Achilles tendinopathy is a debilitating condition affecting the entire spectrum of society and a condition that increases the risk of tendon rupture. Effective therapies remain elusive, as anti-inflammatory drugs and surgical interventions show poor long-term outcomes. Eccentric loading of the Achilles muscle-tendon unit is an effective physical therapy for treatment of symptomatic human tendinopathy. Post-injury analgesia is often achieved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen; however, there is increasing evidence that NSAID usage may interfere with the healing process. The deposition of aggrecan/hyaluronan (HA)-rich matrix within the tendon body and surrounding peritenon impede tendon healing and result in compromised biomechanical properties. Herein, we present work investigating chemical, biological, and mechanical loading approaches to treating Achilles tendinopathy in a murine model. Our previously established TGF-ß1-induced murine model of Achilles tendinopathy was used to investigate the cellular mechanism by which ibuprofen (chemical) therapy might lead to a worsening of tendon pathology, potentially by interfering with the native inflammation phase of tendon healing. We conclude that the use of ibuprofen for pain relief during inflammatory phases of tendinopathy has detrimental effects on the turnover of a pro-inflammatory HA matrix produced ain response to soft-tissue injury, thus preventing the switch to cellular responses associated with functional matrix remodeling and eventual healing. We examined the therapeutic potential of a recombinant human hyaluronidase, rHuPH20 (biologic, FDA approved for reducing HA accumulation in tumors) in a novel Achilles tendinopathy and retrocalcaneal bursitis injury model. The potential of rHuPH20 to effectively clear the pro-inflammatory, HA-rich matrix within the retrocalcaneal bursa (RCB) and tendon strongly supports the future refinement of injectable glycosidase preparations as potential treatments to protect or regenerate tendon tissue by reducing inflammation and scarring in the presence of bursitis or other inducers of damage such as mechanical overuse. Finally, we developed a novel mouse model of hind limb muscle loading (mechanical) designed to achieve a tissue-targeted therapeutic exercise. When applied to a murine Achilles tendinopathy model, muscle loading led to a significant improvement in Achilles tendon biomechanical outcome measures, with a decrease in cross-sectional area and an increase in material properties, compared to untreated animals. Our model facilitates the future investigation of mechanisms whereby rehabilitative muscle loading promotes healing of Achilles tendon injuries. Overall, these findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of injury and treatment in Achilles tendinopathy injuries. / Doctor of Philosophy / Achilles tendinopathy is a chronic, overuse condition affecting the entire spectrum of society and a condition that increases the risk of tendon rupture. Therapies are limited, as anti-inflammatory drugs and surgical interventions show poor long-term outcomes. Drugs such as ibuprofen are commonly prescribed at the onset of injury to treat pain. Eccentric loading of the Achilles muscle-tendon unit is an effective physical therapy for treatment of human tendinopathy; however, the reasons driving the healing are not well understood. Characteristics of the disease include pain, increased tendon size, and disorganization of tendon fiber structure. Here, we present work investigating chemical, biological, and mechanical loading approaches to treating Achilles tendinopathy in a mouse model. Our mouse model of Achilles tendinopathy was used to investigate how ibuprofen (chemical) therapy might lead to a worsening of tendon by potentially interfering with the inflammation phase of tendon healing. We conclude that the use of ibuprofen for pain relief during inflammatory phases of tendinopathy has negative effects on the turnover of matrix produced in response to injury, affecting the transition to the next phase in the tendon healing response. We examined the potential of a recombinant human hyaluronidase, rHuPH20 (biologic, FDA approved for reducing HA accumulation in tumors) in a novel Achilles tendinopathy and retrocalcaneal bursitis injury model. The potential of rHuPH20 to effectively clear the proinflammatory, HA-rich matrix within the retrocalcaneal bursa (RCB) and tendon strongly supports the future refinement of injectable treatments as a potential to protect or regenerate tendon tissue by reducing inflammation and scarring in the presence of bursitis or other inducers of damage such as mechanical overuse. Finally, we developed a mouse model of hind limb muscle loading (mechanical) based on physical therapy exercises. This model led to an improvement in biomechanical measures compared to untreated animals. The model allows for investigation of the underlying mechanisms in which physical therapy promotes healing of Achilles tendon injuries. Overall, these findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of injury and treatment in Achilles tendinopathy injuries.

