Yes / The current design codes, such as ACI 318-14, EC2 and CSA23.3-04, in addition to previous research investigations suggested different expressions for concrete effectiveness factor for use in limit state design of concrete structures. All these equations are based on different design parameters and proposed for normal concrete deep beams. This research evaluates the use of different effectiveness factor equations in the upper and lower bond analyses of continuously-supported self-compacting concrete (SCC) deep beams. Moreover, a new effectiveness factor expression is suggested to be used for upper and lower bound solutions with the aim of improving predictions of the load capacity of continuously-supported SCC deep beams. For the range of deep beams considered, the strut-and-tie method with the proposed effectiveness factor formula achieved accurate predictions, with a mean of 1.01, a standard deviation of 6.7% and a coefficient of variation of 6.8%. For the upper-bound analysis, the predictions of the proposed effectiveness factor equation were more accurate than those of the formulas suggested by previous investigations. Overall, although the proposed effectiveness factor achieved very accurate predictions, further validation for the proposed formula is needed since the only data available on continuous SCC deep beams are those collected form the current study.

Chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC) has been identified as the main degradation mechanism for spent nuclear fuel dry storage canisters. This type of induced cracking is complex and depends on several factors, such as material composition, exposure temperature, relative humidity, applied tensile stress, and atmospheric salt concentration. An accelerated experiment was designed to simulate marine environments in a controlled fogging chamber to examine 304 and 304L stainless steel U-bend and welded U-bend samples. The samples were exposed to chloride rich and humid fogging in a corrosion chamber at 35℃ continuously for 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. The same experiment was repeated at 50℃ for 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 14 weeks to study the sensitivity of CISCC to temperature changes. A qualitative evaluation of optical micrographs from a 3D Surface Profiler was performed for 16 corroded samples and compared with 2 reference samples. Cracking was observed on 12 out of 16 samples exposed to 35℃ and 50℃ for durations ranging from 8 to 14 weeks. Likely cracking observations were noted on 4 out of 16 samples. A quantitative statistical analysis was also performed using surface profile depth (valley) data from corroded and reference samples. The quantitative analysis examined the effect of temperature, welding, exposure duration, and material composition. The quantitative results were compared with the qualitative results and literature published in CISCC. / Master of Science / Most nuclear power plants are currently using dry storage canisters (DSCs) which are made of a concrete vault and a stainless steel canister that houses the spent nuclear fuel (SNF) assemblies. Multiple conditions must be present simultaneously for chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC) to develop, such as the presence of a susceptible alloy, high relative humidity, high temperature, high atmospheric salt concentrations, and applied tensile stresses. DSCs are typically made from 300-series austenitic stainless steels which are susceptible to this type of corrosion during long-term storage near marine environments. Therefore, understanding of the factors leading to CISCC is critically important for proper management and mitigation and to estimate the service life of DSCs for the safe long-term storage of SNF. An accelerated experiment was designed to examine the effects of temperature, exposure duration, and welding on pitting and cracking for 304 and 304L U-bend samples. The experimental results concluded that stainless-steel grades 304 and 304L are susceptible to CISCC when exposed for 8 weeks or longer to fogging at temperatures between 35℃ and 50℃, 95% relative humidity, and 5% salt concentration. This study also concluded that increasing exposure duration from 8 to 12 weeks or the temperature from 35℃ to 50℃ had no significant effect on the acceleration of CISCC. Also, unwelded samples were deemed more susceptible to CISCC than welded samples and the susceptibility of 304 and 304L grades were relatively similar.

