Immediate occupancy and functionality of critical facilities including hospitals, emergency operations centers, communications centers, and police and fire stations is of utmost importance immediately after a damaging earthquake, as they must continue to provide fundamental health, emergency, and security services in the aftermath of an extreme event. Although recent earthquakes have proven the acceptable performance of the structural system in such buildings, when designed according to recent seismic design codes, in many cases damage to the nonstructural components and systems was the main cause of disruption in their functionality. Seismic isolation is proven to be an effective technique to protect building structures from damaging earthquakes. It has been the method of choice for critical facilities, including hospitals in Japan and the United States in recent years. Seismic isolation appears to be an ideal solution for protecting the nonstructural components as well. While this claim was made three decades ago, the supporting research for freestanding (unanchored) equipment and contents (EC) is fairly new. With the focus on freestanding EC, this study investigates the seismic performance of sliding and wheel/caster-supported EC in fixed-base and base-isolated buildings. The study adopts a comparative approach to provide a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of using each structural system. The seismic response of sliding EC is investigated analytically in the first part of the thesis, while the response of EC supported on wheels/casters is examined through shake table experiments on two pieces of hospital equipment. The study finds base isolation to be generally effective in reducing seismic demands on freestanding EC, but it also exposes certain situations where isolation in fact increases demands on EC. Increasing the frictional resistance for sliding EC or locking the wheel/casters in the case of wheel/caster-supported EC is highly recommended for EC in base-isolated buildings to prevent excessive displacement demands. Furthermore, the study suggests several design probability functions that can be used by practicing engineers to estimate the peak seismic demands on sliding and wheel/caster-supported EC in fixed-base and base-isolated buildings. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

No description available.

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) stacks require elastomeric gaskets for each cell to keep the reactant gases within their respective regions[1]. If any gasket degrades or fails, the reactant gases can leak or mix with each other directly during operation or standby, affecting the overall operation and performance of the FC. The elastomeric gaskets used as FC seals are exposed to a range of environmental conditions, and concurrently, subjected to mechanical compression between the bipolar plates forming the cell. The combination of mechanical stress and environmental exposure may result in degradation of the seal material[2] over a period of time. In order to address the durability and make reliability predictions, the long-term stability of the gaskets in FC assemblies is critical. The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of elastomeric seals in a simulated FC environment in the presence of mechanical stresses. The overall scope of the study includes mechanical and viscoelastic properties characterization, and lifetime durability predictions based on an accelerated characterization approach. With the help of finite element analysis software, ABAQUS, a fixture was designed to perform strain-based accelerated characterization of seal material in air, deionized (DI) water, 50v/50v ethylene glycol/water solution, and 0.1M sulfuric acid solution. Dogbone samples were strained to different levels in the custom fixture and submerged in liquid solutions at 90°C and in air at 90°C and 120°C. It was observed that mechanical properties such as tensile strength, strain to break, 100% modulus, crosslink density, and tensile set degrade due to aging and the extent of change (increase or decrease) depends significantly on the strain level on the specimen. Trouser tear tests were conducted on reinforced specimens in air and deionized water (DI) to evaluate the tear resistance of an elastomeric seal material intended for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Plots relating the crack growth rate with tearing energy were obtained at various temperatures and provided significant insight into the rate and temperature dependence of the tearing strength of the seal material. Stick-slip crack propagation was observed at all temperatures and loading rates, although the behavior was suppressed significantly at low loading rates and high temperatures. Crack growth rate versus tearing energy data at different temperatures was shifted to construct a master curve and an estimate on the threshold value of tear energy was obtained which may be helpful in designing components where material tear is of concern. Strain energy release rate (SERR) value, calculated using the J-integral approach for a pre-existing crack in ABAQUS, was used to estimate the crack growth rate in a given seal cross-section to predict lifetime. In order to assess the viscoelastic behavior and to investigate the long term stress relaxation behavior