The static cone penetrometer is an in-situ testing tool which was originally developed to derive information on soil type and soil strength. More recently, it has found application in liquefaction assessment. Typical cone penetrometers are heavy duty devices which are operated with the assistance of a drill rig. However, this capacity is not necessary in the case of field studies of liquefaction, since liquefaction usually occurs at relatively shallow depths. This thesis is directed to the goal of the development of a miniature, lightweight cone penetrometer which can be used in earthquake reconnaissance studies related to liquefaction problems. The research for this thesis involved four principal objectives: 1. Development of procedures to automatically acquire and process measurements from a miniature electrical cone; 2. Develop and perform tests in a model soil-filled bin to calibrate the cone; 3. Evaluate the utility and accuracy of the cone results as a means to assess conventional soil properties; and, 4. Conduct a preliminary evaluation of the cone results in the context of recently developed methods to predict liquefaction potential. The work in regard to the first objective involved assembling and writing software for a microcomputer based data acquisition system. Successful implementation of this system allowed data from the tests to be rapidly processed and displayed. Calibration tests with the cone were carried out in a four foot high model bin which was filled ten times with sand formed to variety of densities. The sand used is Monterey No. 0/30, a standard material with well known behavioral characteristics under static and dynamic loading. The test results showed the cone to produce consistent data, and to be able to readily distinguish the varying density configurations of the sand. Using the results in conventional methods for converting cone data into soil parameters yielded values which were consistent with those expected. Liquefaction potential predictions were less satisfying, although not unreasonable. Further research is needed in this area both to check the reliability of the prediction procedures and the ability to achieve the desired objectives. / M.S.

