bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal Cracking Potential of High RAP-WMA Evaluated With Bending Beam Rheometer Mixture Beam Test
Authors: Doyle Jesse D. , Howard Isaac L. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
In recent years, increasing cost of the raw materials for asphalt paving has generated interest in using greater quantities of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). During the same period, development of warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technology has allowed use of lower production temperatures that can reduce the amount of short-term aging of the virgin binder. The reduction in short-term aging can be beneficial in reducing problems associated with increased binder stiffness that are normally encountered when using high percentages of RAP in a mixture. This paper presents the results of an investigation that compared the low-temperature performance of WMA with a high RAP content to the performance of mixtures produced in accordance with current practice, which limits the content of RAP in the mixture to 15 % or less. Comparisons were made through a combination of mixture testing with the bending beam rheometer (BBR) and thermal cracking analysis of the BBR data. Emphasis was placed on mixture performance when the mixture is used on the surface of highway pavements. Test results from over 1000 beam specimens tested in the BBR are presented, and the results indicate that low-temperature performance of WMA containing 25 % RAP is likely to be comparable to performance of surface mixtures produced in accordance with current practice. The test results also indicate WMA containing 50 % RAP may be more susceptible to thermal cracking than surface course mixtures produced by the current practice.
Assessment of the Mean-Stress Sensitivity Factor Method in Stress-Life Fatigue Predictions
Authors: Burger Robert , Lee Yung-Li 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The mean-stress sensitivity factor model developed by Schütz in 1967 is considered the most comprehensive method to account for the mean-stress effect on high-cycle fatigue life and strength, which is applicable to various materials (such as steels, steel castings, ductile irons, malleable cast irons, grey cast iron, wrought aluminum alloys, and cast aluminum alloys) and to a broad mean-stress or stress-ratio range. Even though the mean-stress sensitivity factor method has been frequently used in European-based fatigue commercial software and engineering design codes, such as the Rechnerischer Festigkeitsnachweis für Maschinenbauteile (FKM) Guideline, it has not received a great deal of attention worldwide. Although the FKM Guideline provides extensive experimental test validation, very little evidence from independent sources have illustrated the validity of this method. Thus, it is the objective of this paper to examine the Schütz mean-stress sensitivity factor model by comparing the Walker mean-stress correction equation to the best fitting parameters published for steels, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloy. It was concluded that the Schütz mean-stress sensitivity factor model exhibits a reasonable degree of agreement with the Walker equation over a wide variety of materials.
Evaluation of Asphalt Blended With Low Percentage of Carbon Micro-Fiber and Nanoclay
Authors: Yao Hui , You Zhanping , Li Liang , Goh Shu Wei , Mills-Beale Julian , Shi Xianming , Wingard David 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The objectives of this study are to investigate the applicability of carbon micro-fiber and nanoclay in asphalt binders and to evaluate the performance of micro- and nano-modified asphalt (NMA) binders in terms of rheological properties. Due to their unique characteristics, micro- and nanomaterials were hypothesized to play a critical role in enhancing the performance behavior of asphalt binders. In light of existing research, carbon micro-fiber (MCF) and Nanomer I.44P (NI.44P) were selected as the micro- and nanomaterials for this research. Then, these materials were added into the PG 58-34 control asphalt binder at the concentrations of 2 % and 4 % by weight. Superpave™ binder tests—rotational viscosity (RV), dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), and bending beam rheometer (BBR)—were then conducted for evaluating the performance of each modified asphalt binder. Also, the characterization tests were run on the aged samples prepared using the rolling thin film oven (RTFO) and pressure aging vessel (PAV) to simulate the short-term and long-term aging. Subsequently, the viscosity, dynamic shear modulus (|G*|) and phase angle (δ) of asphalt binders were analyzed, and the dissipated energy per load cycle was introduced to estimate the asphalt binders’ rutting and fatigue cracking resistance. It was found that the dynamic shear modulus of asphalt binders can be improved by the selected micro- and nanomaterials. Furthermore, the NI.44P modified asphalt showed better properties relative to the other modified asphalt binders or the control (PG 58-34) binder.
A Paradigm Shift to Balance Safety and Quality in Pediatric Pain Management
Authors: Avansino Jeffrey R. , Peters Lisa M. , Stockfish Shellie L. , Walco Gary A. 
Published: February 2013

OBJECTIVE:
Undertreating pain and inappropriate use of opioids are potentially harmful to patients. We created a reliable process to discuss the pain plan preoperatively, hypothesizing that it will enhance the safety of opioid administration while improving the quality of pain management.

