Conventional contact ultrasonic methods suffer from large variability, which is known to originate from a number of sources such as coupling variability, and the surface roughness at the transducer/specimen interface. The inherently small higherharmonic signals can be significantly influenced by the changes in contact conditions, especially in nonlinear ultrasonic measurements. For this reason, the noncontact generation and detection techniques are very attractive. This research first focuses on the optical generation of tone-burst surface acoustic waves in a metallic specimen. Two methods that use laser light as an optical source are compared for generating surface acoustics waves in the 5 MHz range. Both the shadow mask and diffraction grating are used to convert a laser pulse to a tone-burst signal pattern on the specimen. The generated signals are detected by a wedge transducer at a fixed location and then the harmonic contents in the generated signals and the repeatability of the methods are evaluated. Finally, the developed method is used to characterize the material nonlinearity of aluminum (Al 6061) and steel (A36). The results showed repeatable measurements for ablative signal excitation on aluminum.

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters affecting urban populations. Structural damage caused by the earthquakes varies depending not only on the seismic source and propagation properties but also on the soil properties. The amplitude and frequency content of seismic shear waves reaching the earth&rsquo / s surface is dependent on local soil conditions. It is well known that the soft sediments on top of hard bedrock can greatly amplify the ground motion and cause severe structural damage. When the fundamental period of the soil is close to the fundamental period of a structure, structural damage increases significantly. Estimation of the fundamental periods, amplification factors and types of soils is critical in terms of reduction of loss and casualties. For the reasons stated, estimation of dynamic behavior of soils has become one of the major topics of earthquake engineering. Studies for determining dynamic properties of soils depend fundamentally on the estimation of the S-wave velocity profiles, amplification factors and ground response. In this study first, the Multi-Mode Spatial Autocorrelation (MMSPAC) method is used to estimate the S-wave velocity profiles at the sites of interest. This method is different than the other ones in the sense that it works for the higher modes as well as the fundamental mode. In the second part, Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) method will be used on both microtremor and ground motion data. Finally, the amplification factors from alternative methods are compared with each other. Consistent results are obtained in terms of both fundamental frequencies and amplification factors.

In shallow water environments, sound propagation experiences multiple interactions with the surface/bottom interfaces, with hydrodynamic disturbances such as internal waves, and with tides and fronts. It is thus very difficult to make satisfactory predictions of sound propagation in shallow water. Given that many of the ocean characteristics can be modeled as stochastic processes, the statistical measure, spatial coherence, is consequently an important quantity. Spatial coherence provides valuable information for array performance predictions. However, for the case of long-range, low frequency propagation, studies of spatial coherence influenced by various environmental parameters are limited insofar as having the appropriate environmental data with which to model and interpret the results. The comprehensive Asian Seas International Experiment 2001 (ASIAEX01) examined acoustic propagation and scattering in shallow water. Environmental oceanographic data were taken simultaneously with the acoustic data. ASIAEX01 provided a unique data set which enabled separate study of the characteristics of the oceanographic features and their influence on long range sound propagation. In this thesis, the environmental descriptors considered include sediment sound speed and attenuation, background internal waves, episodic non-linear internal waves, and air-sea interface conditions. Using this environmental data, the acoustic data are analyzed to show the characteristics of spatial coherence in a shallow water waveguide. It is shown that spatial coherence can be used as an inversion parameter to extract geoacoustic information for the seabed. Environmental phenomena including internal waves and wind-generated surface waves are also studied. The spatial and temporal variations in the sound field induced by them are presented. In addition, a tank experiment is presented which simulates propagation in a shallow water waveguide over a short range. Based on the data model comparison results, the model proposed here is effective in addressing the major environmental effects on sound propagation in shallow water.

A mathematical model is developed for investigating time dependent surface deformations of a hydrostatic water volume, when it is subjected to a sudden partial collapse or rise of the sea bottom. The model solves two-dimensional Navier-Stokes Equations on a vertical plane numerically by using Marker and Cell Method (MAC) for viscous and compressible fluid including all the nonlinear effects in the solution. For demonstration, a vertical motion was given to a section in a hypothetical reservoir bed within a short time period and the resulting velocity and pressure fields and the surface profile of the water body are obtained. Computational and physical aspects are discussed.

