Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2006. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 190-200).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2007. / Gee-Kung Chang, Committee Chair ; Thomas K. Gaylord, Committee Co-Chair ; Glenn S. Smith, Committee Member ; John A. Buck, Committee Member ; Ali Adibi, Committee Member ; C. P. Wong, Committee Member.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 99 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-82).

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-190). Also available via the Internet.

Moisture ingress and thermal effects on carbon fibre reinforced plastic is a well understood phenomenon. For aircraft structures where safety is paramount this results in the use of worst case material properties, known as HOTAA/ET properties. In reality most structures are not fully saturated and are therefore penalised by using these worst case properties. This project attempts to fully understand the environmental effect on mechanical performance and accurately model a structures exposure to the environment, while still maintaining conservatism, to realise structural weight savings for aircraft. From the literature study it appears that this is the first attempt to link the mechanical property degradation brought about by environment, to classical laminate theory. By modelling individual ply property performance, based on each ply's level of saturation and linking it to a bespoke set of materials properties generated within the project, it is possible to accurately model the mechanical performance of a component. The model and modelling process derived within this project have been successfully validated by structural testing.

Moisture diffusion studies were performed using unidirectional (UD) tape and quasiisotropic (QI) woven 5-harness satin fabric, carbon fibre reinforced (CFR) epoxy composite materials. Firstly the moisture constants, (i.e. diffusion coefficient, D[x], and equilibrium moisture content, M[max]) were experimentally derived at 70°C and 85% relative humidity (%RH), for the two CFR materials. To investigate moisture absorption as a function of %RH test coupons were conditioned to differing equilibrium moisture levels viz., 70°C/60%RH, 70°C/75%RH, 70°C/85%RH, and 70°C/95%RH. Also oven dry (OD) and as-received (AR) tests were performed for baseline comparison. The effect of moisture absorption on the mechanical behaviour was investigated; lamina properties were studied by measuring tension, compression, shear (inter/intralaminar) strength and stiffness of the UD material. This comprehensive set of testing provided quantitative relationships between moisture content and mechanical properties. The quasi-isotropic lay-up was then utilised to investigate multi-directional laminate lay-ups using open hole tension and compression testing. The experimental data showed that the uptake of moisture in both the materials studied was described well by Fick's Second Law and the properties most affected by moisture ingress were matrix-dominated properties. More specifically, the transverse tensile strength, F[t][2] was most affected by the ingress of moisture, with a near 50% reduction in strength when conditioned to equilibrium moisture content at 70°C/95%RH. Such information is a necessary prerequisite if improved design procedures are going to be developed in the future. The initial phase of testing produced mechanical property/moisture relationships that were employed to predict the strength and stiffness of the material containing specific moisture gradients through-the-thickness (TTT). To be able to predict mechanical properties with different moisture distribution, firstly moisture distribution TTT of the material was modelled using an analytical solution to Fick's Second Law. Then moisture content was considered on a ply-by-ply basis TTT of the laminate; reductions were applied to each individual ply property dependent on the moisture content using the experimentally derived relationships, essentially applying environmental knock-down factors (KEKDF'S) to each individual ply. Classical Laminate Analysis (CLA) was then performed using the Max Stress failure criteria in order to predict the overall laminate failure. A second phase of mechanical testing was then performed to validate these predictions. The mechanical property predictions compared well to the experimental data showing similar reductions in strength for a given profile of moisture in the laminate. The predicted strengths also fell within the measured standard deviation of the experimental data in a significant proportion of the results.

Thesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007. / Engineers and Technologists have found several approaches to control the shape of an aerofoil and improve the performance of a wing at different flow regimes; this research has been done at 2D level. In this work, a novel approach has been developed. The inspiration for this work comes from biological research. A 3D wing body has been modeled and flow conditions around it were simulated by advanced computer technology. The fabrication of the wing, based on the design optimization model, has been conducted using rapid prototyping technology. The unique thermal and mechanical properties that are exhibited by shape memory alloys (SMAs) have presented an exciting design possibility in the field of aerospace engineering. This kind of smart material was incorporated in the wing structure and when activated can alter the shape of the wing, thus effectively increasing the efficiency of a wing in flight, at several different flow regimes.

The thesis describes experimental techniques used and results obtained in the investigation of the pure tone components of sound radiation from a commercial 19 inch axial flow fan. The causes and extent of the discrete tone sources were investigated by several methods: cross-correlation of fan surface pressure fluctuations with far field sound, spectral analysis of surface pressure, and examination of surface pressure waveforms. A unique feature involved the design of an apparatus for detecting and transmitting fan-borne pressure fluctuations off the rotating blades. "Causality Correlations" with the on-axis far field sound rendered dipole source strength distribution functions over a span wise line at 15 per cent chord from the leading edge of the fan blade and around a circumferential ring on the motor support strut at a fan radius of 89 per cent. Results indicate that the on-axis discrete tones are a result of source mechanisms causing force fluctuations on the blades and struts which in turn lead to sound radiation which is dipole in nature and is most intense on the axis of the fan. These mechanisms include ingestion of a concentrated vortex, modulation of the clearance between the blade tips and the fan shroud, flow separation around the inlet bell mouth, and fluctuations in the inflow velocity due to the proximity of the fan to the wedged wall of the Anechoic chamber. Crude integral approximations of source strength distributions over the surfaces of the blades and the struts indicated that sound radiation at the blade passage frequency from these two contributors to the overall sound would be about equal, although more sound radiation is expected to originate at the rotor. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Mechanical Engineering, Department of / Graduate

This thesis investigates atmospheric gusts and their effect on aircraft.