Dėl sąveikos su armatūros strypais iš esmės pakinta tempiamojo betono fizikinis įtempių ir deformacijų būvis, todėl taikyti vientiso tempiamojo betono įtempių ir deformacijų diagramas negalima. Armuotojo betono atveju šios diagramos yra pakeičiamos vadinamosiomis tempiamojo sustandėjimo įtempių ir deformacijų diagramomis, tačiau iki šiol nėra priimta bendro metodo, kaip jas reikėtų apskaičiuoti. Baigiamojo magistro darbo tikslas – pasiūlyti tempiamojo betono įtempių ir deformacijų fizikinį modelį. Baigiamajame darbe atlikta kritinė literatūros šaltinių betono tempiamojo sustandėjimo tematika analizė. Atlikti tempiamųjų gelžbetoninių elementų eksperimentiniai ir skaitiniai tyrimai. Literatūros šaltiniuose aptiktų eksperimentinių tyrimų rezultatai palyginti su atliktais eksperimentiniais ir skaitiniais tyrimais. Pagal atrinktus duomenis išvestas tempiamojo betono įtempių ir deformacijų fizikinis modelis bei atlikta jo statistinė analizė. Baigiamąjį magistro darbą sudaro įvadas, trys skyriai, išvados bei literatūros sąrašas. Darbo apimtis – 64 puslapiai. Tekste pateikta 50 formulių, 41 paveikslas ir 10 lentelių. Rašant darbą remtasi 30 literatūros šaltinių. / Interaction between concrete and reinforcement changes the way tensile concrete behaves thus the stress–strain relationship for solid tensile concrete cannot be applied anymore. In the case of reinforced concrete, these graphs are changed with so–called tension stiffening diagrams but until now there has been no confirmed method that would allow us to determine it. The aim of the master thesis is to propose a physical model for stress–strain relationship of tensile concrete. In the master thesis a close analysis of a number of scientific articles about tension stiffening has been done. Experimental and numerical research for tensile reinforced concrete members has been performed. The data found in scientific articles has been compared with the data of experimental and numerical research. Based on the results of experimental research a physical model for stress–strain relationship of tensile concrete has been proposed, also a statistical accuracy analysis of the model has been performed. The master thesis consists of introduction, three chapters, conclusions and references. Total number of pages is 64. Thesis includes 50 equations, 41 figures and 10 tables. Paper refers to 30 scientific source materials.

The Aveston Copper and Kelly (ACK) Method has been routinely used in estimating the efficiency of the bond between the textile and cementitious matrix. This method however has a limited applicability due to the simplifying assumptions such as perfect bond. A numerical model for simulation of tensile behavior of reinforced cement-based composites is presented to capture the inefficiency of the bond mechanisms. In this approach the role of interface properties which are instrumental in the simulation of the tensile response is investigated. The model simulates the tension stiffening effect of cracked matrix, and evolution of crack spacing in tensile members. Independent experimental results obtained from literature are used to verify the model and develop composite tensile stress strain response using alkali resistant (AR) glass textile reinforced concrete. The composite stress strain response is then used with a bilinear representation of the composite obtained from the tensile stiffening model. The closed form and simplified equations for representation of flexural response are obtained and used for both back-calculation and also design. A method based on the average moment-curvature relationship in the structural design and analysis of one way and two way flexural elements using yield line analysis approaches is proposed. This comprehensive approach directly shows the interrelation of fundamental materials characterization techniques with simplified design equations for further utilization of textile reinforced concrete materials.

