Idag blir det allt vanligare med träbyggnader högre än två våningar. Detta tillsammans med en modern arkitektur som ger stora öppna planlösningar ställer höga krav på bjälklagen i träbyggnader. Problematiken med långa spännvidder för bjälklag i trä är att klara kraven för svikt och nedböjning. Dessa krav måste uppfyllas för att säkerställa funktioner hos andra byggdelar och för att människor inte ska uppleva att golvet sviktar eller vibrerar på ett obehagligt sätt. Ett träbjälklag bestående av limmade balkar av sidobräder har utvecklats. Bjälklaget är utformat av balkar med I-tvärsnitt i primärriktningen och rektangulära balktvärsnitt i sekundärriktningen. Examensarbetet omfattar laborativa provningar och beräkningar dels för att bestämma en böjelasticitetsmodul för varje enskild limmad balk och dels för att bestämma styvhetsegenskaperna för bjälklaget. De limmade träbalkarna ingår i ett forskningsprojekt vid Växjö universitet finansierat av KK-stiftelsen, som syftar till att undersöka möjligheterna att tillverka en konkurrenskraftig produkt genom att i grönt tillstånd (otorkat) limma ihop bräder från stockens yttre delar till balkar. Balkarna levererades limmade och hyvlade till universitet där en böjelasticitetsmodul först bestämdes för varje enskild balk. Därefter monterades balkarna ihop till ett fullskaligt bjälklag som provades med olika försöksuppställningar/lastfall varvid deformationen mättes upp. Dessa deformationer blir underlag för att bestämma bjälklagets styvhet. Böjstyvheten i primärriktningen uppgår till 17,55 x 1012 Nmm2/m enligt beräkningar baserade på laborativa resultat. Böjstyvheten i sekundärriktningen uppgår till 4,5 % av primärriktningens böjstyvhet, dvs. 0,79 x 1012 Nmm2/m. Sammanfattningsvis kan man säga att böjstyvheten är hög i båda riktningar i jämförelse med vanliga träbjälklag. / In Sweden it becomes more and more common with wood buildings higher than two floors. This along with a modern architecture that gives big open plan solutions sets high requirements on the floor systems in wood buildings. The complexes of problems with long spans for floor systems in wood are to match the requirements for elasticity and deformation. These requirements must be met in order to ensure functions of other construction components, and not be unpleasant for people to walk on with respect to vibrations. A wooden floor system consisting of green glued side wood sections has been developed. The floor system is made with I-profiled beams in the primary direction and rectangular cross-sections in the secondary direction. This diploma work is based on that through elaborative testing and numeric calculations to decide the stiffness properties for each individual green glued side wood section and for the floor system. The glued side wood sections are included in a project at Växjö University, which is financed by the KK-foundation. The sections were delivered glued and planed to the university where the stiffness properties were first determinded for each individual section. Then, the sections were assembled to one fully sized floor system that was exposed to different experiments as the deformation was measured. These deformations were later used in order to decide the stiffness of the floor system. The stiffness in the primary direction was prescribed to 17,55 x 1012 Nmm2/m after calculations using results from the tests. The stiffness in the secondary direction amounts to 4,5% of the primary directions stiffness, i e. 0,79 x 1012 Nmm2/m. To sum up, one can say that the stiffness is high in both directions compared to regular wooden floor systems.

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In this dissertation, an innovative approach combining continuum mechanics and atomistic simulations is exposed to develop a nanomechanics theory for modeling and predicting the macroscopic behavior of nanomaterials. This nanomechanics theory exhibits the simplicity of the continuum formulation while taking into account the discrete atomic structure and interaction near surfaces/interfaces. There are four primary objectives to this dissertation. First, theory of interfaces is revisited to better understand its behavior and effects on the overall behavior of nanostructures. Second, atomistic tools are provided in order to efficiently determine the properties of free surfaces and interfaces. Interface properties are reported in this work, with comparison to both theoretical and experimental characterizations of interfaces. Specifically, we report surface elastic properties of groups 10 11 transition metals as well as properties for low-CSL grain boundaries in copper. Third, we propose a continuum framework that casts the atomic level information into continuum quantities that can be used to analyze, model and simulate macroscopic behavior of nanostructured materials. In particular, we study the effects of surface free energy on the effective modulus of nano-particles, nanowires and nano-films as well as nanostructured crystalline materials and propose a general framework valid for any shape of nanostructural elements / nano-inclusions (integral forms) that characterizes the size-dependency of the elastic properties. This approach bridges the gap between discrete systems (atomic level interactions) and continuum mechanics. Finally this continuum outline is used to understand the effects of surfaces on the overall behavior of nano-size structural elements (particles, films, fibers, etc.) and nanostructured materials. More specifically we will discuss the impact of surface relaxation, surface elasticity and non-linearity of the underlying bulk on the properties nanostructured materials.

