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In reality, dynamic response of a structure supported on a compliant soil may vary significantly from the response of same structure when supported on a rigid base. A parametric study is conducted for the analysis of the variation in the global and the local deformation demands caused by the inertial soil-structure interaction effects. For the purposes of the study, nonlinear dynamic analyses are performed on 7 steel moment-resisting frame models, which are prepared by the virtue of fixed-base and flexible-base (interacting) conditions. Foundation is modeled with the Truncated Cone Model (Wolf, 1994) with the frequency independent coefficients. Free-field earthquake acceleration records are selected to conform to NEHRP equivalent Site Classes C and D. The study is limited to the structures founded on surface rigid mat foundations subjected to vertically propagating horizontally polarized coherent shear waves. Statistical analysis based on multiple linear regression procedure is performed to represent the variation in the response. Within the scope of the study, the wave parameter and the aspect ratio are observed to be directly proportional to the variation in the response, as a general trend. Maximum beneficial contribution of the SSI is found to be 6% in both global and local deformation demands. In addition, the contribution of inertial interaction effects is found to be in a decreasing trend for the increasing levels of ductility demands. Finally, upper limits of wave parameter for H/R=0.5, 1, 2 and 3 are calculated where the variation in the demands are capped at 1.0.

Voir la bibliographie du mémoire pour les références du résumé. See the thesis`s bibliography for the references in the summary. / Ce mémoire étudie le comportement du maximum et des hauts points de la marche aléatoire branchante et du champ libre gaussien discret en dimension deux lorsque la variance de leurs accroissements est inhomogène dans le temps. Nous regardons le cas où il y a un nombre fini d'échelles $0 = \lambda_0 < \lambda_1 < ... < \lambda_M = 1$ et des paramètres de variance $\sigma_i > 0$ associés aux intervalles de temps $[\lambda_{i-1},\lambda_i]$. La marche aléatoire branchante inhomogène généralise le modèle considéré dans [23] et le champ libre gaussien inhomogène généralise le modèle introduit dans [4]. Le but du mémoire est d'étendre les résultats connus sur la convergence du maximum [5,6,23] et le nombre de hauts points [16] à ces deux nouveaux champs gaussiens. Les résultats aident à mieux comprendre comment la perturbation des corrélations dans l'un ou l'autre des modèles de base influence l'ordre de grandeur du maximum et l'ordre du nombre de hauts points. / This thesis studies the behavior of the maximum and high points of the branching random walk and the Gaussian free field when the variance of their increments is time-inhomogeneous. We look at the case where there are a finite number of scales $0 = \lambda_0 < \lambda_1 < ... < \lambda_M = 1$ and variance parameters $\sigma_i > 0$ associated with the time intervals $[\lambda_{i-1},\lambda_i]$. The inhomogeneous branching random walk generalizes the model considered in [23] and the inhomogeneous Gaussian free field generalizes the model introduced in [4]. The purpose of the thesis is to extend known results on the convergence of the maximum [5,6,23] and the number of high points [16] to these new Gaussian fields. The results help to better understand how perturbations of the correlations in one or the other basic models influence the order of magnitude of the maximum and the order of the number of high points.

Cette thèse porte sur les relations entre les processus SLE, les ensembles CLE et le champ libre Gaussien. Dans le chapitre 2, nous donnons une construction des processus SLE(k,r) à partir des boucles des CLE(k) et d'échantillons de restriction chordale. Sheffield et Werner ont prouvé que les CLE(k) peuvent être construits à partir des processus d'exploration symétriques des SLE(k,r).Nous montrons dans le chapitre 3 que la configuration des boucles construites à partir du processus d'exploration asymétrique des SLE(k,k-6) donne la même loi CLE(k). Le processus SLE(4) peut être considéré comme les lignes de niveau du champ libre Gaussien et l'ensemble CLE(4) correspond à la collection des lignes de niveau de ce champ libre Gaussien. Dans la deuxième partie du chapitre 3, nous définissons un paramètre de temps invariant conforme pour chaque boucle appartenant à CLE(4) et nous donnons ensuite dans le chapitre 4 un couplage entre le champ libre Gaussien et l'ensemble CLE(4) à l'aide du paramètre de temps. Les processus SLE(k) peuvent être considérés comme les lignes de flot du champ libre Gaussien. Nous explicitons la dimension de Hausdorff de l'intersection de deux lignes de flot du champ libre Gaussien. Cela nous permet d'obtenir la dimension de l'ensemble des points de coupure et des points doubles de la courbe SLE, voir le chapitre 5. Dans le chapitre 6, nous définissons la mesure de restriction radiale, prouvons la caractérisation de ces mesures, et montrons la condition nécessaire et suffisante de l'existence des mesures de restriction radiale. / This thesis focuses on various relations between SLE, CLE and GFF. In Chapter 2, we give a construction of SLE(k,r) processes from CLE(k) loop configuration and chordal restriction samples. Sheffield and Werner has proved that CLE(k) can be constructed from symmetric SLE(k,k-6) exploration processes. We prove in Chapter 3 that the loop configuration constructed from the asymmetric SLE(k,k-6) exploration processes also give the same law CLE(k). SLE(4) can be viewed as level lines of GFF and CLE(4) can be viewed as the collection of level lines of GFF. We define a conformally invariant time parameter for each loop in CLE(4) in the second part of Chapter 3 and then give a coupling between GFF and CLE(4) with time parameter in Chapter 4. SLE(k,r) can be viewed as flow lines of GFF. We derive the Hausdorff dimension of the intersection of two flow lines in GFF. Then, from there, we obtain the dimension of the cut and double point set of SLE curve in Chapter 5. In Chapter 6, we define the radial restriction measure, prove the characterization of these measures, and show the if and only if condition for the existence of radial restriction measure.

L'objet d'étude de cette thèse est une mesure infinie sur les boucles (lacets) naturellement associée à une large classe de processus de Markov et les processus ponctuels de Poisson d'intensité proportionnelle à cette mesure (paramètre d'intensité alpha>0). Ces processus ponctuels de Poisson portent le nom d'ensembles poissoniens de boucles markoviennes ou de soupes de boucles. La mesure sur les boucles est covariante par un certain nombre de transformations sur les processus de Markov, par exemple le changement de temps.Dans le cadre de soupe de boucles brownienne à l'intérieur d'un sous-domaine ouvert propre simplement connexe de C, il a été montré que les contours extérieurs des amas extérieurs de boucles sont, pour alpha<=1/2, des Conformal Loop Ensembles CLE(kappa), kappa dans (8/3,4]. D'autre part il a été montré pour une large classe de processus de Markov symétriques que lorsque alpha=1/2, le champ d'occupation d'une soupe de boucle (somme des temps passés par les boucles aux dessus des points) est le carré du champ libre gaussien. J'ai étudié d'abord les soupes de boucles associés aux processus de diffusion unidimensionnels, notamment leur champ d'occupation dont les zéros délimitent dans ce cas les amas de boucles. Puis j'ai étudié les soupes de boucles sur graphe discret ainsi que sur graphe métrique (arêtes remplacés par des fils continus). Sur graphe métrique on a d'une part une géométrie non triviale pour les boucles et d'autre part on a comme dans le cas unidimensionnel continu la propriété que les zéros du champ d'occupation délimitent les amas des boucles. En combinant les graphes métriques et l'isomorphisme avec le champ libre gaussien j'ai montré que alpha=1/2 est le paramètre d'intensité critique pour la percolation par soupe de boucles de marche aléatoire sur le demi plan discret Z*N (existence ou non d'un amas infini) et que pour alpha<=1/2 la limite d'échelle des contours extérieurs des amas extérieurs sur Z*N est un CLE(kappa) dans le demi-plan continu. / In this thesis I study an infinite measure on loops naturally associated to a wide range of Markovian processes and the Poisson point processes of intensity proportional to this measure (intensity parameter alpha>0). This Poissson point processes are called Poisson ensembles of Markov loops or loop soups. The measure on loops is covariant with some transformation on Markovian processes, for instance the change of time. In the setting of Brownian loop soups inside a proper open simply connected domain of C it was shown that the outer boundaries of outermost clusters of loops are, for alpha1/2, Conformal Loop Ensembles CLE(kappa), kappa in (8/3,4]. Besides, it was shown for a wide range of symmetric Markovian processes that for alpha=1/2 the occupation field of a loop soup (the sum of times spent by loops over points) is the square of the Gaussian free field. First I studied the loop soups associated to one-dimensional diffusions, and particularly the occupation field and its zeroes that delimit in this case the clusters of loops. Then I studied the loop soups on discrete graphs and metric graphs (edges replaced by continuous lines). On a metric graph on one hand the loops have a non-trivial geometry and on the other hand one has the same property as in the setting of one-dimensional diffusions that the zeroes of the occupation field delimit the clusters of loops. By combing metric graphs and the isomorphism with the Gaussian free field I have shown that alpha=1/2 is the critical parameter for random walk loop soup percolation on the discrete half-plane Z*N (existence or not of an infinite cluster of loops) and that for alpha<= 1/2 the scaling limit of outer boundaries of outermost clusters on Z*N is a CLE(kappa) on the continuum half plane.

ABSTRACT EFFECT OF INITIAL SUPPORT OF EXCAVATION ON SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF CUT AND COVER STRUCTURES Rezaei, Hamidreza M.Sc., Department of Civil Engineering Supervisor: Asst. Prof. Dr. Alp Caner MAY 2011, 66 pages The effect of the initial support and its embedment depth, on the seismic performance of cut and cover tunnels is investigated. Cut and cover construction is one of the fastest and cheapest methods for constructing rectangular shallow tunnels. Construction of cut and cover structure in soil usually starts with installation of the initial support of excavation system, which may consists of rigid type of initial supports such as tangent piles or secant piles. These systems usually remain in place after completion of the final structure. However, to simplify the design, it is a common practice to ignore the contribution of initial support. In this study the effect of initial support of excavation on the seismic performance of cut and cover tunnels is investigated by means of a detailed dynamic finite element analysis. Three different tunnel geometries, three soil types and three acceleration histories were considered Results of the study show that depending on the soil stiffness (soft, medium, or stiff soil), the dynamic response of the tunnel deformations are affected significantly by the initial support of excavation. The effect of the initial support diminishes as the quality of the soil improves. Therefore, dynamic analyses are recommended for the final design of this type of structures especially in soft soils.

Cette thèse porte sur la géométrie du champ libre Gaussien. Le champ libre Gaussien est un objet central en théorie quantique des champs et représente entre autre les fluctuations naturelles d'un potentiel électrique ou d’un modèle de dimères. La thèse commence dans le discret avec la démonstration d'un principe de Donsker en dimension plus grande que 1. Ce résultat est établi grâce à une nouvelle façon de représenter le champ libre en exprimant son gradient comme la partie gradient d'un champ de bruits blancs. Ensuite, les processus d'exploration du champ libre - ou ensembles locaux - introduits par Schramm-Sheffield sont étudiés en détail. Ces ensembles locaux généralisent de façon naturelle le concept de temps d'arrêt. On formalise cette théorie d'une nouvelle manière en procédant par analogie au cas 1D. Pour mieux comprendre le comportement du champs libre près des points d'intersection des ensembles locaux, un étude fine des oscillations du champ libre 2D près du bord s'avère utile. Enfin, la partie principale de cette thèse étudie des processus d'explorations particuliers – les processus SLE qui sont couplés naturellement avec le champ libre. On peut donner par exemple un sens aux lignes de niveau en utilisant le processus SLE_4 (Schramm-Sheffield). Nous avons utilisé ce couplage pour mieux comprendre la relation dite de KPZ qui intervient dans la théorie de la gravité quantique de Liouville. A l ‘aide de résultats fins sur l’enroulement des SLEs, nous avons montré comment adapter la relation de KPZ à la famille ci-dessus de processus d’explorations du champ libre. On peut interpréter ces résultats aussi comme une description de la géométrie du champ libre près des ces lignes d’exploration. / In this thesis we study the geometry of the Gaussian free field (GFF). After a gentle general introduction, we describe what we call the Hodge decomposition of the white noise – a way to represent the white noise vector field as a sum of a gradient and a rotation of independent GFFs. This decomposition gives rise to the Donsker invariance principle for the GFF.Next, we revisit from a slightly different angle the theory of so-called local sets of the GFF, introduced by Schramm and Sheffield. These random sets allow one to study the geometry of the GFF in a Markovian way. We also go a step further in describing the behaviour of the field near the boundary of possibly several local sets. The first chapter ends with a study of boundary oscillations of the GFF.The GFF is only a generalized function, yet it comes out that one can still make sense of it as a „random landscape“. In particular, Schramm and Sheffield gave meaning to the level lines of the GFF in terms of a coupling with SLE_4 process. In chapter 2 we study this coupling and describe the existent proofs and a non-proof of measurability of the SLE_4 process in this coupling. The rest of this chapter contains one of the most technical parts of the thesis – we obtain fine estimates on the winding of the SLE curves, conditioned to pass closely by a fixed point.This technical work is put in use in chapter 3, where we study the so called KPZ relation. In this context, the KPZ formula relates fractal dimensions of sets under the Euclidean geometry and under the „quantum geometry“ given by the exponential of the GFF. So far the KPZ formula was derived for planar sets independent of the quantum geometry. Here, we determine the KPZ formulas for sets that are naturally coupled with the quantum geometry – for the flow and level lines of the GFF. The family of KPZ formulas obtained resemble but still differ from the KPZ formula for independent sets.

The developments of new types of conductors and increase of voltage level have driven the need to carry out research on evaluating overhead line acoustic noise. The surface potential gradient of a conductor is a critical design parameter for planning overhead lines, as it determines the level of corona loss (CL), radio interference (RI), and audible noise (AN). The majority of existing models for surface gradient calculation are based on analytical methods which restrict their application in simulating complex surface geometries. This thesis proposes a novel method which utilizes both analytical and numerical procedures to predict the surface gradient. Stranding shape, proximity of tower, protrusions and bundle arrangements are considered within this model. One of UK National Grid's transmission line configurations has been selected as an example to compare the results for different methods. The different stranding shapes are a key variable in determining dry surface fields. The dynamic behaviour of water droplets subject to AC electric fields is investigated by experiment and finite element modelling. The motion of a water droplet is considered on the surface of a metallic sphere. To understand the consequences of vibration, the FEA model is introduced to study the dynamics of a single droplet in terms of phase shift between vibration and exciting voltage. Moreover, the evolution of electric field within the whole cycle of vibration is investigated. The profile of the electric field and the characteristics of mechanical vibration are evaluated. Surprisingly the phase shift between these characteristics results in the maximum field occurring when the droplet is in a flattened profile rather than when it is ‘pointed’.Research work on audible noise emitted from overhead line conductors is reviewed, and a unique experimental set up employing a semi-anechoic chamber and corona cage is described. Acoustically, this facility isolates undesirable background noise and provides a free-field test space inside the anechoic chamber. Electrically, the corona cage simulates a 3 m section of 400 kV overhead line conductors by achieving the equivalent surface gradient. UV imaging, acoustic measurements and a partial discharge detection system are employed as instrumentation. The acoustic and electrical performance is demonstrated through a series of experiments. Results are discussed, and the mechanisms for acoustic noise are considered. A strategy for evaluating the noise emission level for overhead line conductors is developed. Comments are made on predicting acoustic noise from overhead lines. The technical achievements of this thesis are summarized in three aspects. First of all, an FEA model is developed to calculate the surface electric field for overhead line conductors and this has been demonstrated as an efficient tool for power utilities in computing surface electric field especially for dry condition. The second achievement is the droplet vibration study which describes the droplets' behaviour under rain conditions, such as the phase shift between the voltage and the vibration magnitude, the ejection phenomena and the electric field enhancement due to the shape change of droplets. The third contribution is the development of a standardized procedure in assessing noise emission level and the characteristics of noise emissions for various types of existing conductors in National Grid.

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