The increasing nationwide interest in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and the need for more efficient transportation have led to the expanding use of variable message sign (VMS) technology. VMS panels are substantially heavier than flat panel aluminum signs and have a larger depth (dimension parallel to the direction of traffic). The additional weight and depth can have a significant effect on the aerodynamic forces and inertial loads transmitted to the support structure. The wind induced drag forces and the response of VMS structures is not well understood. Minimum design requirements for VMS structures are contained in the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials Standard Specification for Structural Support for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals (AASHTO Specification). However the Specification does not take into account the prismatic geometry of VMS and the complex interaction of the applied aerodynamic forces to the support structure. In view of the lack of code guidance and the limited number research performed so far, targeted experimentation and large scale testing was conducted at the Florida International University (FIU) Wall of Wind (WOW) to provide reliable drag coefficients and investigate the aerodynamic instability of VMS. A comprehensive range of VMS geometries was tested in turbulence representative of the high frequency end of the spectrum in a simulated suburban atmospheric boundary layer. The mean normal, lateral and vertical lift force coefficients, in addition to the twisting moment coefficient and eccentricity ratio, were determined using the measured data for each model. Wind tunnel testing confirmed that drag on a prismatic VMS is smaller than the 1.7 suggested value in the current AASHTO Specification (2013). An alternative to the AASHTO Specification code value is presented in the form of a design matrix. Testing and analysis also indicated that vortex shedding oscillations and galloping instability could be significant for VMS signs with a large depth ratio attached to a structure with a low natural frequency. The effect of corner modification was investigated by testing models with chamfered and rounded corners. Results demonstrated an additional decrease in the drag coefficient but a possible Reynolds number dependency for the rounded corner configuration.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第22416号 / 工博第4677号 / 新制||工||1730(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科社会基盤工学専攻 / (主査)教授 八木 知己, 教授 清野 純史, 教授 高橋 良和 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

Esta Dissertação de Mestrado apresenta um estudo experimental sobre os efeitos de interferência das vibrações induzidas pelo escoamento ao redor de cilindros rígidos livres para oscilar transversalmente ao escoamento fluido. Primeiramente, justifica a necessidade de pesquisas experimentais dentro do contexto prático da engenharia offshore, que motiva este trabalho. Apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre escoamentos ao redor de corpos rombudos seguida de uma síntese sobre vibrações induzidas pelo escoamento. Destacam-se as oscilações causadas por VIV – Vibrações Induzidas por Vórtices e “galloping" como os fenômenos até o momento atribuídos às excitações de um cilindro isolado e um par de cilindros alinhados com o escoamento. Apresenta a metodologia experimental empregada, descrevendo a aplicação de bases elásticas fletoras com um grau de liberdade. Introduz as técnicas experimentais e de tratamento de sinais utilizadas e faz rápidas considerações sobre a realização de ensaios nos dois canais de água circulante onde os experimentos foram conduzidos. Os resultados apresentados, discutidos e comparados envolvem: medições da resposta dinâmica em amplitude e freqüência dominante de oscilação; medição instantânea do ângulo de fase entre a força fluida e o deslocamento do cilindro e do ângulo de fase entre as oscilações de dois cilindros; e medições da dinâmica da esteira com PIV. Os arranjos de cilindros estudados são: cilindro isolado; par alinhado com cilindro à montante oscilando; par alinhado com cilindro à jusante oscilando; e par alinhado com ambos os cilindro oscilando. Todas as configurações analisadas em detalhes possuem baixo parâmetro de massa e baixíssimo parâmetro de amortecimento . Os espaçamentos entre os centros dos cilindros alinhados variam entre . A faixa de velocidade reduzida analisada está entre. Um cilindro isolado apresentou resposta típica de VIV com os três ramos de resposta (inicial, superior e inferior) identificados. O fenômeno de intermitência do ângulo de fase instantâneo foi verificado nas regiões de transição. Os modos 2S e 2P de emissão de vórtices foram identificados com PIV. Estes dados mostraram boa concordância com outros experimentos da literatura e serviram de referência para as demais comparações deste texto. A resposta de um cilindro oscilando à montante de outro fixo também apresentou comportamento típico de VIV. Conclui-se que o primeiro cilindro não sofre efeito de interferência do cilindro à jusante para os espaçamento e velocidades analisados. Os principais efeitos de interferência ocorrem para um cilindro oscilando à jusante de outro fixo. Este arranjo, foco deste estudo, não apresenta resposta típica de VIV, uma vez que a amplitude apresenta um ramo crescente após a faixa típica de sincronização. Também não apresenta resposta típica de excitação pura por galloping, já que a força fluida não está em fase com a velocidade do cilindro. Assim, denomina-se um novo fenômeno responsável por estas excitações que combina: captura da freqüência de emissão e faixa de sincronização de VIV; e amplitude assintoticamente crescente típica da resposta de galloping. Trata-se das WIV – Vibrações por Interferência da Esteira. Quando ambos os cilindros estão livres para oscilar, o cilindro à montante continua apresentando resposta típica de VIV, enquanto o segundo cilindro responde com ramos descontínuos também excitados por WIV. Por fim, conclui-se que não é conveniente chamar de “excitações por galloping" os ramos crescentes nas configurações de interferência. Entende-se que esta resposta esteja sendo excitada pelos efeitos de interferência das esteiras formada entre os cilindros e desprendida no cilindro à jusante. Sugere-se que a nomenclatura Vibrações por Interferência da Esteira seja mais adequada à natureza dos fenômenos. As visualizações de PIV foram importantes para a verificação da redução do comprimento de formação de vórtices com o aumento do número de Reynolds, mostrando a necessidade de experimentos de interferência com Reynolds constante. Encerra-se o texto apresentando propostas para trabalhos futuros que continuem nesta linha de pesquisa. / This MSc Thesis presents an experimental study on flow-induced vibrations and interference effects around rigid circular cylinders free to oscillate transversally to the flow. Firstly, it justifies the real needs of an experimental approach within the context of offshore engineering, which motivates this project. After that, presents a review over bluff-bodies flows followed by some consideration concerning flow-induced vibrations. Special attention is found over the oscillations caused by VIV – Vortex-Induced Vibrations and galloping phenomena, which are attributed to excite either a single isolated cylinder or a pair of tandem interfering cylinders. The experimental methodology is shown, describing the applications of elastic bases with one degree of freedom. Experimental techniques and signal analysis procedures are discussed considering the executions of these experiments in two water channel facilities. Presented, discussed and compared results involve: dynamic responses in amplitude and dominant oscillation frequency; instantaneous phase angle between fluid forces and cylinder displacement and phase angle betweens the two cylinders oscillations; and wake dynamics measurements and visualizations employing PIV technique. Cylinders are arranged as follow: single isolated cylinder; tandem pair with upstream one free to oscillate; tandem pair with downstream one free to oscillate; tandem pair with both cylinders free to oscillate. All carefully analyzed arrangements present low-mass parameter and very low damping . Gaps between cylinder centers vary through . Reduced velocity range is comprised in. The isolated cylinder case presented a typical VIV response, with three identified branches (initial, upper and lower). The instantaneous phase angle intermittency phenomenon was observed in transition regions. The 2S and 2P vortex modes were verified by PIV technique. These data showed to be in accordance to other literature measurements and are employed as reference results for comparisons throughout this text. The dynamic response of a cylinder oscillating upstream a fixed one showed a typical VIV behavior. From this can be concluded that the downstream cylinder does not imply any interference phenomenon for analyzed gaps and velocities. On the other hand, major interference effects occur when a downstream cylinder is oscillating in the wake of another fixed one. This configuration, which is the focus of this study, does not show a typical VIV response, since amplitude curves present a crescent branch after the typical synchronization regime. It does not either present a typical galloping excitation response, since the fluid forces are not in phase with the cylinder velocity. Thus, a new suggested name, WIV – Wake-Interference Vibrations, describes the phenomenon responsible for these excitations, which combines: lock-in of shedding frequency from VIV; and asymptotically crescent response from galloping-like excitations. When both cylinders are free to oscillate, the upstream one presents the typical VIV response, while the downstream one passes through three branches with discontinuities, excited by WIV. Finally, it can be concluded that is not convenient to call “galloping excitation" these crescent branches for interference arrangements. It can be understood that the dynamic response is being excited by the interference effects from upstream wake and downstream cylinder vortices. The nomenclature Wake-Interference Vibrations is suggested to be more adequate to the nature of this phenomenon. In addition, PIV visualizations showed to be very important to certify that the formation length decreases while increasing Reynolds number, requiring interference experiments with constant Reynolds numbers. To conclude, some suggestions for future work in this research field are presented.

