Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is an emerging sustainable engineered material with unique properties that in many ways make it superior to conventional construction material. CLT was invented in the 1990s and the volume produced have increased worldwide since then. It can be used in the load bearing structure for walls and floor slabs in the different typologies, e.g. residential and office buildings.The hygroscopic nature of wood allows it to exchange moisture with the surrounding environment. This may lead to an alteration of properties of wood-based materials such as CLT and can be accompanied by deformations and stresses. These effects influence the CLT’s structural stability, durability and safety.This study focuses on the consequences of moisture content variations in CLT structures, including mechanical properties like modulus of elasticity and bending stiffness (EI). Temperature and relative humidity were measured over three years in three positions along the thickness direction of a slab element on the first floor of House Charlie, a four-storey timber office building located in Växjö, Sweden.The investigation was carried out by mathematical modelling applying MATLAB® software aiming to find the moisture content as a function of time and thickness from the real-world data of House Charlie. The focus was on determining changes in modulus of elasticity and bending stiffness in response to moisture variation. The results showed that the moisture content within a slab of the building varied periodically following the seasonal variation throughout the years. The moisture content at the bottom of the slab was significantly lower compared to two other positions. According to the linear regression analysis, a linear relationship between the moisture content (MC) and positions across the CLT slab at each time step was defined. High R2 values, above 0.9, show the goodness of the fitted model. Applying the MC as a function of time and thickness into an available relationship of modulus of elasticity (E) could predict stiffness versus varied MC in the next step. The modulus of elasticity decreased with an increase in the moisture content over the studied period with a higher variation range at the bottom of the slab. In the final step, bending stiffness was assessed as a function of the changed moisture content. Bending stiffness increased periodically over time, attributed to overall more dry-out of the slab with time.The reported results of the present study give new insight into the behaviour of CLT structure over longer time periods. The recurring pattern in alterations stems from the reliance of bending stiffness on the modulus of elasticity function, which is in turn influenced by the linear relationship with moisture content exhibiting cyclic characteristics. The minimum and maximum values for EI were 3.5×1012 Nmm2 and 3.71×1012 Nmm2, respectively, a variation of approximately ±2.5% around the average. As the time steps increased, the bending stiffness also increased, given the progressive growth of the modulus of elasticity over time.

A majority of the primary roadways in the United States are constructed using hot-mix asphalt (HMA) placed over a granular base material. The strength of this pavement system is strongly influenced by the local environmental conditions. Excessive moisture in a granular base layer can cause that layer to lose its structural contribution by reducing the area over which loading may be distributed. Excessive moisture and fine particles can be transported by hydrostatic pressure to the surface layers, thus reducing the strength of the overlying HMA by contamination. Moisture in the surface HMA layers can cause deterioration through stripping and raveling. In addition, as HMA is a viscoelastic material, it behaves more as a viscous fluid at high temperatures and as an elastic solid at low temperatures. Between these two temperature extremes, a combination of these properties is evident. Thus, understanding the environmental effects on flexible pavements allows better prediction of pavement performance and behavior under different environmental conditions. As part of the ongoing pavement research at the Virginia Smart Road, instrumentation was embedded during construction to monitor pavement response to loading and environment; moisture content of the granular base layers and temperature of the HMA layers were among the responses monitored. The Virginia Smart Road, constructed in Blacksburg, Virginia, is a pavement test facility is approximately 2.5km in length, of which 1.3km is flexible pavement that is divided into 12 sections of approximately 100m each. Each flexible pavement section is comprised of a multi-layer pavement system and possesses a unique structural configuration. The moisture content of aggregate subbase layers was measured utilizing two types of Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) probes that differed in their mode of operation. The temperature profile of the pavement was measured using thermocouples. Data for the moisture content determination was collected and results from two probe types were evaluated. In addition, the differences in the moisture content within the aggregate subbase layer due to pavement structural configuration and presence of a moisture barrier were investigated. It was shown that the two TDR probe types gave similar results following a calibration procedure. In addition to effects due to pavement structure and subgrade type, the presence of a moisture barrier appeared to reduce the variability in the moisture content caused by precipitation. Temperature profile data was collected on a continuous basis for the purpose of developing a pavement temperature prediction model. A linear relationship was observed between the temperature given by a thermocouple near the ground surface and the pavement temperature at various depths. Following this, multiple-linear regression models were developed to predict the daily maximum or minimum pavement temperature in the HMA layers regardless of binder type or nominal maximum particle size. In addition, the measured ambient temperature and calculated received daily solar radiation were incorporated into an additional set of models to predict daily pavement temperatures at any location. The predicted temperatures from all developed models were found to be in agreement with in-situ measured temperatures. / Ph. D.

