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Due to continued outward expansion of industry and community development into the wildland-urban interface (WUI), the threat to life safety and property from wildland fires has become a significant problem. Such fire scenarios can be better understood through the use of computation fluid dynamics based fire-spread models. However, current physical fire models must be specifically adapted to handle the phenomena associated with WUI fires. Only then can they be reliably used as research and decision making tools to help mitigate the problem. In this research, the current standard in wildland fire modeling for representing the effect on wind flow from a porous vegetative medium is examined. The technique used employs basic correlations for object drag, and its validity with respect to real vegetation has yet to be examined in detail by the scientific community. The modeling of vegetation is studied within the framework of the existing Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Dynamics Simulator (WFDS), and the potential need for continued development is assessed. Comparisons are made to both experimental and numerical studies. Additionally, the validity of the model is considered at both the scale of an individual tree, as well as that of a whole forest canopy. Results show that as a first approximation the model is able to perform well in the latter case. At the scale of an individual tree, however, the behavior is governed by theoretical constants. The assumption of cylindrical vegetation elements performs slightly better than the commonly used spherical case, but neither adequately captures experimental tendencies. Accurate flow representation for single trees is crucial to modeling the key driving factors of fire behavior (such as combustion and heat transfer) in small scale WUI scenarios. Ultimately, this study illustrates the need for well-designed experiments, specifically to generate empirical constants which will improve the behavior of the simplified theory.

Detailed sensitivity numerical studies have shown that the mesh cell-size may have a drastic effect on the modelling of circulating fluidized bed with small particles. Typically, the cell-size must be of the order of few particle diameters to predict accurately the dynamical behaviour of a fluidized bed. Hence, the Euler-Euler numerical simulations of industrial processes are generally performed with grids too coarse to allow the prediction of the local segregation effects. Appropriate modelling, which takes into account the influence of unresolved structures, have been already proposed for monodisperse simulations. In this work, the influence of unresolved structures on a binary mixture of particles is investigated and models are proposed to account for those effect on bidisperse simulations of bidisperse gas-solid fluidized bed. To achieve this goal, Euler-Euler reference simulations are performed with grid refinement up to reach a mesh independent solution. Such kind of numerical simulation is very expensive and is restricted to very simple configurations. In this work, the configuration consists of a 3D periodical circulating fluidized bed, that could represent the established zone of an industrial circulating fluidized bed. In parallel, a filtered approach is developed where the unknown terms, called sub-grid contributions, appear. They correspond to the difference between filtered terms, which are calculated with the reference results then filtered, and resolved contributions, calculated with the filtered fields. Then spatial filters can be applied to reference simulation results to measure each sub-grid contribution appearing in the theoretical filtered approach. A budget analysis is carried out to understand and model the sub-grid term. The analysis of the filtered momentum equation shows that the resolved fluid-particle drag and inter-particle collision are overestimating the momentum transfer effects. The analysis of the budget of the filtered random kinetic energy shows that the resolved production by the mean shear and by the mean particle relative motion are underestimating the filtered ones. Functional models are proposed for the subgrid contributions of the drag and the inter-particle collision.

The human body consists of a number of very complex, highly specialised organs which perform a variety of functions that are essential to life and health. One of the main functions of the skin, the largest of the human organs, is to maintain the integrity of the body. It does this by acting as a physical barrier, preventing micro-organisms and other potentially harmful substances from entering the body. When the integrity of the skin is damaged through injury, a self-protective mechanism is triggered and the reparative wound healing process begins. Under normal circumstances the wound healing process culminates in the skin recuperating its normal characteristics and functions at the site of the injury, with only a small visible mark being left behind. However, in some cases the wound healing process may become altered leading to the production of abnormal scars, such as keloids. Keloid scars are formed from scar tissue at the site of an injury, as a result of excessive tissue repair that extends beyond the boundaries of the original wound. These scars are characterised by excess collagen deposition produced during the wound healing process. It is estimated that as many as 20% of the black and Hispanic population are affected by keloid scarring. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, keloid scars can also be painful, itchy and prone to become infected. Keloid scar formation can be triggered by skin injuries caused by, for example, acne, wounds, shaving, burns, and surgical incisions. The mechanism by which keloid scars form is currently not well understood and consequently no effective treatments exist to date.This thesis describes an investigation into the mechanical properties of single keloid and normal skin fibroblast cells for the purpose of establishing if there is a quantitative difference between the two types of cells. This information will be of benefit to researchers looking for a better understanding of the keloid formation mechanism and for those seeking improved treatments. An atomic force microscope (AFM) was employed to indent single Keloid and normal skin fibroblast cells taken from five patients. Values for the apparent Young's modulus of the cells were then calculated by fitting the experimental data using Hertz's model. Apparent Young's modulus values were then compared. The findings of the analysis indicate that statistically, there is a significant difference in the Young's modulus values of normal and keloid cells, with keloid cells exhibiting substantially greater stiffness than normal skin fibroblast cells. To enable the keloid and normal skin fibroblast cells to be studied in as close to their natural, physiological environment as is possible the AFM experiments described in this thesis were undertaken in a phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution. In such cases the use of a fluid medium presents additional complexities, not least of which is the introduction of a hydrodynamic drag force due to viscous friction of the cantilever with the liquid which can affect the experimental data obtained and consequently any material properties calculated as a result of using these data. In order to investigate the effect of dragging force on the experimental data obtained from the AFM a novel integrated finite element based model was developed. The model, described in this thesis, provides quantification of the drag force in AFM measurements of soft specimens in fluids, consequently enabling more accurate interpretation of the data obtained from AFM experimentation. The model is validated using extensive data obtained from AFM experimentation undertaken in a number of fluids of different viscosities, at a variety of tip velocities and platform-tip separations and by comparison with an existing analytical model. The novel model is shown to accurately account for drag forces in AFM in fluid media without the need for extrapolation of experimental data and can be employed over the range of tip geometries and velocities typically utilised in AFM experimentation.The work described in this thesis demonstrates that the AFM is a valuable tool that can be used to successfully investigate the mechanical properties of biological samples in fluids. It was shown that increased accuracy in the interpretation of data obtained from AFM experimentation can be obtained by taking into account the hydrodynamic drag force due to viscous friction of the cantilever with the liquid. The investigation into the mechanical behaviour of keloid cells described in this thesis significantly adds to the yet small body of research undertaken on keloid cells to date. The findings of the investigation will provide valuable information that will be of benefit in the future to researchers looking to develop effective treatments for the prevention, reduction or removal of keloid scars.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第23489号 / 工博第4901号 / 新制||工||1766(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市社会工学専攻 / (主査)教授 岸田 潔, 教授 木村 亮, 准教授 音田 慎一郎 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

