No description available.

No description available.

Composite materials have high in-plane mechanical properties, but are susceptible to out-of-plane impact damage. The use of non-destructive evaluation techniques, combined with mechanical testing, was investigated to characterize the progression of post-impact static and fatigue damage of composite laminates. Quasi-isotropic carbon/epoxy specimens were impacted at energy levels of 35 J and 50 J. The initial damage was characterized using ultrasonic C-scan and thermography. Residual strength testing revealed that the compressive static strength of the test specimens was reduced by over 50%. Digital image correlation was used to characterize the growth of damage and the local strain during compression-compression fatigue tests. Initially, no significant statistical trend could be measured when the fatigue data was plotted as a stress-life curve. When stress concentration factors were used to calculate and plot the local stress amplitude, a correlation with fatigue life was observed. The undamaged fatigue data was altered using damage factors which allowed for post-impact fatigue life predictions.

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This study has presented a comprehensive overview of the effective use of development impact fees in Indiana. After examining four communities currently using park impact fees, it was determined that these communities had been successful in shifting a portion of the burden of capital improvements required by new development from the public sector to the developers themselves. From these results, it was determined that the use of development impact fees is indeed a worthwhile endeavor in Indiana. Also, a decision tree was devised to aid community officials in deciding whether or not impact fees are appropriate for their community. / Department of Urban Planning

Composite materials have high in-plane mechanical properties, but are susceptible to out-of-plane impact damage. The use of non-destructive evaluation techniques, combined with mechanical testing, was investigated to characterize the progression of post-impact static and fatigue damage of composite laminates. Quasi-isotropic carbon/epoxy specimens were impacted at energy levels of 35 J and 50 J. The initial damage was characterized using ultrasonic C-scan and thermography. Residual strength testing revealed that the compressive static strength of the test specimens was reduced by over 50%. Digital image correlation was used to characterize the growth of damage and the local strain during compression-compression fatigue tests. Initially, no significant statistical trend could be measured when the fatigue data was plotted as a stress-life curve. When stress concentration factors were used to calculate and plot the local stress amplitude, a correlation with fatigue life was observed. The undamaged fatigue data was altered using damage factors which allowed for post-impact fatigue life predictions.

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No description available.

This thesis has two major objectives. First, some of the key environmental problems, such as waste disposal, pollution and sand encroachment in Kuwait are analysed in the context of the decision making process of the country. On the end once presented it is suggested that decision making is responsible for many of the environmental problems that now exist. This analysis adopts the social science approach of analyzing decision making by investigating both political theories and decision making models and relating them to Kuwait. The second objective is to consider to what extent certain tools and methods of environmental management could be introduced in Kuwait to help resolve the environmental problems. Based on the evaluation of a number of approaches it is suggested that Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A.) is probably the most effective environmental management tool to help protect Kuwait's environment and achieve the concept of sustainable development. To be effective however it is aruged that E.I.A. should be applied not only at the project level but also in policy formulation. The case studies are then presented. One considers the application of E.I.A. at the policy level for solid waste management whilst the second describes a project E.I.A. approach for a proposed navigation channel. It is suggested in this thesis that economic growth on its own, should no longer be seen as the main indicator of development. Sustainable development with all that this encompasses including the linking of economic and environmental concerns should be seen as the new development objective. This specifies the need to maintain the quality of natural resources over time to meet the needs of present and future generations. E.I.A. should help to achieve this objective if applied to both projects and policies. This thesis concludes with certain recommendations to impose E.I.A. practice in Kuwait, based on the evidence presented.

No description available.