This thesis discusses and documents the validation efforts related to Ontario’s LS-299 and LS-308 test methods which are two new test methods developed for the performance-based specification grading of asphalt cement. In addition, this report presents the field validation of a simple performance indicator, loss tangent, for specification grading of asphalt cement for thermal cracking. Furthermore, another objective of this study is to investigate and compare the low temperature fracture and rheological behavior of engineered asphalt materials from field and laboratory-aged test sections on Highway 655 in northern Ontario. Extracted asphalt cements from 20 contract sites in eastern and northeastern Ontario were tested according to Ontario’s LS-299 and LS-308 test methods. It was found that all good performing contracts that showed little or no distress showed low grade losses in LS-308 and retained high strain tolerances as measured in LS-299 compared to the poor performing contracts. Asphalt cements recovered from these 20 contract sites in eastern and northeastern Ontario were also tested in torsion bar geometry to determine their viscoelastic properties. It was decided to focus on the phase angle, as a more direct measure for low temperature performance. Phase angle is a very sensitive parameter to small changes in rheology as the phase angle is approximately equal to the derivative of the logarithm of the stiffness with respect to frequency. It was found that tan() was able to distinguish good from poor performers with 95% accuracy after only a short period of conditioning prior to testing. This is a considerable improvement over the current low temperature bending beam rheometer protocol. Black space diagrams, frequency sweeps, Cole-Cole plots, and master curves were generated for comparison of field and laboratory aged materials from the Highway 655 trial in northern Ontario. The findings show that chemical hardening occurs much faster in the field than through laboratory ageing methods. Also, reversible ageing of binders may occur at low temperatures and could be linked to field performance. Furthermore, a high low temperature phase angle appears to be a reasonable indicator for thermal cracking resistance. / Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2009-08-28 15:12:29.845

The lymphatic system is crucial for normal physiologic function, performing such basic functions as maintaining tissue fluid balance, trafficking immune cells, draining interstitial proteins, as well as transporting fat from the intestine to the blood. To perform these functions properly, downstream vessels (known as collecting lymphatics) actively pump like the heart to dynamically propel lymph from the interstitial spaces of the body to the blood vasculature. However, despite the fact that lymphatics are so important, there exists very little knowledge regarding the details of this active pumping. Specifically, it is known that external mechanical loading such as fluid shear stress and circumferential stress due to transmural pressure affect pumping response; however, anything other than simple, static relationships remain unknown. Because mechanical environment has been implicated in lymphatic diseases such as lymphedema, understanding these dynamic relationships between lymphatic pumping and mechanical loading during normal function are crucial to grasp before these pathologies can be unraveled. For this reason, this thesis describes several tools developed to study lymphatic function in response to the unique mechanical loads these vessels experience both in vitro and ex vivo. Moreover, this work investigates how shear stress sensitivity is affected by transmural pressure and how the presence of dynamic shear independently affects lymphatic contractile function.

No description available.

Asphalt mixtures are complex composites that comprise aggregate, asphalt binder, and air. Several research studies have shown that the mechanical behavior of the asphalt mixture is strongly influenced by the matrix, i.e. the asphalt binder. Therefore, accurate constitutive models for the asphalt binders are critical to ensure accurate performance predictions at a material and structural level. However, researchers who use computational methods to model the micromechanics of asphalt mixtures typically assume that (i) asphalt binders behave linearly in shear, and (ii) either bulk modulus or Poisson’s ratio of asphalt binders is not time dependent. This research develops an approach to measure and model the shear and bulk behavior of asphalt binders at intermediate temperatures. First, this research presents the findings from a systematic investigation into the nature of the linear and nonlinear response of asphalt binders subjected to shear using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR). The DSR test results showed that under certain conditions a compressive normal force was generated in an axially constrained specimen subjected to cyclic torque histories. This normal force could not be solely attributed to the Poynting effect and was also related to the tendency of the asphalt binder to dilate when subjected to shear loads. The generated normal force changed the state of stress and interacted with the shear behavior of asphalt binder. This effect was considered to be an “interaction nonlinearity” or “three dimensional effect”. A constitutive model was identified to accommodate this effect. The model was successfully validated for several different loading histories. Finally, this study investigated the time-dependence of the bulk modulus of asphalt binders. To this end, poker-chip geometries with high aspect ratios were used. The boundary value problem for the poker-chip geometry under step displacement loading was solved to determine the bulk modulus and Poisson’s ratio of asphalt binders as a function of time. The findings from this research not only improve the understanding of asphaltic materials behavior, but also provide tools required to accurately predict pavement performance. / text

