Vibratory gyroscopes have gained immense popularity in the microsystem technology because of their suitability to planar fabrication techniques. With considerable effort in design and fabrication, MEMS (Micro-electro-mechanical-system) vibratory gyroscopes have started pervading consumer electronics apart from their well known applications in aerospace and defence systems. Vibratory gyroscopes operate on the Coriolis principle for sensing rates of rotation of the r tating body. They typically employ capacitive or piezoresistive sensing for detecting the Coriolis force induced motion which is, in turn, used to determine the impressed rate of rotation. Interestingly, Nature also uses vibratory gyroscopes in its designs. Over several years, it has evolved an incredibly elegant design for vibratory gyroscopes in the form of dipteran halteres. Dipterans are known to receive mechanosensory feedback on their aerial rotations from halteres for their flight navigation. Insect biologists have also studied this sensor and continue to be fascinated by the intricate mechanism employed to sense the rate of rotation. In most Diptera, including the soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, the halteres are simple cantilever like structures with an end mass that probably evolved from the hind wings of the ancestral four-winged insect form. The halteres along with their connecting joint with the fly’s body constitute a mechanism that is used for muscle-actuated oscillations of the halteres along the actuation direction. These oscillations occur in the actuation plane such that any rotation of the insect body, induces Coriolis force on the halteres causing their plane of vibration to shift laterally by a small degree. This induced deflection along the sensing plane (out of the haltere’s actuation plane) results in strain variation at the base of the haltere shaft, which is sensed by the campaniform sensilla. The goal of the current study is to understand the strain sensing mechanism of the haltere, the nature of boundary attachments of the haltere with the fly’s body, the reasons of asymmetrical geometry of the haltere, and the interaction between both wings and the contralateral wing and haltere. In order to understand the haltere’s strain sensing mechanism, we estimate the strain pattern at the haltere base induced due to rotations about the body’s pitch, roll, and yaw axes. We model the haltere as a cantilever structure (cylindrical stalk with a spherical end knob) with experimentally determined material properties from nanoindentation and carry out analytical and numerical (finite element) analysis to estimate strains in the haltere due to Coriolis forces and inertia forces resulting from various body rotations. From the strain pattern, we establish a correlation between the location of maximum strain and the position of the campaniform sensilla and propose strain sensing mechanisms. The haltere is connected to the meta thoracic region of the fly’s body by a complicated hinge mechanism that actuates the haltere into angular oscillations with a large amplitude of 170 ◦ in the actuation plane and very small oscillation in the sensing plane. We aim to understand the reason behind the dissimilar boundary attachments along the two directions. We carry out bending experiments using micro Newton force sensor and estimate the stiffness along the actuation and sensing directions. We observe that the haltere behaves as a rigid body in the actuation direction and a flexible body in the sensing direction. We find the haltere to be a resonating structure with two different kinds of boundary attachments in the actuation and sensing directions. We create a finite element model of the haltere joint based on the optical and scanning microscope images, approximate material properties, and stiffness properties obtained from the bending experiments. We subsequently validate the model with experimental results. The haltere geometry has asymmetry along the length and the cross-section. This specific design of the haltere is in contrast to the the existing MEMS vibratory gyroscope, where the elastic beams supporting the proof mass are typically designed with symmetric cross-sections so that there is a mode matching between the actuation and the sensing vibrations. The mode matching provides high sensitivity and low bandwidth. Hence, we are interested in understanding the mechanical significance of the haltere’s asymmetry. First, we estimate the location of the maximum stress by using the actual geometry of the haltere. Next, by using the stiffness determined from bending experiments and mass properties from the geometric model, we find the natural frequencies along both actuation and sensing directions. We compare these findings with existing MEMS vibratory gyroscopes. The dipteran halteres always vibrate at the wing beat frequency. Each wing maintains 180 ◦ phase difference with its contralateral haltere and the opposite wing. Both wings and the contralateral wing-haltere mechanism exhibit coupled oscillatory motion through passive linkages. These linkages modulate the frequency and maintain the out- of-phase relationship. We explore the dynamics behind the out-of-phase behaviour and the frequency modulation of the wing-wing and wing-haltere coupled oscillatory motion. We observe that the linear coupled oscillatory model can explain the out-of-phase relationship between the two wings. However, a nonlinear coupled oscillator model is required to explain both frequency synchronization and frequency modulation of the wing with the haltere. We also carry out a finite element analysis of the wing-haltere mechanism and show that the out-of-phase motion between the wing and the haltere is due to the passive mechanical linkage of finite strength and high actuation force. The results of this study reveal the mechanics of the haltere as a rate sensing gyroscope and show the basis of the Nature’s design of this elegant sensor. This study brings out two specific features— the large amplitude actuated oscillations and the asymmetric geometry of the haltere structure— that are not found in current vibratory gyroscope designs. We hope that our findings inspire new designs of MEMS gyroscopes that have elegance and simplicity of the haltere along with the desired performance.

D’après les limites d’acceptation pour la mise en décharge des déchets, les REFIOM (Résidus d’Epuration des Fumées d’Incinération d’Ordures Ménagères) sont considérés comme déchets dangereux, car ils libèrent des quantités importantes de chlorures et de métaux lourds lorsqu’ils entrent en contact avec de l’eau. Ces solides doivent par conséquent être traités avant leur mise en décharge. A côté des traitements visant l’acceptabilité des REFIOM en décharge, quelques recherches entrevoient la possibilité de valoriser ces résidus, notamment dans des matériaux cimentaires. <p>Les recherches présentées ici s’inscrivent dans cette tendance nouvelle et visent l’élaboration d’un procédé combinant traitement et valorisation des REFIOM. <p>Les REFIOM représentent en fait différents types de résidus provenant des installations que rencontrent les fumées issues de l’incinération des déchets. La composition des résidus diffère selon leur origine. Il est dès lors apparu essentiel de considérer chaque type de résidu séparément et de poursuivre l’élaboration d’un traitement sur un seul type de REFIOM. Nous avons choisi de concentrer les recherches sur les Cendres Volantes de Chaudière (CVC), ces résidus se retrouvant dans tout incinérateur. <p>Le traitement des CVC est basé sur l’extraction de fractions valorisables et la séparation de fractions contaminées, permettant d’obtenir des résidus acceptables en décharge ou, idéalement eux-mêmes valorisables. <p>Une séparation magnétique permet d’extraire environ 10% en poids des CVC mais ne semble pas exploitable dans le cadre du traitement des CVC car les particules magnétiques contiennent des impuretés (composés non magnétiques) et que le résidu final reste contaminé. <p>Une étude de la répartition des éléments en fonction de la taille des particules (granulochimie) est effectuée sur les CVC. Il apparaît intéressant de séparer la fraction inférieure à 38 µm obtenue lors d’une séparation granulométrique, effectuée en voie humide en utilisant une solution dense. En effet, cette fraction semble être nettement plus contaminée en Pb (soluble) que le reste des CVC. Une telle séparation constitue dès lors la première étape du traitement des CVC. Elle est suivie par des étapes de lavage des fractions obtenues, visant à extraire les sels solubles (chlorures et métaux). Les lavages sont envisagés à contre-courant afin d’utiliser au mieux l’eau de lavage. Une recirculation interne des solutions est également prévue, de sorte que, théoriquement, le procédé ne génère pas d’effluents liquides. Une étape de précipitation de composés métalliques (PbS dans ce cas-ci) est prévue après le lavage des boues. <p>Le procédé de traitement des CVC produirait ainsi des boues et des granulats décontaminés, des sels et des précipités métalliques. Seules certaines étapes du procédé ont été investiguées en laboratoire ;des essais supplémentaires sont encore nécessaires pour optimiser chaque étape, comprendre les phénomènes physico-chimiques qui se produisent et assurer des filières de valorisation. <p>/<p>Municipal Solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) fly ashes and Air Pollution Control (APC) residues are considered as hazardous waste according to the limits for the acceptance of waste at landfills, because high amounts of chlorides and heavy metals leach from the solids when those are in contact with water. These residues have thus to be treated before they can be accepted in landfill. Several treatments aim to limit the leaching of the residues. Beside these treatments, some research works go further the treatment and consider the valorisation of MSWI fly ashes and APC residues, e.a. in cementitious materials. <p>The present work follows the new trend and aims to build up a process that combines treatment and valorisation of MSWI fly ashes and APC residues. <p>MSWI fly ashes and APC residues come from the devices encountered by the flue gases from waste incineration. The residues composition differs according to their origin. It seems thus essential to consider each type of residues separately