Theoretical and experimental results show that the performance of a load-bearing surface in hydrodynamic lubrication may be enhanced by engineering a definable surface texture onto the surface. These surface textures are in the form of protrusions (positive asperities) or cavities (negative asperities) of known size and geometry. The benefits of such surface textures include lower friction torque, higher load capacity and lower operating temperatures. This Thesis details a fabrication process to manufacture such surface textures/asperities on flat surfaces. The asperities are fabricated using a UV photolithography process followed by electroplating. A complete surface characterization is done to evaluate the effectiveness of the manufacturing process. From the characterization results, some errors in asperity geometry are identified and statistically quantified. These errors are found to be normally distributed and the random surface roughness is 1 to 3 orders of magnitude less than the deterministic feature size. The accuracy of the manufacturing process for fabricating the asperities was found to lie within 6.5 % of the desired value over all the errors studied. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is done to theoretically evaluate the effect of some of these errors in the hydrodynamic lubrication regime.

In order to achieve enhanced and cost-effective performance of engineering components, Surface Engineering embraces traditional and innovative surface technologies which modify the surface properties of metallic and non-metallic engineering components for specific and sometime unique engineering purposes. The surface roughness of an engineered surface may be classified as: the random surface roughness which is a product of surface finishing and the deterministic surface roughness which is engineered to increase the lubrication characteristics of the hydro dynamically lubricated thrust ring. The effect of stochastic/random roughness can not be ignored when the roughness is of the same amplitude as that of fluid film thickness. Average flow model derived in terms of flow factors which are functions of the roughness characteristics is used to study the random surface roughness effects on hydrodynamic lubrication of deterministic asperity. In addition, the effect of boundary conditions on flow factors is studied by calculating the pressure and shear flow factor using two different new boundary conditions. The results are obtained for random surface roughness having a Gaussian distribution of roughness heights.

A prototype point absorber style wave energy converter has been proposed for deployment off the West coast of Vancouver Island near the remote village of Hotsprings Cove in Hesquiaht Sound; a site identified as having significant wave energy potential. The proposed design consists of two components, a long unique cylindrical spar and a concentric toroid float. To serve ongoing wave energy converter (WEC) dynamics modelling and control research in support of that project, an experimental facility for small scale physical model testing is desired at UVIC. In the immediate term, the facility could be used to determine the hydrodynamic coefficients over a range of wave frequencies. Refined estimates of the hydrodynamic coefficients would be exploited in the optimisation of the WEC geometry. To date, WEC research at UVIC has neglected the frequency dependence of the hydrodynamic coefficients, relying on limited experimental results to provide a single frequency invariant set of coefficient estimates. / Graduate / 0791 / 0547 / 0548 / mercedes.baylis@hotmail.com

Heterogeneity of surfaces is often included in mathematical treatments of colloid transport and deposition as an afterthought, if at all. Most previous models of colloid transport and deposition have employed idealizations and simplifications such as assuming smooth collector surfaces with uniform chemical properties. This research proposes a new heterogeneous interaction model (HIM) to account for colloidal forces between particles and heterogeneous substrates. Extending the approach employed with the HIM, the inclusion of convection and diffusion in the model leads to a Lagrangian particle tracking model (PTM) for predicting colloid transport and deposition on a planar substrate containing one or more protruding asperities in the presence of shear flow. An important part of the PTM is an accurate rendering of the fluid flow field around the model substrate, which is obtained from a numerical solution of the Stokes equations. A simple approximation of the particle-substrate hydrodynamic interactions was developed for the PTM based on the universal hydrodynamic correction functions. This model was employed to quantitatively predict how presence of asperities on a collector can influence the deposition of particles on the substrate in shear flow. Flow field modifications due to the substrate's physical heterogeneity -- coupled with hydrodynamic interactions -- and the lateral migration (colloidal) forces near chemically heterogeneous substrates yield remarkably diverse deposition probabilities and deposit morphologies. The general approach of this research, which involves the use of the HIM in conjunction with the Brownian PTM, results in the first simulation tool of its kind to attempt to quantify deposition on heterogeneous substrates.