As invasive species are so prominent, the influence of wildfire intensity on fuel loading, invasives, species richness, diversity, and evenness were studied at Shenandoah National Park. Most National Parks identify invasive species as the biggest threat to their goal of maintaining native ecosystems. Eight study sites were stratified into three burn classes (high intensity, low intensity, and control), and three transects were randomly located so that nested plots and fuel transects were measured at a distance of 50 ft (15 m), 150 ft (45 m), and 250 ft (75 m) from a road or trail. Field sampling was conducted between May 15, 2004 and June 30, 2004. A subsample of these plots were used to determine specific gravity and quadratic mean diameter for each size class of fuel and to determine the bulk density of the duff and litter layers. High intensity wildfires initially reduced species diversity and evenness in the tree and herbaceous strata, but after 14 years tree species diversity and evenness returned to levels found in unburned areas, while herbaceous strata diversity was not associated with time since burn. Low intensity wildfires resulted in the greatest impacts in the shrub stratum. Presence of invasive species was associated with more even and diverse vegetation in all strata, perhaps because invasive species were relatively sparse. Fuel loadings were reduced initially by high intensity wildfires, but quickly returned to the same level as unburned areas. Although these initial findings indicate that invasive species will not persist after wildfire disturbance, continual monitoring by National Parks would be prudent. / Master of Science

The experimental study reported upon in this thesis focused on the development of physical data characterizing the behavior of single-shear, laterally-loaded connections when loaded up to and beyond capacity (i.e., maximum resistance). Specimens included a wide array of connection configurations common in wood construction. All connections were tested monotonically in tension under displacement-controlled loading, parallel to the grain. Results of these tests are presented and discussed. Test variables of nailed connections included nail diameter, side member material type, and side member thickness. Test variables of bolted connections included bolt diameter, commercial species grouping of the main and side members, and main member thickness. Conclusions drawn from this research include mechanics-based explanations of numerous connection response trends observed with respect to test variables. Additionally, observed factors of safety and over-strengths of current design values are quantified on a capacity-basis. / Master of Science

Lake Manassas is a man-made impoundment in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. The lake currently supplies drinking water at an average rate of 10.5 million gallons per day to the City of Manassas, Virginia. The lake discharges, via the Broad Run, a tributary of the Occoquan Reservoir. The Occoquan Reservoir supplies potable water to over 750,000 people in the Northern Virginia area. This thesis presents the results of a limnological analysis of Lake Manassas. The techniques used are established limnological techniques to arrive at a profile which can be compared to accepted scales of ranking. One conclusion from the analysis is that Lake Manassas is eutrophic, which means that the production of biomass in the lake is at a higher than desired rate. The result of this eutrophic condition is that the water quality of the lake will decline rather rapidly. Another conclusion is that Broad Run is the major supplier of nutrients into Lake Manassas, but that conditions are also affected by a point source discharge from a sewage treatment plant. These conclusions are consistent with previous studies done on Lake Manassas. In summary, Lake Manassas is an important water resource in the Northern Virginia area, and it is important to continue to closely monitor and manage runoff practices in the watershed to ensure the lake does not degrade to unacceptable conditions. / Master of Science

