This work presents macroscopic and microscopic experiments of the disordered hexagonal double perovskite BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3, in order to characterize its electronic, magnetic and structural properties to support the possibility that this system hosts a spin liquid phase. Such assumption is based on the absence of a transition to a magnetically ordered phase in the magnetic and thermodynamic measurements, which points to a strong magnetic frustration in this material. In addition, it is observed the formation of a correlated spin state. To characterize this correlation, we resorted to Muon Spin Resonance (µSR) experiments to measure the low temperature spin dynamics. The zero field µSR relaxation regime displays dynamic magnetism down to T = 0.019 K and longitudinal field experiments support as well that dynamic magnetism persists at low temperatures, a behavior expected for a spin liquid system. The magnetic behavior of BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3 consists in the high temperature physics being dominated by the presence of magnetic trimers, magnetic dimers, and orphan spins. At lower temperatures, the effective magnetic degrees of freedom, composed by orphan spins and magnetic trimers, are correlated but no phase transition is detected down to T = 0.1 K, despite the effective exchange couplings between magnetic trimers and orphan spins being -8.5 K, resulting in a magnetic frustration parameter of at least 85. The possibility that disorder is responsible for the spin liquid ground state is discussed, however, other scenarios are not totally discarded. For example, the possibility that the measured state is not the true ground state, which could lie at even lowers temperatures or the possible formation of a spin glass state. This work raises questions that are not easy to answer. Ultimately, the growth of a single crystal is necessary to continue the characterization of BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3. Besides, theoretical and experimental developments in this field of research are needed to find a more direct and conclusive way to characterize the magnetic phases in this complex material. / Neste trabalho apresento dados experimentais macroscópicos e microscópicos da peroviskita hexagonal dupla BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3, a fim de caracterizar sua estrutura eletrônica, magnética e cristalina para embasar a possibilidade deste sistema apresentar uma fase de líquido de spin. Esta hipótese está baseada na ausência de transição para uma fase magneticamente ordenada nas medidas magnéticas e termodinâmicas, que apontam para uma forte frustração magnética neste material. Além disso, é observada a formação de um estado de spins correlacionados. Para caracterizar esta correlação, recorremos para experimentos de ressonância de múons (µSR) para medir a dinâmica de spins em baixas temperaturas. Dados de µSR para campo magnético nulo mostram em seu regime de relaxamento um magnetismo dinâmico para temperaturas tão baixas quanto T = 0.019 K, adicionalmente, experimentos com campo magnético longitudinal aplicado apontam também que o magnetismo dinâmico persiste em baixas temperaturas, um comportamento esperado para um sistema de líquido de spin. O comportamento magnético do BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3 consiste na física de altas temperaturas sendo dominada pela presença de trimers magnéticos, dimers magnéticos e spins órfãos. Para temperaturas mais baixas, os graus de liberdade magnéticos são efetivamente compostos por spins órfãos e trimers magnéticos, que estão correlacionados mas nenhuma transição de fase é detectada para temperaturas tão baixas quanto T = 0.1 K, mesmo que a constante de interação efetiva entre os spins órfãos e os trimers magnéticos seja -8.5 K, resultando num fator de frustração magnética de ao menos 85. A possibilidade da desordem ser responsável pelo estado fundamental de líquido de spin é discutida, no entanto, outros cenários não estão totalmente descartados, por exemplo, a possibilidade de que o estado medido não seja o verdadeiro estado fundamental, e que este estaria em temperaturas ainda mais baixas ou a possível formação de um estado de vidro de spin. Este trabalho levanta questões que não são fáceis de responder. Por fim, o crescimento de uma amostra monocristalina é necessário para continuar a caracterização do BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3. Ademais, desenvolvimentos de cunho teórico e experimental neste campo de pesquisa são necessários para encontrar um método mais direto e conclusivo para caracterizar a fase magnética neste material complexo.

