La presente investigación corresponde a la evaluación de las propiedades mecánicas de la madera contralaminada (CLT) elaborados con una especie de mediana densidad mediante ensayos de resistencia para mejorar su comportamiento como muros estructurales en edificaciones. La aplicación de la madera laminada cruzada denominada también CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) como material estructural en la construcción de edificaciones permitiría un mejor aprovechamiento del potencial forestal de muchos países, haciendo que este sector sea más sostenible. Esta aplicación es factible siempre en cuando el material a emplear cumpla con las solicitaciones de resistencia que demanda su uso estructural y su proceso industrial sea compatible con las condiciones y la oferta existente en el entorno. Para lograr este propósito, se elaboraron prototipos de paneles CLT con madera Cachimbo, especie de mediana densidad denominado científicamente como Cariniana doméstica perteneciente a la familia Lecythidaceae. Se realizaron ensayos para determinar las propiedades mecánicas de resistencia a esfuerzos de compresión perpendicular y paralela a las fibras de las capas exteriores, esfuerzo de flexión y resistencia al corte. Los procedimientos fueron realizados siguiendo normativas de madera contralaminada como la española EN16351, el EC5 y la E.010 de madera. Los resultados obtenidos dan cuenta que los paneles CLT elaborados con Cachimbo son capaces de resistir los requerimientos de carga que podría demandar una edificación de mediana altura y cumple con los requisitos básicos especificados en las normativas. Las resistencias alcanzadas son similares a las obtenidas con maderas de tipo coníferas en estudios realizados en otros países, siguiendo los mismos criterios y normatividad. / The present investigation corresponds to the evaluation of the mechanical properties of the Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) made with medium density species by means of resistance tests to improve its behavior as structural walls in buildings. The application of the cross laminated wood also called CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) as structural material in the construction of buildings would allow a better use of the existing forest potential in many countries, making this sector more sustainable. This application is feasible as long as the material to be used complies with the stresses of resistance that its structural use demands, and its industrial process is compatible with the conditions and the existing offer in the environment. To achieve this purpose, prototypes of CLT panels were made with Cachimbo wood, a medium-density species scientifically called Carinianadomestic belonging to the Lecythidaceae family. Tests were carried out to determine the mechanical properties of resistance to perpendicular and parallel compression stresses to the fibers of the outer layers, bending stress and shear strength. The procedures were carried out following norms of contra-laminated wood such as the Spanish EN16351, the EC5 and the Peruvian E.010 wood regulations. The results obtained show that the CLT panels made with Cachimbo can withstand the load requirements that a medium-height building could demand and meets the basic requirements specified in the regulations. The strengths achieved are similar to obtained with coniferous woods in studies carried out in other countries, following the same criteria and regulations. / Trabajo de investigación

En la presente tesis se analiza el problema torsional extremo de un edificio en esquina de cuatro pisos y un semisótano. Los edificios en esquinas comúnmente presentan un diseño arquitectónico comercial, que aprovecha el perímetro colindante con la calle para poner ventanas y mamparas. Sin embargo, este diseño arquitectónico no toma en cuenta irregularidades estructurales. Una de las irregularidades es la torsional. La torsión es consecuencia de las excentricidades entre el Centro de Masa (CM) y el Centro de Rigidez (CR) en ambos ejes. Para la presente tesis se plantea la siguiente hipótesis: “El caso en estudio presenta irregularidad torsional extrema dada su arquitectura y su ubicación en esquina. Esta irregularidad no está permitida según Norma en Edificaciones categoría “C” y con zonificación 4, por lo que se deberá aumentar la rigidez en zonas críticas. Esta rigidez no depende del incremento de gran longitud de placas sino de su espesor y su ubicación dentro de la estructuración, para su demostración se proponen cinco modelos que se analizan sísmicamente empleando la Norma Técnica E030-2016 teniendo como punto de partida, los planos de arquitectura y una estructuración base; para luego escoger uno de los cinco modelos y realizar el correspondiente diseño estructural de todos los elementos de la edificación”. Además, la tesis tiene como valor añadido el análisis torsional bajo tres normas técnicas de Sismoresistencia de los años 2003, 2016 y 2018, con el objetivo de encontrar diferencias sustanciales entre ellas. Además, se plantea realizar el respectivo análisis Tiempo-Historia del modelo solución. / In this thesis the extreme torsional problem of a four-story corner building and a basement is analyzed. The buildings in controlled corners have a commercial architectural design, which takes advantage of the perimeter adjacent to the street to put windows and screens. However, this architectural design does not take into account structural irregularities. One of the irregularities is the torsional one. The torsion is a consequence of the eccentricities between the Mass Center (CM) and the Rigidity Center (CR) in both axes. For the present thesis, the following hypothesis is proposed: “The case under study presents extreme torsional irregularity given its architecture and its corner location. This irregularity is not allowed according to Standard in Buildings category "C" and with zoning 4, so the rigidity in critical areas will be increased. This rigidity does not depend on the increase of large length of plates but on its thickness and its location within the structuring For its demonstration, five models are proposed, which are analyzed seismically using Technical Standard E030-2016, taking as a starting point the architectural plans and a basic structuring; then choose one of the five models and make the corresponding structural design of all the elements of the building”. In addition, the thesis has as an added value the torsional analysis under three technical standards of earthquake resistance of the years 2003, 2016 and 2018, with the objective of finding substantial differences between them. In addition, it is proposed to perform the respectful Time-History analysis of the solution model. / Tesis

