This dissertation evaluates the behavior of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil (GRS) retaining structures under various soil stress states, with specific interest in the development and distribution of soil and reinforcement stresses within these structures. The stress distribution within the GRS structures is the basis of much of the industry’s current design. Unfortunately, the stress information is often not directly accessible through most of current physical testing and full-scale monitoring methods. Numerical simulations like the finite element method have provided good predictions of conservatively designed GRS structures under working stress conditions. They have provided little insight, however, into the stress information under large soil strain conditions. This is because in most soil constitutive models the post-peak behavior of soils is not well represented. Also, appropriate numerical procedures are not generally available in finite element codes, the codes used in geotechnical applications. Such procedures are crucial to properly evaluating comparatively flexible structures like GRS structures. Consequently, this study tries to integrate newly developed numerical procedures to improve the prediction of performance of GRS structures under large soil strain conditions. There are three specific objectives: 1) to develop a new softening soil model for modeling the soil’s post-peak behavior; 2) to implement a stress integration algorithm, modified forward Euler method with error control, for obtaining better stress integration results; and 3) to implement a nonlinear reinforcement model for representing the nonlinear behavior of reinforcements under large strains. The numerical implementations were made into a finite element research code, named Nonlinear Analysis of Geotechnical Problems (ANLOG). The updated finite element model was validated against actual measurement data from centrifuge testing on GRS slopes (under both working stress and failure conditions). Examined here is the soil and reinforcement stress information. This information was obtained from validated finite element simulations under various stress conditions. An understanding of the actual developed soil and reinforcement stresses offers important insights into the basis of design (e.g., examining in current design guidelines the design methods of internal stability). Such understanding also clarifies some controversial issues in current design. This dissertation specifically addresses the following issues: 1) the evolution of stresses and strains along failure surface; 2) soil strength properties (e.g., peak or residual shear strength) that govern the stability of GRS structures; 3) the mobilization of reinforcement tensions. The numerical result describes the stress response by evaluating the development of soil stress level S. This level is defined as the ratio of the current mobilized soil shear strength to the peak soil shear strength. As loading increases, areas of high stress levels are developed and propagated along the potential failure surface. After the stress levels reach unity (i.e., soil reaches its peak strength), the beginning of softening of soil strength is observed at both the top and toe of the slope. Afterward, the zones undergoing soil softening are linked, forming a band through the entire structure (i.e., a fully developed failure surface). Once the band has formed and there are a few loading increments, the system soon reaches, depending on the tensile strength of the reinforcements, instability. The numerical results also show that the failure surface corresponds to the locus of intense soil strains and the peak reinforcement strain at each reinforcement layer. What dominates the stability of GRS structures is the soil peak strength before the completed linkage of soil-softening regions. Afterward, the stability of GRS structures is mainly sustained by the soil shear strength in the post-peak region and the tensile strength of reinforcements. It was also observed that the mobilization of reinforcement tensions is disproportional to the mobilization of soil strength. Tension in the reinforcements is barely mobilized before soil along the failure surface first reaches its peak shear strength. When the average mobilization of soil shear strength along the potential failure surface exceeds approximately 95% of its peak strength, the reinforcement tensions start to be rapidly mobilized. Even so, when the average mobilization of soil strength reaches 100% of its peak shear strength, still over 30% of average reinforcement strength has not yet been mobilized. The results were used to explain important aspects of the current design methods (i.e., earth pressure method and limit equilibrium analysis) that result in conservatively designed GRS structures. / text

A method for numerical simulation of train induced track vibration and wave propagation in subgrade has been proposed. The method uses a mass to simulate the bogie of a train and considers the effect of rail roughness. For this method, rail roughness is considered as a randomly generated signal and a filter is used to block the undesired components. The method predicts the particle velocity around the track and can be applied to many kinds of railroad trackbeds including traditional ballast trackbed and modern Hot mix asphalt (HMA) trackbed. Results from ballast and HMA trackbeds are compared and effects of HMA layer on damping track vibration and dissipating wave propagation are presented. To verify the credibility of the method, in-track measurements were also conducted. Site measurements included performing geophysical tests such as spectral analysis of surface wave test and seismic refraction test to determine the subsurface conditions at the test site. Ballast and HMA samples were tested in the laboratory by resonant column test to obtain the material properties. Particle velocities were measured and analyzed in the frequency domain. Results from in-track tests confirm the applicability of the numerical method. The findings and conclusions are summarized and future research topics are suggested.

