passive transférée aux porcelets) et des porcelets (immunité active). L’étude utilisait une ferme ayant des problèmes récurrents à S. suis et était divisée en deux parties : I) Les porcelets de truies non vaccinées ont reçu 2 doses d'une bactérine autogène. II) Les truies ont reçu 2 doses du même vaccin durant la gestation. Les réponses en anticorps ont été analysées par ELISA et leur effet protecteur par un test d'opsonophagocytose (OPA). La vaccination des porcelets n'a pas induit de réponse immunitaire active même après deux doses. Dans la deuxième partie, des taux élevés d'anticorps (principalement d'origine maternelle) avec une importante activité OPA ont été observés chez les porcelets âgés d’environ 1 semaine, indépendamment de la vaccination des truies. Ils diminuaient à 3 semaines d’âge, période la plus à risque. Malgré une légère augmentation des anticorps chez les truies vaccinées, le transfert d'immunité maternelle aux porcelets restait identique. Globalement, un programme de vaccination actif ou passif de porcelet avec la bactérine autogène utilisée ici n'a pas induit de protection durable chez les porcelets post-sevrés. Une amélioration de la formulation du vaccin est requise. / Streptococcus suis, one of the most important bacterial pathogen in weaned piglets, is responsible for serious economic losses in the swine industry. Today, mostly autogenous vaccines composed of killed bacteria (bacterins) are used but studies that assessed their protective effect on pigs are missing and their ability to protect is controversial. This comparative field study evaluated the immunological response induced by these vaccines comparing vaccination of sows (passive immunity transferred to piglets) or piglets (active immunity). Using a sow herd with recurrent S. suis problems, the study was divided in two parts: I) Piglets from non-vaccinated sows received 2 doses of an autogenous bacterin. II) Sows received 2 doses of the same vaccine during gestation. Antibody responses were analyzed by ELISA and their protective effect was evaluated by an opsonophagocytosis assay (OPA). Piglet vaccination failed to induce an active immune response even after two vaccine doses. In the 2nd part of the study, high levels of antibodies (mainly maternal-derived) with marked OPA activity were observed in piglets at 1 week old approximately, independently of sow vaccination. These antibodies decreased at 3 weeks of age, in the post-weaning high-risk period. In spite of a slight increase of antibodies in vaccinated sows, maternal immunity transfer to piglets did not increase. Overall, an active or passive piglet vaccination program with the autogenous bacterin used herein failed to induce lasting protection in post-weaned piglets. An improvement of vaccine formulation may be required.

Streptococcus suis est une bactérie pathogène qui cause d'importantes pertes économiques dans l'industrie porcine à travers le monde. Comme il n’existe pas de vaccins commerciaux en Amérique du Nord, l'utilisation d'autovaccins administrés aux cochettes/truies pour induire des anticorps passifs chez les porcelets représente une alternative intéressante pour les producteurs. Cependant, il n’existe aucune production standardisée de ces vaccins et le produit final peut être très différent d'un laboratoire agréé à l'autre. Dans la présente étude, un vaccin autogène (« bacterin ») polyvalent contenant les sérotypes 1/2, 2, 5, 7 et 14 de S. suis a été préparé par un laboratoire agréé et utilisé dans un programme de trois doses administrées aux cochettes par voie intramusculaire. La réponse humorale (anticorps) chez les cochettes ainsi que le transfert passif d'anticorps aux porcelets ont été évalués. Contrairement à ce qui avait été publié précédemment avec un vaccin autogène produit par une autre compagnie, la réponse anticorps accrue observée chez les cochettes vaccinées était suffisante pour améliorer le transfert d'anticorps maternels aux porcelets âgés de 3 à 5 semaines. Cependant, les porcelets resteraient encore sensibles à la maladie à S. suis qui apparaît souvent pendant la deuxième partie de la période en pouponnière. Le niveau élevé d'anticorps n'a pas affecté l'excrétion de S. suis (ainsi que celle de sérotypes spécifiques de S. suis inclus dans le vaccin) chez les cochettes et les porcelets. Bien que tous les traitements antibiotiques aient été absents pendant l'essai, l'effet protecteur clinique du programme de vaccination avec le vaccin autogène n'a pas pu être évalué, car des cas limités d’infection à S. suis étaient présents pendant l'essai. D'autres essais pour évaluer l'utilité de la vaccination des cochettes/truies avec des vaccins autogènes pour protéger les porcelets de pouponnière devraient être réalisés. Il est nécessaire, pour les futurs essais sur le terrain, de toujours inclure un groupe témoin non vacciné, d'éliminer si possible tout traitement antimicrobien dans l'élevage et de confirmer l'étiologie des cas cliniques par un diagnostic en laboratoire lors de l'évaluation de l'effet protecteur