of the seal material, compression stress relaxation (CSR) tests were performed on molded seals, called as SMORS, over a range of environmental conditions using a custom-designed fixture. The effect of temperature and environment was evident on material property changes and presented in terms of momentary properties and stress relaxation behavior. Various mechanisms involved in material degradation, chain scission and crosslinking, were suggested and insights were gained into how cure state and level of antidegradants in a material dictate the material behavior during the first phase of environmental exposure leading to change in material properties. Ring samples made of silicone were also tested using the fixture to obtain insight additional into material degradation due to aging. Results presented from testing on SMORS showed a lot more variation in data as compared to neat silicone rings due to the complexity involved in making SMORS. For understanding the deformation behavior of an elastomeric seal and its sealing performance, finite element characterization of seal cross-section was carried out on O-ring and SMORS cross-section. The effect of a seal's layout on distribution and magnitude of contact stresses and contact width was investigated for the O-ring and the information obtained thereby helped to analyze a complex assembly such as SMORS, where several interfaces and boundary conditions are involved. Stress/strain profiles were generated to visualize their concentration and distribution in the seal cross-section. Frictionless and rough interfacial conditions between seal material and platens were assumed and it was found that its effect on contact width and peak contact pressure was insignificant. Results obtained from FEA on SMORS were validated through comparison with contact mechanics approach and experimental data and it was found that Lindley's equation correlates well with experimental data whereas ABAQUS overestimates the load values at a given compression. Lindley's approach may be used to develop contact pressure profiles that may help estimate peak contact pressure at a given time so leaking can be avoided. / Ph. D.

Desde su descubrimiento en 1991, los nanotubos de carbono han despertado un gran interés por parte de la comunidad cientí¿ca e investigadora en todo el mundo. Esto es debido en gran medida a las excepcionales propiedades mecánicas, térmicas y eléctricas que presentan. Sus extraordinarias características les con¿eren prometedoras aplicaciones en el campo de la biomecánica, la industria aeronáutica y la ingeniería. En cualquier caso, la utilización extensiva de estos nuevos materiales en un futuro próximo pasa necesariamente por la mejora de los actuales procesos de fabricación, hasta la obtención de nanotubos de una forma económicamente rentable. Una parte importante de la investigación relacionada con estas singulares moléculas se ha destinado a la predicción de su respuesta tenso-deformacional frente a acciones o estímulos externos. En algunos casos se han aplicado modelos ya existentes al comportamiento resistente de los nanotubos, mientras que en otros se han de¿nido nuevos modelos con características propias. Como punto medio entre los costosos modelos de dinámica molecular y los modelos clásicos derivados de la mecánica del continuo, aparecen los modelos de mecánica estructural molecular (entre ellos, el stick-spiral), que permiten describir la estructura atómica del nanotubo a un coste computacional razonable. Esta tesis doctoral tiene por objeto la formulación general del modelo stick-spiral y su aplicación a los nanotubos de carbono monocapa. Se ha explorado dicha formulación y sus resultados tanto en el marco del análisis geométricamente lineal como en el no lineal, además de contrastar las posibles diferencias en la respuesta estructural de los nanotubos debido a la consideración de dos potenciales interatómicos (AMBER y Morse). En la primera parte del trabajo se ha estudiado la indeterminación estática y cinemática del modelo mediante una adaptación de la descomposición en valores singulares de Pellegrino y Calladine para estructuras articuladas, con el objetivo de averiguar la existencia de soluciones estáticamente admisibles. Este estudio permite establecer las ecuaciones cinemáticas y estáticas de cada elemento constituyente del modelo en el rango de la linealidad, así como plantear las características del ensamblaje de las matrices cinemáticas y de equilibrio en el modelo estructural completo. Este primer análisis ha puesto de mani¿esto la veri¿cación de la relación de contragradiencia para nuestro modelo y permite establecer la determinación cinemática del sistema en función de las condiciones de contorno presentes, así como la alta indeterminación estática interna que asegura la existencia de soluciones dada una determinada con¿guración de las cargas externas. En una segunda etapa se aborda el análisis geométricamente lineal del modelo mediante una formulación en rigidez completamente general e independiente de la situación de carga mediante la aplicación sistemática de la ecuación de trabajos virtuales a los elementos estructurales, así como al sistema completo. Se proporcionan expresiones cerradas para las matrices de rigidez de cada elemento y se demuestra la veri¿cación del ensamblaje booleano en el modelo. Adicionalmente, se