and to develop the treatment only on one sort of residue. Boiler Fly Ashes (BFA) were chosen because they exist in every modern MSWI plant. <p>The BFA treatment is based on the extraction of valorisable fractions and on the separation of contaminated fractions, which makes the final residues less hazardous; these final residues would then be acceptable in landfill, or, even better, be valorisable. <p>A magnetic sorting extracts ~10% (wt.) of BFA; however, such a separation would not be useful in a treatment process because the magnetic particles contain some impurities (non magnetic particles) and the final residue is still hazardous. <p>The repartition of the elements according to the particles size has been studied on BFA. It seems interesting to separate the BFA at 38 µm by a wet sieving process using a dense solution. The lower fraction presents a higher contamination in Pb (soluble) than the larger. Consequently, the first step of the BFA treatment consists of a wet sieving. Washing steps follow the sieving and aim to extract soluble salts (chlorides, heavy metals). These washings work in a counter-current way to optimise the use of water. The solutions are recycled in the process, which implies the absence of liquid effluents. A precipitation step of some metallic compounds (PbS in this case) is foreseen after the washing of the lower fraction. <p>The BFA treatment process would produce decontaminated sludge and coarse fractions, salts and metallic compounds. Some steps of the process have been investigated at lab-scale; further studies are necessary to optimise each step, to understand the observed reactions and to guarantee valorisation channels. / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Entomology / Ludek Zurek / House fly (Musca domestica L.) larvae develop in decaying organic substrates such as animal manure and adult flies likely play an important role in the ecology of fecal bacteria, including potentially virulent strains. House fly larval development strictly depends on an active bacterial community in the habitat. Although the principle of this symbiosis is not well understood, this association plays a fundamental role in transmission of microbes by this insect. In this study, enterococci were chosen as a model organism to assess the role of house flies in dissemination of multi-drug resistant bacteria in the agricultural environment. House flies (FF) and cattle manure (FM) from a cattle feedlot (frequent use of antibiotics) and house flies (BF) and manure of the American bison (BM) from the Konza Prairie Nature Preserve (no antibiotic use) were collected and analyzed. Results showed a significantly higher prevalence of enterococci resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin in FM and FF compared to that of BF and BM. Enterococcal diversity did not indicate the house fly development in manure in the corresponding habitats but the antibiotic resistance data showed very similar profiles among isolates from flies and corresponding locations. Resistance genes (tetM, tetS, tetO, ermB) and the conjugative transposon Tn916 were the most commonly detected determinants from resistant isolates from both environments. The house fly digestive tract was evaluated for the potential for horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes among Enterococcus faecalis. Horizontal transfer of the pCF10 plasmid with the tetracycline resistance gene (tetM) occurred in the fly digestive tract with a transfer rate up to 101 T/D. In addition, eight enterococcal species were selected to evaluate their role and survival during house fly development. Overall, the survival rate (egg to adult) was significantly higher with E. hirae, E. durans and E. avium compared to other strains. These results indicate: a) house flies play an important role in the ecology of antibiotic resistant enterococci; b) the house fly digestive tract provides conditions for horizontal gene transfer among enterococci, and c) enterococci support the house fly development and can colonize the gut of newly emerging adult flies.

