The project is a thesis work in master program of Intelligent Systems that’s done by Alireza Mozaffari and Kunal Varaiya with supervising of Dr Kenneth Nilsson and Dr Cristofer Englund. In this project we are estimating the depth distribution of different sizes of fibers in a press felt sample. Press felt is a product that is being used in paper industry. In order to evaluate the production process when press felts are made, it is necessary to be able to estimate the fiber sizes in product. For this goal, we developed a program in Matlab to process X-ray images of a press felt, scanned by micro-CT scanner that is able to find the fibers of two different known sizes of fibers and estimates the depth distribution of the different fibers. / The project is done in Matlab which is estimating the distribution of different sizes of fibers in press felt.

Dans ces travaux, nous avons étudié numériquement la croissance du décollement de l'interface fibre / matrice d'un composite UD avec garnissage hexagonale de fibre sous charge longitudinal et transversal. Nous avons mis l'accent en particulier sur l'influence des fibres voisines sur sa croissance. Dans la présente étude, le taux de libération d'énergie (ERR) est considéré comme la force motrice de la croissance du décollement et a été calculé sur la base de Integral J et de la technique de fermeture virtuelle de fissures (VCCT) à l'aide du logiciel de calcul par éléments finis ANSYS. Dans la présente recherche de thèse, nous avons étudier d’abord l'influence des fibres voisines sur ERR d'une décohésion émanant d'une rupture de fibre en condition de chargement longitudinal. Dans le cas du chargement longitudinal, la croissance du décollement est gouvernée par le mode II. Comme point de départ l’étude, nous avons mis place un modèle axisymétrique composé de 5 cylindres concentriques représentant la fibre endommagée, la matrice environnante, les fibres voisines, la matrice environnante et le composite effectif généré. On constate qu'il y a deux stades de croissance, la première étape correspond à une longueur courte du décollement, l'ERR diminue à mesure que l'angle du décollement augmente, et la présence de voisins augmente significativement la décohésion de l'ERR. Pour une décohésion relativement longue, le décollement se situe dans une région de croissance en état stationnaire lorsque l'ERR est pratiquement constant quelle que soit la longueur du décollement. À l’état stationnaire de la croissance du défaut, la présence de fibres voisines n'a que peu d'effet sur l'ERR. Les travails ultérieurs, nous avons mis en place un modèle 3-D (explicite) avec la fibre endommagée et ses 6 fibres les plus proches dans un composite UD compacté hexagonal, entourées par le composite homogénéisé. Sur la base des résultats obtenus, nous avons montré que l'ERR varie le long de la face frontale et a son maximum à l'endroit circonférentiel où la distance entre deux centres de fibre est la plus petite. Cela indique que le front du décollement n’est pas circulaire. Pour l'état stable du décollement, la présence de fibres a peu d'effet sur l'ERR qui progresse le long du front du décollement. Pour un décollement court, la présence de fibres augmente l'ERRS moyenné, et cette augmentation est plus significative lorsque la distance entre fibre est la plus petite. Après l’étude du la décollement fibre / matrice en charge longitudinale, nous avons commencé à étudier la croissance du décollement fibre / matrice le long de la circonférence de la fibre sous charge transversale. On constate que la croissance de la du décollement est en mode mixte, et les composants ERR du mode I et du mode II augmentent avec l'augmentation de l'angle de déformation puis diminuent. La croissance du décollement démarre principalement en mode I pour les petits angles de décollement et se poursuit en mode II. La présence de fibres voisines a un effet d’accroissement sur la croissance du décollement jusqu'à certains petits angles et change ensuite en effet protecteur. En fin, nous avons étudié l'interaction entre deux décollement sous chargement transversale. Nous avons constaté que lorsque deux décollements sont proches l'un de l'autre, l'interaction entre devient beaucoup plus forte et conduit à l'augmentation significative de l'ERR de chaque décollement, ce qui facilite la croissance du décollement / In the presence thesis, the growth of fiber/matrix interface debond of a UD composite with hexagonal fiber packing under longitudinal and transverse tensile loading was investigated numerically, with the special focus on the influence of neighboring fibers on its growth. In the current study, energy release rate (ERR) is considered as the driving force for debond growth and was calculated based on J Integral and Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) using finite element software ANSYS. In the present thesis research, we started with investigating the influence of neighboring fibers on ERR of a debond emanating from a fiber break in longitudinal loading condition. In longitudinal loading case, debond growth is mode II dominated. As the starting point for the research, an axisymmetric model consisting 5 concentric cylinders that represent broken fiber with debond, surrounding matrix, neighboring fibers, surrounding matrix and effective composites was generated. It’s found that there are two stages of debond growth, the first stage is when debond length is short, the ERR decreases with increasing debond angle, and the presence of neighboring significantly increase the ERR of debond. For relatively long debond, the debond is in a steady state growth region when ERR is almost constant regardless of debond length. In steady state of debond growth, the presence of neighboring fibers have little effect on the ERR. In the later research, a 3-D model was generated with broken fiber and its 6 nearest fibers in a hexagonal packed UD composite were modelled explicitly, surrounded by the homogenized composite. Based on the obtained results, it’s shown that ERR is varying along debond front, and has its maximum at the circumferential location where the distance between two fiber center is the smallest. This indicates the debond front is not a circle. For steady state debond, the presence of fibers have little effect on ERR that averages along debond front. For short debond, the presence of fibers increases the averaged ERRS, and that the increase is more significant when inter-fiber distance are the smallest. When we conclude our investigation on fiber/matrix debonding under longitudinal loading, we began studying the growth of a fiber/matrix debond along fiber circumference under transverse loading. It’s found that debond growth is mixed-mode, and both mode I and mode II ERR components increase with increasing debond angle and then decreases. Debond growth is mode I dominated for small debond angle and then switch to mode II dominated. The presence of neighboring fibers have an enhancement effect on debond growth up to certain small debond angle and then changes to a protective effect. Finally, the interaction between two arc-size debond under transverse loading is investigated. It’s found that when two debonds are close to each other, the interaction between two debond becomes much stronger, and that interaction leads to the increase of ERR of each debond significantly, which facilitates further debond growth for both debond