Tide-topography coupling is important for understanding surface-tide energy loss, the intermittency of internal tides, and the cascade of internal-tide energy from large to small scales. Although tide-topography coupling has been observed and modeled for 50 years, the identification of surface and internal tides over arbitrary topography has not been standardized. Here, we begin by examining five surface/internal-tide decompositions and find that only one is (i) consistent with the normal-mode description of tides over a flat bottom, (ii) produces a physically meaningful depth-structure of internal-tide energy flux, and (iii) results in an established expression for internal-tide generation. Next, we examine the expression for internal-tide generation and identify how it is influenced by remotely-generated shoaling internal tides. We show that internal-tide generation is subject to both resonance and intermittency, and can not always be predicted from isolated regional models. Lastly, we quantify internal-tide generation and scattering on the Oregon Continental slope. First, we derive a previously unpublished expression for inter-modal energy conversion. Then we evaluate it using observations and numerical simulations. We find that the surface tide generates internal tides, which propagate offshore; while at the same time, low-mode internal tides shoal on the slope, scatter, and drive turbulent mixing. These results suggest that internal tides are unlikely to survive reflection from continental slopes, and that continental margins play an important role in deep-ocean tidal-energy dissipation. / Graduation date: 2011

L'aléa sismique d'un site donné peut être largement influencé par des effets de site. Afin d'évaluer ces effets, la structure locale du sous-sol ainsi que les propriétés du champ d'onde doivent être étudiées. Les ondes de surface (ondes de Love et de Rayleigh) s'avèrent utiles, leurs propriétés (courbes de dispersion, ellipticité des ondes de Rayleigh) étant directement liées à la structure du sous-sol. Le paramètre clé pour l'identification du type d'onde est la polarisation. Dans la première partie de la thèse, de nouvelles méthodes pour l'estimation de paramètres de polarisation d'ondes de surface sont développées. Deux méthodes, DELFI et RayDec, estiment l'ellipticité des ondes de Rayleigh à partir d'enregistrements d'un seul capteur sismique. La troisième méthode, MUSIQUE, est basée sur la méthode MUSIC et utilise les enregistrements multi-composantes de réseaux sismiques afin de distinguer ondes de Love et ondes de Rayleigh et d'estimer leurs propriétés. Dans la deuxième partie de la thèse, une étude théorique de l'inversion de courbes d'ellipticité montre quelles parties de ces courbes véhiculent les informations importantes sur la structure du sol et comment l'inversion peut être améliorée. Le schéma d'inversion résultant est alors testé en l'appliquant à des données réelles mesurées pour 14 sites européens. Finalement, 22 séismes enregistrés par un réseau de capteurs dans la vallée de Santa Clara en Californie sont analysés par MUSIQUE. La répartition azimutale, les courbes de dispersion, la courbe d'ellipticité et les énergies des différents types d'ondes sont analysées et soulignent l'importance des ondes de surface diffractées dans le champ d'ondes enregistré. / The seismic hazard of a given site can be largely influenced by site effects. In order to estimate these effects, the local soil structure and the wave field properties have to be investigated. This can be done using surface waves (Love and Rayleigh waves) since their properties (dispersion curves, Rayleigh wave ellipticity) are closely linked to the soil structure. The key parameter for the correct wave type identification is the polarization. In a first part of this thesis, three new methods to estimate the polarization parameters of surface waves have been developed. Two methods, DELFI and RayDec, estimate the Rayleigh wave ellipticity using the recordings of a single seismic station. The third method, MUSIQUE, is a further developed version of the MUSIC algorithm, and uses seismic array recordings to discriminate between Love and Rayleigh waves and estimate their respective properties. In the second part of the thesis, a theoretical investigation of the inversion of ellipticity curves shows which parts of an ellipticity curve carry the important information on the soil structure and by which means the inversion can be disambiguated. The developed inversion scheme is then tested on real data measurements obtained at 14 different European sites. Finally, the seismological wave field in the Californian Santa Clara valley is investigated applying MUSIQUE to seismic array recordings for 22 earthquakes. The azimuthal energy repartition between the different wave types is investigated and the respective dispersion curves as well as the Rayleigh wave ellipticity curve are estimated. This study outlines the importance of diffracted surface waves in the recorded wave field. STAR

