Finite element simulation of contact/impact problems using the penalty method is a well-established capability. The automatic penalty stiffness provides an easy way to implement the contact analysis. However, this way in which the penalty stiffness is associated with the material property and geometry of the master surface can lead to inappropriate distributions of contact pressure at edges or mesh transitions, or even cause much numerical noise. A new method of defining the penalty stiffness, which is associated with geometry of the slave surface, the reference penetration and reference contact pressure, is developed to consistently relate forces on contacting nodes with the contact pressure. This technique is successfully applied to several examples as the clamping simulation during the punch test and the rolling process. The results of such applications of new contact stiffness model demonstrate the effectiveness of such a model in avoiding the stress edge effect and the accompanying numerical noise. As an alternative approach to define the penalty stiffness, this new model provides another option for the contact analysis and gives the users more possibilities to control the contact performance. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to determine the bacteriological status of selected RTE foods, associated preparation surfaces and cleaning tools sampled from four retail delicatessens in Johannesburg. An initial pilot study of four RTE foods such as filled baguettes, assorted salads, sliced processed meats and hot meals was conducted in order to set the parameters for the remainder of the study. Results showed that filled baguettes and assorted salads contained the highest bacterial counts and incidences of potential foodborne pathogens. Bacterial counts were obtained from the associated preparation surfaces, whilst cleaning tools were associated with coliform and Escherichia coli, suggesting they may harbour potential foodborne pathogens. For the main study, 60% filled baguettes and assorted salads complied with the microbiological guidelines recommended by the retailer, however fruit salads had the lowest bacterial counts overall. Furthermore, of the food contact surfaces plastic chopping boards were identified as the greatest reservoir for RTE food contamination. Bacteriological analysis in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy showed potential foodborne pathogens associated with cleaning tools. Low numbers of aerobic bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus were associated with disposable plastic gloves, suggesting that good glove practices are used by the food handlers.

These days, automotive industries are facing intensive competition. New products should be delivered into market as soon as possible. On the other hand, customers also require new products having good reliability. Laboratory life testing is the traditional way to examine the reliability of products. Sample products should be tested till failures, which usually involve tremendous cost and time. Obviously, the reliability testing process extends the duration of 'design-to-market'. Cutting down the testing process can reduce the producing cycle properly. Currently, the accelerated life test (ALT) has been widely used in many companies as an alternative method. Although ALT reduces the cost of reliability testing through applying more severe environmental conditions than the normal ones on products, it is no longer sufficient as it does not describe the process of products' failure explicitly and it is still highly dependent on physical testing. Consequently, prediction models need to be developed for better understanding of the products' reliability.

Molecular dynamics simulations using the Embedded Atom Method were performed to describe the interparticle behavior of two single crystal spherical nickel nanoparticles during compaction based on applied strain rate, particle size, contact angle, and crystal orientation. The evolution of the contact surfaces was analyzed during the molecular dynamics simulation and an investigation of friction effects was conducted at the contact surfaces. The results from the current study were validated by comparing them to previous nanocrystalline research on bulk particle deformation and to previous studies of elasto-plastic contact laws between two macroscale spherical particles. These quantified friction effects give a better understanding of nanoparticle behavior and will be used to develop constitutive equations for larger scale models, such as finite element analysis.