presta especial atención a la curvatura inicial del nanotubo, incluyendo un sistema de esfuerzos iniciales (preeenergía o pretensado) que tiende a estabilizar la sección transversal y acortar el nanotubo. Como parámetros de contraste, se estiman las características mecánicas del nanotubo como conjunto bajo los esquemas de carga habituales en piezas alargadas (tracción, compresión, ¿exión y torsión), lo cual ha permitido validar la formulación comparando resultados con otros autores, como Natsuki y iEndo; todo ello considerando dos potenciales interatómicos distintos, para averiguar la in¿uencia de la no linealidad mecánica en la respuesta ¿nal. No obstante, se critica la validez de tales características mecánicas debido a su dependencia de ciertos parámetros geométricos como el espesor de pared equivalente, de determinación controvertida. Adicionalmente, se describen las ventajas del modelo de la tesis en relación a la dudosa aplicabilidad de los modelos continuos clásicos y respecto a los computacionalmente costosos métodos de dinámica molecular. Posteriormente, se lleva a cabo el análisis del comportamiento de nanotubos frente a la inestabilidad desde un punto de vista geométricamente no lineal. El desarrollo de expresiones simbólicas para la matriz de rigidez tangente y la demostración del ensamblaje booleano en el caso no lineal ponen de mani¿esto la potencia de la formulación en la obtención de deformaciones críticas con un esfuerzo computacional razonable. Desde el punto de vista numérico, se han implementado algoritmos incrementales-iterativos para cada uno de los potenciales interatómicos considerados, de forma que permitieron veri¿car que la no linealidad geométrica se desencadena previamente a la constitutiva, de acuerdo con Falvo et al. e Iijima et al. Como resultados se proporcionan las trayectorias de equilibrio no lineales, las deformaciones críticas bajo los esquemas de carga habituales en piezas alargadas y las geometrías deformadas al ¿nal del proceso de carga. Finalmente, se estudia la adecuación de la geometría inicial a la proporcionada por el mapeo conforme sobre una super¿cie cilíndrica ideal. En concreto, se determinó el diámetro inicial del cilindro mediante la minimización de la energía total del sistema para las tres quiralidades, supuestos nulos los alargamientos de enlace respecto a la longitud de referencia sobre la lámina plana de grafeno. Los diámetros y esfuerzos obtenidos se contrastaron con los resultados del análisis lineal para el modelo de la tesis, hallando una íntima coincidencia entre los valores de salida de ambos procedimientos. La consideración de esta nueva geometría inicial representa una vía alternativa en la introducción de la curvatura del nanotubo en su comportamiento mecánico. / Merli Gisbert, R. (2013). Formulación de un modelo de Mecánica Molecular aplicado al comportamiento estructural de nanotubos de carbono [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/30245

Mechanical vibrations are inevitable in drilling operations. Torsional stick-slip vibrations are vibrations that occur in drilling columns, which are produced by periodic variations of torque and characterized by large fluctuations in the speed of the drill bit. These vibrations are dangerous, primarily by the cyclical characteristic of the phenomenon that by the amplitude of the same, which can cause fatigue of the pipe, failures in the components of the drill string, deformations in the walls of the well, excessive wear of the drill, low rate of penetration, and collapse of the drilling process. The frequency of these unwanted oscillations can be reduced by the application of automatic control techniques. The objective of this study is to evaluate through numerical simulations, the application of conventional control techniques, such as proportional-integral control (PI), and nonlinear, as the sliding mode control (SMC) and the input-output linearization control (IOLC), to eliminate the presence of stick-slip oscillation in drilling columns. The controllers are designed primarily to maintain a constant speed of rotation system, by manipulating engine torque, thereby inferentially control the speed of the drill, thus providing optimum operation conditions, beyond preserving system stability. Results of simulations using drill string torsional models of two degrees of freedom (2-DOF) and four degrees of freedom (4-DOF) show the performance of the proposed control systems, which are analyzed and qualitatively compared. / Vibrações mecânicas são inevitáveis nas operações de perfuração. Vibrações torcionais stick-slip são vibrações que ocorrem em colunas de perfuração, as quais são produzidas pelas variações periódicas de torque e caracterizadas por grandes oscilações da velocidade da broca. Estas vibrações são prejudiciais, mais pela característica cíclica do fenômeno que pela amplitude da mesma, podendo originar fadiga da tubulação, falhas nos componentes da coluna de perfuração, deformações nas paredes do poço, desgaste excessivo da broca, baixa taxa de penetração e, inclusive, colapso do processo de perfuração. A frequência destas oscilações indesejadas pode ser reduzida pela aplicação de técnicas de controle automático. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar, mediante simulações numéricas, a aplicação de técnicas de controle convencional, como o controle proporcional-integral (PI), e não linear, como o controle por modos deslizantes (SMC) e o controle por linearização entrada-saída (IOLC) para eliminar a presença de oscilações stick-slip em colunas de perfuração. Os controladores são desenvolvidos principalmente para manter constante a velocidade do sistema de rotação, mediante a manipulação do torque do motor, para assim controlar inferencialmente a velocidade da broca, fornecendo desta maneira condições ótimas de operação, além de preservar a estabilidade do sistema. Resultados das simulações, usando modelos torcionais de uma coluna de perfuração de dois graus de liberdade (2-DOF) e de quatro graus de liberdade (4-DOF), mostram o desempenho dos sistemas de controle propostos, os quais são analisados e comparados qualitativamente.

