Cette étude s’intéresse à la modélisation du comportement thermoviscoplastique ainsi qu’à la rupture d’un acier de construction « S355NL » et d’un acier à blindage naval. Une campagne expérimentale a permis d’observer la réponse mécanique de ces matériaux sur une large gamme de condition de sollicitation, notamment leurs sensibilités à la vitesse de déformation ( de 〖10〗^(-3) à ~〖10〗^4 s^(-1)) et à la température (de -100 à 200 °C). Ces résultats ont été exploités lors de l’identification de lois de comportement permettant de représenter précisément le comportement mécanique de ces matériaux. Afin d’améliorer la description de la sensibilité à la vitesse de déformation, un nouvelle approche a également été développée. Une fois ces lois déterminées, elles ont été utilisées dans des simulations numériques modélisant l’impact d’un projectile sur ces aciers. Les résultats obtenus ont été comparés avec les essais expérimentaux correspondant afin d’estimer la fiabilité des données et des hypothèses utilisées lors des simulations. / The present study deals with the modelling of the thermo-viscoplastic behaviour and the failure of a structural steel “S355NL” and a naval armour steel. An experimental campaign have been performed to observe the mechanical response of these material over a wide range of conditions, especially their sensitivities to the strain rate (from 〖10〗^(-3) to ~〖10〗^4 s^(-1)) and to the temperature (from -100 to 200 °C). The obtained results have been used to identify the parameters of several constitutive relations. A new approach have been developed to improve the description of the strain rate sensitivity. These relations have been implemented in numerical simulation to model the impact of a projectile on these steels. The obtained results have been compared with corresponding experimental tests in order to assess the reliability of the data and the hypothesis used in the simulations.

Submitted by Marcos Anselmo (marcos.anselmo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2017-06-12T13:51:00Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) RAIMY COSTA MARTINS.pdf: 1412873 bytes, checksum: 1a015a5d3ada01cbd7dea500b27c388a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcos Anselmo (marcos.anselmo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2017-06-12T13:51:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) RAIMY COSTA MARTINS.pdf: 1412873 bytes, checksum: 1a015a5d3ada01cbd7dea500b27c388a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-12T13:51:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) RAIMY COSTA MARTINS.pdf: 1412873 bytes, checksum: 1a015a5d3ada01cbd7dea500b27c388a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-21 / O “coração atleta” é o termo designado para caracterizar as adaptações cardíacas funcionais e anatômicas secundárias ao treinamento físico intenso e prolongado em humanos e animais. O ecocardiograma desempenha papel fundamental em distinguir as adaptações fisiológicas secundárias ao exercício, outrossim, as recentes técnicas introduzidas como Speckle Tracking (Ste) têm permitido obter informações relevantes a respeito da função cardíaca em humanos atletas. Desta forma, objetivou-se avaliar por meio do ecocardiograma, a estrutura e função sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo de cães praticantes de pastoreio há no mínimo quatro meses, cinco a seis vezes por semana, de quatro a oito horas por dia. Para tanto, 31 cães foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo pastoreio (GP, n=15) e grupo sedentário (GS, n=16), avaliados em um único momento, em repouso, e posteriormente submetidas a análise de variância, multivariada (ANOVA), dois por dois, em nível de significância à 95% (p<0,05) e tendência à 90% (p<0.1). Os cães do GP apresentaram maiores valores de diâmetro interno do ventrículo esquerdo ao final da sístole (GP: 2,72 ± 0,09; GS: 2,43 ± 0,09; P<0,034) indicando predomínio isotônico desta atividade. O volume sistólico apresentou-se maior no GP (GP: 28,51 ± 2,20; GS: 22,13 ± 2,17; P<0,049), enquanto o índice de performance miocárdica do ventrículo esquerdo (GP: 0,37 ± 0,03; GS: 0,46 ± 0,03; P<0,028) e o movimento sistólico septal (GP: 0,13 ± 0,01; GS: 0,15 ± 0,01; P<0,044) foram menores em relação ao GS, indicando melhor função cardíaca sisto-diastólica nos cães de pastoreio. Por meio da técnica Ste foi possível observar diminuição dos valores de strain e ou strain rate de alguns segmentos nos cães do GP, nos sentidos radial, circunferencial, longitudinal e transversal em relação ao GS, indicando menor necessidade de deformação miocárdica para a manutenção da função sistólica. Os resultados encontrados indicam que as variáveis ecocardiográficas convencionais (estruturais e funcionais), teciduais e provenientes da técnica STe, foram complementares e fundamentais para a compreensão das adaptações cardiovasculares em cães de pastoreio. / The "athlete's heart" is the term designed to characterize functional and anatomic cardiac adaptations secondary to intense and prolonged physical training in humans and animals. The echocardiogram plays a fundamental role in