Polymers capable of thermally controlled reversible bonding reactions are promising candidates for stimuli responsive materials, as required for self-healing or drug delivery materials. In order to investigate how the dynamic reactions can be controlled, effective analytical tools are demanded that are capable of analyzing not only the polymers but can also monitor the respective bonding reactions. Herein, we employ size exclusion chromatography in a newly developed temperature dependent mode (TD SEC) for the in situ characterization of polymers that undergo retro Diels-Alder (rDA) reaction at temperatures higher than 60 °C. Monitoring the evolution of the molar mass distribution of the polymers during the rDA reaction and evaluating the data quantitatively gives detailed information about the extent of the reaction and allows elucidating structural parameters that can be used for controlling the polymers debonding behavior. In contrast to spectroscopic techniques, TD SEC analyzes only the size of the polymers, hence the polymers do not need to fulfill any particular requirements (e.g. presence of detectable functional groups) but only need to be soluble in the TD SEC, which makes the method universally applicable. Side effects that might bias the results are minimized by using a high temperature chromatograph that allows performing the analysis in a broad temperature range (60 – 200 °C) and in different solvents. Thus, the analysis can be performed under the exact conditions that are required for the bonding reactions and an in situ image is provided.

This study examines how Taiwanese senior counsellors with substantial experience of ch’i-related exercise (CRE) perceived the influence of their regular CRE on their counselling practice. I am interested in the perceived influence of CRE on both self-care and professional practice. In this studyn this studyn this study n this study n this study n this study, CRE, CRE, CRE, CRE, CRE refers to any refers to any refers to any refers to any ch'i enhancing exercise that coordinates movement with breathing and inner concentration wherein ch'i is a first order concept used by practitioners and regarded by them as an embodiment of ideas related to human life and human existence and able to be experienced and refined through any ch'i related exercise. CRE is a set of practices and an intrinsic part of local culture in Taiwan which in recent years, has become popular practice in Taiwanese society. There are growing numbers of counselling professionals involved in regular CRE in recent years. Studies examining the effects of CRE indicate the benefits of CRE on practitioners' global health and personal growth. However, no previous study has investigated the influence of the long-term regular use of CRE on counsellors‟ self-care and counselling practice. The narrative research design for this study was developed from a post-structural theoretical perspective located in the domain of social constructivism. The data were co-constructed between the researcher and 12 senior Taiwanese counsellors with substantial CRE experience using a semi-structured in-depth interview approach. Interview data were analysed using the structure-based approach developed by William Labov in the field of socio-linguistics. The study reveals an overall benefit of regular involvement in CRE for practitioners' global wellbeing and personal growth counsellor' self-care. The research findings also reveals the potential of ch’i to be used as a way of expressing health and illness and a way of understanding in therapy and CRE to be lived out in therapy as an embodiment. I argue that collectively the narratives, as a whole, give evidence of an increasing integratin of the ideas and practices of ch’i into counselling practice in contemporary Taiwan. This might even make up a new form of integrated and culturally appropriate practice, what I term "a new way of healing." These are therapeutic practices which value the potential of CRE for counsellor's self-care and personal growth; recognize the integral whole of the human person; promote conscious use of the knowledge and experience of ch’i and CRE in therapy as an important aspect of the therapeutic use of self. Implications for practice such as the potential of CRE to be introduced into counsellor training programmes for counsellors' preparation or ongoing education are provided. Recommendations for future research such as the development of a new healing modality based on the research findings are offered.

