Jellyfish have inhabited this planet for millions of years and are the oldest known metazoans that swim using muscles. They are found in freshwater sources and in oceans all over the world. Over millions of years of evolution, they have adapted to survive in a given environment. They are considered as one of the most energy efficient swimmers. Owing to these characteristics, jellyfish has attracted a lot of attention for developing energy efficient unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs). The goal of this thesis is to provide understanding of the different physical mechanisms that jellyfish employs to achieve efficient swimming by using analytical and computational models. The models were validated by using the experimental data from literature. Based upon these models refinements and changes to engineering vehicles was proposed that could lead to significant enhancement in propulsion efficiency. In addition to the propulsion, the thesis addresses the practical aspects of deploying a jellyfish-inspired robotic vehicle by providing insights into buoyancy control and energy generation. The thesis is structured in a manner such that propulsive and structural models inspired from the natural animal were systematically combined with the practical aspects related to ionic diffusion driven buoyancy control system and thermal -- magnetic energy harvesting system. Jellyfish morphology, swimming mechanism and muscle architecture were critically reviewed to accurately describe the natural behavior and material properties. We provide full understanding of mesoglea, which plays most significant role towards swimming performance, in terms of composition, mechanical properties and nonlinear dynamics. Different jellyfish species exhibit different microstructure of mesoglea and thus there is a wide variety of soft materials. Mechanical properties of collagen fibers that form the main constituent toward imparting elasticity to mesoglea were reviewed and analyzed. The thesis discusses the theoretical models describing the role of structure of mesoglea towards its mechanical properties and explains the variation occurring in stiffness under given experimental environment. Muscle architecture found in jellyfish, nerve nets and its interconnection with the muscles were investigated to develop comprehensive understanding of jellyfish propulsion and its reaction to external stimuli. Different muscle arrangements were studied including radial, coronal muscle, and coronal-muscles-with-breaks in-between them as observed in Cyanea capillata. We modeled these muscle arrangements through finite element modeling (FEM) to determine their deformation and stroke characteristics and their overall role in bell contraction. We found that location and arrangement of coronal muscle rings plays an important role in determining their efficient utilization. Once the understanding of natural jellyfish was achieved, we translated the findings onto artificial jellyfish vehicle designed using Bio-inspired Shape Memory Alloy Composite (BISMAC) actuators. Detailed structural modeling was conducted to demonstrate deformation similar to that of jellyfish bell. FEM model incorporated hyperelastic behavior of artificial mesoglea (Ecoflex-0010 RTV, room temperature vulcanizing silicone with shore hardness (0010)), experimentally measured SMA temperature transformation, gravity and buoyancy forces. The model uses the actual control cycle that was optimized for driving the artificial jellyfish vehicle "robojelly". Using a comparative analysis approach, fundamental understanding of the jellyfish bell deformation, thrust generation, and mechanical efficiency were provided. Meeting energy needs of artificial vehicle is of prime importance for the UUVs. Some jellyfish species are known to use photosynthesis process indirectly by growing algae on their exumbrella and thereby utilizing the sunlight to generate energy. Inspired by this concept, an extensive model was developed for harvesting solar energy in underwater environment from the jellyfish bell structure. Three different species were modeled for solar energy harvesting, namely A.aurita, C.capillata and Mastigia sp., using the amorphous silicon solar cell and taking into account effect of fineness ratio, bell diameter, turbidity, depth in water and incidence angle. The models shows that in shallow water with low turbidity a large diameter vehicle may actually generate enough energy as required for meeting the demand of low duty cycle propulsion. In future, when the solar energy harvesting technology based upon artificial photosynthesis, referred to as "dye-sensitized solar cells", matures the model presented here can be easily extended to determine its performance in underwater conditions. In order to supplement the energy demand, a novel concept of thermal -- magnetic energy harvesting was developed and extensively modeled. The proposed harvester design allows capturing of even small temperature differences which are difficult for the thermoelectrics.  A systematic step-by-step model of thermo-magnetic energy harvester was presented and validated against the experimental data available in literature. The multi-physics model incorporates heat transfer, magnetostatic forces, mechanical vibrations, interface contact behavior, and piezoelectric based energy converter. We estimated natural frequency of the harvester, operating temperature regimes, and electromechanical efficiency as a function of dimensional and physical variables. The model provided limit cycle operation regimes which can be tuned using physical variables to meet the specific environment. Buoyancy control is used in aquatic animals in order to maintain their vertical trajectory and travel in water column with minimum energy expense. Some crustaceans employ selective ion replacement of heavy or lighter ions in their dorsal carapace. A model of a buoyancy chamber was developed to achieve similar buoyancy control using electro-osmosis. The model captures all the essential ionic transport and electrochemistry to provide practical operating cycle for the buoyancy engine in the ocean environment. / Ph. D.

Les revêtements de couches minces soumis à de fortes contraintes de compression peuvent subir un phénomène de flambage et de délaminage simultané appelé « cloquage ». Le mécanisme de formation et de propagation des cloques en forme de rides droites et des cloques circulaires a largement été étudié dans la littérature en considérant un comportement élastique linéaire pour le film. Cependant, l’effet de la plasticité sur la propagation et l’équilibre de telles cloques, bien que constaté expérimentalement, n’avait pas encore été vraiment étudié à ce jour.Dans ce travail nous nous intéressons tout d’abord à l’observation et à la caractérisation des structures de flambement observées sur des film d’or déposés sur des substrats en silicium. Des effets de la plasticité sur la morphologie ou la charge critique de flambage des structures cloquées sont mis en évidence de manière quantitative grâce à des techniques d'observation morphologique comme l'AFM, ainsi que des tests mécaniques par nano-indentation et des mesures de contrainte.Un modèle mécanique est développé, permettant de modéliser le film comme une plaque non-linéaire géométrique au comportement élasto-plastique en contact unilatéral sur un support rigide représentant le substrat. De plus, un modèle de zone cohésive est introduit entre la plaque et le support de manière à prendre en compte le délaminage du film, avec un travail de séparation dépendant de la mixité modale du chargement.Ce modèle nous a permis de mettre en évidence l’effet de la plasticité sur les profils d’équilibres résultant du cloquage élasto-plastique, pour des morphologies de cloques en ride droite et de cloque circulaire. L'effet sur le décalage de la charge critique de flambage a également été étudié. Enfin, l'influence de la déformation plastique sur le mécanisme de propagation de la rupture interfacial lui même a été étudiée. En particulier, un effet de stabilisation de la forme de cloque circulaire, qui avait été observé expérimentalement dans diverses études, a pu être démontré par le calcul. / Thin film coatings submitted to high compressive stresses may experience a simultaneous buckling and delamination phenomenon called "blistering". The mechanism of formation and propagation of blisters in the form of straight wrinkles and circular blisters has been extensively studied in the literature considering a linear elastic behavior for the film. However, the effect of plasticity on the propagation and mechanical equilibrium of such blisters, although experimentally observed, had not been systematically studied to date.In this work, we are interested in the observation and characterization of buckling structures observed on gold films deposited on silicon substrates. The effects of plasticity on the morphology or critical buckling load of buckled structures are quantitatively demonstrated using small scale surface observation techniques such as AFM, as well as mechanical testing by nanoindentation tests and stress measurement methods.A mechanical model is developed in order to model the film as a geometric nonlinear plate with elastic-plastic behavior in unilateral contact with a rigid support representing the substrate. In addition, a cohesive zone model is introduced between the plate and the support in order to take into account the delamination of the film, with a separation work depending on the mode mix of the interface loading.This model allowed us to highlight the effect of plasticity on the equilibrium profiles resulting from elastic-plastic blistering, for both straight and circular blisters morphologies. The effect on the offset of the critical buckling load has also been studied. Finally, the influence of plastic deformation on the propagation mechanism of the interfacial fracture itself has been studied. In particular, a stabilizing effect of the circular blister form, which has been observed experimentally in various studies, has been demonstrated through calculation.

