O processo de conformação por prensagem uniaxial é um dos mais utilizados na indústria cerâmica devido ao seu baixo custo e alta produtividade. O entendimento e controle dos diversos fatores que interferem neste processo são cruciais, pois grande parte dos defeitos encontrados na peça final é originada nesta etapa. Este trabalho trata da avaliação da compactação de pós a base de alumina processados em spray-dryer, com diferentes composições e contendo distintos aditivos orgânicos, sendo caracterizados em relação a fluidez, densidade solta e batida, determinação da distribuição do tamanho de grânulos e morfologia. Parâmetros como umidade (10, 64 e 85%) e temperatura (5, 25 e 45°C) foram variados. O comportamento do pó foi analisado nas diferentes etapas de compactação, as quais envolvem a deformação plástica e quebra dos grânulos e também redução da porosidade intergranular e intragranular. Posteriormente foram estudadas a influência da temperatura e da umidade relativa do ar durante a compactação, sendo o efeito dos mesmos avaliados por meios de curvas de compactação. A resistência mecânica das peças também foi avaliada por meio do módulo de Weibull. Através da análise da microestrutura (MEV e porosimetria) e de curvas de compactação constatou-se que os parâmetros citados acima interferem nas características dos compactados, particularmente na resistência mecânica dos grânulos em relação à deformação e fratura. Os resultados mais importantes são que quanto maior a temperatura e umidade ocorre a redução da Tg dos ligantes, diminuindo a resistência ao esmagamento dos mesmo e que através do módulo de Weibull é possível determinar qual a melhor condição para realizar a prensagem que no caso deste estudo foi a condição intermediária. / The compaction process by uniaxial pressing is the most used in the ceramics industry due to its low cost and high productivity. The understanding and control of several factors that interfere in this process are crucial, since most of the defects found in the final piece are originated at this stage. This paper deals with compaction evaluation of alumina powders, processed by spray-dryer with different compositions and containing different organic additives, being characterized according the flow, tap and apparent density, granule size distribution and morphology. Parameters such as relative humidity (10, 64 and 85%) and temperature (5, 25 and 45°C) were varied. The powder\'s behavior was analyzed at different compaction stages, which involves plastic deformation, breakage of the granules and reduction of intergranular and intragranular porosity. The influence of temperature and relative humidity during compaction were analyzed by compaction curves. The mechanical strength of the obtained parts was evaluated using the Weibull modulus. The microstructural analysis (SEM and porosimetry) and evaluation of the compaction curves shows that these parameters affect the characteristics of compacted powder, in particular the mechanical strength of the granules in relation to the deformation and fracture. The most important results show that higher the temperature and relative humidity occurs the Tg reduction of binders, decreasing the mechanical strength of binders and by Weibull modulus it is possible to determine the best condition for pressing, in this instance the intermediate condition.

A compactação devido ao tráfego agrícola tem se tornado um dos grandes problemas de degradação do solo. Os modelos de predição vêm sendo utilizados para investigar o impacto do tráfego sobre atributos físicos do solo. Neste estudo, relações entre parâmetros mecânicos que descrevem a compressão do solo e atributos físicos são estabelecidas, a precisão das estimativas são testadas em campo, limitações físicas do solo são quantificadas por efeito do tráfego, a sensibilidade de indicadores de compactação é avaliada, e um sistema de predição de resistência à compactação para solos brasileiros é descrito, implementado e proposto. Regressões foram usadas estimar os parâmetros mecânicos do solo, e simples modelos foram propostos em função da densidade inicial sucção matricial. Teste de campo foram usados para avaliar a precisão das estimativas, e boa concordância foi observada entre medições e simulações. Em cenários simulados, solos compactados mostraram-se bastante sensíveis a variação de fatores limitantes para as plantas, medidos pelo intervalo hídrico ótimo. Medidas de resistência à penetração e sucção matricial pós-tráfego não substituíram avaliações diretas de variação de volume no diagnóstico de compactação do solo. Um fundamental modelo de resistência à compactação em função da tensão aplicada foi proposto, e parâmetros de máquina, pneu e solo podem ser utilizados para predição do risco de compactação em Latossolos brasileiros. / Compaction due to agricultural field traffic has become one of the major problems of soil degradation. Prediction