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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
161

On the response of rubbers at high strain rates

Niemczura, Johnathan Greenberg 26 May 2010 (has links)
The purpose of this study is to examine the propagation of waves of finite deformation in rubbers through experiments and analysis. First, attention is focused on the propagation of one-dimensional dispersive waves in strips of latex and nitrile rubber. Tensile wave propagation experiments were conducted at high strain-rates by holding one end fixed and displacing the other end at a constant velocity. A high-speed video camera was used to monitor the motion and to determine the evolution of strain and particle velocity in rubber strips. Analysis of the response through the theory of finite wave propagation indicated a need for an appropriate constitutive model for rubber; by quantitative matching between the experimental observations and analytical predictions, an appropriate instantaneous elastic response for the rubbers was obtained. This matching process suggested that a simple power-law constitutive model was capable of representing the high strain-rate response for both rubbers used. Next, the propagation of one-dimensional shock waves in strips of latex and nitrile rubber is examined. Shock waves have been generated under tensile impact in pre-stretched rubber strips; analysis of the response yields the tensile shock adiabat for rubbers. The propagation of shocks is analyzed by developing an analogy with the theory of detonation. Attention is then focused on the propagation of unloading waves of finite deformation in a rubber specimen analytically and experimentally. A rubber strip stretched to many times its initial length is released at one end and the resulting unloading is examined. Dispersive waves as well as shock waves are observed in these experiments. Quantitative discrepancies between the analytical model and experimental observations are again used to motivate a power-law model. Hysteresis in the response is attributed to strain-induced crystallization and melting phase transitions in natural latex rubber, and to nonequilibrium microstructural deformation in nitrile rubber. Finally, a Kolsky experiment is conducted and analyzed under the framework of dispersive loading and unloading waves utilized in the previous experiments. In this experiment, a phase boundary is introduced separating low and high strain phases of the rubber and is demonstrated to persist as a stationary boundary in latex rubber. / text
162

The seismic response to fracture clustering : a finite element wave propagation study

Becker, Lauren Elizabeth 04 September 2014 (has links)
Characterizing natural and man-made fracture networks is fundamental to predicting the storage capacity and pathways for flow of both carbonate and shale reservoirs. The goal of this study is to determine the seismic response specifically to networks of fractures clustered closely together through the analysis of seismic wavefield scatter, directional phase velocities, and amplitude attenuation. To achieve this goal, finite element modeling techniques are implemented to allow for the meshing of discontinuous fracture interfaces and, therefore, provide the most accurate calculation of seismic events from these irregular surfaces. The work presented here focuses on the center layer of an isotropic model that is populated with two main phases of fracture network alteration: a single large-scale cluster and multiple smaller-scale clusters. Phase 1 first confirms that the seismic response of a single idealized vertically fractured cluster is distinct crosscutting energy within a seismogram. Further investigation shows that, as fracture spacing within the cluster decreases, the depth at which crosscutting energy appears exponentially increases, placing it well below the true location of the cluster. This relationship holds until 28% of the fractures are moved from their uniformly spaced locations to random locations within the cluster. The vertical thickness of the cluster has little effect on the location or strength or the crosscutting signature. Phase 2 shows that, although clusters of more randomly spaced fractures mask crosscutting energy, a marked decrease in amplitude coinciding with a bend in the wavefront produces a heterogeneous anisotropic seismic response. This amplitude decay and heterogeneous anisotropy is visible until cluster spacing drops below one half of the wavelength or the ratio of fractured material to matrix material within a cluster drops below 37%. Therefore, the location of an individual fracture cluster can be determined from the location of amplitude decay, heterogeneous anisotropy, and crosscutting energy. Furthermore, the density of the cluster can be determined from the degree of amplitude decay, the angle of heterogeneous anisotropy, and the depth of cross-cutting energy. These relationships, constrained by limits on their detectability, can aid fracture network interpretation of real seismic data. / text
163

Instabilities in liquid crystals

Barclay, Graeme James January 1998 (has links)
No description available.
164

Development of Methods for Retrospective Ultrasound Transmit Focusing

Warriner, Renee 07 January 2013 (has links)
Single frame ultrasound B-mode image quality is largely governed by the ability to focus the ultrasound beam over a range in depths both in transmission and reception. By developing a comprehensive understanding of acoustic wave propagation two signal processing methods were identified for solving the transmission problem. We made use of both the impulse response using the classical point spread function (PSF) and the spatial sensitivity function (SSF) which describes the spatial distribution at a particular time. Using the angular spectrum method, an accurate analytical model was developed for the field distribution arising from a finite geometry, apodized and focused, plane piston transducer. While there is a thorough understanding of the radiated field arising from uniformly excited plane piston transducers, the focused equivalent (i.e., one that allows a continuous change in phase over the plane piston surface) is incomplete and assumes the Fresnel approximation. Our model addresses the effects of diffraction and evanescent waves without the use of the Fresnel approximation and is applicable at all near- and far-field locations in a lossless medium. The model was analyzed to identify new insights into wave propagation and compared with the Fresnel approximation and the spherically-focused, concave transducer. The piston transducer model was then extended to an attenuating and dispersive medium. After analysing existing models of power-law frequency dependent attenuation, a causal, spherical wave Green’s function was derived from the Navier-Stokes equation for a classical viscous medium. Modifications to the angular spectrum method were presented and used to analyze the radiated field of a focused, planar piston transducer. Finally, after presenting our signal processing strategy for improving imaging spatial resolution through minimization of the SSF, two signal processing methods were derived and analysed in simulation: a deconvolution technique to remove the effects of the ultrasound excitation wave and suppress additive noise from the received ultrasound signal, and a retrospective transmit focusing method that changed the response from a predefined transmit focus to an arbitrary transmit focal depth. Proof-of-concept simulations were presented using a variable number of scatterers and compared with the traditional matched filtering and envelope detection technique.
165

Modelling Framework for Radio Frequency Spatial Measurement

Wiles, Andrew Donald January 2006 (has links)
The main crux of this thesis was to produce a model that was capable of simulating the theoretical performance of different configurations for a spatial measurement system using radio frequency technology. It has been important to study new modalities of spatial measurement since spatial measurement systems are an enabling technology that have allowed for the creation of better medical procedures and techniques, provided valuable data for motion capture in animation and biomechanics, and have improved the quality of manufacturing processes in many industries. However, there has been room for improvement in the functional design and accuracy of spatial measurement systems that will enhance current applications and further develop new applications in medicine, research and industry. <br /><br /> In this thesis, a modelling framework for the investigation of spatial measurement based on radio frequency signals was developed. The simulation framework was designed for the purpose of investigating different position determination algorithms and sensor geomatries. A finite element model using the FEMLAB partial differential equation modelling tool was created for a time-domain model of electromagnetic wave propagation in order to simulate the radio frequency signals travelling from a transmitting source antenna to a set of receiving antenna sensors. Electronic line signals were obtained using a simple receiving infinitesimal dipole model and input into a time difference of arrival localization algorithm. The finite element model results were validated against a set of analytical solutions for the free space case. The accuracy of the localization algorithm was measured against a set of possible applications for a potential radio frequency spatial measurement system design. <br /><br /> It was concluded that the simulation framework was successful should one significant deficiency be corrected in future research endeavours. A phase error was observed in the signals extracted at the receiving antenna locations. This phase error, which can be up to 40??, was attributed to the zeroth order finite elements implemented in the finite element model. This phase error can be corrected in the future if higher order vector elements are introduced into future versions of FEMLAB or via the development of custom finite element analysis software but were not implemented in this thesis due to time constraints. Other improvements were also suggested for future work.
166

Theoretical problems in global seismology and geodynamics

Al-Attar, David January 2011 (has links)
In Chapter 2, we consider the hydrostatic equilibrium figure of a rotating earth model with arbitrary radial density profile. We derive an exact non-linear partial differential equation describing the equilibrium figure. Perturbation theory is used to obtain approximate forms of this equation, and we show that the first-order theory is equivalent to Clairaut's equation. In Chapter 3, a method for parametrizing the possible equilibrium stress fields of a laterally heterogeneous earth model is described. In this method a solution of the equilibrium equations is first found that satisfies some desirable physical property. All other solutions can be written as the sum of this equilibrium stress field and a divergence-free stress tensor field whose boundary tractions vanish. In Chapter 4, we consider the minor vector method for the stable numerical solution of systems of linear ordinary differential equations. Results are presented for the application of the method to the calculation of seismic displacement fields in spherically symmetric, self-gravitating earth models. In Chapter 5, we present a new implementation of the direct solution method for calculating normal mode spectra in laterally heterogeneous earth models. Numerical tests are presented to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of this method for performing large mode coupling calculations. In Chapter 6, we consider the theoretical basis for the viscoelastic normal mode method which is used in studies of seismic wave propagation, post-glacial rebound, and post-seismic deformation. We show how the time-domain solution to the viscoelastodynamic equation can be written as a normal mode sum in a rigorous manner.
167

Acoustic emission techniques for the damage assessment of reinforced concrete structures

Muhamad Bunnori, Norazura January 2008 (has links)
No description available.
168

Analyses and Application of Ambient Seismic Noise in Sweden : Source, Interferometry, Tomography

Sadeghisorkhani, Hamzeh January 2017 (has links)
Ambient seismic noise from generation to its application for determination of sub-surface velocity structures is analyzed using continuous data recordings from the Swedish National Seismic Network (SNSN). The fundamental aim of the thesis is to investigate the applicability of precise velocity measurements from ambient noise data. In the ambient noise method, a form of interferometry, the seismic signal is constructed from long-term cross correlation of a random noise field. Anisotropy of the source distribution causes apparent time shifts (velocity bias) in the interferometric signals. The velocity bias can be important for the study area (Sweden) which has relatively small velocity variations. This work explores the entire data path, from investigating the noise-source distribution to a tomographic study of southern Sweden. A new method to invert for the azimuthal source distribution from cross-correlation envelopes is introduced. The method provides quantitative estimates of the azimuthal source distribution which can be used for detailed studies of source generation processes. An advantage of the method is that it uses few stations to constrain azimuthal source distributions. The results show that the source distribution is inhomogeneous, with sources concentrated along the western coast of Norway. This leads to an anisotropic noise field, especially for the secondary microseisms. The primary microseismic energy comes mainly from the northeast. The deduced azimuthal source distributions are used to study the level of expected bias invelocity estimates within the SNSN. The results indicate that the phase-velocity bias is less than 1% for most station pairs but can be larger for small values of the ratio of inter-station distance over wavelength. In addition, the nature of velocity bias due to a heterogeneous source field is investigated in terms of high and finite-frequency regimes. Graphical software for phase-velocity dispersion measurements based on new algorithms is presented and validated with synthetic data and by comparisons to other methods. The software is used for phase-velocity measurements, and deduced azimuthal source distributions are used for velocity-bias correction. Derived phase-velocity dispersion curves are used to construct two-dimensional velocity maps of southern Sweden at different periods based on travel-time tomography. The effect of the bias correction is investigated, and velocity maps are interpreted in comparison to previous geological and geophysical information.
169

The temporal and spatial variability of the marine atmospheric boundary layer and its effect on electromagnetic propagation in and around the Greenland Sea marginal ice zone

Groters, Douglas J. 06 1900 (has links)
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / Variability of the MABL and its effect on the electromagnetic (EM) refractive structure around the Greenland Sea marginal ice zone were examined. Rawinsonde profiles and surface observations collected from 3 ships during MIZEX-87(20 March-11 April) served as the data set. A program, developed to calculate the refractivity at each vertical level of the rawinsonde profiles, also identified the levels at which trapping, superrefraction and subrefraction occurred. Temporal studies showed that a higher incidence of anomalous refractive layers occurred during periods when the region was under the influence of high pressure. More than 50% of the time, trapping and super-refractive layers were attributed to development of a capping inversion just above the MABL during these periods. Spatial studies showed that the refractive structure varied relative to distance from the ice edge as did the depth of the MABL. An upward slope in refractive layer heights was observed from the ice toward the open water. Significant spatial inhomogeneity was observed over horizontal ranges of less than 100 km. This was attributed to both the large-scale synoptic forcing affecting the region and to variations in the surface fluxes of heat and moisture over the ice and over the water. A range-dependent ray trace model developed at the Naval Ocean Systems Center was used to show how the ray paths of EM waves vary with a changing refractive structures. Keywords: Air water interactions, Greenland Sea, Atmospheric refraction, Electromagnetic wave propagation, Heat flux, Sea ice. Theses. (EDC) / http://archive.org/details/temporalspatialv00grot / Lieutenant, United States Navy
170

Some engineering considerations for over-the-horizon communication systems

El Hammali, Zakaria Ahmed, El Hammali, Zakaria Ahmed January 1981 (has links)
No description available.

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