The objective of this study was to determine if acoustic emissions (AE) generated by three strains of Escherichia Coli (5024-parent strain, 8279-mutant strain and 8279-random/unrelated strain) could be used to differentiate each strain during their growth cycle. An acoustic sensor with an operating range of 35 kHz-100 kHz was inserted into the growth vessel and attached to a selected channel to capture AE data. The growth vessel was loaded with 60 ml of tryptic soy broth (TSB) (0.25% fructose) media with alginate (1.1%) or without alginate and inoculated with 1% (108 CFU/ml) of an E. coli strain. The growth vessel was placed in a monitoring chamber and incubated at 32°C for 8-9 h. The AE’s generated by each strain were collected throughout the growth cycle. All strains grown in media with and without alginate generated AE’s within 5 min post inoculation. Strains grown in media without alginate generated stronger (P < 0.0001) absolute energy (ABSE) and higher peak frequencies (PFRQ’s), than in media with alginate. The AE’s generated by strains 5024 and 8237 were stronger and easily distinguished from those generated by strain 8279. Strain 8237 generated 12% stronger ABSE from the 3rd to 8th h and 51% stronger PFRQ intensities than strain 5024 during 0-8 h. However, strain 5024 generated 15% stronger ABSE and 31% higher PFRQ’s during the final hour of growth. Strain 5024 generated the highest PFRQ’s from 5-50 kHz, while strain 8237 generated higher frequencies from 100-500 kHz. Fourteen distinguishable differences (P< 0.05) in generated PFRQ’s, between strains 5024 and 8237, were also observed in every 5 kHz increments from 100-500 kHz. Of these differences, strain 8237 generated higher frequencies within eight of the kHz ranges, while strain 5024 generated higher frequencies within six other kHz ranges. These data suggests that all bacteria may generate different AE’s, thus producing a unique “fingerprint” of sound that will allow for its identification.

Background: Histone modifications play an important role in gene regulation. Their genomic locations are of great interest. Usually, the location is measured by ChIP-seq and analyzed with a peak-caller. Replicated ChIP-seq experiments become more and more available. However, their analysis is based on single-experiment peak-calling or on tools like PePr which allows peak-calling of replicates but whose underlying model might not be suitable for the conditions under which the experiments are performed. Results: We propose a new peak-caller called \"Sierra Platinum\" that allows peak-calling of replicated ChIP-seq experiments. Moreover, it provides a variety of quality measures together with integrated visualizations supporting the assessment of the replicates and the resulting peaks, as well as steering the peak-calling process. Conclusion: We show that Sierra Platinum outperforms currently available methods using a newly generated benchmark data set and using real data from the NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Project. It is robust against noisy replicates.

The thesis focuses on evaluating and improving the transport efficiency of two types of logistics operations in the supply chain. One research area is the production of raw material in construction operations, specifically earthmoving operations. Methods and tools are developed to provide decision support in improving the transport efficiency of earthmoving at the vehicle and the systems levels. Using known road topography and a GPS unit, an optimal control problem is formulated and solved (Paper III) to determine the optimal gear shift sequence and timing in order to improve the transport efficiency at the vehicle level. For decision support at the systems level, a Fleet Performance Simulation (FPS) model is designed (Paper IV) to evaluate the transport efficiency for a given mix of construction vehicles in earthmoving. The FPS system is integrated with an optimization algorithm to solve the optimal fleet composition problem for earthmoving operations (Paper V &amp; VI). Construction operations are dynamic and the environment is changing constantly, which bring difficulties in decision-making. Using GPS data from construction vehicles, a map inference framework (Papers I &amp; II) is developed to automatically extract relevant input to decision support at the vehicle and the systems levels, which include the locations of various workstations, driving time distributions and road networks. The second research area is the transport efficiency of urban distribution system, which is in the final phase of the supply chain. An off-peak delivery pilot project in Stockholm is used as the background, designed to evaluate the potential for commercial vehicles to make use of off-peak hours for goods delivery. The thesis (Paper VII) evaluates the transport efficiency impacts of the off-peak pilot. An evaluation framework is defined where transport efficiency is studied in a number of dimensions. GPS data, fleet management data, and logistic information are used to assess the impacts. / <p>QC 20170323</p>

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

This thesis presents an investigation of arterial travel time and reliability. Specifically an examination of the proposed arterial travel time reliability performance measures detailed in Federal Highway Administration’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on national performance management measures are performed. These measures, including level of travel time reliability and peak hour travel time ratio, are computed and compared to those currently used to quantify congestion and travel time reliability. Within this process several commonly used data sources are evaluated to determine the effects of data quality and data source on performance measure evaluation. The newly created Urban Streets Reliability tool is also evaluated for its ability to estimate the effect of several proposed projects on the travel time reliability of a transportation network. In conclusion, this thesis found that the proposed travel time reliability performance measures show definite differences in estimates of facility reliability as compared with currently used performance measures such as travel time index and planning time index. A variation in the magnitude of this difference was also observed based on a rural vs. urban roadway setting. Finally, further areas of research involving the use of the Urban Streets Reliability tool to estimate the impact of reliability improvements on side streets and the transportation network as a whole are discussed.

