Modern construction practices require proper knowledge to predict concrete pumping pressure, especially in high-volume and high-rise applications. Despite the progress made over the last decades, the spread of concrete pumping to high-rise construction has been hampered by the lack of standardized operating procedures and performance criteria. By and large, the guidelines available today focus predominantly on pumping Conventional Vibrated Concrete (CVC), while ambiguity still surrounds pumping Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) and other types of Highly-Workable Concrete (HWC). This PhD dissertation focuses on the fundamental principles relevant to the flow of high-strength SCC in pumping pipes, and it aims to develop methods to predict and reduce the required pumping pressure. The flow pattern of SCC in pipes is analytically investigated, providing a numerical approach to predict the pumping pressure based on the properties of both concrete and the lubrication layer, the pipe diameter, and the flow rate. The analytical results are further validated through full-scale pumping tests executed at the laboratory of the Université de Sherbrooke. Through this phase 26 optimal concrete mixtures were pumped in a 30-m pumping circuit to investigate the interactions between the concrete properties and pressure loss. The same tests are also employed to empirically correlate pressure loss with rheological and tribological properties of concrete at different flow rates. The resulting correlations furnish instrumental models capable of computing pressure loss for a wide range of concrete properties. In another application, the experimental results are analyzed to identify the influence of pumping on concrete properties with time. Full-scale pumping results are statistically analyzed in order to establish a quantitative description of the most influential parameters governing the concrete flow in pipes. As a result, concrete pipe flow is statically modeled, allowing the computation of pressure loss at different flow rates based on the the rheological and tribological properties of the concrete and the pipe diameter. Another statistical model is derived to calculate the pressure loss as a function of the V-funnel flow time, granting the advantage of predicting the pressure loss on job sites without the need for complex rheological and tribological measurements. In light of the research findings of the previous phases, a new simple test method called the pipe flow test (PFT) is developed in the context of this research, specifically for predicting pipe flow pressure loss. With preceding research phases as insights, the final stage of this project is directed toward mix design optimization faced with the challenge of reducing the pumping pressure and meeting the strength requirements of high-strength SCC. Ultimately, the research findings emanating from this investigation provide practical guidelines and conclusive models to predict and reduce pumping pressure for a wide scope of concrete mixtures and pipe diameters.

The Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is already in use in several countries and represents one of the biggest advances in concrete technology in the last decades. Its name is related to the growth of productivity, the improvement on constructive environment and the contribution of sustainable concrete technology that is characterized as an environment-friendly material, obtained with high volumes of industrial waste. As its development is characterized mainly by its properties in its fresh stage, the studies of its mechanical properties, such as compressive strength (fc), diametral compressive strength or traction strength (ft), and the modulus of elasticity (Ec), as its evolution and relations between each other have been little developed. The c.p s molding procedures with SCC is only modified, since the self-compacting concrete doesn t need any vibration. Within that focus, a SCC added with marble and the filler RSMG is produced, and its mechanical properties are determined and compared with a conventional concrete of reference and others SCC. The c.p. molding is also analyzed in order to verify its compactibility.The study prove that the best way to fill the mold, is similar to the one used for the reference conventional concrete, except the process of vibration. Equations of the evolution of fc and relations between fc x ft e fc x Ec to SCC are also accomplished and compared with the ones presented for conventional concrete. The results proved that the equations used of conventional concrete are accepted for the SCC. / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas / O concreto auto-adensável (CAA) já é utilizado em vários países e representa um dos maiores avanços na tecnologia do concreto das últimas décadas. Seu nome está relacionado com o aumento na produtividade, melhora do ambiente construtivo e contribuição da tecnologia sustentável do concreto, sendo caracterizado como um material ambientalmente amigável, e podendo ser obtido com altos volumes de resíduos industriais. Como seu desempenho está mais associado às suas propriedades no estado fresco, estudos de propriedades mecânicas, como: resistências à compressão (fc) e à tração (ft) e o módulo de deformação longitudinal (Ec), assim como sua evolução e relações entre as mesmas, têm sido pouco desenvolvidos. Dos procedimentos que antecedem a determinação das propriedades mecânicas do concreto, a moldagem dos c.p. com CAA é a única modificada, pois, o adensamento do concreto não necessita de vibração. Dentro deste enfoque, um concreto auto-adensável com a adição mineral do resíduo de serragem de mármore e granito (RSMG) é produzido, e suas propriedades mecânicas são determinadas e comparadas com as de um concreto convencional e de outros CAA. Diferentes métodos de moldagem em c.p cilíndricos com o CAA também são analisados, a fim de verificar sua auto-adensabilidade. O estudo comprova que a melhor forma de preenchimento dos moldes com CAA é semelhante ao adotado para concretos convencionais, a menos do processo de vibração. Equações de evolução de fc e relações fc x ft e fc x Ec para CAA também são obtidas e comparadas com as apresentadas para concreto convencional. Os resultados comprovam que as relações usadas para concreto convencional são aceitas para o CAA.