de tels vaccins autogènes. / Streptococcus suis is a bacterial pathogen that causes important economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. Since there are no commercial vaccines available in North America, the use of autogenous vaccines applied to gilts/sows to induce maternal antibodies to protect piglets is an attractive alternative for producers. However, there is no universal standardization in the production of such vaccines and the final product may be highly different among licenced laboratories. In the present study, a polyvalent autogenous vaccine (“bacterin”) with S. suis serotypes 1/2, 2, 5, 7 and 14 was prepared by a licenced laboratory and used in a three-dose program given to gilts intramuscularily. The humoral (antibody) response in gilts as well as the passive transfer of antibodies to piglets were evaluated. Different from what was previously published with an autogenous vaccine produced by a different company, the increased response seen in vaccinated gilts when compared to non-vaccinated animals was sufficient to improve maternal antibody transfer to piglets of 3 to 5 weeks of age. However, piglets would still remain susceptible to S. suis disease that often appears during the second part of the nursery period. The high level of antibodies did not affect S. suis (as well as that of specific serotypes of S. suis included in the vaccine) shedding by both, gilts and piglets. Although all antibiotic treatments were absent during the trial, the clinical protective effect of the vaccination program with the autogenous vaccine could not be evaluated, since limited S. suis clinical cases were present during the trial. Further trials to evaluate the usefulness of gilt/sow vaccination with autogenous vaccines to protect nursery piglets should be done. There is a need, for future field trials, to always include a control non-vaccinated group, to eliminate if possible any antimicrobial treatment in the farm and to confirm the etiology of clinical cases by a diagnostic laboratory when evaluating the protective effect of such autogenous vaccines.

Introdução: Este estudo tem o objetivo principal comparar os efeitos da crioterapia com enxerto ósseo e a crioterapia sem enxerto ósseo associada à cirurgia de enucleação e curetagem de lesões ósseas benignas da mandíbula, quanto à porcentagem de osso absorvido 6 meses após o procedimento cirúrgico. Os objetivos secundários são comparar os índices mandibulares panorâmicos nos dois momentos de avaliação e entre procedimentos utilizados; e, comparar os dois procedimentos quanto às proporções de complicações pós-operatórias. Métodos: Este estudo prospectivo foi realizado entre período de outubro de 2002 a dezembro de 2003, no Departamento de Odontologia do Hospital Amaral Carvalho, em pacientes adultos provenientes da região do Estado de São Paulo. Para tanto, 20 pacientes com lesões ósseas mandibulares benignas, com padrão de crescimento agressivos e expansivos, e, dimensões com intervalo de 25mm a 100mm em seu maior diâmetro, foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois grupos, de 10 pacientes cada. Selecionamos para este estudo o ameloblastoma, o queratocisto odontogênico e o mixoma odontogênico devido às características clinicas e radiográficas serem semelhantes, e, o prognóstico das lesões serem bons mediante aos tratamentos propostos. Todos foram submetidos a tratamentos conservadores, através da enucleação e curetagem associada à crioterapia com nitrogênio líquido, na forma de spray, com 3 ciclos de um minuto de congelamento e intervalo de 5 minutos entre cada ciclo. O Grupo B - estudo recebeu enxerto ósseo autógeno imediato sobre as paredes ósseas remanescentes e o Grupo A - controle não recebeu. As áreas doadoras foram o mento e o ramo mandibular, ou a crista ilíaca, conforme as dimensões da lesão. O osso foi homogeneizado em particulador ósseo, para remover a variável de reabsorção. A avaliação radiográfica foi realizada em todos os pacientes através da radiografia panorâmica, no intervalo pré-operatório e pósoperatório de 6 meses. As medidas foram aferidas através do paquímetro eletrônico digital da LYMAN®. Segundo o método de Wical e Swoope (1974), foram identificados os indicadores de massa óssea mandibular para avaliar a Porcentagem de Osso Absorvido (%OA), e, segundo Benson et al., 1991, o Índice Panorâmico Mandibular (PMI). Resultados: A distribuição do tipo de lesão por grupo de tratamento foi equivalente, e a taxa entre os grupos foi de 65% ameloblastoma, 20% queratocisto odontogênico e 15% o mixoma odontogênico. O local da lesão com maior incidência foi de corpo e ramo mandibular com 85% entre grupos. A distribuição do gênero foi de 70% feminino no Grupo A e 70% masculino no Grupo B, no total de 50% para cada gênero entre grupos. A idade média entre os grupos foi de 28,25 anos, sendo a mediana de 29,50 anos Grupo B e 19 anos Grupo A. O valor médio da área da lesão avaliado foi de 1984,19mm2 Grupo A e 1035,59mm2 Grupo B. A porcentagem média de osso absorvido por grupo de tratamento 