The increased use of continuously welded rails in the railway systems makes it necessary to increase the control of the rail stresses to avoid instability and damages of the rails. Large stresses are especially prone to appear at discontinuities in the railway systems, such as bridges, due to the interaction between the track and the bridge. The interaction leads to increased horizontal forces in the rails due to the changed stiffness between the embankment and the bridge, temperature variations, bending of the bridge structure because of vertical traffic loads and braking and traction forces. If the compressive rail stresses become too high it is necessary to use costly and maintenance-requiring devices such as rail expansion joints and other rail expansion devices. These devices increase the railway systems life cycle cost and should if possible be avoided. The use of non-ballasted track on high-speed railways, tramways and subways, has increased since this kind of track requires less maintenance and according to some investigations have a lower life cycle cost compared to ballasted track. The non-ballasted track is usually made of a track slab to which the rails are connected through fastenings. The track slab is connected to the bridge structure and held in place by shear keys. When non-ballasted tracks are used in populated areas it is sometimes necessary to introduce some vibration and noise damping solution. One of the possible solutions is to introduce a floating slab mat (elastic mat) under the track slab on the bridge. The influence of the floating slab mats properties on the rail stresses is investigated in this degree project. The investigation was performed through a numerical modelling of two railway bridges using the finite element software SOFiSTiK. The results from the investigation showed that there was a small reduction of the compressive rail stresses by approximately 3 – 7% (depending on the stiffness of the elastic support, load positions and the properties of the mat) when a mat was installed under the track slab. The results from the investigation also showed that there was a small reduction (up to approximately 1 %) of the compressive stresses in the rail when the thickness of the mat was increased, and the stiffness of the mat was reduced. This reduction of the compressive stresses is assumed to be caused by the mat being mounted on the sides of the shear keys. The lower stiffness of the mat allows the track slab and the bridge deck to move more freely parallel to each other in the horizontal direction. This leads to a decrease of the stresses in the rail due to a lower interaction between the track and the bridge. It was also shown that the rail stresses increased if the friction between the slab mat and the bridge deck was considered. This is because of an increase of the interaction between the track and the bridge due to the mats horizontal stiffness. / Den ökade användningen av kontinuerligt svetsade räler i järnvägsnäten i världen leder till en ökad kontroll av rälsspänningarna för att undvika instabilitet och skador på rälsen. Särskilt vid en diskontinuit i järnvägssystemet, som vid broar, kan stora tillskottspänningar i rälsen uppstå till följd av interaktionen mellan spår och bro. Interaktion leder till ökade horisontella krafter som verkar på rälsen och beror på den förändrade styvheten mellan järnvägsbank och bro, temperaturvariationer, nedböjning av bron på grund av vertikala trafiklaster samt broms- och accelerationskrafter. Om spänningarna i rälsen blir för stora behöver kostsamma och underhållskrävande dilatationsfogar införas. Dessa dilatationsfogar ökar järnvägssystemets livscykelkostnad och är något som ska undvikas att införas i den mån det är möjligt. Användningen av ballastfritt spår för höghastighetsjärnvägar, spårvägar och tunnelbanor ökar på grund av att dessa spår kräver mindre underhåll och har enligt vissa undersökningar en lägre livscykelkostnad i jämförelse med ballasterat spår. Ballastfritt spår består oftast av en betongplatta till vilken rälsen är kopplad genom befästningar. Plattan är i sin tur kopplad till underbyggnaden genom skjuvförbindare som håller plattan på plats. När ballastfritt spår används i bebodda områden är det ibland nödvändigt att ta till vibrations- och ljuddämpande åtgärder. En åtgärd som används på brokonstruktioner för att minska vibrationer och ljudföroreningar är att montera en vibrationsdämpande matta, som är tillverkad av ett elastiskt material, mellan betongplattan och broöverbyggnaden. I detta examensarbetet undersöks hur den vibrationsdämpande mattans egenskaper påverkar rälsspänningarna. Resultaten från undersökningen visar att spänningarna i rälsen minskar med cirka 3–7 % (beroende på det elastiska stödets styvhet, lastpositioner och mattans egenskaper) när en elastisk matta installeras under spårplattan i jämförelse med när ingen matta används. När mattans tjocklek ökar och när styvheten sänks minskar spänningarna med cirka 1 % i jämförelse mellan den tjockaste och tunnaste mattan. Denna minskning av spänningarna antas bero på att den vibrationsdämpande mattan som är monterad på sidan av skjuvförbindarna ger en möjlighet för spåret och bron att förskjutas fritt parallellt varandra innan en interaktion mellan spår och bro uppstår. Det visade sig även att om friktionen mellan mattan och broöverbyggnaden medräknas ökar spänningarna i rälsen. Detta beror på att mattan då skapar en större interaktion mellan spåret och bron gentemot fallet då mattans horisontella styvhet inte beaktas.