models have been used to investigate the impact of the traffic on physical soil attributes. In this study, relationships among mechanical parameters which describing soil compression and physical attributes are established, the accuracy of the estimation are field-tested, physical soil limitations are quantified due to the traffic effect, the sensitivity of compaction indicators are evaluated, and a soil strength prediction system for Brazilian soils is described, implemented and proposed. Regression were used to estimate the soil mechanical parameters, and simple models were proposed as a function of the initial bulk density and matric suction. Field tests were used to evaluate the accuracy of the estimations, and good agreement was observed between measurements and simulations. On simulated scenarios, compacted soils were quite sensitive to the variation of limiting factors for the plants, measured by the least limiting water range. Post-traffic penetration resistance and matric suction measurements did not replace direct volume variation evaluations in the soil compaction diagnosis. A fundamental model of soil strength calculation as a function of the applied stress was proposed, and machinery, tyre and soil parameters can be used to predict the risk of compaction for Brazilian Oxisols.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:37:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tatiane_Ohland.PDF: 1598453 bytes, checksum: ed82eeb6e587304b7aaf365f98d333aa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-07-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse in pots made of PVC tubes containing 10.6 dm3 of soil, using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The first experiment aimed to evaluate the influence of soil density in the initial development of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.). The soil used was an Oxisol clayey, in levels of bulk density of 1.08, 1.22, 1.36, 1.50 and 1.64 kg dm-3. After 120 days of plant emergence, was evaluated the number of leaves, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, root length, root volume, dry matter of leaves + petioles, stems, roots, total dry matter of plant, root/shoot ratio and the content of P, K, Ca and Mg. The results indicate that the increase of soil density negatively affected the development of shoot and root system of plants of physic nut. The limitation of shoot growth occurred from the estimated density of 1.26 kg dm-3, reducing the number of leaves, leaf area and dry matter of shoots. The root system development and content of P and K in plants of physic nut decreased linearly with increasing density. The contents of Ca and Mg is not influenced by increasing the density of the soil. The second experiment aimed to evaluate the initial development of physic nut in different limestone rates in subsurface. The soil used was Oxisol clayey collected in Cascavel - PR. The physic nut plants were grown in PVC pots divided into two rings, the upper ring (0-20) received limed soil (11.1 t ha-1 of CaCO3 and MgCO3) and fertilized, the lower ring (20-60 cm) was added to soil at doses of 0, 3.7, 5.6, 7.4, 11.1 and 14.9 t ha-1 of CaCO3 and MgCO3 in 4:1 molar ratio. After 120 days of plant emergence, was evaluated the number of leaves, leaf area, plant height, stem diameter, root length, root volume, dry matter of leaves, stems, roots, and total dry matter of plant and levels of Al, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in leaves, stems and roots. The development of the shoot of physic nut was not limited by the different limestone rates in subsurface, as assessed by plant height, stem diameter, dry matter of leaves, stem and total dry matter of plant. The decrease in limestone rates reduces the volume and dry matters of roots in subsurface. Liming decreased the concentration of Zn and Mn in shoots and roots, which may have influenced the plant height and root volume / Foram conduzidos dois experimentos em casa de vegetação, em vasos constituídos por tubos de PVC contendo 10,6 dm-3 de solo, utilizando o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. O primeiro experimento teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da densidade do solo no desenvolvimento inicial da cultura do pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas L.). O solo utilizado foi o Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico de textura argilosa, sob os níveis de densidade do solo de 1,08; 1,22; 1,36; 1,50 e 1,64 kg dm-3. Após 120 dias da emergência das plantas, avaliou-se o número de folhas, altura de planta, diâmetro de caule, área foliar, comprimento da raiz principal, volume radicular, produção de matéria seca de folhas+pecíolos, caule, raízes, planta inteira, relação raiz/parte aérea e o conteúdo de P, K, Ca e Mg. Os resultados indicam que o aumento da densidade do solo afetou negativamente o desenvolvimento da parte