The performance of hot mix asphalt, Portland cement concrete, unbound base, and subbase layers in a pavement are significantly affected by aggregate shape characteristics. Classification of coarse and fine aggregate shape properties such as shape (form), angularity, and texture, are important in predicting the performance of pavements. Consequently, there is a need to implement a system that can characterize aggregates without the limitations of the current aggregate classification standards. The Aggregate Image Measurement System (AIMS) was developed as a comprehensive and capable means of measuring aggregate shape properties. A new design of AIMS will be introduced with several modifications to improve the operational and physical components. The sensitivity, repeatability, and reproducibility are analyzed to evaluate the quality of AIMS measurements. The sensitivity of AIMS is evaluated and found to be good for several operational and aggregate parameters. Important operational and environmental factors that could affect the AIMS results are identified and appropriate limits are recommended. AIMS is able to control normal variations in the system without affecting the results. A comprehensive analysis is conducted to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of AIMS for multiple users and laboratories. Single-operator and multi-laboratory precision statements are developed for the test method in order to be implemented into test standards.

Among many useful properties of elastomers, one is their ability to absorb energy by deforming to large strains without fracturing. This property combined with their good adhesion to substrates makes them suited as adhesive films and coatings for protection against impact damage. An example of practical significance is the erosion of helicopter rotor blades where the protection of leading edge is often achieved by mounting a film or applying a coat of polyurethane. Although this is a workable solution, there is currently little knowledge as to the durability of this elastomeric film/coat under impact of hard and angular particles such as sand. A deformation and failure analysis that deals with the angularity of the erodents and captures the local mechanisms responsible for erosion damage in elastomers is the sine qua non. The present endeavor tries to address these issues by considering a polyurethane layer on a quasi-rigid substrate, impacted by hard particles at velocities and angles of attack given by pre-specified distributions. A novel method is devised to address the angularity issue. A series of finite-element calculations are performed on the coating layer-substrate systems subjected to different velocities, incidence and angularity of the impacting erodents. An elasto-plastic material constitution with isotropic hardening is employed in the simulations and material parameters representative of polyurethane are used for the coat. Initial parametric deformation analyses provided an adequate qualitative estimate of erosion parameters. Incorporation of a stress based fracture criterion enabled a quantitative measure of material removal due to erosion to be achieved. The simulation results show good match with experimental trends of target mass loss as obtained under normal and inclined loadings with angular erodents. The current simulation framework has sufficient capability and versatility to incorporate more enriched polymer-models and advanced fracture criteria in the future, thereby allowing parametric studies toward selection of materials and coat-layer thicknesses thus predicting the erosion mass loss as accurately as measured by experiments.

In the basic understanding of measurement, students are expected to be able to subdivide a given whole into a unit and then change the position of that unit along the entire length of the whole. These basic operations of subdivision and change of position are related to the more formal operations of partitioning and iterating. In the context of fractions, partitioning and iterating play a fundamental role in understanding fractions as measures, where students are expected to partition a whole into an iterable unit. In the context of angle measurement, students are expected to measure angles as a fractional amount of a full rotation or a circle, by partitioning the circle into a unit angle and then iterating that unit angle to find the measure of the given angle. Despite this link between measurement, fractions, and angles, research suggests that there is a disconnect between students' concepts of measurement and geometry concepts, including angle and angle measurement. Therefore, one area of study that might help us understand this disconnection would be to investigate the relationship between students' concepts of measurement and their concepts of angle measurement. This current study documents sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students' measurement schemes for fractions and their quantifications of angularity, and then investigates the relationship between them. This research is guided by the following question: What is the relationship between middle school students' measurement schemes for fractions and their quantifications of angularity? Results indicate that the majority of students involved in this study do not possess a measurement concept of fractions nor a measurement concept of angularity. However, these results demonstrate that there is a relationship between students' measurement schemes for fractions and their quantifications of angularity. It is concluded that students who construct more sophisticated fraction schemes tend to construct more sophisticated quantifications of angularity. / Doctor of Philosophy / Although the concepts of measurement, fractions, and angle measurement are related, research suggests that there is a disconnect between students' concepts of measurement and geometry concepts, including angle and angle measurement. Therefore, one area of study that might help us understand this disconnection would be to investigate the relationship between students' concepts of measurement and their concepts of angle measurement. This current study documents sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students' understandings of measurement, as indicated by their fraction schemes, and angle measurement, as indicated by how they quantify angularity or the openness of an angle. This study then investigates the relationship between them. This research is guided by the following question: What is the relationship between middle school students' measurement schemes for fractions and their quantifications of angularity? Results indicate that the majority of students involved in this study do not possess a measurement concept of fractions nor a measurement concept of angularity. However, these results demonstrate that there is a relationship between students' measurement schemes for fractions and their quantifications of angularity. It is concluded that students who construct more sophisticated fraction schemes tend to construct more sophisticated quantifications of angularity.

Stone matrix asphalt (SMA) mixtures rely on stone-on-stone contacts among particles to resist applied forces and permanent deformation. Aggregates in SMA should resist degradation (fracture and abrasion) under high stresses at the contact points. This study utilizes conventional techniques as well as advanced imaging techniques to evaluate aggregate characteristics and their resistance to degradation. Aggregates from different sources and types with various shape characteristics were used in this study. The Micro-Deval test was used to measure aggregate resistance to abrasion. The aggregate imaging system (AIMS) was then used to examine the changes in aggregate characteristics caused by abrasion forces in the Micro-Deval. The resistance of aggregates to degradation in SMA was evaluated through the analysis of aggregate gradation before and after compaction using conventional mechanical sieve analysis and nondestructive X-ray computed tomography (CT). The findings of this study led to the development of an approach for the evaluation of aggregate resistance to degradation in SMA. This approach measures aggregate degradation in terms of abrasion, breakage, and loss of texture.

The Discrete Element Method was first introduced by Cundall and Strack (1979) to model granular soils within the context of geotechnical engineering. The material is modeled as a random assembly of discrete elements. Each particle interacts with neighboring particles through contact forces that can be built up and broken at any time. The particles were modeled as discs in 2-D or as spheres in 3-D. Research studies have been conducted to improve the simulation of actual grain shapes. Ashmawy et al. (2003) developed the overlapping rigid clusters (ORC) method to accurately model irregular particle shapes. The idea relies on clumping a number of overlapping discs such that their coincides with that of the actual particle. In this dissertation, experimental verification program is presented. An experimental setup was built and model-grains were manufactured in the laboratory. A numerical simulation for the experimental test was carried out. The numerical and experimental results were compared qualitatively and quantitatively. A good agreement was observed within small displacements ranges. However, results were considerably different at large displacements. Numerical results utilizing the ORC method were closer to the experimental results than those of discs. A sequential and operator-independent procedure, which relies on the ORC concept, was developed. Identical inertial properties between the actual particle and the model were ensured. The new procedure was implemented for rounded and angular particles. The effect of particle shape and angularity on the strength and dilatancy characteristics of granular soils was investigated. A modified shape factor, which relies on the work introduced by Sukumaran and Ashmawy (2001), was developed. A series of pure shear testing simulations was performed on different shape and angularity particle groups. Angularity had a remarkable effect on strength and dilatancy properties compared to shape. The effect of interparticle friction on dilatancy was studied. An attempt was made to use an equivalent interparticle friction to model different particle shapes. It was concluded that there is no one-to-one equivalency between interparticle friction and shape or angularity. Instead, the interparticle friction must be continuously altered as a function of confining pressure and void ratio to achieve the required effect.

This thesis presents a novel three dimensional (3D) image-analysis method for characterizing the physical characteristics of coarse particles in the field, and introduces new methodology for the total analysis of glacial till samples. The novel image analysis method, called the GID method, is capable of determining the size, shape and surface texture of each individual clast analysed. Images of particles are taken in the field and analysis is done in the laboratory. Therefore the GID method makes it feasible to analyse statistically representative large sample in short period; for poorly sorted sediments, such as till, one-tonne is required if the analysis includes cobble size. The capability of the GID method was demonstrated by studying coarse clasts (20-200 mm) from till. There is excellent agreement in the results of the size distribution obtained from the GID method and sieve analysis. The GID method results for size and shape parameters show high and very high repeatability. The particle angularity in the GID method has not been measured to acceptable level; the repeatability test shows some variability. The new methodology for total analysis of till applied the GID method at four different locations in Sweden. The total analysis included 3D size and shape distribution of coarse particles coupled to electrical resistivity, lithological distribution and magnetic susceptibility of the clasts. The results show clear difference in the till samples from the different sites. / <p>QC 20120828</p>

In this qualitative practice-based research meanings of angularity in Africanist aesthetics and ”angular music” are studied. The insights of the studies are processed in several bodily practices and ”being angular” develops into a dance didactic tool for jazz dance. The bodily practices through which being angular is shaped are the following: creative writing, dance improvisations, and the development of a dance art pedagogy practice for jazz dance.  The aim of the study is to understand the meaning of being angular in a jazz dance context, to give a perspective on jazz dance teaching and contribute to the deepening of dance skills in jazz dance. In the study, I collaborate with co-researchers who were students from the Norwegian culture school. The research questions are: With what approaches can ”being angular” be achieved to be meaningful in jazz dance teaching? How can "being angular" as a dance didactic tool contribute to deepen dance skills and artistic development in jazz dance?  The knowledge generation takes place through the practical exploration and the methodological process is derived from Tone Pernille Østern's theoretical understanding of researching with art. ”Å forske med kunsten” (To research with art) is an umbrella term forpractice-led and artistic research.  Being angular develops into a tool that connects dance didactic methods with dance artistic methods in jazz dance teaching. Being angular contributes to the act of collective learning and gives a broadened perspective on jazz dance teaching. / I denna kvalitativa praktikbaserade forskning studeras betydelser av angularity i afrikanistisk estetik och ”angular music”. Insikterna av studierna bearbetas i flera kroppsliga praktiker och formar paraplybegreppet ”vara angulär”. De kroppsliga praktikerna som vara angulär formas genom är följande: kreativt skrivande, dansimprovisationer och utvecklingen av en danskonstpedagogisk praktik för jazzdans.  Studiens syften är att förstå innebörder i att vara angulär i en jazzdanskontext, ge perspektiv på jazzdansundervisningen och bidra till att danskunskaper i jazzdans kan fördjupas.  Undersökningen är gjord i ett samarbete med medforskare, som var elever från den norska kulturskolan. Undersökningens frågeställningar är: Med vilka tillvägagångssätt kan att ”vara angulär” uppnås för att få betydelse i jazzdansundervisning? Hur kan att ”vara angulär” som dansdidaktiskt verktyg bidra till fördjupade danskunskaper och konstnärlig utveckling i jazzdans?  Kunskapsgenereringen pågår i det praktiska utforskandet och jag har valt Tone Pernille Østerns teoretiska förståelse om att forska med konsten som metodologisk process. ”Å forske med kunsten” är ett paraplybegrepp för praktikledd och konstnärlig forskning. Vara angulär utvecklas till ett verktyg som kopplar samman dansdidaktiska metoder med danskonstnärliga metoder i jazzdansundervisning. Vara angulär bidrar till kollektivt lärande och ger ett bredare perspektiv på jazzdansundervisning.

O desempenho dos pavimentos de concreto asfáltico depende das propriedades e proporções relativas dos seus principais componentes, ou seja, dos agregados minerais, do cimento asfáltico e do volume de vazios. O desempenho das misturas asfálticas de graduação densa é predominantemente influenciado pelas características de forma, angularidade e textura superficial dos agregados finos, que condicionam a estabilidade das misturas. O ensaio de Angularidade do Agregado Fino (FAA), adotado pelo Superpave para avaliar e quantificar a forma, a angularidade e a textura superficial das partículas, tem levantado muitas dúvidas quanto à sua adequabilidade. O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar se o ensaio FAA é capaz de classificar os agregados finos, identificando materiais com melhores condições para utilização em misturas asfálticas. Para tanto, são realizados, além de ensaios de angularidade do agregado fino, análise visual da forma, angularidade e textura superficial, ensaios de cisalhamento direto em amostras de agregado fino e ensaios Marshall em amostras de misturas asfálticas produzidas com diferentes agregados finos. Os resultados obtidos nas análises visuais indicam que o ensaio FAA não é capaz de separar os efeitos de angularidade e de forma das partículas. Os resultados dos ensaios de cisalhamento direto demonstram que um agregado fino com maior FAA não apresenta, necessariamente, uma maior resistência ao cisalhamento. Os resultados do ensaio Marshall também não demonstram correlação da estabilidade com os valores de FAA. Todos os resultados obtidos revelam que o ensaio FAA não é capaz de classificar adequadamente os agregados finos e, desta forma, não é capaz de identificar agregados que proporcionam misturas asfálticas com melhor desempenho / The performance of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements depends on the properties and proportions of the major components, i.e., mineral aggregates, asphalt cement and air voids. The performance of dense asphalt mixtures is influenced mainly by fine aggregate characteristics, such as shape, angularity and surface texture. The Fine Aggregate Angularity test (FAA), adopted by Superpave to evaluate and quantify the shape, angularity and surface texture of fine aggregate particles, has lead a lot of doubts regarding its suitability. The objective of this work is to verify if the FAA test is really able to classify fine aggregates and identify the good ones to be used in asphalt mixtures. Thus, FAA test, visual analysis of shape, angularity and surface texture, direct shear test with samples of fine aggregates and Marshall test with samples of asphalt mixtures produced with different fine aggregates are performed. The results obtained in the visual analyses indicate that the FAA test is not able to separate the effects of angularity from the effects of shape. The results of the direct shear test demonstrate that a fine aggregate with a higher FAA doesn't present, necessarily, a larger shear strength. The values of the Marshall test doesn't demonstrate correlation between Marshall stability and FAA values. All the results show that the FAA test is not able to classify fine aggregates appropriately and, therefore, is unable to identify aggregates that provide mixtures with better performance

