Analysis of vibration transmission and reflection in beam-like engineering structures requires better predictive models to optimise structural behaviour further. Numerous studies have used flexural and longitudinal structural wave motion to model the vibrational response of angled junctions in beam-like structures, to better understand the transmission and reflection properties. This study considers a model of a variable joint angle which joins two semi-infinite rectangular cross-section beams. In a novel approach, the model allows for the joint to expand in size as the angle between the two beams is increased. The material, geometric and dynamics properties were consistently being considered. Thus, making the model a good representation of a wide range of angles. Predicted results are compared to an existing model of a joint between two semi-infinite beams where the joint was modelled as a fixed inertia regardless of the angle between the beams, thus limiting its physical representation, especially at the extremes of angle (two beams lay next to each other at 180 degree joint). Results from experimentation were also compared to the modelling, which is in good agreement for the range of angles investigated. Optimum angles for minimum vibrational power transmission are identified in terms of the frequency of the incoming flexural or longitudinal wave. Extended analysis and effect of adding stiffness and damping (rubber material) at the joint are also reported.

Os meios rochosos são compostos por blocos de rochas intactos e por descontinuidades. As descontinuidades representam zonas de baixa rigidez, onde as propriedades do maciço estão degradadas, reduzindo a resistência do mesmo. Elas também constituem caminhos para o fluxo de fluidos no interior da rocha. O estudo do comportamento hidráulico-mecânico acoplado existente nos meios porosos é realizado pela poroelasticidade, que relaciona os campos de tensões e deformações no maciço, gerados pela deformação mecânica do esqueleto e pela ação do fluido pressurizado nos poros. Uma abordagem micromecânica permite estender os resultados clássicos da teoria de poroelasticidade para o caso de juntas que são capazes de transferir esforços ao longo de suas faces. Neste contexto, o meio rochoso heterogêneo é substituído por um meio homogêneo equivalente, pela aplicação do conceito de mudança de escala da teoria da homogeneização, que possibilita a determinação das propriedades efetivas do maciço. Demonstra-se que, para certas distribuições geométricas das juntas, é possível obter soluções analíticas para o comportamento do maciço pela aplicação de estimativas como, por exemplo, o esquema Mori-Tanaka, onde as juntas são modeladas como esferoides. Um modelo numérico via método dos elementos finitos, que considera explicitamente as juntas, é usado para comparar os resultados obtidos. / Rock media are composed by blocks of intact rock and discontinuities. Discontinuities represent zones of low stiffness, where the mass properties of the rock are degraded, with reduced resistance. They also provide ways for fluid flow within the rock. The study of coupled mechanical-hydraulic behavior existing in porous media is perfomed by poroelasticity, which relates the stress and strain fields in a rock mass generated by the mechanical deformation of the skeleton and the action of pressurized fluid in the pores. A Micromechanics approach allows to extend the classical results of the theory of poroelasticity to the case of joints that are able to transfer stresses along their faces. In this context, a heterogeneous rock media is replaced by an equivalent homogeneous medium by applying the micro-macro approach from the theory of homogenization, which allows the determination of the effective properties of the rock mass. It is shown that, for some geometric distributions of the joints, it is possible to obtain analytical solutions for the rock behavior by applying estimates methods as the Mori-Tanaka scheme, where the joints are modeled as oblong spheroids. A numerical model via the finite element method, where the joints are considering explicitly, is used in order to compare the results.

Os meios rochosos são compostos por blocos de rochas intactos e por descontinuidades. As descontinuidades representam zonas de baixa rigidez, onde as propriedades do maciço estão degradadas, reduzindo a resistência do mesmo. Elas também constituem caminhos para o fluxo de fluidos no interior da rocha. O estudo do comportamento hidráulico-mecânico acoplado existente nos meios porosos é realizado pela poroelasticidade, que relaciona os campos de tensões e deformações no maciço, gerados pela deformação mecânica do esqueleto e pela ação do fluido pressurizado nos poros. Uma abordagem micromecânica permite estender os resultados clássicos da teoria de poroelasticidade para o caso de juntas que são capazes de transferir esforços ao longo de suas faces. Neste contexto, o meio rochoso heterogêneo é substituído por um meio homogêneo equivalente, pela aplicação do conceito de mudança de escala da teoria da homogeneização, que possibilita a determinação das propriedades efetivas do maciço. Demonstra-se que, para certas distribuições geométricas das juntas, é possível obter soluções analíticas para o comportamento do maciço pela aplicação de estimativas como, por exemplo, o esquema Mori-Tanaka, onde as juntas são modeladas como esferoides. Um modelo numérico via método dos elementos finitos, que considera explicitamente as juntas, é usado para comparar os resultados obtidos. / Rock media are composed by blocks of intact rock and discontinuities. Discontinuities represent zones of low stiffness, where the mass properties of the rock are degraded, with reduced resistance. They also provide ways for fluid flow within the rock. The study of coupled mechanical-hydraulic behavior existing in porous media is perfomed by poroelasticity, which relates the stress and strain fields in a rock mass generated by the mechanical deformation of the skeleton and the action of pressurized fluid in the pores. A Micromechanics approach allows to extend the classical results of the theory of poroelasticity to the case of joints that are able to transfer stresses along their faces. In this context, a heterogeneous rock media is replaced by an equivalent homogeneous medium by applying the micro-macro approach from the theory of homogenization, which allows the determination of the effective properties of the rock mass. It is shown that, for some geometric distributions of the joints, it is possible to obtain analytical solutions for the rock behavior by applying estimates methods as the Mori-Tanaka scheme, where the joints are modeled as oblong spheroids. A numerical model via the finite element method, where the joints are considering explicitly, is used in order to compare the results.

Os meios rochosos são compostos por blocos de rochas intactos e por descontinuidades. As descontinuidades representam zonas de baixa rigidez, onde as propriedades do maciço estão degradadas, reduzindo a resistência do mesmo. Elas também constituem caminhos para o fluxo de fluidos no interior da rocha. O estudo do comportamento hidráulico-mecânico acoplado existente nos meios porosos é realizado pela poroelasticidade, que relaciona os campos de tensões e deformações no maciço, gerados pela deformação mecânica do esqueleto e pela ação do fluido pressurizado nos poros. Uma abordagem micromecânica permite estender os resultados clássicos da teoria de poroelasticidade para o caso de juntas que são capazes de transferir esforços ao longo de suas faces. Neste contexto, o meio rochoso heterogêneo é substituído por um meio homogêneo equivalente, pela aplicação do conceito de mudança de escala da teoria da homogeneização, que possibilita a determinação das propriedades efetivas do maciço. Demonstra-se que, para certas distribuições geométricas das juntas, é possível obter soluções analíticas para o comportamento do maciço pela aplicação de estimativas como, por exemplo, o esquema Mori-Tanaka, onde as juntas são modeladas como esferoides. Um modelo numérico via método dos elementos finitos, que considera explicitamente as juntas, é usado para comparar os resultados obtidos. / Rock media are composed by blocks of intact rock and discontinuities. Discontinuities represent zones of low stiffness, where the mass properties of the rock are degraded, with reduced resistance. They also provide ways for fluid flow within the rock. The study of coupled mechanical-hydraulic behavior existing in porous media is perfomed by poroelasticity, which relates the stress and strain fields in a rock mass generated by the mechanical deformation of the skeleton and the action of pressurized fluid in the pores. A Micromechanics approach allows to extend the classical results of the theory of poroelasticity to the case of joints that are able to transfer stresses along their faces. In this context, a heterogeneous rock media is replaced by an equivalent homogeneous medium by applying the micro-macro approach from the theory of homogenization, which allows the determination of the effective properties of the rock mass. It is shown that, for some geometric distributions of the joints, it is possible to obtain analytical solutions for the rock behavior by applying estimates methods as the Mori-Tanaka scheme, where the joints are modeled as oblong spheroids. A numerical model via the finite element method, where the joints are considering explicitly, is used in order to compare the results.

Dispersal of the cochineal insect Dactylopius austrinus De Lotto, introduced into South Africa in 1932 as a biological control agent against jointed cactus Opuntia aurantiaca Lindley, was investigated. Zimmermann et al. (l974) suggested that the apparent failure of this insect to control jointed cactus infestations is due to limited dispersal of the first instar nymphs (hereafter referred to as crawlers). Studies on crawler morphology have shown a clear sexual dimorphism in the pattern and development of filaments on the head, thorax and abdomen of male and female crawlers. This enabled differentiation between the sexes with respect to terminal velocities, behaviour and survival of crawlers which have shown that the crawlers, especially the females, are well adapted to dispersal. Long filaments on the head, thorax and abdomen of the female crawlers, that are restricted to dispersal in the crawler stage (as later instars are sessile) and a behaviour directed towards "take-off" enhance the potential for dispersal. The more sedentary males, with long filaments restricted to the abdomen, are able to disperse as winged adults. The principal factors influencing the timing of dispersal and number of crawlers blown from the host plant are wind and temperature; the latter determining the number of crawlers moving on the host plant. Dispersal is confined to the period between 06h00 and 20h00 and it was possible to correlate the pattern of crawler dispersal with wind patterns. The general equation of Taylor (1978) provided an adequate description of horizontal distribution of D.austrinus crawlers in all directions. Wind dispersal of the apterous crawlers is restricted by the low height of jointed cactus plants. Horizontal distribution is limited (generally less than 10 m) although a small proportion of crawlers carried vertically upwards by turbulence or convection currents are sufficiently hardy to survive long range displacement. It is suggested that the small size of the host plant will also reduce effective colonization as the canopy area provides a small target for the wind-blown crawlers. The limitation on dispersal due to the low height of the host plant suggested a system for artificially enhancing crawler dispersal from elevated towers in the field. Evaluation of this system confirmed that it would be practical to augment or introduce cochineal into jointed cactus infestations to enhance the biocontrol potential of this insect. This offers an alternative to chemical control, that has so far failed to control the spread of jointed cactus despite an intensive and expensive herbicide program

No description available.

The distinct element method (DEM) is a useful tool in rock engineering to model jointed rock masses. To simulate a jointed rock mass realistically, the main challenge is to be able to capture its complex geometry which consists of blocks with various shapes and sizes, and to model the interactions between these blocks. The main contribution of this thesis is the development of novel algorithms in the DEM to model jointed rock masses, namely rock slicing procedures for block generation, and algorithms for contact detection between polygonal blocks in 2-D or polyhedral blocks in 3-D. These algorithms make use of convex optimisation techniques, for which there exist efficient solution procedures. They do not rely on conventional vertex-edge-face hierarchical data structures and tedious housekeeping algorithms. The algorithms have been verified against analytical and numerical solutions, as well as validated against experimental results published in the literature. Among those, the results of DEM simulations were compared against the experimental model tests and numerical simulations of jointed beams carried out by Talesnick et al. (2007) and Tsesarsky & Talesnick (2007) respectively. Emphasis was placed on modelling the stiffness of the block interfaces accurately, and this was accomplished by reinterpreting the laboratory data published by the investigators. The capabilities of the numerical tools are also examined and demonstrated in areas for which the DEM has found practical application. A substantial fraction of this thesis is devoted to illustrating how these tools can assist the engineer in designing support systems; for example, designing the length and spacing of rock bolts and the lining thickness for a tunnel. Algorithms to model rock bolt and lining support were implemented for this purpose. Interesting comparisons with elastic solutions for supported openings were obtained. Further, it is shown that the relative benefit of introducing more rock bolts or thicker lining can be evaluated using the numerical tools with the aid of an interaction diagram. In the final part of this thesis, the case history of the 1963 Vaiont rock slide in Italy is studied. The 2-D analyses led to useful insights concerning the influence of the reservoir water level, the rock mass strength and deformability, and the slide surface shear stiffness. 3-D analyses were undertaken to investigate the influence of the eastern boundary of the slope, and interesting insights were obtained concerning the slope kinematics. Overall, the case study shows that the tools are capable of modelling problems with specific physical and geometrical detail in both 2-D and 3-D.