Esta Dissertação de Mestrado apresenta um estudo experimental sobre os efeitos de interferência das vibrações induzidas pelo escoamento ao redor de cilindros rígidos livres para oscilar transversalmente ao escoamento fluido. Primeiramente, justifica a necessidade de pesquisas experimentais dentro do contexto prático da engenharia offshore, que motiva este trabalho. Apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre escoamentos ao redor de corpos rombudos seguida de uma síntese sobre vibrações induzidas pelo escoamento. Destacam-se as oscilações causadas por VIV – Vibrações Induzidas por Vórtices e “galloping” como os fenômenos até o momento atribuídos às excitações de um cilindro isolado e um par de cilindros alinhados com o escoamento. Apresenta a metodologia experimental empregada, descrevendo a aplicação de bases elásticas fletoras com um grau de liberdade. Introduz as técnicas experimentais e de tratamento de sinais utilizadas e faz rápidas considerações sobre a realização de ensaios nos dois canais de água circulante onde os experimentos foram conduzidos. Os resultados apresentados, discutidos e comparados envolvem: medições da resposta dinâmica em amplitude e freqüência dominante de oscilação; medição instantânea do ângulo de fase entre a força fluida e o deslocamento do cilindro e do ângulo de fase entre as oscilações de dois cilindros; e medições da dinâmica da esteira com PIV. Os arranjos de cilindros estudados são: cilindro isolado; par alinhado com cilindro à montante oscilando; par alinhado com cilindro à jusante oscilando; e par alinhado com ambos os cilindro oscilando. Todas as configurações analisadas em detalhes possuem baixo parâmetro de massa e baixíssimo parâmetro de amortecimento . Os espaçamentos entre os centros dos cilindros alinhados variam entre . A faixa de velocidade reduzida analisada está entre. Um cilindro isolado apresentou resposta típica de VIV com os três ramos de resposta (inicial, superior e inferior) identificados. O fenômeno de intermitência do ângulo de fase instantâneo foi verificado nas regiões de transição. Os modos 2S e 2P de emissão de vórtices foram identificados com PIV. Estes dados mostraram boa concordância com outros experimentos da literatura e serviram de referência para as demais comparações deste texto. A resposta de um cilindro oscilando à montante de outro fixo também apresentou comportamento típico de VIV. Conclui-se que o primeiro cilindro não sofre efeito de interferência do cilindro à jusante para os espaçamento e velocidades analisados. Os principais efeitos de interferência ocorrem para um cilindro oscilando à jusante de outro fixo. Este arranjo, foco deste estudo, não apresenta resposta típica de VIV, uma vez que a amplitude apresenta um ramo crescente após a faixa típica de sincronização. Também não apresenta resposta típica de excitação pura por galloping, já que a força fluida não está em fase com a velocidade do cilindro. Assim, denomina-se um novo fenômeno responsável por estas excitações que combina: captura da freqüência de emissão e faixa de sincronização de VIV; e amplitude assintoticamente crescente típica da resposta de galloping. Trata-se das WIV – Vibrações por Interferência da Esteira. Quando ambos os cilindros estão livres para oscilar, o cilindro à montante continua apresentando resposta típica de VIV, enquanto o segundo cilindro responde com ramos descontínuos também excitados por WIV. Por fim, conclui-se que não é conveniente chamar de “excitações por galloping” os ramos crescentes nas configurações de interferência. Entende-se que esta resposta esteja sendo excitada pelos efeitos de interferência das esteiras formada entre os cilindros e desprendida no cilindro à jusante. Sugere-se que a nomenclatura Vibrações por Interferência da Esteira seja mais adequada à natureza dos fenômenos. As visualizações de PIV foram importantes para a verificação da redução do comprimento de formação de vórtices com o aumento do número de Reynolds, mostrando a necessidade