My study examines three female Black British bildungsromane: Monica Ali’s Brick Lane, Joan Riley’s Waiting in the Twilight, and Buchi Emecheta’s Second-Class Citizen. By combining a study of a relatively established novel form with contemporary female diasporic fictions, my work looks at how gender, race and location complicate the tropes of the genre, while still adhering to many of its parameters. I explore ways in which the existential states of loneliness, isolation, and solitude faced by the female protagonists in England assist or inhibit the formation of collectivity and subjectivity. This study pays particular attention to ways that community formation and friendship, as well as work and affective labor, serve as means to find/create a sense of home in diasporic conditions, as in Brick Lane and Second-Class Citizen. I also study how a sense of community falters because of a disconnection from productive work in Waiting in the Twilight. / Department of English

Statistics of occupational injuries show that bricklayers are among the most exposed, with heavy lifting by far the most common cause of long-term sick leave. Prefabricated brick beams create yet another risk of injuries that can be prevented by auxiliary equipment or alternative solutions. From articles, interviews with masons and from a survey carried out in conjunction with this report, it appears that there are frequently difficulties in the use of available means for lifting and handling. Previous studies on the subject of transverse reinforcement in masonry beams indicate a viable method for bridging large openings in masonry walls. This bachelor thesis delves into whether the idea could be realized in today's brick construction with a view to improving occupational health and safety. Within the project a method, applicable in today's manufacturing of pre-stressed brick beams enabling mounting of vertical reinforcement, was developed and tested.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Inserting fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strips into pre-cut grooves in the surface of masonry walls is an emerging technique for the retrofit of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures. This method, known as near surface mounting (NSM), provides significant advantages over externally bonded FRP strips in that it has less of an effect on the aesthetics of a structure and can sustain higher loading before debonding. As this technique is relatively new, few studies into the behaviour of masonry walls strengthened using this technique have been conducted. A combined experimental and numerical program was conducted as part of this research project to study the in-plane shear behaviour of masonry wall panels strengthened with NSM carbon FRP (CFRP) strips. In this project the FRP strips were designed to resist sliding along mortar bed joints and diagonal cracking (through mortar joints and brick units). Both of these failure modes are common to masonry shear walls. Different reinforcement orientations were used, including: vertical; horizontal; and a combination of both. The first stage of the project involved characterising the bond between the FRP and the masonry using experimental pull tests (18 in total). From these tests the bond strength, the critical bond length and the local bond-slip relationship of the debonding interface was determined. The second stage of the project involved conducting diagonal tension/shear tests on masonry panels. A total of four URM wall panels and seven strengthened wall panels were tested. These tests were used to determine: the effectiveness of the reinforcement; the failure modes; the reinforcement mechanisms; and the behaviour of the bond between the masonry and the FRP in the case of a panel. The third stage of the project involved developing a finite element model to help understand the experimental results. The masonry was modelled using the micro-modelling approach, and the FRP was attached to the masonry model using the bond-slip relationships determined from the pull tests. Reinforcement schemes in which vertical FRP strips were used improved the strength and ductility of the masonry wall panels. When only horizontal strips were used to reinforce a wall panel, failure occurred along an un-strengthened bed joint and the increase in strength and ductility was negligible. The vertical reinforcement prevented URM sliding failure by restraining the opening (dilation) of the sliding cracks that developed through the mortar bed joints. The finite element model reproduced the key behaviours observed in the experiments for both the unreinforced and FRP strengthened wall panels. This model would potentially be useful for the development of design equations.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Inserting fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) strips into pre-cut grooves in the surface of masonry walls is an emerging technique for the retrofit of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures. This method, known as near surface mounting (NSM), provides significant advantages over externally bonded FRP strips in that it has less of an effect on the aesthetics of a structure and can sustain higher loading before debonding. As this technique is relatively new, few studies into the behaviour of masonry walls strengthened using this technique have been conducted. A combined experimental and numerical program was conducted as part of this research project to study the in-plane shear behaviour of masonry wall panels strengthened with NSM carbon FRP (CFRP) strips. In this project the FRP strips were designed to resist sliding along mortar bed joints and diagonal cracking (through mortar joints and brick units). Both of these failure modes are common to masonry shear walls. Different reinforcement orientations were used, including: vertical; horizontal; and a combination of both. The first stage of the project involved characterising the bond between the FRP and the masonry using experimental pull tests (18 in total). From these tests the bond strength, the critical bond length and the local bond-slip relationship of the debonding interface was determined. The second stage of the project involved conducting diagonal tension/shear tests on masonry panels. A total of four URM wall panels and seven strengthened wall panels were tested. These tests were used to determine: the effectiveness of the reinforcement; the failure modes; the reinforcement mechanisms; and the behaviour of the bond between the masonry and the FRP in the case of a panel. The third stage of the project involved developing a finite element model to help understand the experimental results. The masonry was modelled using the micro-modelling approach, and the FRP was attached to the masonry model using the bond-slip relationships determined from the pull tests. Reinforcement schemes in which vertical FRP strips were used improved the strength and ductility of the masonry wall panels. When only horizontal strips were used to reinforce a wall panel, failure occurred along an un-strengthened bed joint and the increase in strength and ductility was negligible. The vertical reinforcement prevented URM sliding failure by restraining the opening (dilation) of the sliding cracks that developed through the mortar bed joints. The finite element model reproduced the key behaviours observed in the experiments for both the unreinforced and FRP strengthened wall panels. This model would potentially be useful for the development of design equations.

Univ., Diss.--Bonn, 2004.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1996. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Mary Boys. Dissertation Committee: Douglas M. Sloan. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 205-215).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:06:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 VilsonRR.pdf: 664562 bytes, checksum: 2161eaac4d687b2ded4c5599d576cc33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-06-13 / This research presents an outlook of the industries of red ceramic in the region next to the city of Teresina and an analysis of the ceramic products producted in this pole. The microregion investigated possesses 13 boroughs where were identified 32 ceramic in operation, being that 24 are located in Teresina, the ceramic region more important of Piau?, 1 is located in the city of Miguel Le?o and 7 is located in Timon city that belongs to the state of Maranh?o. The majority of ceramics are pulverized in these two cities, Teresina and Timon , responsible by a largely production independent of distance between fabric and consumer market. Furthermore, there is an artisanal production realized in other boroughs, mainly manual conformation bricks, where are producted diverse types of handicraft and ceramics utilitarian. The objective of this research is to evalue the conformity of ceramic blocks for brick of obstruction made by red ceramic industry of microregion at studying, verifying their pontentialities and adequacy in terms of production. In this research universe made a search of ceramic industries related to the Foundation CEPRO (Foundation Center of Research Social and Economic of Piau?). For the analysis of the ceramic products , were colected 60 crude bricks sample in three industries for their characterization, and 39 burned bricks sample for the Evaluation of Conformity. The results of the characterization made reached a accetptable standard in all formulations and temperature studied. The burned samples were applied to the geometric, physical and mechanical assays according to the ABNT standards (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards). The results of the physical assays showed that all the samples are at the same band recommended by standard. However, through the geometric assays just two industries did not present results according to the standard, due to lack of control in their process such as in their equipments. Taking into account the mechanical properties, only one industry investigated was not according to the standard / Esta pesquisa apresenta um panorama das ind?strias de cer?mica vermelha na Regi?o Integrada de Desenvolvimento da Grande Teresina e uma an?lise dos produtos cer?micos fabricados nesse p?lo. A microrregi?o em estudo possui 13 munic?pios onde foram identificadas 32 cer?micas em atividades, sendo que 24 est?o situadas na cidade de Teresina, o p?lo cer?mico de maior import?ncia do Piau?, 1 na cidade de Miguel Le?o e 7 no munic?pio de Timon, no vizinho estado do Maranh?o, que faz parte da grande Teresina. A maioria das cer?micas est? pulverizada nestas duas Cidades, Teresina e Timon, respons?veis por uma produ??o largamente independente da dist?ncia entre f?brica e mercado consumidor. Al?m dessas, h? a produ??o artesanal realizada nos demais munic?pios, principalmente, tijolos de conforma??o manual, onde tamb?m s?o produzidos diversos tipos de artesanato e utilit?rios cer?micos. O objetivo desta pesquisa ? avaliar a conformidade de blocos cer?micos para alvenaria de veda??o, produzidos pela ind?stria de cer?mica vermelha da microrregi?o em estudo, verificando suas potencialidades e adequa??o em termos produtivos. Para defini??o do universo da pesquisa, fez-se um levantamento das ind?strias cer?micas junto ? Funda??o CEPRO (Funda??o Centro de Pesquisas Econ?micas e Sociais do Piau?). Para a an?lise dos produtos cer?micos, foram coletadas 60 amostras de tijolos verdes em tr?s ind?strias, para a caracteriza??o desses produtos e 39 amostras de tijolos queimados, para a avalia??o da conformidade. Os resultados das caracteriza??es realizadas apresentaram um padr?o aceit?vel em todas as formula??es e temperaturas estudadas. As amostras queimadas foram submetidas aos ensaios geom?tricos, f?sicos e mec?nicos de acordo com as normas da ABNT (Associa??o Brasileira de Normas T?cnicas). Os resultados dos ensaios f?sicos mostraram que todas as amostras est?o dentro da faixa recomenda pela norma. J? nos ensaios geom?tricos, duas ind?strias apresentaram resultados n?o conforme com a norma, devido ? falta de controle nos seus processos e nos equipamentos. Quanto ?s propriedades mec?nicas, apenas uma ind?stria pesquisada n?o atendeu ? norma, devido ao fato do controle inadequado do seu processo

A alvenaria estrutural é um dos mais antigos sistemas construtivos existentes. Atualmente estruturas em alvenaria encontram uma vasta aplicação em construções residenciais, sobretudo em obras de interesse social. No entanto, ao contrário das estruturas de concreto, cujo comportamento durante exposição ao fogo e sua resistência residual tem estudos e resultados amplamente disseminados, pouco se sabe a respeito do comportamento de estruturas de alvenaria submetidas à ocorrência de sinistros dessa natureza. Com a intensificação das preocupações acerca da segurança das edificações e de seus usuários em situações de incêndio, faz-se cada vez mais imprescindível o conhecimento do comportamento dos sistemas empregados atualmente na construção civil perante a ação de altas temperaturas. Tendo isso em vista, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo a realização de uma análise dos danos e do comportamento apresentados por amostras de alvenaria com função estrutural ao serem expostas ao aquecimento excessivo. Foram avaliadas nesse estudo paredes de pequenas dimensões executadas com blocos estruturais cerâmicos. Visando simular condições mais próximas da realidade, foram restringidas, com o auxílio de macacos hidráulicos, as laterais das amostras, para que houvesse contenção da dilatação das mesmas. Com o intuito de verificar diferentes tipologias de alvenarias, foram utilizados três blocos distintos: de 14 cm de largura, com resistências de 7 e 10 MPa, e de 19 cm de largura, com 7 MPa de resistência à compressão. Também foram variadas as espessuras das juntas entre as unidades e a argamassa de assentamento das mesmas, a fim de compreender a importância desses fatores para o comportamento das amostras, e, por fim, foram ensaiadas amostras com revestimento na face exposta As miniparedes foram acopladas a um forno de resistências elétricas e submetidas a um aquecimento próximo à curva padrão determinada por norma, até a temperatura máxima de 950ºC, a qual foi mantida pelo período de 4 horas. Foram mensurados, além da temperatura dentro do forno, no interior da parede e na superfície das amostras, os deslocamentos transversais ocorridos durante o ensaio. Também se utilizaram transdutores de deslocamento para verificar a dilatação dos blocos e o esmagamento ou abertura das juntas. Imagens termográficas da face oposta ao aquecimento foram capturadas no decorrer da exposição. Ao final das análises, pôde-se inferir que as miniparedes ensaiadas apresentaram bom desempenho frente à ação das altas temperaturas, mantendo sua estanqueidade, isolamento térmico e resistência mecânica. A restrição lateral não ocasionou desplacamentos dos blocos, no entanto, pôde-se observar transferência de tensão para os mesmos quando utilizadas nas juntas argamassas pouco flexíveis. O deslocamento transversal apresentado pelas amostras indicou deflexão em direção ao forno durante o aquecimento, com posterior reversão do sentido. Tal deflexão foi atenuada pela redução da espessura das juntas, pelo uso de argamassas menos flexíveis e pelo aumento da resistência e largura dos blocos. As alvenarias de 19 cm de largura e, especialmente, as dotadas de revestimento apresentaram melhor desempenho térmico que as demais. / Structural masonry is one of the oldest existing building systems. Nowadays, masonry structures find a wide application in residential constructions, mainly in those with social interest. However, unlike concrete structures, whose behavior during fire exposure and its residual resistance have widely disseminated studies and results, there is a lack of knowledge about the behavior of masonry structures submitted to fire. Because of the spread of concerns about the safety of buildings and their users in fire situations, it becomes essential to know the behavior of the systems currently used in civil construction when exposed to high temperatures. With this in view, the present study intended to analyze the damage and the behavior of structural masonry samples exposed to heating. This study evaluated clay hollow-bricks small walls, and, in order to simulate real conditions, the boundaries of the samples were restrained, with the aid of hydraulic jacks, aiming to restrain the deformation. In order to verify different types of masonry, three different blocks were used: 14 cm wide, with nominal strength of 7 and 10 MPa, and 19 cm wide, with 7 MPa of compressive strength. The thicknesses of the joints and the mortar were also varied, in order to understand the importance of these factors in the behavior of the samples, and, finally, samples were tested with a mono-layer coating at the exposed face. The small walls were coupled to an electrical furnace and subjected to a heating approximately equal to the standard curve, up to the maximum temperature of 950ºC, which was maintained for 4 hours The deflections of the samples during the test were measured, beyond the temperature inside the furnace, in the center of wall and at the non-exposed surface. Clip gages were also used to verify the expansion of the blocks and the crushing or opening of the mortar joints. Thermographic images of the opposite face were captured during the testing. At the end of this research, it was possible to affirm that the walls had good behavior against the high temperatures, maintaining their integrity, thermal insulation and load-bearing capacity. The restriction of the boundaries did not cause the spalling of the blocks, however, it was possible to observe the stress transfer to them in samples with rigid joint mortar. The deflection of the samples increases towards the furnace during the heating, and, then, they show the phenomenon of “reverse bowing”, changing the direction of the displacements. Reducing the thickness and increasing the stiffness of the joint mortars, as well as the increase in block strength and width attenuated such deflection. The masonry 19 cm width and, specially, the ones with coating shows better thermal performance, comparing to the others.