Historical accidents and experimental investigations have made apparent that blast loaded concrete members are prone to fail in brittle shear rather than a ductile flexure mode. Air blasts from accidental detonations or explosives may cause severe damage to buildings and infrastructure and it is of great importance that load carrying members can withstand the impulse that arise to avoid progressive collapses. The aims of this thesis are, through explanation of blast loads as dynamic loads acting on structures and measuring of the effects of blast loads on reinforced concrete beams with shear reinforcement, to understand the mechanisms governing shear failure. Two hypotheses are therefore tested: That for a reinforced concrete beam with shear reinforcement, the mechanism governing dynamic shear failure is similar to that of static shear failure and that blast induced shear failure in reinforced concrete beams can be prevented through a sufficient amount of shear reinforcement. To meet the stated aims and test the hypotheses, a literature study was conducted together with numerical simulations using explicit non-linear finite element analysis software LS-Dyna.Previous experimental investigations on blast loaded reinforced concrete beams have displayed a possible shift in failure mode from a ductile flexural failure at static loading to a brittle shear failure at dynamic loading. The shifting may be a property of higher exciting frequencies of blast loads, inducing modes of vibration with larger portions of shear energy. The results obtained from the numerical analyses indicated that an increased ratio of shear reinforcement reduces the risks of a brittle shear failure as well as decrease beam deflections and concrete strains, while increasing strains in the tensile reinforcement.Analysis of the shear capacity and shear reinforcement design through methods given in Eurocode 2 and FKR 2011 were considered as supplementary to the FE analysis. FKR 2011 provided accurate estimations of the maximum dynamic support reactions. Eurocode 2 uses a more conservative approach resulting in lower values of the design shear strength.The conclusions are that for the given beam and blast load, brittle shear failures may be prevented through reduction of the spacing and increase of the bar diameter of the shear reinforcement. The increased plastic strain of the tensile reinforcement as well as measurements of shear crack widths, support reactions and strains in the concrete suggests that the beams with large ratio of shear reinforcement exhibit more ductile behaviour without reaching failure. / Historiska händelser och experimentella undersökningar har gjort gällande att betongelement utsatta för luftstötvåg är benägna att gå till spröda skjuvbrott snarare än sega böjbrott. Luftstötvågor från oavsiktliga detonationer eller explosivt gods kan orsaka svåra skador på byggnader och anläggningar och det är därför viktigt att bärande strukturer kan motstå impulsen som uppstår för att fortskridande ras ska undvikas. Målen med detta examensarbete är att, genom att förklara det dynamiska beteendet hos luftstötvågor som belastar konstruktioner och mätning av de effekter som uppstår av luftstötvågor på armerad betong med tvärkraftsarmering, förstå de mekanismer som ligger till grund för skjuvbrott. Som påföljd testas två hypoteser: Att mekanismerna som ligger till grund för dynamiska skjuvbrott hos armerade betongbalkar med tvärkraftsarmering är liknande som för de som styr statiska skjuvbrott, och att skjuvbrott till följd av luftstötvågor kan förhindras genom att förse balken med tillräcklig tvärkraftsarmeringsinnehåll. För att nå målen och testa hypoteserna så genomfördes en litteraturstudie tillsammans med numeriska simuleringar med explicit icke-linjär finita elementanalys i kommersiella programvaran LS-Dyna. Tidigare experimentella undersökningar av armerade betongbalkar utsatta för luftstötvåg har visar på en förflyttning i brottmod, från sega böjbrott vid statisk belastning till spröda skjuvbrott vid dynamisk belastning. Förflyttningen kan härstamma från luftstötvågens frekvensinnehåll som framkallar högre vibrationsmoder med större andel skjuvenergi.De erhållna resultaten från de numeriska analyserna indikerar att ett ökat tvärkraftsarmeringsinnehåll minskar risken för spröda skjuvbrott, minskar utböjning och töjningar I balken samtidigt som töjningar i dragarmeringen ökar.Analyser av tvärkraftskapaciteten och dimensionering av tvärkraftsarmering genom metoder givna i Eurocode 2 och FKR 2011 användes som komplement till finita elementanalysen. FKR 2011 gav träffsäkra uppskattningar av de dynamiska störreaktionerna grundade i dynamisk jämvikt. Emellertid var Eurocode 2 det mer konservativa tillvägagångssättet, vilket resulterade i lägre dimensionerande tvärkraftskapacitet. Slutsatserna som drogs var att, för den givna balken och luftstötvågen så kunde spröda skjuvbrott motverkas genom minskning av avstånden mellan tvärkraftsarmeringen och ökning av stångdiametern. De ökade plastiska töjningarna i dragarmeringen tillsammans med mätningar av skjuvsprickornas bredd, stödreaktionerna och töjningarna i betongen föreslår att balkarna med högt tvärkraftsarmeringsinnehåll visar på ett segare beteende utan att gå till brott.

