This research investigates the modeling of randomly distributed surface-breaking microcracks and their effects on higher harmonic generation in Rayleigh surface waves. The modeling is based on micromechanical considerations of rough surface contact. The nonlinear behavior of a single microcrack is described by a hyperelastic effective stress-strain relationship. Finite element simulations of nonlinear wave propagation in a solid with distributed microcracks are performed. The evolution of fundamental and second harmonic amplitudes along the propagation distance is studied and the acoustic nonlinearity parameter is calculated. The results show that the nonlinearity parameter increases with crack density and root mean square roughness of the crack faces. While, for a dilute concentration of microcracks, the increase in acoustic nonlinearity is proportional to the crack density, this is not valid for higher crack densities, as the microcracks start to interact. Finally, it is shown that odd higher harmonic generation in Rayleigh surface waves due to sliding crack faces introduces a friction nonlinearity.

Smart materials are intelligent materials that change their structural, chemical, mechanical, or thermal properties in response to an external stimulus such as heat, light, and magnetic and electric fields. With the increase in usage of smart materials in many sensitive applications, the need for a remote, wireless, efficient, and biologically safe stimulus has become crucial. This dissertation addresses this requirement by using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as the external trigger. HIFU has a unique capability of maintaining both spatial and temporal control and propagating over long distances with reduced losses, to achieve the desired response of the smart material. Two categories of smart materials are investigated in this research; shape memory polymers (SMPs) and piezoelectric materials. SMPs have the ability to store a temporary shape and returning to their permanent or original shape when subjected to an external trigger. On the other hand, piezoelectric materials have the ability to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy and vice versa. Due to these extraordinary properties, these materials are being used in several industries including biomedical, robotic, noise-control, and aerospace. This work introduces two novel concepts: First, HIFU actuation of SMP-based drug delivery capsules as an alternative way of achieving controlled drug delivery. This concept exploits the pre-determined shape changing capabilities of SMPs under localized HIFU exposure to achieve the desired drug delivery rate. Second, solving the existing challenge of low efficiency by focusing the acoustic energy on piezoelectric receivers to transfer power wirelessly. The fundamental physics underlying these two concepts is explored by developing comprehensive mathematical models that provide an in-depth analysis of individual parameters affecting the HIFU-smart material systems, for the first time in literature. Many physical factors such as acoustic, material and dynamical nonlinearities, acoustic standing waves, and mechanical behavior of materials are explored to increase the developed models' accuracy. These mathematical frameworks are designed with the aim of serving as a basic groundwork for building more complex smart material-based systems under HIFU exposure. / Doctor of Philosophy / Smart materials are a type of intelligent materials that have the ability to respond to external stimuli such as heat, light, and magnetic fields. When these materials respond, they can change their structural, thermodynamical, mechanical or chemical nature. Due to this extraordinary property, smart materials are being used in many applications including biomedical, robotic, space, microelectronics, and automobile industry. However, due to increased sensitivity and need for safety in many applications, a biologically safe, wireless, and efficient trigger is required to actuate these materials. In this dissertation, sound is used as an external trigger to actuate two types of smart materials: shape memory polymers (SMPs) and piezoelectric materials. SMPs have an ability to store a temporary (arbitrarily deformed) shape and return to their permanent shape when exposed to a trigger. In this dissertation, focused sound induced thermal energy acts as a trigger for these polymers. A novel concept of focused ultrasound actuation of SMP-based drug delivery capsules is proposed as a means to solve some of the challenges being faced in the field of controlled drug delivery. Piezoelectric materials have an ability to generate electric power when an external mechanical force is applied and vice versa. In this study, sound pressure waves supply the external force required to produce electric current in piezoelectric disks, as a method for achieving power transfer wirelessly. This study aims to solve the current problem of low efficiency in acoustic power transfer systems by focusing sound waves. This dissertation addresses the fundamental physics of high intensity focused ultrasound actuation of smart materials by developing comprehensive mathematical models and systematic experimental investigations, that have not been performed till now. The developed models enable an in-depth analysis of individual parameters including nonlinear material behavior, acoustic nonlinearity and resonance phenomena that affect the functioning of these smart systems. These mathematical frameworks also serve as groundwork for developing more complex systems.

La détection des fissures fermées constitue un verrou important pour les méthodes conventionnelles de CND. En revanche, les méthodes basées sur le principe du contact acoustique non-linéaire (CAN) représentent un outil potentiel capable de détecter et éventuellement de caractériser les fissures fermées. Dans ce travail de thèse, le CAN et la génération du second harmonique sont au centre de l’attention dans le but d’analyser les mécanismes mis en jeu en vue de la détection et la caractérisation de fissures fermées. Notre approche repose sur une analyse numérique de l’interaction entre une interface de contact et une onde longitudinale et une analyse expérimentale du CAN sur une éprouvette contenant une fissure de fatigue.Le CAN est modélisé par une loi de contact unilatéral avec (ou sans) frottement de Coulomb, en considérant l’interaction non-linéaire entre une onde longitudinale et une interface de contact, d’abord dans un milieu unidimensionnel en utilisant la méthode des différences finies, puis dans un milieu bidimensionnel par la méthode des Eléments Finis. Cette analyse a permis d’expliquer la génération des harmoniques supérieurs et de mettre en évidence les principaux paramètres gouvernant le CAN dans un cas unidimensionnel (onde plane/interface de contact plane), et aussi dans un cas bidimensionnel plus complexe considérant une onde non-plane et des morphologies d’interfaces complexes. Afin de valider les résultats numériques et d’apprécier l’applicabilité de la méthode dans un cas réel, des mesures expérimentales du second harmonique dans le cas d’une fissure de fatigue réelle sont effectuées. Les résultats de cette étude sont en accord avec les tendances numériques obtenues.Enfin, dans le but d’exploiter au maximum la méthode de génération d’harmonique, nous proposons également une stratégie numérique/expérimentale de reconstruction des sources acoustiques, basée sur une méthode d’holographie acoustique, permettant ainsi d’accéder à la distribution des sources de génération du second harmonique au niveau de la fissure. Ces résultats sont prometteurs en vue de la caractérisation des fissures fermées. / The detection of closed cracks constitutes an important obstacle for conventional nondestructiftechnics (NDT). However, nonlinear methods based on contact acoustic nonlinearity (CAN)represent a potential tool for the detection of these defects. In this work, a detailed analysis of thecontact acoustic nonlinearity is proposed in view of the characterization of closed crack.Our approach is based on an association between a numerical analysis of the nonlinear interactionbetween a longitudinal wave and a contact interface, as well as an experimental study of the CAN inthe case of a real fatigue crack.Numerically, the CAN is modeled by using a unilateral contact law with (or without) Coulombfriction. The nonlinear interaction between a longitudinal wave and a contact interface is considered,first in a one-dimensional medium by using the Finite Differences method, and then in a twodimensionalmedium by using the Finite Elements method. This analysis explains the generation ofsuper-harmonics and defines the main physical parameters controlling the CAN in a one-dimensionalcase (plane wave / plane contact interface) and also in a more complex two-dimensional caseconsidering a non-planar wave and complex interface morphologies. In order to validate the numericalresults and to test the applicability of the method in a real case, experimental measurements of thesecond harmonic in the case of a real fatigue crack are realized. The results of this study are inagreement with the numerical tendencies obtained.Finally, in order to exploit well the harmonic generation method, a numerical / experimentalstrategy based on acoustic holography principal for the reconstruction of acoustic sources is proposed.This strategy gives access to the distribution of second harmonic sources at the crack. The results ofthis study are promising in view of the characterization of closed cracks.

Les effets non-linéaires produits par l'interaction entre une onde et une fissure fermée peuvent être un moyen potentiel pour la détection de ces fissures. Ce travail porte sur l'étude et l'analyse de la non-linéarité de contact générée par la propagation d'une onde à travers une fissure fermée. Notre approche repose sur la modélisation numérique par Eléments finis (EF) dont la résolution est effectuée dans le domaine temporel. La fissure est modélisée par une loi de contact unilatéral avec frottement de Coulomb. L'outil numérique mis en place est utilisé pour l'analyse de la méthode de génération d'harmoniques et sa relation avec la dynamique de contact. Le cas d'une interface de contact entre deux solides a permis d'estimer l'influence de l'état de contrainte sur le comportement non-linéaire, et a fait l'objet d'une validation expérimentale. La diffusion non-linéaire d'une fissure fermée orientée est ensuite obtenue en couplant la solution numérique à une méthode semi-analytique afin d'obtenir les diagrammes de directivité. Les mécanismes impliqués dans l'interaction onde - fissure sont mis en évidence. Ces résultats nous permettent ensuite d'appliquer la méthode du mixage d'ondes non-colinéaire, d'abord sur une interface de contact puis sur une fissure fermée. L'étude numérique et les premiers résultats expérimentaux démontrent le potentiel de la méthode en terme de détection, de caractérisation et d'imagerie. / The nonlinear effects produced by the interaction between a closed crack and an ultrasonic wave can be a good mean for the detection or thecharacterization of such cracks. This work is dedicated to the study and the analysis of the contact acoustic nonlinearity involved during the interaction of acoustic waves and closed cracks. Our approach is based on Finite Element (FE) modeling. The crack is modeled by unilateral contact with Coulomb's friction law, and numerical solutions are computed in the time domain. The numerical tool is used to analyze the method of higher harmonic generation and its relation with contact dynamics. First, the case of an interface between two solids in contact is considered, both numerically and experimentally, and it was shown that the nonlinear behavior depend on the state of stress. Then, nonlinear elastic scattering by a closed crack of various orientations was calculated. A hybrid model coupling FE and semi-analytical solutions was set up to compute the scattered field and to plot directivity diagrams. The nonlinear mechanisms involved in the interaction between a wave and a closed crack are highlighted. Using those results, the non-collinear mixing technique was applied for measuring the nonlinear response of a contact interface and a closed crack. The numerical results, as well as the first experimental results, are very promising for detecting, locating and imaging closed cracks.

Although several studies have proven the accuracy of using a non-contact, air-coupled receiver in nonlinear ultrasonic (NLU) Rayleigh wave measurements, inconsistent results have been observed when working with narrow specimens. The objectives of this research are first, to develop a 3D numerical finite element (FE) model which predicts nonlinear ultrasonic measurements and second, to apply the validated model on the narrow waveguide to determine causes of the previously observed experimental issues. The commercial FE-solver ABAQUS is used to perform these simulations. Constitutive law and excitation source properties are adjusted to match experiments conducted, considering inherent effects of the non-contact detection, such as frequency dependent pressure wave attenuation and signal averaging. Comparison of “infinite” and narrow width simulations outlines various influences which impair the nonlinear Rayleigh wave measurements. When the wave expansion is restricted, amplitudes of the fundamental and second harmonic components decrease more significantly and the Rayleigh wavefronts show an oscillating interaction with the boundary. Because of the air-coupled receiver’s finite width, it is sensitive to these edge effects which alter the observed signal. Thus, the narrow specimen adversely affects key factors needed for consistent measurement of material nonlinearity with an air-coupled, non-contact receiver.

Les structures soumises à des vibrations sont rencontrées dans diverses applications. Dans denombreux cas, elles sont de nature linéaires, mais quand les amplitudes des oscillations deviennentimportantes, cela provoque un comportement non-linéaire. Par ailleurs, les oscillations desstructures dans un milieu fluide entrainent une interaction fluide-structure. Cette thèse porte surla modélisation du problème fluide-structure non-linéaire. Les cas de non-linéarités étudiés sont lanon-linéarité grands-déplacements caractéristique des structures minces, la non-linéarité localiséegéométrique décrivant une liaison non-linéaire entre deux structures et la non-linéarité acoustiqueparticularité des très hauts niveaux de pression.Pour la modélisation de ces problèmes, il se peut que le calcul en réponse demeure infaisable enraison du temps de calcul. D’une part, on est amené à résoudre des systèmes matriciels (symétriquesou non) de grandes tailles générés par la méthode des éléments finis et d’autre part, cetterésolution demande une évaluation de la force non-linéaire à chaque itération. Afin de diminuer lecoût de calcul, la réduction de modèle par des bases de réductions couplées avec un algorithmeparallélisant l’évaluation de la force non-linéaire, est une alternative à la résolution du systèmecomplet. La construction des bases de réduction doit s’adapter au mieux à chaque problème traité.La base modale du problème linéaire est une première approximation puis elle est enrichie par desinformations qui proviennent à la fois de la nature du couplage et du comportement non-linéaire / Structures subjected to vibrations are found in various applications. In many cases, they behave ina linear way, but when the amplitudes of the oscillations become important, it causes a nonlinearbehavior. Moreover, the oscillations of structures in a fluid field lead to a fluid-structureinteraction. This thesis focuses on the modeling of nonlinear fluid-structure problem. Differentkind of nonlinearities are studied in this work including the large-displacement nonlinearitycharacteristic of thin structures, the localized geometrical nonlinearity describing a nonlinear linkbetween two structures, and the acoustic nonlinearity characteristic of very high levels ofpressure.Modeling such problems are time and memory consuming, that may lead to a limitations of themodel. Therefore, it is necessary to solve a large matrix system (either symmetric or not)generated by the finite element method and the resolution needs an evaluation of the nonlinearforce at each iteration. In order to reduce the computational cost, model reduction with reducedbases combined with parallelization of the nonlinear force evolution is proposed as an alternative tothe resolution of complete systems. Building reduction bases must be adapted to each concernedproblem. The eigenmode of the linear problem is a first approximation and it is enriched withinformation coming from both coupling and nonlinear behaviors.