Fibre reinforced polymer matrix composites are used frequently in aerospace applications. Manufacturers of aerospace components favour composites over traditional metallic alloys due to their light weight, high modulus, corrosion resistance and fatigue resistance. Advantages of composites for non-structural interior components over metallic include: ease of manufacturing for single parts of complex geometry as opposed to assemblies, cheaper manufacturing of a limited series of parts and composites greatly reduced noise, vibration and harshness. However, manufacturing interior composite components requires critical attention to detail during the preforming stages and handling of dry fabric textiles. Since these components are handmade they often yield lower profits and therefore efficient preforming is critical. Designing draping strategies for industrial liquid composite moulding processes requires a significant amount of time and testing, in simulation and also working on physical moulds. Mould and part surfaces are often defined by a number of geometric features, labelled base surfaces in the context of this thesis, which can be used to quickly probe multiple draping strategies and identify the best one. Traditionally, trial and error work is performed over a full mould surface until a working or acceptable draping strategy is found, rarely identifying the best strategy. The work in this thesis presents the initial development stages for a draping predictive tool aimed at quickly probing multiple draping scenarios in simulation prior to receiving moulds and identifying the best draping strategy for industrial non-structural aerospace composites. A multi-parameter remodelling tool – the conical frustum – was developed for uniformly identifying base surfaces through 12 geometric parameters linked into a database of in-plane shear and yarn orientations results. The development of the database is discussed, detailing Taguchi methods of experimental design used for developing linear functions from the database results, which allow interpolation of results on base surfaces that do not directly exist within the database. This thesis also includes major developments for the core draping algorithm used for linking individual base surface results together when probing draping strategies. Further investigations were performed on unique elements of in-plane shear behaviour that are encountered during draping, so that these could ultimately be considered during the development of this version of the draping algorithm whilst others may be included in future developments.

Seismic imaging is a technique that uses seismic echoes to map and detect underground geological structures. The conventional seismic image has the resolution limit of λ/2, where λ is the wavelength associated with the seismic waves propagating in the subsurface. To exceed this resolution limit, this thesis develops a new imaging method using resonant multiples, which produces superresolution images with twice or even more the spatial resolution compared to the conventional primary reflection image. A resonant multiple is defined as a seismic reflection that revisits the same subsurface location along coincident reflection raypath. This reverberated raypath is the reason for superresolution imaging because it increases the differences in reflection times associated with subtle changes in the spatial location of the reflector. For the practical implementation of superresolution imaging, I develop a post-stack migration technique that first enhances the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of resonant multiples by a moveout-correction stacking method, and then migrates the post-stacked resonant multiples with the associated Kirchhoff or wave-equation migration formula. I show with synthetic and field data examples that the first-order resonant multiple image has about twice the spatial resolution compared to the primary reflection image. Besides resolution, the correct estimate of the subsurface velocity is crucial for determining the correct depth of reflectors. Towards this goal, wave-equation migration velocity analysis (WEMVA) is an image-domain method which inverts for the velocity model that maximizes the similarity of common image gathers (CIGs). Conventional WEMVA based on subsurface-offset, angle domain or time-lag CIGs requires significant computational and memory resources because it computes higher dimensional migration images in the extended image domain. To mitigate this problem, I present a new WEMVA method using plane-wave CIGs. Plane-wave CIGs reduce the computational cost and memory storage because they are directly calculated from prestack plane-wave migration, and the number of plane waves is often much smaller than the number of shots. In the case of an inaccurate migration velocity, the moveout of plane-wave CIGs is automatically picked by a semblance analysis method, which is then linked to the migration velocity update by a connective function. Numerical tests on synthetic and field datasets validate the efficiency and effectiveness of this method.

<p> Extensive bedding plane exposures in the Ludlowville shales along Cazenovia Creek near Spring Brook, New York display the spatial distribution of the skeletal remains from a marine faunal assemblage. Fossils typically occur in aggregates that are subcircular in plan view and plano-convex in cross-section with the convex side down. The clusters measure 1 meter in diameter and 2 centimeters thick at the center. This dispersion pattern has led to a general consideration of the different mechanisms responsible for creating fossil aggregations. Possible mechanisms, a spectrum from biological to geological, have been categorized into reproductive, ecological, postmortem redistributional, and preservational modes of formation. </p> <p> Quantitative sampling of the most abundant species, Ambocoelia umbonata, in four successive 5 millimeter layers within three clusters was carried out to determine which process is responsible for cluster formation. Between level variation in shell parameters demonstrates that fragmentation, distortion and valve ratios are independent of trends in position, density, and disarticulation. The trends are not controlled by geological agents, but rather result from ecological conditions. Furthermore, the size distributions of Arnbocoelia are bimodal and have to be explained on a biological basis. This has led to an interpretation of cluster development involving initiation by occasional spat survival on a somewhat "lethal" substrate, subsequent succession and regulation by ecological requirements, and final termination due to failure of spat recruitment probably because of fecal and/or decay toxin buildup. </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)