abstract: In a laboratory setting, the soil volume change behavior is best represented by using various testing standards on undisturbed or remolded samples. Whenever possible, it is most precise to use undisturbed samples to assess the volume change behavior but in the absence of undisturbed specimens, remodeled samples can be used. If that is the case, the soil is compacted to in-situ density and water content (or matric suction), which should best represent the expansive profile in question. It is standard practice to subject the specimen to a wetting process at a particular net normal stress. Even though currently accepted laboratory testing standard procedures provide insight on how the profile conditions changes with time, these procedures do not assess the long term effects on the soil due to climatic changes. In this experimental study, an assessment and quantification of the effect of multiple wetting/drying cycles on the volume change behavior of two different naturally occurring soils was performed. The changes in wetting and drying cycles were extreme when comparing the swings in matric suction. During the drying cycle, the expansive soil was subjected to extreme conditions, which decreased the moisture content less than the shrinkage limit. Nevertheless, both soils were remolded at five different compacted conditions and loaded to five different net normal stresses. Each sample was subjected to six wetting and drying cycles. During the assessment, it was evident from the results that the swell/collapse strain is highly non-linear at low stress levels. The strain-net normal stress relationship cannot be defined by one single function without transforming the data. Therefore, the dataset needs to be fitted to a bi-modal logarithmic function or to a logarithmic transformation of net normal stress in order to use a third order polynomial fit. It was also determined that the moisture content changes with time are best fit by non-linear functions. For the drying cycle, the radial strain was determined to have a constant rate of change with respect to the axial strain. However, for the wetting cycle, there was not enough radial strain data to develop correlations and therefore, an assumption was made based on 55 different test measurements/observations, for the wetting cycles. In general, it was observed that after each subsequent cycle, higher swelling was exhibited for lower net normal stress values; while higher collapse potential was observed for higher net normal stress values, once the net normal stress was less than/greater than a threshold net normal stress value. Furthermore, the swelling pressure underwent a reduction in all cases. Particularly, the Anthem soil exhibited a reduction in swelling pressure by at least 20 percent after the first wetting/drying cycle; while Colorado soil exhibited a reduction of 50 percent. After about the fourth cycle, the swelling pressure seemed to stabilized to an equilibrium value at which a reduction of 46 percent was observed for the Anthem soil and 68 percent reduction for the Colorado soil. The impact of the initial compacted conditions on heave characteristics was studied. Results indicated that materials compacted at higher densities exhibited greater swell potential. When comparing specimens compacted at the same density but at different moisture content (matric suction), it was observed that specimens compacted at higher suction would exhibit higher swelling potential, when subjected to the same net normal stress. The least amount of swelling strain was observed on specimens compacted at the lowest dry density and the lowest matric suction (higher water content). The results from the laboratory testing were used to develop ultimate heave profiles for both soils. This analysis showed that even though the swell pressure for each soil decreased with cycles, the amount of heave would increase or decrease depending upon the initial compaction condition. When the specimen was compacted at 110% of optimum moisture content and 90% of maximum dry density, it resulted in an ultimate heave reduction of 92 percent for Anthem and 685 percent for Colorado soil. On the other hand, when the soils were compacted at 90% optimum moisture content and 100% of the maximum dry density, Anthem specimens heave 78% more and Colorado specimens heave was reduced by 69%. Based on the results obtained, it is evident that the current methods to estimate heave and swelling pressure do not consider the effect of wetting/drying cycles; and seem to fail capturing the free swell potential of the soil. Recommendations for improvement current methods of practice are provided. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2013

The diploma thesis deals with the study of the influence of composition and curing of self-leveling cement screeds on their properties in the early stage of maturation. Within this work, various concepts of ensuring the volume stability of cement self-leveling screeds were verified. An anti-shrink additive based on neopentyl glycol and an expansion additive based on hard-burnt lime were used as modifiers. The reduction of plastic and overall shrinkage using various types of liquid membrane-forming compounds was verified on the most volume-stable screed using the optical dilatometry method. The effectiveness of the individual solutions was monitored by continuous measurement of the intensity of evaporation from the screed surface. Subsequently, the effect of membrane-forming compounds on the residual moisture of the cured treated cement self-leveling screed was measured by the carbide method and also the effect of this curing on the adhesion of bonded ceramic tiles.

The thesis deals with the development of self-leveling cement screed with compensated shrinkage. It is a ternary binder system with the majority of portland cement, that in the beginning of setting and hardening form an expandable folder ettringite. At first there was a background research of volume changes of hydrating cement composites and methods for measuring these changes. Various sort of expansion additives were also introduced, the main emphasis was on concepts of calculated formation of ettringite, which are typical for self-leveling underlayment. Background research included the issues of formation of ettringite, influences on it’s nucleation and it’s stability. The practical development of the screed began by measuring volume changes of different pastes on a ternary composition. Selected formulations suitable for use are verified together with additives to semi-application tests. After the final configuration of the screed mixture, there was a test in real application of an representative area. Individual formulations were tested in terms of long-term stability of ettringite in dry and moist environments.

This work develops three models for simulation of the high-current operation of Li-ion batteries. Simulation as a tool can provide understanding beyond what experiments can offer. Different types of electrodes such as graphite, silicon, and NMC are modeled to study cell performance and aging under aggressive operating conditions. The first part of this work focuses on the effect of electrode microscale lateral heterogeneity on the degradation of conventional Li-ion batteries, especially for fast-charge applications. The non-uniform pore distribution leads to the nonuniform current density and state of charge (SoC), which can finally result in non-uniform Li plating and aging. The interactions of electrode regions a few mm away from each other with different ionic conductivity are simulated by combining conventional models in parallel with submodels to treat additional physics. The onset and growth of lithium metal deposits on the anode are predicted. The next topic is to investigate the structure of multilayer anodes (MLA) consisting of two layers in the through-plane direction with different ionic resistances. The model is intended to simulate a commercially made cell. Simulation results demonstrate that coating a higher-density layer near the current collector and a lower-density layer near the separator provides improved accessibility to active material during cell fast charge through better ionic transport. In addition, the improved anode further augments the cathode performance in high-current discharges, leading to greater energy density and power density of the cell. The last topic is to develop a numerically efficient mechanical and electrochemical model for silicon anodes. Silicon has a much higher energy density than graphite as a material for the anode; however, it undergoes high volume expansion and contraction ($\sim$ 280\%) which affects cell thickness and electrode ionic transport. The mechanical model treats these volume-change phenomena in a continuum fashion and is integrated into a P2D model of a Si half cell. As shown by the model, the external casing material of such cells can improve or restrict electrode utilization. Different cell designs are simulated to predict the degree of lithiation.

Introduction: The use of high frequency oscillatory ventilation is increasing in treatment ofacute respiratory distress syndrome over the past decade. The technique of HFOV of ventilatingthe lungs at volumes less than the anatomical dead space calms the clinical concerns surroundingventilating stiff ARDS lungs with high pressures and volumes. This largely reduces theprobability of barotraumas and/or atelectrauma. Purpose: The study was on an in vitro bench model that answered the following researchquestions: 1. The effect of three inline closed suction adapters on delivered tidal volume duringHFOV with varying lung compliance 2. The effect of varying compliance on the amplitudedelivered by HFOV; and 3. The effect of compliance on tidal volume delivered by HFOV. Method: An in vitro bench model using high fidelity breathing simulator (ASL 5000, IngMarMedical) simulating an adult patient with ARDS was set up with 3100B SensorMedic highfrequency ventilator. The simulation included varying the compliance for each lung at 50, 40, 30and 20cmH2O while maintaining fixed resistance of 15 cmH2O/L/sec. The ventilator was set tothe following parameters: power of 6, frequency (f) of 5, inspiratory time (Ti) of 33%, bias flow(BF) of 30 LPM and oxygen concentration of 50%. The breathing simulator was connected withthe high frequency ventilator using a standard HFOV circuit and a size 8.0mm of endotrachealtube. Fourteen French Kimberly Clark suction catheters (with T and Elbow adapters) and Air-Life suction catheters (Y adapter) were placed in-line with the circuit successively to carry outthe study. Each run lasted for 1 minute after achieving stable state conditions. Thisapproximated to 300 breaths. The data was collected from the stimulator and stored by the hostcomputer. Data Analysis: The data was analyzed using SPSS v.11 to determine the statistical significance.A probability value (P value) of ≤ 0.001 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The data analysis showed that Air-Life Y-adapter suction catheters caused the least lostin tidal volume when placed in line with HFOV and hence proved to be the most efficient. Thestudy also showed a direct relationship between amplitude and lung compliance i.e. an increasein lung compliance caused an associated increase in amplitude (power setting remainingunaltered). Lastly, the study did not show a statistically significant change in tidal volume withchanges in lung compliance. Future studies may be required to further evaluate the clinicalsignificance of the same. Conclusion:1. Many factors affect delivery of tidal volume during high frequency ventilation and thus it isnot constant. Choice of in-line suction system to be placed in line is one of the determinants ofthe same.2. Lung compliance changes lead to associated changes in amplitude delivery by HFOV. Thisshould be adjusted as patient condition improves by altering the power settings to ensure optimalventilation and to avoid trauma to the lungs.

Civil engineers are at times required to stabilize sulfate bearing clay soils with calcium based stabilizers. Deleterious heaving in these stabilized soils may result over time. This dissertation addresses critical questions regarding the consequences of treating sulfate laden soils with calcium-based stabilizers. The use of a differential scanning calorimeter was introduced in this research as a tool to quantify the amount of ettringite formed in stabilized soils. The first part of this dissertation provides a case history analysis of the expansion history compared to the ettringite growth history of three controlled low strength mixtures containing fly ash with relatively high sulfate contents. Ettringite growth and measurable volume changes were monitored simultaneously for mixtures subjected to different environmental conditions. The observations verified the role of water in causing expansion when ettringite mineral is present. Sorption of water by the ettringite molecule was found to be a part of the reason for expansion. The second part of this dissertation evaluates the existence of threshold sulfate levels in soils as well as the role of soil mineralogy in defining the sensitivity of soils to sulfate-induced damage. A differential scanning calorimeter and thermodynamics based phase diagram approach are used to evaluate the role of soil minerals. The observations substantiated the difference in sensitivity of soils to ettringite formation, and also verified the existence of a threshold level of soluble sulfates in soils that can trigger substantial ettringite growth. The third part of this dissertation identifies alternative, probable mechanisms of swelling when sulfate laden soils are stabilized with lime. The swelling distress observed in stabilized soils is found to be due to one or a combination of three separate mechanisms: (1) volumetric expansion during ettringite formation, (2) water movement triggered by a high osmotic suction caused by sulfate salts, and (3) the ability of the ettringite mineral to absorb water and contribute to the swelling process.

Magistro darbe tiriama miško našumas ir jo pokyčiai, girininkijos ūkinės veiklos įtakoje. Darbo objektas – Kazlų Rūdos mokomosios miškų urėdijos Jūrės girininkijos miškai. Darbo tikslas – įvertinti miškų pokyčius ir ūkinės veiklos efektyvumą Jūrės girininkijos miškuose, panaudojant sklypinės ir atrankinės miškų inventorizacijų duomenis. Darbo metodai – panaudoti atrankinės miškų inventorizacijos, taksacinių rodiklių analizės ir medynų našumo balanso metodai. Vertinant medynų našumą ir jo pasikeitimus, atlikta įvairiapusė medynų analizė, gauti duomenys palyginti su miškotvarkos duomenimis. Įvertintas naudmenų pasikeitimas, iškirstas tūris ir kt. rodikliai. Įvertinta kokį poveikį našumo pasikeitimams turėjo girininkijos ūkinė veikla. Darbo rezultatai. Atlikus tyrimus, gauti rezultatai: Jūrės girininkijos miškuose didėja pušynų ir juodalksnynų plotai, kas rodo tikslingą medynų rūšinės sudėties formavimą Nbl, Lbl bei pelkinėse augavietėse. Vyraujantys vidutinio amžiaus ir pribręstantys medynai, mažos apimties pagrindiniai kirtimai lemia aukštą tūrio prieaugio kaupimą, didėjantį medynų amžių, skalsumą, didelius medyno tūrius. Pagal atrankinės miškų inventorizacijos duomenis nustatytas vidutinis 3,4 m3/ha per metus tūrio prieaugio kaupimas, intensyvus vidutinio tūrio didėjimas, kai tuo tarpu pagal miškotvarkos duomenis nustatytas tik 10 m3/ha tūrio pokytis per 14 metų. / The object of Master‘s study is forest yield and its changes under growth and silviculture measures in Jūrė‘s forest district of Kazlų Rūda Training Forest. Enterprise the purpose of the work is to estimate changes of forest and forest yield as well as efficiency of silviculture activities in Jure’s forest district. Analysis of there changes was made using data of standwise inventory and inventory by sampling method. Following work methods were used in this study: forest inventory by sampling method, analysis of stand parameters changes, method of stand yield balance. Following analysis of stand yields and its changes was made using data of inventory by sampling method. Obtained results were compared with data of standwise inventory forest. There were estimated changes of forestland categories, distribution by forest types felled volume and other parameters. The impact of forestry activities on changes of forest stand yield was evaluated too. Research results showed increasing of area pine and black alder forest types in Jūrė’s forest district. This results show purposive formation of stands’ species composition in Nbl, Lbl site. Prevailing in Jūrė’s forest district medium and mature age stands determine high grass increment, stands age, grown up stock volume. According to the results of sampling inventory by method there is defined grow annual increment increasing by 3,4 m3/ha over a year intense average stock volume increase. Meanwhile standwise forest inventory data... [to full text]