[pt] Um dos objetivos desta tese é analisar o custo computacional do método de Monte Carlo aplicado a um problema modelo de dinâmica, considerando incertezas na força de atrito. O sistema mecânico a ser estudado é composto por um oscilador de um grau de liberdade que se desloca sobre uma esteira em movimento. Considera-se a existência de atrito seco entre a massa do oscilador e a esteira. Devido a uma descontinuidade na força de atrito, a dinâmica resultante pode ser dividida em duas fases que se alternam, chamadas de stick e slip. Neste estudo, um parâmetro da força de atrito dinâmica é modelado como uma variável aleatória. A propagação de incerteza é estudada por meio da aplicação do método de Monte Carlo, considerando três abordagens diferentes para calcular aproximações da resposta dos problemas de valor inicial que modelam a dinâmica do problema: NV) aproximações numéricas calculadas usando método de Runge-Kutta de quarta e quinta ordens com passo de integração variável; NF) aproximações numéricas calculadas usando método de Runge-Kutta de quarta ordem com passo de integração fixo; AN) aproximação analítica obtida com o método de múltiplas escalas. Nas abordagens NV e NF, para cada valor de parâmetro, uma aproximação numérica foi calculada. Já para a AN, apenas uma aproximação analítica foi calculada e avaliada para os diferentes valores usados. Entre as variáveis aleatórias de interesse associadas ao custo computacional do método de Monte Carlo, encontram-se o tempo de execução e o espaço em disco consumido. Devido à propagação de incertezas, a resposta do sistema é um processo estocástico com uma sequência aleatória de fases de stick e slip. Essa sequência pode ser caracterizada pelas seguintes variáveis aleatórias: instantes de transição entre as fases de stick e slip, suas durações e o número de fases. Para estudar as variáveis associadas ao custo computacional e ao processo estocástico foram construídos modelos estatísticos, histogramas normalizados e gráficos de dispersão. O objetivo é estudar a dependência entre as variáveis do processo estocástico e o custo computacional. Porém, a construção destas análises não é simples devido à dimensão do problema e à impossibilidade de visualização das distribuições conjuntas de vetores aleatórios de três ou mais dimensões. / [en] One of the objectives of this thesis is to analyze the computational cost of the Monte Carlo method applied to a toy problem concerning the dynamics of a mechanical system with uncertainties in the friction force. The system is composed by an oscillator placed over a moving belt. The existence of dry friction between the two elements in contact is considered. Due to a discontinuity in the frictional force, the resulting dynamics can be divided into two alternating phases, called stick and slip. In this study, a parameter of the dynamic friction force is modeled as a random variable. Uncertainty propagation is analyzed by applying the Monte Carlo method, considering three different strategies to compute approximations to the initial value problems that model the system s dynamics: NV) numerical approximations computed with the Runge-Kutta method of 4th and 5th orders, with variable integration time-step; NF) numerical approximations computed with the Runge-Kutta method of 4th order, with a fixed integration time-step; AN) analytical approximation obtained with the multiple scale method. In the NV and NF strategies, for each parameter value, a numerical approximation was calculated, whereas for the AN strategy, only one analytical approximation was calculated and evaluated for the different values of parameters considered. The run-time and the storage are among the random variables of interest associated with the computational cost of the Monte Carlo method. Due to uncertainty propagation, the system response is a stochastic process given by a random sequence of stick and slip phases. This sequence can be characterized by the following random variables: the transition instants between the stick and slip phases, their durations and the number of phases. To study the random processes and the variables related to the computational costs, statistical models, normalized histograms and scatterplots were built. Afterwards, a joint analysis was performed to study the dependece between the variables of the random process and the computational cost. However, the construction of these analyses is not a simple task due to the impossibility of viewing the distributionto of joint distributions of random vectors of three or more.

