The development of Marchetti's flat dilatometer, method of testing, changes of Marchetti's (1980,1981) original correlations and Schmertmann's (1982,1983) proposed correlations are briefly described. Factors affecting results of the dilatometer test (DMT) are discussed. In order to improve the understanding of the Marchetti dilatometer test (DMT), an electronic research dilatometer was developed at UBC. The research dilatometer can measure; pore pressure at the center of the membrane, membrane displacement, applied pressure, pushing force and verticality. Test results obtained from the research dilatometer in sand and in clayey deposits at 4 sites in the Lower Mainland of B.C. are presented. Soil parameters interpretated using Marchetti's (1980,1981) and Schmertmann's (1982,1983) correlations are discussed. Comparison is made to other in-situ testing methods such as cone penetration test, vane shear test and pressuremeter test. Based on a better understanding of the DMT, future potential methods of improving or checking the existing correlations are proposed. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Civil Engineering, Department of / Graduate

Unter ökonomischen und ökologischen Zwängen geht der Trend in der Porzellanherstellung dahin, den Brennprozess immer weiter zu beschleunigen und damit die Brenndauer zu verkürzen. Die Aufheizrate beim Brand wird dazu zunehmend erhöht. In der Folge treten, durch fehlende Standfestigkeit des sinternden Scherbens bedingt, bleibende Verformungen auf. Außerdem führen große Dichtegradienten im Scherben zu Rissen, die sich beim Brand nicht mehr schließen. Eine bessere Kenntnis der Sinterphänomene während des Brandes trägt zur Lösung dieser Probleme bei. Deshalb wurden in dieser Arbeit Methoden der Sinteranalyse auf Porzellan angewandt und erweitert: die Aufstellung eines Kinetic Field, die Untersuchung der Temperaturleitfähigkeit und die Analyse des Verformungsverhaltens beim Brand. Die Untersuchungen fanden in einer umgebauten und erweiterten Thermo- Optischen Meßanlage (TOM) statt. In dieser Meßanlage können gleichzeitig die Schwindung und die Temperaturleitfähigkeit in-situ während der Sinterung gemessen werden. Um die industriellen Brennbedingungen von Porzellan möglichst genau in den Labormaßstab zu übertragen, wurde die TOM um den Betrieb unter wasserdampfhaltiger Brennatmosphäre erweitert. Zur Untersuchung des Verformungsverhaltens von Porzellan während der Sinterung in der TOM wurde weiterhin ein Aufbau entwickelt, der besonders den optischen Gegebenheiten in der Meßeinrichtung Rechnung trägt. Während der Sinterung kann die Probe mit einer definierten Kraft belastet und die resultierende Verformung optisch gemessen werden. In Versuchsreihen zum Porzellanbrand, bei denen Aufheizraten, Maximaltemperaturen, Belastungen und Atmosphären verändert wurden, wurden gleichzeitig Schwindung und Temperaturleitfähigkeit gemessen. Aus den Schwindungsdaten der unbelasteten Sinterungen wurde ein Kinetic Field von Porzellan erstellt. Es zeigt die Sintergeschwindigkeit in Abhängigkeit von der Temperatur und der Aufheizrate. Das Kinetic Field erlaubt, die Sintervorgänge von Porzellan abhängig von den Brennparametern vorherzusagen. Es ist somit ein wichtiges Werkzeug zur Optimierung von Brennvorgängen, da es den Schritt von arbeits- und kostenintensiven "Trial and Error"-Versuchen zu materialangepaßten theoretischen Optimierungen ermöglicht. Mittels Finite-Differenzen-Verfahren wurden die Dichtegradienten im Porzellanscherben während des Brandes berechnet. Diese Berechnung konnte erstmals gekoppelt, unter Berücksichtigung sowohl der Wärmeleitfähigkeits- als auch der Dichteentwicklung, erfolgen. Dichtegradienten begünstigen die Ausbildung von Rissen beim Brand. Die Berechnung der Dichtegradienten kann auf jedes beliebige Brennregime angewandt werden. So kann im Vorfeld der industriellen Umsetzung ein Brennprogramm auf minimale Dichtegradienten und geringe Rißneigung während des Brandes optimiert werden. Aus Verformungsmessungen wurde die Standfestigkeit von Porzellan während des Brandes bestimmt. Sie beeinflußt wesentlich die Verformung des Scherbens während des Brandes. Auch hier kann durch wenige Versuche im Labor die Verformung von Porzellan während des industriellen Brandes vorhergesagt werden. Dadurch wird die Optimierung auf geringste Verformung möglich. Bei der Untersuchung der Sintergeschwindigkeit des untersuchten Porzellans fallen zwei charakteristische Maxima auf, die in den Temperaturbereichen auftreten, in denen die Dichtegradienten im Scherben stark ausgebildet sind und in denen auch die Standfestigkeit gering ist. Diese Erscheinungen werden mit Sinterphänomenen der Flüssigphasensinterung in Verbindung gebracht. Sie resultieren aus mehreren, teils gegeneinander wirkenden und sich überlagernden Sintervorgängen. Beim Brand unter industrieller, feuchter Brennatmosphäre treten die einzelnen Sinterphänomene unabhängig von der Aufheizrate immer bei der gleichen Temperatur auf. Dieses Verhalten ist sehr ungewöhnlich und wurde bisher noch nicht beobachtet. Es kann dadurch erklärt werden, daß die feuchte Atmosphäre die Viskosität der glasbildenden Schmelzphase im Werkstück stark erniedrigt und in der Folge Gleichgewichtsphänomene der Sinterung geschwindigkeitsbestimmend werden. Aus