The effect of stress on Lamb wave propagation is relevant to both nondestructive evaluation and structural health monitoring because of changes in received signals due to both the associated strain and the acoustoelastic effect. A homogeneous plate that is initially isotropic becomes anisotropic under biaxial stress, and dispersion of propagating waves becomes directionally dependent. The problem is similar to Lamb wave propagation in an anisotropic plate, except the fourth order tensor in the resulting wave equation does not have the same symmetry as that for the unstressed anisotropic plate, and the constitutive equation relating incremental stress to incremental strain is more complicated. Here we review the theory of acoustoelastic and develop theory for acoustoelastic Lamb wave propagation and show how dispersion curves shift anisotropically for an aluminum plate under biaxial tension. We also develop an approximate method using the effective elastic constants (EECs) and show that existing commercial tools to generate dispersion curves can be used under restricted conditions to describe wave propagation in biaxially stressed plates. Predictions of changes in phase velocity as a function of propagation direction using theory and the EEC method are compared to experimental results for a single wave mode.

For successful identification of structural defects in plates and pipes, it is essential to understand structural wave propagation characteristics such as dispersion relations. Analytical approaches to identify the dispersion relations of homogeneous, simple plates and circular pipes have been investigated by many researchers. However, for plates or pipes with irregular cross-sectional configurations or multi-layered composite structures, it is almost impossible to obtain the analytical dispersion relations and associated mode shapes. In addition, full numerical modeling approaches such as finite element (FE) methods are not economically feasible for high (e.g., ultrasonic) frequency analyses where an extremely large number of discretized meshes are required, resulting in significantly expensive computation. In order to address these limitations, Hybrid Analytical/Finite Element Methods (HAFEMs) are developed to model composite plates and pipes in a computationally-efficient manner. When a pipe system is used to transport a fluid, the dispersion curves obtained from a “hollow” pipe model can mislead non-destructive evaluation (NDE) results of the pipe system. In this study, the HAFEM procedure with solid elements is extended by developing fluid elements and solid-fluid boundary conditions, resulting in the dispersion curves of fluid-filled pipes. In addition, a HAFEM-based acoustic transfer function approach is suggested to consider a long pipe system assembled with multiple pipe sections with different cross-sections. For the validation of the proposed methods, experimental and full FE modeling results are compared to the results obtained from the HAFEM models. In order to detect structural defect locations in shell structures from defect-induced, subtle wave reflection signals and eliminate direct-excitation-induced and boundary-reflected, relatively-strong wave signals, a time-frequency MUSIC algorithm is applied to ultrasonic wave data measured by using an array of piezoelectric transducers. A normalized, structurally-damped, cylindrical 2-D steering vector is proposed to increase the spatial resolution of time-frequency MUSIC power results. A cross-shaped array is selected over a circular or linear array to further improve the spatial resolution and to avoid the mirrored virtual image effects of a linear array. Here, it is experimentally demonstrated that the proposed time-frequency MUSIC beamforming procedure can be used to identify structural defect locations on an aluminum plate by distinguishing the defect-induced waves from both the excitation-generated and boundary-reflected waves.

Neste trabalho, é apresentada uma formulação apropriada à análise de guias de ondas eletromagnéticos, cobrindo do espectro de microondas até o da óptica. Nas regiões a partir do ultravioleta, os comprimentos de onda são equivalentes às dimensões atômicas e a formulação necessita de uma abordagem quântica, que não é considerada neste estudo. A formulação é fundamentada nos métodos vetorial magnético e dos elementos finitos (MEF), em meios não homogêneos, anisotrópicos e não dissipativos, embora a dissipação possa ser facilmente introduzida na análise. Deu-se preferência à formulação com o campo magnético em vez do elétrico, pelo fato do campo magnético ignorar descontinuidades elétricas. Ele é contínuo em regiões de permeabilidade homogênea, propriedade dos meios dielétricos em geral ( = 0), independente da permissividade dos respectivos meios, conquanto os campos elétricos sejam descontínuos entre regiões de permissividades diferentes. / This work presents a suitable formulation to the analysis of electromagnetic waveguide, covering the spectrum of the microwave to optics. In regions from the ultraviolet, the wavelengths are equivalent to atomic dimensions and the design needs a quantum approach, which is not considered in this study. The formulation is based on the magnetic vector and the finite element methods (FEM), in non-homogeneous, anisotropic and non-dissipative dielectric materials, while the dissipation can be easily introduced in the analysis. Preference was given to the formulation with the magnetic field, because the magnetic field ignores electrical discontinuities. It is continuous in regions of homogeneous permeability, property of all dielectric materials (=0), independent of the permissiveness of respective regions, while electric fields are discontinuous between regions of different permittivities.