aérea e do sistema radicular de plantas de pinhão-manso. A limitação do desenvolvimento da parte aérea ocorreu a partir da densidade estimada de 1,26 kg dm-3, com redução do número de folhas, área foliar e produção de matéria seca da parte aérea. O desenvolvimento do sistema radicular e o conteúdo de P e K nas plantas de pinhão-manso reduziram linearmente com o aumento da densidade do solo. O conteúdo de Ca e Mg não foi influenciado pelo aumento da densidade do solo. O segundo experimento teve como objetivo avaliar o desenvolvimento inicial do pinhão-manso sob diferentes doses de calcário em subsuperfície. O solo utilizado foi o Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico de textura argilosa coletado em Cascavel - PR. As plantas de pinhão-manso foram cultivadas em vasos de PVC dividido em dois anéis, o anel superior (0-20 cm) recebeu solo corrigido (11,1 t ha-1 de calcário) e adubação com NPK, no anel inferior (20-60 cm) foi adicionado o solo com as doses de 0; 3,7; 5,6; 7,4; 11,1 e 14,9 t ha-1 de CaCO3 e MgCO3 na relação molar 4:1. Após 120 dias da emergência das plantas, avaliou-se o número de folhas, área foliar, altura de planta, diâmetro de caule, comprimento da raiz, volume radicular, produção de matéria seca de folhas, caule, raízes, planta inteira e o teores de Al, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn e Fe nas folhas, no caule e nas raízes. O desenvolvimento da parte aérea do pinhão-manso não foi limitado pelas doses de calcário aplicadas em subsuperfície, avaliado pela altura de planta, diâmetro de caule, produção de matéria seca de folhas, de caule e de matéria seca total. A redução das doses de calcário reduz o volume e a matéria seca de raízes em subsuperfície. A calagem reduziu os teores de Zn e Mn na parte aérea e raízes, o que afetou a altura de planta e volume de raízes

O Titânio e suas ligas possuem uma grande aplicação na área biomédica devido à combinação de suas propriedades mecânicas, físicas e químicas, como baixa densidade, alta resistência mecânica, baixo módulo de elasticidade, alta resistência à corrosão e boa biocompatibilidade. O presente trabalho estudou o processo de metalurgia do pó, descrevendo suas ferramentas, máquinas e processos. Pesquisa bibliográfica e análises experimentais foram feitos para obtenção de materiais biocompatíveis, através da mistura de pós metálicos, compactação e sinterização. Foram realizadas mistura dos pós de titânio (Ti) e nióbio (Nb) em proporções distintas para viabilizar a aplicação deste produto na área da medicina. Foram feitos testes para obter as características mecânicas do material, já compactado e sinterizado, com o objetivo principal de aplicar este material em implantes humanos. Além dos implantes a liga de Ti-Nb também pode ser usada na fabricação de prótese de reabilitação e testes de implantes em animais. A compactação da mistura dos pós metálicos foi realizada em uma prensa hidráulica ferramentada com dois punções e uma matriz fechada, dando origem a um material denominado compactado verde. Com os materiais já compactados, a próxima etapa foi levá-los ao forno para sinterização, de acordo com as respectivas temperaturas para cada grupo de corpo de prova. Os resultados mostraram que as amostras, sinterizadas pelo processo da metalurgia do pó, levaram à obtenção de peças de alta porosidade (de acordo com a densidade teórica). A microestrutura predominante encontrada em amostras sinterizadas a 1450 ºC consiste em partículas de titânio e nióbio bastante irregulares e com tamanhos desproporcionais, devido à diferença do tamanho das partículas dos pós, como mostrou o ensaio metalográfico. O ensaio de compressão mostrou um baixo módulo de elasticidade em função da porosidade alta, e os resultados foram considerados baixos se comparados à resistência óssea. A dureza também não foi considerada ideal, em função da alta porosidade. / Titanium and its alloys have a wide application in biomedical field due to the combination of its mechanical, physical and chemical properties such as low density, high mechanical strength, low elasticity modulus, high corrosion resistance and good biocompatibility. This work studied the process of powder metallurgy, describing their tools, machines and processes. Bibliographical research and experimental analyses were made to obtain biocompatible materials, by mixing metal powders, compacting and sintering. Titanium (Ti) powder mixtures with Niobium (Nb) powder were performed in distinct proportions to enable the application of this product in medical field. Tests were made to obtain the mechanical characteristics of the material, already compacted and sintered, with the main objective of applying this material in human implants. Besides the implants Ti-Nb alloy can also be used in the manufacture of prosthetic rehabilitation and testing of implant in animals. The compaction of the metal powders mixture was performed in a hydraulic