Large scale static lateral load tests were performed on a pile cap under varying sand backfill configurations: no backfill, full-width dense sand backfill, dense sand slip plane confined backfill, and two configurations of dense sand MSE wall confined backfills. Efforts were made to maintain the relative compaction of the backfills for each of the tests near the same value. The MSE wall panel arrangement was varied to determine the effect of different reinforcement configurations on the passive resistance and wall panel displacement. Passive force-displacement curves were generated from each test. It was found that the MSE design manual provided reasonable estimates of pullout resistance of bar mats in dense sand, and that the passive resistance of a soil backfill confined by MSE walls can be calculated with an increased friction angle using a log-spiral approach. Also, the amount the triaxial friction angle can be increased depends on how much the MSE wall panels displace outward. Correlations were developed between the pressure on the pile cap and that on the MSE wall panels near the pile cap. Generally, the pressure on the wall panels was less than 10% of that which was on the adjacent pile cap, and decreased as the distance from the pile cap increased. Finally, it was found that while limiting the backfill width decreases the ultimate passive resistance of the backfill, if the backfill is confined in a plane strain configuration the passive resistance per unit width is higher than that for an unconfined backfill.

Bridges without expansion joints are called "integral bridges." Eliminating joints from bridges crates concerns for the piles and the abutments of integral bridges because the abutments and the piles are subjected to temperature-induced cyclic lateral loads. As temperatures change daily and seasonally, the lengths of integral bridges increase and decrease, pushing the abutment against the approach fill and pulling it away. As a result the bridge superstructure, the abutment, the approach fill, the foundation piles and the foundation soil are all subjected to cyclic loading, and understanding their interactions is important for effective design and satisfactory performance of integral bridges. The ability of piles to accommodate lateral displacements is a significant factor in determining the maximum possible length of integral bridges. In order to build longer integral bridges, pile stresses should be kept low. This research project investigated the complex interactions that take place between the structural components of the integral bridge and the soil through experimental and analytical studies. A literature review was conducted to gain insight into the integral bridge/soil interactions, and to synthesize the information available about the cyclic loading damage to piles of integral bridges. The ability of the piles and the abutments to withstand cyclic loads was investigated by conducting large-scale cyclic load tests. Three pile types and three semi-integral abutments were tested in the laboratory. Experiments simulated 75 years of bridge life for each specimen by applying over 27,000 displacement cycles. Numerical analyses were conducted to investigate the interactions among the abutment, the approach fill, the foundation soil, and the piles. The original VDOT semi-integral abutment hinge experienced shear key failure as observed in two large-scale laboratory tests. The revised hinge detail did not exhibit any sign of damage. Both abutments tolerated 75-year worth of displacement cycles without any appreciable change in their behavior. Semi-integral abutments are recommended for longer integral bridges because they can reduce pile stresses. As the need to build longer integral bridges grows, the role of the semi-integral abutments is expected to become more important. The data from the experimental program indicates that steel H-piles are the best pile type for support of integral abutment bridges. Concrete piles are not recommended because under repeated lateral loads, tension cracks progressively worsen and significantly reduce vertical load carrying capacity of these piles. Pipe piles have high flexural stiffness, which results in an undesired condition for the shear stresses in the abutment. For this reason, stiff pipe piles are not recommended for support of integral bridges. Numerical analyses indicate that the interactions between the approach fill and the foundation soils create favorable conditions for stresses in piles supporting integral bridges. Because of these interactions, the foundation soil acts as if it were softer, resulting in reduction in pile stresses compared to a single pile in the same soil without the approach fill above it. / Ph. D.

No description available.

