Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nesta dissertação desenvolve-se um estudo sobre o comportamento estrutural de lajes nervuradas de concreto armado, tendo em mente o emprego destas em sistemas estruturais na engenharia civil, de forma viável sob o ponto de vista técnico e econômico. No cenário atual, diversos tipos de sistemas estruturais têm sido desenvolvidos, dentre estes as lajes nervuradas de concreto armado com base no sistema Reduzcon. Essas lajes nervuradas têm como principais características o baixo consumo de material e o peso próprio bastante reduzido. Este sistema utiliza cubas cilíndricas invertidas metálicas denominadas BRC (Barrote Redutor de Concreto), que suportam o concreto da laje. Assim sendo, este trabalho de pesquisa apresenta um estudo acerca da resposta estática e dinâmica do sistema estrutural em questão, em relação aos deslocamentos translacionais verticais e tensões; e, bem como, da resposta dinâmica do sistema sob o ponto de vista de conforto humano. Ênfase especial é dada às atividades humanas rítmicas, com base no emprego de modelos de carregamento que representem as ações inerentes à ginástica aeróbica. A definição das ações dinâmicas atuantes sobre os modelos estruturais foi feita com base em resultados de testes experimentais que levam em conta os efeitos de multidão. A análise numérica fundamenta-se na modelagem computacional do sistema, através do Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), de forma a representar apropriadamente o comportamento estrutural das lajes Reduzcon. São empregadas técnicas usuais de discretização, por meio do programa ANSYS. As vigas de bordo, nervuras e a laje de concreto são simuladas por elementos finitos sólidos tridimensionais. / In this work a study is developed on reinforced concrete ribbed slabs behavior, having in mind there use in a viable, economic and technical point of view, in civil engineering structural systems. Nowadays several slab systems are being developed where reinforced concrete ribbed slabs Reduzcon, presents among them. One of the main characteristics of these ribbed slabs is the low material consumption and the reduced self-weight. This system uses inverted metallic cylindrical cap called BRC (Reduced Concrete Cap), which supports the concrete of the slab. This research work presents a study concerning static and dynamic response of the structural system for vertical translational displacements, stress; as well as, the dynamic response of the system under the point of view of human comfort. Special emphasis is given to the rhythmic activities of human beings, by using models implementations that represents aerobic gymnastics. The definition of dynamic actions upon the structural models were obtained based on the experimental results taking in consideration the crowd effects. The numerical analysis is based on the computational modeling of the system, through the Method of finite elements (MEF), in order to appropriately represent the structural behavior of the Reduzcon slab. Usual techniques of discretization were applied using the computer program Ansys. The edge beams, ribs and the concrete slab were simulated using three-dimensional solid finite elements.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nesta dissertação desenvolve-se um estudo sobre o comportamento estrutural de lajes nervuradas de concreto armado, tendo em mente o emprego destas em sistemas estruturais na engenharia civil, de forma viável sob o ponto de vista técnico e econômico. No cenário atual, diversos tipos de sistemas estruturais têm sido desenvolvidos, dentre estes as lajes nervuradas de concreto armado com base no sistema Reduzcon. Essas lajes nervuradas têm como principais características o baixo consumo de material e o peso próprio bastante reduzido. Este sistema utiliza cubas cilíndricas invertidas metálicas denominadas BRC (Barrote Redutor de Concreto), que suportam o concreto da laje. Assim sendo, este trabalho de pesquisa apresenta um estudo acerca da resposta estática e dinâmica do sistema estrutural em questão, em relação aos deslocamentos translacionais verticais e tensões; e, bem como, da resposta dinâmica do sistema sob o ponto de vista de conforto humano. Ênfase especial é dada às atividades humanas rítmicas, com base no emprego de modelos de carregamento que representem as ações inerentes à ginástica aeróbica. A definição das ações dinâmicas atuantes sobre os modelos estruturais foi feita com base em resultados de testes experimentais que levam em conta os efeitos de multidão. A análise numérica fundamenta-se na modelagem computacional do sistema, através do Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF), de forma a representar apropriadamente o comportamento estrutural das lajes Reduzcon. São empregadas técnicas usuais de discretização, por meio do programa ANSYS. As vigas de bordo, nervuras e a laje de concreto são simuladas por elementos finitos sólidos tridimensionais. / In this work a study is developed on reinforced concrete ribbed slabs behavior, having in mind there use in a viable, economic and technical point of view, in civil engineering structural systems. Nowadays several slab systems are being developed where reinforced concrete ribbed slabs Reduzcon, presents among them. One of the main characteristics of these ribbed slabs is the low material consumption and the reduced self-weight. This system uses inverted metallic cylindrical cap called BRC (Reduced Concrete Cap), which supports the concrete of the slab. This research work presents a study concerning static and dynamic response of the structural system for vertical translational displacements, stress; as well as, the dynamic response of the system under the point of view of human comfort. Special emphasis is given to the rhythmic activities of human beings, by using models implementations that represents aerobic gymnastics. The definition of dynamic actions upon the structural models were obtained based on the experimental results taking in consideration the crowd effects. The numerical analysis is based on the computational modeling of the system, through the Method of finite elements (MEF), in order to appropriately represent the structural behavior of the Reduzcon slab. Usual techniques of discretization were applied using the computer program Ansys. The edge beams, ribs and the concrete slab were simulated using three-dimensional solid finite elements.