Thesis (MScEng.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The last two decades have seen many changes within the automotive industry. Many advances have been made in the design, research and development of the internal combustion engine and technological progress made in the integrated-circuit and computer industry has resulted in the availability of reliable low-cost electronic components. These components have, over time, been incorporated into the very hearts of engines, thereby allowing for the accurate control of engine functions and processes to an extent that was previously impossible. Parallel to these developments is the growing concern for the environment and the realisation that resources are being consumed at ever-increasing rates. This has placed vehicle manufacturers under continual pressure to optimise their engines, not only for fuel efficiency, but also to reduce harmful emissions while continuing to deliver better performance and drivability characteristics. At the same time, engine testing equipment and facilities have had to keep abreast with these advances and this has required the development of more sophisticated testing facilities. One such facility is the dynamic engine test-bed. Among other features, this facility has the ability to subject test-bed mounted engines to loads similar to what would be experienced in a vehicle on the road. This approach allows for the optimisation of engine components and performance under more realistic conditions, yielding results far superior to those obtainable using more conventional steady-state testing and development procedures. This document discusses the development of such a dynamic engine test-bed at the Centre for Automotive Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch. The project was initiated by conducting a literature survey to establish the current state of technology in the field. The dynamic test-bed was developed around an existing direct-current electric motor and industrial speed controller configured in a regenerative manner. This setup enabled the unit to both absorb and deliver power, essential for the simulation of vehicle dynamics. Great care was taken to ensure that signals obtained from the test-bed were accurate and useful for further computer manipulation. Anti-aliasing filters were designed and manufactured to guarantee that signals could not be misinterpreted due to sampling effects. A computer-implemented vehicle model was developed to simulate, in real-time, vehicle response to torque developed by the engine on the test stand. The model included a manual transmission, clutch and a rigid drive-shaft. Driver input (accelerator, brake, clutch and gear selection) was by means of a set of pedals and hand-held gear selector switches. Various vehicle speed control strategies were investigated and recommendations made regarding their possible future implementation. System evaluation was accomplished by the simulated acceleration of a large truck. The simulations indicated that repeatable results could be obtained from the system. The system was also found to be adequately sensitive to reflect the effect of subtle changes made to engine parameters on vehicle acceleration. It was concluded that the dynamic engine test-bed did indeed offer the capability to conduct research and testing not previously available in South Africa. Finally, recommendations were made for the future improvement and expansion of the system's performance and capabilities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die laaste twee dekades het baie veranderinge in die outomobiel industrie megebring. Groot vooruitgang is gemaak in die ontwerp, navorsing en ontwikkeling van die binnebrand enjin, terwyl tegnologiese vooruitgang in die geïntegreerde-stroombaan en rekenaar industrië betroubare elektroniese komponente teen lae koste beskikbaar gemaak het. Hierdie komponente is mettertyd in enjins geïnkorporeer en het die akkurate beheer van enjin funksies en prosesse moontlik gemaak. Saam met hierdie ontwikkeling, is daar toenemende kommer oor die omgewing en 'n bewuswording dat hulpbronne verbruik word teen 'n groeinde tempo. Hierdie feite plaas voertuig vervaardigers onder volgehoude druk om enjins te optimeer vir brandstof doeltreffendheid, maar ook om skadelike emissies te bekamp terwyl beter werksverrigting en bestuurbaarheid vereis word. Enjin toetstoerusting en fasiliteite moes terselfdetyd met hierdie vooruitgang byhou en het die ontwikkeling van meer gesofistikeerde toetsfasiliteite vereis. Een sodanige fasiliteit is die dinamiese enjin toetsbank. Een van die kenmerke van hierdie fasiliteit is dat dit toetsbank-gemonteerde enjins kan onderwerp aan 'n las soortgelyk as wat ondervind sou word in 'n voertuig op die pad. Hierdie benadering stel ingenieurs in staat om enjin komponente en werksverrigting te optimeer onder meer realistiese kondisies en lewer resultate van 'n baie hoër gehalte as wat verkry kan word deur gebruik te maak van meer konvensionele gestadigde-toestand toets- en ontwikkelings-prosedures. Hierdie dokument bespreek die ontwikkeling van so 'n dinamiese enjin toetsbank by die Sentrum vir Automobielingenieurswese aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Die projek is geïnisieer deur 'n literatuurstudie te doen om die huidige stand van tegnologie in die gebied vas te stel. Die dinamiese enjintoetsbank is ontwikkel rondom 'n bestaande gelykstroom-motor en industriële spoed beheerder wat in 'n regeneratiewe konfigurasie opgestel is. Hierdie opstelling het die absorpsie en lewering van drywing moontlik gemaak, 'n vereiste vir die simulasie van voertuig dinamika. Baie tyd is gespandeer om te verseker dat seine afkomstig van die toetsbank akkuraat en bruikbaar was vir verdere rekenaar manipulasie. Anti-aliaseringsfilters is ontwerp en vervaardig om te verseker dat seine nie verkeerd geïnterpreteer kon word as gevolg van diskritiserings effekte nie. 'n Rekenaar ge-implementeerde voertuigmodel is ontwikkel om 'n voertuig se reaksie op draairnoment ontwikkel deur die enjin op die toetsbank intyds te simuleer. Die model het 'n handrat transmissie, koppelaar en starre dryf-as ingesluit. Bestuurder intree (vernellingspedaal, rem, koppelaar en rat seleksie) is bewerkstellig deur middel van 'n stel pedale en 'n hand geoperateurde rat skakelaar. Verskeie voertuig spoed-beheerders is ondersoek en aanbevelings is gemaak aangaande die toekomstige implementering daarvan. Die sisteem is geëvalueer deur die versnellingsimulasie van 'n groot vragmotor. Die simulasies het daarop gedui dat herhaalbare resultate van die sisteem verkry kon word. Daar is ook bevind dat die sisteem sensitief genoeg was om subtiele veranderinge aan enjinparameters in die resultate te weerspieël. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat die dinamiese enjin toetsbank inderdaad die vermoëns gebied het om ontwikkeling en toetswerk te doen wat nie voorheen in Suid-Afrika moontlik was nie. Voorstelle is laastens gemaak aangaande die toekomstige verbetering en uitbreiding van die sisteem se vermoëns.

The thesis introduces the design of a test device for preassembled mechatronic cylindrical locks. The device is designed to test the mechanical and electronic parts which ensure minimisation of loss caused by poor preassembling or defect due to electronic parts. Since the defect will only come to realisation upon the complete product testing, the time of complete dismounting, exchange and assembly of the mechatronic parts would be saved and also time required for the final test of the whole product on the device would be saved.

The subject of this diploma thesis is the design of a single-purpose machine for automatic testing of pneumatic fittings. Pneumatic fittings used in brake systems are subject to high technical requirements and 100% tightness control in production. In this case, manual testing is not effective and the goal is to automate the process. The theoretical part presents pneumatic mechanisms, analysis of the tested pneumatic fitting with technical parameters, the possibility of tightness testing, use of sensors, and rotary tables. In the practical part, a systematic analysis of the problem was performed, according to which the overall design proceeded. Subsequently, the design of the complete machine containing individual nodes is processed, supplemented by the necessary calculations. The conclusion of the thesis contains an evaluation of the whole project.

The Master’s thesis deals with development of universal equipment for testing and measurement operating forces of car seats. It describes tests applied on car seats and shows a few examples of equipment for testing. The design part of the thesis deals with development of multipurpose testing equipment using of Modular Function Deployment™ approach. The design of the equipment is done in 5 steps according to mentioned approach. The final part of the thesis includes a risk analysis of the new device and conclusion.