El uso de barras de materiales compuestos (FRP) se propone como una alternativa efectiva para las tradicionales estructuras de hormigón armadas con acero que sufren corrosión en ambientes agresivos. La aceptación de estos materiales en el mundo de la construcción está condicionada a la compresión de su comportamiento estructural. Este trabajo estudia el comportamiento adherente entre barras de FRP y hormigón mediante dos programas experimentales. El primero incluye la caracterización de la adherencia entre barras de FRP y hormigón mediante ensayos de pull-out y el segundo estudia el proceso de fisuración de tirantes de hormigón reforzados con barras de GFRP mediante ensayo a tracción directa. El trabajo se concluye con el desarrollo de un modelo numérico para la simulación del comportamiento de elementos de hormigón reforzado bajo cargas de tracción. La flexibilidad del modelo lo convierte en una herramienta flexible para la realización de un estudio paramétrico sobre las variables que influyen en el proceso de fisuración. / The use of Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) as reinforcement in concrete structures is considered to be a possible alternative to steel in those situations where corrosion is present. The full acceptance of FRP reinforcement in concrete construction is contingent on a complete study and comprehension of all aspects of their structural performance. This thesis investigates the bond behaviour between Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) reinforcement and concrete. Two experimental programs were conducted. In the first program the role of the variables which affect the bond behaviour was studied through pull-out test. In the second program, GFRP RC members were tested in tension to study their cracking response. To conclude the thesis, a numerical model was developed to simulate the cracking behaviour of RC tensile members. Since the model was flexible enough to include any "user-defined" bond-slip law and variable materials' properties, a parametric study was conducted to analyze which are the variables that influence the cracking behaviour.

L’objectif de cette thèse est la prise en compte du comportement raidissant en traction sur des poutres en béton armé du à l’adhérence entre les armatures tendues et le béton. Un vaste programme expérimental sur des poutres minces et des poutres épaisses permet de quantifier expérimental le profil de contraintes dans le béton tendu entre deux fissures de flexion. La création d’un nouvel élément fini est ensuite mise en œuvre à partir des observations expérimentales. Les tests conduits sur des tirants ont permis de mettre en évidence à la fois l’existence d’une longueur de transfert et une longueur de totale décohésion qui caractérisent le phénomène d’adhérence entre l’acier le béton entre deux fissures consécutives de flexion. La longueur de transfert correspond à la mise en tension du béton et donc l’établissement de la contribution du béton tendu à la rigidité flexionnelle, ce qui limite la diminution de rigidité de la poutre après fissuration. Les mesures de la flèche en flexion des différentes poutres testées, minces ou épaisses, permettent de caractériser la longueur de transfert et de réaliser l’objectif de la thèse qui est de prendre en compte le béton tendu dans le calcul de la rigidité flexionnelle des poutres en béton armé / The aim of this thesis is to study the stiffening effect of tensile concrete in flexural reinforced concrete beams by controlling the bond between steel and concrete. The process consists of experimentally determining the strain profile in both deep and thin flexural beams. We created a new finite element model for both deep and thin beams in accordance with experimental observations. The experimental tests we conducted on tension members highlight the existence of both transfer length and length with total bond loss characterizing the bond between tensile steel and concrete. The transfer length contributes to the production of a tension stiffening effect, thus limiting the stiffness decrease of the flexural beam. Measuring the beam deflection makes it possible to determine the transfer length, and consequently to achieve the main objective, namely the contribution of tensile concrete to beam stiffness

O presente trabalho é uma contribuição para o esclarecimento e a quantificação das influências na deformabilidade e na capacidade portante de elementos unidimensionais de concreto armado em solicitação plana, decorrentes da não-linearidade física dos materiais concreto e aço, bem como da fissuração e do enrijecimento da armadura tracionada, também na sua fase plástica. Para aplicações práticas determinam-se a rigidez à flexão e a capacidade de rotação plástica dos elementos estruturais, o que permite limitar com mais precisão e coerência a demanda de rotação plástica obtida na análise. De início, descrevem-se os comportamentos não-lineares do concreto e do aço, aplicando-se conceitos da Mecânica da Fratura, bem como a atuação conjunta destes materiais, sob os aspectos de aderência e de fissuração. O núcleo deste trabalho concentra-se na obtenção do diagrama momento-curvatura e dos seus pontos principais, e na subseqüente determinação da capacidade de rotação plástica dos mencionados elementos. Consideram-se as seções geradas a partir da seção duplo T assimétrico, com várias camadas de armadura, sujeitas à flexão composta normal. Com dados deste diagrama e através do modelo da viga equivalente simétrica, posteriormente estendido à viga equivalente assimétrica e às vigas contínuas de pórticos planos, determina-se a capacidade de rotação plástica, considerando-se nesta suas múltiplas influências. Por fim, comparam-se os resultados teóricos e experimentais da capacidade de rotação plástica, e resumem-se as principais conclusões encontradas e os pontos que exigem subseqüente desenvolvimento. / The present study is a contribution to the enlightenment and evaluation of the influences on deformability and load carrying capacity of one-dimensional elements of reinforced concrete subject to in-plane loading, arisen from the constitutive non-linearity of concrete and steel, as well as from the concrete cracking and the tension stiffening of the reinforcement, prior and after yielding. For practical applications, the flexural rigidity and the plastic rotation capacity of structural elements are determined, which makes it possible to limit, more precisely and coherently, the plastic rotation demand coming from the analysis. Firstly, the non-linear behaviors of concrete and steel are described, applying concepts of Fracture Mechanics, and then the joint action of both materials concerning bond and cracking is studied. The core of this study lies on obtaining the bending moment-curvature diagram, specially its main points, and on the subsequent determination of the plastic rotation capacity of the aforementioned elements. The cross-sections generated from an asymmetric double T cross-section are considered, with several layers of reinforcement, acted upon simple or combined bending about one principal axis. With data based on this diagram and through the model of equivalent symmetric beam, later extended to equivalent asymmetric beam and to continuous beams of plane frames, the plastic rotation capacity is determined, considering its multiple influences. Finally, theoretical and experimental results of plastic rotation capacity are compared, and the main conclusions and points in need of subsequent development are summarized.