L’interface air-eau est un milieu où la tension de surface intervient en permanence pour minimiser l’énergie de la surface. Cette force est à l’origine des phénomènes capillaires que les organismes semi-aquatiques exploitent. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’étudier l’importance de ces phénomènes dans l’écologie des organismes semi-aquatiques en prenant les gyrins comme modèle. Les résultats montrent que le ménisque bipolaire produit par les gyrins est responsable d’auto-assemblables statiques entre individus immobiles. Les gyrins utilisent également différents types de nage pour minimiser les forces de résistance qu’ils rencontrent, notamment la force liée à la production d’onde. L’étude expérimentale de la perception d’objets immobiles suggère la perception des ménisques par les gyrins. L’écholocation grâce aux ondes de surface, supposée dans la littérature, ne peut cependant être exclue. / The surface tension at the air-water interface is responsible for capillary phenomena minimizing surface energies. Semi-aquatic organisms have evolved to exploit this capillarity. The purpose of this thesis is to study the importance of capillary phenomena in the ecology of semi-aquatic organisms using whirligig beetles as a model. Results show that the bipolar meniscus produced around whirligig beetles is responsible for static self-assembly between individuals. These insects use different types of swimming to minimize resistance forces, especially the wave drag. The experimental study of the detection of immobile objects suggests that whirligig beetles perceive the menisci. Echolocation using surface waves, assumed in literature, cannot however be excluded.

[pt] Este trabalho apresenta uma investigação experimental do escoamento induzido pela interação entre uma pluma de bolhas e um escoamento cruzado oscilatório. Condições de escoamento similares podem ser encontrados em processos de aeração artificial utilizados na mitigação da poluição nos rios e na representação de vazamento de gás natural no fundo dos oceanos. No presente trabalho, ondas superficiais controladas foram inseridas em um canal de água para gerar oscilações na corrente do escoamento cruzado. As ondas foram geradas a partir de uma placa móvel na superfície da água e determinadas condições de escoamento instável foram selecionadas para a investigação. O ar foi injetado pelo fundo do canal para formar a pluma de bolhas. A técnica Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) foi empregada para medir a velocidade do escoamento. Antes da estimativa da velocidade, as imagens foram pré-processadas aplicando-se rotinas desenvolvidas no Matlab a fim de distinguir as partículas traçadoras das bolhas de ar e criar máscaras dinâmicas para as imagens do sistema PIV. Assim, o campo vetorial de velocidade foi estimado utilizando algoritmos padrão do PIV. Além disso, as propriedades das bolhas, como tamanho e velocidade, também foram estimadas a partir das imagens adquiridas. Finalmente, foi analisada a interação entre a pluma de bolhas com o escoamento cruzado instável. / [en] This work presents an experimental investigation of the flow field induced by the interaction between a bubble plume and an oscillating cross flow. Similar flow conditions can be found in artificial aeration processes used for mitigation of pollution contamination in rivers and submarine outfalls in coastal areas. The mixing zone is highly dependent of the flow field near the plume hence the efficiency of aeration processes. In the present work, controlled surface waves were introduced to generate oscillations in streamwise and wall normal components of the cross flow. The waves were excited with a moving paddle and unsteady flow conditions were selected for the investigation. Air was injected in the bottom wall of the water channel to form the bubble plume. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) techniques were employed to measure the velocity flow field. Prior to velocity estimation, images were pre-processed using Matlab routines in order to distinguish tracer particles from air bubbles and to create a dynamic mask for the PIV images. Thus, the velocity vector field was estimated using standard PIV algorithms. In addition, properties of the bubbles, such as size and velocity, were also estimated from the acquired images. Finally, the interaction between the bubble plume with the unsteady cross flow was analyzed.

