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An advanced finite element (FE) model of the electrofusion welding of thermoplastic pipes has been developed using the ABAQUS FE package. The heat transfer analysis is coupled with thermal deformation analysis to include the time-dependent closure of the initial gap between the pipe and fitting. The effect of radial melt movement into the interface is modelled using a new `virtual material movement¿ technique. The predicted results (temperature distribution in the weld region, melt affected zones and gap closure time) are compared with experimental data and good agreement is found

Yes / In recent years, a new low nickel content stainless steel (EN 1.4162) commonly referred as ‘lean duplex stainless steel’ has been developed, which has over two times the tensile strength of the more familiar austenitic stainless steel but at approximately half the cost. This paper presents the finite element analysis of concrete filled lean duplex stainless steel columns subjected to concentric axial compression. To predict the performance of this form of concrete filled composite columns, a finite element model was developed and finite element analyses were conducted. The finite element model was validated through comparisons of the results obtained from the experimental study. A parametric study was conducted to examine the effect of various parameters such as section size, wall thickness, infill concrete strength, etc. on the overall behaviour and compressive resistance of this form of composite columns. Through both experimental and numerical studies, the merits of using lean duplex stainless steel hollow sections in concrete filled composite columns were highlighted. In addition, a new formula based on the Eurocode 4 was proposed to predict the cross-section capacity of the concrete filled lean duplex stainless steel composite columns subjected to axial compression.

As cold-formed steel decks are used in virtually every steel-framed structure for composite slab systems, efforts to develop more efficient composite floor systems continues. Efficient composite floor systems can be obtained by optimally utilizing the materials, which includes the possibility of developing long span composite slab systems. For this purpose, new deck profiles that can have a longer span and better interaction with the concrete slab are investigated. Two new mechanical based methods for predicting composite slab strength and behavior are introduced. They are referred to as the iterative and direct methods. These methods, which accurately account for the contribution of parameters affecting the composite action, are used to predict the strength and behavior of composite slabs. Application of the methods in the analytical and experimental study of strength and behavior of composite slabs in general reveals that more accurate predictions are obtained by these methods compared to those of a modified version of the Steel Deck Institute method (SDI-M). A nonlinear finite element model is also developed to provide additional reference. These methods, which are supported by elemental tests of shear bond and end anchorages, offer an alternative solution to performing a large number of full-scale tests as required for the traditional m-k method. Results from 27 composite slab tests are compared with the analytical methods. Four long span composite slab specimens of 20 ft span length, using two different types of deck profiles, were built and tested experimentally. Without significantly increasing the slab depth and weight compared to those of composite slabs with typical span, it was found that these long span slabs showed good performance under the load tests. Some problems with the vibration behavior were encountered, which are thought to be due to the relatively thin layer of concrete cover above the deck rib. Further study on the use of deeper concrete cover to improve the vibrational behavior is suggested. Finally, resistance factors based on the AISI-LRFD approach were established. The resistance factors for flexural design of composite slab systems were found to be f=0.90 for the SDI-M method and f=0.85 for the direct method. / Ph. D.