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.

Les bétons autoplaçants (BAP) constituent une nouvelle génération de béton avec un fort potentiel d’utilisation compte-tenu de la facilité de leur mise en œuvre dans les chantiers de construction. Leur production révèle cependant plus de difficultés par rapport à celle des bétons ordinaires, principalement liée à leur caractère très sensible à la variation de composition. En particulier, la variation du dosage en eau influe fortement sur la régularité de la fabrication des BAP. Cette variation est à l'origine de la connaissance insuffisante de l'eau apportée par les granulats. D'autre part, la formulation des BAP prévoit l'utilisation d'un volume élevé d'éléments fins ainsi que d'une forte proportion en adjuvants dans la composition de ces bétons. Cela conduit à des temps de malaxage plus longs que ceux des bétons ordinaires, diminue la productivité et augmente le coût de production. Le travail présenté dans ce mémoire vise à proposer des méthodes de contrôle pour améliorer la régularité et la productivité des BAP dans les centrales à béton prêt à l'emploi.Dans un premier temps, l'outil traditionnel du contrôle en ligne de l'humidité du béton - le wattmètre a été calibré suivant une procédure de simplifiée et réalisable en centrale à béton. En utilisant cette méthode de calibration, la stabilisation de la puissance consommée par le malaxeur, en milieu industriel, est validée comme un indicateur fiable de la teneur en eau des BAP. En parallèle, un critère objectif de stabilisation de la puissance a été proposé afin de définir quantitativement le temps de stabilisation de la puissance. Ce dernier est considéré comme un temps de malaxage suffisant pour décider la fin du malaxage en vue d’une augmentation de la productivité.Dans un second temps, nous avons étudié, à l'échelle de laboratoire, l'influence du temps de malaxage sur l'ouvrabilité d'une formule de BAP dont les gâchées sont différenciées seulement par leur dosage en eau. Cette étape a permis de montrer que le temps de stabilisation de la puissance de malaxage est comparable et proportionnel au temps nécessaire pour obtenir l'ouvrabilité optimale du BAP.Enfin, nous avons traité un cas particulier des BAP fluides dans une plage de dosage en eau élevé sur laquelle la méthode traditionnelle de mesure d'humidité par le wattmètre devient insuffisamment sensible. Une nouvelle exploitation du signal wattmétrique a été proposée en construisant un modèle de lissage des courbes de puissance. La validation expérimentale sur un malaxeur de laboratoire permet de montrer qu'il est possible d'améliorer la sensibilité du wattmètre à l'aide du paramètre "temps caractéristique" tiré du modèle. / Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a new generation of concrete with a great potential thank to their ease of placement in construction sites. However, as compared to ordinary concrete, it is more difficult to produce SCC; sensitivity to the variation of the composition dosage often gets cited. In particular, changes in concrete water content strongly influence the SCC production regularity. The primary source of uncertainty in concrete water content stems from poor knowledge of aggregate moisture. On the other hand, the use of a high amount of fines together with a high dosage of superplasticizer results in a long mixing time of SCC, which decreases productivity and increases the cost of production. The aim of this work is then to propose methods to improve the SCC production regularity and productivity.At first, the traditional online mixer measurement - wattmeter was calibrated through use of a simple calibration procedure in a concrete plant. By using this calibration method, the stabilization of mixing power is confirmed as a reliable online indication of SCC water content in an industrial environment. In parallel, a stabilisation criterion of power curves was proposed to quantitatively define the stabilization time. This time is considered as a sufficient mixing time to stop mixing for an increase in productivity.Secondly, we studied at the laboratory scale, the influence of the mixing time on the workability of a SCC mix design with batches in which only the water content was varied. The result has shown that the stabilization time is comparable and proportional to the time required to obtain the optimum workability of SCC.Finally, we treated a case of SCC mixtures over a range of high water content in which the traditional processing of mixing power is not able to distinguish the water proportioning difference from water over dosage in SCC. A new wattmeter signal processing was proposed through using a mathematical model to fit the power consumption curve of the mixer. The experimental validation in a laboratory mixer can show that it is possible to improve the precision of wattmeter thanks to the use of the parameter "characteristic time" from the model