The purpose of this research was to determine if bacteriophage (phage) could be used to treat and reduce the incidence of Listeria in food manufacturing facilities, and thereby reduce the risk of food products being cross-contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria incidence in food manufacturing ready-to-eat environments was surveyed at 31 ready-to-eat (RTE) food plants. A total 4,829 samples were collected from all locations. Nine (29%) facilities had zero samples positive for Listeria spp., whereas 22 (71%) had one or more samples positive. The total incidence of Listeria spp. in all RTE food plants was 4.5%. The effectiveness of phage against Listeria was determined when applied to stainless steel, polyurethane thermoplastic, and epoxy. Each material was inoculated with a cocktail containing L. monocytogenes and L. innocua (4 to 5-log10 CFU/cm2) and treated with two different concentrations of phage (2x10^7 and 1x10^8 PFU/cm2). Treated samples were held at 4 or 20°C for 1 and 3h. After treatment with phage, Listeria reductions ranged from 1.27–3.33 log10 CFU/cm2 on stainless steel, 1.17–2.76 log10 CFU/cm2 on polyurethane thermoplastic, and 1.19–1.76 log10 CFU/cm2 on epoxy. Listeria reduction occurred on all materials tested, under all conditions. Higher phage concentration, longer time, and higher environmental temperatures led to significantly (P<0.05) greater reduction of Listeria on stainless-steel and polyurethane thermoplastic. The effectiveness of a phage against Listeria spp. was evaluated in two food manufacturing facilities, operating at either 4°C or 20°C. First, a moderate application of a 2x10^7 PFU/mL phage was applied once per day over three days and samples were collected and analyzed for Listeria at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. This phage treatment led to a decrease in the incidence of Listeria by 67%. A second application method was studied with phage being applied in the food manufacturing environment in an intensified manner (3 times in 18 hours) at a higher concentration of phage (1x10^8 pfu/mL). This intensified application led to a 32% overall reduction in the incidence of Listeria in the production environment. Applications of Listeria specific phage can be an additional intervention strategy for controlling pathogenic Listeria organisms in food production facilities. / Doctor of Philosophy / Listeriosis is a serious illness caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Annually in the United States it is estimated that 95.7% of all listeriosis illnesses are caused by the consumption of contaminated food, and it is generally recognized that L. monocytogenes is caused by cross contamination of ready-to-eat foods from an environmental source. The purpose of this research was to determine if food manufacturing facilities could use bacteriophage (phage) to treat and reduce the incidence of Listeria in food manufacturing plant, and thereby reduce the risk of food products being cross-contaminated with L. monocytogenes. The incident rate of Listeria was surveyed by collecting 4,829 samples from 31 ready-to-eat (RTE) food plants across the United States. Nine (29%) facilities had zero samples positive for Listeria spp., whereas 22 (71%) plants had one or more samples positive. The total incidence of Listeria spp. in all RTE food plant samples was 4.5%. Second, research was completed to determine if phage at different levels reduced Listeria on three common food manufacturing plant materials (stainless steel, polyurethane belting and epoxy flooring). After Listeria was attached to each material (4 to 5-log10 CFU/cm2), they were treated with two different levels of phage (2x10^7 and 1x10^8 PFU/cm2) at two temperatures (4 or 20°C) for 1 and 3 hours. After treatment with phage, Listeria reduction of 93.2 to 99.9% occurred on all materials tested, under all conditions. Finally, two different methods of applying phage (moderate and intensified) in a food manufacturing plant was studied. The moderate application was a single treatment with lower concentration of phage (2x10^7 PFU/mL) once per day for three days, while the intensified treatment was the application of high phage concentrations (1x10^8 pfu/mL) three different times, all in a single day. Both application methods reduced the incidence of Listeria in the food manufacturing plant. The total reduction across all trials was 67% using the moderate application method and 32% using the intensified application of phage.

The results from computer simulations of the gas-dynamic processes that occur during and after the rupture of diaphragms within shock tubes and expansion tubes are presented. A two-dimensional and axisymmetric finite-volume code that solves the unsteady Euler equations for inviscid compressible flow, was used to perform the simulations. The flow domains were represented as unstructured meshes of triangular cells and solution-adaptive remeshing was used to focus computational effort in regions where the flow-field gradients were high. The ability of the code to produce accurate solutions to the Euler equations was verified by examining the following test cases: supersonic vortex flow between two arcs, an ideal shock tube, and supersonic flow over a cone. The ideal shock tube problem was studied in detail, in particular the shock speed. The computed shock speed was accurate when the initial pressure ratio was low. When the initial pressure ratio was high the ow was dificult to resolve because of the large density ratio at the contact surface where significant numerical diffusion occurred. However, solution- adaptive remeshing was used to control the error and reasonable estimates for the shock speed were obtained. The code was used to perform multi-dimensional simulations of the gradual opening of a primary diaphragm within a shock tube. The development of the flow, in particular the contact surface was examined and found to be strongly dependent on the initial pressure ratio across the diaphragm. For high initial pressure ratios across the diaphragm, previous experiments have shown that the measured shock speed can exceed the shock speed predicted by one- dimensional models. The shock speeds computed via the present multi-dimensional simulation were higher than those estimated by previous one-dimensional models and were closer to the experimental measurements. This indicates that multi- dimensional ow effects were partly responsible for the relatively high shock speeds measured in the experiments. The code also has the ability to simulate two-dimensional fluid-structure interac- tions. To achieve this the Euler equations are solved for a general moving frame of reference. Mesh management during a simulation is important. This includes the ability to automatically generate a new mesh when the current mesh becomes distorted (due to the motion of the structures) and the transfer of the solution from the old mesh to the new. The shock induced rupture of thin diaphragms was examined. Previous one dimen- sional models are awed because they do not simultaneously consider the diaphragm mass and allow the upstream gas to penetrate the diaphragm mass. Two multi- dimensional models which allow the upstream gas to penetrate are described. The first model assumes the diaphragm vaporises immediately after the arrival of the incident shock. The second model assumes the diaphragm shatters into a number of pieces which can be treated as rigid bodies. The results from both models are compared with experimental data.