A key challenge facing the nuclear fusion community is how to design a reactor that will operate in environmental conditions not easily reproducible in the laboratory for materials testing. Finite element analysis (FEA), commonly used to predict components’ performance, typically uses idealised geometries. An emerging technique shown to have improved accuracy is image based finite element modelling (IBFEM). This involves converting a three dimensional image (such as from X ray tomography) into an FEA mesh. A main advantage of IBFEM is that models include micro structural and non idealised manufacturing features. The aim of this work was to investigate the thermal performance of a CFC Cu divertor monoblock, a carbon fibre composite (CFC) tile joined through its centre to a CuCrZr pipe with a Cu interlayer. As a plasma facing component located where thermal flux in the reactor is at its highest, one of its primary functions is to extract heat by active cooling. Therefore, characterisation of its thermal performance is vital. Investigation of the thermal performance of CFC Cu joining methods by laser flash analysis and X ray tomography showed a strong correlation between micro structures at the material interface and a reduction in thermal conductivity. Therefore, this problem leant itself well to be investigated further by IBFEM. However, because these high resolution models require such large numbers of elements, commercial FEA software could not be used. This served as motivation to develop parallel software capable of performing the necessary transient thermal simulations. The resultant code was shown to scale well with increasing problem sizes and a simulation with 137 million elements was successfully completed using 4096 cores. In comparison with a low resolution IBFEM and traditional FEA simulations it was demonstrated to provide additional accuracy. IBFEM was used to simulate a divertor monoblock mock up, where it was found that a region of delamination existed on the CFC Cu interface. Predictions showed that if this was aligned unfavourably it would increase thermal gradients across the component thus reducing lifespan. As this was a feature introduced in manufacturing it would not have been accounted for without IBFEM.The technique developed in this work has broad engineering applications. It could be used similarly to accurately model components in conditions unfeasible to produce in the laboratory, to assist in research and development of component manufacturing or to verify commercial components against manufacturers’ claims.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] Hay dos aspectos cruciales a la hora de operar motores de inducción en la industria: la estimación de su eficiencia (para minimizar el consumo de energía) y su diagnóstico (para evitar paradas intempestivas y reducir los costes de mantenimiento). Para estimar la eficiencia del motor es necesario medir tensiones y corrientes. Por ello, resulta conveniente y muy útil utilizar la misma corriente para diagnosticar también el motor (Motor Current Signature Analysis: MCSA). En este sentido, la técnica MCSA más adecuada es aquella basada en la localización de armónicos de fallo en el espectro de la corriente de línea del estator en régimen permanente, pues esta es la condición de funcionamiento de la mayoría de los motores de inducción de la industria. Por otro lado, dado que la frecuencia de estos armónicos depende de la velocidad, resulta imprescindible conocer esta magnitud con precisión, ya que esto permite localizar correctamente los armónicos de fallo, y, por tanto, reducir las posibilidades de falsos positivos/negativos. A su vez, una medida precisa de la velocidad también permite calcular con precisión la potencia mecánica, lo que se traduce en una estimación más exacta del rendimiento. Por último, para adaptarse a las necesidades de la Industria 4.0, en la que se monitoriza continuamente un gran número de motores, la velocidad también debe ser obtenida de manera no invasiva, automática y para cualquier motor de inducción. A este respecto, dado que la medición precisa de la velocidad a través de un encóder es invasiva y costosa, las técnicas de estimación de velocidad sin sensores (SSE en inglés) se convierten en la mejor opción. En la primera parte de esta tesis se realiza un análisis exhaustivo de las familias de técnicas SSE presentes en la literatura técnica. Como se demuestra en ella, aquellos métodos basados en armónicos de ranura (RSHs en inglés) y en armónicos laterales de frecuencia rotacional (RFSHs) son potencialmente los únicos que pueden satisfacer todos los requisitos mencionados anteriormente. Sin embargo, como también