Geopolymers are a relatively new class of materials that have many broad applications, including use as substitute for ordinary Portland cement (OPC), use in soil stabilisation, fire resistant panels, refractory cements, and inorganic adhesives. Geopolymers are an alternative binder to Portland cement in the manufacture of mortars and concrete, as its three-dimensional alumino silicate network develops excellent strength properties. Use of geopolymers in place of ordinary Portland cement is also favoured owing to the possible energy and carbon dioxide savings. Geopolymer is typically synthesized by alkali activation of pozzolanas at moderate temperatures (< 1000C). The focus of the thesis is synthesis and characterization of geopolymers as construction materials. In this context, the role of compositional factors, such as, pozzolana type (fly ash, kaolinite, metakaolinite, ground granulated blast furnace slag, red soil), alkali (sodium hydroxide is used in this study) activator concentration, Si/Al (Si= silicon, Al = aluminium) ratio of the pozzolana and environmental factors, namely, curing period and temperature are examined. Besides synthesizing geopolymers that could be an alternate to concrete as construction material, sand-sized aggregates were synthesized using geopolymer reactions. This was done as river sand is becoming scarcer commodity for use as construction material. Several compositional and environmental factors were varied in geopolymer synthesis in order to identify the optimum synthesis conditions that yield geopolymers with maximum compressive strength. Besides varying external (compositional and environmental) factors, the role of internal microstructure in influencing the compressive strength of the geopolymer was examined. Micro-structure examinations were made using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) studies. The studies on compositional and environmental factors in geopolymer synthesis brought out several interesting results. The results firstly brought out that amongst the pozzolanas studied, ASTM class F fly ash is most suited for maximum compressive strength mobilization upon geopolymer reactions. Moderate temperature (75-1000C) was adequate to mobilize large compressive strengths. Room temperature curing needed more than 7 days before the pozzolana-NaOH paste began to develop strength. Curing period of 56 days was needed for the geopolymer to develop significant strength (19.6MPa). A similar range of compressive strength could be developed by the pozzolana-NaOH paste upon curing for 3 days at 1000C. Likewise curing the pozzolana-NaOH paste at temperatures > 1000C led to reduction in compressive strength from shrinkage and breakage of bonds. A caustic soda (NaOH) concentration of 10 M was adequate to develop maximum compressive strength of the geopolymer. Caustic soda concentrations in excess of 10 M did not result in further improvement of strength. The Si/Al ratio also contributes to strength mobilization. The Si/Al ratio of the geopolymer was enhanced by mixing commercially obtained silica gel with the pozzolana. Maximum strength mobilization was observed at Si/Al ratio = 2.45 corresponding to 6.5 % silica gel addition to the pozzolana (on dry mass basis). Comparing compressive strengths of geopolymers with varying silica gel contents, geopolymer specimens with least water content and largest dry density did not exhibit maximum compressive strength indicating that the physico-chemical (bond strength, micro-structure) played a pivotal role than physical parameters (dry density, water content) in dictating the strength of the geopolymer. MIP results showed that bulk of the porosity in fly ash geopolymer specimens is contributed by macro pores and air voids. Geopolymerization leads to bulk consumption of cenospheres in fly ash and forms polymerized matrix with network of large pores. After geopolymerization, all the main characteristic peaks of Al–Si minerals observed in fly ash persisted, suggesting that no new major crystalline phases were formed. Presence of small amount of inorganic contaminants in fly ash can drastically reduce the strength of the fly ash geopolymer. For example, 5-20 % presence of red soil reduces the strength of fly ash geopolymer by 16 to 59 %. Presence of unreacted clay coupled with less porous structure is responsible for the reduction in compressive strength of fly ash geopolymer