In the presented thesis work, the meshfree method with distance fields was coupled with the lattice Boltzmann method to obtain solutions of fluid-structure interaction problems. The thesis work involved development and implementation of numerical algorithms, data structure, and software. Numerical and computational properties of the coupling algorithm combining the meshfree method with distance fields and the lattice Boltzmann method were investigated. Convergence and accuracy of the methodology was validated by analytical solutions. The research was focused on fluid-structure interaction solutions in complex, mesh-resistant domains as both the lattice Boltzmann method and the meshfree method with distance fields are particularly adept in these situations. Furthermore, the fluid solution provided by the lattice Boltzmann method is massively scalable, allowing extensive use of cutting edge parallel computing resources to accelerate this phase of the solution process. The meshfree method with distance fields allows for exact satisfaction of boundary conditions making it possible to exactly capture the effects of the fluid field on the solid structure.

Fluid flows occurring in moving and/or deforming environments are influenced by the transient nature of their containment. In Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), simulating such flow fields requires effort to maintain the geometric integrity of the transient flow domain. Convective fluxes in such domains are evaluated with respect to the motion of the boundaries of the control volume. These simulations demand conservation of space in addition to the conservation of mass, momentum and energy as the solution continues in time. The Space Conservation Law in its continuous form can be inferred by using the rules of fundamental calculus. However, implementing it in a discrete form poses substantial challenges. During mesh motion, the surfaces enclosing the control volumes sweep through three-dimensional space. As per the Space Conservation Law, the change in the control volume has to match the sum of the swept volumes of all its faces exactly. The Space Conservation Law must be satisfied accurately and consistently in order to avoid the occurrence of non-physical masses and to prevent the violation of the continuity equation. In this work we have attempted to address the consistency issues surrounding the implementation of the Space Conservation Law in OpenFOAM. The existing method for calculation of swept volumes falls short in terms of consistency. Moreover, its capabilities are limited when it comes to complex three-dimensional mesh motions. The existing method of calculation treats swept volumes as net fluxes emanating from cell faces. We have implemented an alternate algorithm in which the swept volumes are treated as intermittent virtual cells whose volumes can be calculated in a unique and consistent manner. We will conclude by validating our approach for mesh motions of varying degrees of complexity.

Abstract The cold spray process is an additive manufacturing technology primarily suited for ductile metals, and mainly utilized in coating surfaces, manufacturing of freeform parts and repair of damaged components. The process involves acceleration of solid micro-particles in a supersonic gas flow and coating build-up by bonding upon high velocity impact onto a substrate. Coating deposition relies on the kinetic energy of the particles. The main objective of this study was to investigate the mechanics of polymer cold spray process and deformation behavior of polymers to improve technological implementation of the process. A finite element model was created to simulate metal particle impact for copper and aluminum. These results were compared to the numerical and experimental results found in the literature to validate the model. This model was then extended to cover a wide range of impact conditions, in order to reveal the governing mechanisms of particle impact and rebound during cold spray. A systematic analysis of a single high-density polyethylene particle impacting on a semi-infinite high density polyethylene substrate was carried out for initial velocities ranging between 150m/s and 250m/s by using the finite element analysis software ABAQUS. A series of numerical simulations were performed to study the effect of a number of key parameters on the particle impact dynamics. These key parameters include: particle impact velocity, particle temperature, particle diameter, and particle density, composition of the polyethylene particle, surface composition and the thickness of a polyethylene film on a hard metal substrate. The effect of these parameter variations were quantified by tracking the particle temperature, deformation, plastic strain and rebound kinetic energy. The variation of these parameters helped define a window of deposition where the particle is mostly likely to adhere to the substrate.

The Hashin failure criteria and damage evolution model for laminated fiber reinforced polymers are explored. A series of tensile coupon finite element analyses are run to characterize the variables in the physical model as well as modeling techniques for using an explicit dynamic solver for a quasi-static problem. An attempt to validate the model on an axial tube crush is presented. It was found that fiber buckling was not occurring at the impactor-tube interface. Results and speculation as to why the failure initiation is incorrect are discussed. Lessons learned from the tube crush are applied successfully to the quasi-static Formula SAE nosecone crush test. The model is validated by experimental data and the impact metrics between the test and model are within 5%. Future work and possible optimization techniques are discussed.

