This thesis explores two aspects of modeling the behavior of joint friction in structures. The first aspect deals with the accurate and efficient simulation of a simple system that incorporates the LuGre friction law. Energy transfer and dissipation in a structural joint model is the second topic of this thesis. It is hypothesized that friction could serve to pump energy from one frequency to higher frequencies where it might be dissipated more quickly. Motivation for this study stems from the need to have accurate models of high-precision space structures. Because friction at connecting joints plays a major role in the damping capacity of the structure, a good understanding of this mechanism is necessary to predict the vibratory response and enhance the energy dissipation of the structure. Simulation results of a dynamic system with LuGre friction show that the system is relatively well-conditioned when the slip velocity is small, and ill-conditioned for large slip velocities. Furthermore, the most efficient numerical method to simulate this system is determined to be an implicit integration scheme. To study the energy transfer and dissipation, two models of a jointed structure with friction are considered. Results from the steady-state forced responses of the two structural systems indicate that friction converted low frequency, single harmonic excitation to multi-harmonic response through internal resonances. However, differences in energy dissipation results between the models show that the response of a frictional system is highly sensitive to system parameters and friction laws. Conclusions and suggestions for future research are also discussed.

Ce mémoire est consacré à l'étude d'un absorbeur dynamique non linéaire hybride passif-actif (ADNLH) pour la réduction du bruit en basses-fréquences. La partie passive de l'ADNLH est une membrane en latex à déformée non linéaire dont la face avant est couplée au champ acoustique que l'on souhaite réduire. Cette membrane se comporte comme un oscillateur non linéaire et fait partie de la famille des absorbeurs non linéaires connus sous le nom de Nonlinear Energy Sink (NES). La face arrière de la membrane est encoffrée et un dispositif de contrôle actif est inclus dans le volume d'encoffrement. Ce dispositif est conçu pour modifier la raideur linéaire et l'amortissement de la membrane. Des précédents travaux ont été réalisés uniquement sur la partie passive (la membrane) et ont permis de valider le principe de pompage énergétique dans le domaine acoustique. Cependant la membrane seule possède des limitations (notamment le seuil de déclenchement du pompage) qui restreignent les applications possibles. L'objectif de l'ADNLH est d'améliorer les performances du pompage énergétique acoustique en modifiant les propriétés linéaires de la membrane grâce à la boucle d'asservissement. Dans un premier temps une étude théorique et expérimentale est réalisée sur l'ADNLH. L'ADNLH est ensuite couplé à un tube résonant avec une excitation sinusoïdale et en bruit blanc. Il permet bien d'écrêter le premier pic de résonance du tube avec de meilleures performances que la version passive. Enfin l'ADNLH est installé dans une salle peu amortie. Il permet d'atténuer la première résonance acoustique de la salle dans le cas d'une excitation sinusoïdale. / This thesis is devoted to the study of a hybrid passive-active nonlinear dynamic absorber for the reduction of noise in low frequencies. The passive part of the ADNLH is a membrane in latex with a nonlinear deformation and its front face coupled to the acoustic field to be reduced. This membrane is acting as a nonlinear oscillator and is part of the family of absorbers known as Nonlinear Sink Energy (NES). The rear face is enclosed and a active device is included inside this enclosure. This device is designed in order to modify the linear stiffness and the damping of the membrane. Previous work has been done only on the passive part (the membrane) and has validated the principle of energy pumping for Acoustics. However the membrane has some limitations (like the threshold of energy pumping) that restrain the practical applications. The goal of the ADNLH is to improve the performance of the energy pumping by modifying the linear properties of the membrane with the help of the active device. In a first time an experimental and theoretical study of the ADNLH is done. Then the ADNLH is coupled to a tube of air thanks to an academic assembly under a sinusoidal excitation or broadband. It allows to cut the top off the first acoustic resonance of the tube with better performances than the membrane alone. At last the ADNLH is set inside a weakly damped room. The ADNLH allows to attenuate the first resonance of the room in the case of a sinusoidal excitation. One also shows that the control of the damping of the membrane is the key parameter for the performance of the ADNLH.

Numerous recurrent situations following mixing and pumping of mortars and concretes cause degradation of fluidity and hardening characteristics. Which, in turn, lead to adverse effects on the quality of workmanship and structural defects. Nonetheless, relatively little research on the mixing and pumping energies used for the onsite transport and preparation of mortar or concrete has been directed at the core reasons or mechanisms for changes in technological properties. This dissertation describes and explains the effects of various mixing and pumping parameters on the mortar characteristics in a field trial and on a laboratory scale. Observations using a rheograph revealed that shearing action does exhibit the most pronounced influence on the characteristics of mortars during the pumping. The performed investigations indicate that higher shearing actions, for example, excessive mixing duration and long-distance pumping lead to reduced flowability, accelerated and increased hydration rate, increased early compressive strength and early-age shrinkage. From these findings, the underlying mechanism responsible for acceleration and increase of hydration rate is pinpointed as: the increased dissolution from the active surface area due to the destruction of the protective superficial layers of cement grains, as well as a transition from flocculation to dispersion. The creation of new surfaces leads to further consumption of active super plasticizer in solution phase and to subsequent degrading changes in fluidity (decreasing flowability). The degradation of fluidity and densification of microstructure provoked by the hydration changes do increase the early age shrinkage of mortar.