6 meses após a cirurgia foi de 52,94% no Grupo A e 21,70% Grupo B. Portanto, a altura óssea alveolar residual foi de 79,30% do nível préoperatório no grupo enxertado e 47,06% do nível pré-operatório no grupo não enxertado. As mudanças do Índice Mandibular Panorâmico ao longo dos momentos de avaliação foram similares nos dois grupos, não ocorrendo interação momento*grupo (p = 0,7684). O Grupo A mostrou complicações pós-operatórias com taxa de 30% para fratura patológica, 40% seqüestro ósseo e 30% infecção, em contrapartida não ocorreram no Grupo B. Entretanto, no Grupo A ocorreu 60% parestesia e 80% deiscência, enquanto o Grupo B mostrou em 80% e 40% dos casos. A taxa de recidiva e edema foi de 10% e 40% em ambos os grupos. Conclusões: O grupo tratado através da crioterapia com enxerto ósseo particulado tende a ter menos fratura patológica, seqüestro ósseo, infecção e deiscência, e maior altura óssea alveolar residual do que o grupo tratado pela crioterapia sem enxerto / Introduction: This study has the main objective to compare the effects of the cryotherapy with bone grafting and the cryotherapy without bone grafting associated to the enucleation surgery and curettage of benign bone mandibular lesions, with relationship to the bone percentage absorbed 6 months after the surgical procedure. The secondary objectives are to compare the panoramic mandibular index at the two moments of evaluation and between used procedures; and, to compare the two procedures concerning the proportions of postoperative complications. Methods: This prospective study was accomplished between October, 2002 and December, 2003, in the Department of Dentistry of the Hospital Amaral Carvalho, in adult patients in the area of the State of São Paulo. Twenty patients with benign mandibular bone lesions with aggressive and expansible growth pattern, and, dimensions with interval between 25mm and 100mm in its largest diameter, randomly were distributed in two groups, of 10 patients each. We selected for this study the ameloblastoma, the odontogenic keratocyst and the myxoma due to the clinical and radiographics characteristics are similar, and, the prognostic of lesions are good to the proposed treatments. All lesions after receiving enucleation and curettage were treated by liquid nitrogen cryotherapy in the form of a spray, with 3 freeze cycles of 1-minute freeze followed by a 5-minute thaw between each cycle. The Group B - study received immediate cancellous bone grafting on the residual bone walls and the Group A - control didn\'t receive. The graft donor sites were symphysis mandibulae, branch mandibulae and the iliac crest, according to the dimensions of the lesion. The bone was homogenized in bone crusher to remove the reabsorption variable. The radiographic evaluation was accomplished in all the patients through the panoramic radiograph, in the preoperative and postoperative interval of 6 months. The measures were confronted through the electronic digital caliper LYMAN®. According to the method of Wical and Swoope (1974), were identified the indicators of mandibular bone mass to evaluate the Percentage of Bone Height Remaining, and, according to Benson et al., 1991, the Panoramic Index Mandibular (PMI). Results: The distribution of the lesion type for treatment group was equivalent, and the rate between the groups was of 65% in ameloblastoma, 20% odontogenic keratocyst and 15% the odontogenic myxoma. The site of the lesion with larger incidence was of body and branch mandibular with 85% between groups. The distribution of the gender was of 70% feminine in the Group A and 70% masculine in the Group B, in the total of 50% for each gender between groups. The average age between the groups was of 28,25 years old, being the medium of 29,50 years old Group B and 19 years old in the Group A. The medium value of the area of the lesion was of 1984,19 mm2 Group A and 1035,59 mm2 Group B. The average percentage of bone absorbed by treatment group six months after the surgery was of 52,94% in the Group A and 21,70% in the Group B. Therefore, the residual alveolar bone height was of 79,30% on the preoperative level in the grafted group and 47,06% on the preoperative level in the no grafted group . The changes of the Panoramic Mandibular Index along the moments of evaluation were similar in the two groups, not showing interaction moment*group (p = 0, 7684). The Group A presented postoperative complications with rate of 30% for pathologic fracture, 40% bone sequestra and 30% infection, whereas it did not happen in the Group B. However, Group A showed 60% paresis 80% wound dehiscence while in the Group B it was observed in 80% and 40% of cases. An evaluation of the recurrences and swelling was of 10% and 40% in both groups. Conclusions: The treated group through the cryotherapy with cancellous bone grafting showed to have less pathologic fracture, bone sequestra, infection and wound dehiscence and result in greater residual alveolar bone height than the group treated by the cryotherapy without bone grafting.