distinguishing the physiological adaptations secondary to exercise, also, the recent techniques introduced as Speckle Tracking Echocardiography have allowed us to obtain relevant information regarding cardiac function in human athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the structure and systolic function of the left ventricle of dogs practicing herding for at least four months, five to six times a week, from four to eight hours a day using echocardiography. For this, 31 dogs were divided into two groups: herding group (GP, n=15) and sedentary group (GS, n=16), evaluated in a single moment, at rest, and then submitted the multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), two by two, at the level of significance at 95% (p<0,05) and tendency to 90% (p<0.1). The GP dogs showed higher values of internal diameter of the ventricle at the end of systole (GP: 2,72 ± 0,09; GS: 2,43 ± 0,09; P<0,034), indicating isotonic predominance of this activity. At respect functional adaptations variables, systolic volume was higher in GP (GP: 28,51 ± 2,20; GS: 22,13 ± 2,17; P<0,049), differently from myocardial performance index of the left ventricle (GP: 0,37 ± 0,03; GS: 0,46 ± 0,03; P<0,028) and septal systolic moviment to GS (GP: 0,13 ± 0,01; GS: 0,15 ± 0,01; P<0,044). By means of the Ste technique, it was possible to observe a decrease in the strain and or strain rate values in GP dogs, in the radial, circumferential, longitudinal and transverse directions in relation to GS, indicating a lower need for myocardial deformation to maintain systolic function. The results indicate that the conventional echocardiographic variables (structural and functional) and tissue, obtained by the STe technique, were complementary and essential for the understanding of cardiovascular adaptations in herding dogs.

Les joints adhésifs sont de plus en plus utilisés dans des structures industrielles critiques. Ils sont donc susceptibles de subir des chargements dynamiques complexes. Les méthodes de caractérisation dynamiques existantes ne caractérisent pas seulement le joint adhésif, mais l'assemblage collé tout entier. Cette thèse propose une méthode innovante pour caractériser un joint adhésif sous sollicitations dynamiques multiaxiales. La méthode expérimentale repose sur trois éléments principaux: i) un système de barres d'Hopkinson conventionnel (SHPB), ii) une nouvelle géométrie d'éprouvette, nommée DODECA, qui permet d'appliquer trois chargements multiaxiaux différents et iii) des mesures locales de déformation et de contrainte par corrélation d'images. La contrainte et la déformation dans le joint adhésif sont estimées directement à partir des données expérimentales pendant le chargement jusqu'au point de rupture. Une autre approche basée sur la méthode FEMU (Finite Element Model Updating) a été utilisée pour compléter le modèle du joint adhésif. Une méthode inverse numérique a été développée pour obtenir les paramètres élastiques, plastiques et de rupture du joint adhésif. De plus, des outils qualitatifs ont été proposés pour estimer les incertitudes sur les paramètres identifiés. Ce travail a prouvé l'intérêt de l'imagerie rapide locale pour caractériser les joints adhésifs.Cette méthode innovante a été validée sur une autre éprouvette nommée BIADH45. Cette dernière étude a aussi mis l'accent sur de nouveaux domaines de recherche : en particulier, le rôle des interfaces dans la rupture du joint adhésif et l'intérêt des substrats en CMO dans la caractérisation dynamique des joints adhésifs. / Adhesive joints are increasingly employed for bonding critical parts of industrial structures. Therefore, they are subject to complex dynamic loadings. Existing dynamic characterization techniques do not characterize only the adhesive joint, but the complete assembly. This thesis proposes an innovative experimental technique for the characterization of adhesive joints under dynamic multiaxial loadings. The experimental method relies on three main components: i) a conventional split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus, ii) a novel specimen, denoted as DODECA, which enables testing of three distinct multiaxial loadings using the same method and iii) local strain and stress measurements performed by digital image correlation (DIC). The stress and strain in the adhesive joint are estimated directly from the experimental data both during loading and at the failure point. Another approach based on the Finite Element Model Updating method (FEMU) has been used to complete the adhesive joint model. A numerical inverse method has been developed to obtain elastic, plastic and fracture parameters. Besides, qualitative tools have been proposed to estimate uncertainties on identified parameters. This work has proven the value of local high-speed imaging to characterize adhesive joints.This innovative method has been validated on another specimen denoted as BIADH45. This last study has also emphasized new research interests : in particular, the role of the interfaces in the adhesive joint failure and the benefit of substrates in CMO in dynamic characterization of adhesive joints.

Contraint de respecter les réglementations environnementales concernant les émissions de CO2, les industriels du secteur automobile se doivent de lever certains verrous technologiques associés à l’allègement des structures au sein de leur véhicule. L’introduction des matériaux composites dans le développement et la production de pièces structurantes est envisagée comme étant une des solutions les plus efficaces à moyen et long terme. L’optimisation des coûts matière, caractéristique de cette industrie de masse, nécessite de maîtriser le comportement physique de matériaux composites à matrice thermoplastique et à fibres de verre continues tissées. En termes de coût et de variétés d’applications, ces derniers sont considérés aujourd’hui comme une alternative pertinente aux onéreux composites utilisés dans l’aéronautique. Un renfort de porte pour crash latéral a été ainsi développé et les travaux présentés dans cette thèse sont une contribution à la compréhension, la caractérisation et à la prédiction numérique du comportement jusqu’à rupture de cette pièce, qui lors d’un crash est soumise à de forts gradients de vitesses. Au regard de l’absence de normalisation ou de consensus liés aux essais dynamiques sur matériaux composites, nous proposons une procédure expérimentale robuste, garantissant la représentativité de la caractérisation du comportement sur un spectre de vitesses quasi-statiques et dynamiques. La validation des étapes de la procédure et l’utilisation d’un montage d’essais dynamiques développé dans ces travaux permettent d’aboutir à une base de données riche, et utile à une procédure d’identification des paramètres d’un modèle phénoménologique prenant en compte l’influence de la vitesse sur l’évolution des phénomènes dissipatifs jusqu’à rupture. Fort d’une identification majoritairement directe, la précision de la réponse numérique issue de la loi de comportement identifiée est évaluée et validée à l’aide de calculs de structures faisant intervenir d’importants gradients matériels et structurels. / Car manufacturers are looking for solutions to lighten their vehicles in order to meet pollutant emission requirements – for thermal engines – or to extend their range – for electric vehicles. Composite materials, among other solutions, offer excellent strength and durability. However increased per unit cost and manufacturing time are among the main drawbacks material producers have to overcome in order to make composite solutions viable for mass-market production. In that prospect, woven glass fibers and thermoplastic matrices respectively are more serious contenders than aeronautic-grade composites. The objective application is a door reinforcement module, whose main function is to act as a safety net, adding its own stiffness and strength to that of the steel door and preventing any foreign object from entering the passenger compartment. A main preoccupation is therefore the constitutive behavior of that material under strain rates varying from 10-3 s-1 to approximately 50 s-1. The study objective is to develop a physically-based constitutive law modelling in order to take into account strain-rate sensitivity on behavior. A new and consistent experimental procedure aiming at capturing the influence of speed solicitation on non-linear internal mechanisms is developed and allows identifying non-linear constitutive law parameters over a wide range of strain rates until failure. Resulting mainly from direct evaluations and direct identification procedure, the accuracy of the implemented constitutive law is guaranteed through numerical computations involving effects of material and structural heterogeneities.

