Thesis (M.A.)--Kent State University, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Nov. 10, 2009). Advisor: Noel Reifel. Includes bibliographical references (p. 6).

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes special study report entitled: Study on transparency. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.) in Civil Engineering--University of Maine, 2001. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-133).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 49 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-47).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 116 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-103).

Using data from 1999 on immigrants in Sweden, we find that the gender earnings gap among immigrant is lower than natives’ gender earnings gap and negatively related to their source country gender earnings gap. We also show that immigrants’ earnings are lower and more concentrated than the natives’ ones which leads to a lower gender earnings gap for immigrants. Then, regarding the gender earnings gap along the earnings distribution and linking it with earnings distribution of immigrants and natives, we are able to conclude that immigrants are not strongly affected by the glass ceiling effect since they are not present in the upper tail of the distribution. We reach the conclusion that such gender earnings gap differences between natives and immigrants may be explained by selection in the labour force participation, occupational segregation of immigrants, source country culture and discrimination.

No description available.

No description available.

M. Tech. Civil Engineering / The re-use of waste materials is promoted for the preservation of non-renewable natural resources. Glass waste was investigated as partial cement and aggregate replacement in concrete. Two types of soda-lime waste glass: Superfine Glass Waste and Ceramic Stone and Porcelain glass waste, residues of glass recycling processes, were used for the experimental programme. This study focused on the reuse of glass waste in concrete in optimal mix proportions, to partially replace cement and aggregates; for low cost housing, concrete applications and greening of the environment.

Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars have been developed as an alternative to steel reinforcement for various structural concrete applications. Due to their non-corrossive nature, they are particularly suited for harsh environments where steel reinforcement is prone to corrosion. The purpose of this research is to determine the feasibility of GFRP reinforcing bars as concrete bridge deck reinforcement for locations, such as coastal New Zealand, where the non-corrosive benefits of GFRP may offer an alternative to traditional mild steel reinforcement. GFRP use as structural reinforcement may offer life-cycle cost benefits for certain structures as maintenance to repair corroded reinforcement is not necessary. The use of GFRP reinforcement in a New Zealand design context was investigated to directly compare the structural performance of this alternative reinforcing product. Mateen-bar, manufactured by Pultron Composites Ltd, is the GFRP reinforcing bar used in the experimental tests. Experimental investigation of tensile properties of GFRP bar samples was carried out to understand the mechanical behaviour of GFRP reinforcement and validate the manufacturer’s specifications. This series of tests highlighted the complexities of carrying out tensile testing of FRP products, due to the inability to grip the GFRP directly in a testing machine without crushing the specimen. Two phases of full-scale tests were carried out to compare the performance of bridge deck slabs reinforced with typical mild steel and GFRP reinforcing bar. This experimental testing was different to most existing research on GFRP reinforced slab performance as it did not compare the performance of a GFRP reinforcing bar area equivalent to steel, but was designed in such a way as to dependably give the same moment capacity of the steel reinforced slab design. This incorporated the recommended limit of 20% of design stress given by the manufacturer which led to an apparent over-reinforced section for the GFRP slab design. The aim of the experiments was to investigate the comparative performance of a typical New Zealand bridge deck design and a GFRP reinforced equivalent designed in such a way as is currently recommended by the manufacturer. The over-reinforcement lead to differences in conclusions drawn by other authors who have studied GFRP reinforced slab behaviour. Both flexural and concentrated loading (simulating vehicle loading) tests were carried out on both the steel and GFRP reinforced slab designs. Due to over-reinforcement the GFRP slab was considerably stiffer and stronger than the steel design, indicating that serviceability issues are unlikely to be as much of a design issue as existing literature would suggest. Deflection prediction models generally underestimate the strength of over-reinforced sections. All slabs failed in punching shear under concentrated loads, indicating that punching shear may be a critical failure mechanism for GFRP reinforced slabs Based on the findings from the extensive experimental phases, a set of design recommendations were made to further improve the potential for GFRP to be used for bridge deck design in a New Zealand context.