Master of Engineering (Research) / This report investigates the down-aisle buckling load capacity of steel storage rack uprights. The effects of discrete torsional restraints provided by the frame bracing in the cross-aisle direction is considered in this report. Since current theoretical methods used to predict the buckling capacity of rack uprights appear to be over-conservative and complex, this research may provide engineers an alternative method of design using detailed finite element analysis. In this study, the results from experimental testing of upright frames with K-bracing are compared to finite element predictions of displacements and maximum axial loads. The finite element analysis is then used to determine the buckling loads on braced and un-braced uprights of various lengths. The upright capacities can then be compared with standard design methods which generally do not accurately take into account the torsional resistance that the cross-aisle frame bracing provides to the upright. The information contained in this report would be beneficial to engineers or manufacturers who are involved in the design of rack uprights or other discretely braced complex light gauge steel members subject to axial loads.

Suction caissons are a foundation system for offshore structures which offer a number of advantages over traditional piled foundations. In particular, due to the method of installation used, they are well suited for deep-water applications. The suction caisson consists of an open ended cylindrical shell, which is installed below the seabed in a sequence which consists of two loading phases. The caisson is first installed part way under self weight, with the installation being completed by lowering the pressure within the cylinder and thus allowing the ambient water pressure to force the caisson into the ground. This thesis examines a number of structural issues which result from the form of the caisson — essentially a thin walled cylinder — and the interaction of the caisson with the surrounding soil during installation. To do this, variational analysis and nonlinear finite element analysis are employed to examine the buckling and collapse behaviour of these cylinders. In particular, two issues are considered; the influence of the open end, and the interaction between the cylinder and soil on the buckling and collapse loads. First, the behaviour of open ended cylinders is considered, where the boundary condition at the open end is allowed to vary continuously from completely free to pinned, by the use of a variable lateral spring. This lateral spring restraint may be considered to represent the intermediate restraint provided by a ring stiffener which is not fully effective. The effect of various combinations of boundary conditions is accounted for by the use of a multiplier on the lower bound to the buckling load of a cylinder with classical supports. The variable spring at the open end may also be considered to be an initial, simple representation of the effect of soil restraint on the buckling load. More complex representations of the soil restraint are also considered. A nondimensional factor is proposed to account for the influence of this spring on the buckling load. One combination of boundary conditions, where the upper end of the caisson is pinned, and the lower end free (referred to as a PF boundary condition), is found to have buckling and collapse behaviour which is unusual for cylindrical shells. Buckling loads for such shells are much lower than would be found for cylinders with more typical boundary conditions, and of similar dimensions. More unusually however, PF cylinders are shown to have positive postbuckling strength. The behaviour is found to be a result of the large flexibility which results from the low restraint provided by the PF boundary conditions. This is shown by continuously decreasing the flexibility of the cylinder, by increasing the axial restraint at the pinned end. It is shown that this results in a large increase in buckling load, and a return to more usual levels of imperfection sensitivity. In particular, with an intermediate level of axial restraint, buckling loads and imperfection sensitivity are intermediate between those of PF shells with no, and with full, axial restraint. Overall however, collapse loads for PF cylinders with no additional restraint are well below those of cylinders with stiffer boundary conditions, for equal geometries. Eigenvalue buckling of cylinders fully and partially embedded in an elastic material are examined, and two analytical solutions are proposed. One of these is an extension of a method previously proposed by Seide (1962), for core filled cylinders, to pin ended cylinders which have support from both a core and a surrounding material. The second method represents the elastic support as a two parameter foundation. While more approximate than the first method, this method allows for the examination of a wider range of boundary conditions, and of partial embedment. It is found that the buckling load of the shell/soil system decreases as the embedment ratio decreases. Collapse of fully and partially embedded cylinders is also examined, using nonlinear finite element analysis. The influence of plasticity in the soil is also considered. For cylinders with small imperfections, it is found that the collapse load shows a large increase over that of the same cylinder with no soil support. However, as the size of initial geometric imperfections increases, it is found that the collapse load rapidly approaches that of the unsupported cylinder. In particular, in weak soils the gain in strength over the unsupported shell may be minimal. The exception to this is again PF cylinders. As these have relatively low collapse loads, even very weak soils are able to offer an increase in collapse load over the unsupported case. Finally, a summary of these results is provided in the form of guidance for design of such structures.