In the United States pedestrian fatalities in vehicle impacts have increased over the last 40 years and pedestrians who use wheelchairs (seated pedestrians) have higher mortality rates than standing pedestrians in vehicle impacts. Standing pedestrian protection has generated increased attention and regulatory action but seated pedestrian protection has not been investigated or regulated. To investigate standing pedestrian safety researchers use finite element models of the human body and simulate vehicle impacts. Finite element models can be useful but they are limited by their biofidelity, and often simplify the complex anatomy of the human body for the sake of computational expense. If modeling results are to be taken seriously to investigate standing and seated pedestrian protection, then further model development and validation is necessary. In this dissertation a finite element model of a male 50th percentile standing pedestrian was enhanced and validated for use in vehicle impact simulations. The standing pedestrian model lower body was further enhanced and validated to study the importance of stabilizing components of the knee. These updates to the standing pedestrian knee joint were imported into an occupant model and further validated in occupant loading scenarios. The updated standing pedestrian was used to explore the effect of modeling component failure on vehicle impact. Simplified and detailed occupant models were used to model seated pedestrians in vehicle impacts to explore seated pedestrian injury risks. The seated pedestrian head and brain typically reported the highest risks of injury, usually because of head-ground contact. A lap belt, airbag vest, and bicycle helmet were tested on the seated pedestrians. The lap belt and airbag vest typically increased injury risks and the bicycle helmet reduced injury risks. The work presented in this dissertation may inform future modelers, vehicle designers, and safety equipment developers on standing and seated pedestrian safety. / Doctor of Philosophy / In the United States pedestrian fatalities in vehicle impacts have increased over the last 40 years and pedestrians who use wheelchairs (seated pedestrians) have higher death rates than standing pedestrians in vehicle impacts. Research studies have examined how to protect standing pedestrians, but not seated pedestrians. The goal of this work was to begin investigating seated pedestrian safety. To investigate standing pedestrian safety researchers use computer models (finite element models) of the human body and simulate vehicle impacts. These finite element models can be useful but they are limited by how life like they are. If modeling results are to be taken seriously to investigate standing and seated pedestrian protection, then further model improvement is necessary. In this dissertation a finite element model of an average North American male standing pedestrian was improved for use in vehicle impact simulations. The standing pedestrian model lower body was further improved to study the importance of stabilizing components of the knee. These updates to the standing pedestrian knee joint were imported into a seated model with the same anatomy. Simplified and detailed seated models were used to model seated pedestrians in vehicle impacts to explore seated pedestrian injury risks. The seated pedestrian head and brain typically reported the highest risks of injury, usually because of head-ground contact. A lap belt, airbag vest, and bicycle helmet were tested on the seated pedestrians. The lap belt and airbag vest typically increased injury risks and the bicycle helmet reduced injury risks. The work presented in this dissertation may inform future modelers, vehicle designers, and safety equipment developers on standing and seated pedestrian safety.

In the research presented here, a new ground water model, FEMCoast, was developed to simulate ground water discharge to the intertidal zone of estuarine systems. This research may be the first attempt to model the ground water discharge process in a tidal estaurine system. The development of FEM Coast was undertaken as no existing ground model was capable of directly simulating the dynamic boundary conditions along the sediment water interface of the intertidal zone. Reproducing the dynamic tidal boundary conditions along the sediment water interface was determined to be essential to replicating the complex salinity gradients observed in the ground water within the intertidal zone. Field data and model results confirmed the presence of a region of ground water where an inverted salinity gradient existed. In this region the concentration of salinity decreased with depth from the ground surface. FEMCoast was also able to reproduce field data on the movement of the near shore water table and ground water discharge rates and patterns. However, the model was not able to replicate the short-term fluctuation in the concentration of salinity within the aquifer due to changes in the concentration of salinity within Cherrystone Inlet. It is believed that the inability to account for the wave action of the tides within the intertidal zone is responsible for this difficulty. The use of FEMCoast integrated with field studies provided a new method to investigate ground water discharge to tidal estuarine systems. / Ph. D.

To obtain predictive modeling of a spacecraft, the author investigates the effects of adding cables to a simple structure with the goal of developing an understanding of how cables interacting with a structure. In this research, the author presents predictive and accurate modeling of a cable-harnessed structure by means of the Spectral Element Method (SEM). A double beam model is used to emulate a cable-harnessed structure. SEM modeling can define the location and the number of connections between the two beams in a convenient fashion. The proposed modeling is applied and compared with the conventional FEM. The modeling approach was compared to and validated by measurement data. The validated modeling was implemented to investigate the effect of the number of connections, of the spring stiffness of interconnections, and of mass portion of an attached cable. Damping has an important role in structural design because it reduces the dynamic response, thereby avoiding excessive deflection or stress, fatigue loads, and settling times. Experimental results with some specimens indicate a clear change of damping on the main structure with the inclusion of cable dynamics. The author investigated the modification of the damping of the host structure induced by various attached cables. The identification of a damping matrix is performed using measured data. The effect of the flexibility of a cable harness on damping is observed through experiments with various types of cables. The effect of the number of connections on damping is also investigated by changing the number of connections. Moreover, to overcome the sensitivity to noise in measured data of damping matrix identification approach, various methods are compared with a simulated lumped model and real test results. An improved damping matrix identification approach is proposed and can generate the unique damping matrix over the full frequency range of interest. / Ph. D.