With advances in modern technology, satellite-based data is rapidly becoming a viable option for geotechnical site characterization. Commercial satellite data offers high resolution (~25-200 cm), increased spatial coverage on the order of kilometers, short revisit times leading to high temporal coverage, and allows for data to be analyzed rapidly and remotely without the need for physical site access. These advantages are particularly attractive for characterizing coastal sites, where both the strength properties and moisture content can change rapidly in response to tidal stages, wave runup, and storm events. To date, there have been limited investigations into the use of satellite-based data for characterizing geotechnical properties of sandy beach sediments. Furthermore, the use of these moisture contents to estimate the soil strength of beaches has been limited. The goal of this research was to develop pathways to estimate the moisture content of sandy beach sites utilizing satellite-based data. For this study, both optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images were collected at two sites: the Atlantic beach near the US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck, North Carolina and three distinct sites located near Yakutat, Alaska (Cannon Beach, Ocean Cape, and Point Carrew). During satellite overflight, ground measurements of moisture content, grain size, unit weight, porosity, and bearing capacity were collected. Using the field measurements, this research (1) developed a framework to estimate the moisture content of sandy beach sediments from satellite-based optical images; (2) investigated the necessary collection parameters to estimate the moisture content from SAR images; and (3) developed a framework to estimate the bearing capacity of sandy beaches using moisture contents derived from satellite-based images. The results of this study demonstrated that optical images can produce reasonable estimates of the moisture content when compared to field measurements and are strongly influenced by local morphology. Additionally, SAR images with incidence angles of 30°-50° produced the best results when compared to field measurements. Finally, using the spatial estimates moisture content produced from satellite data and standard sediment, maps of bearing capacity can be developed to predict beach trafficability. / Doctor of Philosophy / The strength of sandy beaches is impacted by the density, particle size and shape, distribution of grain sizes, mineralogy, and moisture content. For coastal sites, which typically have a dominant mineralogy and a limited range of grain sizes, a main factor changing is the moisture content. This varying moisture content can result in the increase or decrease in soil strength, and impacts modelling for coastal challenges such as erosion or beach trafficability (i.e., the ability to drive on the beach) on large scales. It is common to measure moisture content through sampling or moisture probes, but these represent point measurements and may not accurately capture the spatial and temporal moisture contents at a beach. Recently, satellite-based images have become popular for assessing processes and environmental changes over large areas. However, their use for mapping moisture content at sandy beaches has been limited, and the proper models are unknown. As such, the goal of this research is to investigate the use of satellite images to map moisture content over large areas. For this study, measurements were conducted at two sites: an Atlantic beach located near the US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck, North Carolina and three distinct sites located near Yakutat, Alaska (Cannon Beach, Ocean Cape, and Point Carrew). Simultaneously with ground measurements, two different types of images were collected. The first, optical data, collects data over the visible (400-700 nm) and near infrared (700-1300 nm) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. These satellites use the sun to light the scene and the amount of energy reflected back to the satellite is used to estimate the moisture content. The second, X-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data (wavelengths of 3.1 cm), sends its own energy source to the ground and uses the returned energy to estimate the moisture content. Both optical and SAR are able to produce reasonable estimates of moisture content when compared to field measurements. These estimated values of moisture content are then tested in a model to estimate the sand strength, with those estimated values also following the expected trends. Ultimately, this work can be used to contribute to understanding how moisture content varies at sandy beaches and improve trafficability predictions in sandy beach environments.