Objetivos: O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar comparativamente o potencial osteogênico in vitro de células obtidas do ramo mandibular (RM, área doadora) e do seio maxilar enxertado com uma mistura de RM e osso bovino inorgânico (OBI), previamente à instalação de implantes de titânio (SM, sítio do seio maxilar enxertado). Material e Métodos: As células foram obtidas de três pacientes submetidos a procedimentos de aumento do soalho do seio maxilar com a proporção de 1:1 de RM e OBI (GenOx Inorg®). No momento da realização dos enxertos no seio maxilar e após 08 meses, antes da inserção dos implantes de titânio, fragmentos ósseos foram colhidos do RM e do SM, respectivamente, e submetidos à digestão enzimática com tripsina e colagenase para obtenção de células primárias. As células foram subcultivadas e crescidas sob condições osteogênicas por até 21 dias, tendo sido avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: proliferação/viabilidade celular, expressão gênica de marcadores osteoblásticos, atividade de fosfatase alcalina (ALP) e conteúdo de cálcio, por extração do vermelho de Alizarina. Culturas primárias derivadas do RM foram expostas ao GenOx Inorg® por 7 dias, quando se avaliou a atividade de ALP. Os resultados foram comparados por ANOVA two-way, seguido do teste de Tukey, ou pelo teste de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Culturas do SM exibiram uma redução significante do potencial osteogênico se comparado ao de culturas do RM, com um aumento progressivo na proliferação celular associado a uma redução da expressão dos marcadores osteoblásticos, da atividade de ALP e do conteúdo de cálcio. A exposição do GenOx Inorg® às células primárias derivadas do RM inibiram a atividade de ALP. Conclusão: Esses resultados sugerem que o uso do GenOx Inorg® em associação a fragmentos do RM para aumento do soalho do seio maxilar inibe a diferenciação de células osteoblásticas no sítio de inserção de implantes de titânio após 8 meses de enxertia. / Objectives: This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the in vitro osteogenic potential of cells obtained from the mandibular ramus (MR, autogenous bone donor site) and from the maxillary sinus bone grafted with a mixture of anorganic bovine bone (ABB) and MR prior to titanium implant placement (MS, grafted implant site). Material and methods: Cells were obtained from three patients subjected to maxillary sinus floor augmentation with a 1:1 mixture of ABB (GenOx Inorg®) and MR. At the time of the sinus lift procedure and after 8 months, prior to implant placement, bone fragments were taken from MR and MS, respectively, and subjected to trypsin-collagenase digestion for primary cell culturing. Subcultured cells were grown under osteogenic condition for up 21 days and assayed for proliferation/viability, osteoblast marker mRNA levels, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium content/Alizarin red staining. ALP activity was also determined in primary explant cultures exposed to GenOx Inorg® (1:1 with MR) for 7 days. Data were compared using the two-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test; otherwise, the Mann-Whitney test was used. Results: MS cultures exhibited a significantly lower osteogenic potential compared with MR cultures, with a progressive increase in cell proliferation together with a downregulation of osteoblast markers, reduced ALP activity and calcium content. Exposure of MR-derived primary cultures to GenOx Inorg® inhibited ALP activity. Conclusion: These results suggest that the use of GenOx Inorg® in combination with MR fragments for maxillary sinus floor augmentation inhibits the osteoblast cell differentiation at the implant site in the longterm.