Mit der zunehmenden Elektrifizierung von Fahrzeugen wächst das Bedürfnis nach zuverlässigen stromführenden Verbindungen. Im Elektroenergieversorgungsnetz sowie im Bordnetz von Elektrofahrzeugen treffen beim stromführenden Verbinden verschiedener Komponenten im Kontakt häufig unterschiedliche Leiter- oder Beschichtungswerkstoffe aufeinander. Dabei wird Aluminium aufgrund seiner geringen Dichte und relativ hohen elektrischen Leitfähigkeit sowie der Verfügbarkeit und des geringeren Preises gegen-über Kupfer bevorzugt eingesetzt. Für Anwender ist dieser Leichtbauwerkstoff hinsichtlich des Kontakt- und Langzeitverhaltens herausfordernd. In der Vergangenheit wurden intermetallische Phasen zwischen Aluminium und Silber sowie zwischen Aluminium und Kupfer als vorrangige Ursache für auftretende Ausfälle von nicht stoffschlüssigen, stromführenden Verbindungen mit den entsprechenden Werkstoffkombinationen untersucht. Der dabei festgestellte Anstieg des Widerstands lässt sich jedoch nicht vollständig durch die wachsenden Phasen erklären. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit besteht deshalb darin, den Einfluss des Sauerstoffs auf die Alterung von stromführenden Bimetall-Verbindungen zu quantifizieren. Es wurden Schraubenverbindungen mit Stromschienen der Werkstoffkombinationen Ag-Al, Al-Cu, Sn-Al und Ni-Al untersucht. Durch Versuchsreihen in atmosphärischer Luft und in einer N2-Atmosphäre konnten für die jeweilige Werkstoffkombination Unterschiede im Langzeitverhalten aufgezeigt werden, die durch den von außen in die Verbindung eindringenden Sauerstoff entstehen. Die ablaufenden Prozesse unterscheiden sich dabei je nach Werkstoffkombination. Sauerstoff, der nach dem Fügen in die Kontaktebene gelangt, ist bei den Ag-Al- und Al-Cu-Verbindungen ausschlaggebend für das Erhöhen des Verbindungswiderstands. Im Gegensatz dazu reagiert in den Verbindungen mit Kontakten zwischen Zinn und Aluminium der bereits vor dem Fügen auf den Kontaktpartnern vorhandene Sauerstoff zu Al2O3. An den Verbindungen mit Kontakten zwischen Nickel und Alumini-um konnte kein Einfluss des Sauerstoffs festgestellt werden. Neben dem Flächenkontakt der Schraubenverbindung mit Stromschienen wurde der Punktkontakt in einer Modell-Verbindung untersucht. An diesem konnten aufgrund der nahezu konstanten Flächenpressung in der Kontaktebene Berechnungsmodelle für das Langzeitverhalten von Ag-Al- und Al-Cu-Verbindungen aufgestellt werden. Metallographische Untersuchungen wurden an Verbindungen mit Kontakten zwischen Silber und Aluminium sowie Zinn und Aluminium durchgeführt, um die elektrisch bestimmten Phänomene näher zu charakterisieren. Auf dem Kontaktpartner aus Aluminium einer gealterten Verbindung zwischen Zinn und Aluminium konnte mittels Transmissionselektronenmikroskopie eine Al2O3-Schicht sichtbar gemacht werden. Ist eine stromführende Verbindung gasdicht, kann dies bei den untersuchten Werkstoffkombinationen einen großen Einfluss auf das Langzeitverhalten haben. Die Ergebnisse bestehender Berechnungsmodelle zur Gasdichtigkeit von Verbindungen wurden mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen verglichen. Als Neuerung wurde ein zusätzliches Kriterium eingeführt, das es ermöglicht, nach 24 h bei Belastungstemperatur zu beurteilen, ob eine stromführende Verbindung gasdicht ist. Anwender aus der Elektroenergie-versorgung und der Automobilindustrie können so nach einer kurzen Belastungsdauer Aussagen zur Langzeitstabilität einer Verbindung ableiten.:1 Einleitung 2 Kontakt- und Langzeitverhalten stromführender Verbindungen 2.1 Allgemeine Kontakttheorie 2.2 Bilden der Mikrokontakte, Berechnen des Kontaktwiderstands 2.3 Alterung stromführender Verbindungen 2.3.1 Kraftabbau 2.3.2 Interdiffusion 2.3.3 Chemische Reaktionen 2.3.4 Weitere Einflüsse 3 Reaktionen zwischen Sauerstoff und Metallen der Elektroenergietechnik 3.1 Oxidation der Oberfläche 3.2 Umbilden von Oxiden an der Oberfläche 3.3 Innere Oxidation 3.4 Reaktionsprodukte des Sauerstoffs mit verschiedenen Metallen 3.4.1 Aluminium 3.4.2 Zinn 3.4.3 Nickel 3.4.4 Silber 3.4.5 Kupfer 3.5 Eindringen des Sauerstoffs 3.5.1 Diffusion von Sauerstoff 3.5.1.1 Modell nach Izmailov 3.5.1.2 Modell nach Dzektser 3.5.2 Berechnen der Gasdichtigkeit 4 Präzisierung der Aufgabenstellung 5 Langzeitversuche an Bimetall-Verbindungen 5.1 Versuchsaufbau und Durchführung 5.1.1 Punktkontakt 5.1.2 Flächenkontakt - Schraubenverbindungen mit Stromschienen 5.2 Versuchsergebnisse im System Ag-Al 5.2.1 Versuche an versilberten Aluminiumblechen 5.2.2 Punktkontakt mit zwei versilberten Kontaktpartnern aus Aluminium 5.2.3 Punktkontakt zwischen einem versilberten Kontaktpartner und einem blanken Kontaktpartner aus Aluminium 5.2.4 Flächenkontakt – Schraubenverbindungen mit versilberten und blanken Stromschienen aus Aluminium 5.2.5 Diskussion der Ergebnisse 5.2.5.1 Einfluss der IMP 5.2.5.2 Einfluss des Sauerstoffs 5.3 Versuchsergebnisse im System Sn-Al 5.3.1 Punktkontakt mit einem verzinnten Kontaktpartner aus Kupfer und einem blanken Kontaktpartner aus Aluminium 5.3.2 Flächenkontakt – Schraubenverbindungen zwischen verzinnten und blanken Stromschienen aus Aluminium 5.3.3 Diskussion der Ergebnisse 5.3.3.1 Einfluss der Vorbehandlung 5.3.3.2 Einfluss des Sauerstoffs aus der Umgebungsluft 5.3.3.3 Versagen der Oxidschicht 5.4 Versuchsergebnisse im System Ni-Al 5.4.1 Flächenkontakt – Schraubenverbindungen zwischen vernickelten und blanken Stromschienen aus Aluminium 5.4.2 Diskussion der Ergebnisse 5.5 Versuchsergebnisse im System Al-Cu 5.5.1 Punktkontakt mit einem Kontaktpartner aus Kupfer und einem aus Aluminium 5.5.2 Flächenkontakt – Schraubenverbindungen zwischen Stromschienen aus Aluminium und Kupfer 5.5.3 Diskussion der Ergebnisse 5.5.3.1 Einfluss der IMP 5.5.3.2 Einfluss des Sauerstoffs aus der Umgebungsluft 5.5.3.3 Einfluss der thermischen Dehnung 5.5.3.4 Einfluss der Montageparameter 6 Modellbildung zur Wirkung von Oxidschichten 6.1 Elektrischer Widerstand bei Alterung durch Oxidation 6.1.1 Punktkontakte zwischen Silber und Aluminium 6.1.2 Punktkontakte zwischen Kupfer und Aluminium 6.2 Gasdichtigkeit der untersuchten Verbindungen 7 Zusammenfassung 8 Ausblick 9 Verzeichnisse 10 Anhang / With the increasing electrification of vehicles, the demand for reliable current-carrying connections grows. In the electrical power grid as well as in the electric grid of an electric vehicle, different material combinations occur frequently, when current-carrying connections are joined. Aluminum is commonly applied due to its lightweight proper-ties and its price advantage compared to copper. For users, this lightweight material is challenging regarding its contact and long-term behavior. In the past, intermetallic compounds between aluminum and silver as well as between aluminum and copper have been investigated as possible cause for the emerging failures of firmly bonded, force-fitted, and force-form-fitted current-carrying connections. The witnessed rise in resistance cannot be explained completely by the growing intermetallic phases. Therefore, the goal of this work is to quantify the influence of oxygen on the aging of bimetallic