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Orientador: Jefferson Sidney Camacho / Resumo: Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal a análise entre os modelos simplificados de paredes individuais (PI), grupos isolados de paredes (GIP), grupos de paredes com interação (GPCI) e simulações numéricas (elementos finitos) para determinação da distribuição dos esforços verticais na alvenaria estrutural. Para tal, inicialmente foi efetuado uma revisão bibliográfica para estudo do comportamento da distribuição dos esforços verticais nas paredes e suas interfaces de ligação além de conceitos de discretização da alvenaria estrutural em elementos finitos e os modelos simplificados de dimensionamento. A discretização do modelo em elementos finitos foi realizada utilizando o conceito de macromodelagem e as características dos materiais foram adotadas de acordo com as normas vigentes. Em relação aos grupos de paredes isolados, foi possível identificar um comportamento de uniformização das forças verticais de acordo com o número de pavimentos. Buscou-se também, uma caracterização da uniformização das forças verticais relacionadas com as medidas geométricas dos grupos de parede com interação. Dentre os valores obtidos pelo modelo simplificado de grupos de paredes com interação e a simulações numéricas, considerando o modelo arquitetônico adotado, verificou-se que as taxas de interação tendem a valores de 20%, além da identificação de alguns fenômenos que devem ser melhores investigados. / Mestre

Le soudage par faisceau d’électrons d’alliages à durcissement structural de la série7xxx induit des modifications importantes de leur microstructure, et par conséquent de leur comportement mécanique. Cette étude visait à formuler une loi de comportement incluant l’endommagement de structures soudées par une approche locale de la rupture. Pour cela, la microstructure de la soudure et les propriétés mécaniques résultantes sont caractérisées. Le lien est fait entre la distribution de précipités fins et les propriétés plastiques, ainsi qu’entre la précipitation grossière et les micromécanismes d’endommagement. Le modèle aux éléments finis proposé prend en compte le comportement plastique des différentes zones et reproduit le comportement en endommagement de la zone fondue, qui constitue le maillon faible de la structure à cause de l’évaporation d’éléments d’alliages durant le soudage. Ce modèle a été validé dans une gamme étendue de sollicitations mécaniques (géométrie,entaille). / The electron beam welding of 7xxx series alloys leads to modification of their microstructureand consequently of their mechanical behavior. This study aimed toformulate a constitutive law including damage for welded structures by a local approachof fracture. For this purpose, the weld microstructure and the resulting mechanicalproperties have been characterized. The relationship between fine scaleprecipitate distribution and plastic properties has been established, as well as therelationship between coarse precipitation and micro-mechanisms of damage. Thefinite elements model takes into account the plastic behavior of the different zonesand reproduces the damage behavior of the fusion zone, which is the weakest linkof the structure due to evaporation of alloying elements during welding. This modelhas been validated in a large variety of stress conditions (sample geometry, notch).

