Structural capacity of steel tubular cast-in-place piling

Steel tubular cast-in-place pilings are used throughout the country for many different project types. These piles are a closed-end pipe with varying wall thicknesses and outer diameters, that are driven to depth and then the core is filled with concrete. These piles are typically used for smaller bridges, or secondary structures. Mostly the piling is designed based on a resistance based method which is a function of the soil properties of which the pile is driven through, however there is a structural capacity of these members that is considered to be the upper bound on the loading of the member. This structural capacity is given by the AASHTO LRFD (2010), with two methods. These two methods are based on a composite or non-composite section. Many state agencies and corporations use the non-composite equation because it is requires much less computation and is known to be conservative. However with the trends of the time, more and more structural elements are being investigated to determine ways to better understand the mechanics of the members, which could lead to more efficient and safer designs. In this project, a set of these piling are investigated. The way the cross section reacts to several different loading conditions, along with a more detailed observation of the material properties is considered as part of this research. The evaluation consisted of testing stub sections of pile with varying sizes (10-¾”, 12-¾”), wall thicknesses (0.375”, 0.5”), and testing methods (whole compression, composite compression, push through, core sampling). These stub sections were chosen as they would represent a similar bracing length to many different soils. In addition, a finite element model was developed using ANSYS to predict the strains from the testing of the pile cross sections. This model was able to simulate the strains from most of the loading conditions and sizes that were tested. The bond between the steel shell and the concrete core, along with the concrete strength through the depth of the cross section were some of the material properties of these sections that were investigated

‘Memory and the Myth of Communication -“DataFlower for Dunedin” 1998 -Adrian Hall in the Octagon.’

‘Memory and the Myth of Communication -“DataFlower for  Dunedin” 1998 - Performed by Adrian Hall in the Octagon.&rsquo

Examining hydration status and the physiological and behavioural influences on voluntary water intake

Understanding the physiological and behavioural reasons that result in voluntary water intake and the volume subsequently consumed in both the work place and during and following an exercise setting can provide further information on water balance and the necessity and requirements of water intake. The first study (Chapter 3) aimed to assess hydration status in the adult population at the start and end of a working day and the amount of water from beverages that was consumed. Urine osmolality and urine specific gravity (USG) suggested a large proportion of subjects arrived (osmolality: 54%; USG: 53%) and left (osmolality: 35%; USG: 33%) work in a hypohydrated state, with variation between subjects in the same and different places of work. Reported water intake varied between groups with males consuming more than females. To further examine hydration status it was proposed to assess the use of capillary blood sampling as an alternative to more restrictive venous blood sampling (Chapter 4), however, despite tracking changes in blood parameters in a similar capacity, the inconsistencies of results suggested capillary blood sampling could not be used reliably. The remaining chapters in the thesis examined voluntary water intake. In Chapter 5 this was during and following exercise in the cold. Less water was consumed compared to exercise in a warm environment and there was an indication of a blunted thirst response in the cold. Following high intensity intermittent exercise, more water was voluntarily consumed during a one hour recovery period compared to when continuous exercise of the same average power output was performed (Chapter 6). Following exercise there was increased serum osmolality, serum sodium concentration, plasma vasopressin concentration and blood lactate concentration compared to baseline values. The relative contribution that decreasing blood lactate concentrations and water intake during the recovery period had on serum osmolality could not be determined, so the study in Chapter 7 was carried out. The time period during which voluntary water intake was allowed was manipulated during a recovery period following a period of high intensity intermittent exercise. Allowing water intake for the full hour, the final 30 minutes or not at all, resulted in similar decreases in serum osmolality throughout the duration of the recovery period. A combination of finishing the period of exercise allowing plasma volume restoration, reduction in blood lactate concentration, reduction in serum sodium concentration, a restoration of blood lactate concentration and water intake appeared to contribute to decreased serum osmolality. Sensations of thirst were the main stimulants of voluntary water intake (Chapters 3, 5, 6 and 7), however, following exercise, sensations of thirst resulted in water consumption despite the majority of subjects not losing enough water (>2% body mass loss) to require additional rehydration. In this thesis, it can be concluded that voluntary water intake differs between individuals, between work environments, during and following exercise in different environments and following different exercise intensities. Water intake is generally initiated by sensations of thirst arising from physiological and behavioural mechanisms even in the absence of significant hypohydration and will reduce once satiated

Will Churches Respond to the Call? Religion, Civic Responsibility, and Social Service

Despite national calls for churches to become more involved in social service, many churches may not be willing or able to respond. Drawing on sociological theory, previous research, and interviews with pastors and parish social ministers from Catholic congregations in a large, urban city in Texas, we examine key factors linked to church-based social service efforts. Particulara ttention is given to church leadership,r ace/ethnicity,o rganizational characteristics, social and political networks, and the intersection of these factors in affecting service provision and advocacy. We then discuss the likely impacts of policies calling for religious organizations to increase their social service activities

Population-level linkages between urban greenspace and health inequality : the case for using multiple indicators of neighbourhood greenspace

Exposure to greenspace in urban environments is associated with a range of improved health and well-being outcomes. There is a need to understand which aspects of greenspace influence which components of health. We investigate the relationship of indicators of greenspace quantity (total and specific types of greenspace), accessibility and quality with poor general health, depression, and severe mental illness, in the city of Sheffield, UK. We find complex relationships with multiple greenspace indicators that are different for each health measure, highlighting a need for future studies to include multiple, nuanced indicators of neighbourhood greenspace in order to produce results that can inform planning and policy guidance

Symptomatic scrotoliths in a child

Amelanotic/hypomelanotic variant of cellular blue naevus (CBN) can present a challenge for the clinician and histopathologist. We report a case of amelanotic/hypomelanotic variant of CBN that presented as a painless scrotal swelling in a child. We review the literature on amelanotic/hypomelanotic CBN, the key histological features and important differential diagnoses

Electron cyclotron mass in undoped CdTe/CdMnTe quantum wells

Optically detected cyclotron resonance of two-dimensional electrons has been studied in nominally undoped CdTe/(Cd,Mn)Te quantum wells. The enhancement of carrier quantum confinement results in an increase of the electron cyclotron mass from 0.099$m_0$ to 0.112$m_0$ with well width decreasing from 30 down to 3.6 nm. Model calculations of the electron effective mass have been performed for this material system and good agreement with experimental data is achieved for an electron-phonon coupling constant $\alpha$=0.32