Cette thèse porte sur la propagation des ondes magnéto-électro-élastiques dans les structures inhomogènes, et tout particulièrement de l’effet d’un champ magnétique externe sur des structures multicouches et des cristaux phononiques combinant des matériaux à la fois piézoélectriques et magnéto-élastiques. Pour déterminer les caractéristiques des ondes se propageant dans ces structures magnéto-électro-élastiques, un modèle de matériau piézomagnétique équivalent à un matériau magnéto-élastique en couche mince, polarisé à saturation autour d’une position d’équilibre définie par l’orientation et l’amplitude d’un champ magnétique externe appliqué à celui-ci, est développé. Il est combiné à une méthode originale de calcul des courbes de dispersion dans les multicouches, basée sur une décomposition en polynômes de Legendre pour les couches d’épaisseur finie, et en polynômes de Laguerre pour le substrat semi-infini. Ce modèle est utilisé pour le cas d’un film mince de TbCo2/FeCo, présentant une anisotropie magnétique uni-axiale dans le plan et une magnétostriction géante, déposé sur un substrat de LiNbO3 sous forme de film ou en réseau de plots cylindriques. On montre que dans ce dernier cas, correspondant à un cristal phononique magnéto-élastiques à résonance locale, il est possible de contrôler sans aucun contact la structure de bande par l’application d’un champ magnétique externe. Ainsi, une sensibilité de 50 kHz par Oersted a été calculée pour une bande plate située dans le gap de Bragg d’un tel cristal phononique. Cette sensibilité est suffisante pour envisager une application du dispositif comme un détecteur très sensible de champs magnétiques localisés / This thesis focuses on the propagation of magneto-electro-elastic waves in inhomogeneous structures, and in particular the effect of an external magnetic field on multilayer structures and on phononic crystals that combine both piezoelectric and magneto-elastic materials. To determine the characteristics of waves propagating in magneto-electro-elastic structures, an effective piezomagnetic material model, equivalents to a thin layer of magneto-elastic material, is developed. The thin layer is polarized to saturation around the equilibrium position defined by the direction and amplitude of an external magnetic field. This model is combined with a method of dispersion curves calculation in multilayer structures, based on a decomposition in Legendre polynomials for layers of finite thickness and Laguerre polynomials for a semi-infinite substrate. The model is used for the case of a TbCo2/FeCo thin film, presenting an in plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy and a giant magnetostriction, deposited as a film, or as a lattice of cylinders, on a substrate of LiNbO3. It is shown that in the latter case, corresponding to a local resonance magneto-elastic phononic crystal, it is possible to control, without any contact, the band structure by applying an external magnetic field. Thus, a sensitivity of 50kHz by Oersted was calculated for a flat band located in Bragg band gap for such phononic crystal. This sensitivity is sufficient to enable the use of this device as a sensitive detector of localized magnetic fields

Neste trabalho, é apresentada uma formulação apropriada à análise de guias de ondas eletromagnéticos, cobrindo do espectro de microondas até o da óptica. Nas regiões a partir do ultravioleta, os comprimentos de onda são equivalentes às dimensões atômicas e a formulação necessita de uma abordagem quântica, que não é considerada neste estudo. A formulação é fundamentada nos métodos vetorial magnético e dos elementos finitos (MEF), em meios não homogêneos, anisotrópicos e não dissipativos, embora a dissipação possa ser facilmente introduzida na análise. Deu-se preferência à formulação com o campo magnético em vez do elétrico, pelo fato do campo magnético ignorar descontinuidades elétricas. Ele é contínuo em regiões de permeabilidade homogênea, propriedade dos meios dielétricos em geral ( = 0), independente da permissividade dos respectivos meios, conquanto os campos elétricos sejam descontínuos entre regiões de permissividades diferentes. / This work presents a suitable formulation to the analysis of electromagnetic waveguide, covering the spectrum of the microwave to optics. In regions from the ultraviolet, the wavelengths are equivalent to atomic dimensions and the design needs a quantum approach, which is not considered in this study. The formulation is based on the magnetic vector and the finite element methods (FEM), in non-homogeneous, anisotropic and non-dissipative dielectric materials, while the dissipation can be easily introduced in the analysis. Preference was given to the formulation with the magnetic field, because the magnetic field ignores electrical discontinuities. It is continuous in regions of homogeneous permeability, property of all dielectric materials (=0), independent of the permissiveness of respective regions, while electric fields are discontinuous between regions of different permittivities.