press with two punctures and a closed die giving rise to a material called compacted green. With the materials already compressed, the next step was to take them to the oven for sintering, in accordance with their respective temperatures for each group of specimen. The results showed that the samples, sintered by powder metallurgy process, led to obtain parts of high porosity (according to the theoretical density). The predominant microstructure found in samples sintered at 1450 ºC consist in particles of Titanium and Niobium very irregulars and disproportionate in size, due to powders particles size difference, as shown by metallographic test. The compression test showed a low elasticity modulus due to high porosity and the results were considered low when compared to bone resistance. The hardness was not considered ideal, due to the high porosity.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)–induced Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a complex cellular pathway that causes epithelial cell scattering by breaking cell–cell contacts, eliminating apical–basal polarity, and replacing epithelial markers and characteristics with mesenchymal markers. Early EMT events include a brief period of cell spreading, followed by cell compaction and cell–cell contact breaks. A forward chemical genetics drug screen of 50,000 unique compounds measuring HGF–induced cell scattering identified 26 novel EMT inhibitors, including 2 proteolytic inhibitors. Here, we show that B5500–4, one of the EMT inhibitors from the screen, blocks HGF–induced EMT by a predicted blocking of the protease furin, in addition to secondarily blocking Beta–Secretase (BACE).We also show that MMP–12 and MMP–9 are required for HGF–induced EMT to progress. MMP–12 is required for cell contraction, and its inhibition produces a continuous cell spreading phenotype.We also demonstrate that both furin and BACE activity are required for HGF–induced EMT to proceed, but that they are involved in separate pathways. We show that BACE inhibition leads to a failure of cell spreading in early EMT, and that EphA2 is a member of this pathway. We also demonstrate that it is likely BACE2, and not BACE1 that is responsible for early cell spreading. Furin is also required for HGF–induced cell scattering, but does not play a role in the cell spreading process. These findings highlight the importance of proteolytic activity at the earliest stages of HGF–induced EMT.

Frequently, in evaluating plant deficiencies, one considers only those soil factors which are associated with the fertility of the soil-- mainly the levels of phosphorus, potash, nitrogen, and organic matter. A certain level of nutrition is essential for plant growth, but in order for the nutrients to exert their maximum influence on the productivity of the soil, it is equally important that a good soil environment be provided and maintained. A good environment requires that good physical conditions of soil, sir, and water be in balance.

The objective of manufacturing test is to separate the faulty circuits from the good circuits after they have been manufactured. Three problems encompassed by this task will be mentioned here. First, the reduction of the power consumed during test. The behavior of the circuit during test is modified due to scan insertion and other testing techniques. Due to this, the power consumed during test can be abnormally large, up to several times the power consumed during functional mode. This can result in a good circuit to fail the test or to be damaged due to heating. Second, how to modify the design so that it is easily testable. Since not every possible digital circuit can be tested properly it is necessary to modify the design to alter its behavior during test. This modification should not alter the functional behavior of the circuit. An example of this is test point insertion, a technique aimed at reducing test time and decreasing the number of faulty circuits that pass the test. Third, the creation of a test set for a given design that will both properly accomplish the task and require the least amount of time possible to be applied. The precision in separation of faulty circuits from good circuits depends on the application for which the circuit is intended and, if possible, must be maximized. The test application time is should be as low as possible to reduce test cost. This dissertation contributes to the discipline of manufacturing test and will encompass advances in the afore mentioned areas. First, a method to reduce the power consumed during test is proposed. Second, in the design modification area, a new algorithm to compute test points is proposed. Third, in the test set creation area, a new algorithm to reduce test set application time is introduced. The three algorithms are scalable to current industrial design sizes. Experimental results for the three methods show their effectiveness.

