External post-tensioning is an attractive technique for strengthening reinforced concrete structures because of its ability to actively control stresses and deflections, speed of installation, minimum interruption for the existing structure, and ease of inspection under service conditions. However, external prestressing implies exposing the tendons to the environment outside the concrete section, which may lead to corrosion in steel tendons. Therefore, the interest in using fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tendons, which are corrosion resistant, has increased. The present work investigated, experimentally and analytically, the flexural performance of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with externally post-tensioned Carbon FRP (CFRP) tendons, under monotonic and fatigue loadings. Initially, tensile fatigue tests were carried out on CFRP tendon-anchor assemblies to assess their response under repeated cyclic loads, before implementing them in the beam tests. New wedge-type anchors (Waterloo anchors) were used in gripping the CFRP specimens. The assemblies exhibited excellent fatigue performance with no premature failure occurring at the anchorage zone. The fatigue tests suggested a fatigue limit of a stress range of 10% of the tendon ultimate capacity (approximately 216 MPa). Monotonic and fatigue experiments on twenty-eight beams (152x254x3500 mm) were then undertaken. Test parameters included the tendon profile (straight and double draped), the initial loading condition of the beam prior to post-tensioning (in-service and overloading), the partial prestressing ratio (0.36 and 0.46), and the load ranges applied to the beam during the fatigue life (39% to 76% of the yield load). The CFRP tendons were post-tensioned at 40% of their ultimate capacity. The monotonic tests of the post-tensioned beams suggested that overloading the beam prior to post-tensioning increased the beam deflections and the strains developed in the steel reinforcing bars at any stage of loading. However, overloading had no significant effect on the yield load of the strengthened beam and the mode of failure at ultimate. It also had no discernable effect on the increase in the tendon stress at yielding. The maximum increase in the CFRP stress at yield load was approximately 20% of the initial post-tensioning stress, for the in-service and overloaded beams. A very good performance of the strengthened beams was observed under fatigue loading. The fatigue life of the beams was mainly governed by the fatigue fracture of the internal steel reinforcing bars at a flexural crack location. Fracture of the bars occurred at the root of a rib where high stress concentration was likely to occur. No evidence of wear or stress concentration were observed at the deviated points of the CFRP tendons due to fatigue. The enhancement in the fatigue life of the strengthened beams was noticeable at all load ranges applied. Post-tensioning considerably decreased the stresses in the steel reinforcing bars and, consequently, increased the fatigue life of the beams. The increase in the fatigue life was slightly affected by the loading history of the beams. At the same load range applied to the beam, increasing the amount of the steel reinforcing bars for the same post-tensioning level decreased the stress range in the bars and significantly increased the fatigue life of the strengthened beams. In the analytical study, a monotonic model that predicts the non-linear flexural response of the CFRP post-tensioned beams was developed and implemented into a computer program. The model takes into account the loading history of the strengthened beams prior to post-tensioning (in-service and overloading). Good agreement was obtained between the measured and the predicted monotonic results. A strain-life based fatigue model was proposed to predict the fatigue life of the CFRP post-tensioned beams. The model takes into consideration the stress-strain history at the stress raisers in the steel bars. It accounts for the inelastic deformation occurring at the ribs during cycling and the resulting changes in the local mean stresses induced. Good agreement between the experimental and predicted fatigue results was observed. A step-by-step fatigue design approach is proposed for the CFRP externally post-tensioned beams. General conclusions of the study and recommendations of future work are given.