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of leachate recirculation and bioreactor landfills at enhancing biodegradation, and to optimize the operation of a bioreactor. Waste Management has been examining leachate recirculation landfills for several years. Samples of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) from existing leachate recirculation (LR) landfills were collected and analyzed for several physical and biochemical properties. These parameters of interest were moisture content, pH, density, temperature, volatile solids, cellulose/lignin ratios, and biological methane potential (BMP). Leachate recirculation increased the dry density 55% faster and decreased the BMP 125% more rapidly. Moisture content was the biggest factor influencing overall degradation. Therefore, leachate reciculation effectively increases biodegradation of MSW in landfills. Waste Management built a pilot-scale bioreactor in Franklin, WI, which was sampled for one year. It contained a bioreactor side and a control side. The volatile solids, cellulose, and BMP degradation rates for the bioreactor were increased by 56%, 87%, and 271% versus the control, respectively. Moisture content was the biggest factor influencing overall degradation. The column study is designed to optimize three parameters under the control of an operator: moisture content, initial aeration period, and biosolids addition. The optimum moisture content is above 45%, but it is not safe to operate heavy equipment on refuse with greater than 45% moisture. Initial aeration did not speed up the overall degradation, but it did shorten the acidogenic phase. Finally, biosolids did not have a significant effect on degradation rates. The columns maintained an average temperature of 70oF. / Master of Science

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第25326号 / 農博第2592号 / 京都大学大学院農学研究科森林科学専攻 / (主査)准教授 簗瀬 佳之, 教授 矢野 浩之, 教授 仲村 匡司, 教授 村田 功二 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

In this thesis, power system transients are considered as an opportunity for development of on-line diagnostics of power components and specifically the insulation systems of power transformers and bushings. A new technique for on-line dielectric response measurement of power transformer bushings is proposed which utilizes natural transients in the power system, such as lightning and switching surges, as stimuli. Laboratory investigations are done on implementation of the proposed technique. Measurement considerations, data acquisition and processing involved in achievement of reasonable accuracy in the Dielectric Response (DR) are presented. Capability of the technique in tracking of the degradation signatures such as moisture content in the insulation has been evaluated and it has shown a good level of accuracy by being compared to the Frequency Domain Spectroscopy (FDS).  The proposed technique is tested on the service-aged 150 kV bushings and feasibility of the technique for monitoring of dielectric properties of power transformer bushings has been assessed; the results are promising for the technique to be used in the real application.  Partial Discharges (PD) behavior under transients has been also studied for different materials in this project. PD behavior of different defects, at different insulation condition, responding to the overvoltage transients in form of superimposed impulses on ac voltages was investigated and it was perceived how their distinctive response and the interpretation of  that, can be useful for their identification. Besides the conventional materials, surface ac PD properties of modified paper with silica and zinc oxide nanoparticles under the superimposed impulses have been assessed in this project. Proper type and optimum concentration level of nanoparticles in the paper are the factors that lead to the improvement of PD behavior in the modified paper under overvoltage transients. / <p>QC 20160525</p>

The use of fossil derived products and the environmental and economic problems associated with them have made a shift to abundant renewable resources such as forest biomass more attractive. However before forest biomass can be used as a resource, its properties must be known. This study determined the physical properties of heterogeneous biomass residues produced during harvesting on two operational forest sites within the Great Lakes-St Lawrence forest of south-eastern Ontario. Properties measured were moisture content, size distribution, bulk density, and wood-to-bark ratio; also thermo-chemical properties including elemental composition, thermal reactivity and energy content were measured. The effects of forest site and harvest type, storage and position in storage pile, on the properties of biomass were also investigated. Results of the study showed that the various heterogeneous forest harvest residues differed more physically than thermo-chemically for the different variables, and this affected biomass procurement more than the potential utilization options.

When casting the slab in a slab-on-ground structure most of the drying will occur through the surface of the slab, which is in contact with the air. This will create a non-uniform internal moisture distribution. With the top of the slab drying faster it will also have a faster shrinkage due to drying, which in turn leads to stress in the surface layers of the slab as these wants to contract. With the slab wanting to assume a curled geometry, but being restricted by external loads and self-weight, cracks will usually appear in the surface (Lange, Lee &amp; Liu, 2011).  