connections. Bolted joints with busbars of the material combinations Ag-Al, Al-Cu, Sn-Al and Ni-Al were examined. Through test series in atmospheric air and in a N2-atmosphere, differences in the long-term behavior could be shown that result from oxygen entering into the contact interface from the outside. The processes taking place differ depending on the material combination. Oxygen entering into the connection after the joining is responsible for the rise in resistance in Ag-Al- and Al-Cu-connections. In contrast, the oxygen which is already present in the contact interface before the joining reacts to Al2O3 in connections between tin and aluminum. No influence of the oxygen was detected in connections between nickel and aluminum. Beside the flat surface contacts of the bolted joints with busbars, a model geometry with a point contact was examined. Due to the uniform surface pressure over the entire contact surface, a calculation model of the long-term behavior for Ag-Al- and Al-Cu-connections was set up based on these connections. Metallographic investigations were performed on Ag-Al- and Sn-Al-connections for further analysis of the electrically measured phenomena. An Al2O3-layer was visualized by transmission electron microscopy on the aluminum contact member of an aged connection between tin and aluminum. If a current-carrying connection of the examined material combinations is joined in a gas-tight manner, it can have a great effect on the long-term behavior. The results of existing calculation models on gas-tightness were compared to the experimental results. In addition, a novel criterion was introduced. It enables to evaluate after 24 h at loading temperature whether a current-carrying connections is gas-tight. Users in the electrical power system and the automotive industry can thereby derive predictions on a connection’s long-term stability after a short loading time.:1 Einleitung 2 Kontakt- und Langzeitverhalten stromführender Verbindungen 2.1 Allgemeine Kontakttheorie 2.2 Bilden der Mikrokontakte, Berechnen des Kontaktwiderstands 2.3 Alterung stromführender Verbindungen 2.3.1 Kraftabbau 2.3.2 Interdiffusion 2.3.3 Chemische Reaktionen 2.3.4 Weitere Einflüsse 3 Reaktionen zwischen Sauerstoff und Metallen der Elektroenergietechnik 3.1 Oxidation der Oberfläche 3.2 Umbilden von Oxiden an der Oberfläche 3.3 Innere Oxidation 3.4 Reaktionsprodukte des Sauerstoffs mit verschiedenen Metallen 3.4.1 Aluminium 3.4.2 Zinn 3.4.3 Nickel 3.4.4 Silber 3.4.5 Kupfer 3.5 Eindringen des Sauerstoffs 3.5.1 Diffusion von Sauerstoff 3.5.1.1 Modell nach Izmailov 3.5.1.2 Modell nach Dzektser 3.5.2 Berechnen der Gasdichtigkeit 4 Präzisierung der Aufgabenstellung 5 Langzeitversuche an Bimetall-Verbindungen 5.1 Versuchsaufbau und Durchführung 5.1.1 Punktkontakt 5.1.2 Flächenkontakt - Schraubenverbindungen mit Stromschienen 5.2 Versuchsergebnisse im System Ag-Al 5.2.1 Versuche an versilberten Aluminiumblechen 5.2.2 Punktkontakt mit zwei versilberten Kontaktpartnern aus Aluminium 5.2.3 Punktkontakt zwischen einem versilberten Kontaktpartner und einem blanken Kontaktpartner aus Aluminium 5.2.4 Flächenkontakt – Schraubenverbindungen mit versilberten und blanken Stromschienen aus Aluminium 5.2.5 Diskussion der Ergebnisse 5.2.5.1 Einfluss der IMP 5.2.5.2 Einfluss des Sauerstoffs 5.3 Versuchsergebnisse im System Sn-Al 5.3.1 Punktkontakt mit einem verzinnten Kontaktpartner aus Kupfer und einem blanken Kontaktpartner aus Aluminium 5.3.2 Flächenkontakt – Schraubenverbindungen zwischen verzinnten und blanken Stromschienen aus