<p><b>En metod för dispersiv analys av försök med delad hopkinsonstång tillämpad på provning av granved vid hög töjningshastighet</b></p><p>Syftet var att etablera en metod för att studera sambandet mellan spänning och töjning för granved vid hög töjningshastighet. Detta åstadkoms genom att anpassa och något vidareutveckla tekniken med delad hopkinsonstång ("Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar", SHPB).</p><p>Vanligtvis har hopkinsonstavar cirkulärt tvärsnitt och en diameter som är mycket mindre än de verksamma våglängderna. Under sådana förhållanden är vågutbredningen i stängerna approximativt ickedispersiv, och en endimensionell (1D) vågutbredningsmodell kan användas. När det, som är fallet i denna studie, däremot inte kan säkerställas att stängernas tvärdimensioner är små i förhållande till våglängderna, är en helt igenom 1D vågutbredningsmodell otillräcklig, och tvärsnittets geometri, vilken var kvadratisk i denna studie, måste beaktas. Därför utvecklades med hjälp av Hamiltons princip en approximativ 3D vågutbredningsmodell för stänger med godtyckligt tvärsnitt. Modellen ger ett dispersionssamband (vågtal som funktion av vinkelfrekvens) samt medelvärden för förskjutningar och spänningar över gränsytorna mellan stänger och provstav. En kalibreringsprocedur utvecklades också.</p><p>Provning av granved genomfördes vid hög töjningshastighet (omkring 103 s-1) med den anpassade SHPB-tekniken, samt för jämförelse vid låg (8×10-3 s-1) och måttlig (17 s-1) töjningshastighet med en servohydraulisk provningsmaskin. Fukthalterna i veden motsvarade ugnstorr, fibermättnad och fullständig mättnad, och proven utfördes i radiell, tangentiell och axiell riktning i förhållande till trädets stam. För vart fall utfördes fem försök vid rumstemperatur. Resultaten visar töjningshastighetsberoendet för sambandet mellan spänning och töjning för granved under alla studerade förhållanden.</p> / <p>The aim was to establish a method for studying the relation between stress and strain in spruce wood at high strain rate. This was achieved by adapting and somewhat further developing the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) technique.</p><p>Hopkinson bars usually have a circular cross-section and a diameter much smaller than the operative wavelengths. The wave propagation in the bar is then approximately non-dispersive and a one-dimensional (1D) wave propagation model can be used. When, as in this study, it is not certain that the transverse dimensions of the bars are small in relation to the wavelengths, a solely 1D wave propagation model is insufficient and the geometry of the cross-section, which was square in this study, must be taken into account. Therefore, an approximate 3D wave propagation model for bars with arbitrary cross-section was developed using Hamilton's principle. The model provides a dispersion relation (wavenumber vs. angular frequency) and average values for displacements and stresses over the bar/specimen interfaces. A calibration procedure was also developed.</p><p>Tests on spruce wood specimens were carried out at a high strain rate (about 10³ s^-1) using the adapted SHPB technique, and for comparison at low (8×10^-3 s^-1) and medium (17 s^-1) strain rates using a servohydraulic testing machine. The moisture contents of the wood specimens corresponded to oven dry, fibre saturated and fully saturated, and the testing was performed in the radial, tangential and axial directions relative to the stem of the tree. In each case, five tests were run at room temperature. The results show the strain rate dependence of the relation between stress and strain for spruce wood under all conditions studied.</p>

<b>En metod för dispersiv analys av försök med delad hopkinsonstång tillämpad på provning av granved vid hög töjningshastighet</b> Syftet var att etablera en metod för att studera sambandet mellan spänning och töjning för granved vid hög töjningshastighet. Detta åstadkoms genom att anpassa och något vidareutveckla tekniken med delad hopkinsonstång ("Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar", SHPB). Vanligtvis har hopkinsonstavar cirkulärt tvärsnitt och en diameter som är mycket mindre än de verksamma våglängderna. Under sådana förhållanden är vågutbredningen i stängerna approximativt ickedispersiv, och en endimensionell (1D) vågutbredningsmodell kan användas. När det, som är fallet i denna studie, däremot inte kan säkerställas att stängernas tvärdimensioner är små i förhållande till våglängderna, är en helt igenom 1D vågutbredningsmodell otillräcklig, och tvärsnittets geometri, vilken var kvadratisk i denna studie, måste beaktas. Därför utvecklades med hjälp av Hamiltons princip en approximativ 3D vågutbredningsmodell för stänger med godtyckligt tvärsnitt. Modellen ger ett dispersionssamband (vågtal som funktion av vinkelfrekvens) samt medelvärden för förskjutningar och spänningar över gränsytorna mellan stänger och provstav. En kalibreringsprocedur utvecklades också. Provning av granved genomfördes vid hög töjningshastighet (omkring 103 s-1) med den anpassade SHPB-tekniken, samt för jämförelse vid låg (8×10-3 s-1) och måttlig (17 s-1) töjningshastighet med en servohydraulisk provningsmaskin. Fukthalterna i veden motsvarade ugnstorr, fibermättnad och fullständig mättnad, och proven utfördes i radiell, tangentiell och axiell riktning i förhållande till trädets stam. För vart fall utfördes fem försök vid rumstemperatur. Resultaten visar töjningshastighetsberoendet för sambandet mellan spänning och töjning för granved under alla studerade förhållanden. / The aim was to establish a method for studying the relation between stress and strain in spruce wood at high strain rate. This was achieved by adapting and somewhat further developing the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) technique. Hopkinson bars usually have a circular cross-section and a diameter much smaller than the operative wavelengths. The wave propagation in the bar is then approximately non-dispersive and a one-dimensional (1D) wave propagation model can be used. When, as in this study, it is not certain that the transverse dimensions of the bars are small in relation to the wavelengths, a solely 1D wave propagation model is insufficient and the geometry of the cross-section, which was square in this study, must be taken into account. Therefore, an approximate 3D wave propagation model for bars with arbitrary cross-section was developed using Hamilton's principle. The model provides a dispersion relation (wavenumber vs. angular frequency) and average values for displacements and stresses over the bar/specimen interfaces. A calibration procedure was also developed. Tests on spruce wood specimens were carried out at a high strain rate (about 103 s-1) using the adapted SHPB technique, and for comparison at low (8×10-3 s-1) and medium (17 s-1) strain rates using a servohydraulic testing machine. The moisture contents of the wood specimens corresponded to oven dry, fibre saturated and fully saturated, and the testing was performed in the radial, tangential and axial directions relative to the stem of the tree. In each case, five tests were run at room temperature. The results show the strain rate dependence of the relation between stress and strain for spruce wood under all conditions studied.

