Drilled shaft retaining walls are common earth retaining structures, well suited to urban environments where noise, space, and damage to adjacent structures are major considerations. The design of drilled shaft retaining walls in non-expansive soils is well established. In expansive soils, however, there is no consensus on the correct way to account for the influence of soil expansion on wall behavior. Based on the range of design assumptions currently in practice, existing walls could be substantially over- or under-designed. The goal of this research is to advance the understanding of the effects of expansive clay on drilled shaft retaining walls. The main objectives of this study are to identify the processes responsible for wall loading and deformation in expansive clay, to evaluate how these processes change with time, and to provide guidance for design practice to account for these processes and ensure adequate wall performance. The primary source of information for this research is performance data from a four-year monitoring program at the Lymon C. Reese research wall, a full-scale instrumented drilled shaft retaining wall constructed through expansive clay in Manor, Texas. The test wall was instrumented with inclinometers and fiber optic strain gauges, and performance data was recorded during construction, excavation, during natural moisture fluctuations, and during controlled inundation tests that provided the retained soil with unlimited access to water. In addition to the test wall study, a field assessment of existing TxDOT drilled shaft retaining walls was conducted. The main process influencing short-term wall deformation was found to be global response to stress relief during excavation, which causes the wall and soil to move together without the development of large earth pressures or bending stresses. Long-term wall deformations were governed by the development of drained conditions in both the retained soil and the foundation soil after approximately eight months of controlled inundation testing. To ensure adequate wall performance, the deformations and structural loads associated with short- and long-term conditions should be combined and checked against allowable values. / text

La technologie MEMS pour les applications hyperfréquences, s'est développée depuis quelques années<br />avec pour objectif d'améliorer les performances des circuits et dispositifs microondes. De nombreux composants<br />ont été développés, démontrant alors une importante réduction des pertes et une plus grande linéarité que leurs<br />principaux concurrents: les composants semi-conducteurs. Notre étude a porté donc sur la conception d'un<br />micro-commutateur et son intégration dans des circuits microondes reconfigurables.<br />Dans un premier temps, nous présentons dans le manuscrit un état de l'art de la technologie MEMS et<br />des composants hyperfréquences qui en résultent. Le fonctionnement de commutateurs micromécaniques y est<br />plus particulièrement étudié. Les principaux atouts et limitations sont également présentés avec quelques<br />domaines d'application où ces composants peuvent contribuer à une amélioration de performances.<br />La seconde partie de ces travaux est dédiée à la conception mécanique et électromagnétique d'un microcommutateur<br />à contact ohmique. L'objectif de cette étude était de réaliser un composant fiable avec de bonnes<br />performances. L'optimisation de ce composant y est présentée, validée par des performances mécaniques et<br />électriques des dispositifs réalisés.<br />La dernière partie de ces travaux concerne le développement de nouvelles topologies de circuits<br />hyperfréquences reconfigurables équipés de micro-commutateurs à contact ohmique. Nous y présentons trois<br />applications dont la conception de filtres passe-bande avec un accord discret sur une large plage de fréquences<br />(20% et 44% d'accord). Nous montrons également comment maintenir les pertes de ces dispositifs à un faible<br />niveau, en conservant les facteurs de qualité de ces composants reconfigurables à une valeur élevée.

Iron filled carbon nanotubes (FeCNT) can be described as carbon nanotubes which contain an iron nanowire of several micrometers length and a diameter of approximately 10-100 nm. The carbon shells protect the iron core from oxidation and mechanical damage thus enabling a wide range of applications that require a long-term stability. The magnetic properties of the enclosed nanowire are in part determined by its small size and elongated shape. Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) measurements show that the iron wire exhibits a single domain behavior. Due to the large shape anisotropy it is magnetized along the long wire axis in the remanent state. Two magnetic monopoles of opposing polarity are located at the wire extremities. Depending on the structure and geometry of the individual nanowire, switching fields in the range of 100-400 mT can be found when the external field is applied along the FeCNT’s easy axis. Cantilever magnetometry shows that the switching can be attributed to a thermally assisted magnetization reversal mechanism with the nucleation and propagation of a domain wall. The defined magnetic properties of individual FeCNT combined with their mechanical strength make them ideal candidates for an application as high resolution high stability MFM probes. The fabrication of such probes can be achieved with the help of a micromanipulation setup in a scanning electron microscope. FeCNT MFM probes achieve a sub 25 nm lateral magnetic resolution. MFM measurements with FeCNT MFM probes in external fields show that the magnetization of these probes is exceptionally stable compared to conventional coated MFM probes. This greatly simplifies the data evaluation of such applied field MFM measurements. The emphasis of this work was put on the calibration of FeCNT probes to enable straightforward quantitative MFM measurements. The defined shape of the magnetically active iron nanowire allows an application of a point monopole description. Microscale parallel current carrying lines that produce a defined magnetic field are used as calibration structures to determine the effective magnetic moment of different MFM probes. The line geometry is varied in order to produce multiple magnetic field decay lengths and investigate the influence on the effective probe moment. The results show that while the effective magnetic monopole moment of a conventional MFM probe increases with an increasing sample stray field decay length, the effective moment of a FeCNT MFM probe remains constant. This enables a MFM probe calibration that stays valid for a large variety of magnetic samples. Furthermore, the fitted monopole moment of a FeCNT probe (in the order of 10E-9 Am) is consistent with the moment calculated from the nanowire geometry and the saturation magnetization of iron.