The fluvial morphology of a river channel is a function of the river’s hydrologic and sediment regime. Within-channel river benches are a fluvial feature widely identified in the international literature as geomorphically and ecologically important. Despite this recognition the relationship between bench morphology and the flow regime is poorly understood. The aim of this thesis is to identify the components of the flow regime responsible for the formation and destruction of within-channel benches. / Opinions on the formative flows for benches are highly varied with reports that benches are formed by flows which just inundate the bench; to low-flow periods and sub-bankfull flows; bankfull flows and the annual flood; and moderate, medium and catastrophic sized floods. A large body of research also treats benches as a static morphology. Opinions on destructive flows are similarly varied. There is little empirical evidence for these suggestions. / A bench is most commonly referred to as comprising a horizontal (planar) surface which results from within-channel deposition, but the term is also used to describe bars, floodplains and erosional features. The inability of researchers to agree on the relationships between bench morphology and river hydrology is influenced by the lack of a consistent definition and classification for benches. To adequately address the aim this thesis is presented in two parts: Part A addresses bench nomenclature and provides a sound basis for Part B which addresses the processes of bench formation and destruction. (for complete abstract open document)

This study investigates whether the flood regime in a catchment is sensitive to the condition of riparian vegetation along the river network. The research is based on a comprehensive assessment and synthesis of field and laboratory measurements of vegetation flow resistance. A new numerical model is developed to estimate the roughness characteristics of multi-species riparian assemblages at a cross-section. Reach-scale and catchment-scale flood routing models are then applied to estimate the impact of vegetation on flood characteristics at successively larger scales. The investigation reveals that when riparian vegetation is removed at catchment-scale, peak stage declines as channel capacity increases but is also increased as the upstream catchment responds more rapidly to rain. In fact, the two competing impacts tend to cancel out leaving flood peak stage relatively insensitive to riparian condition. However, the overbank duration of a flood and flow speeds (including wave celerity) were both found to be sensitive to vegetation condition; respectively increasing and decreasing with density of vegetation. The first stage of this research examines the magnitude of the vegetation contribution to overall channel roughness, and established a means to predict it. The features of the flow resistance generated by six plant types (mature trees; grasses; aquatic plants; flexible saplings; and large woody debris) were distilled from a comprehensive review of over 160 existing publications (Chapter 2).

Acoustic emission (AE) is one of many available technologies for condition health monitoring and diagnosis of rotating machines such as bearings. In recent years there have been many developments in the use of Acoustic Emission technology (AET) and its analysis for monitoring the condition of rotating machinery whilst in operation, particularly on high speed machinery. Unlike conventional technologies such as oil analysis, motor current signature analysis (MCSA) and vibration analysis, AET has been introduced due to its increased sensitivity in detecting the earliest stages of loss of mechanical integrity. This research presents an experimental investigation that is aimed at developing a mathematical model and experimentally validating the influence of operational variables such as film thickness, rotational speed, load, power loss, and shear stress for variations of load and speed conditions, on generation of acoustic emission in a hydrodynamic bearing. It is concluded that the power losses of the bearing are directly correlated with acoustic emission levels. With exponential law, an equation is proposed to predict power losses with reasonable accuracy from an AE signal. This experimental investigation conducted a comparative study between AE and Vibration to diagnose the rubbing at high rotational speeds in the hydrodynamic bearing. As it is the first known attempt in rotating machines. It has been concluded, that AE parameters such as amplitude, can perform as a reliable and sensitive tool for the early detection of rubbing between surfaces of a hydrodynamic bearing and high speed shaft. The application of vibration (PeakVue) analysis was introduced and compared with demodulation. The results observed from the demodulation and PeakVue techniques were similar in the rubbing simulation test. In fact, some defects on hydrodynamic bearings would not have been seen in a timely manner without the PeakVue analysis.In addition, the application of advanced signal processing and statistical methods was established to extract useful diagnostic features from the acquired AE signals in both time and frequency domain. It was also concluded that the use of different signal processing methods is often necessary to achieve meaningful diagnostic information from the signals. The outcome would largely contribute to the development of effective intelligent condition monitoring systems which can significantly reduce the cost of plant maintenance. To implement these main objectives, the Sutton test rig was modified to assess the capability of AET and vibration analysis as an effective tool for the detection of incipient defects within high speed machine components (e.g. shafts and hydrodynamic bearings). The first chapter of this thesis is an introduction to this research and briefly explains motivation and the theoretical background supporting this research. The second and third chapters, summarise the relevant literature to establish the current level of knowledge of hydrodynamic bearings and acoustic emission, respectively. Chapter 4 describes methodologies and the experimental arrangements utilized for this investigation. Chapter 5 discusses different NDT diagnosis. Chapter 6 reports on an experimental investigation applied to validate the relationship between AET on operational rotating machines, such as film thickness, speed, load, power loss, and shear stress. Chapter 7 details an investigation which compares the applicability of AE and vibration technologies in monitoring a rubbing simulation on a hydrodynamic bearing.

