Дисертації з теми "Strength of competitive influence"

Identification and development of physical characteristics that lead to efficient performance of military skills or tasks has been a consistently difficult task for the United States military for decades. The literature suggests certain physical characteristics may be more important, although this information is conflicting. Furthermore, the military physical fitness training program that is intended to prepare soldiers for combat is commonly evaluated with the Army Physical Fitness Test (PFT), a test that is more suited for evaluating health and wellness rather than task-specific fitness. All of this testing and training of soldiers focuses on the individual soldiers and their abilities although military skills or tasks are seldom if ever conducted independently. The first purpose of this dissertation was to identify relationships between the PFT, anthropometrics, measures of strength, and power. The second purpose was to identify the team characteristics that influence team performance during the Sandhurst Competition (a 2-day simulated military operation). Strong correlations were found between PFT events and weak correlations were found between PFT measures and evaluations of strength and power. The strong correlations between PFT events could indicate that only one event may be necessary to determine health and wellness. The weak correlations between events of the PFT and measures of strength and power suggest the PFT is not an assessment of strength and power based on the strength and power measures employed in the current study. The evaluation of team characteristics indicated that age (possibly experience) had the largest effect on Sandhurst Competition performance. Further analysis of each event supported the contention that age influences performance but also identified specific aerobic, anaerobic, and anthropometric variables that influenced performance on particular events. The data from this dissertation suggests that teams competing in the Sandhurst Competition should attempt to recruit team members with more experience, very high run scores, and high vertical jump heights.