Thesis (PhD (Chemistry and Polymer Science)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The work presented in this dissertation describes the development of self-healing coatings based on thiol-ene chemistry. The approach was to synthesize capsules with thiol and ene compounds separately encapsulated. These capsules were embedded in various coating formulations and upon the formation of a crack with a razor blade, these capsules ruptured. This caused the healing agent to flow into the crack via capillary action and the thiol-ene healing mechanism was initiated. This resulted in recovery of the damaged coating and provided continued protection to the substrate. Pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) (TetraThiol), 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (DiAcrylate) and 1,6-hexanediol di-(endo, exo-norborn-2-ene-5-carboxylate) (DiNorbornene) are the thiol and ene compounds used in this study. Kinetic experiments indicated that both TetraThiol-DiAcrylate and TetraThiol-DiNorbornene monomer pairs undergo rapid polymerization and form a network within minutes upon exposure to UV radiation and with the addition of a photoinitiator. The TetraThiol-DiNorbornene monomer pair also showed a high rate of polymerization without the addition of a photoinitiator and/or exposure to UV radiation. Styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymers and chain-extended block copolymers with styrene (P[(Sty-alt-MAh)-b-Sty]) were synthesized via Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT)- mediated polymerization. These copolymers were used as surfactant in miniemulsification for the synthesis of core-shell particles with TetraThiol as the core material. It appeared that P[(Sty-alt-MAh)-b-Sty] block copolymers, sterically stabilized via the addition of formaldehyde, provide optimal stability to the core-shell particles. DiNorbornene is encapsulated via miniemulsion homopolymerization of styrene and well-defined, stable nanocapsules were obtained. TetraThiol and DiAcrylate microcapsules were synthesized via in-situ polymerization of urea and formaldehyde. Microcapsules with a particle size of one to ten micrometers and with a very smooth surface were obtained. These microcapsules and nanocapsules were embedded in poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), styrene-acrylate and pure acrylic films and the self-healing ability of these coatings, after introduction of a crack with a razor blade, was assessed.

The objective of this thesis was to advance understanding in the field of biolubrication, finding inspiration from the human synovial joints. This was addressed by investigating the association of key biolubricants and the resulting lubrication performance. Techniques employed during the course of this work were Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), X-ray reflectivity (XRR). Key synovial fluid and cartilage components like dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), hyaluronan (HA), lubricin, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) have been used in the investigations. Focus was towards two lubrication couples; DPPC-hyaluronan and COMP-lubricin. DPPC-hyaluronan mixtures were probed on hydrophilic silica surfaces and COMP-lubricin association structures were explored on weakly hydrophobic poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surfaces. Investigations of the COMP-lubricin pair revealed that individually these components are unable to reach desired lubrication. However in combination, COMP facilitates firm attachment of lubricin to the PMMA surface in a favourable confirmation that imparts low friction coefficient. DPPC and hyaluronan combined impart lubrication advantage over lone DPPC bilayers. Hyaluronan provides a reservoir of DPPC on the surface and consequently self-healing ability. Other factors like temperature, presence of calcium ions, molecular weight of hyaluronan, and pressure were also explored. DPPC bilayers at higher temperature had higher load bearing capacity. Association between DPPC Langmuir layers and hyaluronan was enhanced in the presence of calcium ions, and lower molecular weight hyaluronan had a stronger tendency to bind to DPPC. At high pressures, DPPC-hyaluronan layers were more stable compared to lone DPPC bilayers. / <p>QC 20170210</p>

Traffic jams are the cause of approximately 25 billion euro of annual expenses of the state of Germany [14, 26]. In addition to these monetary damages they also have a negative effect on the quality of life for man and nature. They are, for example, the source of a non-negligible part of the 2.4 billion traffic accidents with damage of property or persons registered annually [13]. Circa 14 % of crashes result from previous mishaps [8, 26]. Almost all of them cause further jam formation and therefore a vicious circle which is in danger of closing around. Especially jams being created from spontaneous, non-periodic incidents involve a high risk of ending in a gridlock and thereby disrupt a whole traffic system. Because these disturbances are unpredictable and unpreventable, their duration and impact can merely be reduced by an effective incident management through the systematic, planned and coordinated use of institutional, technical and natural resources. The self-healing-network-strategy by Lämmer [19] and Rausch [27] is one example of such a countermeasure against jam formation in urban road networks. It prevents gridlocks at intersections by means of traffic lights and the combination of two effective mechanisms. Extended off-times prevent the inflow into oversaturated sections and so the expansion of tailbacks onto upstream intersections. Extended green periods of alternative directions of travel motivate drivers to avoid disturbed sectors and thus additionally allow a better exploitation of available free capacities. The development and successful establishment of this method could make the use of ramp metering in urban networks - which is regulating the inflow of oversaturated areas by reducing or skipping green times as well - invalid. To answer this question the presented master’s thesis aims at comparing both inflow-regulating control concepts. However, it is not the ambition to proof that one method is worse than the other, but to contribute to an ideal combination of both instead - with the intention to eliminate deficits on either side. Therefore both concepts will be reviewed in a first step and subsequently the contribution of additional effects against gridlock creation through the symbiosis of the two traffic light controls is analysed. Furthermore, several suggestions for the development of an efficient ramp metering logic are introduced to configure this combination to be more beneficial. / Verkehrsstaus verursachen dem deutschen Staat jährlich rund 25 Milliarden Euro Unkosten [14, 26]. Neben diesen monetären Schäden wirken sie sich jedoch auch negativ auf die Lebensqualität von Mensch und Umwelt aus. Sie sind beispielsweise die Ursache für einen nicht unerheblichen Anteil der circa 2,4 Milliarden jährlich registrierten Unfälle mit Sach- oder Personenschaden [13]. Rund 14 % der Unglücksfälle gehen dabei als Folgeerscheinung eines vorherigen Unfalls hervor [8, 26]. Nahezu alle führen eine weitere Staubildung herbei und somit einen Teufelskreis, der sich zu schließen droht. Besonders aus spontanen, nicht wiederkehrenden Störfällen entstandene Staubildung birgt eine hohes Risiko, in einem Gridlock zu enden und damit ein gesamtes innerstädtisches Verkehrssystem zum Erliegen zu bringen. Da diese Störfälle unvorhersehbar und unvermeidbar sind, kann ihrer Dauer und ihrem Einfluss lediglich ein effizientes Störfallmanagement durch systematischen, gezielten und koordinierten Gebrauch institutioneller, technischer und natürlicher Ressourcen entgegenwirken. Beispiel für eine solche Gegenmaßnahme zur Staubildung in urbanen Netzen ist das selbstorganisierte Störfallmanagement nach Lämmer [19] und Rausch [27]. Mithilfe von LSA und der Kombination zweier effektiver Wirkungsmechanismen werden Gridlocks an Knotenpunkten unterbunden. Verlängerte Sperrzeiten verhindern den Zufluss in übersättigte Streckenabschnitte und damit die Ausbreitung von Rückstaus auf vorgelagerte Kreuzungen. Erweiterte Freigabezeiten der alternativen Fahrtrichtungen regen wiederum eine Umgehung des gestörten Abschnitts an und ermöglichen somit zusätzlich die bessere Ausschöpfung vorhandener freier Kapazitäten. Durch die Entwicklung und den erfolgreichen Einsatz der genannten Maßnahme könnte der Gebrauch von Pförtnerampeln (PA), welche den Zufluss in übersättigte Bereiche ebenfalls regulieren, indem sie Grünzeiten verkürzen oder aussetzen, hinfällig werden. Um diese Frage zu klären, widmet sich die vorliegende Masterarbeit dem Vergleich der beiden zuflussregulierenden Steuerungskonzepte. Ziel ist jedoch nicht, zu beweisen, dass eine Maßnahme schlechter ist als die andere, sondern vielmehr einen Beitrag zu einer optimalen Kombination der Vorzüge beider Herangehensweisen zu leisten und somit die auf beiden Seiten vorhandenen Defizite zu beseitigen. Dafür werden zunächst beide Konzepte auf ihre Effizienz hin überprüft und im Anschluss analysiert, inwiefern die Symbiose beider LSA-Steuerungen in einem Netzwerk zusätzliche Effekte gegen die Gridlockentstehung bewirkt. Außerdem werden verschiedene Vorschläge zur Entwicklung einer effizienteren Steuerlogik für Pförtneranlagen eingebracht, um diese Kombination noch vorteilhafter zu gestalten.