Yes / The present study investigated long-term drying shrinkage strains of self-compacting concrete (SCCs). For all SCCs mixes, Portland cement was replaced with 0–60% of fly ash (FA), fine and course aggregates were kept constant with 890 kg/m3 and 780 kg/m3, respectively. Two different water binder ratios of 0.44 and 0.33 were examined for both SCCs and normal concrete (NCs). Fresh properties of SCCs such as filling ability, passing ability, viscosity and resistance to segregation and hardened properties such as compressive and flexural strengths, water absorption and density of SCCs and NCs were also determined. Experimental results of drying shrinkage were compared to five existing models, namely the ACI 209R-92 model, BSEN-92 model, ACI 209R-92 (Huo) model, B3 model, and GL2000. To assess the quality of predictive models, the influence of various parameters (compressive strength, cement content, water content and relative humidity) effecting on the drying shrinkage strain as considered by the models are studied. The results showed that, using up to 60% of FA as cement replacement can produce SCC with a compressive strength as high as 30 MPa and low drying shrinkage strain. SCCs long-term drying shrinkage from 356 to 1000 days was higher than NCs. ACI 209R-92 model provided a better prediction of drying shrinkage compared with the other models. / Financial support of Higher Education of Libya (469/2009).

Re-processed oxide fuel product from the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) is stored in Type 316L stainless steel, using a design of several nested cans, with the outer can providing the safety case containment barrier. The research reported in this PhD thesis aims to support the safety case related to these storage cans, by identifying and characterising susceptible microstructure sites and associated material surface conditions. The overarching goal of this project is to understand the propensity of THORP storage cans towards localised corrosion and Environment Assisted Cracking (EAC) in HCl and chloride-bearing atmospheric environments. The investigation focused on two possible corrosion cases: (1) understanding the effect of surface finishing on material performance in chloride-containing atmospheric environments, and (2) characterising the effects of the HCl aqueous solutions inside the can, with potential formation of HCl vapour. Microstructure investigations were carried out on surface-treated type 316L coupon specimens. The application of aqua blasting resulted in a deformed near-surface microstructure, containing compressive residual stresses to a depth of 100-120 micrometres. Subsequent laser engraving produced a recrystallized surface layer with tensile residual stresses reaching to a depth of 200 micrometres. Changes of surface roughness topography were accompanied by the development of a thick oxide/hydroxide film after laser engraving. Atmospheric exposure revealed similar corrosion attack for all samples, with laser engraving exhibiting the lowest number of corrosion sites, but with the largest average depth of attack. In addition, laser engraving led to atmospheric-induced stress corrosion cracking (AISCC) within two weeks of exposure to 386 ug/cm2 MgCl2-laden droplet deposits, with crack growth rates similar to ground U-bend samples. Strategies to reduce the likelihood of AISCC of laser-engraved components are discussed. The influence of HCl concentration and exposure temperature on the corrosion type and rate of annealed and cold rolled type 316L stainless steel has also been investigated. Cold rolling of up to 20 % reduction was introduced, with potentio-dynamic polarization measurements conducted in 0.01 - 3 M HCl aqueous solution. Results are compared to microstructures immersed under open circuit conditions, and to HCl-laden droplet deposits at temperatures up to 80C. Corrosion type diagrams are introduced to describe the transition between uniform corrosion, mixed-mode uniform with pitting corrosion, and pitting corrosion only, as a function of temperature, HCl concentration, and cold deformation. SCC tests of type 316L stainless steel have been carried out at 110C, by exposing U-Bend samples to HCl-laden droplets and HCl vapour. The humidity of the environment was controlled using defined volume fractions of H2O in a sealed environmental chamber. HCl-laden droplets with chloride deposition densities exceeding 1.5 ug/cm2 led to SCC after 90 minutes of exposure, whereas no corrosion attack was observed for samples with exposure to 0.15 ug/cm2 HCl. Increasing HCl concentrations resulted in fewer, but longer cracks, reaching up-to several hundreds of micrometres in length. HCl vapour exposure was carried out by adding various volumes of HCl solution in a beaker to the sealed test chambers. These HCl vapour tests confirmed a change of corrosion type with HCl concentration, from pitting corrosion with SCC, to the occurrence of uniform corrosion.