The interest in the use of aluminum as a structural material in marine applications has increased greatly in recent years. This increase is primarily due to the low weight of aluminum compared to other structural materials as well as its ability to resist corrosion. However, a critical issue in the use of any structural material for naval applications is its response to fire. Past experience has shown that finite element programs can produce accurate predictions of failure of structural components. Parameter studies conducted within finite element programs are often easier to implement than corresponding studies conducted experimentally. In this work, the compression-controlled failures of aluminum plates subjected to an applied mechanical load and an applied heat flux (to simulate fire) were predicted through the use of finite element analysis. Numerous studies were completed on these finite element models. Thicknesses of the plates were varied as well as the applied heat flux and the applied compressive stresses. The effect of surface emissivity along with the effect of insulation on the exposed surface of the plate was also studied. The influence of the initial imperfection of the plates was also studied. Not only were the physical conditions of the model varied but the element type of both the solid and shell models as well as the mesh density were also varied. Two different creep laws were used to curve fit raw creep data to understand the effects of creep in the buckling failure of the aluminum plates. These predictions were compared with experiments (from a previous study) conducted on aluminum plates of approximately 800mm in length, 200mm in width, 6-9mm in thickness and clamped at both ends to create fixed boundary conditions. A hydraulic system and a heater were used to apply the compressive load and the heat flux respectively. Comparisons between predicted and experimental results reveal that finite element analysis can accurately predict the compression-controlled failure of aluminum plates subjected to simulated fire. However, under certain combinations of the applied heat flux and compressive stress, the mesh density as well as the choice of element may have a significant impact on the results. Also, it is undetermined which creep curve-fitting model produces the most accurate results due to the influence of other parameters such as the initial imperfection. / Master of Science

Provas de carga dinâmicas em sete tubulões, de oito metros de comprimento e 0,60 m de diâmetro de fuste, sendo quatro com 1,5 m de base alargada, são apresentadas. Resistências mobilizadas determinadas pelo PDA e pela utilização de métodos que empregam medidas de repique elástico, em particular, os métodos de CHELLIS-VELLOSO e UTO et al. (1985) são comparadas. Várias seqüências de carregamento foram efetuadas, de modo a se ter uma ideia da influência de carregamentos sucessivos no comportamento dos tubulões. Constatou-se que o método de CHELLIS-VELLOSO apresentou resultados sofríveis em relação às resistências encontradas pelas análises CAPWAP, mas que melhoram à medida que sucessivos carregamentos são impostos aos tubulões, por causa do gradual comportamento de tubulões escavados em tubulões \"cravados\", pelo acúmulo de tensões residuais de cravação. Este fato pode ser corroborado pela aplicação do Princípio de Hamilton aos tubulões, fazendo crer que a realização de um ensaio de carregamento dinâmico em elementos de fundação moldados in loco necessita de uma suficiente penetração líquida deste elemento no terreno - da ordem do seu diâmetro, se este for de seção uniforme -, ou seja, sua transformação em um elemento de comportamento \"cravado\". Em alguns tubulões, provas de carga dinâmicas foram efetuadas com o solo em estado natural e inundado, a fim de se determinar a influência da colapsibilidade na resistência mobilizada, conforme o nível de energia aplicado. Verificou-se que em um tubulão submetido a uma inundação prévia do terreno por 48 h, as resistências mobilizadas foram inferiores às encontradas nos demais, para um mesmo nível de energia, muito provavelmente pela ação deletéria da água na colapsibilidade do solo em tela. / Dynamic Loading Tests (DLT) on seven caissons 8 m length and 0,60 m shaft diameter are presented, being four caissons with 1,5 m enlarged base diameter. Mobilized resistances determined both through PDA and rebound measurement methods as CHELLIS-VELLOSO and UTO et al. (1985) are compared. SeveraI successive loadings were performed in order to obtain assessment of the influence of the loading sequence in the caisson behavior. It was observed what CHELLIS-VELLOSO method showed very poor agreement with the obtained resistances through the CAPWAP analysis. Nevertheless, it was noted what the more the caissons are submitted to successive loadings, the closer are the results between CAPWAP analysis and CHELLIS-VELLOSO method, because the cast-in-place caisson is gradually switched to a driving caisson due to driving residual stress accumulations. To allow this to happen, it is necessary to have a net set value close to the shaft diameter in caisson without enlarged base. These facts were confirmed through the application Hamilton\'s Principle to tested caissons. In some caissons DLT were performed with natural and soaked soil conditions in order to know the collapsible influence in the mobilized resistances. lt was verified what 48 hours previous soaked soil resulted in lowest resistances than observed in the other caissons to the same energy level. This fact may justify the harmful action of the water in the reduction of resistance in collapsible soils.