Distillation columns play a very important role in petrochemical industry. The requirements to their safety and lifetime are being constantly stepped up. Hence, they have to be designed very carefully and special attention is to be paid to strength analyses. The diploma thesis is focused on strength analysis of the distillation column carried out according to the ASME Code, Section VIII. Parts of the equipment and some nozzles were analyzed in operational and test conditions. One particular nozzle was analyzed more thoroughly by means of FEM, stress categories were considered. The work also includes worked out drawing documentation.

The Aveston Copper and Kelly (ACK) Method has been routinely used in estimating the efficiency of the bond between the textile and cementitious matrix. This method however has a limited applicability due to the simplifying assumptions such as perfect bond. A numerical model for simulation of tensile behavior of reinforced cement-based composites is presented to capture the inefficiency of the bond mechanisms. In this approach the role of interface properties which are instrumental in the simulation of the tensile response is investigated. The model simulates the tension stiffening effect of cracked matrix, and evolution of crack spacing in tensile members. Independent experimental results obtained from literature are used to verify the model and develop composite tensile stress strain response using alkali resistant (AR) glass textile reinforced concrete. The composite stress strain response is then used with a bilinear representation of the composite obtained from the tensile stiffening model. The closed form and simplified equations for representation of flexural response are obtained and used for both back-calculation and also design. A method based on the average moment-curvature relationship in the structural design and analysis of one way and two way flexural elements using yield line analysis approaches is proposed. This comprehensive approach directly shows the interrelation of fundamental materials characterization techniques with simplified design equations for further utilization of textile reinforced concrete materials.

