La present tesi proposa una metodología per a la simulació probabilística de la fallada de la matriu en materials compòsits reforçats amb fibres de carboni, basant-se en l'anàlisi de la distribució aleatòria de les fibres. En els primers capítols es revisa l'estat de l'art sobre modelització matemàtica de materials aleatoris, càlcul de propietats efectives i criteris de fallada transversal en materials compòsits.El primer pas en la metodologia proposada és la definició de la determinació del tamany mínim d'un Element de Volum Representatiu Estadístic (SRVE) . Aquesta determinació es du a terme analitzant el volum de fibra, les propietats elàstiques efectives, la condició de Hill, els estadístics de les components de tensió i defromació, la funció de densitat de probabilitat i les funcions estadístiques de distància entre fibres de models d'elements de la microestructura, de diferent tamany. Un cop s'ha determinat aquest tamany mínim, es comparen un model periòdic i un model aleatori, per constatar la magnitud de les diferències que s'hi observen.Es defineix, també, una metodologia per a l'anàlisi estadístic de la distribució de la fibra en el compòsit, a partir d'imatges digitals de la secció transversal. Aquest anàlisi s'aplica a quatre materials diferents.Finalment, es proposa un mètode computacional de dues escales per a simular la fallada transversal de làmines unidireccionals, que permet obtenir funcions de densitat de probabilitat per a les variables mecàniques. Es descriuen algunes aplicacions i possibilitats d'aquest mètode i es comparen els resultats obtinguts de la simulació amb valors experimentals. / This thesis proposes a methodology for the probabilistic simulation of the transverse failure of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) by analyzing the random distribution of the fibres within the composite. First chapters are devoted to the State-of-the-art review on the modelization of random materials, the computation of effective properties and the transverse failure of fibre reinforced polymers.The first step in the proposed methodology is the definition of a Statistical Representative Volume Element (SRVE). This SRVE has to satisfy criteria based on the analysis of the volume fraction, the effective properties, the Hill Condition, the statistics of the stress and strain components, the probability density function of the stress and strain components and the inter-fibre distance statistical distributions. Once this SRVE has been achieved, a comparison between a periodic model and a random model is performed to quantitatively analyze the differences between the results they provide.Also a methodology for the statistical analysis of the distribution of the fibre within the composite from digital images of the transverse section. This analysis is performed for four different materials.Finally, a two-scale computational method for the transverse failure of unidirectional laminae is proposed. This method is able to provide probability density functions of the mechanical variables in the composite. Some applications and possibilities of the method are given and the simulation results are compared with experimental tests.

Land use changes have become a major contributor to the anthropogenic global change. The ongoing dispersion and concentration of the human species, being at their orders unprecedented, have indisputably altered Earth’s surface and atmosphere. The effects are so salient and irreversible that a new geological epoch, following the interglacial Holocene, has been announced: the Anthropocene. While its onset is by some scholars dated back to the Neolithic revolution, it is commonly referred to the late 18th century. The rapid development since the industrial revolution and its implications gave rise to an increasing awareness of the extensive anthropogenic land change and led to an urgent need for sustainable strategies for land use and land management. By preserving of landscape and settlement patterns at discrete points in time, archival geospatial data sources such as remote sensing imagery and historical geotopographic maps, in particular, could give evidence of the dynamic land use change during this crucial period. In this context, this thesis set out to explore the potentials of retrospective geoinformation for monitoring, communicating, modeling and eventually understanding the complex and gradually evolving processes of land cover and land use change. Currently, large amounts of geospatial data sources such as archival maps are being worldwide made online accessible by libraries and national mapping agencies. Despite their abundance and relevance, the usage of historical land use and land cover information in research is still often hindered by the laborious visual interpretation, limiting the temporal and spatial coverage of studies. Thus, the core of the thesis is dedicated to the computational acquisition of geoinformation from archival map sources by means of digital image analysis. Based on a comprehensive review of literature as well as the data and proposed algorithms, two major challenges for long-term retrospective information acquisition and change detection were identified: first, the diversity of geographical entity representations over space and time, and second, the uncertainty inherent to both the data source itself and its utilization for land change detection. To address the former challenge, image segmentation is considered a global non-linear optimization problem. The segmentation methods and parameters are adjusted using a metaheuristic, evolutionary approach. For preserving adaptability in high level image analysis, a hybrid model- and data-driven strategy, combining a knowledge-based and a neural net classifier, is recommended. To address the second challenge, a probabilistic object- and field-based change detection approach for modeling the positional, thematic, and temporal uncertainty adherent to both data and processing, is developed. Experimental results indicate the suitability of the methodology in support of land change monitoring. In conclusion, potentials of application and directions for further research are given.

