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Testing of asphalt binders and asphalt-aggregate mixtures using dynamic mechanical analysis is becoming popular with improvements in high-speed computers, precision equipment, and computer software. Researchers are trying to describe the behavior of asphalt binders and asphalt-aggregate mixtures in terms of their time- and temperature-dependent linear viscoelastic behavior. The objectives of this thesis were to develop a simplified pneumatic test to perform dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), to evaluate the performance of the pneumatic and hydraulic test systems using the computer software developed to perform DMA tests, and, to develop a simplified method to evaluate the experimental data obtained from DMA tests on aged asphalt-aggregate mixtures. A simplified pneumatic test system was developed to perform DMA. Computer software was also developed to perform DMA testing on both the simplified pneumatic and hydraulic test systems. DMA was performed on both test systems to compare their performance, and on aged asphalt-aggregate mixtures to evaluate the application of the simplified method. The results from the pneumatic and hydraulic test systems show that there is about a 20 percent difference in the complex modulus, especially at high loading frequencies. This is due to the compressibility of the air used in the pneumatic test system. The compressibility of air is greater at warmer temperatures than at cooler temperatures. Therefore, the application of the pneumatic test system to perform dynamic testing should be limited to low frequencies ( < 2 Hz), low temperatures ( < 25°C), and low load ( < 454 kg (1000 lbs.)) applications unless a modification can be made to increase the pneumatic cylinder's response time to match the hydraulic cylinder's response time. The simplified analysis method developed in this thesis divides the DMA results into four complex modulus and five phase angle parameters. These parameters describe the shapes of the master stiffness and phase angle curves and distinguished between the different asphalt-aggregate mixtures and the aging methods performed on the aged asphalt-aggregate mixtures. The phase angle parameters were reduced into two variables, peak frequency and peak angle, which vary with the aging of each asphalt-aggregate mixture. The peak frequency and peak angle decrease as the aging severity increases and the change of peak frequency and peak angle vary with the asphalt-aggregate mixture and aging treatment. Therefore, the complex modulus parameters and peak frequency and peak angle may be good indicators to describe how a master curve's shape varies with asphalt, aggregate, and aging type. / Graduation date: 1993

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 A35 / Master of Science

By using a nonlinear computer analysis, a parametric study is developed in order to examine the accuracy of the Moment Magnifier Method of the American Concrete Institute Code (ACI 318-83). The variables used in the parametric study are: axial load intensity, P/Po; column reinforcement ratio, rho; slenderness ratio, klu; shape of column cross section, flexural stiffness ratio, and distribution of axial loads. In the parametric study, 216 cases of single bay fixed-base portal frames are examined. The higher moment for each one of these frames at failure are then compared with the design moment predicted by the Moment Magnifier Method of the American Concrete Institute Code (ACI 318-83). The Moment Magnifier Method proved to be very conservative when the columns are subjected to high level of axial loads and when the slenderness ratio is increased.

Microreproduction of original thesis. / Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 1990. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original microfiche copy. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: see item for full text / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: sien item vir volteks.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1959 R54

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 1994. / This thesis presents the details and results of an investigation into the effects of early age curing on the durability of concrete The two main objectives of the investigation were: to develop simple test methods, applied at relatively early ages, for measuring the effects of early-age moist curing on the advance of hydration in the cover zone of concrete; to quantify the effect of early age curing on the durability performance of concretes of various strength grades and made with different binder types. [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version]

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the durability, toughness, and strength of Synthetic Fiber Reinforced Concrete after being immersed in five separate environments for one year at FAU SeaTech. The specimens were molded and reinforced with two-inch Polypropylene/Polyethylene Fibers in a concrete aggregate matrix and were cut into identical sizes. Some of these environments had accelerated parameters meant to increase degradation to simulate longevity and imitate harsh environments or seawater conditions. The environments consisted of: a high humidity locker (ideal conditions), submerged in the Intracoastal Waterway (FAU barge), seawater immersion, a wet and dry seawater immersion simulating a splash/tidal zone, and another in low pH seawater. The latter three were in an elevated temperature room (87-95°F) which produced more degradative properties. The specimens were monitored and the environments were controlled. The specimens were then evaluated using the IDT test method using force to initiate first-cracking and post-cracking behaviors. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection