The Rollover of heavy vehicles operating in the construction, mining and agricultural sectors is a common occurrence that may result in death or severe injury for the vehicle occupants. Safety frames called ROPS (Rollover Protective Structures) that enclose the vehicle cabin, have been used by heavy vehicle manufacturers to provide protection to vehicle occupants during rollover accidents. The design of a ROPS requires that a dual criteria be fulfilled that ensures that the ROPS has sufficient stiffness to offer protection, whilst possessing an appropriate level of flexibility to absorb some or most of the impact energy during a roll. Over the last four decades significant research has been performed on these types of safety devices which has resulted in the generation of performance standards that may be used to assess the adequacy of a ROPS design for a particular vehicle type. At present these performance standards require that destructive full scale testing methods be used to assess the adequacy of a ROPS. This method of ROPS certification can be extremely expensive given the size and weight of many vehicles that operate in these sectors. The use of analytical methods to assess the performance of a ROPS is currently prohibited by these standards. Reasons for this are attributed to a lack of available fundamental research information on the nonlinear inelastic response of safety frame structures such as this. The main aim of this project was to therefore generate fundamental research information on the nonlinear response behaviour of ROPS subjected to both static and dynamic loading conditions that could be used to contribute towards the development of an efficient analytical design procedure that may lessen the need for destructive full scale testing. In addition to this, the project also aspired to develop methods for promoting increased levels of operator safety during vehicle rollover through enhancing the level of energy absorbed by the ROPS. The methods used to fulfil these aims involved the implementation of an extensive analytical modelling program using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in association with a detailed experimental testing program. From these studies comprehensive research information was developed on both the dynamic impact response and energy absorption capabilities of these types of structures. The established finite element models were then used to extend the investigation further and to carry out parametric studies. Important parameters such as ROPS post stiffness, rollslope inclination and impact duration were identified and their effects quantified. The final stage of the project examined the enhancement of the energy absorption capabilities of a ROPS through the incorporation of a supplementary energy absorbing device within the frame work of the ROPS. The device that was chosen for numerical evaluation was a thin walled tapered tube known as frusta that was designed to crush under a sidewards rollover and hence lessen the energy absorption demand placed upon the ROPS. The inclusion of this device was found to be beneficial in absorbing energy and enhancing the level of safety afforded to the vehicle occupants.

This thesis presents a technique used to stochastically estimate the location of hidden discontinuities in carbon fiber composite materials. Composites pose a challenge to signal processing because speckle noise, as a result of reflections from impregnated laminas, masks useful information and impedes detection of hidden discontinuities. Although digital signal processing techniques have been exploited to lessen speckle noise and help to localize discontinuities, uncertainty in ultrasonic wave propagation and broadband frequency based inspections of composites still make it a difficult task. The technique proposed in this thesis estimates the location of hidden discontinuities stochastically in one- and two-dimensions based on statistical data of A-Scans and C-Scans. Multiple experiments have been performed on carbon fiber reinforced plastics including artificial delaminations and porosity at different depths in the thickness of material. A probabilistic approach, which precisely localizes discontinuities in high and low amplitude signals, has been used to present this method. Compared to conventional techniques the proposed technique offers a more reliable package, with the ability to detect discontinuities in signals with lower intensities by utilizing the repetitive amplitudes in multiple sensor observations obtained from one-dimensional A-Scans or two-dimensional C-Scan data sets. The thesis presents the methodology encompassing the proposed technique and the implementation of a system to process real ultrasonic signals and images for effective discontinuity detection and localization.