L'objectif de cette thèse est d'élaborer et de développer un type de membranes polymères qui peuvent se réparer de manière autonome en cas de fissures. Si elles ne sont pas détectées, ces fissures peuvent poser des problèmes notamment pour des applications médicales. Dans une première partie, une membrane polymère dynamique à base de micelles de copolymère tribloc ABA a été préparée. Le bloc "A" est représenté par le poly (styrene-co-acrylonitrile), copolymère bloc mécaniquement robuste, et un bloc "B" relativement mou et souple, le poly (ethylene oxide). Lorsqu'une pression est appliquée à la membrane, sa morphologie peut être ajustée grâce à la nature compressible des micelles, ainsi que les ponts dynamiques intermicellaires. Une gamme de porosités accessible peut être régulée par la pression et de manière à contrôler la performance de filtration. La même nature dynamique a également été utilisée pour montrer une réparation autonome entrainée par la pression. L'efficacité du processus de réparation dépend de la taille des fissures, de la valeur de pression et de la durée d'application de la pression. En utilisant la propriété d'auto-réparation de la membrane ci-dessus, le processus « Direct Mode Translocation » de nanoparticules a également été étudié. Quatre classes différentes de nanoparticules ont été utilisées avec diverses propriétés intrinsèques et extrinsèques. Les conclusions de ces travaux prouvent que les caractéristiques de taille, de forme et de surface des nanoparticules ainsi que la force exercée régissent le processus de translocation. Dans une seconde partie, un revêtement 2D et 3D réversible basé sur l'auto-assemblage de micelles de copolymère dibloc constitué d'un poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) et du poly (n-octadecyl methacrylate) (PODMA) blocs a été développé. L'assemblage de micelles est réalisé par l'effet "Zipper", grâce aux longues chaînes pendantes du bloc PODMA. Le même effet "Zipper" permet d'enlever facilement le revêtement par lavage dans un solvant sélectif, donnant ainsi la possibilité de modifier la surface d'un substrat plusieurs fois de manière réversible. La cristallisation à température ambiante du bloc PODMA offre la possibilité d'avoir un revêtement auto-réparable thermiquement sans affecter la morphologie globale des micelles. Enfin, une dernière partie a été conceptualisée, dans laquelle l'auto-réparation se fait par « nano-gel » encapsulés et dispersés dans une membrane. Le « nano-gel » est à base d'un copolymère hydrophile en forme d'une étoile partiellement réticulée et qui doit être synthétisée par la technique de "Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Transfer" (RAFT) polymérisation. La synthèse d'un agent RAFT avec 4 bras pour la polymérisation a été accomplie, cependant, des travaux sont encore nécessaires pour valider la voie de synthèse vers la synthèse de « nano-gel » ainsi que son application pour le processus d'auto-réparation. / The objective of this thesis is to develop such kind of polymeric membranes which can repair themselves autonomously in an event of damage. Such damage in a membrane, if left undetected can pose serious health issues in some of the intended applications. In the first approach, a dynamic polymeric membrane based on ABA type triblock copolymer micelles has been prepared. The block “A” is represented by mechanically robust poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) copolymer while block “B” by relatively soft and flexible poly(ethylene oxide). When pressure is applied to the membrane, its morphology can be fine-tuned thanks to the compressible nature of micelles as well as intermicellar dynamic bridges. A range of porosities are accessible which can be regulated by pressure and thereby controlling the filtration performance. The same dynamic nature has also been utilized to display an effective pressure driven autonomous healing. The efficiency of healing process has been found to be dependent on the extent of damage, pressure value and time duration of application of pressure. Using the self-healing property of above membrane, “Direct Mode Translocation” of nanoparticles has also been studied. Four different classes of nanoparticles were used with varied intrinsic and extrinsic properties. The findings of the work prove that the size, shape and surface characteristics of the nanoparticles as well as the applied force govern the translocation process. In a second approach, a 2D and 3D reversible coating based on the self-assembly of micelles of diblock copolymer consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(n-octadecyl methacrylate) (PODMA) blocks have been developed. The assembly of micelles is accomplished via so called “Zipper” effect, thanks to the long pendant chains of PODMA block. The same “zipper” effect plays the role of removing the coating easily by washing in a selective solvent, thus giving the ability to alter the surface of substrate for many times in reversible manner. The room temperature crystallization of PODMA block provides huge implications for a thermally assisted self-healing coating without affecting the global micelle morphology. Finally, another approach has been conceptualized in which self-healing occurs via encapsulated nano-gel dispersed within a membrane. The nano-gel is based on a partially crosslinked hydrophilic star shaped block copolymer which has to be synthesized by “Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Transfer” (RAFT) polymerization technique. The synthesis of a 4- arm RAFT agent for polymerization has been accomplished however ; a substantial amount of work is still needed to validate the synthetic route towards the nano-gel synthesis as well as its further application for the self-healing process.

