To increase aerodynamic performance, the geometric porosity of a ringsail spacecraft parachute canopy is sometimes increased, beyond the "rings" and "sails" with hundreds of "ring gaps" and "sail slits." This creates extra computational challenges for fluid--structure interaction (FSI) modeling of clusters of such parachutes, beyond those created by the lightness of the canopy structure, geometric complexities of hundreds of gaps and slits, and the contact between the parachutes of the cluster. In FSI computation of parachutes with such "modified geometric porosity," the flow through the "windows" created by the removal of the panels and the wider gaps created by the removal of the sails cannot be accurately modeled with the Homogenized Modeling of Geometric Porosity (HMGP), which was introduced to deal with the hundreds of gaps and slits. The flow needs to be actually resolved. All these computational challenges need to be addressed simultaneously in FSI modeling of clusters of spacecraft parachutes with modified geometric porosity. The core numerical technology is the Stabilized Space--Time FSI (SSTFSI) technique, and the contact between the parachutes is handled with the Surface-Edge-Node Contact Tracking (SENCT) technique. In the computations reported here, in addition to the SSTFSI and SENCT techniques and HMGP, we use the special techniques we have developed for removing the numerical spinning component of the parachute motion and for restoring the mesh integrity without a remesh. We present results for 2- and 3-parachute clusters with two different payload models. We also present the FSI computations we carried out for a single, subscale modified-porosity parachute.

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The central goal of this research is to quantitatively characterize the relationships between processing, microstructure, and mechanical properties of important high-pressure die-cast (HPDC) Mg-alloys. For this purpose, a new digital image processing technique for automatic detection and segmentation of gas and shrinkage pores in the cast microstructure is developed and it is applied to quantitatively characterize the effects of HPDC process parameters on the size distribution and spatial arrangement of porosity. To get better insights into detailed geometry and distribution of porosity and other microstructural features, an efficient and unbiased montage based serial sectioning technique is applied for reconstruction of three-dimensional microstructures. The quantitative microstructural data have been correlated to the HPDC process parameters and the mechanical properties. The analysis has led to hypothesis of formation of new type of shrinkage porosity called, gas induced shrinkage porosity that has been substantiated via simple heat transfer simulations. The presence of inverse surface macrosegregation has been also shown for the first time in the HPDC Mg-alloys. An image analysis based technique has been proposed for simulations of realistic virtual microstructures that have realistic complex pore morphologies. These virtual microstructures can be implemented in the object oriented finite elements framework to model the variability in the fracture sensitive mechanical properties of the HPDC alloys.

The purpose of this study was first to develop a method by which a detailed porosity classification system could be utilized to understand the relationship between pore/pore-throat geometry, genetic porosity type, and facies. Additionally, this study investigated the relationships between pore/pore-throat geometry, petrophysical parameters, and reservoir performance characteristics. This study focused on the Jurassic Smackover reservoir rocks of Grayson field, Columbia County, Arkansas. This three part study developed an adapted genetic carbonate pore type classification system, through which the Grayson reservoir rocks were uniquely categorized by a percent-factor, describing the effect of diagenetic events on the preservation of original depositional texture, and a second factor describing if the most significant diagenetic event resulted in porosity enhancement or reduction. The second part used petrographic image analysis and mercury-injection capillary pressure tests to calculate pore/pore-throat sizes. From these data sets pore/pore-throat sizes were compared to facies, pore type, and each other showing that pore-throat size is controlled by pore type and that pore size is controlled primarily by facies. When compared with each other, a pore size range can be estimated if the pore type and the median pore-throat aperture are known. Capillary pressure data was also used to understand the behavior of the dependent rock properties (porosity, permeability, and wettability), and it was determined that size-reduced samples, regardless of facies, tend to show similar dependent rock property behavior, but size-enhanced samples show dispersion. Finally, capillary pressure data was used to understand fluid flow behavior of pore types and facies. Oncolitic grainstone samples show unpredictable fluid flow behavior compared to oolitic grainstone samples, yet oncolitic grainstone samples will move a higher percentage of fluid. Size-enhanced samples showed heterogeneous fluid flow behavior while the size-reduced samples could be grouped by the number of modes of pore-throat sizes. Finally, this study utilized petrographic image analysis to determine if 2- dimensional porosity values could be calculated and compared to porosity values from 3-dimensional porosity techniques. The complex, heterogeneous pore network found in the Grayson reservoir rocks prevents the use of petrographic image analysis as a porosity calculation technique.