METHODS:
A multidisciplinary group was convened for a 3-day workshop where a reliable method for preoperative discussion of the pain plan was created for patients having ambulatory hernia repair. Four targets were defined: (1) pain management is discussed by the provider; (2) a pain plan is accurately documented in the electronic medical record; (3) parents perceive that pain is adequately discussed; and (4) behavioral indicators demonstrate the pain plan is effective. The goal was 100% compliance with targets at 60 days. A standard pain regimen was created. Data collection included chart review and a postoperative phone call. Patients were separated into 30-day postimplementation cohorts for evaluation of their hernia. Analysis was descriptive.

RESULTS:
A total of 235 patients had hernia repair. Discussion and documentation of pain occurred in 73% at 240 days (n = 15). Providers entered orders for postoperative pain in 80% at 240 days after implementation. Parents reported that pain was adequately discussed and treated between 87% and 100% of the time.

CONCLUSIONS:
Balancing the potential harm from undertreating pain and inappropriate use of opioids requires an evidence-based, multidisciplinary family-centered approach. The development and implementation of a reliable method for the management and treatment of pain reduces variability allowing for delivery of safe and quality care.
Bi-functional oxygen electrocatalysts based on Palladium oxide-Ruthenium oxide composites
Authors: Sunarso Jaka , Torriero Angel A.J. , Howlett Patrick C. , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Forsyth Maria 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTBi-functional oxygen electrodes are an enabling component for rechargeable metal-air batteries and regenerative fuel cells, both of which are regarded as the next-generation energy devices with zero emission. Nonetheless, at the present, no single metal oxide component can catalyze both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with high performance which leads to large overpotential between ORR and OER. This work strives to address this limitation by studying the bi-functional electrocatalytic activity of the composite of a good ORR catalyst compound (e.g. palladium oxide, PdO) and a good OER catalyst compound (e.g. ruthenium oxide, RuO2) in alkaline solution (0.1M KOH) utilizing a thin-film rotating disk electrode technique. The studied compositions include PdO, RuO2, PdO/RuO2 (25wt.%/75wt.%), PdO/RuO2 (50wt.%/50wt.%) and PdO/RuO2 (75wt.%/25wt.%). The lowest overpotential (e.g. E (2 mA cm−2) - E (-2 mA cm−2)) of 0.82 V is obtained for PdO/RuO2 (25wt.%/75wt.%) (versus Ag|AgCl (3M NaCl) reference electrode).
The Effect of Annealing Treatments on Close Spaced Sublimated Cadmium Telluride Thin Film Solar Cells
Authors: Walls J.M. , Abbas A. , West G. D. , Bowers J.W. , Isherwood P.J.M. , Kaminski P. M. , Maniscalco B. , Sampath W.S. , Barth K. L. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTIt is well known that the cadmium chloride annealing treatment is an essential step in the manufacture of efficient thin film cadmium telluride solar cells. It has been recognized that the combination of annealing at ∼4000C together with the addition of cadmium chloride at the surface induces re-crystallisation of the cadmium telluride layer and also affects the n-type cadmium sulfide. We have applied advanced micro-structural characterization techniques to distinguish the effect of the annealing and the cadmium chloride treatments on the properties of the cadmium telluride deposited via close space sublimation (CSS) and relate these observations to device performance. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has shown a variation in stacking fault density with annealing temperature and annealing time. Stacking faults observed within the cadmium telluride grains in TEM were partially removed post annealing; these findings show that temperature alone has a role in the reduction of stacking faults. However, since we have previously observed almost complete removal of stacking faults with annealing in combination with cadmium chloride, the cadmium chloride is essential to defect removal and high efficiency cells.
Laser Induced Oxidation Effects in Bismuth Thin Films
Authors: Zepeda Marco A. , Picquart Michel , Haro-Poniatowski Emmanuel 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTThe Laser induced oxidation process of bismuth was investigated using Raman spectroscopy. Upon laser irradiation (λ = 532 nm) pure Bismuth was transformed gradually into Bi2O3. Raman spectra of the samples showed the characteristics peaks for pure Bi located at 71 cm-1 and 96 cm-1. The oxidation process was monitored by Raman spectra with four additional bands located at about 127 cm-1, 241 cm-1, 313 cm-1 and 455 cm-1. Maintaining constant the exposure time of irradiation, the intensity of these bands depended on laser irradiation power. The presence of Bi2O3 in the sample was confirmed through by energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS).
