The thesis deals with flexible shaft couplings especially with new category of flexible couplings on the principle of fluid. Mathematical model of gas spring and rotor system with two degrees of freedom are derivated in this work. Last part of the work deals with design modification of flexible coupling with gas springs.

This master thesis describes design of frame construction of Formula Student car. The objective was to reduce weight and increase the torsional stiffness against to last version of the car. Next objective was to prove advantages of alternative frame. This had been achieved by gradual transformation of standard design of frame to alternative with the usage of FSAE alternative frame rules. The weight was reduced by 20% and torsional stiffness was increased by 34% thanks to FEM simulation and sophisticated changes of alternative frame design.

This thesis deals with the measurement of the torsional stiffness of the frame using Tritop system. There is described development of the frame due to the complexity of torsional stiffness. Further there is outlined a brief overview of the types of measurement and the effect of torsional stiffness on the driving behavior of the vehicle. The aim of the work is to develop a method for measuring torsional stiffness of the vehicle Formula Student and from the results of repeated measurements to assess the accuracy and repeatability of measurements.

The first part of this thesis deals with the examination of the eccentricity of the crank mechanism for individual variables kinematics and dynamics of crank mechanism, analyticaly computed in Matlab. Then it compares the different possibilities of balancing moments of inertia forces and propose a specific design chosen for the value of eccentricity. In the second part is designed a model of crankshaft mechanism based on the investigated parameters. These parameters were carried out by structural analysis in Ansys.

The goal is to investigate the influence of eccentricity on the force between the piston and the cylinder liner and the influence on balancing of the crank mechanism. For a selected eccentricity suggest a balancing method and perform stress analysis of crankshaft considering torsional vibration. Eccentricity is chosen by the ratio of centric and eccentric mechanism of friction work. The paper shows the effect of eccentricity on the selected kinematics values. Stress analysis is done in the software ANSYS. Using selected eccentricity the friction work was reduced by 10 %.

The master thesis describes application of a sandwich construction for Formula Student car. It will replace the current tubular space frame according to FSAE rules. The introduction is focused on the information of international Formula Student competition, including TU Brno Racing Team. Then there are important rules for the construction of frames and composite monocoques. For the selected production technology are found strength properties of face sheets made of carbon and hybrid fibres. Another part of thesis deals with the design of the sandwich panel using analytical calculation to determine the bending stiffness. On the basis of these proposals are made three-point bending and shear tests. Using of FEM simulation is detected torsional stiffness of the tubular space frame and the monocoque concept from the proposed sandwich panels. The conclusion is devoted to a summary of the important information and possible monocoque manufacturing process.

This thesis deals with the design of a dynamic model of a harmonic drive. It includes a theoretical study aimed at the analysis of the harmonic drive gearing principle and its nonlinear properties. The first part of the practical section deals with the analytical calculation of the nondeformed geometry of the Flexspline. Based on these results, several simulations in ANSYS are created to identify torsional characteristics of a harmonic drive. These simulation models are further enhanced by the analysis of clearance, backlash and inaccuracies and their impact on torsional properties. By using MATLAB /Simulink, several dynamic submodels are created representing the individual characteristics of nonlinearities in harmonic drives. Furthermore, a comprehensive dynamic model is created of the mechatronic system which is describing all nonlinearities and kinematic error of the transmission. The dynamic model is also experimentally verified based on its damping properties.

This Thesis is devoted to the investigation of superfluid helium flows due to torsional oscillators. In its first part, flow due to a torsionally oscillating disc suspended on a tungsten filament is studied (building upon the work of A. C. Hollis Hallett from 1952). Measurements of the motion of the torsionally oscillating disc were performed in superfluid helium at temperatures between 1.265 K and 2.157 K at saturated vapour pressure. Time traces of the disc angular deflection were obtained, and critical parameters related to the turbulent flow stability were determined. In laminar flow, scaling of drag forces with the dimensionless Donnelly number was verified. Based on these results, and comparison with the original work, a scenario of the decay of turbulent flow was suggested. The second part of this work is focused on the development and construction of a similar experiment for mK temperatures. A new type of oscillator was designed, a so-called "pillbox", and a series of testing measurements was performed both at room and mK temperatures.

