No / The aims of the research may be outlined as follows: to measure the degree of transient axial elongation during the accommodation response in emmetropic and myopic young adults. To evaluate the effect of refractive error and accommodative demand on transient axial elongation of the eye. Axial length of the right eye was measured in 30 emmetropes and 30 myopes, by using the IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA), while accommodative stimuli of 0, 2, 4 and 6 D were presented with a Badal optometer. Axial length increased in both emmetropic and myopic subjects during short periods of accommodative stimulation. Greater transient increases in axial length were observed in myopic than in emmetropic subjects. The mean axial elongation with a 6-D stimulus to accommodation was 0.037 mm in emmetropes and 0.058 mm in myopes (P = 0.02). The degree of transient axial elongation correlated well with the stimulus to accommodation in emmetropes and myopes. Anterior chamber depth decreased, on average, by 0.19 mm in emmetropes and 0.18 mm in myopes when observing a 6-D stimulus to accommodation. During relatively short periods of accommodative stimulation, axial length increases in both emmetropic and myopic young adults. At higher levels of accommodative stimulation, a significantly greater transient increase in axial length is observed in myopic subjects than in their emmetropic counterparts.

Dans le cadre du Projet National SOLCYP, le présent travail avait pour but d'étudier la réponse des pieux sous chargements axiaux pour les phases avant, pendant et après cycles. Pour atteindre cet objectif, une étude expérimentale étendue a donc été réalisée par le moyen de deux compagnes d'essais de chargements cycliques sur différents types de pieux instrumentées (battus, forés, vissés) dans deux sites expérimentaux : le site de Merville dans l'argile surconsolidée des Flandres et le site de Loon-Plage près de Dunkerque dans les sables denses des Flandres. Les essais cycliques comportaient des essais en compression, en traction et alternés avec des séries de cycles à forte amplitude conduisant à la rupture cyclique et des séries d'amplitude modérée à très grands nombres de cycles (N>5 000 cycles).L'interprétation de ces essais a englobé, d'une part, une analyse globale du comportement des pieux sous chargements cycliques notamment (i) la réduction de la capacité du pieu; (ii) le nombre de cycles que le pieu peut support avant la rupture (iii) l'évolution du déplacement en tête des pieux (rigidité cyclique). D'autre part, elle a intégré une étude locale en particulier sur la dégradation du frottement latéral et l'évolution de la résistance de pointe du pieu. Cette thèse, basée sur l'étude expérimentale, a permis la formulation des conclusions pratiques sur le comportement des pieux sous chargements cycliques axiaux et a proposé des perspectives pour bien cerner cette problématique / As part of the French National research project SOLCYP, the purpose of this work was study the behavior of the piles under axial loadings for the phases before, during and after cycles.To achieve this objective, an extensive series of static and cyclic axial pile load tests have been carried out in two experimental sites of the North of France: the overconsolidated Flandrian clays (Merville experimental site) and in dense Flandrian sands (Loon-Plage experimental site). Tests were performed on driven closed-ended pipe piles, bored piles and screwed. All piles were instrumented with retrievable extensometers for measuring the load distribution along the pile wall.Cyclic load tests were composed of series of cycles of constant load amplitude. A large range of load histories were applied including series of small amplitude cycles and great number of cycles (N > 5000) and series of large amplitude cycles leading to cyclic failure after a small number of cycles..A large volume of data has been interpreted to describe the effects of axial cyclic loads on the behavior of the piles. The interpretation of these tests included, on the one hand, a global analysis focusing on (i) the potential reduction on the ultimate axial capacity; (ii) the number of load cycles of a given load that the pile can sustain before cyclic failure and (iii) the evolution of displacements of the pile head during cyclic loading (pile stiffness). In addition, it integrated a local study in particular on shaft friction degradation along the pile wall and evolution of the resistance of point of the pile.This thesis, based on the experimental study, allowed the formulation of the practical conclusions on the behavior of the piles under axial cyclic loadings and proposed prospects for determining these problems well