Ballistic fabrics made from high performance polymeric fibers such as Kevlar®, Twaron® and Spectra® fibers and composites utilizing these fabrics are among the leading materials for modern body armor systems. Polymeric fibers used to produce ballistic fabrics often behave viscoelastically and exhibit time- and rate-dependent stress-strain relations. This necessitates the study of the constitutive behavior of composites filled by ballistic fabrics. Rheological models based on discrete rheological components (including spring and dashpot) have been widely used to study the viscoelastic behavior of polymeric fabrics. Such rheological (or viscoelasticity) models are qualitatively useful in understanding the effects of various micro-mechanisms and molecular features on the macroscopic responses of ballistic fabrics. In the present work, the constitutive behavior of Twaron CT709® fabric/natural rubber (Twaron®/NR) composite is studied using three viscoelasticity models (i.e., a four-parameter Burgers model, a three-parameter generalized Maxwell (GMn=1) model, a five-parameter generalized Maxwell (GMn=2) model) and a newly developed para-rheological model. The new model utilizes a three-parameter element to represent the Twaron® fabric and the affine network based molecular theory of rubber elasticity to account for the deformation mechanisms of the NR constituent. The uniaxial stress-strain relation of the Twaron®/NR composite at two constant strain rates is experimentally determined. The values of the parameters involved in all the models are extracted from the experimental data obtained in this study. The stress-relaxation response (under a uniaxial constant strain) and the creep deformation (under a uniaxial constant stress) of the composite are also experimentally measured. The three viscoelasticity models considered here are capable of predicting the viscoelastic constitutive behavior of the composite with different levels of accuracy. The stress-strain relation at each strain rate predicted by the newly developed para-rheological model is seen to be in good agreement with the measured stress-strain curve over the entire strain range studied. It is shown that the new model also predicts the elastic moduli and ultimate stress of the Twaron®/NR composite well. All the four models are found to predict the initial relaxation response of the composite fairly well, while the long-term stress relaxation is more accurately represented by the para-rheological model. An implicit solution provided by the para-rheological model is shown to predict the creep response of the composite more accurately than all the other models at both the primary and secondary stages. The mathematical complexity that arises from including an additional Maxwell element to the GMn=1 model to obtain the GMn=2 model with enhanced predictability is traded with the use of simple characteristic time functions in the para-rheological model. These functions are found to greatly improve the predictability of the newly developed model for the stress relaxation modulus and creep compliance. This study also explores the utility of the para-rheological model as a tool to probe the micromechanisms and molecular features that are causally related to the macroscopically observed viscoelastic behavior of the composite. The relaxation and creep trends predicted by the para-rheological model indicate that the long time viscoelastic response of the composite lies between that of a crosslinked polymer and a semi-crystalline thermoplastic.

In this thesis, we expand the option pricing and virtual asset model system by Cheng (2005) and include new simulations and maximum likelihood estimation of the parameter of the stochastic differential equations. For easy manipulation of general users, the interface of original option pricing system is modified. In addition, in order to let the system more completely, some stochastic models and methods of pricing and estimation are added. This system can be divided into three major parts. One is an option pricing system; The second is an asset model simulation system; The last is estimation system of the parameter of the model. Finally, the analysis for the data of network are carried out. The differences of the prices between estimator of this system and real market are compared.

A formulation is proposed for the boundary element analysis of poro-elastic media with axi-symmetric geometry. The boundary integral equation is reduced to a set of line integral equations in the generating plane for each of the Fourier coefficients, through complex Fourier series expansion of boundary quantities in circumferential direction. The method is implemented into a computer program, where the fundamental solutions are integrated by Gaussian Quadrature along the generator, while Fast Fourier Transform algorithm is employed for integrations in circumferential direction. The strongly singular integrands in boundary element equations are regularized by a special technique. The Fourier transform solution is then inverted in to R&amp / #952 / z space via inverse FFT. The success of the method is assessed by problems with analytical solutions. A good fit is observed in each case, which indicates effectiveness and reliability of the present method.

An elastic FGM layer bonded to a semi-infinite linear elastic, isotropic, homogeneous half plane is considered. The half plane contains periodic cracks perpendicular to the interface. Mechanical loading is applied through crack surface pressure, resulting in a mode I crack problem. The plane elasticity problem described above is formulated by using Fourier transforms and Fourier series. A singular integral equation is obtained for the auxiliary variable, namely derivative of the crack surface displacement. Solution is obtained, and stress intensity factors are calculated for various values of crack period, crack length, crack location, layer thickness and material gradation.

Accurately representing the price-demand relationship is critical for the success of a price optimization system. This research first uses booking data from 28 U.S. hotels to investigate the validity of two key assumptions in hotel revenue management. The assumptions are: 1) customers who book later are willing to pay higher rates than customers who book earlier; and, 2) demand is stronger during the week than on the weekend. Empirical results based on an analysis of booking curves, average paid rates, and occupancy rates for group, restricted retail, unrestricted retail, and negotiated demand segments challenge the validity of these assumptions. The combination of lower utilization rates and greater product differentiation suggests that hotels should apply different approaches than simply matching competitor rates to avoid losing market share. On days when inventory is near capacity, traditional yield management tactics deliver tremendous value, but these should be augmented by incorporating price response of demand and competition effects. On days when demand is soft and occupancy is projected to be low, price and competition based strategies should dominate. The hotel price optimization problem with linear demand model is a quadratic programming problem with prices of products that utilize multiple staynight rooms as the decision variable. The optimal solution of the hotel price optimization problems has unique properties that enables us to develop an alternative optimization algorithm that does not require solving quadratic optimization problem. Using the well known least norm problem as a subroutine, the optimization problem can be solved as finding a minimum distance between a polyhedron defined by non-negative demand and capacity constraints. This algorithm is efficient when only a few of the staynights are highly constrained. In practice, the choice of a demand model is largely driven by the ease of estimation and model fit statistics such as R2 and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). These metrics provide measures of statistical validity of the model, however, they do not measure how well the price optimization will perform which is the ultimate interest of the practitioners. In order to measure the impact of demand models on price optimization performance, we first investigate the goodness of fit of linear demand models with different driver variables using actual data from 23 U.S. hotels representing multiple brands and location types. We find that hotels within the same location types (such as urban, suburban, airport) share similar driver variables. Airport and suburban hotels have simpler model specifications with less drivers compared to the urban hotels. The airport hotel demand models are different from other location hotels in that the airport hotel demand level does not differ by day of week. We then measure the impact of demand model misrepresentation on the performance of price optimization through simulation experiments, which are performed for different levels of demand and forecast accuracy to represent various market environments that hotels operate in. We find that using models with missing driver variables can reduce the potential revenue by 13%∼53% and using the wrong functional form 5%∼43% under our simulation environment. The findings from our research imply that correctly representing the demand model in price optimization is crucial to its success. In order for hotels to realize the maximum potential revenue through pricing, efforts should be focused on identifying the major driver variables influencing demand including the ones that we found to be significant.

Rapid development and stiff competition in material related industries such as the automotive, demand very high precision in end products in very quick time. The transformation of raw material into an intricate-shaped final product involves various intermediate steps like design, material selection, manufacturing processes, etc. In all these steps, an in-depth understanding of material behavior plays an important role. The available traditional methods such as trial-and-error, especially in the case of die design, become highly inefficient in terms of time and money. This, there is a growing interest in simulation of the final product in order to predict different parameters which are important in design and manufacturing. Currently available simulation techniques are based on existing theories of plasticity or large deformation. These theories have been developed over several decades and many theoretical and practical issues have been debated over the years. Though the theories have great utility in understanding and solving some practical problems, there are ranges of applications for which no acceptable models are available. Most of these theories are either materials or process-specific with oversimplified real physical situations using assumptions and empirical relations. Development of field equations from first principles to stimulate elasto-plastic deformation is one such, still a subject of on-going discussion. Materials and composites exhibit hysteresis even at very low stresses, i.e., inelasticity is always present under all types of loading. This observation shows that the representing constitutive relation cannot treat the elastic and plastic deformations separately. The deformation is due to changes in size and shape, and studies with varying strain rates show considerable material sensitivity to the rate of deformation. Therefore, a generalized field equation is developed from first principles in the Eulerian coordinate system using material resistance to changes in size and shape, and their rates. The formulation uses a unified approach representing continuous effect of elastic and plastic strains and strain rates. The field equation involves eight material parameters, viz. bulk modulus, shear modulus, material shear velocity, material bulk viscosity, and four more constants associated with activation points related to deviatoric and volumetric strains and plastic strain rates. The elastic moduli, bulk and shear, are constants, and so also the material viscosities, while plastic stain rates are functions of elastic strain rates. The field equation redces to Cauchy’s equation in the solid limit and Navier-Stokes equation in the fluid limit. Simple experimental measurements are suggested to obtain the numerical values of the material parameters. Uniaxial tension tests are carried out on commercially available mild steel and aluminium alloy at different strain rates to quantify any variations in the values of material parameters during large deformation. Experimental results and the classical understanding of material deformation reveal the constant nature of elastic moduli during large deformation and, from fluids, the viscosities seem to remain constant. Around the yield region, materials experience a sharp increase in absorbed energy which is modeled to represent the plastic strain rates. The variations and contributions from elastic and plastic strains, both volumetric and deviatoric, and the corresponding stresses are observed. The effects of strain rate on plastic stress and energy absorbed are investigated. The model is checked for different materials and loading conditions to ascertain the proposed changes to earlier theories. Available experimental data in the literature are used for this purpose. The analysis shows that, though the overall stress-strain relations of different materials look similar, their internal responses differ. The internal response of a material depends on various microstructural factors, like alloying elements, impurities, etc. The present model is able to capture those internal differences between various materials. Numerical solution of different plasticity problems have to be undertaken to ascertain the applicability, generality, realism, accuracy and feasibility of the model.

Es werden Kontaktprobleme im Rahmen der nichtlinearen Elastizitätstheorie mit Mitteln der Variationsrechnung behandelt. Dabei liegt das Hauptaugenmerk auf der Untersuchung des Selbstkontakts eines nichtlinear elastischen Körpers. Unter Verwendung einer geeigneten Lagrangeschen Multiplikatorenregel wird eine notwendige Bedingung für Minimierer hergeleitet. Weiterhin werden Ergebnisse für den Kontakt zweier elastischer Körper formuliert.