La conception et la réalisation des tests de qualification des engins propulsés nécessitent une connaissance du comportement mécanique des matériaux utilisés pour leur fabrication. Dans ce cadre, une large gamme de vitesses de sollicitation est à considérer, intégrant de nombreuses situations de service des propergols solides. La connaissance de leur comportement doit permettre de prédire les risques associés à une sollicitation imprévue (conditions de transport difficiles, chute). La méthodologie usuelle consiste en la caractérisation des matériaux par un ensemble d’essais de traction uniaxiale, d’essais de DMA et d’essais de traction sous pression pour identifier les paramètres du modèle numérique (HRVM). Cependant, il a été indiqué que la méthodologie usuelle ne permettait pas la réalisation de simulations numériques satisfaisantes lorsque la vitesse de déformation est supérieure à 50 s−1. Ce travail de thèse propose des nouvelles techniques de caractérisation expérimentale permettant de compléter les résultats existants pour une gamme de vitesse de l’ordre de 100 s−1. Des essais originaux assurant des modes de sollicitations dynamiques et homogènes ont été mis au point et validés. Par exemple, un montage expérimental de traction uni-axiale rapide a été conçu pour la caractérisation d’un élastomère composite à matrice p − BHT hautement chargé de particules rigides (une distribution de CaCO3 et une autre d’aluminium). Parmi les autres essais développés, un essai de cisaillement hétérogène d’impact sur tranche a été adapté, cet essai permet d’apprécier l’état d’endommagement dans le matériau pendant et suite à l’impact. Les paramètres de comportement quantifiés dans la gamme de vitesse de déformation prospectée ont été intégrés à la bibliothèque des paramètres existante. Les premières simulations numériques intégrant ces nouveaux paramètres ont permis d’étendre l’utilisation du modèle de comportement utilisé par Ariane Group. / The design and qualification tests of rocket motors require knowledge of the mechanical behavior of the materialsused to manufacture them. In this aim, a large range of strain rates have to be considered, this range integratemany solid propellant service situations. Knowledge of their behaviour should make it possible to predict the risksassociated with unexpected stress on propelled vehicles (difficult transport conditions, falls). The usual methodologyuses both numerical and experimental approaches. This methology is based on several uniaxial tesile tests, DMA andtensile tests under pressure to identify the parameters of the constitutive law (HRVM). However, it was indicatedthat the usual method did not allow satisfactory numerical predictions to be performed when the strain rate isgreater than 50 s−1. This PhD work proposes new experimental characterization techniques to complement existingresults for a range of strain rates of about 100 s−1. Original tests ensuring dynamic and homogeneous loadingshave been developed. A dynamic tensile test has been designed to characterize composites elastomers highly filled(CaCO3 and aluminum). A heterogeneous dynamic shear test of edge-on impact has been also adapted, this testmakes it possible to assess the state of damage in the material during and after the impact. The material parametersquantified with new mechanical tests have been integrated into the existing parameter library. The firsts numericalsimulations using these new parameters have made it possible to extend the practice of numerical model used byAriane Group.

The PhD thesis deals with the possibility of performing dynamic tensile tests. For this purpose, Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar Test (hereinafter SHPBT) is used. The basic construction of SHPBT device is designed to perform dynamic compression tests on materials (metals, plastics, and ceramics). The obtained results are deformation stress – strain and strain rate – strain dependences. SHPBT is capable of testing materials at high strain rates up to 10^2 – 10^3 s-1. It was created a special device for dynamic tensile tests of materials at high strain rates. The created device uses the basic construction of SHPBT. The special device is used for testing flat specimens with 2 mm thickness. It was recognized by the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic as a utility model with number 23703. The specimens used for dynamic tensile testing were made of austenitic stainless steel (WNr. 1.4301) with 2 mm thickness. The verification of created device was carried out by numerical simulation. The numerical simulation was performed by ANSYS LS – Dyna software.

The PhD thesis deals with the possibility of performing dynamic tensile tests. For this purpose, Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar Test (hereinafter SHPBT) is used. The basic construction of SHPBT device is designed to perform dynamic compression tests on materials (metals, plastics, and ceramics). The obtained results are deformation stress – strain and strain rate – strain dependences. SHPBT is capable of testing materials at high strain rates up to 10^2 – 10^3 s-1. It was created a special device for dynamic tensile tests of materials at high strain rates. The created device uses the basic construction of SHPBT. The special device is used for testing flat specimens with 2 mm thickness. It was recognized by the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic as a utility model with number 23703. The specimens used for dynamic tensile testing were made of austenitic stainless steel (WNr. 1.4301) with 2 mm thickness. The verification of created device was carried out by numerical simulation. The numerical simulation was performed by ANSYS LS – Dyna software.