兩岸五十多年來的隔海對峙，歷經了中共「武力解放台灣」、「和平解放台灣」、「和平統一、一國兩制」三個對台政策演變時期，中共始終依循創黨三大法寶之一—統一戰線，作為對台政策的理論依據。本論文是以統一戰線為主軸，採取國際政治的和戰兩手策略觀點，來研究中共在對台統一戰線上的具體作為與策略目標。文章以歷史序列為系絡，說明中共對台的實際統戰作為，並根據目標管理概念將中共統戰策略目標分為三個層次，透過民調數據的分析，評估中共對台統戰的實行成效：反獨不彰、促統有成。本文認為，北京當局若能確實理解台灣人民對自由民主和平的重視，重新檢討「一國兩制」的對台統戰政策，從實際出發，求同存異，兩岸關係將可展現穩定發展的和平前景。 / For the last fifty years, the political situation of the both sides across the Taiwan Strait has witnessed the three stages of Beijing’s Taiwan policy. They are the Stage of “Armed Liberation of Taiwan”(1949－1954), the Stage of “Peaceful Liberation of Taiwan”(1955－1978), and the Stage of “Peaceful Unification and One Country, Two Systems.” However, there is a common thread that is the concept of “united front” running through these three different stages. The concept of “united front” is normally regarded as the theoretical basis of Beijing’s Taiwan policy. By taking the approach of the “carrot-and-stick” strategy in the international politics as an analytical tool, this study aims to describe how the Chinese Communist set the strategic objectives toward Taiwan and what actions were taken accordingly in terms of the concept of “united front.” This study made use of the historical review of literature to analyze how the concept of “united front” was realized by the Chinese Communist in the specific actions to Taiwan. The concept of management by objectives was applied to the analysis of the related literature and the results revealed that the Chinese Communist’s “united front” strategic objectives could be classified into three levels. Finally the outcomes of the several surveys done before were utilized to evaluate the effect of the “united front” strategy toward Taiwan. The results showed that the strategy did not succeed in preventing the Taiwan’s independent movement, but it seemed to work relatively well to promote the idea of unification. The study concluded by suggesting that the peaceful future across the Taiwan Strait would come in a stable way, should the regime in Beijing seriously consider the craving of people on Taiwan for freedom, democracy and peace, and revisit the policy of “one country, two systems” as its measure of “united front” strategy toward Taiwan. It was urged that the differences across the both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be recognized and commonality must be found, and the realistic actions should be made possible.

