The mechanical behavior of timber beams with a slotted-in steel plate connection is studied by creating a numerical model that is able to simulate the global bending behavior, the global load carrying capacity and the nonlinear plastic fastener force distribution in the connection. Experimental results from Material Testing Institute (MPA), University of Stuttgart were used to verify the simulation results from this study. The modeling of both the timber beams and the mechanical connections is performed with shell, beam and nonlinear connector elements. Three models were created, where the first model was a single-dowel double shear joint model to study the ability to use structural elements in the modeling of the test beams. It was used to simulate some of the basic failure modes in Eurocode 5 (EC5). The second model was a beam model used to simulate the bending of a jointed timber beam with a slotted-in steel plate connection, where only two connector elements were used to model the joint behavior of each dowel group. It can be used to study the global deflection and the load carrying capacity of the jointed timber beams. The third model was a combined beam-shell model where the beam elements are used for the timber parts outside the connection area and the fasteners, while the shell elements are used for the slotted-in steel plate and the timber parts within the connection area. It uses two nonlinear connectors to connect each dowel to the wood and a pure coupling constraint to connect the dowels to the slotted-in steel plate. This model can simulate the same phenomena as model two and also the development of the elasto-plastic shear force distribution in all the dowels. All the models were created using parameterized Python scripts, which makes it possible to easily change different input parameters. Most of the modeling results show good agreement with both experimental results and with calculated load carrying capacity results for individual dowels according to EC5. The use of the structural elements (beam, shell, and connector elements) was found to result in much less computational time compared to the use of solid elements.

Epithelial tissues, one of the four primary tissue structures found in our human body, are known to comprise of tiny cells interconnected in a unique continuous pattern. In most cases, they serve a dual purpose of protecting the internal organs from physical damage, and at the same time, enable in facilitating inter-cellular activities and prevent pathogen break ins. While the tissue mechanics and its proliferation have been scrutinized to great detail, it is their geometric uniqueness, that has remained more or less unexplored. With an intent of doing the same, this thesis identifies and explores those geometric properties/parameters that have an influence on the micro structure’s homogenized and localized response. However, it does so by extracting the microstructures profile and representing its cell edges via three dimensional beam elements - hence the name, bio-inspired structures. The analysis is carried out by first developing a staggered Representative Volume Element (RVE)using finite elements, and identifying its appropriate size. The staggered assembly aids in minimizing boundary effects from creeping in, and at the same time, provides the requisite statistical homogeneity. This is followed by the geometry study. A wide range of epithelial geometries are considered for the study, ranging from completely isotropic skin models, to in plane anisotropic cuboidal structures and out of plane anisotropic stratified geometries. The effects of orientation, relative density and edge length are extracted and studied in great detail. It is observed that cell edges initial orientation has a direct dependence on the particle distribution, whereas the change in orientation is largely dependent on the deformation the microstructure is subjected to. Relative density is documented to show a direct correlation to a materials homogenized response i.e. larger the relative density, greater is the microstructures stiffness and homogenized stress response to the same deformation. Edge length, on the other hand is observed to showcase a downward trend on the cell edge’s axial stress. On average, in any kind of distribution and any kind of deformation, smaller cell edges are known to showcase larger stresses, as compared to the larger cell edges.

<div>A leading cause of premature failure and excessive wear and tear in mechanical components that rely on compression springs for their operation is the development of unwanted side forces when the spring is compressed.</div><div>These side forces are usually around 10% - 20% of the magnitude of the axial load and point in different directions in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the spring.</div><div>The magnitude and direction of the resultant of side forces varies very non-linearly and unpredictably even though the axial force behavior of the spring is very consistent and predictable.</div><div>Since these side forces have to be resisted by the housing components that hold the spring in place, it is difficult to design these components for optimal operation.</div><div><br></div><div>The hypothesis of this study is that side forces are highly sensitive to small changes in spring geometry and its placement configuration in the housing. <br></div><div><div>Several experiments are conducted to measure the axial and side forces in barrel springs and two different types of finite element models are developed and calibrated to model the spring behavior. </div><div>Spring geometry and placement are parameterized using several control variables and an approach based on design of experiments is used to identify the critical parameters that control the behavior of side-forces. </div><div>The models resulted in deeper insight into the development of side forces as the spring is progressively loaded and how its contact interactions with the housing lead to changes in the side force.</div><div>It was found that side-forces are indeed sensitive to variations in spring geometry and placement.</div><div>These sensitivities are quantified to enable designers to and manufacturers of such springs to gain more control of side force variations between different spring specimens.</div></div>