No description available.

Yes / In constitutive models of polymers, there has been a long history of the use of strain-rate dependent viscous processes, such as the Eyring and Argon models. These are combined with elastic elements to generate viscoplastic models that exhibit typical phenomena such as rate dependent yield, creep and stress relaxation. The Eyring process is one of the most frequently used such mechanisms. It has two significant drawbacks: it implies a temperature dependence of mechanical behaviour that is in an opposite sense to that observed; and it predicts a strain rate dependence of yield stress that is less complex than that observed, leading to the requirement for two or more Eyring processes. In recent years, new ideas for amorphous polymers have been developed that lead to an alternative plastic mechanism that addresses these concerns. In this paper a constitutive model that incorporates this mechanism is developed, and its effectiveness in modelling macroscopic mechanical behaviour of polymers is explored with respect to published data.

Petroleum reservoirs located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea have undergone unexpected subsidence of great magnitude (> 10 m) during more than 30 years of petroleum recovery operations. Historical laboratory investigations have shown that the subsidence is due to the mechanical behavior and mechanical properties of chalk. Chalk behavior is characterized by elastoplasticity, including pore collapse, shear failure, and tensile failure mechanisms; rate-dependence; and pore fluid dependence. The research described in this dissertation was performed with the objectives to formulate a constitutive model which describes all aspects of chalk and soft rock mechanical behavior, develop and/or implement methods to integrate the equations which form the constitutive model, and to apply the model to finite element simulations of engineering problems encountered in chalk and soft rock. A new rate-dependent constitutive model is developed based on a three-dimensional extension of a volumetric time-lines model, similar to that of Bjerrum (1967). Shear and tensile failure surfaces are also included to reflect these failure mechanisms observed in chalk. Twelve model parameters are required to fully describe chalk behavior. Procedures to determine values for each of these parameters from laboratory test results are described. Correlations of model parameter values with index parameters are given for North Sea chalks, to allow reasonable values to be obtained in the absence of an extensive laboratory testing program. Comparisons between observed behavior and model simulations indicate that the new model is able to reproduce and predict the behavior of chalk quite well. A new integration method for critical state cap plasticity models is presented. This new method may be used for rate-independent or rate-dependent constitutive models which are formulated with elliptical cap yield surfaces, including the chalk model. The new method gives results that compare favorably to integration methods used currently, in terms of accuracy and computational effort. The effects of pore fluid composition on chalk behavior are included in the constitutive model. It is shown that the variability in constitutive behavior with pore fluid composition is due to dependence of model parameter values on pore fluid composition. This variability in model parameters with pore fluid composition has been quantified and implemented into the model for the complete spectrum of oil-water mixtures in chalk. Finite element simulations are presented to demonstrate performance of the model in analyzing problems at several different scales, including laboratory, borehole, and full-field scales. A new algorithm called "equivalent uniform water saturation" has been developed to determine the average mechanical properties of finite chalk masses with non-uniform pore fluid compositions, which are frequently encountered during finite element simulations. Results of the laboratory-scale simulations indicate that the constitutive model can reproduce the inhomogeneous deformation patterns which occur in chalk during waterflooding tests, and that use of the new algorithm utilizing "equivalent uniform water saturation" produces consistent results for chalk masses with inhomogeneous pore fluid distributions when used with different finite element mesh discretizations. Results of the larger-scale simulations indicate that changes in pore fluid composition and pore fluid pressure have different effects on macro-scale chalk mechanical behavior, and that both must be considered during analysis. / Ph. D.

São propostas modificações em um modelo hipoplástico buscando representar o comportamento mecânico de argilas sobreadensadas. São introduzidos no modelo a razão de sobreadensamento, o intercepto de coesão e índices que representam características do trecho sobreadensado, resultando em parâmetros com claro sentido físico e de fácil determinação. A equação constitutiva é então calibrada com parâmetros de solos sobreadensados e a capacidade dos modelos de representar o comportamento de dois solos em particular é verificada, confrontando as previsões teóricas com resultados experimentais em diversas situações de carregamento e para uma larga faixa de razões de sobreadensamento. Verifica-se que as modificações introduzidas no modelo hipoplástico contemplam avanços significativos na representação dos efeitos do sobreadensamento, como a curvatura da envoltória de resistência no trecho sobreadensado, o aumento do módulo de deformabilidade com o grau de sobreadensamento, diferente rigidez no carregamento e no recarregamento, o aumento das tensões desviadoras de ruptura em solos sobreadensados, a diminuição da tendência à contração volumétrica com o aumento da razão de sobreadensamento, chegando à expansão volumétrica, e, nas solicitações não-drenadas, pressão neutra negativa quando o solo encontra-se fortemente sobreadensado. / Modifications in a hypoplastic model are proposed intending to represent the mechanical behavior of overconsolidated clays. The overconsolidation ratio, the cohesion intercept and indices that represent overconsolidation characteristics are introduced in the model, resulting in parameters with a clear physical meaning and of easy to determine. The constitutive equation is then calibrated with parameters of overconsolidated soils and the capacity of the models of representing the behavior of two soils in particular is checked, confronting the theoretical predictions with experimental results in several loading situations and in a wide overconsolidation ratio range. It is verified that the modifications introduced into hypoplastic model contemplates significant advances in the representation of the effects of overconsolidation, like the curvature of the strength envelope in the overconsolidation region, the increase of the deformability modulus with the overconsolitadion ratio, different stiffness in loading and reloading, the increase of the deviator stress at failure in overconsolidated soils, presenting peak deviator stress, a decrease of the tendency to volumetric contraction with the increase of the overconsolidation ratio, including to the volumetric expansion, and, in undrained tests, negative pore pressure when the soil is heavily overconsolidated.