Дисертаційну роботу присвячено обґрунтуванню теоретико-методичних основ та розробці практичних рекомендацій щодо побудови конкурентної стратегії торговельного підприємства, яка спрямована на формування динамічних конкурентних переваг в процесі забезпечення сталого розвитку підприємства. Розвинено категорійно-понятійний апарат теорії конкуренції, конкурентних стратегій, а також запропоновано концептуальний підхід до формування конкурентної стратегії на основі безперервної інноваційної моделі. Розглянуто і критично проаналізовано еволюціонування теорії конкуренції в перебігу формування економічних систем та доведено, що Індустрія 4.0 докорінно трансформує основні важелі конкурентного середовища, соціальний базис конкурентних стратегій та інструментів суперництва, основаних на інтелектуальній компоненті. Таке бачення уможливлює імплементування основних елементів Індустрії 4.0 в діяльність торговельних українських підприємств, зважаючи на їх роль у ланцюгу створення цінності. Визначено особливості функціонування механізму формування динамічного конкурентного потенціалу, який забезпечує швидкість реагування на зміни ринкової ситуації, стратегічну гнучкість та готовність підприємства до змін. На основі систематизації наукових підходів до формування конкурентної стратегії запропоновано її безперервну інноваційну модель, рушійним механізмом якої мають стати стратегічні дії підприємства щодо вдосконалення бази знань, а отже формування стійких та динамічних конкурентних переваг. До їх числа віднесено: мотиваційні механізми конкурування; системи управління знаннями й продукування генерації ідей та інновацій; інструменти маркетингу, сценарії досягнення лідерства; забезпечення інтересів стейкголдерів; партнерські стратегії. Удосконалено науково-методичний підхід щодо формування концептуального паттерну стратегічного конкурентного потенціалу підприємства роздрібної торгівлі, який на відміну від інших розробок включає: можливості, що склалися у зовнішньому середовищі; споживчий потенціал; потенціал внутрішнього середовища підприємства, і спрямований на підвищення конкурентного потенціалу підприємства. Концептуальний паттерн формування стратегічного конкурентного потенціалу, здатний не тільки формувати й підтримувати конкурентні переваги, але й продукувати інновацію цінностей для забезпечення безперервності розвитку торговельного підприємства. Виокремлено та обґрунтовано забезпечуючий ланцюг системних цінностей, який продукується функціональними підсистемами торговельного підприємства та формує унікальну торговельну пропозицію. Пропонований підхід забезпечить сучасне підґрунтя для формування конкурентної стратегії торговельного підприємства. Ідентифіковано та проведено класифікацію факторів впливу на формування конкурентних стратегій та культуру безперервного інноваційного бізнес-моделювання, яка, на відміну від усталених, виокремлює екзогенні (глобалізаційні процеси, межі ринків, темпи розвитку технологій, невизначеність середовища); ендогенні (динаміка та розмір внутрішнього потенціалу підприємств торгівлі, організаційні знання та навики, рівень між фірмової невизначеності) та стратегічні дії підприємств щодо вдосконалення бази знань та забезпечення безперервності розвитку конкурентної стратегії (партнерські стратегії, сценарії досягнення лідерства, забезпечення інтересів стейкголдерів, співконкуренція, внутрішні інноваційні процеси). Такий підхід дозволяє підприємствам торгівлі при формування конкурентної стратегії базуватися на безперервній інноваційній моделі. Дістала подальшого розвитку теоретизація понятійного апарату конкурентної стратегії підприємства, а саме: визначено сутність поняття «конкурентна стратегія», яка, на відміну від усталених поглядів, розглядається як динамічна модель поведінки підприємства, спрямована на досягнення сталої конкурентоспроможності в межах місії, націленої на задоволення потреб споживачів та забезпечення економічних, масштабних та іміджевих ефектів підприємства. Розвинено трактування сутності поняття «інновація цінності», яку на відміну від інших, запропоновано визначати як стратегію, що забезпечує здатність системи продукувати ринкові зміни на основі збалансованого поєднання виключної корисності, цільової собівартості, стратегічного ціноутворення задля безперервного розвитку підприємства у конкурентному середовищі. На підставі моніторингу ринку канцтоварів України удосконалено науково-методичний підхід до якісного оцінювання ситуації на ринку, який на відміну від інших розробок, ґрунтується на визначенні системи інтегрованих оцінок зовнішнього конкурентного макропотенціалу, в розрізі визначальних екзогенних факторів і залежить від їх варіації та рівня впливу на діяльність підприємства, що дозволило оцінити зовнішній конкурентний потенціал, який впливає на формування конкурентної стратегії підприємств роздрібної торгівлі. Сформовано теоретико-методичний підхід до визначення ефективності управління конкурентною позицією торговельного підприємства, що базується на інтегрованій оцінці масштабу конкурентного потенціалу, сили конкурентного впливу та результативності стратегічних дій конкурентів, та спрямований на трансформування стратегічного бачення позиції підприємства на ринку як конкурентної стратегії, а стійкість конкурентних переваг дозволяє визначати в контексті можливості утримання конкурентної позиції у довгостроковій перспективі. Запропоновано комплексний інтегральний показник ефективності управління конкурентною позицією підприємств роздрібної торгівлі на основі результативності стратегічних дій та сили конкурентного впливу. Все це формує аналітичну складову розробки конкурентної стратегії, яка забезпечить механізм порівняння динамічності, гнучкості конкурентних переваг, для формування сталої конкурентоспроможності в межах корпоративної стратегії спрямованої на задоволення потреб споживачів та забезпечення економічних, масштабних та іміджевих ефектів підприємства торгівлі. Набув подальшого розвитку ресурсний підхід до оцінювання внутрішнього конкурентного потенціалу підприємств роздрібної торгівлі, в основу якого, на відміну від інших, покладено розрахунок інтегрального показника на основі збалансованої системи часткових показників за такими складовими потенціалу, як: споживчий, фінансовий, клієнтський, бізнес-процесів, стратегічний та потенціал розвитку, що дає можливість комплексно визначити рушійні сили конкурентного потенціалу, розглянути синестезію пріоритетних конкурентних складових підприємства роздрібної торгівлі з цілями його корпоративної стратегії та забезпечити порівняння між існуючим станом та прогнозним рівнем конкурентного потенціалу підприємства. Запропоновано системно-раціональний підхід до реалізації тактичного конкурентного позиціювання в напрямку активних стратегічних дій підприємства роздрібної торгівлі в межах загальної конкурентної стратегії комбінування. Даний підхід ґрунтувався на припущенні, що формування мережі магазинів одного підприємства має відбуватися на основі експоненціального приросту корисності, ефекту масштабу, накопиченого досвіду й знань, зростанням довіри з боку зацікавлених осіб. Даний підхід складається з методики перевірки наявності тісноти синергійних зв’язків між магазинами, що входять до складу одного підприємства та моделі визначення раціонального масштабу мережі магазинів, побудованої на основі показника відносного загального доходу, який продукується мережею магазинів. Удосконалено науково-методичний підхід до формування конкурентної стратегії підприємства роздрібної торгівлі канцтоварами, який об’єднує в собі послідовність дій інтуїтивної аргументації сценаріїв досягнення лідерства на ринку та, на відміну від існуючих розробок, враховує структуризацію цілей тактичної конкурентної позиції, виявлення альтернативних тактичних завдань, які формують тактичні конкурентні переваги та тактик конкурування з подальшою ітерацією конвергенції ймовірнісного та бажаного стану системи в умовах ресурсних та часових обмежень. Результати отриманих досліджень та практичне вирішення завдань щодо формування конкурентної стратегії знайшло відображення у практичній діяльності підприємств роздрібної торгівлі канцтоварами міста Вінниці та Хмельницької торговельно-промислової палати. Ключові слова: стратегія, конкурентна стратегія, конкурентоспроможність, конкурентна позиція, конкурентні переваги, сила конкурентного впливу, інтенсивність конкуренції, споживчий потенціал, інновація цінності, функціональна цінність, вартісна цінність, споживча цінність, операційна цінність, організаційна цінність, комбінована конкурентна стратегія, тактична конкурентна позиція, тактика конкурування.
The dissertation is devoted to substantiation of theoretical and methodical bases and development of practical recommendations on construction of competitive strategy of commercial enterprise which is directed on formation of dynamic competitive advantages in the process of maintenance of sustainable development of the enterprise. It is developed categorical and conceptual system of theory of competition, competitive strategies, and also it is proposed a conceptual approach to the formation of a competitive strategy based on a continuous innovation model. It is considered and critically analyzed the evolution of competition theory during the formation of economic systems and it is proved that Industry 4.0 radically transforms the main levers of the competitive environment, the social basis of competitive strategies and rivalry tools based on the intellectual component. Such vision enables the implementation of the main elements of Industry 4.0 in the activities of Ukrainian commercial enterprises, considering to their role in the chain of creation the value. It is defined the peculiarities of functioning of the mechanism of formation of dynamic competitive potential which provides speed of reaction to changes of market situation, strategic flexibility and readiness of the enterprise to changes. Based on the systematization of scientific approaches to the formation of competitive strategy it is proposed its continuous innovative model, the driving mechanism of which should be the strategic actions of the enterprise to improve the base of knowledge, and therefore the formation of sustainable and dynamic competitive advantages. These include: motivational mechanisms of competition; knowledge management systems and production of idea generation and innovation; marketing tools, scenarios of achieving the leadership; ensuring the interests of stakeholders; partnership strategies. It is improved the scientific and methodological approach to the formation of the conceptual pattern of strategic competitive potential of the retail enterprise, which, unlike other developments, includes: opportunities that have developed in the external environment; consumer potential; the potential of the internal environment of the enterprise, and aims to increase the competitive potential of the enterprise. Conceptual pattern of formation of strategic competitive potential is able not only to form and maintain competitive advantages, but also to produce innovation of values to ensure the continuity of development of commercial enterprise. It is highlighted and grounded the providing chain of system values, which is produced by the functional subsystems of trade enterprise and forms a unique trade offer. The suggested approach will provide a modern basis for formation of competitive strategy of commercial enterprise. It is identified and carried out the classification of impact factors on the formation of competitive strategies and culture of continuous innovative business modeling, which, unlike established, carves out exogenous (globalization processes, markets borders, the rate of technology development, the uncertainty of the environment); endogenous (dynamics and size of internal potential of trade enterprises, organizational knowledge and skills, the level interfirm uncertainty) and strategic actions of enterprises to improve the knowledge base and ensure the continuity of competitive strategy (partnership strategies, scenarios of achieving the leadership, ensuring the interests of stakeholders, co-competition, internal innovation processes ). Such approach allows the trade enterprises during the formation of competitive strategy to base on continuous innovation model. Received of further development of theorizing conceptual system of competitive strategy of the enterprise, namely: it is defined he essence of the concept of «competitive strategy», which, unlike established views, is considered as a dynamic model of enterprise behavior aimed at achieving sustainable competitiveness within the mission aimed at meeting consumer needs and ensuring economic, large-scale and image effects of the enterprise. It is developed interpretation of the essence of the concept of «value innovation», which, unlike others, is proposed to define as a strategy that ensures the ability of the system to produce market changes based on the balanced combination of exceptional utility, target prime cost, strategic pricing for continuous development in the competitive environment. Based on the monitoring of the stationery market of Ukraine, it is improved the scientific and methodological approach to qualitative assessment of the market situation, which, unlike other developings, is based on the definition of the system of integrated assessment of external competitive macro-potential, in terms of determinative exogenous factors and depends on their variation and the level of impact on the enterprise activity, which is allowed to assess external competitive potential that effects on the formation of competitive strategy of the retail trade enterprises. It is formed theoretical and methodical approach of determination of management efficiency of competitive position of commercial enterprise, which is based on the integrated assessment of the scale of competitive potential, strength of the competitive impact and effectiveness of strategic actions of competitors, and aims at transforming of strategic vision of the position of the enterprise on the market as a competitive strategy, and the stability of competitive advantages allows to determine in the context of the possibility of maintaining a competitive position in the long prospect. It is suggested a complex integrated indicator of the effectiveness of managing the competitive position of the retail trade enterprises based on the effectiveness of strategic actions and the strength of competitive influence. All it forms an analytical component of the development of competitive strategy, which will provide a mechanism of comparing the dynamism, flexibility of competitive advantages, to form a sustainable competitiveness within the corporate strategy aimed at meeting consumer needs and ensuring economic, scale and image-building effects of trade enterprise. It is acquired further resource approach to assessing the internal competitive potential of the retail trade enterprises, on the basis, unlike others, is laid the calculation of integrated indicator based on a balanced system of partial indicators for such components of potential as consumer, financial, customer, business processes, strategic and development potential, which allows to determine comprehensively the driving forces of competitive potential, to consider the synesthesia of priority competitive components of the retail trade enterprise with the goals of its corporate strategy and to provide a comparison between the existing state and the forecast level of competitive potential. It is suggested system-rational approach to realization of tactical competitive positioning in the direction of active strategic actions of the retail trade enterprise within general competitive strategy of combination. This approach was based on the assumption that the formation of chain store system of one enterprise should be based on the exponential increase of utility, effect of scale, accumulated experience and knowledge, increasing trust from interested person. This approach consists of a method of checking the closeness of synergies between stores that are part of the same enterprise and the model of determining the rational scale of the chain store system, built on the basis of the relative total revenue, which is produced by the chain store system. It is improved scientific and methodological approach to the formation of a competitive strategy of the retail trade enterprise of stationery, which consisits of combination of sequences of actions of intuitive reasoning scenarios of achieving the leadership at the market and, in contrast with the existing developings, takes into account the structuring of tactical competitive position, identifying alternative tactical tasks tactical which forms tactical competitive advantages and competitive tactics with subsequent iteration of the convergence of the probable and desired state of the system in terms of resource and time constraints. The results of the received researches and practical decision of issues to form the competitive strategy were reflected in practical activity of the enterprises of retail trade enterprises of stationery of Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In an attempt to determine the value of dry-land weight training on swimming performance, two groups of twenty four intercollegiate male swimmers were equated based upon pre-swimming performance, swim power values, stroke specialities, and collegiate swimming experience. At the start of a swimming season there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the swim training group (SWIM, N=12) and the combined weight and swim training group (COMBO, N=12). Throughout the 13 weeks of their competitive swimming season, both SWIM and COMBO swam together six days a week. In addition, the COMBO engaged in a weight training program three days a week between the third and eleventh weeks (for eight weeks) of the season. The weight training program, using free weights, was intended to simulate arm actions and muscle actions similar to those used during front crawl swimming. Both COMBO and SWIM groups had significant but similar power gains (p<0.05) as measured on the biokinetic swim bench and during a tethered swim. Swimmers in both groups experienced a significant (p<0.05) increase in competitive swim performance from 1991 to 1992 (0.89 ± 0.60% in COMBO and 0.87 ± 0.4Q% in SWIM) whereas no change in distance per stroke (p>0.05) was observed throughout the course of this investigation. Mean total testosterone levels were not altered during the weight training period in either group. No significant (p>0.05) differences were found between the groups in any of the swim power and swimming performance tests. In this investigation, dry-land weight training did not improve swimming performance despite the fact that the COMBO was able to increase the weights used during strength training by 25 to 35%. The lack of positive transfer between dry-land strength gains and swimming propulsive force may be due to the specificity of training.
Human Performance Laboratory

