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This thesis is composed of two distinct parts. The first part of this work addresses the problem of critical ignition behind a decaying shock wave in the context of cellular detonations. Low-pressure (4.1 kPa) shock tube experiments were performed in a thin rectangular channel using the highly-unstable mixture of CH4 + 2O2 and the weakly-unstable mixture of 2H2 + O2 + 7Ar, with Schlieren visualization of the flow field. The dynamics of the lead shock in a detonation cell was reconstructed from measurements of the lead shock position and curvature. The post-shock state and the expansion rate along the path of a Lagrangian particle crossing the lead shock at any given point in the cell cycle were evaluated with the shock jump and shock change equations. The chemical evolution behind the shock was then integrated using a detailed chemistry model. Quenching of the post-shock reaction zone was found within the first half of the detonation cell for both mixtures, with quenching occurring earlier in the highly unstable mixture. Simplified models derived from 1-step and 2-step chemistry models very accurately predict the quenching of the post-shock reactions and the evolution of the ignition delay through the cell. The second part describes the assembly and characterization of a fibre-optic probe hydrophone (FOPH) for the measurement of shock waves associated with blast-induced neuro-trauma. Compared to traditional polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) hydrophones, the assembled FOPH has a higher bandwidth and smaller active diameter, which are comparable to the characteristic time and thickness of shock waves associated with blast-induced neuro-trauma. However, the sensitivity of FOPHs are substantially lower than traditional hydrophones. We assemble a FOPH and provide detailed calculations and measurements of its sensitivity (0.66 mV/MPa) , noise floor, and spatial resolution. The 150 MHz bandwidth, limited by the photodetector, is sufficient for resolving shock waves with over-pressures of up to 174 kPa with 3 measurement points. Experimental measurements of the system noise gives a floor of 260 Pa/√Hz . A detailed noise analysis finds that the system is limited by photodetector noise (215 Pa/√Hz), which is 4x the fundamental shot noise limit, closely followed by a laser noise of 150 Pa/√Hz. We conclude that the system noise floor is insufficient for resolved measurements of the post-shock pressure in the range associated with blast-induced neuro-trauma. From our noise analysis, we quantify the sensitivity enhancement required for resolving this regime, and we conclude that sensitivity-enhancing fibre-coatings could provide a sufficient increase in sensitivity.

This thesis concerns various aspects of the durability offibre optic sensors embedded in composite. Since repair orreplacement of embedded sensors is not generally possible, thefunctional reliability of embedded sensors is one of the mostimportant prerequisites for successful use. The main researchobjective was to investigate the interaction between the sensorand the composite, and how this is affecting the mechanical andoptical sensor response. Fibre optic sensors embedded incomposite structures induce local stress concentrations whenthe composite is subjected to mechanical loads andenvironmental changes such as temperature and moisture. Acomplex transfer of stresses through the interfaces between theembedded sensor and the composite occurs and can result inlarge local stresses in the composite and a significant changein the response of the embedded sensor. These stressconcentrations make the interfaces susceptible todebonding. The sensor performance was studied experimentally andnumerically. Some basic results were generated for the EFPI andBragg grating sensors. The phase-strain response was determinedduring static and fatigue loading. The results showed that thesensors were more reliable in compression than in tensilestatic and fatigue loading. Generally, the sensor reliabilityduring loading was significantly improved for the Bragg gratingsensors over that of the EFPI sensor, as an effect of thesensor geometry. This was also demonstrated in theinvestigations on impacts. Impacts do not necessarily result indamage in the composite, but might cause debonding or otherfailure modes in the sensor area. Large, local stressconcentrations occur at several positions in the EFPI sensor,which pointed out that this sensor type was not suitable forembedded applications. The shift in focus from the sensor concept based on the EFPIsensor to that based on the Bragg grating sensor manifesteditself in several studies. The calculated deformation fieldaround an embedded optical fibre was verified in experimentsusing a high-resolution moiré interferometric technique.Furthermore, the improvement in the coating technology wasverified. A significant higher interfacial strength wasobtained with the silane-treated glass surface. The resultsindicated that at least a twofold improvement of the shearstrength was obtained. To simultaneously measure the in-plane strain components andthe temperature change, embedded Bragg grating sensors werearranged in a rosette configuration. The relationship betweenthe optical response from each sensor and the strains in thelaminate was numerically and analytically established. Damage lead to stress redistribution in the sensor region,which may influence the output from the embedded Bragg gratingsensor. The effect was numerically evaluated for interfacialdamage, and was compared to that of a sensor with undamagedinterface. The results showed that debonding might have asignificant influence, in particular for combined thermal andmechanical loading. <b>Keywords</b>: composites, fibre optic sensor, embedded, EFPIsensor, Bragg grating sensor, durability, fatigue, impact,strain measurement, interface, stress analysis

