Three kinds of propagating waves physically admissible in a tubular section are derived to establish their dispersion characteristics in response to the presence of multi-layered viscoelastic coatings. One is the longitudinal wave that propagates in the axial direction. The other two are shear and longitudinal waves along the circumferential direction. To characterize the hollow cylinder with coating layers, wave dispersion and attenuation are studied using the “global matrix” technique. Since each layer is considered to be perfectly bonded to each other, displacement and strain continuity are imposed as the interfacial boundary conditions. Viscoelastic coating materials such as bitumen and epoxy serve to improve pipeline reliability, but they also dampen and dissipate wave energy. The viscoelastic materials are studied as well. By replacing the real material constants with complex material constants in the characteristic equation, the impact of the viscoelastic coatings on wave dispersion is established. Bisection method is followed to find the real and complex roots of the three characteristic equations derived. Roots thus obtained are manipulated to allow the phase velocity and attenuation dispersion to be plotted against frequency. The dispersion of phase velocity and wave attenuation for coated pipes are evaluated against a baseline model which is the bare, uncoated tubing to establish the propagation characteristics of the guided shear and longitudinal waves in the presence of multiple coating layers. The effects of increasing attenuation parameter and coating thickness are also investigated.

Nesta tese foram executados diversos ensaios geotécnicos em um solo coluvionar de uma encosta em que ocorreu uma ruptura translacional, seguida de liquefação e corrida de detritos, em São Vendelino (RS). Na mesma área ocorreram dezenas de rupturas de taludes em dezembro de 2000, durante um evento pluviométrico com chuvas de 148 mm medidas em 2 h. Os taludes da região apresentam declividades em torno de 27-36° com uma camada superficial de solo coluvionar (aproximadamente 2 m). Os solos amostrados foram retirados junto da cicatriz de um destes movimentos, o qual uma testemunha ocular descreveu como uma ruptura de grande mobilidade e fluidez. No trabalho é apresentada (a) uma caracterização geral das propriedades geotécnicas dos solos coluvionares da área de estudo, a partir de um conjunto de ensaios realizados em amostras deformadas e indeformadas coletadas em campo; (b) resultados do monitoramento de poro-pressões por piezômetros elétricos e um pluviômetro, instalados na encosta; (c) ensaios de condutividade hidráulica de laboratório e de campo (permeâmetro de Guelph, piezômetros de Casagrande e cilindros concêntricos); (d) um conjunto de resultados de ensaios de cisalhamento direto, ensaios de compressão triaxial CID, CIU, CID-U e CSD (constant shear drained) e (e) um conjunto de ensaios hollow cylinder. Os ensaios de condutividade hidráulica realizados em laboratório com amostras indeformadas forneceram valores entre 2,5x10-4 e 5,4x10-3 cm/s. Os resultados dos ensaios de cisalhamento resultaram em valores c =4-10 kPa e f = 26º (remoldados ou indeformados) e c =0-10 kPa e f =25,8-36,9º (triaxiais em solo remoldado). Os ensaios hollow cylinder realizados mostraram que há uma grande influência da rotação das tensões principais nos parâmetros de resistência ao cisalhamento e no comportamento do solo pré e pós-ruptura. Os resultados também sugerem que análises de estabilidade de taludes baseadas nos parâmetros de resistência ao cisalhamento obtidos a partir de ensaios de compressão triaxial não são conservativas. Análises de fluxo de água e de estabilidade da encosta sugerem que somente chuvas com intensidade de magnitude semelhante à de dezembro de 2000 podem provocar rupturas na encosta estudada. / In this thesis several geotechnical tests were performed in a colluvium soil from a slope in which a translational slide occurred, followed by liquefaction and debris flow, in São Vendelino, RS, Brazil. In the same area several other slope failures occurred in December 2000 during a rain event with precipitation of 148mm in 2 hours. The inclination of the slopes in the region are in the range of 27-36o with a surficial layer of colluvium soil (approximately 2 m). The soil samples soil were collected close to a scar generated by one of those movements, which an eye-witness described as a failure with great mobility. This thesis presents (a) a basic characterization of colluvium soils from the studied area, using disturbed and undisturbed samples; (b) monitored values of in-situ pore-pressure using electric piezometers and results of a pluviometer installed in the studied area; (c) results of hydraulic conductivity from laboratory and field tests (Guelph permeameter, Casagrande piezometers and concentric cylinders); (d) results from direct shear and triaxial tests (CID, CIU, CID-U and CSD) and (e) a set of hollow cylinder tests. The laboratory conductivity hydraulic tests carried out on undisturbed samples showed values variyng from 2.5x10-4 to 5.4x10-3 cm/s. The direct shear results resulted in c =4-10 kPa e f =26º (undisturbed or reconstituted samples) and triaxial tests resulted in c =0-10 kPa and f =25.8-36.9º (reconstituted samples). The hollow cylinder tests showed that there is a strong influence of principal stress rotation in the shear strength and in the soil behavior pre and post failure. The results also suggest that slope stability analyses based on shear strength parameters obtained from triaxial tests are not conservative. Seepage and slope stability analyses suggest that only rains of great intensity, similar to the event of December 2000, may generate failures in the studied slope.

Nesta tese foram executados diversos ensaios geotécnicos em um solo coluvionar de uma encosta em que ocorreu uma ruptura translacional, seguida de liquefação e corrida de detritos, em São Vendelino (RS). Na mesma área ocorreram dezenas de rupturas de taludes em dezembro de 2000, durante um evento pluviométrico com chuvas de 148 mm medidas em 2 h. Os taludes da região apresentam declividades em torno de 27-36° com uma camada superficial de solo coluvionar (aproximadamente 2 m). Os solos amostrados foram retirados junto da cicatriz de um destes movimentos, o qual uma testemunha ocular descreveu como uma ruptura de grande mobilidade e fluidez. No trabalho é apresentada (a) uma caracterização geral das propriedades geotécnicas dos solos coluvionares da área de estudo, a partir de um conjunto de ensaios realizados em amostras deformadas e indeformadas coletadas em campo; (b) resultados do monitoramento de poro-pressões por piezômetros elétricos e um pluviômetro, instalados na encosta; (c) ensaios de condutividade hidráulica de laboratório e de campo (permeâmetro de Guelph, piezômetros de Casagrande e cilindros concêntricos); (d) um conjunto de resultados de ensaios de cisalhamento direto, ensaios de compressão triaxial CID, CIU, CID-U e CSD (constant shear drained) e (e) um conjunto de ensaios hollow cylinder. Os ensaios de condutividade hidráulica realizados em laboratório com amostras indeformadas forneceram valores entre 2,5x10-4 e 5,4x10-3 cm/s. Os resultados dos ensaios de cisalhamento resultaram em valores c =4-10 kPa e f = 26º (remoldados ou indeformados) e c =0-10 kPa e f =25,8-36,9º (triaxiais em solo remoldado). Os ensaios hollow cylinder realizados mostraram que há uma grande influência da rotação das tensões principais nos parâmetros de resistência ao cisalhamento e no comportamento do solo pré e pós-ruptura. Os resultados também sugerem que análises de estabilidade de taludes baseadas nos parâmetros de resistência ao cisalhamento obtidos a partir de ensaios de compressão triaxial não são conservativas. Análises de fluxo de água e de estabilidade da encosta sugerem que somente chuvas com intensidade de magnitude semelhante à de dezembro de 2000 podem provocar rupturas na encosta estudada. / In this thesis several geotechnical tests were performed in a colluvium soil from a slope in which a translational slide occurred, followed by liquefaction and debris flow, in São Vendelino, RS, Brazil. In the same area several other slope failures occurred in December 2000 during a rain event with precipitation of 148mm in 2 hours. The inclination of the slopes in the region are in the range of 27-36o with a surficial layer of colluvium soil (approximately 2 m). The soil samples soil were collected close to a scar generated by one of those movements, which an eye-witness described as a failure with great mobility. This thesis presents (a) a basic characterization of colluvium soils from the studied area, using disturbed and undisturbed samples; (b) monitored values of in-situ pore-pressure using electric piezometers and results of a pluviometer installed in the studied area; (c) results of hydraulic conductivity from laboratory and field tests (Guelph permeameter, Casagrande piezometers and concentric cylinders); (d) results from direct shear and triaxial tests (CID, CIU, CID-U and CSD) and (e) a set of hollow cylinder tests. The laboratory conductivity hydraulic tests carried out on undisturbed samples showed values variyng from 2.5x10-4 to 5.4x10-3 cm/s. The direct shear results resulted in c =4-10 kPa e f =26º (undisturbed or reconstituted samples) and triaxial tests resulted in c =0-10 kPa and f =25.8-36.9º (reconstituted samples). The hollow cylinder tests showed that there is a strong influence of principal stress rotation in the shear strength and in the soil behavior pre and post failure. The results also suggest that slope stability analyses based on shear strength parameters obtained from triaxial tests are not conservative. Seepage and slope stability analyses suggest that only rains of great intensity, similar to the event of December 2000, may generate failures in the studied slope.

