Objectives: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the difference in peak force (PF) production with and without the inclusion of lifting straps (LS) during an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). An additional goal of this study was to identify potential asymmetry during the two protocols while evaluating the potential use of a dual force plate IMTP as a tool for player monitoring programs. Methods: Twenty-one NCAA division I men (n=10) and women (n=11) soccer players performed a maximal IMTP over dual force plates with and without the assistance of LS. The PF total between the two plates for both conditions was used to examine the effect of LS. Asymmetry was assessed by the PF of the separate force plates by calculation of a symmetry index (SI). Results: The PF achieved with the assistance of LS was significantly greater for males (strapped: 2102.3±506.2N, unstrapped: 1468.6±286.0N; p 1105.0±294.7N, unstrapped: 940.6±155.7N; pConclusion: The inclusion of LS on the IMTP allowed for a significantly greater PF production for male and female soccer athletes. However, the increase in PF with the inclusion of LS was greater in the males who saw a large effect size (d=1.959, pp=0.024). Both male and female soccer players possessed some level of asymmetry that did increase with the inclusion of LS, but no significant difference was found between conditions.

Certain N95 FFR models that staple the head straps directly onto filtering material are commercially available. This method of assembly can tear or reduce fiber density in the immediate area surrounding the staple punctures. Five N95 FFR models were evaluated to determine if staple punctures on the filter medium reduce the protection offered by the respirators. Total penetrations were measured with the staple punctures intact and when stretching the head straps a distance equivalent to a 95% male head circumference. Filter penetration were measured by sealing the staple punctures. Aerosols of 200, 500, and 1000 nm were used to challenge respirators at 28 and 85 Liter/min flow rates. Staple punctures were visually inspected by macrophotography with a light source on the opposing side of the punctures. Three FFR models had greater mean leakages than the remaining two. However, only two FFR models had statistically significant greater total penetrations than filter penetrations. Pulling the head straps increased total penetration, but was not statistically significant. Filter penetrations were greatest at 85 Liter/min and 200 nm, while leakages were greatest at 28 Liter/min flow rate and 1000 nm. Leakage through the staple punctures had greater contributions to total penetration than filter penetration allowing a greater percentage of 1000 nm particles into the breathing zone. Leakage was dependent on the tearing of the filter material or the reduction of fiber density near the puncture, regardless of filter efficiency. Total penetration to filter penetration ratios showed that leakage was greater than filter penetration 15 fold for 1,000 nm. This value is similar to what has been reported for face seal leaks on human subjects. Protection factors were reduced from ~930 to ~60 when the staple punctures created a tear. N95 FFR with stapled head straps that puncture the filter medium should be avoided because they can reduce protection to the user.

Performance of buildings and bridges during past earthquakes has indicated that many of these structures are vulnerable to seismic damage and structural collapse. The deficiencies in pre-1970s design codes have resulted in poor performance of reinforced concrete structures during seismic excitations. The Richter Magnitude 6.6 - 1971 San Fernando Earthquake raised awareness for seismic retrofit needs of existing buildings for the first time. The majority of deficiencies of vulnerable concrete columns can be overcome through seismic retrofits that involve additional transverse reinforcement. This can be done either by providing reinforced concrete, steel, or fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) jackets around existing columns; or by applying transverse prestressing to columns (RetroBelt System). The research project presented in this thesis involves a seismic retrofit methodology for seismically deficient building and bridge columns, utilizing the use of high-strength packaging straps as external reinforcement for transverse prestressing. The emphasis in the project is placed on experimental research. Three seismically deficient full-size reinforced concrete columns, with a circular, a square and a rectangular cross- section, either critical in shear or flexure, were designed, built and tested under simulated seismic loading. The results indicate that external prestressing of columns in transverse direction with high-strength steel straps improves ductility and energy dissipation capacity of seismically deficient columns. They further indicate that current analytical techniques can be used to predict the force-displacement relationships of columns. A design approach is presented for the retrofit methodology investigated.

Engineered wood products (EWP) are becoming extremely popular and a viable material option for the construction of residential, commercial, and hybrid buildings. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is among one of the many EWP available in North America, which can be utilized for many different applications such as: walls, floors, and roofs. Despite the available requirements in the Canadian blast design standard (CSA, 2012) with regard to the design of wood structures, there are currently no provisions on how to retrofit timber structures to improve their performance when subjected to blast loads. The current study is aimed at investigating the effect of different retrofitting alternatives in order to improve the overall behaviour of CLT when exposed to out-of-plane bending. The experimental program examined the behaviour of seventeen reinforced CLT slabs. Testing was conducted at the University of Ottawa by means of a shock tube capable of simulating high strain rates similar to those experienced during a blast event. The current study was divided into two phases. The first consisted of CLT slabs retrofitted with steel straps where strap spacing, location, and order of installation was investigated. The second phase focused on the development of dynamic properties of CLT panels when reinforced with GFRP. Lay-up configuration and fabric orientation were among the parameters explored. The results from the experimental program show that reinforcing the panels with steel straps had minimal effect on the ultimate strength, but significant levels of post peak resistance and ductility was achieved. The horizontal straps were able to restrict the failure to small regions and to promote flexural failure by preventing rolling shear failure. It also eliminated flying debris and enhanced the ultimate strength, stiffness as well as ductility. Applying GFRP layers enhanced the overall behaviour of the slab resulting in a significant increase in peak resistance, ductility, and stiffness when compared to the dynamic results of an unretrofitted panel. The post peak resistance was also greatly improved. In particular, applying stacked quadraxial lay-up configuration significantly improved the ductility and resulted in the greatest post peak resistance. The effect of steel straps on damaged and retrofitted was relatively minimal, and only partial recovery of the resistance and the stiffness was achieved. GFRP with full confinement yielded better performance compared to the unretrofitted and undamaged counterpart. More work is needed to quantify the benefits of using GFRP in these applications.