den gesammelten Erkenntnissen wurden Hinweise zur optimierten Brennführung beim Brand des hier untersuchten Porzellans formuliert. Ziel war es, Produkte ohne Verformungen und Risse mit dem kürzestmöglichen Brennzyklus zu erhalten. Dazu sollte die Aufheizung möglichst schnell erfolgen, so daß Bereiche niedriger Festigkeit schnell durchfahren werden. Die obere Grenze der Aufheizgeschwindigkeit wird durch Temperatur- und Dichtegradienten im Werkstück bestimmt, die zu mechanischen Spannungen und damit zu Rissen führen können. Dieses Verhalten konnte rechnerisch simuliert werden. In Verbindung mit neuen Ofentechnologien ist es möglich, die Dauer des Porzellanglattbrandes auf deutlich unter vier Stunden zu verringern. / With raising economic and ecologic demands, the firing process during the manufacturing of porcelain is speeded up more and more. Heating rates are increased and the total firing time is reduced. As a result, due to lack of stability, deformation of the sintering porcelain body occurs. Additionally, large density gradients initiate cracks in the porcelain body. Increased knowledge of the sintering phenomena during porcelain firing is needed to solve these problems. Therefore, methods of sintering analysis were applied to porcelain and extended when needed: the kinetic field, in-situ thermal diffusivity measurements and the analysis of deformation behaviour during the sintering process. All measurements were carried out in a Thermo-Optical Measurement Device (TOM). With this laboratory installation, shrinkage and thermal diffusivity of a sample can be determined simultaneously and in-situ during sintering. To precisely transfer the industrial manufacturing conditions of porcelain to the laboratory, the TOM was upgraded to work with industrial gas atmospheres containing water vapour. Furthermore, a measurement setup for in-situ determination of the deformation behaviour in the TOM was developed. The sample is loaded with a well-defined weight during sintering and the resulting deformation is measured optically. In laboratory trials, the firing process of porcelain was simulated using different heating rates, maximum temperatures, loads and gas atmospheres. Sample shrinkage and thermal diffusivity were measured concurrently. The shrinkage data of unloaded samples was used to develop the kinetic field of porcelain. The kinetic field shows the sintering velocity as a function of temperature and heating rate. It allows the prediction of the sintering activity of porcelain during the firing process depending on the sintering parameters. Therefore, the kinetic field is a valuable tool for the optimisation of firing processes, as it may replace labour-intensive trial and error¨experiments by a material-adapted theoretical optimisation. Finite difference calculations were used to determine the density gradients in a porcelain body during sintering. Density gradients favour the formation of cracks during sintering. The calculations were carried out in a coupled way, incorporating the changes of both thermal diffusivity and density during the sintering process. Finite difference calculations can be applied to any sintering regime and allow to optimise a sintering process for minimised density gradients and crack formation in the run-up to the industrial implementation. Using deformation measurements, the stability of loaded porcelain during sintering was examined. The stability considerably determines the deformation of the porcelain body during firing. Only a small number of laboratory experiments allow the prediction of the deformation behaviour during industrial firing and allow the optimisation of the firing process with respect to minimised deformation. The examination of the sintering velocity of porcelain revealed two characteristic maxima. They coincide with the two temperature ranges where strong density gradients occur in the porcelain body and the deformation resistance is low. This is associated with liquid phase sintering phenomena. The effects result from several sintering processes that partly superimpose themselves and partly act against each other. When sintering under industrial atmosphere that contains water vapour, the specific sintering phenomena occur, irrespective of the heating rate, at identical temperatures. This behaviour is unusual and has not been observed before. It is explained by assuming that the water vapour-containing atmosphere drastically lowers the viscosity of the liquid phase in the porcelain body. Consequently, equilibrium phenomena become dominant for the velocity of sintering. All results were combined to propose an optimised firing regime for the porcelain that was examined. The aim was to produce porcelain bodies without deformations or cracks with the shortest possible firing cycle. To reach this aim, the initial heating rate should be as high as possible, so that the zones of small deformation resistance are quickly passed. The upper boundary of the initial heating rate is set by the developing temperature and density gradients, that induce mechanical strains and therefore cracks in the porcelain body. The whole complex behaviour was simulated. Together with new kiln technologies it is possible to reduce noticeably the firing time of porcelain to less than four hours.

