Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-189) Aims to determine the effect of partial interaction on the behaviour of the concrete beam, plate and bolt connector components of the composite plated beam. Develops design rules for the determination of the ultimate capacity for bolted plate reinforced composite beams.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-189) / xxviii, 207 p. : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Aims to determine the effect of partial interaction on the behaviour of the concrete beam, plate and bolt connector components of the composite plated beam. Develops design rules for the determination of the ultimate capacity for bolted plate reinforced composite beams. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2003

The main goal of this research is to construct hierarchical microstructures from polymer nanocomposites. Specifically, the research focused on constructing tensegrity-inspired microstructure where the nanoparticles are the compression members and the polymer matrix is tensile web. In order to achieve the tensegrity-inpired microstruture, the research was conducted with the following objectives. 1. Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles of controlled shapes using block copolymer templates. 2. Investigation of the effects of particle loadings and shapes on isotropic nanocomposite properties. 3. Construction of HAp building blocks into the tensegrity-inspired microstructures First, in order to use the nanoparticles for this structure, needle-shaped HAp nanoparticles were synthesized using block copolymer templates. The results indicated that significant amount of polymer remained on particle surface. Since these particles were coated with polymer blocks, the decorated polymer blocks were considered as the interphase material which would be used to prestress the HAp nanoparticles, and the particles would be acted as the building blocks for constructing tensegrity-inspired microstructure. For nanocomposites, polymer coating on HAp nanoparticles promoted particle dispersion. The effect of particle shapes on thermomechanical properties did not show significant differences between the two particle systems due to their low aspect ratios and chemical similarity. However, the polymer crystallinity and crystallization showed different trend as a function of particle loadings in two particle systems, and the behavior was unified through a common particle spacing of approximately 120 nm. In order to investigate the effect of particle arrangement in the polymer matrix, needle-shaped HAp nanoparticles synthesized with two different block copolymers were mixed with different morphology of polymer matrices and manipulated particle arrangement using the drawing process. Nanocomposites prepared with different matrix morphologies showed the similar dispersion characteristics and reinforcement behavior. The experimental results showed the drawing process influenced the particle arrangement in the polymer matrix, and the particle arrangement and reinforcement behavior were influenced by polymer matrix morphology. The thermomechanical properties of both matrix systems enhanced through the drawing process in the glassy region, but the effect of degree of particle orientation was difficult to distinguish due to low aspect ratios of HAp particles which was not enough to impact on overall microstructure.

No description available.

No description available.

The structural response of unreinforced masonry elements strengthened with hybrid elastomeric/fiber materials was investigated through material characterization and flexural experiments. Material characterization tests were performed on various unreinforced and reinforced elastomeric materials to identify those materials that were best suited for use as structural retrofits. After material characterization was completed, the three most promising material systems were selected for further investigation, including one unreinforced elastomer film and two reinforced elastomer films with fiber orientations at 0/90° and +/- 45° relative to the major axis of the masonry elements. A series of four-point bending tests were performed on the selected masonry and epoxy bonded elastomer/fiber hybrid retrofits to determine the structural response of the composite systems. The experimental load-deformation response was used, along with material characterization results, in the development of a semi-empirical model to predict the static moment capacity of the strengthened masonry system. This model will be used in the development of reliable design criteria for masonry walls strengthened with these advanced materials.

The failure behavior of collagenous soft tissues is important for clinical problems of plaque rupture and trauma. Cyclic tests require high frequencies that may affect the strength properties of the soft tissues. Experimental results of mechanical response of blood vessels to physiologic loads can be used to model and predict plaque rupture and direct medical therapy or surgical intervention. The goal of the study is to measure the mechanical failure properties of arteries to determine if they are strain rate and cycle dependant and to measure the progressive damage of arteries with time dependent loading. Ring specimens of porcine carotid arteries were preconditioned and then pulled to failure. In all cases, the intima broke first. Ultimate stress increased as a weak function of increasing strain rates. The ultimate stress at 100 mm/s was 4.54 MPa, greater than the 3.26 MPa at 0.1 mm/s. Strain rates between 1 and 100 mm/s correspond to a cyclic frequency of 0.5 Hz to 5 Hz for fatigue testing. In contrast, ultimate strain in arteries was independent of strain rate over the range tested. The creep tests showed a logarithmic relationship between stress magnitude and stress duration for this soft tissue. The creep testing indicates that damage is accumulating above certain threshold stress levels. The values of ultimate strength showed a 35% increase after 10,000 cycling loading. In contrast, the ultimate strain had a 13% decrease after cycling and the difference was statistically significant with p=0.018. The testing results showed that there were no significant differences on strength among fresh arteries and arteries stored at 5¡ã C for up to two weeks. The test results may be useful for developing a mathematical model to predict the behavior of arterial soft tissues and may be extended to estimate fracture and fatigue in the atherosclerotic plaque cap.

Thesis (M.S.) in Civil Engineering--University of Maine, 2001. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 226-228 (v. 1)).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Institute of Paper Chemistry, 1959. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 108-110).

Thesis (M.S.) -- Mississippi State University. Department of Forest Products. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.