The thesis is focused on anatomy and implementation of dissections of 4 selected model invertebrates in school practice. The selected model species include swan mussel (Anodonta cygnea), stick insect (Medauroidea extradentata), cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) and sea urchin (Echinus esculentus). In case of the cockchafer, the text is based on this model species, but the supporting photographs of dissection are taken from the tropical cetoniid beetle Pachnoda, which has very similar internal anatomy with the cockchafer. For all selected animals, I describe external and internal morphology as well as recommended methods of obtaining the material, proper killing of specimens, and dissection techniques. The text is supplemented with original digital macrophotographs. The thesis includes also an overview of primary and secondary school textbooks with focus on anatomy of the selected animals. The text is supplemented by a glossary of morphological terminology used in this thesis. Attached is a photographic atlas of dissections, which is a combination of this master thesis and my bachelor thesis (defended in 2010), in which I dealt with five model invertebrates in the same way. This is Ascaris suum, Lumbricus terrestris, Helix pomatia, Procambarus aff. fallax and Archimandrita tesselata. The complete...

L'apparition récente de nouveaux matériaux dans les structures de chaussée associée à une diminution de l'épaisseur des couches de surface et une augmentation du chargement des poids lourds et de leur fréquence de passage a entrainé de nouvelles pathologies de dégradation. Outre les problèmes d'orniérage bien connus, apparaissent désormais des fissures descendantes (top down cracking) ainsi que des problèmes de décohésion aux interfaces. Ces nouvelles pathologies entrainent des dépenses considérables sur l'ensemble du réseau (environ 15 milliards d'euros par an), particulièrement en zones urbanisées plus sujettes aux dégradations de surface et ne permettent pas d'estimer convenablement les durées de vie de la chaussée, le plus souvent surestimée dans les méthodes de dimensionnement actuelles. Ce travail de doctorat propose une nouvelle approche du contact pneu-chaussée permettant de mieux appréhender les contraintes principales et résiduelles dans une structure de chaussée bitumineuse. A l'aide d'un outil numérique rapide de calcul basé sur une approche semi-analytique (« Semi-Analytical Methods » (SAM)), la géométrie précise du pneumatique est intégrée afin d'obtenir une répartition de pression de contact ainsi qu'un cisaillement surfacique réelle sur la chaussée. Dans un premier temps, un modèle de contact roulant tractif élastique est implémenté pour des cas théoriques simples et validé par des résultats analytiques et numériques de la littérature. Ensuite, ce modèle est étendu pour prendre en compte le comportement élasto-plastique des corps en contact. Ce dernier est comparé à un résultat numérique basé sur la méthode des éléments finis issu de la littérature. Les résultats, pour une application contact pneu-chaussée, montrent une répartition non homogène des contraintes dans la structure et principalement dans les premiers centimètres sous la surface avec des niveaux beaucoup plus importants que peuvent le prédire les modèles actuels qui utilisent une charge uniformément répartie. La pression de contact est comparée aux mesures effectuées par un système nommé TekScan et les champs mécaniques en sous couches sont comparés à ceux d'Alizé-LCPC dans le cas d'une structure simple. Les cisaillements surfaciques sont déterminés dans le cas du roulement tractif. Une application est effectuée sur la modélisation des dégradations des chaussées en surface. Dans un premier temps, des analyses sur le comportement de la chaussée en surface sont effectuées pour une couche de béton bitumineux semi grenu (BBSG) semi-infinie supposée élastique, homogène sous conditions d'accélération, de freinage et de virage. Pour des études sur le top down cracking, des déformations et directions principales sont déterminées et analysées. Ensuite, le modèle de contact élasto-plastique est appliqué sur une couche semi-infinie de grave bitume GB3. Des déformations et contraintes résiduelles générées dans la structure sont déterminées en vue d'une analyse sur les ornières d'instabilité. Une fois validés, ces résultats permettront d'estimer plus fidèlement la durée de vie résiduelle des chaussées mais également de comprendre et d'éviter les mécanismes de dégradation en surface ou proche de la surface. / The recent appearance of new materials in road structures associated with surface layers thickness decreasing and the increasing of trucks loading and their passage frequency has led to new pathologies of degradation. In addition to the well-known rutting problems, top down cracking is now appearing as well as problems of decohesion at the interfaces. These new pathologies led to considerable expenditure on the entire network (around 15 billion euros per year), particularly in urbanized areas that are more prone to surface damage and do not make it possible to adequately estimate the lifetimes of the roadway, most often overestimated in current design