Obtaining the modal parameters of a deflected and rolling tire represents a challenge due to the complex vibration characteristics that cause the tire's symmetry distortion and the natural frequencies' bifurcation phenomena. The modal parameters are usually extracted using a detailed finite element model. The main issue with full modal models (FEA, for example) is the inability to integrate the tire modal model with the vehicle models to tune the suspension system for optimal ride comfort. An in-plane rigid–elastic-coupled tire model was used to examine the 200 DOF finite difference method (FDM) modal analysis accuracy under non-ground contact and non-rotating conditions. The discrete in-plane rigid–elastic-coupled tire model was modified to include the contact patch restriction, centrifugal force, Doppler, and Coriolis effects, covering a range of 0-300 Hz. As a result, the influence of the contact patch and the rotating tire conditions on the natural frequencies and modes were obtained through modal analysis. The in-plane rigid–elastic-coupled modal model with varying conditions was created that connects any two DOFs around the tire's tread or sidewall as inputs or outputs. The vertical movement of the wheel was incorporated into the in-plane rigid–elastic-coupled tire modal model to extract the transfer function (TF) that connects road irregularities as an input to the wheel's vertical movement as an output. The TF was utilized in a quasi-static manner to obtain the tire's enveloping characteristics rolling over short wavelength obstacles as a direct function of vertical wheel displacement under varying contact patch length constraints. The tire modal model was implemented with the quarter car model to obtain the vehicle response rolling over short wavelength obstacles. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the influence of tire parameters and pretension forces on natural frequencies. / Doctor of Philosophy / The goal of vehicle manufacturers is to predict the vehicle's behavior under various driving conditions using mathematical models and simulation. Automotive companies rely heavily on computational simulation tools instead of real-time tests to shorten the product development cycle and reduce costs. However, the interaction between the tire and the road is one of the most critical aspects to consider when evaluating automobile stability and performance. The tires are responsible for generating the forces and moments that drive and maneuver the vehicle. Tires are complex products due to their intricate design, and their characteristics are affected by many factors such as vertical load, inflation pressure, speed, and a road with an uneven surface profile. Consequently, this project aims to describe the influence of various driving circumstances and load conditions on tire properties, as well as to develop a model that can represent the vertical tire and vehicle behavior while traveling over a cleat under different vehicle loads.

Three components, a pallet, packaging, and material handling equipment, of the unit load portion of the supply chain are physically and mechanically interacting during product storage and shipping. Understanding the interactions between two primary components, a pallet and packaging, in a unit load is a key step towards supply chain cost reduction and workplace safety improvement. Designing a unit load without considering physical and mechanical interactions, between those two components, can result in human injury or death caused from a unsafe workplace environment and increased supply chain operating costs, due to product damage, high packaging cost, disposal expense, and waste of natural resources. This research is directed towards developing predictive models of the compressive stress distributions using the principle of the beam on an elastic foundation and experimentally quantifying the compressive stress distributions. The overall objective of this study is to develop a model that predicts compressive stress distributions at the interface between a pallet deck and packaging as a function of: pallet deck stiffness, packaging stiffness, and pallet joint fixity. The developed models were validated by comparison to the results of physical testing of the unit load section. Design variables required for modeling included Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) of pallet deckboards, Rotation Modulus (RM) for nailed joints, and packaging stiffness. Predictive models of the compressive stress distributions were non-uniformly distributed across the interface between pallet deckboards and packaging. Maximum compressive stresses were observed at the deckboard ends over stringer segments. All predictive compressive stress distributions were influenced by pallet deck stiffness, packaging stiffness, and joint fixity. The less the joint fixity the greater the pallet deck deflection. The stiffer deckboards are more sensitive to joint fixity. For predictive compressive stress distribution models, the measure of the stress concentrations was the Compressive Stress Intensity Factor (SIF), which was the ratio of the estimated maximum compressive stress to the applied stress. Less stiff pallets and stiffer packaging resulted in greater SIF for all end condition models. SIF was reduced by stiffer joint, stiffer pallet deck and more flexible packaging. The stiffer the pallet deck and pallet joint the greater the effective bearing area. The lower stiffness packaging resulted in the greater effective bearing area with all three packages. The predicted effective bearing area was more influenced by pallet deck stiffness than the packaging stiffness. The developed prediction models were validated by comparison to experimental results. All prediction models fell within 95% confidence bounds except the 3/8-inch deck with free ends and 3/4-inch deck with fixed ends. The difference between predicted and measured results was due to a limitation in pressure sensor range and test specimen construction for the free end model and fixed end model, respectively. The results show effects of pallet deck stiffness and packaging stiffness on SIFs with percentage changes ranging from 2 to 26% (absolute value of change) for all three end conditions. The sensitivity study concluded that changing both pallet deck stiffness and packaging stiffness more significantly influenced the SIFs than bearing areas. / Ph. D.

The target of the ‘Green Overlays’ research was a cost effective, minimal disruption, sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to the wholesale demolition, removal and complete reconstruction of the existing structural concrete pavement. The important problem of flexural resistance for strengthening concrete pavements with structural overlays has been scrutinised. A new mix design method for steel fibre reinforced, roller compacted, polymer modified, bonded concrete overlay has been proposed. The mixes developed were characterized of high flexural strength and high bond strength with the old concrete substrate. ‘Placeability’ and ‘compactability’ of the mix were two dominant issues during laboratory investigation. An innovative approach for establishing the relationship between Stress and Crack Face Opening Displacement for steel fibre reinforced concrete beams under flexure was developed. In addition, a new and simple method for calculating the interfacial Strain Energy Release Rate of both, a two-dimensional specimen and a three-dimensional model of the overlay pavement system were developed. This method can be readily and easily used by practicing engineers. Finally, a new test specimen and its loading configuration for measuring interfacial fracture toughness for concrete overlay pavements were established. The interfacial fracture toughness of a composite concrete beam, consisted of steel fibre-reinforced roller compacted polymer modified concrete bonded on conventional concrete and undergoing flexure, was assessed. In summary, this thesis presents four key findings: A new mix design method for steel fibre-reinforced roller compacted polymer modified concrete bonded on conventional concrete. A new method for establishing the fibre bridging law by an inverse analysis approach. A new, simplified method for calculating strain energy release rate at the interface of a composite beam. A new, innovative technique for calculating strain energy release rate at the interface of an overlaid pavement. The thesis contains a plethora of graphs, data-tables, examples and formulae, suitable for future researchers.

Submitted by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2016-03-31T20:10:43Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Adriana Cristina Gomes - 2015.pdf: 14045273 bytes, checksum: 9bf9ee1429dd1afc11c6d19ff58a65c7 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-04-04T11:48:47Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Adriana Cristina Gomes - 2015.pdf: 14045273 bytes, checksum: 9bf9ee1429dd1afc11c6d19ff58a65c7 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T11:48:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Adriana Cristina Gomes - 2015.pdf: 14045273 bytes, checksum: 9bf9ee1429dd1afc11c6d19ff58a65c7 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This study presents the results of an extensive field monitoring program in which the lateral displacements of a nail reinforced sheet pile wall in Goiânia, Brazil were measured during the excavation process. The instrumentation methods adopted were multiple point borehole extensometers (MPBX) and optical surveying. The MPBX showed good results that could be appropriately interpreted as the excavation progressed. However, the measurements of optical surveying were not reliable due the low precision of total station and for being highly affected by user’s errors. In order to determine the geotechnical profile, laboratory test were undertaken to obtain strength and deformation parameters for unsaturated and saturated soil conditions. The large variability of the soil, observed in terms of void ratio, presented an important obstacle, making the determination of representative shear strength parameters a challenge. As a way to bridge the analysis of field monitoring results, soil properties and the numerical back analyses of the retaining walls, the water content profile and the soil-water characteristic curve were measured. Such data was used to obtain the suction profile and evaluated its influence in the monitored field data. Finally, the numerical code Sheeting Check (Geo5), which uses the beam on elastic foundation method, was employed to obtain the soil subgrade reaction modulus (ks) and determine the retaining wall deformation profile and earth pressures in saturated and unsaturated soil condition. The maximum lateral displacements values found in the numerical back analyses were compatible with the monitoring results. Besides, the influence of unsaturated soil conditions and soil suction in the reduction of the retaining wall deformations and the active earth pressures were observed. / Este estudo apresenta resultados de um extenso monitoramento de deslocamentos horizontais de uma estrutura de contenção em estacas espaçadas com tirantes passivos na cidade de Goiânia, Brasil que foram medidas durante o processo de escavação. Os métodos de instrumentação adotados foram de extensômetros de hastes horizontais múltiplas (EHHM) e medições topográficas. O EHHM apresentou bons resultados que permitiu interpretar corretamente o progresso da escavação. Todavia, as medições topográficas não foram confiáveis devido à baixa precisão da Estação Total e sendo bastante afetados por erros do usuário. Para determinar o perfil geotécnico do solo, ensaios em laboratório foram realizados para obter parâmetros de resistência e deformabilidade para o solo na condição natural e saturada. A grande variabilidade do solo, observada em termos de índice de vazios, se apresenta como importante obstáculo, tornando a determinação representativa dos parâmetros de resistência ao cisalhamento um desafio. Buscando acoplar as análises dos resultados de monitoramento em campo, propriedades do solo e retro análises da estrutura de contenção, o perfil de umidade e a curva característica solo-água foram medidos. Esses dados foram utilizados para obter o perfil de sucção do solo e avaliar sua influência nos dados monitorados em campo. Por fim, a ferramenta numérica Shetting Check (Geo5), que aplica o método de viga apoiada sobre base elástica, foi utilizada para obter o módulo de reação do solo (ks) e avaliar o comportamento do perfil de deformação da parede de contenção e do empuxo de terra para o solo na condição saturada e não saturado. Os valores de deslocamentos horizontais máximos obtidos a partir da retro análise apresentam-se compatíveis com valores da literatura. Além disso, a influência da sucção na redução da deformação da parede de contenção e dos empuxos ativos foi observada.

Tato diplomová práce se zabývá modifikací původního tvaru součásti za účelem co nejlepšího splnění provozních podmínek daného zatížení a omezujících podmínek v programech M.S.C. NASTRAN, M.S.C. PATRAN a FUSION 360. Součást je připevněna na ortotropní desce (sendvičovém panelu). Cílem této práce je zjištění efektu elastického podkladu na výsledky optimalizace. Součást bude optimalizována za použití různých cílových funkcí a omezení. Elastický podklad změní tuhost, což může změnit napěťový stav součásti. Únosnost původního a modifikovaného tvaru bude srovnána pomocí programu M.S.C NASTRAN/PATRAN. Po tvarové optimalizaci má být 3D model připravený pro výrobní proces, který bude cenově nejefektivnější.