Moisture susceptibility of hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements continues to be a major pavement distress. Past research has primarily focused on HMA stripping prevention through material component evaluation/testing and addition of preventative additives. Stripping is caused by traffic, water, and high in-place service temperatures. Today, agencies use various methods to evaluate HMA moisture susceptibility with varying degrees of success. The study objective was to evaluate a prototype stripping simulator?s ability to predict HMA moisture susceptibility. The simulator evaluates moisture susceptibility by measuring conditioning water turbidity. Boil test and indirect tensile strength testing were also conducted for comparison purposes. Stripping simulator results indicate further refinement is required before it can be used for moisture susceptibility prediction.

The biomechanical and molecular characteristics of equine hyperelastosis cutis (HC) are not fully known. This study sought to better characterize HC by analysis of ultimate tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, toughness, and thickness of skin from 23 affected and unaffected horses. In addition total soluble collagen and glycosaminoglycan concentrations of skin were analyzed from 26 affected and unaffected horses. Affected horses' skin proved to be significantly weaker at five of seven sample locations (p<=0.05). The modulus of elasticity proved to be significantly different at three of seven sample locations and toughness at two of seven locations (p<=0.05). No significant difference was proven to exist between HC affected and unaffected horses for skin thickness or total soluble collagen and GAG concentrations. Collectively this data demonstrates that HC animals' reduced skin tensile strength is not due to a deficit of either collagen or GAG, but likely a result of altered collagen micro-architecture.

Currently, NCHRP Report 356 has published an equation to estimate the ultimate strength of the local zone in normal weight concrete. The local zone is the area of concrete directly ahead of the bearing plate. The equation can be broken into two distinct parts: unconfined bearing strength of concrete enhanced by the A/A_b ratio and the enhancement of strength due to the presence of confining. Research has shown that the strength enhancement of the A/Ab ratio and confining reinforcing is less in lightweight concrete than in normal weight concrete. To determine the strength of the local zone in lightweight concrete 30 reinforced prisms, 2 unreinforced prisms, and concrete cylinders were tested. The dimensions of the prisms were 8 in. x 8 in. x 16 in. and the cylinders were 4 in. x 8 in. cylinders. The simulated reinforcing in the prisms extended only through the top 8 in. of the prism and consisted of either ties or spirals with different spacing or pitch, respectively. To determine the effect of the A/A_b ratio for each spacing or pitch arrangement of the reinforcing, one of two different size bearing plates were used. From the testing performed in this research and other research, it is apparent that the NCHRP equation is unconservative when estimating the ultimate strength of the local zone in lightweight concrete. By modifying both parts of the NCHRP equation it is possible to conservatively predict the ultimate strength of the local zone in lightweight concrete. Also investigated in this thesis are equations to predict the splitting cylinder strength and modulus of elasticity of lightweight concrete. For a sand-lightweight concrete, as defined by ACI 318-05 Building code and Commentary, the splitting tensile strength can be accurately predicted by multiplying the square root of the compressive strength by 5.7. / Master of Science

A Local Load Sharing (LLS) model recently developed by Curtin and co-workers for the numerical simulation of tensile stress-strain behavior in fiber-reinforced composites is used to predict the tensile strength of metal matrix composites consisting of a Titanium matrix and unidirectionally aligned SiC fibers. This model is extended to include the effects of free boundary conditions and non-constant load gradients and then used to predict the strength of a Ti-6Al-4V matrix reinforced with Sigma SiC fibers under 4-point flexure testing. The predicted tensile and flexure strengths agree very well with the values measured by Gundel and Wawner and Ramamurty et al. The composite strength of disordered spatial fiber distributions is investigated and is shown to have a distribution similar to the corresponding ordered composite, but with a mean strength that decreases (as compared to the ordered composite) with increasing Weibull modulus. A modified Batdorf-type analytic model is developed and similarly extended to the case of non-uniform loading to predict the strength of composites under tension and flexure. The flexure model is found to be inappropriate for application to the experimental materials, but the tensile model yields predictions similar to the Local Load Sharing models for the experimental materials. The ideas and predictions of the Batdorf-type model, which is essentially an approximation to the simulation model, are then compared in more detail to a simulation-based model developed by Ibnabdeljalil and Curtin to more generally assess the accuracy of the Batdorf model in predicting tensile strength and notch strength versus composite size and fiber Weibull modulus. The study shows the Batdorf model to be accurate for tensile strength at high Weibull moduli and to capture general trends well, but it is not quantitatively accurate over the full range of material parameters encountered in various fiber composite systems. / Master of Science