The sustainability, smooth operation and operational life of rotating machinery significantly rely on the techniques that detect the symptoms of incipient faults. Among the faults in rotating systems, the presence of a crack is one of the most dangerous faults that dramatically decreases the safety and operational life of the rotating systems, thereby leading to catastrophic failure and potential injury to personnel if it is undetected. Although many valuable techniques and models have been developed to identify a crack (or cracks) in stationary and rotating systems, finding an efficient technique (or model) that can identify a unique vibration signature of the cracked rotor is still a great challenge in this field. This is because of the unceasing necessity to develop high performance rotating machines and driving towards significant reduction of the time and cost of maintenance. Most of the crack identification techniques and models in the available literature are based on vibration-based methods. The main idea of the vibration-based method is that the presence of a crack in a rotor induces a change in the mass, damping, and stiffness of the rotor, and consequently detectable changes appear in the modal properties (natural frequencies, modal damping, and mode shapes). Among all these modal properties, the choice of the modal natural frequency change is more attractive as a tool for crack identification. The changes in natural frequencies due to a crack can be conveniently measured from just a few accessible points on the cracked rotor. Furthermore, measuring the natural frequencies does not require expensive measuring instruments, and the natural frequency data is normally less contaminated by experimental noise. However, the change that a crack induces in the natural frequencies is usually very small and can be buried in the ambient noise. Moreover, the natural frequencies are not affected if the crack is located at the nodes of modes or far from the location of inertia force and out-of-unbalance force that the disc generates in the shaft. To overcome these problems (or limitations), therefore, this study is conducted using the idea of the roving mass (roving disc in rotor case). The modal natural frequencies are used for the identification and location of cracks of various severities at different locations in both stationary and rotating shafts. The fundamental idea of the roving disc is that an extra inertia force is traversed along the cracked rotor to significantly excite the dynamics of the rotor near the crack locations. In other words, the location of a crack can be anywhere on the shaft which is contrary to the developed techniques in the available literature in which the location of a crack should be close to the disc. Along with the roving disc idea, three crack identification techniques are developed in this study using the natural frequencies of the cracked and intact shafts. Each of these techniques has its merits and limitations for crack identification. These techniques are implemented using data that are numerically generated by the finite element method based on the Bernoulli-Euler shaft elements and experimentally validated in the laboratory environment. The numerical and experimental results clearly demonstrate the capability of the suggested approach for the identification and location of cracks in stationary and rotating shafts.

Afin de pouvoir détecter un défaut dans un composite, plusieurs méthodes de contrôle non destructif ont été développées. Le but de ce travail est de localiser un délaminage dans un stratifié carbone / époxyde en utilisant deux méthodes : la thermosonique et la thermographie. La première méthode consiste en une excitation par ultrasons et une détection par caméra IR. Pour la seconde technique, le matériau est irradié par une onde thermique et la détection est aussi réalisée par une caméra IR. Afin de comparer les résultats obtenus, des tests par immersion ultrasons C-scan ont été réalisés sur les échantillons. Cette méthode permet d'obtenir une cartographie du délaminage présent dans le stratifié. Un algorithme de comparaison entre la détection du délaminage faite par les ultrasons C-scan et les deux méthodes a permis de révéler les différences de forme du défaut détecté. Différents traitements d'images ont été appliqués aux images IR obtenues : des analyses temporelles et des analyses spatiales/temporelles. L'étude de l'évolution instantanée ainsi que l'évolution globale de la température se sont révélées prometteuses pour la thermosonique. L'image la plus décorrélée obtenus par l'analyse en composante principales donne un résultat tout aussi satisfaisant pour cette méthode. Pour la méthode sans contact, la thermographie, l'étude de la phase a permis de révéler la forme du délaminage avec la même précision que la thermosonique.Une comparaison de ces deux méthodes a été réalisée afin de mettre en évidence leurs avantages et leurs inconvénients. / To detect a defect in a composite, several methods of non destructive testing have been developped. The aim of this work is to find a delamination in polymer matrix laminates thanks to two methods : thermosonics and thermography. The first method consists of an ultrasonic excitation and a detection by an IR camera. For the second technique, the plate is irradiated with a thermal wave and the detection is also performed by an IR camera. To compare the results, ultrasonic immersion tests were performed on the samples. This method provides a map of the delamination in the laminate. An algorithm for comparing the detection of delamination made by the ultrasonic C-scan and both methods revealed differences in the shape of the detected defect. Several image processing have been applied to the IR images recorded : temporal analysis and spatial / temporal analysis. The study of the instant evolution and the global evolution of the temperature are promissing for thermosonics. The most uncorrelated image obtained by principal component analysis gives is satisfactory for this method. For thermography, the non contact method, the phase study revealed the shape of delamination with the same precision as thermosonics.A comparison between the two methods was realised to highlight their advantages and their drawbacks.

Amorphous and polycrystalline microwires cast from ferromagnetic Fe-based or Co-based alloys in glass envelope demonstrate unique magneto-anisotropic and high frequency impedance properties that make them very attractive for sensor applications. Magnetic anisotropies of different types result from the inverse magnetostriction effect (positive or negative) at the interface between the glass shell and the metal core, in the presence of the residual stresses induced during the Taylor-Ulitovski casting method. Therefore, the glass shell is not just isolation, but also is one of most important factors that defines the physical properties of microwires. In particular, magnetic anisotropy allows high frequency impedance to be tuned by external stimuli such as magnetic field, tensile stress, or temperature. In the project, these effects are explored for the creation of low density microwire inclusions that might introduce tuneable microwave properties to polymer composite materials. The project aims to study high frequency impedance effects in ferromagnetic wires in the presence of tensile stress, temperature, and magnetic field. The integration of microwave equipment with mechanical and thermal measurement facilities is a very challenging task. In the project, we develop new experimental techniques allowing comprehensive study of composite materials with electromagnetic functionalities. The wire surface impedance recovered from such measurements can then be used to model the microwave response from wire-filled composites in free space. The obtained results significantly expand the horizon of potential applications of ferromagnetic wires for structural health monitoring.

