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The current thesis focuses on estimating the damage levels and evaluating the out-of-plane behavior of fully-grouted reinforced masonry (RM) structural walls under blast loading, a load that they are typically not designed to resist. Twelve third-scale RM walls were constructed and tested under free-field blast tests. Three different reinforcement ratios and three different charge weights have been used on the walls, with scaled distances down to 1.7 m/kg1/3 and two different boundary conditions, to evaluate the walls’ performances. In general, the results show that the walls are capable of withstanding substantial blast load levels with different extents of damage depending on their vertical reinforcement ratio and scaled distance. It worth mention that the current definitions of damage states, specified in ASCE/SEI 59-11 (ASCE 2011) and CAN/CSA S850-12 (CSA 2012) standards, involve global response limits such as the component support rotations that are relatively simple to calculate. However, these quantitative damage state descriptors can be less relevant for cost–benefit analysis. Moreover, the reported experimental results showed that the use of quantitative versus qualitative damage descriptors specified by North American blast standards [ASCE 59-11 (ASCE 2011) and CSA S850-12 (CSA 2012)] can result in inconstancies in terms of damage state categorization. Therefore, revised damage states that are more suitable for a cost–benefit analysis, including repair technique and building downtime, were presented. These damage states are currently considered more meaningful and have been used to quantify the post-earthquake performance of buildings. In addition, a nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model is developed to predict the out-of-plane behavior of RM structural walls under blast loading. The proposed SDOF model is first verified using quasi-static and free-field blast tests and then subsequently used to extend the results of the reported experimental test results with different design parameters such as threat level, reinforcement ratio, available block width, wall height, and material characteristics. In general, brittle behavior was observed in the walls with a reinforcement ratio higher than 0.6%. This is attributed to the fact that seismically detailed structural masonry walls designed to respond in a ductile manner under in-plane loads might develop brittle failure under out-of-plane loads because of their reduced reinforcement moment arm. In addition, increased ductility can be achieved by using two reinforcement layers instead of a single layer, even if the reinforcement ratio is reduced. Also, it is recommended to consider the use of larger concrete masonry blocks for the construction of RM structural walls that are expected to experience blast loads in order to reduce the slenderness ratio and for the placement of two reinforcement layers. Finally, a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) framework is proposed in order to develop design basis threat (DBT) fragility curves for reinforced concrete block shear wall buildings, which can be utilized to meet different probabilities of failure targets. To illustrate the proposed methodology, an application is presented involving a medium–rise reinforced masonry building, under different DBT levels. The DBT fragility curves are obtained via Monte Carlo sampling of the random variables and are used to infer the locations, within the building premises, that are most suitable for the erection of barriers for blast hardening. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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<p>Flow-Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) is a pipe wall thinning mechanism affecting carbon steel piping systems in power generation plants. Mass transfer is the rate limiting factor, even though chemistry and materials determine the overall potential for FAC. Different localized thinning rates in back to back elbow configurations between the first and second elbow have been noted at nuclear power plants, and this difference depends on the length of pipe between the elbows, flow conditions, and the configuration of the back to back elbows (e.g. S, C, or out of plane). In this thesis, mass transfer measurements in back to back elbows arranged in an out of plane configuration under single and annular two-phase flow conditions are presented.</p> <p>The mass transfer measurements were performed using a wall dissolving technique with bend sections cast from gypsum. The diffusivity of gypsum in water is similar to the diffusivity of iron from the magnetite layer of carbon steel pipe in water, thus providing analogous mass transfer conditions to FAC in power generation plants. The wall dissolution of gypsum allows the surface roughness to develop due to the flow. The mass transfer is determined by passing water through the gypsum test sections in a flow loop system. The test sections are then sectioned into two halves to expose the worn surface. The surface topology is measured using a three dimensional laser scanner. The wear progression of the surface with time provides local mass transfer rates, locations of high mass transfer and local surface roughness.</p> <p>The single-phase flow experiments were performed at a Reynolds number of 70,000 for different lengths of pipe (0, 1, 2 and 5 pipe diameters) between the elbows. The mass transfer results show regions of higher mass transfer in the second elbow in comparison to the first el­­bow. The maximum mass transfer rate in the second elbow decreases when the length of the pipe between the elbows was increased from 0 to 5 pipe diameters. Surface features corresponding to flow streaks on the second elbow surface indicated swirling flow, and its strength decreases with increasing separation distance between the elbows. The surface roughness was found to be higher in the regions of high mass transfer and decreases with increasing elbow separation distance.</p> <p>The effect of air and water superficial velocities on the mass transfer for the bends with a separation distance of 0 pipe diameters was measured under two-phase air-water annular flow. In addition, the effect of separation distance of 0, 1 and 5 pipe diameters in length between the elbows was studied for one annular flow condition. The highest mass transfer was found on the outer wall of the first elbow for all cases. The maximum mass transfer in the second elbow was found to be approximately 60 percent of the maximum value in the first elbow, and was not affected significantly when the elbow separation distance was increased from 0 to 1 and 5 pipe diameters. The separation distance between the elbows did not affect the maximum mass transfer on the outer wall of the first elbow. The mass transfer increased with an increase in either the water or air superficial velocity, with the air velocity having a greater effect. The mass transfer enhancement factor relative to that in a straight pipe only increases significantly with increasing air superficial velocity. The roughness development in the pipe was modest, but increases significantly in the high mass transfer region of the first and second elbow.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