Land use changes have become a major contributor to the anthropogenic global change. The ongoing dispersion and concentration of the human species, being at their orders unprecedented, have indisputably altered Earth’s surface and atmosphere. The effects are so salient and irreversible that a new geological epoch, following the interglacial Holocene, has been announced: the Anthropocene. While its onset is by some scholars dated back to the Neolithic revolution, it is commonly referred to the late 18th century. The rapid development since the industrial revolution and its implications gave rise to an increasing awareness of the extensive anthropogenic land change and led to an urgent need for sustainable strategies for land use and land management. By preserving of landscape and settlement patterns at discrete points in time, archival geospatial data sources such as remote sensing imagery and historical geotopographic maps, in particular, could give evidence of the dynamic land use change during this crucial period. In this context, this thesis set out to explore the potentials of retrospective geoinformation for monitoring, communicating, modeling and eventually understanding the complex and gradually evolving processes of land cover and land use change. Currently, large amounts of geospatial data sources such as archival maps are being worldwide made online accessible by libraries and national mapping agencies. Despite their abundance and relevance, the usage of historical land use and land cover information in research is still often hindered by the laborious visual interpretation, limiting the temporal and spatial coverage of studies. Thus, the core of the thesis is dedicated to the computational acquisition of geoinformation from archival map sources by means of digital image analysis. Based on a comprehensive review of literature as well as the data and proposed algorithms, two major challenges for long-term retrospective information acquisition and change detection were identified: first, the diversity of geographical entity representations over space and time, and second, the uncertainty inherent to both the data source itself and its utilization for land change detection. To address the former challenge, image segmentation is considered a global non-linear optimization problem. The segmentation methods and parameters are adjusted using a metaheuristic, evolutionary approach. For preserving adaptability in high level image analysis, a hybrid model- and data-driven strategy, combining a knowledge-based and a neural net classifier, is recommended. To address the second challenge, a probabilistic object- and field-based change detection approach for modeling the positional, thematic, and temporal uncertainty adherent to both data and processing, is developed. Experimental results indicate the suitability of the methodology in support of land change monitoring. In conclusion, potentials of application and directions for further research are given.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Understanding the mechanical properties of peripheral nerves is essential for chronically implanted device design. The work in this thesis aimed to understand the relationship between local deformation responses to global strain changes in peripheral nerves. A custom-built mechanical testing rig and sample holder enabled an improved cyclical uniaxial tensile testing environment on rabbit sciatic nerves (N=5). A speckle was placed on the surface of the nerve and recorded with a microscope camera to track local deformations. The development of a semi-automated digital image processing algorithm systematically measured local speckle dimension and nerve diameter changes. Combined with the measured force response, local and global strain values constructed a stress-strain relationship and corresponding elastic modulus. Preliminary exploration of models such as Fung and 2-Term Mooney-Rivlin confirmed the hyperelastic nature of the nerve. The results of strain analysis show that, on average, local strain levels were approximately five times smaller than globally measured strains; however, the relationship was dependent on global strain magnitude. Elastic modulus values corresponding to ~9% global strains were 2.070 ± 1.020 MPa globally and 10.15 ± 4 MPa locally. Elastic modulus values corresponding to ~6% global strains were 0.173 ± 0.091 MPa globally and 1.030 ± 0.532 MPa locally.

