The thesis is composed of two topics: the differential to single voltage buffer amplifier used in DDFS designs and a wireless duplex modulation circuit with a single coil for bio-implants. A voltage buffer implemented in 2P4M 0.35 £gm CMOS process, which is addressed in first part of this thesis, can amplify the small sinusoid outputs from DDFS (direct digital frequency synthesizer, DDFS), while convert the differential output into a single-end output. Not only can it amplify signal by a pre-defined multiple, but also reduce the common mode noise coupled from DDFS. A wireless duplex modulation circuit using a single coil for biomedical implantable systems is disclosed in the second part of this thesis. It enables full duplex communication between the external controller and the implants at same time by a wireless a RF transmission interface. Since the proposed duplex design employs a single coil, the volume of the implanted device is drastically reduced.

Cooperative relaying techniques have recently received significant interests from both academia and industry due to their ability to provide spatial diversity to address the ever increasing demand for extended network coverage, higher data rates without sacrificing extra power resources, greater mobility and enhanced reliability. This thesis mainly considers two themes. Firstly, in the context of self-powered multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) full-duplex (FD) relaying, our research focuses on design and performance analysis of MIMO FD relaying systems in the presence of practical transmission impairments. Namely, the impact of spatial fading correlation, imperfect channel state information (CSI), loopback self-interference (LI), and co-channel interference (CCI) on the system performance are investigated. Secondly, in the context of wirelessly-powered MIMO HD relaying, our research focuses on energy beamforming which is used to maximize the overall harvested energy so as to enable longer-distance wireless power transfer when compared to the single antenna nodes. Namely, in the presence of MIMO relaying systems, hop-by-hop information and energy beamforming is proposed where the transmitted signal is steered along the strongest eigenmode of each hop. The wirelessly powered relay scavenge energy from the source information radio-frequency (RF) signal through energy beamforming, where both the time-switching receiver (TSR) and power-splitting receiver (PSR) are considered, then uses the harvested energy to forward the source message to the destination. Our research focuses on developing a comprehensive analytical framework for deriving new closed-form expressions for the outage probability and ergodic capacity for amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying systems, including simpler tight bounds and asymptotic high signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio analysis. First, the optimization problem for the design of source, relay, and destination precoding and/or decoding weight vectors which maximizes the overall signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) is formulated. Then, in order to get closed-form precoding and decoding weight vectors, a sub-optimal solution based on null space projection designed to completely suppress the LI and/or CCI is proposed, through which a closed-form overall SINR is presented. Simulation results show the exactness and tightness of the proposed exact and bound analytical expressions, respectively.

Super duplex stainless steels (SDSSs) with lower nickel content are cost effective substitutes for higher alloyed austenitics and nickel alloys in demanding environments such as oil and gas production tubulars and pipelines due to their excellent corrosion resistance and high strength. The overall properties of SDSS are derived from its dual microstructure of equal ferrite and austenite, higher alloying additions of chromium, molybdenum, nitrogen and tungsten and its thermomechanical history. Higher alloying renders SDSS prone to secondary phase precipitation such as sigma phase during improper welding operations or fabrication, affecting the materials properties. Reports suggest that tungsten additions in SDSS delays sigma phase precipitation, hence the development of tungsten based SDSS such as UNS S39274. However, secondary phases cannot be entirely avoided in SDSS. Secondary phase evolution in DSS and the mechanical properties/corrosion behaviour of SDSS has been studied extensively yet their interaction is still not clear. In-service failures of SDSS components have identified gaps in the understanding of the link between secondary phase evolution and material properties, thus limiting the safe and efficient use of SDSS. The work presented in this thesis explored and quantified experimentally the role of aging on secondary phase evolution and ensuing effects on the mechanical properties, corrosion behaviour and toughness of UNS S39274 SDSS. The results revealed that chi phase precipitation occurred preferentially before the sigma phase, although chi phase was metastable in the studied alloy. Numerical modelling established that the measured concentration of the precipitated sigma phase follows the prediction by the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami kinetic model. The time-temperature -transformation was computed using experimental data, the results were compared with theoretical predictions. Results established that increase in both sigma and chi phase led to significant drop in the uniform strain and enhancement of the modulus, hardness and yield and tensile strengths. We note that the sigma phase was attacked by corrosion in comparison to other grades of 25Cr SDSS where the sigma phase remains inert to corrosion attack. Pitting corrosion resistance was influenced more by sigma phase than the chi phase composition. Chi phase was more damaging on the toughness than sigma phase. Another key finding is that the corrosion behaviour and fracture behaviour is more sensitive to lower secondary phase volume fraction than the tensile properties.