While manufacturing fiber reinforced concrete, it is of utmost importance that quality and homogeneous fiber distribution are ensured. To verify that the fibers are evenly distributed in ready-mixed concrete, SS-EN 206 has introduced requirements for continuous control of fiber distribution. The requirement for test frequency was originally the same as for compressive strength. Since this frequency requirement would result in an unreasonably large workload, it has been opened for national adjustments. In order to proceed with this work, there is a need to develop documentation and investigate eventual impact on fiber distribution of the timing and the way the fibers are added to concrete. The purpose of this thesis is to study the possible impact of when and how fibers are added to the concrete. Based on the results, prepare a basis for recommendations for routine description. The hypothesis is that there are no measurable differences regardless how and when the fibers are added to concrete. The correctness of the foregoing is fully confirmed. Samples from real insitu steel fiber reinforced concrete deliveries were extracted at the beginning, middle and end of the discharge. The steel fibers were, thereupon, separated from the fresh concrete and washed. Thereafter, lab tests were performed; steel fibers of each sample were dried in a special oven and then weighted by a high accuracy weight scale. The rule of proportions was subsequently used, in order to compare the final result with the client’s order and study the deviation from the average. The results have shown that the variation between the three different methods of adding the fibers, namely, in the central concrete mixer plant, in the concrete mixer truck after concrete is filled, in the concrete mixer truck at the same time that concrete is filled, as well between start, middle and end of the discharge is negligible.  A questionnaire survey, focusing on different aspects about how a concrete company handles steel fiber reinforced concrete, was additionally performed in order to provide supplementary data to the literature study and the testing process. The initial hypothesis was once again verified; the differences between the methods used to produce steel fiber reinforced concrete as well as when the fibers are added to the concrete mix are insignificant, according to the surveyed companies.  Preliminary investigation, continuous control as well as careful procedures for addition and mixing are recommended for a more reasonable test frequency. Preliminary investigation includes a detailed documentation process from the manufacturer for adding and mixing fibers, before the concrete containing fibers is manufactured; fiber parameters (shape, length and type), duration of mixing, how fibers should be added, type of mixer that should be used. Continuous control includes tests that should be conducted if fibers are added to the concrete mixer truck and the acceptance criteria shall be according to B.5 in SS-EN 206.