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar a sensibilidade e especificidade do limiar de contagem de células somáticas (CCS) de vacas Gir para o diagnóstico de mastite subclínica causada por patógenos primários e secundários e avaliar os efeitos de rebanho, vaca, mês de coleta, quarto mamário, presença de infecção intramamária, tipo de microrganismo e suas interações sobre o logCCS e composição do leite. Avaliou-se a hipótese que o limiar da CCS para detecção de mastite subclínica é igual entre vacas Gir e Holandesas. Foram utilizadas 221 vacas Gir em lactação, provenientes de três fazendas comerciais. Foram coletadas amostras de leite individuais por quarto mamário e compostas uma vez por mês, durante um ano. Foram realizadas análises de CCS, composição do leite e cultura microbiológica. O quarto mamário e a vaca foram considerados unidades experimentais. Para determinar a sensibilidade, especificidade e odds ratio (OR) dos limiares da CCS para identificação de quartos infectados, foram utilizados quatro valores de CCS: 100, 200, 300 e 400 (x 103 células/mL), assim como a correlação entre a CCS e composição do leite. Não houve efeito do rebanho sobre o logCCS para amostras individuais de quartos mamários e compostas, mas vaca dentro de rebanho foi o principal fator responsável pela variação do logCCS. Houve efeito do rebanho sobre a composição do leite, assim como o mês de coleta apresentou efeito tanto sobre o logCCS quanto para a composição do leite, considerando as duas unidades experimentais. A presença de infecção intramamária afetou negativamente a composição do leite, exceto sobre o teor de gordura; sendo que os maiores teores de lactose, proteína e ESD foram encontrados em amostras sem isolamento bacteriano. Os maiores logCCS foram obtidos em amostras infectadas. O limiar da CCS de 100 x 103 células/mL apresentou, em ambas as unidades experimentais, maiores valores de sensibilidade e valor preditivo negativo. O limiar de 200 x 103 células/mL apresentou maior chance da ocorrência de mastite do que o limiar de 100 x 103 células/mL. Foi observada correlação negativa entre CCS com lactose e extrato seco desengordurado (ESD), mas a correlação foi positiva entre CCS com gordura e proteína, tanto em nível de quarto mamário quanto de vaca. Portanto, a composição do leite foi influenciada pela CCS, os teores de lactose e ESD diminuíram em altas CCS, enquanto que as concentrações de gordura e proteína aumentaram. / The aim of this study was to determine the sensibility and specificity of somatic cell count (SCC) threshold in Gyr cows to diagnosis the subclinical mastitis caused by primary and secondary pathogens, and to evaluate the effect of herd, cows, month, mammary quarter, intramammary infection, type of microorganism and their interactions on logSCC and milk composition. The hypothesis to be tested was that the SCC threshold to detection of subclinical mastitis is the same for Holstein and Gir cows. A total of 221 lactation Gir cows from three commercial dairy farms was selected. Composed and quarter individual milk samples were collected once a month, during one year for SCC, milk composition and bacteriological analysis. The mammary quarter and the cow were considered experimental units. To determine the sensibility, specificity and odds ratio (OR) from SCC threshold to identify the infected quarters four values of SCC: 100, 200, 300 and 400 (x 103 cells/mL) were used. It was also evaluated the correlation between SCC and milk composition. There was no effect of herd on logSCC in individuals and composed samples, but cow nested within herd was major factor responsible for the logSCC variation. The month of sampling presented significant effect on logSCC and milk composition in both experimental units. The intramammary infection presence affected negatively the milk composition, except of fat concentration. Higher lactose, protein and non-fat solids (NFS) percentages were found in negative samples and higher logSCC were observed in infected samples. The SCC threshold of 100 x 103 cells/mL presented the major sensibility and negative predictive value for subclinical mastitis detection. The threshold of 200 x 103 cells/mL had higher chance to have mastitis than the threshold of 100 x 103 cells/mL. It was observed a negative correlation between SCC with lactose and NFS; but the correlation was positive between SCC with fat and protein in mammary quarters and cow level. Milk composition was influenced by SCC, once the lactose and NFS percentages decreased in samples with high SCC and the protein and fat concentration increased.