Neste trabalho desenvolveremos um modelo estatístico em uma escala micrométrica de interações entre as componentes do sistema que pretende descrever a propagação de trincas em materiais submetidos a tensões cíclicas. Apesar de sua extrema simplicidade, este modelo é capaz de reproduzir um resultado experimental bastante difundido entre engenheiros e especialistas, conhecido como lei de Paris, cujo enunciado estabelece que a taxa de crescimento de uma trinca sob carregamento cíclico é proporcional a uma potência da variação em seu correspondente fator de intensidade de tensões sendo largamente utilizada em aplicações práticas. Estamos particularmente interessados em estudar a introdução de desordem em determinados parâmetros associados ao material investigando as modificações impostas por este tipo de abordagem ao comportamento estatístico do modelo. Nossos principais resultados serão obtidos numericamente a partir de uma aproximação do tipo campo efetivo que ignora a correlação existente entre as diversas trincas que podem se formar ao longo do sistema durante o processo. Simulações numéricas do modelo serão igualmente consideradas ao analisarmos situações mais gerais do processo de propagação em que efeitos associados à regeneração de trincas podem desempenhar um importante papel na descrição do comportamento mecânico de um material. / In this work we consider a statistical model in a micrometric scale of interactions between the components of the system which intends to describe the failure of materials subjected to cyclic-load fatigue. Although quite simple, this model is able to reproduce an important experimental result widespread among engineers and experts, known as Paris law, which states that the growth rate of a crack at subcritical load is proportional to a power of the change in its stress-intensity factor and it is largely used in engineering practice. We are particularly interested to study the introduction of disorder in some parameters of the material investigating the modifications caused by this kind of approach in the statistical properties of the model. Our main results will be obtained numerically assuming an effective-field like approximation which neglects the correlation between the different cracks emerging throughout the system during the breaking process. Numerical simulations of the model are also performed in order to describe more general situations of propagation where the effects of crack self-healing can play an important role in the material strength.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi a preparação de um revestimento inteligente com resina epóxi, capaz de autorreparar-se quando o sofre um defeito mecânico. A autorreparação é possibilitada pela presença de microcápsulas, dispersas na resina (revestimento de epóxi sem pigmentos) e que contêm no seu núcleo o agente de autorreparação, o óleo de linhaça. Estas cápsulas foram preparadas por uma emulsão de óleo de linhaça em água para formar micelas e sobre estas uma parede ou casca exterior de poliuréia-formaldeído. Para a avaliação da resistência à corrosão e do efeito de autorreparação do revestimento, chapas de aço carbono foram revestidas e avaliadas pela técnica de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE) em 0.1molL-1 1 NaCl e também foram avaliadas pelo teste acelerado de corrosão em câmara de névoa salina (SSC). Após a cura do revestimento aditivado com as microcápsulas, aplicado sobre placas de aço carbono, as medidas eletroquímicas de impedância foram realizadas em corpos de prova com um defeito mecânico provocado de forma controlada e reprodutível. Uma célula de três eletrodos foi utilizada. Estas medidas foram efetuadas após 0h, 24h e 48h da execução da incisão ou defeito mecânico. Para comparação, as mesmas medidas foram realizadas com as placas pintadas com o revestimento não-aditivado, com a mesma espessura total de 120 m. Os resultados mostraram que as cápsulas foram quebradas e se liberou o óleo de linhaça, reparando a área da incisão o defeito após pelo menos 24 horas de exposição natural ao ar ambiente. Verificou-se que para as placas revestidas sem defeito, os valores de | Z | mantiveram-se elevados. No entanto, o revestimento sem as