Mitigation of the blast risk associated with terrorist attacks and accidental explosions threatening critical infrastructure has become a topic of great interest in the civil engineering community, both in Canada and abroad. One method of mitigating blast risk is to retrofit vulnerable structures to resist the impulsive effects of blast loading. A comprehensive re-search program has been undertaken to develop fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) retrofit methodologies for structural and non-structural elements, specifically reinforced concrete slabs and walls, subjected to blast loading. The results of this investigation are equally valid for flexure dominant reinforced concrete beams subject to blast effects. The objective of the research program was to generate a large volume of research data for the development of blast-resistant design guidelines for externally bonded FRP retrofit systems. A combined experimental and analytical investigation was performed to achieve the objectives of the program. The experimental program involved the construction and simulated blast testing of a total of thirteen reinforced concrete wall and slab specimens divided into five companion sets. These specimens were subjected to a total of sixty simulated explosions generated at the University of Ottawa Shock Tube Testing Facility. Companion sets were designed to study one- and two-way bending, as well as the performance of specimens with simply-supported and fully-fixed boundary conditions. The majority of the specimens were retrofitted with externally bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets to improve overall load-deformation characteristics. Specimens within each companion set were subjected to progressively increasing pressure-impulse combinations to study component behaviour from elastic response up to inelastic component failure. The blast performance of companion as-built and retrofitted specimens was quantified in terms of measured load-deformation characteristics, and observed member behaviour throughout all stages of response. The results show that externally bonded FRP retrofits are an effective retrofit technique to improve the blast resistance of reinforced concrete structures, provided that debonding of the composite from the concrete substrate is prevented. The test results also indicate that FRP retrofitted reinforced concrete structures may survive initial inbound displacements, only to failure by moment reversals during the negative displacement phase. The experimental test data was used to verify analytical techniques to model the behaviour of reinforced concrete walls and slabs subjected to blast loading. The force-deformation characteristics of one-way wall strips were established using inelastic sectional and member analyses. The force-deformation characteristics of two-way slab plates were established using commonly accepted design approximations. The response of all specimens was computed by explicit solution of the single degree of freedom dynamic equation of motion. An equivalent static force procedure was used to analyze the response of CFRP retrofitted specimens which remained elastic after testing. The predicted maximum displacements and time-to-maximum displacements were compared against experimental results. The analysis indicates that the modelling procedures accurately describe the response characteristics of both retrofitted and unretrofitted specimens observed during the experiment.

