Submitted by CARLA MARIA GOULART DE MORAES (carlagm) on 2015-05-07T15:29:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MicheliSilveiraGoncalves.pdf: 3809253 bytes, checksum: 08117d13836ff905179bd2fbdae30d28 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-07T15:29:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MicheliSilveiraGoncalves.pdf: 3809253 bytes, checksum: 08117d13836ff905179bd2fbdae30d28 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-25 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / PROSUP - Programa de Suporte à Pós-Gradução de Instituições de Ensino Particulares / A preocupação com o meio ambiente e a escassez de recursos naturais tem levado à busca por alternativas de crescimento mais sustentáveis por parte de todos os segmentos da sociedade. Dentro desta corrida pelo bem estar ambiental, a reciclagem de resíduos tem se mostrado uma boa alternativa na redução do impacto causado pelo consumo desordenado de matéria-prima e pela redução das áreas de disposição, em virtude do grande volume de resíduos descartados a cada ano em todo mundo. Neste contexto encontram-se inseridos os resíduos da construção civil, foco deste trabalho, o qual tem como objetivo o estudo da influência da utilização de agregados reciclados de concreto para a produção de novos concretos e à verificação da potencialidade de reciclagem dos resíduos gerados pela indústria de pré-fabricados em concreto localizada no município de Porto Alegre. Para as novas matrizes de concreto confeccionaram-se três traços, com os dois resíduos gerados em maior quantidade pela indústria, sendo realizada a substituição do agregado graúdo natural pelo reciclado de concreto na quantidade de 50% em volume. Utilizou-se água de compensação na confeccção dos concretos com agregado reciclado devido as diferentes absorções de água. Nestes novos concretos verificou-se a influência do agregado reciclado sobre as propriedades mecânicas (resistência à compressão e à tração), propriedade de durabilidade (absorção de água) e observado o monitoramento da evolução da temperatura das reações de hidratação. A partir dos resultados obtidos realizaram-se análises estatísticas e apresentaram-se modelos matemáticos. Concluindo-se que os concretos confeccionados com ARCs, oriundos do processo de cura convencional, apresentaram acréscimo nas propriedades de resistência à compressão e à tração, enquanto os oriundos do processo de cura térmica, decréscimo quando comparados à referência. Já para a propriedade de absorção de água, verificou-se um aumento para os dois tipos de ARCs, quando compara-se à referência, não sendo este aumento significativo em escala real. Para o monitoramento da evolução da temperatura das reações de hidratação da pasta do concreto, verificou-se redução do início dos tempos, para as amostras contendo agregado reciclado, sem a presença de aditivo, ao comparar-se à referência, já para as amostras com aditivo, verificou-se maiores valores de temperatura, não sendo observada nenhuma tendência quanto ao início e fim dos tempos de evolução da temperarura das reações de hidratação das amostras de concreto. / The concern about the environment and the lack of natural resources has led all segments of society to the search for more sustainable alternatives of growth. In this run for environmental welfare, the recycling of material waste seems to be a good alternative for the reduction of the impact caused by the messy consumption of raw material and the reduction of provision areas, by virtue of the great amount of discarded waste every year in the world. In this context is the waste coming from civil construction, the focus of this work, which aims to study the influence of the use of recycled concrete aggregate for the production of new concrete and also the verification of the recycling potential of the waste generated by the industry ofprecast concrete located in the city of Porto Alegre. For new concrete matrixes crafted three traces, with the two waste materials generated in most part by the industry, having the replacement of the natural coarse aggregate been done with the recycled concrete in the volume of 50%. Compensation water was used in the making of concrete with recycled aggregate due to different levels of water absorption. In this new concrete was checked the influence of the recycled aggregate over the mechanical properties (resistance to compression and traction), durability property (water absorption) and was observed the monitoring of the evolution of temperature of the hydration reactions. From the results obtained, statistical analyses and mathematical models were made. It can be concluded that the concrete manufactured with RCAs (recycled concrete aggregate) coming from the conventional cure process showed increase in the properties of resistance to compression and to traction, while the ones coming from the process of thermal cure show decrease when compared to the reference. As for the property of water absorption, there is an increase for both kinds of RCAs when compared to the reference, not constituting a significant increase in real scale. For the monitoring of the temperature evolution of the hydration reactions of the concrete paste was verified decrease of the beginning of time for samples containing recycled aggregate without the presence of additive, when compared to the reference, was verified higher values of temperature, not having been observed any tendency regarding as start and end times for the evolution of temperarure the reactions of hydration of concrete samples.

