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The structure of fault zones (FZs) plays an important role in understanding fault mechanics, earthquake rupture and seismic hazards. Fault zone seismic guided waves (GW) carry important information about internal structure of the low-velocity fault damage zone. Numerical modeling of observed FZGWs has been used to construct models of FZ structure. However, the depth extent of the waveguide and the uniqueness of deep structure in the models have been debated. Elastic finite-difference synthetic seismograms were generated for FZ models that include an increase in seismic velocity with depth both inside and outside the FZ. Strong GWs were created from sources both in and out of the waveguide, in contrast with previous homogenous-FZ studies that required an in-fault source to create GW. This is because the frequency-dependent trapping efficiency of the waveguide changes with depth. The near-surface fault structure efficiently guides waves at lower frequencies than the deeper fault. Fault structure at seismogenic depth requires the analysis of data at higher frequencies than the GWs that dominate at the surface. Adapting a two-station technique from surface wave studies, dispersive differential group arrival times between two earthquakes can be used to solve for FZ structures between the earthquakes. This method was tested with synthetic data and shallow events recorded in the SAFOD borehole in the San Andreas Fault. A pair of deep earthquakes recorded in the SAFOD borehole indicate a ~150 m wide San Andreas Fault waveguide with >20% velocity contrast at 10-12 km depth. With additional earthquakes, the full FZ structure at seismogenic depth could be imaged. Subsurface FZ structure can also be derived from a surface source and receiver array analogous to a body-wave refraction survey. Synthetic seismograms for such source-receiver geometry were generated and verified that FZGWs are refracted by the increase in velocity with depth. Synthetic data from a surface array were successfully inverted to derive FZ structure in the subsurface. The new methods presented in this dissertation extend the potential of FZGWs to image deeper FZ structure than has been uniquely constrained in the past. / Ph. D.

Les explosifs sont des matériaux qui, bien que potentiellement sensibles, sont conçus pour être stables en conditions normales, ainsi que lors de sollicitations mécaniques, chimiques ou thermiques « faibles ». Pourtant, sous sollicitations mécaniques de faible intensité, comme les impacts basse vitesse, ils peuvent réagir de manière intempestive. Les propergols, et plus particulièrement la butalite, objet de notre étude, présentent ce caractère : on observe des « réactions » pour des vitesses d'impacts inférieurs à 100 m.s-1, dont l'origine est probablement liée à l'endommagement microstructural du matériau.Dans ce contexte, le but ultime du CEA2 Gramat est d'obtenir un outil de prédiction de la vulnérabilité des matériaux énergétiques pour les impacts à basse vitesse de type tour de chute. Pour ce faire, il est essentiel de disposer de données sur la morphologie et le comportement (thermo)mécanique macroscopique du matériau considéré, de ses phases constitutives à l'échelle mésoscopique et de ses interfaces.Ainsi l'objectif de la thèse est de déterminer le type et le niveau de(s) endommagement(s) apparaissant(s) dans une « butalite inerte » suite à un impact mécanique dit « à basse vitesse » (i.e., inférieure à 100 m.s-1) réalisé à l'aide d'un dispositif de type tour de chute modifié, associant un suivi par vidéo numérique rapide et une analyse microtomographique ante- et post-essai, en étudiant le ou les phénomènes physiques à l'origine des réactions sous « faibles » sollicitations, leur évolution et leur(s) origine(s) physique(s). Les grains sont modélisés par une loi de comportement purement élastique et la matrice en PBHT est décrite par une loi visco-hyper-élastique (couplage d'une série de Prony et du modèle de Mooney-Rivlin). / Although they are potentially sensitive, energetic materials are designed to be stable under normal conditions, as well as “weak” mechanical, chemical or thermal loadings. However, under low mechanical loadings, such as low velocity impacts, they may react untimely. Propellants and especially the butalite, object of our study, show "reactions" to impact velocities below 100 m.s-1, whose origin is probably related to the material microstructural damage.In this context, the ultimate goal of CEA2 Gramat is to obtain a predicting tool for the vulnerability of energetic materials for low velocity impacts as drop weight test. So it is essential to have data on the morphology and macroscopic (thermo)mechanical behavior, its component phases at the mesoscopic scale and its interfaces.Thus, the objective of the thesis is to determine the type and the damage(s) level(s) generating in an "inert butalite", during a low velocity mechanical impact (i.e., less than 100 m.s-1), using a fast camera recording and ante- and post-test microtomographic analysis, or by studying the physical phenomena which are at the origin of reactions, their evolution and physical origin(s). Grains are represented by a purely elastic model and HTPB matrix is described by a visco-hyper-elastic model (coupling a Prony serie and Mooney-Rivlin model).

The present research aims to develop a novel technique for creation of composite riot helmet shells with reinforcing fibre continuity for better protection against low velocity impacts. In this research an innovative, simple and effective method of making a single-piece continuously textile reinforced helmet shell by vacuum bagging has been established and discussed. This technique also includes the development of solid collapsible moulding apparatus from non-woven fibres. Angle-interlock fabric due to its good mouldability, low shear rigidity and ease of production is used in this research. Several wrinkle-free single- piece composite helmet shells have been manufactured. Low-velocity impact test on the continuously reinforced helmet shells has been carried out. For this purpose an in-house helmet shell testing facility has been developed. Test rig has been designed in such a way that the impact test can be carried out at different locations at the riot helmet shell. Low-velocity impact test has been successfully conducted on the developed test rig. The practical experimentation and analysis revealed that the helmet shell performance against impact is dependent on the impact location. The helmet shell top surface has better impact protection as compared to helmet shell side and back location. Moreover, the helmet shell side is the most at risk location for the wearer. Finite Element models were created and simulated in Abaqus software to investigate the impact performance of single-piece helmet shells at different impact locations. Models parts have been designed in Rhinoceros software. Simulated results are validated by the experimental result which shows that the helmet top position is the safest position against an impact when it is compared to helmet back and helmet side positions.

Fibre reinforced composites have higher specific strength and stiffness in comparison to metals. However, composites are susceptible to impact damage resulting in degradation of mechanical properties especially compression strength. Numerous studies have been conducted to improve the impact damage tolerance of composite laminates using modified resin systems, thermoplastic matrices, 3-D fibre architectures and through thickness reinforcement. This work is primarily focussed on incorporating non dissolvable polypropylene fibres (PP) in a thermoset matrix for improving the damage tolerance. Commingling and wrapping techniques have been investigated. PP fibres have been incorporated at the preform stage and hence do not adversely affect the viscosity of the resin during infusion. The healing effect of PP fibres on impact damaged composite laminates when heating is introduced has also been studied. High velocity impact test results showed that using commingled glass/PP fibres increased the total energy absorption of composite laminates by 20% due to the extensive plastic deformation of the PP fibres and through the use of toughening mechanisms in the form of resin cracking and delamination. It has been found that PP fibres provide protection to the glass fibres during low velocity impact loading, so fewer fibre breakages occur which lead to improved residual properties compared with pristine glass laminates. Compression after impact (CAI) tests showed that the residual strength as a percentage of non-impacted strength increased with percentage of PP fibres used. For impact of 20-50J, glass/epoxy laminates retained 32 45% of their compressive strength while laminates with 7%, 13% and 18% PP fibres retained 37 50%, 42-52% and 43-60% of their compressive strength, respectively. It was also observed that glass/PP woven laminates had better compressive strength retention (62 83%) than the glass/PP non-crimp laminates (37-50%). Composite laminates with high-modulus PP fibres (Innegra) exhibited higher residual compression strengths in comparison to laminates with lower modulus PP fibres. For 15-50J impact, glass/Innegra laminates showed residual compression strength of 50 63% in comparison to 39-60%; laminates without thermoplastic fibres exhibited 33 43% residual compression strength. Modulus of thermoplastic fibres appears to be important at higher energy levels. Healing of damaged commingled laminates produced a significant reduction in the damage area and a corresponding increase in CAI strength after