The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate the ductility and application of titanium alloys, like titanium 6Al-4V, when used in aerospace fasteners compared to more conventional stainless steel aerospace fasteners such as A286. There have been concerns raised about the safe usability of titanium 6-4 in the aerospace industry due to its lack of strain hardening. However, there is a lack of data pertaining to this concern of safe usage which this thesis aims to address. Tensile tests were conducted to find the ductility indexes of these fasteners which quantify the amount of plastic to elastic elongation. From the tests conducted it was found that the two materials yield and tensile strengths were very similar, though the ductility index of A286 is on average ten times greater than that of titanium 6-4. This thesis includes joint diagram examples that analyze typical joints using both materials. It was found from joint diagram examples that the lower ductility index of the titanium alloy will only be detrimental to use at higher preloads. However, the titanium alloy can be used safely in place of A286 in most loading situations just with narrower safety margins in these controlled examples.

Time history-analyses of building structures have been used for a quite long time for research at universities. Considering the advantage of time-history analysis relative to the equivalent static force method, the National Building of Canada and other modern building codes around the world require the use of time-history analysis in the design of specified types of buildings located in seismic regions. One of the main issues in the use of time-history analysis is related to the selection and scaling of the seismic excitations (i.e., accelerograms) to be compatible with the design spectrum for the location considered. Currently, both recorded (i.e., “real”) accelerograms and artificial accelerograms are used in the analyses. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of the selection and scaling of seismic excitations on the response of reinforced concrete frame buildings. Three reinforced concrete frame buildings with heights of 4 storey, 10 storey and 16 storey, designed for Vancouver (high seismic zone) were used in this study. Five sets of seismic excitations were used in the analysis – one set of “real” accelerograms, and four sets of artificial accelerograms obtained by different methods. All sets were scaled to be compatible with the design spectrum for Vancouver. Both linear and nonlinear time history analyses were conducted on the buildings considered. Interstorey drifts and storey shear forces were used as response parameters. The results from the linear analysis show that both the interstorey drifts and the shear forces are affected significantly by the type of the excitation set. Similarly, the effects of the type of the seismic excitations on the drifts from nonlinear analysis are substantial. On the other hand, the influence of the excitation sets on the storey shears from nonlinear analysis are quite small. Based on the results from this study, sets of scaled real records are preferred for use in time-history analysis of building structures. If such records are not available, then sets of simulated accelerograms based on the regional seismic characteristics should be used.

[pt] Este trabalho experimental tem como objetivo estudar a ductilidade de vigas retangulares de concreto armado reforçadas à flexão utilizando compósitos com tecido de fibras de carbono. No estudo realizado são apresentados os conceitos clássicos de ductilidade e é proposta uma nova sistemática para obtenção do índice de ductilidade, baseada nas considerações da energia elástica e da energia inelástica. A ductilidade é determinada por meio de um índice energético, que se caracteriza como uma forma mais eficiente para a determinação e análise da ductilidade em elementos estruturais. O programa experimental consistiu no ensaio de sete vigas bi-apoiadas, sendo uma viga de referência e as demais reforçadas à flexão com tecido de fibras de carbono. Todas as vigas possuem as mesmas características mecânicas e geométricas e foram dimensionadas de modo a garantir a ruptura por flexão. A viga de referência, a primeira ensaiada, não foi reforçada e serviu para comparações de incremento de rigidez e resistência após a aplicação do reforço. As vigas reforçadas foram divididas em dois grupos. O grupo A é constituído de duas vigas, reforçadas inicialmente com uma e duas camadas de tecido de fibra de carbono. O grupo B é constituído por quatro vigas que foram reforçadas após um carregamento inicial. Neste grupo, duas vigas foram reforçadas com uma camada de tecido de fibra de carbono e as outras duas foram reforçadas com duas camadas de tecido de fibras de carbono, correspondendo à mesma área total de reforço das anteriores. Todas as vigas foram concretadas, instrumentadas e ensaiadas no Laboratório de Estruturas e Materiais da PUC-Rio. Os ensaios das vigas do grupo B foram realizados com as vigas pré-ensaiadas, reforçadas sob deformação constante e em seguida levadas à ruptura. A deformação foi mantida constante durante a aplicação e o período de cura do reforço. Os resultados obtidos em termos de carga, flecha, momento, curvatura, ductilidade energética e rotação plástica foram analisados. Os estudos realizados mostraram que o reforço com compósitos de fibras de carbono é uma técnica eficaz, que as vigas apresentam ductilidade adequada e que os índices energéticos propostos são adequados para este tipo de estudo. / [en] The objective of this experimental work is to study the ductility of reinforced concrete beams strengthened in flexure using externally bonded carbon fiber fabric composites. This study presents the classic concepts of ductility and proposes a new systematic to obtain the ductility index, which is based on the considerations of elastic and inelastic energy. The ductility was determined by an energetic index, which has seen to be a more efficient method to establish and analyze the ductility of structural elements. The experimental program consisted of seven beams tests. One was used as a control beam without external reinforcement and the others were strengthened with carbon fibers in order to resist flexural load. All the beams had the same mechanical and geometrical characteristics and were designed to fail in flexure. The control beam was not strengthened and its purpose was to compare the stiffness increase and resistance after the strength. The strengthened beams were divided in two groups. Group A was constituted by two beams, initially strengthened by one and two layers of carbon fiber fabric. Group B was formed by four beams which were strengthened after the application of an initial load. In this group, two beams were strengthened by one layer of carbon fiber fabric and the other two were strengthened by two layers, which corresponded to the same area of the others. All the beams were cast, instrumented and tested in the Structural and Materials Laboratory at PUC-Rio. Group B tests were performed with the pretested beams strengthened under constant strain, and then loaded up to rupture. The strain was kept constant during the application and cure of the external reinforcement. The results obtained in terms of load, deflection, resistant moment, curvature, energetic ductility indexes and plastic rotation were analyzed. The study showed that the reinforcement using carbon fiber fabric composites is an efficient technique, the beams presented adequate ductility and the proposed energetic ductility indexes are consistent formulae for this kind of study.

The steel quality is deteriorated at a continuous casting start. Therefore, material from the first cast slab is cut off and re-melted in the melt shop. If too little is discarded, the inferior quality in the retained length can cause defects like edge cracks during subsequent hot rolling. This means that manufacturing resources are wasted on processing inferior material which has to be re-melted anyways at a later stage. On the other hand, if an excessive length of the first slab is re-melted, good material is wasted. In either case, optimizing the length of the start-scrap material is both economically and environmentally beneficial. Edge cracks are more common in the beginning of the first slab, even though a part is cut off. It is likely that the edge cracks arise due to reduced hot ductility in the first cast material. The purpose of this project is to optimize where the cut should be made in order to achieve the best yield. The hot ductility was investigated by performing hot tensile- and bending tests. The hot tensile tests indicate high hot ductility for the investigated specimens. The area reduction, which is correlated to the hot ductility, is above 70 % for all the investigated specimens. When considering the average area reduction while neglecting possible differences between the heats, the specimens from one meter tend to have a lower hot ductility compared to the other specimens. However, the differences are small. No difference can be seen between edge and middle specimens when only looking at the tensile tests. The bending tests did not crack without notches, even though the maximum load and a test temperature of 750 °C was used. That strongly indicates high hot ductility as well. By using notches, the bending tests cracked and it was shown that edge specimens and specimens from one meter cracked the most. No edge cracks were found, after hot rolling, on the first cast slabs from the investigated heats. / Vid en stränggjutstart är kvalitén på första slaben sämre. På grund av detta så skärs en bit, av det först gjutna slabet av och smälts om i stålverket. Om för lite material kapas av kan det leda till defekter, såsom kantbrakor, under den efterföljande varmvalsningen. Detta innebär att resurser används i onödan för att tillverka material av otillräcklig kvalitet som sedan ändå måste smältas om i ett senare steg. Skärs istället för mycket material bort så smälts prima material om i onödan. Att optimera startskrotlängden är följaktligen positivt både för miljön och rent ekonomiskt. Under varmvalsningen kan defekten kantbrakor, det vill säga sprickor vid kanterna, uppstå. Trots att en bit av det första gjutna slabet skärs av, så är det första slabet fortfarande mest utsatt för kantbrakor. Detta tros bero på nedsatt varmduktilitet i det första gjutna materialet. Syftet med detta projekt är att optimera längden på startskrotet för att spara så mycket användbart material som möjligt. Varmduktiliteten undersöktes genom drag- och bockprovning. Dragproven indikerar hög varmduktilitet för de undersökta proven. Areakontraktionen, som är ett mått på varmduktiliteten, är över 70 % för alla undersökta prov. Medelareakontraktionen, när man bortser från eventuella skillnader mellan chargerna, visar att prov från en meter generellt har något lägre varmduktilitet än de övriga proven. Det är endast små skillnader som uppfattas. Ingen skillnad kan ses mellan kant- och mittenprov när man enbart tittar på dragprovsresultaten. Bockproven sprack inte trots att maximal last användes och att testtemperaturen var 750 °C. Detta tyder också på hög varmduktilitet. Genom att skapa anvisningar kunde man få bockproven att spricka och det visade sig att kantprov och prov från en meter sprack mest. Inga kantbrakor hade uppstått på de första gjutna slabsen under varmvalsningen av försökschargerna.