Purpose: The purpose of this training, monitoring study was to investigate how alterations in training variables affect changes among underlying mechanisms of performance and weightlifting performance and whether certain variables are better suited for monitoring the training process than others. Additionally, the importance of including barbell displacement in volume load (VL) calculations was investigated. Subjects: Seven (4 males, 3 females) competitive weightlifters participated in the study dealing with alterations of underlying mechanisms and performance while 8 weightlifters (5 males, 3 females) participated in the investigation of exercise displacement. Methods: The weightlifters participated in a 20-week periodized resistance training plan. Measurements of maximal strength and explosive strength from the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and static jumps (SJ) with 0kg, 11kg, and 20kg were taken toward the end of each training block (weeks 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, and 20). Weightlifting performance was measured at weeks 0, 7, 11, and 20. The detailed monitoring of VL consisted of recording the load, rep count, and with and without displacement for every set for 20 weeks. Results: Very strong correlations were displayed between weightlifting performances and isometric rate of force development (RFD), isometric peak force (PF), and peak power (PP) at 0kg, 11kg, and 20kg. During periods of higher volume loads RFD was depressed to a much greater extent than peak force (PF). For the males, similar to RFD, JH at 20kg responded in a manner fitting an expected fatigue response compared to JH at 0kg and 11kg. VL correlated very strongly to VL with displacement; however, statistically significant differences existed for percent change (4 of the 7 time periods measured) Conclusions: PF is more resistant to volume alterations than RFD and JH at 20kg. Thus RFD and JH at 20kg appear to be superior monitoring metrics. The testing period in which preparedness was the highest happened in concert with a taper. Based on correlations, PF, RFD, and PP are variables on which coaches should focus for enhancing performance. A strong relationship exists between VL and VL with displacement; however, changes from one period to the next are not always the same.

Background: Maximal muscle strength and body proportions are some of the key attributes to be a fast swimmer. Even though dolphin kick (DK) has become essential to be a fast swimmer little is known of its associations to muscle strength and body proportions. Moreover, the effect of feet size has been stated to be a primary contributor to dolphin kick thrust production, but scientific evidence is still scarce. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between lower extremity muscle strength, abdominal strength and feet length with dolphin kick performance over 15 meters in active competitive swimmers 15-20 years old Method: Twelve Test subjects (six male and six female) participated. Test subjects performed four 15 meters dolphin kick trials. Lower extremity muscle strength was tested with a three repetition maximum strength test and abdominal strength with brutal bench test. The muscles tested were rectus femoris, biceps femoris and rectus abdominis. Feet length was measured with a measuring tape. The correlations between lower extremity strength, abdominal strength and feet length with dolphin kick performance were calculated with spearman’s correlation. Results: Twelve test subjects between ages 15-20 years old participated. Spearman correlation test showed that lower extremity strength (rectus femoris: rs=-0.57 and biceps femoris: rs=-0.66) had a large association with dolphin kick performance. Abdominal strength (rs=-0.46) and feet length (rs=-0.35) had a moderate association with dolphin kick performance. Conclusion: The present study conclude that lower extremity strength is important for DK performance over 15 meters and that abdominal strength and feet length also is important but is less associated to it. The finding from this study can be used for making training programs for improving DK performance and for scouting swimmers with beneficial traits for specific swimming technique.

In this thesis the influence of the drying pressure on interfibre bond strength was investigated. Five different drying pressures, 0.7, 2.9, 4.5, 6.7, and 15 kPa, were applied during the preparation of fiber-fiber cross test pieces. The nominal overlap area of each fibre-fibre cross was measured in a transmission light microscope. A tensile tester was used to record the loaddeformation behavior of each fiber-fiber cross. The final results of the interfibre bond strength were defined by both the overlap area and the maximum force of each bond. The results showed that the influence of drying pressure to the average strength were very weak, although a maximum could be seen at 2.9 kPa of drying pressure. Moreover, the results suggested the overall trend of decreasing strengths at very high drying pressures. Finally, a statistical significance study of the results was presented. In addition, the influences of fiber type (spring wood vs. summer wood) and press type (steel vs. steel or steel vs. rubber) on interfibre bond strength were also discussed.

Thesis (M.A.)--East Tennessee State University, 2004.
Title from electronic submission form. ETSU ETD database URN: etd-1219103-161923. Includes bibliographical references. Also available via Internet at the UMI web site.

