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The primary focus of this thesis was to investigate the critical strain energy release rates (G) for mixed-mode (I/II) fracture of wood adhesive joints. The aims of the study were: (1) quantifying the fracture properties of two material systems, (2) analyzing the aspects that influence the fracture properties of bonded wood, (3) refining test procedures that particularly address layered orthotropic systems in which the layers are not parallel to the laminate faces, of which wood is often a particular case, and (4) developing testing methods that enhance the usefulness of performing mixed-mode tests with a dual-actuator load frame. The material systems evaluated experimentally involved yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), a hardwood of the Magnoliaceae family, as adherends and two different adhesives: a moisture-cure polyurethane (PU) and a phenol/resorcinol/-formaldehyde (PRF) resin. The geometry tested in the study was the double cantilever beam that, in a dual-actuator load frame, can be used for testing different levels of mode-mixity. The mixed-mode loading condition is obtained by applying different displacement rates with the two independently controlled actuators of the testing machine. Characteristic aspects such as the large variability of the adhesive layer thickness and the intrinsic nature of many wood species, where latewood layers are alternated with earlywood layers, often combine to confound the measures of the critical values of strain energy release rate, Gc. Adhesive layer thickness variations were observed to be substantial also in specimens prepared with power-planed wood boards and affect the value of Gc of the specimens. The grain orientation of latewood and earlywood, materials that often have different densities and elastic moduli, limits the accuracy of traditional standard methods for the evaluation of Gc. The traditional methods, described in the standards ASTM D3433-99 and BS 7991:2001, were originally developed for uniform and isotropic materials but are widely used by researchers also for bonded wood, where they tend to confound stiffness variations with Gc variations. Experimental analysis and analytical computations were developed for quantifying the spread of Gc data that is expected to be caused by variability of the adhesive layer thickness and by the variability of the bending stiffness along wooden beams. / Ph. D.

This study focuses on factors that affect the structural integrity of wood-based composites. Wood-based composites exposed to fire may decompose due to the elevated temperatures, resulting in a degradation in performance. Thermal modelling can only predict the structural integrity of construction materials in fire if it is given accurate inputs. Consequently, methods for the characterization of the thermal, physical, and mechanical behaviors of wood and wood-based composites are selected, designed, and benchmarked. The relevant thermal and physical responses characterized includes porosity, permeability and thermal diffusivity. Common construction materials (white pine board, medium density fiberboard and spruce 24) are characterized from room temperature to complete decomposition. The characterization techniques and processes are based on existing literature and relevant ASTM standards. To reduce the number of experiments required for future material characterization, estimates based upon the degree of decomposition and the measured values for the virgin and charred materials are used. For porosity and thermal diffusivity, these models allow values at intermediate temperatures to be estimated with measurements at room temperature and complete decomposition and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). We find that permeability depends heavily on the microstructure of materials and should be measured independently at the conditions of interest. An additional important aspect of the performance of wood-based composites is the fracture behavior of wood/adhesive systems. Adhesive bonding enables many engineered wood products such as furniture and structural wood joints and the adhesive fracture toughness often determines the durability. The conventional characterization method for wood/adhesive fracture resistance relies on samples with machined grain angles designed to funnel cracks to the adhesive interface. This method of sample preparation is difficult and time-consuming for certain wood species. In this work, a practical and efficient method is developed to characterize adhesive fracture energy of adhesively bonded veneer systems. In the method, auxiliary aluminum adherends are bonded to the veneers in an effort to drive the crack to the wood/adhesive interface. The method is applied to rotary-peeled veneers and saw-cut veneers produced from three species of wood bonded with three commonly used adhesives. The new tests method yields a high interfacial failure rate and successfully identifies differences in the performance of the three adhesives. SPG (one species of the rotary-peeled veneers) demonstrates a rising R-curve behavior (an increase in the fracture toughness with crack length) when bonded on the loose side. This increase in fracture toughness is observed to be a result of adhesive-substrate interaction, which is a developing process zone behind the crack tip consisting of bridged wood ligaments. / Doctor of Philosophy / Construction materials exposed to elevated temperatures from fires may reach temperatures where the material decomposes from the original material to a char. Protected and unprotected structural timber products exposed to fires may exhibit this behavior resulting in a degradation of performance. Understanding the thermal and physical responses of these materials is crucial in evaluating the materials behavior in fire. Additionally, many wood-based products (such as furniture) rely on adhesive bonds. Consequently, their usefulness is determined by the performance of those bonds. In this work, methods are developed to measure key properties impacting the behavior of wood-based systems at elevated temperatures, such as that experienced in fires and when they are subjected to forces attempting to debond one wood material from another. These techniques are demonstrated on common building materials (white pine board, medium density fiberboard and spruce 24) and wood veneers from three different species bonded with three different adhesives. Mathematical models are developed to expand the use of the data beyond the specific conditions for which it is measured.