By applying the finite element approach to the design and analysis of the impact diffusion helmet, many helmet configurations were able to be analyzed. Initially it was important to determine what design variables had an influence on the impact reducing abilities of the helmet design. The helmet was run through a series of Abaqus simulations that determined that a design with two oval shaped channels running along the length of the helmet was best. Next, these options were optimized to generate the helmet that produced the greatest impact reduction. The optimization simulations determined that a helmet that pushed the channels as far from the impact zone as possible reported the lowest acceleration. This indicated that removing the channels from play was most advantageous from an impact reduction perspective. Finally, a 3-D printed experimental helmet was impact tested and compared to a 3-D printed control helmet. The experimental helmet brought the channels back into the impact zone in order to judge if they had a physical effect on the acceleration. Both the simulations and the subsequent physical testing indicated that the Impact Diffusion Helmet design has a negative influence on the concussion reducing properties of a football helmet.

Currently California Polytechnic State University has a patent pending on a new type of seating system designed to increase the functionality of public transportation vehicles. The patent is based on the work completed by a senior project group in 2016, whose design showcased the feasibility of the idea. Further development was completed by a second senior project group, the Adjustable Seating Systems, in 2019. The intent of the Adjustable Seating Systems group was to develop a seating system with the intent of commercialization and implementation in paratransit vehicles with future development into large buses and trains. Seating systems used in public transportation are required to meet strict geometric and structural standards by the federal government under FMVSS 207, 208, 209 and 210 to be comfortable and protect the passenger in a wide variety of situations. Included in these standards are quasi-static and dynamic tests developed to simulate the loading conditions of a crash event. Seating systems must be able to withstand the loading conditions with no obvious signs of failure to ensure the safety of the passengers. The work of this thesis was to simulate the loading conditions outlined by the safety standards on the design developed by the Adjustable Seating Systems group using finite element analysis. The results confirm the seating system meets the required safety standards. The largest stresses induced in the system are between the yield stress and ultimate stress of the material, indicating plastic deformation without failure due to fracture.

This investigation was undertaken to develop plastic design aids to be used in the direct design of optimum frames. It uses the concept of minimum weight of plastically designed steel frames, and the concept of linear programming to obtain general solutions. Among the special characteristics of this study are: A. The integration of both gravity and combined loading conditions into one linear programming problem. B. The application of the revised simplex method to the dual of a parametric original problem. C. The application of A and B above in the development of design aids for the optimum design of symmetrical single-bay, single-story portal frame. Specifically, design graphs for different height to span ratios and different vertical load to lateral load ratios are developed. The use of these graphs does not require the knowledge of linear programming or computers on the part of the designer.

