This dissertation presents an investigation of engineering behavior of expansive soils. An analytical study was undertaken for the development and modification of a Windows-based two-dimensional finite element computer program FLODEF that performs a sequentially coupled flow-displacement analysis for the prediction of moisture diffusion and the induced volume change in soils supporting various elements of civil infrastructure. The capabilities of the model are illustrated through case studies of shear strength envelope forecast and parametric studies of transient flow-deformation prediction in highway project sites to evaluate the effectiveness of engineering treatment methods to control swell-shrink deformations beneath highway pavements. Numerical simulations have been performed to study the field moisture diffusivity using a conceptual model of moisture diffusion in a fractured soil mass. A rough correlation between field and the laboratory measurements of moisture diffusion coefficients has been presented for different crack depth patterns.

Moisture transport in building materials is directly responsible for structural damage, as well as poor indoor air quality. For these reasons, the need to understand transfer mechanisms and predict moisture transport through building materials has increased over the last couple of decades. Although moisture diffusion phenomenon in the isothermal regime has been studied and explained extensively, there is no universally accepted model for predicting the moisture diffusion in a nonisothermal situation. Several diffusion models in the form of "Fick's Law" including ones based on gradients of water-vapor pressure, chemical potential of water, moisture concentration and activated moisture molecules have been proposed for predicting moisture diffusion through porous materials. However, the lack of reliable experimental results, resulting from the complexity of arranging accurate and repeatable measurement techniques and slow moisture movement, has prevented any model from being universally accepted. The present research addresses this modeling problem by evaluating current diffusion models through a series of experiments performed on oriented strand board (OSB), which is a wood-based material. The present experimental apparatus, developed over the last three years, was designed for the specific purpose of studying and developing an accurate method to measure moisture transfer properties in porous materials under nonisothermal conditions. The apparatus consists of a system of two environmental chambers capable of achieving a wide range of temperatures and relative humidities. Temperature and relative humidity can be independently controlled to within ±0.05°C and ±0.10 per cent R.H. of the set points. This apparatus is an alternative to the ASTM "cup method" which is limited to isothermal conditions and discrete relative humidities that correspond to those for various saturated salt-in-water solutions. Unlike the cup method, the relative humidity within the chambers is controlled by the direct removal and injection of distilled water. The system has forced recirculating flow which reduces the time to reach steady state. The new forced, direct control measurement procedure is denoted "ASHRAE FDC". The results obtained from the ASHRAE FDC experiments, show that moisture diffusion under nonisothermal conditions is governed by the gradient of the water-vapor pressure. The moisture transfer must cease when the diffusion potential is the same on both sides of the material for the validation of the diffusion model. The results show that the water-vapor pressure model meets this necessary and sufficient condition. Furthermore, a plot of the diffusion flux versus vapor-pressure difference was linear, within measurement uncertainty bounds. This observation infers that the permeability is approximately constant over the range of temperatures and humidities used in the investigation. During the ASHRAE FDC experimental procedure a small difference in the static pressure between the chambers was found. This pressure difference which was also observed in ASTM cup tests, is believed to be caused by concurrent air diffusion. The bulk flow of air governed by Darcy's equation balances the diffusion of air in the opposite direction as a result of the gradient in the partial pressure of (dry) air. The air permeability of an OSB specimen was measured and the results presented. The operation and accuracy of the apparatus was validated by comparing results from a series of isothermal tests to previously published results. The results obtained from the isothermal test allowed the permeability to be compared to results obtained from cup tests during the present investigation and to those previously published using the same method. Good agreement was found between the new data from both FDC and cup experiments and previously published results. / Master of Science