This work presents macroscopic and microscopic experiments of the disordered hexagonal double perovskite BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3, in order to characterize its electronic, magnetic and structural properties to support the possibility that this system hosts a spin liquid phase. Such assumption is based on the absence of a transition to a magnetically ordered phase in the magnetic and thermodynamic measurements, which points to a strong magnetic frustration in this material. In addition, it is observed the formation of a correlated spin state. To characterize this correlation, we resorted to Muon Spin Resonance (µSR) experiments to measure the low temperature spin dynamics. The zero field µSR relaxation regime displays dynamic magnetism down to T = 0.019 K and longitudinal field experiments support as well that dynamic magnetism persists at low temperatures, a behavior expected for a spin liquid system. The magnetic behavior of BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3 consists in the high temperature physics being dominated by the presence of magnetic trimers, magnetic dimers, and orphan spins. At lower temperatures, the effective magnetic degrees of freedom, composed by orphan spins and magnetic trimers, are correlated but no phase transition is detected down to T = 0.1 K, despite the effective exchange couplings between magnetic trimers and orphan spins being -8.5 K, resulting in a magnetic frustration parameter of at least 85. The possibility that disorder is responsible for the spin liquid ground state is discussed, however, other scenarios are not totally discarded. For example, the possibility that the measured state is not the true ground state, which could lie at even lowers temperatures or the possible formation of a spin glass state. This work raises questions that are not easy to answer. Ultimately, the growth of a single crystal is necessary to continue the characterization of BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3. Besides, theoretical and experimental developments in this field of research are needed to find a more direct and conclusive way to characterize the magnetic phases in this complex material. / Neste trabalho apresento dados experimentais macroscópicos e microscópicos da peroviskita hexagonal dupla BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3, a fim de caracterizar sua estrutura eletrônica, magnética e cristalina para embasar a possibilidade deste sistema apresentar uma fase de líquido de spin. Esta hipótese está baseada na ausência de transição para uma fase magneticamente ordenada nas medidas magnéticas e termodinâmicas, que apontam para uma forte frustração magnética neste material. Além disso, é observada a formação de um estado de spins correlacionados. Para caracterizar esta correlação, recorremos para experimentos de ressonância de múons (µSR) para medir a dinâmica de spins em baixas temperaturas. Dados de µSR para campo magnético nulo mostram em seu regime de relaxamento um magnetismo dinâmico para temperaturas tão baixas quanto T = 0.019 K, adicionalmente, experimentos com campo magnético longitudinal aplicado apontam também que o magnetismo dinâmico persiste em baixas temperaturas, um comportamento esperado para um sistema de líquido de spin. O comportamento magnético do BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3 consiste na física de altas temperaturas sendo dominada pela presença de trimers magnéticos, dimers magnéticos e spins órfãos. Para temperaturas mais baixas, os graus de liberdade magnéticos são efetivamente compostos por spins órfãos e trimers magnéticos, que estão correlacionados mas nenhuma transição de fase é detectada para temperaturas tão baixas quanto T = 0.1 K, mesmo que a constante de interação efetiva entre os spins órfãos e os trimers magnéticos seja -8.5 K, resultando num fator de frustração magnética de ao menos 85. A possibilidade da desordem ser responsável pelo estado fundamental de líquido de spin é discutida, no entanto, outros cenários não estão totalmente descartados, por exemplo, a possibilidade de que o estado medido não seja o verdadeiro estado fundamental, e que este estaria em temperaturas ainda mais baixas ou a possível formação de um estado de vidro de spin. Este trabalho levanta questões que não são fáceis de responder. Por fim, o crescimento de uma amostra monocristalina é necessário para continuar a caracterização do BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3. Ademais, desenvolvimentos de cunho teórico e experimental neste campo de pesquisa são necessários para encontrar um método mais direto e conclusivo para caracterizar a fase magnética neste material complexo.