Aluminium 5.3.3 Diskussion der Ergebnisse 5.3.3.1 Einfluss der Vorbehandlung 5.3.3.2 Einfluss des Sauerstoffs aus der Umgebungsluft 5.3.3.3 Versagen der Oxidschicht 5.4 Versuchsergebnisse im System Ni-Al 5.4.1 Flächenkontakt – Schraubenverbindungen zwischen vernickelten und blanken Stromschienen aus Aluminium 5.4.2 Diskussion der Ergebnisse 5.5 Versuchsergebnisse im System Al-Cu 5.5.1 Punktkontakt mit einem Kontaktpartner aus Kupfer und einem aus Aluminium 5.5.2 Flächenkontakt – Schraubenverbindungen zwischen Stromschienen aus Aluminium und Kupfer 5.5.3 Diskussion der Ergebnisse 5.5.3.1 Einfluss der IMP 5.5.3.2 Einfluss des Sauerstoffs aus der Umgebungsluft 5.5.3.3 Einfluss der thermischen Dehnung 5.5.3.4 Einfluss der Montageparameter 6 Modellbildung zur Wirkung von Oxidschichten 6.1 Elektrischer Widerstand bei Alterung durch Oxidation 6.1.1 Punktkontakte zwischen Silber und Aluminium 6.1.2 Punktkontakte zwischen Kupfer und Aluminium 6.2 Gasdichtigkeit der untersuchten Verbindungen 7 Zusammenfassung 8 Ausblick 9 Verzeichnisse 10 Anhang

Les pneus sont un organe déterminant dans la tenue de route des véhicules. Cette thèse porte sur la modélisation du contact entre la bande de roulement d'un pneumatique et une route sèche, afin de comprendre les différents phénomènes physiques mis en jeu ainsi que leurs rôles relatifs dans le frottement. La rugosité multi échelle des sols routiers les rendent difficiles à modéliser avec une simulation par élements finis standard. En utilisant l'hypothèse que la gomme de la bande de roulement est très grande devant la taille des rugosités, elle peut être considérée comme un massif semi-infini. Il est alors possible de résoudre efficacement le problème de contact en ne discrétisant que la surface du massif de gomme. Cette résolution est faite à l'aide d'un algorithme de Gradient Conjugué, au cours duquel les calculs matriciels sont effectués par Transformée de Fourier Rapide (FFT). La viscoélasticité de la gomme est prise en compte en régime transitoire. Les interactions à l'interface entre la gomme et le sol sont modélisés par une loi de frottement ainsi que par une énergie d'adhésion. Les résultats montrent le rôle primordial de la viscoélasticité qui, couplée à la rugosité multi-échelle du sol, modifie la surface du contact au cours des différents étapes de mise en glissement d'un pneumatique, faisant ainsi varier le frottement. / Tires are a key component for the handling and safety of personal vehicles. In this thesis a model of the contact between the tire tread and a dry road is described. It aims at understanding the different physical phenomena taking place in such a contact and their relative role in tire friction. Modeling the multiple scales of road roughness is difficult using a standard Finite Element Method. The hypothesis that the rubber of the tire tread is very large compared to the largest scale of surface roughness is made, so that it can be considered as a semi-infinite half-space. This way, the contact problem can be solved by discretizing the rubber surface only. The solver is a specific Conjugate Gradient iterative method, in which the matrix-vector products are performed with Fast Fourier Transforms. Transient viscoelasticity is accounted for with a step-by-step approach. The algorithm is able to model surface interactions such as Coulomb friction and adhesion. Results show the crucial role played by viscoelasticity. Coupled with the road roughness, it changes the contact surface during the different steps of tire sliding, which in turns impacts friction.