Sand and mud traversed by tidal inlets and channels, which split in subtle branches, salt marshes at the coast, the tide, harsh weather conditions and a high diversity of fauna and flora characterize the ecosystem Wadden Sea. No other landscape on the Earth changes in such a dynamic manner. Therefore, land cover classification and monitoring of vulnerable ecosystems is one of the most important approaches in remote sensing and has drawn much attention in recent years. The Wadden Sea in the southeastern part of the North Sea is one such vulnerable ecosystem, which is highly dynamic and diverse. The tidal flats of the Wadden Sea are the zone of interaction between marine and terrestrial environments and are at risk due to climate change, pollution and anthropogenic pressure. Due to that, the European Union has implemented various directives, which formulate objectives such as achieving or maintaining a good environmental status respectively a favourable conservation status within a given time. In this context, a permanent observation for the estimation of the ecological condition is needed. Moreover, changes can be tracked or even foreseen and an appropriate response is possible. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between short-term changes, which are related to the dynamic manner of the ecosystem, and long-term changes, which are the result of extraneous influences. The accessibility both from sea and land is very poor, which makes monitoring and mapping of tidal flat environments from in situ measurements very difficult and cost-intensive. For the monitoring of big areas, time-saving applications are needed. In this context, remote sensing offers great possibilities, due to its provision of a large spatial coverage and non-intrusive measurements of the Earth’s surface. Previous studies in remote sensing have focused on the use of electro-optical and radar sensors for remote sensing of tidal flats, whereas microwave systems using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can be a complementary tool for tidal flat observation, especially due to their high spatial resolution and all-weather imaging capability. Nevertheless, the repetitive tidal event and dynamic sedimentary processes make an integrated observation of tidal flats from multi-sourced datasets essential for mapping and monitoring. The main challenge for remote sensing of tidal flats is to isolate the sediment, vegetation or shellfish bed features in the spectral signature or backscatter intensity from interference by water, the atmosphere, fauna and flora. In addition, optically active materials, such as plankton, suspended matter and dissolved organics, affect the scattering and absorption of radiation. Tidal flats are spatially complex and temporally quite variable and thus mapping tidal land cover requires satellites or aircraft imagers with high spatial and temporal resolution and, in some cases, hyperspectral data. In this research, a hierarchical knowledge-based decision tree applied to multi-sensor remote sensing data is introduced and the results have been visually and numerically evaluated and subsequently analysed. The multi-sensor approach comprises electro-optical data from RapidEye, SAR data from TerraSAR-X and airborne LiDAR data in a decision tree. Moreover, spectrometric and ground truth data are implemented into the analysis. The aim is to develop an automatic or semi-automatic procedure for estimating the distribution of vegetation, shellfish beds and sediments south of the barrier island Norderney. The multi-sensor approach starts with a semi-automatic pre-processing procedure for the electro-optical data of RapidEye, LiDAR data, spectrometric data and ground truth data. The decision tree classification is based on a set of hierarchically structured algorithms that use object and texture features. In each decision, one satellite dataset is applied to estimate a specific class. This helps to overcome the drawbacks that arise from a combined usage of all remote sensing datasets for one class. This could be shown by the comparison of the decision tree results with a popular state-of-the-art supervised classification approach (random forest). Subsequent to the classification, a discrimination analysis of various sediment spectra, measured with a hyperspectral sensor, has been carried out. In this context, the spectral features of the tidal sediments were analysed and a feature selection method has been developed to estimate suitable wavelengths for discrimination with very high accuracy. The developed feature selection method ‘JMDFS’ (Jeffries-Matusita distance feature selection) is a filter-based supervised band elimination technique and is based on the local Euclidean distance and the Jeffries-Matusita distance. An iterative process is used to subsequently eliminate wavelengths and calculate a separability measure at the end of each iteration. If distinctive thresholds are achieved, the process stops and the remaining wavelengths are applied in the further analysis. The results have been compared with a standard feature selection method (ReliefF). The JMDFS method obtains similar results and runs 216 times faster. Both approaches are quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated using reference data and standard methodologies for comparison. The results show that the proposed approaches are able to estimate the land cover of the tidal flats and to discriminate the tidal sediments with moderate to very high accuracy. The accuracies of each land cover class vary according to the dataset used. Furthermore, it is shown that specific reflection features can be identified that help in discriminating tidal sediments and which should be used in further applications in tidal flats.

