<p>As of 2013, the damage caused by corrosion on highway bridges has been estimated to cost approximately 14 billion dollars annually, and this cost has been increasing over the years. Corrosion is one of the natural phenomena that has been slowly deteriorating infrastructure systems across the United States. One of the most problematic types of corrosion is crevice corrosion, which is defined as the formation of rust between overlapping surfaces such as the case of a splice connection where flanges are attached by splice plates. A significant number of steel bridges in Indiana have developed crevice corrosion in splice connections. Therefore, this research focuses on the crevice corrosion, or “pack rust”, occurring in these structural elements. The application of coatings alone has not been enough to stop pack rust at these connections. In an attempt to look for approaches that can effectively mitigate this problem and maintain the designed service life of bridges, different strategies have been studied and tested. The first objective of this study is to determine the strength reduction as a function of the time of exposure to salt misting. To do this, specimens that simulate the bottom flange splice connection have been exposed to a corrosive environment for different periods of time and later tested under tension to assess the reduction in strength. The second objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of the mitigation strategies under different conditions. First, the mitigating products were initially applied before exposure to salt misting. Second, the mitigating products were applied as a repair, and in this case, the specimens corroded for a given period of time and were then repaired to evaluate any further deterioration. The assessment of the strategies’ effectiveness is based on the strength reduction and visual inspection of the specimens. The ultimate outcome of this study is a series of general guidelines to slow down crevice corrosion based on the results of the laboratory testing. </p>

Un géoradar (GPR) effectue une détection non destructive d'objets enfouis, ou l'imagerie du sous-sol par transmission d'ondes électromagnétiques et la détection et l'analyse des réflexions. Le principal défi de GPR est la réduction de la portée de détection en raison de l'atténuation du signal grave causée par la conductivité du sous-sol qui devient plus sévère dans les hautes fréquences. Afin d'augmenter la portée de détection, GPR utilise des fréquences plus basses que les radars non-GPR et nécessite donc de plus grandes antennes qui peuvent limiter la portabilité du système. La plupart des systèmes utilisent des radars GPR à impulsion mais le FMCW (onde continue à fréquence modulée) radar peut présenter certains avantages tels que la versatilité de la fréquence, une maintenance réduite du système et une meilleure résolution de gamme. Les fréquences inférieures à 1 GHz ont d'abord été rares en radars de courte portée FMCW mais trouvent maintenant leur chemin de retour dans des systèmes comme ultra-large bande (UWB) pénétrant dans le sol des radars pour la détection des mines et ainsi que d'autres applications. Lorsque les mesures sont effectuées sur des véhicules, de grands appareils d'antenne ne sont pas un problème. La portabilité, cependant, peut devenir un problème dans les études géophysiques ou des travaux d'urgence dans laquelle on peut avoir besoin de transporter le système par des endroits accidentés, inexplorés et / ou dangereux sans accès aux véhicules. Des environnements inaccessibles peuvent nécessiter la manœuvrabilité à travers d’obstacles (montagnes, grottes, lacs, zones rocheuses). D’ailleurs, l’installation rapide du système est critique dans des conditions difficiles telles que les températures extrêmes, où le temps d'exposition est coûteux et le temps de mesure limité. Une solution pour améliorer la portabilité et la capacité de déploiement d'un système GPR est de réaliser un système complet sur un substrat qui est enroulable afin de permettre une transportation facile. L’électronique sur substrat flexible a déjà été utilisée dans des applications militaires et des sports en plein air. Actuellement, il y a quelques technologies disponibles pour réaliser l'électronique flexible qui ont été un thème majeur en recherche, chacune avec différents niveaux d'intégration. La technologie d'impression à jet d'encre offre une méthode efficace, polyvalente et rentable pour la réalisation de dispositifs flexibles. Dans ce travail, un système radar FMCW classique a été conçu et un travail présenté, pour la première fois, d’application de la technologie d'impression à jet d'encre sur un système de radar. Le système est appelé un système de radar monolithique portable dans lequel tous les agents actifs, passifs et l'antenne sont destinés à partager le même substrat enroulable continu. Ainsi, une intégration hybride est utilisée pour étudier la fiabilité et la performance du système complet enroulé autour d’un rayon serré. Plusieurs défis de conception d'un grand système ont été surmontés qui donneront un aperçu de nouveaux modèles au fur et à mesure que le niveau d'intégration à l'aide de la technologie d'impression à jet d'encre continue d’augmenter. / Flexible monolithic ultra-portable ground penetrating radar using inkjet printing technology A Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) performs nondestructive detection of buried objects, or subsurface imaging by transmitting electromagnetic waves and detecting and analyzing the reflections. The main challenge of GPR is the reduction in detection range due to the severe signal attenuation that is caused by subsurface conductivity that becomes more severe at high frequencies. In order to increase the detection range, GPR uses lower frequencies than non-GPR radars and thus requires larger antennas that may limit system portability. Most GPR systems use impulse radars however the FMCW (frequency modulated continuous wave) radar can provide some advantages such as frequency versatility, reduced system maintenance and improved range resolution. Frequencies below 1 GHz were initially uncommon in short-range FMCW radars but are now finding their way back in systems such as ultra-wideband (UWB) ground penetrating radars for mine detection and as well as other applications. When measurements are performed on vehicles, large antenna fixtures are not a problem. Portability, however, can become an issue in geophysical studies or emergency work in which one may need to transport the system through rugged, unexplored and/or hazardous locations without vehicle access and perform measurements. Inaccessible environments may require climbing up and down, squeezing through, jumping over, crawling under, maneuvering through or swimming through obstacles (mountains, caves, lakes, rocky areas). In addition to transportation, rapid system setup is critical in difficult conditions such as freezing temperatures or extreme heat where exposure time is costly and limits measurement time. One solution to enhance the portability and deployability of a GPR system for wide area rugged measurements is to realize a complete system on a continuous substrate that is rollable around a reasonably small radius and storable in a scroll or poster-like fashion for easy backpack transportation. Electronics that can flex and bend have already used in military applications and for outdoor sporting gear. Currently, there are a few types of technology available to realize flexible electronics that have been a major topic of research, each with different levels of integration. Inkjet printing technology offers a cost effective, versatile and efficient method for realizing flexible devices. In this work a classical FMCW radar system is designed and an effort is made, for the first time, to apply inkjet printing technology to a radar system. The system is referred to as a portable monolithic radar system in which all actives, passives and antenna are meant to share the same continuous rollable substrate. In doing this, a medium level of integration is used to investigate limits of system complexity, resolution and ultra miniaturization for tight rollability. Various design challenges of a large system are overcome that will hopefully give insight to new designs as the integration level using inkjet printing technology increases.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Retinoids play an important role in tissue patterning during development as well as in epithelial formation and health. In the mammalian central nervous system, the meninges are a source of retinoids for brain tissue. Retinoid production has been described in juvenile Axolotl ependymal cells. Retinoid effects may possess a significant role in the regeneration-permissive interaction of the meninges and ependyma of the Axolotl spinal cord after penetrating injury. During spinal cord regeneration in urodele amphibians, the pattern of retinoid production changes as the meninges interact with the injury-reactive ependymal cells reconstructing the injured spinal cord. In order to determine which components of the retinoid metabolism and intracellular signaling pathway act in Urodele spinal cord regeneration, we employed antibody/horseradish peroxidase staining of both intact and regenerating Axolotl spinal cord tissues obtained from adult animals as well as cell culture techniques to determine expression of three retinoid pathway components: Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Protein II (CRABP 2), Cellular Retinol Binding Protein I (CRBP 1), and Retinaldehyde Dehydrogenase II (RALDH 2). Current results demonstrate the following in the intact cord: 1) CRBP 1 is expressed in the pia and dura mater meningeal layers, in gray matter neurons (including their axonal processes), and the ependymal cell radial processes that produce the glia limitans, 2) CRABP 2 is expressed in the arachnoid and/or dura mater meningeal layers surrounding the spinal cord, and 3) RALDH 2 is expressed in the meninges as well as cytoplasm of grey matter neurons and some ependymal/sub-ependymal cells. In the regenerating cord, CRBP 1 is expressed in ependymal cells that are undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as is CRABP 2. RALDH 2 staining is very strong in the reactive meninges; in addition, expression is also upregulated in the cytoplasmic and perinuclear regions of reactive grey matter neurons, including motor neurons and in the apical region of ependymal. Preliminary studies culturing reactive meninges and ependymal cells together suggested that the meninges could drive re-epithelialization of the reactive ependymal cells. Experiments to characterize this interaction show an unusual proliferation pattern: Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) labeling is present in intact and regenerating cord ependymal cells. However, in culture, the presence of meninges results in no proliferation proximal to the explant, but extensive proliferation in leading cell outgrowth; also, the cultured meninges is positive for RALDH2. In summary, the intact adult cord shows meningeal production of RA, which is upregulated following injury; in addition, during this time, RA production is upregulated in the adult ependymal cells as well. In culture, the reactive meninges appears to modulate the behavior of reactive ependymal cells.

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This thesis focuses on an early nineteenth-century homestead known as the Walker Place homestead at Spirit Hill Farm in northern Mississippi. The goal of this thesis is to conduct a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and shovel test survey to explore how changing landscapes simultaneously (re)create and destroy senses of place or Homescapes. Homescapes have received little attention in the field of archaeology and have not been applied to Euro-American Homescapes. I apply this theoretical construct in a novel way as a venture to further develop an avenue in archaeology to be collaborative and understand the past in a way that accurately reflects the realities of the past. I utilize historical records, oral histories, archaeological materials, and GPR to deepen our understanding of this site and to demonstrate the value of holistic archaeology and collaborating with the descendant community.