Devido à crescente utilização de componentes cerâmicos como estruturas de suporte para restaurações sobre implantes e a ausência de resultados conclusivos, em longo prazo, sobre a influência deste tipo de material no processo de formação e manutenção do biofilme oral e saúde dos tecidos peri-implantares, este estudo teve por objetivo investigar o perfil microbiano do biofilme formado sobre próteses unitárias de implantes com conectores de zircônia (Zr) ou titânio (Ti) e sua implicação clínica nos tecidos de suporte ao longo de 3 anos de função. Vinte indivíduos saudáveis participaram do estudo e foram reabilitados com implantes dentários e coroas protéticas unitárias cimentadas sobre conectores de zircônia (n=10; região anterior de maxila) ou conectores de titânio (n=10; região posterior da mandíbula). Amostras de biofilmes supra e subgengival, e dados de indicadores clínicos (profundidade e sangramento à sondagem, recessão gengival e nível ósseo marginal) foram coletados dos sítios peri-implantares e dentes contralaterais em 4 períodos distintos, na instalação da prótese (T0) e após 12 (T1), 24 (T2) e 36 (T3) meses de função mastigatória. Trinta e sete espécies microbianas foram identificadas e quantificadas pelo método de hibridização DNA-DNA Checkerboard. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística não-paramétrica de regressão linear mista (Brunner and Langer nonparametric analysis of longitudinal data in factorial experiments) e múltiplas comparações foram realizadas por meio do teste de Friedman-Conover, corrigido por Benjamini-Hockberg False Discovery Rate (FDR). Para análise da reabsorção óssea marginal foi utilizado o teste Two-Way ANOVA. Todas as análises foram realizadas com um nível de significância de 5%. O perfil microbiano detectado nos implantes restaurados com conectores de zircônia, titânio e seus respectivos dentes contralaterais foi semelhante a partir do período de 12 meses de investigação. Espécies patogênicas e não-patogênicas foram detectadas nos biofilmes supra e subgengival dos dois substratos, com um aumento significante da quantificação das espécies ao longo do tempo. Apesar do perfil semelhante, os substratos investigados influenciaram na quantidade total de micro-organismos identificados (p<0,05). Os conectores de Zr apresentaram maior quantificação de genomas totais nas amostras subgengivais quando comparadas aos conectores de Ti (p<0,05). A profundidade de sondagem reduziu nos implantes com Zr após 12 meses, enquanto nos implantes com Ti aumentou no mesmo período (p<0,05). O sangramento à sondagem e a recessão gengival aumentaram ao longo do tempo para Zr e Ti. Não houve diferença significante nos valores da reabsorção óssea marginal, entre os dois materiais, após 36 meses (p>0,05). De modo geral, pode-se concluir que o perfil microbiano dos biofilmes supra e subgengival dos implantes com Zr ou Ti foi semelhante, com um aumento da quantificação das espécies ao longo do tempo. A microbiota investigada neste estudo parece não ter influenciado os indicadores clínicos ao longo dos 36 meses de acompanhamento. Os resultados clínicos sugerem a manutenção da saúde dos tecidos peri-implantares nos diferentes substratos investigados / Due to the increasing use of ceramic abutments as support structures for implant restorations and the lack of long-term conclusive results on the influence of this type of material on the oral biofilm formation and maintenance of peri-implant tissue health, the purpose of this study was to investigate the microbial biofilm profiles of single-implant restorations using zirconia (Zr) or titanium (Ti) abutments and their clinical implications in the supporting tissues over a 3-year period. Twenty healthy subjects participated in the study and were rehabilitated with single-unit implant restorations cemented on zirconia (n = 10; anterior maxilla) or titanium abutments (n = 10; posterior mandible). Supra and subgingival biofilm samples, and clinical parameters data (probing depth and bleeding on probing, gingival recession and marginal bone level) were collected from the peri-implant sites and contralateral teeth at 4 different time-periods, at the prosthesis installation (T0) and after 12 (T1), 24 (T2) and 36 (T3) months of loading. Thirty-seven microbial species were identified and quantified by DNA-DNA Checkerboard hybridization method. The data were submitted to Brunner and Langer nonparametric analysis of longitudinal data in factorial experiments followed by Friedman-Conover multiple comparisons test, corrected by Benjamin-Hockberg False Discovery Rate (FDR). Two-Way repeated ANOVA was used to analyze marginal bone resorption. Statistical significance was set at 0.05 