The grain-size dependences of thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of polycrystalline and nanocrystalline nickel were measured by the flash method and four-point probe method, respectively. Nanocrystalline nickel was made by the pulsed-current electrodeposition process, while polycrystalline nickel was commercially available Ni 200 in annealed condition. The grain sizes of the materials examined ranged from 28 nanometers to 57 micrometers. Noticeable changes in thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity with grain size were observed in particular for samples with grain sizes less than 100 nm. These results can be explained on the basis of the rapid increase in the intercrystalline grain boundary and triple junction volume fractions at very small grain sizes. The relationship between thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of nanocrystalline nickel follows the classic Wiedemann-Franz law.

This study is separated into two parts. Firstly, the Ag thin film was deposited on substrates with different average roughness by sputtering to examine the effect of substrate roughness on optical reflection. The results exhibit 10 percent difference of reflectivity within several nanometer changing in average roughness, indicating the reflectivity is easily affected by surface roughness. Secondly, optical reflectivity and electrical resistivity of multi-component AgMgAl alloys, both crystalline and amorphous, were measured. The crystalline alloys exhibit high reflection in infrared region but a steeper drop in visible and ultraviolet regions. By contrast, amorphous alloys show a lower but relatively uniform reflectivity in the visible and infrared regions. In both cases, the reflectivity was observed to scale with the square root of electrical resistivity. The scaling law was explained based on classical reflection theory. The different scaling factors for crystalline and amorphous alloys could be rationalized by the difference in the mean free time of charge carriers. Moreover, the mechanical properties of crystalline and amorphous thin film alloys, including hardness and modulus, were measured by nanoindentation. The hardness of thin film metallic glasses (TFMGs) is obviously higher than crystalline metals, while the modulus of TFMGs is similar to crystalline metals.

Unknown bridge foundations pose a significant safety risk due to stream scour and erosion. Records from older structures may be non-existent, incomplete, or incorrect. Nondestructive and inexpensive geophysical methods have been identified as suitable to investigate unknown bridge foundations. The objective of the present study is to apply advanced 2D electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) in order to identify depth of unknown bridge foundations. A survey procedure is carried out in mixed terrain water and land environments with rough topography. A conventional resistivity survey procedure is used with the electrodes installed on the stream banks. However, some electrodes must be adapted for underwater use. Tests were conducted in one laboratory experimentation and at five field experimentations located at three roadway bridges, a geotechnical test site, and a railway bridge. The first experimentation was at the bridges with the smallest foundations, later working up in size to larger drilled shafts and spread footings. Both known to unknown foundations were investigated. The geotechnical test site is used as an experimental site for 2D and 3D ERI. The data acquisition is carried out along 2D profile with a linear array in the dipole-dipole configuration. The data collections have been carried out using electrodes deployed directly across smaller foundations. Electrodes are deployed in proximity to larger foundations to image them from the side. The 2D ERI can detect the presence of a bridge foundation but is unable to resolve its precise shape and depth. Increasing the spatial extent of the foundation permits better image of its shape and depth. Using electrode < 1 m to detect a slender foundation < 1 m in diameter is not feasible. The 2D ERI method that has been widely used for land surface surveys presently can be adapted effectively in water-covered environments. The method is the most appropriate geophysical method for determination of unknown bridge foundations. Fully 3D ERI method at bridge sites is labor intensive, time consuming, and does not add enough value over 2D ERI to make it worthwhile.

Moisture dynamics in the critical zone have significant implications for a variety of hydrologic processes, from water availability to plants, to infiltration and groundwater recharge rates. These processes are perturbed by events such as wildfires, which may have long-lasting impacts. In September 2011, the most destructive wildfire in Texas history occurred in and around Bastrop State Park, which was significantly affected; thus this is a rare opportunity to study soil moisture under such burned conditions. A 165 m long transect, bridging burned and unburned areas, was established within the “Lost Pines” of the park. Soil moisture was monitored using a variety of methods, including 2D electrical resistivity imaging (using dipole-dipole and Schlumberger configurations), handheld measurements using a ThetaProbe, and readings at depth using PR2 profile probes. Field measurements were collected at approximately one-month intervals to study temporal and seasonal effects on soil moisture. Greater soil moisture was found near the ground surface at the heavily burned end of the transect, where the majority of trees were killed by the fire and grasses now dominate, and lower near-surface soil moisture and higher resistivity at the opposite end of the transect, which is still populated by pine trees. These variations can likely be attributed to the vegetative variations between the two ends of the transect, with trees consuming more water at one end and the ground cover of grasses and mosses consuming less water and helping reduce evaporation at the burned end. Soil texture differences could also be a factor in greater soil moisture retention at the burned end of the transect. Given the higher moisture throughout the soil profile at the burned end of the transect, this could be an indication of greater infiltration, and could increase recharge, at least in the short term. / text