As expectativas dinâmicas de um mundo de inovações tecnológicas, consubstanciados por explorações menos agressivas ao meio ambiente, dirigidas a um mercado consumista emergente, representam desafios para soluções de problemas de engenharia dirigidos para diversos segmentos da sociedade. Com o desenvolvimento do concreto compactado com rolo (CCR), a partir dos anos 70, o emprego de vertedouros em degraus em barragens de gravidade tornou-se uma solução atrativa, visto que, proporciona, simultaneamente, o aumento da dissipação da energia do escoamento e a redução do tempo e dos custos de implantação dessas obras. Atualmente, têm-se usado como restrições ao seu emprego de vertedouros em degraus valores máximos de vazões específicas que, sem um limite consensual, vêm tolhendo suas potencialidades. A macrorugosidade da calha acelera o processo de aeração do escoamento, se comparado com um vertedouro de soleira lisa, protegendo, para a zona aerada, os degraus contra erosão por cavitação. Entretanto, para o trecho não aerado do escoamento, existem riscos desse processo se estabelecer. As descontinuidades da fronteira sólida propiciam a sucessiva separação da camada limite nos cantos externos dos degraus. Nessa região são geradas pressões muito baixas. O presente estudo, realizado no Instituto de Pesquisas Hidráulicas, objetivou, através de medições experimentais, descrever, caracterizar e modelar pressões hidrodinâmicas nas soleiras dos degraus, estabelecendo limites para incipiência à cavitação no trecho não-aerado do escoamento. Três calhas escalonadas com declividade 1V:0,75H e alturas de degraus iguais a 0,03 m; 0,06 m e 0,09 m foram projetadas e construídas para a investigação. As amostras de pressões registradas com transmissores de pressão a 50 Hz e duração de 3minutos e 12 horas possibilitaram caracterizar o campo de pressão identificando zonas críticas, bem como, avaliando o comportamento estatístico dessas solicitações. As maiores flutuações de pressões foram registradas nas extremidades externas dos degraus e na seção de afloramento da camada limite, chegando a valores negativos de 0,69 vezes a distância vertical entre a crista e a seção analisada. Determinaram-se freqüências dominantes compreendidas entre 7-18 Hz, com valores máximos situados nos patamares dosdegraus. Os números adimensionais de Strouhal, calculados com as freqüências predominantes e as profundidades equivalente do escoamento, diminuíram de 0,40 a 0,04 no sentido do fluxo. Quanto aos limites de incipiência à cavitação, as vazões especificas mais restritivas ao emprego de vertedouros em degraus ficaram na faixa entre 11,3 e 15,6 m²/s com velocidades médias da ordem de 17 m/s, obtidas para a seção de afloramento da camada limite. / Hydraulic researchers have to accomplish the technological and construction materials innovations to new security design project criteria compatible to low costs requirement. At 70’s years, with the development of the Roller Compact Concrete (RCC), the use of stepped spillways has become an attractive solution for gravity dams. In steeply sloping stepped spillways, the large step macro-roughness promotes the occurrence of negative pressures on the step cavity, particularly near the external edge of the vertical step face. Consequently one may expect the occurrence of sub-atmospheric pressure conditions capable to induce cavitation for velocities lower than those observed in smooth chute spillways. Predicting cavitation damage is more complex than predicting cavitation inception. Flow conditions leading to the onset of cavitation are generally conservative in predicting damage. The severity of damage that may be expected is related both to intensity of cavitation and time of exposure. There is still no consensus on the maximum unit discharge or flow velocity which assures cavitation safe design of stepped spillways.The study carried through in the Institute of Hydraulic Research (UFRGS - Brazil), had the main goal: described, characterized and modeled experimental measurements of hydrodynamic pressures on the faces of the steps and established limits of incipient cavitation. Three stepped chutes with declivity 1V:0.75H and 0.03 m; 0.06 m and 0.09 m steps heights were projected. The samples of pressures were registered with pressure transmitters with 50 Hz and 3 minutes duration. Long-duration test were also conducted (12 hours sample size) that permitted characterize the pressure field, identifying critical zones, as well as, evaluating its statistical behaviour. The largest fluctuating pressures had been registered in the outer corner on the steps and at the inception point of air entrainment. At this last position can be expected negative pressure values close to 0.69 times the vertical distance between the crest and the analyzed section. The dominant frequencies found varied between 7-18 Hz. The dimensionless number of Strouhal calculated with the predominant frequencies and the clear equivalent depth, had diminished of 0.40 the 0.04 in the direction of the flow. The pressure measurements indicated specific discharge between 11.3-15.6 m²/s and average velocity in order of 17 m/s to inception cavitation process near the inception point.

On calcule les amplifications d’énergie optimales de structures quasi longitudinales dans le sillage d’un corps épais axisymétrique à culot droit et dans une couche de mélange parallèle. Les amplifications d'énergie sont seulement modérées dans le sillage du corps axisymétrique tandis qu'elles sont grandes dans la couche de mélange. Les amplifications maximales augmentent avec le nombre de Reynolds et lorsque le nombre d’onde transverse (azimutal) décroît. Les structures amplifiées optimalement sont des stries longitudinales. Lorsqu’elles sont forcées à amplitudes finies, les stries optimales réduisent considérablement l’instationnarité du sillage du corps épais axisymétrique. Pour des nombres de Reynolds modérés, l’instationnarité du sillage peut être complètement supprimée si le forçage optimal est combiné avec un soufflage au culot uniforme. Dans le cas de la couche de mélange 2D, le taux de croissance maximal de l'instabilité de KelvinHelmholtz et le ratio de vitesse critique d'apparition de l'instabilité absolue peuvent être soit réduits soit augmentés en fonction des symétries des stries forcées. Dans ce cas, on montre que la déformation non linéaire moyenne doit être incluse dans l'analyse de sensibilité de l'instabilité et que cela n'influe pas sur la dépendance quadratique par rapport à l'amplitude des stries. / Optimal energy amplifications of quasi-streamwise structures are computed in the wake of a bluntbased axisymmetric bluff body and in a parallel mixing layer. Only moderate energy amplifications are observed in the wake of the axisymmetric body while they are large in the mixing layer. The maximum amplifications increase with the Reynolds number and with decreasing spanwise (azimuthal) wavenumbers. The optimally amplified structures are streamwise streaks. When forced with finite amplitudes, optimal streaks greatly reduce the unsteadiness in the wake of the axisymmetric bluff body. At moderate Reynolds numbers the wake unsteadiness can be completely suppressed if the optimal forcing is combined with uniform base bleed. In the case of the 2D mixing layer, the maximum growth rate of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and the critical velocity ratio for the onset of the absolute instability can be either reduced or increased depending on the symmetries of the forced streaks. It is shown that in this case the nonlinear mean flow distortion must be included in the sensitivity analysis of the instability and that this inclusion preserves the quadratic dependence on the streaks amplitude.

As expectativas dinâmicas de um mundo de inovações tecnológicas, consubstanciados por explorações menos agressivas ao meio ambiente, dirigidas a um mercado consumista emergente, representam desafios para soluções de problemas de engenharia dirigidos para diversos segmentos da sociedade. Com o desenvolvimento do concreto compactado com rolo (CCR), a partir dos anos 70, o emprego de vertedouros em degraus em barragens de gravidade tornou-se uma solução atrativa, visto que, proporciona, simultaneamente, o aumento da dissipação da energia do escoamento e a redução do tempo e dos custos de implantação dessas obras. Atualmente, têm-se usado como restrições ao seu emprego de vertedouros em degraus valores máximos de vazões específicas que, sem um limite consensual, vêm tolhendo suas potencialidades. A macrorugosidade da calha acelera o processo de aeração do escoamento, se comparado com um vertedouro de soleira lisa, protegendo, para a zona aerada, os degraus contra erosão por cavitação. Entretanto, para o trecho não aerado do escoamento, existem riscos desse processo se estabelecer. As descontinuidades da fronteira sólida propiciam a sucessiva separação da camada limite nos cantos externos dos degraus. Nessa região são geradas pressões muito baixas. O presente estudo, realizado no Instituto de Pesquisas Hidráulicas, objetivou, através de medições experimentais, descrever, caracterizar e modelar pressões hidrodinâmicas nas soleiras dos degraus, estabelecendo limites para incipiência à cavitação no trecho não-aerado do escoamento. Três calhas escalonadas com declividade 1V:0,75H e alturas de degraus iguais a 0,03 m; 0,06 m e 0,09 m foram projetadas e construídas para a investigação. As amostras de pressões registradas com transmissores de pressão a 50 Hz e duração de 3minutos e 12 horas possibilitaram caracterizar o campo de pressão identificando zonas críticas, bem como, avaliando o comportamento estatístico dessas solicitações. As maiores flutuações de pressões foram registradas nas extremidades externas dos degraus e na seção de afloramento da camada limite, chegando a valores negativos de 0,69 vezes a distância vertical entre a crista e a seção analisada. Determinaram-se freqüências dominantes compreendidas entre 7-18 Hz, com valores máximos situados nos patamares dosdegraus. Os números adimensionais de Strouhal, calculados com as freqüências predominantes e as profundidades equivalente do escoamento, diminuíram de 0,40 a 0,04 no sentido do fluxo. Quanto aos limites de incipiência à cavitação, as vazões especificas mais restritivas ao emprego de vertedouros em degraus ficaram na faixa entre 11,3 e 15,6 m²/s com velocidades médias da ordem de 17 m/s, obtidas para a seção de afloramento da camada limite. / Hydraulic researchers have to accomplish the technological and construction materials innovations to new security design project criteria compatible to low costs requirement. At 70’s years, with the development of the Roller Compact Concrete (RCC), the use of stepped spillways has become an attractive solution for gravity dams. In steeply sloping stepped spillways, the large step macro-roughness promotes the occurrence of negative pressures on the step cavity, particularly near the external edge of the vertical step face. Consequently one may expect the occurrence of sub-atmospheric pressure conditions capable to induce cavitation for velocities lower than those observed in smooth chute spillways. Predicting cavitation damage is more complex than predicting cavitation inception. Flow conditions leading to the onset of cavitation are generally conservative in predicting damage. The severity of damage that may be expected is related both to intensity of cavitation and time of exposure. There is still no consensus on the maximum unit discharge or flow velocity which assures cavitation safe design of stepped spillways.The study carried through in the Institute of Hydraulic Research (UFRGS - Brazil), had the main goal: described, characterized and modeled experimental measurements of hydrodynamic pressures on the faces of the steps and established limits of incipient cavitation. Three stepped chutes with declivity 1V:0.75H and 0.03 m; 0.06 m and 0.09 m steps heights were projected. The samples of pressures were registered with pressure transmitters with 50 Hz and 3 minutes duration. Long-duration test were also conducted (12 hours sample size) that permitted characterize the pressure field, identifying critical zones, as well as, evaluating its statistical behaviour. The largest fluctuating pressures had been registered in the outer corner on the steps and at the inception point of air entrainment. At this last position can be expected negative pressure values close to 0.69 times the vertical distance between the crest and the analyzed section. The dominant frequencies found varied between 7-18 Hz. The dimensionless number of Strouhal calculated with the predominant frequencies and the clear equivalent depth, had diminished of 0.40 the 0.04 in the direction of the flow. The pressure measurements indicated specific discharge between 11.3-15.6 m²/s and average velocity in order of 17 m/s to inception cavitation process near the inception point.