abstract: The primary objective of this study is to understand the effect of soil cracking on foundation performance for expansive soil profiles. Two major effects of cracks were studied to assess the effect of cracks on foundation performance. First, the effect of cracks on soil volume change response was studied. Second, the effect of cracks on unsaturated flow properties and extent and degree of wetting were evaluated. Multiple oedometer-type pressure plate tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of cracks on soil properties commonly used in volume change (heave) analyses, such as swell pressure, soil water characteristic curve (SWCC), and swell potential. Additionally, the effect of cracks on saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was studied experimentally to assess the impact of cracks on properties critical to evaluation of extent and degree of wetting. Laboratory experiments were performed on both intact and cracked specimen so that the effect of cracks on behavior could be benchmarked against intact soil response. Based on laboratory observations, the SWCC of a cracked soil is bimodal. However, this bimodal behavior is only observed in the very low suction ranges. Because the bimodal nature of the SWCC of cracked clays is only distinguishable at extremely low suctions, the bimodal behavior is unlikely to have engineering significance when soils remain unsaturated. A "lumped mass" parameter approach has been studied as a practical approach for modeling of cracked soils for both fluid flow and volume change determination. Laboratory unsaturated flow experiments were simulated using a saturated-unsaturated flow finite element code, SVFlux, to back-analyze unsaturated hydraulic conductivity functions for the subject soils. These back-analyzed results were compared to the results from traditionally-applied analyses of the laboratory instantaneous profile tests on intact and cracked specimens. Based on this comparison, empirical adjustments were suggested for modeling "lumped mass" cracked soil behavior in numerical codes for fluid flow through cracked soils. Using the empirically adjusted flow parameters for unsaturated flow modeling, example analyses were performed for slab-on-grade problems to demonstrate the impact of cracks on degree and extent of wetting under unsaturated and saturated flow conditions for different surface flux boundary conditions. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2011

Le procédé de bio-cimentation est une technique prometteuse pour renforcer les sols lâches et de faible résistance mécanique. Cette technique a montré une très bonne efficacité pour plusieurs types de sols lors d’essais en laboratoire, dans des modèles physiques ou lors d’essais sur site. Par contre, elle a montré une forte sensibilité aux conditions de traitement telles que concentrations des réactifs, bactéries, vitesse d’injection, type de sols, température, etc… Ces facteurs influencent principalement la distribution spatiale de la calcite précipitée, sa forme et sa morphologie, ce qui influence par la suite les propriétés effectives des sols traités. Ces travaux de thèse ont été réalisés dans le cadre du projet BOREAL qui vise à renforcer par cette technique des digues et barrages en terre existants contre l’érosion interne des noyaux et la liquéfaction des fondations. L'objectif de cette thèse est d'étudier l’évolution des propriétés physiques et mécaniques du sable bio-cimenté (perméabilité, résistance mécanique) par la réalisation d’essais mécaniques et de mesures de perméabilité en laboratoire, et de lier cette évolution aux changements microstructuraux via des observations par microtomographie RX. Le travail a commencé par des essais de bio-cimentation de colonnes de sable de Fontainebleau afin de vérifier la faisabilité de la bio-cimentation en laboratoire. Suite à ces essais de faisabilité, des essais triaxiaux drainés ont été réalisés sur le sable bio-cimenté afin d’estimer l’évolution de ses paramètres de résistance tels que la cohésion et l'angle de frottement. Des petits volumes de sable bio-cimenté présentant différentes teneurs en calcite ont été extraits des échantillons triaxiaux et observés par micro-tomographie aux rayons-X à l’ESRF sous une très haute résolution (0,65 µm/ pixel). Des méthodes quantitatives d’imagerie 3D ont été développées pour calculer les propriétés microstructurales moyennes (quantité de calcite, porosité, surface spécifique et surface spécifique de calcite) et les propriétés de contact (surface de contact, nombre de coordination, type de contacts, orientation des contacts, etc…) pour les différents échantillons observés. Cette étude a montré une forte évolution de la résistance du sable bio-cimenté (évolution non-linéaire de la cohésion, évolution quasi-linéaire de l’angle de frottement, légère augmentation de la résistance résiduelle, etc…) et une diminution de la perméabilité par la précipitation de la calcite à l’intérieur de l’échantillon. L’étude quantitative de l’évolution de la microstructure a montré une stabilité de la surface spécifique de la calcite à partir d’un certain niveau de calcification, une forte évolution quasi-linéaire de la surface de contact cohésive entre les grains ainsi qu’une légère évolution