The scope of this project is the realization of composite and hybrid sub-aerostructures which exhibit superior blast performance compared to reference composite and hybrid substructures. The scope will be fulfilled with minimum weight penalty. Within the scope of this work is to provide a roadmap for the integration of explicit hardening measures for blast in future aerospace structural components. In the case of blast loading, the proposed methodology for achieving these aims involves vulnerability analysis of the composite and the hybrid substructures (scaled fuselage substructure). The vulnerability analysis will be based on numerical results, obtained by the systematic, analysis of the coupled blast / structural problem. The aims and objectives of the present project can be summarized as follows: • Development of numerical models and their correlation against experimental results. • Development of numerical tools for blast vulnerability analysis of composite and hybrid aeronautic structures • Blast vulnerability map of composite and hybrid scaled fuselage substructure for different charge locations • Explicit blast hardening strategies of composite and hybrid aerostructures by design and by novel materials / Σκοπός της εργασίας αυτής είναι η μελέτη αεροπορικών κατασκευών από σύνθετα υλικά όπου θα παρουσιάζουν βελτιωμένες ιδιότητες υπό συνθήκες έκρηξης σε σύγκριση με υπάρχουσες αντίστοιχες κατασκευές.Ο στόχος αυτός επετεύχθη με ελάχιστη προσθήκη βάρους. Μέσα στους στόχους της παρούσας διατριβής είναι να παρέχει μια μεθοδολογία για την προσθήκη μέσων προστασίας για τις μελλοντικές αεροπορικές κατασκευές.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-03-03Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:58:18Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 anami_lc_me_sjc.pdf: 782156 bytes, checksum: 4212a8739cd4cbb0bd4d24b494cb4a94 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a localização e distribuição das tensões geradas ao redor de implantes com pilares protéticos de diferentes conexões cone Morse através da análise fotoelástica (AFE) e do método dos elementos finitos (MEF). Para o MEF, implante e pilares protéticos de diferentes conexões cone Morse (hexagonado e sólido) foram digitalizados pela técnica da microtomografia computadorizada e, com auxílio de softwares computacionais foi realizada a modelagem da malha tridimensional e o carregamento dos objetos. Foi realizada a caracterização das propriedades mecânicas da resina fotoelástica. Foram simulados blocos com propriedades mecânicas de osso cortical e trabecular e de resina fotoelástica. A AFE foi realizada a partir de blocos de resina fotoelástica onde foram incluídos os implantes aparafusados aos diferentes pilares protéticos. Estes blocos foram confeccionados a partir de um bloco prototipado do modelo utilizado no MEF. Os corpos-deprova foram imersos em um recipiente com óleo mineral e o conjunto foi observado no polariscópio circular com dispositivo de aplicação de cargas acoplado e recebendo a mesma carga, em sentido e posição iguais. Foi feita análise descritiva para as imagens obtidas em ambas as metodologias onde observou-se que: as imagens obtidas no MEF apresentaram distribuição de tensões bastante similar entre os dois modelos com diferentes pilares protéticos. Foram observadas diferenças entre a distribuição das tensões em blocos ósseo e de resina; As imagens obtidas na AFE se assemelharam às obtidas em MEF com bloco de resina. As imagens da AFE também foram analisadas quantitativamente, por comparação a valores atribuídos às franjas. A concordância interobservadores foi conferida pelo teste de Dahlberg. Concluiu-se que o Pilar Sólido transfere cargas mais homogeneamente para o osso adjacente ao implante... / The goal of this study was to evaluate the location and distribution of stresses generated around implants with different Morse taper connections abutments by photoelastic (PA) and finite element analysis (FEA). For FEA, implant and abutments with different Morse taper connections (hexagonal and solid) were scanned by computerized microtomography technique. The tridimensional mesh was modeled and the objects were loaded with the help of computer software. Photoelastic resin was characterized by mechanical properties. Trabecular and cortical bone and photoelastic resin blocks were simulated with their respective mechanical properties. The PA was performed with photoelastic resin blocks where implants were included and the different abutments were bolted. These blocks were made from a prototyped block of model used in FEA. Specimens were immersed in a mineral oil container and it was observed in the circular polariscope