Steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) are popular lateral force resisting systems whose practical applications range from high seismic regions to medium and low seismic areas and wind load applications. The factors which make SPSW attractive include its energy dissipation capacity, excellent ductility, constructability, speed of construction compared to concrete shear walls, reduced architectural footprint compared to concrete shear walls, and increased inelastic deformation capacity as compared to braced frames. The principle behind current SPSW design is that the post-buckling tension field capacity of the thin web plate is proportioned to resist the full lateral load. The resulting web plate is typically quite thin, buckles at low loads, possesses low stiffness, and does not provide resistance when the lateral loads are reversed until the tension field engages in the opposite direction. To compensate for these shortcomings, moment connections are required at the beam to column connections to improve energy dissipation, increase stiffness, and provide lateral resistance during load reversal. The resulting SPSW designs with very thin web plates, moment connections, and beams and columns significantly larger than comparable braced frames, can result in inefficient structural systems. The objective of this work is to develop steel plate shear wall systems that are more economic and efficient. In order to achieve this, approaches like shear connections between beams and columns, allowing some yielding in columns and increasing plate thicknesses were attempted. But these approaches were not effective in that there was no reduction in the amount of steel required since stiffness controlled the designs. This necessitated the creation of tunable steel plate shear wall systems in which strength and stiffness could be decoupled. Preliminary analyses of seven steel plate shear wall systems which allow tunability were conducted and two configurations namely circular holes and butterfly shaped links around the perimeter, that showed promising results were chosen. The solid plate in the middle of the panel contributes significant pre-yield stiffness to the system while the geometry of the perimeter perforations controls strength and ductility. An example panel was designed using the two approaches and compared to panels designed using current SPSW design methods. The proposed configurations resulted in improved overall performance of the system in terms of energy dissipation, stable hysteresis, required less steel and no moment connections between beams and columns. This was also observed from the parametric study that was performed by varying the thickness of the web plate and the geometry of the configurations. Thus it was concluded that the two proposed configurations of cutouts were promising concepts that allow separate tuning of the system strength, stiffness and ductility and could be adopted in any seismic zone for improved seismic resistance. / Master of Science

Today’s telecommunication cabinets use Electro Magnetic Compliance (EMC) screens in order to reduce electromagnetic noise that can cause some miss functions in electronic equipment. Many radio base stations (RBSs) use a 90-degree building architecture: the flow inlet is perpendicular to the EMC screen, which creates a complex flow, with a 90-degree air turn, expansions, compressions, perforated plates and PCBs. It is of great interest to study how the EMC screen interacts with the rest of components and analyze the total pressure drop and how much the flow pattern changes due to the placement of the screen. Velocity, pressure and temperature measurements as well as flow pattern visualizations have been carried out to gain good insight into the flow and heat transfer characteristics in a subrack model of an RBS. Furthermore, these measurements have been very useful for validating detailed CFD models and evaluating several turbulence models. Nowadays, industrial competition has caused a substantial decrease in the time-to-market of products. This fact makes the use of compact models in the first stages of the design process of vital importance. Accurate and fast compact models can to a great extent decrease the time for design, and thus for production. Hence, to determine the correlations between the pressure drop and flow pattern on the PCBs as a function of the geometry and the Reynolds number, based on a detailed CFD parametric study, was one objective. Furthermore, the development of a compact model using a porous media approach (using two directional-loss coefficients) has been accomplished. Two correlations of these directional loss coefficients were found as a function of the geometry and Reynolds number. / QC 20100630

An experimental study of the effects of turbulent flow regime on the flame structure is conducted by using perforated-plate-stabilized hydrogen-piloted lean premixed methane/air turbulent flames. The underlying non-reacting turbulent flow field was investigated using two-dimensional three-components particle imaging velocimetry (2D3C-PIV) with and without three perforated plates. The non-reacting flow data allowed a separation of the turbulent flow regime into axial velocity dominated and vortex dominated flows. A plate with 62\% blockage ratio was used to represent the stream-dominant flow regime and another with 86\% blockage ratio was used to represent the vortex-dominant flow regime. OH laser-induced fluorescence was used to study the effects of the turbulent flow regime on the mean progress variable, flame brush thickness, flame surface density, and global consumption speed. In comparison with the stream-dominant flow, the vortex-dominant flow makes a wider and shorter flame. Also, the vortex-dominant flow has a thicker horizontal flame brush thickness and a thinner longitudinal flame brush thickness. Especially, the horizontal flame brush thickness for the vortex-dominant flow does not follow the turbulence diffusion theory. Then, the vortex-dominant flow shows a relatively constant flame surface density along the stream-wise direction, while the stream-dominant flow shows a decreasing flame surface density. Lastly, the vortex-dominant turbulent flow improves the consumption speed in comparison to the stream-dominant turbulent flow regime with the same velocity fluctuation level.