O desempenho dos pavimentos de concreto asfáltico depende das propriedades e proporções relativas dos seus principais componentes, ou seja, dos agregados minerais, do cimento asfáltico e do volume de vazios. O desempenho das misturas asfálticas de graduação densa é predominantemente influenciado pelas características de forma, angularidade e textura superficial dos agregados finos, que condicionam a estabilidade das misturas. O ensaio de Angularidade do Agregado Fino (FAA), adotado pelo Superpave para avaliar e quantificar a forma, a angularidade e a textura superficial das partículas, tem levantado muitas dúvidas quanto à sua adequabilidade. O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar se o ensaio FAA é capaz de classificar os agregados finos, identificando materiais com melhores condições para utilização em misturas asfálticas. Para tanto, são realizados, além de ensaios de angularidade do agregado fino, análise visual da forma, angularidade e textura superficial, ensaios de cisalhamento direto em amostras de agregado fino e ensaios Marshall em amostras de misturas asfálticas produzidas com diferentes agregados finos. Os resultados obtidos nas análises visuais indicam que o ensaio FAA não é capaz de separar os efeitos de angularidade e de forma das partículas. Os resultados dos ensaios de cisalhamento direto demonstram que um agregado fino com maior FAA não apresenta, necessariamente, uma maior resistência ao cisalhamento. Os resultados do ensaio Marshall também não demonstram correlação da estabilidade com os valores de FAA. Todos os resultados obtidos revelam que o ensaio FAA não é capaz de classificar adequadamente os agregados finos e, desta forma, não é capaz de identificar agregados que proporcionam misturas asfálticas com melhor desempenho / The performance of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements depends on the properties and proportions of the major components, i.e., mineral aggregates, asphalt cement and air voids. The performance of dense asphalt mixtures is influenced mainly by fine aggregate characteristics, such as shape, angularity and surface texture. The Fine Aggregate Angularity test (FAA), adopted by Superpave to evaluate and quantify the shape, angularity and surface texture of fine aggregate particles, has lead a lot of doubts regarding its suitability. The objective of this work is to verify if the FAA test is really able to classify fine aggregates and identify the good ones to be used in asphalt mixtures. Thus, FAA test, visual analysis of shape, angularity and surface texture, direct shear test with samples of fine aggregates and Marshall test with samples of asphalt mixtures produced with different fine aggregates are performed. The results obtained in the visual analyses indicate that the FAA test is not able to separate the effects of angularity from the effects of shape. The results of the direct shear test demonstrate that a fine aggregate with a higher FAA doesn't present, necessarily, a larger shear strength. The values of the Marshall test doesn't demonstrate correlation between Marshall stability and FAA values. All the results show that the FAA test is not able to classify fine aggregates appropriately and, therefore, is unable to identify aggregates that provide mixtures with better performance

The study of particle morphology plays an important role in understanding the micromechanical behavior of cohesionless soil. Shear strength and liquefaction characteristics of granular soil depend on various morphological characteristics of soil grains such as their particle size, shape and surface texture. Therefore, accurate characterization and quantification of particle shape is necessary to study the effect of grain shape on mechanical behavior of granular assembly. However, the theoretical and practical developments of quantification of particle morphology and its influence on the mechanical response of granular assemblies has been very limited due to the lack of quantitative information about particle geometries, the experimental and numerical difficulties in characterizing and modeling irregular particle morphology. Motivated by the practical relevance of these challenges, this research presents a comprehensive approach to model irregular particle shape accurately both in two and three dimensions. To facilitate the research goal, a variety of natural and processed sand samples is collected from various locations around the world. A series of experimental and analytical studies are performed following the sample collection effort to characterize and quantify particle shapes of various sand samples by using Fourier shape descriptors. As part of the particle shape quantification and modeling, a methodology is developed to determine an optimum sample size for each sand sample used in the analysis. Recently, Discrete Element Method (DEM) has gained attention to model irregular particle morphology in two and three dimensions. In order to generate and reconstruct particle assemblies of highly irregular geometric shapes of a particular sand sample in the DEM environment, the relationship between grain size and shape is explored and no relationship is found between grain size and shape for the sand samples analyzed. A skeletonization algorithm is developed in this study in order to automate the Overlapping Discrete Element Cluster (ODEC) technique for modeling irregular particle shape in two and three dimensions. Finally, the two-dimensional and three-dimensional particle shapes are implemented within discrete element modeling software, PFC2D and PFC3D, to evaluate the influence of grain shape on shear strength behavior of granular soil by using discrete simulation of direct shear test.