Orientador: Gilberto Pechoto de Melo / Banca: Luiz de Paula do Nascimento / Banca: Silmara Cassola / Resumo: O presente trabalho apresenta a metodologia dos observadores de estado para a detecção e localização de falhas em sistemas contendo elementos finitos de placas de Kirchoff. Tal metodologia consiste na montagem de um banco de observadores de estado, o qual é capaz de detectar falhas presentes no sistema, além de localizar o componente danificado e a porcentagem de falha. As matrizes de ganho dos observadores de estado foram determinadas por dois métodos distintos: o método Regulador Quadrático Linear e das Desigualdades Matriciais Lineares. Nesse trabalho, foi utilizada uma placa plana fina montada sobre um sistema de suspensão similar ao de uma plataforma veicular, representando um veiculo simplificadamente. A modelagem da plataforma utilizada foi realizada mediante a utilização do método dos elementos finitos, considerando-se diferentes números de elemento no modelo. O tipo do elemento finito utilizado foi o elemento de placa de Kirchoff. Adicionalmente foi analisada a influência de elementos de controle junto à suspensão da plataforma no movimento da mesma. O modelo considerado, juntamente com os programas computacionais desenvolvidos, foram utilizados para a simulação do movimento da plataforma. Na literatura, normalmente são apresentadas simulações para o movimento de apenas ¼ do veículo, neste trabalho, no entanto, os programas desenvolvidos podem simular o movimento do veiculo inteiro. Foram realizadas simulações computacionais para o movimento da plataforma com a finalidade de se detectar e localizar falhas introduzidas nos elementos da suspensão e também foram realizados testes experimentais, com os mesmos fins. Mediante tais testes (teóricos e experimentais) verificou-se a eficácia da metodologia desenvolvida e a sua principal limitação: o número de elementos finitos considerado no modelo relacionado com o número de medidas efetuadas e a observabilidade do sistema. / Abstract: This work presents the state observers methodology for the detection and location of faults in systems containing finite elements of plate of Kirchoff. This methodology consists in the assembly of a bank of state observers, which is capable of detecting faults in the system, and also to locate the damaged component and the percentage of failure. The gain matrices of the state observers were determined by two different methods, these are the method Linear Quadratic Regulator and the Linear Matrix Inequalities. In this work was considered a thin plate mounted on a suspension system that is similar to a vehicle platform, representing a vehicle in a simplified way. The modeling of the platform used was performed by using the finite element method, considering different numbers of element in the model. The finite element used was the Kirchoff's plate element. It was also studied the influence of elements of control, together with the suspension of the platform, into its movement. The model considered, together with the developed computational programs, were used to simulate the movement of the platform. In the literature, usually are presented simulations for the movement of only ¼ of the vehicle, in this work, the developed programs can simulate the movement of the entire vehicle. It was realized computational simulations for the movement of the platform in order to detect and locate faults introduced in the elements of the suspension and experimental tests were also conducted with the same purpose. Through such tests (theoretical and experimental) it was verified the effectiveness of the developed methodology and its major limitation: the number of finite elements considered in the model related with the number of outputs and the observability of the system. / Mestre

The aim of the thesis is to study the response of Swedish buttress dams if they are subjected to an earthquake of relevant magnitude to Sweden. Swedish dams are evaluated for an extensive amount of load cases, but not for earthquake loading. Therefore, it is not known how the Swedish buttress dams would respond during such loading. Earthquake engineering is practised only to a marginal extent in Sweden due to a low risk of major earthquakes. In fact, an earthquake hazard zonation map that provides data for earthquake resistant design, does not even exist for Sweden. Therefore, part of the thesis is aimed at acquiring data from alternative sources to enable seismic evaluation. The effect of earthquakes on Swedish buttress dams are analysed through case studies. The case studies are performed with numerical analysis using the commercial finite element program Brigade Plus. The case studies are performed on two buttress dam models that were selected based on an inventory of Swedish buttress dams. In the case studies, the dam models are evaluated for the Safety Evaluation Earthquake (SEE), which correspond to 10 000 years return period. At the SEE event, the Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA), is also related to the geographical location of a dam. The envelope of available PGA in Sweden was used in the case studies to cover the spectrum of PGA. The response of the dams to the lowest value of PGA is insignificant and the dams are essentially unaffected. However, for the highest value of PGA the responses indicates that the concrete of the dams is severely cracked and that the ultimate capacity of the reinforcement may be exceeded. Hence, it is concluded that the geographical location of a Swedish dam is highly influential on the response to earthquake loading. / Syftet med denna uppsats är att analysera effekten på svenska betonglamelldammar i det fall de utsätts för en jordbävning av relevant magnitud för Sverige. Svenska dammar har blivit utvärderade för ett stort antal lastfall, dock ej för jordbävningslaster. Det är därför inte känt hur svenska betonglamelldammar uppträder under sådana laster. Jordbävningsdimensionering tillämpas endast marginellt i Sverige eftersom det föreligger låg risk för kraftfulla jordbävningar. Faktum är att en zonindelningskarta över jordbävningsrisk