Long-distance dispersal of Rumex alpinus was studied in the Giant Mountain in the National Park. The invasion of R. alpinus is there kind of problem. The work builds on a thesis from year 2007 (20007 Červenková), in which was made the model of the invasion of R. alpinus in the area of the Giant Mountain. The measurements of the seeds spread take place at four localities, three of them were for measuring of water dispersal and one was for measuring of winter dispersal. Anemochory was measured using traps in the meadow up to a distance of 50 m. The seeds were dispersed by wind to a distance of 20 meters. Hydrochory was measured using a network's traps in the streams up to 100 m. The largest measured water dispersal was 100 m. Hydrochory therefore proved to be an important factor, which influenced the invasion of R. alpinus. The storms and flood had the great influence on the hydrochory and anemochory. The prediction exponential curves were compiled from the data about the wind dispersal. The curves express the spread to more than a measured distance. The field dispersion curves were compared with theoretical curves, which were used in the model of the invasion from 2007. It turned out that the theoretical curves overestimate the spread of R. alpinus by wind. The dispersion of seeds was underestimated in the...

<p dir="ltr">Electronic structure calculations, specifically plane wave Density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with data science resources on the nanoHUB platform, are a powerful tool for the study of materials at extreme conditions. nanoHUB’s resources for FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reproducible) data and workflows accelerate research and sharing of results. With these combined resources we studied the high-pressure properties and stability of various ceramic materials, such as the polytypes of silicon carbides (SiC).</p><p dir="ltr">Silicon carbides are of interest for their exceptional mechanical strength, thermal stability and chemical resistance making them attractive for applications at extreme conditions. To understand the temperature- and pressure-induced phase transitions we studied the electronic structure, phonon dispersion and elastic constants of major synthesizable SiC polytypes as a function of pressure. In addition, we report on the elastic constants as a function of pressure for the main polymorphs. This DFT workflows are published online, not only enhances the reproducibility of findings, but can also accelerates the discovery and development of new material properties.</p>