The main aim of this thesis was to gain a greater understanding of how a golfer’s attentional focus may be related to their achievement motivation and competence striving during competitive performance. It was anticipated that if such relationships were established in competitive contexts, findings would enhance understanding of the underlying mechanisms that contribute to attention explanations of diverse performance outcomes under perceived pressure. There has been debate regarding the most accurate and useful definitions of performance outcomes such as ‘clutch’ performances and ‘choking’ under pressure, with a requirement acknowledged for research to get closer to these disparate performance experiences. Caution has, however, been encouraged with dichotomous attentional explanations of skill breakdown (i.e. self-focus and distraction theories) that are considered to oversimplify the issue. An individuals’ goal and performance expectations have been posited as contributing to attentional focus choices. Achievement goal theories propose that an individual will define competence in response to motive disposition and environmental cues. Whilst the achievement goal construct is considered orthogonal at the dispositional level there is contention as to whether multiple goals can be adopted during performance. Performing under pressure in sport presents opportunities and threats to goal striving, therefore, the goal that a sportsperson engages in during skill execution may elicit attentional processes that explain adaptive and maladaptive performance outcomes. Three studies were designed to determine if there was a relationship between achievement motivation and attentional processes during performance under pressure and if so, how definitions of competence influence attention and performance outcomes. A mixed-methods approach enabled data collection from purposive samples of golfers, who had experience of performance decrement under pressure. In Study 1, golfers provided verbal reports during a competitive performance and took part in a post round semi-structured interview. In Study 2 golfers reported their propensity to reinvest conscious, explicit, rule based knowledge and their achievement motives prior to competing and in Study 3, the motivational climate was manipulated to assess the influence of achievement goal adoption on cortical efficiency and golf putting performance. All three studies report findings that provide support for the relationship between achievement motivation and self-focused attention. The findings suggest that golfers consider multiple goals prior to skill execution which create parameters within which attention has the potential to shift. Golfers’ evaluation of competence in line with these goal intentions reveals both underlying valued achievement motives and influences perceptions of performance. The measurement of achievement goal involvement was found to have a different relationship with performance depending on whether performance was defined in terms of a discrete golf skill (i.e. putting) or absolute performance measure (gross score) and also whether goals were self-reported or evoked through manipulation of the motivational climate. Results revealed that elite golfers performed better in a putting task under pressure and with greater psychomotor efficiency when adopting other-based achievement goals that reference interpersonal standards of competence striving. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

KIBS providers are organizations that perform knowledge intensive business activities mainly for other organizations and in the present age have become key components of industrialized economies. The primary purpose of KIBS providers is to deliver customized solutions to clients through the implementation of three core knowledge processes: knowledge acquisition, knowledge recombination, and knowledge diffusion. Existing research has predominantly focused on understanding the importance of these providers in creating a competitive edge for their clients. However, little is known in terms of how such providers can create an improved competitive position for themselves. This research helps to understand whether the use of knowledge processes influences the competitive advantage¬ of KIBS providers. A guiding framework developed from literature posits that such generic knowledge processes may provide competitive advantage for a given provider if they are transformed into valuable, rare, inimitable, and well-exploited resources (VRIO). The study follows a holistic multiple case research design of three IT service providers to refine the existing theory on the influence of knowledge processes on the competitive advantage of KIBS providers. Data was collected through interviews of employees occupying different roles in a company to provide their perspectives on the various parts of the framework. The findings of this study reveal that participants perceive knowledge processes to provide competitive advantage to their companies. However, data analysis using the VRIO framework indicates that knowledge processes do not confer competitive advantage by themselves, but rather through an emerging theme called delivery. Findings also indicate that delivery influences other factors of competitive advantage. The study contributes to the existing literature as it leads to a refined understanding of the relationship between knowledge processes and competitive advantage by highlighting the importance of delivery as a dynamic capability. The study has practical implications for managers as it informs them that delivery improves brand name, reduces costs, and helps to achieve client satisfaction.

The punching shear behaviour of interior slab-column connections in flat plates is investigated. The response of six two-way slab specimens, which were designed such that they would fail in punching shear, are presented. The parameter introduced in the experimental program is member depth. The effects of this parameter on the punching shear capacity of slab elements are investigated. The results show a strong "size effect", with deeper members having a smaller shear stresses at failure than shallow ones.
Test results obtained from this experimental program are compared with the punching shear predictions of the Canadian CSA A23.3-94 Standard, the American ACI 318-95 Code, the British BS 8110-85 Standard and the European CEB-FIP 1990 Model Code. Predictions were also made using computer program "Response 2000", assuming an equivalent beam analogy to represent the slab. It is concluded that the shear design of slabs, according to the current Canadian and American codes, can be unconservative under certain conditions, particularity for thick slabs. It is recommended that the punching shear expressions of the CSA Standard and the ACI Code be modified to take into account the "size effect" on the punching shear strength of slabs.