El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo Realizar el diseño estructural con el proyecto de norma de diseño sismo resistente E.030-2014 y compararla con la a la E.030-2003 para comprobar sus ventajas e incidencia en el diseño de un edificio de cinco pisos destinados a multifamiliar, esta comparación se realizará durante el análisis sísmico del edificio, aplicando y comparando los parámetros de cada una de estas norma simultáneamente, para de esa manera comparar los resultados de las solicitaciones que producen a la hora de realizar el diseño estructural , también verificar en que porcentaje varían estas dos demandas y si este influye económicamente en la concepción de los planos estructurales del proyecto así como la influencias de los nuevos parámetros en el comportamiento sísmico del edificio en conjunto. La metodología a utilizar para el desarrollo de esta tesis es del tipo cuantitativo nivel descriptivo y de método diseño experimental y explicativo, longitudinal y prospectivo. . El proyecto que se utilizara para la comparación y el diseño estructural, se ubica en la ciudad de Lima en el distrito de Surquillo, sobre un terreno de 503.63m2 de área. El suelo está constituido de la grava típica de la ciudad de Lima, con un esfuerzo admisible (Capacidad Portante) del terreno de 4Kg. /cm2 a 1.30 m. de profundidad. Después haber realizar toda las etapas de diseño y enfocándonos en el análisis sísmico comparativo con las dos versiones de la norma E.030 obtenemos resultados muy próximos la diferencia de demanda sísmica está en el orden del 1%-6% y por eso a la hora de diseñar con los resultados de cualquiera de las dos versiones de la norma E.030, no causa problema desde el punto de vista económico. También se observa que hay parámetro que limitan la irregularidad en el edificio y mejoran el comportamiento sísmico de este. Se finaliza con la elaboración de los planos estructurales de todo el edificio que es uno de los objetivos fundamentales de esta investigación. This paper aims to Perform structural design with the draft of E.030-2014 earthquake resistant design and compare it with the E.030-2003 to check their benefits and impact on design a five-story building intended for multifamily, this comparison will take place during the seismic analysis of the building, using and comparing the parameters of each of these standards simultaneously, to thereby compare the results of the stresses that occur when making structural design, also check that these two percentage varying demands and economically if it influences the design of structural drawings of the project as well as the influences of the new parameters on the seismic behavior of the building as a whole. The methodology used to develop this thesis is the quantitative level and descriptive and explanatory experimental, longitudinal and prospective design method. . The project to be used for comparison and structural design, is located in the city of Lima in the district of Surquillo, on a land of 503.63m2 area. The floor is made of the typical gravel Lima, with allowable stress (bearing capacity) 4 kg terrain. / Cm2 to 1.30 m. deep. After having performed all stages of design and focusing on the comparative seismic analysis with two versions of the E.030 standard we get very close results the difference of seismic demand is in the order of 1% -6% and that at the time design with the results of either the E.030 standard versions, causes no problem from the economic standpoint. It is also noted that there are parameters that limit the irregularity in the building and improve the seismic performance of this. It ends with the development of structural plans of all the building that is one of the key objectives of this research.

The main objectives of this research were twofold: 1). to develop advanced material characterization techniques for bitumen, mastic and mortar aiming to improve the knowledge of the behavior of asphalt concrete at micro and meso scales, and 2). to develop an efficient macro-mechanical numerical model capable of determining flexible pavement responses to traffic and environmental loads.

Les ventes des fromages AOP subissent un affaiblissement. L’utilisation de ces fromages sous forme d’ingrédient représente une alternative intéressante à la dégustation et permettrait de maintenir une activité durable aux producteurs de ces fromages. L’objectif de ce travail est d’explorer les potentialités de 4 catégories de fromages à pâte persillée AOP du Massif-Central à être utilisés comme ingrédient à chaud pour répondre à des propriétés telles que « fondant, nappant, filant, gratinant». Les fonctionnalités recherchées pour ce type d’usage ont été prospectées à l’aide de méthodes physico-chimiques et instrumentales classiques mais également à l’aide de méthodes spectrales et sensorielles afin d’enrichir les observations de la macro et microstructure fromagère et de la perception du consommateur. Dans un premier temps, les caractéristiques physicochimiques, rhéologiques et sensorielles à froid et certaines propriétés à chaud ont été décrites pour les 4 catégories de fromages. Ces premiers résultats ont permis de cataloguer les fromages selon des caractéristiques essentiellement liées à l’organisation matricielle des composants tels que les protéines, les matières grasses, les minéraux. L’analyse sensorielle a permis de décrire précisément certaines propriétés à froid qui ne sont pas mises en évidence par d’autres analyses. Les pâtes persillées ont une grande hétérogénéité de pâte due à la présence de« veines » de moisissures. La seconde partie est une étude sur la capacité de la SFS en tant que méthode d’étude de la micro structure, à prédire la diversité de composition de ces fromages. Malgré la forte hétérogénéité des fromages, la SFS permet une « empreinte » identifiable des fromages et prédit certains mais pas la totalité des paramètres physicochimiques. L’évolution de la macro et microstructure de ces fromages au cours du chauffage et du refroidissement a ensuite été étudiée par SFS et par test de compression dynamique. Ces méthodes décrivent bien la fonte de la matière grasse et de la matrice fromagère. Elles sont corrélées entre elles et démontrent une relation entre la structure moléculaire et les propriétés rhéologiques de ces fromages. Une étude comparative des propriétés sensorielles des fromages a été menée à froid et après chauffage. Les attributs décrivent des caractéristiques de texture différentes entre les 2 conditions. Cette démarche a permis de bien différencier les 4 catégories de fromages et de mettre en évidence certains attributs de qualité ou de défaut pour une utilisation à chaud. En conclusion, ces 4 catégories de fromages à pâte persillée ont des potentialités à être utilisées comme ingrédient pour usage à chaud. L’analyse sensorielle a caractérisé les perceptions des consommateurs vis à vis de ces fromages chauffés et ainsi aider à préciser leurs fonctionnalités. Les analyses rhéologiques et spectrales ont apporté des explications liées à ce traitement au niveau de la macro et microstructure de la matrice fromagère. / Sales of PDO cheeses undergo a decline. The use of these cheeses in the form of ingredient represents an interesting alternative to the tasting and would allow to maintain a sustainable business activity to the producers of these cheeses. The objective of this work is to investigate the potentialities of four categories of Blue cheese PDO of the Massif Central as an ingredient to meet their properties during heating such as "melting, stretchability, browning". The functional properties desired for this type of cheese have been investigated by physico-chemical methods and instrumental classics and also by spectral method and sensory evaluations to enrich the observations of the macro and microstructure of the cheese and the consumer perception. First, the physicochemical, rheological, sensory characteristics and certain properties during heating have been reported for four categories of Blue cheese. These initial results allowed us to characterize the cheese studied according to their characteristics essentially which were related to the organization matrix constitutes such as proteins, fats, minerals. The sensory analysis allowed to describe exactly certain properties which are not revealed by theother analyses. Blue-veined cheeses have a great heterogeneity due to the presence of "veins" of mold. The second part is a study on the ability of the SFS method to study the micro structure and to predict the diversity of composition of these cheeses. Despite the high heterogeneity of cheeses, SFS allows an identifiable 'fingerprint' of cheese and predicts some but not the totality of the physicochemical parameters. The evolution of the macro-and microstructure of these cheeses during heating and cooling was then studied by SFS and dynamic shear test. These methods describe well the melting temperature of the fat and the cheese matrix. They are correlated between them and demonstrate a relationship between the molecular structure and the rheological properties of these cheeses. A comparative study of the sensory textural properties of cheeses was carried out in the non- and heated forms. The attributes describe different characteristics of texture between the two conditions. This approach allowed to differentiate well the four categories of cheeses and to highlight on certain attributes of quality or defects to be used in cooking application. In conclusion, these four categories of Blue-veined cheeses have the potential to be used as an ingredient in cooking application. The sensory analysis characterized the perceptions of the consumers in both non- and heated forms and thus helps to specify their features. The rheological and spectral analyses have provided explanations related to this treatment at the level of the macro and microstructure of the cheese matrix.

The Diploma thesis is focus on polymer modified bitumen for warm mix asphalt. The theoretical part of the thesis describes additives which influence the properties of bitumen for their use and reduction of production and service temperatures. Further, the theoretical part describes the conclusions from the researches. This part also describes empirical and functional tests of bituminous binders. The practical part presents the results of individual tests. Tests were performed on samples of non-aged, aged by RTFOT and RTFOT + PAV methods. The results of the work and the assessment of the suitability of bituminous binders are summarized at the end of the thesis.

The diploma thesis is focused on polymer modified binders with different polymer doses. The theoretical part describes the history of the use of bitumen, the extraction of bitumen from oil and behavious of the polymer type SBS/SB, which is used in the diploma thesis on modified binders. Further, the theoretical part describes the empirical and functional tests of bitumen binders. In the practical part the results of indidual tests are presented and compared with the standard ČSN 65 7222-1. At the end of the diploma thesis are summarized results of work and evaluation of binders with the best achieved properties.