microcápsulas, após 24 horas, mostrou uma diminuição considerável no valor de módulo de impedância, |Z|. Assim, usando a técnica de EIE foi possível avaliar quantitativamente o mecanismo de autorreparação do revestimento aditivado com microcápsulas que contêm óleo de linhaça. Os ensaios acelerados de corrosão (SSC) mostraram resultados em estreita concordância com os obtidos por EIE. / The aim of this work was the preparation of a smart coating with epoxy resin which is able to repair itself (self-healing effect) after suffering a mechanical defect. Self-healing is possible due to the presence of microcapsules, dispersed in the resin (clear type epoxy coating) and contain in their core the self-healing agent, the linseed oil. These capsules were prepared in an emulsion of linseed oil in water to form micelles and an outer skin or wall of poly(urea-formaldehyde) was formed. For the corrosion resistance and the self-healing effect evaluation of the coating, carbon steel plates were coated and tested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique (EIS) in 0.1molL-1 NaCl solution and by accelerated corrosion test in salt spray chamber (SSC). After curing of the capsules additivated epoxy based clear coating applied on carbon steel plates, electrochemical impedance measurements were performed on plates with a controlled and reproducible mechanical defect. A three-electrode electrochemical cell was used. These measurements were performed after 0h, 24h and 48h of making the incision or mechanical defect. For comparison, the same measurements were performed with the plates painted with a non- capsules additivated clear coating of the same total thickness of 120 m. The results showed that the capsules were broken and released the linseed oil, which indeed have repaired the incision area after at least 24 hours of natural air aging. It was found that for the plates coated without a defect, the values of impedance modulus, |Z|, remained high. However, the coating without the capsules after 24 hours, showed a considerable decrease in |Z|. So, using EIS it was possible to quantitatively assess the mechanism of self-healing of the additivated coating using microcapsules containing linseed oil. The SSC accelerated corrosion tests showed results in close agreement with those obtained by EIS.

<p>To make bacterial-based self-healing concrete, alkaline-resistant bacterial spores, nutrient sources, and a calcium source are incorporated into a concrete matrix. Two ureolytic spore-forming bacteria, <i>Sporosarcina pasteurii</i>, <i>Lysinibacillus sphaericus</i>, and two non-ureolytic spore-forming bacteria, <i>Bacillus cohnii</i>, and <i>Bacillus pseudofirmus</i>, which have been used in previous studies as bacterial concrete healing agents, were compared in this study. The four bacteria were compared for their (1) sporulation rates on different sporulation agar plates, (2) growth in five liquid media, (3) survival rates in light weight aggregates (LWA) and in mortar samples, and (4) calcium carbonate precipitation rates from either calcium lactate or calcium nitrate. Sporulation was successfully induced after three-day incubation at 30°C on an appropriate sporulation medium. High sporulation rates of <i>B. cohnii</i>, and <i>B. pseudofirmus</i>(93% and 99% respectively) were found on alkaline R2A medium (AR2A). A sporulation rate (89%) of <i>S. pasteruii</i>was observed on tryptic soy agar supplemented with 2% urea (TSAU)<i>.</i>The highest sporulation rate (60%) of <i>L. sphaericus</i>was found on R2A medium supplemented with 2% urea (R2AU). In the growth study, tryptic soy broth supplemented with 2% urea (TSBU) was a positive control which supported rapid growth of all four bacteria. <i>Sporosarcina pasteurii </i>and <i>L. pasteurii</i>showed rapid growth rates in alkaline yeast extract broth (AYE) and yeast extract with 2% urea broth (YEU) respectively. In contrast, <i>B. cohnii</i>, and <i>B. pseudofirmus</i>grew poorly in all media except in the positive control. Viable counts of the four bacterial spores reduced (1.8–3.3 logs) during the first 24 h in mortar samples and then remained stable for next 27 days testing period. Among the four, <i>S. pasteurii</i>showed the