The influence of discontinuity roughness on the shear strength and deformation behavior of rock joint is analyzed. The study is divided into three parts: laboratory direct shear test on rock samples having different roughness characteristics, characterization of roughness profiles using variogram and probability density distribution and the application of dynamical systems theory to analyze the stability condition of the sliding motion. The relative motion along the rough joint is erratic particularly at a low normal load. A steady motion develops as the normal load increases. The kinematics of translational motion has two distinct characteristics: the translation occurs as a result of a gross and uniform motion (sliding) and/or through localized inhomogeneous motion (slipping). Three modes of volumetric changes are observed during the tangential motion: a dilatant-contractant behavior with the overall volumetric change being strictly dilatant, a dilatant-contractant behavior with the overall volumetric change varying from dilatant to contractant and the strictly contractant behavior. The size of the sheared zones is a function of the distribution of the asperities and of the interface strength. The coefficient of friction decreases as the normal load increases. It may or may not increase when the normal load is decreased. The probability density distribution of the height of the interface asperities is not always Gaussian. The variation of the experimental distribution (histogram) indicates that the asperities are not necessarily sheared off in order of decreasing height but rather on the basis of the condition underlying the existence of contact. The slope of the initial portion of the variogram and the sill, when it exists, are used to characterize the surface morphology of the discontinuity. The lower the slope, the smoother the surface. Two types of anisotropy are observed: geometic anisotropy (elliptic shape) and zonal anisotropy. The rate of collapse of the boundary of the loop describing the roughness of the interface describes the deformation of the discontinuity. The location of the orbit with respect to the stagnation line depends on the normalized stiffness. As the normalized shear stiffness increases, the orbit tends to collapse towards the stagnation axis.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Surface seals are widely used in South Africa. There are a number of reasons which include affordability, versatility and durability. There are, however, in some cases problems with stone loss that can lead to a shortened lifespan of the pavement. The loss of aggregate chippings in surface seals poses a major problem in the seal pavement industry. This study aims to identify the influencing factors that lead to these adhesive failures as well as to find optimum combinations of binders and aggregates at various conditions. Various binders commonly used in South African surface seal construction will be tested using the Bitumen Bond Strength (BBS) test method. The binders used in the study include 80/100 penetration grade bitumen, elastomer modified bitumen, bitumen rubber, elastomer modified emulsion and cationic rapid setting emulsion. Aggregates used in the study include dolerite, granite and quartzite. The test samples were cured and tested at two temperatures, 15 °C and 35 °C. The samples were also cured for 2, 6 and 24 hours respectively. The study tackles a wide range of variables in order to obtain a good understanding of adhesion properties of surface seals used in South Africa. Tests were repeated at least once to ensure repeatability and in some cases up to four repeats were performed. The loading rate at which the tests were performed had a significant influence on the BBS results. This rate varied which complicated the process of comparing the results. It was therefore decided to unify the loading rates. The BBS results exposed the difference between hot applied binders and emulsions. The former having significant stronger adhesion properties. It was also confirmed by the results that temperature plays a key role in the BBS results due to the visco-elastic properties of bitumen. These influences will be discussed along with others such as aggregate types and curing times. The type of failure is also discussed. Failure can either be adhesive or cohesive, the former being a failure between the aggregate and the binder while the later refers to a failure in the binder itself. The results of other students will also be discussed and compared to the results of this study. These include results of predecessors that tested emulsions as well as results from tests done on fractured aggregate surfaces and precoated aggregates. This study showed very similar results as these from other students, except for tests done with emulsions. It was discovered that the method of curing of the emulsions must be adapted to ensure proper curing of the emulsions. It was found that aggregates did not influence the BBS properties to the same extent as temperature and binder application type. The BBS results of hot applied binders also did not significantly increase as the curing time increased, but the results of emulsions showed some increase. However, the emulsions needed more time to cure properly.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oppervlak seëls word algemeen gebruik in Suid-Afrika. Daar is verskeie redes hiervoor waaronder bekostigbaarheid,veelsydigheid en duursaamheid. Daar is egter in sommige gevalle probleme met klipverlies wat kan lei tot n verkorte leeftyd. Hierdie klipverlies ontstaan as gevolg van verskeie redes of kombinasies daarvan. Die studie beoog om hierdie faktore wat die adhesie eienskappe beïnvloed te identifiseer sowel as om optimum kobinasies van bindmiddels en klipsoorte te bewerkstellig by verkeie kondisies. ‘n Verskeidenheid van bindmiddels wat algemeen in Suid-Afrika gebruik word, word in die studie getoets met die Bitumen Bond Sterkte (BBS) toets metode. Die bindmiddels wat in die studie gebruik word sluit 80/100 penetrasie graad bitumen, elastomeer gemodifiseerde bitumen, bitumen rubber, elastomeer gemodifiseerde emulsie en kationiese snel settende emulsie. Die klipsoorte wat vir die studie gebruikword is doleriet, graniet en kwartsiet. Hierdie gesteentes word algemeen in die praktyk gebruik. Die toets monsters word ook by twee temperature gekuur en getoets. Hierdie temperature is 15 °C en 35 °C. Die toets monsters word ook onderskeidelik vir 2, 6 en 24 uur gekuur. Die studie ondersoek 'n wye verskeidenheid van veranderlikes om sodoende 'n goeie begrip van adhesie eienskappe van die oppervlak seëls wat in Suid-Afrika gebruik word te verkry. Elke toets was ten minste een maal herhaal om herhaalbaarheid te verseker. Sommige toetse was tot 4 keer herhaal. Die belasting tempo van die toetse het ‘n beduidende uitwerking op die BBS resultate as gevolg van die visko-elastiese eienskappe van bitumen. Hierdie tempo het gewissel en dit moeilik gemaak om die resultate te vergelyk. Daarom was daar besluit om die tempo van die toetse te verander na ‘n gelykvormige tempo. Daar was ‘n duidelike verskil in BBS resultate van die warm toegepaste bindmiddels en die emulsies. Die warm bindmiddels het baie hoër BBS resultate gelwer. Dit was ook bevestig in die resultate dat temperatuur ‘n beduidende rol speel in die BBS. Hierdie invloede sal bespreek word tesame met ander, soos klipsoorte en kuring tye. Die tipe versaking word ook bespreek. Versaking kan plaasvind as gevolg van adhesie of cohesie, waar adhesie versaking 'n versaking is tussen die klip en die bindmiddel terwyl cohesie versaking verwys na 'n versaking in die bindmiddel self. Die uitslae van die ander studente sal ook bespreek word en vergelyking word met die resultate van hierdie studie. Dit sluit die resultate van voorgangers in wat emulsies getoets het sowel as die resultate van toetse wat gedoen is op gebreekte klipoppervlaktes en bitumen behandelde klippe. Hierdie studie het baie soortgelyke resultate getoon as dié van ander studente, behalwe vir die toetse wat gedoen was met emulsies. Daar is vasgestel dat die metode van kuring van die emulsies moet aangepas word om behoorlike kuring van die emulsies te verseker. Daar is ook gevind dat klipsoorte nie die BBS eienskappe in dieselfde mate as temperatuur en bindmiddel toepassingstipe beïnvloed het nie. Die BBS resultate van warm aangewende bindmiddels het ook nie aansienlik verhoog soos die kuringstyd toegeneem het nie, maar die resultate van emulsies het wel 'n toename getoon. Die emulsies het wel meer tyd nodig gehad om behoorlik te kuur.

The influence of the member orientation on the strength of joints formed with square hollow sections is examined. The bird beak joint system is a relatively new truss arrangement for square hollow sections, where the chord and the brace have each been rotated by 45° about their own centreline axes. Based on previous experimental testing it has been suggested that this joint system leads to a stronger joint arrangement. Finite element analysis has been used to study the strength and behaviour of such bird beak joints and to compare them to similar joints in CHS and the traditional RHS configuration to test this claim. A comprehensive study has been undertaken for bird beak X -joints and T -joints and comparisons are made with similar traditional joints in RHS and CHS as the parameters of the width ratio ß, the chord slenderness ratio 2y and the chord length ratio a are varied. Displaced shape and contoured stress plots are included to aid understanding of the failure mechanisms. The finite element work on K -joints allows comparisons of the strength and stiffness of bird beak K -joints with those formed in the traditional RHS configuration as the boundary conditions (at the ends of the members), the brace angle and loading conditions are varied. A limited amount of experimental work has been carried out in the laboratories at Nottingham University, with some assistance from the author, involving the physical testing of bird beak joints so that the finite element models can be validated. This work is reported and examined critically. The conclusions focus on the claims that the bird beak joints are stronger and how they differ from the traditional form of joints. Equations are presented to extend the design information available for a practical parameter range.