The theoretical part summarizes pieces of knowledge about the most common defects and wood pests including their impact on the properties of the material. The following practical part describes the destructive testing of wood - its course, calculation and evaluation of results. The final section is devoted to the structural and chemical wood protection. There are introduced basic principles and methods of protection and in the last chapter there are some examples of companies in our region that performs chemical protection.

La méconnaissance de la géométrie réelle d'une structure mène à une évaluation incorrecte de son état. Par conséquent, une estimation imprécise de sa capacité portante, sa durabilité, sa stabilité et la nécessité de mettre en place une réparation ou un renforcement. En outre, l'optimisation du temps requis pour le processus de réparation a besoin de bien connaître les différentes parties de la structure à évaluer et également pour éviter les zones critiques telles que les aciers, les câbles, etc., lors de la réparation. Par conséquent, il est nécessaire d'utiliser des techniques d'évaluation non destructive (END) afin de connaître la géométrie réelle de la structure, notamment l'emplacement des armatures dans les structures en béton armé. Le GPR est considéré comme une technique non-destructive idéale pour détecter et localiser les renforts. Cependant, sa précision de localisation est limitée. Le but de ce projet de recherche a donc été d'accroître la précision du GPR en matière de reconnaissance géométrique interne de structures en béton armé. L'objectif principal de cette étude est de localiser précisément le positionnement des armatures dans le plan ausculté ainsi qu'en profondeur. Pour atteindre cet objectif, une nouvelle méthodologie de mesures et du traitement des signaux GPR a été proposée dans cette étude. Plusieurs configurations d'acquisition de données en utilisant des signaux simulés sont testées pour proposer et développer un algorithme d'imagerie du milieu de propagation afin de définir sa géométrie interne et de localiser précisément les barres de renforcement. Des traitements supplémentaires sont appliqués pour améliorer la précision de la détection et pour identifier les différentes interfaces dans le milieu testé. L'algorithme et le traitement sont appliqués aux signaux simulés. Des validations expérimentales ont ensuite été appliquées aux signaux réels acquis sur différentes dalles en béton armé. L'objectif est de tester la capacité de l'algorithme d'imagerie proposé pour localiser différents objets enfouis. Les résultats encourageants montrent que cet algorithme est capable d'estimer la position de différents objets enfouis et pas uniquement les armatures avec une erreur d'estimation de (0-1) mm. Les performances de l'algorithme ont été comparées à celles d'une méthode de migration et aux résultats de mesure obtenus avec un pachomètre. Ces comparaisons ont systématiquement révélé une meilleure précision de la localisation avec l'algorithme développé.Une autre étude a été proposée dans ce travail en testant l'algorithme avec des signaux réels modifiés. Ces signaux sont produits en réduisant le gain le moins possible. La conclusion la plus évidente de cette étude est que l'algorithme proposé est capable de localiser les différents objets même si les signaux réfléchis par eux sont de faible amplitude. / Lack of acquaintance in the real geometry of a structure leads to incorrect evaluation of its state. Consequently, this will lead to inaccurate estimation of bearing capacity, durability, stability and moreover, the need for repair or strengthening. Furthermore, optimization of the required time for repair process needs to well recognize the parts of structure to be assessed and also to avoid the critical zones such as reinforcing bars, cables, etc., during repairing. Therefore; it becomes necessary to use a non-destructive testing (NDT) method in order to know the real geometry of structure in particular, the location of reinforcements in reinforced concrete structures. GPR is considered as an ideal non-invasive technique in detecting and locating these reinforcements. However, its accuracy in localization is limited. The aim of this research project has therefore been to increase the accuracy of GPR in recognizing the internal geometry of reinforced concrete structures. The main objective of this study is to locate accurately the position of reinforcements into three dimensions. To achieve this purpose, a new methodology for GPR measurement and processing is proposed in this study.Several configurations of data acquisition using simulated signals are tested to propose and develop an appropriate imaging algorithm for the propagation medium to imagine its internal geometry and to locate accurately the reinforcing bars. Further processing are applied to improve the accuracy of detection and to identify the different interfaces in the tested medium. Both algorithm and processing are applied on simulated signals. Subsequent experimental validations have been applied using real signals acquired from different real reinforced concrete slabs. The goal is to test the ability of proposed imaging algorithm for the localization of different targets. The encouraging results indicate that this algorithm is able to estimate the position of different buried targets and not only the reinforcing bars with an estimation error of (0-1)mm.The performance of proposed algorithm has compared to those of migration method and to the results obtained from pachometer. These comparisons have systematically revealed a better localization accuracy using the developed algorithm.Another study has been proposed in this work by testing the algorithm using modified real signals. These signals are produced by reducing the gain as less as possible. The most obvious finding to emerge from this study is that the proposed algorithm is able to localize the different goals even if the signals reflected by them are of low amplitude.