de experimentos de interferência com Reynolds constante. Encerra-se o texto apresentando propostas para trabalhos futuros que continuem nesta linha de pesquisa. / This MSc Thesis presents an experimental study on flow-induced vibrations and interference effects around rigid circular cylinders free to oscillate transversally to the flow. Firstly, it justifies the real needs of an experimental approach within the context of offshore engineering, which motivates this project. After that, presents a review over bluff-bodies flows followed by some consideration concerning flow-induced vibrations. Special attention is found over the oscillations caused by VIV – Vortex-Induced Vibrations and galloping phenomena, which are attributed to excite either a single isolated cylinder or a pair of tandem interfering cylinders. The experimental methodology is shown, describing the applications of elastic bases with one degree of freedom. Experimental techniques and signal analysis procedures are discussed considering the executions of these experiments in two water channel facilities. Presented, discussed and compared results involve: dynamic responses in amplitude and dominant oscillation frequency; instantaneous phase angle between fluid forces and cylinder displacement and phase angle betweens the two cylinders oscillations; and wake dynamics measurements and visualizations employing PIV technique. Cylinders are arranged as follow: single isolated cylinder; tandem pair with upstream one free to oscillate; tandem pair with downstream one free to oscillate; tandem pair with both cylinders free to oscillate. All carefully analyzed arrangements present low-mass parameter and very low damping . Gaps between cylinder centers vary through . Reduced velocity range is comprised in. The isolated cylinder case presented a typical VIV response, with three identified branches (initial, upper and lower). The instantaneous phase angle intermittency phenomenon was observed in transition regions. The 2S and 2P vortex modes were verified by PIV technique. These data showed to be in accordance to other literature measurements and are employed as reference results for comparisons throughout this text. The dynamic response of a cylinder oscillating upstream a fixed one showed a typical VIV behavior. From this can be concluded that the downstream cylinder does not imply any interference phenomenon for analyzed gaps and velocities. On the other hand, major interference effects occur when a downstream cylinder is oscillating in the wake of another fixed one. This configuration, which is the focus of this study, does not show a typical VIV response, since amplitude curves present a crescent branch after the typical synchronization regime. It does not either present a typical galloping excitation response, since the fluid forces are not in phase with the cylinder velocity. Thus, a new suggested name, WIV – Wake-Interference Vibrations, describes the phenomenon responsible for these excitations, which combines: lock-in of shedding frequency from VIV; and asymptotically crescent response from galloping-like excitations. When both cylinders are free to oscillate, the upstream one presents the typical VIV response, while the downstream one passes through three branches with discontinuities, excited by WIV. Finally, it can be concluded that is not convenient to call “galloping excitation” these crescent branches for interference arrangements. It can be understood that the dynamic response is being excited by the interference effects from upstream wake and downstream cylinder vortices. The nomenclature Wake-Interference Vibrations is suggested to be more adequate to the nature of this phenomenon. In addition, PIV visualizations showed to be very important to certify that the formation length decreases while increasing Reynolds number, requiring interference experiments with constant Reynolds numbers. To conclude, some suggestions for future work in this research field are presented.

