The main aim of this research was to investigate the behaviour of adhesive joints exposed to repeated low-velocity impact i.e. impact fatigue (IF), and to compare this loading regime with standard fatigue (SF), i.e. non-impacting, constant amplitude, sinusoidal loading conditions. Two types of lap joint configuration using rubber toughened modified epoxy adhesives were used and exposed to various loading conditions in order to determine the fatigue behaviour of the joints for each load conditions. The fatigue life was investigated using bonded aluminium alloy (7075-T6) single lap joint (SLJ) specimens, where it was seen that IF is an extremely damaging load regime compared to SF. Different trends were visible in force-life plots for these two types of loading. In SF a gradual decrease in the fatigue life with increasing load was observed, whereas, in IF a significant decrease in life was seen at relatively modest levels of maximum force after relatively few cycles. Comparisons of the fatigue life show a considerably earlier failure in IF than in SF for comparable levels of force and energy. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the maximum force per cycle, loading time, stiffness and strength decreased as a result of damage generated in the sample during IF.

Some mechanical properties of DuraPulp, a bio-based, bio-degradable composite made from polylactic acid (PLA) and pulp fibers, were determined. Focus was put on the conditions during productions whereby three different press times were studied. Additionally, two different material compositions (PLA to fiber ratios) were used. Uniaxial tensile tests with two different load rates, one and 50 mm/min, were performed. An increase in maximum strength and E-modulus of DuraPulp was observed by increasing the press time, while PLA content decreased the maximum strength and E modulus.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:24:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 duda_rm_dr_jabo.pdf: 7705565 bytes, checksum: 22edf4cc4e57fedc9fa2426e83e181e0 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Avaliou-se o desempenho de um reator anaeróbio de fluxo ascendente com manta de lodo (UASB) seguido de um filtro anaeróbio de fluxo ascendente, instalados em série, com volume total de 300 L e 190 L, respectivamente, no tratamento de águas residuárias de suinocultura. As cargas orgânicas volumétricas aplicadas no reator UASB foram de 9,2 a 26,7 g DQOtotal (L d)-1. Para o pós-tratamento do efluente do sistema de tratamento anaeróbio utilizou-se um filtro biológico percolador (FBP) com volume total de 250 L. O meio suporte utilizado no filtro anaeróbio e no FBP foi composto por anéis de bambu e anéis de eletroduto plástico corrugado. As cargas hidráulicas superficiais (Qs) aplicadas no FBP variaram de 3,5 a 21,1 m3 (m2 d)-1. Os tempos de detenção hidráulica (TDH) aplicados no sistema de tratamento anaeróbio e pós-tratamento foram de 23,3 a 66,6 h. As produções volumétricas de metano no sistema de tratamento anaeróbio variaram de 0,16 a 0,68 L CH4 (L reator d)-1. Foram observadas eficiências médias de remoção de até 97% para a demanda química de oxigênio total, de 98% para os sólidos suspensos totais, de 78% para o nitrogênio total, de 79% para o fósforo total, de 99,9% para o cobre, de 99,9% para o zinco e de 99,99% para os coliformes termotolerantes, no sistema de tratamento anaeróbio e póstratamento. Com a utilização de diferentes fontes de substrato no ensaio de atividade da microbiota, observou-se o crescimento equilibrado das populações hidrolíticas, acidogênicas, acetogênicas e metanogênicas acetoclásticas e hidrogenotróficas no lodo dos reatores anaeróbios. Com a aplicação da técnica de biologia molecular (metagenômica) foram identificadas no lodo do reator UASB e do filtro anaeróbio de fluxo ascendente arquéias metanogênicas das famílias Methanomicrobiaceae, Methanobacteriacea, Methanosaetaceae e Methanosarcinaceae. / The performance of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) followed of the anaerobic filter, installed in series, were evaluated for the treatment of swine wastewater. The total volume of UASB and anaerobic filter were of 300 L and 190 L, respectively. The organic load rate applied on the reactor UASB were of 9.2 to 26.7 g total COD (L d)-1, in the start and assays 1, 2, 3 and 4. For the post-treatment of effluent the anaerobic system was used a trickling filter, with total volume of 250 L. The supports used in the anaerobic filter and trickling filter were composed by bamboo rings in the start up and assays 1 to 2 and plastics rings in the assays 3 to 4. The hydraulic load applied on the trickling filter were of 3.5 to 21.1 m3 (m2 d)-1. The hydraulic detetion time (HDT) applied of system anaerobic and post treatment were 23.3 at 66.6 h. The volumetric methane productions ranged from 0.16 a 0.68 L CH4 (L reactor d)-1. The efficiencies of removal the chemical oxygen demand, total solids suspended, copper, zinc and fecal coliforms were of up to 97, 98, 78, 79, 99.9, 99.9 e 99.99%, respectively, for the anaerobic and post-treatment. With the use of different substratum sources in the assays of specific methanogenic activity, it was observed the balanced growth of the populations of microorganisms in the sludge of anaerobic reactor. The archaeas of the families Methanomicrobiaceae, Methanobacteriaceae; Methanosaetaceae and Methanosarcinaceae were identified in the sludge of the reactor UASB and of the anaerobic filter.

Orientador: Roberto Alves de Oliveira / Banca: Eugênio Foresti / Banca: Maria Bernadete Amâncio Varesche / Banca: Manoel Victor Franco Lemos / Banca: Edson Aparecido Abdul Nour / Resumo: Avaliou-se o desempenho de um reator anaeróbio de fluxo ascendente com manta de lodo (UASB) seguido de um filtro anaeróbio de fluxo ascendente, instalados em série, com volume total de 300 L e 190 L, respectivamente, no tratamento de águas residuárias de suinocultura. As cargas orgânicas volumétricas aplicadas no reator UASB foram de 9,2 a 26,7 g DQOtotal (L d)-1. Para o pós-tratamento do efluente do sistema de tratamento anaeróbio utilizou-se um filtro biológico percolador (FBP) com volume total de 250 L. O meio suporte utilizado no filtro anaeróbio e no FBP foi composto por anéis de bambu e anéis de eletroduto plástico corrugado. As cargas hidráulicas superficiais (Qs) aplicadas no FBP variaram de 3,5 a 21,1 m3 (m2 d)-1. Os tempos de detenção hidráulica (TDH) aplicados no sistema de tratamento anaeróbio e pós-tratamento foram de 23,3 a 66,6 h. As produções volumétricas de metano no sistema de tratamento anaeróbio variaram de 0,16 a 0,68 L CH4 (L reator d)-1. Foram observadas eficiências médias de remoção de até 97% para a demanda química de oxigênio total, de 98% para os sólidos suspensos totais, de 78% para o nitrogênio total, de 79% para o fósforo total, de 99,9% para o cobre, de 99,9% para o zinco e de 99,99% para os coliformes termotolerantes, no sistema de tratamento anaeróbio e póstratamento. Com a utilização de diferentes fontes de substrato no ensaio de atividade da microbiota, observou-se o crescimento equilibrado das populações hidrolíticas, acidogênicas, acetogênicas e metanogênicas acetoclásticas e hidrogenotróficas no lodo dos reatores anaeróbios. Com a aplicação da técnica de biologia molecular (metagenômica) foram identificadas no lodo do reator UASB e do filtro anaeróbio de fluxo ascendente arquéias metanogênicas das famílias Methanomicrobiaceae, Methanobacteriacea, Methanosaetaceae e Methanosarcinaceae. / Abstract: The performance of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) followed of the anaerobic filter, installed in series, were evaluated for the treatment of swine wastewater. The total volume of UASB and anaerobic filter were of 300 L and 190 L, respectively. The organic load rate applied on the reactor UASB were of 9.2 to 26.7 g total COD (L d)-1, in the start and assays 1, 2, 3 and 4. For the post-treatment of effluent the anaerobic system was used a trickling filter, with total volume of 250 L. The supports used in the anaerobic filter and trickling filter were composed by bamboo rings in the start up and assays 1 to 2 and plastics rings in the assays 3 to 4. The hydraulic load applied on the trickling filter were of 3.5 to 21.1 m3 (m2 d)-1. The hydraulic detetion time (HDT) applied of system anaerobic and post treatment were 23.3 at 66.6 h. The volumetric methane productions ranged from 0.16 a 0.68 L CH4 (L reactor d)-1. The efficiencies of removal the chemical oxygen demand, total solids suspended, copper, zinc and fecal coliforms were of up to 97, 98, 78, 79, 99.9, 99.9 e 99.99%, respectively, for the anaerobic and post-treatment. With the use of different substratum sources in the assays of specific methanogenic activity, it was observed the balanced growth of the populations of microorganisms in the sludge of anaerobic reactor. The archaeas of the families Methanomicrobiaceae, Methanobacteriaceae; Methanosaetaceae and Methanosarcinaceae were identified in the sludge of the reactor UASB and of the anaerobic filter. / Doutor

For enhancing anaerobic sludge digestion and biogas recovery, an increase in organic load rate (OLR) from 1.0 to 3.0kgVS/(m3·day) was imposed upon a new anaerobic digestion process combined with a sludge recirculation. The new setup requires a traditional mesophilic anaerobic digester coupled with a centrifuge for maintaining relatively high solid content within the digester. The hypothesis of this study was that increasing continuously OLR from 1.0 to 3.0kgVS/(m3·day) in a pilot-scale anaerobic digester with recycled sludge would not badly influence the digester stability, based on which biogas production would be enhanced. To test this hypothesis, a continuous 73-day study with laboratory experiment was conducted. Due to scarcity of original feeding sludge and its deteriorating quality, OLR had to be increased relied on introduction of extra sludge followed by measurement of total solid (TS) and volatile solid (VS) contents in both feeding sludge and digester sludge, for calculating OLR and examining its variations. To assess the relationship between biogas production and OLR, a measurement of gas yield and methane content was a necessity, performed by applying a biogas flow meter and MSA AUER EX-METER II (P). Moreover, temperature, pH value, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and alkalinity must be tested frequently, for the purpose of preventing system failure. The results demonstrate that the digester succeeded in withstanding an OLR up to 3.15kgVS/(m3·day). Furthermore, an enhancement in biogas yield and methane content were observed after increasing the OLR by introducing extra sludge. Biogas production measurement performed during this study indicated that biogas yield was enhanced by 73%, with a maximum production of 14.5m3/day, when OLR was increased from 2.05 to 3.15kgVS/(m3·day). However, methane content was merely promoted by 10.5%, to the highest value of 63%, with the same increase in OLR. Specific gas production (SGP), as another means of evaluating the relationship between biogas production and OLR, was observed to be 0.65Nm3/kg VSin averagely.

Rate-dependent effects introduced during rapid and/or dynamic events have typically been oversimplified to compensate for deficiencies in present analyses. As load test results are generally considered as the basis of performance from which foundations can be designed, it is imperative that the analyzed load test data be as accurate as possible. In an attempt to progress the state of load test data regression, this dissertation addresses two common assumptions made during the regression process: (1) the statnamic damping coefficient is constant throughout the entire load test and (2) the concrete stress-strain relationship is linear-elastic. Also presented is a case study where the inherent features of a rapid load test proved useful in identifying the occurrence and proximity of a structural failure within a drilled shaft.

Käppala wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has, during a few years, observed an increase in organic loading rate (OLR) in the mesophilic anaerobic digester R100, due to an increased load to the WWTP. The digestion of primary sludge at Käppala WWTP is today high loaded, with a high organic loading rate (OLR) and low hydraulic retention time (HRT). This study aims to evaluate the effect of the maximum OLR and the minimum HRT for the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge and to investigate further actions that can be taken into consideration in case of process problems in the digestion. The study consists of (a) a practical laboratory experiment of 6 pilot-scale reactors to investigate how the process stability is affected when the OLR increases and the HRT decreases. (b) A mass balance calculation based on the energy potential in the feeding sludge and the digested sludge. (c) A study of the filterability of the digested sludge. (d) The construction of a forecasting model in Excel, to predict when digester R100 will reach its maximum OLR and minimum HRT. The result of the study shows that the maximum OLR for Käppala conditions is 4.9 g VS dm-3 d-1, meaning that R100 will reach its maximum organic load around the year 2031. An OLR of 4.5-4.9 and an HRT of 12 days is optimal for R100, according to the present study. Keeping the anaerobic digestion process in balance is vital when it comes to the outcome of energy in the anaerobic digestion process. Pushing the process to produce more gas can become counterproductive since a high OLR can lead to process imbalance, which in turn leads to low biogas production. Imbalance in the digestion process can occur fast; therefore, the margin for overload in the anaerobic digestion process must be significant. The methane concentration in the converted biogas and the pH level in the reactor are the best stability parameters for the conditions at Käppala. Ammonia is the less efficient stability parameter since it did not predict or detect any instability during the experimental process. Furthermore, the OLR and HRT have a significant impact on the needed quantity for dewatering polymer. The higher digestion of organic material in the sludge, the bigger the need for the polymer to take care of the rest material.

Käppala wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has, during a few years, observed an increase in organic loading rate (OLR) in the mesophilic anaerobic digester R100, due to an increased load to the WWTP. The digestion of primary sludge at Käppala WWTP is today high loaded, with a high organic loading rate (OLR) and low hydraulic retention time (HRT). This study aims to evaluate the effect of the maximum OLR and the minimum HRT for the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge and to investigate further actions that can be taken into consideration in case of process problems in the digestion. The study consists of (a) a practical laboratory experiment of 6 pilot-scale reactors to investigate how the process stability is affected when the OLR increases and the HRT decreases. (b) A mass balance calculation based on the energy potential in the feeding sludge and the digested sludge. (c) A study of the filterability of the digested sludge. (d) The construction of a forecasting model in Excel, to predict when digester R100 will reach its maximum OLR and minimum HRT. The result of the study shows that the maximum OLR for Käppala conditions is 4.9 g VS dm-3 d-1, meaning that R100 will reach its maximum organic load around the year 2031. An OLR of 4.5-4.9 and an HRT of 12 days is optimal for R100, according to the present study. Keeping the anaerobic digestion process in balance is vital when it comes to the outcome of energy in the anaerobic digestion process. Pushing the process to produce more gas can become counterproductive since a high OLR can lead to process imbalance, which in turn leads to low biogas production. Imbalance in the digestion process can occur fast; therefore, the margin for overload in the anaerobic digestion process must be significant. The methane concentration in the converted biogas and the pH level in the reactor are the best stability parameters for the conditions at Käppala. Ammonia is the less efficient stability parameter since it did not predict or detect any instability during the experimental process. Furthermore, the OLR and HRT have a significant impact on the needed quantity for dewatering polymer. The higher digestion of organic material in the sludge, the bigger the need for the polymer to take care of the rest material.