Materiais piezelétricos geram deslocamentos ao serem excitados com potencial elétrico, bem como potencial elétrico ao serem submetidos a força ou pressão. Eles são amplamente utilizados em aplicações relacionadas principalmente com a área de Mecânica de Precisão, Mecatrônica e aquisição de imagens por Ultra-Som. Por outro lado, os Materiais com Gradação Funcional (MGF) são materiais avançados compostos, os quais são projetados de forma que sua composição varie gradualmente numa direção espacial. Esses materiais combinam as vantagens de certas características de cada fase constitutiva; por exemplo, alta resistência à temperatura dos materiais cerâmicos com alta resistência mecânica dos metais. Vários trabalhos têm mostrado as vantagens de aplicar o conceito MGF ao projeto de transdutores piezelétricos. Entre essas vantagens podem-se mencionar: (i) atuadores flextensionais ou bilaminares sem interface entre materiais (ex: PZT e Alumínio); (ii) suavização da distribuição de tensões mecânicas; e (iii) aumento da largura de banda e redução das ondas refletidas em transdutores de ultra-som, principalmente. No entanto, na mesma literatura se observa uma carência de métodos computacionais para a sua modelagem e o seu projeto otimizado e sistemático. Baseado nessas idéias, esta tese propõe a formulação e desenvolvimento de modelos analíticos, algoritmos de elementos finitos, e algoritmos de otimização topológica para projetar Transdutores Piezelétricos com Gradação Funcional (TPGF) inovadores. Adicionalmente, amostras de TPGFs são fabricadas mediante Spark Plasma Sintering SPS, sendo estudado o seu comportamento dinâmico e as suas características micro-estruturais. Assim, através de modelagem, análise, simulação, projeto otimizado, fabricação e caracterização explora-se a potencialidade do conceito de MGF em TPGFs; em particular, evidenciam-se as melhoras que os TPGF podem trazer em aplicações de ensaios não-destrutivos e aquisição de imagens médicas por ultra-som, e no aumento da vida útil de transdutores piezelétricos flextensionais. / Piezoelectric materials generate displacements when they are excited by electrical potential and electrical potential when they are excited by force or pressure. These materials are widely applied in Precision Mechanics, Mechatronics, and Ultrasonic imaging areas. On the other hand, Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) are advanced materials, whose properties change continuously in a specified direction. These materials combine desirable features of their constituent phases; for instance, high temperature resistance typical of ceramics with mechanical strength of metals. Several works have shown the advantages of applying FGM concept to piezoelectric transducer design. These advantages are; for example: (i) flextensional actuators without interfaces (e.g. PZT and Aluminum); (ii) smoothing mechanical stresses; and (iii) increasing bandwidth and reducing reflected waves in ultrasonic transducers. However, in the literature, a lack of computational methods for modeling and systematic designing of Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Transducers (FGPT) is observed. According to above ideas, this work proposes the formulation and development of analytical models, finite element algorithms, and topology optimization algorithms to design novel Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Transducers (FGPT). In addition, FGPT samples are manufactured by using Spark Plasma Sintering SPS, where it is studied their dynamic behavior and their microstructural characteristics. Hence, by performing analysis, optimal designing, manufacturing and characterization, the FGM concept potential is explored for FGPTs; particularly, FGPTs can bring advantages in ultrasonic non-destructive testing and ultrasonic medical imaging, and increasing life-time of flextensional piezoelectric transducers.