Modelos constitutivos são relações matemáticas entre grandezas físicas que buscam descrever o comportamento dos materiais quando submetidos a ações externas. A hipoplasticidade é um modelo constitutivo desenvolvido para solos a partir de uma modificação da equação hipoelástica. Este modelo tem como principais características a existência de uma única equação constitutiva e o seu caráter não linear, o que lhe confere a propriedade de introduzir deformações irreversíveis desde o início das ações externas. Neste trabalho são estudados dois novos modelos desenvolvidos com o objetivo de melhorar as previsões para carregamentos cíclicos. O primeiro, denominado hipoplasticidade estendida, é caracterizado pela introdução de superfícies de memória e uma nova equação constitutiva específica para o recarregamento. O segundo modelo, a hipoplasticidade cíclica, é uma modificação deste último onde são introduzidos fatores capazes de modificar as superfícies de memória. Os novos modelos são primeiramente aplicados em situações teóricas para verificar sua aplicabilidade. Posteriormente, utilizando dados experimentais, é feita sua calibração e aplicação para então compararem-se as previsões teóricas com os resultados experimentais. Verifica-se que os novos modelos contemplam avanços significativos na previsão do comportamento dos solos sob carregamentos cíclicos. Para permitir um número maior de simulações foi desenvolvida uma planilha eletrônica com a capacidade de representar quantos ciclos sejam desejados, efetuar a alteração dos parâmetros do solo durante a calibração do modelo de maneira fácil e rápida, assim como visualizar para cada um dos intervalos se foi utilizada a equação geral ou a específica do recarregamento. / Constitutive models are mathematical relationships between physical quantities that approximate the behavior of materials when subjected to external actions. Hypoplasticity is a constitutive model developed for soils from a modification of the hypoelastic equation. The main features of this model are the existence of a unique constitutive equation and its nonlinear character, which gives it the property of introducing irreversible deformation from the beginning of external actions. In this work two new models developed in order to improve the predictions of cyclic loading are studied. The first one, which is called extended hypoplacity, has as its main feature the addition of a memory surface and the introduction of a new equation specific for reloading. The second model, cyclic hypoplasticity, which is a modification of this last one, is characterized by the introduction of factors that are capable of modifing the memory surfaces. The new models are first checked in theoretical situations to verify their applicability. Subsequently, using experimental data, the models are calibrated, applied, and then compared to experimental results. The new models include significant advances in predicting soil behavior under cyclic loading. To allow a larger number of simulations, a spreadsheet was developed with the following abilities: simulate as many cycles as are desired; easy to change soil\'s parameters during the calibration phase; and display for each of the intervals which of the equations was used.

São propostas modificações em um modelo hipoplástico buscando representar o comportamento mecânico de argilas sobreadensadas. São introduzidos no modelo a razão de sobreadensamento, o intercepto de coesão e índices que representam características do trecho sobreadensado, resultando em parâmetros com claro sentido físico e de fácil determinação. A equação constitutiva é então calibrada com parâmetros de solos sobreadensados e a capacidade dos modelos de representar o comportamento de dois solos em particular é verificada, confrontando as previsões teóricas com resultados experimentais em diversas situações de carregamento e para uma larga faixa de razões de sobreadensamento. Verifica-se que as modificações introduzidas no modelo hipoplástico contemplam avanços significativos na representação dos efeitos do sobreadensamento, como a curvatura da envoltória de resistência no trecho sobreadensado, o aumento do módulo de deformabilidade com o grau de sobreadensamento, diferente rigidez no carregamento e no recarregamento, o aumento das tensões desviadoras de ruptura em solos sobreadensados, a diminuição da tendência à contração volumétrica com o aumento da razão de sobreadensamento, chegando à expansão volumétrica, e, nas solicitações não-drenadas, pressão neutra negativa quando o solo encontra-se fortemente sobreadensado. / Modifications in a hypoplastic model are proposed intending to represent the mechanical behavior of overconsolidated clays. The overconsolidation ratio, the cohesion intercept and indices that represent overconsolidation characteristics are introduced in the model, resulting in parameters with a clear physical meaning and of easy to determine. The constitutive equation is then calibrated with parameters of overconsolidated soils and the capacity of the models of representing the behavior of two soils in particular is checked, confronting the theoretical predictions with experimental results in several loading situations and in a wide overconsolidation ratio range. It is verified that the modifications introduced into hypoplastic model contemplates significant advances in the representation of the effects of overconsolidation, like the curvature of the strength envelope in the overconsolidation region, the increase of the deformability modulus with the overconsolitadion ratio, different stiffness in loading and reloading, the increase of the deviator stress at failure in overconsolidated soils, presenting peak deviator stress, a decrease of the tendency to volumetric contraction with the increase of the overconsolidation ratio, including to the volumetric expansion, and, in undrained tests, negative pore pressure when the soil is heavily overconsolidated.