[pt] Ondas ultrassônicas guiadas são usadas em larga escala em ensaios não destrutivos (END) e Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), permitindo a inspeção de estruturas e equipamentos de forma não invasiva. A partir da transmissão de um sinal acústico sobre uma estrutura e a captação dos sinais de onda propagados por meio de sensores posicionados estrategicamente, é possível obter informações materiais do objeto inspecionado. Na área de óleo e gás, o uso desse tipo de ondas acústicas é de grande importância no levantamento do perfil da camada de cimento que reveste poços, que tem função de conferir integridade estrutural e isolar a estrutura interna de produção do poço das regiões freáticas do entorno. No processo de desativação e abandono do poço, é fundamental avaliar a qualidade do isolamento hidráulico do cimento, assim como identificar possíveis defeitos. A propagação de ondas guiadas em uma estrutura se dá, em geral, por meio de múltiplos modos e apresenta característica dispersiva, que se traduz numa dependência da velocidade de fase das ondas com a frequência, e uma relação não linear entre número de onda e frequência. A relação de dispersão carrega informações do meio de propagação, tal como constantes elásticas e dimensões, e pode ser visualizada a partir de curvas no plano frequência-número de onda (f-k). Diferentes técnicas vêm sendo exploradas para a obtenção das relações de dispersão a partir de sinais no domínio do tempo captados por sensores ultrassônicos em posições espaciais distintas. Este trabalho explora três métodos distintos para a extração das curvas de dispersão, ou seja, obter os pontos f-k associados aos modos de propagação, a partir de um conjunto de sinais dependentes do espaço-tempo. O primeiro algoritmo se baseia em uma técnica pré-existente que usa uma Transformada de Fourier bidimensional (2-D FT) sobre a matriz de dados de sinais de sensores ultrassônicos no espaço-tempo, gerando uma matriz de amplitudes no plano f-k onde os máximos locais representam pontos pertencentes a curvas de dispersão. A representação da matriz como uma imagem f-k permite a visualização das curvas de dispersão como conjuntos contíguos de pixels de maior claridade. Propõe-se um novo algoritmo baseado em operações morfológicas de processamento de imagem para a identificação de pixels relativos aos pontos das curvas de dispersão na imagem f-k, após um préprocessamento da mesma. A segunda técnica consiste no pré-processamento dessa mesma imagem f-k, obtida pela 2-D FT, e uso de um algoritmo préexistente de detecção de estruturas curvilíneas em imagens para identificar os pontos correspondentes às curvas f-k. O terceiro método é uma adaptação, proposta aqui, de um algoritmo pré-existente para estimar os números de onda das curvas de dispersão relativos a cada frequência através de uma matriz Pencil. Propõe-se também um algoritmo original para a separação dos pontos f-k encontrados pelas três técnicas de extração em curvas distintas. Os algoritmos utilizados para a obtenção das curvas de dispersão têm seu desempenho avaliado em três conjuntos de dados distintos de simulações por elementos finitos, a saber, uma de placa de alumínio fina sob distintos valores de tração axial aplicada paralelamente à direção de propagação das ondas; um poço multicamada sem tubing possuindo diferentes tipos de defeito de cimentação-channeling, qualidade de cimento baixa, descolamento interno e externo -, assim como sem defeito; e um pouco multicamada com tubing sob os mesmos defeitos de cimentação e também sem defeito. Compara-se a capacidade dos algoritmos de extração das curvas de dispersão de oferecer informações sobre mudanças materiais entre os casos simulados. Avalia-se também a precisão e custo computacional dos mesmos. / [en] Ultrasonic guided waves are widely used in the fields of Non-Destructive Evaluation (END) and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), allowing the inspection of structures and pieces of equipment in a non-invasive manner. Through the transmission of an acoustic signal over a given object and the acquisition of the signal from the propagated waves using a group of sensors in predefined positions, it is possible to obtain material information regarding the investigated structure. In the Oil & Gas industry, the use of this type of wave is integral to the logging of the cement layer that outlines the walls of wellbores, which has the purpose of guaranteeing structural support and protecting the well’s internal production structure and the surrounding groundwater from each other. During the deactivation and abandonment of a production well, it is necessary to evaluate the hydraulic isolation of the cement layer, as well as identify possible defects. The propagation of guided waves in a structure is usually multi-modal and of dispersive characteristic. The latter means that the propagating waves phase velocity is dependent on the frequency, translating into a non-linear relationship between wavenumber and frequency. This dispersion relation contains information about the propagating medium, such as elastic constants and dimensions, and can be represented as curves in the frequency-wavenumber (f-k) plane. Different methods are currently being explored for obtaining the dispersion relation from time-domain signals acquired by ultrasonic sensors in different spatial positions. This work explored three different methods for the extraction of the dispersion curves, that is, obtaining the f-k points associated with the modes of propagation, from a dataset composed of space-time signals. The first algorithm is based on a pre-existing technique that uses the bidimensional Fourier Transform (2-D FT) over the matrix containing the space-time signals from the ultrasonic sensors, generating an f-k matrix whose local maximas correspond to points belonging to dispersions curves. The representation of the matrix as an f-k image shows the dispersion curves as contiguous groups of pixels with elevated brightness. A new algorithm is proposed, based on morphological operations from image-processing, to identify the pixels relative to the f-k points of the dispersion curves in the image, after pre-processing is performed. The second technique consists of pre-processing the same fk image, obtained from the 2-D FT, and the use of an existing algorithm for the detection of curvilinear structures in images to identify the points corresponding to the f-k curves. The third method proposes the adaptation of an existing method of estimation of the wavenumbers associated with the dispersion curves for different frequencies, using a matrix Pencil. This work also proposes an original algorithm to separate the f-k points, retrieved by the three techniques, in different curves associated with each mode of propagation. The algorithms used here for the estimation of the dispersion curves are evaluated over three distinct datasets of finite elements simulation: a thin aluminum plate under different values of axial traction parallel to the direction of propagation of the waves; a multilayer wellbore without tubing, with different types of cement defects-channeling, low cement quality, internal and external decoupling-, and without defect; a multilayer wellbore with tubing with the same cement defects and with no defect. Finally, a comparison is drawn over the capacity of the extraction algorithms of providing information regarding changes in the material qualities of the simulated objects. The work also evaluates the precision and computational performance of the aforementioned algorithms.