Thesis advisor: Larry W. McLaughlin / Nucleic acids are essential biological molecules that encode and transfer genetic information from generation to generation. Intensive efforts have been made by scientists to study the properties of nucleic acids, looking for opportunities that could help diagnose, prevent, and cure disease, and/or gain a greater insight into the wonder of nature. Chapter 2 presents our synthetic attempts towards the rigidified nucleosides 2'-deoxy-6,3'-propanouridine and 2'-deoxy-6,3'-butanouridine. These nucleosides are constrained so that they mimic the native conformation in DNA duplex and are postulated to increase duplex stability, as well as increase the affinity of the nucleobase for its complementary partner. Chapter 3 presents work towards the synthesis of backbone extended nucleosides. These molecules have the potential to form a new type of helical structure when incorporated into a double helix. Through the investigation of these novel nucleic acids, we would like to gain a greater understanding of the properties that contribute to duplex stability. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

Os aços inoxidáveis duplex (AID) caracterizam-se pela sua microestrutura composta por austenita numa matriz ferrítica, com fração volumétrica média de 50% para cada fase. A combinação destas características confere-lhes excelente resistência mecânica e à corrosão. A soldagem/junção destes aços é frequentemente uma operação crítica, já que, ao sofrer ciclos térmicos, estes aços têm suas propriedades alteradas. Portanto, processos de junção com ausência de gradientes de temperatura, como a brasagem, mostram-se uma solução prática para a junção destes aços. No entanto, o adequado desenvolvimento do processo de brasagem em AID envolve considerações importantes a respeito da escolha dos parâmetros de processamento e metal de adição em conjunto com os ciclos térmicos de aquecimento e resfriamento. O presente estudo pretende avaliar a brasabilidade dos AID UNS S32101(baixa liga), UNS S32304 (baixa liga), UNS S32507 (superduplex) e UNS S32707(hiperduplex), mediante a caracterização da junta brasada. Estes aços foram brasados em forno continuo com metal de adição BNi-7 (Ni-Cr-P), na temperatura de 1100oC, por tempos de 32 min e 12 min, seguidos de resfriamento em forno, utilizando-se folgas de 0,5, 0,3 e 0,0 mm. A junta brasada foi caracterizada utilizando-se microscopia ótica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). A identificação microestrutural foi realizada via Microanálise Química de Energia Dispersiva de Raios-X (EDS) e difração de Raios-X. Foi identificada na junta brasada dos diferentes AID a fase rica em níquel, assim como fases prejudiciais compostas por fosfetos de níquel e cromo. A fase rica em níquel, que usualmente é denominada de -Ni, apresenta-se preferencialmente em toda a região da junta, sem a presença de fase intermetálica contínua no centro da junta. No caso dos aços inoxidáveis super e hiperduplex esses apresentaram a formação de fase sigma na região da interface da junta, do lado do metal de base, devido aos ciclos térmicos de brasagem / The duplex stainless steels (DSS) are characterized by its microstructure consisting of austenite in a ferritic matrix with mean volumetric fraction of 50% for each phase. The combination of these features gives them excellent mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. The welding / joining of these steels are often considered as a critical operation, since, subjected to thermal cycles, they have their microstructures changed and, consequently, their properties. Therefore, joining processes without temperature gradients, like brazing, are shown as a practical solution for joining these steels. However, the proper development of brazing process of DSS involves important issues concerning the choice of processing parameters and the brazing filler metal together with heating and cooling brazing thermal cycles. This study aims at evaluating the brazeability of DSS UNS S32101 (lean duplex), UNS S32304 (lean duplex), UNS S32507 (superduplex) and UNS S32707 (hyperduplex) by characterizing the brazed joint. These steels were brazed in a furnace with filler metal BNi-7 (Ni-Cr-P) at 1100°C for times of 32 min and 12 min, followed by cooling in a continuous brazing furnace, with joint gaps of 0.5 , 0.3 and 0.0 mm. The brazed joint was characterized using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phase identifications were performed by microanalysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction. Results showed, for non-ideal joint gaps, in all duplex used in this work, the Ni rich solid solution, as well as deleterious phases composed of nickel and chromium phosphides. The ideal gap presented Ni rich solid solution, usually called -Ni, was found continuously without a continuous intermetallic region in the joint center. In the case of super duplex and hyperduplex brazing, the brazing thermal cycles produced the formation of sigma phase in the region of the joint interface, in the base metal.

Filmes de nitreto de titânio e carbeto de titânio foram obtidos por deposição reativa via magnetron sputtering, utilizando como gases reativos, nitrogênio e metano, respectivamente. Foram depositados filmes de TiN e TiC, primeiramente sobre substratos de aços ferramenta AISI H13 e AISI D2 temperados e revenidos. Posteriormente, realizou-se o tratamento duplex de nitretação e deposição de TiN e TiC em reator híbrido, construído durante o presente trabalho. Os revestimentos foram caracterizados por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, difração de raios-X, espectrometria XPS e WDS e a rugosidade foi caracterizada por microscopia de força atômica. As propriedades mecânicas dos filmes foram determinadas utilizando a técnica de nanoindentação instrumentada, para avaliar a dureza(H), o módulo de elasticidade reduzido (E*), a recuperação elástica(we), a razão H/E* e a relação H3/E*2. Além disso, a adesão do filme ao substrato foi avaliada usando ensaios Rockwell e esclerometria linear. A resistência ao risco dos filmes depositados foi avaliada por nanoesclerometria instrumentada. O tratamento termoquímico de nitretação a plasma foi realizado em condições experimentais que inibem a formação da camada branca obtendo, assim, somente zona de difusão. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que quando os filmes de TiN e TiC são depositados sobre substratos não nitretados a adesão do filme cerâmico ao substrato metálico é baixa. O endurecimento do substrato, devido à nitretação a plasma, resultou em uma melhoria significativa na adesão(LC40 N) do filme de TiN sobre os substratos de aços ferramenta. Entretanto, o endurecimento prévio e o aumento da capacidade de suportar carga do substrato não constituem uma garantia de melhora de adesão do filme cerâmico ao substrato metálico. Para o filme de TiC depositado sobre aços ferramenta nitretados, a adesão(LC10 N) ao substrato foi baixa. A grande diferença entre as propriedades elastoplásticas, do filme de TiC e do substrato nitretado são as responsáveis pela baixa adesão. Este comportamento é semelhante ao observado para filmes de TiN e TiC depositados sobre os aços ferramenta não nitretados. Uma alternativa encontrada para melhorar a adesão dos filmes cerâmicos ao substrato foi a deposição de multicoberturas de TiN/TiC, depositados de modo a aumentar gradativamente os valores de H/E*, da relação H3/E*2 e da recuperação elástica obtendo, assim, um gradiente funcional destas propriedades. Em relação aos ensaios de nanoesclerometria conclui-se que a dureza não é por si só 2 determinante da profundidade residual no ensaio. Filmes com mesmo valor de dureza podem apresentar profundidades residuais diferentes. Nos ensaios de nanoesclerometria os filmes com altos valores de razão H/E*, da relação H3/E*2 e recuperação elástica possuem profundidades residuais menores. / DC Triode Reactive Magnetron Sputtered TiN and TiC films were deposited on quenched and tempered AISI H13 AISI D2 tool steels, and silicon (111) substrates, under nitrogen and argon or methane and argon reactive plasma. Hybrid duplex treatments were carried out in a home-built hybrid reactor, where pulsed plasma nitriding and unbalanced DC Reactive Magnetron Sputtering were performed in the same cycle, without exposing the surface of the sample to atmospheric pressure. The ceramic thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, WDS spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, depth sensing techniques (nanoscale), nanoscratch tests, Rockwell C and linear sclerometry adhesion tests. Nanoscale depth sensing was used for measuring hardness (H), Young modulus (E*), the H/E* ratio (elastic strain to failure), resistance to plastic deformation, H3/E*2 and elastic recovery. The pulsed plasma nitriding was performed in conditions which avoided the formation of a white layer obtaining only a diffusion zone. When TiN and TiC films were deposited on the quenched and tempered tool steels the adhesion of the ceramic films to the substrate was poor. When the steels were plasma nitrided before deposition the adhesion of the TiN layer to the substrate was improved. However, the adhesion of the TiC film deposited on the nitrided tool steels was also very poor. Therefore, plasma nitriding does not guarantee a better adhesion of the TiC film to the substrate. The abrupt transition of mechanical properties (hardness, Young Modulus and elastic recovery) between the TiC film and the substrate were responsible for the lower adhesion observed. To improve the adhesion of the ceramic film to the substrate, TiN-TiC multilayers were deposited on the surface of the nitrided tool steels, so as to obtain functionally graded films, in which the values of H/E* ratio and elastic recovery, increased in a less abrupt way from the substrate to the film. In the nanoscratch test high it was observed that high values of the H/E* and the H3/E*2 ratios and of the elastic recovery presented lower residual scratch depth.

Filmes de nitreto de titânio e carbeto de titânio foram obtidos por deposição reativa via magnetron sputtering, utilizando como gases reativos, nitrogênio e metano, respectivamente. Foram depositados filmes de TiN e TiC, primeiramente sobre substratos de aços ferramenta AISI H13 e AISI D2 temperados e revenidos. Posteriormente, realizou-se o tratamento duplex de nitretação e deposição de TiN e TiC em reator híbrido, construído durante o presente trabalho. Os revestimentos foram caracterizados por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, difração de raios-X, espectrometria XPS e WDS e a rugosidade foi caracterizada por microscopia de força atômica. As propriedades mecânicas dos filmes foram determinadas utilizando a técnica de nanoindentação instrumentada, para avaliar a dureza(H), o módulo de elasticidade reduzido (E*), a recuperação elástica(we), a razão H/E* e a relação H3/E*2. Além disso, a adesão do filme ao substrato foi avaliada usando ensaios Rockwell e esclerometria linear. A resistência ao risco dos filmes depositados foi avaliada por nanoesclerometria instrumentada. O tratamento termoquímico de nitretação a plasma foi realizado em condições experimentais que inibem a formação da camada branca obtendo, assim, somente zona de difusão. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que quando os filmes de TiN e TiC são depositados sobre substratos não nitretados a adesão do filme cerâmico ao substrato metálico é baixa. O endurecimento do substrato, devido à nitretação a plasma, resultou em uma melhoria significativa na adesão(LC40 N) do filme de TiN sobre os substratos de aços ferramenta. Entretanto, o endurecimento prévio e o aumento da capacidade de suportar carga do substrato não constituem uma garantia de melhora de adesão do filme cerâmico ao substrato metálico. Para o filme de TiC depositado sobre aços ferramenta nitretados, a adesão(LC10 N) ao substrato foi baixa. A grande diferença entre as propriedades elastoplásticas, do filme de TiC e do substrato nitretado são as responsáveis pela baixa adesão. Este comportamento é semelhante ao observado para filmes de TiN e TiC depositados sobre os aços ferramenta não nitretados. Uma alternativa encontrada para melhorar a adesão dos filmes cerâmicos ao substrato foi a deposição de multicoberturas de TiN/TiC, depositados de modo a aumentar gradativamente os valores de H/E*, da relação H3/E*2 e da recuperação elástica obtendo, assim, um gradiente funcional destas propriedades. Em relação aos ensaios de nanoesclerometria conclui-se que a dureza não é por si só 2 determinante da profundidade residual no ensaio. Filmes com mesmo valor de dureza podem apresentar profundidades residuais diferentes. Nos ensaios de nanoesclerometria os filmes com altos valores de razão H/E*, da relação H3/E*2 e recuperação elástica possuem profundidades residuais menores. / DC Triode Reactive Magnetron Sputtered TiN and TiC films were deposited on quenched and tempered AISI H13 AISI D2 tool steels, and silicon (111) substrates, under nitrogen and argon or methane and argon reactive plasma. Hybrid duplex treatments were carried out in a home-built hybrid reactor, where pulsed plasma nitriding and unbalanced DC Reactive Magnetron Sputtering were performed in the same cycle, without exposing the surface of the sample to atmospheric pressure. The ceramic thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, WDS spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, depth sensing techniques (nanoscale), nanoscratch tests, Rockwell C and linear sclerometry adhesion tests. Nanoscale depth sensing was used for measuring hardness (H), Young modulus (E*), the H/E* ratio (elastic strain to failure), resistance to plastic deformation, H3/E*2 and elastic recovery. The pulsed plasma nitriding was performed in conditions which avoided the formation of a white layer obtaining only a diffusion zone. When TiN and TiC films were deposited on the quenched and tempered tool steels the adhesion of the ceramic films to the substrate was poor. When the steels were plasma nitrided before deposition the adhesion of the TiN layer to the substrate was improved. However, the adhesion of the TiC film deposited on the nitrided tool steels was also very poor. Therefore, plasma nitriding does not guarantee a better adhesion of the TiC film to the substrate. The abrupt transition of mechanical properties (hardness, Young Modulus and elastic recovery) between the TiC film and the substrate were responsible for the lower adhesion observed. To improve the adhesion of the ceramic film to the substrate, TiN-TiC multilayers were deposited on the surface of the nitrided tool steels, so as to obtain functionally graded films, in which the values of H/E* ratio and elastic recovery, increased in a less abrupt way from the substrate to the film. In the nanoscratch test high it was observed that high values of the H/E* and the H3/E*2 ratios and of the elastic recovery presented lower residual scratch depth.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Uma liga metÃlica que vem apresentando um desempenho satisfatÃrio em ambientes de maior agressividade à o aÃo inoxidÃvel super duplex. Esse tipo de aÃo possui boas propriedades de resistÃncia mecÃnica, resistÃncia à corrosÃo e tenacidade ao impacto. Mesmo apresentando desempenho satisfatÃrio, esses aÃos podem apresentar problemas de corrosÃo quando sofrem algum tratamento tÃrmico devido à precipitaÃÃo de uma fase deletÃria chamada de alfa linha (â), a qual precipita em temperaturas entre 300 ⁰C e 550 ⁰C e pode ocasionar uma diminuiÃÃo da resistÃncia à corrosÃo e tenacidade do material. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho à avaliar a resistÃncia à corrosÃo dos aÃos inoxidÃveis super duplex fundidos de grau 5A e 6A apÃs sofrerem tratamento tÃrmico a 475 ⁰C. O grau 6A se difere do 5A pela presenÃa de cobre e tungstÃnio na sua composiÃÃo quÃmica. A resistÃncia à corrosÃo dos corpos de prova foi avaliada por meio das seguintes tÃcnicas eletroquÃmicas: monitoramento do potencial de circuito aberto, polarizaÃÃo anÃdica, polarizaÃÃo cÃclica, espectroscopia de impedÃncia eletroquÃmica e temperatura crÃtica de pite. Foi realizada a caraterizaÃÃo microestrutural dos materiais, onde foi possÃvel observar sua estrutura bifÃsica composta por uma matriz ferrÃtica e ilhas de austenita em proporÃÃes coerentes. O ensaio de dureza Brinell mostrou que a dureza aumenta nas primeiras horas de tratamento tÃrmico e, depois, hà uma diminuiÃÃo nessa taxa de aumento da dureza. Os resultados eletroquÃmicos indicaram que, para os dois tipos de aÃo estudados, as amostras com 10 horas de tratamento tÃrmico apresentaram uma maior resistÃncia à corrosÃo.

Os aços inoxidáveis duplex (AID) caracterizam-se pela sua microestrutura composta por austenita numa matriz ferrítica, com fração volumétrica média de 50% para cada fase. A combinação destas características confere-lhes excelente resistência mecânica e à corrosão. A soldagem/junção destes aços é frequentemente uma operação crítica, já que, ao sofrer ciclos térmicos, estes aços têm suas propriedades alteradas. Portanto, processos de junção com ausência de gradientes de temperatura, como a brasagem, mostram-se uma solução prática para a junção destes aços. No entanto, o adequado desenvolvimento do processo de brasagem em AID envolve considerações importantes a respeito da escolha dos parâmetros de processamento e metal de adição em conjunto com os ciclos térmicos de aquecimento e resfriamento. O presente estudo pretende avaliar a brasabilidade dos AID UNS S32101(baixa liga), UNS S32304 (baixa liga), UNS S32507 (superduplex) e UNS S32707(hiperduplex), mediante a caracterização da junta brasada. Estes aços foram brasados em forno continuo com metal de adição BNi-7 (Ni-Cr-P), na temperatura de 1100oC, por tempos de 32 min e 12 min, seguidos de resfriamento em forno, utilizando-se folgas de 0,5, 0,3 e 0,0 mm. A junta brasada foi caracterizada utilizando-se microscopia ótica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). A identificação microestrutural foi realizada via Microanálise Química de Energia Dispersiva de Raios-X (EDS) e difração de Raios-X. Foi identificada na junta brasada dos diferentes AID a fase rica em níquel, assim como fases prejudiciais compostas por fosfetos de níquel e cromo. A fase rica em níquel, que usualmente é denominada de -Ni, apresenta-se preferencialmente em toda a região da junta, sem a presença de fase intermetálica contínua no centro da junta. No caso dos aços inoxidáveis super e hiperduplex esses apresentaram a formação de fase sigma na região da interface da junta, do lado do metal de base, devido aos ciclos térmicos de brasagem / The duplex stainless steels (DSS) are characterized by its microstructure consisting of austenite in a ferritic matrix with mean volumetric fraction of 50% for each phase. The combination of these features gives them excellent mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. The welding / joining of these steels are often considered as a critical operation, since, subjected to thermal cycles, they have their microstructures changed and, consequently, their properties. Therefore, joining processes without temperature gradients, like brazing, are shown as a practical solution for joining these steels. However, the proper development of brazing process of DSS involves important issues concerning the choice of processing parameters and the brazing filler metal together with heating and cooling brazing thermal cycles. This study aims at evaluating the brazeability of DSS UNS S32101 (lean duplex), UNS S32304 (lean duplex), UNS S32507 (superduplex) and UNS S32707 (hyperduplex) by characterizing the brazed joint. These steels were brazed in a furnace with filler metal BNi-7 (Ni-Cr-P) at 1100°C for times of 32 min and 12 min, followed by cooling in a continuous brazing furnace, with joint gaps of 0.5 , 0.3 and 0.0 mm. The brazed joint was characterized using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phase identifications were performed by microanalysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction. Results showed, for non-ideal joint gaps, in all duplex used in this work, the Ni rich solid solution, as well as deleterious phases composed of nickel and chromium phosphides. The ideal gap presented Ni rich solid solution, usually called -Ni, was found continuously without a continuous intermetallic region in the joint center. In the case of super duplex and hyperduplex brazing, the brazing thermal cycles produced the formation of sigma phase in the region of the joint interface, in the base metal.

Cold-formed stainless steel sections have been increasingly used in architectural and structural applications. Yet the high price of stainless steel limits the application to construction projects. The lean duplex stainless steel (EN 1.4162) offers an opportunity for stainless steels to be used more widely due to its competitive in price, good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The lean duplex stainless steel is a relatively new material, and research on this material is limited. Currently, the lean duplex stainless steel is not covered in any design specification, and no design rules are available for such material. Therefore, the behaviour and design of cold-formed lean duplex stainless steel members are investigated in this study. The investigation focused on columns, beams and beam-columns of square and rectangular hollow sections. Both experimental and numerical investigations were performed and reported. Design rules for cold-form lean duplex stainless steel members are proposed. The experimental investigation included material tests, column tests, beam tests and beam-column tests at room and elevated temperatures ranged from 24 – 900 °C. The test specimens were cold-rolled from flat strips. The test program consists of two square hollow sections and four rectangular hollow sections. Coupon specimens were extracted from each hollow section, and their material properties were obtained from tensile coupon tests at room temperature and elevated temperatures. In this study, a modified design rule was proposed to predict the cold-formed lean duplex stainless steel material properties at elevated temperatures. The local and overall geometric imperfections were measured. A total of 38 column tests were conducted. The effective column length ranged from 75 to 1660 mm in order to obtain a column curve for each test series. The test program for beams included 10 pure bending tests, and the bending capacities of the specimens were determined. A total of 37 beam-column specimens were compressed between pinned ends at different eccentricities in order to obtain an interactive curve for each series of test. Numerical investigation on columns, beams and beam-columns at room temperature as well as elevated temperatures are also presented. Accurate finite element models were developed and verified against the experimental results for columns, beams and beam-columns at room temperature. The structural members at elevated temperatures were simulated by replacing the material properties with those obtained at elevated temperatures. Extensive parametric studies were carried out, including 150 columns, 126 beams and 150 beam-columns at room temperature, as well as 180 columns, 125 beams and 195 beam-columns at elevated temperatures. Column, beam and beam-column strengths obtained from the experimental and numerical investigations as well as available data were compared with the design strengths calculated using American, Australian/New Zealand, European specifications for stainless steel structures of duplex material, since lean duplex material is not covered by these specifications. In addition, direct strength method for carbon steel and stainless steel as well as continuous strength method for stainless steel were assessed for cold-formed lean duplex stainless steel. Modified design rules were proposed. The reliability of the current and modified design rules was evaluated using reliability analysis. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy