Thesis (PhD)--University of Western Australia, 2004.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--School of Computing and Engineering and Dept. of Geosciences. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2008. / "A dissertation in engineering and geosciences." Advisor: Anil Misra. Typescript. Vita. Title from "catalog record" of the print edition Description based on contents viewed Sept. 12, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 234-236). Online version of the print edition.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 208-217). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1996. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-122).

No description available.

A general framework is described for the solution of two-phase fluid-object interaction problems on the basis of coupling a distributed-Lagrange-multiplier fictitious domain method and a level-set method, intended for application to the problem of seabed scour by ice ridges. The resulting equations are discretized in space using stabilized finite-element methods and integrated in time using the generalized-α method. This approach is simple to implement and applicable to both structured and unstructured meshes in two and three dimensions. By means of examples, it is shown that despite the simplicity of the approach, good results are obtained in comparison with other more computationally demanding methods. A robust approach is utilized for constructing signed-distance functions on arbitrary meshes by introducing artificial numerical diffusivity to improve the robustness of classical signed-distance construction approaches without resorting to common pseudo-time relaxation. Under this approach, signed-distance functions can be rapidly constructed while preserving the numerical convergence properties and, generally, having minimal interfacial perturbation. The method is then applied with a modified deformation procedure for fast and efficient mesh adaptivity, including a discussion how it may be used in computational fluid dynamics. The two-phase fluid-object interaction approach is then customized for modeling of the seabed scour and soil-pipe interaction. In this approach, complex history-dependent soil constitutive models are replaced with a simple strain-rate dependent model. Utilization of this constitutive model along with the framework developed earlier leads to the treatment of seabed scour as a two-phase fluid-object interaction, and the soil-pipe interaction as a fluid-structure interaction problem without the need for remeshing. Good agreement with past experimental and numerical studies are obtained using our approach. The dissertation is concluded by conducting a parametric study of seabed scour in two- and three-dimensions. / text

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

A hybrid method based on three-dimensional finite element idealization in the near field and a semi-analytic scheme using the principles of wave propagation in multilayered half space in the far field is proposed for dynamic soil-structure interaction analysis. It combines the advantages of both the numerical and analytical techniques. A structure resting on the surface or embedded in a multilayered soil-medium and subjected to vertically propagating plane waves is analyzed by using the method. An important aspect of the soil-structure interaction problem considered is the presence of waves scattered from the soil-structure interface and geometrical irregularities in the soil. The dynamic response of an embedded structure of rectangular cross section to a vertically propagating compressional pulse is solved as an example problem. The proposed method is verified by comparison of its predictions with those from a finite element procedure with absorbing boundaries, and from an analytical solution. The results from the hybrid method compare well with those from the other two, with closer correlation between the hybrid and analytical methods.

Ce travail de thèse s’articule autour de la problématique de l’évolution de la première fréquence propre d’une éolienne en mer au cours de sa durée d’exploitation. Ce type de structure élancée est soumis à des chargements cycliques et dynamiques tels que le vent, les vagues, les courants marins, la rotation des pales. Ces chargements ont des fréquences de sollicitation proches de la première fréquence propre de l’éolienne, celle-ci s’inscrivant dans un intervalle restreint entre la fréquence du rotor et celle des pales. Afin d’éviter tout phénomène de résonance, il convient d’évaluer précisément à la fois la première fréquence propre de l’éolienne juste après son installation ainsi que son évolution au cours de son exploitation. Ces deux problématiques ont été considérées dans cette étude.Dans ce contexte, un travail expérimental a été réalisé autour de deux modèles physiques 1g d’éolienne en mer fondée sur monopieu et installée dans un massif de sable de Fontainebleau. En se basant sur une modélisation de la fondation à l’aide d’un ensemble de ressorts, latéral et de torsion, une série d’essais a été réalisée afin d’évaluer à la fois la raideur de ces ressorts, mais aussi la fréquence propre du modèle physique considéré. Cette méthode a été comparée à des méthodes existantes et a aussi permis le développement de méthodes originales. Réaliser les essais sur deux modèles à échelle différente (1/60 et 1/120) a permis d’adapter les résultats obtenus aux cas d’une éolienne à échelle 1. Enfin, dans le cadre de l’étude de l’évolution de la structure au cours de son exploitation, des essais de sollicitations cycliques ont été réalisés. Une étude paramétrique se concentrant sur l’influence de la fréquence de la sollicitation et de la force globale appliquée a été proposée. Les résultats obtenus permettent d’analyser le comportement des modèles réduits, soumis à un maximum d’un million de cycles, en se concentrant sur l’évolution du déplacement, de la rotation et de la fréquence propre de ces structures. Ces résultats sont comparés aux limites imposées pour l’état limite de service d’une éolienne grandeur réelle / This PhD thesis deals with the main issue which is the evolution of the first natural frequency of an offshore wind turbine. These slender structures are submitted to cyclic and dynamic loads such as wind, waves, currents, and the blade rotations. The frequencies related to these loads are close to the first natural frequency of the turbine, which lay in a narrow interval between the frequencies of the rotor and the blades. In order to avoid any resonance phenomenon, one needs a precise evaluation of not only the natural frequency of the wind turbine after its installation but also its evolution during the operation of the turbine. These two issues are considered in this work.In this context, an experimental work was developed considering two 1g physical models of an offshore wind turbine with a monopile foundation installed in Fontainebleau sand. Based on the modelling of the foundation as a set of lateral and rotational springs, an experimental program was developed in order to evaluate the stiffness of these springs and the natural frequency of the scaled models. This method was first compared to the existing methods and has allowed to develop some original methods to evaluate the natural frequency of the considered scaled model. The tests, conducted on two physical models with different scales (1/60 and 1/120), also allowed us to adapt the obtained results to a real offshore wind turbine. As a part of the study of the turbine’s evolution during its operation, cyclic load tests were conducted. A parametric study is proposed with a focus on the influence of the load’s frequency and its amplitude. The obtained results allowed us to analyze the behavior of the scaled models submitted up to one million cycles considering, mainly, the evolution of the displacement, the rotation, and the natural frequency of the structures. These results were then compared to the limits imposed by the serviceability limit state of a real offshore wind turbine