This study focused on the development and evaluation of die-attach material and substrate technology for high-temperature applications. For the die-attach material, a low-temperature sintering technique enabled by a nanoscale silver paste was developed for attaching large-area (>100 mm2) semiconductor chips. The nanoscale silver paste can be sintered at a much lower temperature (<300 oC) than in the conventional sintering process (>800 oC), and at the same time reached about 80 vol% bulk density. Analyses of the sintered joints by scanning acoustic imaging and electron microscopy showed that the attachment layer had a uniform microstructure with micron-sized porosity with the potential for high reliability under high temperature applications. We also investigated the effects of a large temperature cycling range on the reliability of direct bonded aluminum (DBA) substrate. DBA substrates with different metallization were thermally cycled between -55 oC and 250 oC. Unlike with the DBC substrate, no delamination of aluminum from the aluminum nitride ceramic base-plate was observed for the DBA substrates. However, aluminum surface became roughened during the thermal cycling test. It was believed that in the high-temperature regime, the significant amount of thermomechanical stress and grain-scale deformation would cause recrystallization and grain-boundary sliding in the aluminum layer, which would further lead to the observed increase in surface roughness. The influence of metallization over the aluminum surface on the extent of surface roughness was also characterized. In addition to evaluating the reliability of nanoscale silver paste and DBA substrate individually, this work also conducted experiments that characterize the compatibility of nanoscale silver paste on DBA substrate in terms of reliability in a high-temperature environment. In the large-area attachment, the sintered silver was found to be very compliant with the deformed aluminum. The device-to-silver and silver-to-substrate interfaces remain intact after up to 800 cycles. No large scale delamination and horizontal cracks were observed. However, some vertical crack lines began to show after certain number of cycles. It was believed that these vertical cracks were caused by the thermomechanical stresses in the sintered silver layer. In addition, with regard to the thermal performance, since most of the heat was generated from the semiconductor devices and were transferred vertically through the die-attach material to substrate, these vertical cracks were also considered more advantageous than horizontal cracks. / Ph. D.