för byggnadsdimensionering inte ens existerar i Sverige. Därför dedikeras en del av uppsatsen till att hitta data från alternativa källor för seismisk utvärdering. Effekten av jordbävningar på svenska betonglamelldammar analyseras genom fallstudier. Dessa är genomförda baserat på numerisk analys med det kommersiella finita element programmet Brigade Plus. Analyserna är baserade på två utvalda betonglamelldammodeller som valdes genom en inventering av svenska betonglamelldammar. I fallstudien utvärderas dammarna för en Säkerhet Utvärderings Jordbävning (SUJ), denna motsvaras av 10 000 års återkomsttid. Vid en SUJ relateras den Maximala Mark Accelerationen (MAA) även till det geografiska läget av en damm. Ytterlighetsvärdena av tillgänglig MMA värden i Sverige användes i fallstudien för att täcka in hela spektrumet. Effekten av det lägsta MMA värdet på dammarna är obetydlig och dammarna kan anses i stort sett opåverkade. Det högsta värdet av MMA indikerar dock att dammarnas betong utsätts för stor uppsprickning och att kapaciteten av armeringen överskrids. Det kan därmed fastslås att det geografiska läget av en damm har stort inflytande över vilken effekt som kan förväntas vid en jordbävning

It is essential to understand the mechanics of ice load and how it affects concrete dams located in a cold climate, such as Sweden, where the temperature becomes sufficiently cold to freeze the surface of the reservoir. The purpose of this thesis is to study ice load distribution along concrete dams, and its response during the application of an ice load. Two types of concrete dams were analysed, an arch dam and a buttress dam. For these dams, the influence from different parameters on the ice load distribution along the dams is studied. In addition to this, a study on how the ice load affects dam stability had also been performed. Stability analyses based on the finite element method were performed using both linear and nonlinear formulation of the interaction behaviour between the base of the dam and the underlying rock. A parametric study of ice sheet expansion on different dam types and geometries were performed. The expansion of the ice sheet was assumed to either be caused by a constant temperature 15 ˚C uniformly distributed over the ice thickness, or by a temperature gradient from 15 ˚C at the top surface of the ice sheet and 0 ˚C at the bottom. The parametric study also includes an investigation about influence of the shape of the reservoir beaches, where it either had a perpendicular shape towards the surface of the dam, or it had an angle of 30˚ with the dam surface. In the linear stability analysis, the structure continued to deform with increasing of the resultant pressure until it reached nonlinearity. The dam deflection had a linear relation with the applied ice load force until it reached the point when structure behaviour was nonlinear. The structure failed due to sliding, overturning or combination of both sliding and overturning. A material failure can also occur if the nonlinear material behaviour is considered, however this was not considered in this study. The parametric study showed that the ice load distribution was less near the beaches, and the distribution of the load on the concrete dam was higher near the top surface of the ice sheet. It was also shown in the study that the distribution of the ice load along the dam was as a cosine function where it had the maximum value at the buttress and the minimum at monolith connections. The result also showed that the load distribution over the thickness of the ice sheet was the same along the dam, regardless of the shape of the beaches or the length of the ice sheet. / Det är viktigt att förstå hur islasten beter sig och hur den påverkar betongdammar som är belägna i kallt klimat, som t.ex. Sverige, där temperaturen blir tillräckligt låg för att frysa ytvattnet i en flod. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att studera isbelastningsfördelningen längs en betongdamm och dess respons under en belastningen. Två olika typer av betongdammar har analyserats, vilka är valvdamm samt lamelldamm. För dessa, studerades det hur olika parametrar påverkar lastfördelningen från istrycket längsmed dessa dammar. Slutligen har det studerats hur islasten påverkar dammsäkerheten och risken för dammbrott. Inverkan från interaktionen mellan dammen och det underliggande berget som linjär eller olinjärt har studerats i stabilitetsanalyser baserade på finita elementmetoden. En parameterstudie har också genomförts för olika dammtyper och geometrier där islasten orsakades av en expansion av isytan. Denna expansion antogs vara orsakad av antingen av en jämn fördelad temperatur över istjockleken på 15 ˚C, eller en temperaturgradient över istjockleken med +15 ˚C på den övre ytan och 0 °C vid isens bottenyta. Den parametriska studien beaktar även inverkan från utformningen av stränderna, där den har definierats som antingen vinkelrät mot dammen eller med en lutande vinkel på 30 grader. I fallet med linjära stabilitetsanalyser kommer konstruktionen att fortsätta att deformeras som ett resultat av ökande resulterande tryckkraft. Dammens deformation har ett linjärt förhållande med den applicerade islasten till dess att den når en punkt då strukturens beteende övergå till olinjärt. Strukturens brottmod kan uppstå på grund av glidning, stjälpning eller i en kombination av både glidning och stjälpning. materialbrott kan uppstå om icke-lineariteterna beaktas. Dammen gick till brott på grund av glidning, vältning eller i kombinationen av dessa då. Materialbrott kan uppstå om icke-linjära materialmodeller inkluderas, men detta beaktades dock ej i denna studie. Den parametriska studien visar att isbelastningen är mindre nära stränderna och att belastningen på betongdammen är högre vid isens ovanyta. Studien visar att islastfördelningen längsmed dammen liknar en cosinusfunktion som når sitt maximum vid stödskivan och sitt minimum vid monolitanslutningen. Resultatet visar även att islastfördelningen genom islastens tjocklek har samma form längsmed dammen oavsett utformningen av stränder eller istäckets längd.