i Abstract The Nockeby Bridge, in the western part of Stockholm, is a prestressed concrete bridge with an openable swing span of steel. The bridge was built during 1970 and should now be widened with 0.5 meters on each side. The concrete bridge deck is supported by two main-beams and cross-beams are located at the position of all supports. Previous studies of the bridge show that the torsional resistance is too low and the bridge needs strengthening while widened. The aim of this master  thesis  was  to  study  and  compare  different  strengthening  methods  for  The  Nockeby Bridge.  Eight  different  bridges  in  Sweden  and  China  were  reviewed  to  find  possible  strengthening  methods  for  The  Nockeby  Bridge.  External  prestressing  tendons  and  additional  cross-beams between  the  two  main-beams  were  seen  to  have  good  influence  on  the  resistance.  The  effect from strengthening with carbon-fiber reinforced polymer was questioned during small loads and was not seen as a suitable strengthening method for The Nockeby Bridge.  Four different FE-models were generated to be able to compare two strengthening methods. The compared strengthening methods were a method with additional cross-beams between the main-beams and a method with external prestressing tendons. All FE-models were built up by solid- and  truss  elements  where  the  concrete  was  modelled  with  solid  elements  and  the  prestressed reinforcement was modelled with truss elements.  Only a few load-cases were included to limit the scope of the study. The included load-cases were deadweight,  prestressing  forces  and  vehicle  load  from  standard  vehicle  F,  G,  H  and  I.  Two influence lines were created to be able to place the vehicle loads in an unfavorable way. From the FE-models, shear  stresses were  extracted  along two  lines, one  on  each  side  of the main-beam. The torsional part of the shear stresses was calculated from these two results and compared with the torsional resistance of the bridge. While calculating the torsional resistance, the normal force in the cross-section from prestress was extracted with the function “free body cut”. The results showed that none of the tested strengthening methods were enough to  strengthen The  Nockeby  Bridge.  However, the  method  with additional  cross-beams  was  seen  as  a  better method than external prestressing tendons. A combination of the two methods might be suitable but  was  not  tested.  Adding  four  cross-beams  in  each  span  might  also  increase  the  resistance enough, but this was neither tested. It was also seen that a reduction of the torsional stiffness had a large influence on the result. Such a reduction is allowed in some cases and should be utilized if possible. Furthermore,  it  was  seen  that  solid-models  were  extremely  time  consuming  and  there  is  not  a  good alternative to design a bridge with only a solid model. / Nockebybron i västra Stockholm är en förspänd betongbro med ett öppningsbart svängspann av stål. Bron byggdes 1970 och ska nu breddas med 0.5 meter på varje sida. Betongplattan stöds upp av två huvudbalkar och tvärbalkar är placerade vid samtliga stöd. Tidigare studier av bron visar att brons vridstyvhet är låg och bron behöver förstärkas i samband med breddningen. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka och jämföra olika förstärkningsmetoder för Nockebybron. Åtta olika  broar  i  Sverige  och  Kina  undersöktes  för  att  hitta möjliga  förstärkningsåtgärder  för Nockebybron. Extern spännarmering och extra tvärbalkar mellan de två huvudbalkarna hade en bra inverkan på kapaciteten. Kapacitetsökningen fån förstärkning med kolfiberförstärkt plast är ifrågasatt vid låga laster och uppfattas inte som en bra metod för att förstärka Nockebybron.  Fyra     olika     FE-modeller     skapades     för     att     jämföra     två     förstärkningsmetoder. Förstärkningsmetoderna som jämfördes var metoden med extra tvärbalkar mellan huvudbalkarna samt   en   metod   extern   spännarmering.   Alla   FE-modeller   byggdes  upp   med  solid-  och stångelement  där  betongen  modellerades  med  solidelement  och  den  förspända  armeringen modellerades med stångelement.  Enbart ett fåtal lastfall inkluderades i studien för att minska studiens omfattning. De inkluderade lastfallen  var  egenvikt,  förspänningskrafter  samt  trafiklast  från  typfordon  F,  G,  H  och  I.  Två influenslinjer  skapades  för  att  placera  trafiklasten  på  ett  ogynnsamt  sätt.  Från  FE-modellerna extraherades   skjuvspänningar   från   bägge   sidor   av   en   av   huduvbalkarna.   Från   dessa skjuvspänningar   beräknades   vrid-delen   av   skjuvspänningarna   som   jämfördes   med   brons vridkapacitet.  När  vridkapaciteten  beräknades  togs  tryckkraften  från  tvärsnittet  fram  genom funktionen ”free body cut”.  Resultatet visade att ingen av de testade förstärkningsmetoderna var tillräckliga för att  förstärka Nockebybron.  Hur  som  helst,  metoden  med  extra  tvärbalkar  ansågs  som  en  bättre  metod  än extern  spännarmering.  En  kombination  av  de  bägge  förstärkningsmetoderna  kan  vara  lämplig men detta testades inte. Att lägga in fyra tvärbalkar i varje spann kan också leda till en tillräcklig ökning av kapaciteten, men detta fall testades inte heller. En reduktion av vridstyvheten sågs ha en stor påverkan på resultatet. En sådan reduktion är tillåten i vissa fall och borde utnyttjas om möjligt. Vidare  upptäcktes  att  en  solidmodell  är  väldigt  tidskrävande  varför  det  inte  är  lämpligt  att  dimensionera en bro enbart med hjälp av en solidmodell.

<div>The design of bridges prior to 1994 was carried out by either the Load Factor Design (LFD) or the Allowable Stress Design (ASD) methodologies. Load rating of these bridges was primarily conducted by Load Factor Rating (LFR). In 1994, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) developed and encouraged the use of a probabilistic-based method titled Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for carrying out bridge design. A new methodology consistent with LRFD was also developed and adopted for conducting load rating. Thus, a new Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) was adopted by AASHTO in 2001 for load rating. Today, the bridges that were designed by the old LFD methodology are rated by both LFR and LRFR. Continued development suggests that load rating in future will be based only on LRFR, therefore LRFR is the recommended method for carrying out load rating of bridges even if they were designed by LFD. </div><div><br></div><div>The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) came across some LFD designed bridges which were adequate by LFR methodology, i.e., produced a rating factor of more than 1.0, but inadequate for LRFR. The load ratings were carried out using AASHTOWare Bridge Rating (BrR) software. These bridges belonged to five different limit states: lateral torsional buckling, changes in cross-section along the member length, tight stringer spacings, girder end shear and moment over continuous piers. </div><div><br></div><div>This research study explores the inherent differences between LFR and LRFR to justify the inconsistencies in the rating values. To find an explanation for these discrepancies, load ratings of these bridges were carried out extensively on AASHTOWare BrR. To verify the results produced by BrR, a separate analysis was also conducted using Mathcad and structural analysis results from SAP2000 for comparison purposes. Finally, the study also recommends some modifications in the BrR software that can be adopted for each of the above-mentioned limit states to resolve inconsistencies found between LFR and LRFR rating values. </div><div><br></div>