We model different nonlinear systems, analyze their nonlinear aspects and discuss their applications. First, we present a semi-analytical, geometrically-exact, unsteady potential flow model is developed for airfoils undergoing large amplitude maneuvers. Towards this objective, the classical unsteady theory of Theodorsen is revisited by relaxing some of the major assumptions such as (1) flat wake, (2) small angle of attack, (3) small disturbances to the mean flow components, and (4) time-invariant free-stream. The kinematics of the wake vortices is simulated numerically while the wake and bound circulation distribution and, consequently, the associated pressure distribution are determined analytically. The steady and unsteady behaviors of the developed model are validated against experimental and computational results. The model is then used to determine the lift frequency response at different mean angles of attack. Second, we investigate the nonlinear characteristics of an autoparametric vibration system. This system consists of a base structure and a cantilever beam with a tip mass. The dynamic equations for the system are derived using the extended Hamilton's principle. The method of multiple scales is then used to analytically determine the stability and bifurcation of the system. The effects of the amplitude and frequency of the external force, the damping coefficient and frequency of the attached cantilever beam and the tip mass on the nonlinear responses of the system are determined. As an application, the concept of energy harvesting based on the autoparametric vibration system consisting of a base structure subjected to the external force and a cantilever beam with a tip mass is evaluated. Piezoelectric sheets are attached to the cantilever beam to convert the vibrations of the base structure into electrical energy. The coupled nonlinear distributed-parameter model is developed and analyzed. The effects of the electrical load resistance on the global frequency and damping ratio of the cantilever beam are analyzed by linearizion of the governing equations and perturbation method. Nonlinear analysis is performed to investigate the impacts of external force and load resistance on the response of the harvester. Finally, the concept of harvesting energy from ambient and galloping vibrations of a bluff body is investigated. A piezoelectric transducer is attached to the transverse degree of freedom of the body in order to convert the vibration energy to electrical power. A coupled nonlinear distributed-parameter model is developed that takes into consideration the galloping force and moment nonlinearities and the base excitation effects. The aerodynamic loads are modeled using the quasi-steady approximation. Linear analysis is performed to determine the effects of the electrical load resistance and wind speed on the global damping and frequency of the harvester as well as on the onset of instability. Then, nonlinear analysis is performed to investigate the impact of the base acceleration, wind speed, and electrical load resistance on the performance of the harvester and the associated nonlinear phenomena. Short- and open-circuit configurations for different wind speeds and base accelerations are assessed. / Ph. D.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第25248号 / 工博第5207号 / 新制||工||1994(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科社会基盤工学専攻 / (主査)教授 八木 知己, 教授 杉浦 邦征, 教授 高橋 良和 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Energy harvesting of ambient and aeroelastic vibrations is important for reducing the dependence of wireless sensing and networks on batteries. We develop a configuration for a piezoelectric energy harvester with the capability to wirelessly communicate vibration measurements while using those vibrations to power the sensing and communication devices. Particularly, we perform experiments that aim at identifying challenges to overcome in the development of such a configuration. Towards that objective, we successfully tested a self-powered real-time point-to-point wireless communication system between a vibration sensor and transmission and receiving modules. The sensing device and transmission module are powered by the vibrating object using a piezoelectric energy harvester. The communication is established by using two XBee modules. In the second part of this dissertation, we address the optimization of the output power of piezoelectric energy harvesters of aeroelastic vibrations. Given the complexity of high-fidelity simulations of the coupling between the fluid flow, structural response and piezoelectric transduction, we develop and experimentally validate a phenomelogical reduced-order model for energy harvesting from wake galloping. We also develop a high-fidelity simulation for the same phenomena. The modeling and high-fidelity simulations can be a part of a multi-disciplinary optimization framework to be used in the design and operation of galloping-based energy harvesters. / Doctor of Philosophy / Energy harvesting of ambient or flow-induced vibrations is important for reducing the dependence on batteries in wireless sensing and networks to monitor deterioration conditions, environmental pollution or wildlife conservation. Balancing the benefits and shortcomings of a specific approach, namely piezoelctric transduction, for energy harvesting from vibrations, we address a specific challenge related to the development of a configuration that allows for communicating measured vibrations using their power. Furthermore, given the low levels of output power from piezoelectric transduction, we address the need to optimize power output levels through the development of predictive models that depend on geometry and speed of the fluid flow.