Concrete dams located in northern regions are exposed to large seasonal temperature variations. These seasonal temperature variations have resulted in cracking in thin concrete dams. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of existing dams are important to increase the knowledge about massive concrete structures and to ensure dam safety.  The aim of this degree project is to increase the knowledge about how cracking occurs in concrete dams and how it affects the dam safety. This was achieved by simulating the development of cracks in a concrete arch dam exposed to seasonal temperature variations using finite element analysis (FEA). The accuracy of the model was evaluated by comparing the results with measurements from a Swedish concrete arch dam. Finally, effect of cracks and temperature on the dam safety was investigated.  FEA was used to predict the crack pattern and displacements in the arch dam. The analyses were performed both with linear elastic and nonlinear material behavior. Two models were analyzed, in one model the dam was considered to be a homogeneous arch, the other model included contraction joints. The cracking was simulated using temperature envelopes from the location of the Swedish arch dam. To evaluate the displacements in the arch, further analyses were carried out, where the cracked arch dam was exposed to the actual temperature variations at the location. The results were compared to the crack pattern and measurements of displacements of the Swedish arch dam. To investigate the effects from the cracking on the safety of the dam, a progressive failure analyses performed.  The results show that the downstream face of the arch cracked under hydrostatic pressure. The cracks propagated further during winter when the temperature load was applied. The resulting crack pattern corresponded well with the survey of the cracks from the Swedish arch dam. The FE-models with nonlinear material developed a horizontal plastic hinge due to excessive cracking in a region halfway down from the crest. The plastic hinge affected the shape of the deflected arch. The magnitude of the displacements and the shape of the deflected arch was captured with the nonlinear models. A safety factor of 3 for internal structural failure in the arch was found in the failure analyses. The safety factor of the arch only decreased slightly due to the cracking. During a cold winter, the safety factor decreased to 2.5. / Betongdammar belägna i nordliga klimat blir utsatta för stora säsongsburna temperaturvariationer. Dessa temperaturvariationer har orsakat sprickbildning i tunna betongdammar. Kontinuerlig övervakning och utvärdering av befintliga dammar är viktigt för att öka kunskapen om massiva betongkonstruktioner och för att säkerställa dammsäkerheten.  Syftet med det här examensarbetet är att öka kunskapen om hur sprickor uppstår i valvdammar samt hur de påverkar anläggningens säkerhet. Målet är att med finit elementanalys (FEA) analysera uppsprickningen av betongen i en valvdamm som påverkas av säsongsburna temperaturvariationer. Tillförlitligheten i modellen utvärderas genom att jämföra med mätningar från en svensk valvdamm av liknande dimensioner. Slutligen utvärderas hur dammens säkerhet påverkas av sprickbildningen.  FE-analys användes för att förutsäga sprickmönstret och förskjutningarna i valvdammen. Analyserna utfördes både med linjärelastiskt och icke-linjärt materialbeteende. Två modeller användes i analysen, i ena modellen betraktades dammen som homogen och i den andra inkluderades gjutfogar. Sprickmönstret simulerades med temperaturcykler baserade på extremtemperaturer tagna intill den svenska valvdammen. För att utvärdera förskjutningarna i dammen gjordes vidare analyser där den spruckna dammen utsattes för temperaturvariationer uppmätta från samma plasts. Resultaten från analysen jämfördes med mätningar av förskjutningar och kartering av sprickor från den svenska valvdammen. För att undersöka hur säkerheten påverkades av sprickbildningen utfördes progressiv brottanalys.  Resultaten visar att dammen spricker på nedströmssidan när den utsätts för vattentryck. Sprickorna fortplantas under vintern när temperaturlasten appliceras. Sprickmönstret stämmer överens med kartering av den verkliga dammen. FE-modellerna med icke-linjärt materialbeteende utvecklade en plastisk led längs horisontella sprickor halvvägs ner från krönet. Den plastiska leden påverkade dammens utböjda form. Förskjutningarna och dammens utböjda form i de ickelinjära modellerna stämmer väl överens med de uppmätta förskjutningarna. Vid brottanalysen var säkerhetsfaktorn mot materialbrott i dammen 3. Säkerhetsfaktorn minskade något till följd av sprickorna. Under en kall vinter sjönk säkerhetsfaktorn till 2,5.