The purpose of this report is to document the experiments carried out, methods used and results gained during research into how the silicon content of an aluminium alloy affects the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The goal of this paper is to better understand and to find a relation between silicon content and the coefficient of thermal expansion. Experiments were carried out using carefully prepared samples of Al Si alloys (0, 7, 10 and 20% Si content). Using these alloys, the CTE could be measured using a dilatometer.Comparative analysis carried out could map the effects of silicon content on the coefficient of thermal expansion and an equation was created. Using simple graphs and the rule of mixture method, the authors were able to build a simple tool for calculating the CTE of specific aluminum silicon alloys.

The effects of using alkali-silica reaction (ASR) affected recycled concrete aggregate (ASR-RCA) in hot mix asphalt (HMA) were investigated in this study. Dilatometer and modified beam tests were performed to determine the possibility of new ASR occurring in reactive aggregates within the HMA or re-expansion of existing gel. The Lottman test and micro-calorimeter were used to determine the moisture susceptibility of HMA made with ASR-RCA. A differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to evaluate the drying of an artificial gel and x-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to check for the potential presence of gel in the filler fraction of the ASR-RCAs. Micro-deval and freeze-thaw tests were evaluated for their potential to indicate the presence of excess micro-cracks or ASR gel. Expansion testing indicated that both ASR-RCAs were still reactive with 0.5 N NaOH solution saturated with calcium hydroxide (CH) at 60 degrees C. Dilatometer testing of HMA specimens in NaOH CH solution at 60 degrees C indicated a reaction between the asphalt binder and the solution, but little, if any, ASR. The lack of expansion in the modified beam test supports the binder-solution interaction. However, dilatometer testing in deicer solution at the same temperature indicated that some ASR may have occurred along with the primary binder-solution interaction. The volume change characteristics associated with the binder-solution interaction with and without ASR was supported by the change in pH and alkali concentration of the test solution. DSC/TGA testing indicated that the artificial gel dehydrated at approximately 100 degrees C. XRD analysis of the filler indicated that some gel may have accumulated in this fraction. Moisture damage testing indicated good resistance to moisture damage by HMA mixtures made with ASR-RCA especially compared to a virgin siliceous aggregate. Micro-deval and freeze-thaw tests can detect the presence of micro-cracks due to ASR in ASR-RCAs as higher mass loss than the virgin aggregate. The potential distress mechanisms that may occur when using ASR-RCA in an HMA pavement were identified. Results obtained using accelerated laboratory conditions were extrapolated based on anticipated field conditions. Guidelines for the mitigation of potential distresses in HMA made with ASR-RCA are presented.

<p>The purpose of this report is to document the experiments carried out, methods used and results gained during research into how the silicon content of an aluminium alloy affects the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE).</p><p>The goal of this paper is to better understand and to find a relation between silicon content and the coefficient of thermal expansion.</p><p>Experiments were carried out using carefully prepared samples of Al Si alloys (0, 7, 10 and 20% Si content). Using these alloys, the CTE could be measured using a dilatometer.Comparative analysis carried out could map the effects of silicon content on the coefficient of thermal expansion and an equation was created. Using simple graphs and the rule of mixture method, the authors were able to build a simple tool for calculating the CTE of specific aluminum silicon alloys.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