The objective of this research was to investigate the affects of various generator plate size, D/d ratio, stroke frequency and slurry concentration, for a plate type vortex ring mixer, on the drag force and power consumption. In this case CaCO3 aqueous slurry was used for the investigation. The generator plate was driven using an AC induction motor with gear type speed reducer which was controlled using a frequency inverter and a mechanism for converting rotational into translational motion. This drive system resulted in sinusoidal motion of the generator plate. The applied force, the displacement of the generator plate and the input power were measured using measurement cell developed for this purpose. The viscosity was also measured. The data were analyzed, organized and presented using appropriate graphs. The force measurement data showed that drag force was mainly affected by the size of generator plate and its oscillating frequency. Larger generator plates had greater drag force acting on them and, therefore, required more power for running. Oscillating frequency had similar effect on drag force and power consumption. However, tested CaCO3 slurry concentrations showed to have no significant affect on these two parameters. Drag force results obtained during this study are considered to be reasonably representative, while power consumption data, although representative for this system, will probably be different for different drive systems employed. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

A supersonic wind tunnel, with a 20" x 20'" test section cross sectional area, was designed and constructed at the Techsburg Wind Tunnel Facility in order to determine the lift and drag on irregularly shaped fragments in supersonic flow. Prior to beginning the wind tunnel design process, a blowdown analysis model was created in order to determine the influence of a number of parameters on tunnel run time and test gas properties throughout the tunnel circuit. The design of the settling chamber, test section, supersonic nozzles, diffuser, and exhaust are presented in this thesis. Diffuser performance has a large influence on wind tunnel efficiency and run time. Therefore, significant efforts should be taken in order to attain the highest possible pressure recovery within the diffuser. The design of wind tunnel components, as well as their stress analysis, was conducted using SolidWorks. The control valve and silencer were sized and selected for the expected tunnel operating conditions. Since the control valve tends to encompass a significant portion of the overall tunnel cost, care must be taken to ensure it has a large enough flow capacity to produce the desired test conditions. Also, attempts must be made to accurately predict the total pressure loss through the silencer, since this loss can have a large impact on the total pressure ratio necessary to produce the design Mach number. Upon completion of the design process, the supersonic wind tunnel was assembled, and shakedown testing was conducted. During shakedown testing it was determined that the wind tunnel was capable of producing Mach 2 flow in the test section. Following shakedown testing, a flow survey was conducted in order to ensure uniform Mach number flow exists throughout the region occupied by the fragments. Based on the flow survey it was determined that within the middle 60% of the test section, the average Mach number was 1.950 and varied by only 0.56% within this region. Two irregularly shaped fragments were tested at Mach 2 flow, over an effective 360° pitch sweep, with wind tunnel runs performed every 10 degrees. Based on the measured force data for both fragments, the lift appeared to follow a sinusoidal curve, with minimum values at 0, 90, and 180° balance pitch angle, and maximum values occurring around 45 and 135° pitch angle. The drag force was observed to follow a gradual curve with minimum values at 0 and 180° balance pitch angle, as expected since the fragment presented area is generally least in this orientation. The maximum drag was found to occur at a balance pitch angle of 90°, once again as expected since the fragment presented area is generally greatest at this angle. It was also observed that the fragment drag tended to be greater for a fragment orientation which places the concave side of the fragment into the direction of the flow. / Master of Science