heating at 200ºC; CAI strength of healed laminates is about 85% of undamaged samples in comparison to 60% for non-healed samples. A novel micro-wrapping technique, developed in this work, demonstrated significant reduction in damage area (46%) in comparison to the commingling method. Core wrapped laminates had higher residual strength (43-60%) than glass laminates (33-43%). Better PP distribution in core-wrapped composites helped to decrease the PP rich areas and the impact damage did not propagate easily in comparison to commingled composites. However due to the reduction in damage area, impact energy absorption in core wrapped laminates was lower than for commingled.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) of glass-fibre reinforced polyester (GRP) composite materials has been becoming increasingly important due to their wide applications in engineering components and structures. Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) has promising potential in this context because it is a non-contact, whole-field and real-time measurement system. This potential has never been fully exploited and there is only limited knowledge and understanding available in this area. This reality constrains the wide popularity and acceptance of ESPI as a novel NDT technique. Therefore it is of considerable importance to develop an understanding of the capability of ESPI with respect to damage evaluation in GRP composite materials. The research described in this thesis is concerned with an investigation into the applicability of ESPI in the NDT of GRP composite materials. Firstly, a study was carried out to determine excitation techniques in terms of practicality and effectiveness in the ESPI system. Three categories of defects were artificially introduced in GRP composite materials, namely holes, cracks and delaminations each with different geometrical features. ESPI was then employed to evaluate the three kinds of defects individually. It has been found that cracks and holes on back surfaces can be defined when the technique is used in conjunction with thermal excitation. Internal Temperature Differential (ITD) induced fringe patterns were more efficient than External Thermal Source (ETS) induced fringe patterns with regard to detecting the presence of holes and cracks. In the case of delamination, ESPI was found to be capable of detecting the damage when used in combination with mechanical excitation originating from a force transducer hammer. The geometrical features and magnitudes of delaminations were also established as being quantifiable. The validation of ESPI as an NDT technique was carried out in an attempt to establish a better understanding of its suitability and have more confidence in its applications. Four damaged specimens were Subjected to ESPI examination in conjunction with visual inspection, ultrasonic C-scan and sectioning techniques. The geometrical features and magnitudes of damage evaluated using ESPI showed a good correlation with those evaluated by conventional techniques. Poor visibility and readability is an inherent problem associated with ESP! due to an overlapping between the noise and signal frequencies. An improvement of image quality is expected in an attempt to achieve a wide acceptance of ESPI as a novel NDT technique. It has also been demonstrated that this problem can be tackled using optical phase stepping techniques in which optical phase data can be extracted from the intensity fringes. A three-frame optical phase stepping technique was employed to produce the "wrapped" and "unwrapped" phase maps which are capable of indicating internal damage with high visibility and clarity. Finally ESPI was practically employed to evaluate damage in GRP composites introduced by quasi-static and dynamic mechanical loading. It was found that ESP! was capable of monitoring the progressive damage development of specimens subjected to incremental flexural loading. The initial elastic response, damage initiation, propagation and ultimate failure of specimens were clearly characterised by the abnormal fringe pattern variations. In a similar manner, ESPI was employed to evaluate the low velocity falling weight impact induced damage. A correlation was established between the magnitude of damage and the impact event parameters as well as the residual flexural properties.