As of September 2007, there were over 67,000 U.S. bridges in the National Bridge Inventory classified as having unknown foundations. The bridges spanning rivers are of critical importance due to the risks of potential scour. In fact, over half of all bridge collapses are due to scour. Not only are these failures costly, they can be deadly for the traveling public. On April 5, 1987, ten people were killed in New York when a pier collapsed on the Schoharie Creek Bridge causing two spans of the deck to fall into the creek. Several other fatal collapses have occurred since the Schoharie Creek Bridge failure. Detecting scour is only part of the assessment that must take place to determine risk of failure and knowing the foundation depth is a critical component of the assessment. While this issue is not new, current techniques are typically invasive or costly. This research explores the feasibility and effectiveness of induced polarization (IP) and electrical resistivity imaging (ERI), near surface geophysical methods, for determining the depth of unknown foundations. In this work, forward models are created to ascertain the effects of the bridge layout on data quality such as varying depths and the impact of adjacent foundations on the foundation in question. Next, an experimental study is conducted at a National Geotechnical Experimentation Site (NGES) to further identify key parameters for the testing design and setup in order to obtain optimal surveys of bridge foundations. The conclusions of the forward modeling and NGES investigations are used to plan the field surveys on four bridges with known foundations. The outcomes of the four bridges show that IP and ERI can be used in concert with one another to estimate the type and depth of bridge foundations. The results of the field surveys are used to create a probability of non-exceedance curve for future predictions of unknown bridge foundations using the methods described in this research.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Orientador: João Carlos Dourado / Banca: Carlos Alberto Mendonça / Banca: Walter Malagutti Filho / Resumo: Este trabalho discute a aplicabilidade do método geofísico Eletromagnético Transiente (TEM) a partir de análise comparativa com o método de Eletrorresistividade, em uma área industrial contaminada por derivados de petróleo e atualmente sob processos de Atenuação Natural. Dentre os contaminantes presentes no solo e água subterrânea estão o Benzeno, Tolueno, Xileno, 1,2 Dicloroetano, Sódio, Cloreto e Sulfato. A remediação da área é realizada exclusivamente por Atenuação Natural, ou seja, ação de processos físicos, químicos e biológicos responsáveis pela degradação, dispersão e diluição dos contaminantes. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de sondagem eletromagnética de "loop" central, caminhamento eletromagnético, sondagem elétrica vertical e caminhamento elétrico. Os resultados apresentam uma anomalia de baixa resistividade adjacente aos poços de injeção, e anomalias de alta resistividade sob estes poços. A grande área abrangida pela anomalia de baixa resistividade é fruto principalmente da biodegradação dos contaminantes de fase líquida leve não aquosa - LNAPL, cujas sucessivas quebras em compostos mais simples por ação de microorganismos resulta em ácidos orgânicos que corroem grãos minerais, que são liberados ao meio sob a forma iônica. A pequena área abrangida pela anomalia de alta resistividade é produto da concentração de contaminantes pouco degradados, caracterizados por elevada resistividade em relação á água. O TEM se mostrou aplicável no estudo de áreas contaminadas e o processo de Atenuação Natural está sendo eficaz na remediação da área. / Abstract: This work discuss the applicability of the Transient Electromagnetic Method (TEM) from comparative analysis with the Electrical Method, in an industrial area contaminated by oil derived and currently under processes of Natural Attenuation. Amongst the contaminants presents in the soil and groundwater they are the Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, 1,2 Dichloroetene, Sodium, Chloride and Sulphate. A remediation of the area is carried through exclusively by Natural Attenuation, or either, action of physical, chemical and biological processes responsible for the degradation, dispersion and dilution of contaminants. The techniques of electromagnetic sounding of central loop, electromagnetic tomography, vertical electric sounding and electric tomography had been used. The results present an anomaly of low adjacent resistivity to the injection wells, and anomalies of high resistivity under these wells. The great area enclosed for the anomaly of low resistivity is fruit mainly of the biodegradation of the contaminants of light non-aqueous phase liquid - LNAPL, whose successive breakings in simpler composites for action of microorganisms result in acid organic that corrode mineral grains, that are set free to the way under the ionic form. The small area enclosed for the anomaly of high resistivity is product of the concentration of contaminants little degraded, characterized for raised resistivity in relation a water. The TEM if it showed applicable in the study of contaminated areas and the process of Natural Attenuation is being efficient in the remediation of the area. / Mestre