Le béton est un matériau présentant du fluage propre (déformation différée évoluant dans le temps, sous charge mécanique et état hydrique constants). Ce comportement en fluage est de plus vieillissant (l’évolution de la déformation dépend de l’instant d’application de la charge constante; il ne s’agit pas d’une simple translation en temps). Ce comportement vieillissant traduit le caractère « vivant » du matériau, dont la microstructure évolue considérablement au fil du temps. L’étude du fluage du béton est particulièrement critique pour les enceintes de confinement précontraintes, puisque le fluage a pour conséquence une relaxation de cette précontrainte dans le temps. Or les bétons d’enceinte sont mis en charge (application de la précontrainte) au bout de 2-3 ans environ, alors que les essais de fluage sur éprouvettes sont réalisés après 3 mois de maturation. Évidemment, la réponse en fluage mesurée sur un essai en moins d'un an ne peut être directement transposée sur un calcul de structure pour un chargement à 3 ans. Il est de même exclu d’attendre plusieurs années pour réaliser un essai de fluage sur éprouvette. Afin de relier ces deux réponses en déformation, obtenues par chargement à deux instants différents, un modèle de comportement matériau intégrant le fluage vieillissant s’avère nécessaire. Pour développer un tel modèle, compte tenu de la nature multi-échelle et multi-physique du béton, l’approche micromécanique représente une piste particulièrement attractive. En effet, plusieurs ordres de grandeur de dimensions séparent l’échelle des mécanismes physiques responsables du fluage de celle d’usage. La validation se fera vis à vis d’essais sur béton Vercors. Ces approches micromécaniques sont l’objet d’une action de recherche en collaboration avec l’EDF, l’ENPC et le CEA Saclay. La thèse vise à construire une loi de comportement de fluage propre vieillissant d’un béton, sur la base d’arguments physiques, par une démarche micromécanique, et à la valider expérimentalement. Le volet modélisation de la thèse présente deux objectifs principaux : déterminer le comportement vieillissant du béton à partir de celui de la pâte, et estimer le comportement vieillissant de la pâte elle-même à partir d’informations sur les micro-mécanismes sous-jacents. Le premier point constitue une application d’outils développés à EDF. Pour le second point, on commence par aborder le phénomène de solidification (précipitation progressive d’hydrates). Il s’agit alors d’étendre une approche mise au point à EDF à des modèles morphologiques évolutifs de pâte de ciment. Ces modèles micromécaniques sont développés de façon semi analytique (homogénéisation en champs moyens) et de façon numérique (homogénéisation en champs complets), afin de compléter le domaine couvert par la modélisation, ou de réaliser des intercomparaisons de résultats. L’homogénéisation numérique fait appel à la méthode des éléments finis appliquée sur des échantillons numériques 3D générés par des outils développés au CEA.. Cette double approche permettra en outre de vérifier le bon fonctionnement des outils développés. Le volet expérimental présente deux objectifs visant à compléter les données expérimentales concernant le comportement de fluage au jeune âge disponibles sur béton Vercors, dans deux directions :sur béton, compléter le programme de quelques échéances de chargement; caractériser le comportement aux échelles inférieures (du mortier et de la pâte de ciment).Ces essais sont réalisés dans le laboratoire génie-civil des Renardières (EDF) et servent notamment de données de validation des modèles micromécaniques / Concrete is a material presenting basic creep (delayed strain evolving over time, under constant mechanical load, constant temperature and sealed conditions with respect to the humidity). This creep behaviour is also ageing (dependence of the evolution of the strain on the instant of application of the constant load, which does not correspond to a simple translation in time). This behaviour can be attributed to the "living" character of the material, whose microstructure evolves significantly over time at different scales. The concrete creep is critical for the prestressed containment building of nuclear power plants, since creep yields prestress relaxation. Obviously, the creep response measured on a test at less than 1 year cannot be directly transposed to a structural calculation for a load at 3 years. It is also excluded to wait several years to perform a creep test on a specimen. In order to connect these two strain responses, obtained by loading at two different instants, a material behaviour model integrating the ageing creep is necessary. To develop a model of material behaviour incorporating the ageing creep, given the multi-scale and multi-physics nature of concrete, creep experiments combined with the micro-mechanical modelling approach are attractive and are applied to the study of the VeRCoRs concrete, which is a typical mix design for the construction of the containment building. In fact, several orders of magnitude of dimensions separate the scale of physical mechanisms from the macroscopic scale. The validation will be done with regard to experiments on the VeRCoRs concrete. These micromechanical approaches are the subject of a research action in collaboration with EDF, ENPC and CEA Saclay. Homogenization of random media is a widely used practical and efficient tool to estimate the effective mechanical behavior of composite materials. However, when the microstructure evolves with respect to time, due to phase transformations, care should be taken when upscaling behaviors that themselves involve time, such as viscoelasticity. The improved approach in this thesis is able to overcome this limitation, building an equivalent composite replacing transforming phases by fictitious ageing viscoelastic phases to carry out the upscaling process. Applications to cement paste, to mortar and to the VeRCoRs concrete are proposed, referring to a simplified morphological