Ο στόχος της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι διττός: η ανάπτυξη και η εφαρμογή αριθμητικών τεχνικών για την επίλυση προβλημάτων που εμπίπτουν στην περιοχή του Μη-Καταστροφικού Ελέγχου. Συγκεκριμένα αναπτύχθηκαν η Μέθοδος των Συνοριακών Στοιχείων (ΜΣΣ) και η Μέθοδος των Τοπικών Ολοκληρωτικών Εξισώσεων χωρίς Διακριτοποίηση για την αριθμητική ανάλυση στατικών και μεταβατικών προβλημάτων στο πεδίο της ελαστικότητας και της αλληλεπίδρασης ελαστικού με ακουστικό μέσο στις δύο διαστάσεις. Σημαντικό μέρος της διδακτορικής διατριβής αποτέλεσε η ανάπτυξη προγράμματος ηλεκτρονικού υπολογιστή, το οποίο επιλύει τα προβλήματα στα οποία πραγματεύεται το παρόν σύγγραμμα. Η διδακτορική διατριβή αποτελείται από τρεις ενότητες. Στην πρώτη ενότητα γίνεται πλήρης περιγραφή της απαραίτητης θεωρίας για την κάλυψη και κατανόηση των αριθμητικών ΜΣΣ αλλά και των Τοπικών Μεθόδων χωρίς Διακριτοποίηση (ΤΜχΔ). Στη δεύτερη ενότητα εφαρμόζονται οι προαναφερθείσες αριθμητικές μέθοδοι για την επίλυση στατικών και δυναμικών (στο πεδίο συχνοτήτων) διδιάστατων προβλημάτων, ώστε να πιστοποιηθεί η ακρίβεια και η αξιοπιστία των εν λόγω μεθοδολογιών. Τέλος, στην τρίτη ενότητα οι αριθμητικές ΜΣΣ και ΤΜχΔ εφαρμόζονται για την επίλυση προβλημάτων κυματικής διάδοσης που εμπίπτουν στο πεδίο του Μη-Καταστροφικού Ελέγχου. Πιο συγκεκριμένα μελετήθηκε η κυματική διάδοση σε ελεύθερες επίπεδες πλάκες και σε κυλινδρικές δεξαμενές αποθήκευσης υγρών καυσίμων. / The aim of this doctoral thesis is twofold: the development and implementation of numerical techniques for solving wave propagation problems in Non-Destructive Testing applications. Particularly, the Boundary Element Method (BEM) and the Local Boyndary Integral Equation Method are developed, so as to numerically solve static and transient problems on the field of elasticity and fluid-structure interaction in two dimensions. A major part of the present research is the construction of a computer program for solving such kind of problems. This textbook consists of three sections. In the first section, a thorough description on the theory of the BEM and the Local Meshless Methods (LMM) is done. The second section is dedicated for the numerical implementation of the BEM and LMM for solving steady state and time-harmonic two dimensional elastic and acoustic problems, in order to verify the accuracy and the ability of the proposed methodologies to solve the above-mentioned problems. Finally in the third section, the wave propagation problems of traction-free plates and cylindrical fuel storage tanks is studied, from the perspective of Non-Destructive Testing. The numerical methods of BEM and LMM are implemented, as well as spectral methods are utilized, for drawing useful conclusions on the wave propagation phenomena.

The majority of structural studies on DNA have been carried out using fibre diffraction, while studies of its dynamics and thermal behaviour have been mainly performed in solution. When the DNA double helix is heated, it exhibits local separation of the two strands that grow in size with temperature and lead to their complete separation. This work has investigated various aspects of this phenomenon. The experiments reported in this thesis were carried out on films of oriented fibres of DNA prepared with the Wet Spinning Apparatus. Thus, sample preparation and characterisation are essential parts of the research. The structures of two forms of DNA, A and B, have been explored as a function of relative humidity at fixed ionic conditions. A method to eliminate traces of ever-present B-form contamination in A-form samples was established. The high orientation of the DNA molecules within the samples allowed us to investigate dynamical fluctuations and the melting transition of DNA using neutron scattering, which can provide the spatial information crucial to understand a phase transition, probing the static correlation length along the molecule as a function of temperature. The transition has been investigated for A and B-forms in order to understand its dependence on molecular configuration.Furthermore, after the first melting, denatured DNA films show typical glass behaviour. Their thermal relaxation has been explored using calorimetry.Neutron and X-ray inelastic scattering (INS and IXS) were used in the past to measure longitudinal phonons in fibre DNA, and the results shown disagreement. Recent INS measurements supported with phonon simulations have been crucial to understand the different dispersion curves reported to date. Experiments using INS and IXS have been carried out to continue with this investigation. Attempts to observe the transverse fluctuations associated to the thermal denaturing of DNA, never experimentally investigated before, have been made.