Neste trabalho são abordados dois aspectos relacionados com modelos físicos fraturados: o primeiro, referido à resistência, é abordado através da avaliação de ensaios triaxiais em modelos fraturados pelo critério empírico de resistência de Hoek-Brown, e por análise numérica através do Código Universal de Elementos Distintos (UDEC). O segundo, referido a modos de ruptura, é abordado através da simulação em termos de deformabilidade e resistência de modelos fraturados e a simulação de taludes de diferentes alturas com o intuito de estudar a influência do tamanho do bloco no modo de ruptura. Ambos aspectos estão baseados nos resultados experimentais de Brown (1970) e de Singh (1997). A influêcia do tamanho do bloco no modo de ruptura foi estudada utilizando RMR89\", levando em consideração a escala do maciço (altura do talude). Através de análises numéricas preliminares e de um processo de retroanálises, foi simulado o comportamento mecânico dos modelos fraturados referidos. A avaliação da resistência aplicando o critério de resistência empírica de Hoek-Brown mostrou resultados coerentes quando comparados com os resultados experimentais de Brown (1970). Através de RMR89\" foi possível observar a influência do tamanho do bloco nos modos de ruptura e na estabilidade dos taludes de diferentes alturas. / This works treats about two aspects related to jointed physical models: one related to strength, by back-analyzing data using the Hoek-Brown criterion by means of numerical analyses with the Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC). The record refers to failure modes, is analyzed by means of numerical simulations taking into account deformability and strength of jointed physical models, as well as the simulation of slopes in jointed rock masses. Slopes of different heigths and different block sizes were analyzed to investigate scale effects. The analyses were made taking experimental results obtained by Brown (1970) and Singh (1997). The influence of the block size was studied using RMR89\", taking the rock mass scale into consideration. Strength evaluation adopting Hoek-Brown empirical strength criterion proved consistent with Brown\'s model test results. By means of RMR89\" the influence of the block size could be analyzed on failure models and in the stability of slopes with different heights.

Jointed rock masses are formed of intact rock and joints. There-fore, proper characterization of rock mass behavior has to consid-er the combined behavior of the intact rock blocks and that of the joints. This thesis presents the theoretical background of the Synthetic Rock Mass (SRM) modeling technique along with example applica-tions. The SRM technique is a new approach for simulating the mechanical behavior of jointed rock masses. The technique uses the Bonded Particle Model (BPM) for rock to represent intact ma-terial and the Smooth-Joint Contact Model (SJM) to represent the in situ joint network. In this manner, the macroscopic behaviour of an SRM sample depends on both the creation of new fractures through intact material, and slip/opening of pre-existing joints. SRM samples containing thousands of non-persistent joints can be submitted to standard laboratory tests (UCS, triaxial loading, and direct tension tests) or tested under a non-trivial stress path repre-sentative of the stresses induced during the engineering activity under study. Output from the SRM methodology includes pre-peak properties (modulus, damage threshold, peak strength) and post-peak proper-ties (brittleness, dilation angle, residual strength, fragmentation). Of particular interest is the ability to obtain predictions of rock mass scale effects, anisotropy and brittleness; properties that can-not be obtained using empirical methods of property estimation. Additionally, the nature of yielding and fracturing can be studied as the rock mass fails. This information can improve our understand-ing of rock mass failure mechanisms. / QC20100720

Planar cell polarity (PCP) is the organization of cellular characteristics within the plane of a tissue. PCP manifests both structurally, as in the directionality of insect bristles or mammalian skin hair, or dynamically, as in vertebrate neurulation, gastrulation, and oriented cell division in the kidney. Two well-conserved pathways are known to regulate PCP in invertebrates and in vertebrates: the Frizzled/PCP pathway and the Fat-Dachsous (Ft-Ds) pathway. The latter consists of the cadherins Ft and Ds, along with the Golgi kinase Four-jointed (Fj) and the transcriptional co-repressor Atrophin (Atro). Ft and Ds can bind each other, suggesting a mechanism for signal transduction. Fj phosphorylates Ft and Ds, modulating their binding affinities for each other. Atro is proposed to link Ft-Ds signaling with downstream events in the nucleus during eye development. The details of Ft-Ds binding, and the consequences of their interactions with other members of the pathway are poorly understood. In this work, I quantitatively analyzed Ft-Ds pathway mutant clones for their effects on ommatidial polarity in the Drosophila eye. My findings suggest that the Ft-Ds pathway regulates PCP independently of asymmetric cellular accumulation of Ft or Ds. I found that Atro has a position-specific role in regulating polarity in the eye, that Fj dampens clonal polarity signals, and that asymmetric accumulation of the atypical myosin Dachs is not essential for production and propagation of a long-range PCP signal. My observations suggest that Ft and Ds interact to modulate a secondary signal that regulates long-range polarity, that signaling by the Ds intracellular domain is dependent on Ft, and that ommatidial fate specification is genetically separable from long-range signaling.