Simulation can play an important role when aiming to streamline extensive and time-consuming tests. It has the potential to save time, money and energy. One of the testing methods used to test shock absorbers (SA), is accelerated life testing using a rolling road, CamDrum. It is therefore of great interest to examine the possibilities to streamline this testing method. This master thesis is conducted in co-operation with Öhlins Racing AB and the Machine Design department at KTH. The thesis project aims to look into the following: How can the use of simulation software aid in streamlining the test sequence used for shock absorbers in CamDrum? What limitations is there when simulating the CamDrum method using the selected simulation software? The goal was to develop an adequate model according to specified requirements, to facilitate early testing of new ideas and parameter changes. The delimitations includes, that the project only focuses the test-rig for MTB shock absorbers, the parts of the test-rig are assumed to be rigid and the simulation of the shock absorber is out of scope, since the aim of this thesis is to simulate the test-rig. To succeed with the project, a background research was conducted to gain knowledge about shock absorbers, test method and equipment, dynamics and useful software. The simulation model was verified against data obtained from tests. The tests were performed using the CamDrum with two different MTB shock absorbers and a stiff rod. The aim was to log and verify the change in position for the test-rig, shock absorbers and wheel. In addition the forces acting on the shock absorbers was investigated using strain gauges attached to the test-rig. The mean deviation in % for configuration 70-30-30 [mm] bump: SA MTBM1899, A4: 11.6% - 23.2%. SA MTB1691, A4: 15.8% - 28.1%. Stiff rod, A3: 0.9% - 4.9%, A5: 2.0% - 5.1%. SA Force, 16.1% - 24.0%. The deviation between the simulation and the test environment increases with the velocity. The use of stiff rod verifies the model against the CamDrum regarding the displacement. The resulting force from the use of strain gauges verifies the simulation models force regarding the shape. The Amesim model has the potential to be of great aid when designing tests. / Simulering kan vara en väg till att effektivisera tidskrävande och omfattande tester. Det finns potential att spara såväl energi som tid och pengar. En av metoderna för att testa stötdämpare är rullande landsväg, CamDrum. Det är därför intressant att undersöka hur den processen kan effektiviseras. Examensarbetet utförs i samarbete mellan Öhlins Racing AB och institutionen för Maskinkonstruktion på KTH. Det här examensarbetet avser att undersöka följande: Hur kan användandet av simuleringsprogram underlätta effektivisering av testmetoden som används för stötdämpare i CamDrum? Vilka avgränsningar finns vid användande av simulering för CamDrum-metoden med valt simuleringsprogram? Målet var att utveckla en modell som uppfyller givna krav och underlättar vid initieringsfasen för utveckling av tester för CamDrum. Projektets avgränsningar innebär att enbart riggen för MTBstötdämpare undersöks, alla ingående komponenter i testriggen antas styva och dämparmodellen som utvecklats är förenklad då målet är att simulera riggen för dämparen. För att lyckas med uppgiften har en förstudie genomförts för att samla nödvändig kunskap om stötdämpare, dynamik, testmetoden och lämplig mjukvara. Simuleringsmodellen verifieras mot data hämtat från utförda tester. Testerna utfördes i CamDrum med två olika MTB-stötdämpare och en rundstång med mål att logga och verifiera rörelser för riggen, stötdämpare och hjulet. Vidare har krafterna på stötdämparen undersökts med hjälp av trådtöjningsgivare monterade på testriggen. Medelavvikelsen i % för guppkonfigurationen 70-30-30 [mm]: SA MTBM1899, A4: 11.6% - 23.2%. SA MTB1691, A4: 15.8% - 28.1%. Rundstång, A3: 0.9% - 4.9%, A5: 2.0% - 5.1%. SA Force, 16.1% - 24.0%. Avvikelsen mellan simuleringen och testerna ökar med hastigheten. Användandet av rundstången verifierar modellen gentemot CamDrum med avseende på positionsförändring. Den resulterande kraften från användandet av trådtöjningsgivare verifierar simuleringsmodellen med avseende på form.  Amesim-modellen har en möjlighet att underlätta vid framtagning av tester.

A semantic framework to improve automated reasoning, retrieval, reuse and communication of engineering design knowledge is presented in this research. We consider design to be a process involving a sequence of decisions informed by the current state of information. As such, the information model developed is structured to reflect the conceptualizations of engineering design decisions with a particular emphasis on semantically capturing design rationale. Based on a description logic formalism, the information model was implemented using the Web Ontology Language (OWL), which provides a semantically rich and sufficiently broad specification of design decisions capable of supporting the application of any specific decision-making method. Through this approach knowledge reuse is achieved by communicating design rationale and facilitating semantic-based retrieval of knowledge. A case study is presented to illustrate three key features of the approach: 1) seamless integration of separate modular domain ontologies and instance knowledge related to engineering design that are needed to support decision making, 2) the explicit documentation of design rationale through design decisions, and 3) the application of an automated method for matching and retrieving stored knowledge. The automated retrieval method is implemented using the Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL) and serves as an example of the type of reasoning services that can easily be achieved by formally and semantically representing design knowledge.

Currently, various needs from industry, science and national defense strategy demand materials with cutting-edge ultra-high temperature performances. Typical applications of ultra-high temperature materials (UHTMs) are supersonic airplanes, gas turbines and rocket nozzles which usually require continuous service of critical components at temperatures higher than 1600°C. Creep resistance is a critical criterion in designing materials for these applications. Traditional creep characterization methods, however, due to limitations on cost, accuracy and most importantly temperature capability, gradually emerge as a bottleneck. Since 2004, a group of researchers in the University of Massachusetts, Amherst have been designing a new high temperature characterization scheme that can break through the limits of traditional methods. Their method is based on non-contact creep tests conducted with Electrostatic levitation (ESL) facilities in NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama. The tested sample is levitated in electric field and is heated as well as rotated with specially positioned laser beam. After certain amount of time, the sample deforms under centripetal forces. By comparison of the shape of the deformed sample with results from finite element simulation, creep behavior of the tested material can be characterized. Based on the same theory, this thesis presents a computational creep characterization method based on non-contact method. A finite element model was built to simulate non-contact creep behavior and results were compared to ESL experiments to determine the creep characteristic. This method was validated both theoretically and numerically and then applied to creep characterization of a promising ultra-high temperature composite from General electric (GE).