Case History: Production Results from Partial Monolayer Proppant Fracture Treatments in the Pictured Cliffs Formation Horizontal Wells of San Juan Basin
Authors: Ramurthy Muthukumarappan , Magill Douglas , Parker Mark , Sanchez Patricio W. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The Pictured Cliffs formation in the San Juan basin has been a target interval for operators for many years. This tight gas reservoir lies just below the prolific Fruitland coals and has been completed either separately or as additional pay in vertical wells. With the advent of horizontal well technology, operators have begun drilling laterals in the Pictured Cliffs and completing them with multistage stimulation treatments. Because of the relatively shallow depths and the low closure pressure associated with it, 20/40-mesh proppant has been the main proppant used when completing the Pictured Cliffs formation. In this project, a different approach was necessary to complete the laterals because of limited accessibility to the well locations and the small size of the locations where storage of large mass of proppants is not viable. After analyzing the reservoir properties, the first lateral in this project was completed with a new type of thermoplastic alloy lightweight partial monolayer proppant (TPA-LWP). Following its success, three more horizontal Pictured Cliffs formation wells were completed with the partial monolayer proppant.
Production results from all four wells are presented in this work, along with the selection criteria and the operational aspects associated with pumping these proppants. This paper also discusses the production analysis performed on these four wells and compares them with five other Pictured Cliffs laterals in the basin that were stimulated with 20/40-mesh proppant.
Evolution of Drilling and Completions in the Slave Point to Optimize Economics
Authors: Lerner Nolan , Schaab Brent , Garcia Juan , Bianco Dan , Thomas Scott , Thompson Jason , Hollan Jeremy 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
This paper will detail the technological evolution of drilling and completion practices utilized to optimize economic development of the Slave Point carbonate platform specifically in the Evi and Otter fields in northern Alberta. The Slave Point platform was initially targeted for conventional production via vertical wells in the early 1980s.
Success was marginal due to the unpredictability of localized porosity development. As a result, full scale commercial development of this resource was deemed uneconomic due to poor reservoir quality. More recently, however, horizontal drilling and multistage fracturing technology has allowed operators to open up lower porosity horizons to improve flow capacity, improve recoveries, and allow for commercial development from zones previously deemed as uneconomic.
The Slave Point has a greater thickness and is less permeable than other tight rock plays in Alberta such as the Cardium and Viking. It produces high-quality, light oil with low water and solution gas production rates. Despite high estimates of original oil in place of approximately 3 to 10 MMbbl per section, horizontal well rates are still challenged due to lower permeability through the pay section. In this regard, the continued deployment of innovation and technology has been critical in improving well production performance, compressing project costs, and ultimately optimizing project economics.
The focus of this paper is solely upon one of the major Slave Point operators who has drilled 49 horizontal wells accounting for 200,000 m (656,000 ft) drilled and 1,350 fracture stages in the Evi and Otter Slave Point fields since 2008. This operator has continually deployed advancing technologies to improve project economics. The information will be presented in terms of the influence of technology on well design, the optimization and deployment of the various technologies, and the demonstrated improvement on productivity and reserve recovery. The discussion will focus on three development phases outlined below, which highlight the progression from vertical to horizontal technology. Vertical AppraisalSingle Lateral DevelopmentDual Lateral Development
The case studies presented will clearly demonstrate the production impact upon the utilization and application of these technologies. The methods and lessons learned through the use of dual laterals, open hole junctures and open hole multistage systems can be applied to other unconventional formations.
Characterizing Hydraulic Fractures in Shale Gas Reservoirs Using Transient Pressure Tests
Authors: Wang Cong , Ding Didier , Wu Yu-Shu 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing combined with horizontal drilling has been the technology that makes it possible to economically produce natural gas from unconventional shale gas reservoirs. Hydraulic fracturing operations, in particular, multistage fracturing treatments along horizontal wells in unconventional formations create complex fracture geometries or networks, which are difficult to characterize. The traditional analysis using a single vertical or horizontal fracture concept is no longer applicable. Knowledge of these created fracture properties, such as their spatial distribution, extension and fracture areas, is essential information to evaluate stimulation results. However, there are currently few effective approaches available for quantifying hydraulic fractures in unconventional reservoirs.