This thesis presents an investigation of the modelling and optimal design of a particular 3-degree-of-freedom (DOF) XYθz micro-motion stage. This stage provides micron-scale motion in X and Y directions and a rotation about the Z-axis. Such a stage can be used for applications where positioning of components with micrometre, or even nanometre positioning accuracy is required. Some applications are; the positioning of samples in a scanning-electron-microscope; the positioning of masks in lithography; aligning fibre-optics and lasers; and manipulation of micro-scale objects in micro-biology or micro-systems assembly. The XYθz micro-motion stage investigated in this study uses a particular topology of monolithic compliant mechanism and three stack piezoelectric actuators. The compliant mechanism used is a 3RRR (three revolute-revolute-revolute) parallel compliant mechanism using flexure hinges. This parallel mechanism uses three RRR linkages. Each of the three RRR linkages uses three circular profile flexure hinges. Each flexure hinge provides predominantly rotational motion about one axis. This topology of mechanism has a symmetrical structure and provides numerous advantages that make it appropriate for use in a micro-motion stage. However, as yet this topology of compliant mechanism has only been investigated by a handful of researchers and it has not been used in any commercially developed systems. The design methodology of a stage using the 3RRR compliant mechanism has not been investigated in detail. In this thesis a study is presented that investigates different approaches to model the 3RRR compliant mechanism and also considers the piezo-actuator modelling, to give the complete XYθz micro-motion stage. Three models are presented and compared; the Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model (PRBM); a two-dimensional Finite-Element-Model (2-D FEM); and a third model is developed that is similar to the PRBM, but uses analytical equations to model the multiple degree-of-freedom compliance of the flexure hinges. The models developed are then used in parametric study so that the relationship between design parameters and output behaviour can be understood. An optimal design approach is then presented to develop an XYθz micro-motion stage for a particular application in a Scanning-Electron-Microscope (SEM). Finally experimental validation of the models is presented. The results of this study indicate which modelling approaches are accurate enough to prove useful for design, while also considering which models are computationally simple enough to be efficient and easy to use. The kinematic and dynamic behaviour of the 3RRR compliant mechanism and XYθz micro-motion stage is discussed in detail. This includes; a comprehensive description of the stage workspace, defining reachable and constant-rotation workspace areas; a discussion of actuator coupling; and in depth investigation of the modes of vibration. The results of the parametric study provide useful insight to aid the design of the XYz micro-motion stage and help simplify optimal design. The parametric study also highlights the difference in trends predicted by different modelling methods, which demonstrates the importance of using an appropriate model in design. The experimental validation demonstrates the accuracy of some modelling approaches while highlighting the limited accuracy of others. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1272186 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Mechanical Engineering, 2007

This thesis was most concerned with the mechanical response to irradiation of two in-house produced oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels and two non-ODS coun- terparts. The steels, manufactured by Dr. M. J. Gorley (University of Oxford), were me- chanically alloyed from gas-atomised Fe-14Cr-3W-0.2Ti, with the addition of 0.25Y₂O₃ powder in the case of the ODS variants. The powders were hot isostatic pressed at consolidation temperatures of 950 °C and 1150 °C. The four steels were designated 14WT 950 (non-ODS), 14YWT 950 (ODS), 14WT 1150 (non-ODS) and 14YWT 1150 (ODS), and were used in the as-produced condition. Initially, the macroscale elastic modulus and yield stress were determined using a four-point flexure test, employing digital image correlation (DIC) as a strain gauge. The microcantilever size eects were then characterised, and it was determined that the yield stress signicantly diverged from macroscale values at microcantilever beam depths of < 4.5 μm. Using knowledge of this, the in-house produced alloys were irradiated with 2 MeV protons at the Surrey Ion Beam Centre (University of Surrey, UK) to a displacement damage of ∼ 0.02 dpa and 0.2 dpa (Bragg peak). This was to produce a deep irradiated layer for the fabrication of large microcantilevers with reduced size effects. The cross-sectional surface of the irradiated layer was then exposed and inclined linear arrays of 250 nm deep indents were placed across the damage prole. 