<p dir="ltr">Multiscale topology optimization is a numerical method that enables the synthesis of hierarchical structures, offering greater design flexibility than single-scale topology optimization. However, this increased flexibility also incurs higher computational costs. Recent advancements have integrated machine learning models into MSTO methods to address this issue. Unfortunately, existing machine learning-based multiscale topology optimization (ML-MSTO) approaches underutilize the potential of machine learning models to surrogate the inner optimization, analysis, and numerical homogenization of arbitrary non-periodic microstructures. This dissertation presents an ML-MSTO method featuring displacement-driven topology-optimized microstructures (TOMs). The proposed method solves an outer optimization problem to design a homogenized macroscale structure and multiple inner optimization problems to obtain spatially distributed, non-periodic TOMs. The inner problem formulation employs the macroscale element densities and nodal displacements to define constraints and boundary conditions for microscale density-based topology optimization problems. Each problem yields a free-form TOM. To reduce computational costs, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are trained to predict their homogenized constitutive tensor. The ANNs also enable sensitivity coefficients to be approximated through a variety of standard derivative methods. The effect of the neural network-based derivative methods on topology optimization results is evaluated in a comparative study. An explicit dehomogenization approach is proposed, leveraging the TOMs of the ML-MSTO method. The explicit approach also features two post-processing schemes to improve the connectivity and clean the final multiscale structure. A 2D and a 3D case study are designed with the ML-MSTO method and dehomogenized with the explicit approach. The resulting multiscale structures are non-periodic with free-form microstructures. In addition, a second implicit dehomogenization approach is developed in this dissertation that allows the projection of homogenized mechanical property fields onto a discrete lattice structure of arbitrary shape. The implicit approach is capable of dehomogenizing any homogenized design. This is done by incorporating an optimization algorithm to find the lattice thickness distribution that minimizes the difference between a local target homogenized property and a corresponding lattice homogenized stiffness tensor. The result is a well-connected, functionally graded lattice structure, that enables control over the length scale, orientation, and complexity of the final microstructured design.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Pea protein is one of the most used plant proteins in food products, acting as an alternative to conventional animal protein sources due to its abundant, nutritious, and ease in supply chain characteristics. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of homogenization and UHT processing parameters on the properties of protein emulsion. Protein emulsions (8% w/w pea protein isolate and 1% w/w sunflower oil) were freshly prepared prior to processing, and the untreated sample was considered as the control (NT). The pilot-scale aseptic processing system (APS) used in this study consisted of two coil-in-shell heaters and two coolers. Samples flowed through each section of the APS system following this order: balance tank, pre-heater, final heater, hold tube, pre-cooler, and final cooler. The homogenizer was located either after the pre-cooler (AC) or the pre-heater (AH) with a controlled temperature of 165F. A third setup was utilized by bypassing the homogenizer in the UHT system. An additional 8-hour continuous run was conducted to mimic a commercial manufacturing operation by recirculating the protein emulsion in the UHT system, and fouling detections were made using a non-intrusive sensor (NICS). 5% w/w soy protein, 1% w/w sunflower oil oil-in-water emulsion was also used for fouling tests. Protein concentration, pH and zeta potential, Cryo-SEM microscopic image, particle size distribution, flocculation index (FI), coalescence index (CI), viscosity and color data were collected and analyzed. The protein concentration had a 23.20 ± 4.00 %, 28.35 ± 5.02 %, 27.98 ± 5.05% and 21.38 ± 5.75% reduction for AC, AH, UHT and NT samples, respectively, when compared with the initial concentration in the formula. AC, AH, UHT and NT samples had pH values of 7.24 ± 0.01, 7.27 ± 0.01, 7.28 ± 0.02, 7.41 ± 0.01, and zeta potential values of -42.91 ± 0.89, -47.30 ± 0.91, -46.91 ± 1.40 and -50.11 ± 1.47 mV. AC sample had a smaller and NT sample had a bigger, respectively, mean weighted size D 4,3 value than AH and UHT samples, which could also be seen in Cryo-SEM images where only AC images contained more visually observable smaller particles. FI and CI for AC, AH and UHT indicated the formation of flocs