No description available.

While traumatic aortic injury (TAI) and rupture (TAR) continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in motor vehicle accidents, its underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. Different mechanisms such as increase in intraluminal pressure, relative movement of aorta with respect to mediastinal structures, direct impact to bony structures have been proposed as contributing factors to TAI/TAR. At the tissue level, TAI is assumed to be the result of a complex state of supra-physiological, high rate, and multi-axial loading. A major step to gain insight into the mechanisms of TAI is a characterization of the aortic tissue mechanical and failure properties under loading conditions that resemble traumatic events. While the mechanical behavior of arteries in physiological conditions have been investigated by many researchers, this dissertation was motivated by the scarcity of reported data on supra-physiological and high rate loading conditions of aorta. Material properties of the porcine aortic tissue were characterized and a Fung-type constitutive model was developed based on ex-vivo inflation-extension of aortic segments with intraluminal pressures covering a range from physiological to supra-physiological (70 kPa). The convexity of the material constitutive model was preserved to ensure numerical stability. The increase in ë_è from physiological pressure (13 kPa) to 70 kPa was 13% at the outer wall and 22% at the inner wall while in this pressure range, the longitudinal stretch ratio ë_z increased 20%. A significant nonlinearity in the material behavior was observed as in the same pressure range, the circumferential and longitudinal Cauchy stresses at the inner wall were increased 16 and 18 times respectively. The effect of strain-rate on the mechanical behavior and failure properties of the tissue was characterized using uniaxial extension experiments in circumferential and longitudinal directions at nominal strain rates of 0.3, 3, 30 and 400 s-1. Two distinct states of failure initiation (FI) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) were identified at both directions. Explicit direct relationships were derived between FI and UTS stresses and strain rate. On the other hand, FI and UTS strains were rate independent and therefore strain was proposed as the main mechanism of failure. On average, engineering strain at FI was 0.85±0.03 for circumferential direction and 0.58±0.02 for longitudinal direction. The engineering strain at UTS was not different between the two directions and reached 0.89±0.03 on average. Tissue pre-failure linear moduli showed an average of 60% increase over the range of strain rates. Using the developed material model, mechanical stability of aorta was studied by varying the loading parameters for two boundary conditions, namely pinned-pinned boundary condition (PPBC) and clamped-clamped boundary condition (CCBC). The critical pressure for CCBC was three times higher than PPBC. It was shown that the relatively free segment of aorta at the isthmus region may become unstable before reaching the peak intraluminal pressures that occur during a trauma. The mechanical instability mechanism was proposed as a contributing factor to TAI, where elevations in tissue stresses and strains due to buckling may increase the risk of injury. / Mechanical Engineering

The uterosacral ligament (USL) and cardinal ligament (CL) are the two major suspensory tissues of the uterus, cervix, and vagina. These supportive structures can be weakened or damaged, leading to the development of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. In the surgical treatment for PFDs, the USL and CL are extensively used as anchor structures to restore the normal position of the prolapsed organs. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the USL and CL may be critical for the development of new surgical reconstruction strategies for PFDs. In chapter 1, we present the first histo-mechanical characterization of the swine USL and CL using histological analysis, scanning electron microscopy and quasi-static uniaxial tensile tests. Our results suggest that the histological and uniaxial tensile properties of the swine CL and USL are very similar to those in humans. The swine is found to be a suitable animal model for studying the mechanical properties of these ligaments. To capture both the active and passive mechanical responses of biological tissues containing SMCs such as the USL and CL, a new structural constitutive model is proposed in chapter 2. The deformation of the active component in such tissues during isometric and isotonic contractions is described using an evolution law. This model is tested with published active and passive, uniaxial and biaxial, experimental data on pig arteries due to lack of data on the active properties of the USL and CL. Subjected to constant forces in-vivo, the structure and length of the USL and CL are sig- nificantly altered over time. In chapter 3, we present the first rigorous characterization of the fiber microstructure and creep properties of the USL/CL complex by using scanning electron microscopy and planar biaxial testing. Fibers are found to be oriented primarily along the main in-vivo loading direction. In such direction, the creep proceeds significantly faster under lower load. Overall, our experimental findings advance our knowledge about the passive elastic and viscoelastic properties of the USL/CL complex. The novel structural constitutive model proposed enhances our understanding of the active mechanical behavior of biological tissues containing SMCs. Knowledge about the mechanical behavior of the USL and CL from experimental and theoretical studies such as those presented here will help to improve, in the long term, the medical treatment for PFDs. / Ph. D.

Deep soil mixing to construct stiff columns is one of the methods used today to improve performance of loose ground and remediate liquefaction problems. This research adopts a numerical approach to study seismic performance of soil-cement columnar reinforcements in loose sandy profiles. Different constitutive models were investigated in order to find a model that can properly predict soil behavior during seismic excitations. These models included NorSand, Dafalias-Manzari, Plasticity Model for Sands (PM4Sand) and Pressure-Dependent-Multi-Yield-02 (PDMY02) model. They were employed to predict behavior of soils with different relative densities and under different confining pressures during monotonic and cyclic loading. PDMY02 was identified as the most suitable model to represent soil seismic behavior for the system studied herein. The numerical aspects of the finite element approach were investigated to minimize the unintended numerical miscalculations. The focus was put on convergence tolerance, solver time-step, constraint definition, and, integration, material and Rayleigh damping. This resulted in forming a robust numerical configuration for 3-D nonlinear models that were later used for studying behavior of the reinforced grounds. Nonlinear finite element models were developed to capture the seismic response of columnar reinforced ground during dynamic centrifuge testing. The models were calibrated with results from tests with unreinforced profiles. Thereafter, they were implemented to predict the response of two reinforced profiles during seismic excitations with different intensities and liquefaction triggering. Model predictions were compared with recordings and the possible effects from the reinforcements were discussed. Finally, parametric studies were performed to further evaluate the efficiency of the reinforcements with different extension depths and area replacement ratios. The results collectively showed that the stiff elements, if constructed appropriately, can withstand seismic excitations with different intensities, and provide a firm base for overlying structures. However, the presence of the stiff elements within the loose ground resulted in stronger seismic intensities on the soil surface. The columns were not able to considerably reduce pore water pressure generation, nor prevent liquefaction triggering. The reinforced profiles, comparing to the free-field profiles, had larger settlements on the soil surface but smaller settlements on the columns. The results concluded that utilization of the columnar reinforcements requires great attention as these reinforcements may result in larger seismic intensities at the ground surface, while not considerably reducing the ground deformations. / Ph. D.

Master of Science / Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering / Xiao J. Xin / Energy consumption due to dairy production constitutes 10% of all energy usage in the U.S. Food Industry. Improving energy efficiency in food refrigeration and freezing plays an important role in meeting the energy challenges of today. Freezing and hardening are important but energy-intensive steps in ice cream manufacturing. This thesis presents a series of models to address these issues. The first step taken to model energy consumption was to create a temperature-dependent ice cream material using empirical properties available in the literature. The homogeneous ice cream material is validated using finite element analysis (FEA) and previously published experimental findings. The validated model is then used to study the efficiency of various package configurations in the ice cream hardening process. The next step taken is to consider product quality by modeling the ice crystal size distribution (CSD) throughout the hardening process. This is achieved through the use of population balance equations (PBE). Crystal size and corresponding hardened ice cream coarseness can be predicted through the PBE model presented in this thesis. The crystallization results are validated through previous experimental study. After the hardening studies are presented, the topic of continuous freezing is discussed. The actual ice cream continuous freezing process is inherently complex, and therefore simplifying assumptions are utilized in this work. Simulation is achieved through combined computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and PBE modeling of a sucrose solution. By assuming constant fluid viscosity, a two-dimensional cross section is able to be employed by the model. The results from this thesis provide a practical advancement of previous ice cream simulations and lay the groundwork for future studies.

[pt] O estudo de materiais inteligentes tem instigado várias aplicações nas mais diversas áreas do conhecimento (da área médica à industria aeroespacial). Os materiais mais utilizados em estruturas inteligentes são as ligas com memória de forma, as cerâmicas piezoelétricas, os materiais magneto-estrictivos e os fluidos eletro- reológicos. Nas últimas décadas, as ligas com memória de forma vêm recebendo atenção especial, sendo utilizadas principalmente como sensores ou atuadores. Existe uma gama de fenômenos associados a estas ligas que podem ser explorados. Visando uma análise mais precisa do comportamento destes materiais, tem se tornado cada vez maior o interesse no desenvolvimento de modelos matemáticos capazes de descrevê-los de maneira adequada, permitindo explorar todo o seu potencial. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor um modelo constitutivo unidimensional que considera quatro variantes de microconstituintes (austenita, martensita induzida por temperatura, martensita induzida por tensão trativa e martensita induzida por tensão compressiva) e diferentes propriedades para cada fase. O efeito das deformações induzidas por temperatura é incluído na formulação. O modelo contempla ainda o efeito das deformações plásticas e o acoplamento entre os fenômenos de plasticidade e transformação de fase. Além disso, são introduzidas modificações na formulação que permitem o alargamento do laço de histerese da curva tensão-deformação, fornecendo resultados mais coerentes com dados experimentais. Por fim, incorpora-se a assimetria no comportamento tração-compressão. A validação do modelo é obtida comparando os resultados numéricos obtidos através do modelo com resultados experimentais encontrados na literatura para ensaios de tração a diferentes temperaturas e para a assimetria no comportamento tração- compressão. / [en] The study of intelligent materials has instigated many applications within the various knowledge areas (from medical field to aerospace industry). The most used materials in intelligent structures are the shape memory alloys (SMA), the piezoelectric ceramics, the magnetostrictive materials and the electrorheological fluids. In the last decades, SMAs have received special attention, being mainly used as sensors or actuators. There is a number of phenomena related to these alloys that can be explored. Aiming a more precise analysis of SMA behavior, the interest on the development of mathematical models capable of describing these phenomena properly has grown, allowing to explore all their potential. The aim of this work is to propose a unidimensional constitutive model which considers four microconstituent variants (austenite, martensite induced by temperature, martensite induced by tensile loading and martensite induced by compressive loading) and different material properties for each phase. The effect of thermal strains is included in the formulation. The model considers the effect of plastic strains and the plastic-phase transformation coupling. Besides, some changes are introduced in the formulation in order to enlarge the stress-strain hysteresis loop, resulting in better agreements with experimental data. Eventually, the tensioncompression asymmetry is incorporated. The model validation is obtained through the comparison between the numerical results given by the model and experimental results found in the literature for tensile tests at different temperatures and for tension- compression asymmetry.

The mechanical behavior of the arterial wall is determined by the composition and structure of its internal constituents as well as the applied traction-forces, such as pressure and axial stretch. The purpose of this work is to develop new theoretical frameworks and experimental methodologies to further the understanding of arterial mechanics and role of the various intrinsic and extrinsic mechanically motivating factors. Specifically, residual deformation, matrix organization, and perivascular support are investigated in the context of their effects on the overall and local mechanical behavior of the artery. We propose new kinematic frameworks to determine the displacement field due to residual deformations previously unknown, which include longitudinal and shearing residual deformations. This allows for improved predictions of the local, intramural stresses of the artery. We found distinct microstructural differences between the femoral and carotid arteries from non-human primates. These arteries are functionally and mechanically different, but are geometrically and compositionally similar, thereby suggesting differences in their microstructural alignments, particularly of their collagen fibers. Finally, we quantified the mechanical constraint of perivascular support on the coronary artery by mechanically testing the artery in-situ before and after surgical exposure.

