As the existing steel infrastructure inevitably continues to age and deteriorate, engineers are increasingly looking for innovative and effective methods for repairing and maintaining existing structures. Structural steel components can degrade due to the surrounding environmental conditions, and are susceptible to corrosion damage when exposed to aggressive environments and deicing salts. The conventional methods for repairing steel structures can be labor-intensive and time-consuming, and add considerable weight to the existing structure. One alternative is utilizing carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP). Many studies have documented the ability of CFRPs to enhance the strength of existing structures. Furthermore, CFRP offers the benefits of being non-corrosive and having a high strength-to-weight ratio. Most studies on steel strengthening have focused on the bond behavior of CFRP to steels having a smooth surface condition, which are not representative of deteriorated structures in greater need of retrofitting. Further research has examined the durability of CFRP-steel bonds relative to environmental conditions that do not reflect the service life conditions for typical applications. In this work, a comprehensive study is conducted on the effects of the surface condition and environmental exposure on the bond between CFRP and steel. The influence of corrosion and simulated corrosion pitting is evaluated to determine whether structures with non-uniform surfaces are adequate for CFRP retrofits. In addition, the durability of CFRP-steel bonded systems is investigated through laboratory hygrothermal aging and in-situ environmental conditioning to multiple environments in Virginia. The research can be useful in the development of guidelines that will assist engineers determine if a CFRP retrofit solution is applicable in a given environmental setting and appropriate for the level of deterioration of the structure. / Doctor of Philosophy / As steel structures continue to age, engineers are looking for innovative and effective methods for repairing and maintaining the existing steel infrastructure. Steel components in structures can degrade due to the surrounding environmental conditions. The conventional methods for repairing steel structures can be labor-intensive and time-consuming, and add considerable weight to the existing structure. One alternative is utilizing carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP). The ability of CFRPs to enhance the strength of existing structures has been widely documented. Furthermore, CFRP offers the benefits of being non-corrosive and avoids adding considerable weight to the structure. Most studies on steel strengthening have focused on the bond behavior of CFRP to steels having a smooth surface condition, which are not representative of deteriorated structures in greater need of retrofitting. Further research has examined the durability of CFRP-steel bonds relative to environmental conditions that do not reflect the service life conditions for typical applications. In this work, a comprehensive study is conducted on the effects of the surface condition and environmental exposure on the bond between CFRP and steel. The influence of corrosion and simulated corrosion pitting is evaluated to determine whether structures with non-uniform surfaces are adequate for CFRP retrofits. In addition, the durability of CFRP-steel bonds exposed to laboratory and field conditions is investigated. The research can be useful in the development of guidelines that will assist engineers determine if the application of CFRPs retrofit solution is suitable in a given environment and appropriate for the level of deterioration of the structure.