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / The aim of this article is to use artificial neural networks (ANN) to perform the structural design of confined masonry buildings. ANN is easy to operate and allows to reduce the time and cost of seismic designs. To generate the artificial neural network, training models (traditional confined masonry designs) are used to identify the input and output parameters. From this, the final architecture and activation functions are defined for each layer of the ANN. Finally, ANN training is carried out using the backpropagation algorithm to obtain the matrix of weights and thresholds that allow the network to operate and provide preliminary structural designs with a 10% margin of error, with respect to the traditional design, in the dimensions and reinforcements of the structural elements.

Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) possess many desirable qualities for the long-term sustainability of electrified transportation such as cheap production costs and simple, robust configurations. However, high acoustic noise and torque ripple are two performance imperfections that have prevented the widespread implementation of SRMs. This thesis investigates design techniques to reduce the acoustic noise produced by an 8/6 SRM while also analyzing the impact each design has on the motor’s performance. The fundamentals of SRMs are discussed including the operating principles, modelling and control strategies. The multiphysics finite element analysis (FEA) toolchain used to accurately model acoustic noise and vibrations of SRMs is described. Using the network of FEA tools, nodal forces and natural frequencies of a four phase 8/6 SRM are analyzed to study the acoustic noise and vibration behaviours. The FEA process is validated experimentally by matching measured vibration modes and acoustic noise sound pressure level (SPL) with FEA numerical results. Through inspiration from an extensive literature review, various design techniques are applied to a baseline four phase 8/6 SRM and compared for both acoustic noise reduction and EM performance criteria. The investigated designs were split into two categories, stator-housing modifications that aim to increase the stiffness of the assembly and rotor modifications that aim to reduce the magnitude of radial forces while preserving performance. The best design strategies as determined by the comparative analysis were then further optimized to combine the best techniques together for the 8/6 SRM. The proposed structural improvements included the modifications of the stator yoke shape along with increasing the number of fastening components involved in the assembly. Additionally, an iterative procedure for the parametric modelling of windows introduced to the rotor poles is outlined. The best design considerations are combined to create the design of a novel 8/6 SRM which significantly reduces the acoustic noise produced by the motor with little impact to performance. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The semi-analytical method, widely used for calculating derivatives of static response with respect to design variables for structures modeled by finite elements, is studied in this research. The research shows that the method can have serious accuracy problems for shape design variables in structures modeled by beam, plate, truss, frame, and solid elements. Local and global indices are developed to test the accuracy of the semi-analytical method. The local indices provide insight into the problem of large errors for the semi-analytical method. Local error magnification indices are developed for beam and plane truss structures, and several examples showing the severity of the problem are presented. The global index provides us with a general method for checking the accuracy of the semi-analytical method for any type of model. It characterizes the difference in errors between a general finite-difference method and the semi-analytical method. Moreover, a method improving the accuracy of the semi-analytical method (when possible) is provided. Examples are presented showing the use of the global index. / Ph. D.