Classical approaches to evaluate the stability of large woody debris (LWD) introduced in streams for habitat restoration or flood management purposes are usually based on inappropriate assumptions and hydraulic equations. Results suggest that the physics of small cylindrical elements located in large channels cannot be transferred to the case of a large roughness elements placed in small channels. The introduction of LWD in a small channel can generate a significant modification of the upstream hydraulic conditions. This modification has direct implications on the stability of the LWD. Experiments were performed in a controlled environment: a small stream section was represented by a low roughness rectangular flume and LWD were modeled with smooth PVC cylinders. Direct force measurements were performed with a load cell and results were used to identify an equation that evaluates the drag force acting on a large cylindrical element place in a rectangular channel. This equation does not depend on a drag coefficient. Water depths were also measured during the experiments and results were used to develop an approach that evaluates the upstream hydraulic impacts of a large cylinder introduced in a rectangular channel. The effect of the variation of the unit discharge (discharge per unit of width), cylinder size, cylinder elevation from the channel bed, and downstream hydraulic conditions, could be related to the upstream hydraulic conditions with relative success. Dimensionless parameters were developed to increase the versatility of the approach. The application of this approach to field cases is expected to require adjustments, mainly because of the roughness of natural environments differs from the smoothness of the controlled environment described in this work.

Classical approaches to evaluate the stability of large woody debris (LWD) introduced in streams for habitat restoration or flood management purposes are usually based on inappropriate assumptions and hydraulic equations. Results suggest that the physics of small cylindrical elements located in large channels cannot be transferred to the case of a large roughness elements placed in small channels. The introduction of LWD in a small channel can generate a significant modification of the upstream hydraulic conditions. This modification has direct implications on the stability of the LWD. Experiments were performed in a controlled environment: a small stream section was represented by a low roughness rectangular flume and LWD were modeled with smooth PVC cylinders. Direct force measurements were performed with a load cell and results were used to identify an equation that evaluates the drag force acting on a large cylindrical element place in a rectangular channel. This equation does not depend on a drag coefficient. Water depths were also measured during the experiments and results were used to develop an approach that evaluates the upstream hydraulic impacts of a large cylinder introduced in a rectangular channel. The effect of the variation of the unit discharge (discharge per unit of width), cylinder size, cylinder elevation from the channel bed, and downstream hydraulic conditions, could be related to the upstream hydraulic conditions with relative success. Dimensionless parameters were developed to increase the versatility of the approach. The application of this approach to field cases is expected to require adjustments, mainly because of the roughness of natural environments differs from the smoothness of the controlled environment described in this work.

A força propulsiva gerada durante o palmateio é resultado do somatório das forças de arrasto e de sustentação, sendo que a componente que atua na direção do movimento desejado é igual à força propulsiva efetiva. Essas forças podem ser estimadas a partir de equações hidrodinâmicas, porém essas equações não consideram todos os mecanismos que contribuem para a propulsão. Dessa forma, o objetivo geral do presente estudo foi comparar a força propulsiva efetiva calculada a partir das equações hidrodinâmicas e a força propulsiva efetiva medida durante o palmateio de sustentação (na posição vertical, de cabeça para cima) em cada fase do palmateio. Para isso, uma praticante de nado sincronizado realizou palmateio na posição vertical de cabeça para cima durante 15 segundos, enquanto que dados cinemáticos e cinéticos foram obtidos por viodeogrametria 3D e dinamometria respectivamente. A análise gráfica de Bland e Altman foi usada para comparar as forças propulsivas efetivas medida e calculada durante o palmateio. As forças propulsivas efetivas calculada e medida foram diferentes, sendo a medida maior que a calculada. Ainda, os resultados indicaram que o palmateio executado não foi simétrico, isto é, a orientação e a força propulsiva entre a mão direita e a esquerda foram diferentes. Portanto, o achado do presente trabalho destaca a importância de mecanismos instáveis para a propulsão durante o palmateio, já que as forças estimadas por meio das equações hidrodinâmicas apresentaram resultados inferiores, sendo isso observado ao longo de todo o palmateio. / Propulsive force generated during sculling motion results from drag and lift propulsive forces, and the component acting in the direction of motion is the effective propulsive force. These forces may be calculated using hydrodynamic equations, but these equations do not consider all mechanisms that contribute to the propulsion. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to compare the calculated effective propulsive force using the hydrodynamic equations and the measured effective propulsive force during a support sculling motion (vertical position with the head above the water‟s surface) in each phase of sculling. For this, a practitioner of synchronized swimming performed sculling motion in a vertical position with the head above the water‟s surface during 15 seconds, while kinematic and kinetic data were obtained by 3D videogrammetry and dynamometry respectively. Graphical techniques from Bland and Altman were used to compare the measured effective propulsive force and calculated effective propulsive force during sculling motion. The calculated effective propulsive force and the measured effective propulsive force were different, the measured being greater than the calculated. Moreover, the results indicated sculling motion performed was not symmetric, that is, the orientation and propulsive forces between the right and left hands were different. Therefore, the result of this study highlights the importance of the unsteady mechanisms for the propulsion during sculling motion, because the calculated forces using the hydrodynamic equations presented low values throughout the sculling motion.