Includes bibliographical references.
A considerable amount of progress has been made over the years in understanding the fundamentals of concrete composition and performance in both safe and harsh environments. Nevertheless, premature concrete deterioration remains a concern and is often experienced either due to poor workmanship or design. The bonded concrete overlay technique has become a popular method in repairing these deteriorated concrete structures, as it has a simplistic application procedure and can be applied to a number of different scenarios. This technique involves the removal of the distressed layer of concrete (substrate), followed by the application of a fresh, new layer of concrete (overlay). One of the fundamentals behind bonded concrete overlays is the bond between the existing and new concrete layer. Sufficient bond strength is a prerequisite for the durability and serviceability of a repaired concrete structure. Factors which have been considered most important for achieving a good bond between the substrate and overlay are cleanliness and preparation of the substrate, together with overlay compaction and composition. However, the impact of substrate moisture condition on the bond strength of a repaired member has not been fully investigated and still raises many debates amongst engineers. Current best practice suggests that a concrete substrate which is preconditioned to a saturated surface dry state prior to overlay application will achieve higher bond strengths. This investigation provides insight into the aforementioned through both literature research and practical experiments performed. In this investigation the effects of moisture preparation on bond strength were tested on three different substrate concretes, together with the application of four overlays. The substrates varied according to strength grade (50, 30 and 25 MPa), whereas the overlays varied in both strength (40 and 25 MPa) and workability (30 and 120 mm slump). The accompanied bond strength was established through interface shear testing. All substrates of the repaired specimens were subjected to a constant surface roughness and equally aged to prevent any differential shrinkage which may falsify bond strength readings. The bond strength results were plotted, statistically evaluated and compared with existing literature.

Powder compaction is used in a wide range of industrial applications ranging from powder metallurgy, food, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, catalysts, fuels briquettes, etc. Powder compaction can be defined in terms of 1) compactibility, which represents the ability to form strong compacts, which is quantified by compact strength and 2) compressibility, which represents the ability of the powder mass to form dense compacts and is described by the constitutive law. The aim of this work is to establish relationships between particle properties, (including mechanical properties of particles and interactions between particles, which are included in the contact law), and bulk powder properties (including compactibility and compressibility). Excipients used in pharmaceutical tablet formulations, such as microcrystalline cellulose, calcium phosphate and mannitol (a sugar) and their mixtures were characterised. Compacts of different densities were manufactured and their compressive and tensile strength was measured. The break force of curved faced tablet made of these materials and mixtures was also measured under an extensive range of conditions. A predictive model was developed and validated to estimate the break force of curved faced tablets using diametrical and uniaxial compression tests only; this has a significant practical importance in the pharmaceutical industry. The mechanical properties of individual particles were characterised using nano-indentation. The data for pharmaceutical excipient were augmented with results for a model powder material consisting of spherical aluminium particles. The now classic micromechanical model of Fleck was used as a theoretical framework to relate particle properties and constitutive laws for compaction. A parameter describing the strength of contact between particles was estimated using the strength of compacts. The contact strength parameter was then related to adhesive contact laws between particles. This work represents the first complete framework for relating contact law (which includes the elastic and plastic properties that determine the deformation of particles in contact and the friction and adhesion between particles) to compact strength.

Two full-scale reinforced concrete bridge pier caps were constructed and tested to investigate the influence of concrete strength on their behaviour. The amount of uniformly distributed reinforcement required for crack control at service load levels was also varied in order to investigate the suitability of current design approaches for these disturbed regions. In addition, strut-and-tie models, refined strut-and-tie models and non-linear finite element analyses are used to predict the complete behaviour of the test specimens.

Social media has become one of the main platforms for telling stories, not only for individualsbut also for corporations of all sizes. The published content on these platforms can be assimple as a picture or lines of text as long as they captures the attentions of other users theywill qualify as a digital story or narrative. This opens up for effortless interaction betweencustomers and corporation, but also for value creation alongside the two parties. Otherresearchers has contributed with different takes of how this value creation can be conductedand defined. Our contribution aims to closer examine how consumer interaction and valuecreation can strengthen digital narratives. We will not aim to standardise how a digital storyshould be told, but provide guidelines for designing narratives that include the public as astory contributor by seeing if there is a correlation between the choice of social mediaplatforms used and the type of stories the organizations narrate.

The pores in pressed and sintered components constitute weak points in the material since the stress concentration is larger than the nominal stress there. Therefore, fatigue cracks initiate at the pores. Specifically, it can be assumed that the fatigue cracks initiate at the largest pore in the stressed volume. Studies have previously looked at finding ways to model the fatigue strength of the material based on the largest pore. This thesis looks at a model previously derived for hardened pressed and sintered materials that is based on linear elastic fracture mechanics and investigates if said model can be modified to include non-hardened pressed and sintered materials that do not necessarily behave linear elastically. A model describing the influence of the size of the largest pore on the fatigue limit using empirical coefficients is suggested. Furthermore, the area of the largest pore is modelled using extreme value statistics. The model proved successful in modelling the density effect of the porosity on the fatigue strength for two materials with different microstructures: one with a homogeneous microstructure and one with a heterogeneous microstructure. For the material with the homogenoeous microstructure the model also accounted well for the notch effect when tested on samples with a different geometry. However, for the heterogeneous material the model did not account for the notch effect. Deformation hardening due to local plastic deformation in the softer phases was suggested as a possible explanation and was supported by tensile tests.

Statement of problem. Clinicians have used disinfection materials to remove surface contaminants during cavity preparation. It has been postulated that disinfection materials may negatively affect shear bond strength of restorative materials. If so, large numbers of restorations may be predestined for early failure with the use of a disinfection protocol.Purpose. To determine whether there is a difference in the bond strength between dentin and composite resin with a 3-step disinfection technique compared to a conventional bonding technique without the additional disinfection protocol.Material and Methods. Sixty human molar teeth were sectioned parallel to the occlusal surface to expose mid-coronal dentin and mounted parallel to a bond shearing device on a universal testing machine (Instron) and randomly divided into 2 groups. In Group I (n=30), specimens were treated with chlorhexidine, tubulicid red, and sodium hypochlorite before dentin bonding, following the manufacturer's instructions for All Bond 2. In Group II (n=30), specimens were treated only with the bonding protocol of All Bond 2. To ensure a uniform bond surface area, core paste was syringed into a cylindrical mold (diameter 2.38mm, height 2.00mm) that was in contact with the dentin bonding surface of each specimen, and allowed to set under constant force. All specimens were subjected to fracture by shear loading in a universal testing machine (Instron) at a uniform crosshead speed of 0.02 inch per minute and expressed as MPa. Statistical analysis, using nonpaired student's t-test, was performed. Results. A statistically-significant higher shear bond strength was found for the 3-step disinfection group (mean shear bond strength, 25.3; STD, 4.6) compared to the conventional bonding group (mean shear bond strength, 20.5, STD, 3.4) (PConclusions. The 3-step disinfection technique group showed a significantly stronger dentin shear bond strength compared to the conventional bonding technique without disinfection.

The field of treating and learning about eating disorders in athletes is a growing field that continues to flourish as more knowledge is acquired. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence that length of time in the sport, age at which an individual starts a competitive sport, level of competitiveness, and type of sport (leanness vs. non-leanness focused) has on disordered eating behaviors. The participants were college students who were involved in at least one competitive sport in their life. They completed the EAT-26 questionnaire as well as a basic questionnaire. There was not enough data collected to conduct a logistic regression so descriptive statistics are reported. This remains an area to be further explored as there is a gap in the literature on the age at which individuals begin competitive sports and the length of time in sports and how that relates to disordered eating behaviors.