Incubators in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are known to produce high Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) that can have detrimental effects on infants. Currently measured SPL in NICU's using traditional incubators are above the recommended 45 dB[A] threshold value [1]. Due to operating equipment and environmental noise, the sound level that is perceived by the developing newborn can cause both short and long term hearing loss as well as psychological damage [1].This thesis presents a study on how passive noise control devices can be used to reduce SPL levels in incubator NICU environments. A combination of experimental testing coupled with Finite Element simulations were performed for a modern incubator. In the experimental portion, porous mattresses were analyzed to reduce SPL values. These same test scenarios were modeled using the FE software. Using this model, extensive studies were performed on an arrangement of porous mattress materials with simple foam shapes to determine sound absorbing characteristics of several designs. Data was collected and studied at a NICU at Children\'s Hospital in Norfolk, Va. Experimental work showed improvement in reducing SPL with multiple thicknesses for different sound absorbing mattresses. The experimental outcomes validated the FE simulation model by showing similar trends at the baby\'s ears. In simulation work, polyimide foam had the best low frequency performance while polyurethane had the greatest performance in middle and high frequencies. Designs that used full-width foam treatments across the incubator produced the overall greatest reduction in noise around the baby control volume by approximately 26%. / Master of Science

An under-body blast (UBB) refers to the use of a roadside explosive device to target a vehicle and its occupants. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) accounted for an estimated 63% of US fatalities. Furthermore, advancements in protective equipment, combat triage, and treatment have caused an increase in IED casualties surviving with debilitating injuries. Military vehicles have been common targets of IED attacks because of the potential to inflict multiple casualties. Anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) are mechanical human surrogates designed to transfer loads and display kinematics similar to a human subject. ATDs have been used successfully by the automotive industry for decades to quantify human injury during an impact and assess safety measures. Currently the Hybrid III ATD is used in live-fire military vehicle assessments. However, the Hybrid III was designed for frontal impacts and demonstrated poor biofidelity in vertical loading experiments. To assess military vehicle safety and make informed improvements to vehicle design, a novel Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) was developed and optimized for vertical loading. ATDs, commonly referred to as crash dummies, are designed to estimate the risk of injuries to a human during an impact. The main objective of this study was to develop and validate a Finite Element (FE) model of the ATD lower limb. / Master of Science

Light-frame shearwall assemblies have been successfully used to resist gravity and lateral loads, such as earthquake and wind, for many decades. However, there is a need for maintaining the structural integrity of such buildings even when large openings in walls are introduced. Wood portal frame systems have been identified as a potential alternative to meet some aspects of this construction demand. The overarching goal of the research is to develop wood portal frame bracing systems, which can be used as an alternative or in combination with light-frame wood shearwalls. This is done through investigating the behavior of wood portal frames using the MIDPLY shearwall framing technique. A total of 21 MIDPLY corner joint tests were conducted with varying bracing details. Also, a finite element model was developed and compared with test results from the current study as well as studies by others. It was concluded from the corner joint tests that the maximum moment resistance increased with the addition of metal straps or exterior sheathings. The test results also showed a significant increase in the moment capacity and rotational stiffness by replacing the Spruce-Pine Fir (SPF), header with the Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) header. The addition of the FRP to the standard wall configuration also resulted in a significant increase in the moment capacity. However, no significant effect was observed on the stiffness properties of the corner joint. The FE model was capable of predicting the behavior of the corner joints and the full-scale portal frames with realistic end-conditions. The model closely predicted the ultimate lateral capacity for all the configurations but more uncertainty was found in predicting the initial stiffness.The FE model used to estimate the behavior of the full-scale portal frames constructed using the MIDPLY framing techniques showed a significant increase in the lateral load carrying capacity when compared with the traditional portal frame. It was also predicted using the full-scale FE model that the lateral load carrying capacity of the MIDPLY portal frame would increase with the addition of the metal straps on exterior faces. A parametric study showed that using a Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) header increased the lateral load carrying capacity and the initial stiffness of the frames relative to the SPF header. The study also showed that there was an increase in the capacity if high strength metal straps were used. Doubling of the nail spacing at header and braced wall segment had a considerable effect on the lateral capacity of portal frame. Also, the initial stiffness was reduced for all the configurations with the doubling of the nail spacing at the header and braced wall segment in comparison with the reference frame.