Elementos estruturais como as placas finas fazem parte de um grande número de aplicações nas mais diversas áreas da engenharia e são de grande importância para a engenharia naval e aeronáutica, na construção de cascos de embarcações e estruturas offshore, e na construção de fuselagens de aviões. Por constituírem-se em um elemento estrutural esbelto, estão sujeitas a um comportamento mecânico diferenciado denominado de flambagem, proveniente de um carregamento de compressão uniaxial. O fenômeno da flambagem pode ser dividido em flambagem elástica e elasto-plástica, sendo dependente de aspectos dimensionais, construtivos e/ou operacionais. A inclusão de perfurações em placas provoca uma redistribuição de suas tensões internas, afetando não apenas a sua resistência, mas também as suas características de flambagem. Neste trabalho, desenvolveu-se a análise do comportamento mecânico de placas finas perfuradas de aço, simplesmente apoiadas em suas bordas, e submetidas à compressão. Serão analisados dois graus de liberdade: H/L e H0/L0. Para H/L, serão analisadas placas com H/L = 1,00 e H/L = 0,50, sendo que H e L representam, respectivamente, a largura e o comprimento da placa. Para H0/L0, serão analisadas infinitas possibilidades, sendo que H0 e L0 representam, respectivamente, a largura e o comprimento da perfuração. As placas utilizadas possuem espessura (h) de 10,00 mm e perfuração centralizada. Quanto às perfurações, estas serão dos tipos: oblonga longitudinal, oblonga transversal, elíptica, retangular, losangular, hexagonal longitudinal e hexagonal transversal. Ainda em relação às perfurações, serão consideradas as seguintes frações ϕ = 0,08; 0,10; 0,15; 0,20 e 0,25, sendo que (ϕ) corresponde ao volume da perfuração. Para a determinação das cargas crítica e última de flambagem, foi utilizada a simulação numérica com o auxílio do software Ansys®, que é baseado no método dos elementos finitos. A aplicação do método Design Construtal, possibilitou a determinação das geometrias ótimas para todos os tipos de perfurações, todos os valores de (ϕ) e para todas as relações de H/L. Os resultados obtidos mostram que há influência do tipo, da forma e do tamanho da perfuração na definição das curvas limites à flambagem e das curvas à flambagem elasto-plástica. Foi possível definir, para cada tipo de perfuração e para todos os valores de (ϕ), os pontos de transição entre a flambagem elástica e à elasto-plástica, assim como os pontos que definem os valores máximos para o fator TLNMáx (tensão limite normalizadora). / Structural elements such as thin plates are part of a large number of applications in various areas of engineering and are of great importance for marine and aerospace engineering, construction and offshore structures hulls, and the construction of airplane fuselages. Being a slender structural element, they are subject to a different mechanical behavior known as buckling, caused by a compressive loading. The phenomenon of buckling can be divided in elastic and elasto-plastic buckling, being dependent dimensional, construction and / or operational aspects. The inclusion of perforations in plates causes a redistribution of its internal stress, affecting not only their resistance but also their buckling characteristics. In this work it was performed the analysis of the mechanical behavior of thin perforated steel plates, simply supported on its edges, and subjected to compression. In the analysis it was considered two degrees of freedom: H/L and H0/L0. For H/L will be analyzed plates with H/L = 1.00 and H/L = 0.50, wherein H and L represent respectively the width and length of the plate. There are endless possibilities for the relation H0/L0. The studied plates have a thickness (h) of 10.00 mm and centralized perforation. The following types of perforation will be used: longitudinal oblong, transverse oblong, elliptical, rectangular, diamond, longitudinal hexagonal and transverse hexagonal. Also in relation to perforations, it will be considered the following fractions (ϕ = 0.08; 0.10; 0.15; 0.20 and 0.25), wherein (ϕ) corresponds to the volume ratio of the perforation. For determining the critical and ultimate buckling loads it was utilized numerical simulation with the assistance of Ansys® software, which is based on the finite element method. The application of the Constructal Design method of this study made it possible to determine the optimal geometries for all types of perforations, for all values of (ϕ) and all the relations H/L. The results show that there is an influence of the perforation type, shape and size, in defining the limit curves of the buckling and the curves of the elasto-plastic buckling. It was also possible to define, for each type of perforation and for all (ϕ) values, the transition points between elastic and elasto-plastic buckling; as well as the points that define the maximum values for the TLNMáx factor (normalized limit stress).