<p>Betonggjutning är ett tungt moment inom byggproduktion och entreprenörer har länge använt betong med flyttillsats för att få en mer lättarbetad betong. Ändå har det krävts långa arbetspass och många tungarbetade moment. Efter lasernivellering, vibrering, slodning och glättning har man kunnat uppnå en yta som nästan är helt jämn. Dock ej så jämn att avjämningsmassa kunnat elimineras för att inte få sviktande parkett eller buktande plastmattor.</p><p>Självkompakterande betong (SKB), eller vibreringsfri betong som man först kallade den, forskades fram på 80-talet i Japan och dök upp i Sverige i slutet på 90-talet. Det är en betong som innehåller en flyttillsats och en så kallad filler vars gemensamma egenskaper ger en betong som har bibehållen homogenitet samtidigt som den fyller ut formen och omsluter armering endast genom gravitationskraften. SKB är ca 10-15 % dyrare än traditionell betong men har motiverats med framförallt minskad produktionstid, färre betongarbetare och bättre arbetsmiljö.</p><p>Eftersom SKB mer eller mindre är flytande så blir jämnheten mycket god. Erfarenhetsmässigt har ytorna blivit i det närmaste perfekta efter lasernivellering, slodning och torrslipning. Trots stora konstaterade arbetsmiljövinster och vetskapen om den goda ytjämnheten har AB Färdig Betong i Karlstad endast levererat SKB till 8 projekt sedan 1997.</p><p>Examensarbetets syfte är att fastställa om SKB kan motiveras baserat på den goda ytjämnhet som kan uppnås redan efter gjutning jämfört med normalpresterande betong (NPB).</p><p>Examensarbetet har utförts i samarbete med Skanska Sverige AB i Karlstad, som under våren 2006 genomförde två projekt med SKB. Mätningar av ytor med SKB gjordes på Färjstad i Karlstad och mätningar av referensytor med NPB gjordes i Karlstad med omnejd. Mätningarna kompletteras med intervjuer i form av erfarenhetsåterföring från dem som tillverkat, levererat, mottagit, gjutit och efterbehandlat betongtypen.</p><p>De krav på ytjämnhet av platsgjuten betong som generellt tillämpas återfinns i Hus AMA 98 och definieras som buktighet, lutning och nivåskillnad. Resultaten från mätningarna bedömdes i enlighet med Hus AMA 98, därefter har betongtypernas mätvärden analyserats och jämförts.</p><p>Utifrån resultaten har bland annat följande slutsatser kunnat konstateras:</p><p>Självkompakterande betong kan vid rätt handhavande ge en yta som uppfyller kraven enligt Hus AMA’s krav för undergolv i klass B utan varken vibrering, slipning eller efterbehandling.</p><p>Användandet av SKB i större bostadsprojekt skapar stora förutsättningar för lägre totalekonomi jämfört med användandet av NPB. Detta baseras huvudsakligen på minskat behov av arbetskraft vid gjutning och efterbehandling av den gjutna ytan.</p><p>De bekräftade möjligheterna för förbättrad ytkvalitet redan efter gjutning kommer i framtiden innebära att fler entreprenörer väljer SKB.</p> / <p>Concrete moulding is a heavy moment in the building process and for a long time contractors have used an admixture to create a concrete that is easier to handle. However many hours of work and heavy moments has been required. After laser levelling, vibrating, screeding and troweling a surface that is almost flat has been obtained. Yet not flat enough to eliminate floor levelling and thereby avoiding bending parquet flooring or curved plastic flooring.</p><p>Self-compacting concrete (SCC), or vibrating free concrete as it was named in the beginning, was developed in the eighties in Japan and showed up in Sweden in the late nineties. It is a concrete that contains an admixture and filler that together makes the concrete flow under its own weight, completely filling the formwork and achieving full compaction, even in the presence of congested reinforcement. SCC is approximately 10-15 % more expensive than traditional concrete but is motivated with faster construction times, fewer workers and an improved work environment.</p><p>Since SCC just about flows the resulting surface becomes almost perfect. Experience shows that surfaces are nearly perfect after laser levelling, screeding and dry smoothing. Despite the advantages of the flat surfaces and the established improvement on the work environment, AB Färdig Betong in Karlstad, Sweden has only delivered SCC to eight projects since 1997.</p><p>The aim of this degree thesis is to determine if SCC can be motivated based on the flat surfaces that can be obtained after moulding compared to traditional concrete.</p><p>The degree thesis has been performed in cooperation with Skanska Sverige AB in Karlstad, Sweden at their two projects with SCC in spring 2006. The measurement of SCC surfaces was made in Färjestad, Karlstad and reference measurements of traditional concrete was made in Karlstad and surroundings. The measurement have been complemented with interviews that present experience of producing, delivering, receiving, moulding and after treating SCC.