<p dir="ltr">Post-tensioned concrete is a popular structural system in modern bridge design, allowing for longer bridge spans and the construction of curved, spliced, and segmental girders. When designed and constructed properly, post-tensioned concrete can offer improved durability over reinforced concrete as it is more resistant to cracking. However, corrosion of prestressing strands can compromise the integrity of post-tensioned construction. Grouting has been the primary method of providing corrosion protection to the prestressing strands. However, grouting of tendons presents numerous limitations and results in multiple problems in practice. As a result, there has been increased interest in the use of unbonded tendons. Corrosion protection can still be achieved in unbonded tendons through the use of flexible fillers such as grease and microcrystalline wax. Limited research has been conducted on unbonded tendons, and no known research exists regarding the behavior of unbonded tendons subject to torsion. The objective of this research was to investigate the torsional behavior and strength of unbonded post-tensioned bridge girders. The scope of work included testing six specimens to investigate the difference in behavior between bonded and unbonded tendons as well as the influence of internal versus external ducts. The influence of transverse reinforcement was also considered.</p>

Yes / UV/vis absorption titrations have been used to investigate the formation of H-bonded complexes between anionic H-bond acceptors (HBAs) and neutral H-bond donors (HBDs) in organic solvents. Complexes formed by three different HBDs with 15 different anions were studied in chloroform and in acetonitrile. The data were used to determine self-consistent HBA parameters (β) for chloride, bromide, iodide, phosphate diester, acetate, benzoate, perrhenate, nitrate, triflimide, perchlorate, hexafluorophosphate, hydrogen sulfate, methyl sulfonate, triflate, and perfluorobutyl sulfonate. The results demonstrate the transferability of H-bond parameters for anions between different solvents and different HBD partners, allowing reliable prediction of anion recognition properties in other scenarios. Carboxylates are the strongest HBAs studied, with β parameters (≈ 15) that are significantly higher than those of neutral organic HBAs, and the non-coordinating anion hexafluorophosphate is the weakest acceptor, with a β parameter comparable to that of pyridine. The effects of ion pairing with the counter-cation were found to be negligible, provided small polar cations were avoided in the less polar solvent (chloroform). There is no correlation between the H-bonding properties of the anions and the pKa values of the conjugate acids. / Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

中國總體經濟成長快速，物流業規模逐漸擴大，尤其加入WTO之後，對物流業的需求不只是量的增加，更需要質的提升。在金流及物流長久以來皆由國家所掌控下，中國官方終於釋放出第一張民營的物流中心牌照，由中外合資於東北地區成立S保稅物流中心。在全方位物流的定位下，S保稅物流中心不論在地理位置或未來的發展上皆占有舉足輕重之角色。藉由本研究瞭解S保稅物流中心在中國東北的佈局及發展，不僅可以窺探當前中國官方在物流產業上的規劃及建設，更可以深入瞭解中國政策環境及東北目前的開發情況，並凸顯中國東北區位的重要性，有助於未來有意朝大陸發展的企業更加掌握中國大陸地區於物流市場的潛在商機及市場。 / With the growing economic development in China, the domestic market for logistics is getting bigger than ever. Especially after China became a member of World Trade Organization (WTO), what is even more important to the logistic industry is the quality enhancement. Since banking and logistic industries have long time been controlled by the government, a bonded logistic center invested both officially and privately in Shenyang, which is one of the capitals in north-east of China, is no doubt a big step forward. This paper focuses on studying into the set-up of Shenyang Bonded Logistic Center and describing the current conditions in economic and political environment. Several logistic centers are also discussed in this paper. Through the study a lot of information is organized in the hope of offering a good reference for those who are seeking an opportunity in logistic operations in China. Some suggestions and recommendations for further studies are provided as well in the end of this paper.

As pontes tradicionais de madeira no Brasil, nem sempre atingem as condições plenamente satisfatórias em estradas vicinais, exigem manutenção contínua e a maioria não está adequada ao tráfego pesado usual. As pontes mistas de madeira e concreto destacam-se como alternativa econômica apresenta grande resistência e rigidez além de exigir baixa manutenção. Neste trabalho os estudos dos tabuleiros mistos de madeira e concreto para pontes desenvolveram-se em três fases: estudo da ancoragem de barras de aço coladas em peças estruturais de madeira; estudo dos conectores de cisalhamento formados por barras de aço coladas na madeira em corpos-de-prova mistos de madeira e concreto e, estudos; construções e análises de protótipos de tabuleiros mistos de madeira