14WT 1150 (non-ODS) revealed a clear proton damage prole in plots of hardness against irradiation depth, 14WT 950 (non-ODS) also showed modest hardening in the region of the Bragg peak. No appreciable hardening was observed in either 14YWT specimens, attributed to the fine dispersion of nanoscale oxides providing a high number density of defect sink sites. However, a large bimodal variation in hardness was measured in both ODS variants. This was investigated using EBSD and EDX, and was determined to be caused by a pronounced heterogeneity of the microstructure. While Hall-Petch strengthening and changes in the local chemistry had some effect on the measured hardness, the most likely cause of the large variation in local hardness was heterogeneity in the nanoscale oxide population. Microcantilevers were fabricated out of the irradiated layer cross-section in 14WT 1150 and 14YWT 1150. Larger microcantilevers, with ∼ 5 μm beam depth, were placed with their beam centre at ∼ 0.026 dpa. Smaller microcantilevers, with ∼ 1.5 μm beam depth, were placed with their beam centre at the Bragg peak, 0.2 dpa. Both the large and the small microcantilevers fabricated in 14WT 1150 (non-ODS) displayed significant irradiation hardening. In the ODS variant, 14YWT 1150, irradiation hardening appeared to be reduced. The work in this thesis successfully showed that it was possible to extract a close approximation of the macroscale yield stress from shallow irradiated layers, providing that the irradiation condition is carefully chosen in response to known size dependent behaviour. This thesis also investigated the size dependent behaviour of microcantilevers using a lengthscale dependent crystal plasticity UMAT, developed by Dunne et al. and implemented within ABAQUS 6.14-2 commercially available nite element software. The simulation of the GND density evolution with increasing plastic strain allowed their contribution to the microcantilever size effect, through mobile dislocation pinning, to be determined. This novel approach to modelling size effects in three dimensional finite element microcantilever models demonstrated that while it was possible to simulate a lengthscale-dependent response in finite element microcantilever models, the constitutive equation for the plastic velocity gradient needs to be more physically based in order the match the experimentally derived results; for example, a lengthscale-dependent term relating to the dislocation source density of the material. Although the apparent reduction of irradiation hardening in ODS in-house produced alloys showed great promise, these alloys also displayed a large amount of scatter in measured hardness and yield stress, attributed to the pronounced heterogeneity in the microstructure. Alloys with such signicant microstructural heterogeneity are not suitable for engineering or commercial use.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A evolução dos concretos utilizados nas últimas décadas deu origem ao Concreto de Alto Desempenho (CAD), que tem, entre suas características, alta resistência à compressão e baixa permeabilidade. Com o desenvolvimento dos produtos químicos utilizados na construção civil, em especial os superplastificantes e superfluidificantes, a utilização desse tipo de concreto tornou-se cada vez mais freqüente pela possibilidade de se obter uma mistura suficientemente trabalhável utilizando-se fatores água/cimento menores do que 0,35. Devido à sua microestrutura mais homogênea, esse tipo de concreto apresenta um comportamento mais frágil do que os concretos convencionais, exigindo uma melhor caracterização do material. A partir do final da década de 70 começou-se a aplicar os conceitos da Mecânica da Fratura para análise do comportamento de estruturas construídas com esse tipo de concreto. Como em algumas situações a resistência nominal de peças de concreto diminui com o aumento de suas dimensões, houve a necessidade de se considerar o efeito de escala das estruturas a fim de se obter níveis de segurança mais adequados no seu dimensionamento, o que justificou a utilização da Mecânica da Fratura. Neste trabalho a energia de fraturamento foi obtida experimentalmente pelo método do trabalho de fraturamento e pelo método do efeito de escala, por meio de ensaios estáveis de flexão de três pontos em amostras de concreto de alto desempenho com entalhe. Foi também desenvolvida a simulação numérica de uma viga com entalhe, analisada pelo método dos elementos finitos e empregando-se na modelagem constitutiva os conceitos da Mecânica da Fratura aplicada ao concreto. As vigas foram moldadas e ensaiadas no Instituto Politécnico do Rio de Janeiro (IPRJ) da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) na cidade de Nova Friburgo. Os ensaios foram realizados com controle de deslocamento da célula de carga. Foram ensaiadas três séries de 12 vigas, com quatro dimensões diferentes, geometricamente proporcionais, e três amostras para cada dimensão, totalizando 36 vigas. As alturas utilizadas para as vigas foram 38, 76, 152 e 304 mm, e sua espessura foi mantida constante igual a 38 mm. Os corpos de prova cilíndricos, para caracterização da resistência à compressão do concreto, foram moldados no IPRJ e