but no irreversible aggregations were found. Shear-thinning AC, AH, UHT and NT samples had viscosity decreases from 4.00 to 3.56, 3.88 to 3.75, 4.02 to 3.79 and 10.42 to 9.56 mPa*s in 1 1/s to 100 1/s shear rate range. NT sample had a very noticeable color difference from the other three treated samples. Overall, AC samples had similar or better emulsion stability in all aspects than AH and UHT samples, suggesting that AC processing could potentially be used in the protein beverage industry for manufacturing products with improved shelf stability. Severe foulants buildups were neither observed nor detected by a non-intrusive continuous sensor (NICS) in the UHT system within 8 hours of process for both pea protein and soy protein emulsion, indicating that this UHT-homogenization processing can potentially be adapted to current industrial practices for higher-quality protein beverages.</p>

Biodiversity is being lost around the world and anthropogenic activities, like non-native species introductions and urbanization, are among the leading causes of decline. Broadening our understanding of human-driven impacts on biodiversity can lead to more effective solutions and contribute towards stemming biodiversity losses. In this thesis, I explored the impacts of non-native species introductions and urbanization on butterfly-plant communities. I evaluated potential factors influencing the range expansion of a newly introduced species (Chapter 1), examined the role of urbanization in structuring biological communities (Chapter 2), and identified important ecological interactions between native and non-native species (Chapter 3). In my first chapter, I found that the newly introduced European Common Blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) was more abundant in urban and disturbed habitat that was unmown and where their preferred larval host plant (Lotus corniculatus), a non-native species, was present. I also found that P. icarus was not a strong flier relative to other butterfly species, suggesting that adult dispersal may not be a driving factor in range expansion. Instead, this species could expand its range in the future by colonizing habitats in developed regions across Canada given the association I found between P. icarus and disturbed habitat. In my second chapter, I found that urbanization led to the biotic homogenization of butterfly communities around Montréal, QC, favouring a few, highly abundant, non-native species. Homogenization was detected at both the taxonomic and functional levels and was driven by increases in P. icarus abundance in the more urban sites. In my third chapter, I found that non-native plants were well integrated into native butterfly nectar diets in an at-risk oak savanna ecosystem on Vancouver Island, BC and that usage of non-native plants increased when they were more available during the season. I also found that native butterflies visited non-native plants more often than flower availability predicted on its own, suggesting that butterflies may even prefer non-native nectar. Findings from my thesis research broaden our understanding of the ways in which butterfly communities can be influenced by human activities like urbanization and the introduction of non-native species, informing conservation efforts and directing future research needs.

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In dieser Dissertation wird eine allgemeine zweiskalige Homogenisierungsmethode für große Deformationen entwickelt, welche die Trägheitskräfte der Mikroskala konsistent berücksichtigt. Die energetische Skalenkopplung der Methode basiert auf der erweiterten Hill-Mandel Bedingung für Makrohomogenität. Darüber hinaus wird die kinematische Skalenkopplung diskutiert und eine Volumenintegrals-Verschiebungsbedingung aufgezeigt, die eine allgemeine dynamische Betrachtung ermöglicht. Um einen effizienten Algorithmus zu gewährleisten, werden vier makroskopischen Tangenten-Module in geschlossener Form hergeleitet. Es werden zwei Rechenbeispiele genutzt, um allgemeine Eigenschaften der Methode zu analysieren. Dazu gehören das makroskopische Konvergenzverhalten und die Übereinstimmung mit einskaligen Referenzsimulationen. Des Weiteren wird der Einfluss der Verschiebungsbedingung und die Wahl der Einheitszelle als representatives Volumenelement auf die Antwort der Makroskale untersucht. Der Fokus der Arbeit wird im Anschluss auf die Modellierung hochduktiler Betone (Engl.: Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites – SHCC) unter Stoßbelastung gelegt. Zunächst wird anhand von experimentellen Daten ein vereinfachtes Materialmodell kalibriert, welches das homogenisierte Faserauszugsverhalten repräsentiert. Danach wird dieses Faserauszugsmodell auf der Mikroskale eingesetzt und mit der vorgestellten Homogenisierungsmethode untersucht. Schließlich wird ein Split-Hopkinson-Bar Zugversuch numerisch repliziert. Dieser wird verwendet um die Funktionaltät der Methode aufzuzeigen, wie