This thesis explores the design of flexible pipes, buried in shallow trenches with dry sand backfill. The thesis reports the comprehensive analysis of twenty-two full-scale load tests conducted between 1989 and 1991 on pipe installations, mainly within a laboratory facility, at the University of South Australia. The pipes were highly flexible, spirally-wound, uPVC pipes, ranging in diameter from 300 to 450 mm. Guidelines were required by industry for safe cover heights for these pipes when subjected to construction traffic. The tests were designed by, and conducted under the supervision of, the author, prior to the author undertaking this thesis. As current design approaches for pipes could not anticipate the large loading settlements and hence, soil plasticity, experienced in these tests, finite element analyses were attempted. Extensive investigations of the materials in the installations were undertaken to permit finite element modelling of the buried pipe installations. In particular, a series of large strain triaxial tests were conducted on the sand backfill in the buried pipe installations, to provide an understanding of the sand behaviour in terms of critical state theory. Subsequently a constitutive model for the soil was developed. The soil model was validated before implementation in an element of finite element program, AFENA (Carter and Balaam, 1995). Single element modelling of the triaxial tests proved invaluable in obtaining material constants for the soil model. The new element was applied successfully to the analysis of a side-constrained, plate loading test on the sand. The simulation of the buried pipe tests was shown to require three-dimensional finite element analysis to approach the observed pipe-soil behaviour. Non-compliant side boundary conditions were ultimately adjudged chiefly responsible for the difficulty in matching the experimental data. The value of numerical analyses performed in tandem with physical testing was apparent, albeit in hindsight. The research has identified the prediction of vertical soil pressure above the pipe due to external loading as being the major difficulty for designers. Based on the finite element analyses of the field tests, a preliminary simple expression was developed for estimation of these pressures, which could be used with currently available design approaches to reasonably predict pipe deflections.

Silicon in single crystal form has been the material of choice for the first demonstration of the MIT microengine project. However, because it has a relatively low melting temperature, silicon is not an ideal material for the intended operational environment of high temperature and stress. In addition, preliminary work indicates that single crystal silicon has a tendency to undergo localized deformation by slip band formation. Thus it is critical to obtain a better understanding of the mechanical behavior of this material at elevated temperatures in order to properly exploit its capabilities as a structural material. Creep tests in simple compression with n-type single crystal silicon, with low initial dislocation density, were conducted over a temperature range of 900 K to 1200 K and a stress range of 10 MPa to 120 MPa. The compression specimens were machined such that the multi-slip <100> or <111> orientations were coincident with the compression axis. The creep tests reveal that response can be delineated into two broad regimes: (a) in the first regime rapid dislocation multiplication is responsible for accelerating creep rates, and (b) in the second regime an increasing resistance to dislocation motion is responsible for the decelerating creep rates, as is typically observed for creep in metals. An isotropic elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model that accounts for these two mechanisms has been developed in support of the design of the high temperature turbine structure of the MIT microengine. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

No description available.

This thesis explores the design of flexible pipes, buried in shallow trenches with dry sand backfill. The thesis reports the comprehensive analysis of twenty-two full-scale load tests conducted between 1989 and 1991 on pipe installations, mainly within a laboratory facility, at the University of South Australia. The pipes were highly flexible, spirally-wound, uPVC pipes, ranging in diameter from 300 to 450 mm. Guidelines were required by industry for safe cover heights for these pipes when subjected to construction traffic. The tests were designed by, and conducted under the supervision of, the author, prior to the author undertaking this thesis. As current design approaches for pipes could not anticipate the large loading settlements and hence, soil plasticity, experienced in these tests, finite element analyses were attempted. Extensive investigations of the materials in the installations were undertaken to permit finite element modelling of the buried pipe installations. In particular, a series of large strain triaxial tests were conducted on the sand backfill in the buried pipe installations, to provide an understanding of the sand behaviour in terms of critical state theory. Subsequently a constitutive model for the soil was developed. The soil model was validated before implementation in an element of finite element program, AFENA (Carter and Balaam, 1995). Single element modelling of the triaxial tests proved invaluable in obtaining material constants for the soil model. The new element was applied successfully to the analysis of a side-constrained, plate loading test on the sand. The simulation of the buried pipe tests was shown to require three-dimensional finite element analysis to approach the observed pipe-soil behaviour. Non-compliant side boundary conditions were ultimately adjudged chiefly responsible for the difficulty in matching the experimental data. The value of numerical analyses performed in tandem with physical testing was apparent, albeit in hindsight. The research has identified the prediction of vertical soil pressure above the pipe due to external loading as being the major difficulty for designers. Based on the finite element analyses of the field tests, a preliminary simple expression was developed for estimation of these pressures, which could be used with currently available design approaches to reasonably predict pipe deflections.