Aus der Einführung: "Dräger ist ein international führendes Unternehmen der Medizin- und Sicherheitstechnik. Das 1889 in Lübeck gegründeten Familienunternehmen besteht in der fünften Generation und hat sich zu einem globalen börsennotierten Konzern entwickelt. „Technik für das Leben“ ist die Leitidee des Unternehmens. Ob im Operationsbereich, auf der Intensivstation, bei der Feuerwehr oder im Rettungsdienst: Dräger-Produkte schützen, unterstützen und retten Leben. Dräger bietet seinen Kunden unter anderem Anästhesie-Arbeitsplätze, Beatmungsgeräte für die Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin, Patientenmonitoring sowie die medizinische Versorgung von Frühchen und Neugeborenen. Mit Deckenversorgungseinheiten, IT-Lösungen für den OP und Gasmanagementsystemen steht das Unternehmen seinen Kunden im gesamten Krankenhaus zur Seite. Feuerwehren, Rettungsdienste, Behörden und die Industrie vertrauen auf das ganzheitliche Gefahrenmanagement von Dräger, insbesondere für den Personen- und Anlagenschutz. Dazu gehören: Atemschutzausrüstungen, stationäre und mobile Gasmesssysteme, professionelle Tauchtechnik sowie Alkohol- und Drogenmessgeräte. Darüber hinaus entwickelt Dräger gemeinsam mit seinen Kunden maßgeschneiderte Lösungen wie komplette Brandübungsanlagen, Trainingskonzepte und Schulungen. ..."

Classical fatigue models teach that there is an intrinsic fatigue limit for steels, representing a level of stress that is too low for regular crack growth where every cyclic load propagates a fatigue crack through the material. Modern application with extreme lifetimes has shown that fatigue will still take place in steels with stress levels well below the expected fatigue limit. This relatively new area of study has been named Very High Cycle Fatigue, or VHCF, and describes fatigue failures with a number of load cycles exceeding 107. Fractography of steels that has suffered VHCF tends to reveal an especially rough crack surface adjacent to where the fatigue crack originates, which is typically some form of defect in the bulk of the steel. This area is believed to be critical for VHCF and has been referred to in a number of ways by different studies, but will herein be called Fine Granular Area, or FGA. The aim of this study is to try and get a better understanding of VHCF. This was done by fractography analysis of test specimens of high strength tool steel that suffered fatigue failure at lifetimes ranging from about 106 cycles to 1,9x109 cycles. The lower lifetimes were achieved using hydraulic testing equipment, while the specimens in the VHCF range suffered fatigue failure in ultrasonic testing equipment allowing the application of a cyclic stress at a rate of 20 000 Hz. The resulting fracture surfaces were then investigated using a scanning electron microscope, or SEM, taking special note of the fatigue initiating defects and, in the case of VHCF, the rough area found adjacent to it. In combination with the SEM an elemental analysis of the fatigue initiating defects as well as the bulk of the material was done using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, or EDS. This was done to find out what the defects consisted of; confirming that they were slags and checking that the composition of the material of the bulk of the specimen matches what was expected. Using light optical microscopy in combination with acid etching of the surface of samples cut out of the test specimens the structure of the steel was investigated. Calculating the local stresses at the location of the fatigue initiating defect was done using FEM in combination with displacement amplitude gathered from the ultrasonic testing equipment. The data gathered was then measured and compared to that of previous studies, using models of prediction and seeing how they match the experimental results. The results suggest that the stress intensity factor at the internal slags is critical for VHCF and that with lower stress intensity factors one can expect longer lifetimes. Another observation is a relatively consistent stress intensity factor at the edge of the FGA combined with the original defect, likely signifying the transition from the creation of FGA to traditional crack propagation. There also seems to be a connection between the size of the FGA and the number of cycles to failure, with larger FGA with increasing lifetimes. The most glaring shortcoming of this study is the amount satisfactory tests conducted, and thus amount of data points, is very low due to the majority of specimens suffered failure at the threading used to connect them to the ultrasonic testing equipment at lifetimes far too low to be relevant. / Klassiska utmattningsmodeller lär ut att det finns en utmattningsgräns för stål, vilket representerar en spänningsnivå som är för låg för regelbunden sprickväxt där varje cyklisk belastning sprider en utmattningsspricka genom materialet. Moderna applikation med extrema livstider har visat att utmattning fortfarande äger rum i stål med spänningsnivåer långt under den förväntade utmattningsgränsen. Detta relativt nya studieområde har fått namnet Very High Cycle Fatigue, eller VHCF, och beskriver utmattningsfall med ett antal belastningscykler som överstiger 107. Fraktografi av stål som har drabbats av VHCF tenderar att ha en särskilt gropig sprickyta som ligger intill där utmattningssprickan har sitt ursprung, vilket typiskt är någon form av defekt i stålets bulk. Detta område tros vara kritiskt för VHCF och har hänvisats till på ett antal sätt av olika studier, men kommer här att kallas Fine Granular Area eller FGA. Syftet med denna studie är att försöka få en bättre förståelse för VHCF. Detta gjordes genom fraktografianalys av testprover av verktygsstål med hög hållfasthet som drabbades av utmattningsbrott vid livstider från cirka 106 cykler till 1,9x109 cykler. De lägre livslängderna uppnåddes med hjälp av hydraulisk testutrustning, medan proverna i VHCF-området drabbades av utmattningsbrott i ultraljudstestutrustning som klarar att applicera en cyklisk stress med en frekvens på 20 kHz. De resulterande sprickytorna undersöktes sedan med hjälp av ett svepelektronmikroskop, eller SEM, med särskild fokus på utmattningsinitierande defekter och, i fallet med VHCF, det grova området som hittades intill det, FGA. I kombination med SEM utfördes en elementanalys av utmattningsinitierande defekter liksom huvuddelen av materialet med energidispersiv röntgenspektroskopi, eller EDS. Detta gjordes för att ta reda på vad inneslutningarna bestod av för att bekräfta att de var slagg samt kontrollera att sammansättningen av materialet i huvuddelen av provet matchar det som förväntades. Med användning av optisk ljusmikroskopi i kombination med syraetsning av ytan på prover som skars ut ur testproverna undersöktes stålets struktur. Beräkning av de lokala spänningarna på platsen för den utmattningsinitierande defekten gjordes med hjälp av FEM i kombination med förskjutningsamplituden som samlats från ultraljudsutrustningen. De insamlade uppgifterna mättes sedan och jämfördes med tidigare studier genom att använda diverse modeller och se hur de matchar de experimentella resultaten. Resultaten antyder att stressintensitetsfaktorn vid inneslutningarna är kritisk för VHCF och att man med lägre stressintensitetsfaktorer kan förvänta sig längre livstid. En annan observation är en relativt konsekvent stressintensitetsfaktor vid kanten av FGA, vilket sannolikt markerar övergången från skapandet eller utbredning av FGA till traditionell sprickutbredning. Det verkar också finnas en koppling mellan storleken på FGA och antalet cykler till fel, med större FGA med ökande livslängd. Den mest uppenbara bristen i denna studie är mängden tillfredsställande tester som genomförts. Därmed är mängden datapunkter mycket låg, detta på grund av att majoriteten av proverna misslyckades vid gängningen som användes för att ansluta dem till ultraljudstestutrustningen vid livstider alltför låga för att vara relevanta.

Dieser Vortrag stellt einen neuartigen Prüfstand vor, mit welchem das Chip & Cut Verhalten von Elastomeren charakterisiert werden kann. Sowohl theoretischer Hintergrund als auch praktische Erkenntnisse werden diskutiert. Die Vorstellung der Praxisrelevanz dieser Untersuchungen steht im Fokus des Vortrags.

The increasing complexity with the decrease in size of EEE – components (Electronic, electric and electromagnetic) raises the question on how higher energy frequencies will affect the components and their continuous development. The most common vibration testing equipment currently in use within the automotive industry and SCANIA CV AB are the electrodynamic shaker (ED system). This thesis covers the characteristics of different vibration testing equipment while analysing their strengths and weaknesses, not only for the automotive industry but also including equipment more commonly handled within the aero and space industry. The project aims to find a complement for the ED system and study the possibility for its replacement in the automotive industry.In particular, experiments are carried out and documented on a so-called “Repeatable shaker system” (RS system) for the purpose to get a better understanding on the functions of the equipment and its overall differences compared to the electrodynamic system when it comes to random vibration testing.It became clear that complementing or replacing the ED system is difficult and that the RS system work fundamentally different in comparison. Accordingly, the RS system is not a potential replacement for our purpose and it cannot perform at the same level of precision but instead is able to achieve higher energy frequencies overall, making it still ideal for its intended purposes, but not as a replacement of the ED system.