Nesta tese foram executados diversos ensaios geotécnicos em um solo coluvionar de uma encosta em que ocorreu uma ruptura translacional, seguida de liquefação e corrida de detritos, em São Vendelino (RS). Na mesma área ocorreram dezenas de rupturas de taludes em dezembro de 2000, durante um evento pluviométrico com chuvas de 148 mm medidas em 2 h. Os taludes da região apresentam declividades em torno de 27-36° com uma camada superficial de solo coluvionar (aproximadamente 2 m). Os solos amostrados foram retirados junto da cicatriz de um destes movimentos, o qual uma testemunha ocular descreveu como uma ruptura de grande mobilidade e fluidez. No trabalho é apresentada (a) uma caracterização geral das propriedades geotécnicas dos solos coluvionares da área de estudo, a partir de um conjunto de ensaios realizados em amostras deformadas e indeformadas coletadas em campo; (b) resultados do monitoramento de poro-pressões por piezômetros elétricos e um pluviômetro, instalados na encosta; (c) ensaios de condutividade hidráulica de laboratório e de campo (permeâmetro de Guelph, piezômetros de Casagrande e cilindros concêntricos); (d) um conjunto de resultados de ensaios de cisalhamento direto, ensaios de compressão triaxial CID, CIU, CID-U e CSD (constant shear drained) e (e) um conjunto de ensaios hollow cylinder. Os ensaios de condutividade hidráulica realizados em laboratório com amostras indeformadas forneceram valores entre 2,5x10-4 e 5,4x10-3 cm/s. Os resultados dos ensaios de cisalhamento resultaram em valores c =4-10 kPa e f = 26º (remoldados ou indeformados) e c =0-10 kPa e f =25,8-36,9º (triaxiais em solo remoldado). Os ensaios hollow cylinder realizados mostraram que há uma grande influência da rotação das tensões principais nos parâmetros de resistência ao cisalhamento e no comportamento do solo pré e pós-ruptura. Os resultados também sugerem que análises de estabilidade de taludes baseadas nos parâmetros de resistência ao cisalhamento obtidos a partir de ensaios de compressão triaxial não são conservativas. Análises de fluxo de água e de estabilidade da encosta sugerem que somente chuvas com intensidade de magnitude semelhante à de dezembro de 2000 podem provocar rupturas na encosta estudada. / In this thesis several geotechnical tests were performed in a colluvium soil from a slope in which a translational slide occurred, followed by liquefaction and debris flow, in São Vendelino, RS, Brazil. In the same area several other slope failures occurred in December 2000 during a rain event with precipitation of 148mm in 2 hours. The inclination of the slopes in the region are in the range of 27-36o with a surficial layer of colluvium soil (approximately 2 m). The soil samples soil were collected close to a scar generated by one of those movements, which an eye-witness described as a failure with great mobility. This thesis presents (a) a basic characterization of colluvium soils from the studied area, using disturbed and undisturbed samples; (b) monitored values of in-situ pore-pressure using electric piezometers and results of a pluviometer installed in the studied area; (c) results of hydraulic conductivity from laboratory and field tests (Guelph permeameter, Casagrande piezometers and concentric cylinders); (d) results from direct shear and triaxial tests (CID, CIU, CID-U and CSD) and (e) a set of hollow cylinder tests. The laboratory conductivity hydraulic tests carried out on undisturbed samples showed values variyng from 2.5x10-4 to 5.4x10-3 cm/s. The direct shear results resulted in c =4-10 kPa e f =26º (undisturbed or reconstituted samples) and triaxial tests resulted in c =0-10 kPa and f =25.8-36.9º (reconstituted samples). The hollow cylinder tests showed that there is a strong influence of principal stress rotation in the shear strength and in the soil behavior pre and post failure. The results also suggest that slope stability analyses based on shear strength parameters obtained from triaxial tests are not conservative. Seepage and slope stability analyses suggest that only rains of great intensity, similar to the event of December 2000, may generate failures in the studied slope.