[pt] O método híbrido dos elementos finitos, proposto por Pian com base no potencial de Hellinger-Reissner, estabeleceu um novo paradigma entre as formulações de discretização numérica de um problema de elasticidade. Uma proposta feita por Przemieniecki – para a análise generalizada de vibração livre de elementos de treliça e de viga – foi incorporada por Dumont aos métodos híbridos dos elementos finitos e de contorno e generalizada ainda mais para a análise de problemas dependentes do tempo em termos de um procedimento de superposição modal avançado, que se baseia na resolução de um problema não linear de autovalores e que permite levar em conta de maneira adequada condições iniciais gerais de contorno, assim como ações de domínio. O presente trabalho apresenta as principais características do desenvolvimento feito por Dumont para aplicação específica a estruturas aporticadas e investiga diversos exemplos disponíveis na literatura de dinâmica estrutural clássica para mostrar que muitos resultados apresentados são bastante imprecisos pela falta de um cuidadoso estudo de convergência. / [en] The hybrid finite element method, proposed by Pian on the basis of the Hellinger-Reissner potential, has proved itself a conceptual breakthrough among the discretization formulations. A proposition made by Przemieniecki – for the generalized free vibration analysis of truss and beam elements – was incorporated into the hybrid finite/boundary element method developed by Dumont and extended to the analysis of time-dependent problems by making use of an advanced mode superposition procedure that is based on a nonlinear eigenvalue analysis and adequately takes into account general initial conditions as well as general body actions. This work presents all the features of the formulation as applied to frame structures and assesses several examples available in the technical literature to show that remarkable improvements may be achieved – and actually should be taken into account – with the proposed formulation when compared to the classical structural dynamics.

Le présent travail de thèse porte sur la prédiction des efforts vibratoires transmis à l'interface entre deux structures mécaniques. L'étude relève de la dynamique des structures en basses fréquences et concerne des aspects relatifs à la modélisation de couplages structuraux, notamment en présence de paramètres incertains et d'aspects expérimentaux. Les équipements automobiles actifs sont des sources vibratoires qui agissent sur la structure d'accueil (souvent le châssis) sur laquelle ils sont montés. La maîtrise, a priori, du champ vibratoire (et donc acoustique) de l'assemblage, suppose la prédiction des efforts vibratoires à l'interface équipement/structure d'accueil. Le formalisme utilisé pour décrire le couplage entre sous-systèmes permet d'établir que la recherche, dans des situations pratiques, des efforts appliqués à l'accueil est un problème inverse. Une méthode prédictive des efforts est construite et validée par une mise en œuvre expérimentale. Pour que les efforts vibratoires transmis respectent un gabarit imposé a priori, un problème d'optimisation numérique de l'interface est proposé et résolu. Il sera montré que pour l'interface ainsi optimisée, la dispersion de la norme des efforts transmis est systématiquement plus faible que pour l'interface nominale. / The present doctoral thesis aims to predict vibratory forces transmitted at the interface between two mechanical structures. The study concerns structural dynamics in low frequency range and consists in modelling structural coupling in presence of uncertain parameters and experiments. Active automotive equipments are vibratory sources that cause vibrations on receiving structures (e.g a chassis) to which they are mounted. The control a priori of the vibratory field, and therefore acoustic field, of the assembled system supposes the prediction of vibratory forces at the interface. Practical situations show that the coupling strategy, used to predict forces acting on the receiver, leads to an inverse problem. In order to validate the predictions, they are compared with measurements. To comply with specifications regarding force magnitude, the interface between the two structures is optimized. It will be shown that in presence of the optimized interface, the dispersion of force magnitude is systematically lower than the dispersion in presence of the nominal interface.

Chatter vibration is a common problem for the manufacturing industry that limits the productivity, accuracy and surface quality of machined parts. This study is focused on the out of process methods, such as Stability Lobe Diagrams (SLD), that ensure the selection of the optimal cutting parameters in which the machining process is stable. Previous studies have found that the dynamic properties of the spindle change with the rotational speed. This fact can also affect the accuracy of the SLD predictions, since, the traditional structural dynamic tests such as the Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) are carried out at static state. An alternative method for the calculation of speed - dependant SLD using a Contactless Excitation Response System (CERS) was proposed. The modal characteristics, such as natural frequencies and damping ratio were determined by EMA tests carried out at idle state whereas CERS measurements were performed at increasing rotational speeds up to 14000 rpm. Subsequently, the SLD at static and dynamic state were computed. Finally, it was concluded that there was not a significant variation of the dynamic properties and SLD prediction with spindle speed at the tested speed range (0 rev/min to 14000 rev/min). / Chatter är ett vanligt problem inom tillverkningsindustrin som begränsar produktiviteten och minskar noggrannheten och kvalitén på bearbetade ytor. Denna studie fokuserar på processkilda metoder, till exempel stabilitetsdiagram (SLD), vilka säkerställer valet av optimala skärparametrar för en stabil skärprocess. Tidigare studier har visat att spindelns dynamiska egenskaper är beroende av rotationshastigheten. Detta påverkar även noggrannheten vid skattningen av SLD eftersom traditionella strukturdynamiska tester, som experimentell modalanalys (EMA), utförs under statiskt tillstånd. En alternativ metod för bestämning av hastighetsberoende SLD med hjälp av ett beröringsfritt excitering- och svarssystem (CERS) föreslås. De modala egenskaperna, som till exempel egenfrekvens och dämpning, bestämdes med hjälp av EMA med stillastående spindel medan mätningar med CERS utfördes med ökad rotationshastighet upp till 14000 varv/min. Efter detta beräknades SLD för de båda fallen. Till sist drogs slutsatsen att testerna inte påvisade någon större skillnad, vare sig dynamiska egenskaper eller SLD skattning, för spindelhastigheter inom det testade intervallet (0 till 14000 varv/min).

