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The objective of this study was to develop design equations that predict lateral restraint forces in two commonly used Z-purlin supported roof systems. These are quarter point bracing and third point plus support bracing. To that end, a stiffness model used in the past has been reintroduced. This model has been modified slightly to better represent roof system behavior. The updated stiffness model was then used to estimate lateral restraint forces for a number of roof systems with a varying cross sectional dimensions of the purlin, number of purlin lines, number of spans, and span length. A regression analysis was then performed on the data to obtain empirical design equations similar to those found in the 1996 Edition of the American Iron and Steel Institute's Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Members, Section D.3.2.1. <i>Vita removed April 4, 2011. GMc</i> / Master of Science

The purpose of this thesis is to make a broadband antireflection coating configuration known as a quarter-wave stack consisting of one layer of titania and of one layer of silica nanoparticles. We utilize much that is already known about silica nanoparticle deposition. The first objective of this thesis is deposition and characterization of titania nanoparticle films deposited on glass microscope slides by a technique known as Ionic Self-Assembled Multilayers or ISAM deposition. This technique takes advantage of the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged materials and ideally results in a uniform nanoparticle film whose thickness and optical properties can be tightly controlled. Deposition of a quarter-wave stack based on ISAM deposition of silica and titania nanoparticles is significantly simpler and less expensive than alternative deposition methods. Initial attempts to deposit titania films were unsuccessful because of excess diffuse scattering due to inhomogeneities in the film. In order to reduce diffuse scattering, two approaches were considered. The first approach was to improve the deposition process itself by experimenting with different values of deposition parameters such as solution pH and solution molarity. The other approach focused on removing the large nanoparticle aggregates from the colloidal solutions of titania nanoparticles that were suspected to be responsible for rough film surfaces resulting in diffuse scattering. This approach was successful. In addition, evidence suggested that surface roughness contributed more to diffuse scattering than the bulk of the films. After minimizing diffuse scattering from titania nanoparticle films, we used known results from research on silica nanoparticle films to deposit quarter-wave stacks consisting of one layer of titania nanoparticles with high refractive index and one layer of silica nanoparticles with low refractive index. This contrast in refractive indices is a desirable characteristic of quarter-wave stacks. The thicknesses and refractive indices of the two layers in the quarter-wave stacks were measured by ellipsometry and compared to the nominal thicknesses of these layers. Finally, the reflectance was derived from a model of the quarter-wave stack and was compared to the measured reflectance. It was found that construction of a quarter-wave stack by ISAM is possible but that it will be necessary to acquire data from more experiments. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study has two parts directed toward a common goal. First, a state-ofthe-art quarter-car test platform has been designed and constructed to offer increased testing flexibility at a reasonable cost not found commercially. With this new test rig completed, the second objective is a proof-of-concept evaluation of a well known adaptive control algorithm applied to this new quarter-car test rig for the purpose of replicating the dynamic suspension response, such as a response that was recorded during a road test. A successful application of this control algorithm on the quarter-car rig is the necessary first step toward its application on an 8-post test rig for a direct comparison to current practices. Before developing a new test rig, the current state-of-the-art in quarter-car rigs was first evaluated as well as indoor vehicle testing in general. Based on these findings, a list of desired functional requirements was defined for this new design to achieve. The new test rig was built and evaluated to determine how these goals were met and what the next steps would be to improve the rig. The study then focused on evaluating control policies used for reproducing dynamic responses on vehicle road simulators such as 4- post and 7-post shaker rigs. A least-mean squares (LMS) adaptive algorithm is introduced and applied first in software using a linear two-mass quarter-car model, and then to the actual hardware-in-the-loop quarter-car rig. The results of the study show that the resulting quarter-car test rig design is quite flexible in its ability to test a multitude of suspension designs and also its ability to accommodate new hardware in the future such as a body loaders. The study confirms that this particular implementation of the LMS algorithm is a viable option for replicating test vehicle response on an indoor quarter-car test rig. Thus, a future study to compare the use of this algorithm to the current industry standard batch processing method is possible. / Master of Science