Introduction The problems associated with poor indoor air quality and the possible subsequent effects thereof on workers, as experienced by the Department of Health in the Regional office situated in the Karel Schoeman building (KSB) in Pretoria, were investigated and are discussed. The possible association between the physical indoor environmental conditions and the sick building syndrome (SBS) like symptoms as well as the seemingly low productivity and the above average rate of absenteeism are included in these discussions. To find a possible association between these poor physical environmental indoor conditions and the potential adverse affects on the health and motivation of workers, a cross sectional survey was conducted to assess the physical, biological and chemical quality of indoor air (Refer to as IAQ – Indoor Air Quality) as well as the chemical and biological quality of the drinking water. Objectives This research report documents a project to measure the environmental conditions which include CO(Carbon Monoxide), CO2(Carbon Dioxide), relative humidity( RH), temperature, air velocity, the microbial and chemical composition of the drinking water and culturable micro organisms in specific work environments within the KSB and to compare the outcome to standards for acceptable indoor working environments. The specific objectives of this study are:  To describe the environmental conditions CO, CO2, RH, temperature and air velocity exposures in specific work environments during the period 2003-2004;  To describe the microbial exposures to Legionellae (which is actually one of a group of similar diseases collectively known as Legionellosis.)  To compare measured environmental exposures to the Environmental Regulations for workplaces promulgated in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993 (Act 85 of 1993) (OHSA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards and other national and internationally recognised standards and  To compare the microbial monitoring results including the evaluation results of the drinking water for culturable micro organisms and E.coli, to the NIOSH and other national and international recognized standards. Methods To control for confounding, samples of the drinking water as well as from a stagnant pool in the basement were taken and analysed for bacteriological and chemical compliance as well as identification of any microbes and chemicals that can contribute to SBS Environmental conditions which include CO, CO2, RH, temperature, air velocity, the microbial and chemical composition of the drinking water and culturable micro organisms including E.coli, in specific work environments were measured. Measurements were conducted in accordance with the procedures prescribed in the ASHRAE 41.6 of 1994, ACGIH (Handbook for industrial ventilation, EPA building Air quality guidelines, US Department of Labour –OHSA Technical manual),the respective manufacturers recommendations and the SABS Code 0400 of 1990 and sampling of the water in terms of the procedures prescribed by NIOH in the case of sampling for Legionellae and the Microbiological laboratory of the Rietvlei accredited water research laboratory with reference to sampling for identification of micro organisms including E.coli and the chemical composition. Appropriate recognized analytical methods were used to analyse and interpret the data generated from both the chemical and biological sampling results. Results Based on the outcome of the project results, it is clear that the air conditioning system does meet the mentioned minimum prescribed physical environmental national and international norms and standards for indoor air quality. The findings from the study indicate compliance of the physical environmental conditions to universally accepted standards and no association between those poor physical indoor environmental conditions and the sick building syndrome (SBS) like symptoms as well as the seemingly low productivity and the above average rate of absenteeism could therefore be made. The presence of coliform organisms above the norm in the air samples is however a concern. Discussion The OHSA requires employees to access the health and safety risks that hazards pose to their employees in their respective working environments and to take reasonably practicable steps towards eliminating or controlling these hazards. Like any other risks in a workplace environmental conditions need to be identified and controlled based on the principles of risk management. Conclusion The above high rate of absenteeism, as perceived by management, could not be associated with the environmental conditions covered in this project. It could however be ascribed, directly or indirectly to the following variables and assumptions which could be categorised under environmental conditions and the management thereof as well as the management of employees/workers located within the building. Environmental conditions such as substandard quality water supply, the management processes during the decommissioning of the old HVAC system and the commissioning of the replacement system, poor general housekeeping and unacceptable management principles of good quality clean working environments location of the building in the mid city centre of Pretoria and the possible contamination of indoor air by external sources bio quality could be variables contributing to the high rate of absenteeism. The seasonal occurrences of influenza and colds as well as home and external exposures could also possibly be considered as contributing factors in this regard. In addition poor general workers or people‟s management which could have resulted in low staff morale and personal motivation linked to poor supervision during a period of a very serious organizational restructuring which affected many workers could have also being considered as contributing factors to high absenteeism. Substandard ergonomics could have also played a role during this process.

by Chan Tung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-102). / Abstract and questionnaire also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Chinese abstract --- p.ii / Table of contents --- p.iii / Acknowledgment --- p.v / List of tables --- p.vi / List of figures --- p.vii / Glossary of terms and abbreviations --- p.viii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Asthma epidemiology --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Aim of study --- p.3 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature review --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- Definitions of asthma --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- Questionnaire in asthma epidemiological surveys --- p.7 / Chapter 2.3 --- Asthma prevalence studies in Western populations --- p.9 / Chapter 2.4 --- Asthma prevalence studies in Hong Kong --- p.13 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Adult asthma --- p.14 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Childhood asthma --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Asthma mortality --- p.17 / Chapter 2.5 --- Environmental risk factors of asthma --- p.17 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Allergens --- p.19 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Air pollution --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Environmental tobacco smoke --- p.27 / Chapter 2.5.4 --- Viral infections --- p.29 / Chapter 2.5.5 --- Dietary factors --- p.30 / Chapter 2.5.6 --- Allergen avoidance --- p.32 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Epidemiological survey --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1 --- Subjects and methods --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Subjects --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Written questionnaire --- p.35 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Video questionnaire --- p.36 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Bronchial hyperresponsiveness testing --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2 --- Results --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3 --- Discussion --- p.55 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Environmental survey --- p.63 / Chapter 4.1 --- Subjects and methods --- p.63 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Subjects --- p.63 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Questionnaire survey --- p.63 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Allergen sampling --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2 --- Results --- p.68 / Chapter 4.3 --- Discussion --- p.73 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Overall discussion and conclusions --- p.81 / References --- p.85 / Appendix

"November 2004" / Bibliography: leaves 149-179. / xxviii, 218 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / "This study addresses exposure during spraying of malathion and fenthion insecticides for fruit fly control and hexamethylene di-isocyanate (HDI)-based paint in the automotive and furniture industries. The research aims to characterize exposures and symptoms, and assess the adequacy of personal protective equipment under field conditions." --p. iii. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Faculty of Health Sciences, Dept. of Public Health, 2005

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 3140. Adviser: Thomas Stock. Includes bibliographical references.

Lic.-avh. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 2 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Göteborg : Göteborgs universitet , 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Doctoral)--Universität Zürich, 1976.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 146-155).