model. Then it extends the approach developed at EDF to evolving morphological models of cement paste. Besides, we have generated a 3D numerical polycrystalline microstructure and compared the finite element simulation results with the analytical ones in the case of ageing viscoelasticity. Finally, the experimental campaign is carried out to characterize the ageing basic creep at different scales and at different ages of loading with the formulation of the VeRCoRs concrete in two ways : on concrete, complete the experimental program at different ages of loading; apply behaviour at lower scales (mortar and cement paste).These tests are carried out in the civil engineering laboratory in EDF les Renardières. A direct confrontation between the experimental results and the modelling results is performed. The ageing basic creep behaviour is compared with the application of mean-field homogenisation schemes

Amorphous polymers under their glass transition temperature (Tg) exhibit large inelastic deformations. Their mechanical behavior is highly dependent upon temperature, strain rate, pressure and loading mode (tension, compression, shear). They also exhibit small strain isotropic hardening, softening and large strain anisotropic rehardening. In addition, while in their glassy state, polymers are far from thermodynamic equilibrium so that their properties may change over time (physical aging). This complex behavior is reflected in the response of composites and affects the onset and propagation of damage therein. Therefore, in order to design polymer composite structures, it is fundamental to develop relevant tools and methodologies which aim at understanding, capturing and predicting the full thermomechanical response of glassy polymers. In this study, the thermomechanical behavior of a thermosetting polymer epoxy is characterized experimentally for temperatures below Tg. The intrinsic behavior of the polymer is obtained using a new methodology based on digital image correlation (DIC) in combination with video-monitored extensometry. In particular, inelastic flow localization patterns are discussed based on the full-field strain measurements and their connection to the stress-strain curves are highlighted. The Boyce-Parks-Argon polymer constitutive model, hereafter called the macromolecular model, has been enhanced to describe the thermomechanical behavior of epoxies. The identification of the material parameters involved in the model is described in a detailed procedure that builds on a limited set of experiments. The model is shown to represent adequately the thermomechanical behavior of the studied epoxy over a wide range of temperatures and strain-rates. Using additional high strain-rate data obtained from collaborators on Kolsky bars, the model capabilities are further discussed. Using finite-element implementations of the constitutive model in both quasi-static and dynamic codes, the processes of plastic flow localization are analyzed in tensile and compression specimens. Such analysis can form the basis of an alternative method for identifying the model parameters through inverse identification. Finally, a preliminary set of experiments were also conducted to investigate the effect of physical aging on the yield behavior and enhance the macromolecular model with the capability of modeling aging effects. Our interpretation of the aging experiments suggests that they are not conclusive and do not permit full determination of model parameters. Specific recommendations are tentatively formulated for conducting aging experiments in the future.

The present work investigates the effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) inclusions on the electrical and thermal conductivity of a thermoset epoxy resin. The characterization of electrical and thermal conductivity of CNT/epoxy composites is presented. Pristine, oxidized, and fluorine-functionalized unpurified CNT mixtures ("XD grade") were dispersed in an epoxy matrix, and the effect of stirring rate and pre-curing of the epoxy on the dispersion of the CNTs was evaluated. In order to characterize the dispersion of the CNTs at different length scales, Optical Microscopy (OM), Raman Spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was performed. Samples of varying CNT weight fractions were fabricated in order to find the effect of CNT weight fraction on thermal and electrical conductivity. Electrical conductivity was measured using a dielectric spectrometer, and thermal conductivity was determined by a transient plane source thermal analyzer. It was found that electrical conductivity increases by orders of magnitude for the pristine and oxidized XD CNT composites relative to the neat epoxy matrix, while fluorinated XD CNT composites remain electrically non-conductive. A small, but significant, increase in thermal conductivity was observed for pristine, oxidized, and fluorinated XD CNT composites, showing a linear increase in thermal conductivity with increasing CNT weight fraction. Pristine XD CNTs were ball-milled for different times in order to reduce the degree of agglomeration and entanglement of CNTs, and composites were fabricated using the same technique as with non-milled XD CNTs. Using ball-milled CNTs shows improved dispersion but results in an electrically non-conductive composite at the CNT weight fractions tested. The thermal conductivity of the ball-milled CNT samples shows an initial increase higher than that of non-milled pristine, oxidized, and fluorinated XD CNTs, but remains constant with increasing CNT weight fraction. A micromechanics model based on the composite cylinders method was implemented to model the electrical and thermal conductivity of the CNT/epoxy composites. Nanoscale effects in electrical and thermal conduction, such as electron hopping and interface thermal resistance, respectively, were incorporated into the model in order to accurately predict the acquired results. Modeling results show good agreement with acquired experimental results.

