We consider the dynamics of an elastic sheet lubricated by the flow of a thin layer of fluid that separates it from a rigid wall. By considering long wavelength deformations of the sheet, we derive an evolution equation for its motion, accounting for the effects of elastic bending, viscous lubrication and body forces. We then analyze various steady and unsteady problems for the sheet such as peeling, healing, levitating and bursting using a combination of numerical simulation and dimensional analysis. On the macro-scale, we corroborate our theory with a simple experiment, and on the micro-scale, we analyze an oscillatory valve that can transform a continuous stream of fluid into a series of discrete pulses. / NSF

Thesis (doctoral)--Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Berlin, 1924. / Vita.

Thesis--Tekniska Högskolan, Stockholm. / Extra t.p., with thesis statement, inserted. Bibliography: p. 133-139.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-130). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Strained layers are incorporated into many electronic devices and particularly into semiconductor lasers. These strained layers can relax, both elastically and plastically, which often impairs the performance of the device. This thesis presents several methods for calculating elastic strain relaxation: a Fourierseries method for stresses imposed on the surfaces of a rectangular block; a Fourier-integral for stress imposed on the surfaces of an infinite layer; and a Green-function method for the stress field about buried inclusions. The methods are used to calculate the strain distributions in a transmission electron microscopy sample, the relaxation at the end facet of a strained-layer laser, and the strain field about a rectangular buried layer. The effects of the strain relaxation on the optical absorption of the laser facet and the zone-centre band structure of the buried layer are discussed. The equilibrium theory of critical thickness is examined in detail and is shown to make unreasonable predictions for highly strained layers; a modification which corrects this behaviour is suggested. The equilibrium theory equates the line tension of a strain relieving dislocation to the strain energy it relieves in the layer. The additional energy corrections which can be included in the line tension are discussed, together with the failure of the equilibrium theories to reliably predict plastic relaxation in all situations.

This PhD research project mainly examined the important yet incompletely understood field of the mechano-sorptive creep of softwood. It included the acquisition of accurate creep data during constant and cyclic moisture conditions. The study only concerns the loading of softwood in the longitudinal, parallel to the grain direction in bending mode. Mechano-sorptive creep deformation takes place when the wood is subjected to load in varying humidity conditions, where the creep deformation is substantially higher than the creep deformation under constant humidity conditions. Visco-elastic creep is defined as the creep strain that is primarily dependent on time. Further analysis on the pseudo-creep, which is reversible with moisture changes, was also investigated. The Young's Modulus (E) and density (p) of the samples used in this research were measured and the ratio of (E/p) was used to characterise the quality of the wood specimen. A program was written in Quick-Basic for the computer to take readings from the creep machines at all times during all creep tests for acquiring maximum creep data possible for obtaining better results. A 'steaming' technique was implemented to accelerate creep recovery, in order to allow the re-use of the same sample for repeated creep testing, so reducing the effects of variability. Measurements of visco-elastic creep, mechano-sorptive creep limit and pseudo-creep rate as functions of percentage relative humidity and E/p were investigated and analysed. The mechano-sorptive creep limit was successfully reached by the load-reduction method. The pseudo-creep rate was similar for samples with the same values of E/p at different relative humidity. The higher the relative humidity, the larger the magnitude of visco-elastic and the 'reference' creep at the mechano-sorptive creep limit. A higher value of E/p produced lower pseudocreep rate, visco-elastic creep and mechano-sorptive creep limit. Equations were derived from the one week visco-elastic creep experimental data in order to extrapolate visco-elastic creep to longer time durations, (medium, long and permanent periods, and compared to the new European code of practice for timber design, namely the Draft Eurocode 5), and at two critical relative humidity conditions, (63% and 90%rh), which correspond to the Service Classes 1 and 2 in the Draft Eurocode 5. Also, an equation to predict the mechano-sorptive creep limit at various values of E/p for the two critical relative humidity conditions, (63% and 90%rh), was acquired. The prediction of creep at various relative humidities along the pseudo creep line was also quantified. The extrapolated visco-elastic creep along with the total upper-bound creep values were compared to the creep allowances of the Draft Eurocode 5 for both Service Classes 1 and 2. Moreover, a design scheme for estimating the upper-bound creep, consisting of the addition of visco-elastic, mechano-sorptive and pseudo creep for Draft Eurocode 5 Service Classes 1 and 2 was achieved. A study of the degree of interaction between visco-elastic and mechanosorptive creep was further investigated. Two different experiments were performed to reach some conclusion. The results of the first experiment showed that mechanosorptive creep acceleration decreases the visco-elastic creep rate and there was some kind of interaction between the two creep mechanisms. Hence the two creep mechanisms should not be considered as a separate phenomenon. On the other hand, the results of the second experiment showed that the visco-elastic and mechanosorptive creep are not a single process but are related processes. Moreover, it was deduced that the mechano-sorptive creep does not depend on the accumulation of the visco-elastic creep rate.

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