UHF bands because more penetration can be achieved at low frequencies. Consequently, large antennas are required, which limits their use for small airborne applications. This thesis explores various GPR antenna designs for a bi-static system that are at least operational from 225 MHz to 255 MHz and suitable for small airborne applications. The 3D electromagnetic simulation software Ansys high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS) was used to simulate various sizes of strip dipole, triangular bowtie, half elliptical bowtie, and elliptical bowtie antennas. Several physical models were constructed to validate the return loss simulation results. Additionally, simulation data is included for a wire dipole and a helical antenna. The helical antenna proved to be too large for small airborne application, so focus was placed on the dipole and bowtie designs. The performance of the dipole and bowtie antenna models are compared by size, weight, return loss (𝑆11), peak gain, and the transmit-to-receive isolation. Out of the fourteen simulated models, twelve meet the bandwidth requirement with an average weight of 0.23 lbs. It is found that the strip dipole exhibited wider bandwidth characteristics than the triangular, elliptical, and half elliptical bowtie models, while maintaining similar weight and size. The smallest strip dipole model is 50 mm x 528 mm x 1 mm, weighs 0.17 lbs, and is operational from 225 MHz to 283 MHz. Two strip dipole test antennas were fabricated and tested. Test results confirm the simulation predictions.

Observations of modern carbonate depositional environments and their accompanying depositional models have been used for decades in the reconstruction and interpretation of ancient carbonate depositional environments and stratigraphic successions. While these Holocene models are necessary for interpreting their more ancient counterparts, they inherently exclude important factors related to the erosion, diagenesis, and ultimate preservation of sediments and sedimentary structures that are ubiquitous in shallow marine carbonate environments. Andros Island, Bahamas is an ideal location to examine the validity of Holocene conceptual models, where geologically young (Late Pleistocene) limestones can be studied immediately adjacent to their well-documented modern equivalents. For this study, two 3D ground-penetrating radar (GPR) datasets (200 MHz and 400 MHz) were collected at a schoolyard in northwest Andros. These surveys reveal the geometries and internal characteristics of a peloidal-oolitic sand wave and tidal channel in unprecedented detail. These two prominent features are underlain by low-energy lagoonal wackestones and packstones, and are bordered laterally to the northwest by wackestones-packstones intermixed with thin sheets of peloidaloolitic grainstone. A deeper radar surface is observed at approximately 6 m depth dipping gently to the west, and is interpreted to be a karstified exposure surface delineating the base of a complete depositional sequence. Interpretation of the 3D radar volumes is enhanced and constrained by data from three cores drilled through the crest and toe of the sand wave, and through the tidal channel. This study is the first of its kind to capture the complex heterogeneity of a carbonate depositional package in three dimensions, where various depositional environments, sedimentary structures, and textures (mudstone to grainstone) have been preserved within a small volume.The results from this study suggest that the degree of vertical and lateral heterogeneity in preserved carbonate successions is often more complex than what can be observed in modern depositional environments, where sediments can generally only be observed in two dimensions, at an instant in time. Data from this study demonstrate the value of using two overlapping GPR datasets at differing resolutions to image the internal characteristics of a complete carbonate depositional package in three dimensions. From these datasets, a depositional model similar to other Holocene and Pleistocene carbonate depositional models is derived.

A multi-scale high-resolution geophysical and geological study was conducted in the Sevier Desert, central Utah, found within the Colorado Plateau-Basin and Range Transition Zone. The region is marked by with Quaternary volcanics and faulting as young as 660 yr B.P., with many fault scarps thought to have the potential for 7+ magnitude earthquakes. Three locations within the Sevier Desert which represent three different tectonic expressions of possible faulting at the surface were selected. These include a location found within surface sedimentation, a location with surface sedimentation and sub-surface basalts and a location with basalts, at the surface with very limited sedimentation. A suite of geophysical data were obtained including the use of P-wave, SH-wave, ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Auger holes, microprobe glass analysis, and mapping information were also completed in order to constrain and gain a more complete understanding of the sub-surface structure. These data were used to determine if there are sub-surface expressions of the possible surface scarps and if all the faults within the fault zone have the same structural style. The possible surface fault expressions were found to be connected to sub-surface fault expressions but with differing results within both sediments and basalts. Our data show that a multi-scale approach is needed to obtain a complete view of tectonic activity. The area faulting in the Sevier Desert penetrates at depth involving multiple complex styles that include some faulting that cuts recent lava flows and some that do not. The evidence also indicates that in at least some area faulting was episodic and others may be single events having implications on level of activity and hazard.