rompidos no laboratório de engenharia civil da UERJ, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Os concretos utilizados apresentaram resistência à compressão média de 70 MPa. / The evolution of the concrete mixes used during the last decades gave birth to the High Performance Concrete (HPC), which, among its main characteristics, presents high strength and low permeability. With the development of chemical products used in civil engineering constructions, mainly the superplasticizers, the use of this kind of concrete has become more and more frequent due to the possibility of obtaining a workable mixture with a water/cement ratio lower than 0.35. Due to its more homogeneous microstructure, the HPC presents a more fragile behavior than the conventional concrete, demanding a better characterization of the material. At the end of the 1970s, concepts of the Fracture Mechanics started to be used for the analysis of the structural behavior of concrete structures. As the nominal stress of the material decreases as the size of the structure increases, it became necessary to consider this size effect in the analysis in order to obtain more suitable levels of security. This fact justifies the use of the Fracture Mechanics in the structural analysis of concrete structures. In this work, the fracture energy was experimentally obtained using the work-offracture method and the size effect method by performing three-point bend tests in HPC notched beams. It was also developed a numerical simulation of the tests, performing the analysis through the Finite Element Method and applying the concepts of the Fracture Mechanics of Concrete into the constitutive model. The notched beams were molded and tested at the Polytechnic Institute of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (IPRJ/UERJ), located in the city of Nova Friburgo. The tests were controlled by the vertical displacement of the load cell. Three series of twelve beams with four geometrically similar sizes were tested. Three samples for each size were cast, making an amount of 36 beams. The beams were 38, 76, 152 and 304 millimeters high and the width was kept constant equal to 38 millimeters. To characterize the concrete compression strength, 100x200 millimeters cylinders were molded at the IPRJ and tested at the UERJ civil engineering laboratory in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The tested concretes presented a medium compressive strength of 70 MPa.

A presente dissertação propõe a resolução do problema de flexão estocástica em uma viga Euler-Bernoulli, sobre uma fundação do tipo Pasternak, através de um método computacional baseado na simulação de Monte Carlo. A incerteza está presente nos coeficientes elásticos da viga e da fundação. Primeiramente, é estabelecida a formulação matemática do problema que é oriunda, de um modelo físico de deslocamento da viga, que leva em consideração a influência da fundação sobre a resposta do problema. Portanto foi realizado um estudo a cerca dos modelos mais usuais de fundação, que são: o modelo do tipo Winkler, e modelo de Pasternak. Logo a seguir foi provado que o problema variacional abstrato, derivado da formulação forte do problema, apresenta solução e esta é única. Para a obtenção da solução do problema, foi realizada uma fundamentação matemática, dos seguintes assuntos: representação da incerteza, método de Galerkin, série de Neumann, e por fim das cotas inferiores e superiores. Finalmente, o desempenho das cotas inferiores e superiores, em relação à simulação de Monte Carlo direto, foram avaliadas através de vários casos, nos quais a incerteza repousa sobre os diversos coeficientes que compõe a equação de flexão na forma de um problema variacional. A metodologia mostrou-se eficiente, tanto no aspecto da convergência da resposta quanto no que se refere ao custo computacional. / This work proposes the resolution of stochastic bending problem in a Euler- Bernoulli beam, on a foundation type Pasternak, through a computational method based on Monte Carlo simulation. Uncertainty is present in the elastic coefficients of the beam and foundation. First, it is established the mathematical formulation of the problem which is derived from a physical model displacement of the beam, that takes into account the influence of the foundation on the problem of response. This requires an approach that is made up on the most common models of foundation, which are: the model Winkler type and model of Pasternak.In sequence we study the existence and uniqueness of the variational problem. To obtain the solution of the problem, a mathematical reasoning is carried out, to the following matters: representation of uncertainty, Galerkin method, serial Neumann, and finally the lower and upper bounds. Finally, the performance of lower and upper bounds, derived from direct simulation of Monte Carlo were evaluated through various cases where the uncertainty lies in the different coefficients composing the equation bending as a variational problem. The method proved to be efficient, both in the response of the convergence point as regards the computational cost.

A presente dissertação propõe a resolução do problema de flexão estocástica em uma viga Euler-Bernoulli, sobre uma fundação do tipo Pasternak, através de um método computacional baseado na simulação de Monte Carlo. A incerteza está presente nos coeficientes elásticos da viga e da fundação. Primeiramente, é estabelecida a formulação matemática do problema que é oriunda, de um modelo físico de deslocamento da viga, que leva em consideração a influência da fundação sobre a resposta do problema. Portanto foi realizado um estudo a cerca dos modelos mais usuais de fundação, que são: o modelo do tipo Winkler, e modelo de Pasternak. Logo a seguir foi provado que o problema variacional abstrato, derivado da formulação forte do problema, apresenta solução e esta é única. Para a obtenção da solução do problema, foi realizada uma fundamentação matemática, dos seguintes assuntos: representação da incerteza, método de Galerkin, série de Neumann, e por fim das cotas inferiores e superiores. Finalmente, o desempenho das cotas inferiores e superiores, em relação à simulação de Monte Carlo direto, foram avaliadas através de vários casos, nos quais a incerteza repousa sobre os diversos coeficientes que compõe a equação de flexão na forma de um problema variacional. A metodologia mostrou-se eficiente, tanto no aspecto da convergência da resposta quanto no que se refere ao custo computacional. / This work proposes the resolution of stochastic bending problem in a Euler- Bernoulli beam, on a foundation type Pasternak, through a computational method based on Monte Carlo simulation. Uncertainty is present in the elastic coefficients of the beam and foundation. First, it is established the mathematical formulation of the problem which is derived from a physical model displacement of the beam, that takes into account the influence of the foundation on the problem of response. This requires an approach that is made up on the most common models of foundation, which are: the model Winkler type and model of Pasternak.In sequence we study the existence and uniqueness of the variational problem. To obtain the solution of the problem, a mathematical reasoning is carried out, to the following matters: representation of uncertainty, Galerkin method, serial Neumann, and finally the lower and upper bounds. Finally, the performance of lower and upper bounds, derived from direct simulation of Monte Carlo were evaluated through various cases where the uncertainty lies in the different coefficients composing the equation bending as a variational problem. The method proved to be efficient, both in the response of the convergence point as regards the computational cost.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A evolução dos concretos utilizados nas últimas décadas deu origem ao Concreto de Alto Desempenho (CAD), que tem, entre suas características, alta resistência à compressão e baixa permeabilidade. Com o desenvolvimento dos produtos químicos utilizados na construção civil, em especial os superplastificantes e superfluidificantes, a utilização desse tipo de concreto tornou-se cada vez mais freqüente pela possibilidade de se obter uma mistura suficientemente trabalhável utilizando-se fatores água/cimento menores do que 0,35. Devido à sua microestrutura mais homogênea, esse tipo de concreto apresenta um comportamento mais frágil do que os concretos convencionais, exigindo uma melhor caracterização do material. A partir do final da década de 70 começou-se a aplicar os conceitos da Mecânica da Fratura para análise do comportamento de estruturas construídas com esse tipo de concreto. Como em algumas situações a resistência nominal de peças de concreto diminui com o aumento de suas dimensões, houve a necessidade de se considerar o efeito de escala das estruturas a fim de se obter níveis de segurança mais adequados no seu dimensionamento, o que justificou a utilização da Mecânica da Fratura. Neste trabalho a energia de fraturamento foi obtida experimentalmente pelo método do trabalho de fraturamento e pelo método do efeito de escala, por meio de ensaios estáveis de flexão de três pontos em amostras de concreto de alto desempenho com entalhe. Foi também desenvolvida a simulação numérica de uma viga com entalhe, analisada pelo método dos elementos finitos e empregando-se na modelagem constitutiva os conceitos da Mecânica da Fratura aplicada ao concreto. As vigas foram moldadas e ensaiadas no Instituto Politécnico do Rio de Janeiro (IPRJ) da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) na cidade de Nova Friburgo. Os ensaios foram realizados com controle de deslocamento da célula de carga. Foram ensaiadas três séries de 12 vigas, com quatro dimensões diferentes, geometricamente proporcionais, e três amostras para cada dimensão, totalizando 36 vigas. As alturas utilizadas para as vigas foram 38, 76, 152 e 304 mm, e sua espessura foi mantida constante igual a 38 mm. Os corpos de prova cilíndricos, para caracterização da resistência à compressão do concreto, foram moldados no IPRJ e rompidos no laboratório de engenharia civil da UERJ, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Os concretos utilizados apresentaram resistência à compressão média de 70 MPa. / The evolution of the concrete mixes used during the last decades gave birth to the High Performance Concrete (HPC), which, among its main characteristics, presents high strength and low permeability. With the development of chemical products used in civil engineering constructions, mainly the superplasticizers, the use of this kind of concrete has become more and more frequent due to the possibility of obtaining a workable mixture with a water/cement ratio lower than 0.35. Due to its more homogeneous microstructure, the HPC presents a more fragile behavior than the conventional concrete, demanding a better characterization of the material. At the end of the 1970s, concepts of the Fracture Mechanics started to be used for the analysis of the structural behavior of concrete structures. As the nominal stress of the material decreases as the size of the structure increases, it became necessary to consider this size effect in the analysis in order to obtain more suitable levels of security. This fact justifies the use of the Fracture Mechanics in the structural analysis of concrete structures. In this work, the fracture energy was experimentally obtained using the work-offracture method and the size effect method by performing three-point bend tests in HPC notched beams. It was also developed a numerical simulation of the tests, performing the analysis through the Finite Element Method and applying the concepts of the Fracture Mechanics of Concrete into the constitutive model. The notched beams were molded and tested at the Polytechnic Institute of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (IPRJ/UERJ), located in the city of Nova Friburgo. The tests were controlled by the vertical displacement of the load cell. Three series of twelve beams with four geometrically similar sizes were tested. Three samples for each size were cast, making an amount of 36 beams. The beams were 38, 76, 152 and 304 millimeters high and the width was kept constant equal to 38 millimeters. To characterize the concrete compression strength, 100x200 millimeters cylinders were molded at the IPRJ and tested at the UERJ civil engineering laboratory in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The tested concretes presented a medium compressive strength of 70 MPa.

The primary reinforcement used for construction of structural concrete members has a yield strength of 60 ksi. This reinforcement grade was incorporated into construction over 50 years ago and remains the standard. Recent advances in material technology have led to the development of commercially available reinforcing steel with yield strengths of 100 ksi. While greater yield strengths can be utilized in design, it is essential that the bars can be properly anchored and spliced to fully develop their strength. Although design expressions are available for this purpose, they were established considering 60 ksi reinforcement. Therefore, the objective of this research program is to evaluate the development of high-strength reinforcing steel and establish a design expression for the development and splicing of this steel. Two phases of experimental tests were conducted. Phase I was performed by Glucksman (2018) and investigated the influence of splice length and transverse reinforcement on bond strength over four series of beam tests. This study (Phase II) was conducted following Phase I and consisted of reinforced concrete slab and beam testing over three series. An investigation was conducted on reinforcement development with a focus on the effect of splice length, concrete compressive strength, stress-strain relationships of the steel (ASTM A615 vs. ASTM A1035), and transverse reinforcement. Based on the results, the influences of test variables were identified, and a new confinement model was developed that estimates the transverse reinforcement contribution to bond strength. Finally, a design expression is provided for calculating the development and splice lengths of high-strength reinforcement.

The aim is to propose solutions to the new bridge construction due to its unsatisfactory compared to the existing bridge reconstruction project . There are three studies bridging and selected variant trapezoidal plate further processed static opinion. The design was judged by the ultimate limit states and usability. Partial assessments were made for the anchoring system, anchorage area , unravels notched bars and store design to support .