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Sandwich composites with polymer foam core are currently used in load-bearing components in buildings and naval structures due to their high strength to weight and stiffness to weight ratios, excellent thermal insulation, and ease of manufacturing. During their service time, sandwich composites are exposed to various external mechanical and hygro-thermal stimuli. It is known that the constituent properties of the sandwich composites are greatly influenced by the temperature and moisture fields. For example extreme temperature changes and humid environmental conditions can significantly degrade the stiffness and strength of the polymer foam core. This study analyzes the effect of moisture diffusion on the deformation of viscoelastic sandwich composites, which are composed of orthotropic fiber-reinforced laminated skins and viscoelastic polymeric foam core. It is assumed that the elastic and time-dependent (transient) moduli at any particular location in the foam core depend on the moisture concentration at that location. Sequentially coupled analyses of moisture diffusion and deformation are performed to predict overall performance of the studied viscoelastic sandwich systems. A time and moisture dependent constitutive model is used for the polymer foam core. A time-integration algorithm is developed to link this constitutive model to finite element (FE) analyses framework. The overall time-dependent responses of the sandwich composites subject to moisture diffusion are analyzed using 2D plane strain and 3D continuum elements. A 23% increase in the transverse deformation of the viscoelastic sandwich beam is observed due to the moisture degradation. Experimental data and analytical models available in the literature are used to verify the results obtained from the FE code. Parametric studies on the effects of different diffusivity ratios of skin and core materials on stress, strain and displacement fields have been analyzed. At the initial times the effect of moisture on the field variables is found to be most pronounced in the case with the highest diffusivity ratio. Contributions of moisture dependent elastic and the time-dependent moduli to the overall stress, strain and displacement field have been studied. The structural analysis of the sandwich composite under combined moisture diffusion and mechanical loading for two kinds of problems using FE method is performed to complete the study.

Sandwich composites with polymer foam core are currently used in load-bearing components in buildings and naval structures due to their high strength to weight and stiffness to weight ratios, excellent thermal insulation, and ease of manufacturing. During their service time, sandwich composites are exposed to various external mechanical and hygro-thermal stimuli. It is known that the constituent properties of the sandwich composites are greatly influenced by the temperature and moisture fields. For example extreme temperature changes and humid environmental conditions can significantly degrade the stiffness and strength of the polymer foam core. This study analyzes the effect of moisture diffusion on the deformation of viscoelastic sandwich composites, which are composed of orthotropic fiber-reinforced laminated skins and viscoelastic polymeric foam core. It is assumed that the elastic and time-dependent (transient) moduli at any particular location in the foam core depend on the moisture concentration at that location. Sequentially coupled analyses of moisture diffusion and deformation are performed to predict overall performance of the studied viscoelastic sandwich systems. A time and moisture dependent constitutive model is used for the polymer foam core. A time-integration algorithm is developed to link this constitutive model to finite element (FE) analyses framework. The overall time-dependent responses of the sandwich composites subject to moisture diffusion are analyzed using 2D plane strain and 3D continuum elements. A 23% increase in the transverse deformation of the viscoelastic sandwich beam is observed due to the moisture degradation. Experimental data and analytical models available in the literature are used to verify the results obtained from the FE code. Parametric studies on the effects of different diffusivity ratios of skin and core materials on stress, strain and displacement fields have been analyzed. At the initial times the effect of moisture on the field variables is found to be most pronounced in the case with the highest diffusivity ratio. Contributions of moisture dependent elastic and the time-dependent moduli to the overall stress, strain and displacement field have been studied. The structural analysis of the sandwich composite under combined moisture diffusion and mechanical loading for two kinds of problems using FE method is performed to complete the study.