<p>This thesis concerns various aspects of the durability offibre optic sensors embedded in composite. Since repair orreplacement of embedded sensors is not generally possible, thefunctional reliability of embedded sensors is one of the mostimportant prerequisites for successful use. The main researchobjective was to investigate the interaction between the sensorand the composite, and how this is affecting the mechanical andoptical sensor response. Fibre optic sensors embedded incomposite structures induce local stress concentrations whenthe composite is subjected to mechanical loads andenvironmental changes such as temperature and moisture. Acomplex transfer of stresses through the interfaces between theembedded sensor and the composite occurs and can result inlarge local stresses in the composite and a significant changein the response of the embedded sensor. These stressconcentrations make the interfaces susceptible todebonding.</p><p>The sensor performance was studied experimentally andnumerically. Some basic results were generated for the EFPI andBragg grating sensors. The phase-strain response was determinedduring static and fatigue loading. The results showed that thesensors were more reliable in compression than in tensilestatic and fatigue loading. Generally, the sensor reliabilityduring loading was significantly improved for the Bragg gratingsensors over that of the EFPI sensor, as an effect of thesensor geometry. This was also demonstrated in theinvestigations on impacts. Impacts do not necessarily result indamage in the composite, but might cause debonding or otherfailure modes in the sensor area. Large, local stressconcentrations occur at several positions in the EFPI sensor,which pointed out that this sensor type was not suitable forembedded applications.</p><p>The shift in focus from the sensor concept based on the EFPIsensor to that based on the Bragg grating sensor manifesteditself in several studies. The calculated deformation fieldaround an embedded optical fibre was verified in experimentsusing a high-resolution moiré interferometric technique.Furthermore, the improvement in the coating technology wasverified. A significant higher interfacial strength wasobtained with the silane-treated glass surface. The resultsindicated that at least a twofold improvement of the shearstrength was obtained.</p><p>To simultaneously measure the in-plane strain components andthe temperature change, embedded Bragg grating sensors werearranged in a rosette configuration. The relationship betweenthe optical response from each sensor and the strains in thelaminate was numerically and analytically established.</p><p>Damage lead to stress redistribution in the sensor region,which may influence the output from the embedded Bragg gratingsensor. The effect was numerically evaluated for interfacialdamage, and was compared to that of a sensor with undamagedinterface. The results showed that debonding might have asignificant influence, in particular for combined thermal andmechanical loading.</p><p><b>Keywords</b>: composites, fibre optic sensor, embedded, EFPIsensor, Bragg grating sensor, durability, fatigue, impact,strain measurement, interface, stress analysis</p>

This dissertation presents a fibre-optic sensing approach to provide continuous measurements of CO2 concentration at discrete points under typical conditions of geological CO2 storage. Carbon capture and storage is considered to have potential for a large-scale reduction in CO2 emissions in a relatively short period of time while other solutions to replace fossil fuels are being investigated. One significant drawback of carbon capture and storage is the possibility of long-term CO2 leakage. Therefore, the development of reliable technology for monitoring, verification, and accounting of geological CO2 storage is critical to fulfill safety regulations and achieve public acceptance. The major limitations of current technology include relatively low resolutions, high costs, and the lack of continuous monitoring for long periods of time. To address these limitations, two types of fibre-optic sensors are investigated, namely long period gratings and Mach-Zehnder interferometers. The sensing principle for CO2 detection is based on the sensitivity of these sensors to the refractive index of the medium that surrounds the fibre. Fibre-optic sensors are attractive for downhole applications due to the possibility of fabricating inexpensive high resolution devices that are able to operate in harsh environments over long periods of time. This dissertation focuses on increasing the refractive index sensitivity of long period gratings and Mach-Zehnder interferometers by applying coatings that have a high refractive index. The dip-coating method is used to coat long period gratings with polystyrene, and the sensitivity at low refractive indices is increased by tuning coating thickness. The results show that long period gratings coated with polystyrene are able to detect CO2 in gaseous and aqueous media. This work reports the first measurement of CO2 dissolution in water at high pressure with a fibre-optic sensor. Additionally, atomic layer deposition is investigated to coat long period gratings and Mach-Zehnder interferometers with hafnium oxide. The study of this coating technique aims to address the main limitation of the dip-coating method: the challenge to achieve precise control over coating thickness. The results show that atomic layer deposition is suitable to maximize the sensitivity of long period gratings and Mach-Zehnder interferometers at a target refractive index. / Graduate / 0548 / 0752 / 0799 / luismelo@uvic.ca

Despite the superior properties of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials, the use of FRPs in buildings is limited. A key cause of concern for their use in buildings arises from their poor performance in fire occurrences. This thesis presents the results of fire performance of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams and slabs strengthened with externally bonded FRP sheets. The performance and effectiveness of insulation materials and techniques are also investigated in this thesis. Two full-scale reinforced concrete T-beams and two intermediate-scale slabs were strengthened in flexure with carbon and glass fibre reinforced polymer sheets and insulated with a layer of spray-on material. The T-beams and slabs were then exposed to a standard fire. Fire test results show that fire endurances of more than 4 h can be achieved using an appropriate insulation system. Tests were performed in order to understand the behaviour of FRP concrete bond at high temperatures. An empirical model was then formulated to describe the bond strength deterioration due to temperature rise. Innovative measurement techniques were employed throughout the experiments to measure important observables like strain and temperature. Meanwhile, the effectiveness and practicality of techniques such as Fibre Optic Sensing (FOS) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) for high temperature applications were investigated. A numerical finite-volume heat transfer model was developed to simulate the heat transfer phenomenon. The validity of the numerical model was verified by comparing the results with the results from the fire tests. By using this model, parametric analyses were performed to investigate the effect of different fire scenarios on the performance of the insulated beams. To simulate the structural performance of the T-beams a numerical model which was capable of predicting stresses and strains and deflections of a heated beam was developed. The model is capable of incorporating the effects of axial forces in the response of a restrained beam. This model was verified and used in combination with the thermal model to simulate the deflections of T-beams in fire. / Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-09-17 15:11:16.185