se demuestra en esta parte, y hasta esta tesis, siempre había existido un compromiso entre la precisión (característica de los RSHs) y la aplicabilidad general del método (característica de los RFSHs). En la segunda parte, y núcleo de esta tesis, se presenta una metodología que acaba con este compromiso, proporcionando así el primer método de estimación de velocidad preciso, general, no invasivo y automático para el diagnóstico en estado estacionario MCSA y la estimación de la eficiencia de motores de inducción que operan en un contexto de Industria 4.0. Esto se consigue desarrollando una novedosa técnica basada en RSHs que, por primera vez en la literatura técnica, elimina la necesidad de conocer/estimar el número de ranuras del rotor, lo que había impedido hasta la fecha que estos métodos fueran de aplicación general. Esta técnica proporciona además un procedimiento fiable y automático para localizar la familia de RSHs en el espectro de la corriente de línea de un motor de inducción. De igual forma y sin la ayuda de un experto, la técnica es capaz de determinar los parámetros necesarios para estimar la velocidad a partir de los RSHs, utilizando medidas tomadas en régimen estacionario. La metodología es validada utilizando motores con diferentes características y tipos de alimentaciones, empleando para ello simulaciones, pruebas de laboratorio y 105 motores industriales. Además, se muestra un caso de aplicación industrial en el que el algoritmo desarrollado se implementa en un sistema de monitorización continua mediante MCSA, lo que acaba conduciendo al descubrimiento de un nuevo fallo en motores sumergibles de pozo profundo: el desgaste de los anillos de cortocircuito. Por último, se presenta una segunda aplicación directa para este tipo de motores derivada del procedimiento de detección de RSHs: el uso de estos armónicos para diagnosticar, en fase temprana, cortocircuitos entre espiras. / [CA] Hi ha dos aspectes crucials a l'hora d'operar motors d'inducció en la indústria: l'estimació de la seua eficiència (per a minimitzar el consum d'energia) i el seu diagnòstic (per a evitar parades intempestives i reduir els costos de manteniment). Per a estimar l'eficiència del motor és necessari mesurar tensions i corrents. Per això, resulta convenient i molt útil utilitzar el mateix corrent per a diagnosticar també el motor (Motor Current Signature Analysis: MCSA). En aquest sentit, la tècnica MCSA més adequada és aquella basada en la localització d'harmònics de fallada en l'espectre del corrent de línia de l'estator en règim permanent, ja que aquesta és la condició de funcionament de la majoria dels motors d'inducció de la indústria. D'altra banda, atés que la freqüència d'aquests harmònics depén de la velocitat, resulta imprescindible conéixer aquesta magnitud amb precisió, ja que això permet localitzar correctament els harmònics de fallada i, per tant, reduir les possibilitats de falsos positius/negatius. Al seu torn, una mesura precisa de la velocitat també permet calcular amb precisió la potència mecànica, la qual cosa es tradueix en una estimació més exacta del rendiment. Finalment, per a adaptar-se a les necessitats de la Indústria 4.0, en la qual es monitora contínuament un gran nombre de motors, la velocitat també ha de ser obtinguda de manera no invasiva, automàtica i per a qualsevol motor d'inducció. En aquest sentit, atès que el mesurament precís de la velocitat a través d'un encóder és invasiva i costosa, les tècniques d'estimació de velocitat sense sensors (SSE en anglés) es converteixen en la millor opció. En la primera part d'aquesta tesi es realitza una anàlisi exhaustiva de totes les famílies de tècniques SSE presents en la literatura tècnica. Com es demostra en ella, aquells mètodes basats en harmònics de ranura (RSHs en anglès) i harmònics laterals de freqüència rotacional (RFSHs en anglés) són els més prometedors, ja que son potencialment els únics que poden satisfer tots els requisits esmentats anteriorment. No obstant això, com també es demostra en aquesta part, i fins a aquesta tesi, sempre havia existit un compromís entre la precisió (característica dels RSHs) i l'aplicabilitat general del mètode (característica dels RFSHs). En la segona part, i nucli d'aquesta tesi, es presenta una metodologia que acaba amb aquest compromís, proporcionant així el primer mètode d'estimació de velocitat precís, general, no invasiu i automàtic per al diagnòstic en estat estacionari MCSA i l'estimació de l'eficiència de motors d'inducció que operen en un context d'Indústria 4.0. Això s'aconsegueix desenvolupant una nova tècnica basada en RSHs que, per primera vegada en la literatura tècnica, elimina la necessitat de conéixer/estimar el nombre de ranures del rotor, cosa que havia impedit fins avui que aquests mètodes foren d'aplicació general. Aquesta tècnica proporciona a més un procediment fiable i automàtic per a localitzar la família de RSHs en l'espectre del corrent de línia d'un motor d'inducció. De la mateixa forma i sense l'ajuda d'un expert, la tècnica és capaç de determinar els paràmetres necessaris per a estimar la velocitat a partir dels RSHs, utilitzant mesures preses en règim estacionari. La metodologia és validada utilitzant motors amb diferents característiques i condicions d'alimentació, emprant per a això simulacions, proves de laboratori i 105 motors industrials. A més, es mostra un cas real d'aplicació industrial en el qual l'algoritme desenvolupat és implementat en un sistema de monitoratge continu mitjançant MCSA, la qual cosa acaba conduint al descobriment d'una nova fallada en motors submergibles de pou profund: el desgast dels anells de curtcircuit. Finalment, es presenta una segona aplicació directa per a aquest tipus de motors derivada del procediment de detecció de RSHs: l'ús d'aquests harmònics per a diagnosticar, en fase primerenca, curtcircuits entre espires. / [EN] There are two crucial aspects when operating induction motors in industry: efficiency estimation (to minimize energy consumption) and diagnosis (to avoid untimely outages and reduce maintenance costs). To estimate the motor's efficiency, it is necessary to measure voltages and currents. Hence, it is convenient and very useful using the same current to also diagnose the motor (Motor Current Signature Analysis: MCSA). In this regard, the most suitable MCSA technique is that based on locating fault harmonics in the spectrum of the stator line current under steady-state, as this is the operating condition of most induction motors in industry. Since the frequency of these harmonics depends on the speed, it becomes essential to be able to know this magnitude with precision, as this makes it possible to correctly locate the fault harmonics, and therefore, reduce the chances of false positives/negatives. In turn, an accurate speed information also allows to calculate the mechanical power with precision, which results in a more accurate estimation of the motor performance. Finally, to adapt to the needs of 4.0 Industry, where large numbers of motors are continuously monitored, the speed must not only be obtained very accurately, but also non-invasively, automatically (without the need for an expert) and for any induction motor. In this regard, since precise speed measurement through a shaft sensor is invasive and expensive, Sensorless Speed Estimation (SSE) techniques become the best option. The first part of this thesis conducts a thorough analysis of all the families of SSE techniques present in the technical literature. As demonstrated therein, those techniques based on Slotting and Rotational Frequency Sideband Harmonics are the most promising, as they can potentially meet all the aforementioned requirements. However, as also proved in this part, and up to this thesis, there had always been a trade-off between accuracy, characteristic of Rotor Slot Harmonics (RSHs), and general applicability, characteristic of Rotational Frequency Sideband Harmonics (RFSHs). The second part, and core of this thesis, presents a methodology that ends with this trade-off between accuracy and general applicability, thus providing the first precise, general, noninvasive and automatic speed estimation method for MCSA steady-state diagnosis and efficiency estimation of induction motors that operate in a 4.0 Industry context. This is achieved by developing a novel RSH-based technique that, for the first time in technical literature, eliminates the need to know/estimate the number of rotor slots, which had so far prevented these techniques to be generally applicable. This technique also provides a reliable and automatic procedure to, from among the high number of significant harmonics present in the spectrum of the line current of an induction motor, locate the RSHs family. Also automatically and without the help of an expert, the technique is able to determine the parameters needed to estimate speed from RSHs, using only measurements taken during the motor normal operation at steady-state. The methodology is validated using motors with different characteristics and supply conditions, by simulations, lab tests and with 105 industrial motors. Furthermore, a real industrial case of application is shown as well, where the speed estimation algorithm is implemented in a continuous motor condition monitoring system via MCSA, which eventually leads to the discovery of a new fault in deep-well submersible motors: the wear of end-rings. Finally, a second direct application derived from the reliable and automatic procedure to detect RSHs is presented: the use of these harmonics to diagnose early-stage inter-turn faults in induction motors of deep-well submersible pumps. / Bonet Jara, J. (2023). A precise, General, Non-Invasive and Automatic Speed Estimation Method for MCSA Steady-State Diagnosis and Efficiency Estimation of Induction Motors in the 4.0 Industry [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/194269 / Compendio

This project had two primary goals: (1) to explore opportunities to further a deep-ocean vehicle’s reach using alternative pressure spheres, and (2) to implement an existing deep-ocean vehicle (lander) in active scientific research. I gained a greater understanding of the limitations and design choices made for existing pressure spheres using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). My simplified FEA model predicted sphere failure for the existing 30% Fiber Glass 70% Nylon injection molded spheres at an external pressure of 3,954psi or 2,690m ocean-depth (only a 7.38% error compared to the tested minimum failure depth), so I determined it a valid model. I also explored alternative designs and materials that could be used for pressure spheres in deep-sea applications. Existing pressure sphere models filled with an incompressible fluid failed at 12,670psi or 8,621m ocean-depth - over three times the depth of the same sphere filled with air. Next, I varied the sphere thickness of existing spheres to determine its impact on depth rating. While the increased thickness did provide an increase in depth rating, there were diminishing returns as the sphere was made thicker. I deemed both of these design options infeasible for our application. To consider the use of laminated composite spheres, the addition of an equatorial ring was required to manufacture O-ring seals safely and reliably. A simple cylindrical equatorial ring model using a stainless-steel ring had a predicted failure at 3,017psi or 2,053m ocean-depth. While this model predicted failure at 637m shallower than the sphere without the ring, it was the only ring material tested to reach the rated depth for the existing pressure spheres (2km), so I concluded stainless-steel is the best ring material. A spherical stainless-steel equatorial ring design was then analyzed which predicted failure at 3,915psi or 2,664m ocean-depth – only 8.3% less than the original sphere with no ring. Because of its successful performance and near identical results to the original model, I determined a stainless-steel spherical equatorial ring is the best option for laminated composite sphere sealing. Finally, I analyzed three different kinds of laminated composite pressure spheres: two carbon fiber and one fiber glass. Each laminate was designed to be quasi-isotropic and as close to 0.8” thick as possible to keep it consistent with the original sphere design. The sphere made of 584 Carbon Fiber with a lay-up of: [[-45/45/0/90]6]s was found to predict failure at 10,000psi or 6,804m ocean-depth, more than 2.5 times that of the original sphere. Next, a model made of 282 Carbon Fiber with a lay-up of: [[-45/45/0/90]11]s predicted failure at 9,242psi or 6,289m ocean-depth – more than 2.3 times as deep as the original pressure spheres. Lastly, a sphere of 7781 Fiber Glass with a lay-up of: [[-45/45/0/90]11]s predicted failure at 6,630psi or 4,511m ocean-depth – about two-thirds the depth of the 584 Carbon Fiber composite, but more than 1.6 times the depth of the original sphere. While real-life applications of these materials would include design modifications and manufacturing imperfections which would lower their maximum depth rating, these results are highly encouraging and show that all three materials could be viable options for future production. Additionally, through partnership with Dr. Crow White and his marine science undergraduate students, I completed numerous deployments for a Before and After Controlled Impact (BACI) study on the area of the proposed windfarm off the coast of Morro Bay, CA. Many modifications were made to the existing lander which enabled it to successfully be implemented in these studies including a new bait containment unit, light color filters, a GPS tracking device, and a large vessel recovery device. A total of 5 pier deployments and 3 boat deployments were conducted by my team over the course of 6-months. Planning for these deployments included accounting for budgeting, weather, permitting, and multi-organizational logistics while working with both NOAA and the Cal Poly marine operations staff.