[pt] Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo principal estudar o comportamento das fundações de tanques de grande diâmetro durante o teste hidrostático, por meio da interpretação dos recalques medidos em campo (Caso - Fundação Superficial) e dos recalques perimetrais calculados em uma simulação numérica tridimensional pelo método dos elementos finitos (Caso – Radier Estaqueado), de acordo com as normativas nacionais e internacionais que regulamentam a avaliação dessas estruturas. A metodologia consistiu em interpretar os recalques, tanto medidos, quanto calculados, com base ao descrito na norma N-270 (2020) e complementado com a norma API-653 (2018). Os resultados das análises evidenciaram que, mediante um tratamento adequado dos recalques observados nos dos tanques, é possível não apenas verificar a conformidade dos recalques permitidos pela norma N-270 (2020), mas também compreender o comportamento mecânico dos materiais que constituem os tanques conforme a norma API-653 (2018) analisando, com os critérios de recalque consolidados na norma, os recalques fora do plano. Entre as conclusões deste estudo, destacam-se resultados significativos que ressaltam a necessidade crucial de considerar não apenas os recalques das fundações dos tanques, mas também a avaliação detalhada dos componentes que integram os tanques como parte fundamental da análise. / [en] The main objective of this research was to study the behavior of large-diameter tank foundations during hydrostatic testing, by interpreting the settlements measured in the field (Surface Foundation Case) and the perimeter settlements calculated in a three-dimensional numerical simulation using the finite element method (Piled Radier Case), in accordance with the national and international standards that regulate the evaluation of these structures. The methodology consisted of interpreting the settlements, both measured and calculated, based on what is described in standard N-270 (2020) and complemented with standard API-653 (2018). The results of the analysis showed that, by properly treating the settlements observed at the tank control points, it is possible not only to verify the compliance of the settlements allowed by the N-270 (2020) standard, but also to understand the mechanical behavior of the materials that make up the tanks in accordance with the API-653 (2018) standard by analyzing the out-of-plane settlements using the settlement criteria consolidated in the standard. Among the conclusions of this study are significant results that highlight the crucial need to consider not only the settlements of tank foundations, but also the detailed assessment of the components that make up the tanks as a fundamental part of the analysis.

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This paper demonstrates an approach for passive alignment and assembly of link components for board-level very-short range optical interconnects. This interchip optical link is based on planar polymeric multimode waveguides and glassbased electro-optical transceivers. The main aim of the work is the investigation of assembly processes of link components in order to fulfill the tolerance requirements using passive alignment. The optical characterization in regard to the optical coupling between link components will define the tolerances for the alignment process. This optical analysis is based on measurements of spatial coupling characteristics. The influence of assembly tolerances on the coupling efficiency is investigated. Flip-chip assembly of electro-optical devices on the glass interposer and of the glass interposer on optical overlay is presented to prove the implementation of the concept.

This paper discusses the technology development for integration of parallel optical interconnects on board-level, including the active and passive optical components as well as the electrical integrated circuitry. The inter-chip link is based on planar polymeric optical multimode waveguides with integrated out-of-plane coupling optics and optical transceiver subassemblies based on glass interposer. Integration of polymeric waveguides on flexible substrates will be shown since the realization of an overlay optical substrate enhances the yield and testability of the final hybrid electrooptical printed circuit board (EOPCB). Realized on-board waveguides feature low insertion loss (minimum attenuation coefficient of below 0.1 dB/cm). For short planar waveguides (Lwaveguide = 9 cm) error free transmission (BER < 10-12) up to 30 Gbit/s was achieved. The development of glass interposer passive optical coupling structures for VCSEL-based short-distance links will be described.