L'Angélique (Dicorynia guianensis Amsh.) est une espèce forestière de Guyane très exploitée pour son bois mais ce dernier est connu pour présenter une durabilité naturelle variable, dont les conséquences peuvent être très lourdes pour l'utilisateur. Dans le cadre de cette thèse nous avons souhaité comprendre l'origine de la durabilité naturelle du duramen se l'Angélique afin d'appréhender sa variabilité pour mieux la prédire. Dans un premier temps, nous avons mis en oeuvre une stratégie d'échantillonnage basée sur l'étude architecturale de l'arbre pour appréhender la variabilité de la durabilité naturelle, ce qui a été confirmé par les essais biologiques réalisés. Nous avons par la suite évalué l'influence de potentiels facteurs mesurés dans le bois sur la durabilité naturelle. A ce titre, le rôle des extractibles a été évalué par des approches métaboliques ciblées et non ciblées, couplées à une stratégie de déréplication. La lignine et l'infradensité ont également été retenues comme facteurs de durabilité naturelle de l'Angélique. Enfin, ses caractéristiques propres à l'ontogénie se l'arbre ont été pris en compte et les résultats mettent en lumière l'importance du stade de développement de l'arbre ainsi que son environnement. Enfin, nous avons proposé ses outils spectroscopiques (moyen et proche infrarouge) simples, rapides et fiables pour prédire la durabilité naturelle. Ces résultats sont encourageants et suggèrent leur utilisation potentielle pour la filière bois pour prédire la durabilité naturelle du bois de l'Angélique. / Angélique (Dicorynia guianensis Amsh.) is a tree species in French Guiana that is heavily exploited for its wood, but it is known to have variable natural durability, which can be of severe consequences for the user. In this thesis we wanted to understand the origin of the natural durability of Angelique heartwood in order to understand its variability, to beter predict it. This multidisciplinary work combines wood sciences, natural products chemistry and microbiology. First, we implemented a sampling strategy based on the architectural profile of tree individuals to understand the variability of natural durabilityn which was confirmed by biological assays. We then assessed the influence of potential natural durability factors that we measured in the wood samples. As such, the role of metabolies was investigated using targeted and untargeted metabolomics, coupled with a dereplication strategy. Lignin and infradensity have also been tested as factors of durability for Angelique heartwood. Finally, factors that are related to tree ontogeny have been taken into account and the results highlight the importance of the stage development and the environment of tree individuals. Lastly, we have proposez esasy, fast and reliable spectroscopie tools (medium and near infrared) to predict the nartural durability. These results are encouraging and suggest their potential use by the timber industry to predict durability of Angélique heartwood.