Background: The wave of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is marching on, replacing jobs and traditional services, and is predicted to be one of the biggest marketing trends in the close future. Four of the major Swedish banks have started to implement AI as a customer service channel. Simultaneously, the Swedish banking industry is experiencing an all-time low in customer satisfaction, where one of the main reasons is the diminishing number of local branches. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore the attitudes that customers have towards AI in customer service, as a substitute to local brick and mortar offices within the Swedish bank industry, as well as uncover any significant factors that could influence these attitudes. Method: This is a qualitative study of exploratory nature where five focus groups have been used to collect empirical data. A total sample of 26 participants, ranging from 20-55 years old, have partaken in the focus groups.  Conclusion: Findings show that there mainly exists a negative attitude towards AI as a substitute to brick-and-mortar offices, but positive attitudes towards it as a complement. Factors that influence the attitudes were found to be Convenience, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Trust, Risk and Social influence. Awareness and Prior Technological Experience were found to not have great influence on customer attitudes.

Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2017-07-14T12:50:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 8841136 bytes, checksum: aaa642f094b0481f15236b39854feb0a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-14T12:50:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 8841136 bytes, checksum: aaa642f094b0481f15236b39854feb0a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-28 / Currently we have been sought new constructive solutions involving environmental sustainability through the reduction / elimination of waste of raw materials and final products. The reduction of waste has been granted by the rational use of materials and various forms of reuse, for both are studied and developed technologies capable of absorbing this waste. Under the basic sanitation is highlighted waste generated in water treatment plants during the process of purifying plants of water intended for human consumption. This residue is commonly called sludge. For environmental issues, frequent studies point to the incorporation of this waste in construction materials such as conventional bricks and soil cement. Laboratory analyzes were: Fluorescence Xray (XRF) , Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) , Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Particle size , Plasticity Index and resistance to simple compression. This the following study aims to evaluate the incorporation of the waste generated in the Water Treatment Plant - Gramame in soil-cement bricks type. The concreteness of research leads to consideration of the incorporation of the waste generated in the Water Treatment Plant - Gramame in low percentages do not affect the strength of soil-cement bricks. This result associated with a considerable concentration of Organic matter. / Atualmente têm-se buscado novas soluções construtivas que envolvam a sustentabilidade ambiental através da diminuição/eliminação de desperdício das matérias-primas e produtos finais. A redução dos desperdícios vem sendo conferida pelo uso racional dos materiais e as diversas formas de reutilização, para tanto são estudadas e desenvolvidas tecnologias capazes de absorver estes resíduos. No âmbito do saneamento básico é destacado o resíduo gerado nas Estações de Tratamento de Água durante o processo de potabilização das águas destinadas para o consumo humano. Comumente este resíduo é chamado de lodo. Para as questões ambientais, estudos frequentes apontam para a incorporação deste resíduo em materiais de construção civil tais como tijolos convencionais e solo-cimento. Desta forma, o seguinte trabalho visa avaliar a incorporação do resíduo gerado na Estação de Tratamento de Água – Gramame em tijolos do tipo solo-cimento. Para que os objetivos pudessem ser alcançados foram determinadas as análises laboratoriais de: Fluorescência de Raio-X (FRX), Demanda Química de Oxigênio (DQO), Demanda Bioquímica de Oxigênio (DBO), Granulometria, Índice de Plasticidade e Resistência a Compressão Simples. A concretude da pesquisa leva a conclusão de que a incorporação do resíduo gerado na Estação de Tratamento de Água – Gramame em baixas porcentagens não prejudica a resistência dos tijolos solo-cimento. Sendo este resultado associado a uma considerável concentração de Matéria Orgânica.