Ni-Mn-Ga and In-Tl are two examples of shape memory alloys. Their shape memory effect is controlled by the martensitic transformation from the high temperature cubic phase to the low temperature tetragonal phase. Experimentally, it was found that the martensitic transformation, related to the elastic properties, is highly composition-dependent.In order to better understand the phase transition and facilitate the design of new materials with improved shape memory properties, the atomic scale description of the thermophysical properties of these alloys is needed. Therefore, in the presen tthesis, the elastic properties and phase stability of Ni-Mn-Ga and In-Tl shape memory alloys are investigated by the use of first-principles exact muffin-tin orbitals method in combination with the coherent-potential approximation. We present a theoretical description of the equilibrium properties of pure In and standard stoichiometric Ni2MnGa alloy with both cubic and tetragonal structures. In In-Tl alloys, all the calculated composition-dependent thermophysical properties: lattice parameter c/a, tetragonal shear modulus C" = (C11 - C12)/2, energy difference between the austenitic and martensitic phases, as well as electronic structures are shown to be in line with the experimentally observed lowering of the martensitic transition temperature TM with the addition of Tl. For most of the off-stoichiometric Ni2MnGa, the excess atoms of the rich component prefer to occupy the sublattice of the deficient one, except for the Ga-rich alloys, where the excess Ga atoms have strong tendency to take the Mn sublattice irrespective of the Mn occupation. In Ni-Mn-Ga-X (X=Fe, Co, and Cu) quarternary alloys, Fe atom prefers to occupy the Mn and Ni sublattices even in Ga-deficient alloys; Co has strong tendency to occupy the Ni-sublattice in all types of alloys; Cu atoms always occupy the sublattice of the host elements in deficiency. For most of the studied Ni-Mn-Ga and Ni-Mn-Ga-X alloys with stable site-occupations, the shear modulus C" can be considered as a predictor of the composition dependence of TM of the alloys: the alloy with larger C" than that of the perfect Ni2MnGa generally possesses lower TM except for Ni2Mn1+xGa1-x and Ni2Mn1-xGaFex. The failure of C" as a factor of TM in these two types of alloys may be ascribed that the compositiondependentmagnetic interactions and the temperature-dependent C0, which also playan important role on the martensitic transformation in these alloys. Furthermore, wedemonstrate that a proper account of the temperature and composition dependence ofC0 gives us reasonable theoretical TM(x) values in Ni2+xMn1-xGa alloys. Also in this type of Ni-rich and Mn-deficient alloys, by using the Heisenberg model in combination with the mean-field approximation, the abnormal trend of experimental magnetic transition temperature TC(x) with respect to the composition x is shown to be well captured by the theory. / QC 20110830

Engine development today is driven by cost, performance and government regulations. Customers want cars and trucks to consume less fuel, last longer, pollute less and be safer. Several of the requirements have tribological associations. For example, product longevity can be improved by lowering friction and using more wear-resistant components. In recent decades, the use of new coating application procedures and techniques has produced remarkably advances in relation to cutting tools. The process temperature at which coatings are applied has been lowered to below 200 oC. Thus it is now possible to coat low-alloy temper-sensitive steels, which are widely used in the automotive industry in machine elements such as gears, bearings and cam followers. The aim of this work has been to investigate the possibility of using sputtered amorphous carbon coatings to reduce friction and prevent wear in engine components, and specifically in valve train components. Test equipment simulating near-normal running conditions for the valve mechanism has been developed and used to test standard and coated valve components. The mechanism has also been analysed and simulated numerically. The results show a low velocity difference between the injector cam lobe and the roller, except for a short interval at the top dead centre of the rocker arm. In that region the slip increases significantly at higher speeds due to inertial forces. A three-dimensional finite element parameter study of the coating thickness, elastic modulus, asperity contact size and wavelength has shown that tensional stresses at the coating surface increase significantly when asperity contacts approach and interact. Testing of different thicknesses in rolling contact, together with finite element stress analysis, showed that a higher tensional stress level through the coating thickness increases the possibility of cracks propagating down to the interlayer and causing delamination of the coating. Tests with a rapid load increase on two carbon coatings show no transition from mild to more severe wear. Instead the contact is dimensioned by the plastic deformation of the underlying substrate.