In this study, the aim is to investigate the stiffness, longitudinal tensile strength and circumferential tensile strength of short fiber reinforced polyester composite pipes produced by centrifugal casting production method. To achieve this aim, theoretical calculation of modulus of elasticity of pipes was done and then test program was carried out on pipe samples produced with three different resin types which were orthophthalic, isophthalic and vinyl ester resin and three different fiber types which were E glass fiber, ECR glass fiber and basalt fiber. The tests were performed according to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards. When resin type and fiber type effect on the fiber reinforced polyester pipe samples were evaluated, calculated elastic modulus values were in accordance with the test results. According to the experimental test data, which were used to evaluate the effect of resin type on fiber reinforced polyester pipe properties, there is not a significant difference was observed in the stiffness, longitudinal and circumferential tensile strength test results of pipes having different resin types. In other words, there was not a significant effect of resin type on the stiffness, longitudinal tensile strength and circumferential tensile strength of short fiber reinforced pipes produced by centrifugal casting method. According to the experimental test data, which were used to evaluate the effect of fiber type on the properties of fiber reinforced polyester pipe, basalt fiber reinforced pipe samples showed higher mechanical performance over E glass fiber and ECR glass fiber reinforced pipes. However, the test results of basalt reinforced polyester pipe were not as good as the individual properties of basalt fiber. Finally, by comparing the basalt fiber reinforced pipe samples having almost the same stiffness and tensile test results as E glass fiber reinforced pipe samples, the gain in fiber and resin amount were investigated. Basalt fiber reinforced pipes were slightly lighter and thinner than E glass fiber reinforced pipes. However, the decrease in the amount of the fiber and resin in basalt reinforced pipe did not result in an overall cost reduction.

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the difference between containerboard materials strength and stiffness properties in tension and compression, how the mechanisms behind compressive and tensile properties are affected by the relative humidity of the ambient air and how the relative humidity affects the compressive response of the fibre network. These properties are used to predict the lifetime performance of corrugated boxes and to prevent early collapses of the boxes and thereby waste or harm of the transported goods inside. The work also discusses the methods used to evaluate the different properties and how reliable the results are. The experimental part includes testing of linerboard and fluting materials from both virgin and recycled fibres, which have been conditioned at 50% and 90% relative humidity. The compression tests were filmed to evaluate if different compression failure modes can be related to the strength and stiffness of the material. The results indicated that the compressive strength and stiffness differ from the strength and stiffness values in tension at 90% relative humidity. Compressive strength is lower in both 50% and 90% relative humidity compared with the tensile strength. However, the compression stiffness shows a higher value than the tensile stiffness at 90% relative humidity. The study of the method for evaluating the compressive behaviour of the paper does not present a complete picture on what type of failure the paper actually experience.