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Résumé : Ce projet de recherche s'inscrit dans une démarche d'éco-conception de matériaux architecturés à fort potentiel acoustique. On s'intéresse en particulier dans ce travail de thèse à la description des phénomènes de dissipation et de propagation des ondes acoustiques dans un milieu fibreux par une approche multi-échelle et multi-physique. Dans cette étude, il s'agit de décrire les propriétés acoustiques du milieu fibreux à partir d'une description de la géométrie à l'échelle locale de milieux fibreux. Le milieu fibreux est constitué de fibres d'asclépiades, qui sont typiquement des fibres végétales adoptant la forme de longs cylindres. Pour traiter ce problème, la méthodologie employée consiste en quatre étapes principales : (i) caractérisation et modélisation de la géométrie du milieu fibreux; (ii) calcul des paramètres de transport et acoustiques du milieu fibreux reconstruit; (iii) validation expérimentale de propriétés de transport et acoustiques; (iv) évaluation des évolutions de propriétés de transport en fonction des paramètres de la géométrie à l'échelle locale de matériau. En particulier, un modèle isotrope spatialement stationnaire de lignes droites (processus de Poisson) et le tenseur d'orientation angulaire correspondant, constituent des outils de modélisation de la géométrie aléatoire du milieu fibreux permettant de représenter les principales caractéristiques susceptibles d'influencer ses propriétés de transport. Il s'agit ensuite de résoudre les principaux problèmes aux limites gouvernant le comportement acoustique à l'échelle supérieure en appliquant une technique classique d'homogénéisation numérique. On montre dans un premier temps que la méthode développée permet de prédire le comportement en absorption d'un milieu fibreux aléatoire en se basant uniquement sur la description des caractéristiques géométriques du matériau fibreux réel (porosité, rayon de fibres, distributions des orientations angulaires) sans coefficient d'ajustement, validations expérimentales à l'appui. Sur la base de ce travail de reconstruction tridimensionnel, on étudie ensuite systématiquement l'ensemble des phénomènes de transport d'intérêt sur une large gamme de porosité et d'orientations angulaires, de manière à produire des lois qui peuvent être appliquées par la suite par d'autres utilisateurs sur une large gamme de milieux fibreux réels. Finalement, on examine plus particulièrement l'hypothèse classique selon laquelle un milieu fibreux peut être décrit à partir de la moyenne arithmétique du diamètre de ses fibres, afin de cerner les limites de cette approche et ses conditions d'applicabilité lorsque le milieu fibreux présente une distribution étendue de diamètres de fibres ou bimodale. / Abstract : This thesis is concerned with in an eco-design approach for architectured porous materials (fibers made) with high acoustic potential. The project particularly focuses on asclepias (vegetal) fibers and on the description of dissipation and propagation phenomena of sound waves using homogellization techniques. One begins with the characterization of the fibrous medium by scanning electron microscope images from horizontal and vertical cross-sections of a slab of porous sample. Three-dimensional unit cells of the fibrous samples under study are reconstructed with an isotropic model of straight lines (Poisson processes) and by making use of the concept of angular orientation tensor from the previously identified microstructure characteristics (porosity, fiber radii, angular orientation distributions). The transports and acoustic properties are obtamed from numerical computations of unit cell problems (Stokes flow, potential flow and heat conduction) with the Finite Element Method. Validations with experimental data based on permeability and impedance tube measurements are proposed and show a good agreement with the predictive models. The dependence of the effective properties with the geometrical characteristics of the porous microstructure is then analyzed on a large range of porosity (0.75 ÷ 0.09) and explicit relations are provided between the effective acoustic coefficients and the microstructural parameters. The last part of this work is dedicated to the determination of acoustic properties of random fibrous media with bi- and poly dispersed fiber distribution radii. The results are compared with a corresponding mono- dispersed fibrous material (with a single effective fiber radius) which show no significant difference with the initial distributions when the effective radius is small enough. The results of this thesis also point out that an equivalent mono-dispersed fibrous material fails to represent accurately the transport properties of a random fibrous structure when the latter one is described by a fiber distribution radii tending towards a log normal distribution.