Many hydraulically fractured shale gas horizontal wells in the Barnett shale have been observed to exhibit transient linear behavior. This transient linear behavior is characterized by a one-half slope on a log-log plot of rate against time. This transient linear flow regime is believed to be caused by transient drainage of low permeability matrix blocks into adjoining fractures. This transient flow regime is the only flow regime available for analysis in many wells. The hydraulically fractured shale gas reservoir system was described in this work by a linear dual porosity model. This consisted of a bounded rectangular reservoir with slab matrix blocks draining into adjoining fractures and subsequently to a horizontal well in the centre. The horizontal well fully penetrates the rectangular reservoir. Convergence skin is incorporated into the linear model to account for the presence of the horizontal wellbore. Five flow regions were identified with this model. Region 1 is due to transient flow only in the fractures. Region 2 is bilinear flow and occurs when the matrix drainage begins simultaneously with the transient flow in the fractures. Region 3 is the response for a homogeneous reservoir. Region 4 is dominated by transient matrix drainage and is the transient flow regime of interest. Region 5 is the boundary dominated transient response. New working equations were developed and presented for analysis of Regions 1 to 4. No equation was presented for Region 5 as it requires a combination of material balance and productivity index equations beyond the scope of this work. It is concluded that the transient linear region observed in field data occurs in Region 4 – drainage of the matrix. A procedure is presented for analysis. The only parameter that can be determined with available data is the matrix drainage area, Acm. It was also demonstrated in this work that the effect of skin under constant rate and constant bottomhole pressure conditions is not similar for a linear reservoir. The constant rate case is the usual parallel lines with an offset but the constant bottomhole pressure shows a gradual diminishing effect of skin. A new analytical equation was presented to describe the constant bottomhole pressure effect of skin in a linear reservoir. It was also demonstrated that different shape factor formulations (Warren and Root, Zimmerman and Kazemi) result in similar Region 4 transient linear response provided that the appropriate f(s) modifications consistent with lAc calculations are conducted. It was also demonstrated that different matrix geometry exhibit the same Region 4 transient linear response when the area-volume ratios are similar.

There are many different types of fillers used for bitumen modification such as / silica, limestone, basalt, mica, oyster shells. Filler gives rigidity, stiffness or hardness, regulates thermal expansion and shrinkage, improves heat resistance, and modifies rheological properties of bituminous composites. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of filler type and ratio on mechanical, thermal properties and morphologies of bitumen based composites. It was also aimed to improve the heat resistivity of the bituminous composite to obtain a material with good mechanical and heat isolation properties. Bituminous composites were prepared by using Brabender Plasti-Corder, PLV 151. Mixing was made at 180 &ordm / C with 60 rpm for 15 minutes. Two grades of bitumen as 20/30 and 50/70 penetrations were used. CaCO3, CaO, mica, baryte, kieselguhr and silaned kieselguhr were used as fillers in this study. Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene&amp / #8211 / butadiene rubber, and styrene&amp / #8211 / butadiene&amp / #8211 / styrene block copolymer were used as polymers. According to the test results, using mica at low percentages had the effect of decreasing the viscosity of the bitumen due to its flow alignment property. Baryte gave high heat capacity and low heat conductivity to bituminous material. EVA containing samples showed the best combination on mechanical properties. The silanation process decreased the pore sizes as observed in mercury porosimetry experiments. A decreased amount of bitumen impregnation was obtained by the silanation process, clearly observed in SEM micrographs.