Microstructural features at different scales affect the constitutive stress-strain response and the fatigue crack initiation life in Ni-base superalloys. While numerous efforts have been made in the past to experimentally characterize the effects of these features on the stress-strain response and/or the crack initiation life, there is a significant variability in the data with sometimes contradictory conclusions, in addition to the substantial costs involved in experimental testing. Computational techniques can be useful tools to better understand these effects since they are relatively inexpensive and are not restricted by the limitations in processing techniques. The effect of microstructure on the stress-strain response and the variability in fatigue life were analyzed using two Ni-base superalloys; DS GTD111 which is a directionally solidified Ni-base superalloy, and IN100 which is a polycrystalline Ni-base superalloy. Physically-based constitutive models were formulated and implemented as user material subroutines in ABAQUS using the single crystal plasticity framework which can predict the material stress-strain response with the microstructure-dependence embedded into them. The model parameters were calibrated using experimental cyclic stress-strain histories. A computational exercise was employed to quantify the influence of idealized microstructural variables on the fatigue crack initiation life. Understanding was sought regarding the most significant microstructure features using explicit modeling of the microstructure with the aim to predict the variability in fatigue crack initiation life and to guide material design for fatigue resistant microstructures. Lastly, it is noted that crystal plasticity models are often too computationally intensive if the objective is to model the macroscopic behavior of a textured or randomly oriented 3-D polycrystal in an engineering component. Homogenized constitutive models were formulated and implemented as user material subroutines in ABAQUS, which can capture the macroscale stress-strain response in both DS GTD111 and IN100. Even though the study was conducted on two specific Ni-base superalloys; DS GTD111 and IN100, the objective was to develop generic frameworks which should also be applicable to other alloy systems.

This dissertation addresses new developments in the constitutive modeling and structural analysis pertaining to rate-independent and rate-dependent irrecoverable inelasticity in Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). A new model for fully recoverable SMA response is derived that accounts for material behaviors not previously addressed. Rate-independent and rate-dependent irrecoverable deformations (plasticity and viscoplasticity) are then considered. The three phenomenological models are based on continuum thermodynamics where the free energy potentials, evolution equations, and hardening functions are properly chosen. The simultaneous transformation-plastic model considers rate-independent irrecoverable strain generation and uses isotropic and kinematic plastic hardening to capture the interactions between irrecoverable plastic strain and recoverable transformation strain. The combination of theory and implementation is unique in its ability to capture the simultaneous evolution of recoverable transformation strains and irrecoverable plastic strains. The simultaneous transformation-viscoplastic model considers rate-dependent irrecoverable strain generation where the theoretical framework is modfii ed such that the evolution of the viscoplastic strain components are given explicitly. The numerical integration of the constitutive equations is formulated such that objectivity is maintained for SMA structures undergoing moderate strains and large displacements. Experimentally validated analysis results are provided for the fully recoverable model, the simultaneous transformation-plastic yield model, and the transformation-viscoplastic creep model.

The ability to adjust structural response to external loading and ensure structural safety and serviceability is a characteristic of Smart Systems. The key to achieving this is through the development and implementation of smart materials. An example of a smart material is a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). Reinforced concrete structures are designed to sustain severe damage and permanent displacement during strong earthquakes, while maintaining their integrity, and safeguarding against loss of life. The design philosophy of dissipating the energy of major earthquakes leads to significant strains in the steel reinforcement and, consequently, damage in the plastic hinge zones. Most of the steel strain is permanent, thus leading to large residual deformations that can render the structure unserviceable after the earthquake. Alternative reinforcing materials such as superelastic SMAs offer strain recovery upon unloading, which may result in improved post-earthquake recovery. Shape Memory Alloys have the ability to dissipate energy through repeated cycling without significant degradation or permanent deformation. Superelastic SMAs possess stable hysteretic behavior over a certain range of temperature, where its shape is recoverable upon removal of load. Alternatively, Martensite SMAs also possess the ability to recover its shape through heating. Both types of SMA demonstrate promise in civil infrastructure applications, specifically in seismic-resistant design and retrofit of structures. The primary objective of this research is to investigate experimentally the performance of concrete beams and shear walls reinforced with superelastic SMAs in plastic hinge regions. Furthermore, this research program involves complementary numerical studies and the development of a proposed hysteretic constitutive model for superelastic SMAs applicable for nonlinear finite element analysis. The model considers the unique characteristics of the cyclic response of superelastic materials.