No description available.

The application of polymers in robust engineering designs is on the rise due to their excellent mechanical properties such as high fracture toughness, specific strength, durability, as well as, thermal and chemical resistances. Implementation of some advanced polymeric solids is limited due to the lack of available mechanical properties. In order for these materials to endure strenuous engineering designs it is vital to investigate their response in multiple loading rates and conditions. In this thesis, the mechanical response of polyethermide (PEI) is characterized under quasi-static, high strain rate, and multiple impact conditions. Standard tension, torsion, and compression experiments are performed in order to distinguish the multi-regime response of PEI. The effects of physical ageing and rejuvenation on the quasi-static mechanical response are investigated. The strain softening regime resulting from strain localization is eliminated by thermal and mechanical rejuvenation, and the advantages of these processes are discussed. The dynamic fracture toughness of the material in response to notched impact via Charpy impact test is evaluated. The high strain-rate response of PEI to uniaxial compression is evaluated at rates exceeding 104/s via miniaturized Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (MSHPB), and compared to the quasi-static case to determine strain-rate sensitivity. The elastic response of the aged material to multiple loading conditions are correlated using the Ramberg-Osgood equation, while the elastoplastic response of rejuvenated PEI is correlated using a both the Ramberg-Osgood equation and a novel model. The strain-rate sensitivity of the strength is found to be nominally bilinear and transition strains are modeled using the Ree-Erying formulation. Finally, multiple impact experiments are performed on PEI using the MSHPB and a model is proposed to quantify damage as a result of collision.

Heat treatment is a way to significantly change materials properties. When presented with materials that lack certain mechanical properties, it is possible to change its chemical properties and microstructures by applying heat. This can help achieve better yield strength, ductility and toughness. This project discusses the effects of multiple distinct heat treatment methods for several materials in order to improve ductility and elongation without diminishing strength. The materials in question are High Aluminum Steel and Strenx 700MC steel, the first being under development and the second being a commercially available steel. These steels show promise to be used as high ductility, high strength, and 3rd generation steels. The heat treatments can change the mechanical proprieties of the base materials in order to optimize these steels for applications in vertical access solutions. The heat treatments in this project were Quenching and Partitioning (QP), Quenching and Tempering (QT), Austempering (AUST), Intercritical Heat Treatment (IHT) and other usual heat treatments such as Double normalizing (D-Norm). First, the most beneficial type of the above mentioned heat treatments was selected for each steel and series of heat treatments were performed in order to identify and optimize the best method for each steel. Then, heat treated samples underwent a series of tests to numerically quantify their properties and compare them to the existing steels in Alimak’s applications. The results show that Quenching and Partitioning is the most promising heat treatment for optimizing strength and ductility in High Aluminum Steel, with elongation values up to 19% together with yield strengths of 700 MPa. For Strenx 700MC a combination of temperature and time was found that gave an elongation of above 25% with a yield strength of 450 MPa. The explanation for the good properties was partly grain refinement and phase transformations during heat treatments.

No description available.

Fatigue and ductility properties in various tool steels, produced by powder metallurgy, spray forming or conventionally ingot casting, have been analysed experimentally and successfully compared to developed models. The models are able to predict the fatigue limit and cause for fatigue fracture, and strain- and stress-development until fracture during the ductile fracture process respectively. Total fracture in a tool steel component, both in fatigue and ductility testing, is caused by a propagating crack initiated by particles, i.e. carbides or non-metallic inclusions. The models are based on experimentally observed size distributions. The axial fatigue strength at two million cycles was determined for various tool steels. The fracture surface of each test bar broken was examined in SEM to determine the cause for fatigue failure, i.e. a single carbide or inclusion particle or a cluster of carbides, and the size of the particle. The particles act as stress concentrators where a crack is easily initiated when the material is subjected to alternating stresses. The developed models calculate the probability that at least one particle will be present in the material which is larger than the threshold level for crack initiation at a certain stress range. The ductility testing was performed on various tool steels by four-point bending under static load. The load and displacement until total fracture were recorded and the maximum strain and stress acting in the material were calculated. The fracture surface of each broken test bar was examined in SEM, though the crack initiating area appears different compared to a fatigue failure. Ductile fracture is caused by a crack emanating from voids nucleated around many particles in a joint process and then linked together. By finite element modelling of void initiation and propagation in 2D of an experimentally observed carbide microstructure for each tool steel, successful comparisons with experiments were performed. Carbides were modelled as cracked when larger than a certain size, based on fracture surface observations, and the matrix cracked above a pre-defined plastic deformation level. The stresses and strains at total failure were in good agreement between model and experiments when evaluated. The use of these developed models could be a powerful tool for optimisation of fatigue and ductility properties for tool steels. With good fatigue and ductility properties normal failures appearing during operation of a tool steel product could be minimised. By theoretical tests in the developed models of various carbide microstructures the optimum mechanical properties could be achieved with a minimum of experiments performed. / QC 20101119

<p>This thesis reports on shake table tests on fully-grouted reinforced masonry (RM) shear walls. The test walls covers a range of design parameters to facilitate benchmarking, a thorough performance investigation, and calibration of numerical models as well as development of fragility curves within the context of Performance Based Seismic Design (PBSD). The details of the experimental program undertaken, including general observations in terms of cracking patterns and failure modes of the tested walls and the results on the lateral strength, hysteretic response, dynamic properties, and the contribution of different displacement components to the response of the walls, are presented. More detailed analyses include seismic performance quantification of the walls in terms of inelastic behaviour characteristics, various energy components, and the effective dynamic properties of the tested walls. The analysis is concluded with development of simplified nonlinear response history analytical models and seismic fragility assessment tools for the tested walls. In general, the study results indicated that the displacement ductility capacity of the RM walls and their capability to dissipate energy through plastic hinging are higher than what is currently recognized by the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). The fragility assessment study further indicated that similar walls are expected to conform to the current drift limits of the NBCC even at high seismic regions in Canada. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the growing Seismic Performance Database (SPD) of RM Seismic Force Resisting System (SFRS), and to the understanding of the lightly reinforced masonry wall system behaviour.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)