Elementos estruturais como as placas finas fazem parte de um grande número de aplicações nas mais diversas áreas da engenharia e são de grande importância para a engenharia naval e aeronáutica, na construção de cascos de embarcações e estruturas offshore, e na construção de fuselagens de aviões. Por constituírem-se em um elemento estrutural esbelto, estão sujeitas a um comportamento mecânico diferenciado denominado de flambagem, proveniente de um carregamento de compressão uniaxial. O fenômeno da flambagem pode ser dividido em flambagem elástica e elasto-plástica, sendo dependente de aspectos dimensionais, construtivos e/ou operacionais. A inclusão de perfurações em placas provoca uma redistribuição de suas tensões internas, afetando não apenas a sua resistência, mas também as suas características de flambagem. Neste trabalho, desenvolveu-se a análise do comportamento mecânico de placas finas perfuradas de aço, simplesmente apoiadas em suas bordas, e submetidas à compressão. Serão analisados dois graus de liberdade: H/L e H0/L0. Para H/L, serão analisadas placas com H/L = 1,00 e H/L = 0,50, sendo que H e L representam, respectivamente, a largura e o comprimento da placa. Para H0/L0, serão analisadas infinitas possibilidades, sendo que H0 e L0 representam, respectivamente, a largura e o comprimento da perfuração. As placas utilizadas possuem espessura (h) de 10,00 mm e perfuração centralizada. Quanto às perfurações, estas serão dos tipos: oblonga longitudinal, oblonga transversal, elíptica, retangular, losangular, hexagonal longitudinal e hexagonal transversal. Ainda em relação às perfurações, serão consideradas as seguintes frações ϕ = 0,08; 0,10; 0,15; 0,20 e 0,25, sendo que (ϕ) corresponde ao volume da perfuração. Para a determinação das cargas crítica e última de flambagem, foi utilizada a simulação numérica com o auxílio do software Ansys®, que é baseado no método dos elementos finitos. A aplicação do método Design Construtal, possibilitou a determinação das geometrias ótimas para todos os tipos de perfurações, todos os valores de (ϕ) e para todas as relações de H/L. Os resultados obtidos mostram que há influência do tipo, da forma e do tamanho da perfuração na definição das curvas limites à flambagem e das curvas à flambagem elasto-plástica. Foi possível definir, para cada tipo de perfuração e para todos os valores de (ϕ), os pontos de transição entre a flambagem elástica e à elasto-plástica, assim como os pontos que definem os valores máximos para o fator TLNMáx (tensão limite normalizadora). / Structural elements such as thin plates are part of a large number of applications in various areas of engineering and are of great importance for marine and aerospace engineering, construction and offshore structures hulls, and the construction of airplane fuselages. Being a slender structural element, they are subject to a different mechanical behavior known as buckling, caused by a compressive loading. The phenomenon of buckling can be divided in elastic and elasto-plastic buckling, being dependent dimensional, construction and / or operational aspects. The inclusion of perforations in plates causes a redistribution of its internal stress, affecting not only their resistance but also their buckling characteristics. In this work it was performed the analysis of the mechanical behavior of thin perforated steel plates, simply supported on its edges, and subjected to compression. In the analysis it was considered two degrees of freedom: H/L and H0/L0. For H/L will be analyzed plates with H/L = 1.00 and H/L = 0.50, wherein H and L represent respectively the width and length of the plate. There are endless possibilities