e concreto. Nos estudos de ancoragens, as barras de aço com superfície deformada, do tipo CA-50 com tensão de escoamento 'F IND.Y,K' = 500 MPa, foram coladas em furos com diâmetros maiores, inclinadas de '0, 45 e 90 GRAUS' em relação às fibras das madeiras. Utilizaram-se quatro tipos de resina epóxi e uma poliuretana, considerando as principais variáveis que influenciam na resistência de ancoragem. Os corpos-de-prova foram construídos com amostragens de madeiras de: Eucalyptus citriodora (&#961; 12% = 1000 kg/'M POT.3') e Pinus oocarpa shiede (&#961; 12% = 550 kg/'M POT.3'). Os testes de ancoragem apresentam as estimativas das resistências médias obtidas por meio de análise de regressão múltipla e as resistências características, obtidas pelo limite inferior do intervalo de confiança a 90%. Nos estudos dos conectores de cisalhamento utilizaram-se corpos-de-prova mistos, do tipo push out, executados com madeira roliça natural de Eucalyptus citriodora tratada com CCA e concreto armado de média resistência. Os conectores de cisalhamento, em três variações, foram executados com barras de aço do tipo CA-50 ancoradas na madeira, com a resina epóxi SIKADUR 32 fluido e inclinados de '45 GRAUS' em relação às fibras, os resultados apresentam, as resistências últimas médias, as resistências características; os valores médios e os valores característicos dos módulos de deslizamento da conexão. Nos estudos, projetos e execuções de dois tabuleiros mistos, de madeira e concreto, utilizaram-se toras de Eucalyptus citriodora tratadas com CCA, concreto armado de média resistência e conectores de barras de aço coladas com resina epóxi no formato X. Análises estáticas foram realizadas submetendo os tabuleiros às provas de carga, utilizando caminhões. Os deslocamentos na linha central transversal foram medidos e comparados com os valores teóricos calculados usando um modelo de cálculo que considera o tabuleiro misto como uma placa ortotrópica equivalente. Os conectores apresentaram alta resistência; alta rigidez e modo de ruptura uniforme. Os tabuleiros mistos de madeira e concreto apresentaram muito bom desempenho, confirmaram-se as hipóteses fundamentais e o modelo de cálculo proposto. / The traditional timber bridges in secondary roads in Brazil not always meet the requirements of quality, but they also demand continuing maintenance and adequacy to heavy traffic. The mixed wood-concrete deck bridges arise as a viable alternative, because of its low construction cost, low maintenance and its high strength and stiffness. In this thesis the mixed wood concrete deck bridge studies was showed in three phases: the experimental pull out strength results of bonded-in steel rods in wood beams studs; the experimental analysis on shear connectors in mixed wood concrete specimens using bonded-in steel bars and, designs; constructions and statistics tests on log-concrete composed deck bridges was presented too. In the anchorage studies the deformed and reinforced CA-50 steel bars, with the minimum yield strength of 500 Mpa, were bonded in holes drilled at angles of '0, 45 and 90 DEGREES' between the rods and on the direction of grain. Four types of epoxy and one polyurethane adhesive were used regarding the influence of the most significant variables. The specimens were made using Eucalyptus citriodora (&#961; 12% = 1000 kg/'M POT.3') and Pinus oocarpa shiede (&#961; 12% = 550 kg/'M POT.3') beams. The pull out tests presents the median strength results estimated by multiple regression analysis and the characteristics response estimated by the lower range in 90% of the confidence interval. In the shear connections studies were carried using specimens of push out tests type made of logs of Eucalyptus citriodora treated with CCA and medium strength reinforced concrete. The shear connectors, in three shapes, were made with CA-50 steel bars bonded-in wood with SIKADUR 32 fluid epoxi resin, with '45 DEGREES' angles between the rods and on the direction of grain. The results presents the ultimate limit strength median, the characteristics strength, the slip modulus medians and the characteristics slip modulus. In the studies, designs and executions of two mixed wood-concrete decks bridge were used made of logs of Eucalyptus citriodora treated with CCA, medium strength reinforced concrete, and bonded-in steel CA-50 rods, as shear connectors in X format. Same static loads test on the bridges was carried out using a truck. Deflections in the medium span transversal directions were measured and analytically predicted using an equivalent orthotropic plate model. The shear connectors showed high ultimate strength and stiffness and, uniforms failure mode. The results showed a very good performance to the composed log-concrete deck bridges, it confirms the fundamental hypothesis and calculus model suggested.