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wird das Versuchskonzept für zweiaxiale Zug-Zug-Versuche an textilbewehrten Betonscheiben behandelt. Diese Arbeit soll einen Beitrag leisten, die Kenntnisse aus dem Maschinenbau, der Mechanik in den Bereich der Bauingenieure und Baustoffe umzusetzen, um alle Effekte, die vom Versuchstand verursacht werden, öffentlich zu machen. Es ist ein Versuchskonzept zu erarbeiten, wie ein experimenteller Zug-Zug-Versuch optimal zu gestalten ist, um das Tragverhalten des textilbewehrten Betons genau zu ermitteln. Die Arbeit ist hauptsächlich in zwei Teile gegliedert. Der erster Teil befasst sich mit dem Thema „Versuchsvorbereitung“. Es beinhaltet folgende Hauptpunkte: • Der erste Punkt beschäftigt sich mit der Auswertung durchgeführter Versuche und deren Versuchsaufbauten. Hier werden Aspekte von der konstruktiven Auslegung der Rahmen bis zur Steuerung der Prüfmaschine behandelt. Es wird diskutiert, welche Effekte auf das Versuchsergebnis vom gewählten Hydrauliksystem bzw. von den Hydraulikzylinder und der Steuerung des Öldrucks ausgehen können. • Im zweiten Punkt wird eine Finite–Element–Simulationen durchgeführt, um die zweiaxialen Zug-Zug-Versuchskörper zu konzipieren. Mit Hilfe von einem Finite–Element– Programm, hier ATENA, wird die Probengeometrie mit den Randbedingungen des Versuchs nachgebildet und optimiert. • Der dritte Punkt beschäftigt sich mit dem Thema „Lasteinleitung“. Ein Konzept für die Verbindung und Kraftübertragung von Stahlplatten (Stahllasche) zur Lasteinleitung in „Beton“ soll entwickelt werden. • Der vierte Punkt beschreibt die gewählte Messmethode der Versuchsdurchführung, und wertet deren Potenzial und Möglichkeiten . Der zweiter Teil der vorliegenden Arbeit beschreibt detailliert die fünf durchgeführten zweiaxialen Zug–Zug–Versuche an mit AR-Glas textilbewehrten Betonscheiben. Die textilbewehrten Betonscheiben werden am Rahmen der zweiaxialen Prüfmaschine eingehängt und zweiaxial mit jeweils konstantem Verhältnis der Beanspruchung in Zug–Zug Richtung belastet, um den Versuchstand zu erproben und auszutesten. Die Gedanken, Ergänzungen und Erkenntnisse der Autorin im Zusammenhang mit dem textilbewehrten Beton und die hier auftretenden Effekte werden auch in diesem Kapitel behandelt. Das Schlusskapitel der Arbeit beinhaltet die Zusammenfassung und den weiteren Ausblick. Aus diesem Anlass werden die wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit zusammengefasst. / This doctoral thesis pertains to the conception for Bi–axial Tension–Tension Tests of thin textile reinforced concrete plates. This dissertation contributes to the application of mechanical engineering knowledge into the specific area of Material–Construction Engineering; all results obtained from experimental conditions will be released to the public. The conception of this testing regime is presented, as well as the manner in which an experimental Tension–Tension Test can optimally ascertain and accurately predict and describe load-bearing behaviour of textile reinforced concrete (TRC). This thesis is generally subdivided into two parts –“Test Preparation” and the detail of Bi-axial Tension-Tension testing on AR-Glass TRC plates. The “Test Preparation” component of this document includes the following four principal points. The first point is concerned with the assembly of testing equipment. Problems stemming from framework or lack of control over the testing machine are examined here. Negative effects on test results induced by the Hydraulic cylinder and related oil pressure are investigated and complemented in this section. The second point focuses on the numerical simulation used in order to determine the Bi–axial Tension–Tension Test samples. The specimen geometry given the testing boundary conditions was copied and optimized by means of a Finite–Element–Program (ATENA). The third point is concerned with the notion of “load application”. It was necessary to develop a premise for the loading transmission and connection between steel plates (steel mounting plates) and concrete cogs. The final point takes into account the methods used for measuring the Bi–axial Tension–Tension–test of this work. The second component present in this thesis describes in detail the five Bi–axial Tension–Tension–Tests conducted on AR–Glass TRC plates utilized to prove and ensure the accuracy of the experimental equipment. The TRC plate was built on frame of the bi-axial testing machine and received tensile loading in both directions. This loading relationship was held constant in both directions during the test. Furthermore, the author presents her own thoughts, as well as supplemental commentary, associated with textile reinforced concrete and the resulting experimental outcomes. The last chapter closes this doctoral thesis and includes the abstract of and further prospects for this study. All scientific cognitions are summarised in this chapter.