Master of Arts
Department of Economics
Yang M. Chang
College football thrives on the ideas that each school has what it takes to be the best, rivalries are of major importance, and either team can win the game. Competitive balance is what keeps these thoughts alive, offering the last team in the conference the chance to beat their top-ranked opponent, or the mediocre middle-rank team the chance to win a post-season bowl game. Competitive balance provides the level of uncertainty of game outcome that keeps fans coming back every season. Previous research has examined many variables that have an effect on competitive balance. The purpose of this report is to step forward from where previous studies left off and examine the effect of the conference championship game on competitive balance. Five of the eleven NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision conferences currently determine their conference champion by holding a championship game at the end of the season. Recent conference realignments bring about the possibility for two more conferences to establish championship games. Does hosting a conference championship game improve competitive balance within the league? This study examined several measures of competitive balance, including standard deviation measures, the competitive balance ratio, and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. Results suggest a slightly higher level of competitive balance for conferences hosting championship games versus those that do not. However, these results are not statistically significant, and this higher level of competitive balance could be explained by the larger membership of conferences hosting championship games.

The influence of casting voids on spheroid cast iron cracking threshold is investigated. The experimental results and their analytical and numerical analysis basing on linear fracture mechanics is presented.
Nagrinėjamas liejimo tuštumų poveikis stipriojo ketaus pleišėjimo slenksčiui. Pateikiami eksperimentiniai rezultatai ir jų analitinė bei skaitinė analizė, remiantis tiesine irimo mechanika.
Исследуется влияние литейных пустот на порог трещиностойкости чугуна с шаровидным графитом. Представлены результаты экспериментального исследования и их аналитический и численный анализ, опираясь на линейную механику разрушения.

The quantitative effects of increasing the organic matter contents of three soils upon their susceptibility to compaction, the recovery of tilth after compaction and the fertility of the soils were investigated. These effects were further studied on the production of bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).
Soil consistency limits, soil water status, applied pressure and organic matter contents were used to predict shear strength, penetration resistance and water retention characteristics of compacted soils, with the aim of meeting the widespread demand for possible techniques of soil compaction prediction.
Soil compaction increased the ability of the soils to retain moisture, increased penetration resistance, shear strength and decreased the available water capacity of soils. On the other hand, organic matter increased the ability of the soils to retain moisture, expanded the available water capacity and decreased the penetration resistance and shear strength of compacted soils.
Although soil compaction increased the stem diameter of bush bean; the height, yields and root dry matter of the crop decreased with higher compaction levels. On the contrary, higher organic matter levels increased the plant and yield parameters of the crop.

In marine environments and where de-icing salts are applied, the degradation of reinforced concrete structures due to chloride induced corrosion of the reinforcement is a major problem. The expansive nature of the corrosion process results in cracking of the concrete and eventually spalling. In order to select suitable remedial measures it is necessary to make an assessment of the residual strength and the residual life. In order to investigate the effect of corrosion on bond strength of the reinforcement, specimens comprising square prismatic sections containing steel reinforcement in the four corners have been subjected to a wet-dry cycle and corrosion has been accelerated by polarising the bars. The research has studied the change of bond strength with level of corrosion for 12 mm and 16 mm bars with concrete cover of 1 and 3 times the bar size. The bond strength is assessed by means of pull out tests and the corresponding extent of corrosion has been assessed in terms of the mass loss. Observations and measurements of the form of the corrosion (pit dimensions and loss of bar diameter) are also presented. The relationship between bond strength and surface crack width has been investigated. Results show that the surface crack width may be a good indicator of residual bond strength. In addition, the influence on bond strength of concrete compressive strength, reinforcement cover, bar position and bar size on the change of bond strength has been explored. It should be noted that all conclusions drawn in this project are based on tests on specimens without shear reinforcement (unconfined) and that accelerated corrosion (by impressed current) has been adopted. Consequently, care should be exercised in applying these results directly to structures in the field. Additional research is needed to assess the influence of impressed current on crack patterns and the effect of shear reinforcement.

Bone is a plastic tissue, changing in density and size with different levels of stress. Furthermore, it appears that BMD is altered in a site specific manner. However, BMD has not been studied extensively in all types of athletes, particularly well trained strengthpower athletes, such as throwers. The pwpose of this study was to examine the BMD of USA Division I collegiate throwers (shot put, discus, etc.). BMD was compared to normative data and to different athletes. Measures of whole body maximum strength and throwing performance were correlated with BMDs. Potential right/left side and sex differences were examined. Athletes were 4 males, 3 females age 19.9 ± 0.9 years. BMD was measured with a DEXA Maximum isometric strength was measured using a midthigh pull standing on a force plate. Force time-curves were generated during the strength tests. Peale force (PF) and normalized pealc force (PFa) were correlated with BMDs. Comparison indicates throwers have denser bones compared to normative data and compared to other types of athletes. Male throwers tend to have greater total body BMD than female throwers (p < 0.05). Dominant arm showed slightly greater BMD compared to non-dominant (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BMD is related to PF (r = 0.68) and PFa (r = 0.56). Throwers have greater BMD's than non-athletes or most other types of athletes. However, throwers showed only a small indication of sidedness. These observations likely stem from their training program (whole body heavy loading).

AIM: Bone changes in size and density in response to different levels of stress. Alterations to bone mineral density (BMD) appear to occur in a site specific manner. Even though BMD has been examined in many populations there is a paucity of data looking at strength-power athletes, such as throwers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the BMD of a group of USA Division I collegiate throwers (e.g. shot put, discus, etc.). METHODS: Seven throwers (4 males; 3 females) who were 19.0 ± 0.9 years had their BMD compared to an age matched control group (n=14; 8 women and 6 men) and normative data. BMD was measured with dual X-ray absorptometry. Potential right/left side and sex difference in BMD were also examined. Maximal isometric strength was assessed using a mid-thigh pull while standing on a forceplate which generated force-time curves. Peak force (PF) and normalized peak force (PFa) were then correlated with BMDs. RESULTS: Generally, throwers had denser bones with male throwers tending to have a greater total BMD (P≤0.05). The dominant arm BMD was slightly greater when compared to non-dominant arm (P≤0.05). Furthermore, total body BMD was related to PF (r=0.68, r2 =0.46) and PFa (r=0.56, r2=0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Throwers have greater BMDs than non-athletes and most other athletes. However, throwers only showed a small indication of sidedness. It is likely that the BMDs observed in this study stem from the training intervention (e.g. whole body heavy lifting) undertaken by this population.