A l’heure actuelle où la préservation de notre environnement est primordiale, les constructions en béton font intervenir de plus en plus des ciments comprenant des ajouts minéraux, tels que le laitier, les cendres volantes… En effet, la production des ciments composés permet de réduire le dégagement des gaz à effets de serre et de réutiliser des déchets industriels. Les bétons formulés à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau (CEM III) sont également largement utilisés suite à leur bonne résistance aux réactions alcali-silices, à la diffusion des chlorures et aux attaques sulfatiques… Cependant, certains ouvrages construits avec ce type matériau ont présenté au jeune âge des problèmes de fissuration liés à la restriction de leurs déformations différées, telles que le retrait endogène, thermique et de dessiccation. Suite à cette observation, des essais préliminaires ont été réalisés au laboratoire du service BATir de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles. Ils ont mis en avant plusieurs caractéristiques du comportement de ces matériaux : 1. Lors du suivi du retrait restreint à l’aide de l’essai à l’anneau en condition de dessiccation, le béton formulé à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau a fissuré bien avant le béton formulé à base de ciment Portland. 2. Le retrait total en condition libre du béton formulé à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau est nettement supérieur à celui du béton formulé à base de ciment Portland. Cette différence de comportement est principalement due à l’accroissement rapide et plus élevé du retrait endogène des bétons formulés à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau. Au vu de ces résultats expérimentaux, il a semblé intéressant de déterminer quel était l’impact de la déformation endogène des bétons formulés à base de ciments au laitier de haut-fourneau (CEM III) sur leur sensibilité à la fissuration. Afin de répondre à cette question, les déformations différées (retrait endogène, fluage propre en compression et en traction) au jeune âge de trois compositions de béton avec différentes teneurs en laitier (0, 42 et 71%) ont été étudiées expérimentalement en conditions libre et restreinte. Cependant, le suivi du retrait endogène libre et restreint a nécessité le développement de plusieurs dispositifs expérimentaux limitant au maximum les artefacts de mesure, tels que la TSTM (Temperature Stress Testing Machine). De plus, l’interprétation de ces résultats expérimentaux a également nécessité une caractérisation du comportement de ces matériaux à l’échelle macro- et microscopique. Finalement, cette étude a montré que malgré une déformation endogène plus élevée, les bétons formulés à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau fissurent après le béton formulé à base de ciment Portland. Ce comportement est dû à : -l’impact du laitier sur la réaction d’hydratation du matériau cimentaire ; -la présence d’une expansion de la matrice cimentaire des bétons formulés à base de ciment au laitier de haut-fourneau au jeune âge qui retarde l’apparition des contraintes de traction au sein du matériau ; -la plus grande capacité de ces matériaux cimentaires à relaxer les contraintes de traction/ Today, the use of concretes with mineral additions (fly ash, slag) for civil engineering structures is spreading worldwide. Indeed, the production of blended cements is more respectful of the environment than the production of Portland cement, because it allows reducing greenhouse gas emissions and using industrial wastes. Slag cement concretes are also largely used for their good resistance to alkali-silica reactions, sulphate attacks and chloride diffusion. However, some of constructions built with slag cement concretes have exhibited cracking at early age due to their restrained deformations, such as thermal, autogenous and drying shrinkage. Following these observations, a preliminary experimental study was realized in the laboratory of BATir Department at ULB. It revealed several characteristics of the behaviour of slag cement concretes: 1. The study of restrained deformations under drying conditions by means of ring tests showed that the slag cement concretes seem more prone to crack than the Portland cement concretes; 2. The total free shrinkage for slag cement concrete is clearly larger than for Portland cement concrete. This difference of behaviour is mainly due to the fast and large increase in the autogenous deformation of the slag cement concrete. Following these experimental results, the effect of the autogenous deformation on the cracking sensibility of slag cement concretes seemed interesting to investigate. Their deformations (autogenous deformation, compressive and tensile basic creep) have been studied at early age for three concretes characterized by different slag contents (0, 42 and 71%) under free and restrained conditions. For monitoring free and restrained autogenous deformations, several test rigs aimed at limiting artefacts were designed, like the TSTM (Temperature Stress Testing Machine). Moreover, the behaviour of these concretes was also characterized by a study at a macro- and microstructure scale. Finally, this study shows that the slag cement concretes under sealed and fully restrained conditions crack later than the Portland cement concrete, despite the fact that they are characterized by the largest autogenous deformation. This behaviour is due to: - the slag effect on the hydration reaction of cementitious material; - the cement matrix expansion of the slag cement concretes at early age which delays the occurrence of tensile stresses inside the material; - the largest capacity of this concrete to relax tensile stresses.