probability level. The microbial profiles detected in the implants restored with zirconia or titanium abutments and their respective contralateral teeth were similar from the 12-month follow-up. Pathogenic and non-pathogenic species were detected in the supra and subgingival biofilms of the two substrates, with a significant increase in the microbial counts over time. Despite the similar profile, the investigated substrates influenced the total amount of microorganisms identified (p <0.05). The Zr abutments presented higher total genome counts in the subgingival samples when compared to Ti abutments (p <0.05). The probing depth reduced in the implants with Zr after 12 months, whereas in the implants with Ti increased in the same period (p <0.05). Bleeding on probing and gingival recession increased over time for both Zr and Ti. There was no significant difference in marginal bone resorption values between the two materials after 36 months (p>0.05). Overall, it can be concluded that the microbial profile of supra and subgingival biofilms of the implants with Zr or Ti was quite similar, and the microbial counts increased over time. The microbiota investigated in this study does not seem to have influenced the clinical parameters during the 36 months of follow-up. The clinical results suggest the maintenance of peri-implant tissue health in the different substrates investigated

As tensões de baixa intensidade contribuem para a remodelação óssea nos implantes osseointegráveis, enquanto as tensões de alta intensidade causam a reabsorção óssea abaixo da interface implante-pilar. A sobrecarga oclusal afeta a fisiologia do tecido ósseo, rompendo com o equilíbrio entre a neoformação e a reabsorção. Como consequência da desarmonia, lacunas surgem em meio a superfície óssea, criando um ambiente favorável à proliferação de patógenos e ao acúmulo de fibras. Com a continuidade da sobrecarga e com a permanência dos microrganismos o suporte ósseo é comprometido, resultando na falha do implante. Em condições normais de carregamento, os implantes com conexão cônica possibilitam uma distribuição homogênea das tensões. O posicionamento da plataforma protética abaixo da crista óssea determina a transferência das tensões para áreas distantes ao osso cortical. O presente estudo utilizou a análise fotoelástica para avaliar a distribuição de tensão em modelos experimentais com implantes com conexão cônica instalados na posição equicristal, 1,5 mm infraósseo e 3,0 mm infraósseo. Foram propostas reabilitações com coroas protéticas unitárias em cerâmica, cimentadas em pilares protéticos sólidos e de parafuso passante com alturas de transmucoso de 1,5 mm, 3,0 mm e 4,5 mm. Os implantes foram posicionados na posição correspondente ao primeiro molar inferior direito. Segundo as situações adotadas, os conjuntos implante/pilar foram avaliados isoladamente, adjacentes a réplicas do segundo pré-molar inferior direito e do segundo molar inferior direito e apenas adjacentes a réplicas do segundo pré-molar inferior direito. A carga aplicada aos modelos fotoelásticos foi de 200 Ncm para todas as situações. Nos modelos com réplicas dentais foi realizado o carregamento oclusal distribuído, nos modelos com implantes isolados o carregamento foi pontual na fossa central e distal das coroas protéticas. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que a indicação de um pilar protético em detrimento a outro se configurou segundo a presença ou não de elemento dental posterior à coroa protética, assim como também por intermédio da profundidade da plataforma do implante na crista óssea remanescente. Em extremidades livres com implantes infraósseo a distribuição de tensão proporcionada pelo pilar de parafuso passante foi superior a do pilar sólido. Com a presença do segundo molar a distribuição da tensão foi mais eficiente com o pilar sólido, independentemente da profundidade da plataforma do implante. Nos modelos fotoelásticos com extremidade livre, o deslocamento da plataforma para uma posição infraóssea determinou menores tensões ao tecido ósseo. Havendo contatos proximais bilaterais a distribuição da tensão foi favorecida quando o implante ocupou a posição infraóssea a 3,0 mm, estando conectado ao pilar de parafuso passante. Entretanto, quando conectado ao pilar sólido o implante equicristal apresentou melhor distribuição de tensão que os implantes infraósseo. / Low-intensity stresses contribute to bone remodeling, while high intensity stresses cause bone resorption, below implant-abutment junction in dental implants. The occlusal overload affects the physiology of bone tissue, disrupting the balance between new formation and resorption. As a result of the disharmony, gaps