The ability of a Formula SAE sports car to negotiate a turn in a race is influenced by many parameters which include car's overall geometry, its shape, weight distribution, type of suspension used, spring and shock absorber characteristics that are used in the tire properties, static and dynamic loading. Steady-state cornering implies that the forces acting on the vehicle are unchanging for a given time. The suspension uprights form a connection between the wheel assembly and the suspension linkages. The criticality of the upright is that it is considered an un-suspended body, but in fact, it is subjected to very high stresses. The dynamic load imposed on the vehicle from various road conditions, cornering, braking and suspension assembly constraints generate stress on the upright body. The equations of motion generally govern vehicle dynamics. For a kinematic and rigid body dynamics analysis, a multibody dynamics (MBD) approach is popular. The results of the dynamic analysis yield internal loads which are used to analyze suspension components for structural stiffness and strength. Automotive companies with relatively lower structural loads have made the MBD approach popular because it is supposed to be computationally less expensive. Elastodynamics is an alternative approach to solving dynamics equations while considering the components to be elastic. This approach can capture the inertial and elastic responses of the components and the load path with varying positions of the components in a mechanism. In this research, a quarter-car suspension is modeled in a finite element code (Abaqus®), focusing on the vehicle upright but still modeling the connections and interactions of the quarter-car suspension system of a FSAE vehicle. The BEAM element modeling used for the suspension members captures the bending response. The overall model is created by making computationally conscious decisions, debugging and refining the interactions and connections to be representative. The modeling technique to create elastodynamic models is explored and established with a versatile set of suspension components and interactions providing a good experience with finite element modeling. The models are created with incremental steps and early steps are verified with hand calculations. A further vehicle verification and validation plan is the next immediate priority to gain confidence in the model for accurate simulations which can be used to predict accurate structural and dynamic results. With extending the model capabilities and computational capabilities, a quarter-car suspension model is powerful enough to run the entire track simulations for formula races and even durability load cases for commercial vehicles. Fatigue loading and abusive test cases would be the load cases to investigate possible failure modes. The quarter-car suspension model is a framework with different interactions, connections, components, boundary conditions and loads that are representative for different suspension configurations in different vehicles. The best practices of this modeling exercise are established and scalability to defeature or add details while preserving the connection behavior is achieved. / Master of Science / Automotive suspension analysis includes analysis the design of suspension components. In automotive parlance, suspension includes the wheel subassembly, brakes, tires, shock absorbers, subframes and the steering system. A quarter-car model is incorporated in this research to analyse a Formula SAE suspension. The quarter-car model is representative of relevant vehicle dynamics within the scope of this research. The suspension of the vehicle governs the “attitude” of the vehicle; it is a foundation on which the behavior of the car is built when it responds to operator wishes and terrain. Necessary but not sufficient for a great car is addressing multiple issues around strength and stiffness of the components during vehicle maneuvers. These issues are pulled against cost and packaging issues as jelly sets for engineering design with only a small number of physical iterations. Finite element analysis employs its powerful solving capabilities to run an elastodynamic simulation. The representation of the component’s elasticity yields elastic responses that can be observed and evaluated virtually for engineering design. Current state-of-the-art methods rely on rigid body analysis to develop dynamic simulations which do not show elastic response or response due to complex interactions between the components. The elastodynamic model built for this research is scalable to include detail or defeatured components without losing their interactions and connection behaviors – examples include – rod end joints, bearing interference fits and bell crank connections for a pull rod suspension. Several finite element modeling practices are established as part of this research to build a popular problem in the automotive industry – quarter-car suspension model. The elastodynamic model is verified along the journey by building simpler building-block models. Further validation of the elastodynamic model is required for complete confidence – the path to which is covered in this thesis.