A concrete slab-on-ground does not dehydrate the same way as, for example, floor bellows or wall elements which has the same climate on both sides. The ground beneath a heated building standing on a slab-on-ground structure is warm and moist with a relative moisture close to 100%. After carefully examining moisture damaged slab-on-ground structures it was concluded that the temperature and moisture behavior in this type of structure is more complicated than earlier presumed. In an attempt to broaden the basis of knowledge about humidity conditions under a concrete slab-on-ground structure, measurements were performed on an existing slab.  The Council for Construction Competence (Rådet för ByggKompetens, RBK) sets the industry standard regarding moisture measurement in Sweden. In 2017 the method recommended by RBK for moisture measurement in concrete includes drilling a hole in the slab, sealing it with a plastic pipe and mounting the sensor inside. This is the method that was used for measurements in this paper. Three different measurement locations in the slab along with two sensors mounted at every location was used to gather data.  The results from the measurements show that the relative humidity near the bottom of the slab is close to 100%. The results from the sensors range from 90% to 100% RH with the majority of the results very close to 100% RH. The results discovered in this paper supports the assumption that the ground beneath a slab-on-ground structure is close to 100% RH. / Vid gjutning av en betongplatta på mark sker uttorkning främst genom ovansidan av plattan. De övre skikten av betongen får en snabbare uttorkning än de undre skikten, detta tillsammans med den krympning som sker under uttorkningen skapar spänningar i betongplattan. Fenomenet gör att plattan vill böja upp sig i kanterna men på grund av egentyngd samt laster ovanifrån uttrycker sig spänningarna istället som sprickor på ovansidan (Lange, Lee &amp; Liu, 2011). Uttorkning av en betongplatta på mark skiljer sig från uttorkning av t.ex. väggelement och mellanbjälklag som har samma klimat på bägge sidor. Marken under en uppvärmd byggnad med grundkonstruktionen platta på mark antas vara varm och fuktig med en relativ fukthalt nära 100 %. Efter noggrann undersökning av fuktskadade platta på mark konstruktioner har det visat sig att temperatur- och fuktbeteende i dessa konstruktioner är mer komplicerade än tidigare förmodat. För att bredda underlaget för de fuktförhållanden som råder i underkant av en betongplatta på mark utfördes mätningar i en befintlig betongplatta. Rådet för ByggKompetens, RBK är de som bestämmer branschstandarden inom fuktmätning i Sverige. Från 2017 är den enda metoden för fuktmätning i betong som RBK rekommenderar en metod där ett hål borras i betongplattan, tätas med ett foderrör och en RF-givare monteras inuti. Denna metod användes vid mätningarna i detta arbete. Tre olika mätpunkter med två RF-givare vid varje mätpunkt har använts vid mätningarna. Resultaten från mätningarna visar på att den relativa fuktigheten i betongplattans underkant är nära 100 %. Resultaten från givarna varierade mellan 90 % till 100 % RF där majoriteten av resultaten ligger väldigt nära 100 % RF. I och med dessa resultat styrker denna rapport antagandet om att marken under en platta på mark har en RF på 100 % eller väldigt nära.

A pesquisa objetivou estudar a influência do grau de umidade da semente e da temperatura de armazenamento sobre a conservação das sementes de Talauma ovata. Para tanto, dois lotes de sementes com teores de água iniciais de 23,5% (lote 1) e 23,8% (lote 2) foram submetidos à secagem para a obtenção de sementes com os demais teores de água, 17,4%, 10,9% e 7,1% para o lote 1 e 15,8%, 13,1% e 10,0% para o lote 2. Em seguida, as sementes foram acondicionadas em sacos de polietileno e armazenadas sob temperaturas controladas de 15ºC e de 20ºC. As sementes foram armazenadas por 180 dias, lote 1, e por 60 dias, lote 2, e avaliadas mensalmente quanto ao teor de água, à emergência da plântula, ao índice de velocidade de emergência da plântula, à velocidade de emergência da plântula, ao comprimento da plântula e à massa da matéria seca da plântula; as sementes do lote 2 foram também avaliadas quanto à sanidade. O potencial fisiológico das sementes de Talauma ovata é favorecido pela secagam das sementes. A qualidade inicial das sementes de T. ovata influencia a longevidade das sementes. A secagem das sementes, para teores de água entre 10,9% e 13,1%, e o armazenamento das sementes a 15°C favorecem a conservação das sementes de T. ovata. / The research aimed to study the influence of the seed moisture content and storage temperature on Talauma ovata seed conservation. Thus, two seed lots with initial moisture content of 23.5% (lot 1) and 23.8% (lot 2) were dried and obtained tree moisture content levels in each lot, and the moisture contents were 17.4 %, 10.9% and 7.1% for lot 1 and 15.8%, 13.1% and 10.0% for lot 2. After obtaining the moisture content, seeds were conditioned in polyethylene bags and stored under controlled temperature at 15°C and 20°C. Seeds were stored for 180 days, lot 1, and 60 days, lot 2, and were monthly evaluated as for moisture content, sand seedling emergence, emergence index, seedling emergence speed, seedling length and seedling dry mass; seeds from lot 2 were also evaluated as health condition. Talauma ovata seeds has the phisiological potencial favored by drying seeds. T. ovata seed longevity has been influenced by initial quality. T. ovata seed conservation is favoured by seed with moisture content between 10,9% and 13,1% and storage temperature at 15°C.