This dissertation addresses the possibility of using the 2+1 road arrangement in the Czech Republic. Given that there is no such 2+1 segment in the Czech Republic, it was necessary to find sections with similar characteristics, evaluate and measure the rate of accidents as well as sectional velocity. The accident rate was evaluated on 72 sections and based on this research the optimal length of 2+1 arrangement road sections was determined. Digital image analysis and license plate recognition was used to evaluate the sectional velocity. Eight selected sections was subjected to the additional sectional velocity measurement, which showed improvement in passenger vehicles travel time. Traffic model microsimulations were performed after the data analysis. 2+1 arrangement roads are suitable solution for increasing travel speeds on sections where building of four-lane road is not economically viable.

[pt] Nesta tese foi desenvolvida uma metodologia para caracterização tridimensional de espumas de poliuretano (PU) produzidas a partir de polióis de origem vegetal. Espumas obtidas a partir do caule e da folha da bananeira foram analisadas. Foi utilizada a microtomografia computarizada de raios x (μCT) associada a ensaios mecânicos in-situ e processamento e análise digital de imagens (PADI). Utilizou-se uma câmara de ensaios in-situ comercial e também foi desenvolvida uma câmara específica para esta tese. As imagens tridimensionais obtidas foram avaliadas por técnicas tradicionais de ADI e pela técnica de Correlação Volumétrica de Imagens (DVC). A sequência padrão envolveu a redução de ruídos e o método de watersheds para segmentar as células individuais que formam a estrutura das espumas. Assim, foi possível quantificar diferentes parâmetros de tamanho (volume, diâmetro médio) e forma (razão de aspectos, esfericidade) de cada célula em 3D e comparar estatisticamente as amostras. A técnica de DVC permitiu correlacionar sub volumes das espumas em diferentes estágios do processo de compressão, revelando alguns aspectos do mecanismo microscópico de concentração de tensões. Um ensaio de compressão tradicional permitiu escolher as duas amostras com maiores limites de resistência (CB8 e FB6). Estas amostras foram submetidas ao ensaio de compressão in-situ e analisadas para diferentes valores de deformação. A amostra FB6 apresentou cerca de 5 vezes mais células do que a amostra CB8, com diâmetro médio cerca de 2X menor. Considerando os primeiros estágios de deformação (0, 0,5 e 1 mm), que foram idênticos para as duas amostras, o número de células aumentou 5,9 porcento para CB8 e 1,7 porcento para FB6, enquanto o volume médio diminuiu 2,6 porcento e 1,9 porcento, respectivamente. As medidas de forma apontaram para células não equiaxiais (razão de aspectos e esfericidade próximos a 0,4), sem mudanças expressivas ao longo dos ensaios. / [en] In this thesis, a methodology was developed for the three-dimensional characterization of polyurethane (PU) foams produced from polyols of vegetable origin. Foams obtained from the banana stem and leaf were analyzed. X ray microtomography (μCT) associated with in-situ mechanical tests and digital image processing and analysis (PADI) was used. A commercial in situ test chamber was used and a specific chamber was also developed for this thesis. The three-dimensional images obtained were evaluated by traditional ADI techniques and by the Volumetric Image Correlation (CVD) technique. The standard sequence involved noise reduction and the watersheds method to segment the individual cells that make up the foam structure. Thus, it was possible to quantify different parameters of size (volume, average diameter) and shape (aspect ratio, sphericity) of each cell in 3D and to statistically compare the samples. The CVD technique made it possible to correlate subvolumes of the foams at different stages of the compression process, revealing some aspects of the microscopic stress concentration mechanism. A traditional compression test made it possible to choose the two samples with the highest strength limits (CB8 and FB6). These samples were submitted to the compression test in situ and analyzed for different strain values. The FB6 sample had about 5 times more cells than the CB8 sample, with an average diameter about 2X smaller. Considering the first deformation stages (0, 0,5 and 1 mm), which were identical for both samples, the number of cells increased 5,9 percent for CB8 and 1,7 percent for FB6, while the average volume decreased 2,6 percent and 1,9 percent, respectively. The shape measurements pointed to non-equiaxial cells (aspect ratio and sphericity close to 0,4), with no significant changes during the tests.