Les buts de cette thèse étaient d'explorer les effets de l'obésité et du surpoids sur le contenu minéral osseux (CMO), la densité minérale osseuse (DMO) et la géométrie osseuse de la hanche ches des adolescents et des jeunes adultes libanais. 131 sujets libanais agés de 13 à 30 ans ont acceptés de participer à cette étude (67 de sexe masculin et 64 de sexe féminin) et ont donné leur consentement éclairé. Le poids et la taille ont été mesurés et l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC) a été calculé. La composition corporelle, le CMO du corps entier (CE), la DMO CE, la DMO du rachis lombaire (L2-L4), la DMO de la hanche et la DMO de l'avant-bras ont été mesuréses par la DXA. La géométrie osseuse de la hanche a été évaluée par le logiciel Hip Structure Analysis (HSA). La surface de la section transversale (CSA), le moment d'inertie de la surface transversale (CSMI), le module de section (Z), l'épaisseur corticale (CT) et le buckling ratio (BR) ont été ainsi mesurés par le logiciel HSA. Dans les deux sexes, l'obésité et le surpoids étaient associés à une augmentation des valeurs absolues de CMO, de DMO et d'indicecs géométriques de résistance osseuse (CSA et Z) au niveau de la hanche. Chez les sujets de sexe masculin, le CMO CE, le rapport CMO CE/taille, la DMO CE et la DMO du Radius ultra-distal étaient significativement inférieurs chez le groupe obèse par rapport aux groupes en surpoids et normo-pondérés après ajustement pour le poids (en utilisant une analyse de covariance). Chez les sujets de sexe féminin, après ajustement pour le poids (en utilisant une analyse de covariance), la DMO du rachis lombaire était inférieure chez le groupe obèse par rapport au groupe normo-pondéré alors qu'il n'y avait aucune différence entre les trois groupes (obèse, en surpoids et normo-pondéré) au niveau des indices géométriques de résistance osseuse de la hanche. Cette thèse montre donc que la DMO de certains sites osseux n'est pas correctement adaptée à l'excès de poids chez les jeunes obèses. / The aims of this thesis were to explore the effects of obesity and overweight on bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and hip geometry in a group of Lebanese adolescents and young adults. 131 Lebanese subjects (67males and 64 female) whose ages range between 13 and 30 years participated in this study. Informed written consent was obtained from participants. Weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Body composition, whole body bone mineral content (WB BMC), whole body bone mineral density (WB BMD), lumbar spine bone mineral density (L2-L4 BMD), hip BMD and forearm BMD were measured by DXA. To evaluate hip bone strength, DXA scans were analyzed by the hip structure analysis (HSA) program. Cross-sectional area (CSA), section modulus (Z), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), cortical thickness (CT) and buckling ratio (BR) were measured from hip bone mass profiles using the HSA software. In both sexes, obesity and overweight were associated with higher crude BMC, BMD and geometric indices of hip bone strengh values (CSA and Z). In males, obese group displayed lower WB BMC, WB BMC/height, WB BMD and ultra-distal Radius BMD values in comparison to overweight and normal-weight groups after adjustement for weight (using a one-way analysis of covariance). In females, after adjusting for body weight (using a one-way analysis of covariance), lumbar spine BMD was lower in the obese group compared to the normal-weight group while there were no significant differences among the three groups (obses, overweight and normal-weight) regarding geometric indicesof hip bone strength. This study shows that BMD of some skeletal sites is not well adapted to the increased body weight in young obese.

In this report the problem of constructing a bus depot with electrical buses despite the lack of grid capacity, was analyzed. A potential solution is investigated, namely smart control of heat pumps in industries. The possibility of allocating grid capacity to the bus depot by reducing power consumption in heat pumps during peak hours, is taken into consideration. The maximum amount of released capacity in an industrial area is calculated through the controlling of heat pumps. This investigation was made through simulations with a simplified building energy model (lumped capacity model) which was applied to a reference building. After mapping the area Boländerna and the geothermal wells located there, IKEA Uppsala was chosen as the reference building, since a third of the total number of wells were found in that area. To take the whole capacity of Boländerna into account, the model was scaled up to estimate the total, possible reduction of power. The bus depot requires 6 MW nighttime and 4 MW daytime, the total amount of electrical power that could be withdrawn, if all heat pumps were on maximum heat, in the chosen area were 0.75 MW and by controlling the heat pumps during an optimized level, the amount of 142 kW could be made available to the electric grid. 142 kW is not enough cover the need for the bus depot but it could supply the need for a slow charger to one of the buses and is therefore a possible sub-solution to the larger problem.