Assuming that liquid iron alloy from the outer core interacts with the solid silicate-rich lower mantle the influence on the core-mantle reflected phase PcP is studied. If the core-mantle boundary is not a sharp discontinuity, this becomes apparent in the waveform and amplitude of PcP. Iron-silicate mixing would lead to regions of partial melting with higher density which in turn reduces the velocity of seismic waves. On the basis of the calculation and interpretation of short-period synthetic seismograms, using the reflectivity and Gauss Beam method, a model space is evaluated for these ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZs). The aim of this thesis is to analyse the behaviour of PcP between 10° and 40° source distance for such models using different velocity and density configurations. Furthermore, the resolution limits of seismic data are discussed. The influence of the assumed layer thickness, dominant source frequency and ULVZ topography are analysed. The Gräfenberg and NORSAR arrays are then used to investigate PcP from deep earthquakes and nuclear explosions. The seismic resolution of an ULVZ is limited both for velocity and density contrasts and layer thicknesses. Even a very thin global core-mantle transition zone (CMTZ), rather than a discrete boundary and also with strong impedance contrasts, seems possible: If no precursor is observable but the PcP_model /PcP_smooth amplitude reduction amounts to more than 10%, a very thin ULVZ of 5 km with a first-order discontinuity may exist. Otherwise, if amplitude reductions of less than 10% are obtained, this could indicate either a moderate, thin ULVZ or a gradient mantle-side CMTZ. Synthetic computations reveal notable amplitude variations as function of the distance and the impedance contrasts. Thereby a primary density effect in the very steep-angle range and a pronounced velocity dependency in the wide-angle region can be predicted. In view of the modelled findings, there is evidence for a 10 to 13.5 km thick ULVZ 600 km south-eastern of Moscow with a NW-SE extension of about 450 km. Here a single specific assumption about the velocity and density anomaly is not possible. This is in agreement with the synthetic results in which several models create similar amplitude-waveform characteristics. For example, a ULVZ model with contrasts of -5% VP / -15% VS and +5% density explain the measured PcP amplitudes. Moreover, below SW Finland and NNW of the Caspian Sea a CMB topography can be assumed. The amplitude measurements indicate a wavelength of 200 km and a height of 1 km topography, previously also shown in the study by Kampfmann and Müller (1989). Better constraints might be provided by a joined analysis of seismological data, mineralogical experiments and geodynamic modelling. / Unter der Annahme, dass flüssiges Eisen aus dem äußeren Erdkern mit dem festen, silikat-reichen Unteren Mantel reagiert, wird eine Einflussnahme auf die Kern-Mantel Reflexionsphase PcP erwartet. Ist die Kern-Mantel Grenze aufgeweicht, und nicht wie bislang angenommen ein diskreter Übergang, so zeichnet sich dies in der Wellenform und Amplitude von PcP ab. Die Interaktion mit Eisen führt zu teilweise aufgeschmolzenen Bereichen höherer Dichte, welche die seismischen Wellengeschwindigkeiten herabsetzen. Basierend auf den Berechnungen von kurzperiodischen synthetischen Seismogrammen, mittels der Reflektivitäts- und Gauss Beam Methode, soll ein möglicher Modellraum dieser Niedriggeschwindigkeitszonen ermittelt werden. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es das Verhalten von PcP im Distanzbereich von 10° bis 40° unter dem Einfluss dieser Modelle mit diversen Geschwindigkeits- und Dichtekontrasten zu untersuchen. Ferner wird das Auflösungsvermögen hinsichtlich seismischer Daten diskutiert. Entscheidende Parameter wie Anomaliedicke, Quellfrequenz und Topographie werden hierbei analysiert. Tiefe Erdbeben und Kernexplosionen, die sich im entsprechenden Entfernungsbereich zum Gräfenberg und NORSAR Array befinden, werden anschließend im Hinblick auf PcP ausgewertet. Das seismische Auflösungsvermögen von Niedriggeschwindigkeitszonen ist stark begrenzt sowohl in Bezug auf Geschwindigkeits- und Dichtekontraste als auch hinsichtlich der Mächtigkeit. Es besteht sogar die Möglichkeit einer dünnen, globalen Kern-Mantel Übergangszone, selbst mit großen Impedanzkontrasten, ohne dass dies mit seismologischen Methoden detektiert werden könnte: Wird kein precursor zu PcP beobachtet aber das PcPmodel /PcPsmooth Amplitudenverhältnis zeigt gleichzeitig eine Reduktion von mehr als 10%, dann könnte eine sehr dünne Niedriggeschwindigkeitszone von ca. 5 km Mächtigkeit und einer Diskontinuität erster Ordnung vorliegen. Andererseits, ist PcP um weniger als 10% reduziert, könnte dies entweder auf eine dünne, moderate Niedriggeschwindigkeitszone oder einen graduellen Kern-Mantel Übergang hindeuten. Die synthetischen Berechnungen ergeben starke Amplitudenvariationen als Funktion der Distanz, welche auf den Impedanzkontrast zurückzuführen sind. Dabei ergibt sich ein primärer Dichteeffekt im extremen Steilwinkelbereich und ein maßgeblicher Geschwindigkeitseinfluss im Weitwinkelbereich. Im Hinblick auf die modellierten Resultate lässt sich eine 10 - 13.5 km mächtige Niedriggeschwindigkeitszone 600 km südöstlich von Moskau mit einer NW-SE Ausdehnung von mindestens 450 km folgern, wobei eine exakte Aussage über Geschwindigkeiten und Dichte nicht möglich ist. Dies ist im Konsens mit den synthetischen Berechnungen, wonach viele unterschiedliche Modelle ähnliche Amplituden- und Wellenformcharakteristiken erzeugen. Zum Beispiel erklärt ein Modell mit Kontrasten von -5% VP / -15% VS and +5% Dichte die gemessenen PcP Amplituden. Darüber hinaus können unterhalb des südwestlichen Finnlands und nord-nordwestlich des Kaspischen Meeres Undulationen an der Kern-Mantel Grenze selbst vermutet werden. Unter Berücksichtigung früherer Studien, z. B. von Kampfmann and Müller (1989), deuten die Messergebnisse auf eine laterale Topographie von 200 km und eine Höhe von 1 km hin. Eine Eingrenzung der potentiellen Anomaliemodelle kann nur durch eine gemeinsame Auswertung mit mineralogischen Experimenten und geodynamischen Modellierungen erfolgen.