L'objectif de cette thèse est de mener une caractérisation expérimentale complète du comportement mécanique et thermomécanique d'un polyuréthane thermoplastique compact et sous forme moussée, utilisé dans la fabrication de pièces antivibratoires dans l'industrie automobile. Cette caractérisation est effectuée en s'appuyant sur des techniques d'imagerie quantitative, la thermographie infrarouge en particulier. D'un point de vue mécanique, la dépendance des différents phénomènes - effet Mullins, hystérésis mécanique, déformation résiduelle et variation de volume - à la densité initiale et à la vitesse de chargement a été établie. Sur le plan thermique et calorimétrique, la signature de ces différents phénomènes a été caractérisée et les bilans énergétiques menés ont permis d'estimer la dissipation mécanique en fonction des conditions d'essais et de la densité initiale du matériau. Les résultats de ces travaux constituent une base de données expérimentale pour l'identification de paramètres constitutifs et l'enrichissement de lois de comportement. / This PhD thesis deals with the full mechanical and thermomechanical characterization of thermoplastic polyurethane, in its compact and foam states, dedicated to antivibratory systems for automotive. This characterization has been carried out by using quantitative imaging techniques, especially infrared thermography. From a mechanical point of view, the dependency of the different phenomena involved in the material deformation - Mullins effect, mechanical hysteresis, residual deformation and volume change - on the initial density and loading rate has been established. The thermal and calorimetric signature of these phenomena has been characterized and the mechanical dissipation was estimated from energy balances. The results obtained provide an experimental database for the identification of constitutive parameters and the enrichment of behavior laws.

[pt] Esta pesquisa apresenta um estudo sobre a influência de técnicas de saturação, empregadas em laboratórios comerciais e de pesquisa, no comportamento tensão-deformação-resistência de solos residuais quando submetidos a ensaios de compressão triaxial tipo CIU. Os solos avaliados são provenientes de litologias distintas e apresentam diferenças na composição mineralógica, grau de intemperismo e estrutura. Um dos solos pertence ao perfil de alteração de uma rocha alcalina encontrada no município de Tanguá-RJ. Os demais solos são oriundos das feições melanocrática e leucocrática de um migmatito da baixada fluminense (Duque de Caxias-RJ). A variação de volume total dos corpos de prova durante a saturação foi monitorada em alguns ensaios para auxiliar na interpretação dos resultados. Para tanto, foi desenvolvida uma câmara triaxial dupla com sistema de medida de variação de volume total de fácil montagem e custo reduzido, cujas características técnicas são competitivas com as existentes no mercado. O método de saturação que consiste na percolação de água por meio de sucção com baixa tensão confinante seguida de aumento contínuo e simultâneo de tensões (saturação automática) mostrou ser o mais adequado para o solo residual de rocha alcalina, que apresenta estrutura frágil, sem agentes cimentantes e com elevado índice de vazios. Já o solo residual de migmatito (feição melanocrática), que apresenta agentes cimentantes e elevada tensão de cedência, é menos susceptível à técnica de saturação, tendo seu comportamento afetado apenas pelo emprego da técnica de incremento único de contrapressão. / [en] This research presents a study on the influence of saturation procedures, used in commercial and research laboratories, on the stress-strain-strength behavior of residual soils when subjected to CIU triaxial tests. The selected soils are derived from different lithologies and show differences in mineralogical composition, structure and weathering degree. One of them belongs to the weathering profile of an alkaline rock located at the city of Tanguá-RJ. The others are the result of weathering processes on melanocratic and leucocratic features of a migmatite from Duque de Caxias, in Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area. Variation of the total volume of the test specimens was monitored during the saturation process in some tests to assess the influence of this procedure on the soil structure. For this purpose, it was developed a double-walled triaxial cell with a system based on the measurement of variation of the volume of the fluid filling the inner cell. The equipment has competitive technical features, besides the low cost and easy to assemble. The saturation technique based on percolating water by suction with a low cell pressure followed by continuous and simultaneous increase of backpressure (automatic saturation) was the most suitable method for the residual soil from the alkaline rock, which presents a weakly cemented structure, without bonding, and high voids ratio. However, the residual soil from the migmatite rock (melanocratic feature), which has strong cementation and high yielding stress, shown to be less susceptible to the saturation procedures, having its behavior affected only by the saturation technique of elevation of backpressure in just onestage.

This master thesis focus on the analysis of effects that cause defects in concrete blocks. Experiences show that the defect of the blocks are often manifested in the form of cracks. Great rate of occurrence of defects is attributed to volume changes of poor quality concrete filler. The aim of this master thesis is to analyze the finding from the practical use and exploration of the requirements for the actual blocks and especially the concrete filler which is used to make monolithic structures built from these blocks. The attention will be paid to the interaction between the block and the concrete filler. Here we focus mainly on the volume changes caused by a change of moisture level and especially the cyclic moisture.