for the relation H0/L0. The studied plates have a thickness (h) of 10.00 mm and centralized perforation. The following types of perforation will be used: longitudinal oblong, transverse oblong, elliptical, rectangular, diamond, longitudinal hexagonal and transverse hexagonal. Also in relation to perforations, it will be considered the following fractions (ϕ = 0.08; 0.10; 0.15; 0.20 and 0.25), wherein (ϕ) corresponds to the volume ratio of the perforation. For determining the critical and ultimate buckling loads it was utilized numerical simulation with the assistance of Ansys® software, which is based on the finite element method. The application of the Constructal Design method of this study made it possible to determine the optimal geometries for all types of perforations, for all values of (ϕ) and all the relations H/L. The results show that there is an influence of the perforation type, shape and size, in defining the limit curves of the buckling and the curves of the elasto-plastic buckling. It was also possible to define, for each type of perforation and for all (ϕ) values, the transition points between elastic and elasto-plastic buckling; as well as the points that define the maximum values for the TLNMáx factor (normalized limit stress).

Elementos estruturais como as placas finas fazem parte de um grande número de aplicações nas mais diversas áreas da engenharia e são de grande importância para a engenharia naval e aeronáutica, na construção de cascos de embarcações e estruturas offshore, e na construção de fuselagens de aviões. Por constituírem-se em um elemento estrutural esbelto, estão sujeitas a um comportamento mecânico diferenciado denominado de flambagem, proveniente de um carregamento de compressão uniaxial. O fenômeno da flambagem pode ser dividido em flambagem elástica e elasto-plástica, sendo dependente de aspectos dimensionais, construtivos e/ou operacionais. A inclusão de perfurações em placas provoca uma redistribuição de suas tensões internas, afetando não apenas a sua resistência, mas também as suas características de flambagem. Neste trabalho, desenvolveu-se a análise do comportamento mecânico de placas finas perfuradas de aço, simplesmente apoiadas em suas bordas, e submetidas à compressão. Serão analisados dois graus de liberdade: H/L e H0/L0. Para H/L, serão analisadas placas com H/L = 1,00 e H/L = 0,50, sendo que H e L representam, respectivamente, a largura e o comprimento da placa. Para H0/L0, serão analisadas infinitas possibilidades, sendo que H0 e L0 representam, respectivamente, a largura e o comprimento da perfuração. As placas utilizadas possuem espessura (h) de 10,00 mm e perfuração centralizada. Quanto às perfurações, estas serão dos tipos: oblonga longitudinal, oblonga transversal, elíptica, retangular, losangular, hexagonal longitudinal e hexagonal transversal. Ainda em relação às perfurações, serão consideradas as seguintes frações ϕ = 0,08; 0,10; 0,15; 0,20 e 0,25, sendo que (ϕ) corresponde ao volume da perfuração. Para a determinação das cargas crítica e última de flambagem, foi utilizada a simulação numérica com o auxílio do software Ansys®, que é baseado no método dos elementos finitos. A aplicação do método Design Construtal, possibilitou a determinação das geometrias ótimas para todos os tipos de perfurações, todos os valores de (ϕ) e para todas as relações de H/L. Os resultados obtidos mostram que há influência do tipo, da forma e do tamanho da perfuração na definição das curvas limites à flambagem e das curvas à flambagem elasto-plástica. Foi possível definir, para cada tipo de perfuração e para todos os valores de (ϕ), os pontos de transição entre a flambagem elástica e à elasto-plástica, assim como os pontos que definem os valores máximos para o fator TLNMáx (tensão limite normalizadora). / Structural elements such as thin plates are part of a large number of applications in various areas of engineering and are of great importance for marine and aerospace engineering, construction and offshore structures hulls, and the construction of airplane fuselages. Being a slender structural element, they are subject to a different mechanical behavior known as buckling, caused by a compressive loading. The phenomenon of buckling can be divided in elastic and elasto-plastic buckling, being