O objetivo geral do presente estudo foi analisar o comportamento dos valores do pico de consumo de oxigênio (VO2pico) e de lactato, em grupos de crianças e jovens não praticantes de natação e atletas de natação no período etário de sete a 17 anos de idade; e ainda, a) investigar as possíveis diferenças entre os valores de VO2pico dos grupos durante o período etário citado em relação ao gênero e ao treinamento sistemático, b) analisar a influência da massa corporal total na variação do VO2pico em função da idade, gênero e treinamento para o período etário citado, c) analisar a influência da massa corporal total na variação do VO2pico tendo como fator interveniente à gordura corporal, d) analisar as concentrações de lactato no sangue após esforço gradualmente crescente até a exaustão para o período etário citado. O delineamento utilizado foi transversal e contou com uma amostra de 145 crianças e jovens de sete a 17 anos de idade, com no mínimo três sujeitos de cada idade e gênero que foram subdivididos em dois grupos – controle (escolares) e experimental (nadadores).Cada grupo foi subdividido em três grupos etários (sete a 10, 11 a 14 e 15 a 17 anos) perfazendo 12 subgrupos (seis no feminino e seis no masculino). Após aprovação de Comissão de Ética Institucional e assinatura do termo de consentimento informado os voluntários realizaram uma anamnese para avaliar o histórico de saúde. Em laboratório, foram realizadas medidas antropométricas, eletrocardiograma de repouso e teste funcional em esteira para a avaliação da aptidão cardiorespiratória – VO2pico. Os resultados foram apresentados de forma descritia e inferencial como análise descritiva, diagramas box-plot, ANOVA e ANCOVA. O programa estatístico usado foi o SPSS versão 11.0. O nível de significância adotado foi 0,05. Os valores médios de VO2picoabs, VO2picorelcor e VO2picorelcor ajustado entre crianças e jovens de diferentes faixas etárias de escolares e nadadores em ambos os gêneros não são equivalentes, com exceção das meninas da faixa etária de sete a 10 anos. O delta de lactato (repouso e pós exercício) é dependente do gênero, faixa etária e grupo de treinamento. Os valores de VO2pico em escolares e nadadores sofrem influência da idade e do gênero. Os valores de VO2pico das crianças e jovens de sete a 17 anos de idade escolares e nadadores para diferentes faixas etárias sofrem influência da massa corporal total, em especial da somatória de dobras cutâneas periféricas, tendo como fator interveniente a gordura corporal. As variáveis de delta de lactato e somatória de dobras cutâneas consideradas como covariáveis levaram ao estabelecimento do modelo para VO2picorelcor (ml.kg-1.min-1) e VO2picorelcor ajustado (ml.kg-0,67.min-1) com R2 elevados, mas maiores no último caso. / The general aim of this study was to analyze the behavior of the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) values and lactate, in children and youths groups no swimming practitioner and swimming athletes from seven to 17 years age group; and even, a) to investigate the possible differences among VO2peak values of groups during this age group related to gender and systematic training, b) to analyze the influence of total body mass in VO2peak variation related to the age, gender and training for this age group, c) to analyze the influence of total body mass in VO2peak variation having as interventional factor the body fat, d) to analyze the blood lactate concentrations after growing gradually effort until exhaustion for this age group. The cross-sectional experimental design had a sample with 145 children and youths from seven to 17 years old, with three subjects at least of each age and gender subdivided in two groups – control (pupils) and experimental (swimmers). Every group was subdivided in three age groups (7-10, 11-14 and 15-17 years) making 12 sub-groups (6 female and 6 male). After approved Institutional Ethical Boarding and Informed Consent signed, the volunteers were submitted the anamnesis for participation health screening. In the lab, were performed anthropometrical measurements, rest electrocardiogram and functional test on a treadmill to asses the cardiorespiratory fitness – VO2peak. The results were presented on a descriptive and inferential way like descriptive analyses, diagrams box-plot, ANOVA e ANCOVA. The statistic program used was the SPSS version 11.0. The significance level adopted was 0,05. The VO2peakabs, VO2peakrelcor e VO2peakrelcor adjusted means values between children and youths of different age groups pupils and swimmers in both genders are not equivalent, with exception on the girls from seven to 10 years old age group. The lactate delta (rest and after exercise) is dependent of the gender, age group and training group. The VO2peak means values in pupils and swimmers suffer influence of the age and the gender. The VO2peak values of the children and youths from seven to 17 years old pupils and swimmers for different age groups suffer influence of the total body mass, in special of the peripheral skinfolds sum, having as interventional factor the body fat. The variables lactate delta and skinfolds sum here considered like covariate leaded to the establishment of the model for VO2peakrelcor (ml.kg-1.min-1) and VO2peakrelcor adjusted (ml.kg-0,67.min-1) with higher R2, but greater in the last case.