The results of an experimental and theoretical investigation into the behaviour of reinforced concrete flat slab-column connections are presented. In the experimental programme 33 lightweight and 8 normal weight slabs were failed in punching shear. The specimens were simply supported and loaded vertically through central, monolithic column stubs. Three lightweight aggregates were used, and the concrete strength and section depth varied. It was found that slabs made with Lytag, Solite and limestone aggregates failed at similar loads, but slabs made with Leca aggregate concrete failed at approximately 70% of the former group (other variables being equal). In the theoretical investigation an analysis was developed to model the various stages of the slabs' behaviour under increasing load. The analysis enabled the critical pre-failure and punching loads to be calculated. Satisfactory agreement was established between the pre-failure values. The load at which failure occurred in the compression zone was computed using one of two methods designed to accommodate the differing characteristics of the concretes used. The methods depend on an idealisation of the behaviour of the shear crack which enables the compression zone stresses to be. established. Comparison of these stresses with a criterion of failure gives the concrete failure load. The ultimate punching load includes the enhancing effects, on the concrete failure load, of inplane stresses and dowel action. Good agreement between the theoretical, and. experimental punching values was established. The thesis includes a review of previous experimental and analytical work performed on normal and lightweight aggregate slabs. The existing empirical data is shown to be limited in several areas, especially for lightweight aggregate concrete tests. The application of existing formulae to the present experimental work does not provide a satisfactory agreement with the results. Three of the equations axe re-evaluated to pr6vide a closer fit with the present test results and for a wider based group of lightweight aggregate tests. The provisions of ACI 318-71 and CP. 110 : 1972 are also applied to the slabs of the present test series, and are shown to be conservative. Finally recommendations for future work are given.

Our study was designed to test the hypothesis that flowfield properties such as WSS are closely related to cardiovascular disease. The spatial distribution patterns of several hemodynamic indices (gradient of WSS) were examined and compared with the (known) locations of plaque formation in human aorta. The part of the aorta on which we focused is ascending, aortic arch and descending aorta. Blood flow is influenced by vessel wall motion. Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) is also investigated and discussed during the description of hemodynamic environment that leads to plaque formation in human aorta. Our Data were DICOM files from Computed Tomography (CT) scans. Using Vascular Modeling Toolkit (VMTK) and these scans as the input, we choose level set segmentation method to extract the geometry of the vessel needed for the simulation. ANSYS CFX Solver was used for the simulation of blood flow. The present numerical study revealed a direct correlation between low WSS values and atherosclerotic plaque localization. The results indicate also that Oscillating Shear Index (OSI) shows clearly points where the possibility of atherogenesis is high enough to be ignored. FSI provides unimportant details when we focused on plaque formation. / Η παρούσα εργασία μελετά την υπόθεση που συνδέει τις ιδιότητες του πεδίου ροής, όπως οι διατμητικές τάσεις (Wall Shear Stresses), με καρδιαγγειακές παθήσεις. Η χωρική κατανομή διάφορων δεικτών αιμοδυναμικής φύσεως (όπως η βάθμωση των διατμητικών τάσεων) μελετήθηκε και τα σημεία που εντοπίστηκαν ως ύποπτα για την ανάπτυξη αθηρωματικών πλακών συγκρίθηκαν με γνωστές από τη βιβλιογραφία περιοχές σχηματισμού τέτοιων φλεγμονών στην ανθρώπινη αορτή. Το τμήμα της αορτής στο οποίο εστιάσαμε είναι η ανιούσα, το αορτικό τόξο και η κατιούσα αορτή. Εξετάστηκε απίσης το ενδεχόμενο να επηρεάζεται η ροή του αίματος από την κίνηση του αρτηριακού τοιχώματος.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the number one causes of death in the world. According to the world Health Organization (WHO) 17.5 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2005, representing 30 % of all global deaths . Of these deaths, 7.6 million were due to heart attacks and 5.7 million due to stroke. If current trends are allowed to continue, by 2015 an estimated 20 million people will die annually from cardiovascular disease. The trends are similar in the United States where on an average 1 person dies every 37 seconds due to CVD. In 2008 an estimated 770,000 Americans will experience a new heart attack (coronary stenosis) and 600,000 will experience a first stroke. Although the exact causes of cardiovascular disease are not well understood, hemodynamics has been long thought to play a primary role in the progression of cardiovascular disease and stroke. There is strong evidence linking the fluid mechanical forces to the transduction mechanisms that trigger biochemical response leading to atherosclerosis or plaque formation. It is hypothesized that the emergence of abnormal fluid mechanical stresses which dictate the cell mechanotransduction mechanisms and lead to disease progression is dependent on the geometry and compliance of arteries, and pulsatility of blood flow. Understanding of such hemodynamic regulation in relation to atherosclerosis is of significant clinical importance in the prediction and progression of heart disease as well as design of prosthetic devices such as stents. The current work will systematically study the effects of compliance and complex geometry and the resulting fluid mechanical forces. The objective of this work is to understand the relationship of fluid mechanics and disease conditions using both experimental and computational methods where (a) Compliance effects are studied in idealized stenosed coronary and peripheral arteries using Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV), (b) Complex geometric effects of stented arteries with emphasis on its design parameters is investigated using CFD, Also (c) a novel method to improve the accuracy of velocity gradient estimation in the presence of noisy flow fields such as in DPIV where noise is inherently present is introduced with the objective to improve accuracy in the estimation of WSS, which are of paramount hemodynamic importance. The broad impact of the current work extends to the understanding of fundamental physics associated with arterial disease progression which can lead to better design of prosthetic devices, and also to better disease diagnostics. / Ph. D.