abstract: An orthotropic elasto-plastic damage material model (OEPDMM) suitable for impact simulations has been developed through a joint research project funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Development of the model includes derivation of the theoretical details, implementation of the theory into LS-DYNA®, a commercially available nonlinear transient dynamic finite element code, as material model MAT 213, and verification and validation of the model. The material model is comprised of three major components: deformation, damage, and failure. The deformation sub-model is used to capture both linear and nonlinear deformations through a classical plasticity formulation. The damage sub-model is used to account for the reduction of elastic stiffness of the material as the degree of plastic strain is increased. Finally, the failure sub-model is used to predict the onset of loss of load carrying capacity in the material. OEPDMM is driven completely by tabulated experimental data obtained through physically meaningful material characterization tests, through high fidelity virtual tests, or both. The tabulated data includes stress-strain curves at different temperatures and strain rates to drive the deformation sub-model, damage parameter-total strain curves to drive the damage sub-model, and the failure sub-model can be driven by the data required for different failure theories implemented in the computer code. The work presented herein focuses on the experiments used to obtain the data necessary to drive as well as validate the material model, development and implementation of the damage model, verification of the deformation and damage models through single element (SE) and multi-element (ME) finite element simulations, development and implementation of experimental procedure for modeling delamination, and finally validation of the material model through low speed impact simulations and high speed impact simulations. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2019

No description available.

Rubber-like materials are submitted to cyclic loading conditions in various applications. Fillers are always incorporated within rubber compounds. They improve the mechanical properties but induce a significant stress-softening under cyclic loadings. The physical source of the softening is not yet established and its modeling remains a challenge. For a better understanding of the softening, filled rubbers are submitted to cyclic loadings. In order to quantify the effects of the loading intensity and the number of cycles, original methods are proposed to characterize the softening. To study the influence of the material microstructure on the softening, compounds with various compositions are considered.Non proportional tensile tests including uniaxial and biaxial loading paths are applied in order to highlight the softening induced anisotropy. Such unconventional experimental data are used to provide a general criterion for the softening activation. A constitutive modeling grounded on a thorough analysis of experimental data is proposed. The model is based on a directional approach. The Mullins softening is accounted for by the strain amplification concept and is activated by a directional criterion. The model ability to predict non proportional softened material responses is demonstrated

Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de uma plataforma para o estudo teórico e experimental de dispositivos amplificadores de micro-ondas do tipo válvula de ondas progressivas (TWT). A plataforma é composta por um modelo matemático e uma bancada de testes. O modelo matemático descreve a TWT como uma linha de transmissão acoplada a um feixe eletrônico unidimensional, onde as forças de carga espacial AC e DC são calculadas auto consistentemente, eliminando-se a necessidade de um cálculo separado para o fator de redução de carga espacial. O modelo matemático deu origem a dois códigos para a simulação da TWT. Ambos foram comparados com resultados experimentais e teóricos disponíveis na literatura especializada para uma pré-validação. O nível de concordância entre os presentes resultados e aqueles de referência foi acima de 90%, o que atendeu as expectativas de exatidão do modelo, tendo em vista que nem todos os parâmetros de entrada estavam disponíveis na referência. A bancada de testes construída é composta por uma TWT com banda de operação de 6,0 a 18 GHz e potência saturada máxima em torno de 55 dBm (316 W) em 13 GHz, um circuito de polarização para a mesma e a instrumentação necessária para a realização das medidas pertinentes aos amplificadores de potência. A TWT em questão foi caracterizada segundo seu comportamento mono-sinal e multi-sinal. As curvas de ganho e potência foram obtidas em função da frequência utilizando a voltagem de aceleração do feixe eletrônico e a potência de entrada como parâmetros. As curvas de transferência de potência, de fase e compressão de ganho foram obtidas para frequências escolhidas ao longo da banda, tendo novamente a voltagem de aceleração como parâmetro. Adicionalmente, a produção de produtos de intermodulação de terceira ordem foi caracterizada no ponto de 1 dB de compressão de ganho ao longo da banda analisada. Um teste de linearização por injeção de sinais, que estava previsto no plano de trabalho, não apresentou o desempenho esperado devido a problemas no funcionamento do circuito linearizador. Esses problemas foram analisados e listou-se uma série de passos para saná-los. / This work deals with the development of a platform for theoretical and experimental investigations of microwave amplifiers devices of the type traveling-wave tube (TWT). The platform consists of a mathematical model and a test bench. The mathematical model describes the TWT as a transmission line coupled to a onedimensional electron beam, in which the AC and DC space charge forces are calculated self-consistently, eliminating the need for a separate calculation for the space charge reduction factor. The mathematical model gave rise to two codes for the simulation of TWTs. Both codes were validated against experimental and theoretical results available in the literature. The overall level of agreement between the present results and those from the reference was above 90%, which was considered satisfactory since not all input parameters were available in the reference. The test bench consists of a wideband TWT operating from 6.0 to 18 GHz and maximum saturated power around 55 dBm (316 W) at 13 GHz, a biasing circuit, and the instrumentation needed to perform the relevant measurements to the power amplifier. The TWT in question was characterized according to its mono-signal and multi-signal behavior. The gain and power curves were obtained as a function of the frequency using the beam voltage and the input power as parameters. The curves of power transfer, phase transfer and gain compression were obtained for selected frequencies along the operating band, again, using the beam voltage as a parameter. Furthermore, the production of third-order intermodulation products was measured at the 1 dB gain compression point over the band analyzed. A linearization test applying the signal injection technique, which was part of the initial work plan, presented inadequate performance due to problems in the linearizer circuit operation. These problems were analyzed and a guide to solve them was provided.

Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de uma plataforma para o estudo teórico e experimental de dispositivos amplificadores de micro-ondas do tipo válvula de ondas progressivas (TWT). A plataforma é composta por um modelo matemático e uma bancada de testes. O modelo matemático descreve a TWT como uma linha de transmissão acoplada a um feixe eletrônico unidimensional, onde as forças de carga espacial AC e DC são calculadas auto consistentemente, eliminando-se a necessidade de um cálculo separado para o fator de redução de carga espacial. O modelo matemático deu origem a dois códigos para a simulação da TWT. Ambos foram comparados com resultados experimentais e teóricos disponíveis na literatura especializada para uma pré-validação. O nível de concordância entre os presentes resultados e aqueles de referência foi acima de 90%, o que atendeu as expectativas de exatidão do modelo, tendo em vista que nem todos os parâmetros de entrada estavam disponíveis na referência. A bancada de testes construída é composta por uma TWT com banda de operação de 6,0 a 18 GHz e potência saturada máxima em torno de 55 dBm (316 W) em 13 GHz, um circuito de polarização para a mesma e a instrumentação necessária para a realização das medidas pertinentes aos amplificadores de potência. A TWT em questão foi caracterizada segundo seu comportamento mono-sinal e multi-sinal. As curvas de ganho e potência foram obtidas em função da frequência utilizando a voltagem de aceleração do feixe eletrônico e a potência de entrada como parâmetros. As curvas de transferência de potência, de fase e compressão de ganho foram obtidas para frequências escolhidas ao longo da banda, tendo novamente a voltagem de aceleração como parâmetro. Adicionalmente, a produção de produtos de intermodulação de terceira ordem foi caracterizada no ponto de 1 dB de compressão de ganho ao longo da banda analisada. Um teste de linearização por injeção de sinais, que estava previsto no plano de trabalho, não apresentou o desempenho esperado devido a problemas no funcionamento do circuito linearizador. Esses problemas foram analisados e listou-se uma série de passos para saná-los. / This work deals with the development of a platform for theoretical and experimental investigations of microwave amplifiers devices of the type traveling-wave tube (TWT). The platform consists of a mathematical model and a test bench. The mathematical model describes the TWT as a transmission line coupled to a onedimensional electron beam, in which the AC and DC space charge forces are calculated self-consistently, eliminating the need for a separate calculation for the space charge reduction factor. The mathematical model gave rise to two codes for the simulation of TWTs. Both codes were validated against experimental and theoretical results available in the literature. The overall level of agreement between the present results and those from the reference was above 90%, which was considered satisfactory since not all input parameters were available in the reference. The test bench consists of a wideband TWT operating from 6.0 to 18 GHz and maximum saturated power around 55 dBm (316 W) at 13 GHz, a biasing circuit, and the instrumentation needed to perform the relevant measurements to the power amplifier. The TWT in question was characterized according to its mono-signal and multi-signal behavior. The gain and power curves were obtained as a function of the frequency using the beam voltage and the input power as parameters. The curves of power transfer, phase transfer and gain compression were obtained for selected frequencies along the operating band, again, using the beam voltage as a parameter. Furthermore, the production of third-order intermodulation products was measured at the 1 dB gain compression point over the band analyzed. A linearization test applying the signal injection technique, which was part of the initial work plan, presented inadequate performance due to problems in the linearizer circuit operation. These problems were analyzed and a guide to solve them was provided.