A indústria aeronáutica vem promovendo avanços tecnológicos em velocidades crescentes, para sobreviver em mercados extremamente competitivos. Neste cenário, torna-se imprescindível o uso de ferramentas de projeto que agilizem o desenvolvimento de novas aeronaves. Os atuais recursos computacionais permitiram um grande aumento no número de ferramentas que auxiliam o trabalho de projetistas e engenheiros. O projeto de uma aeronave é uma tarefa multidisciplinar por essência, o que logo incentivou o desenvolvimento de ferramentas computacionais que trabalhem com várias áreas ao mesmo tempo. Entre elas se destaca a otimização multidisciplinar em projeto, que une métodos de otimização à modelos matemáticos de áreas distintas de um projeto para encontrar soluções de compromisso. O presente trabalho introduz a otimização multidisciplinar em projeto (Multidisciplinary Design Optimization - MDO) e discorre sobre algumas aplicações possíveis desta metodologia. Foi realizada a implementação de um sistema de MDO para o projeto de asas flexíveis, considerando restrições de aeroelasticidade dinâmica e massa estrutural. Como meta, deseja-se encontrar distribuições ideais de rigidezes flexional e torcional da estrutura da asa, para maximizar a velocidade crítica de flutter e minimizar a massa estrutural. Para tanto, foram utilizados um modelo dinâmico-estrutural baseado no método dos elementos finitos, um modelo aerodinâmico não-estacionário baseado na teoria das faixas e nas soluções bidimensionais de Theodorsen, um modelo de previsão de flutter que utiliza o método K e, por fim, um otimizador baseado no método de algoritmos genéticos (AGs). São apresentados os detalhes empregados em cada modelo, as restrições aplicadas e a maneira como eles interagem ao longo da otimização. É feita uma análise para a escolha dos parâmetros de otimização por AG e em seguida a avaliação de dois casos, para verificação da funcionalidade do sistema implementado. Os resultados obtidos demonstram uma metodologia eficiente, que é capaz de buscar soluções ótimas para problemas propostos, que com devidos ajustes pode ter enorme valor para acelerar o desenvolvimento de novas aeronaves. / The aeronautical industry is always trying to speed up technological advances in order to survive in extremely competitive markets. In this scenario, the use of design tools to accelerate the development of new aircraft becomes essential. Current computational resources allow greater increase in the number of design tools to assist the work of aeronautical engineers. In essence, the design of an aircraft is a multidisciplinary task, which stimulates the development of computational tools that work with different areas at the same time. Among them, the multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) can be distinguished, which combines optimization methods to mathematical models of distinct areas of a design to find compromise solutions. The present work introduces MDO and discourses on some possible applications of this methodology. The implementation of a MDO system for the design of flexible wings, considering dynamic aeroelasticity restrictions and the structural mass, was carried out. As goal, it is desired to find ideal flexional and torsional stiffness distributions of the wing structure, that maximize the critical flutter speed and minimize the structural mass. To do so, it was employed a structural dynamics model based on the finite element method, a nonstationary aerodynamic model based on the strip theory and Theodorsen’s two-dimensional solutions, a flutter prediction model based on the K method and a genetic algorithm (GA). Details on the model, restrictions applied and the way the models interact to each other through the optimization are presented. It is made an analysis for choosing the GA optimization parameters and then, the evaluation of two cases to verify the functionality of the implemented system. The results obtained illustrate an efficient methodology, capable of searching optimal solutions for proposed problems, that with the right adjustments can be of great value to accelerate the development of new aircraft.

La present tesi investiga l'ús de la modelització amb elements finits per a l'estudi de la biomecànica lumbar per a l'avaluació clínica. Els estudis bibliogràfics del capítol 1 mostren relacions funcionals clares entre les forces externes i les estructures i formes del teixit lumbar. Els estudis clínics demostraren que independentment del seu origen, el dolor lumbar pot veure's empitjorat per sobrecàrregues dels teixits. Les mesures experimentals són insuficients per descriure la distribució de càrrega entre els diferents teixits lumbars, és així que s'han utilitzat models d'elements finits. No obstant, la fiabilitat dels models a l'hora de predir les càrregues locals en els teixits no ha estat demostrada, essent aquest un dels objectes d'estudi.En el Capítol 2 s'elaborà un model bisegment de la columna lumbar. El model inicial es completà incloent el còrtex vertebral, una definició complerta de les juntes sinovials, les plaques terminals de cartílag i una descripció millorada de l'estructura de l'anell. Es van simular càrregues simplificades per als estudis in vitro per calcular les distribucions de tensions, deformacions i energia. El model bisegment és vàlid per interpretar les distribucions de càrrega funcionals a L3-L5 en el cas d'estructures conegudes de teixit, però el conjunt de la geometria L3-L5 necessitava ser millorat.Així al Capítol 3 es creà un model geomètric bisegment precís de L3-L5. El nou model incloïa les corregides: dimensions i formes, alçades de disc, localitzacions del nucli, formes posteriors de l'os, i distribució dels lligaments. Després de comparar a nivell biomecànic l'antiga geometria amb la nova, els resultats mostraren que els rols relatius dels teixits modelats depenen de la geometria. En general, les distribucions de càrrega predites eren més fisiològiques en el nou model. En canvi, ambdós models, reprodueixen rangs experimentals de moviment, així doncs la seva validació