Esse trabalho teve como objetivo verificar o efeito da adição do ácido oléico na moagem de alta velocidade/energia na obtenção de pós magnéticos em escala nanométricas da liga Pr12Fe65,9Co16B6Nb0,1. A primeira etapa deste trabalho, envolveu a obtenção de pós magnéticos por meio do processo de hidrogenação, desproporção, dessorção e recombinação (HDDR), utilizando a pressão de H2 de 930 mbar (hidrogenação e desproporção) e temperatura de dessorção e recombinação de 840 ºC. Inicialmente, os pós HDDR foram submetidos à moagem de alta velocidade/energia a 900 rpm, com variação do volume do meio de moagem (ciclohexano) sem adição de ácido oleico. Em seguida, os pós HDDR foram submetidos à moagem com adição de ácido oleico, variando o tempo de moagem. Após a moagem, foi realizado tratamento térmico dos pós a 700 ºC ou 800 ºC durante 30 min., com a finalidade de cristalização do pó. Foi verificado que, a utilização de 6,6 ml de ciclohexano como meio de moagem e com adição de ácido oleico há uma melhora na eficiência da moagem dos pós. Para adições de surfactante, de 0,02 a 0,05 ml e tempos de moagem até 360 minutos, não ocorre a aglomeração dos pós magnéticos no pote de moagem, obtendo acima de 90% de eficiência na moagem. A segunda etapa deste trabalho envolveu a caracterização dos pós magnéticos: utilizando magnetômetro de amostra vibrante, microscopia eletrônica de Varredura, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e difração de raios-X. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a adição de ácido oléico na moagem de alta velocidade/energia proporciona uma melhora nas propriedades magnéticas. Com a variação do tempo de moagem a fase Fe-&alpha; presente no pó HDDR apresenta diminuição no tamanho do cristalito (de 35 para ~ 10 nm) enquanto que, na fase Pr2Fe14B verifica-se menor grau de cristalinidade. / This work verified the effect caused by adding the surfactant in the high speed/energy milling in order to obtain Pr12Fe65.9Co16B6Nb0.1 magnetic nanopowders. The first part of this work involved the magnetic powder obtainment through the process of hydrogenation, disproportionation, desorption and recombination (HDDR). The pressure of H2 during the hydrogenation and disproportion steps was 930 mbar and the temperature of desorption and recombination was 840 ºC. Initially, the HDDR powders were subjected a highspeed milling process at 900 rpm, with quantity variations of the milling medium (cyclohexane) and without the addition of oleic acid. Then, the HDDR powders were subjected to the milling process with the addition of oleic acid and with milling time variations. After the milling process, heat treatments of the powder were carried out at 700 °C or 800 °C for 30 minutes in order to obtain the crystallization of the powder. By performing the procedures, it was verified that the milling efficiency improved with the addition of 6.6 ml of cyclohexane as the milling medium and with the addition of oleic acid. It was determined that for the surfactant additions of 0.02 ml to 0.05 ml, with a milling time of up to 360 minutes, powder agglomeration does not occur in the milling pot and the milling efficiency is higher than 90%. The second stage of this work involved the magnetic powders characterization obtained by using vibrating sample magnetometer, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Through the characterizations it was found that the powders magnetic properties improved when the addition of oleic acid in a high-speed /energy milling occurred. It was also verified that the &alpha;-Fe phase, present in the powder, shows a crystallite size decrease (from 35 nm to ~ 10 nm) when the time milling variation occurred; meanwhile, the crystallinity degree was lower in the Pr2Fe14B phase when the time milling variations was carried out.

OBJETIVO: o Fator-C é normalmente usado para predizer a tensão de contração em interfaces compósito-dente. Foi delineado um estudo para contribuir a esclarecer os elementos que permitem prever a tensão em interfaces de restaurações adesivas. Teoricamente, a tensão varia em função da oposição à contração (rigidez do substrato), da complacência e das dimensões e propriedades mecânicas do compósito. MÉTODOS: foram obtidos pelo Método de Elementos Finitos (MEF) 8 modelos estilizados 3D não-lineares de cavidades Classe I mantendo constantes o volume (20 mm3) e a espessura das paredes (20 mm) e com variação do Fator-C (1,9 a 13,5). Foi simulado contato tipo glue entre compósito e dente. A contração de polimerização, por analogia térmica do compósito, foi 1%. Foram analisadas as tensões e deformações principais. Foi também idealizado um método para calcular por MEF a complacência regionalizada e foi avaliada sua validade pela comparação do resultado obtido por este método com o valor de complacência calculada analiticamente para um cubo de dentina de 1 mm de lado fixado numa de suas faces. Foi ainda idealizado um método para calcular, para cada formato de cavidade, o volume útil de compósito capaz de influir para aumentar o pico de tensão na interface. Por fim, com os elementos anteriores, foi calculado para cada cavidade um valor de Fator-CA, dependente da complacência na região de pico e do volume útil de compósito. Foi avaliada a capacidade de predizer o pico de tensão mediante o teste de correlação (Pearson) entre o pico de tensão e o Fator-CA, bem como entre o pico de tensão e o Fator-C. RESULTADOS: os picos de tensões provocadas pela contração em cavidades de classe I tendem a diminuir em função do aumento do Fator-C, embora o teste de Pearson evidenciou significância apenas para a tensão Máxima Principal na parede XZ e no eixo Z. O cálculo da complacência regional obtido por MEF foi de 0,0652 m/N, bem próximo ao valor analítico (0,0666 m/N). O Fator-CA correlacionou significantemente e positivamente com as três tensões obtidas na quina (Von Mises, Máxima Principal e Máxima Cisalhante). CONCLUSÕES: o aumento do Fator-C não conduz ao aumento dos picos de tensão em cavidades de classe I. O método de cálculo de complacência é válido para estruturas complexas. O Fator-CA permite predizer os picos de tensão em compósitos aderidos em cavidades de classe I. / OBJECTIVES: The C-Factor is normally used to predict the shrinkage stress at composite-tooth interfaces. A study was outlined for clarifying the elements which allows providing the stress at bonded restorations interface. Theoretically, the stress varies as a function of the opposition to the shrinkage (substrate stiffness), the compliance, dimensions and mechanical properties of the composite. METHODS: Eight 3D non-linear stylized models of Class I cavities were obtained by the Finite Element Method (FEM), maintaining the volume (20 mm3) and wall thickness (2 mm) constant and varying the C-Factor (1.9 through 13.5). A \'glue\' contact between the composite and teeth was simulated. A 1% polymerization shrinkage was simulated by using thermal analogy of the composite. Principal stresses and strains were analyzed. A method for calculating the local compliance by FEM was also idealized as well as its validity of comparing the obtained result with the analytical compliance value of a 1 mm dentin cube, with fixation at one of its faces. A method for calculating, for each cavity shape, the \'useful volume\' of the composite, which is able to influence on the stress peak increase at the interface, was further idealized. And finally, using elements mentioned before, a compliance dependent value, so-called CA-Factor, was calculated for each cavity, at peak and \'useful volume\' of the composite regions. The capability on predicting the stress peak by the correlation test (Pearson) between the stress peak and the CA-Factor as well as between the stress peak and the C-Factor was also evaluated. RESULTS: the stress peaks generated by the shrinkage on Class I cavities tend to decrease as a function of the C-Factor, though the Pearson only showed the significance for the maximum principal stress at the XZ wall and Z axis. The local compliance calculation obtained by FEM was 0.0652 m/N, which was very close to the analytical one (0.0666 m/N). The CA-Factor presented a positive and significant correlation with all three stresses obtained at the trihedral angle formed by two occlusal edges. (Von Mises, maximum principal and maximum shear stresses). CONCLUSION: the increase of the C-Factor does not lead to the increase of the stress peaks in Class I cavities. The method for calculating the compliance is valid for complex structures. The CA-Factor allows providing the stress peaks for bonded composites on Class I cavities.