Tire bales are a suitable construction material for conditions which require a lightweight material with high permeability and strength. Although several tire bale case histories have been reported in the literature, only limited material properties of the bales are available. Determining the mechanical and physical properties of the tire bales is necessary for the proper design and construction of future tire bale structures. The development and results from a series of large scale laboratory and field test procedures, used to determine the mechanical and physical characteristics of a tire bale structure, are provided in this dissertation. A tire bale structure, as compared to the individual tire bale, is defined as two or more tire bales stacked upon each other resulting in an interface contact between layers of the tire bales. Results from the test programs indicate that the interface between the tire bales controls the strength and compressibility of the bale structure. The strength of the interface was characterized utilizing a large scale direct shear test, which was modified to include the effects of moisture, soil infill and stress orientation on the interface strength. Interface shear stresses were used to define shear strength parameters for the different tire bale interfaces. The compressibility of the tire bale structure was characterized utilizing a large scale vertical compression test. The influence of the individual tire bale geometry on strength and compressibility was determined by conducting the large scale tests on two bale types, the standard block bale and the standard cylinder bale. A tire ridge interface model was developed to represent the physical characteristics of the tire bales that control the strength and deformations along the interface. Tensions within the baling wires were measured during the direct shear and compression tests using strain gauges attached to the baling wires. A tension meter was also developed so that the baling wire tensions could be determined without damaging the tire bale and baling wires. A destructive expansion pressure test was used at the conclusion of the research program to determine the pressures the tire bale exerts on the surrounding structure after wire breakage. / text

The dissertation are analyzing the main characteristics of asphalt concrete influencing shear deformation, appearance and increase of rutting connected with them, analyze the influence of geosynthetic material characteristics onto asphalt concrete functioning.

In the dissertation are analyzing the main characteristics of asphalt concrete influencing shear deformation, appearance and increase of rutting connected with them, analyze the influence of geosynthetic material characteristics onto asphalt concrete functioning.