hauria de tenir en compte les transferències de càrrega locals.El Capítol 4 es centra en la variabilitat dels angles creuats del col·lagen de l'anell. Es crearen quatre models bisegment amb organitzacions d'anell fibrós basats en la bibliografia comparant-se sota diverses càrregues. A més es proposà un paràmetre d'estabilització de l'anell per analogia a un tub de parets gruixudes. La biomecànica del model depenia en gran mesura de l'organització de l'anell fibrós, però el paràmetre d'estabilització era soviet contradictori amb les tensions i forces predites. Així, s'assumí que la geometria de la columna i l'organització de l'anell fibrós estaven lligades. Les xarxes d'anell de col·lagen adaptades es poden determinar numèricament, però els models d'anell haurien d'estar bastats en relacions mecanobiològiques.Al Capítol 5 es presenta un model de disc artificial acoblat amb el model de L3-L5. Models bisegment amb i sense implant van ser comparats amb càrregues controlades per força o desplaçament, incloent o no l'aproximació del pes del cos. La rigidesa de la pròtesi alterava generalment les distribucions de càrrega i les rotacions controlades per desplaçament conduint a grans efectes adjacents. Incloent el pes del cos les condicions de contorn semblaven més fisòlogiques que sense. Malgrat la rigidesa del nou disc, aquest sembla més prometedor que altres dispositius comercials.En aquesta tesi s'han creat sis models nous elements finits de la columna lumbar osteoligamentosa. Les simulacions han mostrat que l'ús fiable dels models requereix d'una descripció precisa de les càrregues locals i respostes mecàniques de teixits. Les prediccions locals van estar limitades qualitativament degudes al desconeixement de les estructures de teixit tou, equacions constitutives i condicions de contorn. En canvi, els models poden ser emprats com a laboratoris in silico per superar aquestes limitacions. Basat en la informació numèrica i experimental, s'ha proposat un procediment jeràrquic per al desenvolupament qualitativament fiable de models elements finits de la columna lumbar. / This PhD thesis investigated the use of finite element modelling to study lumbar spine biomechanics for clinical assessment. Bibliographic studies reported in the first Chapter showed clear functional relations between external forces and lumbar spine tissue structures and shapes. Clinical research revealed that independently of its origin, low back pain may be worsened by altered tissue mechanical environments. Experimental measurements alone cannot truly describe the load distributions between the different lumbar spine tissues. Thus, finite element models have been used in the past. But model reliability in predicting local tissue loadings is still not manifest and has been explored in this thesis as described in the following chapters.In Chapter 2, a L3-L5 lumbar spine bi-segment model was built. An initial model was completed to include the vertebral cortex, a full definition of the facet joints, the cartilage endplates, and an improved description of the annulus fibre-reinforced structure. Simplified load-cases used for in vitro studies were simulated to calculate stress and strain energy distributions. Predictions within the L3-L5 lumbar spine bi-segment model could be interpreted in terms of functional load distributions related to known tissue structures, but the overall L3-L5 bisegment model geometry needed further update.Thus, in Chapter 3, a geometrically accurate L3-L5 lumbar spine bi-segment model was created. The new model included corrected L3 and L5 body shapes and dimensions, corrected disc heights and nucleus placements, corrected posterior bone shapes, dimensions, and orientations, and corrected ligament distributions. The new and old geometries were biomechanically compared. Results showed that the relative roles of modelled tissues greatly depend on the geometry. Predicted load distributions were generally more physiological in the new model. However, new and old models could both reproduce experimental ranges of motion, meaning that their validation should take into account local load transfers.Chapter 4 focuses on the variability of the annulus collagen criss-cross angles. Four bi-segment models with literature-based annulus fibre organizations were created and compared under diverse loads. Moreover, an annulus stabilization parameter was proposed by analogy to a thick walled pipe. Model biomechanics greatly depended on the annulus fibre organization, but annulus stabilization parameter was often contradictory with the predicted stresses and strains. Spine geometry and annulus fibrous organization were hypothesized to be linked together. Adapted annulus collagen networks may be numerically determined, but annulus modelling should be based on mechano-biological relationships.In Chapter 5, a case-study of a novel artificial disc design coupled with the L3-L5 lumbar spine model is presented. Bi-segment models with and without implant were compared under load- or displacement-controlled rotations, with or without body-weight like load. Prosthesis stiffness generally altered the load distributions and displacement-controlled rotations led to strong adjacent level effects. Including body weight-like loads seemed to give more realistic results. Although the novel disc substitute is too stiff, it is more promising than other existing commercial devices.In this thesis, six new osteoligamentous lumbar spine bi-segment finite element models were created. Simulations showed that reliable use of lumbar spine finite element models requires precise descriptions of local tissue loading and response. Local predictions were qualitatively mainly limited by a lack of knowledge about soft tissue structural organisations, constitutive equations, and boundary conditions. However, models can be used as in silico laboratories to overcome such limitations. A hierarchical procedure for the development of qualitatively reliable lumbar spine finite element models was proposed based on available numerical and experimental inputs.