The suspension system is one of the most sensitive systems of a vehicle as it affects the dynamic behavior of the vehicle with even minor changes. These systems are designed to carry out multiple tasks such as isolating the vehicle body from the road/tire vibrations as well as achieving desired ride and handling performance levels in both steady state and limit handling conditions. The damping coefficient of the damper plays a crucial role in determining the overall frequency response of the suspension system. Considerable research has been carried out on semi active damper systems as the damping coefficient can be varied without the system requiring significant external power giving them advantages over both passive and fully active suspension systems. Dampers behave as non-linear systems at higher frequencies and hence it has been difficult to develop accurate models for its full range of motion. This study aims to develop a velocity sensitive damper model using artificial neural networks and essentially provide a 'black-box' model which encapsulates the non-linear behavior of the damper. A feed-forward neural network was developed by testing a semi active damper on a shock dynamometer at CenTiRe for multiple frequencies and damping ratios. This data was used for supervised training of the network using MATLAB Neural Network Toolbox. The developed NN model was evaluated for its prediction accuracy. Further, the developed damper model was analyzed for feasibility of use for simulations and controls by integrating it in a Simulink based quarter car model and applying the well-known skyhook control strategy. Finally, effects on ride and handling dynamics were evaluated in Carsim by replacing the default damper model with the proposed model. It was established that this damper modeling technique can be used to help evaluate the behavior of the damper on both component as well as vehicle level without needing to develop a complex physics based model. This can be especially beneficial in the earlier stages of vehicle development. / Master of Science / The suspension system is one of the most sensitive systems of a vehicle as it affects the dynamic behavior of the vehicle with even minor changes. These systems are designed to carry out multiple tasks such as absorbing shocks from the road as well as improving the handling of the vehicle for a smoother and safer drive. The level of firmness of the shock absorber/damper plays a crucial role in determining the overall behavior of the suspension system. Considerable research has been carried out on semi active damper systems as the damper stiffness can be varied quickly and easily as compared to other passive and fully active damper systems. Dampers are complex systems to model especially for high speed operations and hence it has been difficult to develop accurate mathematical models for its full range of motion. This study aims to develop an accurate mathematical model for a semi active damper using artificial neural networks. A semi active damper was fabricated and tested on a shock dynamometer at CenTiRe for multiple speeds and stiffness values. Thistest data obtained was used for training of the mathematical model using the computer software MATLAB. The developed model was evaluated for its accuracy and further analyzed for feasibility of use in computer simulations. It was established that this damper modeling technique can be used to help evaluate the behavior of the damper with high accuracy while still running the simulations relatively quickly whereas in current simulations compromise has to be made on at least the accuracy of the model or the simulation speed. This can be especially beneficial in the earlier stages of vehicle development.

This thesis deals by the design of 1/4 car model for testing vehicle dampers, which can be used to simulate the real suspension of a vehicle wheel (up to a maximum car weight of 1,970 kg) and the so-called linear wheel suspension. A linear mathematical 1/4 car model with 2 DOF (Degrees Of Freedom) and data from literature search are used to design and derive the basic parameters of the device. The thesis contains a description of the linear mathematical model and its outputs (acceleration of the sprung mass and forces acting on the sprung mass), description of designed device, descriptions of created simulations (static, modal and harmonic analysis in ANSYS Workbench 2020 R2) and conceptual design of the modifications this device for another possible use for testing of bicycles.

[pt] A Mecânica da Fratura é uma área da mecânica clássica que estuda os processos que podem resultar no surgimento e propagação de fraturas e trincas nos materiais. Seus conceitos podem ser empregados em diversas áreas, como, por exemplo, no desenvolvimento de novos materiais, na área industrial (auxiliando na definição dos parâmetros de criticidade de defeitos) e em projetos estruturais, onde a presença de descontinuidades pode resultar na diminuição da resistência do material, levando-o ao colapso estrutural. As fraturas podem surgir como defeitos básicos nos materiais constituintes dos elementos, podem ser induzidas nos processos de construção ou, ainda, podem ser desenvolvidas durante a vida útil da estrutura. O estudo do comportamento de uma fratura é fundamental para a verificação coerente de tensões e deformações nos projetos estruturais. Alguns autores apresentaram diferentes metodologias para o cálculo de parâmetros importantes associados à propagação de fraturas. Tais parâmetros podem variar de acordo com o comportamento do material, características geométricas, carregamentos, condições de contorno e configuração das trincas. Essas análises também podem ser validadas através de metodologias numéricas. O presente projeto tem por objetivo avaliar o Fator de Intensidade de Tensões a partir de análises numéricas de três casos de fratura com base nos conceitos da Mecânica da Fratura Linear Elástica (MFLE). Para tal, aplicaram-se duas técnicas de modelagem em Elementos Finitos: elementos quarter-point 2D e 3D e o Método dos Elementos Finitos Estendidos (XFEM) 3D. Por fim, os resultados obtidos são comparados com os resultados publicados na literatura. Apesar das vantagens associadas ao uso do XFEM para modelagem de fraturas, o cálculo pela integral de domínio para esta técnica apresenta oscilações nos valores fornecidos para as diferentes solicitações de contornos. A técnica de modelagem com Elementos Quarter-Points 2D e 3D apresenta resultados mais estáveis e próximos das soluções analíticas. / [en] Fracture Mechanics is an area of classical mechanics that studies processes that can result in the creation and propagation of fractures and cracks in materials. Its concepts can be utilized in many areas, such as, for example, the development of new materials, in the industrial area (to assist in the definition of defect criticality parameters) and in structural projects, where the presence of discontinuities can result in decreased material resistance, leading to its structural collapse. The fractures can emerge as basic defects in materials that constitute the structural elements, can be inducted in construction processes or could even be developed during the lifespan of the structure. Studying the behavior of a fracture is fundamental to verifying coherently stress and deformations on structural projects. Some authors presented different methodologies to calculate important parameters associated to the propagation of cracks. These parameters could vary according to the material behavior, geometrical characteristics, loads, boundary conditions and cracking patterns. Those analyses can also be validated through numerical methodologies. This present project aims at evaluating the Stress Intensity Factor from numerical analyses of three cracks cases based on the concepts of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). Two techniques of Finite Element modeling were considered: quarter-point elements 2D and 3D and Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) 3D. In the end, the results obtained are compared with results already published in the available literature. Despite the advantages associated with the use of XFEM for fracture modeling, the calculation of the stress intensity factor by the domain integral for this technique presents oscillations in the values provided for the different contour requests. The modeling technique with 2D and 3D quarter-points elements presents results that are more stable and closer to the analytical solutions.