Les bandes de déformation sont des structures géologiques se mettant en place dans les matériels granulaires présentant une forte porosité (>15%). Ces structures peuvent être compactantes ou dilatantes et peuvent présenter une composante cisaillante. À l’échelle microscopique, il est possible d’observer une réorientation des grains, une compaction ou un cisaillement intense peut entrainer la fracturation de ces derniers (cataclase) pour former une fine zone déformée modifiant ainsi la porosité et la perméabilité de la roche. Ces bandes ont un impact sur la circulation des fluides en formant des barrières ou des drains dans le réservoir. La formation de ces structures est étroitement liée à la tectonique et aux paramètres sédimentologiques du matériel hôte. Comprendre et pouvoir prédire le mode de mise en place, les orientations et la distribution de ces bandes est l’objectif principal de cette thèse.Dans cette étude nous avons analysé un site de bandes de déformation observé dans le bassin de Tremp, au sein de la formation d’Aren, dans la zone Central Sud-Pyrénéenne. Nous avons pu définir la nature de ces structures grâce à des analyses macro- et micro-structurales couplées à une étude d’anisotropie magnétique permettant de déduire la direction de raccourcissement à l’origine de la mise en place de ces bandes. Deux principaux types de bandes cataclastiques sont alors mis en évidence: (1) des bandes de compaction pures, perpendiculaires au raccourcissement et (2) des bandes de compaction à composante cisaillante, obliques à cette même direction de raccourcissement.En comparaison avec le calendrier tectonique de la région et des données d’enfouissement relatif dans le temps de la formation étudiée. Nous avons fait l’hypothèse que ces deux familles de bandes sont apparues à faible enfouissement (< 1 km de profondeur), soit peu de temps après le dépôt et associées à la croissance du pli du Sant Corneli-Boixols. De telles structures ne sont pas communes pour un enfouissement superficiel et le faciès calcarénitique est mis en cause pour expliquer leurs apparitions.La mise en place de simulations analytiques basées sur des résultats d’expérimentations géomécaniques ont ensuite permis de contraindre le régime tectonique, l’orientation et les valeurs de ces contraintes nécessaires à la formation de ces deux types de bandes par rapport à l’enfouissement et la croissance du chevauchement. Les valeurs de contraintes attendues sont ici très faibles dans le cas d’une déformation très précoce.Enfin, nous avons testé ces observations et nos hypothèses à des modélisations numériques dans lesquelles nous avons analysé l’impact de la croissance d’un chevauchement et d’un pli de propagation de rampe. La distribution des contraintes et les potentielles bandes de déformation mises en place au sein d’un réservoir poreux situé en avant de ce pli ont été étudiées. Nous avons alors montré que nos hypothèses d’apparition superficielles de bandes de déformation étaient dépendantes de la position des enveloppes de ruptures (elles-mêmes dépendantes de la lithologie de la roche). Pour expliquer la mise en place des bandes étudiée dans ce mémoire, une résistance mécanique très faible de la roche est nécessaire pour permettre de former des bandes à moins d’un kilomètre de profondeur. / Deformation bands are geological structures that occur in porous and granular material presenting a high porosity (>15%). These structures can be identified as compactive or dilatant, a shear component is also often observed. At the microscopic scale, it is possible to observe a grain rearrangement and an intense compaction and or shearing can lead to grain crushing (known as cataclasis), to form a thin deform zone that will modify the porosity and permeability of the rock. Deformation bands have a non-negligible impact on fluid flow, creating a barrier or a drain in the potential reservoir. The formation of such structures is mainly linked to the tectonic activity but also to the facies and other sedimentological parameters of the host rock. The understanding and the prediction of the occurrence and distribution of the bands is the main objective of this thesis.In this study we analyzed a deformation band site found in the Tremp basin, in the Aren formation localized in the South Central Pyrenean Zone. We defined the nature of these structures with macro and microstructural analysis and by adding a study of the magnetic anisotropy to constrain the shortening direction responsible to the band formation. We evidence two major types of bands showing different orientations and behavior: (1) Pure compaction bands (PCB), perpendicular to the shortening and (2) Shear enhanced compaction bands (SECB), oblique to the same shortening.In comparison with tectonic schedule in the studied area and time vs. burial data of the formation, we deducted that both types of bands took place at a shallow burial (<1km depth), which means short times after deposition. This localized deformation, showing mainly cataclasis, is associated to the growth of the Sant Corneli-Boixols fold and thrust belt. Such structures are not common at a shallow depth and we propose that the calcarenite facies of the host rock is the key factor to explain the band occurrence.Thereafter, we made analytical simulations based on geomechanical experimentations results that allowed us to constrain the stress state and orientations needed to create these structure and to determine the timing of formation compared to the burial of the layers during the growth of the Boixols thrust. The stresses magnitudes are expected to be really low in the case of an early deformation.Finally, we tested and compared our observations and hypothesis to numerical modeling where we analyzed the impact of the growth of a fold and thrust belt on the stress state and orientations and the analysis of potential deformation bands occurrence. The stress distribution and the potential occurrence of deformation bands in a porous reservoir presenting different characteristics and located in front of this fold were studied.With the modelizations results, we exposed that our hypothesis of shallow deformation bands are dependent from the position of failure envelopes (that are dependent on the rock lithology). To explain the band formation we studied in this thesis, a weak mechanical strength of the host rock is needed to form deformation bands at less than a depth of one kilometer. The pure compaction bands are associated to a potentially early layer-parallel shortening (LPS).

