In the study are presented the experimental results obtained for polymer concrete prepared with epoxy resin, aggregates, fly ash as filler and two types of fibers: wool and hemp. The influence of type and dosage of fibers were studied. The density and mechanical characteristics were determined: compressive strength, flexural strength and split tensile strength. For both types of fibers, with increasing the fiber dosage the density decreases. The studied dosages had not an important influence on mechanical strengths. The fibers improved especially the tensile strength and the compressive strength presented generally smaller values than the control mix.

The paper uses the layerwise theory, i.e. the zigzag behaviour of the in-plane displacements through the thickness, and the Lagrange interpolation functions for finite element to compute the stresses and displacements in beams made by composite materials. The layerwise method can determine the interlaminar stresses and other localized effects with the same accuracy as 2D finite element method but less computer effort. We present as illustration two examples.

Background and aims: Anastomotic strictures are well-known complications after bilioenterostomy. Endoscopic procedures are usually not possible in patients with a bilioenterostomy. Hence, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) has become the treatment of choice for the management of these patients. The main goal of the present study was to analyze the long-term follow-up of PTBD in such patients.Methods and patients: Between January 1996 and December 2006, 44 patients with benign anastomotic stricture after bilioenterostomy were identified by an analysis of the PTBD database, hospital charts, and cholangiograms.Results: In 27/44 patients the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drain was successfully removed after 19.9 +/- 16.1 months (treatment success in 61.4%). During a mean follow-up of 53.7 +/- 28.4 months after removal of the drain, no evidence was found of recurrent strictures in these patients. Ten out of 44 patients carry permanent drains (22.6% of patients with ongoing treatment, mean follow-up 46.4 +/- 54.7 months) without the option for further surgery owing to concomitant disease (n = 2) or because they refused further surgery (n = 8). In 7 out of 44 patients (16%) PTBD treatment was deemed to have failed and the patients underwent repeat operation.Conclusions: PTBD should be considered the treatment of choice in patients with benign anastomotic stricture after bilioenterostomy, especially after stricturing of a hepatojejunostomy.

Hintergrund: Biliodigestive Anastomosen (BDA) werden bei komplizierten Gallengangsstenosen, verschiedenen Operationstechniken (z.B. Whipple-Operation) oder in seltenen Fällen bei Komplikationen nach Cholezystektomie erforderlich. Problematisch ist das Auftreten von benignen Stenosen in der BDA, die meist ischämisch oder narbig bedingt sind. Aufgrund der anatomischen Besonderheit ist ein einfacher transpapillärer Zugang mit dicklumigen Prothesen via ERCP nicht möglich.