Além da secagem convencional, a aplicação de tratamentos térmicos a altas temperaturas é um dos processos mais empregados para potencializar a estabilidade da madeira, porém necessitam de estrutura e equipamentos próprios. Diante disto, a proposta desta pesquisa fundamenta-se no estudo da aplicação de tratamentos estabilizadores para redução da higroscopicidade do material madeira, mediante temperaturas mais brandas (abaixo de 150°C) e que permitam a aplicação prática em equipamentos de secagem utilizados na indústria nacional. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos dos tratamentos estabilizadores nas propriedades físicas e componentes químicos da madeira para sua viabilização prática. O trabalho consistiu em duas etapas, na primeira: foram utilizadas três espécies de folhosas: Cedrinho (Erisma uncinatum), Tachi preto (Tachigali myrmecophyla) e Itaúba amarela (Mezilaurus itauba), foi realizada a caracterização anatômica das espécies utilizando Microscopia Ótica e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), e análise da composição química e propriedades físicas. As amostras destinadas aos tratamentos estabilizadores, inicialmente, foram secas em estufa convencional e em seguida passaram pelos tratamentos estabilizadores em autoclave a 90°C (24 e 96h) e 120°C (2h e 8h). Em seguida, foram realizados os condicionamentos higroscópicos (adsorção e dessorção) nas umidades relativas de 30, 60 e 90% para avaliação do potencial higroscópico e das variações dimensionais. Na segunda etapa, a partir dos resultados obtidos na primeira etapa, foi possível aplicar o tratamento propriamente dito, o piloto em escala industrial, utilizando uma estufa de secagem convencional (90°C por 24 horas); e em escala laboratorial (90°C por 24 e 96 horas), em uma câmara de climatização simulando um secador convencional. Para o tratamento piloto, foi levado em consideração a disponibilidade de matéria prima da empresa e tendo como foco o trabalho concomitante entre laboratório e aplicação industrial, a espécie utilizada foi o Cumarú (Dipterix sp), uma vez que essa espécie é considerada pela indústria como uma das mais problemáticas e, portanto, uma das espécies prioritárias para receber um tratamento que contribua para reduzir a variação dimensional após secagem. Os principais resultados permitiram observar que os tratamentos estabilizadores na forma em que foram aplicados na presente pesquisa, não causaram alterações na composição química na madeira das espécies e quando realizados em ambiente com alta umidade relativa, não apresentam redução significativa da higroscopicidade e da variação dimensional na maioria dos condicionamentos. Com aplicação do tratamento piloto foi possível observar que com o controle da umidade relativa do ar, tanto no início quanto no final do processo, é possível reduzir o potencial higroscópico da madeira mediante aplicação de tratamentos estabilizadores. / Besides conventional drying, the application of heat treatment at high temperatures is one of the processes employed to improve the stability of wood, however they require its own structure and equipment. Therefore, the purpose of this research is based on the application of the stabilizers treatments studies of wood material hygroscopicity reduction, using low temperatures (below 150°C) and that allows practical application in drying equipment used in the domestic industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stabilizing treatments on the physical properties and chemical components of wood for its practical feasibility. The research was comprised for two steps, the first: a total of three species of hardwoods had been used: Cedrinho (Erisma uncinatum), Tachi preto (Tachigali myrmecophyla) e Itaúba amarela (Mezilaurus itauba). The characterization of this three species was made by anatomical description, using Optical Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), the chemical composition analysis and the physical properties. Samples of the stabilizing treatment, initially, were dried in a conventional kiln dryer and then the stabilizing treatment was applied in an autoclave at 90°C (24 e 96h) e 120°C (2h e 8h). Next, the hygroscopic conditioning were conducted (adsorption and desorption) in relative humidity (RH) of 30, 60 and 90% for evaluation of hygroscopic potential and dimensional changes. In the second stage, from the results obtained in the first step, it was possible to apply the treatment itself, the industrial scale pilot, using a conventional kiln dryer (90°C for 24 hours); and laboratory scale (90°C for 24 and 96 hours) in a climate chamber simulating a conventional dryer. For the pilot treatment, the availability of raw materials in the company was taken into account and focusing on the concurrent work between laboratory and industrial application, the selected specie was Cumarú (Dipterix sp), considered by the industry as one of the most problematic and, therefore a priority species to receive a treatment that can help to reduce the dimensional change after drying. The main results allowed to observe that the stabilizing treatments in the way that were applied in this study, did not cause changes in the chemical composition and when performed in an environment with high relative humidity, show no significant reduction of hygroscopicity and dimensional variation in most of conditionings. From the implementation of pilot treatment was observed that adopting the control of relative humidity, both in the beginning and the end of the process, is possible to reduce hygroscopic potential of wood by applying stabilizers treatments.