‘Optical Caustics’ represent some of the most visually striking patterns of the light in nature.They occur when light rays from a source, such as the sun, get refracted, or reflected by curved media so as to bend and alter their path. They are ubiquitous and signify the regions of space in which many rays intersect to form bright singularities along a two-or a three-dimensional surface. The associated 2-D patterns (caustic patterns) could be simple or complex in ‘shape and size’ depending upon the optical arrangement used to produce them. Such patterns exhibit either a static or a dynamic behavior which can be controlled sensitively by the medium or the device used to produce them. The present thesis concerns with a few novel contributions in utilization of such optical caustics for the measurement of small angular rotation/tilt of objects. Utilizing a ‘hollow cylinder’ as a novel device for the generation of the optical caustics, the author proposed and demonstrated three new schemes of realizing a position-dependent-behavior of ‘Optical Caustic Patterns’. The said behavior is investigated both analytically as well as experimentally. The results of the investigation are then utilized to propose and demonstrate three methods of magnifying angular displacement of the hollow cylinder. The salient feature of the principle behind each of the said methods is illustrated in the figures below. The patterns in each of the above pictures correspond to two different positions of the hollow cylinder-the pattern in white color corresponds to the initial position while that in red color corresponds to new angular position of the cylinder. Defining S1 = ƒ (LΔΦ), S2= ƒ(TΔΦ) and S3= ƒ(ξ ΔΦ) as new signals from the proposed methods, it has been shown that each of them represent a magnified measure of the change in the angular position of the cylinder ΔΦ. Further, if a plane mirror is used in place of cylinder in the proposed methods, the corresponding signal S for the same change in the angular position ΔΦis represented by ΔD. For a chosen set of the experimental conditions, it is shown that for unit change in ΔΦ, the values of S1, S2 and S3 change 30, 37 and 62 times faster than ΔD. The investigations clearly demonstrate that hollow cylinders can be advantageously used as position-magnifying angle-sensing devices. The results of the investigations also suggest that in application areas such as auto collimation, torsion pendulum and design of motion control stages, this device is expected to bring in new advances.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work presents the study on a linear ultrasonic motor with tubular geometry for linear displacements. Similar topologies, reported elsewhere, are conceived for producing rotary motions. Due to some particular characteristics of this geometry, not explored yet, a new study on interaction between resonance modes in a hollow cylinder for linear movement generation is proposed. In order to experimentally investigate the resonance modes in tubular stators, a proof of concept prototype was built and tested. The prototype consisted of a internally toothed phosphore bronze tube, excited by two PZT rings. Several types of mobile axes, with one or more solid cylinders of aluminum or stainless steel, were employed. The methodology of test consisted of changing geometric parameters, properties of materials, sweeping driving conditions, and observing the respective movement on the shaft. Tests showed the production of linear and/or angular movements, with maximum speeds of 0,07m/s, but with little uniformity and repeatability. The lack of conclusive hypothesis on the stability issue, based only on experimental set of results, has led to a reassessment of the methodology of investigation, including additional analysis tools for the characterization of the device. So, a simple analytical modeling of the stator was formulated to set up a project methodology. Despite its simplicity and limitations, the analytical model allows a first order approximation for resonance modes, and relates them to the constructive parameters of the stator. In order to take the influence of the factors neglected in the analytical modeling into account, the analysis was complemented with finite element method (FEM) simulations. The deformation profiles of the stator to the 21st resonance mode were analyzed using FEM. With the results, it is possible to predict the behavior of the resonance frequencies, and the corresponding deformations they produce on the teeth, for each stator configuration. The most important result of this analysis is to show the relationship between aspect ratio of ellipsoidal trajectory on the stator teeth and the geometry of the stator. This allows a conclusive diagnosis on the inefficiency of the built prototype: The small amplitude of the longitudinal component of traveling deformation wave. An analysis of simulations results has lead to a design methodology for this new type of motor. The results showed that if the stator is redesigned according to the proposed methodology, it would be able to produce longitudinal deformations of 2.6 μm, with ceramics driven at 35.3 V. If Compared to simulations of the prototyped stator the new project exhibits an increase of 90% for radial deformation components of, and 3600% for the longitudinal components, indicating that if the new design was implemented, it could achieve much higher efficiency in movement production. / Este trabalho apresenta o estudo de um motor ultra-sônico com geometria tubular para movimentos lineares. Outros motores com geometria tubular, encontrados na bibliografia, são concebidos para a produção de movimentos rotativos. Devido a diversas características ainda não exploradas desta geometria, um novo estudo sobre a interação dos modos naturais de vibração de um cilindro vazado para a geração de movimento linear é proposto. Com o objetivo de investigar experimentalmente os modos de ressonância em estatores tubulares, um protótipo para prova de conceito foi construído e ensaiado. O protótipo consiste de um tubo vazado, dentado internamente, excitado por dois anéis de PZT. Foram utilizados diversos tipos de eixos móveis, com um ou mais cilindros maciços de alumínio ou aço inoxidável. A metodologia de ensaio consistiu da variação dos parâmetros geométricos, propriedades de materiais e condições de acionamento, e da respectiva observação e medição dos movimentos do eixo. Os testes evidenciam a produção de movimentos lineares e/ou angulares com velocidades máximas de aproximadamente 0,07m/s, mas com pouca uniformidade e repetibilidade. A impossibilidade de uma análise conclusiva sobre a instabilidade do motor com base apenas nos resultados experimentais de bancada motivou uma reavaliação da metodologia de estudo e a busca de ferramentas adicionais para a caracterização do dispositivo. Uma modelagem analítica do estator foi formulada para que um roteiro de análise e cálculos dimensionais pudessem ser estabelecidos. Embora simples e com diversas limitações, o modelo obtido permite aproximações de primeira ordem para os modos de ressonância em função dos parâmetros construtivos do estator. Para que a influência das não-linearidades não incluídas na modelagem possa ser avaliada, a análise foi complementada com simulações pelo método dos elementos finitos (FEM). Os perfis das deformações do estator até o 21o modo de ressonância foram analisados utilizando FEM. Com os resultados obtidos, é possível prever o comportamento das freqüências naturais e das deformações nos dentes em função das características do estator. O resultado mais importante desta análise é mostrar a relação de aspecto da trajetória elipsoidal dos dentes do estator, com a geometria do estator, permitindo um diagnóstico conclusivo sobre a ineficiência do protótipo construído: A baixa amplitude da componente de deformação longitudinal da onda viajante no tubo. O estudo dos resultados das simulações permitiu o estabelecimento de um roteiro de análise e cálculos dimensionais para este novo tipo de motor. Simulações realizadas mostraram que um estator projetado com o roteiro proposto, é capaz de produzir deformações longitudinais de 2,6μm e radiais de 3,8μm, quando as cerâmicas piezelétricas são acionadas a 35,3 V. Comparando-se os resultados das simulações do estator prototipado com o novo projeto, observa-se um acréscimo teórico de 90% nas componentes de deformação radial e 3600% nas componentes longitudinais, indicando que um novo protótipo construído de acordo com o projeto pode atingir uma eficiência muito superior na produção de movimento.

Face à la complexité croissante des trajectoires et des conditions opérationnelles des forages pétroliers et géothermiques, le phénomène de fatigue est devenu la cause principale de rupture des garnitures de forage. La fatigue des tiges est essentiellement liée à leur flexion cyclique due à leur rotation dans une section courbe du puits. L'objectif de ce travail est d'élaborer une méthodologie ainsi que les modèles numériques nécessaires pour évaluer la fatigue des tiges au cours du forage de puits à trajectoire complexe. Pour ce faire, nous proposons d'abord de choisir parmi les approches existantes de prévision de la durée de vie en fatigue d'une structure celles qui nous ont semblé les plus pertinentes pour le problème de fatigue des systèmes de forage. Puis, ces approches (qui comprennent les théories de la fatigue et de la rupture ainsi que des lois empiriques), et des logiciels de calcul de structures sont ensuite intégrés dans des algorithmes de calcul incrémental de la fatigue d'un système en fonction de l'évolution de l'opération du forage. Du fait que les contraintes dans les tiges restent souvent dans le domaine élastique, deux modèles de fatigue des tiges sont développés : un premier est basé sur le calcul du cumul de fatigue et un second sur le calcul de la propagation de fissure par fatigue. Ces deux modèles peuvent être utilisés dans la phase de conception de la trajectoire du puits et de la garniture pour le forer, de même qu'en opération pour prédire les risques de rupture par fatigue du train de tiges. Ceci permet à l'opérateur de planifier la gestion des tiges et leurs inspections en fonction de l'historique de leur utilisation. / Facing the growing complexity of trajectories and operating conditions of oil and geothermal drillings, the fatigue phenomenon has become the main cause of drill-string failure. The fatigue of drill-pipes is essentially due to their cyclic bending caused by their rotation in a curved section of the well. The objective of this work is to develop a methodology and the necessary numerical models to assess the fatigue of drill-pipes during drilling operations of complex trajectory wells. For this purpose, we propose firstly to choose among the available approaches for structure fatigue life prediction those that seem most relevant to drill-string fatigue problem. Then, these approaches (which include the fatigue and fracture theories as well as empirical laws), and structural calculation software are then integrated into incremental computation algorithms of drill-pipe fatigue in function of drilling operation evolution. Since the stresses in drill-pipes remain often within the elastic domain, two fatigue models for drill-pipes are developed: the first one is based on the cumulative fatigue calculation and the second one on the fatigue crack growth calculation. These models can be used in the well and drill-string design, or in real time during drilling to predict the fatigue failure in the drill-string. This allows the drill operator to plan the management of drill-pipes and their inspections depending on their usage history.

Thss thesis presents the results of an experimental programme on the static mono-tonic response of cohesive-frictional granular materials. The purpose of this experimental programme was to gain insight into the mechanical behaviour of uncemented sands, and sands with small percentages of cementation. With this objective in sight, the research involved understanding and delineating the e ects of four variables: the intermediate principal stress, stress inclination, cohesion (or cementation), and particle morphology. The hollow cylinder torsion (HCT) apparatus, which allows control over both the magnitude and direction of principal stresses, was used in this study to carry out a series of elemental tests on the model materials. The test results were analysed in a plasticity theory based framework of critical state soil mechanics. Drained and undrained HCT tests were conducted on a model angular sand to understand the combined influence of intermediate principal stress ratio (b) and principal stress inclination ( ). Sand specimens were reconstituted to a given density and confining pressure, and were sheared to large strains towards a critical state. The stresses at the critical state with varying `b' were mapped on an octahedral plane to obtain a critical state locus. The shape of this locus closely resembles a curved triangle. Also these specimens showed increased non-coaxiality between the stress and strain increment directions at lower strains. This non-coaxiality decreased significantly, and the response at the critical state was by and large coaxial. The effect of `b' and ` ' on the flow potential, phase transformation, and critical state was also investigated. At phase transformation, ` ' plays a more dominant role in determining the flow potential than `b'. The shape and size of the critical state locus remained the same immaterial of the drainage conditions. Next, small amounts of cohesion (using ordinary Portland cement) was added to this sand ensemble to study the mechanical behaviour of weakly cemented sands. The