Les Lasers à Cascade Quantique (QCL) sont de "nouvelles" sources THz dont les progrès en termes de puissance, température de fonctionnement et qualité de faisceau sont remarquables. Les QCL sont utilisés dans des dispositifs d'imagerie THz continue pour le Contrôle Non Destructif de matériaux. Une première application de CND sur des matériaux composites permet de mettre en évidence de manière qualitative les défauts d'imprégnation des fibres par la résine ou les dommages causés par un impact. Des images à 3,8 THz, en transmission et ré flexion, ont pu être comparées avec une technique de CND par ultrasons. Une seconde application quantitative porte sur la concentration d'eau dans deux matériaux polymères à tendance hydrophobe : le polystyrène et le polypropylène. L'établissement d'une relation entre la transmittance de l'échantillon et sa prise de masse d'eau permet d'établir une cartographie quantifiée de la concentration d'eau. Ces cartographies sont nécessaires à la connaissance du processus de diffusion de l'eau dans les matériaux polymères. / Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) are "new" THz sources that have enjoyed remarkable progress in terms of power, operating temperature and beam quality. QCLs are used in continuous wave THz imaging setups applied to Non Destructive Testing of materials. A first qualitative application of NDT allows us to highlight defects in the fibers impregnation by resin or damages caused by an impact on composite materials. Transmission and reflection images at 3.8 THz are compared with a NDT ultrasonic technique. A second quantitative application relates to the water concentration in two hydrophobic polymeric materials: polystyrene and polypropylene. Establishing a relationship between the transmittance of the sample and mass water content enables us to draw up a quantified mapping of the latter. These maps are necessary for the understanding of the water diffusion process in polymeric materials.

L’évaluation des caractéristiques structurelles des chaussées permet l’optimisation de leur maintenance. La mesure de déflexion est une mesure de base de cette évaluation. Aujourd’hui,seuls la déflexion maximale et le rayon de courbures ont analysés. Pourtant, le curviamètre et le déflectographe relèvent le bassin de déflexion complet dont l’analyse permettrait d’extraire des paramètres plus sensibles à l’endommagement des chaussées. Actuellement, l’interprétation des mesures est seulement qualitative et aucun calcul inverse de l’état de dommage de la structure n’est réalisé. La thèse vise à améliorer l’interprétation des mesures de déflexion. Le fonctionnement des appareils a montré que leurs hypothèses de mesure conduisent à des biais de mesure. Pour pallier ce problème, une procédure de correction des mesures a été mise en place. La comparaison avec des bassins théoriques a montré que la méthode de correction était satisfaisante. Ensuite, une étude numérique visant à déterminer la sensibilité du bassin de déflexion à la présence de différents défauts a été conduite. Celle ci a montré que les indicateurs classiques de la mesure de déflexion étaient peu sensibles à un endommagement dans la chaussée. Une méthodologie a donc été développée pour la création d’indicateurs optimisés à un type de défauts spécifiques. L’étude sur cas théoriques a conduit à l’obtention de résultats concluants. L’ensemble de ces travaux a ensuite été validé sur sites expérimentaux pour des mesures de répétabilité, mais également sur site avec la présence avérée de défauts. Finalement, la thèse a envisagé l’utilisation des travaux précédents sur des mesures réelles recueillies sur itinéraire. / The evaluation of the structural characteristics of pavements is involved in their maintenance. The measurement of deflection is a key indicator of this evaluation. Currently, only the maximum deflection and the radius of curvature are analyzed. However, the curviameter and the deflectograph are able to record the whole deflection bowl and the parameters deduced from thismeasurement could help to better characterized damages on pavements. The interpretation of the measurements is only qualitative and back calculation of pavement layer moduli gives unsatisfactory results. The thesis aims to improve the interpretation of deflection measurements. The working principle of these apparatus and the measurement assumptions introduce several measurement biases.To overcome these issues, a correction process has been developed. The comparison with theoretical basins has given satisfactory results on bituminous or flexible pavements. Then, a numerical study has been conducted to determine the influence of pavements damages on the deflection measurement. By this study, it has been showed that the usual indicators of the deflection measurement are notable to detect all damages. So, a methodology hasbeen developed in order to create an optimized indicator specified to a special defect. A study on numerical results has been conducted to validate the implementation of these indicators. Then, the correction method and these new indicators have been tested on experimental sites with and without damages. At last, the research works have been studied at network level.