As a hygroscopic salt, granular potash can easily absorb large quantities of water vapor from humid air during storage and transportation processes. Subsequent drying will result in potash particles sticking together to form clumps or cakes. In order to avoid or decrease caking, it is essential to know the local history of moisture content and moisture movement in a bed of potash. In this thesis, experimental measurements and numerical simulations are used to investigate moisture transport and redistribution by capillarity, gravity and diffusion effects within a potash bed. <p> The important properties required to model moisture transfer in granular porous potash (i.e. porosity, permeability, specific surface area and irreducible saturation) are investigated experimentally and theoretically. It is shown that for a mixture with a wide range of particle sizes the potash bed properties can be predicted knowing the properties for each narrow range of particle size in the mixture. <p> An experimental test facility was designed and constructed to test moisture transfer within a potash bed. The test procedures are presented along with an uncertainty analysis. The moisture content spatial distribution for different particle sizes under different initial conditions is investigated and data are presented. <p>A one-dimensional transient numerical model of moisture transport accounting for diffusion, capillarity and gravity effects within potash beds is developed. Two different moisture transport mechanisms are presented. In a wet region, where local moisture saturation level, S, is larger than an irreducible saturation, S0, liquid water exists as continuous liquid film on the particles; moisture is transferred by liquid film movement due to capillarity and gravity effects. In a dry region where S is less than S0, water vapor diffusion is the only mechanism of moisture transfer and water is adsorbed in layers on the surfaces. <p> From the experimental data and numerical simulation analysis, it is shown that the irreducible saturation, S0, is a strong function of particle size. It will decrease with a particle size increase. <p> The numerical model is validated by comparison with some typical experimental case studies. Agreement between the experimental data and simulation results is well within the experimental 95% uncertainty bounds. It is concluded from this research that the complex moisture transport process by diffusion, capillarity and gravity effects within a potash bed can be modeled and simulated. Experimental and simulation results indicate that direct water drainage will more readily occur for large particle sizes than for small particles for the same initial moisture content.

As a hygroscopic salt, granular potash can easily absorb large quantities of water vapor from humid air during storage and transportation processes. Subsequent drying will result in potash particles sticking together to form clumps or cakes. In order to avoid or decrease caking, it is essential to know the local history of moisture content and moisture movement in a bed of potash. In this thesis, experimental measurements and numerical simulations are used to investigate moisture transport and redistribution by capillarity, gravity and diffusion effects within a potash bed. <p> The important properties required to model moisture transfer in granular porous potash (i.e. porosity, permeability, specific surface area and irreducible saturation) are investigated experimentally and theoretically. It is shown that for a mixture with a wide range of particle sizes the potash bed properties can be predicted knowing the properties for each narrow range of particle size in the mixture. <p> An experimental test facility was designed and constructed to test moisture transfer within a potash bed. The test procedures are presented along with an uncertainty analysis. The moisture content spatial distribution for different particle sizes under different initial conditions is investigated and data are presented. <p>A one-dimensional transient numerical model of moisture transport accounting for diffusion, capillarity and gravity effects within potash beds is developed. Two different moisture transport mechanisms are presented. In a wet region, where local moisture saturation level, S, is larger than an irreducible saturation, S0, liquid water exists as continuous liquid film on the particles; moisture is transferred by liquid film movement due to capillarity and gravity effects. In a dry region where S is less than S0, water vapor diffusion is the only mechanism of moisture transfer and water is adsorbed in layers on the surfaces. <p> From the experimental data and numerical simulation analysis, it is shown that the irreducible saturation, S0, is a strong function of particle size. It will decrease with a particle size increase. <p> The numerical model is validated by comparison with some typical experimental case studies. Agreement between the experimental data and simulation results is well within the experimental 95% uncertainty bounds. It is concluded from this research that the complex moisture transport process by diffusion, capillarity and gravity effects within a potash bed can be modeled and simulated. Experimental and simulation results indicate that direct water drainage will more readily occur for large particle sizes than for small particles for the same initial moisture content.