Mitigation of the blast risk associated with terrorist attacks and accidental explosions threatening critical infrastructure has become a topic of great interest in the civil engineering community, both in Canada and abroad. One method of mitigating blast risk is to retrofit vulnerable structures to resist the impulsive effects of blast loading. A comprehensive re-search program has been undertaken to develop fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) retrofit methodologies for structural and non-structural elements, specifically reinforced concrete slabs and walls, subjected to blast loading. The results of this investigation are equally valid for flexure dominant reinforced concrete beams subject to blast effects. The objective of the research program was to generate a large volume of research data for the development of blast-resistant design guidelines for externally bonded FRP retrofit systems. A combined experimental and analytical investigation was performed to achieve the objectives of the program. The experimental program involved the construction and simulated blast testing of a total of thirteen reinforced concrete wall and slab specimens divided into five companion sets. These specimens were subjected to a total of sixty simulated explosions generated at the University of Ottawa Shock Tube Testing Facility. Companion sets were designed to study one- and two-way bending, as well as the performance of specimens with simply-supported and fully-fixed boundary conditions. The majority of the specimens were retrofitted with externally bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets to improve overall load-deformation characteristics. Specimens within each companion set were subjected to progressively increasing pressure-impulse combinations to study component behaviour from elastic response up to inelastic component failure. The blast performance of companion as-built and retrofitted specimens was quantified in terms of measured load-deformation characteristics, and observed member behaviour throughout all stages of response. The results show that externally bonded FRP retrofits are an effective retrofit technique to improve the blast resistance of reinforced concrete structures, provided that debonding of the composite from the concrete substrate is prevented. The test results also indicate that FRP retrofitted reinforced concrete structures may survive initial inbound displacements, only to failure by moment reversals during the negative displacement phase. The experimental test data was used to verify analytical techniques to model the behaviour of reinforced concrete walls and slabs subjected to blast loading. The force-deformation characteristics of one-way wall strips were established using inelastic sectional and member analyses. The force-deformation characteristics of two-way slab plates were established using commonly accepted design approximations. The response of all specimens was computed by explicit solution of the single degree of freedom dynamic equation of motion. An equivalent static force procedure was used to analyze the response of CFRP retrofitted specimens which remained elastic after testing. The predicted maximum displacements and time-to-maximum displacements were compared against experimental results. The analysis indicates that the modelling procedures accurately describe the response characteristics of both retrofitted and unretrofitted specimens observed during the experiment.

Concrete structures may be subjected to dynamic loading during their service life. Understanding the dynamic properties of concrete structures is becoming critical because of the increased concern about the dynamic loading of both civilian and military structures, and especially, the recent increase in terrorist attacks on structures. Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) is known to exhibit superior performance in its post-peak energy absorption capacity, (i.e., toughness) under flexural and tensile loading. However, the behavior of fiber reinforced concrete under compressive impact has not previously been investigated. In the present research, the response of fiber reinforced concrete was investigated over the full strain rate regime, from static loading to high strain rate loading, and finally to impact loading. The compressive toughness of FRC under static loading was studied using an existing Japanese standard (JSCE SF-5). Then, a test method for FRC under compressive impact loading was developed, involving the use of a high speed video camera system to measure the deformation of FRC cylinders under compressive impact. The strain rate sensitivity of FRC in both flexure and compression was also fully investigated. FRC was found to have higher strengths under impact loading (both flexural and compressive) than under static loading. The compressive toughness under impact loading increased due to the high peak load and the high strain capacity. FRC under flexural impact loading showed a greater strength improvement than under static flexure. FRC displays a much higher Dynamic Improvement Factor (DIF) under flexural impact than under compressive impact. It gave an overall higher performance under impact than under static loading. It also exhibited a higher strain rate sensitivity than plain concrete in both compression and flexure. Damage analysis, in terms of loss of strain energy, was carried out based on damage mechanics principles. Damage was found to increase with increasing strain rate. A new constitutive model was proposed to account for the relationship between DIF (Comp) and strain rate and the data derived from the model were found to be consistent with the experimental results.

Previous experimental observations have shown that the pseudoelastic response of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMA) is localized in nature and proceeds through nucleation and propagation of localized deformation bands. It has also been observed that the mechanical response of SMAs is strongly affected by loading rate and cyclic degradation. These behaviors significantly limit the accurate modeling of SMA elements used in various devices and applications. The aim of this work is to provide engineers with a constitutive model that can accurately describe the dynamic, unstable pseudoelastic response of SMAs, including their cyclic response, and facilitate the reliable design of SMA elements. A 1-D phenomenological model is developed to simulate the localized phase transformations in NiTi wires during both loading and unloading. In this model, it is assumed that the untransformed particles located close to the transformed regions are less stable than those further away from the transformed regions. By consideration of the thermomechanical coupling among the stress, temperature, and latent heat of transformation, the analysis can account for strain-rate effects. Inspired by the deformation theory of plasticity, the 1-D model is extended to a 3-D macromechanical model of localized unstable pseudoelasticity. An important feature of this model is the reorientation of the transformation strain tensor with changes in stress tensor. Unlike previous modeling efforts, the present model can also capture the propagation of localized deformation during unloading. The constitutive model is implemented within a 2-D finite element framework to allow numerical investigation of the effect of strain rate and boundary conditions on the overall mechanical response and evolution of localized transformation bands in NiTi strips. The model successfully captures the features of the transformation front morphology, and pseudoelastic response of NiTi strip samples observed in previous experiments. The 1-D and 3-D constitutive models are further extended to include the plastic deformation and degradation of material properties as a result of cyclic loading.