dynamische Effekte des Materials und der Struktur untersucht werden können. / A general numerical two-scale homogenization method for large strains is developed, which consistently takes into account inertia forces at the microscale. The energetic scale coupling of the framework is based on the extended Hill-Mandel condition of macro-homogeneity. Furthermore, kinematic scale links are discussed and a volume integral displacement constraint is proposed. To enable an efficient algorithm, closed form formulations of four macroscopic tangent moduli are derived. These consistently include the microscale inertia effects as well as the proposed displacement constraint. Two numerical examples are presented, a layered microstructure and a locally resonant material. These examples are used to analyze general properties of the presented framework, namely the macroscopic convergence behavior and the overall match with single-scale reference calculations. In addition, both the displacement constraint and the choice of unit cell as representative volume element are studied with respect to their influence on the macroscopic response. Subsequently, the thesis focuses on the modeling of strain-hardening cementitious composites under impact loading. First, a simplified material model representing the homogenized fiber pullout behavior is calibrated using experimental data. Then, this fiber pullout model is used at the microscale and studied using the proposed dynamic homogenization framework. Finally, a split Hopkinson bar tension test is numerically replicated and used to showcase the ability of the framework to thoroughly study the dynamic effects of the material and structure.

La première réalisation de ce travail est la construction unifiée et automatique d’un milieu continu équivalent à un treillis de poutres, dans le domaine élastique, en adoptant un modèle de poutres de Bernoulli. Une extension a été réalisée au domaine plastique, selon un algorithme de suivi de la loi de comportement après écrouissage. Suivant l’ordre des développements asymptotiques choisi, on obtient pour le comportement élastique un milieu continu classique ou micropolaire. On se restreint dans ce dernier cas aux treillis à cellules élémentaires centro-symétriques. Les codes de calculs obtenus fournissent de façon automatique les lois de comportement effectives et les modules mécaniques homogénéisés. Une grande variété de treillis, existants ou originaux, a été étudiée. Les résultats ont été systématiquement comparés aux données de la littérature et vérifiés par des simulations éléments finis avec une bonne concordance. La méthode utilisée montre également une capacité à prédire et comprendre le comportement atypique de certains treillis dits auxétiques présentant des coefficients de contraction négatifs. L’homogénéisation dans le domaine plastique a été limitée aux treillis à dominante extensionnelle. Le domaine de résistance élastique a été construit pour différents treillis, et un algorithme d’évolution du comportement avec écrouissage, de type retour-radial a été conçu et implémenté dans un code dédié. Un modèle de poutre élastoplastique à écrouissage isotrope est utilisé. L’application de l’algorithme à une simulation de charge-décharge montre une bonne concordance entre le treillis homogénéisé et les simulations éléments finis / The first achievement of this work is to construct a unified and effective continuum equivalent to a lattice of beams, in the elastic domain, using a Bernoulli beam model. An extension has been done to calculate the elastic domain resistance of such lattices and to build an algorithm for monitoring the constitutive law taking into account work hardening. The choice of the asymptotic expansions leads to a classical continuous or to a micropolar elastic continuum. We restrict in this last case our study to lattices with centro-symmetric unit cells. The numerical codes developed provide the stress-strain relationship and the effective mechanical moduli. A wide variety of trusses has been studied, either existing or original, including typical geometries of foams and various auxetic lattices, exhibiting negative contraction coefficients. The results were systematically compared with data from literature and verified by finite element simulations with a good agreement. The homogenization in the plastic range has been limited to stretching dominated lattices. The equilibrium equations of the discrete asymptotic homogenization have been used to automatically obtain the elastic resistance domain for several trusses, and a return-mapping algorithm for the follow up of the stress-strain relationship including hardening has been conceived and implemented in a dedicated code. An isotropic hardening elastoplastic model of the beam has been used. The application of the algorithm to the simulation of a loading-unloading cycle shows a good agreement between the homogenized lattice and finite element simulations

