Title: Objectification and degree of association between indicators of game load and movement assumptions in elite rugby players Objectives: The aim was to objectify and measure the association between selected indicators of game load and selected movement assumptions in elite rugby players and measure the association between selected results of different fitness tests. Methods: The research group consisted of 31 players of the Czech rugby team of the senior category. Data were acquired using GPSports. The results from fitness testing provided by the Czech Rugby Union were used as indicators of movement assumptions. In total, three matches were measured. During the individual matches, the total distance covered was measured, the distance covered in individual speed zones (1st zone 0.0-1.8 km/h, 2nd zone 1.8-6.1 km/h, 3rd zone 6, 1-13.0 km/h, 4th zone 13.0-18.0 km/h, 5th zone 18.0-24.1 km/h, zone 6th >24.1 km/h), number of inputs to individual acceleration and deceleration zones (1st zone 1.2- 2.4 m/s/s, 2nd zone 2.4-3.6 m/s/s, 3rd zone 3.6-4.8 m/s/s). Results: The results of the work contain data that are unparalleled in Czech conditions. Tight forwards run 70.50 ± 7.09 m/min lose forwards 73.89 ± 4.25 m/min, inside backs 81.70 ± 11.71 m/min and outside backs 82.82 ± 12.71 m/min. In one match,...

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This study details the construction and performance testing of a mixed mode solar dryer using a combination of direct and indirect solar energy to dry food. One major benefit of this dryer design is its construction. It was simple to construct and was made with low cost materials, to make it feasible for use in developing countries. Previous research has identified several design factors that affect performance and efficiency: product loading density, number of trays, position of the absorber, and chimney type. Performance testing showed that chimney air speeds were not affected greatly by modifying the design aspects of the dryer, with only a small increase occurring when using a box-type chimney. Overall the temperatures were mostly dependent on irradiance, but using a collector-type chimney generally resulted in higher temperatures throughout the dryer. The RH change across the dehydrator was most affected by the number of trays, but the chimney type did have an effect on the RH right at the chimney exit. Efficiency testing showed that product loading density on the trays was tested at 40% and 60% capacity; there was no statistical difference observed for efficiency between the two levels. Our results show that the dryer was more efficient when using the maximum number of trays. The lowest position of the absorber (5 cm from the ground) was found to be most efficient. A box-type chimney was significantly more efficient than the collector-type chimney in this full factorial study.

The most common use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is in the lower layers of a pavement structure, where it has been proven as a valid substitute for virgin materials. Instead, the use of RAP in surface mixes is more limited, with a major concern being that the high RAP mixes may not perform as well as traditional mixes. To reduce risks of compromised performance, the use of RAP has commonly been controlled by specifications that limit the allowed amount of recycled material in the mixes. However, significant cost and environmental savings can be achieved if more RAP is included in the surface layer. This dissertation develops an approach that can be followed to incorporate more RAP in the surface mix while maintaining good performance. The approach is based on the results from three studies that looked at how to optimize the design of the mix, in terms of rutting and fatigue resistance, when more RAP is used. In the first study, a high RAP control mix and an optimized mix designed using different design compaction energy (65 and 50 gyrations respectively) were compared. The optimization process consisted in the definition of an alternative mix composition that supported the higher binder content allowed by the lower design compaction energy. Using Accelerated Pavement Testing and laboratory characterization it was possible to assess the potential of mix optimization with the objective of improving rutting resistance. The testing showed no indication that the optimized mixes would have rutting problems, supporting the implementation of the reduction of the design compaction energy level. The optimized mix exhibited a similar or superior rutting resistance in the full-scale setting, in the laboratory, and in the forensic investigation. The second part focused on the production of highly recycled surface mixes capable of performing well. To produce the mixes, a balanced mix design (BMD) methodology was used and a comparison with traditional mixes, prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) volumetric mix design, was performed. Through the BMD procedure, which featured the indirect tensile cracking test for evaluating the cracking resistance and the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer for evaluating rutting resistance, it was possible to optimize the selection of the optimum asphalt content. Also, it was possible to obtain a highly recycled mix (45% RAP) capable of achieving better overall performances than traditional mixes while carrying a large reduction in production cost. The final part evaluated the laboratory performance of four different highly recycled surface mixes to support their possible implementation in the state of Virginia. The mixes featured either 30% or 45% RAP, different asphalt contents, the use of a WMA additive, and a rejuvenator. To analyze the mixes' performance in great depth, a three-level (base, intermediate, and advanced) testing framework was defined. Each level was characterized by an increasing degree of complexity and included tests to characterize both the cracking resistance and the rutting resistance. The study aimed at investigating the features of the various laboratory tests. Through the review of the theoretical background, the evaluation of the test procedures, and statistical analysis of the results, it was possible to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each test and to provide guidelines to develop appropriate quality assessment criteria and mix design methodology. In summary, throughout this research, it was possible to observe that the respect of Superpave mix design requirements alone, with particular reference to gradation limits and volumetric properties, was not guarantee of satisfactory performance in terms of both cracking and rutting resistance. To increase the confidence in the RAP properties, increase the current recycling levels, and introduce more appropriate mix design specifications, BMD could be used (even with simple laboratory tests) to check performance-based criteria. / Doctor of Philosophy / Nowadays, transportation agencies are expected to perform a large number of pavement rehabilitation projects, while facing major limitations in budgetary funds. In order to have safe, efficient, and cost-effective roadways, the economic advantage of recycling is boosting an effort to increase the amount of RAP in asphalt mixtures. In addition, over the past decades, the environmental awareness of the transportation agencies and public increased significantly, pushing even more towards the use of new green technologies. The use of RAP became noticeable in the 1970s and its popularity increased significantly since that time. However, there are still many open questions which prevent larger uses of recycled materials, mainly related to the design methodology and the field performances of recycled mixtures. Therefore, today there is a large untapped potential that would grow even more the magnitude of pavement recycling and of the associated benefits. New design procedures, based on the support of laboratory tests to characterize the mixtures, and full-scale experiments are the tools that pavement engineers can use in order to enrich the knowledge of highly recycled road materials and grow the confidence of public agencies and contractors towards these new more sustainable solutions. Throughout this dissertation it was possible to evaluate new innovative ways of incorporating more RAP in the asphalt mixtures through the analysis of current state of the art and the proposition of new procedures.