peak in the stress strain curve was used to signal the breakdown of cohesion further leading to a complete destructuring of the sand at the critical state. The response of the cemented sand changes from brittle to ductile with increase in confining pressure, while reverses with increase in density and `b'. Stress-dilatancy response for the weakly cemented materials shows the non coincidence of peak stress ratio and maximum value of dilation unlike purely frictional materials. This mismatch in peak stress ratio and maximum dilation diminishes with increase in confining pressure. The peak stress (cemented structured sand) locus and the critical state (destructured) locus were constructed on the octahedral plane from these HCT tests. The critical state locus of the cemented sand when it is completely destructured almost coincides with the critical state locus of the clean sand. Using this experimental data set, some important stress-dilatancy relationships (like Zhang and Salgado) and failure criteria (Lade's isotropic single hardening failure criteria and SMP failure criteria) were benchmarked and their prediction capabilities of such models were discussed in detail. The effect of particle morphology was also investigated in this testing programme. Rounded glass ballotini and angular quartzitic sand which occupy two extreme shapes were selected, and a series of HCT tests at different `b' values were con-ducted. A larger sized CS locus was obtained for angular particles and it encompassed the critical state locus of the spherical glass ballotini. Spherical particles exhibit a predominantly dilative behaviour, however present a lower strength at the critical state. The mobilization of strength as a result of rearrangement of angular particles and the consequent interlocking is higher. Even with contractive behaviour which is reflected in the higher values of critical state friction angle and the larger size of the yield locus for sand. Finally, a series of unconfined compression tests were performed to understand if there exists a scale separation in cohesive frictional materials. Specimens were reconstituted to a range of sizes while maintaining a constant aspect ratio and density. As the specimen size increased, the peak strength also increases, counter to an idea of a generalized continuum for all model systems. The observed secondary length scale (in addition to the continuum length scale) is obverse to the one observed in quasi-brittle materials such as concrete, rock. In order to ascertain the reason behind this phenomenon, a series of tomography studies were carried out on these contact-bound ensembles. The presence of cohesion between the grains brings about an \entanglement" between the grains, which contributes to increase in strength, with increase in the size of the sample. This in e ect bringing forth a second length scale that controls the behaviour of these cohesive frictional granular materials. This experimental data set provides quantification of various aspects of the me-chanical response of both cemented and uncemented granular materials under myriad stress conditions. This data set is also extremely useful in developing and bench-marking constitutive models and simulations.

Durant les différentes phases du stockage profond des déchets radio-actifs exothermiques (excavation, exploitation) jusqu'à la fermeture définitive, la roche hôte sera soumise à des sollicitations mécaniques, hydriques et thermiques couplées. Afin de connaître et de modéliser le comportement à court et long terme des dispositifs de stockage, une investigation approfondie du comportement de la roche est nécessaire afin de compléter les données existantes. C'est dans ce but que cette étude du comportement thermo-hydro-mécanique de la formation argileuse du Callovo-Oxfordien (COx) considérée par l'ANDRA comme roche hôte potentielle, a été développée. Dans un premier temps le comportement en compression–gonflement de l'argilite du COx a été étudié par la réalisation d'un programme d'essais oedométriques haute pression. Les résultats, interprétés en termes de couplage endommagement-gonflement, ont montré que l'ampleur du gonflement était lié à la densité de fissuration engendrée lors de la compression. Dans un second temps, le comportement hydromécanique et thermo-hydro-mécanique de l'argilite saturée sous une contrainte moyenne proche de l'in-situ a été étudié à l'aide de cellules à faible chemin de drainage (10 mm), dont une cellule isotrope et une cellule triaxiale à cylindre creux avec mesures locales d'un type nouveau. Ces appareils ont permis de résoudre deux problèmes difficiles typiques des argilites de très faible perméabilité : i) une saturation préalable correcte, attestée par de bonnes valeurs du coefficient de Skempton et ii) de bonnes conditions de drainage. Les paramètres caractéristiques du comportement de l'argilite à température ambiante (coefficients de Skempton et de Biot, compressibilité drainée et non-drainée) ont été déterminés à partir d'essais de compression isotrope qui ont également confirmé l'isotropie transverse du matériau. La cohérence des paramètres obtenus a été vérifiée