- Ziele der Arbeit - Ziel vorliegender Arbeit ist, zu analysieren und zu beurteilen, in welchem Umfang autogene Moorregeneration nach anthropogenen Störungen auftritt, welche Voraussetzungen sie erfordert und welche Prozesse von Bedeutung sind. Forstliche und naturschutzfachliche Relevanz der Erkenntnisse sind zu prüfen. - Versuchsanlage und Methoden - Die Versuchsanlage umfasst verschiedene räumliche Skalenebenen und Zeitabschnitte. Im Untersuchungsraum sächsisches Erzgebirge befinden sich fünf Untersuchungsgebiete. Geschichtliche Aspekte werden auf Basis von Recherchen, der aktuelle Moorzustand anhand von Geländeerhebungen zu Vegetation und Standort analysiert. Langzeitbeobachtungen dienen dem Nachweis von Sukzessionsprozessen und den sie beeinflussenden Umweltfaktoren. Regenerationsprozesse werden anhand von Regenerationsmerkmalen, die eigens für diese Zwecke erarbeitet wurden, lokalisiert und im Kontext mit dem aktuellen Moorzustand und den Erfordernissen von Naturschutz und Forstwirtschaft interpretiert. - Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerungen - - Das Aufnahmematerial lässt die Differenzierung von 28 Vegetationstypen zu, die anhand von Artengruppen und Zeigerwerten charakterisiert und als Kartiereinheiten zur Bewertung der Moore verwendet werden. Die Moorfläche im Untersuchungsraum wird auf 8.500 ha geschätzt. Jedes untersuchte Moor weist eine spezifische Kombination abiotischer sowie biotischer Merkmale auf und ist deshalb individuell zu bewerten. Entwässerungen und Torfstiche führen zu starker Degeneration, Dominanz von Wald, Seltenheit moortypischer Pflanzenarten, Offengesellschaften, nässegeprägter hydromorphologischer Strukturen sowie ökosystemrelevanter Schlüsselarten. Hinzu kommt eine Schädigung der Baum- und Moosschicht durch SO2-Immissionen bis in die 1990er Jahre und eine nachfolgende Regeneration. - Wiedervernässungen durch Graben- und Torfstichverlandung sind anhand von Zeitreihen und aktuellen Regenerationsmerkmalen nachweisbar. Autogene Moorregeneration kommt selbst in stark degenerierten Mooren vor. Regenerationsbereiche sind häufig, erreichen aber nur einen geringen Anteil an der Moorfläche (Untersuchungsraum: 1 %, Untersuchungsgebiete: 12 %). Sie haben meist mesotrophen Charakter. Eine erhöhte Regenerationsdisposition tritt u. a. bei konvergenten Wasserströmen und geringen Neigungen auf. Lokale Prozesse wie die Bildung von Fließhindernissen beeinflussen das Unwirksamwerden von Gräben. Die Etablierung torfbildender Vegetation nimmt eine Schlüsselstellung ein. Verschiedene Stufen eines diskontinuierlichen Regenerationsfortschritts sind zu unterscheiden und in bisher bekannte Prozessabläufe einzuordnen. Häufigkeit und Flächenverhältnis initialer und fortgeschrittener Regeration legen nahe, dass Regenerationsprozesse auf größerer Fläche ablaufen, jedoch nicht erkannt werden. Regeneration führt zu Standortsdrift und Ausbreitung moortypischer Arten. Das Regenerationspotenzial ist abiotisch vorgegeben. Irreversible Veränderungen der hydromorphologischen Struktur durch Entwässerung oder Torfabbau setzen der Regeneration Grenzen. Anthropogene Stoffeinträge und Mangel an Schlüsselarten bewirken weitere Einschränkungen. - Soweit eine rentable Holzproduktion Ziel ist, stellen autogen regenerierende Moore schwer bis nicht bewirtschaftbare Standorte dar, die aufgrund von Standortsdrift und teils Gehölzfeindlichkeit ein hohes Produktionsrisiko bergen. Naturschutzfachlich sind Regenerationsprozesse eine Chance und ein bedeutendes Schutzgut, da sie zu höherwertigeren Moorlebensräumen führen. Bei fortgeschrittener Regeneration erübrigen sich kostenintensive Eingriffe. Ein statischer Schutz wird dem Prozesscharakter nicht gerecht. Initialstadien und Bereiche, die noch nicht regenerieren, aber ein hohes Potenzial aufweisen, lassen sich effizient fördern. Die starke Degeneration der Moore im Untersuchungsraum begründet bei geringem Anteil aktueller Regenerationsbereiche einen hohen Handlungsbedarf, einschließlich eines abschirmenden Schutzes sowie effizienter Kontrollmechanismen. - Geeignete Datengrundlagen zur Lokalisierung von Flächen mit einem hohen Regenerationspotenzial fehlen weitgehend. Eine Behebung dieses Defizits ist