Rotating and non-rotating beams are widely used to model important engineering struc-tures. Hence, the vibration analyses of these beams are an important problem from a structural dynamics point of view. Depending on the beam dimensions, they are mod-eled using different beam theories. In most cases, the governing differential equations of these types of beams do not yield any simple closed-form solutions; hence we look for the inverse problem approach in determining the beam property variations given certain solutions. The long and slender beams are generally modeled using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Under the premise of this theory, we study (i) the second mode tailoring of non-rotating beams having six different boundary conditions, (ii) closed-form solutions for free vibration analysis of free-free beams, (iii) closed-form solutions for free vibration analysis for gravity-loaded cantilever beams, (iv) closed-form solutions for free vibration analysis of rotating cantilever and pinned-free beams and (v) beams with shared eigen-pair. Short and thick beams are generally modeled using the Timoshenko beam theory. Here, we provide analytical closed-form solutions for the free vibration analysis of ro-tating non-homogeneous Timoshenko beams. The Rayleigh beam provides a marginal improvement over the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory without venturing into the math-ematical complexities of the Timoshenko beam theory. Under this theory, we provide closed-form solutions for the free vibration analysis of cantilever Rayleigh beams under three different axial loading conditions - uniform loading, gravity-loading and centrifu-gally loaded. We assume simple polynomial mode shapes which satisfy the different boundary conditions of a particular beam, and derive the corresponding beam property variations. In case of the shared eigenpair, we use the mode shape of a uniform beam which has a closed-form solution and use it to derive the stiffness distribution of a corresponding axially loaded beam having same length, mass variation and boundary condition. For the Timoshenko beam, we assume polynomial functions for the bending displacement and the rotation due to bending. The derived properties are demonstrated as benchmark analytical solutions for approximate and numerical methods used for the free vibration analysis of beams. They can also aid in designing actual beams for a pre-specified frequency or nodal locations in some cases. The effect of different parameters in the derived property variations and the bounds on the pre-specified frequencies and nodal locations are also studied for certain cases. The derived analytical solutions can also serve as a benchmark solution for different statistical simulation tools to find the probabilistic nature of the derived stiffness distri-bution for known probability distributions of the pre-specified frequencies. In presence of uncertainty, this flexural stiffness is treated as a spatial random field. For known probability distributions of the natural frequencies, the corresponding distribution of this field is determined analytically for the rotating cantilever Euler-Bernoulli beams. The derived analytical solutions are also used to derive the coefficient of variation of the stiffness distribution, which is further used to optimize the beam profile to maximize the allowable tolerances during manufacturing.

In this thesis the Ramberg-Osgood nonlinear model for describing the behavior of many different materials is investigated. A brief overview of the model as it is currently used in the literature is undertaken and several misunderstandings and possible pitfalls in its application is pointed out, especially as it pertains to more recent approaches to finding solutions involving the model. There is an investigation of the displacement of a cantilever beam under a combined loading consisting of a distributed load across the entire length of the beam and a point load at its end and new solutions to this problem are provided with a mixture of numerical techniques, which suggest strong mathematical consistency within the model for all theoretical assumptions made. A physical experiment was undertaken and the results prove to be inaccurate when using parameters derived from tensile tests, but when back calculating parameters from the beam test the model has a 14.40% error at its extreme against the experimental data suggesting the necessity for further testing.

