Dowel-type steel to timber connections are commonly used in timber structure. The load carrying capacity and the stress distribution within the connection area are complicated and the failure behavior of a connection depends on many parameters. The main purpose of this thesis was to verify, using the data obtained from previous experiments, the conventional design method of European Code 5(EC5) (hand calculation) for dowel type joints subjected to pure bending moment and other alternative design methods based on the finite element method (FEM) including the use of the mean stress approach and the extended finite element method (XFEM). Finite element models were created in the software ABAQUS. The models were then used to predict the load bearing capacity and compare this to the experimental results. In addition parametric studies were performed with modifications of material properties and other parameters. The closest prediction in relation to the test results was obtained using XFEM where the predicted capacity was 3.82% larger than the experimental result. An extension of the mean stress method going from a 2D-formulation to a 3D-formulation was verified as well. A general conclusion drawn from this work is that the numerical modelling approaches used should also be suitable for application to complex connections and situations involving other loading situations than pure tension.

This thesis describes a non-linear finite element model suitable for the analysis of reinforced concrete, or steel, structures under general three-dimensional states of loading. The 20 noded isoparametric brick element has been used to model the concrete and reinforcing bars are idealised as axial members embedded within the concrete elements. The compressive behaviour of concrete is simulated by an elasto-plastic work hardening model followed by a perfectly plastic plateau which is terminated at the onset the . crushing. In tension, a smeared crack model with fixed orthogonal cracks has been used with the inclusion of models for the retained post-cracking stress and the reduced shear modulus. The non-linear equations of equilibrium have been solved using an incremental-iterative technique operating under load control. The solution algorithms used are the standard and the modified Newton-Raphson methods. Line searches have been implemented to accelerate convergence. The numerical integration has been generally carried out using 15 point Gaussian type rules. Results of a study to investigate the performance of these rules show that the 15 point rules are accurate and computationally efficient compared with the 27(3X3X3) point Gaussian rule. The three- dimensional finite element model has been used to investigate the problem of elasto-plastic torsion of homogeneous members. The accuracy of the finite element solutions obtained for beams of different cross-sections subjected to pure and warping torsion have been assessed by comparing them with the available exact or approximate analytical solutions. Because the present work is devoted towards the analysis of reinforced concrete members which fail in shear or torsional modes, the computer program incorporates three models to account for the degradation in the compressive strength of concrete due to presence of tensile straining of transverse reinforcement. The numerical solutions obtained for reinforced concrete panels under pure shear and beams in torsion and combined torsion and bending reveal that the inclusion of a model for reducing the compressive strength of cracked concrete can significantly improve the correlation of the predicted post-cracking stiffness and the computed ultimate loads with the experimental results. Parametric studies to investigate the effects of some important material and solution parameters have been carried out. It is concluded that in the presence of a compression strength reduction model, the tension-stiffening parameters required for reinforced concrete members under torsion should be similar to those used for members in which bending dominates.

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No description available.

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Electrospinning is a method of producing nano structured material from a polymer solution or melt using high strength electric fields. It is a process that has yet to find extensive industrial application yet shows promise if obstacles such as low rate of production overcome perhaps by more complete theoretical modelling. This work examines the effects of adding an ionic salt to a solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) in water. The direct effect was an increase the charge density and electric current. It was found that an increase in charge density decreases the mass deposition rate and forms a thinner initial jet. When the sign of the charge on the polymer solution was changed from positive to negative the charge density increased and the initial jet diameter and mass deposition rate also decreased. It was proposed that a smaller radius of curvature is formed by the Taylor cone at higher charge densities resulting in a smaller “virtual orifice”. The extent of the bending instability was explored and it was found that adding ionic salt results in a decrease in the bending instability resulting in thicker fibres. Changing the sign of the charge on the polymer solution from positive to negative resulted in an increase in the bending instability and resulted in thinner fibres. The charge transfer mechanisms used in different electrospinning models are explored and some assumptions not explicitly stated are discussed. From this discussion a generalized equation describing the charge transport mechanisms is proposed.

19 Dec 2004. / Published through the Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information. "IS-T 2082" Henry Hao-Chuan Kang. 12/19/2004. Report is also available in paper and microfiche from NTIS.

Validerat; 20140915 (global_studentproject_submitter)

Title: Theoretical studies of rolled-up and wrinkled nanomembranes Author: Mgr. Peter Cendula Department: Department of Condensed Matter Physics Thesis Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Oliver G. Schmidt, Prof. RNDr. Václav Holý, CSc. Abstract : The thesis is devoted to three similar topics from the field of rolled-up and wrinkled nanomembranes. We start by recalling classical theory of thin plates, which will be used to describe deformation of nanomembranes. In the first topic, relaxation of internal strain is studied when a flat film is partially released from the substrate by etching the sacrificial layer underneath. Energetic competition of the tube and wrinkle shape is quantitatively investigated. Similar model is used to investigate the limiting maximum value of tube rotations. In the second topic, roll-up of initially wrinkled film is shown to favor tubes forming on the flat edge of rectangular wrinkled pattern, enabling precise control of tube position. Experiment is provided to justify our theoretical predictions. In the third topic, quantum well is assumed inside a wrin- kled nanomembrane. Shift of transition energy induced by lateral modulation due to bending strain is quantified, being of interest for strain-sensitive optical detectors and emitters. In addition, lateral localization of electron and hole due to...

This thesis details the development of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) techniques to simulate assembly and functional performance of football boots within a virtual environment. With a highly competitive market and seasonal changes in boot design common, the current design process can require numerous iterations, each adding time and cost to the development cycle. Using a reliable model allows evaluation of novel design concepts without the necessity to manufacture physical prototypes, and thus has potential financial benefits as well as reducing development time. A modelling approach was developed to construct a three dimensional boot model using FEA techniques, simulating the assembly of representative boot constituent parts based on manufacturing patterns, geometries and materials. Comparison between the modelled and physical boots demonstrated good agreement. Assessment of physical boot manufacture enabled the validation of the simulated assembly techniques, with digital image correlation hardware and software used to provide experimental measurements of the surface deformation. Good agreement was reported, demonstrating the predictive capabilities of FEA. Extensive review of literature provided applicable loading conditions of the boot during game play, with bending and torsional stiffness identified as important parameters. Boundary conditions associated with the foot during these movements provided a platform from which mechanical tests were used and developed to quantify boot function. Modelling techniques were developed and applied to the assembled FEA boot model, simulating the loading conditions to verify the validity when compared with experimental measurements. Bending and torsional stiffness extracted from the model were compared with the physical equivalent, demonstrating good predictive capabilities. The model was able to represent bending stiffness of the physical equivalent within 5.6% of an accepted boot range up to 20°, with torsional stiffness represented within the accepted range between 10° inversion to 7.5° eversion, corresponding to a large proportion of match play. Two case studies proved the applicability of the FEA techniques to simulate assembly and determine mechanical functionality virtually through a combination of automated modelling methods and a bespoke framework, demonstrating how it could be implemented within the industrial design process.