This work presents an unconventional gas reservoir simulator and its application to quantify hydraulic fractures in shale gas reservoirs using transient pressure data. The numerical model incorporates most known physical processes for gas production from unconventional reservoris, including two-phase flow of liquid and gas, Klinkenberg effect, non-Darcy flow, and nonlinear adsorption. In addition, the model is able to handle various types and scales of fractures or heterogeneity using continuum, discrete or hybrid modeling approaches under different well production conditions of varying rate or pressure. Our modeling studies indicate that the most sensitive parameter of hydraulic fractures to early transient gas flow through extremely low permeability rock is actually the fracture-matrix contacting area, generated by fracturing stimulation. Based on this observation, it is possible to use transient pressure testing data to estimate the area of fractures generated from fracturing operations. We will conduct a series of modeling studies and present a methodology using typical transient pressure responses, simulated by the numerical model, to estimate fracture areas created or to quantity hydraulic fractures with traditional well testing technology. The type curves of pressure transients from this study can be used for quantify hydraulic fractures in field application.
A Comparison of Proppant Placement, Well Performance, and Estimated Ultimate Recovery Between Horizontal Wells Completed With Multi-Cluster Plug & Perf and Hydraulically Activated Frac Ports in a Tight Gas Reservoir
Authors: Castro Luis , Bass Cody , Pirogov Alexander , Maxwell Scott 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
The search for the optimum stimulation method for unconventional/tight reservoirs (UTR) in the US has been the object of study of many papers due to increased activity in these hydrocarbon plays and the potential rewards to finding the ideal method. Rock heterogeneity, water zone proximity, stimulation design, and completion methods have a significant influence on the final outcome and add complexity to the quest. This paper describes a novel alternative to conventional stimulation methods in UTR. The document compares a well fractured using the traditional plug-and-perforate (PnP) method and a well fractured down the coiled tubing-casing annulus using Coiled Tubing-enabled fracturing sleeves (CTFS) with an equivalent stimulation treatment, both in a cemented application. CTFS are pressure-balanced fracturing sleeves that are hydraulically activated through a pressure differential induced by setting a coiled tubing-conveyed isolation packer in the sleeves. The CTFS are novel as they do not rely on composite plugs, ball-drop systems or darts to operate and therefore leave a full-bore internal diameter after the treatment has been completed.
A complete approach to the technology application is described as similarities and differences in drilling practices, cementing techniques, completion methods, and – more importantly – production results are highlighted. As a challenging application in a well with a measured depth over 18,000 feet, pre-job preparation and diagnostics are discussed. Challenges encountered and lessons learned throughout the study are included.
The comparison shows how the use of targeted fracturing with CTFS yielded a significant production increase over an offset well that was conventionally treated. Similarly, the positive effects of these results over the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) figures are discussed. Production tests and tracer data are used to support field data.
The results have practical and significant application in emerging and established unconventional reservoirs, as it provides a targeted alternative with increased production results to PnP’s traditional "blanket" fracturing approach of stimulating multiple clusters at a time. Over the mid-to-long term, these results can potentially lead to operator financial savings/efficiencies by modifying drilling programs to drill fewer wells while achieving similar returns on reserves – an advantage during slow times – or drilling the same number of wells for increased returns of reserves.
Fracture Propagation Direction and Its Application in Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Jin Xiaochun , Shah Subhash 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
In recent years, horizontal completions have become "fashionable" with the consequence that induced fractures are usually not planar due to the inclination angle between the borehole and the prevailing reservoir in-situ principal stresses. Hence, such stimulations imply mixed-mode (opening and sliding modes) fracture propagation. Opening mode contributes to fracture opening, and sliding mode contributes to fracture twisting.
A hydraulic fracturing model is developed to study how and why a fracture gets twisted near the wellbore under biaxial loading. Three different fracture criteria (maximum tangential stress criterion, maximum energy release rate, and minimum strain energy density) have been applied to study fracture initiation mechanisms in mixed modes. Semi-analytical solutions of fracture initiation angles at different consecutive inclination angles based on the three criteria are obtained with analytical and modified bisection methods. It is found that the three criteria yield results with similar trends but with different magnitudes. The fracture initiation angle does not increase with the increasing inclination angle monotonically. The plot of fracture initiation angle with respect to inclination angle (0 to 90°) is a bell-shaped curve. The influence of pore pressure, fracturing pressure, stress anisotropy, Biot’s coefficient, and Poisson’s ratio on initiation angle is studied thoroughly, which shows that the initiation angle will decrease with increasing pore pressure, fracturing pressure, and Biot’s coefficient, but will increase with increasing stress anisotropy; however, the inclination angle is not sensitive to Poisson’s ratio. The analysis of the influence of fracturing pressure and pore pressure helps engineers understand why fracture tortuosities are different for various stages.
The conclusions and analysis in this paper can be applied to study both the fracture geometry near-wellbore and the optimization of hydraulic fracturing design for vertical, deviated, and horizontal wells. Recommendations on controlling wellbore azimuth and adjusting perforation phasing are given for wells in formation with high stress anisotropy.