arise in the crestal bone, creating a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogens and fiber accumulation. With the continued overloading and the permanence of microorganisms, the bone support is impaired, resulting in implant failure. In normal loading conditions the tapered connection implants enables a homogeneous distribution of stresses. The subcrestal positioning of the prosthetic platform determines the transfer of stresses to distant areas from the cortical bone. This study used photoelastic analysis to evaluate the stress distribution in experimental models in conical abutment connection implants placed in equicristal position, 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm subcrestal positions. Rehabilitations were proposed for single prosthetic ceramic crowns cemented in standard and regular Ankylos prosthetic abutments with transmucosal height of 1.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm. Implants were placed in the position corresponding to the first lower right molar. According to the chosen situations, sets of implant/abutments were evaluated separately, adjacent to replicas of the second lower right premolar and second lower right molar and just adjacent to replicas of the second right premolar. The load applied to the photoelastic models was 200 Ncm in all cases. In models with dental replicas, distributed occlusal loading was performed; on models with isolated implant, loading was precise in the central and distal fossa of prosthetic crowns. The results showed that the indication of an abutment over another is depended on the presence or absence of a dental element posterior to the prosthetic crown, and of the implant platform depth of the remaining bone crest. In distal extension with subcrestal implants, stress distribution provided by Regular Ankylos prosthetic abutments was better than that provided by the Standard Ankylos abutment. With the presence of the second molar distribution of stress was more efficient with the Standard Ankylos abutment, regardless of the depth of the implant platform. In photoelastic models with distal extension, the platform displacement to a subcrestal position determined lower stress to the bone. Having bilateral proximal contacts, the stress distribution was favored when the implant was placed in a 3.0 mm subcrestal position with Regular Ankylos prosthetic abutments. However, when connected to the Standard Ankylos abutment, implant placed in equicristal position showed better stress distribution than subcrestal implants.

As tensões de baixa intensidade contribuem para a remodelação óssea nos implantes osseointegráveis, enquanto as tensões de alta intensidade causam a reabsorção óssea abaixo da interface implante-pilar. A sobrecarga oclusal afeta a fisiologia do tecido ósseo, rompendo com o equilíbrio entre a neoformação e a reabsorção. Como consequência da desarmonia, lacunas surgem em meio a superfície óssea, criando um ambiente favorável à proliferação de patógenos e ao acúmulo de fibras. Com a continuidade da sobrecarga e com a permanência dos microrganismos o suporte ósseo é comprometido, resultando na falha do implante. Em condições normais de carregamento, os implantes com conexão cônica possibilitam uma distribuição homogênea das tensões. O posicionamento da plataforma protética abaixo da crista óssea determina a transferência das tensões para áreas distantes ao osso cortical. O presente estudo utilizou a análise fotoelástica para avaliar a distribuição de tensão em modelos experimentais com implantes com conexão cônica instalados na posição equicristal, 1,5 mm infraósseo e 3,0 mm infraósseo. Foram propostas reabilitações com coroas protéticas unitárias em cerâmica, cimentadas em pilares protéticos sólidos e de parafuso passante com alturas de transmucoso de 1,5 mm, 3,0 mm e 4,5 mm. Os implantes foram posicionados na posição correspondente ao primeiro molar inferior direito. Segundo as situações adotadas, os conjuntos implante/pilar foram avaliados isoladamente, adjacentes a réplicas do segundo pré-molar inferior direito e do segundo molar inferior direito e apenas adjacentes a réplicas do segundo pré-molar inferior direito. A carga aplicada aos modelos fotoelásticos foi de 200 Ncm para todas as situações. Nos modelos com réplicas dentais foi realizado o carregamento oclusal distribuído, nos modelos com implantes isolados o carregamento foi pontual na fossa central e distal das coroas protéticas. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que a indicação de um pilar protético em detrimento a outro se configurou segundo a presença ou não de elemento dental posterior à coroa protética, assim como também por intermédio da profundidade da plataforma do implante na crista óssea remanescente. Em extremidades livres com implantes infraósseo a distribuição de tensão proporcionada pelo pilar de parafuso passante foi superior a do pilar sólido. Com a presença do segundo molar a distribuição da tensão foi mais eficiente com o pilar sólido, independentemente da profundidade da plataforma do implante. Nos modelos fotoelásticos com extremidade livre, o deslocamento da plataforma para uma posição infraóssea determinou menores tensões ao tecido ósseo. Havendo contatos proximais bilaterais a distribuição da tensão foi favorecida quando o implante ocupou a posição infraóssea a 3,0 mm, estando conectado ao pilar de parafuso passante. Entretanto, quando conectado ao pilar sólido o implante equicristal apresentou melhor distribuição de tensão que os implantes infraósseo. / Low-intensity stresses contribute to bone remodeling, while high intensity stresses cause bone resorption, below implant-abutment junction in dental implants. The occlusal overload affects the physiology of bone tissue, disrupting the balance between new formation and resorption. As a result of the disharmony, gaps arise in the crestal bone, creating a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogens and fiber accumulation. With the continued overloading and the permanence of microorganisms, the bone support is impaired, resulting in implant failure. In normal loading conditions the tapered connection implants enables a homogeneous distribution of stresses. The subcrestal positioning of the prosthetic platform determines the transfer of stresses to distant areas from the cortical bone. This study used photoelastic analysis to evaluate the stress distribution in experimental models in conical abutment connection implants placed in equicristal position, 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm subcrestal positions. Rehabilitations were proposed for single prosthetic ceramic crowns cemented in standard and regular Ankylos prosthetic abutments with transmucosal height of 1.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm. Implants were placed in the position corresponding to the first lower right molar. According to the chosen situations, sets of implant/abutments were evaluated separately, adjacent to replicas of the second lower right premolar and second lower right molar and just adjacent to replicas of the second right premolar. The load applied to the photoelastic models was 200 Ncm in all cases. In models with dental replicas, distributed occlusal loading was performed; on models with isolated implant, loading was precise in the central and distal fossa of prosthetic crowns. The results showed that the indication of an abutment over another is depended on the presence or absence of a dental element posterior to the prosthetic crown, and of the implant platform depth of the remaining bone crest. In distal extension with subcrestal implants, stress distribution provided by Regular Ankylos prosthetic abutments was better than that provided by the Standard Ankylos abutment. With the presence of the second molar distribution of stress was more efficient with the Standard Ankylos abutment, regardless of the depth of the implant platform. In photoelastic models with distal extension, the platform displacement to a subcrestal position determined lower stress to the bone. Having bilateral proximal contacts, the stress distribution was favored when the implant was placed in a 3.0 mm subcrestal position with Regular Ankylos prosthetic abutments. However, when connected to the Standard Ankylos abutment, implant placed in equicristal position showed better stress distribution than subcrestal implants.

Many river bridges fail or are seriously damaged due to excessive local scouring around piers and abutments. To protect a bridge from scour-induced failure, it should be designed properly against excessive scouring and its scour criticality should be checked regularly throughout the service life to take prompt action. The Federal Highway Administration of United States (FHWA) developed a program, HYRISK, as a basis for evaluation of existing scour failure risk of a bridge. It provides implementation of a risk-based model, which is used to calculate the annual risk of scour failure of a bridge or series of bridges in monetary values. A case study is carried out for a bridge crossing Fol Creek in Black Sea Region (close to Vakfikebir), for the illustration of this software. Besides, hydraulic analysis and scour depth computations of the bridge are carried out via HEC-RAS program. Also, a study is carried out to recommend scour countermeasures that can be applied to the aforementioned bridge.