Em virtude da presença cada vez mais frequente de solicitações cíclicas nas estruturas de engenharia e do aprimoramento da análise de projetos, os ensaios em solos sob carregamentos cíclicos tiveram seu interesse renovado nos últimos anos. Os ensaios de laboratório são realizados de forma que simulem, da melhor maneira possível, as condições observadas em campo. Tais condições auxiliam na escolha dos ensaios a serem conduzidos para a determinação de parâmetros geotécnicos relevantes a cada situação observada em campo. Dentre os ensaios empregados na Engenharia Geotécnica, destaca-se o simple shear. Este ensaio é conhecido e utilizado para medir a resistência ao cisalhamento e a rigidez de solos. Este é o único ensaio de laboratório capaz de submeter uma amostra a condições de deformação plana sob volume constante e permitir a rotação das tensões principais. Tais condições são frequentemente representativas em diversas situações em campo como, por exemplo, o modo de cisalhamento adjacente ao fuste de uma estaca ou sob plataformas offshore com base gravitacional. Nesse contexto, um equipamento foi desenvolvido para a realização de ensaios do tipo simple shear. O aparato conta com uma câmara, na qual é aplicada pressão à amostra de solo. Diferenciando-se do equipamento comercial para tais ensaios, que emprega uma membrana com anéis metálicos, a amostra de solo neste equipamento é envolta por uma membrana de látex, o que possibilita a consolidação de forma isotrópica ou anisotrópica. Quanto ao carregamento, o equipamento desenvolvido permite que o carregamento seja realizado de forma monotônica ou clíclica. Quando do carregamento cíclico, este pode ainda ser realizado de forma a se manter a tensão controlada ou a deformação. Foram conduzidos ensaios de calibração e validação do equipamento empregando-se uma areia fina de granulometria uniforme cujas propriedades são amplamente conhecidas através de outros ensaios. Os resultados obtidos foram então comparados com estudos no mesmo material em equipamentos triaxiais, cisalhamento direto e outro simple shear. Os resultados mostraram-se satisfatórios, validando o equipamento desenvolvido. / In view of the ever more frequent presence of the cyclic solicitations on Engineering structures and the enhancement of design analysis, the soil testing under cyclic loading conditions had its interest renewed in the last years. The laboratory tests are conduced in a way that simulates, in the best way possible, the observed field conditions. Said conditions aid on the choice of the tests to be conducted in order to determinate the relevant geomechanics parameters.to each situation observed on the field. Among the employed tests in Geotechnical Engineering, it is highlighted the simple shear. This test is known and used to measure the shear strength and soil righty. This is the only laboratory test capable of submitting the sample to plane strain conditions under constant volume and allows the main stress rotations. Said conditions are frequently representative in many field situations, such as, the adjacent shear mechanism to the shaft of a pile or, under offshore platforms with gravitational base. In this context, a equipment was developed to perform simple shear tests. The apparatus has a chamber, in which it is applied confining pressure to the soil sample. Contrasting from the commercial equipment for said tests, that uses a membrane with metallic rings, in this equipment the soil sample is involved by a latex membrane, allowing the consolidation being carried out isotropically or anisotropically. The loading on this equipment can be conduced on monotonic or cyclic conditions. The cyclic loading can even be conduced by controlling the deformation or the stress. Calibration and validation testes where conduced on the equipment using a fine sand of uniform granulometry which properties are largely known through other tests. The obtained results where then compared to other tests carried out on the same material in triaxial tests, direct shear and other simple shear, The results obtained were considered satisfactory, validating the developed equipment.

No description available.