Performance of buildings and bridges during past earthquakes has indicated that many of these structures are vulnerable to seismic damage and structural collapse. The deficiencies in pre-1970s design codes have resulted in poor performance of reinforced concrete structures during seismic excitations. The Richter Magnitude 6.6 - 1971 San Fernando Earthquake raised awareness for seismic retrofit needs of existing buildings for the first time. The majority of deficiencies of vulnerable concrete columns can be overcome through seismic retrofits that involve additional transverse reinforcement. This can be done either by providing reinforced concrete, steel, or fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) jackets around existing columns; or by applying transverse prestressing to columns (RetroBelt System). The research project presented in this thesis involves a seismic retrofit methodology for seismically deficient building and bridge columns, utilizing the use of high-strength packaging straps as external reinforcement for transverse prestressing. The emphasis in the project is placed on experimental research. Three seismically deficient full-size reinforced concrete columns, with a circular, a square and a rectangular cross- section, either critical in shear or flexure, were designed, built and tested under simulated seismic loading. The results indicate that external prestressing of columns in transverse direction with high-strength steel straps improves ductility and energy dissipation capacity of seismically deficient columns. They further indicate that current analytical techniques can be used to predict the force-displacement relationships of columns. A design approach is presented for the retrofit methodology investigated.

La industria de manufactura en Perú, representa el 9% del PBI nacional, y el sector plástico el 4% del aporte al sector manufactura. Dentro de las muchas líneas de desarrollo industrial del plástico se halla el sector de accesorios de embalaje, usados para transporte de diversos bienes en ámbito local o exportación. El presente caso de estudio es sobre Molinos Pretell SAC, una empresa MYPE dedicada a la fabricación de zunchos de polipropileno, por medio de una máquina de extrusión. En estos tiempos de pandemia, donde el crecimiento económico en el sector manufactura ha sido negativo en el último año (-11.2%), donde muchas empresas han quebrado por no poder sostenerse al estar semi paralizada la economía del país, las empresas para poder ser competitivas y subsistir en un mercado reducido y distorsionado por los efectos de la emergencia sanitaria aún vigente, deben mejorar sus procesos que originan pérdida de utilidades. Esa es la motivación del presente trabajo, para lo cual vamos a analizar y tomar la información de los procesos, identificar los principales problemas, determinar las principales causas que originan esos problemas, y a ellas aplicar metodologías y herramientas de ingeniería que permitan reducir perdidas y obtener mejoras. El principal problema hallado son los reprocesos, y las causas son la falta de procedimientos estándar y ausencia de mantenimiento, para poder implementar un modelo de mejora continua, usaremos diversas metodologías lean, como trabajo estandarizado, SMED y TPM y diversas herramientas estadísticas, las cuales se aplicarán en 2 ciclos de mejora. / The manufacturing industry in Peru represents 9% of the national PBI, and the plastic sector 4% of the contribution to the manufacturing sector. Within the many lines of industrial development of plastic is the sector of packaging accessories, used to transport various goods locally or for export. This case study is about Molinos Pretell SAC, a MYPE company dedicated to the manufacture of polypropylene straps, by means of an extrusion machine. In these times of pandemic, where economic growth in the manufacturing sector has been negative in the last year (-11.2%), where many companies have gone bankrupt because they cannot sustain themselves as the country's economy is semi paralyzed, companies to be able to be competitive and subsist in a reduced market distorted by the effects of the health emergency still in force, they must improve their processes that cause loss of profits. That is the motivation of this work, for which we are going to analyze and take the information from the processes, identify the main problems, determine the main causes that originate these problems, and to apply engineering methodologies and tools that allow reducing losses and obtaining improvements. The main problem found is reprocessing, and the causes are the lack of standard procedures and lack of maintenance, in order to implement a continuous improvement model, we will use various lean methodologies, such as standardized work, SMED and TPM and various statistical tools, which they will be applied in 2 cycles of improvement. / Trabajo de investigación

The theme of this thesis is the preparation of project documentation at the level for the implementation of the construction of primary schools in the village Moravany u Brna. In the framework of the preparatory study work has been processed the entire campus, including outdoor sports facilities, paved surfaces, parking lots and additional objects required for the running of the school. The subject of this thesis is only part of the main object SO01 elementary school and part of it and this is a three storey building with the main longitudinal structural wall system. The carrier of the walls and the ceiling structure is of reinforced concrete. The roof structure is designed as a desktop with internal drainage. The façade of the building is divided according to the floor, the first floor is addressed to the contact insulation system for cladding of ceramic straps in the second and the third floor is designed to ventilated the facade of fiber cement plates with colored solution. The subject of the proposal is to solve traffic in peace into two parking lots and the Terminal for lifting children.