subjected to red soil addition. MIP studies with geopolymers also revealed that there is good bearing between compressive strengths and maximum intruded volume (from MIP test) of geopolymers. For example, fly ash geopolymer specimen exhibits highest total intruded volume (0.3908 cc/g) and largest compressive strength of 29.5 MPa, while red soil geopolymer specimen exhibit least intruded volume (0.0416 cc/g) and lowest compressive strength (5.4 MPa). Further, analysis showed that specimens with larger airvoids+macropores volume had larger compressive strength, suggesting that geopolymers with more porous microstructure develop larger compressive strength. All geopolymer specimens exhibited tri-modal nature of pores i.e. macro-pore mode (entrance pore radius: 25-5000 nm), mesopore mode (entrance pore radius: 1.25 to 25 nm) and air void mode (entrance pore radius >5000 nm). The micro pores (entrance pore radius < 1.25 nm) do not contribute to porosity of the geopolymer specimens. Sand particles prepared from geopolymer reactions (FAPS or fly ash geopolymer sand) predominated in medium sized (2mm to 0.425 mm) sand particles. Their particle size distribution characteristics (uniformity coefficient and coefficient of curvature) classified them as poorly graded sand (SP). Dissolution, followed by polymerization reactions led to dense packing of the Si–O–Al–O– units that imparted specific gravity of 2.59 to FAPS particles which is comparable to that of river sand (2.61). Dissolution in strongly alkaline medium imparted strongly alkaline pH (12.5) to the FAPS particles. The river sand is characterized by much lower pH (7.9). Despite being characterized by rounded grains, the FAPS particles mobilized relatively high friction angle of (35.5o) than river sand (∅ = 28.9o). The river sand-mortar (RS-M) and fly ash geopolymer sand-mortar (FAPS-M) specimens developed similar 28-day compressive strengths, 11.6 to 12.2 MPa. Despite its higher water content, FAPS-mortar specimens developed similar compressive strength and initial tangent modulus (ITM) as river sand-mortar specimens. The FAPS-M specimen is more porous (larger intruded volume) with presence of larger fraction of coarser pores. Total porosity is majorly contributed by macro-pores (67.92%) in FAPS-M specimen in comparison to RS-M specimen (macro-pores = 33.1%). Mortar specimens prepared from FAPS and river sand exhibit similar pH of 12.36 and 12.4 respectively. FAPS-mortar specimens have lower TDS (1545 mg/L) than river sand-mortar specimens (TDS = 1889 mg/L). The RS-M and FAPS-M specimens exhibit leachable sodium levels of 0.001 g Na/g RS-M and 0.007 g Na/g-FAPS-M respectively in the water leach tests. The larger leachable sodium of FAPS-M specimen is attributed to residual sodium hydroxide persisting in the FAPS even after washing. The ultra-accelerated mortar bar test (UAMBT) shows that the percentage expansion of FAPS-M and RS-M specimens are comparable and range between 0.07 to 0.08 %.

This diploma thesis deals with the study of high-strength, high-volume fly ash concrete. The theoretical part of this thesis focuses on the detailed characteristic and main principles of high-strength concrete, high-volume fly ash concrete. In addition, according to the findings, the technology of high-strength and high-volume fly ash concrete, including principles of high strength, has been described. On the basis of the findings, high-strength, high-volume fly ash concrete for specific compressive strengths has been designed and created in the experimental section. These concretes were then subjected to a number of tests.

This thesis contains two main parts: theoretical and experimental. The theoretical part deals with summarization knowledge of high-volume fly ash (HVFA) concretes. Among others, there are mentioned processes of producing of fly ash, characteristic features and resistance to aggressive environments of HVFA concretes. The theoretical part ends with a suitable example of practical application. In the practical part were tested properties of nine different mixtures containing 40%, 50% and 60% replacement by weight of the cement by fly ash. They were compared with the reference mixtures without fly ash addition. The main endpoints were long-term compressive strength, resistance to aggressive environments, the influence of fly ash on consistency, hydratation temperatures, water absorption and volume changes.