Compression fracture specimens are ideally suited for miniaturization down to tens of microns. Fracture testing of thermal barrier coatings, ceramics and glasses are also best accomplished under compression or indentation. Compression fracture specimen of finite size with constant form factor was not available in the literature. The finite-sized specimen of edge cracked semicircular disk (ECSD) is designed which has the property of constant form factor. The novel ECSD specimen is explored further using weight function concept. This thesis, therefore, is mainly concerned with the design, development and geometric optimization of compression fracture specimen vis a vis their characterization of form factors, weight functions and isotropic points in the uncracked geometry. Inspired by the Brazilian disk geometry, a novel compression fracture specimen is designed in the form of a semicircular disk with an edge crack which opens up due to the bending moment caused by the compressive load applied along its straight edge. This new design evolved from a set of photoelastic experiments conducted on the Brazilian disk and its two extreme cases. Surprisingly, normalized mode-I stress intensity factor of the semicircular specimen loaded under a particular Hertzian way, is found constant for a wide range of relative crack lengths. This property of constant form factor leads to the development of weight function for ECSD for deeper analysis of the specimen. The weight function of a cracked geometry does not depend on loading configuration and it relates stress intensity factor to the stress distribution in the corresponding uncracked geometry through a weighted integral. The weight function for the disk specimen is synthesized in two different ways: using the conventional approach which requires crack opening displacement and the dual form factor method which is newly developed. Since stress distribution in the uncracked specimen is required in order to use weight function concept, analytical solution is attempted using linear elasticity theory. Since closed form solution for stresses in the uncracked semicircular disk is seldom possible with the available techniques, a new semi-analytical method called partial boundary collocation (PBC), is developed which may be used for solving any 2-D elasticity problem involving a semi-geometry. In the new method, part of the boundary conditions are identically satisfied and remaining conditions are satisfied at discrete boundary points. The classical stress concentration factor for a semi-in finite plate with a semicircular edge notch re-derived using PBC is found to be accurate to the eighth decimal. To enhance the form factor in order to test high-toughness materials, edge cracked semicircular ring (ECSR) specimen is designed in which bending moment at the crack-tip is increased significantly due to the ring geometry. ECSR is analyzed using nite element method and the corresponding uncracked problem is analyzed by PBC. Constant form factor is found possible for the ring specimen with tiny notch. In order to avoid varying semi-Hertzian angle during practice and thereby ensure consistent loading conditions, the designs are further modified by chopping at the loading zones and analyzed. Photoelastic isotropic points (IPs) which are a special case of zeroth order fringe (ZOF) are often found in uncracked and cracked specimens. An analytical technique based on Flamant solution is developed for solving any problem involving circular domain loaded at its boundary. Formation of IPs in a circular disk is studied. The coefficients of static friction between the surfaces of disk and loading fixtures, in photoelastic experiments of three-point and four-point loadings, are explored analytically to confirm with experimental results. The disk under multiple radial loads uniformly spaced on its periphery is found to give rise to one isolated IP at the center. Splitting of this IP into a number of IPs can be observed when the symmetry of normal loading is perturbed. Tangential loading is introduced along with normal loading to capture the effect of the composition on formation of IPs. Bernoulli's lemniscate is found to fit fringe order topology local to multiple IPs. Isotropic points along with other low fringe order zones including ZOF are ideal locations for material removal for weight reduction. Making a small hole in the prospective crack path at the IP location in the uncracked geometry might provide dual benefits: 1. Form factor enhancement; 2. Crack arrestor. Thus, this thesis describes experimental, theoretical and computational investigations for the design, development and calibration of novel compact compression fracture specimens.