du nombre de coordination par la création de nouveaux contacts. La comparaison de ces évolutions avec celles obtenues pour un arrangement périodique de type cubique simple en utilisant deux scenarii de précipitation (uniforme et localisée au niveau du contact) a montré que la précipitation de la calcite se produit principalement dans les zones de contact inter-granulaire. L’utilisation de ces informations microstructurales dans des modèles micromécaniques a permis d’estimer avec succès les propriétés effectives du sable bio-cimenté (cohésion, perméabilité, modules élastiques). Enfin, les mêmes outils ont été utilisés pour étudier la durabilité chimique du sable bio-cimenté. Cette étude a montré une dégradation de la résistance du sable par la dissolution de la calcite à l’intérieur des échantillons. Les mesures quantitatives sur les images 3D ont montré une dégradation de la surface de contact sans hystérésis par rapport à l’évolution de ces surfaces de contacts pendant le processus de bio-cimentation. / The biocementation process is considered as a promising technique for strengthening loose and weak soils. This technique has shown very good efficiency for several types of soil through laboratory tests and large scale models. On the other hand, it has shown a high sensitivity to the treatment conditions such as reactant concentrations, bacteria, injection rate, type of soil, temperature, etc…. These factors influence mainly the spatial distribution of the precipitated calcite, its shape and morphology, which subsequently influences the effective properties of the treated soils. This thesis is part of the French research project BOREAL, which aims at reinforcing old dykes and earth dams with this technique against internal erosion of the core and liquefaction of foundations. The objective of this thesis is to study the evolution of the physical and mechanical properties of biocemented sands (permeability, mechanical strength) by performing mechanical tests and permeability measurements in the laboratory and linking this evolution to microstructural changes by using quantitative 3D X-ray imaging tools. To do this, this work began with biocementation tests on Fontainebleau sand to verify the feasibility of the biocementation process in the laboratory. After these feasibility tests, drained triaxial tests have been carried out on the biocemented sand in order to estimate the evolution of its resistance parameters such as cohesion and friction angle. Small sub-samples of biocemented sand with different calcite contents have been then extracted and observed using X-ray micro-tomography at ESRF at a very high resolution (0.65 μm / pixel). Quantitative methods of 3D imaging have been developed to compute mean microstructural properties (amount of calcite, porosity, specific surface area and specific surface area of calcite) and contact properties (contact surface area, coordination number, type of contacts, contact orientation, etc…) for the different observed sub-samples. This study has shown a strong evolution of the resistance of biocemented sand (non-linear evolution of the cohesion, quasi-linear evolution of the friction angle, a slight increase of the residual resistance, etc...) and a decrease of the permeability by the precipitation of the calcite inside the sample. The quantitative study of the evolution of the microstructure has shown a stability of the specific surface area of the calcite beyond a certain level of calcification, a strong quasi-linear evolution of the cohesive contact surface between the grains as well as a slight evolution the coordination number (creation of new contacts). The comparison of these evolutions with those obtained considering a simple cubic periodic arrangement using two precipitation scenarii (uniform and localized at the contact) has shown that the precipitation of the calcite mainly occurs in the zones of inter-granular contact. This microstructural information have4 been then used successfully in micromechanical models to estimate the effective properties of biocemented sand (cohesion, permeability, elastic moduli). Finally, the same tools have been used to study the chemical durability of biocemented sand. This study has shown a degradation of sand resistance by dissolving calcite within the samples. The quantitative measurements on the 3D images have shown a degradation of the contact surface area without hysteresis with respect to the evolution of these contact surfaces during the biocementation process.