This thesis analyzes the implementation of surface bonded piezoelectric actuators to control or minimize the deformation in elastic or viscoelastic cantilever beams due to simultaneous heat and moisture diffusion. The problem is addressed in the context of linearized elasticity and linearized viscoelasticity. The constitutive equations are derived from the balance laws for mass, linear and angular momenta, energy, entropy and the second law of thermodynamics. The constitutive equations for linearized elasticity are then obtained as a consequence of small deformation assumption. The temperature and moisture induced deformation is introduced through the coefficient of thermal expansion CTE and coefficient of moisture expansion CME. The constitutive equations for linearized viscoelasticity are obtained by correspondence principle. The coupled temperature and moisture diffusion equations are obtained as a consequence of Clausius-Duhem inequality. The extent of coupling between heat conduction and moisture diffusion phenomena is studied by varying the ratio of their diffusivities and a non-dimensional coupling parameter. The effect of coupled unsteady heat conduction and moisture diffusion phenomena on the short and long term response characteristics of the beam such as displacement, stress and strain fields is studied. Based on these response characteristics, the magnitude of external actuating voltage required to minimize deformation is predicted. This is followed by a comparative study of the field variables in cases of actuated and unactuated beams. Four materials are chosen for this study; aluminium, epoxy, carbon fiber reinforced polymer with fiber volume fraction of 60 percent, and an epoxy-like viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic material is assumed to be thermorheologically simple. The shift factor is assumed to be a linear function of temperature and moisture fields. To address this problem numerically, a finite difference formulation is presented for the field equations and boundary conditions. This numerical scheme is validated by solving the problem of uniformly loaded cantilever beam and comparing the results with the analytical solution known a priori. The results obtained numerically are validated by comparison with experimental results. It is observed that the under the effect of external actuation, the stress and displacement fields are largely minimized in all four cases chosen for study. The bending in the unactuated viscoelastic beam is more pronounced than bending in the unactuated elastic beam. This is due to the softening of the material with time due to evolving temperature and moisture fields. However, relatively lesser external actuating voltage is necessary to minimize bending in the former case compared to the latter. The magnitude of actuating electric field required in the piezoelectric layer suggests a need to address the problem with in a non-linear framework, no such attempt is made in this study.

In order for composites to become an accepted material for infrastructure application, life prediction and durability must be understood. The majority of studies have examined the strength and fatigue response of composites under hot and/or moist conditions. Various researchers have also studied life prediction methods for composite materials under fatigue, primarily for high performance applications. Little work has been done to study durability under combined service conditions for composites used in civil infrastructure applications. This thesis focuses on the development of a life prediction model for use with fiber reinforced polymer composites in bridge service environments. The Tom's Creek Bridge of Blacksburg, VA is used as a guiding case study. First, the tensile properties of the composite were studied as a function of temperature and moisture. Damage accumulation was studied as a function of cyclic loading and temperature cycles. The enviro-mechanical conditions, including moisture, temperature and fatigue loading, were then used in a computer simulation to predict the life of a vinyl ester/glass composite under an approximate bridge service environment. Finally, a laboratory simulation was conducted that approximates the temperature and humidity that is seen at the Tom's Creek Bridge, but in an accelerated time frame. A multi-stress fatigue pattern, mimicking cars and trucks passing over the bridge, was used. One year of conditions was accelerated to approximately six hours and thirty-three minutes using a servo-hydraulic test frame and environmental chamber. The final results showed that life prediction methodology conservatively predicted the lifetime of a vinyl ester/glass composite under the enviro-mechanical conditions. The damage of the composite was predominately driven by cyclic loading. The environmental conditions of moisture and temperature had only a small affect on the lifetime of the composite. This lack of environmental sensitivity is largely due to the durability of the resin system. / Master of Science

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / In this paper, a three-dimensional bending solution of doubly-curved shells subjected to mechanical, thermal and hygrothermal load is studied. Through-the-thickness temperature of the shell is modeled by Fourier's heat conduction equation. Fick's moisture diffusion law equation is used to determine the hygro-thermal profile through-the-thickness. The partial differential equations are solved by using the Navier closed form summations which are valid only for shells with constant radii of curvature among the midsurface and with simply supported boundary conditions on its shell's edges. The shell governing equations are solved by discretizing the thickness profile via Legendre's grid distribution and by using the Differential Quadrature Method (DQM). The Layerwise capabilities of the method is guaranteed by imposing the inter-laminar continuity of out-of-the-plane stresses, displacements, temperature and hygrothermal load thickness profile. The zero-stress condition for the transverse shear stresses is imposed due to the fact that no mechanical loads are applied in those directions. Results for cylindrical, spherical panels and rectangular plates are presented. Comparisons are made with Layerwise and three-dimensional solutions available in literature. The results have strong accuracy and a benchmark problem is delivered. / Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Tecnológica