This thesis focuses on the effect of microstructural variation on the mechanical properties and deformation behavior of ductile iron. To research and determine these effects, two grades of ductile iron, (i) GJS-500-7 and (ii) high silicon GJS-500-14, were cast in a geometry containing several plates with different section thicknesses in order to produce microstructural variation. Microstructural investigations as well as tensile and hardness tests were performed on the casting plates. The results revealed higher ferrite fraction, graphite particle count, and yield strength in the high silicon GJS-500-14 grade compared to the GJS-500-7 grade. To study the relationship between the microstructural variation and tensile behavior on macroscale, tensile stress-strain response was characterized using the Ludwigson equation. The obtained tensile properties were modeled, based on the microstructural characteristics, using multiple linear regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The models showed that silicon content, graphite particle count, ferrite fraction, and fraction of porosity are the major contributing factors that influence tensile behavior. The models were entered into a casting process simulation software, and the simulated microstructure and tensile properties were validated using the experimental data. This enabled the opportunity to predict tensile properties of cast components with similar microstructural characteristics. To investigate deformation behavior on micro-scale, a method was developed to quantitatively measure strain in the microstructure, utilizing the digital image correlation (DIC) technique together with in-situ tensile testing. In this method, a pit-etching procedure was developed to generate a random speckle pattern, enabling DIC strain measurement to be conducted in the matrix and the area between the graphite particles. The method was validated by benchmarking the measured yield strength with the material’s standard yield strength. The microstructural deformation behavior under tensile loading was characterized. During elastic deformation, strain mapping revealed a heterogeneous strain distribution in the microstructure, as well as shear bands that formed between graphite particles. The crack was initiated at the stress ranges in which a kink occurred in the tensile curve, indicating the dissipation of energy during both plastic deformation and crack initiation. A large amount of strain localization was measured at the onset of the micro-cracks on the strain maps. The micro-cracks were initiated at local strain levels higher than 2%, suggesting a threshold level of strain required for micro-crack initiation. A continuum Finite Element (FE) model containing a physical length scale was developed to predict strain on the microstructure of ductile iron. The material parameters for this model were calculated by optimization, utilizing the Ramberg-Osgood equation. The predicted strain maps were compared to the strain maps measured by DIC, both qualitatively and quantitatively. To a large extent, the strain maps were in agreement, resulting in the validation of the model on micro-scale. In order to perform a micro-scale characterization of dynamic deformation behavior, local strain distribution on the microstructure was studied by performing in-situ cyclic tests using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A novel method, based on the focused ion beam (FIB) milling, was developed to generate a speckle pattern on the microstructure of the ferritic ductile iron (GJS-500-14 grade) to enable quantitative DIC strain measurement to be performed. The results showed that the maximum strain concentration occurred in the vicinity of the micro-cracks, particularly ahead of the micro-crack tip. / Denna avhandling fokuserar på effekten av variationer i mikrostrukturen på mekaniska egenskaper och deformationsbeteende hos segjärn. För att undersöka dessa effekter, två olika sorter av segjärn, (i) GJS-500-7 och (ii) högkisellegerad GJS-500-14, gjutits till plattor av olika tjocklekar för att generera mikrostrukturvariationen. Mikrostrukturundersökning, samt drag- och hårdhetsprov gjordes på de gjutna plattorna. Resultaten visade att en högre ferritfraktion, grafitpartikelantal och sträckgräns i den högkisellegerade GJS-500-14-sorten jämfört med GJS-500-7. För att studera förhållandet mellan mikrostrukturell variation och spännings-töjningsbeteendet på makroskala, modellerades detta med hjälp av Ludwigson-ekvationen. De erhållna spännings-töjningsegenskaperna modellerades baserat på mikrostrukturell karaktäristika genom multipel linjärregression och variansanalys (ANOVA). Modellerna visade att kiselhalt, grafitpartikelantal, ferritfraktion och porfraktion var de viktigaste bidragande faktorerna. Modellerna implementerades i ett simuleringsprogram för gjutningsprocessen. Resultatet från simuleringen validerades med hjälp av experimentella data som inte ingick i underlaget för regressionsanalysen. Detta möjliggjorde att prediktera spännings-töjningsbeteendet och dess variation hos gjutna segjärns komponenter med liknande sammansättning och gjutna tjocklekar som användes i denna studie. För att kunna undersöka deformationsbeteendet på mikroskala utvecklades en metod för kvantitativ mätning av töjning i mikrostrukturen, genom DIC-tekniken (digital image correlation) tillsammans med in-situ dragprovning. I denna metod utvecklades en grop-etsningsprocess för att generera ett slumpvis prickmönster, vilket möjliggjorde DIC-töjningsmätning i matrisen och i området mellan grafitpartiklarna med tillräcklig upplösning. Metoden validerades genom benchmarking av den uppmätta sträckgränsen mot materialets makroskopiska sträckgräns mätt med konventionell dragprovning. Det mikrostrukturella deformationsbeteendet under dragbelastning karakteriserades. Under elastisk deformation avslöjade töjningsmönstret en heterogen töjningsfördelning i mikrostrukturen, och bildandet av skjuvband mellan grafitpartiklar. Sprickbildning initierades vid låg spänning och redan vid de spänningsnivåer som ligger vis ”knät” på dragprovningskurvan, vilket indikerar energidissipering genom både begynnande plastisk deformation och sprickbildning. Den lokala töjningen vis sprickinitiering skedde då den lokala töjningen översteg 2%, vilket indikerar att detta skulle kunna vara en tröskelnivå för den töjning som erfordras för initiering av mikro-sprickor. En kontinuum Finita Element (FE) modell utvecklades för att prediktera töjningen hos ett segjärn och dess fördelning i segjärns mikrostruktur. Materialparametrarna för denna modell optimerades genom att anpassa parametrarna i Ramberg-Osgood ekvationen. De predikterade töjningsfördelningarna jämfördes med de experimentell uppmätta töjningsmönstren uppmätta med DIC, både kvalitativt och kvantitativt. Töjningsmönstren överensstämde i stor utsträckning, vilket resulterade i att modellerna kunde anses vara validerade på mikronivå. För att kunna mäta töjningsmönster under dynamiska förlopp på mikronivå utvecklades en metod för att skapa prickmönster och att utföra in-situ CT provning i ett svepeletronmikroskop (SEM). Prickmönstret skapades genom avverkning med en fokuserad jonstråle (FIB), och provades på det ferritiska segjärnet (GJS-500-14 grad). Resultaten visade att maximal töjningskoncentration fanns i närheten av mikrosprickorna, framförallt framför sprickspetsen.

La présente étude porte sur le comportement mécanique de deux types de supports de catalyseurs utilisés industriellement en hydrotraitement des résidus. Ces supports extrudés, fabriqués par IFPEN, sont constitués d’alumine de transition γ avec un taux de porosité proche de 70%. La porosité du premier matériau est uniquement constituée de mésopores (< 50 nm). La porosité du second matériau est constituée de mésopores et de macropores (jusqu’à 20 µm). Les niveaux de sollicitation en service étant très peu connus, cette étude s’attache à décrire de manière précise et exhaustive le comportement mécanique de ces supports sous une large gamme de sollicitations, et à identifier les différents mécanismes de ruine possibles. L’objectif final est de mieux comprendre les relations entre les paramètres microstructuraux et les propriétés mécaniques afin d’identifier des leviers d’amélioration de la tenue mécanique des supports. Dans un premier temps, une méthodologie adaptée de caractérisation mécanique est établie. Le comportement des supports est étudié d’une part en traction, à l’aide d’essais de flexion trois points et d’écrasement diamétral, et d’autre part, en compression sous différents taux de triaxialité, à l’aide d’essais de compression uniaxiale et hydrostatique et d’essais de micro-indentation sphérique. Les différents mécanismes responsables de la ruine des supports sont identifiés au moyen de techniques d’imagerie telles que la microscopie électronique à balayage et la micro-tomographie à rayons X. En traction, le comportement est fragile avec l’amorçage de la rupture sur un défaut critique. En compression, une transition fragile / quasi-plastique du comportement est observée avec l’augmentation du taux de confinement. Cette quasi-plasticité s’exprime en particulier à travers un phénomène de densification de la macroporosité. Dans un deuxième temps, un critère de rupture est identifié pour chaque type de matériau en vue de représenter sur une même surface de charge