<p>Engine development today is driven by cost, performance and government regulations. Customers want cars and trucks to consume less fuel, last longer, pollute less and be safer. Several of the requirements have tribological associations. For example, product longevity can be improved by lowering friction and using more wear-resistant components. In recent decades, the use of new coating application procedures and techniques has produced remarkably advances in relation to cutting tools. The process temperature at which coatings are applied has been lowered to below 200 oC. Thus it is now possible to coat low-alloy temper-sensitive steels, which are widely used in the automotive industry in machine elements such as gears, bearings and cam followers. </p><p>The aim of this work has been to investigate the possibility of using sputtered amorphous carbon coatings to reduce friction and prevent wear in engine components, and specifically in valve train components. Test equipment simulating near-normal running conditions for the valve mechanism has been developed and used to test standard and coated valve components. The mechanism has also been analysed and simulated numerically. The results show a low velocity difference between the injector cam lobe and the roller, except for a short interval at the top dead centre of the rocker arm. In that region the slip increases significantly at higher speeds due to inertial forces. </p><p>A three-dimensional finite element parameter study of the coating thickness, elastic modulus, asperity contact size and wavelength has shown that tensional stresses at the coating surface increase significantly when asperity contacts approach and interact. Testing of different thicknesses in rolling contact, together with finite element stress analysis, showed that a higher tensional stress level through the coating thickness increases the possibility of cracks propagating down to the interlayer and causing delamination of the coating. Tests with a rapid load increase on two carbon coatings show no transition from mild to more severe wear. Instead the contact is dimensioned by the plastic deformation of the underlying substrate.</p>

<p>This exam report has been developed in association with Strangbetong AB, Sweden.</p><p>The natural gravel that is being used as fine aggregate for concrete production today is an ending natural recourse and the Swedish government has decided to strongly reduce the extraction from the year of 2020. The only reasonable replacement is aggregates from crushed rocks but this material has other properties than natural aggregates. The concrete manufacturers now have to learn how to use these new fine aggregates in a cost effective way in order to ensure the quality of their concrete production.</p><p>In this project, crushed aggregates and combination of crushed and natural aggregates have been tested with existing formulas for fresh concrete. The two parameters yield stress and plastic viscosity have been measured which gives a good description of the workability of the fresh concrete. Different methods to make measurements on the dry fine aggregates, has also been tested, to find out if there is any correlations between these parameters and the parameters from the measurement on the fresh concrete.</p>

QC20100709

This exam report has been developed in association with Strangbetong AB, Sweden. The natural gravel that is being used as fine aggregate for concrete production today is an ending natural recourse and the Swedish government has decided to strongly reduce the extraction from the year of 2020. The only reasonable replacement is aggregates from crushed rocks but this material has other properties than natural aggregates. The concrete manufacturers now have to learn how to use these new fine aggregates in a cost effective way in order to ensure the quality of their concrete production. In this project, crushed aggregates and combination of crushed and natural aggregates have been tested with existing formulas for fresh concrete. The two parameters yield stress and plastic viscosity have been measured which gives a good description of the workability of the fresh concrete. Different methods to make measurements on the dry fine aggregates, has also been tested, to find out if there is any correlations between these parameters and the parameters from the measurement on the fresh concrete.

Den här studien handlar om pedagogers syn på barns delaktighet och inflytande kring valet av bygg och konstruktionsmaterialet och dess utformning i förskolan. Syftet är att synliggöra pedagogers syn på barns inflytande och delaktighet i valet och utformningen av bygg och konstruktionsmaterialet. Pedagogernas syn på detta i tyska respektive svenska förskolor har sedan jämförts, för att se likheter och skillnader. För att nå kunskap om detta har vi utgått  från en kvalitativ intervjustudie, där vi intervjuat tre pedagoger i Tyskland respektive Sverige. Studiens resultat visar på att pedagogerna har en strävan och vilja att möta barnens intressen och behov i valet och utformningen av bygg och konstruktionsmaterialet men att det finns aspekter som begränsar detta, exempelvis ekonomi. Studien visar på att pedagogerna vill erbjuda ett varierat, tillgängligt och inspirerande material. Barnen görs delaktiga genom att pedagogerna är närvarande i deras lek för att kunna fånga barnens intressen samt genom att barnen efter ålder ges möjlighet att uttrycka sin åsikt. De mest framträdande skillnaderna vi funnit mellan de tyska och svenska förskolorna är deras olika lösningar på de ekonomiska aspekterna för att kunna erbjuda barnen den delaktighet och inflytande som pedagogerna eftersträvar. Vi har funnit att i Tyskland sker en öppen finansiering från vårdnadshavare till förskolan medan det i Sverige förekommer på ett dolt vis. Många likheter synliggörs i pedagogernas uppfattningar om hur barns inflytande och delaktighet bör få utrymme i utformning och val av material.

Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur pedagoger arbetar med bygg och konstruktion i förskolan samt hur de resonerar utifrån materialets betydelse för bygg och konstruktion. Studien tar sin teoretiska utgångspunkt i det sociokulturella perspektivet och som undersökningsmetod används kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer.   Studiens resultat visar att både aktiviteter och eventuell planering inom bygg och konstruktion i förskolan i största utsträckning grundar sig på barnens inflytande och intressen. Vidare pedagogernas tankar om förutsättningarna för att planera och arbeta med bygg och konstruktion i förskolan. Resultatet visar också vilket material som finns tillgängligt hos de intervjuade pedagogerna. Exempelvis så hade samtliga pedagoger tillgång till klossar, lego och någon form av återvinningsmaterial. Resultatet sammanfattar också hur pedagogerna resonerar om de olika materialen och deras betydelse för bygg och konstruktion i förskolan. / The purpose of this study is to examine how teachers are working with build and construction in preschool. Further how they reason on the basis of material importance for build and construction. Theoretical basis of the study is of the socio-cultural perspective and research method used qualitative semi-structured interviews.   The result of the study shows that activities and any planning of build and construction in the surveyed preschools, to the greatest extent were based up on the children´s influence and interests. Further it shows the teachers thoughts on the prospects for planning and working with build and construction in preschool. It shows what kind of materials the interviewed teachers had access to. For example, all teachers had access to blocks, Lego and some form of recycling materials. The result also shows how teachers reason on the basis of material and it´s role in working with build and construction in preschool.

MOJO

<p>With the advent of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) that flows freely, under the soleinfluence of gravity, the wish for hassle-free and predictable castings even in complexcases, spurged the simulation of concrete flow as a means to model and predictconcrete workability. To achieve complete and reliable form filling with smoothsurfaces of the concrete, the reinforced formwork geometry must be compatible withthe rheology of the fresh SCC. Predicting flow behavior in the formwork and linkingthe required rheological parameters to flow tests performed on the site will ensurean optimization of the casting process.In this thesis, numerical simulation of concrete flow is investigated, using both discreteas well as continuous approaches.The discrete particle model here serves as a means to simulate details and phenomenaconcerning aggregates modeled as individual objects. The here presented cases aresimulated with spherical particles. However, it is possible to make use of nonsphericalparticles as well. Aggregate surface roughness, size and aspect ratio maybe modeles by particle friction, size and clumping several spheres into forming thedesired particle shape.The continuous approach has been used to simulate large volumes of concrete. Theconcrete is modeled as a homogeneous material, particular effects of aggregates,such as blocking or segregation are not accounted for. Good correspondence wasachieved with a Bingham material model used to simulate concrete laboratory tests(e.g. slump flow, L-box) and form filling. Flow of concrete in a particularly congestedsection of a double-tee slab as well as two lifts of a multi-layered full scale wall castingwere simulated sucessfully.A large scale quantitative analysis is performed rather smoothly with the continuousapproach. Smaller scale details and phenomena are better captured qualitativelywith the discrete particle approach. As computer speed and capacity constantlyevolves, simulation detail and sample volume will be allowed to increase.A future merging of the homogeneous fluid model with the particle approach to formparticles in the fluid will feature the flow of concrete as the physical suspension thatit represents. One single ellipsoidal particle falling in a Newtonian fluid was studiedas a first step.</p> / <p>Med uppkomsten av självkompakterande betong (SKB) och dess möjligheter att flyta ut under inverkan av endast gravitation uppstod ett behov av att kunna förutsäga och kontrollera även mer komplicerade gjutningar. Numerisk simulering av SKBs flöde kan kommma att utgöra ett kraftfullt verktyg för att optimera gjutprocessen, ge möjlighet att förutsäga nödbvändig arbetbarhet och säkerställa kompatibilitet mellan den armerade formen och betongens reologi. I föreliggande avhandling undersöks betongens flöde med både diskreta och kontinuumbaserade simuleringsmetoder. Den diskreta partikelmodellen används för att simulera detaljer och fenomen hos t.ex. ballast i betong. I de här presenterade simuleringarna används sfäriska partiklar, men det är även möjligt att skapa ballastkorn av olika form. Ballastens ytråhet och storlek kan modelleras med parametrar för friktion och storlek medan sammanfogning av ett flertal partiklar kan ge ekvivalent form. Den kontinuumbaserade ansatsen används för att simulera större flödesmängder. Betongen modelleras som ett homogent material, eventuella effekter av ballastens inverkan, till exempel blockering eller separation, ingår ej. God överensstämmelse har uppnåtts med Binghams materialmodell som applicerats på några av SKBs provningsmetoder (bl a flytsättmått och L-låda) liksom även för större gjutningar. Formfyllnad av en hårt armerad sektion av ett STT-element, liksom två pumpade betongleveranser till en hög vägg, har framgångsrikt simulerats. En kvantitativ övergripande analys av betongflödet i formen kan göras med den kontinuumbaserade ansatsen för att upptäcka zoner med eventuella svårigheter. En högupplöst detaljstudie kompletterar sedan analysen på valda delar av och kring dessa zoner för att fånga partikelfenomen kvalitativt med hjälv av den diskreta modellen. Då datorkapaciteten ökar kommer även större volymer med högre detaljrikedom att kunna simuleras. En framtida modell simulerar med stor sannolikhet partiklar i flöde, vilket till fullo kan fånga betongens egenskaper som suspension. Som ett första steg på vägen har en fallande ellipsoid i en newtonsk vätska simulerats.</p>