La presente investigación alcanza una alternativa de utilizar los muros de suelo reforzado como estribos de puente en la mina Cuajone situado en el departamento de Moquegua, con el objetivo de comprobar si es posible que estas estructuras soporten las altas cargas de los camiones mineros que transitan por los “Haul Road” de la mina. Luego, se desarrolla los procedimientos de diseño estructural del muro MSE con la metodología LRFD según la norma AASHTO. Finalmente, se verifica los resultados que se obtuvieron mediante el modelo y el análisis de los elementos finitos del diseño consolidado en el software PLAXIS y se presentan las conclusiones del caso. En primer lugar, está el capítulo introductorio, que presentar de manera resumida y cualitativa el tema de la tesis y las motivaciones del caso. Se desarrolla el problema planteado y finaliza esta sección con la descripción de los antecedentes históricos de los muros MSE, hipótesis, objetivos y alcances de la presente investigación. Asimismo, se describe de manera extendida los conceptos de los muros MSE, ventajas, desventajas, tipos de sistemas, tipos de refuerzo, tipos de paramentos y sus aplicaciones. Además, se presentan los pasos diseño de los muros como estribo de puente y el procedimiento del análisis sísmico de estos. Finalmente, se describen los conceptos del método de elementos finitos y el análisis del software PLAXIS. En el segundo lugar; se presentan el material y método, considerando el nivel y diseño de investigación, variables y técnicas que se emplearon para poder desarrollar de manera satisfactoria el argumento de la presente tesis. En el tercer lugar, se presentan los resultados de acuerdo a cada objetivo planteado. Al finalizar esta sección, se presentan los desplazamientos de muro MSE como estribo de puente modelado en el software PLAXIS, concluyendo con la afirmación o la negación de la hipótesis. Por último, se presenta las conclusiones, comentarios y recomendaciones de acuerdo al desarrollo y resultados de la presente investigación. / The present investigation achieves an alternative use of the reinforced soil walls as bridge abutments in the Cuajone mine in the department of Moquegua, with the objective that these structures bear the high loads of the mining trucks that transit through the "Haul Road" of the mine. Then, the structural design procedures of the MSE wall are followed with the LRFD methodology according to the AASHTO standard. Finally, the results obtained by means of the model and the analysis of the finite elements of the consolidated design in the PLAXIS software are verified and the conclusions of the case are presented. In the first place, there is the introductory chapter, the summary and qualitative presentation of the topic of the thesis and the motivations of the case. The problem raised and finalized in this section was developed with the description of the historical background of the MSE walls, hypotheses, objectives and scope of the present investigation. In the next chapter, we describe how to extend the concepts of MSE walls, advantages, disadvantages, types of systems, types of reinforcement, types of walls and their applications. In addition, the steps of the walls are presented as bridge abutment and the procedure of the seismic analysis of these. Finally, the concepts of the finite element method and the analysis of the PLAXIS software are described. In the second place; It presents the material and the method, the level and design of the research, the variables and the techniques used to successfully develop the argument of the present thesis. In the third place the results are presented according to each objective. At the end of this section, the displacements of the wall are presented as a work program in the PLAXIS software, concluding with the affirmation or denial of the hypothesis. Finally, the conclusions, comments and recommendations are presented according to the development and results of the present investigation. / Tesis

This report was sponsored by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to determine if stream restoration structures could be used as scour countermeasures near state highways and bridges. Scour countermeasures that are effective in preventing erosion exist but that are not so friendly for aquatic organisms. UDOT is interested in finding a countermeasure that is both effective in preventing erosion while not harming aquatic organisms. Stream restoration structures are friendly for aquatic organisms but are prone to failure when flows exceed the design levels. David Rosgen has developed restoration structures that are friendly for aquatic organisms and that have provided streambank protection. These structures are the J-Hook vane, Cross-Vane and W-Weir. Based research done in this report, Cross-Vanes and W-Weirs are best suited to protect bridges because they will protect both sides of a stream bank. For these restoration structures to be reliable at higher flows and shear stresses experienced at bridges, they must follow the design criteria specified in this report. One of the most important design requirements is that the structures designed by David Rosgen have an attached floodplain where the structure meets the streambank. The floodplain disperses the energy of the flow, reducing shear stress. In the vicinity of some bridges, a floodplain cannot be implemented. In such cases, culverts can be installed at the floodplain level, that pass under the bridge to help reduce shear stresses, mimicking a floodplain. Cross-Vanes and W-Weirs can be used to protect bridges and other infrastructure. Based on modeling and comparing restoration structures to a labyrinth weir, they still have an impact on higher flows. At higher than design flows, such as experienced at bridges, the structures help to reduce shear stresses. To further investigate their use as a scour countermeasure near bridges, it is recommended that a structure be installed near a bridge following this report's design criteria. This will be determined depending on available funding.

