To get an improved understanding and knowledge of the processes and phenomena during the late phase of a core melt down accident the FOREVER-experiments (Failure of Reactor Vessel Retention) are currently underway. These experiments are simulating the lower head of a reactor pressure vessel under the load of a melt pool with internal heat sources. The geometrical scale of the experiments is 1:10 compared to a common Light Water Reactor. During the first series of experiments the Creep behaviour of the vessel is investigated. Due to the multi-axial creep deformation of the three-dimensional vessel with a non-uniform temperature field these experiments are on the one hand an excellent possibility to validate numerical creep models which are developed on the basis of uniaxial creep tests. On the other hand the results of pre-test calculations can be used for an optimized experimental procedure. Therefore a Finite Element model is developed on the basis of the multi-purpose commercial code ANSYS/Multiphysics®. Using the Computational Fluid Dynamic module the temperature field within the vessel wall is evaluated. The transient structural mechanical calculations are performed applying a creep model which is able to take into account great temperature, stress and strain variations within the model domain. The new numerical approach avoids the use of a single creep law with constants evaluated for a limited stress and temperature range. Instead of this a three-dimensional array is developed where the creep strain rate is evaluated according to the actual total strain, temperature and equivalent stress for each element. Performing post-test calculations for the FOREVER-C2 experiment it was found that the assessment of the experimental data and of the numerical results has to be done very carefully. A slight temperature increase during the creep deformation stage of the experiment for example could explain the creep behaviour which appears to be tertiary because of the accelerating creep strain rate. Taking into account both - experimental and numerical results - gives a good opportunity to improve the simulation and understanding of real accident scenarios.

A mechanical model of an axial piston-type machine with a so-called wobble plate and Z-shaft mechanism is presented. The overall aim is to design and construct an oil-free piston expander demonstrator as a first step to realizing an advanced and compact small-scale steam engine system. The benefits of a small steam engine are negligible NOx emissions (due to continuous, low-temperature combustion), no gearbox needed, fuel flexibility (e.g., can run on biofuel and solar), high part-load efficiency, and low noise. Piston expanders, compared with turbines or clearance-sealed rotary displacement machines, have higher mechanical losses but lower leakage losses, much better part-load efficiency, and for many applications a more favourable (i.e., lower) speed. A piston expander is thus feasible for directly propelling small systems in the vehicular power range. An axial piston machine with minimized contact pressures and sliding velocities, and with properly selected construction materials for steam/water lubrication, should enable completely oil-free operation. An oil-free piston machine also has potential for other applications, for example, as a refrigerant (e.g., CO2) expander in a low-temperature Rankine cycle or as a refrigerant compressor.   An analytical rigid-body kinematics and inverse dynamics model of the machine is presented. The kinematical analysis generates the resulting motion of the integral parts of the machine, fully parameterized. Inverse dynamics is applied when the system motion is completely known, and the method yields required external and internal forces and torques. The analytical model made use of the “Sophia” plug-in developed by Lesser for the simple derivation of rotational matrices relating different coordinate systems and for vector differentiation. Numerical solutions were computed in MATLAB. The results indicate a large load bearing in the conical contact surface between the mechanism’s wobble plate and engine block. The lateral force between piston and cylinder is small compared with that of a comparable machine with a conventional crank mechanism.   This study aims to predict contact loads and sliding velocities in the component interfaces. Such data are needed for bearing and component dimensioning and for selecting materials and coatings. Predicted contact loads together with contact geometries can also be used as input for tribological rig testing. Results from the model have been used to dimension the integral parts, bearings and materials of a physical demonstrator of the super-critical steam expander application as well as in component design and concept studies.

