An increase in the demand for the freight shipping in the United States has been predicted for the near future and Longer Combination Vehicles (LCVs), which can carry more loads in each trip, seem like a good solution for the problem. Currently, utilizing LCVs is not permitted in most states of the US and little research has been conducted on the effects of these heavy vehicles on the roads and bridges. In this research, efforts are made to study these effects by comparing the dynamic and fatigue effects of LCVs with more common trucks. Ten Steel and prestressed concrete bridges with span lengths ranging from 30’ to 140’ are designed and modeled using the grid system in MATLAB. Additionally, three more real bridges including two single span simply supported steel bridges and a three span continuous steel bridge are modeled using the same MATLAB code. The equations of motion of three LCVs as well as eight other trucks are derived and these vehicles are subjected to different road surface conditions and bumps on the roads and the designed and real bridges. By forming the bridge equations of motion using the mass, stiffness and damping matrices and considering the interaction between the truck and the bridge, the differential equations are solved using the ODE solver in MATLAB and the results of the forces in tires as well as the deflections and moments in the bridge members are obtained. The results of this study show that for most of the bridges, LCVs result in the smallest values of Dynamic Amplification Factor (DAF) whereas the Single Unit Trucks cause the highest values of DAF when traveling on the bridges. Also in most cases, the values of DAF are observed to be smaller than the 33% threshold suggested by the design code. Additionally, fatigue analysis of the bridges in this study confirms that by replacing the current truck traffic with higher capacity LCVs, in most cases, the remaining fatigue life of the bridge is only slightly decreased which means that taking advantage of these larger vehicles can be a viable option for decision makers.

Tato disertační práce se zabývá experimentálním a výpočtovým výzkumem přídavných účinků od proudu kapaliny na obtékaný hydraulický profil. Dynamická odezva profilu byla analyzována pro dva typy buzení: buzení odtržením mezní vrstvy a Kármánových vírů a dále buzení pomocí externího budiče připojeného k lopatce. Experimentální měření dynamické odezvy profilu na oba typy buzení bylo provedeno pro lopatku umístěnou v kavitujícím a nekavitujícím proudění. Získané výsledky byly použity pro verifikaci přídavných účinků stanovených s využitím numerického modelování.

This dissertation thesis deals with the computational modelling of the dynamic response of the rotating electrical machine structure on the application of the magnetic forces. Apart from the dynamic response of the ideal symmetrical machine, the influence of the air gap eccentricity on the dynamics response is studied in this work. A basic type of the air gap eccentricity, which is caused by eccentric mounting of the rotor pack on the shaft of the rotor, is considered. The calculations the dependence of the magnetic forces on the time and a misalignment of the rotor pack are performed as first. The computational model of the magnetic field of the rotating electrical machine, which is based on solution of the electromagnetic coupled field analysis by finite element method, is used for this purpose. An analysis of the influence of the unbalanced magnetic pull and the stiffness of some parts of the machine on the modal properties of the machine is performed in the second part of this thesis. A third part of this thesis is focused on the calculation of the dynamic response of the machine during the steady state operation of the machine and the influence of the rotor pack misalignment on the dynamic response is studied. The obtained results showed that the tangential components of the magnetic forces, which act on the stator pack, excite significant torsional vibration of the stator. Besides the vibration of the stator of the machine, the influence of the rotor pack misalignment on the sound power of the machine, vibration of the rotor, loads of rotor bearings and air gap eccentricity is studied in this thesis.

In this thesis the effect of axle load spreading through ballast and the effect of support stiffness has been investigated on short span railway bridges. Two types of bridges, simply supported bridges and bridges with integrated backwalls, have been modeled with 2D beam elements. When analyzing the load spreading effect, two types of load shapes have been considered. The first one is the load shape proposed in Eurocode where the axle load is modeled with three point loads where 50% of the axle load acts on the sleeper located underneath the wheel and 25% on the two adjacent sleepers, respectively. Therefrom the loads are further distributed through the sleepers and the ballast. The second load shape that has been studied is a triangular load shape. These two load shapes have been modeled both with different numbers of point loads and as distributed line loads to see how the dynamic response of the bridges is affected and thereby find what level of accuracy that is required to capture the full effect of the load spreading. For the bridges with integrated backwalls the supports were also modeled as springs with varying stiffness to see how the dynamic response was affected. The response was measured in terms of vertical acceleration and bending moment. From the simulations the conclusion can be drawn that the triangular load shape gives significantly lower bridge responses than the Eurocode load shape. It is further found that modeling the axle loads with point loads can give spurious acceleration peaks, which in the case of bridges with integrated backwalls often are critical. For these bridges it is necessary to enhance the accuracy of the load spread, either by increasing the number of point loads or using a distributed line load. From the spring support simulations, it can be seen that support stiffness has great influence on the dynamic response of bridges with integrated backwalls. For certain values the response is increased, whereas for other values a large reduction is obtained.

La surveillance de la réponse structurale est fondamentale pour estimer la performance des bâtiments et réduire les pertes lors de futurs séismes. Un moyen pratique de détecter les changements de comportement structural consiste à analyser les variations des propriétés élastiques lors d'excitations dynamiques. Dans ce travail, on montre que les variations de la fréquence fondamentale des bâtiments lors de tremblements de terre (faibles à forts) pourraient être expliquées par des processus élastiques non linéaires qui se produisent à l'intérieur du matériau, et qui finalement affectent le comportement macroscopique global des bâtiments. Ces processus élastiques non linéaires sont responsables de la diminution temporaire ou permanente de la rigidité structurale, pouvant expliquer les processus de récupération des propriétés élastiques observés à la suite d'événements sismiques. Cette étude comble le fossé entre des expériences de laboratoire à l'échelle microscopique et des observations sismologiques à l'échelle macroscopique, où l’élasticité non linéaire est également observée. Dans un premier temps, une base de données sismiques établie dans le cadre de cette thèse est présentée, incluant des réponses de bâtiments instrumentés de façon permanente dans le monde: des milliers d’enregistrements de mouvements sismiques et plusieurs bâtiments du Japon et des États-Unis ont été traités, apportant des connaissances utiles pour le domaine du génie parasismique, notamment pour la prédiction empirique de la réponse structurale en fonction de mesures d'intensité du mouvement au sol. Les incertitudes associées à la prédiction d’endommagement sont présentées, ainsi que l'évaluation de la vulnérabilité d'un bâtiment sous forme de courbes de fragilité. Ensuite, la base de données est utilisée pour analyser les signatures élastiques non linéaires dans les bâtiments, en particulier les effets de la dynamique lente (ou relaxation). Les variations des fréquences de résonance sont étudiées à court et à long terme, en estimant la contribution du sol à la réponse du système sol-structure. Différents états structuraux sont déduits en fonction des amplitudes de chargement et propriétés observées via les enregistrements. Des modèles de relaxation développés en laboratoire sont ensuite adaptés aux données des bâtiments afin de caractériser la densité de fissuration et les hétérogénéités, en effectuant des comparaisons entre les états structuraux avant et après de fortes excitations telles que le séisme de 2011 (Mw=9) de Tohoku (Japon). Les effets des chargements sont observés lors de la récupération des séquences de répliques. Les résultats sont étendus à différentes typologies de bâtiments, en analysant l'influence du matériau et des caractéristiques de chargement, notamment les taux de déformation. Enfin, quelques conclusions générales sont présentées, ainsi qu'une perspective de travail utilisant des outils de machine learning pour prédire la réponse de bâtiments en fonction de signatures élastiques non linéaires observées. / Monitoring structural response is fundamental for evaluating the performance of buildings and reducing losses during future earthquakes. One practical way to detect changes in structural behavior is analyzing variations of elastic properties during dynamic excitations. Here we show that variations in the fundamental frequency of buildings during (weak -to- strong) earthquakes might be explained by nonlinear elastic processes carried out within the structural material, which affect the global macroscopic structural behavior. These nonlinear elastic processes are responsible for both transitory and permanent structural softening, and might explain the intriguing recovery effects observed in the fundamental frequency of buildings following seismic events. This study bridges the gap between microscale laboratory experiments and macroscale seismological observations, where nonlinear elasticity is also observed. In the first part of this study, a new seismic database of building responses is presented: thousands strong motion recordings and several buildings from Japan and US were processed, providing useful tools for the earthquake engineering community, notably for the empirical prediction of structural response as a function of several ground motion intensity measures. Examples of uncertainties associated to damage prediction are presented, as well as the vulnerability assessment of a building throughout fragility curves. Next, the seismic database is used to analyze nonlinear elastic signatures in buildings, particularly the slow dynamics or relaxation effects. Variations of resonant frequencies are monitored at both short and long-term, estimating the contribution of soil in the response of the system soil-structure. Different levels of damage are inferred according to loading amplitudes and structural states. Some laboratory-based models of relaxation are adapted to the building data in order to infer crack-density and heterogeneities over time, making comparisons between structural states before and after large excitations such as the Mw 9 Tohoku earthquake. Conditioning effects are observed during the backbone recovery of aftershocks sequences. The results are extended to different building typologies, analyzing the influence of structural material and loading features, notably strain-rates. Finally, some general conclusions are presented, together with a perspective work using machine learning to predict building response based on nonlinear elastic signatures.

Due to their large torque-speed ratio and transmission efficiency, planetary gears are widely used in the automotive industry. However, high amplitude vibrations remain their critical weakness, which limits their usage especially when new strict noise legislations come into action. A new approach to handle the instability problems of planetary gears encountered in real industrial context is presented in this work. First, the dynamic response of a planetary gear failing to pass the noise regulations is theoretically investigated through an analytical model. The equations of motion were solved using the Spectral Iterative Method. The observed experimental results correlated well with those from the developed model. In order to limit the resonance phenomena, impacts of different macro and micro-geometry modifications were analytically investigated: quadratic teeth profile, different planets positioning, different number of teeth and number of planets. Optimum modifications were retrieved and are expected to be tested experimentally on a test bench and on the truck. Finally, the analytical model’s limits and sensitivity to different parameters were investigated in order to certify its reliability, and suggestions for improvements were presented.

This study investigated the effect of sensor mass, sensor location, and delamination location of different composite structures under dynamic loading. The study pertains to research of the use of accelerometers and dynamic response as a cost-effective and reliable method of structural health monitoring in composite structures. The composite structures in this research included carbon fiber plates, carbon fiber-foam sandwich panels, and carbon-fiber honeycomb sandwich panels. The composite structures were manufactured with the use of a Tetrahedron MTP-8 heat press. All work was conducted in the Cal Poly Aerospace Structures/Composites Laboratory. Initial delaminations were placed at several locations along the specimen, including the bending mode node line locations. The free vibration of the composite structure was forced through a harmonic horizontal vibration test using an Unholtz-Dickie shake system. A sinusoidal sweep input was considered for the test. The dynamic response of the composite test specimens were measured using piezoelectric accelerometers. Measurements were taken along horizontal and vertical locations on the surfaces of the composite structures. Square inch grids were marked on the surfaces to create a meshed grid system. Accelerometer measurements were taken at the center of the grids. The VIP Sensors 1011A piezoelectric accelerometer was used to measure vibration response. The measurements were then compared to response measurements taken from a PCB Piezotronics 353B04 single access accelerometer to determine the effects of sensor mass. Deviations in bending mode natural frequency and differences in mode shape amplitude became the criteria for evaluating the effect of sensor mass, sensor location, and delamination location. Changes in damping of the time response were also studied. The experimental results were compared to numerical models created using a finite element method. The experimental results and numerical values were shown to be in good agreement. The sensor mass greatly affected the accuracy and precision of vibration response measurements in the composites structures. The smaller weight and area of the VIP accelerometer helped to minimize the decrease in accuracy and precision due to sensor mass. The effect of sensor location was found to be coupled with the effect of sensor mass and the bending mode shape. The sensor location did not affect the vibration response measurements when the sensor mass was minimized. Off-center horizontal sensor placement showed the possibility of measuring vibration torsion modes. The effect of delamination changed the bending mode shape of the composite structure, which corresponded to a change in natural frequency. The greatest effect of the delamination was seen at the bending mode node lines, where the bending mode shape was most significantly affected. The effect of delamination was also dependent on the location of the delamination and the composite structure type. The results of this study provided considerations for future research of an active structural health monitoring system of composite structures using dynamic response measurements. The considerations included sensor mass reduction, sensor placement at constraints and bond areas and the presence of damping material.

<p> This report examines the dynamic response of a 0. 5 metre pilot scale rotating biological contactor when operated under transient influent conditions. Experimental data are presented for two modes of operation: carbon oxidation and carbon oxidation plus nitrification. During the carbon oxidation experimental runs, a 2.0 metre RBC was operated in parallel with the 0.5 metre RBC, thus allowing comparisons in the performance of the units. </p> <p> When the 0. 5 metre RBC was operated under nitrifying conditions, it was found that the effluent filterable TKN responded positively to influent variations in filterable TKN loading, TKN concentration and hydraulic loading. Transfer f unction noise models were developed which successfully predicted the time varying effluent TKN response. The response in effluent filterable TKN was predicted most precisely by influent TKN loading. Models based on influent TKN concentration and flow were not as precise in predicting effluent response. The effluent response of the 0.5 metre RBC was found to be greater than the response of activated sludge pilot units when operated at similar levels of removal. </p> <p> When the 0. 5 metre RBC was operated in the carbon oxidation 'mode, significant effluent responses were observed for carbon loading and concentration. Little correlation was found between influent flow and effluent carbon concentration. Operating under identical conditions, the 2.0 m RBC showed significant responses to carbon loading, carbon concentration and flow. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

No description available.

Esta pesquisa apresenta um estudo da resposta dinâmica dos motores de indução trifásicos submetidos a afundamentos de tensão. As simulações computacionais sobre um sistema de distribuição, assim como a modelagem dos motores de indução trifásicos baseada em dados reais, foram realizadas utilizando-se do software ATP (Alternative Transients Program). Estas tiveram por objetivo gerar situações representativas da operação do sistema elétrico de potência (SEP), caracterizando afundamentos de tensão, fenômenos estes pertencentes à classe de variações de tensão de curta duração (VTCD), no contexto da qualidade da energia elétrica (QEE). Da observação destes afundamentos, verificaram-se as situações que vieram ou não, a comprometer a alimentação do equipamento analisado e, conseqüentemente, seu desempenho. Pelos resultados observados, evidencia-se que a metodologia de análise aplicada é satisfatória e condizente com o encontrado em situações reais de operação dos motores de indução trifásicos, denotando certas características intrínsecas no contexto das VTCDs. / This research shows a study on the dynamic response of three-phase induction motors submitted to voltage sags. Computer simulations about a distribution system, as well as the modeling of three-phase induction motors based on actual data, were made using ATP (Alternative Transients Program) software. These simulations intended to generate representative situations of the electrical power system (EPS) operation, characterizing voltage sags, which is a phenomenon belonging to the class of short duration voltage variations (SDVV), in the electrical power quality context (EPQ). From the observation of these sags, we verified the situations that jeopardized or not the supply of the analyzed equipment and, consequently, its performance. From the observed results, it becomes evident that the methodology of the applied analysis is satisfactory and in agreement with the one found in actual situations of three-phase induction motors operations, indicating certain characteristics intrinsic to the SDVV context.