möglich. / - Objectives - The objective of this work is to analyse and to assess to which extent autogenous peatland regeneration occurs after anthropogenic disturbances, what preconditions it requires and what processes are important. Relevance of the findings for forestry and nature conservation is to be examined. - Experimental set-up and methods - The experimental set-up comprises various spatial scale levels and time periods. Five study sites are located in the study area Saxon Erzgebirge Mountains. Historical aspects are analysed based on investigations, the actual condition of the peatland is determined by ground surveys focusing on the vegetation and the site. Long-term observations serve to prove succession processes and the environmental factors influencing them. Regeneration processes are localized by means of regeneration characteristics, which were elaborated just for this purpose, localized, and interpreted in the context of the actual peatland condition and of the requirements of nature conservation and forestry. - Results and conclusions - - The material under survey allows distinguishing between 28 vegetation types which are characterised by means of species groups and indicator values and which are used as mapping units for evaluating the peatlands. The peatland area in the study area comprises an estimated 8500 ha. Each investigated peatland has a specific combination of abiotic and biotic characteristics and therefore needs to be evaluated individually. Drainage and peat cuttings lead to strong degeneration, dominance of forest, rarity of plants species typical of peatland, open-land associations, wetness-coined hydromorphological structures as well as ecosystem-relevant key species. In addition, the tree and moss layer had been damaged by SO2-pollution up to the 1990ies and a succeeding regeneration. - Recurring wetting due to filling-up of ditches and peat cuttings by sedimentation are verifiable by time sequences and actual regeneration characteristics. Autogenous peatland regeneration occurs even in heavily degenerated peatlands. Regeneration areas are frequent, accounting, however, only for a small share at the peatland area (study area: 1 %, study sites: 12 %). Often they are of mesotrophic nature. An increased disposition to regeneration is found, among others, in case of convergent water flows and slight inclinations. Local processes like the formation of obstacles for the flowing may cause ditches to become ineffective. Establishing of peat-forming vegetation is a crucial phenomenon. Various stages of a discontinuous regeneration progress can be differentiated and allocated to the processes that are known so far. Frequency and the area ratio of initial and progressed regeneration suggest that regeneration processes take place on a larger area, but that they are not recognised. Regeneration leads to site drifting and the distribution of peatland species. The regeneration potential is given by abiotic conditions. Irreversible changes of the hydro-morphological structure due to drainage or peat cutting are limiting factors for the regeneration. Anthropogenic input of matter and lack of key species bring about other restrictions. - If a profitable timber production is aimed at, autogenously regenerated peatlands are sites difficult to manage or that cannot be managed at all, involving a high production risk due to site drifting and partly inadequacy for woody plants. For nature conservation, regeneration processes are a chance and an important asset worth of protection, as they lead to high-grade peatland habitats. In the case of advanced regeneration cost-intensive operations are not necessary. A protection of static nature is inadequate for the process character. Initial stages and zones not yet under regeneration, implying, however, a high potential, can be promoted efficiently. Heavy degeneration of the peatlands in the study area, given a low proportion of actual regeneration zones, justifies a strong call for action, including a shielding protection as well as efficient control mechanisms. - An appropriate data basis for localisation of areas, having a high regeneration potential, is largely missing. Remedying this deficit is possible.