A study has been made of the enhancement of the mechanical strength of bricks fabricated from five Sri Lankan Quaternary and post-Quaternary brick clays with the objective of identifying and optimising those factors which control the quality and performance characteristics of fired clay products of this type. Mineralogical investigations have shown that the clays are predominantly kaolinitic. Of the accessory minerals, feldspars and gibbsite are the chief constituents. The experimental programme involved the development of feasible processing techniques for clay bodies, the establishment of optimum heat treatments for their firing, and the testing and evaluation of material properties of the fired products. The microstructures of fired materials have been characterized using optical and electron microscopical techniques, as well as X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis and chemical analysis. A limited study was also made of the durability of laboratory fired specimens. Methods of strength enhancement included use of the reactions of phosphates with natural clays, use of mineralizers to induce mullitization and surface coating by an efflorescence process. A kinetic analysis based on the first order kinetics is proposed for the estimation of optimum firing conditions for kaolinitic clays. The study has shown that surface coating of bricks increases the load at the elastic limit by up to 30% and the ultimate failing load by 19% in the clays examined. The measured increases in modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity are over 33% and 40% respectively. A fabrication technique which requires the incorporation of phosphates has been developed. This provides the possibility of lowering the peak temperature of firing to 500°C. Flexural strength increase of up to 60% over the normally fired unbonded specimens can be achieved using this technique. Relevant compatibility relations in the ternary system Si02- P205-AI203 at 500'C are proposed. The presence of an optimum amount of mineralizer in a clay body may alter its sintering characteristics resulting in an increase in modulus of rupture up to 55%. However, uncontrolled additions exceeding 4 wt% cause deleterious effects. Microstructural analysis provides evidence that liquid phase sintering, development of mullite, development of pores and bloating are the dominant strength determining features in these clays. An empirical equation correlating the functional relation between modulus of rupture, mullite content and porosity is proposed. Mechanisms of strength development are discussed in the light of these findings.

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO
Neste trabalho é realizada uma investigação experimental sobre os efeitos de cargas de impacto sobre a resistência de aderência entre o compósito de fibras de carbono e o concreto. O objetivo foi verificar a influência da taxa de carregamento sobre a resistência de aderência. O programa experimental consistiu em ensaios de quarenta e cinco corpos-de-prova, constituídos de blocos de concreto e tiras de fibras de carbono coladas nas laterais opostas dos blocos. As variáveis de estudo foram a resistência à compressão do concreto (25 MPa, 45 MPa e 65 MPa) e a taxa de carregamento que variou de um mínimo de 1,92 MPa/s (estático) para um máximo de 438685 MPa/s (dinâmico). Os resultados dos ensaios mostraram que a resistência de aderência foi afetada pela taxa de carregamento.
An experimental investigation on the effects of impact loading on the bond strength between carbon fiber composite and concrete is described in this work. The objective was to verify the influence of loading rate on the bond strength. The experimental program consisted on testing of forty five specimens made of concrete blocks and carbon fiber strips glued on opposite sides of the block. The variables studied were the concrete compressive strength (25 MPa, 45 MPa and 65 MPa) and loading rate which varied from a minimum of 1,92 MPa/s (static) to a maximum of 438685 MPa/s (dynamic). Test results showed that the bond strength was affected by loading rate.

Load-velocity relationships may vary between people of different strength levels and across different loads. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate how external loads influence the velocity characteristics of the back squat exercise, and the influence of strength on these variables. Healthy male students with a history of resistance training completed repetitions at specified intensities of their estimated one-repetition maximum (1RM) until they reached 1RM. Back squat 3D motion analysis was captured using four Vicon T010 cameras (Vicon Motion Systems Ltd.; Oxford, UK) and Vicon Nexus 1.8.5 software. Data were transported into R custom coding statistical analysis software (version 3.5.2; The R Foundation) to calculate velocity analyses which determined mean and peak concentric (MCV, PCV) and eccentric (MEV, PEV) values. Participants were grouped by their relative strength (body mass/1RM) in the back squat, as well as their ability to move often prescribed loads with greater speed (63-70%1RM, 83-87%1RM). Between-groups comparisons were made for MCV at all loading conditions, and correlational relationships between all velocity measures (MEV, PEV, MCV, PCV) were examined for each group. For all subjects, there was a significant effect for relative intensity (%1RM) on MCV, but only for the groups organized by MCV at 63-70%1RM and 83-87%1RM was there a between-subjects effect for group. Correlational analyses between velocity measurements during concentric and eccentric phase of the back squat showed a tendency for high relationships (r = 0.5-0.69) between all phases that weakened as the relative intensity increased. These differences were illustrated uniquely between subject grouping conditions. These results indicate that load-velocity characteristics of the back squat cannot necessarily be positively related to strength level in the movement, and that profiling athletes by their velocities at specific relative intensities could be an effective means of organization.

PURPOSE: To examine changes in muscle architecture, reactive strength, and explosive ability in collegiate volleyball players throughout a competitive season. METHODS: Ten female volleyball players (20.4 ± 1.1 y, 178.3 ± 4.8 cm, 72.6 ± 5.3 kg) were recruited for the study. Athletes were tested at pre-season (T1), pre-taper (T2), and post-taper (T3) on measures of vastus lateralis muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), and fascicle length (FL) using ultrasonography, countermovement jump reactive strength index modified (RSImod), and peak power allometrically scaled (PPa). Training load (TL: session RPEduration) and strength training volume-load times displacement (VLd) were monitored for 15 wks. One-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used for analysis with alpha level set at p≤0.05. RESULTS: There was a reduction in VLd/wk (p<0.001, d=3.1) and TL/wk (p<0.001, d=2.7) between in-season (T1-T2) and tapering (T2-T3) training phases. There were time effects for MT (p<0.001) and PA (p=0.03). Post-hoc pairwise comparisons revealed changes in MT (increase T1-T2: p<0.001, d=2.8 and T1-T3: p<0.001, d=1.7; decrease T2-T3: p=0.01, d=0.6), PA (increase T1-T2: p=0.02, d=3.9), and no changes in FL or PPa. Despite no time effect, RSImod showed an increasing trend from T2-T3: p=0.04, d=0.23. CONCLUSIONS: In-season training resulted in favorable changes in muscle architecture, which remained elevated above pre-season values following the taper. These changes coupled with the reductions in TL and VLd during the taper may be related to changes in stretch-shortening cycle function during a sport-specific task as inferred from the changes in RSImod

The anticipated increase in competition among airports means that there is now a greater need for strategic thinking in the airport business industry. In order to succeed, airport management will have to implement new strategic initiatives and identify their key competitive strengths. While many airports are now more active in following strategic directions, there is some deficiency and inconsistency in the literature in this regard. This research relates the theories of strategic management to the case of airports in order to explore the issue of whether the airport business industry is able to apply the different strategies adopted by other industries in order to achieve growth. The research provides an in-depth analysis into the strategies that Dubai International Airport has pursued. This carefully selected case study involves the collection of qualitative data through conducting semi-structured interviews as a primary source of information. Data collected are applied to different well-known business tools including the PESTEL Analysis, the Five Forces Model and the Resource-based View (RBV) of the firm. The research found that there are some strategic differences between the airport industry and other industries. While it is possible for airports to adopt certain strategies, some strategic theories are not very practicable for airports. While Dubai International Airport is not considered very different from other airports, there are some differentiated characteristics in its ownership and management that led it to outperform its rivals. The research proposes that there are a number of key success factors derived from four core areas that led Dubai International Airport to obtain strategic strengths over other airports. These four areas include: General Condition, Competitive Situation, Resource Acquisition and Strategic Direction. These areas are also classified as No Control, Least Control, Some Control and Most Control, respectively. This thesis contributes to the development of a best practice conceptual model that can help airport managers understand and improve their key competitive strengths and success factors.