<p dir="ltr">Ultrasonic testing (UT) is a commonly used inspection method for buildings and bridges, yet variability in inspector performance has brought the validity of the UT process into question. While practical tests and performance testing are required as part of most UT certification processes and some industry standards, the building and bridge industries currently have no standardized testing body to verify the qualification of UT technicians. This research aimed to develop and implement a possible standardized testing protocol based on the American Welding Society (AWS) structural welding codes. Results from performance tests conducted in this research demonstrated high variability and low precision in UT measurements and generally poor performance amongst the 20 technicians that took part in the tests. It is clear from this research that certification from the existing certification programs do not always indicate qualification. Therefore, standardized performance testing would add value and increase the reliability of UT inspections by identifying those technicians that are clearly unqualified.</p>

Balanced Mix Design (BMD) represents an asphalt mixture design methodology that replaces certain traditional volumetric parameters with performance-based testing to address predominant distresses such as rutting and cracking. This approach offers an avenue to properly design and produce engineered asphalt mixtures, including those with high reclaimed asphalt pavement (HRAP) contents, recycling agents (RAs), fibers, and polymer-modified binders. Laboratory performance tests are essential to the BMD process, as they ensure the production of durable, high-performance materials. Beyond laboratory performance evaluation, accelerated pavement testing (APT) plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between laboratory material characterization and field pavement performance. This dissertation aimed to assess the BMD concept for designing durable, long-lasting surface mixtures in Virginia, with particular emphasis on higher RAP content mixtures (HRAP mixtures, i.e., exceeding 30% RAP). The study involved laboratory and APT testing of six surface mixtures featuring a range of RAP contents (both conventional and high), two binder grades (PG 64-22 and PG58-28), one RA, and one warm mix additive. Findings indicated that dense-graded, unmodified surface mixtures with higher RAP contents can be successfully designed using the current Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) BMD special provision. These mixtures can be produced in the plant with no significant deviations in aggregate gradation and asphalt binder content from the design specifications. The combined effect of variations in different volumetric properties during production may influence the primary performance of the mixtures, potentially resulting in an imbalance. As a consequence, the produced BMD mixture may fail to meet one or more performance thresholds. Additionally, the results underscored the effectiveness of BMD concept with incorporating RAs and/or a softer binder when designing HRAP surface mixtures. Importantly, the current selected BMD tests characterized the laboratory performance of mixtures, aligning with the performance observed under APT. This research provided a steppingstone towards the examination and validation of the VDOT BMD thresholds, which ensures satisfactory field performance. The study also indicated that while current BMD thresholds provided sufficient margins for satisfactory field cracking performance, rutting resistance may become a concern for overly designed BMD HRAP mixtures. For instance, mixtures with excessively high asphalt binder content may exhibit compromised rutting resistance. Furthermore, to address the challenges uncovered during BMD test analysis—issues like the constraints of traditional pair-wise comparisons, risks of repetitive design processes, and the difficulty in pinpointing critical factors in mixture production—this dissertation proposed innovative solutions to enhance BMD application and streamline the evaluation process. First, a novel Composite Performance Index (CPI), visualized through a 3D plot, captured the "balance" status of various mixtures. Second, a machine learning-enhanced BMD framework was introduced, offering intelligent optimization throughout the design and production phases. The integration of these two tools offers significant potential for simultaneously improving multiple performance indices of asphalt mixtures. Finally, this research demonstrated that the performance of higher RAP content mixtures can exceed that of lower RAP content mixtures through the application of BMD approaches. This dissertation not only advanced the implementation of BMD for surface mixtures but also contributed to the sustainable and performance-driven evolution of asphalt mix design. The insights gained from this study provided practical guidance and strategic recommendations for enhancing asphalt mixture design, production, and performance monitoring. / Doctor of Philosophy / This dissertation evaluated a new way to design asphalt mixtures, called Balanced Mix Design (BMD). Unlike traditional methods that focus mostly on fundamental volumetric properties of materials, BMD uses testing to ensure the pavement will hold up against common issues like cracking and rutting. This approach allows for better use of materials, including high recycled asphalt pavement (HRAP), recycling agents (RAs), fibers, and modified binders. Considering economic and environmental benefits, the study evaluated the application of BMD for designing durable asphalt surfaces for pavements, particularly mixtures with over 30% recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). Tests in the laboratory and with accelerated pavement testing (APT) showed that high RAP mixtures could be designed and produced reliably using current Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) guidelines. The addition of recycling agents or softer binders further supported these mixtures in meeting performance standards, ensuring satisfied field performance. To address key challenges, such as the limitations of traditional pair-wise comparisons, risks of repetitive design processes, and the difficulty in finding key factors for production variability, this research introduces two innovative tools to enhance BMD. First, a Composite Performance Index (CPI) with a 3D visual tool offers a way to assess the balance status of mixtures. Second, a machine learning framework was developed to optimize BMD throughout the design and production phases. Together, these tools establish BMD as a valuable approach for designing and producing more sustainable, longer-lasting pavements.