This thesis presents the results of a study of several reanalysis procedures as applied to the fully stressed design of rigid-framed structures. The objective of the research project undertaken was to: (1) provide a literature review presenting state-of-the-art techniques used in reanalysis, (2) introduce two methods of reanalysis which are developed and used in this study, (3) conduct studies to evaluate the feasibility of each of these methods, and (4) present recommendations pertaining to the use of reanalysis methods. The two methods include an exact method (matrix displacement method) and an approximate method, labeled the modified stress method in this paper. The results of several example problems show that the approximate method produces accurate results while reducing the required computer solution time. Finally, a discussion of applications of reanalysis to other phases of structural analysis/design, particularly in the area of structural optimization, is presented in conclusion of this project. / M.S.

The integrated design of a structure and its control system was treated as a multiobjective optimization problem. Structural mass, a quadratic performance index, and the flutter speed constituted the vector objective function. The closed-loop performance index was taken as the time integral of the Hamiltonian. Constraints on natural frequencies and aeroelastic damping were also considered. Derivatives of the objective and constraint functions with respect to structural and control design variables were derived for a finite element beam model of the structure and constant feedback gains determined by Independent Modal Space Control. Pareto optimal designs generated for a simple beam and a tetrahedral truss demonstrated the benefit of solving the integrated structural and control optimization problem. The use of quasi-steady aerodynamic strip theory with a thin-wall box beam model showed that the integrated design for a high aspect ratio, unswept, straight, isotropic wing can be separable. Finally, an efficient modal solution of the flutter equation facilitated the aeroelastic tailoring of a low aspect ratio, forward swept, composite plate wing model. / Ph. D.

no abstract provided by author / Master of Science

A novel hip exoskeleton with six degrees of freedom (DoF) was developed, and multiple prototypes of this product were created in this thesis. The device was an upper level of the 12-DoF lower-body exoskeleton project, which was known as the Orthotic Lower-body Locomotion Exoskeleton (OLL-E). The hip exoskeleton had three motions per leg, which were roll, yaw, and pitch. Currently, the sufferers of hemiplegia and paraplegia can be addressed by using a wheelchair or operating an exoskeleton with aids for balancing. The motivation of the exoskeleton project was to allow paraplegic patients to walk without using aids such as a walker or crutches. In mechanical design, the hip exoskeleton was developed to mimic the behavior of a healthy person closely. The hip exoskeleton will be fully powered by a custom linear actuator for each joint. To date, there are no exoskeleton products that are designed to have all of the hip joints powered. Thus, packaging of actuators was also involved in the mechanical design of the hip exoskeleton. As a result, the output torque and speed for the roll joint and yaw joint were calculated. Each hip joint was structurally designed with properly selected bearings, encoder, and hard stops. Their range of motions met desired requirements. In addition, a backpack assembly was designed for mounting the hardware, such as cooling pumps, radiators, and batteries. In the verification part, finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted to show the robustness of the structural design. For fit testing, three wearable prototypes were produced to verify design choices. As a result, the weight of the current hip exoskeleton was measured as 32.1 kg. / Master of Science / Currently, patients who suffer from paraplegia are commonly treated with wheelchairs. However, the drawbacks of using wheelchairs introduced new medical challenges. One of the medical issues is the decrease in bone density. To address these medical problems and increase the quality of life of patients, lower-body exoskeletons are produced to assist with walking. To date, most of the current exoskeleton products require aids for balancing patients’ walking, and they don’t have fully actuated joints at the hip. As for the hip exoskeleton introduced in this thesis, all of the hip joints will be powered. Also, this device was the upper design of the Orthotic Lower-body Locomotion Exoskeleton (OLL-E), which aimed to create a self-balancing exoskeleton with total 12 of lower-body joints powered. The final goal of OLL-E is to assist the patient to walk at normal human speed without using aids. This thesis discusses the process of designing a hip exoskeleton, which starts from requirements development to modeling and prototype tests. The conservative calculations and assumptions made in this paper guided the structural design of the hip exoskeleton. The robustness of the structures was ensured with rigorous finite element analysis. In the end, wearable prototypes were produced to examine the fitting tests. Overall, this design of the hip exoskeleton provided critical references for the future development of the OLL-E.

A method is presented for the calculation of the crippling stress of structural sections as a function of material properties and the proportions of the section. The presence of formed or anisotropic material is accounted for by the use of an effective stress-strain curve in defining the material properties. The method applies to many sections for which a procedure for calculating crippling was not previously available.. / Master of Science