[pt] O surgimento de trincas em projetos estruturais tem sido um problema para engenharia por algumas décadas, e uma das áreas onde este tópico é amplamente estudado é em aeronaves comerciais. Vários acidentes ocorreram nas últimas décadas devido ao aparecimento de uma trinca em aeronaves comerciais, e por essa razão o estudo da mecânica da fratura é tão importante para este campo da engenharia. Um componente estrutural é tolerante a danos se puder sustentar com segurança o comprimento crítico a trincas até que seja reparado ou sua vida econômica expire. Enrijecedores ou reforçadores têm a função principal de melhorar a resistência e estabilidade dessas estruturas e fornecer um meio de desacelerar ou parar a propagação de trincas em contenções nucleares, reatores, viadutos, edifícios altos, aeronaves, cascos de navios, pontes e estruturas offshore. Analisando o fator de intensidade de tensão e como o comportamento de uma folha com e sem reforços é diferente são alguns dos problemas estudados neste trabalho. O fator de intensidade de tensão (FIT), é um parâmetro que descreve a intensidade do campo de tensão singular, foi usado com sucesso para estimar a resistência à fratura e taxas de propagação de trinca por fadiga em situações em que as suposições de elasticidade são válidas. Neste trabalho, o FIT foi obtido para placas com reforços colados e rebitados, com base no método dos elementos finitos (MEF) utilizando elementos quarter point por meio de simulações realizadas no software ABAQUS. Forças no rebite foram calculadas para uma trinca com rebites e longarinas espaçadas uniformemente. Os resultados apresentados são comparados com os valores encontrados na literatura por meio de gráficos e mostram que o FIT é significativamente menor do que para uma folha não enrijecida para os casos de reforço estudados. / [en] The emergence of fractures in structural designs has been a problem for engineering for some decades, and one of the areas where this topic is widely studied is in commercial aircraft. Several accidents have occurred in the last decades due to the appearance of a fracture in commercial aircraft, and for this reason the study of fracture mechanics is so important for this field of engineering. A structural component is tolerant of damage if it can safely sustain critical length fractures until it is repaired or its economic life has expired. Reinforcers or stiffeners have the main function of improving the resistance and stability of these structures and providing a means of decelerating or stopping the propagation of fractures in nuclear containments, reactors, viaducts, tall buildings, aircraft, ship hulls, bridges and offshore structures. Analyzing the stress intensity factor and how the behavior of a sheet with and without stiffeners is different are some of the issues studied in this work. The stress-intensity factor (SIF), a parameter that describes the intensity of the singular stress field, has been used successfully to estimate fracture strength and fatigue crack growth rates in situations where the assumptions of linear elasticity are valid. In this work, the SIF was obtained for plates with adhesive and riveted reinforcements, based on the finite element method (FEM) using quarterpoint elements through simulations carried out in the ABAQUS software. Forces in the rivet were calculated for a crack with riveted and evenly spaced stringers. The complete results presented are compared with values found in the literature through graphs. The results show that the stress intensity factor for the hardened sheet is significantly lower than for an un-hardened sheet for both studied stiffener cases.

Women commonly sold goods on the streets of New Orleans throughout the city‘s colonial and antebellum history. Forming a significant presence among the city‘s market places, they sold various food items which included coffee, calas, and pralines. Perhaps the most popular of the African-American street vendors was the praline women. They attracted the attention of visitors as well as residents. Despite the popularity of these treats, the highly visible and enterprising praline vendors were simultaneously celebrated and caricatured by white observers who depicted them as mammy figures not only in store advertisements and logos, but also in everyday annotations.