with the application device attached, where loads were received on same charge, on equal direction and position. Images obtained in both methodologies were descriptively analyzed where it was that: FEA images showed very similar stress distribution between two models with different abutments. Differences were observed between stress distribution in bone and resin blocks; PA images resembled those obtained on resin block FEA. PA images were also quantitatively analyzed by comparing the values assigned to fringes. Inter-observer agreement was given by Dahlberg test. It was concluded that solid abutment distributes loads more evenly to bone adjacent to implant compared with hexagonal abutment, for both analysis methods employed. Among the methodologies employed, it was observed that the PA has generated very similar results to those obtained in FEA with resin block, but different to those obtained in FEA when the clinical condition of the bone block was simulated

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-10Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:18:37Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 anchieta_rb_me_araca.pdf: 7195179 bytes, checksum: 1c86045d84983285e3b0998f11288632 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Introdução: Embora os sistemas adesivos autocondicionantes se caracterizem por desmineralizar e infiltrar a dentina simultaneamente, a presença de dentina alterada abaixo da camada híbrida tem sido reportada, sugerindo comportamento mecânico distinto. Proposição: Avaliar por meio do método dos elementos finitos tridimensional a influência da espessura da dentina parcialmente alterada no comportamento micromecânico de dois sistemas adesivos autocondicionantes. Materiais e Métodos: Foram elaborados 5 micro-modelos (M) simulando a interface dentina/adesivo (d/a) (82x41x41 μm), sendo: M1-representação da interface d/a baseada em sistema adesivo convencional de 2 passos; M2-representação de um sistema adesivo autocondicionante de 2 passos. Nos M3, M4 e M5 representação de um sistema adesivo autocondicionante de 1 passo, variando a espessura da camada de dentina parcialmente alterada em 0, 1,5 e 3 μm, respectivamente. Os modelos foram considerados isotrópicos, homogêneos e linearmente elásticos. A base de todos os modelos foi fixada nos eixos x, y e z, sendo aplicado um carregamento em tração (90º; 0,03 N) na face superior da resina composta. A análise numérica foi realizada para a obtenção da tensão principal máxima ( max). Resultados: o pico da max (MPa) foi encontrada no M5 (79,5), seguido do M4 (78,0) e do M3 (70). O topo dos tags foi o local mais solicitado em todos os modelos. Conclusão: O aumento da espessura da dentina parcialmente alterada aumentou a tensão na interface d/a; a ausência desta camada contribuiu para a menor concentração de tensão; o topo dos tags foi o local mais exigido na interface d/a. / Introduction: Although the self-etching adhesives are characterized by etching and infiltrating simultaneously the dentin, the presence of an altered dentin layer has been showed by literature, which might show specific mechanical behavior. Proposition: To evaluate through 3-D finite element analysis the influence of the partially altered dentin thickness on the micromechanical behavior of the self-etch adhesives. Materials and Methods: 5 micro-models (M) were developed for simulating the dentin/adhesive (d/a) interface (82x41x41 μm): M1-representation of the d/a interface based on 2 steps conventional adhesive system; M2-d/a interface based on 2 steps self-etch adhesive system M3, M4 and M5 – d/a interface based on all-in-one adhesive system, varying the thickness of the partially altered dentin (0, 1.5 and 3 μm, respectively). All the models were considered isotropic, homogeneous and lineally elastic. The bottom of all the models were constrained in the axes x, y and z. A tensile load (90o; 0.03N) was applied on the top of the composite resin. The numeric analysis was accomplished, being obtained the maximum principal stress ( max). Results: The pick of max (MPa) was found in M5 (79.5), followed by M4 (78.0) and M3 (70). The top of the resin tags was the most requested place in all models. Conclusion: The increase of the partially altered dentin thickness raised the max in the d/a interface; the absence of this layer contributed to the smallest tension concentration; the top of the tags showed higher stress concentration.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-08-21Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:58:24Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 almeida_eo_me_araca.pdf: 3755451 bytes, checksum: 666f30ecb05cff86a47b4d7dfe771edb (MD5) / A barra pré-fabricada é uma opção de tratamento vantajosa por minimizar o tempo de confecção da prótese implantossuportada do tipo protocolo de carga imediata com níveis de adaptação e passividade previsíveis. No entanto, para a sua aplicação, o arco do paciente deve adaptar-se anatomicamente ao formato da barra pré-fabricada, e a qualidade óssea deve ser compatível com a indicação da carga imediata. Além disso, a literatura não apresenta dados numéricos sobre a influência de diferentes formatos horizontais do arco mandibular na distribuição das tensões no osso, assim como não é homogênea a definição do critério de análise a ser utilizado quando materiais frágeis, como o osso, são estudados utilizando o método dos elementos finitos. Devido a isso, foi realizada uma revisão da literatura com o objetivo de relacionar as propriedades dos materiais estudados com o critério de análise adotado. Para isto, foram levantados 2061 artigos através do indexador Medline database, durante os anos de 2004 a 2008. Observou-se que tanto o critério das tensões de von Mises como a máxima tensão principal foram utilizados para o estudo dos materiais considerados frágeis ou não. Para o estudo da influência de diferentes formatos horizontais do arco mandibular e diferentes tipos de osso na distribuição das tensões no osso cortical e medular na simulação de uma prótese fixa implantossuportada do tipo protocolo mandibular confeccionada através do sistema pré-fabricado Neopronto (Neodent, Implante Osseointegrável), quatro modelos (M) representativos... / Prefabricated bar is a profitable treatment option for minimizing the preparation time of fixed protocol-type prosthesis in immediate load with adaptation levels and predictable passivity. Nevertheless, in order to be applied, the patient's arch must be anatomically adapted to the format of the prefabricated bar, and bone quality must be compatible to immediate load indication. However, literature does not show any numerical data about the influence of different horizontal formats of the mandibular arch on bone stress distribution, as well as it is not homogeneous which analysis criterion is to be used when friable materials, such as the bone, are studied by making use of the finite element method. Due to this, a literature review was elaborated with the purpose to relate the materials' properties through the adopted analysis criterion. Therefore, 2061 articles were raised through the Medline Database Indexer from 2004 to 2008. It was noticed that not only Von Mises's equivalent stress criterion but also maximum principal stress were used for the study of materials considered as friable or not. For the study of the influence of different horizontal formats of mandibular archs and different types of bone in stress distribution on the cortical and medular bone in simulating a fixed implant-supported protocol-type mandibular prosthesis prepared through the Neopronto prefabricated system (Neodent, Osseointegratable Implant), four representative models (M) of a totally endentulate mandibular arch restored by the Neopronto prefabricated system (Neodent, Osseointegratable Implant) over four interforaminal implants were prepared through the SolidWorks 2007 program with a bone range (I to IV) (M.I - M.II - M.III - M.IV), considering the horizontal dimension as of regular size... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Luís Geraldo Vaz / Resumo: A proposta deste estudo foi analisar o comportamento mecânico e a distribuição de forças de diferentes geometrias de ápice em implantes cilíndricos por meio de método de elementos finitos (MEF), fotoelasticidade, torque de inserção e frequência de ressonância. Foram usinados quatro tipos de implantes: sem corte apical (A), com corte apical bi-partido (B), corte apical tri-partido (C), corte apical quadri-partido (D) e um quinto (grupo controle) implante Titamax Ti Ex (Neodent, Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil) (E), todos com dimensões (4,1 X 11,0 mm) de plataforma hexagonal externa. Para o ensaio fotoelástico, blocos de acrílico (30X30X10mm) com um implante foram copiados com Borracha Silicone. Dentro de cada molde de silicone foi vertido resina fotoelástica semi-fexível. Para o ensaio fotoelástico duas situações foram simuladas: aplicação de carga axial de 1 kgf e em outro momento aplicação do torque de 10 N.cm. As fotografias realizadas no polariscópio circular foram transferidas para um computador para leitura dos parâmetros fotoelásticos no software powerpoint (Office 2010). Para o estudo de elementos finitos, o desenho dos implantes foram reproduzidos em CAD (computer Aided design) através do software Autodesk Inventor® (versão 2015, São Paulo, Brasil) e o bloco ósseo tipo IV de dimensões (2X2X2cm) foram posteriormente processados pelo software Rhinoceros v5.0 SR8 (McNeel North America, Seattle, WA, USA). As simulações foram executadas pelo software (Ansys Workbench 10.0, Swanso... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze the mechanical behavior and force distribution of five different implant designs using finite element method (FEM), photoelasticity, insertion torque and resonance frequency of different geometric modifications proposed for the apex region Of cylindrical implants. Four types of implants were machined: without apical cut (A), with a two-part apical cut (B), apical tri-split cut (C), apical cut quadri-split (D) and fifth group was composed by Titamax Ti Ex Neodent all with dimensions (4.1 X 11.0 mm). For the photoelastic test, acrylic blocks (30X30X10mm) with implant installed were copied with Blue ASB-10 Silicone Rubber (Polipox). Inside each silicone mold was poured semi-flexible photoelastic resin (Polipox). A titanium UCLA prosthetic intermediate was screwed onto the implant and a dental crown on (Ni-Cr) was fixed on the set. For the photoelastic test two situations were simulated: application of axial load of 1 kgf and torque of 10 N.cm. The photograph and the reading of the photoelastic parameters were performed in a circular polariscope. For the finite element study, the computerAided design (CAD) implants and a Type IV human bone block of dimensions (2X2X2cm) were processed by the software Rhinoceros v5.0 SR8 (McNeel North America, Seattle, WA, USA) At the Renato Archer Information Technology Center (CTI, Campinas, São Paulo - Brazil). The mechanical properties of the implant (titanium grade II) and normal bone type IV were obtai... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

abstract: The wide-scale use of green technologies such as electric vehicles has been slowed due to insufficient means of storing enough portable energy. Therefore it is critical that efficient storage mediums be developed in order to transform abundant renewable energy into an on-demand source of power. Lithium (Li) ion batteries are seeing a stream of improvements as they are introduced into many consumer electronics, electric vehicles and aircraft, and medical devices. Li-ion batteries are well suited for portable applications because of their high energy-to-weight ratios, high energy densities, and reasonable life cycles. Current research into Li-ion batteries is focused on enhancing its energy density, and by changing the electrode materials, greater energy capacities can be realized. Silicon (Si) is a very attractive option because it has the highest known theoretical charge capacity. Current Si anodes, however, suffer from early capacity fading caused by pulverization from the stresses induced by large volumetric changes that occur during charging and discharging. An innovative system aimed at resolving this issue is being developed. This system incorporates a thin Si film bonded to an elastomeric substrate which is intended to provide the desired stress relief. Non-linear finite element simulations have shown that a significant amount of deformation can be accommodated until a critical threshold of Li concentration is reached; beyond which buckling is induced and a wavy structure appears. When compared to a similar system using rigid substrates where no buckling occurs, the stress is reduced by an order of magnitude, significantly prolonging the life of the Si anode. Thus the stress can be released at high Li-ion diffusion induced strains by buckling the Si thin film. Several aspects of this anode system have been analyzed including studying the effects of charge rate and thin film plasticity, and the results are compared with preliminary empirical measurements to show great promise. This study serves as the basis for a radical resolution to one of the few remaining barriers left in the development of high performing Si based electrodes for Li-ion batteries. / Dissertation/Thesis / Appendix H - Movies (zipped) / M.S. Mechanical Engineering 2011