Photonic bandgap structures have provided promising platform for miniaturization of modern integrated optical devices. In this thesis, a photonic crystal based ring resonator (PCRR) is proposed and optimized to exhibit high quality factor. Also, force sensing application of the optimized PC ring resonator and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) application of the PCRR are discussed. Finally fabrication and characterization of the PCRR is presented. A photonic crystal ring resonator is designed in a hexagonal lattice of air holes on a silicon slab. A novel approach is used to optimize PCRR to achieve high quality factor. The numerical analysis of the optimized photonic crystal ring resonator is presented in detail. For all electromagnetic computations Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method is used. The improvement in Q factor is explained by using the physical phenomenon, multipole cancellation of the radiation held of the PCRR cavity. The corresponding mathematical frame work has been included. The forced cancellation of lower order radiation components are verified by plotting far held radiation pattern of the PCRR cavity. Then, the force sensing application of the optimized PCRR is presented. A high sensitive force sensor based on photonic crystal ring resonator integrated with silicon micro cantilever is presented. The design and modelling of the device, including the mechanics of the cantilever, FEM (Finite Element Method) analysis of the cantilever beam with PC and without PC integrated on it. The force sensing characteristics are presented for forces in the range of 0 to 1 N. For forces which are in the range of few tens of N, a force sensor with bilayer cantilever is considered. PC ring resonator on the bilayer of 220nm thick silicon and 600nm thick SiO2 plays the role of sensing element. Force sensing characteristics of the bilayer cantilever for forces in the range of 0 to 10 N are presented. Fabrication and characterization of PCRR is also carried out. This experimental work is done mainly to understand practical issues in study of photonic crystal ring resonators. It is proved that Q factor of PCRR can be signi cantly improved by varying the PCRR parameters by the proposed method. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) application of PC ring resonator is included. A novel 4-channel PC based demultiplexer is proposed and optimized in order to tolerate the fabrication errors and exhibit optimal cross talk, coupling efficiency between resonator and various channels of the device. Since the intention of this design is, to achieve the device performance that is independent of the unavoidable fabrication errors, the tolerance studies are made on the performance of the device towards the fabrication errors in the dimension of various related parameters. In conclusion we summarize major results, applications including computations and practical measurements of this work and suggest future work that may be carried out later.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to design particular vertical and horizontal elements of the prefabricated gym hall. The supporting structure of the gym is formed by means of the column system with the use of the roof preloaded trusses. The entrance part of the building is designed as a column system using load-bearing beams and prefabricated ceiling sections. Overall, the structure of the building consists of columns, footings, foundation beams, reinforcing beams, prefabricated components which function as a ceiling structure, components functioning as a grandstand, a load - bearing beams a preloaded roof trusses V1. The diploma thesis designs particular supporting elements of the construction together with the construction of a grandstand.

The aim of my master’s thesis was to create models of the damping device and observing their behavior in interaction with the structure. First was the construction separately modeled with Java application named FyDiK2D like a model with one degree of freedom. Model of construction takes form like a high, thin rod with full circular cross section. The lower part was restrained into the subsoil. The design was to verify the correct functionality of the model by comparing the analytical and numerical solutions. For capturing the precise behavior of the structure was converted to a multi-stage model. Then the pendulum damper was applied on this construction and found amplitude lies in highest point of multi-stage model. He was then replaced by tuned mass damper. By comparing these amplitudes from both dampers was found which kind of damper is efficient for multi-stage model.

Diploma thesis deals with the design and stress analysis of the rocker suspension for an autocross car. The research describes some real cases of using suspension with pushrod and rocker in motorsport. Subsequently, the work deals with the design of the wheel bump/rebound limiting stops and bump/rebound measuring. The challenge is to design a component shape, size and select fit of a rocker with an emphasis on low weight whilst maintaining sufficient strength and rigidity. The design study include stress analysis which leads to optimize the final shape.