Le déphasage entre augmentation de température et augmentation de gaz à effet de serre (GES) dans l'atmosphère lors des grandes transitions climatiques passées est estimé grâce aux mesures effectuées dans les carottes de glace polaires dans la phase glace pour la température et dans la phase gaz (bulles d’air piégées) pour la concentration en GES. Ce déphasage est encore mal contraint et, pour résoudre ce problème, il est nécessaire de mieux comprendre le processus mécanique de transformation de neige en glace près de la surface de la calotte (centaine de mètres supérieurs, le névé). En l'absence de fusion, la transformation de la neige (matériau à porosité ouverte en contact avec l'atmosphère) en glace (matériau contenant des bulles d'air isolées) s'effectue progressivement sous l'action des gradients de température près de la surface, puis sous l'action du poids des couches de neige situées au-dessus. Selon les conditions de température et précipitation, ce processus peut prendre quelques décennies à plusieurs millénaires et s'étend sur une centaine de mètres de profondeur. Il contrôle la différence d'âge entre la glace et les gaz qu'elle renferme. La prédiction de la profondeur de piégeage des gaz représente un enjeu majeur pour la paléoclimatologie en particulier sur la séquence des changements relatifs de température et de concentration en gaz à effet de serre.Un modèle thermo-mécanique de densification de la neige a été conçu et développé au LGGE en intégrant la formulation des processus mécaniques, des propriétés thermiques, et des critères de piégeage des gaz. Les performances de ce modèle peuvent être testées et améliorées grâce à des études de structure de névés actuels (densité, rapport porosité ouverte/fermée, …). Pour les périodes plus anciennes, des mesures d’isotopes des gaz inertes d15N et d40Ar) dans l’air piégé dans les carottes de glace polaire permettent d’obtenir des informations directes sur les variations passées de la structure du névé (e.g. épaisseur de la zone diffusive). Les larges divergences observées en Antarctique entre les sorties de modèle de densification et les mesures isotopiques de gaz piégé dans la glace génèrent une grande incertitude sur les reconstructions climatiques passées et comprendre ce désaccord est un défi majeur de la paleoclimatologie actuelle.Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous avons pris en compte les influences de la dépendance à la température des énergies d'activation et des impuretés (poussières) sur la vitesse de densification. Cela a permis de concilier les données et le modèle. Les résultats du modèle modifié sont globalement cohérents avec les profils de densité mesurés pour des névés actuels et les données d'isotopes de gaz inertes pour les déglaciations (aussi appelées terminaisons). Nous avons également présenté de nouvelles mesures à haute résolution de d15N et d40Ar pour les terminaisons 2 (129-138ka) et 3 (243-251ka) des carottes antarctiques de Dôme C et Vostok. Nous avons montré que les différentes évolutions de d15N entre les différents sites et différentes déglaciations s’expliquaient largement par les différences de taux d’accumulation qui contrôlent la profondeur de transition neige-glace. Nous avons aussi montré que l’utilisation des isotopes de l’air était un complément important à l’utilisation des isotopes de l’eau pour contraindre la dynamique climatique locale en Antarctique de l’Est lors des déglaciations. / The phasing between increases in temperature and greenhouse gas concentrations during large climatic variations in the past is classically estimated using analyses in polar ice cores, in the ice phase for the temperature and in the gas phase (trapped air bubbles) for the concentration of greenhouse gases. This phasing is still insufficiently constrained and solving this problem requires a better understanding of the mechanical process of snow to ice metamorphism near to the top of the ice sheet (i.e. the firn, about 100 m deep). In the absence of melting, the transformation of snow (a material with open porosity in contact with the atmosphere) into ice (a material containing isolated bubbles) occurs progressively as a response to temperature gradients near the surface, and the weight of overlying snow in deeper layers. Depending on temperature and precipitation conditions, this process occurs in a few decades to several millennia and a ~100 meters depth range. It controls the age difference between the ice and the entrapped gases. Predicting the gas trapping depth is a major issue in paleoclimatology, especially in order to understand the phasing between temperature changes and changes in greenhouse gas concentrations.A thermo-mechanical model of snow densification has been developed at LGGE, it includes the main mechanical processes, the thermal properties of ice, and gas trapping criteria. The model performances can be tested and improved using experimental studies of modern firns (density, open/closed porosity ratio, etc). For firnification under ancient climates, measurements of isotopes of inert gases (d15N et d40Ar) in the air trapped in ice cores provide direct informations about past variations of firn structure (e.g. diffusive zone thickness). Large differences between firn densification model outputs and gas isotopic data are obtained in Antarctica, and imply a large uncertainty on past climatic reconstructions. Understanding this discrepancy is a major issue in paleoclimatology.As part of this thesis work, we took into account the effects of the temperature dependence of activation energies and impurities (dust) on the firn densification speed. It allowed to reconcile the model results with available data. The modified model results show an overall consistency with measured density profiles of present-day polar firns and isotopes of inert gases over deglaciations (also called terminations). We also analyze new high resolution measurements of d15N and d40Ar over Terminations 2 (129-138ka) and 3 (243-251ka) on the Dome C and Vostok ice cores. We have shown that the different evolutions of d15N between different sites and different deglaciations are largely explained by differences in accumulation rates that control the snow/ice transition depth. We also showed that the use of air isotopes was an important complement to the use of water isotopes to constrain local climatic dynamics in eastern Antarctica during deglaciations.

No / Closed-form expressions are derived for the torsional stiffness, radial stiffness and tilting stiffness of annular rubber flanged bushes of finite length in three principal modes of deformation, based upon the classical theory of elasticity. Illustrative numerical results are deduced with realistic physical data of typical flanged bushes.

No description available.

A study on shape memory alloy materials as vibration dampers is reported. An important component is the strain rate-dependent and temperature-dependent constitutive behavior of shape memory alloy, which can significantly change its energy dissipation capacity under cyclic loading. The constitutive model used accounts for the thermo-mechanical strain rate-dependent behavior and phase transformation. With increasing structural flexibility, the hysteretic loop size of shape memory alloy dampers increases due to increasing strain rates, thus further decreasing the response of the structure to cyclic excitation. The structure examined is a beam, and its behavior with shape memory alloy dampers is compared to the same beam with conventional dampers. Parametric studies reveal the superior performance of the shape memory alloy over the conventional dampers even at the resonance frequency of the beam-damper system. An important behavior of the shape memory alloy dampers is discovered, in that they absorb energy from the fundamental and higher vibration modes. In contrast, the conventional dampers transfer energy to higher modes. For the same beam control, the stiffness requirement for the shape memory alloy dampers is significantly less than that of the conventional dampers. Response quantities of interest show improved performance of the shape memory alloy over the conventional dampers under varying excitation intensity, frequency, temperature, and strain rate.

Les alliages de titane sont largement utilisés dans le secteur de l’aéronautique. Cependant,ces alliages sont très sensibles aux gammes d’élaboration et de mises en forme. Cesdernières ont une grande influence sur l’intégrité de surface des produits finis, ce qui aun impact sur la durée de vie des pièces en service. Il est donc nécessaire de maîtriser lesprocédés afin de pouvoir définir la tenue en service des pièces.Dans ces travaux, les différentes intégrités de surface sont décrites en termes d’évolutionmicrostructurale, de contraintes résiduelles et de micro-géométrie. Des essais de fatigueen flexion 4 points sont réalisés pour tester les performances mécaniques de ces surfaces.Nous avons remarqué une bonne cohérence entre les modèles reliant l’intégrité de surfaceet la tenue en fatigue déterminée expérimentalement.De plus, étant donné que les alliages de titane ont des microstructures complexes etpeuvent être multiphasés, nous nous sommes aussi intéressés au caractère hétérogènede ces matériaux principalement dans l’analyse de contraintes résiduelles déterminées àl’aide de la diffraction des rayons X. Nous avons remarqué que ces hétérogénéités ontun impact sur la détermination des contraintes résiduelles. De fait une méthodologiede détermination de contraintes non standard a été mise en place et validée par dessimulations utilisant un modèle d’homogénéisation auto-cohérent.Ces modèles d’homogénéisation sont intéressants d’un point de vue de la déterminationdes contraintes résiduelles par diffraction des rayons X car ils permettent la prise encompte de l’aspect multiphasé des matériaux ainsi que leur caractère anisotrope. / Titanium alloys are widely used in aeronautics industries. However, these alloys are highlysensitive to the method for elaboration and transformation processes. These processesimpact on the surface integrity of products. Therefore, they have to be controlled inorder to predict life time of structures.In this work, the study of surface integrity is focused on the description of microstructalevolution, residual stresses and micro-geometry. Four points bending tests were performedin order to determined the fatigue limit of the different studied processes. We find outa good consistency between models used to determinate lifetime from surface integrityinvestigation and experimental results.Moreover, microstructures of titanium alloys are highly complex and they often are twophasedmaterials. Consequently, we studied the heterogeneous behaviour of such materialby X-ray diffraction investigation.We found out that these heterogeneities have an impacton residual stresses determination. Therefore, a non-standard methodology was definedand validate by simulation using a micro-mechanic model : a self-consistent model.Micro-mechanical models are interesting for the residual stresses determination using Xraydiffraction because they allow to take into account heterogeneous and anisotropicbehaviours through anisotropic elasticity and anisotropic texture.