Dans le domaine du génie civil, le dimensionnement des structures en béton armé est essentiellement basé sur des démarches déterministes. Cependant, les informations fournies par des analyses déterministes sont insuffisantes pour étudier la variabilité de la réponse de la dalle. Le manque de connaissance des charges appliquées ainsi que les incertitudes liées à la géométrie de la dalle et les caractéristiques des matériaux nécessitent donc l’utilisation d’une approche fiabiliste qui permet la propagation de ces incertitudes dans les analyses déterministes. L'approche fiabiliste est basée sur le principe de couplage mécano-fiabiliste qui consiste à coupler un modèle stochastique et un modèle déterministe. Cependant un couplage mécano-fiabiliste peut être très exigeant en temps de calcul. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, la méthodologie propre aux problématiques des ouvrages du génie civil est développée et validée tout d'abord sur un cas simple de structures en béton armé. Le cas d'une poutre encastrée en béton armée est proposé. Le système est modélisé sous CASTEM par une approche aux éléments finis de type multifibre. Puis la fiabilité d'une dalle en béton armé impactée par une masse rigide à faible vitesse est étudiée en couplant OpenTURNS à Abaqus. Enfin, une enceinte de confinement en béton précontrainte modélisée sous ASTER est étudiée d'un point de vue probabiliste. Seul le problème physique des dalles en béton armé soumises à une chute de colis dans les centrales nucléaires est examiné en détail. Deux modèles déterministes sont utilisés et évalués afin d’étudier les phénomènes dynamiques appliqués aux dalles en béton armé sous impact : un modèle par éléments finis en 3D modélisé sous Abaqus et un modèle simplifié de type masse-ressort amorti à deux degrés de liberté. Afin d’étudier la fiabilité des dalles en béton armé, nous avons couplé les méthodes Monte Carlo et simulation d’importance avec le modèle de type masse-ressort. FORM est utilisée avec le modèle par éléments finis. L’objectif de cette étude est de proposer des solutions pour diminuer le temps de calcul d'une analyse fiabiliste en utilisant deux stratégies dans le cas des dalles impactées. La première stratégie consiste à utiliser des modèles analytiques qui permettent de prédire avec précision la réponse mécanique de la dalle et qui sont moins coûteux en temps de calcul. La deuxième consiste à réduire le nombre d’appels au modèle déterministe, surtout dans le cas des modèles par éléments finis, en utilisant des méthodes probabilistes d'approximation. Ces deux stratégies sont comparées afin de vérifier l’efficacité de chacune pour calculer la probabilité de défaillance. Enfin, une étude paramétrique est réalisée afin d’étudier l’effet des paramètres d’entrées des modèles déterministes sur le calcul de la probabilité de défaillance. / Reinforced concrete structures (RC) are subjected to several sources of uncertainties that highly affect their response. These uncertainties are related to the structure geometry, material properties and the loads applied. The lack of knowledge on the potential load, as well as the uncertainties related to the features of the structure shows that the design of RC structures could be made in a reliability framework. This latter allows propagating uncertainties in the deterministic analysis. However, in order to compute failure probability according to one or several failure criteria, mechanical and stochastic models have to be coupled which can be very time consuming and in some cases impossible. The platform OpenTURNS is used to perform the reliability analysis of three different structures . OpenTURNS is coupled to CASTEM to study the reliability of a RC multifiber cantilever beam subjected to a concentrated load at the free end, to Abaqus to study the reliability of RC slabs which are subjected to accidental dropped object impact during handling operations within nuclear plant buildings, and to ASTER to study the reliability of a prestressed concrete containment building. Only the physical problem of reinforced concrete impacted by a free flying object is investigated in detail. Two deterministic models are used and evaluated: a 3D finite element model simulated with the commercial code “Abaqus/Explicit” and