Les mémoires non-volatiles magnétiques à effet de couple de transfert de spin - STT-MRAM sont un nouveau type de mémoire pouvant remplacer les mémoires DRAM ou SRAM. Chaque point de mémoire STT-MRAM est une jonction tunnel magnétique sous forme d’un pilier de taille nanométrique, composée de deux couches magnétiques séparées par une barrière d'oxide. L'empilement multicouche doit être élaboré sous ultravide par épitaxie par faisceau moléculaire (M.B.E.) ou par pulvérisation cathodique (P.V.D.). Ces méthodes d’élaboration sont développées par la société Vinci Technologies (finançant ce travail de thèse par une bourse CIFRE). L’amplitude de la magnétorésistance tunnel, utilisée pour lire les informations stockées dans la mémoire, dépend de l'orientation relative des aimantations des deux couches magnétiques. Par ailleurs, l'écriture de l’information dans le dispositif est obtenue grâce à l'effet de couple de transfert de spin, qui permet la manipulation de l’aimantation en utilisant un courant polarisé. Enfin, la stabilité thermique du dispositif est donnée par la barrière en énergie séparant les deux orientations d'aimantation (vers le haut et vers le bas dans le cas d'un dispositif perpendiculaire). Pour que les STT-MRAM soient une technologie compétitive, la tension critique nécessaire au retournement de l’aimantation (tension d'écriture) ainsi que le temps de retournement doivent être réduits, tandis que la stabilité thermique doit rester suffisamment élevée pour assurer la conservation de l'information. Au cours de ma thèse, en collaboration avec Vinci Technologies, les équipements nécessaires à la croissance des couches minces composant les jonctions tunnels (M.B.E. et P.V.D.) ont été optimisées. Grâce à cela, nous avons pu obtenir des couches minces avec une anisotropie perpendiculaire (hors du plan) bien caractérisée. J'ai ensuite concentré mon étude sur les dispositifs STT-MRAM industriels (IBM et STT) présentant une aimantation perpendiculaire pour comprendre le mécanisme de retournement de l’aimantation induite par le courant. J'ai alors pu identifier les paramètres pertinents influençant la valeur de la tension de retournement et proposer des solutions pour l'abaisser tout en préservant la stabilité thermique. Grâce à une étude concernant la probabilité de retournement d'aimantation, comparée à une modélisation macrospin et micromagnétique, j'ai mis en évidence un mécanisme de retournement variable en fonction de la configuration magnétique initiale. En effet, le champ rayonné par une couche magnétique sur une autre et la forme de la jonction tunnel ont un impact important sur la manipulation de l'aimantation / Spin Transfer Torque - Magnetic Random Access Memories – STT-MRAM – are developed as a new type of memory which could replace DRAM or SRAM. In the case of STT- MRAM, each memory point is a nanopillar magnetic tunnel junction composed of two magnetic layers separated by an oxide barrier. The multilayer stack can be grown under ultra-high vacuum using Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) or Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). Those systems are developed by the company Vinci Technologies (sponsoring this PhD work). The tunnel magnetoresistance signal which depends on the relative orientation of the two magnetizations is used to read the information stored in the device. The writing of the information in the device is realized thanks to the spin transfer torque effect, which allows magnetization manipulation using a spin current. The thermal stability of the device is given by the energy barrier separating the two magnetization orientations (up and down in the case of a perpendicular device). For STT-MRAM to be a competitive technology, the critical voltage needed for magnetization switching (writing voltage) as well as the switching time have to be reduced while the thermal stability remains high enough to ensure the retention of information. During my thesis, in collaboration with Vinci-Technologies several tools to grow thin films have been optimized. With such equipment, we were able to grow thin films with well characterized perpendicular (out-of-plane) anisotropy. I have then focused my study on industrial STT-MRAM devices (from two companies: IBM and STT) with an out-of-plane magnetization direction so as to understand the mechanism of current induced magnetization switching. By doing so, I could identify the relevant parameters influencing the switching voltage value and propose solutions to lower it while preserving thermal stability. Through a probabilistic study of magnetization reversal, coupled with macrospin and micromagnetic modeling studies, I have evidenced different switching mechanisms depending on the initial magnetic configuration. Indeed both the stray field from one magnetic layer to the other and the shape of the nanopillar have a large impact on magnetization manipulation

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