The majority of outdoor sports are played on natural turf pitches. Throughout the playing season, a pitch has continual player interaction, which, during periods of sustained unfavourable conditions, can cause the turf to tear up (shear) under player contact. This is most evident in Rugby Union scrummages, which create deep divots in the turf and rootzone that reduce player safety and are criticised by the media. However, little is known of the turf/rootzone strength to depth, termed 'shear stability' in this thesis, and there is currently no appropriate means to test this property. In order to explore the shear stability of turf, a device was designed and developed. The prototype device, termed the 'Shear Tester', underwent trial, validation and several redesigns until it was deemed suitable to investigate turf shear stability. A range of natural and hybrid constructions and laboratory-controlled samples were investigated, and the key variables found to influence the shear stability were grass rooting, water content and rootzone density.

More and more companies use a REST architecture to implement applications for an easy to use API. One important quality attribute of an application is the performance. To be able to understand how the application will perform it is important to know how the selected framework perform. By testing the performance of different frameworks it will become easier for software developers to choose the right framework to achieve their requirements and goals. At the time when this paper was written the research in this area was limited. This paper answered the question of which framework between Express, .NET Core, Spring and Flask that had the best performance. To be able to know how frameworks performed the author needed to measure them. One way of measuring performance is with response time from the server. The author used a controlled experiment to collect raw data from which the results was drawn. The author found out that Spring had the best overall performance between the different categories. By analysing the results the author also found out that performance differed a lot between the frameworks in some categories.

The increasing worldwide demand for software systems involved in society has led to the need where not only functionality is fundamental and addressed, but end-user satisfaction in terms of availability, throughput, and response time is essential and should be preserved. Thus, systems must be evaluated at preset load levels to assess the non-functional quality problems from the closest perspective of real application use. In this context, where the problem involves a high and complex search space, a search-based approach for load test generation is required. This thesis proposes and evaluates an evolutionary search-based approach for load test generation using multi-objective optimization methods consisting of selection, crossover, and mutation operators. In this thesis, load testing is addressed as a multi-objective optimization problem by using four different evolutionary algorithms: Non-dominated Storing Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II), Pareto Archived Evolution Strategy (PAES), The Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm 2 (SPEA2), Multi-Objective Cellular Genetic Algorithm (MOCell) as well as a Random Search algorithm. Additionally, this study demonstrates the applicability of the proposed approach by running several experiments, aiming to compare the algorithms’ efficiency based on different quality indicators such as hypervolume, spread, and epsilon. Experimental results show that evolutionary search-based methods can be used to generate effective workloads. Since, all algorithms have found the optimal workload, having the hypervolume values to zero, we believe that the objectives of the problem could be combined as a single objective, hence scalarization techniques can be applicable. Based on the other quality indicators (Spread and Epsilon respectively), NSGA-II and MOCell tend to perform better compared to other algorithms. Finally, the study concludes that multi-objective evolutionary algorithms can be used for load testing purpose, obtaining better results in generating optimal workloads than an existing (adapted) model-free reinforcement learning approach.

The master’s thesis deals with testing the application protocol HLS and RTSP in JMeter program. The aim of this thesis is to design and implement a test modules for both protocols, which will perform stress tests. The first part of thesis describes the types of stress tests, JMeter program for performance testing and video on demand services. Next chapter describes selected protokols, especially HLS and RTSP, which are used in this thesis. The practical part contains the design and implementation of test modules including test plans. Finally, the results are processed and commented.