The purpose of this study was twofold: to design, construct and commission a testing chamber for the calibration of in-situ devices in clay and to use the chamber to carry out a programme of research into the factors affecting the results of the Marchetti dilatometer test. A calibration chamber system was developed which was capable of producing one metre high by one metre diameter cylindrical beds of clay. The preparation technique involved an initial phase of one-dimensional consolidation in a rigid tube, followed by a second phase of consolidation in a chamber with independent stress control. The stress control was achieved through water-filled flexible membranes in the side and at the base of the chamber. Reasonably uniform distributions of the water content and the undrained strength were obtained from investigations carried out in each clay bed after they had been tested. The Marchetti dilatometer is an in-situ testing device the results of which have been interpreted chiefly through empirical correlations based on the results of field tests. The interpretation has mainly involved the use of two readings, and , though recently a third reading , has been introduced. Dilatometer tests were carried out in nine clay beds. The stress history and stress state of each clay bed were systematically varied in the test programme to allow their individual effects on the dilatometer readings to be assessed. The study revealed that in clay the dilatometer reading is controlled by the undrained strength and the horizontal stress and was independent of the degree of overconsolidation. Through use of this result it was shown that the applicability of many of the empirical correlations presently used to evaluate the dilatometer readings is restricted to deposits with one-dimensional stress histories. It was also found that was dependent on the undrained strength and that the reading was close to the total horizontal stress of the sample though the latter finding does not appear to be supported by the few field results that are available. The results have highlighted the redundancy of the reading for property evaluation. It was found that a timed sequence of , and readings could be used to detect the variation of the consolidation properties between clay beds. In addition to the tests in clay, the results of 31 dilatometer tests carried out in a calibration chamber for sand have also been analysed. An inter-relationship between , and was found suggesting that they were all measuring the same soil response; that of the pressure required to open a cavity in the sand. The reading was shown to be dependent on the horizontal stress and the state parameter, though this dependence could not be exploited to back calculate the horizontal stress. Overconsolidation of the sand specimens had no significant influence on the readings.

Stångmaterialet 593Y och Q samt trådmaterialet 593B hos Ovako i Hällefors värmebehandlas för att stålet ska få de speciella egenskaper som gynnar efterföljande bearbetningar hos kund. Den värmebehandlingsprocess som stålet genomgår heter mjukglödgning eller sfäroidiseringsglödgning, vilket är en tidskrävande process där strukturella förändringar sker i materialet. Syftet med detta arbete har varit att hitta en värmebehandlingscykel för ovanstående material där produkten möter kundens krav på perlitandel samt hårdhet. För att få en grundläggande förståelse för materialets grundstruktur undersöktes ingångsstrukturen hos vardera material direkt efter valsning samt efter den värmebehandlingscykel som används idag av Ovako i Hällefors. Ingångsstrukturen hos 593Y och B är en finlamellär perlitisk struktur medan 593Q har en fin bainitisk struktur. Den värmebehandlingscykeln som används idag av Ovako i Hällefors värmer upp materialet till 720 ˚C för att sedan svalna ner till 630 ˚C för stångmaterialen samt uppvärmning till 750 ˚C för att svalna ner till 670 ˚C för trådmaterialen. Under mjukglödgningen så bryts cementiten mellan ferritskivorna i grundmassan upp i mindre fragment och antar en sfärisk form tillsammans med att hårdheten i materialet minskas. Mängd kvarvarande perlitisk struktur i grundmassan efter mjukglödgningen bestämmer perlitandelen (PA) i materialet. Analysen utav olika värmebehandlingscykler och undersökning av provbitar genom ljusoptiskt mikroskop tillsammans med Vickers hårdhetsprovning har gett god förståelse och kunskap om hur materialen uppför sig under värmebehandlingen. Med denna kunskap så har en godkänd värmebehandlingscykel tagits fram till stångmaterialen 593Y och Q. Det kommer behövas ytterligare undersökningar och testet för att kunna komma fram med en cykel som passar kundens krav för trådmaterialet.

Rekristallisationsförloppet som sker i samband med varmbearbetning av stål, och den efterföljande värmebehandlingen, spelar en avgörande roll för den fortsatta strukturens utseende, och således dess slutgiltiga egenskaper. I följande examensarbete har varmbearbetning och värmebehandling simulerats på ett verktygsstål under olika betingelser i en dilatometer utrustad med deformationsenhet. Målet med examensarbetet är att ge förslag på i vilket temperaturintervall fullständig rekristallisation sker vid varmbearbetning, samt undersöka möjligheten att ”reparera” en partiellt rekristalliserad struktur med efterföljande värmebehandling. Resultaten av det experimentella arbetet visade att fullständig rekristallisation, under de i dilatometern rådande betingelserna, inträffar mellan 1000–1100°C. Vidare kunde en partiellt rekristalliserad struktur ge upphov till lokala kornförgrovningar; vilka inte går att eliminera med de värmebehandlingsmetoder som låg inom ramen för arbetet. För att säkerställa tillämpbarheten av de simulerade resultaten på den verkliga processen rekommenderas att mer omfattande undersökningar av den verkliga processen görs; vilket inte hanns med inom tidsramen för detta arbete.