The Bridge House is a steel building structure located in Poly Canyon, a rural area inside the campus of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The Bridge House is a one story steel structure supported on 4 concrete piers with a lateral force resisting system (LFRS) composed of ordinary moment frames in the N-S direction and braced frames in the E-W direction and vertically supported by a pair of trusses. The dynamic response of the Bridge House was investigated by means of system identification through ambient and forced vibration testing. Interesting findings such as diaphragm flexibility, foundation flexibility and frequency shifts due to thermal effects were all found throughout the mode shape mapping process. Nine apparent mode shapes were experimentally identified, N-S and E-W translational, rotational and 6 vertical modes. A computational model was also created and refined through correlation with the modal parameters obtained through FVTs. When compared to the experimental results, the computational model estimated the experimentally determined building period within 8% and 10% for both N-S and E-W translational modes and within 10% for 4 of the vertical modes.

[pt] O principal objetivo deste trabalho é o desenvolvimento de um programa computacional para a analise não-linear estática e dinâmica de pórticos planos com ligações flexíveis (semi-rígidas). Inicialmente é apresentada a metodologia de solução não-linear e as formulações dos elementos finitos adotados na base computacional implementada. Em seguida, são estudados vários exemplos de sistemas estruturais estáticos com caminhos de equilíbrio fortemente não-lineares com a finalidade de testar os programas implementados. Então é apresentada a formulação do problema dinâmico com a definição das equações diferenciais ordinárias de movimento e as expressões das matrizes de massa e amortecimento. A solução desse sistema de equações diferenciais ordinárias é obtida por métodos de integração numérica implícitos ou explícitos. Alguns destes métodos são apresentados neste trabalho e incorporados ao programa computacional em conjunto com estratégias adaptativas de incremento automático do intervalo de tempo de integração (delta)t. Por fim, o sistema computacional desenvolvido é utilizado na modelagem e obtenção da resposta estrutural estática e dinâmica de alguns sistemas estruturais planos com comportamento eminentemente não-linear. Através destes resultados são analisados alguns fenômenos importantes de instabilidade estática e dinâmica, bem como possíveis mecanismos de colapso e a influência de parâmetros físicos e geométricos no comportamento estrutural. / [en] The main objective of this thesis is to develop a numerical methodology for the nonlinear static and dynamics analysis of plane frames with semi-rigid connections. Initially, the formulations of the adopted finite elements are presented and implemented together with numerical methodologies for the solution of the non-linear equilibrium equations. Then, some examples of strongly nonlinear structural systems under static loads are studied to check the methodology. Subsequently, the ordinary differential equations of motion are derived and the corresponding damping and mass matrices are presented. The solution of this system of ordinary differential equations is obtained by implicit or explicit numerical integration methods. Some of these methods are presented in this work and incorporated into the computational program together with adaptive strategies for the automatic increment of the time step (delta)t. Finally, the computational system here developed is used to study the static and dynamic response of some plain structural systems with an inherent nonlinear behavior. A detailed parametric study is carried out to identify the influence of physical and geometric parameters on the structural behavior. This enables the analysis of some important static and dynamic instability phenomena and identification of possible mechanisms of collapse.

Le but de cette thèse est de sonder la flexibilité de NCp7 et de Δ(-)PBS, deux bio-molécules impliquées dans le second saut de brin de la transcription inverse du VIH. Deux stratégies expérimentales ont été mises en place. Un nouveau montage de spectroscopie ultra-rapide de fluorescence par down-conversion a été construit. Les dynamiques de quenching de la 2-aminopurine (2Ap), insérée en position 6, 8 et 10 de la boucle Δ(-)PBS ont pu être entièrement résolues à une résolution sub-ps. Pour chaque position, 4 temps de vie ont été révélés. Des mesures d'anisotropie confirment que les deux composantes < 5 ps sont liées à un empilement de la 2Ap avec les Guanines avoisinantes. Cet empilement est site-spécifique, prouvé par l'augmentation significative de leurs amplitudes lorsque la 2Ap est située près de la tige (position 10). La faible proportion de conformations reliées à un quenching collisionnel est significative de la faible exposition des 2Ap au solvant et de l'encombrement général de la boucle. La seconde approche avait pour but d'étudier l'effet du repliement du squelette protéique de [35-50] NCp7 autour de son atome de zinc par CID et par LID. Les spectres CID de la protéine nue sont expliqués par le modèle du proton mobile et une description détaillée d'un schéma de fragmentation spécifique autour du Tryptophane (Trp) a été soulignée, attribué une Lysine voisine. Un seul fragment issu de l'excitation à 266 nm a été identifié, son apparition entre en compétition avec les fragments CID du Trp. L'effet général du repliement autour du Zinc se traduit par une augmentation du taux de fragmentation autour du Trp et par une perte de spécificité pour le reste du spectre.Les flexibilités de Δ(-)PBS et NCp7 ont été respectivement évaluées par spectroscopie ultra-rapide de type down-conversion et par spectrométrie en phase gazeuse. La première méthode nécessite l'utilisation d'une sonde fluorescente non invasive, la 2-aminopurine (2Ap), placée en position 6, 8 et 10 de la boucle Δ(-)PBS. Notre résolution temporelle permet de résoudre entièrement les dynamiques locales de quenching et d'anisotropie de la 2Ap. Les composantes liées au quenching statique et quenching collisionnel ont été discriminées et révèlent les degrés d'empilement / encombrement locaux de la boucle. L'effet du repliement de [35-50] NCp7 autour de son atome de zinc a été étudié par CID et par LID à 266 nm. La protéine nue présente un interessant shéma de fragmentation autour du Tryptophane (Trp), exalté par la complexation avec le zinc, au prix une perte de spécificité pour le reste du spectre. Un seul fragment LID a été identifié, un mécanisme de sa formation est proposé. / This thesis aims to probe the flexibility of NCp7 and Δ(-)PBS, two biomolecules involved in the second strand transfer of the HIV's reverse transcription. We brought to the front two original experimental methods. A new ultrafast fluorescence down-conversion setup has been built, suitable for biological chromophore investigations. The quenching dynamics of 2-aminopurine (2Ap), site-mutated at the positions 6, 8 and 10 of Δ(-)PBS loop, were completely resolved under a ps scale. For each location, 4 decay times, were highlighted. Further anisotropy measurements confirmed that the two < 5 ps components correspond to stacking interactions of 2Ap with neighbouring Guanines. The site-specific aspect of the stacking were supported by a significant increase of their relative amplitudes when 2Ap were cloesly located to the stem (position 10). The minor portion of conformations involved with ps to ns collisional quenching suggests a low exposure of 2Ap towards the solvent as well as a general restriction of the loop. The second method planned to investigate the effet of the zinc-folding on [35-50] NCp7's peptidic backbone, thanks to CID and LID. The CID-generated spectra of the bare peptide were explained by the mobile proton model, and an exhaustive tryptophan (Trp) fragmentation pattern was described, mainly due to a neighbouring Lysin effects. Only one LID-fragment has been identified upon 266 nm excitation, probably created through a pathway competing with the generation of Trp fragments by CID. The main aspects related to zinc-folding are a general enhancement of the fragmentation ratios related to Trp and a loss of specificity for the remaining mass spectra parts.Δ(-)PBS et NCp7 has been respectively investigated by ultrafast down-conversion spectroscopy and gas-phase spectrometry. The first method implies the use of a non invasive fluorescent probe, named 2 aminopurine (2Ap), site mutated in position 6, 8 et 10 of the Δ(-)PBS loop. Our time resolution allows to fully depict the local quenching dynamics and anisotropy decays. The component related to static and collisional has been solved, thus describing different stacking degrees as well as local restrictions. The effect of [35-50] NCp7 folding around its zinc atom has been studied by CID and 266 nm LID. The bare protein displays an interesting fragmentation pathway around its Tryptophan (Trp), enhanced with zinc complexation, at the cost of a loss of specificity for the remaining mass spectra parts. Only one LID fragment has been identified, its occurence has been interpreted.