This thesis examines the growth response and inter-relationships between shoots and roots of plants grown in compact soil. In the field, two topsoil and two subsoil conditions were created with five vegetable crops sequentially grown. Between 6 and 12% of the root system grew in the compact subsoil, which had a soil strength of 3.1 c.f. 1.9 MPa in the loosened subsoil. Both the root length density (Lv) and the specific root length were lower in the compact subsoil (80% and 30%, respectively). This had no effect on shoot growth when water and nutrients were well supplied. Compensatory root growth in the lose soil above the compact subsoil occurred in broccoli plants. As a result plants grown in soil with or without a compact subsoil had a similar total root length but with altered root distribution. When the water and nitrogen supplied to the soil was reduced, the lower subsoil Lv in the compact subsoil did not restrict water or N acquisition. This was possibly due to a large increase in the specific uptake per unit length of root, by the fewer roots in the compact subsoil. Compared to the subsoil treatments, only small changes in topsoil physical properties occurred when tillage was ceased. From the field trials the proportion and time of root growth into compact soil appeared important in determining the plant response. In a series of split-root experiments (horizontal and vertical arrangements of compact and loose soil) compensatory root growth in the loose soil only occurred when the root system was exposed to horizontally compact soil When compensatory root growth did not occur shoot growth was reduced. This resulted in there being a close relationship between total root length and leaf area. Further test results support a direct effect of mechanical impedance on shoot growth with a rapid (within 10 minutes) and large (50%) reduction in leaf elongation occurring when roots were mechanically impeded. In the field only plants whose roots were totally exposed to compact soil had reduced shoot growth with very compact subsoil having no effect. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Insitu cementitious stabilisation is an economical, environmentally sustainable and socially advantageous means of rehabilitating pavements. With the recent availability of a wide range of binders and advanced construction equipment, the characterisation of cementitiously stabilised pavement materials has become the focus of further advancement of this technology. Australian practice has moved towards the use of Indirect Diametric Tensile (IDT) methods for the characterisation of these materials. A draft protocol for the IDT test has been prepared and specifies samples to be compacted by gyratory compactor. This procedure provides for both monotonic and repeated load testing, which aims to measure the material???s strength, modulus and fatigue life. A range of host materials, including a new crushed rock and a reclaimed existing pavement base course, were assessed when stabilised with a General Purpose cement binder as well as with a slag-lime blended binder. Materials were assess for their inherent material properties, Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS), Unconfined Compression modulus, IDT strength and modulus under both monotonic and repeated load. A number of amendments and refinements to the testing protocol were recommended. These included the use of minimum binder contents to ensure the binder was uniformly distributed and to promote heavy binding of the materials to ensure they behaved elastically. It was also recommended that samples be gyratory compacted to a pre-determined sample height to allow a constant density to be achieved. The variability of the test results was examined. UCS results were found to be comparatively as variable as other researchers had reported. IDT strength results contained a similar level of variability, which was considered to be acceptable. Modulus results, both monotonic and repeated load, were found to be five to ten times more variable than strength results, which is a generally accepted trend for modulus testing. Under repeated loading, some challenges with the test protocol were encountered. The primary challenge was obtaining reliable and repeatable diametrical displacement data for modulus calculation. This was partially overcome by the insertion of smooth spacers to prevent the Linear Voltage Displacement Transformer (LVDTs) becoming caught on the sample sides. The achievement of reliable and repeatable IDT modulus results through improved displacement measurements should be the focus of future research efforts in this area.