The tumor microenvironment is composed of cellular and stromal components such as tumor cells, mesenchymal cells, immune cells, cancer associated fibroblasts and the supporting extracellular matrix. The tumor microenvironment provides crucial support for growth and progression of tumor cells and affects tumor response to therapeutic interventions. To better understand tumor biology and to develop effective cancer therapeutic agents it is important to develop preclinical platforms that can faithfully recapitulate the tumor microenvironment and the complex interaction between the tumor and its surrounding stromal elements. Drug studies performed in vitro with conventional two-dimensional cancer cell line models do not optimally represent clinical drug response as they lack true tumor heterogeneity and are often performed in static culture conditions lacking stromal tumor components that significantly influence the metabolic activity and proliferation of cells. Recent microfluidic approaches aim to overcome such obstacles with the use of cell lines derived in artificial three-dimensional supportive gels or micro-chambers. However, absence of a true tumor microenvironment and full interstitial flow, leads to less than optimal evaluation of tumor response to drug treatment. Here we report a continuous perfusion microfluidic device coupled with microscopy and image analysis for the assessment of drug effects on intact fresh tumor tissue. We have demonstrated that fine needle aspirate biopsies obtained from patient-derived xenograft models of adenocarcinoma of the lung can successfully be analyzed for their response to ex vivo drug treatment within this biopsy trapping microfluidic device, wherein a protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine, was used to assess tumor cell death as a proof of principle. Lastly, we tested the model for its ability to demonstrate similar results found in clinic when using a Wee1 inhibitor on osteosarcoma and an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, Erlotinib, and inhibitors of programmed death 1 receptor and programmed death ligand 1 on lung adenocarcinoma fine needle aspirate biopsies. This approach has the potential to study tumor tissue within its intact microenvironment to better understand tumor response to drug treatments and eventually to choose the most effective drug and drug combination for individual patients in a cost effective and timely manner.

No description available.

<p> A three dimensional photoelastic method of analyzing the stresses in toroids, such as Bourdon Tubes, is proposed in this thesis, The experimental techniques and procedures developed are documented in detail, The experimental method is used to study a thick walled toroidal shell under a uniform internal pressure. </p> <p> The principal stresses on the inside and outside surfaces of the shell were determined and from these the maximum shear stresses calculated. The experimental results are compared to Lame's solution of a thick walled ring under iniform internal pressure, a thin walled toroidal shell subjected to uniform internal pressure, and a long, straight thin walled cylinder with closed ends loaded by internal pressure. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