Submitted by Lucienne Costa (lucienneferreira@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-08-13T20:28:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MILENA PEREIRA DANTAS – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGMET) 2017.pdf: 2671336 bytes, checksum: 9905ca7f274eefdb2f18c8ba0f5c8796 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T20:28:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MILENA PEREIRA DANTAS – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGMET) 2017.pdf: 2671336 bytes, checksum: 9905ca7f274eefdb2f18c8ba0f5c8796 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-16 / Capes / Este estudo teve como objetivo fazer uma análise comparativa dos fluxos de superfície, obtidas por simulações numéricas do modelo BRAMS 5.1, antes e depois, da incorporação dos dados de IVDN estimados pelo satélite do MODIS/Terra. Foram feitas duas simulações, no período mais seco, para áreas homogêneas selecionadas na região do cerrado do Amapá. O intuito foi avaliar o comportamento dos fluxos de superfície. Estimaram-se o Índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada (IVDN), o Saldo de Radiação (Rn) e o fluxo de calor no solo (G0). Os fluxos de calor sensível (H) e latente (LE) foram obtidos pelo o algoritmo S-SEBI, a partir de imagens de satélite MODIS/Terra no período de 13-20/08/2002, 29-05/09/2006, 21-28/08/2015. Na primeira simulação, utilizaram-se os dados de controle de vegetação da simulação e na segunda procedeu-se a incorporação dos dados de IVDN do MODIS/Terra (período 29-05/09/2006) ao modelo numérico. Os resultados do IVDN obtidos pelo satélite mostraram que as variabilidades ocorrem conforme o tipo de vegetação e cobertura do solo. A substituição do cerrado sensu stricto pela floresta de eucalipto ocasionou um aumento do Rn e LE, e uma redução do G0 e H. Ao se comparar os dados medidos de Rn pela torre com os dados obtidos pelo MODIS /Terra, o erro percentual foi da ordem de 4,46% e estão de acordo com outros trabalhos encontrados na literatura. Já os erros observados na validação das simulações do BRAMS para algumas variáveis do balanço de energia, em algumas áreas, foram elevados. Salienta-se que este estudo pode ser melhorado com o aperfeiçoamento de outras condições iniciais e configuração das simulações realizadas. / This study aims to make a comparative analyses of the surface flow, obtained by numeric simulations of BRAMS 5.1 model, before and after of the NVDI data incorporation, Estimated by Terra/MODIS / satellite. We performed two simulations, in the driest period, for homogeneous areas selected in the cerrado (Savana) region of Amapá. The aim was to evaluate the behavior of surface flows. We estimate the normalized difference vegetation index (NVDI), the Radiation Balance (Rn) and the heat flux in the soil (G0). The latent (H) and latent (LE) heat fluxes were obtained by the S-SEBI algorithm, from Terra/MODIS satellite images in the period of 13-20/ 08/2002, 29-05/09/2006, 21-28/ 08/2015. The results of the IVDN obtained by the satellite showed that they present variabilities according to vegetation type and soil cover. The substitution of cerrado sensu stricto for eucalyptus forest caused an increase of Rn and LE, and a reduction of G0 and H. When we comparing the Rn measured data obtained by the tower with the data obtained by Terra/MODIS, the percentage error was of the order of 4.4% and are in agreement with other works found in the literature. However, the errors observed in the validation of the BRAMS simulations for some energy balance variables in some areas were high. We emphasized that this study can be improved with the improvement of other initial conditions and configuration of the simulations.

Submitted by Emanuel Varela Cardoso (emanuel.varela@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-08-15T19:02:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RAFAEL CASTELO GUEDES MARTINS – TESE (PPGMet) 2014.pdf: 3362803 bytes, checksum: 5a99c28e73f6a95fef76f82f96d2edc4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T19:02:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RAFAEL CASTELO GUEDES MARTINS – TESE (PPGMet) 2014.pdf: 3362803 bytes, checksum: 5a99c28e73f6a95fef76f82f96d2edc4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-12 / Um dos principais desafios atuais da modelagem numérica da atmosfera trata da previsão quantitativa da precipitação e do posicionamento das nuvens de chuva. Este trabalho tem com o principal objetivo avaliar o desempenho das arametrizações de microfísicas na modelagem regional com ênfase no papel da informação de grande escala e sua influência sobre as simulações, e no uso de dados observados de radiossondagens como forma de acrescentar informação à modelagem . Inicialmente, duas reanálises (NCEP2 e ERAI) foram estatisticamente comparadas com dados de PCDs do Estado do Ceará. Verificou - se qu e a ERAI apresentou maior semelhança com as observações, principalmente para as variáveis diretamente ligadas à convecção. Em seguida, a ERAI foi utilizada como forçamento de grande escala em simulações com o modelo WRF. Observou- se que o uso de microfísica detalhada não melhora necessariamente a previsão do modelo, caso não sejam utilizados dados observados no local de estudo. Por último, duas simulações de alta resolução foram realizadas. Uma forçada pela reanálise sem modificação e outra forçada pela reanálise modificada utilizando o método de análise objetiva do WRF, para incluir as séries temporais de radiossondagens coletadas durante campanha experimental do Projeto CHUVA, em Fortaleza- CE. As duas simulações foram comparadas com dados observados pelo radiômetro para o mesmo local e período das radiossondagens . Observou - se que a inclusão das observações de sondagens na modelagem possibilita melhor modelagem de um sistema convectivo ocorrido em abril de 2011, principalmente para as variáveis ligadas à convecção. Este trabalho aponta, utilizando análises comparativas e estatísticas, que a utilização de uma maior densidade de dados observacionais válidos no modelo pode melhorar de forma muito mais eficiente o resultado da modelagem, do que mesmo a utilização do downscaling dinâmico do dado de grande escala ou a utilização de esquemas de microfísica detalhada, que, em algumas situações, pode inclusive inserir mais erros nos sistema s modelados. / The quantitative prediction of precipitation and the positioning of the rain clouds is one of the main challenges of numerical modeling of the atmosphere in present days. This work aims to evaluate the performance of the microphysical parameterizations in regional modeling, with emphasis on the role of large- scale information and its influence on the simulations, and the use of observational data from radiosondes as a way to add information to modeling. Initially, two reanalysis (NCEP2 and ERAI) were statistically compared with data from PCDs from the Ceará State. It was found that the ERAI showed similarity to the observations, especially for variables directly linked to convection. Then, the ERAI is used as large scale forcing in simulations with the WRF model. It was observed that the use of detailed microphysics does not necessarily improve the model performance, if in situ data were not used. Finally, two high resolution simulations were performed. The first f orced by reanalysis without modification and other forced by reanalysis using the modified method of objective analysis of the WRF, to include the time series of radiosonde observations collected during the experimental campaign of the CHUVA Project in Fortaleza- CE. The two simulations were compared with data observed by the radiometer to the same place and period of the radiosonde. It was observed that the inclusion of radiosonde observations in to the model leads to a better simulation of a convective system that occurred in April 2011, mostly for the variables related to convection. Using comparative statistical analysis, t his work points that the use of a higher density of valid observational data in the model can improve much more efficiently the model results than the use of a dynamic downscal ing of large- scale data or the use of schemes with detailed microphysics, which in some circumstances may even introduce more errors into the modeled system s.

La propulsion hybride utilise classiquement un comburant liquide (ou gazeux) injecté dans une chambre de combustion qui contient le carburant à l'état solide. La flamme de diffusion, qui apparait à la rencontre des deux flux de matière, est autoentretenue par la pyrolyse du carburant consécutive à l’apport de chaleur produite par la combustion. Afin d'améliorer les performances de ce type de propulsion, il est nécessaire de bien comprendre le couplage physicochimique des phénomènes. Le couple d'ergols polyéthylène/mélange gazeux dioxygène et diazote a été choisi pour cette étude. Les caractéristiques du polyéthylène ont été déterminées par des analyses physicochimiques, elles permettent de mettre en évidence un effet de la pression et de la nature de l'atmosphère sur la composition des produits de pyrolyse. Un banc d'essais de combustion avec une instrumentation a permis de caractériser le comportement du polyéthylène en situation réelle. Les données acquises ont été analysées afin d'obtenir des grandeurs physiques pertinentes à comparer avec des résultats de simulations. Pour effectuer des simulations de chambre de combustion de propulseur hybride, le développement d'un modèle numérique instationnaire et bidimensionnel a débuté. De nombreux cas test "académiques" sont présentés et ont confirmés la bonne implémentation des méthodes numériques de résolution et des équations physiques et chimiques. Cependant, lors des simulations de la chambre de combustion complète, une divergence de pression est apparue dont les causes ont été activement recherchées. / The hybrid space propulsion classically employs a liquid (or gaseous) oxidizer injected into the combustion chamber which contains the solid reducer. The diffusion flame, which appears at the confluence of the oxidizer and reducer mater fluxes, is auto-entertained by the fuel pyrolysis piloted by the heat which is provided to it by the combustion. In order to increase performances of this propulsion system, it is necessary to well understand the coupling effect of the physical and chemical phenomena. The propellants couple polyethylene/gaseous oxygen and nitrogen mixture has been chosen for this study. Properties of the polyethylene have been determined by several chemical analyses, showing that there are a pressure and atmosphere nature effects on the pyrolysis chemical composition. A test bench with instrumentation allowed to characterize the behavior of the polyethylene in real situation. Data acquired have been analyzed in order to obtain physical variables relevant for comparing the numerical simulations results. To undertake simulation of the combustion chamber of hybrid rocket, a new numerical model has been developed. Numerous "academic" test cases are presented and confirmed a good implementation of the numerical method and of the physical and chemical models. Nevertheless, during simulations of hybrid combustion chamber, a pressure divergence has appeared thus causes have been actively investigated.

TITLE: AN IMPROVED ROCK MASS BEHAVIOR NUMERICAL MODEL AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO LONGWALL COAL MINING The rock mass constitutive models should include elastic moduli, strength and stiffness of intact rock as well as those of joints and geometric properties of joints. The post-failure behavior of intact rock and joints must also be specified. A direct application of the above comments is in longwall coal mining where the coal as well as the immediate roof and floor strata may undergo controlled brittle failure and associated weakening in tension and shear based on post- failure characteristics of the rock mass. In addition to controlled failure and weakening of the rock mass ahead and over the longwall face, large scale caving and compaction of caved materials occur behind the longwall face. Itasca’s Cave-Hoek three dimensional constitutive model has the ability to model longwall mining process that involve the above mentioned mechanism of rock mass failure and compaction. However, its testing to date is limited. The overall goals of research are two-fold: 1) Develop numerical modeling approaches that consider the caving behavior of jointed rock masses in design and analysis, and 2) Apply these techniques in designing stable chain-pillars and set-up rooms for longwall coal mining. Specific objectives are to: 1) Develop an improved constitutive model for prediction of post-peak behavior of rock masses typical of longwall mining in Illinois, 2) Implement the improved model for predicting gob material behavior using FLAC3D numerical code (most commercial codes do not have a built in model for gob material) and its effects on load transfer into gate entries, 3) Identify mechanisms of instability in setup rooms, 4) Develop alternate 3- and 4-entry set-up room geometries using 3-D numerical analyses, 5) Implement and field demonstrate developed geometries, and 6) Monitor performance of implemented geometries through field monitoring. An alternative method to estimate the residual strength of a rock mass is developed. A yielded rock mass and a rock fill have several common characteristics including dilation behavior under low confinement and extensive crushing of contact points under high stress, which decrease dilation. The residual strength takes on an initial value in the immediate post-peak (corresponding to near-zero porosity) condition, then degrades to an ultimate residual strength that is lower as a result of bulking, a corresponding increase in porosity, and a drop in interlock under continued shear. The following comments summarize the key findings of this research: • The model for predicting rock fill material shear strength was used as a residual strength criterion. A relationship for estimating Hoek-Brown residual parameters as a function of equivalent roughness of rock fill particles and basic friction angle was used. • Macro-level measurements around setup rooms and gate entry development areas indicated that most of the observed ground control problems may be related to subsidence movements over the setup rooms area. • Mechanisms that may be responsible for poor ground conditions in setup rooms and adjoining gate entries were identified. Collected field data and numerical analyses results tend to support the identified mechanisms. • The integrated field monitoring and numerical modeling study here assisted the cooperating coal company to plan for additional supports in development entries impacted by the fault zone and in taking appropriate safety measures while the longwall face advanced toward the fault and crossed it.