Denna studie har till syfte att undersöka hur lastfördelningen och följaktligen dimen­sionerande tvärkrafter och moment i brobaneplattor av betong skiljer sig åt beroende på val av beräkningsmetod. Jämförelsen sker primärt för tre utvalda hand­beräknings­metoder som jämförts med beräkningar gjorda i ett beräknings­program baserat på finita element­metoder (FEM). I jämförelsen undersöks hur laster sprids i brobaneplattan enligt de olika beräknings­metoderna och vilka resulterande maximala snittkrafter som erhålls. Hur lastfördelningen sker är en komplex fråga och det är därför intressant att se vilka skillnader det blir i resultat utifrån olika beräknings­metoder. Studien skedde på ett utvalt studieobjekt, en åtta meter bred samverkansbro i Njurunda strax söder om Sundsvall. De trafiklaster som beaktats är lastmodell 1 och lastmodell 2 enligt Eurokod (CEN, 2003). De beräknings­metoder som jämförts i den här studien är dels en metod för beräkning av tvärgående konsol­moment där kantbalken bidrar mycket till den lastspridande effekten. En annan metod är för beräkning av tvärkraftsfördelning vilken generellt anses mycket gynnsam, alltså ger små tvärkrafter att dimensionera bron utifrån. Den tredje och sista handberäkningsmetoden som studerats är beräkningar av tvärgående moment i fältmitt, med hjälp av influensytediagram. Influensytediagrammen som dessa studier baseras på är fram­tagna av Adolf Pucher (Pucher, 1977) och kallas ibland för Pucherdiagram. Finita element­modeller (FE-modeller) skapades för jämförelse av resultat från hand­beräkningar. Flera olika FE-modeller skapades med varierande detaljnivå, för att kunna se hur modelleringstekniken påverkar resultatet. I alla FE-modeller har bro­bane­plattan modellerats som skalelement eftersom detta är det vanligaste sättet att modellera en bro med FEM. Skillnaderna mellan de olika FE-modellerna är framför allt hur huvudbalkarna modellerats. Även ytterligare en handberäkningsmetod tillämpades för respektive snittkraft för att ge ytterligare en referens. Referensmetoderna valdes för att vara enklare metoder som baseras på andra randvillkor än de primära handberäkningsmetoderna i den här studien. Resultatet från studien visar att de förenklingar som finns i handberäkningar kan ha signifikant inverkan på resultatet. Ett konstant förhållande mellan handberäkning och FEM, där den ena beräkningsmetoden alltid resulterade i större snittkrafter, kunde inte konstateras rakt igenom studien. För tvärgående konsolmoment gav hand­beräkningen ett större maxmoment samt att en del skillnader kunde avläsas FE-modellerna emellan. Vid beräkning av tvärkraft gav FE-beräkningen ett resultat som var nära på det dubbla av det resultat handberäkningen gav. För Pucherdiagrammen blev resultaten varierade och det fanns ingen tydlig indikation för om handberäkningar ger större eller mindre tvärgående moment än en FE-modell. Studien resulterade bland annat i ökad kunskap om att förenklingar, vid dimen­sionering av en bro med hjälp av handberäkningar, kan ha stor betydelse för resultatet. Då förenklingar vid handberäkning inte går att välja av användaren finns en fördel med FEM. Fördelen med FEM är då att förenklingar styrs av användaren och det går även att studera vilken effekt en viss förenkling ger. En annan slutsats var att betong är ett material som har ett komplext beteende och i metoder som bygger på empiriska studier kan lättare få med olika effekter som finns i en verklig brobaneplatta av betong. / The aim of this thesis is to study different design methods for determing load distribution, and design values for shear force and bending moment in concrete bridge decks. The study was performed based on three design methods for hand calculations, which have been compared to the results from finite element modelling (FEM). The load distribution has a major impact on the design of a bridge and how the results from different design methods will correlate is of a great interest. The evaluation has been performed on one case study, wich is an eight-meter wide composite girder bridge in Njurunda, situated south of Sundsvall in Sweden. The traffic loads applied for this study was load model 1 and load model 2 prescribed in Eurocode (CEN, 2003). One of the design methods investigated is a method used to determine for bending moment for a cantilever slab. A significant impact from the edge beam utilizes by the method to calculate the bending moment. The second method is a design method for shear forces recommended by The Swedish Transport Administration. The third and last design methods for hand calculation is to use influence charts by Pucher (Pucher, 1977). By using the influence chart to calculate the maximum bending moment in mid-span. Results from different models, created with FEM, were compared to the results from hand ­calculations. The bridge slab was modelled with shell elements, and the girders of the bridge were modelled in four different ways to study the impact of the level of detail in the numerical models. The results in this report show that hand calculation methods are based on significant simplifications of the structure and these may have a major impact on the results. The relation between results from hand calculation methods and results obtained with FEM was not consistent in all cases analysed. While studying the bending moment for a cantilever slab, the main conclusion was that the simplifications in the hand calculation methods resulted in significantly higher moments compared to the FE-calculations. Regarding design for shear forces, the FE analyses resulted in nearly twice as high shear forces compared to the hand calculation methods. While using the influence charts by Pucher the relation between results from hand calculations and results from FEM was not consistent. Conclusions from the study included that the simplifications in hand calcu­lations is hard to change. These simplifications can have a major influence to the results. Some simplifications will make the results more on the safe side. With FEM the user is more free to choose which simplifications that will be made, but it can sometimes be hard to see the effect simplifications have on the results. Concrete is a complex material and design methods based on empirical studies does most likely give a result that reflects the reality better than methods based on mathe­matic theories.