Nous avons abordé dans ce travail deux aspects particuliers de la mécanique des fluides appliquées à la conception des matériels de lutte contre l’incendie. Le premier concerne la ventilation lors du traitement des compartiments. Nous avons montré qu’une grille alvéolaire, placée devant l’hélice du ventilateur, nous permet de façonner le jet et de lui donner une forme ovalisée. Cette forme est plus adéquate à l’entrant du compartiment et permet un gain important de la performance de ces ventilateurs. Le deuxième aspect de ce travail a été de concevoir un système de dosage d’émulseur dans un réseau d’eau sous pression. Nous avons pour cela défini un doseur de type venturi, équipé d’une ogive conique au niveau du col. Cette ogive, dont la position est définie par le rapport entre la pression d’entrée et la pression de sortie. Nous avons montré, à partir du théorème de Bernoulli, que ce système permet de maintenir une aspiration au niveau du col, quelle que soit la pression ou le débit le traversant. / In this work we have analysed two topics of fluid mechanics, applied to the design of fire fighting equipment. The first one is the performance of ventilation during the movement of air in a compartment that contains a fire. We have shown that specific blade angle designed within the gril and placed in front of the fan propeller, allows us to manipulate the jet of air giving it an oval shape. This shape is more efficient and allows a significant gain in the air movement performance within the compartment for these fans. The second aspect of this work was to define an emulsifier dosing system in a pressurized water system. We define a venturi dosing system with a movable cone piece. The position of this conical piece is Controlled by the pressure ratio between the inlet and the outlet. Based on Bernoulli's theorem, we have demontrated that this system maintains a level of suction at the Inlet regardless of the pressure or flow passing through it.

ITC/USA 2007 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Third Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 22-25, 2007 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / The US ARMY, ARDEC; in cooperation with AMCOM AMRDEC, Missile Guidance and Engineering Directorates; the Office of Naval Research; Naval Surface Fire Support; and the Naval Surface Weapon Center, requires multiphase development of a common, low-cost, high G survivable, high accuracy, Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and Common, Deeply Integrated, Guidance and Navigation Unit (DI-GNU) for DoD gun launched guided munition and missile applications. The challenge for the Precision Munition Instrumentation Division (PMID) was to develop a Telemetry System to record the interior and exterior ballistics of a M831 TP-T projectile, which will be used as a carrier for soft recovery testing of IMUs and GNUs. This valuable data that would help The Government and contractors develop and validate multiple MEMS IMU design efforts, culminating with live fire verification performance test of pre-production in the Army’s 155-mm Soft Recovery Vehicle (SRVs) and missiles airframes.

Corrosion of steel reinforcement causes continual degradation to the worldwide infrastructures and it has prompted the need for challenges to those involved with reinforced concrete structures. Recently, the use of fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) tubes as structurally integrated stay-in-place forms for concrete members, such as beams, columns, bridge piers, piles and fender piles has emerged as an innovative solution to the corrosion problem. In such integrated systems, the FRP tubes may act as a permanent form, often as a protective jacket for concrete, and especially as external reinforcement in the primary and secondary directions such as for confinement. Furthermore, the use of concrete-filled FRP tubes (CFFT) technique is predicated on performance attributes linked to their high strength-to-weight ratios, expand the service life of structures, enhance corrosion resistance, and potentially high durability. This dissertation evaluates the axial and flexural performances of reinforced CFFT through experimental and analytical investigations. The details description and the findings of the investigations are presented through seven articles. To fulfill the objectives of this research, an experimental program has been designed including pure compression tests (33 specimens), axial-eccentric load tests (4 specimens) and pure flexure tests (10 specimens). Experimental investigations of the behaviour of CFFT have generally been carried out without using internal longitudinal reinforcement. The CFFT system of this study consists basically of filament-wound glass FRP tubes filled with concrete and reinforced internally with steel or FRP bars. Five types of new FRP tubes have been used with different thicknesses and two different diameters, 152 and 213 mm. Pure compression tests have been conducted on 40 specimens with a total height ranging from 305 mm to 1520 mm. One of the main objectives of testing these specimens is to evaluate the design equations of the North American codes and design guidelines to predict the ultimate load capacities of reinforced and unreinforced short CFFT columns. In addition, the effect of three parameters and their interactions on the buckling behaviour were investigated for these specimens; namely, the FRP tube thickness, concrete compressive strength, and slenderness ratio. The effect of eccentric load on the behaviour of four CFFT specimens of diameters 152mm and long 912mm, has been evaluated using four different eccentricity values (15, 30, 45 and 60 mm). Based on the finding of experimental