Ce travail de thèse est consacré à l'étude du comportement poro-élastique linéaire et non linéaire des matériaux et géomatériaux poreux (notamment les calcaires oolithiques et le minerai de fer) par approche de changement d'échelle. A partir des observations microstructurales de ces matériaux, un modèle conceptuel a été proposé. Les roches poreuses étudiées sont constituées par un assemblage de grains (oolithes), à forte fraction volumique, cimentés par une matrice. La porosité, supposée connectée, est présente dans les oolithes (inter-oolithique) et dans la matrice (intra-oolithique). Un modèle d'homogénéisation à deux étapes est développé dans le cadre du modèle des sphères composites. L'importance des effets de liaison d'interface sur les propriétés poro-élastiques des sphères composites est étudiée en déterminant la solution exacte du modèle aux conditions d'interfaces parfaite ou/et imparfaite. Le modèle est tout d'abord appliqué pour estimer les propriétés effectives poro-élastiques linéaires des roches étudiées. Le comportement non linéaire de ces roches est étudié en attribuant à la matrice un comportement élastoplastique et en développant un comportement non linéaire pour les interfaces (oolithes - matrice). La comparaison entre résultats issus de la modélisation et ceux expérimentaux macroscopiques montre l'importance cruciale de la zone interfaciale de transition / This work is devoted to the modelling of the linear and non-linear hydro-mechanical behaviour of porous rocks (such as oolitic limestone, iron ore) by the multiscale modelling approach. Based on microstructure observations, a conceptual model was proposed. Porous rocks studied are constituted by an assemblage of grains (oolites), with high volume fraction, coated by a matrix. The overall porosity is supposed connected and decomposed into oolite porosity and matrix porosity. A two step homogenization method has been developed in the framework of CSA models (Composite Sphere Assemblage). The effect of interfacial bonding condition on poroelastic properties of composite sphere is investigated by determining the exact solution of the model in the case of perfect or/and imperfect interface. Micromechanical model is applied firstly to estimation of effective linear poroelastic properties of rocks studied. Their non-linear behaviour is studied by considering a elasto-plastic behavior for both the matrix and the interfaces (oolite-matrix). The comparison between numerical simulations and macroscopic experimental results underlined the crucial role of the interfacial transition zone

On s'intéresse plus particulièrement à la modélisation du comportement d'un matériau hétérogène méso-fissuré (béton, roche,...), soumis à une sollicitation thermo-hydro-mécanique avec prise en compte du couplage géométrique. Pour conduire cette étude, on s'appuie notamment sur les approches micro-mécaniques du comportement des milieux méso-fissurés non saturés développées depuis quelques années au Laboratoire des Matériaux et des Structures du Génie Civil - Ur Navier - Université Paris Est. Le milieu fissuré non saturé traité ici est constitué d'une matrice solide homogène élastique linéaire et de fissures connectées saturées par deux fluides immiscibles : un liquide et un gaz séparés par une surface capillaire. La fissure est traditionnellement considérée comme une cavité ellipsoïdale (cas 3D) ou elliptique (cas 2D) dont le rapport d'aspect tend vers zéro. Deux morphologies typiques de matériau sont considérés dans ce travail : la situation où les fissures sont toutes orientées dans la même direction et la situation où les fissures possèdent des orientations aléatoires. Dans une première étape, on rappelle brièvement les résultats disponibles concernant la modélisation des fissures non saturées par des cavités ellipsoïdales aplaties. A la fin de cette première partie, on complète les résultats déjà disponibles en étudiant l'influence de l'histoire de chargement sur la réponse de matériau. Dans une deuxième étape, on s'attache à valider une partie des résultats obtenus en utilisant une description des efforts capillaires dans les fissures par une précontrainte homogène en seréférant aux solutions analytiques exactes disponibles dans la littérature permettant de décrire le comportement d'une fissure isolée au sein d'une matrice élastique. Dans une troisième étape, on s'intéresse aux phénomènes de propagation des fissures en condition non saturée. Les lois de propagation sous critique et le phénomène de branchement des fissures sont également prises en compte dans cette approche. La dernière partie de la thèse concerne l'influence de la température sur le comportement des milieux poreux non saturés / The main topic of my work is the development of a micromechanical model for the behaviour of unsaturated mesocracks in media (concrete, rock...) in which the thermo-hydro-mechanical loadingsand thermo-hydro-mechanical couplings are taken into account. For this, we used the micromechanical approach model of behaviour of cracked porous media recently developed at LMSGC. My thesis is focused on the equilibrium configurations of a porous material whose pore space is saturated by a vapour and a liquid phase. The behaviour of an elastic medium containing unsaturated mesocracks is studied in the framework of a micromechanical approach. The cracks are filled by two immiscible fluids, namely a liquid and a gas, separated by a capillary interface. Furthermore, it is assumed that the set of cracks constitutes a connected network ; the capillary pressure is uniform over a representative elementary volume. The cracks are modelled as flat oblate spheroid cavities. Several geometrical configurations of cracks in porous media are considered in the framework of Eshelby-based homogenization methods (parallel cracks, randomly oriented cracks). First, a previously developed model showed that when coupling between the deformation of the cracks and the capillary forces is taken into account, there is no more a one-to-one relationship between the loading parameters and the state-variables. Thus, we describe the loading history prescribed to the material in order to compute its response. Second, we validate these results referring to the exact solutions available in the literature to describe the behaviour of a unsaturated crack within an elastic matrix. Third, the description of crack propagation in unsaturated media is considered in the framework of linear elastic fracture mechanics. The phenomenon of subcritical crack growth due to stress corrosion cracking is taken into account in this approach. Mixed mode fracture in the plane is also examined. Finally, we are interested in the influence of the temperature on the behavior of unsaturated porous media in the framework of the micromechanical approach

Ce mémoire visait à déterminer si un petit parc périurbain, en l’occurrence le Parc national du Mont-Saint-Bruno, est parvenu à maintenir l’intégrité de sa flore au cours des trente dernières années en dépit de pressions humaines croissantes et de perturbations naturelles passées, en plus d’identifier les principaux changements floristiques survenus au cours de cette période et les facteurs responsables. Pour répondre à ces objectifs, une étude historique a été réalisée, en comparant un inventaire floristique ancien (1977) à un inventaire récent (2013). Mes résultats montrent d’abord une forte croissance de la diversité alpha indigène au cours des 35 dernières années, accompagnée d’un déclin significatif de la diversité bêta (30%). Malgré cette homogénéisation taxonomique, la diversité fonctionnelle de la flore forestière s’est accrue, la rendant probablement plus résiliente aux événements perturbateurs. D’autre part, mes analyses ont révélé la progression de traits fonctionnels souvent associés à des habitats forestiers intensément broutés, révélant une certaine influence du cerf de Virginie sur la composition et la structure de la flore forestière. Enfin, mes résultats ont montré que les herbiers botaniques se révèlent être une alternative fiable aux méthodes traditionnelles pour documenter et évaluer l’impact des grands herbivores sur la morphologie des plantes broutées. Au final, cette étude a montré que les petites aires protégées périurbaines peuvent jouer un rôle majeur dans la préservation de la diversité floristique d’habitats forestiers d’intérêt, particulièrement lorsque leur statut de protection permet d’encadrer de manière stricte les activités humaines. / This study aimed to determine whether a small suburban park, namely the Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park, managed to maintain the integrity of its flora over the last thirty years despite increasing human pressures and past natural disturbances, in addition to identify the main floristic changes during this period and the drivers of observed changes. To do so, a historical study was conducted by comparing past (1977) and recent (2013) floristic surveys. First, a striking increase in alpha diversity, driven mostly by native species and associated with a significant decline (30%) in the beta diversity over the last 35 years was found. Despite this taxonomic homogenization, the functional diversity of forest flora has increased, probably increasing its resistance to disruptive events. Furthermore, analyses revealed the progression of functional traits associated with overbrowsed forest habitats, revealing some influence of white-tailed deer on the composition and structure of the forest flora. Finally, my study also showed that herbarium specimens can be used as a reliable alternative to traditional methods to document and assess the impact of large herbivores on browsed plants morphology. In conclusion, this study showed that small suburban protected areas can play a major role in the preservation of the floristic diversity of rich forest habitats, particularly when their status strictly frames human activities.