dependent dimensional, construction and / or operational aspects. The inclusion of perforations in plates causes a redistribution of its internal stress, affecting not only their resistance but also their buckling characteristics. In this work it was performed the analysis of the mechanical behavior of thin perforated steel plates, simply supported on its edges, and subjected to compression. In the analysis it was considered two degrees of freedom: H/L and H0/L0. For H/L will be analyzed plates with H/L = 1.00 and H/L = 0.50, wherein H and L represent respectively the width and length of the plate. There are endless possibilities for the relation H0/L0. The studied plates have a thickness (h) of 10.00 mm and centralized perforation. The following types of perforation will be used: longitudinal oblong, transverse oblong, elliptical, rectangular, diamond, longitudinal hexagonal and transverse hexagonal. Also in relation to perforations, it will be considered the following fractions (ϕ = 0.08; 0.10; 0.15; 0.20 and 0.25), wherein (ϕ) corresponds to the volume ratio of the perforation. For determining the critical and ultimate buckling loads it was utilized numerical simulation with the assistance of Ansys® software, which is based on the finite element method. The application of the Constructal Design method of this study made it possible to determine the optimal geometries for all types of perforations, for all values of (ϕ) and all the relations H/L. The results show that there is an influence of the perforation type, shape and size, in defining the limit curves of the buckling and the curves of the elasto-plastic buckling. It was also possible to define, for each type of perforation and for all (ϕ) values, the transition points between elastic and elasto-plastic buckling; as well as the points that define the maximum values for the TLNMáx factor (normalized limit stress).

<div>This research has been studied a laser-induced spark in flowing gases. The relationship between the minimum ignition energy (MIE), the turbulence intensity, and the flame kernel propagation speed is considered. Plasma emission, produced by the laser-induced spark, and flame kernel generation by the plasma are investigated. The energy balance equation between an ignition energy and energy losses by heat transfer is studied at laminar flows and turbulent flows. Hydrogen and air mixtures were used in a premixed jet burner for ignition experiments. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) examined the velocity and the turbulence intensity under the turbulent flows. The flame kernel development was visualized using Schlieren imaging and infrared images (IR camera). Flame kernel temperatures were measured through Rayleigh scattering and infrared images (IR camera). Plasma evaluations were captured through an intensified CCD camera (ICCD camera). Minimum ignition energies were measured at the laminar flows and the turbulent flows. The MIE decreases with an increase in the turbulence intensity which changed by ignition locations and perforated plates at the constant bulk velocity. Improved mixing rates due to the ignition locations or the geometry of the perforated plates decrease the MIE at the constant bulk velocity. The turbulence intensity increases wrinkles in the flame kernel surface, thus the contact between the flame kernel and reactants increases due to the wrinkles. Therefore, the flame kernel propagation speed increases as the turbulence intensity is higher since the increased reaction by the wrinkles and the contact. Thus, the MIE decreases as the turbulence intensity increases at the constant ignition condition, including bulk velocities and ignition heights, since the high turbulence intensity increases the flame kernel propagation speed. Laser energy differences affect the plasma expansions by the laser absorption. Laser-supported radiation (LSR) wave speeds were measured and calculated using energy balance equations. Velocity does not affect the flame kernel temperature distribution during the early reaction steps because the plasma generates a flame kernel and determines the flame kernel temperature distribution. The MIE increases with increasing the bulk velocity. The energy losses considering convection, conduction, and radiation were calculated using the flame kernel radius, the flame kernel temperature, mixture properties, and the flame speed. The energy balance equation in the ignition of flowing gases is newly written at the laminar flows and the turbulent flows.</div>