and theoretical investigation for the CFFT columns, a new confinement model is proposed for the confined concrete compressive strength of the CFFT cylinders. Also, the design equations are modified to accurately predict the ultimate and yield loads capacities of internally reinforced and unreinforced short CFFT columns. In addition, the theoretical analysis was utilized to correlate the slenderness ratio of the CFFT columns to various material characteristics and geometric properties of the FRP tubes and concrete. It was found that a slenderness ratio of 12 gave a safe value for the design purposes. However a more precise formula for the slenderness ratio was proposed to control the buckling mode of failure. Pure flexural tests have been conducted on 10 RCFFT and RC beams of a total length 2000 mm with constant diameter 213 mm. The test variables were the type of internal reinforcements (steel or GFRP bars), the FRP tube thickness, concrete compressive strength and the type of transverse reinforcements (spiral steel or FRP tubes). The influence of the considered variables on the flexural behaviour of the tested RCFFT beams is presented. A simplified analytical method is developed to predict the yield and resisting moments corresponding to the failure modes of the tested RCFFT beams. The analysis was conducted according to the equations derived from linear elastic analysis. This analysis was found to be acceptable for predicting the ultimate and yield moments capacities of the FRP or steel-RCFFT beams. In addition, an analytical investigation to examine the validity of the available design provisions for predicting the load-deflection response of CFFT is conducted. The effective moments of inertia of the tested beams are analyzed using the different available code, manuals and design guidelines equations. The results of the analysis are compared with the experimental values. It has been found that the predicted tension stiffening for steel or FRP-RCFFT beams using the conventional equations (steel or FRP-RC member) is underestimated and hence the predicted deflections are overestimated. Based on the experimental data obtained in this study, new proposed equations and a modified expression for the effective moment of inertia of a simply supported CFFT beams reinforced with steel or GFRP bars are introduced.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Concrete filled double skin tube (CFDST) columns is a new method of column construction. CFDST columns consists of two steel hollow sections, one inside the other, concentrically aligned. The cross-sections of the two hollow sections does not have to be the same shape. Concrete is cast in between the two hollow sections resulting in a CFDST. This study only considers CFDST columns constructed with circular steel hollow sections. The advantages of CFDST construction include: ● The inner and outer steel hollow sections replaces the traditional steel reinforcement that would be used in a normal reinforced concrete column. This reduces the construction time since there is no need to construct a reinforcing cage. ● The steel hollow sections acts as a stay in place formwork, eliminating the need for traditional formwork. This also reduces construction time. ● The steel hollow sections confine the concrete, making it more ductile and increasing its yield strength. The objective of this study is to identify methods that can predict the axial capacity of eccentrically loaded circular CFDST columns. Methods chosen for the investigation are: 1. Finite element model (FEM). A model was developed to predict the behaviour of eccentrically loaded CFDST columns. The FE model uses a concrete material model proposed in literature for stub columns. The aim was to determine whether the material model is suited for this application. 2. The failure load of CFDST columns under concentric loading was calculated using a model obtained in literature. These capacities were compared to the experimental test results of eccentrically loaded CFDST columns to establish a correlation. This study found that the concrete material model used does not adequately capture the behaviour resulting in the axial response of the column being too stiff. The difference between the eccentrically loaded experimental test results and the calculated concentrically loaded capacity showed a clear trend that could be used to predict the capacity of eccentrically loaded CFDST columns. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Beton-gevulde dubbel laag pyp (BGDLP) kolomme is ‘n nuwe metode van kolom konstruksie. BGDLP kolomme bestaan uit twee staal pyp snitte, die een binne die ander geplaas met hul middelpunte opgelyn, die dwarssnit van die twee pype hoef nie dieselfde vorm te wees nie. Beton word dan in die wand tussen die twee pyp snitte gegiet. Die resultaat is ‘n hol beton snit. Hierdie studie handel slegs oor BGDLP kolomme wat met ronde pyp snitte verwaardig is. Die volgende voordele kan aan BGDLP toegeken word: ● Die binne en buite staalpype vervang die tradisionele staal bewapening was in normale bewapende-beton gebruik sou word. Dus verminder dit die tyd wat dit sal neem om die kolom op te rig. ● Die staalpypsnitte is ook permanente vormwerk. Dit doen dus weg met die gebruik van normale bekisting, wat ook konstruksie tyd spaar. ● Die buite-staalpypsnit bekamp die uitsetting van die beton onder las. Hierdie bekamping veroorsaak dat die beton se gedrag meer daktiel is en ‘n hoër falings spanning kan bereik. Die doel van die studie is om metodes te identifiseer wat gebruik kan word om die aksiale kapasiteit onder eksentriese laste van BGDLP kolomme te bepaal. Twee metodes was gekies: 1. Eindige element model. ‘n Model was ontwikkel om die gedrag van BGDLP kolomme te voorspel. Die mikpunt was om te bepaal of ‘n beton materiaal gedrag model vanuit die literatuur gebruik kan word om BGDLP kolomme te modelleer. 2. Die swiglas van BGDLP kolomme onder konsentriese belasting was bereken vanaf vergelykings uit die literatuur. Hierdie swiglaste was vergelyk met die eksperimentele toets resultate vir eksentriese belaste BGDLP kolomme om ‘n korrelasie te vind. Hierdie studie het bewys dat die beton materiaal model uit die literatuur kan nie gebruik word om die swiglaste van BGDLP kolomme te bepaal nie. Die model het die gedrag te styf gemodelleer. Die verskil tussen die berekende konsentriese belaste swiglas en die eksperimentele resultate van eksentriese BGDLP kolomme was voorspelbaar en kan gebruik word om die swiglas van eksentriese belaste BGDLP kolomme te voorspel.

Experimental research was conducted to investigate the influence of axial load and prestress on the shear strength of web-shear critical reinforced concrete elements. The ability of two design codes, the ACI code and the CSA code, to accurately predict the shear strength of web-shear critical reinforced concrete elements was investigated through two sets of experiments performed for this thesis, the panel tests and the beam tests. The experimental results indicated that the CSA code provided better predictions for the shear strength of web-shear critical reinforced concrete members subjected to combined axial force and shear force than the ACI code. A total of six panels, reinforced almost identically, were tested under different combinations of uni-axial stress and shear stress. In addition to the panel tests, a total of eleven I-shaped beams, with the same web thickness, were tested under different combinations of axial force and shear force. The parameters for these beams were the amount of longitudinal reinforcement, the amount of transverse reinforcement, and the thickness of the flanges. The beams were simply supported, but the loading geometry was specially designed to simulate the loading conditions in continuous beams near points of inflection. The experimental results from the panel tests and the beam tests followed a similar trend of variations. Both the inclined cracking strength and the ultimate shear strength were increased by compression and were reduced by tension. The specimens subjected to very high compression failed explosively without developing many cracks. The inclined cracking strength could be predicted with good accuracy if the influence of the co-existing compression on the cracking strength of the concrete and the non-uniform distribution of the stresses over the depth of the cross-section were considered. The strength predictions using the ACI code for these tests were neither accurate nor consistent. The ACI code was unconservative for members subjected to compression and was excessively conservative for members subjected to tension. In contrast, the strength predictions using the CSA code for these tests were generally conservative and consistent. The CSA code accurately predicted the response of specimens subjected to compression and was somewhat conservative in predicting the shear strength of specimens subjected to tension.

This thesis work is based on the analysis of a fan blade attachment whereby a complete 3D model is presented by a partner company. The acceptability of a new design regarding the mechanical loads consisting of dividing the hub into two parts instead of using a solid hub is studied. From the model some critical parameters for the attachment of the blade with respect to the stresses are chosen such as the rotational speed, fillet size of the blade and the neck size of the blade. Parametric studies of these parameters are carried out in order to suggest the new design. Bearing in mind that a safety factor of 2 is the prerequisite, based on the analysis performed on ANSYS Workbench, it is suggested from the preliminary design that the axial fan can operate in two specific scenarios consisting of a rotational speed of 1771 rpm and a rotational speed of 1594 rpm. Using this set of parameters, a suggestion is drawn up on the blade fillet which will give lower stress. Blade fillet size of 30 to 35mm is recommended while a size of 45mm is recommended on the neck of the blade. A modal analysis is performed in order to find at what frequency will the model be vibrating and a lowest and critical frequency of 16.8 Hz is obtained. Finally, a fatigue analysis of some interesting areas is performed in order to determine the numbers of cycles before fatigue failure occur. It is recommended to use the rotational speed since these speeds have offered a High Cycle Fatigue results.

Reinforced Concrete (RC) bridge piers, RC columns along exterior of buildings or those located in parking garages are designed to support large compressive axial loads but are vulnerable to transverse out-of-plane loadings, such as those arising from impacts or explosions. To address a lack of understanding regarding blast and impact response of RC members and the need for retrofit techniques to address deficiencies in existing structures, a multi-disciplinary team including various institutes of the National Research Council and the University of Ottawa has initiated work towards developing a fibre reinforced polymer composite protection system for RC columns subjected to extreme shocks. This thesis will focus on the impact program of the aforementioned project. An extensive literature review was conducted to gain a better understanding of: impact loading and associated dynamic effects; experimental testing of RC members subjected to impact; experimental testing of axially loaded members; and retrofit methods for the protection of RC under impact loading. Five half-scale RC columns were constructed and tested using a drop-weight impact machine and two additional specimens were tested under static loading. Deflections, strain distributions within the columns, impact loads and reaction loads were measured during the testing of the built RC members. Comparisons of experimental datum were established between members with differing levels of axial load and between a retrofitted and a non-retrofitted member. Single-degree-of-freedom analysis was used to obtain the predicted response of certain columns under impact loading allowing for comparisons with experimental data.

Mechanical stimulation, in combination with biochemical factors, is likely to be essential to the appropriate function of stem cells and the development of tissue engineered constructs for orthopaedic and other uses. A multi-axial bioreactor was designed and built by Bose ElectroForce to simulate physiologically relevant loading conditions of the intervertebral disc (IVD), including axial compression, hydrostatic pressure and perfusion flow to multiple constructs under the control of a software program. This research optimises the design and configuration of the perfusion system of the bioreactor and presents results of preliminary experimental work on the combined effects of axial compression and perfusion on the viability of mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated in alginate hydrogels and the ability of the cells to produce extracellular matrix (ECM). The results of this thesis illustrated the power of a design of experiments (DOE) approach as a troubleshooting quality tool. With a modest amount of effort, we have gained a better understanding of the perfusion process of the tri-axial bioreactor, improved operational procedures and reduced variation in the process. Furthermore, removing unnecessary tubing lengths, equipment and fittings has made cost savings. The steady flow energy equation (SFEE) was used to develop a numerical analysis framework that provides an insight into the balance between velocity, elevation and friction in the flow system. The pressure predictions agreed well with experimental data, thus validating the SFEE for fluid analysis in the bioreactor system. The numerical predictions can be used to estimate the pressures around the three-dimensional constructs with a given arrangement of the tubing and components of the bioreactor. The system can potentially support long-term cultures of cell-seeded constructs in controlled environmental conditions found in vivo to study the mechanobiology of nucleus pulposus tissue engineering and the aetiology of IVD degeneration. However, dynamic compression and perfusion with associated hydrostatic pressurization of culture medium resulted in significant loss of cell viability compared to the unstimulated controls. Due to a large number of factors affecting cell behaviour in the tri-axial bioreactor system, it is difficult to identify the exact parameters influencing the observed cell response. A strategy that could help to distinguish the effects of mechanical stimuli and specific physiochemical factors should combine experiments with mathematical modelling approaches, and use the sensing incorporated in the bioreactor design and process-control systems to monitor and control specific culture parameters. Optimisation of the cell passage and cell seeding density were identified as key areas to improve the production of GAG in future studies; since the production of ECM was not observed in both static and dynamic cultures. Further studies could also attempt to use other hydrogel scaffolds, such as agarose, which has been widely used in cartilage tissue engineering studies and hyaluronic acid - a component of the nucleus pulposus ECM.