Le développement et la médiatisation du sport de haut niveau, notamment en fauteuil roulant, ont changé l 'image du handicap et favorisé le développement d'infrastructures permettant la pratique handisport, reconnue comme bénéfique pour la santé physique et psychique des personnes handicapées...Dans ce contexte, en partenariat avec un joueur de tennis fauteuil de haut niveau, l'objet de ces travaux a été d'étudier l'influence des réglages du fauteuil roulant sur son comportement en match, afin de l'optimiser pour le sport concerné. Ces travaux se concentrent d'abord sur les résistances au mouvement, en particulier dans les paliers des roues, lors du roulement en ligne droite et en rotation. La méthode consiste à créer d'abord un modèle mécanique représentatif du mouvement pour ensuite le valider avec une série d'expérimentations et l'exploiter. L'étude du sportif en mouvement sur son fauteuil a nécessité l'adaptation d'un modèle volumique à une personne assise, avec estimation des paramètres inertiels par mesures rapides. Ce modèle a été appliqué à l'étude de la propulsion à vitesse maximale, pour vérifier l'influence de la position du siège sur ce mouvement. Enfin une étude expérimentale des paramètres influant sur la rotation du fauteuil a mis en avant la forte influence de la position du centre de gravité du sujet sur la rotation, corroborée par un modèle mécanique.Les résultats issus de ces travaux ont permis de mieux comprendre les influences des réglages sur le comportement du fauteuil, de modifier certains réglages pour le sportif et d'orienter la conception d'un nouveau fauteuil. Ces études ont par ailleurs eu des retombées sur les fauteuils conventionnels et entre temps, notre sportif est devenu N°1 mondial... / The development of Paralympics has done a lot for a more positive image of handicap and has opened up new opportunities for the practice of disability sport, known to be highly beneficial for the physical and psychological health of disabled people. Conducted in close partnership with a high level tennis player, this study focuses on the influence of the wheelchair settings on its behavior in order to adapt this behavior to wheelchair tennis playing. The study first highlighted the forces of resistance to straight line or rotating wheelchair movements, thanks to mechanical models validated by experiments. Then, the inertial parameters of the seated player's body segments were assessed by adapting a volumic model to the sitting position, and his propulsion at maximal velocity was studied, in order to understand the effect of the seat fore-and-aft position on this movement. Then, an experimental study proved the major influence of the center of gravity position on free rotation, which was modelized too.In a nutshell, this research work has led to a better understanding of the effects of the wheelchair settings on its behavior, its results have allowed to modify various settings on our partner's wheelchair and can be used as a basis for future wheelchair conception/design. They have also proved useful for conventional wheelchairs and in the meantime, our tennis player partner has become wheelchair tennis world champion…

Do mechanického modelu kochley zavádzame implicitné numerické metódy. Tes- tujeme konkrétne štyri metódy: implicitný Euler, Crank-Nicolson, BDF druhého a tretieho rádu na lineárnej a nelineárnej verzii modelu. Nelineárny model obsahuje funkciu so saturujúcou vlastnosťou. Aplikácia implicitných metód na nelineárny model vedie na sústavu nelineárnych rovníc. Predstavujeme dva spôsoby, ako túto sústavu numericky riešiť. Prvý z nich zahrňuje nelinearitu do pravej strany novovzniknutej lineárnej sústavy. Druhý robí linearizáciu nelineárnej funkcie. V práci porovnávame oba spôsoby z hľadiska efektivity a sledujeme ich konvergenciu k referenčnému riešeniu. Pre hodnotu tolerancie, ktorú používame na určenie numerickej konvergencie, je prvý spôsob efektívnejší. V úplne nelineárnom režime druhý spôsob zlyháva, pretože nekon- verguje k referenčnému riešeniu. Výsledkom porovnania implicitných metód je, že Crank-Nicolsonova metóda s prvým spôsobom riešenia nelineárnej sústavy je pre účely nášho modelu najlepšia. Použitie tejto metódy v mechanickom modeli nám umožňuje vytvoriť ľubovoľne presné prepojenie medzi mechanickým a elektrickým modelom kochley, rešpektujúc fyziológiu človeka. 1

A theoretical and experimental study of mechanical properties of electrical cables with multi order helical structure has been performed. Relations between applied deformations and local strains in the first order helical structure have been developed. The model is then generalized with a hierarchical approach where the strains at any order helical structure are expressed as functions of strains in the upper order helix under the assumption that all components are sticking to each other. The force balance between the strains and the friction forces is considered. When the cable is exposed to small bending curvature, the slippage of the component is prevented by the frictional force. At this stage, the components of the cable behave as solid beams. Slippage occurs between the components when the tensile force in the components overcomes the frictional force. This state occurs at sufficiently large bending curvatures and results in a variable bending stiffness varying with the magnitude of the applied bending curvature. The response of the cable to pure bending is measured and the data is evaluated using the theoretical model described above. Magnitudes of un- known properties of the cable are estimated by comparing the theoretical and experimental data. To utilize the model in terms of life time estimation, a number of parameters were suggested to relate the mechanical properties of the cable to wear and fatigue. A parametric study has been done to investigate how these parameters are affected by changing cable properties or the loading condition. / QC 20101203