La sismique pétrolière est un domaine d'innovation continue depuis plus d'un siècle. Une part non négligeable des études concerne la séparation des différentes ondes se propageant dans le milieu exploré, en particulier les ondes de surface. A petite profondeur, les ondes de surfaces servent à la tomographie. Bien les connaître et les modéliser permet d'imager la proche surface. Quand la prospection est tournée vers les grandes profondeurs – soit 95% de l'industrie géophysique - ces ondes masquent les ondes de volume qui contiennent les informations sur les couches profondes. Il est donc fondamental de pouvoir s'en affranchir et l'étape de séparation est des plus importantes. Les ondes de surface peuvent cependant être utilisées pour une meilleure connaissance de la proche surface, ce qui permet d'en déduire après coup des paramètres utilisables pour améliorer l'imagerie en profondeur. La recherche s'est renouvelée dans ce domaine du fait de l'impulsion récente donnée par l'imagerie sismique passive à partir du bruit sismique ambiant ou la mise en place de nouvelles géométries d'acquisition. En parallèle, l'étude des champs pétroliers existants pour une meilleure exploitation tend à se développer dans l'industrie. La maîtrise de l'imagerie 4D (3 dimensions d'espace + le temps, appliqués à la surveillance de réservoir) devient dès lors une activité clé pour la recherche dans laquelle les variations des paramètres du sous-sol sont estimées. Le travail de thèse réalisé est issu des constatations suivantes : - En dépit de travaux très riches, les ondes de surface représentent encore un sujet d'investigation important en exploration géophysique. - Les expérimentations à l'échelle du laboratoire restent relativement peu usitées en géophysiques, en particuliers pour des études impliquant un grand nombre de points de mesure. La première partie de la thèse a permis de valider un environnement de laboratoire adapté à l'étude des ondes de surfaces, en particulier la mise en évidence d'un mélange « ondes de surface – ondes de volume » analogue à celui rencontré lors d' acquisitions terrestres. Ceci a pu être réalisé grâce à des gels d'Agar-agar de forte densité et la mise en place d'une chaine d'acquisition automatisée impliquant des réseaux de sources et de récepteurs denses. Une deuxième partie a permis de séparer les ondes de surface et les ondes de volume à l'aide de traitement d'antennes. Après séparation des ondes, il devient possible de suivre leurs variations de temps d'arrivées en présence de modification du milieu en surface et/ou en profondeur comme dans le cas d'une surveillance de réservoir en sismique pétrolière (4D). Une étude 4D complète a donc été réalisée, permettant de suivre non seulement les variations de temps d'arrivées mais également d'amplitude et de directions de départ et d'arrivées des ondes. Une méthode pour compenser les variations de vitesses parasites de la proche surface à été développée. Cette étude a été complétée par une étude issue de données terrains. Les profils de vitesse rencontrés sur le terrain font état de vitesses relativement faibles en surface. La conséquence en est que les différentes ondes de volume issues de la profondeur arrivent avec des angles d'incidences faibles et voisins les uns des autres. Les méthodes classiques de séparation d'ondes étant souvent inefficaces à ces angles, un chapitre a été consacré à l'étude des algorithmes de haute résolution dans le cadre de l'exploration sismique. Enfin, en tirant partie de la haute densité spatiale de points d'acquisitions rendue possible par l'environnement mise en place, une étude comparée de deux dispositifs - l'un théoriquement idéal mais peu réaliste et l'autre économiquement viable sur le terrain mais moins efficace - a permis de s'attaquer au problème des ondes réfléchies sur des diffractants en surface qui perturbent beaucoup les acquisitions actuelles. Une nouvelle solution de filtrage a été proposée pour le deuxième cas. / Seismic exploration is a continuous innovation domain since more than one century. A significant part of the studies consists in separating the various waves propagating in the medium, especially surface waves. In the near-surface, surface waves are useful for tomography. Near-surface imaging becomes possible if they are well modelised. When exploration is dedicated to depth – meaning more than 95% of the seismic exploration business – the surface waves mainly hide body waves, which contains the informations related to the depth. Body and surface wave separation then becomes a fundamental task. In these situations, the surface waves can nevertheless be used to better know the near surface. It allows computing parameters usable to better the depth imaging. Research knew recent developments in this domain due to the recent impulsion given by the passive seismic imaging from ambient noise and the study of new acquisition designs with high spatial density. In parallel, the oil fields study for better exploitation is growing as a new industrial development axis. 4D (i.e. 3 spatial dilensions + time) imaging mastering becomes a key research activity, in which sub-surface parameters are estimated and monitored. This PhD thesis comes from the following remarks: - Despite rich works, surface waves are still an important research issue in seismic exploration. - Laboratory scale experiments know relatively few investigations, especially for high density acquisition design. The first step has been dedicated to the set up and the validation of a complete acquisition environment in the laboratory, adapted to surface wave study and high spatial density. Using Agar-agar phantoms, a mix of S body waves and Rayleigh surface waves comparable to the on-field P body waves and Rayleigh wave mix has been highlighted. Then, using array processing, wave separation has benne successfully demonstrated. After waves separation, it becomes possible to follow their arrival time variation in presence of surface and/or depth variation in the medium, as in reservoir monitoring conditions. A complete 4D study has been performed, allowing not only the arrival time monitoring but also amplitude and arrival and launch directions. A method has been proposed to compensate the near-surface spurious variations. An adaptation of the method on a field data set is then performed. Generally, velocity profiles on the field show weak velocities in the sub-surface. As a consequence, the various waves coming from the depth have weak and comparable incidences angles. Classical separation method using array processing are usually insufficient to work with such incidence angles set. For this reason, a complete part of this work has been dedicated to the study of high resolution algorithms in the frame of seismic exploration and their adaptation. At the end, taking advantage of the high spatial density allowed by the laboratory environment, a comparative study of two designs – the first one theoretically ideal but somewhat unrealistic and the second one more viable economically but less efficient – has been performed to address the scattered waves filtering issue. For the second design, a new filtering method has been proposed to enhance the scattered waves filtering.

abstract: High Impedance Surfaces (HISs), which have been investigated extensively, have proven to be very efficient ground planes for low profile antenna applications due to their unique reflection phase characteristics. Another emerging research field among the microwave and antenna technologies is the design of flexible antennas and microwave circuits to be utilized in conformal applications. The combination of those two research topics gives birth to a third one, namely the design of Conformal or Flexible HISs (FHISs), which is the main subject of this dissertation. The problems associated with the FHISs are twofold: characterization and physical realization. The characterization involves the analysis of scattering properties of FHISs in the presence of plane wave and localized sources. For this purpose, an approximate analytical method is developed to characterize the reflection properties of a cylindrically curved FHIS. The effects of curvature on the reflection phase of the curved FHISs are examined. Furthermore, the effects of different types of currents, specifically the ones inherent to finite sized periodic structures, on the reflection phase characteristics are observed. After the reflection phase characterization of curved HISs, the performance of dipole antennas located in close proximity to a curved HIS are investigated, and the results are compared with the flat case. Different types of resonances that may occur for such a low-profile antenna application are discussed. The effects of curvature on the radiation performance of antennas are examined. Commercially available flexible materials are relatively thin which degrades the bandwidth of HISs. Another practical aspect, which is related to the substrate thickness, is the compactness of the surface. Because of the design limitations of conventional HISs, it is not possible to miniaturize the HIS and increase the bandwidth, simultaneously. To overcome this drawback, a novel HIS is proposed with a periodically perforated ground plane. Copper plated through holes are extremely vulnerable to bending and should be avoided at the bending parts of flexible circuits. Fortunately, if designed properly, the perforations on the ground plane may result in suppression of surface waves. Hence, metallic posts can be eliminated without hindering the surface wave suppression properties of HISs. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Electrical Engineering 2013