Masters of Science / Understanding the hydrogeology of fractured or crystalline rocks is complicated because of complex structure and a porosity that is almost exclusively secondary. These types of geologies exhibit strong heterogeneities and irregularities contrasted in hydraulic properties, spacing and flow direction within fractured rock aquifers. Therefore it is important to develop a conceptual model based on site specific data such as the hydraulic roles between groundwater and nearby hillslope/surface water bodies in order to understand its movement within the environment. Therefore this study intends to develop a hydrogeological conceptual model associated with the dominant groundwater flow processes at a 3rd order scale within the Kruger National Park (KNP).

Cognition of the hydraulic properties of soils is important in civil and environmental projects such as for water supply, geotechnical investigations and evaluation of pollutant spreading. This pilot project aims to develop and test a new method for characterization of the homogeneity and isotropy of different soils by using geophysical measurements. The method is based on geoelectrical (resistivity) measurements using a radial array. Using a radial array with electrode lines in various orientations crossing a midpoint at which water was infiltrated, it was possible to build a 3D-block model showing the water penetration into a soil body. Based on the infiltration pattern it was possible to evaluate the hydraulic heterogeneity and anisotropy of the material. Several common Swedish types of soils were tested. Measurement and evaluation techniques including software were developed. The project shows that geoelectrical measurements using a radial array and geoelectrical instruments available on the market can be used for rapid evaluation of the hydraulic heterogeneity and anisotropy of soils and rock.

Concrete has been used in a number of civil engineering applications due to its interesting fresh, hardened, and durability-related properties. 28-day compressive strength is the most important hardened state property and is frequently used as an indicator of the material’s quality. However, early-age mechanical properties are a key factor nowadays to enhance construction planning. Several advanced techniques have been proposed to appraise concrete microstructure and quality, and among those electrical resistivity (ER) is one of the most commonly used since it is a non-destructive and low-cost technique. Although recent literature data have shown that ER may be significantly influenced by a variety of parameters such as the test setup, material porosity and moisture content, binder type/amount and presence of supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) along with the nature of the aggregates used in the mix, further research must be performed to clarify the influence of the raw materials (i.e. SCMs and aggregate nature) on ER using distinct setups. Therefore, this work aims to appraise the influence of the coarse aggregate nature and binder replacement/amount on the concrete ER and compressive strength predictions models through ER. Twenty-four concrete mixtures were developed with two different coarse aggregate natures (i.e. granite and limestone), two different water-to-binder ratios (w/b; i.e. 0.6 and 0.4) and incorporating two different SCMs (i.e. slag and fly-ash class F) with different replacement levels. Moreover, three distinct ER techniques (e.g. bulk, surface, and internal) and compressive strength tests were performed at different ages (i.e. 3, 7, 14, and 28 days). Results indicate that the binder type and replacement amount significantly affect ER and compressive strength. Otherwise, the coarse aggregate nature presented only trivial influence for 0.6 w/b mixes, except for 50% fly-ash replacement samples; whereas for concrete specimens with enhanced microstructure (i.e. 0.4 w/b), the aggregate nature influence was statically significant especially for the binary mixtures with high SCMs replacement levels (i.e. 70% GGBS and 50% fly-ash). Finally, all ER test setups were considered to be quite suitable and reliable NDT techniques correlating themselves very well. Yet the internal resistivity setup demonstrated to be the device which yields the lowest variability amongst them.