Extreme hurricane events of the past decade are responsible for several drag embedment anchor (DEA) mooring failures of mobile offshore drilling platforms stationed within the Gulf of Mexico. A proposed failure mechanism is caused by out-of-plane loading. The current status of DEA holding capacity is based on empirical design charts and does not include the effects of out-of-plane loading. Experimental modeling using a 1:10 scale generic DEA was performed at the Haynes Coastal Engineering Laboratory at Texas A & M University to examine the effects of out-of-plane load conditions. Instrumentation and specialized devices were constructed to measure the anchor's trajectory through a representative sample of Gulf of Mexico clay with average un-drained shear strength of 0.764 kPa (16 psf). The sediment basin allowed for drag distances of 4.87 m (16 ft) and an embedment depth of 1.37 m (4.5 ft). The measurements included pitch and roll of the anchor and line tension measured at the shank pad-eye. The variables modeled were fluke angle settings of 22°, 36° and 50°. The initial towline angle was varied from a minimum of 5° to upwards of 20°. Surface out-of-plane angles of 45° and 90° and embedment loading of 15°, 30° and 45° were examined. Curves of the ultimate holding capacity with respect to the out-of-plane towline angle and ultimate embedment depth were developed as functions of out-of-plane loading angles. Analysis of the rate effect indicates that a 46 percent increase in towing velocity causes an average 3 percent increase of holding capacity. The 50° fluke angle embeds an average of 0.7 fluke lengths deeper and has a holding capacity of 0.73 units greater than the 36° setting. The surface out-of-plane tests have a 5.1 percent reduction in holding capacity as the out-of-plane load angle increases from 45° to 90°. For all one fluke length initial towing distance tests, the ultimate holding capacity increases and the ultimate embedment depth decreases as the out-of-plane towing angle increases from 15° to 45°. The three fluke length initial towing distance tests indicate a contrasting trend, in that as the out-of-plane tow angle increases, both the ultimate holding capacity and ultimate embedment depth decrease.

Dissolution of soluble substrates such as gypsum presents a major hazard to dams in many parts of the world. This research simulates hypothesised conditions beneath the Mosul Dam, northwest Iraq, where collapse of a karstic system associated with continuous fresh water supply from its massive reservoir water is a recognised problem. The gypsum substrates at Mosul Dam vary in purity and thickness. Experimental work used gypsum rocks and gypseous soils. Gypsum rocks from northern Iraq and similar rocks from Bantycock gypsum mine, UK, were analysed for short-term mechanical response following immersion (5 to 50 weeks) and long-term loading during immersion (maximum 50 weeks). New experimental devices were developed from a conventional oedometer. Cylinder samples (NX, standard diamond drill core size = 54mm diameter, length/diameter ratio equal to 2.5) provided a proxy for massive gypsum strata, while thin samples (NX = 54mm in diameter, 20mm thickness) represented thin layers and lenses. Rectangular bar samples (240 x 40 x 20 mm and 140 x 40 x 20 mm) were tested for short-and long-term mechanical four-point bending behaviour. Samples were permanently submerged at a variety of water pressures, with the influence of groundwater recharge and flow on dissolution simulated by regular changes of water. Stress on each sample was progressively increased to a maximum of 2688 kPa. Small increases in strain were recorded by the end of each test but no failures occurred within 60 days of tests. However, notable failure due to water pressure and axial stress over long time periods of 166 and 238 days occurred. Visible physical changes were observed, notably a decrease in sample mass and volume. Similar change was recorded in ultrasonic velocities. These indicate that gypsum collapse risk beneath dams requires prolonged exposure to dissolution. Gypseous soils from Iraq and similar artificially-prepared soils were also tested. Gypseous soil samples (diameter = 50mm and length = 20mm) and box model strata results showed that gypseous soils are significantly weakened by dissolution over 15 weeks and 50 weeks respectively. Dams built on gypsum substrates are likely to experience ongoing weakening of their foundations, with a progressively increasing risk of failure. This is expected to be enhanced for dams with a large and deep reservoir that induces high ground water pressure.