methods. This doctoral work proposes a new approach of the tire-road contact allowing for better apprehend of the main and residual stresses in a bituminous pavement structure. Using a fast numerical tool based on a semi-analytical approach ("Semi-Analytical Methods" (SAM)), the precise geometry of the tire is integrated in order to obtain a real contact pressure distribution as well as surface shear on the pavement surface. Initially, an elastic tractive rolling contact model is implemented for simple theoretical cases and validated by analytical and numerical results from the literature.Then, this model is extended to take into account the elastoplastic behavior of the bodies in contact. This is compared to a numerical result based on the nite element method from the literature. The application for tire-pavement contact results, show a non-uniform distribution of stresses in the structure and mainly in the rst centimeters below the surface with much higher levels than can be predicted by current models that use a uniformly distributed load. The contact pressure is compared to the measurements made by a system called TekScan and the mechanical elds in sublayers are compared to those of Alizé-LCPC in the case of a simple structure. The surface shears are determined in the case of tractive rolling. An application is carried out on the modeling of surface pavement damage. Firstly, analyzes of the behavior of the surface pavement are carried out for a semi-innite semi-grit asphalt concrete layer supposed to be elastic, homogeneous under conditions of acceleration, braking and turning. For studies on top down cracking, principals deformations and directions are determined and analyzed. Then, the elastoplastic contact model is applied on a semi-innite asphalt agragate layer. Deformations and residuals stresses generated in the structure are determined for an analysis on the instability ruts. Once validated, these results will make it possible to more accurately estimate the residual life of pavements but also to understand and avoid surface or near surfacedegradation mechanisms.

The object of this thesis is to apply scanning probemicroscopy (SPM) to the field of advanced powder processing.Measurement of interparticle surface forces at conditionsrelevant to ceramic processing has been performed together withthorough studies of powder friction. Surface force measurements between silicon nitride andsilica surfaces in 1-bromonaphtalene and diiodomethane resultedin an attractive van der Waals force in both media for thesymmetric systems and a repulsive van der Waals force for theasymmetric systems. This agreed well with theoreticalpredictions from Lifshitz theory. Measurements in electrolytesolutions between silicon nitride surfaces with a varyingdegree of oxidation showed that silanol groups dominated theinteractions at a high degree of oxidation, whereas theinfluence of amine species became stronger after surfaceetching. Surface charge, surface potential and density ofsurface groups have been extracted from DLVO computer modellingof the experimental force curves. Surface force measurementshave been carried out using a nitrided silica sphere as acolloidal probe, representative for commercial silicon nitridepowders. Adsorption of poly(acrylic acid) above the isoelectricpoint generated a thin polymer layer of an essentially flatconformation. Friction force measurements were attainable via novelcalibration procedures of both the lateral photodetectorresponse and the cantilever torsional spring constant.Combining the method for detector calibration with evaluationof static friction slopes simplified the choice of appropriatecontact mechanics theory to evaluate the friction measurements.Applying the method on friction measurements between ironsurfaces coated with commercial lubricants showed a substantialsurface deformation not seen from the friction force alone. Thenanorheological properties of silica surfaces coated with twodifferent stearic acids have been evaluated from friction forcemeasurements. Steady sliding motion was replaced by highlyregular stick-slip motion at a critical load and velocity. Thestick-slip motion was successfully described and fitted to aphenomenological model. The contact area evaluated fromMaugis-Dugdale theory revealed the contact diameter to be veryclose to the stick-slip periodicity. Friction measurements were carried out between individualspray-dried ceramic granules as a function of binderconcentration and relative humidity. The hygroscopic nature ofthe binder resulted in a higher adhesion force but lowerfriction coefficient with increasing humidity. This effect wasascribed to softening of the binder and a lowering of the shearstrength of the binder rich surface layer on the granules.Comparison of the friction force between two granules and agranule and a hard metal surface confirmed that resistance toflow during the initial stages of powder pressing is dominatedby granule-wall friction and adhesion. Keywords: Atomic force microscope, AFM, SPM, van der Waalsinteraction, DLVO-theory, surface forces, colloidal probe,force curve, friction, adhesion, stick-slip, cantilever,calibration, spring constant, silicon nitride, iron,silica.