A confecção de uma prótese parcial removível exige a correta determinação do eixo de inserção e, consequentemente, o preparo cuidadoso de planos guias para satisfazer os princípios de retenção e estabilidade. Entretanto, grande parte dos profissionais negligencia esta etapa, seja por desconhecimento de sua importância, dificuldade técnica, quantidade limitada de opções cientificamente comprovadas de seus resultados, ou pela aparente e ilusória economia de tempo e de trabalho que sua realização possa tomar. Então, em função do número limitado de técnicas eficientes para transferência de planos guias e da necessidade de um método que otimize o tempo dos profissionais de forma prática e didática, o presente estudo buscou introduzir uma nova maneira de transferir os planos guias. A nova técnica consiste na utilização de uma placa de vacuum-form (PV), comparando-a com preparos realizados em delineador e com duas outras técnicas pré-existentes: à mão livre (ML) e coroas-guia (CG), analisando sua eficácia e precisão. Réplicas idênticas (n=44) de um modelo de gesso representativo da arcada inferior foram divididas em 11 grupos, com 4 modelos cada. Cada um dos onze estudantes de Odontologia recebeu 4 modelos - em um deles os planos guias já tinham sido previamente preparados com delineador, os quais serviram apenas de referência para que fossem empregados os outros métodos. As diferenças angulares dos planos guias nos 44 modelos, nos sentidos ântero-posterior, látero-lateral e cruzado foram mensuradas por meio de uma máquina de medição por coordenadas. A análise de variância para medidas repetidas e o Teste de Comparações Múltiplas (método de Tukey) revelaram que tanto no sentido látero-lateral, como na avaliação cruzada, houve diferença significativa na média dos preparos feitos no delineador em relação a todas as outras técnicas. No entanto, não foram identificadas diferenças importantes entre os três métodos. Para a avaliação ântero-posterior, verificou-se diferença relevante somente entre os preparos feitos no delineador e CG, o que não foi detectado entre ML, PV e delineador. Observou-se também, que os preparos obtidos com delineador apresentaram variações angulares próximos de zero, indicando paralelismo quase absoluto e que os planos guias preparados nesse dispositivo demonstraram média e variabilidade menores que os outros métodos. As demais técnicas (ML, CG e PV) se comportaram de forma estatistica semelhante, exceto no sentido ântero-posterior, onde a CG apresentou maior variação angular. Concluiu-se que a técnica proposta apresentou resultados satisfatórios em relação aos padrões adotados neste estudo, quando comparada às demais técnicas e ao delineador. Portanto, a mesma pode ser considerada viável, já que sua utilização oferece uma confecção de próteses removíveis de forma mais criteriosa, atendendo às necessidades profissionais, em termos de facilidade e tempo gasto em sua execução. / The confection of a removable partial denture requires accurate determination of the path of insertion and consequently, the careful preparation of guide planes to meet the principles of retention and stability. However, a great number of professionals neglect this step because of unconsciousness of its importance, or technical difficulty, or limited options of techniques or because of apparent and illusory saving of time and work. Due to the limited number of proven effective techniques for guide planes preparation and the need of an effective method for optimizing time of dental surgeons in a clear and practical way, this present study aimed the introduction of a new technique for transferring guide planes. The new technique consists on the use of a vacuum form splint (VF). To measure its efficiency and accuracy it was compared with the preparations carried out in a dental surveyor and with two other pre-existing techniques: freehand (FH) and acrylic resin guide crown (GC). Identical replicas (n=44) of a gypsum model representing a dental lower arch were divided into 11 groups of four. Each of the eleven dental students received four models - in one of the models, the guide planes were previously prepared with the surveyor to be used as a reference for the application of the three transfer techniques in the other three remaining models. The angular differences of the the prepared guide planes on the 44 models were measured by a coordinate measuring machine in the anteroposterior, laterolateral and crossed views. The Analysis of Variance and Tukey method revealed that, for the laterolateral evaluation and crossed evaluation, significant differences were found in the average of the preparations obtained by the surveyor in relation to all other techniques. There were no significant differences among the three techniques. Anteroposterior evaluation showed significant difference between the average of the preparations made by the surveyor and by the GC, which was not observed between the FH and PV groups compared to the surveyor. It was also found that the angular variation obtained by preparations using the surveyor was close to zero degree, indicating almost absolute parallelism. The FH, GC and VF techniques were statistically similar, except for the anteroposterior evaluation. In the anteroposterior evaluation the GC presented higher angular variation. It was concluded that the proposed technique showed satisfactory results concerning the adopted standards in the present study when compared with the preparations made by other techniques and the surveyor. Thus, the VF technique can be considered viable, since it improves the quality of the Removable Partial Denture and meets the professional needs, saving time in the procedures.