Tree crown architecture: a tool for decay resistance evaluation

The variability of natural durability contributes to the bad perception of some wood end-users. In our search, we need to adjust our methods and strategies to estimate natural durability and extract higher value from wood resources. Architectural analysis is essentially a detailed, multilevel, comprehensive and dynamic approach to plant development. Numerous biological process which impact some wood properties like durability are linked with tree development. A better understanding of the interelationship between tree physiology through tree achitecture analysis and natural durability could be an approach to predict this property. This study explore the relation between the crown architecture, decay resistance and wood extractives in Dicorynia guianensis in order to propose tree crown architecture as an evalution decay resistance tool. (Résumé d'auteur

Nirs tools for prediction of main extractives compounds of teak (Tectona grandis L.) heartwood

Biochemical and physiological process which occurred during heartwood formation have consequences on wood properties such as colour, natural durability and some mechanical properties. However, it is very time-consuming to take measurements of extractives contents. Teak has been reported to contain 1-hydroxy- 2-methyl-anthraquinone, 2-hydroxy-methyl-anthraquinone, 2-methyl- anthraquinone, lapachol, 1,4-naphthoquinone for the main compounds. In teak, natural durability is ascribed to extractives. Consequently, it's possible to estimate natural durability by measurement of extractives indirectly. For the purposes of selection for the production of improved varieties, the number of samples to be measured rapidly exceeds the capacity of a traditional laboratory. Near-infrared spectroscopy approach, based on spectral data and reference data, is a tool enabling many of the chemical properties of wood to be predicted and the number of laboratory measurements to be reduced exponentially. The issue here is a question of checking the effectiveness of NIRS tool to build models and predict the main extractive compounds of teak wood from Ivory Coast. We try to calibrate these chemical properties with Nirs spectral information measured on grounded wood. The results show the possible use of NIRS to predict total phenol content and some main extractive compounds of teak heartwood as tectoquinone, 2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone,Consequently, after verification on other sets of teak samples, which may or may not be included in the prediction model, NIRS can be used to predict extractive compounds accurately for a large number of samples, making it possible to estimate natural durability indirectly and to include these characteristics in the selection criteria for classifying wood and high throughput phenotyping. (Résumé d'auteur

An Empirical Model for Optimal Highway Durability in Cold Regions

We develop an empirical tool to estimate optimal highway durability in cold regions. To test the model, we assemble a data set containing all highway construction and maintenance projects in Arizona and Washington State from 1990 to 2014. The data set includes information on location, time, type (resurfacing, construction, or lane widening), pavement material and thickness, and total expenditure for these projects. Using the data, we first estimate how highway maintenance costs and highway duration depend on pavement thickness and traffic loading. We then calibrate the effects of different deicers on highway durability and thus on highway maintenance costs. Finally, we demonstrate how the estimated and calibrated model can be used by planners to make optimal decisions for highway pavement and winter operations in cold regions

Automation of technological preparation of metal working on heavy machine tools

The programs for selection of the cutting tools construction and cutting regimes are working in unrestricted surroundings elaborate of addition SharpDevelop in language C#. By the appendix of Cosmos of the program SolidWorks the areas of plate break-age and tensions distributing arising up in it at the different values of cutting force are certain. Based on the conducted researches of durability the rational structural parameters of collapsible chisels, in particular, thickness of plate are grounded that provides the increase of efficiency of treatment of details a hard-alloy instrument on the heavy machine tool

The Organization of Novaculite Tool Production: Quarry-Workshop Debitage Comparisons

Arkansas novaculite, outcropping in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma, has been an important regional lithic resource for thousands of years. Because of the stone’s durability, by-products of past novaculite procurement and tool production and use activities litter the landscape in southwest Arkansas. Recent work situates novaculite quarries in the broader context of tool production and exchange systems. This article focuses on the organization of tool production, and explores analytical techniques that can be used to identify spatial separation of the lithic reduction process between quarry, workshop, and habitation sites

Knowledge creation and visualisation by using trade-off curves to enable set-based concurrent engineering

The increased international competition forces companies to sustain and improve market share through the production of a high quality product in a cost effective manner and in a shorter time. Set‑based concurrent engineering (SBCE), which is a core element of lean product development approach, has got the potential to decrease time‑to‑market as well as enhance product innovation to be produced in good quality and cost effective manner. A knowledge‑based environment is one of the important requ irements for a successful SBCE implementation. One way to provide this environment is the use of trade‑off curves (ToC). ToC is a tool to create and visualise knowledge in the way to understand the relationships between various conflicting design parame ters to each other. This paper presents an overview of different types of ToCs and the role of knowledge‑based ToCs in SBCE by employing an extensive literature review and industrial field study. It then proposes a process of generating and using knowledg e‑based ToCs in order to create and visualise knowledge to enable the following key SBCE activities: (1) Identify the feasible design space, (2) Generate set of conceptual design solutions, (3) Compare design solutions, (4) Narrow down the design sets, (5) Achieve final optimal design solution. Finally a hypothetical example of a car seat structure is presented in order to provide a better understanding of using ToCs. This example shows that ToCs are effective tools to be used as a knowledge sou rce at the early stages of product development process

Contributions of X-ray CT to the characterization of natural building stones and their disintegration

This paper highlights the use of the high resolution scanner at the Centre for X-ray Tomography in Ghent, Belgium (UGCT), for the 3D quantitative evaluation of the disintegration of some French natural building stones. Rocks deteriorate when they are exposed to extreme weathering factors such as a combination of water and freeze-thaw cycles or high pressure. The results of those processes can be very diverse: from element migration to crust formation to the origination of micro-cracks. Thanks to its non-destructive character, high resolution computed tomography (CT) turned out to be an excellent monitoring tool as it contributes to the characterization of the internal structure of the natural building stone. X-ray CT also provides a better insight into the micro-structural durability properties of the building stone

Funding the Extraordinary: An Evaluation of The Kresge Foundation Arts and Culture Program's Institutional Capitalization Grantmaking

In undertaking an assessment of Kresge's Capitalization Program, NFF applied its own high-level framework to help answer Kresge's primary research questions and assess the progress of each grantee in meeting its stated capital targets. NFF has found that effective capitalization in the nonprofit sector requires attention to three key financial priorities: liquidity, adaptability and durability:1. Liquidity: Does the organization have adequate cash to meet its operating needs?2. Adaptability: Does the organization have flexible funds that allow it to make adjustments as circumstances change?3. Durability: Does the organization have sufficient resources to address the range of needs that it may face in future years?NFF's review of Kresge's grantees sought to assess capitalization by looking for evidence of organizational progress in building liquid funds for immediate operating needs, as well as longer-term balance sheet savings for adaptability and durability. NFF's evaluation of grantees involved a combination of data analysis and interviews