abstract: Concrete columns constitute the fundamental supports of buildings, bridges, and various other infrastructures, and their failure could lead to the collapse of the entire structure. As such, great effort goes into improving the fire resistance of such columns. In a time sensitive fire situation, a delay in the failure of critical load bearing structures can lead to an increase in time allowed for the evacuation of occupants, recovery of property, and access to the fire. Much work has been done in improving the structural performance of concrete including reducing column sizes and providing a safer structure. As a result, high-strength (HS) concrete has been developed to fulfill the needs of such improvements. HS concrete varies from normal-strength (NS) concrete in that it has a higher stiffness, lower permeability and larger durability. This, unfortunately, has resulted in poor performance under fire. The lower permeability allows for water vapor to build up causing HS concrete to suffer from explosive spalling under rapid heating. In addition, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of HS concrete is lower than that of NS concrete. In this study, the effects of introducing a region of crumb rubber concrete into a steel-reinforced concrete column were analyzed. The inclusion of crumb rubber concrete into a column will greatly increase the thermal resistivity of the overall column, leading to a reduction in core temperature as well as the rate at which the column is heated. Different cases were analyzed while varying the positioning of the crumb-rubber region to characterize the effect of position on the improvement of fire resistance. Computer simulated finite element analysis was used to calculate the temperature and strain distribution with time across the column's cross-sectional area with specific interest in the steel - concrete region. Of the several cases which were investigated, it was found that the improvement of time before failure ranged between 32 to 45 minutes. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Mechanical Engineering 2011

Atherosclerosis is the root cause of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. Although it is a global arterial disease, some of the most severe consequences, heart attack and stroke, are caused by ischemia due to local plaque rupture. The risk of rupture is related to the mechanical properties of the plaque. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) images tissue elasticity by inverting, externally excited, harmonic wave displacement into a stiffness map, known as an elastogram. The aim of this thesis is to computationally and experimentally investigate the application of MRE to image the mechanical properties of atherosclerotic plaques. The cardiac cycle, lumen boundary, size and inhomogeneous nature of atherosclerotic plaques pose additional complications compared to more well-established MRE applications. Computational modelling allowed these complications to be assessed in a controlled and simplified environment, prior to experimental studies. Computational simulation of MRE was proposed by combining steady state shear waves, yielded by finite element analysis, with the 2D Helmholtz inversion algorithm. The accuracy and robustness of this technique was ascertained through models of homogeneous tissue. A computational sensitivity study was conducted through idealised atherosclerotic plaques, incorporating the effects of disease variables and mechanical, imaging and inversion parameters on the wave images and elastograms. Subject to parameter optimisation, a change in local plaque shear modulus with composition was established. Amongst other variables, an increase of the lipid pool volume in 10mm3 increments was shown to decrease the predicted shear modulus for stenosis sizes between 50% and 80%. The limitations of the Helmholtz inversion algorithm were demonstrated. A series of arterial phantoms containing plaques of various size and stiffness were developed to test the experimental feasibility of the technique. The lumen was identifiable in the wave images and elastograms. However the experimental wave propagation, noise and resolution left the vessel wall and plaque unresolvable. A computational replica of the phantoms yielded clearer wave images and elastograms, indicating that changes to the experimental procedure could lead to more successful results. The comparison also highlighted certain areas for improvement in the computational work. Imaging protocol for in vivo MRE through the peripheral arteries of healthy volunteers and peripheral artery disease patients was developed. The presence of physiological motion and low signal to noise ratios made the vessel anatomy unidentifiable. The application of MRE to atherosclerotic plaques through simulations, arterial phantoms, healthy volunteers and patients has shown that although there is the potential to identify a change in shear modulus with composition, the addition of realistic experimental complications are severely limiting to the technique. The gradual addition of complications throughout the thesis has allowed their impact to be assessed and in turn has highlighted areas for future research.