La connectique utilisée en automobile est soumise à des sollicitations vibratoires provoquant des micro-glissements répétitifs à l'origine d'importants endommagements électriques et mécaniques. Les travaux réalisés dans cette thèse ont permis de mieux comprendre les phénomènes mis en jeu lorsqu'un contact est soumis à des vibrations et ont contribué à l'évolution des connaissances et à la résolution de problèmes de connectique dans des cas spécifiques. En effet, le phénomène appelé fretting-corrosion engendre des défauts complexes dans la connectique automobile. Dans la connectique bas niveaux, il provoque une transmission erronée ou l'absence d'un signal entre les différents organes (ex : capteurs, calculateurs, etc.), tandis que dans la connectique de puissance, ce phénomène engendre des échauffements qui sont dus à l'effet Joule mais aussi à des apparitions intermittentes d'arcs électriques (> 6000 K) lors des vibrations. Ces échauffements excessifs engendrent un ramollissement des matériaux, constituant le housing (logement du connecteur). Cela peut impliquer une modification de la force de contact appliquée à ce dernier sans oublier l'accélération de l'usure mécanique entre deux parties en contact dynamique. De plus, une analyse des paramètres (courant, revêtements du substrat, épaisseurs des revêtements) qui influent sur ce phénomène a été entreprise lors de cette étude. / Electrical connections used in automobiles are subject to vibration forces causing repetitive micro-sliding which is at the origin of significant electrical and mechanical damage. The thesis research performed has allowed us to better understand the phenomena in play when a contact is subject to vibrations and has contributed to the development of knowledge and to the resolution of connection problems in specific cases. In fact, the phenomenon called fretting-corrosion leads to complex faults in automotive connections. In low power level connections, it causes erroneous transmission errors or the absence of signal between different components (e.g. sensors, computers, etc.) while in power connections, this phenomenon produces heating due to the Joule Effect but also the intermittent appearance of electrical arcs (> 6000 K) during vibrations. This excessive heating causes the materials constituting the connector housing to soften. This could lead to the modification of the applied contact force of the latter and in addition, the acceleration of mechanical wear between the two parts in dynamical contact. In addition, the analysis of parameters (current, coatings of the substrate, thicknesses of coatings) which influence this phenomenon, were performed during this research.

Les pieds d’aubes de soufflantes de turboréacteurs étant soumis à des sollicitations de type fretting, l’introduction de matériaux composites dans la nouvelle génération de moteur d’avion a rendu nécessaire le développement d’outils permettant de modéliser le contact entre des matériaux hétérogènes. En particulier, le comportement tribologique et l’endommagement de ces matériaux est encore mal compris. La mise en place de méthodes numériques capable de prédire les endommagements dans le contact permettrait de mieux prédire la durée de vie des pièces en service et de garantir la sécurité des passagers. Cette thèse porte sur le développement de méthodes semi-analytiques pour la modélisation de l’endommagement dans des conditions de fretting et de roulement. / The blade/disk interface in turbofan is subject to fretting loading. Fan blade of the new generation of aircraft engines are made of woven composite materials. The introduction of these new kind of materials create the need for a new numerical tool able to simulate the contact between heterogeneous materials. The tribological behavior and the damage mechanism associated with these kind of material are still not well understood. The developpment of new numerical tool able to model the damage in the contact area would allow to predict the life of engines parts and to guarantee the security of passengers. This PhD is about the developpment of semi-analytical methods for modeling the damage in fretting and rolling contact conditions with some applications to heterogeneous materials.