La durabilité et la fiabilité sont deux facteurs clés dont la maîtrise est essentielle en vue de l’utilisation des composites à matrice céramique (CMC) pour des applications aéronautiques. Il est nécessaire pour cela de pouvoir estimer la durée de vie des structures en service. Cela requiert de quantifier l’endommagement mais aussi d’identifier les différents mécanismes qui en sont à l’origine. Il est donc indispensable d’une part de caractériser les matériaux et de définir les indicateurs d’endommagement les plus adaptés. D’autre part, l’utilisation ou le développement de modèles doivent permettre l’estimation de la durée de vie restante à partir de l’analyse des événements précurseurs associés à la croissance de l’endommagement. L’Emission Acoustique (EA) est une technique qui permet de répondre à cette problématique. En effet, les mécanismes d’endommagement s’accompagnent de libération d’énergie sous forme d’ondes élastiques transitoires. Leur détection, communément appelée émission acoustique, permet de suivre en temps réel le développement de l’endommagement du matériau. Ce moyen est mis en œuvre dans cette thèse qui comporte deux volets complémentaires. Le premier volet porte sur l’identification de la signature acoustique des différents mécanismes impliqués dans l’endommagement des composites à matrice céramique, en vue de permettre une caractérisation fine de la croissance de l’endommagement et de fournir des indicateurs pour la prévision de la rupture. Le second volet porte sur l’estimation de la durée de vie restante sous sollicitation de fatigue statique, à partir de l’émission acoustique en utilisant l’énergie des sources d’EA comme mesure de l’endommagement. Les travaux réalisés dans cette thèse montrent l’apport de l’EA pour l’analyse du comportement mécanique et la prévision de la durée de vie des CMC. Dans le premier volet, la caractérisation robuste des sources d’EA rend possible le suivi en temps réel de l’apparition de chaque mécanisme d’endommagement grâce à une analyse multivariable. Dans le second volet, deux indicateurs, calculables en temps réel, permettent d’identifier deux phases reproductibles dans le comportement des CMC sollicités en fatigue statique, à partir de la libération d’énergie des sources d’EA. La prévision en temps réel de la durée de vie restante est envisageable grâce à la détection de la seconde phase et à la modélisation, par une loi de type puissance, de la libération d’énergie associée. / Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are candidates for use in aeronautical applications for which durability and reliability are key factors. Beyond damage characterization, the current objective is to predict structures lifetime in service conditions. This requires quantifying damage evolution and identifying the various damage mechanisms that are involved. Therefore, it is necessary to characterize materials and define suitable damage indicators. The use or development of models would then allow the evaluation of remaining lifetime based on the analysis of precursory events. In this context, Acoustic Emission (AE) is a suitable technique. Indeed, damage mechanisms release energy in the form of transient elastic waves. Their recording, named Acoustic Emission, allows monitoring material damage growth. This technique is used in this work, which is composed of two complementary parts. The first part aims at identifying the acoustic signature of mechanisms involved in damaging of ceramic matrix composites. This would allow an accurate characterization of damage evolution and would provide indicators for rupture prediction. The second part focuses on the evaluation of remaining lifetime under static fatigue loading based on the energy of AE sources as a measure of damage. The following work shows the contribution of acoustic emission for the analysis of mechanical behaviour and lifetime prediction of CMCs. In the first part, a robust characterization of AE sources and the use of multivariate analysis allow monitoring the growth of each damage mechanism. In the second part, two reproducible phases in the behaviour of CMCs under static fatigue are identified on the AE sources energy release by two real-time indicators. The detection of the second phase and modelling of associated energy release by a power law would allow real-time prediction of the remaining lifetime.

The purpose of this work is to contribute to a process formaking buildings with good function and to avoid prematurefaults. The design, construction and installation of low-slopedroofs are important parts of creating a durable building. Mostof the leakages in low-sloped roofs occur where materials withdifferent thermomechanical properties are joined together. Withbetter knowledge about these joints, the expected service lifecould better be estimated. Common roofing materials onlow-sloped roofs are roof membranes. To avoid damages and to minimise energy consumption thedetection of air and water leaks is essential. It can bedifficult to localise a leak in e.g. a roof since water canflow far within the construction. Leakage detection can beapplied both as a quality assurance method after installationof low-sloped roofs and as field inspection methods. Theleakage detection can also be extended to terrace slabs and thewhole building envelope. To investigate the strength of jointsbetween sheet metaland roofing membranes, several small-scale tests and somelarge-scale tests were performed. The test methods weredeveloped to match the loads that can be expected on this kindof joints. A number of water leak-detection methods were evaluatedthrough application on test roofs. Some of the methods todetect leaks on low-sloped roofs can also be used to detect airleakage in other parts of the building envelope. To develop andevaluate air leak-detection procedures, selected methods wereused in two case studies. The circumstances regarding welding of the material jointswere found to have great impact on the strength. The roofshould be designed so no long-term strain will appear since acomparatively low stress may damage the joint over time. The performance of the leak-detection methods depends on theroofing material. All methods tested were an improvementcompared to visual inspections. Different recommendedapproaches for leakage detection and quality control is given.The case studies show that air leakage detection could beperformed with good accuracy. The potential difference methodcould without doubt be a tool for leakage localisation inwaterproofing layers both on roofs and in terrace slabs. <b>Keywords:</b>Roofing, roof membrane, durability,waterproofing, leakage, wind-load, non-destructive testing,NDT, BSL4, BSL3, air leakage, building envelope

In order to meet the need of metallurgical industry in the world, a new MgAlON-BN composite which can be used for example in special refractory nozzles, tubes and break rings for the continuous casting of steel was studied in the present thesis. The aim was to understand the mechanism of synthesis and their physicochemical properties during the application. Thus, the thermodynamic properties, synthesis process, mechanical properties, thermal shock behaviour, thermal diffusivity/conductivity as well as corrosion resistance to molten iron containing oxygen and molten slag of MgAlON and MgAlON-BN composites have been investigated. The Gibbs energy of formation of MgAlON was estimated using the method proposed by Kaufman. The phase stability diagram of Mg-Al-O-N-B was investigated, and consequently the synthesis parameters were determined. MgAlON and MgAlON-BN composites were fabricated by hot-pressing method. The composites obtained this way were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and HREM analyses. A Matrix-flushing method was employed in the quantitative XRD analysis for the multi-component samples to understand the mechanism of synthesis. The relationship between mechanical properties and microstructure of the composites was investigated. The experimental results indicated that BN addition has significant influence on the mechanical properties of the composites. These can be explained by the fact that BN has low Young’s modulus, density and non-reactive nature as well as considerable anisotropy of many properties such as thermal expansion, thermal diffusivity/conductivity. Thus, the addition of BN in MgAlON is likely to lead to the presence of microcracks caused by the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient. The microcracks result in the enhancement of the strength at elevated temperature and thermal shock durability of the composites. Effective thermal conductivities were evaluated from the present experimental results of thermal diffusivities, heat capacity and density. A model suitable for present composites has been derived based on Luo’s model. The predicted lines calculated by the model were in good agreement with experimental results. The reactions between the composites and molten iron as well as the slag were investigated by ‘‘finger’’ experiments and sessile drop experiments. Both experimental results indicated that the BN addition has positive influence on the corrosion resistance. These are attributed to the excellent corrosion resistance of BN to molten iron and slag, such as the higher contact angle between BN substrate and liquid iron and molten slag compared with that obtained for pure MgAlON. / QC 20100929

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a special type of concrete that flows under its own weight and spreads readily into place while remaining stable. Although SCC technology has been rapidly progressing over the last 20 years and continues to develop, the relationships between the fresh, hardened and durability properties of SCC are not well documented. The focus of this investigation is twofold. Firstly, the use of SCC necessitates reliable and accurate characterization of material properties. A variety of laboratory test methods are used to evaluate SCC’s plastic properties. Recognizing that various test methods evaluate the same plastic properties, there is a need to critically investigate the adequacy and sensitivity of each test. Secondly, outcomes from this project are expected to advance the fundamental understanding of the interplay between the fresh properties of SCC and their implications on hardened properties and durability performance.

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a special type of concrete that flows under its own weight and spreads readily into place while remaining stable. Although SCC technology has been rapidly progressing over the last 20 years and continues to develop, the relationships between the fresh, hardened and durability properties of SCC are not well documented. The focus of this investigation is twofold. Firstly, the use of SCC necessitates reliable and accurate characterization of material properties. A variety of laboratory test methods are used to evaluate SCC’s plastic properties. Recognizing that various test methods evaluate the same plastic properties, there is a need to critically investigate the adequacy and sensitivity of each test. Secondly, outcomes from this project are expected to advance the fundamental understanding of the interplay between the fresh properties of SCC and their implications on hardened properties and durability performance.

Wood pulp fibers are a unique reinforcing material as they are non-hazardous, renewable, and readily available at relatively low cost compared to other commercially available fibers. Today, pulp fiber-cement composites can be found in products such as extruded non-pressure pipes and non-structural building materials, mainly thin-sheet products. Although natural fibers have been used historically to reinforce various building materials, little scientific effort has been devoted to the examination of natural fibers to reinforce engineering materials until recently. The need for this type of fundamental research has been emphasized by widespread awareness of moisture-related failures of some engineered materials; these failures have led to the filing of national- and state-level class action lawsuits against several manufacturers. Thus, if pulp fiber-cement composites are to be used for exterior structural applications, the effects of cyclical wet/dry (rain/heat) exposure on performance must be known. Pulp fiber-cement composites have been tested in flexure to examine the progression of strength and toughness degradation. Based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), a three-part model describing the mechanisms of progressive degradation has been proposed: (1) initial fiber-cement/fiber interlayer debonding, (2) reprecipitation of crystalline and amorphous ettringite within the void space at the former fiber-cement interface, and (3) fiber embrittlement due to reprecipitation of calcium hydroxide filling the spaces within the fiber cell wall structure. Finally, as a means to mitigate kraft pulp fiber-cement composite degradation, the effects of partial portland cement replacement with various supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) has been investigated for their effect on mitigating kraft pulp fiber-cement composite mechanical property degradation (i.e., strength and toughness losses) during wet/dry cycling. SCMs have been found to be effective in mitigating composite degradation through several processes, including a reduction in the calcium hydroxide content, stabilization of monosulfate by maintaining pore solution pH, and a decrease in ettringite reprecipitation accomplished by increased binding of aluminum in calcium aluminate phases and calcium in the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) phase.

Materials derived from chicken feathers could be used advantageously in composite building material applications. Such applications could potentially consume the five billion pounds of feathers produced annually as a by-product of the U.S. poultry industry. To aid the development of successful applications for chicken feather materials (CFM), the physical and mechanical properties of processed CFM have been characterized in this research. Results describing the moisture content, aspect ratio, apparent specific gravity, chemical durability, Youngs modulus, and tensile strength for processed CFM and specifically their fiber and quill components are presented herein. Processed chicken feather fiber and quill samples were found to have similar moisture contents in the range of 16 - 20%. The aspect ratio (i.e., length/diameter) of samples were found to be in the range of 30 - 50, and the fiber material was found to have a larger aspect ratio than the quill material. A comparison with values in the literature suggests that different processing regimes produce CFM with higher aspect ratios. Samples were found to have apparent specific gravities in the range of 0.7 - 1.2, with the fiber material having a higher apparent specific gravity than the quill material. A comparison with values in the literature suggests that apparent specific gravity results vary with fiber length and approach the value for keratin as fiber length decreases and internal voids become increasingly accessible. Chemical durability results showed that CFM rapidly degrade in highly alkaline (pH=12.4) environments and are, thus, likely incompatible with cement-based materials without special treatment. The Youngs modulus of processed chicken feather materials was found to be in the range of 3 - greater than 50 GPa and, thus, comparable to the Youngs moduli of other natural fibers. The tensile strength of oven-dried samples was found to be in the range of 10 - greater than 70 MPa. In agreement with results in the literature, the fiber material was found to have a greater tensile strength than the quill material. Finally, a simplified approach for comparing the effective Youngs moduli and effective tensile strengths of various processed CFM samples was introduced.

In post-tensioned (PT) bridges, prestressing steel tendons are the major load carrying components. These tendons consist of strands, ducts, and cementitious grout that fill the interstitial space between the strands and ducts. However, inspections on PT bridges have reported the presence of voids, moisture, and chlorides inside grouted ducts as the major cause of accelerated corrosion of strands. Corrosion of the strands has resulted in PT bridge failures in Europe and tendon failures in the United States. As most of the PT bridges have high importance measures and the consequences of failure are significant, it is important to maintain high levels of safety and serviceability for these bridges. To meet this goal, bridge management authorities are in dire need of tools to quantify the long-term performance of these bridges. Time-variant structural reliability models can be useful tools to quantify the long-term performance of PT bridges. This doctoral dissertation presents the following results obtained from a comprehensive experimental and analytical program on the performance of PT bridges. 1) Electrochemical characteristics of PT systems 2) Probabilistic models for tension capacity of PT strands and wires exposed to various void and environmental conditions 3) Time-variant structural reliability models (based on bending moment and stress limit states) for PT bridges 4) Time-variant strength and service reliabilities of a typical PT bridge experiencing HS20 and HL93 loading conditions and different exposure conditions for a period of 75 years The experimental program included exposure of strand specimens to wet-dry and continuous-atmospheric conditions. These strand specimens were fabricated to mimic void and/or grout-air-strand (GAS) conditions inside the tendons. It was found that the GAS interface plays a major role in strand corrosion. The GAS interfaces that are typically located in the anchorage zones of harped PT girders or vertical PT columns can cause aggressive strand corrosion. At these locations, if voids are present and the environment is relatively dry, then limited corrosion of the strands occurs. However, if the presence of high relative humidity or uncontaminated and chloride-contaminated water exists at these interfaces, then corrosion activity can be high. The strands were exposed for a period of 12, 16, and 21 months, after which the remaining tension capacity was determined. The analytical program included the development of probabilistic strand capacity models (based on the experimental data) and the structural reliability models. The timevariant tension capacity predicted using the developed probabilistic models were reasonably consistent with the tendon failures observed in PT bridges in Florida and Virginia. The strength reliability model was developed based on the moment capacity and demand at midspan. Service reliability model was developed based on the allowable and applied stresses at midspan. Using these models, the time-variant strength and service reliabilities of a typical PT bridge were determined based on a set of pre-defined constant and random parameters representing void, material, exposure, prestress, structural loading, and other conditions. The strength and service reliabilities of PT bridges exposed to aggressive environmental conditions can drop below the recommended values at relatively young ages. In addition, under similar conditions the service reliability drops at a faster rate than the strength reliability.