Conventional fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) require polymers such as epoxies that are not biodegradable, which have a significant impact on the environment. The first phase of the thesis aims at replacing conventional polymers with sustainable bio-polymers. The tensile mechanical properties of glass-FRP (GFRP) laminates using two types of organic furfuryl alcohol bio-resins extracted from renewable resources, such as corncobs, were investigated. Results are compared to control specimens fabricated using conventional epoxy resin. It was shown that by careful selection of viscosity of bio-resin, and type and dosage of catalyst, similar mechanical properties to epoxy-GFRP can be achieved. The second and third phases consisted of durability testing of the bio-resin GFRP. A total of 160 tension coupons and 81 unconfined and confined concrete cylinders wrapped with bio-resin-GFRP were studied. Conditioning was achieved by immersion of the specimens in saline solutions with 3% salt concentration, at 23, 40 and 55 degrees Celcius, for up to 300 days. Specimens were compared to epoxy-GFRP specimens aged in the same environment. Deterioration was quantified by tensile testing of the coupons and compression testing of the cylinders at various stages of exposure. The bio-resin-GFRP showed 33% less tensile strength retention than the epoxy-GFRP. The epoxy-GFRP and bio-resin-GFRP wrapped cylinders had the same un-aged confined axial compressive strength (fcc’), essentially a strengthening ratio (fcc’/fc’) of 2.24. After 300 days, the (fcc’/fc’) ratio retentions for the bio-resin-GFRP was 73% at all temperatures. Using the Arrhenius model, it was predicted that 61% retention in tensile strength of the bio-resin-GFRP and 65% retention of the compressive strength of wrapped cylinders would occur after 100 years in an environment with a mean annual temperatures of 10 degrees Celcius. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-24 00:02:25.683

Le Sénégal, pays aride, connait un effet de sécheresse croissant. Le pays est confronté à un problème d’ensablement, de perte de fertilité et de compaction des sols. Des plants d’A. senegal et de P. juliflora en association ou non avec les microorganismes sont étudiés pour savoir en quoi ces espèces peuvent contribuer à la fixation des dunes mouvants et à l’amélioration de la productivité des terres. Des plants inoculés aux champignons mycorhiziens et au Rhizobium sont plantés à Sangalkam, Bandia et Bambey pour être récoltés un an après et analysés. Une autre expérience montée en serre a consisté à faire pousser les mêmes espèces sur le même type de sol à différents niveaux de compaction avec un tiers du lot occupé par les plants inoculés. Les résultats ont montré que le taux de mycorhisation atteint son pic sur sols pauvres en phosphore. L’inoculation a augmenté la production de biomasse tout en réduisant la taille des vaisseaux du bois racinaire. Elle augmente aussi le % de cellulose en fonction du diamètre racinaire et de l’âge. % qui augmente avec la résistance à la traction de la racine, source de meilleur ancrage et de résistance à l’arrachement. Une augmentation du niveau de compaction du sol diminue significativement le taux de mycorhisation et le nombre de nodule des racines. Elle favorise les racines fines au détriment des grosses racines. Ceci affecte positivement l’architecture racinaire au profit d’un meilleur ancrage. Le P. juliflora est mieux pour la lutte contre l’érosion éolienne l’ensablement et la perte de fertilité dans la zone des Niayes. L’A. senegal peut contribuer à l’amélioration de la fertilité tout en adaptant son système racinaire face à la compaction du sol. / An increasing drought effect is known in Senegal, arid country who is confronted to a silting problem, a decline in overall land fertility and soils compaction. Seedling of A. senegal and P. juliflora in association or no with microorganism are studied to know some what these species can contribute to the moving dune fixing and improvement land productivity. Seedling inoculated to mycorrhizas and Rhizobium are planted in Sangalkam, Bandia and Bambey and are harvested one year after for analyzed. Another experience in greenhouse consisted to grow up the same species on the same type of soil with different levels of compaction and a share occupied by inoculated seedlings. Results showed that the rate of mycorhisation reached his peak on soils poor in phosphorus. The inoculation increased the production of biomass while reducing the size of root wood vessels. She also increases it % of cellulose according to root diameter and age. % that increases with the root tensile strength, spring of better anchorage and resistance of extortion. An increase of soil compaction level decreases, meaningfully, the rate of mycorhisation and the number of root nodule. She favored the fine roots to detriment of thick roots. She affects positively root’s morphology in aid of better anchorage. P. juliflora is better for the struggle against the wind erosion the silting and loss of fertility in the Niayes area. A. senegal can contribute to the improvement of fertility while adapting its root system facing soil compaction.

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Student: Šárka Hávová Supervisor: PharmDr. Jitka Mužíková, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: A study of compaction process and properties of tablets with hypromellose and α-lactose monohydrate Thesis studied the co-processed dry binder RetaLac® from the aspect of his compressibility and dissolution of the active ingredient from tablets. RetaLac® contains α-lactose monohydrate and hypromellose in the identical proportion. The same parameters were tested in the corresponding physical mixtures of FlowLac® 100 with various types of hypromellose (Metolose® 100 SR, Metolose® 4000 SR, Metolose® 100 000 SR) and compared with the substance RetaLac® . Compressibility was evaluated by means of the energy profile of compression and tensile strength of tablets. Salicylic acid was used as the model active ingredient. Dissolution testing was performed using the method of the rotating basket.

O desenvolvimento de adesivos bioativos mostra-se como uma alternativa interessante para agregar benefícios aos novos materiais. O objetivo do estudo foi sintetizar nanopartículas de prata (NAg) e de hidroxiapatita (NHA), avaliar sua influencia no efeito antibacteriano, citotoxicidade de um adesivo com NAg e sua resistência de união à dentina associado ao uso de NHA. As nanopartículas foram caracterizadas por fluorescência de raio x por reflexão total (TRXF), difratometria de raio x (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM) e espalhamento de luz visível (DLS). O sistema Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (SBMP) foi modificado com adição de 0,05% e 0,1% de NAg no primer e no bond. Molares humanos foram restaurados com o sistema adesivo modificado após o pre-tratamento da dentina com suspensão aquosa de NHA a 0,5% e 1% para realização do ensaio de resistência de união imediata (24h) e após 1 ano de envelhecimento. A interface adesiva foi caracterizada por Microscopia Confocal Raman (MCR). Para mensurar o efeito antibacteriano (S.mutans) do adesivo com NAg foi realizado o ensaio de difusão em ágar com template e contagem de Unidades Formadoras de Colônias (UFC). A citotoxicidade foi avaliada com uso de células tronco da polpa dentária (DPSCs) em contato com adesivos não polimerizados e polimerizados em diferentes concentrações de meio condicionado (0% 25%, 75% e 100%). Foram produzidas NAg esféricas, com estrutura cúbica de face centrada, e com 16 nm de diâmetro médio. As NHA exibiram estrutura prismática com tamanho médio de 79,4 nm. O adesivo com NAg e o tratamento da dentina com NHA não afetaram a resistência de união imediata ou após 1 ano de envelhecimento, e as interfaces adesivas mostraram-se íntegras. Os adesivos modificados por NAg exibiram citotoxicidade similar ao adesivo controle e maior efeito antibacteriano. Os adesivos com adição de NAg são promissores quanto à obtenção de um material bioativo antimicrobiano que não altera a resistência de união ou a biocompatibilidade. / The development of bioactive adhesives is shown an interesting alternative to add benefits to the new materials. The aim of the study was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (NAg) and hydroxyapatite (NHA) and to evaluate their influence on the bond strength, antimicrobial effect, and biomaterials cytotoxicity. The nanoparticles were characterized by x-ray fluorescence by total reflection (TRXF), x-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and visible light scattering (DLS). The Scotchbond Multi-Purpose system (SBMP) was modified with 0.05% and 0.1% silver in the primer and bond. Human molars were restored with the modified adhesive after pre-treatment of dentin with 0.5% and 1% NHA for the immediate bond strength test (24h), and after 1 year of aging. The adhesive interface was characterized by Confocal Raman Microscopy (MCR). To measure the antibacterial effect (S.mutans) of the adhesive with NAg, the agar diffusion assay with template was performed and counting of Colony Forming Units (UFC). In order to evaluate the cytotoxicity, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were used in contact with unpolymerized and polymerized adhesives in different concentrations of conditioned medium (0% 25%, 75% and 100%). Spherical NAg, with a cubic face centered structure, and 16 nm in diameter were produced. The NHA exhibited a prismatic structure with approximately 79.4 nm. The adhesive with NAg and the treatment of dentin with NHA did not affect the bond strength immediately or after 1 year of aging, and the adhesive interfaces were shown to be intact. NAg-modified adhesives exhibited cytotoxicity similar to the control adhesive and higher antibacterial effect. The adhesives with NAg addition are promising in obtaining a bioactive antimicrobial material that does not alter the bond strength or the biocompatibility.