The Portland Cement Association commissioned a research project at Brigham Young University to compare selected laboratory durability tests available for assessing stabilized aggregate base materials. The laboratory research associated with this project involved two granular base materials, three stabilizers at three concentration levels each, and three durability tests in a full-factorial experimental design. The granular base materials consisted of an aggregate-reclaimed asphalt pavement blend obtained from Interstate 84 (I-84) and a crushed limestone obtained from U.S. Highway 91 (US-91), while the three stabilizer types included Class C fly ash, lime-fly ash, and Type I/II Portland cement. Specimens were tested for durability using the freeze-thaw test, the vacuum saturation test, and the tube suction test. Analyses of the test results indicated that the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and retained UCS were higher for specimens tested in freeze-thaw cycling than the corresponding values associated with vacuum saturation testing. This observation suggests that the vacuum saturation test is more severe than the freeze-thaw test for materials similar to those evaluated in this research. The analyses also indicated that the I-84 material retained more strength during freeze-thaw cycling and vacuum saturation and exhibited lower final dielectric values during tube suction testing than the US-91 material. Although the I-84 material performed better than the US-91 material, the I-84 material required higher stabilizer concentrations to reach the target 7-day UCS values specified in this research. After freeze-thaw testing, the Class C fly-treated specimens were significantly stronger than both lime-fly ash- and cement-treated specimens. In the vacuum saturation test, none of the three stabilizer types were significantly different from each other with respect to either UCS or retained UCS. Dielectric values measured during tube suction testing were lowest for cement-treated specimens, indicating that cement performed better than other stabilizers in reducing the moisture/frost susceptibility of the treated materials. The results also show that, as the stabilizer concentration level increased from low to high, specimens performed better in nearly all cases. A strong correlation was identified between UCS after the freeze-thaw test and UCS after the vacuum saturation test, while very weak correlations were observed between the final dielectric value after tube suction testing and all other response variables. Differences in variability between test results were determined to be statistically insignificant. Engineers interested in specifying a comparatively severe laboratory durability test should consider vacuum saturation testing for specimens treated with stabilizers similar to those evaluated in this research. The vacuum saturation test is superior to both the freeze-thaw and tube suction tests because of the shorter duration and lack of a need for daily specimen monitoring. Although the Class C fly ash used in this research performed well, further investigation of various sources of Class C fly ash is recommended because of the variability inherent in that material. Similar research should be performed on subgrade soils, which are also routinely stabilized in pavement construction. Research related to long-term field performance of stabilized materials should be conducted to develop appropriate thresholds for laboratory UCS values in conjunction with vacuum saturation testing.

The Portland Cement Association commissioned a research project at Brigham Young University to compare selected laboratory durability tests available for assessing stabilized subgrade materials. Improved understanding of these tests is needed to enable more objective selection of durability tests by design engineers and to facilitate more meaningful comparisons of data obtained for different stabilizer treatments using different evaluation procedures. The laboratory research associated with this project involved two subgrade materials, four stabilizers at three concentrations each, and three durability tests in a full-factorial experimental design. The two subgrade soils used were a silty sand and a lean clay, while the four stabilizer types included Class C fly ash, lime-fly ash, lime, and Type I/II portland cement. The three tests used in this comparative study were the freeze-thaw test, the vacuum saturation test, and the tube suction test. On average, to achieve the same 7-day unconfined compressive strength (UCS) values, the sand required 4.4 times more Class C fly ash than cement, 3.6 times more lime-fly ash than cement, and 6.0 times more lime than cement. Likewise, the clay required 10 times more Class C fly ash than cement, 7.5 times more lime-fly ash than cement, and 1.8 times more lime than cement. Analyses of the test results indicated that the UCS and retained UCS were higher for specimens tested by vacuum saturation than the corresponding values associated with freeze-thaw cycling. This observation suggests that the freeze-thaw test is more severe than the vacuum saturation test for these particular fine-grained materials. Testing also suggested that specimens with 7-day UCS values below 200 psi will generally not survive freeze-thaw cycling. After both freeze-thaw and vacuum saturation testing, the sand specimens treated with lime-fly ash had significantly higher UCS and retained UCS than specimens treated with Class C fly ash, lime, or cement. Similarly, the clay specimens treated with Class C fly ash or lime-fly ash had significantly higher UCS values than specimens treated with cement or lime; however, clay specimens treated with Class C fly ash and lime-fly ash were not significantly different. None