Le manque et l’ambiguïté des observations géologiques ainsi que le choix des concepts utilisés pour leur interprétation ne permettent pas de représenter les structures géologiques avec certitude. Dans ces travaux de thèse, je m’intéresse à l’estimation des incertitudes associées à la représentation des structures faillées à partir de données éparses. Une première contribution de cette thèse est l’étude des incertitudes d’interprétation lors de l’association des observations pouvant appartenir à une même faille. Des règles numériques, traduisant les concepts et les connaissances utilisés pendant l’interprétation structurale (telles que les orientations et les dimensions des structures) assurent la reproductibilité de l’interprétation. Chaque scénario d’association est représenté par un métamodèle reposant sur la théorie des graphes. Je présente une méthode numérique d’interprétation multi-scénarios basée sur ce formalisme. Son utilisation montre que la dimension combinatoire du problème rend faible la probabilité de trouver la bonne association et que le choix des règles perturbent les associations obtenues. Une seconde contribution est l’intégration d’une distribution théorique du déplacement sur le plan de failles normales et isolées pour assurer la cohérence cinématique des modèles structuraux en trois dimensions. Je présente un opérateur cinématique pour déplacer numériquement les structures à proximité d’une faille non nécessairement plane. Le champ de déplacement est paramétré par deux profils décrivant l’évolution du rejet sur la surface de faille (TX et TZ), un profil d’atténuation dans la direction orthogonale à la surface de faille (TY) et une valeur de déplacement au centre de la faille (Dmax). Ces paramètres sont choisis à partir des observations structurales par optimisation numérique. L’utilisation de cet opérateur permet de valider des interprétations structurales et d’assurer la cohérence cinématique des modèles structuraux construits à partir de données éparses et/ou dans des contextes de déformation polyphasée. Les méthodologies présentées sont testées et discutées en utilisant deux jeux de données. Le premier est composé de neuf lignes sismiques 2D acquises au large du Maroc (marge d’Ifni) qui imagent un socle cristallin faillé. L’interprétation de ces données éparses est guidée par des connaissances dérivées de l’étude d’un affleurement proche. Cependant, l’association des observations appartenant à la même faille ainsi que la chronologie de la mise en place des structures restent fortement incertaines. Le second jeu de données utilisé est situé dans le bassin de Santos, au large du Brésil. Des failles normales y recoupent une série sédimentaire bien stratifiée. Elles sont imagées par un cube sismique de haute résolution. Des observations éparses synthétiques en sont extraites pour tester l’approche. La qualité des données sismiques 3D donne une bonne confiance dans le modèle de référence. Cela permet de tester les méthodes numériques et les règles géologiques développées dans cette thèse pour estimer les incertitudes structurales / The sparsity and the incompleteness of geological data sets lead geologists to use their prior knowledge while modeling the Earth. Uncertainties in the interpretation are an inherent part of geology. In this thesis, I focus on assessing uncertainties related to the modeling of faulted structures from sparse data. Structural uncertainties arise partly from the association of fault evidence explaining the same structure. This occurs especially while interpreting sparse data such as 2D seismic lines or limited outcrop observations. I propose a mathematical formalism to cast the problem of associating fault evidence into graph theory. Each possible scenario is represented by a graph. A combinatorial analysis shows that the number of scenarios is related to the Bell number and increases in a non-polynomial way. I formulate prior geological knowledge as numerical rules to reduce the number of scenarios and to make structural interpretation more objective. I present a stochastic numerical method to generate several interpretation scenarios. A sensitivity analysis, using synthetic data extracted from a reference model, shows that the choice of the interpretation rules strongly impacts the simulated associations. In a second contribution, I integrate a quantitative description of fault-related displacement while interpreting and building 3D subsurface models. I present a parametric fault operator that displaces structures closely surrounding a fault in accordance with a theoretical isolated normal fault model. The displacement field is described using the maximum displacement (Dmax), two profiles on the fault surface (TX and TZ), and a third profile representing the displacement attenuation in the normal direction to the fault surface. These parameters are determined by numerical optimization from the available structural observations. This kinematic fault operator ensures the kinematic consistency of structural models built from sparse data and/or in polyphasic deformation contexts. These two modeling methodologies are tested and discussed on two data sets. The first one contains nine seismic lines imaging a faulted and fractured basement in the Ifni Margin, offshore Morocco. The interpretation of these lines is guided by orientation measurements coming from a nearby onshore field analog. However, uncertainties remain on the association of observations and on the structure chronology. The second data set is located in the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil. A seismic cube exhibits normal faults within a layered sedimentary sequence. I build a reference structural model from this high quality seismic data. The kinematic and stochastic methodologies can be tested and discussed on synthetic sparse data extracted from this known reference model