</p><p>The requirements for on site moulding concrete surfaces that are to be followed are found in Hus AMA 98 and is defined as curve, rake and level variance. The result from the measurements are judged on the basis of the requirements.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Correctly performed SCC can create a surface that fulfils the requirements in Hus AMA 98 for a class B floor.</p><p>The use of SCC in larger housing constructions makes conditions for a lower total cost. This is based principally on fewer workers, faster construction times and less after treatment of the moulded surfaces.</p><p>The confirmed possibilities of improved surfaces after moulding should mean that more contractors will use SCC in the future.</p>

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a special type of concrete that flows under its own weight and spreads readily into place while remaining stable. Although SCC technology has been rapidly progressing over the last 20 years and continues to develop, the relationships between the fresh, hardened and durability properties of SCC are not well documented. The focus of this investigation is twofold. Firstly, the use of SCC necessitates reliable and accurate characterization of material properties. A variety of laboratory test methods are used to evaluate SCC’s plastic properties. Recognizing that various test methods evaluate the same plastic properties, there is a need to critically investigate the adequacy and sensitivity of each test. Secondly, outcomes from this project are expected to advance the fundamental understanding of the interplay between the fresh properties of SCC and their implications on hardened properties and durability performance.

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a special type of concrete that flows under its own weight and spreads readily into place while remaining stable. Although SCC technology has been rapidly progressing over the last 20 years and continues to develop, the relationships between the fresh, hardened and durability properties of SCC are not well documented. The focus of this investigation is twofold. Firstly, the use of SCC necessitates reliable and accurate characterization of material properties. A variety of laboratory test methods are used to evaluate SCC’s plastic properties. Recognizing that various test methods evaluate the same plastic properties, there is a need to critically investigate the adequacy and sensitivity of each test. Secondly, outcomes from this project are expected to advance the fundamental understanding of the interplay between the fresh properties of SCC and their implications on hardened properties and durability performance.

Betonggjutning är ett tungt moment inom byggproduktion och entreprenörer har länge använt betong med flyttillsats för att få en mer lättarbetad betong. Ändå har det krävts långa arbetspass och många tungarbetade moment. Efter lasernivellering, vibrering, slodning och glättning har man kunnat uppnå en yta som nästan är helt jämn. Dock ej så jämn att avjämningsmassa kunnat elimineras för att inte få sviktande parkett eller buktande plastmattor. Självkompakterande betong (SKB), eller vibreringsfri betong som man först kallade den, forskades fram på 80-talet i Japan och dök upp i Sverige i slutet på 90-talet. Det är en betong som innehåller en flyttillsats och en så kallad filler vars gemensamma egenskaper ger en betong som har bibehållen homogenitet samtidigt som den fyller ut formen och omsluter armering endast genom gravitationskraften. SKB är ca 10-15 % dyrare än traditionell betong men har motiverats med framförallt minskad produktionstid, färre betongarbetare och bättre arbetsmiljö. Eftersom SKB mer eller mindre är flytande så blir jämnheten mycket god. Erfarenhetsmässigt har ytorna blivit i det närmaste perfekta efter lasernivellering, slodning och torrslipning. Trots stora konstaterade arbetsmiljövinster och vetskapen om den goda ytjämnheten har AB Färdig Betong i Karlstad endast levererat SKB till 8 projekt sedan 1997. Examensarbetets syfte är att fastställa om SKB kan motiveras baserat på den goda ytjämnhet som kan uppnås redan efter gjutning jämfört med normalpresterande betong (NPB). Examensarbetet har utförts i samarbete med Skanska Sverige AB i Karlstad, som under våren 2006 genomförde två projekt med SKB. Mätningar av ytor med SKB gjordes på Färjstad i Karlstad och mätningar av referensytor med NPB gjordes i Karlstad med omnejd. Mätningarna kompletteras med intervjuer i form av erfarenhetsåterföring från dem som tillverkat, levererat, mottagit, gjutit och efterbehandlat betongtypen. De krav på ytjämnhet av platsgjuten betong som generellt tillämpas återfinns i Hus AMA 98 och definieras som buktighet, lutning och nivåskillnad. Resultaten från mätningarna bedömdes i enlighet med Hus AMA 98, därefter har betongtypernas mätvärden analyserats och jämförts. Utifrån resultaten har bland annat följande slutsatser kunnat konstateras: Självkompakterande betong kan vid rätt handhavande ge en yta som uppfyller kraven enligt Hus AMA’s krav för undergolv i klass B utan varken vibrering, slipning eller efterbehandling. Användandet av SKB i större bostadsprojekt skapar stora förutsättningar för lägre totalekonomi jämfört med användandet av NPB. Detta baseras huvudsakligen på minskat behov av arbetskraft vid gjutning och efterbehandling av den gjutna ytan. De bekräftade möjligheterna för förbättrad ytkvalitet redan efter gjutning kommer i framtiden innebära att fler entreprenörer väljer SKB. / Concrete moulding is a heavy moment in the building process and for a long time contractors have used an admixture to create a concrete that is easier to handle. However many hours of work and heavy moments has been required. After laser levelling, vibrating, screeding and troweling a surface that is almost flat has been obtained. Yet not flat enough to eliminate floor levelling and thereby avoiding bending parquet flooring or curved plastic flooring. Self-compacting concrete (SCC), or vibrating free concrete as it was named in the beginning, was developed in the eighties in Japan and showed up in Sweden in the late nineties. It is a concrete that contains an admixture and filler that together makes the concrete flow under its own weight, completely filling the formwork and achieving full compaction, even in the presence of congested reinforcement. SCC is approximately 10-15 % more expensive than traditional concrete but is motivated with faster construction times, fewer workers and an improved work environment. Since SCC just about flows the resulting surface becomes almost perfect. Experience shows that surfaces are nearly perfect after laser levelling, screeding and dry smoothing. Despite the advantages of the flat surfaces and the established improvement on the work environment, AB Färdig Betong in Karlstad, Sweden has only delivered SCC to eight projects since 1997. The aim of this degree thesis is to determine if SCC can be motivated based on the flat surfaces that can be obtained after moulding compared to traditional concrete. The degree thesis has been performed in cooperation with Skanska Sverige AB in Karlstad, Sweden at their two projects with SCC in spring 2006. The measurement of SCC surfaces was made in Färjestad, Karlstad and reference measurements of traditional concrete was made in Karlstad and surroundings. The measurement have been complemented with interviews that present experience of producing, delivering, receiving, moulding and after treating SCC. The requirements for on site moulding concrete surfaces that are to be followed are found in Hus AMA 98 and is defined as curve, rake and level variance. The result from the measurements are judged on the basis of the requirements. Conclusions Correctly performed SCC can create a surface that fulfils the requirements in Hus AMA 98 for a class B floor. The use of SCC in larger housing constructions makes conditions for a lower total cost. This is based principally on fewer workers, faster construction times and less after treatment of the moulded surfaces. The confirmed possibilities of improved surfaces after moulding should mean that more contractors will use SCC in the future.

To maintain the sustainability of cement and concrete production, there is a trend to use wastes in their production. Soda waste, generated by soda ash production process, and beer waste, generated by beer filtration process, are two locally produced wastes in Turkey and many other countries. The nature of these wastes, mostly their fineness, makes them possible to be used in concrete production, especially as a viscosity modifying agent in the self consolidating type of concrete. In this study, the addition of soda and beer wastes to self consolidating mortar (SCM) and self consolidating concrete (SCC), without any treatment but drying, and its effect on their properties were investigated. Mortar and concrete mixes were prepared using these two wastes as cement or aggregate replacement in various amounts. Tests like slump flow, V-Funnel and L-Box for determining the fresh properties, and compressive strength for the hardened properties of the mixtures were carried out to examine the effects of these wastes on the properties of SCM and SCC. The tests revealed that soda waste takes no role in the strength development of the mixes. However, it is possible to use this waste as aggregate replacement to improve the workability and flowability properties of SCM and SCC. The use of beer waste showed contradictive results. A special treatment for this waste before using it in concrete might be required.