Les cancers ovariens, se développant de façon silencieuse, diagnostiqués à des stades tardifs et de mauvais pronostiques, requièrent urgemment la mise au point de nouvelles options thérapeutiques. Ma thèse s'est attachée à caractériser les propriétés physiques et biologiques des cancers ovariens Séreux de Haut Grade (HGSOC), représentant 75% des tumeurs ovariennes.En premier lieu, nous avons démontré la valeur pronostique de la protéine MAP3K8 s'accumulant dans les HGSOC. Nous avons montré que MAP3K8 contrôle la prolifération et la migration des cellules cancéreuses via la transition G 1/S et les mécanismes d'adhésion dynamique. Aussi, nous avons mis en évidence que MAP3K8 active majoritairement la voie MEK, présentant ainsi un potentiel prédictif des inhibiteurs de MEK, les positionnant comme une stratégie thérapeutique prometteuse, en combinaison des thérapies conventionnelles, chez les HGSOC.Dans un second axe de ma thèse, nous avons montré que la rigidité augmente avec la taille tumorale, chez les HGSOC présentant une signature moléculaire « Fibrose ». Cette rigidification tumorale s'associe à une accumulation de stroma et un remodelage du réseau de collagène, mais aussi à une activation spécifique de la voie MEK. De façon intéressante, la rigidification tumorale accompagne un « switch » métabolique glycolytique, restreint au centre de la tumeur, la périphérie demeurant plus molle, et différant par une production élevée de collagène et un métabolisme OXPHOS. La rigidité pourrait donc être au carrefour de 3 processus majeurs, tels un remodelage de la matrice, l'activation de MEK et un switch métabolique stromal, expliquant, au moins en partie, la progression des HGSOC. / Ovarian cancers, which develop in a silent manner in the peritoneal cavity, resulting in a late diagnosis and a poor prognosis, urgently require new therapeutic strategies. In this context, my thesis aimed at better characterize the physical and biological properties of the High Grade Serous ovarian cancers (HGSOCs), accounting for 75% of the tumours.First, we found that the protein MAP3K8 accumulates in HGSOC and is a potential prognostic marker for these tumours. We demonstrated that MAP3K8 controls cancer cell proliferation and migration by regulating key players in Gl/S transition and adhesion dynamics. Importantly, we highlighted that MAP3K8 function is mainly mediated by the MEK pathway, and exhibits a predictive potential for MEK inhibitors, defining them as a promising therapeutic option, in combination with conventional therapy, for HGSOC patients.In a second part of my thesis, we showed that tumor stiffness is increased during tumor growth in HGSOC presenting a "Fibrosis" molecular signature. Moreover, tumor stiffening is associated with high stromal content and remodeling of the collagen network. Interestingly, the MEK kinase was specifically activated upon tumor stiffening. Furthermore, tumor stiffness accompanies a glycolytic metabolic switch, restricted to the central part of stiff tumors. Indeed, the periphery of stiff tumors remains softer than the central part with stromal cells secreting high levels of collagens and showing an OXPHOS metabolism. Thus, tumor stiffness could be at the crossroad of three major processes, i.e. matrix remodeling, MEK activation and stromal metabolic switch, that might explain, at least in part, the progression of HGSOC.

Networks of crosslinked keratin filaments are abundant in epithelial cells and tissues, providing resilience against mechanical forces and ensuring cellular integrity. Although studies of in vitro models of reconstituted keratin networks have revealed important mechanical aspects, the mechanical properties of crosslinked keratin structures remain poorly understood. Here, we exploited the power of electron beam irradiation (EBI) to crosslink in vitro networks of soft epithelial keratins 8 and 18 (k8–k18) filaments with different irradiation doses (30 kGy, 50 kGy, 80 kGy, 100 kGy, and 150 kGy). We combined bulk shear rheology with confocal microscopy to investigate the impact of crosslinking on the mechanical and structural properties of the resultant keratin gels. We found that irradiated keratin gels display higher linear elastic modulus than the unirradiated, entangled networks at all doses tested. However, at the high doses (80 kGy, 100 kGy, and 150 kGy), we observed a remarkable drop in the elastic modulus compared to 50 kGy. Intriguingly, the irradiation drastically changed the behavior for large, nonlinear deformations. While untreated keratin networks displayed a strong strain stiffening, increasing irradiation doses shifted the system to a strain softening behavior. In agreement with the rheological behavior in the linear regime, the confocal microscopy images revealed fully isotropic networks with high percolation in 30 kGy and 50 kGy-treated keratin samples, while irradiation with 100 kGy induced the formation of thick bundles and clusters. Our results demonstrate the impact of permanent crosslinking on k8–k18 mechanics and provide new insights into the potential contribution of intracellular covalent crosslinking to the loss of mechanical resilience in some human keratin diseases. These insights will also provide inspiration for the synthesis of new keratin-based biomaterials.

Snoring is a sleep disruption that can lead to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which interrupts breathing by obstructing the airway. Injecting a protein crosslinker, such as genipin, into the soft palate could decrease the severity of snoring and OSA by stiffening the soft palate. Equine soft palates modeled human palates due to a high incidence of awake snoring and apnea. The pilot in vivo study treated six horses with two 100 mM injections of the buffered genipin reagent. The efficacy phase horses underwent respiratory audio recordings to document snoring changes using Matlab and ImageJ in the time and frequency domains. Histological analysis was completed on the safety phase palates post treatment. All horses were successfully treated with the genipin injections. At least one horse showed high frequency amplitude reductions, and all horses had low frequency amplitude reductions, correlating to a reduction in palatal displacement and snoring loudness. One efficacy horse appears to have been completely cured. The histological analysis presented tissue damage, mucosal tissue damage, and mild inflammation due to palate expansion and errant injections. Different injection volumes and techniques should be investigated next. Applying this treatment to human studies for snoring and OSA applications is the ultimate goal.