Uppvärmningen av gjutasfalt har traditionellt sett skett med fossila bränslen. Projektet SMMART undersöker möjligheterna att med inblandning av magnetit i asfaltsmassan kunna nyttja mikrovågsteknik för uppvärmning. Detta examensarbete är uppdelat i två delar. Första delen behandlar uppvärmningen av magnetitinblandad asfaltsmassa och andra delen avsvalningsförloppet vid utläggning. Del 1 Numeriska tredimensionella simuleringar med simuleringsverktyget COMSOL Multiphysics har utförts för att undersöka hur uppvärmningen påverkar temperaturskillnaden mellan den inblandade magnetiten och resterande asfaltsmassa. Detta görs för att höga temperaturskillnader kan orsaka koksning. Simuleringarna utförs som ett värmeöverföringsproblem där tillförseln av mikrovågsenergi simuleras som att magnetitkornen avger en viss effekt.  Resultatet visar på att temperaturskillnaden i hög grad beror på avståndet mellan magnetitkornen. Där framförallt höga vikt-% magnetit och små kornstorlekar på magnetiten påverkar avståndet och ger små temperaturskillnader. Detta resulterar i att den magnetitinblandade asfalten kan betraktas som ett kontinuum för höga vikt-% magnetit och mindre kornstorlekar på magnetiten.  Vidare undersöks om det finns någon optimal vikt-% magnetit vid uppvärmning av asfaltsmassan. Resultatet visar att det ur en värmeöverföringssynpunkt inte finns några begränsningar för hur mycket magnetit som kan blandas in.   Del 2 Ett fältförsök utfördes i Kungälv där både magnetitinblandad gjutasfalt och traditionell gjutasfalt lades ut. Båda asfaltstyperna tillverkades och värmdes upp i ett traditionellt gjutasfaltverk och utläggning skedde på Nordreälvsbron i Kungälv. Temperaturen mättes genom att temperaturgivare göts in i asfalten varefter mätvärden registrerades på olika höjdnivåer. Resultatet visade i stort på att den magnetitinblandade gjutasfalten avsvalnade långsammare än den traditionella, även om osäkerheter förekommer. Till exempel vad gäller nederbörd som påverkade asfaltstyperna olika.  Numeriska endimensionella simuleringar med simuleringsverktyget COMSOL Multiphysics har utförts för att jämföra med uppmätta värden från fältförsöket. Här konstateras att temperaturerna i den simulerade modellen avtar snabbare än vad som uppmätts i fältförsöket. Precis som vid fältförsöket noterades att den magnetitinblandade gjutasfalten svalnade av långsammare än den traditionella gjutasfalten. Osäkerheter vid modelleringen rör framförallt modellparametrarna.

Bionischer Leichtbau realisiert mit Applikationen an gängige FEM-Programme nach dem Vorbild der Natur

Wave propagation analysis in 1-D and 2-D composite structures is performed efficiently and accurately through the formulation of a User-Defined Element (UEL) based on the wavelet spectral finite element (WSFE) method. The WSFE method is based on the first order shear deformation theory which yields accurate results for wave motion at high frequencies. The wave equations are reduced to ordinary differential equations using Daubechies compactly supported, orthonormal, wavelet scaling functions for approximations in time and one spatial dimension. The 1-D and 2-D WSFE models are highly efficient computationally and provide a direct relationship between system input and output in the frequency domain. The UEL is formulated and implemented in Abaqus for wave propagation analysis in composite structures with complexities. Frequency domain formulation of WSFE leads to complex valued parameters, which are decoupled into real and imaginary parts and presented to Abaqus as real values. The final solution is obtained by forming a complex value using the real number solutions given by Abaqus. Several numerical examples are presented here for 1-D and 2-D composite waveguides. Wave motions predicted by the developed UEL correlate very well with Abaqus simulations using shear flexible elements. The results also show that the UEL largely retains computational efficiency of the WSFE method and extends its ability to model complex features. An enhanced cross-correlation method (ECCM) is developed in order to accurately predict damage location in plates. Three major modifications are proposed to the widely used cross-correlation method (CCM) to improve damage localization capabilities, namely actuator-sensor configuration, signal pre-processing method, and signal post-processing method. The ECCM is investigated numerically (FEM simulation) and experimentally. Experimental investigations for damage detection employ a PZT transducer as actuator and laser Doppler vibrometer as sensor. Both numerical and experimental results show that the developed method is capable of damage localization with high precision. Further, ECCM is used to detect and localize debonding in a composite material skin-stiffener joint. The UEL is used to represent the healthy case whereas the damaged case is simulated using Abaqus. It is shown that the ECCM successfully detects the location of the debond in the skin-stiffener joint.

The primary focus in this research is on proposing a methodology for modeling of discrete crack propagation in geomaterials such as soil, rock, and concrete. Structures made of such materials may undergo damage due to several reasons. Here, mechanical loading and chemo-mechanical interactions that result in degradation of strength parameters are considered as the sources of damage initiation. Both tensile and compressive cracks are investigated. For analysis of crack propagation, two different methodologies are employed; the Constitutive Law with Embedded Discontinuity (CLED) and the Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM). The CLED approach is enhanced here to describe the discrete nature of crack propagation. This is done by coupling the CLED with explicit modeling of crack path using the Level-Set method. The XFEM is used as a verification tool to check the results from CLED analysis. An algorithm is proposed for crack initiation and propagation that results in stable and a mesh-independent solution. The CLED approach is further improved by developing the return-mapping and closest-point projection algorithms. Extensive numerical investigations are conducted that include mode I cracking in a three point bending test, mode I cracking in notched cantilever beam, mixed cracking mode in a plate subjected to shear and tension, and a mixed mode cracking in a notched beam under four point loading. For frictional interfaces, the shear band formation in a sample subjected to bi-axial compression and the shear band formation in a geo-slope are studied. The thesis also addresses the topic of the response of unsaturated cohesive soils undergoing an infiltration process. The problem is approached within the framework of Chemo-Plasticity. It is assumed that the complex chemo-mechanical interactions are the controlling factors for degradation of strength parameters during this process. A return mapping integration scheme is developed and the approach is employed to investigate the stability of a geoslope subjected to a heavy rainfall. Analysis of shear band formation is further investigated in the context of sedimentary rocks. The microstructure tensor approach is used to describe the inherent anisotropy in this class of materials. The orientation of the shear band is defined by invoking the Critical Plane approach and the closest-point projection algorithm is developed for numerical integration of the governing constitutive relations. The model is used along with CLED for analysis of the mechanical response of Tournemire argillite. It is shown that the friction between loading platens and sample can play an important role in the process of shear band formation and the associated assessment of the ultimate load. A mesh-sensitivity analysis employing the CLED framework is also conducted here. The research clearly demonstrates that the discrete representation of crack path propagation is essential for an accurate analysis of failure in various engineering structures. It is shown that if the classical smeared Constitutive Law with Embedded Discontinuity is enhanced to simulate the discrete nature of the damage process, it can yield very accurate results that are virtually identical to those obtained from discrete approaches such as XFEM. / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy

Projektets mål var att ta fram en digital fixtur för en artikel som går från manuell svetsning till robotsvetsning. Produkten skulle analyseras och simuleras för att säkerställa att den även fungerade i praktiken. Målet med rapporten var att ta fram en färdig CAD-fil på en fixtur och bevisa via FEM-analyser och svetsrobotsimulering att den även fungerade i praktiken. Projektet skulle även bidra med en alternativ arbetsmetod för fixturframtagning till Jonsson &amp; Paulsson Industri AB. Produkten skulle också vara ergonomisk utformad. En femstegs-produktutvecklingsprocess användes för att ta fram produkten. Förstudie – Planering – Genomförande – Resultat – Avslut. Genomförandedelen i produktutvecklingsprocessen innehöll två steg, ett konceptgenereringssteg och ett elimineringssteg. Metoder i konceptgenereringssteget innefattar kravspecifikation, funktionsanalys, morfologisk matris, relativ beslutsmatris, FMEA-analys, QFD och prototypbyggnation. Elimineringssteget genomfördes med hjälp av FEM-analyser och svetsrobotsimulationer. Resultatet blev en färdig CAD-fil på svetsrobotfixturen som genomgick och uppfyllde kraven i både kravspecifikationen och utvärderingsmetoderna. Produkten utformades på ett ergonomiskt sätt. Slutsatsen är att produkten fungerar enligt de digitala utvärderingsprocesserna den har genomgått. Mål och syfte är uppfyllt. Detta medför att all den nytta som kommer via automation också uppfylls. / <p>2022-07-01</p>

Paper A: In this paper, the development and implementation of a contact algorithm based on C2-continuous surface representations is discussed. In 3D contact simulations involving models with arbitrarily curved surfaces (as in the case of vessel walls), the discretization of the contact surfaces by means of facet-based techniques could lead to numerical instabilities and finally loss of quadratic convergence. These instabilities arise mainly due to the sliding of contractor (slave) nodes over the boundaries of target (master) contact facets, where jumps of the normal vector are experienced. The paper addresses successfully this problem, by discretization of the target surfaces by means of C2-continuous parameterization schemes. Initially, the uniform cubic B-spline surfaces are introduced. Next, in an attempt for more accurate representations of the geometric models of the contact surfaces, a new parameterization based on the expression of cubic B-splines is developed. The two approaches are implemented into a finite element framework and more specifically, into the multipurpose finite element analysis program FEAP. The special merits of the developed algorithms and the advantages of the smooth surfaces over facet-based approaches are exhibited through a classical contact mechanics problem, considering incompressibility, finite deformations and large slidings. Next, a simulation of balloon angioplasty with stenting is presented, where the contact between both medical devices (balloon and stent) with the arterial wall is modeled. The arterial wall is modeled in this first approach, as hyperelastic, homogeneous, isotropic, while a cylindrically orthotropic model is developed to capture the nonlinear, anisotropic behavior of the balloon catheter under pressure. Two stents with the same geometry but different strut thickness, are studied. Both are considered elasto-plastic. The performed simulations point out the outcome of the balloon angioplasty and stenting in terms of luminal gain and mechanical strains. Finally, a comparison between the two stent configurations is presented. Paper B: The second paper makes use of the contact tool developed in Paper A and focuses on the changes of the mechanical environment of the arterial wall due to stenting, as a function of a set of stent design parameters. In particular, Paper B presents a detailed geometric and material model of a postmortem human iliac artery, composed by distinct tissue components, each associated with specific mechanical properties. The constitutive formulation for the artery considers anisotropic, highly nonlinear mechanical characteristics under supraphysiological loadings. The material and structural parameters of the arterial model are obtained through uniaxial tensile tests on stripes extracted from the several arterial tissues that form the stenosis, axially and circumferentially oriented. Through cooperation with a well-established stent manufacturing company, an iliac stent was acquired. The dimensions of the stent are measured under a reflected-light microscope, while it is parameterized in such a way as to enable new designs to be simply generated through variations of its geometric parameters. The 3D balloon-stent-artery interaction is simulated by making use of the smooth contact surfaces with C2-continuity, as previously mentioned. Next, scalar quantities attempt to characterize the arterial wall changes after stenting, in form of contact forces induced by the stent struts, stresses within the individual components and luminal change. These numerically derived quantities allow the determination of the most appropriate stent configuration for an individual stenosis. Therefore, the proposed methodology has the potential to provide a scientific basis for optimizing treatment procedures, stent material and geometries on a patient-specific level. / <p>QC 20101118</p>

For many materials and components like in high speed trains and airplanes fatigue failures occur in the range of over 107 load cycles which is called the high cycle fatigue range. A modern version of the springs was invented which are applied in a certain application. Ultrasonic fatigue testing (20 kHz machine) was conducted for evaluating the steel of the springs. This research explores the fundamental understanding of high cycle fatigue testing of strip steel and assesses a stainless martensitic chromium steel at the high cycle fatigue range. Finite element modeling was conducted to gain knowledge about the effect of various parameters. Significant attention was devoted to the fatigue failure initiations by SEM/EDS. The work demonstrated that the method of investigation for high cycle fatigue test is reliable. Fatigue failure at this range was initiated by internal defects which all included non-metallic inclusion. A critical distance was defined Within the strip fatigue specimen where all the fatigue failure initiated. The 3D stress field in the specimen was determined by FEM modeling and the local applied stress at the whole of the flat part of specimen and critical distance was estimated. FEM was also employed to give additional information about the effect of parameters. It was established that damping had the largest influence. The local applied stress of the fatigue test was calculated by means of FEM and SEM analysis. It was used to adjust the S-N curve which resulted in 15% lower values than the nominal applied stress.

Modeling and design of high frequency electronic systems such as antennas and microwave devices require the rigorous numerical solution of Maxwell’s equa- tions. The frequency-domain (time-harmonic) tangential vector finite element method (TVFEM) for Maxwell equations results in a second-order dynamical electromagnetic model that must be repeatedly solved for multiple frequencies, excitation or material parameters each design loop. This leads to extremely long design turnaround that often is not optimal. This work will propose an accurate, error controllable and ef- ficient multi-parametric model order reduction scheme that significantly accelerate these parameters sweep. At the core of this work is the proper orthogonal decompo- sition (POD) sampling technique and balanced truncation (BT) algorithm that are used to reduce multi-parameter spaces that include frequency, material parameters and infinite array scan angles. The proposed methodology employs a novel computa- tional scheme based on adaptive POD sampling and the singular value decomposition (SVD) of the low-rank Hankel matrix. Numerical examples confirm the significant time savings and good accuracy of the method for a diverse set of high-frequency electromagnetic systems.

The present study examined the application of modern, computer-based analysis methods to two existing historic bridges in Massachusetts. The first bridge featured in this study is the Woronoco Bridge, a reinforced concrete open spandrel arch bridge that was constructed in 1923. It was hoped that a computer-based, parametric study of this bridge would prove it to be deck-stiffened, similar to select bridges of Swiss engineer Robert Maillart. However, the results do not support that there was any intent to reduce bending in the arch as a result of increasing the stiffness of the bridge deck. Instead, the Woronoco Bridge appears to optimize column stiffness in order to reduce bending stresses in the arch. The second bridge featured in this study is the Bardwell’s Ferry Bridge, a wrought iron lenticular truss that was constructed in 1882. A finite element model was created to identify the magnitude and location of maximum stresses within a critical lower truss chord (eye bar) connection in order to aid future rehabilitation and monitoring efforts. In addition, this model was used in combination with currently available material data in order to evaluate the fatigue life expectancy of the structure given the current 10 ton posted capacity. It was determined to be below the endurance limit and therefore is safe indefinitely, however, more specific material data is required.

Trotz der guten Drapierbarkeit ist das Formen von flachen Mehrlagen-Gestricken (MLG) zu 3D-Preforms für schalenartige Faser-Kunststoff-Verbund (FKV) Bauteile immer noch eine Herausforderung, da einige Defekte wie Falten, Gassenbildung oder Faserschäden nicht vollständig vermieden werden können. Daher ist vor der Massenproduktion eine Optimierung erforderlich. Die virtuelle Optimierung des Umformprozesses mit Hilfe von Finite-Element-Methode (FEM) Modellen ist ein attraktiver Ansatz, da die Rechenkosten immer geringer werden. Dazu wurde ein auf Kontinuumsmechanik basierendes Makromodell erfolgreich für MLG implementiert. Der makroskalige Modellierungsansatz bietet angemessene Rechenkosten und kann gängige Defekte wie Faltenbildung vorhersagen. Weitere Defekte wie Faserversatz, ondulierte Fasern, Knicken von Fasern, Faserschädigung und Gassenbildung können jedoch mit dem Makromodell nicht vorhergesagt werden. Da die Komplexität von Bauteilen aus FKV und die Qualitätsanforderungen an die 3D-Preforms zunehmen, sind FEM-Modelle mit höherem Darstellungsgrad erforderlich. Im am weitesten entwickelten mesoskaligen FEM-Modell für MLG verhindert die zu starke Vereinfachung des Strickfadensystems mit Federelementen jedoch die Fähigkeit dieses FEM-Modells, Faserverschiebungen und Gassenbildung bei großer Verformung zu beschreiben, wobei das Gleiten zwischen den Fäden berücksichtigt werden muss. Ziel ist daher die Entwicklung, Validierung und Anwendung eines mesoskaligen FEM-Modells für MLG, um die derzeitigen Einschränkungen zu überwinden. Es werden neue Modellierungsstrategien für biaxiale MLG auf der Mesoskala entwickelt. Die mechanischen Eigenschaften von MLG werden durch eine Reihe von textilphysikalischen Prüfungen charakterisiert und analysiert, die alle notwendigen Daten für den Aufbau sowie die Validierung der FEM-Modelle liefern. Es sollen zwei Ansätze zur Modellierung des Verstärkungsgarns implementiert und verglichen werden: durch Balken- und durch Schalenelemente. Die validierten Modelle können für die Umformsimulation verwendet werden. Es folgt eine Benchmark-Studie über die Kapazität und Zuverlässigkeit der verfügbaren Makromodelle und der entwickelten Mesomodelle durch Umformsimulation. Als Grundlage für die Benchmark-Studie werden Umformversuche durchgeführt. Das zweite Ziel der Arbeit ist die Modellierung von FKV auf verschiedenen Skalen. Die Modellierung von FKV auf der Makroebene wird mit den Daten der Faserorientierung durchgeführt, die aus der Umformsimulation gewonnen werden. Eine Mapping-Methode hilft dabei, die vorhergesagte Faserorientierung aus der Umformsimulation von dem MLG Mesomodell auf das FKV-Makromodell zu übertragen. Um den FKV zu charakterisieren und die Parameter für das FKV Modell vorzubereiten, werden Versuche mit FKV durchgeführt und ausgewertet. Basierend auf dem Mesomodell des MLG wird eine weiteres FKV-Modell vorgeschlagen, wobei Garn und Matrix getrennt modelliert werden. Dieses mesoskalige FKV-Modell enthält auch eine Kontaktformulierung, mit der die Delamination im FKV-Bauteil vorhergesagt werden kann. Prüfungen von Schale-Rippen Strukturen dienen als Grundlage für die Modellvalidierung. Das validierte Modell wird erfolgreich zur Vorhersage des mechanischen Verhaltens weiterer Schale-Rippen Strukturen mit unterschiedlicher Höhe und Anordnung der Rippen verwendet.:Kapitel 1 stellt die Einleitung und Problemstellung von dem Thema FKV vor. Kapitel 2 gibt eine Übersicht über Stand-der-Technik von den Hochleistungsfasern, Herstellung von textilen Verstärkungen und Halbzeugen, Fertigung von FKV sowie von Prüftechnik für Textilien und FKV. Zunächst wurden in Kapitel 3 eine Einführung in die Modellierung mit FEM allgemein und Stand-der-Technik der Modellierung von technische Textilien gegeben. In Kapitel 4 wurden die Zielsetzung und das Forschungsprogramm festgelegt. Die experimentellen Arbeiten werden in Kapitel 5 vorgestellt. Der erste Schritt ist die Auswahl des Materials und der Konfiguration für die MLG. Sowohl das Ausgangsmaterial als auch die produzierten MLG sollten systematisch getestet werden. Als Referenz wird auch ein Leinwandgewebe in die Prüfprogramme aufgenommen. Neben der Charakterisierung von textilen Flächengebilden sollen auch deren gleichwertige FKV geprüft werden. Das erste Ziel des Forschungsprogramms wird in Kapitel 6 erreicht, wobei verschiedene Ansätze zur Modellierung von MLG vorgestellt und validiert werden. Die entwickelten und validierten FEM-Modelle werden für die Benchmark-Studie der Umformsimulation in Kapitel 7 verwendet. Kapitel 8 befasst sich mit der Modellierung von FKV in verschiedenen Skalen. Zunächst wird das Mapping-Verfahren vorgestellt. Es wird ein Mapping für ein schalenförmiges T-Napf-Bauteil durchgeführt. Die trukturanalyse für das T-Napf-Bauteil erfolgt für übliche Lastfälle. Zweitens wird ein mesoskaliges FEM Modell für MLG-verstärkte FKV vorgeschlagen. Dieses Modell wird auf der Grundlage der Prüfdaten aus Kapitel 5 validiert. Das validierte Modell wird dann zur Vorhersage des mechanischen Verhaltens eines Schale-Rippen-FKV-Bauteils unter Biegebelastung verwendet. Kapitel 9 gibt eine Zusammenfassung von den Forschungsergebnissen und Vorschlägen für mögliche weitere Forschungen rund um dem Thema MLG als Verstärkung für FKV. Die Kombination von vorhandenen Makro-und Mesomodellen in einer einzigen Simulation kann die Berechnungskosten senken, ohne die Vorhersagenfähigkeiten des Modelles kompromittiert zu werden.