Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-08-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:52:29Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 trabulsi_mcm_me_botfca.pdf: 565458 bytes, checksum: c26dff5da232d30b005b2b5b62a46498 (MD5) / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as relações hídricas no solo em função de diferentes espaçamentos em uma floresta de curta rotação, assim como o crescimento das árvores de Eucalyptus urograndis. A implantação da floresta ocorreu em dezembro de 2008 e o experimento somente foi instalado em janeiro de 2010. A área total de dois hectares foi subdividida em cinco parcelas com espaçamentos diferentes (2,8 metros entre linhas e 0,5, 1,0, 1,5, 2,0 e 2,5 m entre plantas). Foram feitas análises da umidade do solo semanalmente, através de dois métodos, gravimétrico e dos tensiômetros. Nas cinco parcelas com o plantio de Eucalyptus urograndis foram instaladas, aleatoriamente, três baterias de tensiômetros a duas profundidades, sendo 0,30 e 0,90 metro. Os dados foram coletados de fevereiro de 2010 a janeiro de 2011. Ao começar a época da seca, em julho de 2010, iniciou-se a coleta de amostras de solo pelo método gravimétrico. Foram coletadas três amostras por parcela e por profundidade, totalizando 30 amostras, sendo que o local de coleta foi escolhido aleatoriamente dentro de cada parcela, porém a 0,50 metro da linha de plantio. Os dados do potencial matricial foram obtidos através dos tensiômetros e transformados em umidade por curvas de retenção de água determinadas na área. Os dados pluviométricos foram obtidos através da Estação Agrometeorológica da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, sendo utilizados para elaborar o balanço hídrico da região através do Método de Thornthwaite e Matther. Também foram avaliados aspectos físicos do solo como: densidade de partículas, densidade do solo e porosidade total. Para obter a informação sobre o crescimento das árvores, foram coletados no início e ao final do experimento, dados de altura e diâmetro de 30 árvores... / The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil-water relations in the soil as a function of different spacing in a short rotation forest and evaluate the growth of Eucalyptus urograndis. The forest was planted in December 2008 and this research was installed in January 2010. The two hectares area was subdivided in five plots with different spacing (2.8 x 0.5, 2.8 x 1.0, 2.8 x 1.5, 2.8 x 2.0, 2.8 x 2.5 meters). The moisture soil was analyzed thought two methods, gravimetric and tensiometers. In all the five plots, it was installed three batteries of tensiometers in two different deeps, 0.30 and 0.90 meters. Data was collected from February 2010 to January 2011. When the dry season has begun, in July 2010, the samples started to be collected thought gravimetric method. It was collected three samples by plot and deep, in a total of 30 randomized samples inside the plots, but 0.50 meter from the row. Matric Potential data was obtained thought tensiometers and changed to moisture thought retention curves. Pluviometer data were obtained from Agronomic Sciences Faculty Agrometeorology Station and used to elaborate the water balance of the region thought Thornthwaite Method. Soil physics were evaluated. The growth of the trees was evaluated collecting high and diameter breast high. The spacing 2.8 x 2.5 m has fewer trees, so there’s more water in the soil. And the spacing 2.8 x 0.5 m has more trees, less water in the soil because of the competition between plants

Resumo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as relações hídricas no solo em função de diferentes espaçamentos em uma floresta de curta rotação, assim como o crescimento das árvores de Eucalyptus urograndis. A implantação da floresta ocorreu em dezembro de 2008 e o experimento somente foi instalado em janeiro de 2010. A área total de dois hectares foi subdividida em cinco parcelas com espaçamentos diferentes (2,8 metros entre linhas e 0,5, 1,0, 1,5, 2,0 e 2,5 m entre plantas). Foram feitas análises da umidade do solo semanalmente, através de dois métodos, gravimétrico e dos tensiômetros. Nas cinco parcelas com o plantio de Eucalyptus urograndis foram instaladas, aleatoriamente, três baterias de tensiômetros a duas profundidades, sendo 0,30 e 0,90 metro. Os dados foram coletados de fevereiro de 2010 a janeiro de 2011. Ao começar a época da seca, em julho de 2010, iniciou-se a coleta de amostras de solo pelo método gravimétrico. Foram coletadas três amostras por parcela e por profundidade, totalizando 30 amostras, sendo que o local de coleta foi escolhido aleatoriamente dentro de cada parcela, porém a 0,50 metro da linha de plantio. Os dados do potencial matricial foram obtidos através dos tensiômetros e transformados em umidade por curvas de retenção de água determinadas na área. Os dados pluviométricos foram obtidos através da Estação Agrometeorológica da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, sendo utilizados para elaborar o balanço hídrico da região através do Método de Thornthwaite e Matther. Também foram avaliados aspectos físicos do solo como: densidade de partículas, densidade do solo e porosidade total. Para obter a informação sobre o crescimento das árvores, foram coletados no início e ao final do experimento, dados de altura e diâmetro de 30 árvores... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil-water relations in the soil as a function of different spacing in a short rotation forest and evaluate the growth of Eucalyptus urograndis. The forest was planted in December 2008 and this research was installed in January 2010. The two hectares area was subdivided in five plots with different spacing (2.8 x 0.5, 2.8 x 1.0, 2.8 x 1.5, 2.8 x 2.0, 2.8 x 2.5 meters). The moisture soil was analyzed thought two methods, gravimetric and tensiometers. In all the five plots, it was installed three batteries of tensiometers in two different deeps, 0.30 and 0.90 meters. Data was collected from February 2010 to January 2011. When the dry season has begun, in July 2010, the samples started to be collected thought gravimetric method. It was collected three samples by plot and deep, in a total of 30 randomized samples inside the plots, but 0.50 meter from the row. Matric Potential data was obtained thought tensiometers and changed to moisture thought retention curves. Pluviometer data were obtained from Agronomic Sciences Faculty Agrometeorology Station and used to elaborate the water balance of the region thought Thornthwaite Method. Soil physics were evaluated. The growth of the trees was evaluated collecting high and diameter breast high. The spacing 2.8 x 2.5 m has fewer trees, so there's more water in the soil. And the spacing 2.8 x 0.5 m has more trees, less water in the soil because of the competition between plants / Orientador: Saulo Philipe Sebastião Guerra / Coorientador: João Carlos Cury Saad / Banca: José Mauro Santana da Silva / Banca: Kelly Cristina Tonello / Mestre

arbuscular mycorrhizal infection of seedlings and adults plants Plantago lanceolata was examined at twenty locations with differing moisture and nutrient availability. At each location two control and two fertilized plots were established. Mycorhizal infection of seedlings was higher on control plots but the symbiosis of adult plants degreased with increasing C/N ratio. Mycorrhizal infection was further distinquished into for morfotypes (Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Glomus, fine endophyte.

Peneiras vibratórias são equipamentos amplamente utilizados em circuitos de cominuição nas mais variadas funções, desde classificação primária, processando blocos de algumas toneladas até em um escalpe de finos para um britador, até mesmo um processo de desaguamento, no qual as telas atuam como filtros, processando polpas que contêm partículas muito finas. Sua utilização tem crescido consideravelmente nos últimos anos, pois quando as peneiras vibratórias são corretamente aplicadas, possibilitam aumentar a eficiência de uma usina a custos razoavelmente baixos. Embora as funções do peneiramento sejam de fácil entendimento, o processo de seleção e dimensionamento dos equipamentos é complexo e sujeito a erros de difícil solução. Quando o minério tem baixa umidade, caso da maioria das aplicações, os dimensionamentos feitos pelos métodos tradicionais apresentam boa correlação com os resultados obtidos nas peneiras industriais. Entretanto, quando a umidade é alta, os cálculos podem apresentar grandes desvios frente ao desempenho real ou simplesmente não funcionar. Este problema é bastante comum em regiões tropicais, como o Norte do Brasil, local com alta incidência de chuvas, onde predominam minérios alterados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um método de dimensionamento de peneira, através de ensaios em laboratório com pequena quantidade de amostras, que permite ao usuário estimar o desempenho de uma peneira industrial no processamento de minérios difíceis com melhor precisão, comparado aos métodos convencionais. As conclusões demonstram a viabilidade técnica do método proposto e seus limites de aplicação. / The vibrating screens are widely used in the comminution circuits for different applications. They can be used for fines removal before a crusher or as a dewatering equipment, where the screening media act as a filter. The screen utilization has been extensively growing in the last years since its accurate operation allows plant efficiency improvements at a minor cost. Although the screening process has an easy understanding, the scale-up and sizing methods can be complex and subject to errors that are difficult to solve. When an ore has low natural moisture, representing most applications, the screen size estimates done by traditional methods normally shows proper correlation compared to industrial screens. However, when the moisture content is high, calculations may present significant deviations when compared to the real operation. This kind of problem is characteristic for tropical regions such as the North of Brazil, where weathered rocks are predominated. The objective of this work was to develop a screen sizing method which allows the user to do an industrial screen performance estimation for difficult high natural moisture ores, based on laboratory test work with reduced quantity of samples, and to provide better accuracy when compared to the results coming from traditional sizing methods. The conclusions demonstrate the technical viability of the method and its application limits.

A norma brasileira para o projeto de estruturas de madeira foi alterada, recentemente, abandonando o método determinista das Tensões Admissíveis e adotando o método probabilista dos Estados Limites. Seguindo tendência mundial, a atual norma brasileira, estabelece um teor de umidade de referência de 12%, no qual devem ser reportados os resultados dos ensaios. Dificilmente se conseguirá condicionar, a madeira para o ensaio, com um teor de umidade de exatamente 12%, portanto, será necessário corrigir os resultados do ensaio para este teor de umidade. A atual norma brasileira propõe expressões, para fazer esta correção nas propriedades de resistência e de rigidez da madeira, baseando-se em poucos resultados de ensaios. O objetivo deste trabalho é aferir as expressões propostas pela norma brasileira, sugerindo as alterações necessárias. Uma proposta para a correção da densidade aparente, não prevista na norma brasileira, também será estudada. Para garantir uma base experimental adequada, estuda-se a influência do teor de umidade sobre as propriedades de resistência à compressão paralela às fibras, tração paralela às fibras, cisalhamento paralelo às fibras (no plano radial-longitudinal), bem como sobre o módulo de elasticidade longitudinal e a densidade aparente, em sete diferentes espécies de madeira, correspondentes às sete classes de resistência adotadas pela atual norma brasileira. Conclui-se o trabalho apresentando uma proposta para correção das propriedades de resistência e rigidez ao teor de umidade de 12%. Apresenta-se também uma proposta para a correção da densidade aparente. / The Brazilian Code, NBR 7190/97 - Design of timber structures, was revisited, recently, abandoning the Allowable Stress Method and adopting the States Limits Design Method. Following world tendency, the current Brazilian Code, establishes a reference moisture content of 12%, in which the test\'s results should be registered. It is not possible to keep the specimen, for testing, with exactly 12% moisture content, therefore, it will be necessary to correct the results for this moisture content level. The current Brazilian Code proposes expressions, to do this correction in the strength and stiffness properties of wood, based on few test\'s results. The objective of this work is to judge the expressions proposed by the Brazilian Code, proposing the necessary alterations. A proposal for the correction of the specific gravity, not presented in the Brazilian Code, it will also be studied. To this purpose, the influence of moisture content on the strength in compression and tension parallel to grain, shear parallel to grain (in the radial-longitudinal plane), as well as on the stiffness (modulus of elasticity) and specific gravity, in seven different wood species, corresponding to the seven Brazilian Code strength classes were studied. The conclusions presents a proposal for correction of the strength, stiffness properties and specific gravity, to the 12% moisture content level.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:40:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabiane_Cristina_Gusatto.pdf: 1540638 bytes, checksum: 92339bde69bcc6295bf067510df94dec (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The forest species Cordia trichotoma (Vellozo) Arrabida ex Steudel, whose seeds are classified as intolerant to desiccation, gives emphasis on the recovery of degraded areas, due to rapid growth and production of high quality wood. The sexual propagation is hindered by the loss of seed viability during the storage period. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the desiccation tolerance and storage of blond-brown seeds with the use of saturated salt solutions of calcium chloride (CaCl2) and calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2). The blond-brown seeds were collected in the municipalities of Rondon, Guaíra and Santa Helena in 2012 and immediately transported to the Seed Technology Laboratory and seedlings, State University of West Paraná to perform the processing. Then the seeds were dried in humidity environment controlled with saline solutions, being kept in plastic boxes of higrostat type until they reach the equilibrium moisture content. Before drying, and every 90 days after drying and storage they were determined moisture content, germination percentage, germination speed index, peroxidase activity and respiratory activity. After drying, the seeds were stored in glass bottles and kept in a dry chamber with a temperature ranging from 13 to 17°C for 360 days. The seeds of the town of St. Helena had the largest diameter, germination percentage and germination speed index. Regardless of moisture content, the activities of peroxidase and respiratory enzyme did not affect the physiological potential of seeds. The enzymatic and respiratory activity can be used as indicators of the deterioration of the seeds of this species. The storage conditions of the preserved seed vigor and viability for 6 months / A espécie florestal Cordia trichotoma (Vellozo) Arrabida ex Steudel, cujas sementes são classificadas como intolerantes à dessecação, confere destaque na recuperação de áreas degradadas, devido ao crescimento rápido e produção de madeira de alta qualidade. A propagação sexuada é dificultada pela perda da viabilidade das sementes ao longo do período de armazenamento. Desta forma, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a tolerância à dessecação e armazenamento das sementes de louro-pardo com a utilização de soluções salinas saturadas de Cloreto de cálcio (CaCl2) e Nitrato de cálcio (Ca(NO3)2). As sementes de louro-pardo foram colhidas nos municípios de Marechal Cândido Rondon, Guaíra e Santa Helena no ano de 2012 e imediatamente transportadas ao Laboratório de Tecnologia de Sementes e Mudas da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná para realização do beneficiamento. Em seguida, as sementes foram secas em ambiente com umidade controlada com as soluções salinas, sendo mantidas em caixas plásticas do tipo higrostat até atingirem o equilíbrio higroscópico. Antes da secagem, e a cada 90 dias após a secagem e armazenamento, foram determinados o grau de umidade, porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, atividade da enzima peroxidase e a atividade respiratória. Após a secagem, as sementes foram armazenadas em embalagens de vidro e mantidas em câmara seca com temperatura variando de 13 a 17ºC por 360 dias. As sementes da localidade de Santa Helena apresentaram o maior diâmetro, porcentagem de germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação. Independente do grau de umidade, as atividades da enzima peroxidase e respiratória não interferiram no potencial fisiológico das sementes. As atividades enzimática e respiratória podem ser utilizadas como indicadoras da deterioração das sementes desta espécie. As condições de armazenagem das sementes preservaram o vigor e a viabilidade por 6 meses

Abstract Moisture content control is a very effective way of protecting timber. Treatments with environment-friendly, biodegradable tall oil are known to reduce the capillary water uptake of pine sapwood greatly, but despite the good results achieved there have been two problems that limit the use of tall oil for wood protection, the large amount of oil needed and the tendency for the oil to exude from the wood. This work was undertaken in order to obtain an understanding of the mechanism of wood protection by means of crude tall oil (CTO) and to find technical solutions to the main problems limiting its use for industrial wood protection. It is shown that the emulsion technique is one way of solving the first problem, as it provides high water-repellent efficiency at considerably lower oil retention levels. The fact that water is used as a thinner in this technique instead of the commonly used organic solvents is beneficial from environmental, economic and safety points of view. It is also shown that although the drying properties of CTO are inadequate for use as such in wood preservation, its oxidation and polymerization can be accelerated considerably by means of iron catalysts, which prevent the oil from exuding out of the wood. This also increases the water repellent efficiency of CTO treatment. Most impregnation oils do not dry when applied in large quantities, because they hinder the diffusion of air through the wood, which supplies the necessary oxygen. Limiting of the oil uptake by the means of the emulsion technique disturbs the airflow to a lesser extent, and thus enhances the drying process. Hence, both the emulsion technique and the use of an iron catalyst improve both the water-repellent efficiency of tall oil treatment and the rate of drying of the oil, thus solving the two main problems related to wood impregnation with tall oil in one single-stage treatment which can be used in existing wood preservation plants. This is advantageous from both an industrial and an economic point of view.

A problem has been observed by many researchers regarding the cracks caused mainly by moisture variation in timber structures. However, this effect has been neglected over the past decades. In addition, many design codes do not have a room for a realistic formulation of the moisture diffusion and its effect in causing internal stress, deformation, and cracks. Moreover, if this effect occurs in connection areas, usually the weakest structural section, it has and also had shown a devastating effect on the service life of many wooden structures. In the current work, a Fickian moisture diffusion model is implemented by use of finite element simulation with the help of the commercial software ABAQUS for a dowelled beam column connection. The results of such moisture diffusion were used to analyse the stress situation inside the timber section. Moreover, an extended finite element method was applied in ABAQUS to investigate how moisture induced crack develops into the timber section. Furthermore, a parametric study was performed by using Python scripting to investigate the effect of dowel spacing (horizontal and vertical) and critical energy release rate on the development of the moisture-induced crack. The results obtained revealed that for the same material property when the dowel spacing increases (either horizontal or vertical) the crack length increases significantly. Likewise, the crack length increases when the critical energy release rate requirement of the timber is decreasing.

Unbound granular material is used in the pavement structure and usually comprises the bulk of the structural and foundation layers of a typical South African pavement. The term ‘unbound granular material’ refers to the classification of natural material, which has not been modified in any way. Various mechanistic-empirical models for the resilient response of unbound granular material have been developed over the years. However, few have incorporated important influencing parameters such as moisture or density on the basic stress-strain relationship or linked variables of the models to basic engineering properties of unbound granular material. This study builds on previous work by Theyse (2008a) and the cord modulus model developed by Theyse (2012). The Theyse (2012) model was selected to be further investigated, since it modelled the trends observed in the data realistically. The model depicts the stress dependent behaviour of unbound granular material, where an increase initial modulus is observed for increasing confinement pressure, as well as initial stress-softening with increasing stress ratio followed by stress stiffening. The model was calibrated for all bulk material samples under consideration in this thesis. The calibration process included linking variables of the model to mathematical functions that approximate the trends observed when variables were considered against level of saturation. A parametric analysis indicated that the saturation and stress-dependent cord modulus model realistically predict material behaviour. The saturation and stress-dependent cord modulus model was refined further and calibrated for crushed and natural unbound granular material. This refinement did not negatively influence the accuracy or ability to realistically predict the material behaviour. Basic material properties could be linked to predictive statistical distributions that could estimate the range of modulus values that can be expected for the material under consideration. However, the variables of the saturation and stress-dependent cord modulus model could not be linked to basic material properties due to the limit set of results available. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Civil Engineering / unrestricted

Moisture is one of the primary factors connected with the damage observed on the envelope of buildings. The moisture states are normally dominated by moisture transport processes within and between porous building materials from rain penetration, rising damp or infiltration of water vapour that is normally accompanied with heat transfer. The research into moisture transport behaviour of building materials is extremely important for the characterisation of behaviour in connection with durability, waterproofing, degradation of appearance and thermal performance ofbuilding elements. In the first stage of this research, commercial gypsum plasters were experimentally investigated with their moisture transport specifications. The hydraulic parameters including sorptivity, saturated conductivity and permeability of water vapour were determined with new findings related with the dependence of hydraulic parameters on water/plaster ratios, wetting-drying cycles and additives. The results obtained were compared with other porous building materials and recommendations for their manufacture and selection in building construction were made. Secondly, on the basis of comprehensive investigations of the dielectric properties of gypsum plasters, an integrated automatic real-time monitoring system for moisture transport processes was designed and successfully developed utilising a pin-type resistance sensor and sensor array. The data acquisition, data analysis, result display and saving are all integrated with the computer controlled interface. The polarisation effects and temperature effects for various gypsum plaster materials were compensated and realised by control options. The monitoring system developed for moisture monitoring was directly applied in 1-dimension moisture transport processes and can easily be extended to the monitoring of 2 or 3 dimension moisture transport processes by embedding an appropriate sensor array into materials. In the third part of the research, on the basis of experimental investigation of water absorption processes of uniform materials and two-layer composites, the water diffusivity as functions of moisture content were determined from experimental moisture profiles for various gypsum plaster materials. The models governing the moisture transport processes were formed based on extended Darcy's law and experimental diffusivity functions. By applying the finite element method and developed software, the non-linear partial differential equations were numerically solved under specified boundary and initial conditions in absorption processes. The simulation results achieved satisfactory agreement with experimental moisture profiles for various materials and for two-layered composites.