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to address the needs by applying the principles of chemistry, biology and engineering for the development of viable substitutes that restore and maintain the function of human bone and cartilage tissues. In tissue engineering, scaffolds play an important role as temporary supports for the transplantation of specific cells and tissues. In this study, poly(ester-urethane)urea (PEUU) and poly(caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were fabricated. Scaffolds were characterized by SEM. Porosities of scaffolds vary from 67 % to 80 %. Controlled drug delivery systems release drugs at predetermined rates for extended periods. In this study / firstly poly(lactic-co-glycolicolide/tricalcium phosphate) (PLGA/TCP) and poly(L-lactide)/tricalcium phosphate (PLLA/TCP) composites loaded with Gentamicin or Vancomycin were prepared as controlled drug delivery systems for the local treatment of osteomyelitis. The release behavior of drugs were monitored by UV-VIS spectrometer. It was shown that, Vancomycin loaded samples released higher amounts of drug than the samples loaded with Gentamicin. Secondly, porous ceramic samples were coated with PLGA and PLLA and they were loaded with dexamethasone. The release behavior of samples were monitored by UV-VIS spectrometer.The cubic ceramics released higher amounts of dexamethasone than cylindrical ceramics. When the mechanical properties of porous ceramic samples were concerned, PLLA coated samples had better mechanical properties.

Rapid prototyping methods embrace a family of manufacturing methods that are developed to speed up the prototyping stage of product design. The sole needed input for production being the solid model of the part, mold/tool-free production characteristics and the geometric part complexity that can be achieved due to layer-by-layer production have extended the applicability/research areas of these methods beyond prototyping. Local pore formation in part that occurs as a result of the discrete manufacturing nature of rapid prototyping methods can be viewed as an opportunity for material development. In this thesis, the manufacturing-internal (porous) structure-mechanical property relations of porous materials are investigated. These porous parts are produced via Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) which is a rapid prototyping method. The elastic modulus, tensile strength, rupture strength and Poisson&rsquo / s ratio of uniform porous specimens with known porosities are determined through standardized mechanical tests for polymeric materials. The mechanical property variation profiles in graded materials are determined using the mechanical properties of uniform parts. The mechanical behavior of uniform and graded materials under applied loads are modeled using finite element method and simulation results are compared to the results of mechanical tests performed on graded materials. In addition, feasibility of producing resin filled composite parts from these uniform and graded porous parts are sought. Porous parts (both uniformly and graded) that are infiltrated with epoxy resin have been characterized mechanically and the results have been compared with the uninfiltrated porous parts.

In this study, piezometric heads in a composite aquifer composed of an alluvial deposit having a width adjacent to a semi-infinite fractured rock are determined. One dimensional transient flow induced by a constant discharge pumping rate from a stream intersecting alluvial part of the aquifer is considered. Parts of the aquifer are homogeneous andisotropic. Equations of flow, initial and boundary conditions are converted to dimensionless forms for graphical presentation and the interpretation of results independent of discharge and head inputs specific to the problem. Equations are solved first in Laplace domain and Laplace domain solutions are inverted numerically to real time domain by utilizing Stehfest algorithm.For this purpose, a set of subroutines in VBA Excel are developed. This procedure is verified by application of code to flow in semi-infinite homogeneous aquifer under constant discharge for which analytical solution is available in literature. VBA codes are also developed for two special cases of finite aquifer with impervious and with recharge boundary on the right hand side. Results of composite aquifer solutions with extreme tranmissivity values are compared with these two cases for verification of methodology and sensivity of results.

Porous Ti-6Al-4V alloys are widely used in the biomedical applications for hard tissue implantation due to its biocompatibility and elastic modulus being close to that of bone. In this study, porous Ti-6Al-4V alloys were produced with a powder metallurgical process, space holder technique, where magnesium powders were utilized in order to generate porosities in the range of 50 to 70 vol. %. In the productions of Ti-6Al-4V foams, first, the spherical Ti-6Al-4V powders with an average size of 55 &mu / m were mixed with spherical magnesium powders sieved to an average size of 375 &mu / m, and then the mixtures were compacted with a hydraulic press under 500 MPa pressure by using a double-ended steel die and finaly, the green compacts were sintered at 1200