of the four stabilizer types were significantly different from each other with respect to retained UCS after vacuum saturation testing. Dielectric values measured in tube suction testing were lowest for specimens treated with lime-fly ash and cement with respect to the sand and for specimens treated with Class C fly ash and cement with respect to the clay. The lime-fly ash and cement successfully reduced the dielectric value of sand specimens to a "marginal" rating, while no stabilizer reduced the moisture susceptibility of the clay to a satisfactory level. A strong correlation was identified between UCS after the freeze-thaw test and UCS after the vacuum saturation test, while very weak correlations were observed between the final dielectric value after tube suction testing and all other response variables. Differences in variability between test results were determined to be statistically insignificant in an analysis of the CVs associated with data collected in this research. Although the freeze-thaw test utilized in this research was determined to be more severe than the vacuum saturation test for materials similar to those tested in this study, the vacuum saturation test is recommended over both the freeze-thaw and tube suction tests because of the shorter test duration, usability for specimens with 7-day UCS values even below 200 psi, and lack of a need for daily specimen monitoring.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Kyle Riding / Corrosion of reinforcing steel is one of the most common and serious causes of reinforced concrete deterioration. While corrosion is normally inhibited by a passive layer that develops around the reinforcing steel due to the high pH environment of the surrounding concrete, chlorides will break down this protective layer, leading to reinforcement corrosion. Decreasing the diffusivity of the concrete would slow the ingress of chlorides into concrete, and is one of the most economical ways to increase the concrete service life. Optimized concrete mixtures blending portland cement and supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) have become popular throughout the construction industry as a method of improving both fresh and long-term concrete properties such as workability, strength and porosity. It has been shown that use of Class F fly ash, silica fume and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) in binary concrete mixture blends can result in a significant reduction in concrete diffusivity. This study investigates the ability of Class C fly ash and ternary concrete mixture blends to also aid in diffusivity reduction. In order to study the effect of incorporation of SCMs into concrete, mixtures containing Class C and Class F fly ash, silica fume and GGBFS were tested following the ASTM C 1556 procedures to measure the concrete’s apparent chloride diffusivity. Structure life cycles were modeled using the measured apparent chloride diffusivities with two finite-difference based life-cycle analysis software packages. To determine whether a correlation between diffusivity and deterioration due to freezing and thawing exists, samples were also tested for their ability to resist deterioration from freezing and thawing cycles using a modified ASTM C 666 Procedure B test. Results show that the use of Class C fly ash yields some service life improvements as compared to the portland cement control mixtures, while ternary mixture blends performed significantly better than the control mixture and equal to or better than the binary SCM mixtures tested. Freeze-thaw tests showed all mixtures to be equally resistant to deterioration due to freezing and thawing.

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, (Rossi) (Diptera:Tephritidae), is a key pest of olive crops. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally benign and species-specific method of pest control, aiming to reduce the reproductive potential of a wild population through the mass-release of sterile insects. Previous olive fly SIT trials, involving the release of gamma-ray sterilised mixed-sex populations, achieved limited success. Key problems included altered diurnal mating rhythms of the laboratory-reared insects, leading to assortative mating between released and wild populations, and low competitiveness of the radiation sterilised mass-reared flies. Consequently, the production of competitive, male-only release cohorts is seen as essential. The RIDL (Release of Insects carrying a Dominant Lethal) system is a transgene-based derivative of SIT, one version of which involves the mass release of insects carrying a female specific lethal transgene (fsRIDL). This thesis describes: 1) the development of fsRIDL olive fly strains and the molecular analysis of transgene insertion and function; 2) the analysis of strain life-history parameters; 3) studies into sexual selection and mating compatibility; 4) a caged proof-of-principle population suppression trial; and, 5) selection dynamics on the fsRIDL trait in caged populations. Olive fly fsRIDL strains were developed with full female-lethal penetrance and repressibility. The lead strain displayed similar life-history and sexual competitiveness traits to those of the wild-type strain from which they were derived. In addition, transgenic males showed photoperiod compatibility and strong sexual competitiveness with field-collected wild olive flies. The feasibility of the fsRIDL approach was demonstrated when repeated male releases caused eradication of caged olive fly populations. Although needing field confirmation, these results suggest that fsRIDL olive fly strains may help to mitigate key problems experienced in previous olive fly SIT trials, and could help form the basis of a renewed effort towards olive fly SIT control.