<p>Skeletal muscle accounts for the largest part of insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Insulin resistance (IR) is the main component of insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) and is an essential cause of a number of cardiovascular risk factors. This thesis investigates the relationships between muscle morphological characteristics and IRS because skeletal muscle is responsible for the majority of glucose uptake.</p><p>In this population-based sample of 70-year-old men, higher proportion of type I fibers as well as higher capillarization were related to higher insulin sensitivity and higher self-reported physical activity, which were related to a lower prevalence of type IIB fibers. Serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity were significantly related to fiber distribution and muscle capillarization and muscle morphology, in part, explained the association between these metabolic risk factors with physical activity level. BMI, glucose intolerance, PAI-1 activity, serum FFA concentration, proportion of type IIB fibers, HDL cholesterol level, drug treatment, physical activity level, and W/H ratio together explained 55% of the variation in the insulin sensitivity index. In addition, almost a twofold improvement of the correlations was seen after correcting for intraindividual variation. Glucose tolerant hypertensive subjects showed a lower capillary supply when compared to controls. Capillary density was negatively correlated to the increase in mean arterial pressure over two decades as well as to supine heart rate 20 years before. Interestingly, supine heart rate showed an independent inverse association to the percentage of type I fibers and a positive correlation to the percentage of type IIB muscle fibers. Capillary density and elevated serum free fatty (FFA) acid values were inversely associated with insulin-mediated blood flow and thus to endothelial dysfunction, which has been linked to IR. In fact, capillary density and serum FFA level together explained 71% of the variation in insulin-mediated leg blood flow changes.</p><p>In conclusion, these population-based findings support the observations that muscle morphological features and insulin sensitivity are related to each other. Muscle morphology might explain some of the beneficial impact of physical activity on the components of IRS. Accordingly, we suggest that alterations in muscle morphology should be considered as an essential part of the IRS.</p>

Skeletal muscle accounts for the largest part of insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Insulin resistance (IR) is the main component of insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) and is an essential cause of a number of cardiovascular risk factors. This thesis investigates the relationships between muscle morphological characteristics and IRS because skeletal muscle is responsible for the majority of glucose uptake. In this population-based sample of 70-year-old men, higher proportion of type I fibers as well as higher capillarization were related to higher insulin sensitivity and higher self-reported physical activity, which were related to a lower prevalence of type IIB fibers. Serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity were significantly related to fiber distribution and muscle capillarization and muscle morphology, in part, explained the association between these metabolic risk factors with physical activity level. BMI, glucose intolerance, PAI-1 activity, serum FFA concentration, proportion of type IIB fibers, HDL cholesterol level, drug treatment, physical activity level, and W/H ratio together explained 55% of the variation in the insulin sensitivity index. In addition, almost a twofold improvement of the correlations was seen after correcting for intraindividual variation. Glucose tolerant hypertensive subjects showed a lower capillary supply when compared to controls. Capillary density was negatively correlated to the increase in mean arterial pressure over two decades as well as to supine heart rate 20 years before. Interestingly, supine heart rate showed an independent inverse association to the percentage of type I fibers and a positive correlation to the percentage of type IIB muscle fibers. Capillary density and elevated serum free fatty (FFA) acid values were inversely associated with insulin-mediated blood flow and thus to endothelial dysfunction, which has been linked to IR. In fact, capillary density and serum FFA level together explained 71% of the variation in insulin-mediated leg blood flow changes. In conclusion, these population-based findings support the observations that muscle morphological features and insulin sensitivity are related to each other. Muscle morphology might explain some of the beneficial impact of physical activity on the components of IRS. Accordingly, we suggest that alterations in muscle morphology should be considered as an essential part of the IRS.

Dans cette thèse, plusieurs approches de modélisation de composites renforcés par des fibres sont proposées. Le matériau étudié est le béton fibré, et dans ce modèle, on tient compte de l’influence de trois constituants : le béton, les fibres, et la liaison entre eux. Le comportement du béton est analysé avec un modèle d’endommagement, les fibres d'acier sont considérées comme élastiques linéaires, et le comportement sur l'interface est décrit avec une loi de glissement avec l’extraction complète de la fibre. Une approche multi-échelle pour coupler tous les constituants est proposée, dans laquelle le calcul à l'échelle macro est effectué en utilisant la procédure de solution operator-split. Cette approche partitionnée divise le calcul en deux phases, globale et locale, dans lesquelles différents mécanismes de rupture sont traités séparément, ce qui est conforme au comportement du composite observé expérimentalement. L'identification des paramètres est effectuée en minimisant l'erreur entre les valeurs calculées et mesurées. Les modèles proposés sont validés par des exemples numériques. / In this thesis, several approaches for modeling fiber-reinforced composites are proposed. The material under consideration is fiber-reinforced concrete, which is composed of a few constituents: concrete, short steel fibers, and the interface between them. The behavior of concrete is described by a damage model with localized failure, fibers are taken to be linear elastic, and the behavior of the interface is modeled with a bond-slip pull-out law. A multi-scale approach for coupling all the constituents is proposed, where the macro-scale computation is carried out using the operator-split solution procedure. This partitioned approach divides the computation in two phases, global and local, where different failure mechanisms are treated separately, which is in accordance with the experimentally observed composite behavior. An inverse model for fiber-reinforced concrete is presented, where the stochastic caracterization of the fibers is known from their distribution inside the domain. Parameter identification is performed by minimizing the error between the computed and measured values. The proposed models are validated through numerical examples.