A critical assessment of the current design theory for bolted joints which is based on a linear, one-dimensional stiffness analysis is presented. A detailed nonlinear finite element analysis of a bolted joint conforming to ANSI standards was performed. The finite element results arc presented in the classical bolted joint diagram and compared with the linear theory. The results revealed that the joint stiffness is highly dependent on the magnitude of the applied load. The joint stiffness changes continuously from extremely high for small applied loads to extremely low for large applied loads, contrary to the constant joint stiffness of the linear theory. The linear theory is shown to be extremely inadequate in characterizing the joint stiffness. The significance of the results in terms of the failure of bolted joints is discussed. Straight-forward analytical procedures are proposed for establishing estimates of the nonlinear stiffness description and the associate bolt loading in fatigue environments. The linear theory should be discarded and the more accurate nonlinear joint description be used. These results also provide the finite element community an improved model for the interconnection of substructures. The two-dimensional, axisymmetric finite element model includes bilinear gap elements to model the interfaces. Special orthotropic elements were used to model the bolt/nut thread interaction. A free-body-diagram approach was taken by applying loads to the outer diameter of the joint model which correspond to internal, uniformly distributed line-shear and line-moment loads in the joint. A number of convergence studies were performed to validate the solution. / Ph. D.

no abstract provided by author / Master of Science

Religious organizations are in a unique position to assist battered women. The purpose of this study was to survey counselor/advocates who work at battered women's shelters to determine what advice they have to give to religious organizations to improve their effectiveness in helping battered women. The sample for this study consisted of 91 counselor/advocates from 20 battered women's shelters in Virginia. A questionnaire was designed to determine the counselor/advocates' opinions about their clients' interactions with religious organizations as to how helpful, or not helpful, these organizations have been. The participants identified a number of ways that religious organizations could better meet the needs of battered women. First, religious leaders can become better informed about the dynamics of wife battering so that their attempts to help will not further endanger victims. Second, leaders can be more supportive of battered women by taking a more public stand against wife battering and by creating a more accepting, healing environment within their faith community. Next, those who are not trained to counsel individuals involved in wife battering need to learn to refer them to community agencies that are better prepared to help victims and their batterers. Finally, for battered women both inside and outside their faith communities, leaders can work with shelters to provide financial and other resources to assist these women as they search for ways to live in a violence free home environment. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study was to determine if habitat suitability criteria developed in the summer months for sma11mouth bass were transferable among streams representing different eco regions. Habitat suitability criteria were developed for depth, mean column velocity, cover and substrate for two size classes of sma1lmouth bass, 100-199mm and >200mm, in the North Anna River and Craig Creek, Virginia. Criteria that accurately describe habitat selection by a species or guild in a system different from where the criteria were developed are said to be transferable to that system. The transferability of suitability criteria between the North Anna River and Craig Creek, as well as depth and velocity criteria from Minnesota, the Huron River, Michigan and the Upper James River, Virginia, to the North Anna River and Craig Creek were tested using a 2x2 contingency table analysis. Depth criteria for the smaller sizes of sma1lmouth bass did not transfer well between regions; 4 of the 8 transferability tests (50%) failed. Depth criteria for larger sma1lmouth bass transferred to the North Anna River and Craig Creek in all cases. Velocity criteria developed for the smaller size classes did not transfer well among regions; only 3 of the 8 transferability tests were positive. Likewise, velocity criteria for larger sizes of smallmouth bass did not transfer well; only 1 of 8 tests were positive. General criteria were developed for depth and mean column velocity by averaging the suitability values reported from this and 3 other studies. General depth and velocity criteria transferred well to the North Anna River and Craig Creek for both the larger and smaller size classes of smallmouth bass; all depth tests were positive and 3 of 4 velocity tests were positive. The improved success of transferability warrants investigation of developing general criteria for smallmouth bass. Cover criteria for both size classes of smallmouth bass were transferable from the North Anna River to Craig Creek but not vice versa. Substrate heterogeneity criteria were not transferable between the North Anna River and Craig Creek for either size class of smallmouth bass. Criteria developed for the percentage of substrate particles >15cm (smallmouth bass >200mm only) were transferable from Craig Creek to the North Anna River but not vice versa. The transferability of habitat suitability criteria among regions was inconsistent and it is recommended that site-specific criteria be developed for each stream to which habitat assessments are applied. Additionally, nose velocities used were more consistent between the North Anna River and Craig Creek than were mean column velocities used. Hence, it is recommended that information on nose (focal point) velocities be incorporated into habitat studies to more accurately describe smallmouth bass velocity requirements. / Master of Science