an analytical mass-spring model. The aim of this study is to address this issue of reliability computational effort. Two strategies are proposed for the application of impacted RC slabs. The first one consists in using deterministic analytical models which predict accurately the response of the slab. In the opposite case, when finite element models are needed, the second strategy consists in reducing the number of simulations needed to assess the failure probability. In order to examine the reliability of RC slabs, Monte Carlo and importance sampling methods are coupled with the mass-spring model, while FORM is used with the finite element model. These two stategies are compared in order to verify their efficiency to calculate the probability of failure. Finally, a parametric study is performed to identify the influence of deterministic model parameters on the calculation of failure probability (dimensions of slabs, impact velocity and mass, boundary conditions, impact point, reinforcement.

Les travaux de thèse sont axés sur les méthodes numériques pour les écoulements diphasiques, compressibles, à faible vitesse, avec apparition soudaine de forts gradients de pression. La vitesse matérielle de chacune des phases étant très petite devant la célérité des ondes acoustiques, le régime d'écoulement est dit à faible nombre de Mach. Dans ce travail, la loi d'état de la phase considérée contient toujours une information mesurant sa plus ou moins grande compressibilité. Ainsi, la faible compressibilité de l'eau peut produire un régime d'écoulement où des sauts de pression importants apparaissent même si le nombre de Mach est très faible. La première partie de la thèse s'est focalisée sur un modèle diphasique dit homogène-équilibré. Les deux phases de l'écoulement ont alors la même vitesse, pression, température et même potentiel chimique. Un premier travail a été la construction de solveurs de Riemann approchés dits tout-nombre-de-Mach. En l'absence de transitoire rapide, ces solveurs basent leur contrainte de pas de temps sur la vitesse des ondes matérielles lentes et sont donc précis pour suivre ces dernières. En revanche, lorsqu'une onde de choc rapide traverse l'écoulement, ces solveurs s'adaptent automatiquement afin de la capturer. La seconde partie de la thèse s'est focalisée sur la prise en compte du couplage convection-source dans le cadre des modèles en approche bi-fluides avec effets de relaxation pression-vitesse. Dans ces modèles, les deux phases de l'écoulement possèdent leur propre jeu de variables. Dans ce travail, un schéma implicite à mailles décalées, basé sur l'influence des termes sources dans des problèmes de Riemann linéaires, a été proposé / The present work focuses on numerical methods for low-material velocity compressible two-phase flows with high pressure jumps. In this context, the material velocity of both phases is small compared with the celerity of the acoustic waves. The flow is said to be a low-Mach number flow. In this work, the equation of state of the considered phase always contains information relative to its compressibility. For example, the low-compressibility of liquid water may lead to fast transients in which high pressure jumps are produced even if the flow Mach number is low. The first part of this work has leaned on two-phase homogeneous-equilibrium models. Thus, both phases have the same velocity, pressure, temperature and the same chemical potential. The construction of what is called an all-Mach-number approximate Riemann solver has been conducted. When no fast transients come through the flow, the above solvers enable computations with CFL conditions based on low-material velocities. As a result, they remain accurate to follow slow material interfaces, or subsonic contact discontinuities. However, when fast shock waves propagate, these solvers automatically adapt in order to capture them. The second part of the thesis has been dedicated to the design of numerical methods enhancing the coupling between convection and relaxation for two-fluid models containing pressure-velocity relaxation effects. In such models, both phases have their own set of variables. A time-implicit staggered scheme, based on the influence of relaxation source terms on linear Riemann problems has been proposed.