smallest reduction of viable counts (1.8–2.5 logs) in mortar after one day of incubation. Both <i>S. pasteurii</i>and <i>L. sphaericus</i>showed high CaCO₃productions (>80%) after 24 h incubation at 30°C in YEU containing either calcium nitrate or calcium lactate. However, <i>B. pseudofirmus</i>and <i>B. cohnii </i>showed<i></i>low calcite recovery rates (<11%) in AYE containing either<i></i>calcium nitrate or calcium lactate under the same incubation condition. Overall, <i>S. pasteurii</i>was the best bacterial concrete healing agent of the four. This bacterium had (1) rapid growth rate in AYE, (2) about 90% sporulation rate within 3 days, (3) highest survival rates after 24 h in mortar samples and, (4) high CaCO₃precipitation rates, 82 or 98%, in broth containing calcium nitrate or calcium lactate respectively.</p><p>In addition, two different lightweight aggregates (LWA), expanded shale (ES) and expanded clay (EC), which were used as bacterial carriers and protective materials, were compared in this study. Each type of LWA was separated into three sizes (<0.85 mm, 0.85– 2.0 mm, and >2.0 mm) and immobilized with spores of <i>B. cohnii</i>or <i>B. pseudofirmus.</i>Viable counts recovered from EC and ES reduced <1.0 log after the immobilization process and remained stable during the 150 days testing period. Neither the type nor the particle sizes of the two LWA significantly affected the survival rates of the bacterial spores. This result showed that both EC and ES could be used as carriers for bacterial healing agents. It was also found that when the spores were immobilized with nutrients in LWA, their survival rates in mortar samples can be improved slightly (<1.0 log).</p><p><br></p>

Neste trabalho desenvolveremos um modelo estatístico em uma escala micrométrica de interações entre as componentes do sistema que pretende descrever a propagação de trincas em materiais submetidos a tensões cíclicas. Apesar de sua extrema simplicidade, este modelo é capaz de reproduzir um resultado experimental bastante difundido entre engenheiros e especialistas, conhecido como lei de Paris, cujo enunciado estabelece que a taxa de crescimento de uma trinca sob carregamento cíclico é proporcional a uma potência da variação em seu correspondente fator de intensidade de tensões sendo largamente utilizada em aplicações práticas. Estamos particularmente interessados em estudar a introdução de desordem em determinados parâmetros associados ao material investigando as modificações impostas por este tipo de abordagem ao comportamento estatístico do modelo. Nossos principais resultados serão obtidos numericamente a partir de uma aproximação do tipo campo efetivo que ignora a correlação existente entre as diversas trincas que podem se formar ao longo do sistema durante o processo. Simulações numéricas do modelo serão igualmente consideradas ao analisarmos situações mais gerais do processo de propagação em que efeitos associados à regeneração de trincas podem desempenhar um importante papel na descrição do comportamento mecânico de um material. / In this work we consider a statistical model in a micrometric scale of interactions between the components of the system which intends to describe the failure of materials subjected to cyclic-load fatigue. Although quite simple, this model is able to reproduce an important experimental result widespread among engineers and experts, known as Paris law, which states that the growth rate of a crack at subcritical load is proportional to a power of the change in its stress-intensity factor and it is largely used in engineering practice. We are particularly interested to study the introduction of disorder in some parameters of the material investigating the modifications caused by this kind of approach in the statistical properties of the model. Our main results will be obtained numerically assuming an effective-field like approximation which neglects the correlation between the different cracks emerging throughout the system during the breaking process. Numerical simulations of the model are also performed in order to describe more general situations of propagation where the effects of crack self-healing can play an important role in the material strength.