<p>This thesis contains three papers investigating problems of interest for noise control in ducts.</p><p>The first part of this thesis treats the sound propagation in rectangular ducts with flexible walls. Various experimental techniques are performed to measure the internal sound propagation and radiation to the surrounding. An analytical model is derived to calculate the coupled propagation wavenumber and radiated sound power. The two-port formalism is used.</p><p>The second part starts with the sound propagation in open ended circular straight pipe with airflow (a tailpipe). Various aspects such as: acoustic damping, reflection and transmission at the open termination are investigated. Sound absorption due to vorticity shed at the opening is also treated. The geometry of the opening is then modified (oblique cuts, diffusers) and comparisons with the reference straight pipe is made for the sound transmission and flow induced noise generation. The effect of an upstream bend close to the opening is also investigated.</p><p>In the third part the acoustic impedance of perforated plates are investigated. In particular the application to small perforation ratios ( ≈ 1% ) and holes or slits with apertures of sub-millimetre size, so called micro-perforated plates, are of interest. Linear and non-linear regimes are investigated. A model is derived to calculate the linear acoustic impedance of perforated elements.</p>

This thesis contains three papers investigating problems of interest for noise control in ducts. The first part of this thesis treats the sound propagation in rectangular ducts with flexible walls. Various experimental techniques are performed to measure the internal sound propagation and radiation to the surrounding. An analytical model is derived to calculate the coupled propagation wavenumber and radiated sound power. The two-port formalism is used. The second part starts with the sound propagation in open ended circular straight pipe with airflow (a tailpipe). Various aspects such as: acoustic damping, reflection and transmission at the open termination are investigated. Sound absorption due to vorticity shed at the opening is also treated. The geometry of the opening is then modified (oblique cuts, diffusers) and comparisons with the reference straight pipe is made for the sound transmission and flow induced noise generation. The effect of an upstream bend close to the opening is also investigated. In the third part the acoustic impedance of perforated plates are investigated. In particular the application to small perforation ratios ( ≈ 1% ) and holes or slits with apertures of sub-millimetre size, so called micro-perforated plates, are of interest. Linear and non-linear regimes are investigated. A model is derived to calculate the linear acoustic impedance of perforated elements. / QC 20101111

This thesis discusses the aero-acoustic characterisation of a perforate sample using a three-port technique. A rectangular T-junction with a flush mounted perforated sample at the intersection form the acoustical three-port. Under acoustic excitation from three different directions a direct method of impedance determination is incorporated to experimentally determine the passive acoustic properties of the perforate. The three-port scattering matrix and the normalised transfer impedance are calculated in the presence of grazing flow and for high-level excitation and the behaviour of these characteristics is studied. Validation of the determined results in the linear range is carried out by comparing it with existing models. Moreover, based on the experimental results for low grazing flow velocities the dependence of the real part of the transfer impedance on the grazing flow parameters as well as dimensionless numbers is described, and a semi-empirical model quantifying the behaviour is proposed. Furthermore, the thesis explains some experimental errors pertaining to standing wave patterns and operating conditions, and corrections are suggested to reduce the errors. / <p>QC 221007</p>