Este trabalho apresenta a utilização de métodos não destrutivos (ultrassom e correntes parasitas) no acompanhamento da vida útil de revestimentos de barreiras térmica (TBC). As amostras estudadas possuíam como metal de base as superligas de Inconel 718 e Hastelloy X, um revestimento de NiCrAl usado como metal de ligação e um revestimento superior de cerâmica YSZ usado com a finalidade de isolamento térmico. Estas amostras foram submetidas a ciclos térmicos simulando as condições térmicas de trabalho de componentes de turbinas a gás. Com o ensaio de ultrassom foi feita a caracterização da camada cerâmica, fazendo uma estimativa de sua porosidade através da velocidade de propagação do som no revestimento, conforme ciclagem térmica. O ensaio com correntes parasitas foi utilizado para caracterização elétrica dos materiais com revestimento, acompanhando as mudanças de condutividade elétrica através do monitoramento do ângulo de fase segundo seu ciclo de vida útil. Também com este método foram feitas medidas de espessuras dos revestimentos, acompanhando do crescimento da camada de óxido crescida termicamente e a sinterização da camada cerâmica. Para validação dos resultados obtidos pelos métodos não destrutivos adotados, estes resultados foram comparados com resultados de análises por micrografia das amostras utilizadas. Para avaliação da pré-oxidação nos revestimentos as amostras foram separadas em dois grupos, com metal de base Inconel 718 e com metal de base Hastelloy X. O grupo de amostras com Inconel 718 quando submetido ao ensaio de oxidação apresentou a formação de uma camada de alumina, isto até 30 ciclos do ensaio, com o decorrer dos ciclos foram formados óxidos de níquel e cromo que tiveram um rápido crescimento levando o revestimento ao desplacamento. As amostras com substrato Hastelloy X no ensaio de oxidação apresentaram predominantemente a alumina, formando até mais de uma camada deste mesmo óxido, não apresentou óxidos de níquel e cromo, sendo que nenhuma amostra ensaiada apresentou desplacamento de camada TBC. A utilização dos ensaios não destrutivos se mostrou eficiente para acompanhar o ciclo de vida dos revestimentos TBC, onde o acompanhamento das variações de espessuras mostrou pouca diferença de valor com relação a medições com método metalográfico. A leitura de condutividade elétrica através do ângulo de fases foi um bom indicativo da formação de óxidos prejudiciais, que foram os óxidos de níquel e cromo, os quais foram evidenciados por ensaios em MEV/EDS. Foi observado que a velocidade do ultrassom tem uma relação inversamente proporcional à porosidade da camada cerâmica, esta analisada com método metalográfico. / This paper presents an evaluation of the use of non-destructive methods with ultrasound and eddy currents, monitoring of life and characterization of thermal barrier coatings (TBC). This coatings are used to protect base metal components that operate at high temperatures. With the method that uses the ultrasonic characterization of ceramic layer was made an estimating their porosity through the sound propagation of velocity in the coating. The test with eddy currents was used here to make an electrical characterization of materials coated, following the changes of electrical conductivity through the phase angle monitoring following their lifecycle. Also with this method are made the measurements of coatings thickness, following the growth of the thermally grown oxide layer and sintering of the ceramic layer. To validate the results obtained by non-destructive methods, these results were compared with results from analyzes micrograph of the samples used. For evaluation of pre-oxidation in the sample coatings were separated into two groups based metal Inconel 718 and Hastelloy X base metal. The group of samples with Inconel 718 when subjected to the oxidation test showed the formation of an alumina layer up to 30 cycles of the testwith the passing of the cycles were formed oxides of nickel and chromium which grew quickly leading the coating to the cracks. The samples of Hastelloy X in substrate oxidation test showed predominantly alumina to form up more than one layer of the same oxide no showed oxides of nickel and chromium, and no cracks in the test sample are showed in TBC layer. The use of non destructive testing has shown effective to follow the life cycle of TBC coatings. Where the monitoring of variations in thickness, showed little difference in value with respect to measurements metallographic method. The reading of electrical conductivity through the phase angle is a good indicator of formation of harmful oxides which were nickel and chromium oxides, which was evidenced by tests on MEV/EDS. It was observed that the ultrasound velocity has an inversely proportional relation to the porosity of the ceramic layer, that analyzed using metallographic method.