les différents types de comportement et phénomènes physiques observés. Cette identification est réalisée en couplant les essais d’indentation sphérique à une analyse numérique. Des critères faisant intervenir la pression hydrostatique permettent de rendre compte de la forte dissymétrie du comportement des matériaux en traction et en compression. Enfin, dans un souci de se rapprocher des sollicitations subies par les supports de catalyseurs dans un réacteur en service, le comportement d’un empilement de supports est étudié en compression œdométrique. L’analyse de cet essai par tomographie à rayons X permet de déterminer les différents mécanismes de ruine intervenant au sein d’un empilement, en particulier ceux responsables de la génération de fines. Les résultats illustrent la pertinence de la caractérisation en flexion et en indentation des supports de catalyseurs seuls pour prévoir leur comportement au sein d’un empilement en compression. / In this work, we study the mechanical behaviour of two types of catalysts supports produced by IFPEN and industrially used in residues hydrotreating. Those extruded supports are made of transition γ-alumina with about 70% of porous volume. The first material’s porosity is exclusively composed of mesopores (< 50 nm). The porosity of the second material is composed of both mesopores and macropores (up to 20 µm). Because of the limited knowledge of the stress fields in embedded catalysts supports in use in a reactor, this study aims at precisely and exhaustively describing the mechanical behaviour of those supports under a wide range of stresses, and identifying the possible damage mechanisms. The final objective is to better understand the influence of microstructural parameters on the mechanical properties of the supports in order to propose some leads about how to improve their mechanical strength. First, an adequate mechanical characterization methodology is set. On one hand, the tensile mechanical behaviour of the supports is studied with three-point bending and diametrical crushing tests. On the other hand, their compressive behaviour under various triaxiality rates is characterized in uniaxial and hydrostatic compression, and by spherical micro-indentation. The different damaging mechanisms are identified by imaging techniques such as scanning electronic microscopy and X-ray micro-tomography. Under tensile stresses, the supports exhibit a brittle behaviour and fracture initiates at a critical flaw. Under compressive stresses, a brittle/quasi-plastic transition is observed with increasing the triaxiality rate. The quasi-plasticity is mainly due to the densification of the macroporosity. The second part of the study consists in identifying, for each material, a fracture criterion able to represent every types of behaviour and physical phenomena observed on the same yield surface. This identification is achieved by coupling the spherical indentation tests to a numerical analysis. Fracture criteria involving hydrostatic pressure are well suited to describe the highly dissymmetric mechanical behaviour of the materials in tension and in compression. The last part of this work aims at studying the mechanical behaviour of a stack of supports under œdometric compression in order to produce stress fields more representative of those existing within the supports stacked in a reactor. This test is analysed by X-ray tomography, which allows us to determine/acknowledge the different damaging mechanisms involved in fragments and fines generation. The results illustrate the suitability of the bending and indentation tests to characterize the mechanical properties of a single support and relate them to its mechanical behaviour in a stack of supports under compression.

Die Nutzung historisch solider Lastannahmen, wie sie zum Beispiel die VDV Richtlinie 152 in der Fassung von 1992 festlegt, ist für die Festigkeitsauslegung neuartiger Straßen- und Stadtbahnfahrzeuge unzureichend, da die Annahmen und Methoden der Komplexität und insbesondere der Nichtlinearität moderner Fahrzeugkonzepte keine Rechnung tragen. Diese Arbeit zeigt auf, wie sich entstandene Lücken in den Lastannahmen durch Simulation und Messung von Fahrzeug und Gleis analysieren, verstehen und schließen lassen. Den Kern bildet dabei der Einsatz detaillierterer Simulationsmodelle von Fahrzeug und Gleis, deren Eingangsdaten mit Hilfe von Messungen gewonnen und deren Ausgangsdaten mit ihnen verifiziert und ergänzt werden müssen. Hierfür werden Methoden und Werkzeuge entwickelt, die ein ein vielseitiges Baukastensystem für die Fahrzeuganalyse, Modellvalidierung und Datenbewertung bilden, und zu sicheren Lastannahmen für die Fahrzeugauslegung führen.