The primary aim of this research was to develop a method for determining the true uniaxial tensile strength of concrete by conducting a series of cylinder splitting, modulus of rupture (MOR) and cylinder/cube compression tests. The main objectives were: • Critically reviewing previous published research in order to identify gaps in current knowledge and understanding, including theoretical and methodological contributions to the true uniaxial tensile strength of concrete. In order to maintain consistency and increase the reliability of the proposed methods, it is essential to review the literature to provide additional data points in order to add additional depth, breathe and rigor to Senussi's investigation (2004). • The design of self compacting concrete (SCC), normal strength concrete (NSC) and high strength concrete (HSC) mixes and undertaking lab-based experimental works for mixing, casting, curing and testing of specimens in order to establish new empirical evidence and data. • Analysing the data, presenting the results, and investigating the application of validity methods as stated by Lin and Raoof (1999) and Senussi (2004). • To draw conclusions including comparison with previous research and literature, including the proposal of new correction factors and recommendations for future research. 29 batches of NSC, 137 batches of HSC, 44 batches of fly ash SCC and 47 batches of GGBS SCC were cast and their hardened and fresh properties were measured. Hardened properties measured included: cylinder splitting strength, MOR, cylinder compressive strength and cube compressive strength. A variety of rheological tests were also applied to characterise the fresh properties of the SCC mixes, including: slump flow, T50, L-box, V-funnel, J-ring and sieve stability. Cylinders were also visually checked after splitting for segregation. The tensile strength of concrete has traditionally been expressed in terms of its compressive strength (e.g. ft = c x c f ). Based on this premise, extensive laboratory testing was conducted to evaluate the tensile strength of the concretes, including the direct tension test and the indirect cylinder splitting and MOR tests. These tests however, do not provide sufficiently accurate results for the true uniaxial tensile strength, due to the results being based upon different test methods. This shortcoming has been overcome by recently developed methods reported by Lin and Raoof (1999) and Senussi (2004) who proposed simple correction factors for the application to the cylinder splitting and MOR test results, with the final outcome providing practically reasonable estimates of the true uniaxial tensile strength of concrete, covering a wide range of concrete compressive strengths 12.57 ≤ fc ≤ 93.82 MPa, as well as a wide range of aggregate types. The current investigation has covered a wide range of ages at testing, from 3 to 91 days. Test data from other sources has also been applied for ages up to 365 days, with the test results reported relating to a variety of mix designs. NSC, SCC and HSC data from the current investigation has shown an encouraging correlation with the previously reported results, hence providing additional wider and deeper empirical evidence for the validity of the recommended correction factors. The results have also demonstrated that the type (size, texture and strength) of aggregate has a negligible effect on the recommended correction factors. The concrete age at testing was demonstrated to have a potentially significant effect on the recommended correction factors. Altering the cement type can also have a significant effect on the hardened properties measured and demonstrated practically noticeable variations on the recommended correction factors. The correction factors proved to be valid regarding the effects of incorporating various blended cements in the HSC and SCC. The NSC, HSC and SCC showed an encouraging correlation with previously reported results, providing additional support, depth, breadth and rigor for the validity of the correction factors recommended.

Type 304 stainless steel is used in various applications where corrosion resistance is required. This material is selected for weldability and corrosion resistance, but it can suffer stress corrosion cracking (scc), corrosion fatigue, pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride environments. The aim of this project was to produce Type 304 containers with intentional stress corrosion cracks, to serve as test samples for future weld repair trials. A test rig was constructed which used thermal stress to crack Type 304 tube samples; a central Type 310 stainless steel bar contained a heating element, so that the bar serve as a heat source and a stressing element. The rig was filled or half filled with magnesium chloride solution. The elastic strain in the tube sample was directly related to the temperature difference between the central bar and the sample. The thermal stress was sufficient to cause stress corrosion cracking. The tests were terminated when the first crack extended through the wall thickness of the 304 tube sample. The distribution and depth of cracks were determined after the tests. The test procedure caused the formation of multiple cracks in the tube sample. The temperature controller caused cyclical variation in the bar temperature and hence in the thermal stress. However, the temperature variation did not have an effect on cracking; corrosion fatigue did not contribute to cracking, and the cracks had the classic branched transgranular morphology of chloride cracking. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering / unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (DSc (Oral Pathology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Community Dentistry / unrestricted

<p>  </p> <p>Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a longstanding critical materials challenge in austenitic stainless steels (AuSS). Recently, there has been mounting concern regarding the potential for Chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC) along arc weld seams on austenitic stainless-steel canisters used as spent nuclear fuel (SNF) dry storage containers, due to the residual stress from the welding process and exposure to chloride-rich coastal air at storage sites. To ensure the safety of the SNF storage, fundamental understanding and mitigation methods of CISCC are critical in both engineering design and maintenance of the storage canisters before and after their deployment. With the recent development of high-resolution characterization and analysis techniques, a more robust and comprehensive understanding of the fundamental TGCISCC mechanism starts to be more accessible. In this thesis, comprehensive state-of-the-art techniques, including SEM, EBSD, HREBSD, FIB, ATEM, TKD, potential dynamic measurement, XRD, and nanoindentation will be used to further understand the mechanistic mechanism of TGCISCC in AuSS from macroscopic scale down to atomistic scale. </p>

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