dans un cadre poro-élastique saturé. Deux aspects du comportement thermo-hydro-mécanique de l'argilite du COx ont été étudiés à l'aide d'essais de chauffage et de compression volumique en température (80°C) : les effets de la température sur le comportement intrinsèque de l'argilite et le phénomène de pressurisation thermique. Un essai de chauffage drainé sous contrainte in-situ a mis en évidence, apparemment pour la première fois, un comportement plastique contractant de l'argilite (comme les argiles normalement consolidées), non pris en compte dans les modélisations thermo-élastiques actuelles des systèmes de stockage profond. Un autre élément nouveau et important observé est l'augmentation de la compressibilité avec la température, à la différence des argiles. L'étude de la pressurisation thermique (engendrée par la faible perméabilité de l'argilite et la forte différence entre les coefficients de dilatation thermique de l'eau et de la phase solide), a été réalisée à l'aide d'essais de chauffage non drainés, suite à une analyse détaillée des effets perturbateurs du système de mesure lors de variations de pression et de température (peut-être à considérer également dans les mesures in-situ). Le coefficient de pressurisation thermique s'est révélé être très sensible aux variations de température et de contrainte, il diminue de 0,14 à 0,1 MPa/°C entre 25 et 80°C. La nature des différentes réponses hydro-mécaniques et thermo-hydro-mécaniques obtenues au cours de ce travail permettront une interprétation et une modélisation plus précises du comportement du massif d'argilite autour des galeries, dans des zones qui sont pour la plupart saturées, sauf à proximité immédiate des galeries (quelques décimètres) / During the different phases of the exothermic radioactive waste deep disposal (excavation, operation) and after permanent closure, the host rock is submitted to various coupled mechanical, hydraulic and thermal phenomena. Hence, a thorough investigation of the thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of the rock is necessary to complete existing data and to better understand and model the short and long term behaviour of the Callovo-Oxfordian (COx) clay formation in Bure (Meuse/Haute-Marne - M/HM), considered by ANDRA as a potential host rock in France.In this work, the compression – swelling behaviour of the COx claystone was first investigated by carrying out a series of high-pressure oedometric tests. The results, interpreted in terms of coupling between damage and swelling, showed that the magnitude of swelling was linked to the density of the fissures created during compression. In a second step, the hydromechanical and thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of the saturated claystone under a mean stress close to the in situ one were investigated by using two devices with short drainage path (10 mm), namely a isotropic cell and a newly designed hollow cylinder triaxial cell with local displacement measurements. These devices helped to solve two majors problems related to testing very low permeability materials : i) a satisfactory previous sample saturation (indicated by good Skempton values) and ii) satisfactory drainage conditions. Some typical constitutive parameters (Skempton and Biot's coefficients, drained and undrained compressibility coefficients) have been determined at ambient temperature through isotropic compression tests that also confirmed the transverse isotropy of the claystone. The consistency of the obtained parameters has been checked in a saturated poroelastic framework. Two aspects of the thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of the COx claystone have then been investigated through different heating tests and through drained and undrained isotropic compression tests at elevated temperature (80°C) : the effects of temperature on the behaviour of claystone and thermal pressurization. A drained heating test under in-situ stress conditions evidenced, probably for first time, a plastic contractant response of the claystone (like normally consolidated clays), a feature not considered in the presently conducted numerical modelling of deep disposal systems. Another new important observed feature is the increase in drained compressibility of the COx claystone with temperature, not observed in clays. The investigation of thermal pressurization (caused by the low claystone permeability and by the significant difference in thermal expansion between water and the solid phase) has been carried out by means of undrained heating tests, after a detailed analysis of the major effects of the measurement system (which should perhaps be also analyzed when performing in-situ measurements). The thermal pressurization coefficient appeared to be quite sensitive to changes in temperature and stress, it decreased between 0.14 and 0.1 MPa/°C between 25 and 80°C. It is believed that the different thermo-hydro-mechanical volumetric responses obtained here allow a better interpretation and modelling of the behaviour of the claystone formation around the galleries in areas that are mostly saturated, except close to the galleries (a few decimetres)