L’État haïtien, pour faire face à l’insécurité alimentaire que connaît sa population (à croissance rapide et à faible revenu), s’appuie particulièrement sur la Vallée du département de l’Artibonite qui constitue depuis toujours le véritable grenier agricole du pays, en fournissant, à elle seule, plus de 80% de la production rizicole nationale. Cette production agricole assure non seulement les besoins alimentaires de la population locale, mais également ceux particuliers des départements voisins (Ouest, Nord et Centre).L’irrigation de cette vaste plaine agricole (32400 ha de terres agricoles irrigables) est garantie, à plus de 75%, par le réseau d’irrigation établi en rive Gauche de l'ouvrage-partiteur de Canneau, alimenté par un Canal principal (CMRG) ayant un débit nominal de 40 m3/s.Néanmoins, ce Partiteur, source d’approvisionnement exclusive du CMRG, est lui-même régulé par le Barrage-réservoir de Péligre qui se trouve à 70 km plus en amont sur le fleuve de l’Artibonite. En termes hydrauliques, nos travaux ont d'abord examiné la situation du réservoir de Péligre. Alors qu'au moment de la construction il était initialement prévu d’y stocker 607 Mm3, il ne reste plus aujourd'hui qu'à peine 40% de cette capacité utile, en raison des dépôts sédimentaires qui se sont constitués année après année derrière le barrage.Cette sédimentation spectaculaire (due à l’érosion des bassins versants amont fort dégradés), combinée aux déficits pluviométriques, provoque en période d’étiage une rareté d’eau, des lâchers insuffisants et donc des déficits en eau utile envoyée en amont de ce Partiteur de Canneau. Cela impacte significativement le réseau d’irrigation aval, dont le CMRG. Nos travaux ont montré que la situation est d'autant plus critique que les débits eux-mêmes, en amont comme en aval du Partiteur, sont en fait très mal connus et devraient faire l'objet d'approches méthodologiques plus rigoureuses que celles déployées sur site actuellement.Aussi, face à ces constats, de nouvelles règles de distribution de l’eau s’imposent, pour continuer à irriguer et espérer obtenir un rendement agricole acceptable (souhaitable).Notre travail s'est ainsi donné pour objectif de contribuer à la mise en place des nouvelles règles de gestion de l’eau (répartition) au sein du réseau d’irrigation alimenté par le CMRG, pour continuer à fournir l’eau à l’irrigant en quantité acceptable (et connue). Cette amélioration de gestion a été envisagée à la fois en amont et en aval de ce réseau d’irrigation, particulièrement en ses différents nœuds-clés (Canal principal et Canal secondaire).La démarche méthodologique adoptée pour relever ce défi majeur s’appuie notamment sur un système d’information hydro-morpho-sédimentaire actualisé et de qualité. Il s’agit d’une base de données, riche en observations de hauteurs d’eau (lues aux stations limnimétriques), vitesses de surface au flotteur, champs de vitesse explorés au moyen d’un courantomètre et en données bathymétriques et granulométriques des tronçons des canaux étudiés, appréciées respectivement au moyen d’un GPS différentiel et du tamisage à sec.Les résultats fort encourageants obtenus permettent d'acquérir une meilleure compréhension du système et une amélioration particulière du réseau d’irrigation en rive gauche du Partiteur de Canneau. En s’appuyant sur les historiques de sédimentation du Lac-réservoir de Péligre (de 1960 à 2016), nous présentons un document de synthèse sur la sédimentation du Lac-réservoir de Péligre. Ce document met notamment en exergue le taux de sédimentation sévère de ce dernier (5.47 Mm3/an), qui continue d’augmenter encore aujourd’hui, ainsi que les conséquences de celui-ci sur les débits turbinés et la disponibilité de l’eau en amont du Partiteur de Canneau.Nous mettons également en évidence les formes irrégulières (Lit-non prismatique) des tronçons des canaux étudiés, via une vue axonométrique des profils en travers (issus de l’étude bathymétrique) des canaux d’irrigation en terre battue étudiés. Puis, nous présentons de manière détaillée le caractère très hétérogène des dépôts sédimentaires de ces derniers, à partir d’une analyse des représentations en Log-Probit des résultats du tamisage, construites au moyen du logiciel GrandPlots.En nous appuyant sur les mesures expérimentales des contraintes de Reynolds et des profils instantanés de vitesse (pris à intervalle de 64 ms), tirés de la base de données EPFL, nous avons montré qu’il faut absolument travailler dans les 18% inférieurs de la colonne d’eau (z/h<0.18) et en mode déficitaire, dans un écoulement turbulent comme celui-là, pour extraire de façon représentative et pertinente une pente expérimentale u*/, comme indicateur de u*.À l’issue d’un examen détaillé de la distribution verticale de la vitesse au canal secondaire FNE, nous validons un DMLWL (Dip-Modified-log-wake-law) à la fois en amont et en aval du réseau. Nous montrons que ceci permet de modéliser le Dip-phenomenon observé systématiquement au sein des profils explorés in situ. Nous proposons une relation entre le coefficient d’inégale répartition de la vitesse à la verticale αv (de Prony) et l’aspect ratio (W/h) pour tout le réseau d’irrigation étudié ;ceci afin d’obtenir une vitesse débitante (Ū), simplement à partir d’une prise de vitesse au flotteur, dans l’axe central d’écoulement.À partir des débits quantifiés à la section de référence du CMRG, via l’équation de continuité (Q=AŪ), nous fournissons un Abaque, diagramme à 3 entrées (débit (Qp), charge amont (H0) et ouverture de vanne (hv)), permettant aux vanniers de connaitre les débits au pont de fer correspondant aux différentes ouvertures de vanne et celui pour lequel le trop-plein (retour des eaux excédentaires vers le fleuve de l’Artibonite) commence à fonctionner.À l’égard des opérateurs locaux et gestionnaires du système, nous mettons enfin à disposition, des méthodes/outils simples et efficaces leur permettant de quantifier finement le débit au Canal principal en amont ainsi qu’au canal secondaire en aval, simplement à partir d’une mesure de hauteur d’eau (h) et de vitesse de surface au flotteur (Us). / Doctorat en Sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished